BYOC - On Saturday

I didn't post yesterday because after I stumbled out of bed, I had to get ready to take my car in for it's scheduled service.  It's a very responsible and mature thing that I'm now doing to take care of my brand new car.  Even if it means getting out of bed early on the first day off of Easter break.

So, I didn't get to do BYOC yesterday, so I'm doing it today...  Draz posts the questions, I copy them and answer them, and my blog gets a decent post for the week.  WIN, WIN, WIN!

1. What’s your first reaction when you get really angry?

My very first reaction when I feel my blood pressure rising is yell.  At whoever is closest enough to take the lashing - regardless of whether or not I'm actually mad at that person.  The yelling gets worse if I hear the words "calm down!"  Those are my trigger words that lead in to more yelling about why I won't calm down and why I have every right to yell and be angry.

Usually, the yelling only lasts a couple of minutes, and then I either feel better and let it go or I resort to my second reaction which is locking everything in and giving the silent treatment.  My kids, Hubby, and other people that know me very well will tell you that this stage of my anger is WAY more scary than the first reaction.  When I'm silent and stewing it means that I'm internally processing the reasons for my anger...and that will ultimately lead to another blow up or some form of over reaction.  Over reactions depend on the circumstances of my anger.  They include but are not limited to taking away every possession owned or operated by the child I'm mad at, bringing up every flaw or situation that has happened between myself and the victim in the past, cursing like a sailor, and possibly throwing stuff.  The second reaction happens very rarely, as usually the yelling just helps - and then I feel guilty for a while for yelling, and end up apologizing and letting it go.

2. When is the last time you cried in sadness or in joy?

Well, I cried last week after watching the first episode of Army Wives of this season.  I teared up watching this week's Chicago Fire last night.  Does that count?  Sappy, sad TV shows will get me every time.

In real life, I've teared up a few times over the course of the past few weeks with joy because of certain situations that are taking place in my life right now....and I know that in exactly one month - when I can come on here and scream and happy dance my way through my news - I will cry like a baby from pure, exhilarating joy.  Or pure, heartbroken, worse than I've ever cried before sadness if it doesn't work out.  The clock is ticking on which one it will be... but my gut is telling me that it's going to be tears of joy.  Positive thinking!

3. If the stars aligned and everything was perfect from your partner to your job and income and everything – how many kids would you choose to have?

Growing up, I always imagined having only two children.  A girl and a boy.  I got my wish at a very young age, and honestly told myself that I was done and didn't need to have any more children.  But because I had my first two kids when I was so young, and despite Hubby being perfectly content with his "ready made family", the baby bug started to get to me and I yearned for another.  And then Jelly came along.

Six years ago, I would have sworn that two was the magic number.  Having three made it uneven.  Bedrooms would have to be shared, there would always be a middle child, and there would be an unbalance.  But, it appears I was wrong.  Three is the magic number.  I have no desire to have any more children.  I'm perfectly content with my children.  Yes, there's a middle child.  Yes, there are two girls and only one boy.  Yes, a bedroom is being shared.  But, I can do something about that last one hopefully one day soon.

The two oldest fight like cats and dogs, and Jelly has nothing to do with that.  Whether she came or didn't, I don't see that there would be any change to that.  Jelly has, in fact, put some peace on that situation.  She is young enough to keep Butter occupied and out of Peanut's space.  There's enough of an age gap that the two oldest can "do their thing" and Jelly doesn't feel left out.  Yes, I definitely think that 3 if fine - and most definitely enough.

4. If you won the lottery – what is the first purchase you’d make?

This is a no brainer.  I'd buy a new house.  And, not a fancy, lavish mansion.  Just a house big enough for us. It would have to be four bedrooms with a nice, big yard.  Maybe a pool.  Just because I had millions of dollars doesn't mean I need to live in a house worth millions of dollars.  The one and only reason for that is because I would be the one that would have to clean it.  I would never hire someone to clean my house... so why on earth put myself out with a house so big it would take me days to clean?  I'd pay cash for it, so no mortgage payments...and that would make me very happy and content.

