This Year...

This year I will not take my husband for granted and will make him a priority.

This year I will spend more one on one time with my kids.

This year I will be a more positive person.

This year I will be grateful for the little things.

This year I will lose 20 pounds.

This year I will exercise more.

This year I will learn something new.

This year I will start taking classes.

This year I will be better than last year.

I'll Be Home for Christmas... If Only In My Dreams

The holidays this year were... well, different. You see, I've gotten used to spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with my sisters. And this year for a variety of reasons, that didn't get to happen.

And while I had the truly important things here with me - my wonderful husband and the kids. And it was a nice calm, (white) Christmas. I still missed that time with my sisters. I missed the chaos. I missed watching my nieces open their presents. I missed all the laughter as we talk over each other while sharing some wine. And I even missed having someone to share the responsibility of making the dinner.

Fortunately, they'll be visiting next week and spending New Year's with me. So we'll make the best of that time together. We'll laugh. We'll tease each other. We may even argue a little bit. And we'll make some more memories for me to enjoy the next time I'm missing them.

Schweddy Balls

My favorite Christmas skit of all time!!!! I can't count how many times I've seen this, it still makes me laugh until I cry...

Freezing My Butt Off

The bathroom at work is cold. Not just "oh, it's chilly in here". We're talking - "I can see my breath in here" cold. "Cold as stone" cold. "Cold as a witch's tit in a brass bra" cold. See what I'm saying.... COLD.

The kind of cold that forces you to hover. Not because you're worried about germs or catching some nasty unmentionable thing from the toilet seat. But because you're afraid you'll freeze to the rim and leave a layer of flesh stuck to it when you attempt to stand again.

Yep... COLD!

Excuse me Victoria; but your secret is showing...

I used to be a big fan of Victoria's Secret. Used to be.

I used to think they were worth the extra cost. I liked the styles. I liked the fit. I liked how they held up. Now - not so much.

I think it all started when they discontinued the Angel's Uplift bra. Best. Bra. Ever. Perfect fit. Comfortable. Made the girls look pretty darn good, considering thier age and the fact that they were functional rather than ornamental for a few years. I mourned when I realized the Uplift was no longer available. Since then I have struggled to find another Victoria's Secret bra I like as well. And have yet to truly find one.

But the struggle doesn't end there. I am also disappointed in the quality of the products. The undies don't seem to hold thier shape like they used to. I have always liked the cotton panties. They used to last forever. Now I feel like I am constantly having to replace them.

And if ONE more bra pops an underwire on me, I can not be held responsible for my reaction. In the past year it has happened to atleast 4 of my Victoria's Secret bras. The style doesn't seem to matter. I've been poked by both the cotton bra and the Body by Victoria. And if there is one thing I ask of my bra (other than helping return the girls to thier original location) - it's that it not stab me in the breast as I go about my daily business!

I launder and care for the items just the way the company suggests. But they still don't hold up like they used to.

I'm really starting to think it's time to just move on. If I'm going to be constantly replacing undergarments and getting less quality anyway, I may as well pay a little less for the same thing.

So, there it is... my opinion. I think Victoria's Secret is out. And it's just not as impressive as it used to be.

RIP Leslie Nielson

"Always leave them laughing when you say good-bye" ~ George Cohan

"I am serious... and don't call me 'Shirley'."

Thankful

I am thankful for my husband of 18 years.

I am thankful for his patience, his kindness, his strength, and his love.

I am thankful for my beautiful, smart, funny daughter.

I am thankful for my clever, funny, crazy son.

I am thankful for my parents.

I am thankful for my sisters.

I am thankful to have a roof over our heads and food on our table.

I am thankful to have a job when so many do not.

I am thankful for friends that laugh with me and comfort me when I cry.

I am thankful for wine.

I am thankful for coffee.

I am thankful for books.

I am thankful for hope.

I am thankful for sunny days.

I am thankful for rainy days.