5. Repeat question. Summarize your week in real life and in blog land.

Well, blog land has been a little dry and boring.  I'm sure that one of the hardest things I've ever had to do is keep my mouth shut about stuff going on in my life.  And that's what I've had to do the past few weeks...which has majorly affected my blogging.

Real life has been exciting and stressful and good.

I had to give my kiddos at school their Mock MAP test last week, and now I get to wade through the numbers to see what I have to cover in the next four weeks before the real MAP test is given.  I was very happy with the numbers that came from the Communication Arts portions of the tests.  Not so happy with the math part.  But, there was growth...on both...and that's something to be happy about.

Outside of school, my life has been like a baseball game.  Waiting for the winning run.  I rounded through first base, waited just a little on second, third base was a steal, and now I'm sitting on third base waiting to head on home.  It looks so close, but yet so far away.  For an entire month I'm going to be sitting on this base wondering if I'll be able to score that home run or be tagged out at the last second.

I know too well not to count my chickens before they hatch.  Too many times I've played this baseball game.  I remember last year....sailed my way through first base and submitting applications, sat on second for a while waiting for interviews, getting the interviews on third, and then just when I thought home plate was mine for the taking - BAM, tagged out in the last second.  OK, I finally did score a home run - but after many, many outs.  I just pray to all things holy that I don't have to go through that again with what I'm dealing with now.

And, just how amazing is my metaphor for my life?  A baseball game.  Huh.  It appears that my writing mojo is still working...I just need to think about writing in code...or metaphors.  Food for thought going in to next week, I suppose.

Alright, time to get ready to head to P-Momma's for some Easter fun.  I'm going to ignore the fact that it's absolutely pouring rain outside...indoor egg hunt it is!

BYOC is BACK!!

Thank goodness for Drazil!  I really don't know what I'd do without her sometimes.  Just when I think I might have to skip my blog post for the day, because I've just got too much going on and not much to say... she pulls through by bringing back one of my most favorite blog questionnaires.  Thank-you, Draz!!

BYOC is Bring Your Own Crazy.  You visit Draz's blog, copy the questions, answer them on your own blog, and share with the world.  Simple.  Here goes...

1-What was your favorite cartoon as a kid? Is it still on today?

Hmm... I actually liked a lot of cartoons.  I liked Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry, and Thundercats.  I think my most favorite was Dungeons and Dragons.

I know that Cartoon Network still shows Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry, but I haven't seen an episode of Thundercats or D&D in YEARS!

2-Describe your favorite piece of clothing.

Warm.  Comfy.  Fleecy.  Feels like I'm walking around in a blanket wrapped around my legs.  If it's hot outside, I opt for the version that are light, airy, and not as heavy.

I would be describing my PJ's.  All of them.  Which is technically not what the question asked, but Draz answered with the same answer - so it's legal.

3-In the hopes of convincing Summer to arrive – I’m asking this question. Name a summer tradition you currently have or a tradition you want to start for every summer.

Hmmm...another tough one.  I guess a summer tradition I currently have is to go swimming over at my parent's house or P-Momma's house.  Being that I don't have to work during the summer, it gives me time to spend a lot of time with them.  Also, we ALWAYS go to the zoo.  Every year.

What I want to start is having the tradition of having family and friends over to our house during the summer. Cook-outs, pool parties, sleepovers.  Where it feels like we don't always have to go somewhere to have some fun, but people will be able to come to us.  Wouldn't that be nice?

4-For all of the newbie bloggers out there getting to know everyone – let’s answer this one. How long have you been blogging, what is your theme and how did you pick your name? Why did you start blogging? What kind of blogs are your favorite to read and follow?

I started my blog in 2009, but I really became an avid blogger in May, 2010.

My blog started out as a strictly Weight Loss blog.  Then it developed more in to a blog about a busy woman who's trying to lose weight.  Then it moved to less weight loss, more family themed.  Then it became a how to find a teaching job blog.  And now it's a miss mash of family, teaching, life in general, with the occasional sprinkling of weight loss - when I'm feeling like losing weight.

My blog name has been through a few changes, also.  It started as Diary of a Mad Fat Woman and then transitioned in to The Life and Times of Jo, because that really fit me and my theme much better.  Plus, I got really tired of people telling me that I shouldn't label myself as a "fat woman" - even though I really liked the name and thought it suited me perfectly when I first picked it.  However, Diary of a Mad Fat Woman was my strictly weight-loss minded blog name, so once I wanted to move away from that persona, I had to come up with a different blog name that fit the topic a little better.

I started blogging because everyone and their mother had told me that the most successful weight loss tool was a journal.  Of course, I didn't realize at the time that they meant a food journal to record what I was eating.  I might be a whole lot thinner now had I known that back then.  Of course, I might be thinner but I'd be a whole lot more crazy.  My original intent with blogging was to just share what I was doing to lose weight.  Then, once my fingers started doing the talking... it became a release for all things stressful, wonderful, scary, sad, exciting, and challenging.  I realized, quickly, that blogging was my outlet - and that it would always be an important part of my life.

I like all kinds of blogs and follow tons of them - even though I don't have near enough time to read them all every day.  I follow a lot of weight-loss blogs, general life blogs, teaching blogs, etc.  I like humorous blogs - and not a huge fan of blogs that aren't somehow personally connected.  I like to feel like the bloggers I'm following are more like friends rather than information providers.

5-Repeat question: Summarize your week in blogland and in real life for us:

Blogland has been tough because I've been so cryptic and cautious with information that I'm sharing.  There's a very good reason for it, and I know it's driving some people crazy... but it will all make sense eventually.  Hopefully.  Although, I know many of you have figured out what it is... I'm neither confirming or denying your suspicions - because I don't want to jinx us.  Karma is watching, I know it.   I did get to write a nice post about Butter's birthday, and share about the crazy weather we're having in our neck of the woods.

Real life has been good.  Minus the cold I had this week that seems to be on its way out.  Thank goodness.  I've been extremely busy.  Testing at school is looming in the near future, so I'm busy busy trying to prepare for that.  Hubby and I are in the midst of a life changing decision that's causing all of my crypticness.  All I can say is that it's moving along well, and hopefully it will only be a couple more weeks before I can scream our news from the rooftops.  

This weekend, I'll be gone - again - celebrating birthdays and spending time with my family.  I'm looking forward to it, although I really need to tackle the mountain of laundry in my bathroom before I step one foot out of this house tomorrow.  Maybe.

Have a wonderful Friday, everyone!

BYOC - On a Monday

I was having a really hard time coming up with something to write about this morning - but I wanted to write something. I'm sitting out on the porch, enjoying the rain, cooler air, and time with Peanut....so it's a perfect blogging scenario. The little kids are watching cartoons, and I haven't been bothered by "Momma can I have" or "Jo-Jo [whoever] is looking at me" once. That was until I wrote that sentence.. but it's all good.

So, I realized that I didn't do Draz's BYOC on Friday. I love Bring Your Own Crazy cause it works wonders for situations like right now - I can't think of anything to write about, so I want to write.

And that's what I'm going to do. So, it's BYOC - Monday Edition!

1. Are you a daily purse switcher, an often purse buyer or a one purse kind of woman? What factors influence your purse buying?

Purses are my "thing". The one thing I love to collect. Apart from shoes. I have laundry baskets and trash bags full of purses. Some I own that I've never used, others I've bought and used them until I wear a hole in them.

I am not a daily purse switcher. I buy a new purse and will use it for a while, until I get bored with it - or realize that it doesn't really fit my needs. I often prefer bigger purses, but then I get mad that the purse is too big that I can't ever find anything and then switch to a smaller purse. Then I hate the fact that the purse doesn't hold everything I need to take with me - and I get sucked in to a vicious cycle.

The only factor that influences my purse buying is the price. I don't ever buy a purse at full price. I'm a cheap-o and figure if I'm going to buy purses in the volume I buy them in, they need to be on clearance or discounted somehow. I won't buy a $20 purse at full price, but I'll buy a $40 purse if it's on sale for $20. It's stupid logic, but I always feel better knowing I got a bargain.

Right now, I'm hooked on my messenger bag type purse. I love it's size, and the fact that it fits nicely over my neck - so I don't have to really hold it on. It's the first purse that I put up a few months ago, and then dug it back out because the purse I switched to wasn't cutting it for me. The only downfall to this purse is the fact that I can't ever find my black phone in the purse - so that needs to be fixed by buying a hot pink cover for my phone.