I am thankful for warm showers.

I am thankful for the smell of baking pumpkin pies.

I am thankful cuddling with my hubby.

I am thankful for every happy moment.

I am thankful for all the bumps along the road that helped make me who I am today.

The Hardest Words

"I'm sorry" and "I love you". Two phrases that can change everything.

That's my current Facebook status. And it's true. Two phrases we all need and want to hear. However we either don't say them enough, or we toss them around so much that they lose thier power.

When was the last time you said "I'm sorry" or "I love you" and really, really meant it with your whole heart and soul? Maybe today should be the day...

The Flip Side

A few days ago I blogged about feeling 16 again when I spend time with my parents and wondering why that is. In the past day or two, I have managed to get the reverse image of that coin.

The male offspring isn't feeling well. And even though he's 12 and a half years old - almost a teenager - when he's sick, I suddenly go back to feeling like he's my little sweet 4 year old boy. I want to coddle him and comfort him. I want to let him sit in my lap and cuddle him. (but of course he would just squish me if we tried it.) ; )

It's Bad Enough...

It's bad enough that after 11 1/2 years my job is still considered a "temporary" position.

It's bad enough that because of this my position is "eliminated" and then "reopened"; so that I am "rehired" each year.

It's bad enough that after 11 1/2 years I make the same hourly wage as someone who started a few months ago... thanks to the whole "temporary" thing.

It's bad enough that I will now technically be supervised by someone with far less experience, knowledge, and training specific to my work than I have

It's bad enough that policies prevent me from being able to fill that particular position.

It's bad enough that I will be expected to help train this person to take on duties and responsibilites so that they may correctly and efficiently do this position.

When does "bad enough" become just too bad to handle anymore?

Sixteen Again

What is it about being around your parents that can make you feel like the last 20+ years never happened?  My mother visited this past weekend.  It was nice to see her.  But it was all very familiar.  A million questions... just like when  used to want to go out with my friends.  Worrying about every little thing.  Glancing across the couch at my computer screen... just like listening in on my phone calls back when.  I guess it's true... no matter how old you are, you are aways your mother's baby. 

Long time... No blog

(Not sure why, but couldn't post to my blog for THE longest time. Sorry 'bout that!)

Tired tonight.  Wondering what to write about...

Fun Halloween.  Good birthday.  Sushi lunch.  The Domestic Diva's family gave her a Nook for her birthday. YES!!! 

Back from the banks

Day 1:  (Sunday June 27) Long, loooong drive out to the coast.  Takes as long to drive the length of NC as to drive from NC to FL.  Saw Dolphins while crossing bridge from the mainland to Roanoke Island.  The condo is fabulous with great views of the pool and the beach.   Managed to lock ourselves out when we went to get groceries. And the replacement key they brought us didn't work.  It was a little stressful, but we got to talk to a nice lady from the rental office and get some local info while we waited. 

Day Two:  (Monday June 28)  Spend the entire day on the beach.  So relaxing.  Water is freezing!  Saw several dolphins swimming past our little section of sand.  The male child got a new body board and enjoyed playing on that most of the day.  Had dinner at Awful Arthur's. 

Day 3: (Tuesday June 29)  Morning on the beach.  Afternoon at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island.  Small but nice aquarium.  And we got in free with our zoo membership, which made it even better.  Chris was going to buy me some beautiful sea glass earrings, but we didn't realize until after we were 1/2 way back to the condo that the girl at the gift store didn't ring them up and get them in our bad.  :(   Storms this afternoon with lots of crazy lightening.  It was absolutely beautiful! 

Day 4:  (Wednesday June 3)  Drove down the coast and took the ferry to Okracoke Island.  Saw the lighthouse, had lunch at The Jolly Roger, and just strolled around a little.  Stopped at Hatteras Lighthouse on the way back to the condo. 