2. What’s your favorite board game?

Even though I haven't gotten to play in years - my favorite board game is Trivial Pursuit. I remember playing it when I was younger, and we would play for hours because I, and the people I played with, never knew any of the answers. Now that I'm a little wiser - in my own head - I enjoy a good game. I really like the Pop Culture version...that one I do really know a lot about.

3. Are you a sore loser who throws fits or a gracious winner? Are you competitive?

I am VERY competitive. If I play, I play to win. I refuse to let anyone win or go easy on someone. That even includes kids. If I'm playing some form of game with a child, I don't believe in just letting them win. They need to learn the value of competition - and that you can't win everything. I know that may sound bad, but it's true. It may explain why I was not asked to return for a second season as a softball coach. I expected those kids to play to win - and wouldn't listen to "they are just playing for fun". What's the point in that? If you play a competitive sport, it should be to win.

I also believe, however, in being a good winner and a good loser. That's how I teach my kids to be - both biological and students. They should play to win, but losing isn't the end of the world, either. If they do win, they should accept it gracefully - and thank the other people for a good game. If they lose, they should do it gracefully - and thank the other people for a good game.

That's what I teach my kids - but I don't teach by example. It's horrible for me to admit, but I can sometimes be a bad loser - and a bad winner. I'm usually only ever bad at it when I'm playing Hubby. We like to play Risk and Scrabble on the iPad. I usually do really well in Scrabble - and will mock and jeer him. He's really good at Risk, and I'll get ticked off when he starts invading all of my countries - and kicking my behind. I get all moody and act like a little kid and tell him I don't want to play anymore. He doesn't like playing games with me much - and I don't pretend not to know why.

Peanut also just informed me that I do have the same tendancies when I'm playing with family members too. Her words were "you're not the best loser, but you don't lose very often". That about sums it up pretty fairly, I guess.

4. Tell us something you are afraid of that is a physical item…like spiders, deep water, heights, snakes, thunderstorms, first dates, childbirth, etc.

SPIDERS!! OMG....That's the one thing that I have always had the worst phobia of. As I read the question to Peanut, she yelled out spiders before I even read any of the options. She knows. It doesn't matter the size of the spider - if I see one, I freak out.

Living in the woods has helped me a little. Now, I keep a can of spider killer around me at all times..and as long as I can get a good shot in with the spray can, I can kill the spider. But if not? I'm screaming like a child and yelling for Hubby to come take care of it. I won't/can't sleep if there is a spider in the house that has gotten away without being killed.

I also don't like grasshoppers. Something about them jumping as high and as far as they do creeps me out. I can walk through a yard among jumping grasshoppers, but if one jumps on me - I freak the F out. I start jumping around, clawing at my clothes, and screaming at the top of my lungs.

Also on my list of fears/don't likes are heights, wasps, bees...bugs in general, and rodents.

Snakes are not on that list - being that I own a 4' ball python. He lives in a 100 gallon tank that sits right next to my bed. The only time I tolerate a rodent in my house is when it's being fed to my snake. Yeah, he eats rats. I can only imagine what Draz will say to me after reading this. Sorry, Draz.

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week.

I've spent another week at my parent's house - and I won't lie. It sucks big grasshopper balls. Although, it's not as bad as it was the first two weeks. I only have four kids right now. Butter is spending the week with P-Momma, and one of the foster kids went to stay with a family member until my parents come home. Only having four kids makes life much more tolerable.

I got to go to a wedding on Saturday. Hubby and I went without any kids - and it was so nice to have an evening out. I also started getting some wedding fuzzies. I want to get married, now, but I refuse to spend a whole bunch of money on a wedding. I want something simple, small, but nice. All I can think about is rather spending money on a new house than on a wedding - so I'm not sure what kind of wedding I'll end up with.

I got all of the paperwork mailed in for my MO teaching license, so that's another thing that has been taken care of. In a few weeks, I'll be good to go at my new job - and that's a WONDERFUL feeling.

There has been no effort on my part to do anything about my weight situation. I'm still eating all wrong, and haven't done any form of exercise... despite all the claims that I would. I could blame the hot weather, I could blame the stress... but I have no time for excuses. It's all on me.

I will admit, though, I felt very fat and frumpy at the wedding. I didn't like feeling like that. I was surrounded by beautiful people - and that made me very self aware of how I fit in to that picture. Thank goodness I was the one taking all of the photos - cause I don't want my friends to have pictures of me to look back on years from now.

All in all, though, it wasn't a bad week.

OK, that's it for me today. Thank goodness for Draz and BYOC. It's so nice to have a blogging break and write about something fun.

Bring Your Own Crazy - I Need a Break

Dear Diary...

After the week I've had, I just have to take a day off.  There's just too much going on in this head of mine to be able to write something that's not basically the same stuff I've been saying day after day.  So, thank goodness for Draz.  She does this wonderful little thing called BYOC.  It gives bloggers the chance to answer 5 questions and have a little fun.  So, that's what I'm going to do today...

1. Are you a “wake up on the first beep of the alarm clock” or a “hit the snooze button 50 times before you get up” kind of person? Is your alarm clock set to the right time?

I hit the snooze button 4 times every morning.  But, I set my alarm clock to go off 30 minutes early, so by the time I'm done hitting the snooze button 4 times - it's the right time to get up.  I try to be up by 4:36am.  My snooze goes for 9 minutes.  The alarm is set to go off at 4am...so, after 4 snoozes, it's 4:36am.  There, some morning math to get you started on your day.  You're welcome.  Some mornings - rarely - I get up in fewer snoozes... but it's just become my routine to do it the way I do it.

2. Do you decorate for any holidays other than Christmas?

No.  Not anymore.  Back several years ago, when I lived in a small apartment, I would decorate for Easter and Halloween in addition to Christmas.  But now that I live in a house that has a HUGE living room - it's just too much work.  Plus, Hubby would leave me if I subjected him to more decorating than once a year.  I've finally gotten him to the point where he can tolerate the "mess" of Christmas decorations... but adding holidays to that list would just push him over the limit.  I already have to listen to the "commercialism that has ruined holidays"spill - and I don't know if I could hear it more than once a year.

3. Would you consider yourself a spontaneous fly by the seat of your pants kind of person or a massive OCD controlling planner kind of person or someone in between?

I guess I would have to say I'm someone in between.  There are certain things that I can do by the seat of my pants, and there are certain things I'm OCD about.  I know that one thing I've become OCD about is my shopping list.  It causes me great pain and stress to go grocery shopping without a list.  I never used to be that way - but now that I'm trying so hard to lose weight, I can literally be on the verge of a panic attack if I don't go to the grocery store prepared.

There are many occasions when I just "wing it".  I can't think of a great example right now - but just believe me... I can be very spontaneous.

4. Tell me some of your MUST have hair products that you use consistently….you know - share your “hair routine”.

Here's an example I can use for my spontaneity.  I don't really have a "hair routine", I just fly by the seat of my pants and do whatever I feel like doing each morning.  Some mornings, I use the flat iron and straighten it... although I haven't done that in a while. That's a lot of work, and with the end of school being so close - I just haven't felt like doing much work...with my hair.

So, recently I've been wetting my hair and using volumizing curl mousse, scrunching my hair, and then going.  I have naturally curly hair, and so it only requires a little scrunching to get it to cooperate.    On other days, if I don't want to mess with that, I just brush it, spray on some hairspray to get rid of the static, and either leave it that way or put a feathered headband in.

I don't really have any "must have" products.  I use a lot of Aussie and Suave brands, because they do what I need them to do at a fraction of the cost of other products.  

I've never really been one to do a whole lot with my hair.  I prefer to keep it short so that I don't just throw it up in a ponytail.  Right now, my hair sits right on top of my shoulders and has a lot of layers.  That makes it quite easy to brush and run...which I prefer.

5. Repeat question: How was your week and what are your upcoming weekend plans?

This week has been Cra-zy!  Yesterday was 80's day, and I promised you all I would share a pic of how I looked.  First, here's a pic of me actually from the 80's - with the frilly neck line and plaid design..