Day 4: (Thursday July 1)  Another Day on the beach.  And nothing but..  It was fabulous!!  I was so relaxed and content.  Dinner at Goombay's. 

Day 5:  (Friday July 2)  The family was a little pink, so we spent the day away from the beach.  The household princess and I did some souvenir shopping, while the males played putt-putt and rode bumper cars.  The male child did swim in the pool a little just before sunset.

Day 6:  (Saturday July 3)  Last full day at the Outerbanks.  Spend the whole day beachin' it.  Swimming, playing, sunning, and The Domestic Goddess's man did a lot of surf fishing.  It was a great way to spend the last day in paradise.  There was one mishap when I hit a wrong button on the camera and accidently deleted a lot of pictures.  All the photos from Okracoke were gone, and most from Hatteras. 

Day 7:  (Sunday July 7)  I got up early to see the sun rise over the Atlantic.  I will miss the sun, the surf, the sand, and all the rest and relaxing.  So long Outerbanks.  Hello real life.

The Final Bow

Big BIG congrats to the NHHS Drama department on their production of "Little Shop of Horrors".  The show was a fun way to spend an evening.  The set was wonderful, the casting was wonderful, and I can't possibly say enough nice things about the Stage Manager!  (yes, I admit - it was the household Princess.  She's amazing!!)

I don't get it...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/05/roman-polanski-cannes-petition.html

Because some people think it's OK to drug and rape young girls if you're a talented director?  Does the ability to make good movies, or having lived through your own tragedies make you above the law?

Atleast there are still some in the film industry that still have a little common sense left...
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5grpU3BhVVfr82be4CoCc-OsGUG4gD9FMR7O00

Wow. Just.... wow....

Maybe you've seen it.  The Facebook group "Dear Lord, This year you took my favorite actor, Patrick Swayzie.  You took my favorite actress, Farah Fawcett.  You took my favorite singer, Michael Jackson.  I just wanted to let you know, my favorite president is Barack Obama.  Amen".  IMO, not funny.  And I have a pretty twisted sense of humor.  Truly.

I'm not surprised it's out there.  Really.  There are crazy extremists on all sides.  What has me speechless are the number of people I know who loudly and proudly proclaim how they are loving devoted Christians, but then join a group which in essense is praying for God to kill the president.  Nice.  Real nice.  Do you think Jesus is impressed by your actions?   Do you think He's proud of you for acting this way?  For using His name to spread hatred?

You don't like the man or his policies.  Fine.  But I think wishing him dead is taking things way WAY too far. 

*shakes her head sadly and just walks away*

Things that make you think. Hmmmmmmm...

Ever wonder...

During the New Moon movie, when Bella and Jacob are arguing while standing in the pouring rain - do you think he smells like wet dog? 

Just sayin'...

S(o) H(appy) I(t's) T(hursday)

Thursday - that point in the week when I can safely start getting happy about the upcoming weekend.  Atleast I hope I can get happy about it.

The husband of the Domestic Diva mentioned a possible date night this weekend.   Hmm... what to do?  Big benefit dinner?  The theatre?  Charity auction?  Dinner and then dancing until dawn?  Oh puhleeze!  For this discerning couple it's usually dinner and a movie.  I know, you can hardly stand the excitment.  But try to contain your enthusiasm.  I promise there will be a full update following the big event.

The Really, Really, Real Thing

If you are expecting pampered, spoiled, over-the-top housewife - you are in the wrong place.  Yep, this the REAL thing.  Not a hint of collagen, Botox, saline, Restylane, hair extensions, or silicon here.  No diamonds, rubies or high $$ designer labels either.  For this domestic diva a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and some flip-flops are must have items.  An exciting day of shopping probably means I found a really great deal at Target.  I can't promise this blog will be filled with cat fights and high drama.  But raising two kids, two cats, a dog, and my husband can lead to some pretty entertaining moments.  Along with the completely bizarre and random thoughts that float through my head, this could lead to an interesting journey.