And here's a pic of me yesterday...totally going for the Madonna look.. HA!

I had my interview yesterday afternoon.  It was very similar to the interview I had last week.  I was interviewed by the principal, literacy coach, current 3rd grade teacher, and the 4th grade teacher. They were all very nice - but the interview was question then answer.  There wasn't really a lot of discussion - but they were all very nice to me.  I left having absolutely no idea how well I did or if I have a shot at the job.  I hate that feeling - but I just have to suck it up and wait for the verdict.

It's also been Teacher Appreciation week, so I've eaten way too much junk food.  For some reason, when there is something special going on at work - I feel like I have to participate by eating whatever goodies are set out.  Apart from the goodies at work, I've done pretty well the rest of the time.

I can't believe that there are only 4 days left at school.  I'm sure this next week is going to be the craziest thus far.  While trying to find a teaching job, getting ready to move to my parent's house on Thursday for a month, and the activities that take place on the last week of school... I'm sure I'll be good and worn out by the time next Friday comes.  In case I haven't mentioned it - I'm moving to my mom's for a month while they go to England on vacation.  I'm house sitting and going to be taking care of her foster children.

Today, I'm going to a birthday party of a good friend.  We're going to be something artsy and painting a ceramic piece.  I've never done anything like that before - so I'm excited about it.  Tomorrow, I'll be going to my mom's for last minute preparations before next weekend.  I won't see them again after that until they get back.  So much work to do.

OK, that's it for me today.  It's been nice to have a little break.  If you want to join in - please do so, and let me know you did so I can read your answers.

Till next time. ;)

As I Embark Out to the Wilderness...I Leave Behind Some Crazy (BYOC)

Dear Diary...

Today, I will demonstrate the true strength that lies within me...or true stupidity.  I will embark on a journey that takes courage, patience, and dedication.  It is a quest fit only for the bravest, strongest souls.  And this is only a small quest compared to the one I will take in 7 weeks.  What is it you ask?  It's going to work in a school the last day before Spring Break.  Not only that, but I will then travel out in to the wilderness to spend two nights camping with my parents and 8 children.  Did you read that right?  Yes, I said EIGHT children!

So, before I go, it's only fitting that I leave behind a little crazy....cause I'm sure I'll get a whole lot more by Sunday...

1.  How do you feel about college?  If you have kids or siblings - will you encourage or require them to go?  How long did you go and what for?  

Since I was 5 years old, I wanted to be a teacher.  All through middle and high school, I had plans to go to college.  I was excited about going to college.  Then, well, my plans had to change.  I had Peanut when I was 18, Butter when I was 19 and it just wasn't feasible.  But I never gave up hope that I would go to college...one day.  When I was 25 years old, I finally had the ability to go to college and four years later I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. 

I personally think it depends on what you want to do.  If a kid is a little mixed up about what they want to do with their life, he/she may find it more beneficial to get out in to the work force for a while before spending thousands of dollars on college courses that have no end game in mind.

I will always encourage my children to go to college, because in the world we live in today - a college degree is required to really get a good job.  For the most part.  Although, I will never require them to go.  Peanut has her hopes on being a lawyer.  I will continue to encourage that.  Butter doesn't know what he wants to do - maybe a vet - so he may benefit more by getting a job in a vet's office or working on a farm or something like that first.  Or, they may both change their minds in the next few years and decide on something else.  I just think they should make that decision.  I know in the few years between me graduating high school and going to college, I was able to experience a variety of different jobs:  Retail, medical,  telecommunications, working in a counseling office, and legal.  I got experience in an array of different areas and became interested in some of them.  When it was time to go to college, however, I knew what career path I was taking.

I want my kids/siblings to have an idea about what they want to do - and maybe get a little experience at some point - before jumping in to going to college with their eyes closed.

 2.  Pink or purple?  Coke or Pepsi?  Pen or pencil?  Cursive or printing?  Ketchup or mustard?

Pink AND purple - cause they are both my favorite colors
Pepsi - I can't stand Coke
Both pen and pencil - I work in a school...I've learned with how much my schedule and plans change, sometimes it's best to use a pencil and sometimes it's best to use pen
Cursive AND printing - again, I work with kids.  If I'm writing for myself I use cursive, for them I use print
Mustard - too much sugar in ketchup.  HA!

3.  If you could live in any generation - which one would it be?

Being that I'm a real techno geek, well, I like to think I am, I'd have to say this one.  I love all of the technology that is now available to me.  iPhones, iPads, laptops, HD TV, 3D TV, it's all very fascinating to me.  I'm glad to say that I lived in a generation where having a computer in the house was a very prestigious thing - kinda like when the TV was first invented.  I was probably 16 when my parents were first able to buy a computer, even though I'd been using them at school since 7th grade.  My eyes were open to the digital age, and that was it - I have been hooked ever since. 

I'm pretty sure my life wouldn't be the same without my techno gadgets.

4.  What do you sleep in?

A bed.  HA!  Badabum..I'll be here all weeks, folks.

No, seriously, I sleep in whatever's fitting for the weather.  In the winter I tend to go with fuzzy, fleece jammies.  When it starts to get warmer, I go for thin, cotton jammies.  In the summer, I sleep in shorts and t-shirt or nothing. 

The first thing I do when I walk in to my house at the end of each work day is change in to my jammies.  Very rarely will you find me in my house in regular clothes.  I guarantee during spring break, unless I have to go somewhere, I will wake up each day, take a shower, and then put on clean jammies to spend the day in.  That's just how I'm most comfortable.

5.  Repeat question - summarize your week!

Real life has been a little hectic.  Working the last week before spring break has been tough.  I'm antsy and ready for the break - and so are all the kiddos I work with.  My own children have been biting at each others heels - fighting almost constantly - which has raised my stress level even more.  I've also been getting ready for our camping trip.  Oh, and this morning, I woke up to my NEW IPAD!!  Hubby got off work early and went to Wal-Mart to pick it up.  He's the greatest in the world.  It came out at midnight last night, and he was there waiting in line to pick it up for me.  I love him so much!!

Of course, now I have to wait until Sunday to try it out - because I'm going camping as soon as I leave work, and I can't take it with me...no, I won't take it with me because I don't want to risk anything happening to it.

Blogland has been awesome!! I've stuck to my detox plan every single day.  The idea was that today would be my last day, because of my camping trip and how hard it would be to eat well over the weekend.  Well, I ended up buying a bunch of fruits and veggies to take with me - so I'm not quitting.  I may eat a few things that are not on the plan - but I'm not going off of it completely.  I'm enjoying it too much, and feeling so much better for it.  More details about that the next time I post!

OK, so it's time to go.  I won't be here tomorrow - but I'll have a full recap Sunday or Monday...depending on when I have the strength to write my weekend recap.

Till next time. ;)

Bring Your Own Crazy!!

Dear Diary...

Before I get to the BYOC goodness, I have to show you what my hair looked like yesterday.  If you remember, I wrote a post all about Crazy Hair Day.  Well, it wouldn't be right to express my passion for those fun days without showing you how involved I get.  So, here's what my hair looked like all day yesterday...

I was going for a mohawk.  My kiddos got what I was trying to do - so that's all that's important.  And, they loved it.  All day long, I was met with laughter and kuddos on being so "crazy" with my hair.  Just the reaction I wanted!  Peanut helped me pull it off - cause there was no way I could have done it on my own.  Of course, Peanut was NOT happy about me going out in public looking that way.  She wouldn't even let me drop her off at the front entrance of her school.  Gotta love middle school kids and how embarrassing their parents can be.  Right?

Anywho - back to BYOC.  I love Draz's new logo she's using.  Unfortunately the version on her blog that she so graciously gave a copy code for was too big for my blog, so I had to improvise. 

Here is this week's edition of Bring Your Own Crazy!

1.  When you're sick - what comforts you?

My bed and my couch.  Wait, it said "who?"  Well, that's a hard one.  I'm very strict when I'm sick not to let anyone within 100 feet of me - because I don't want them to get sick, too.  But, it's very hard to keep Jelly away from me when I'm sick.  She wants to comfort me.  She offers to bring me blankets - and wants more than anything to snuggle up to me.  I can't let her - so she provides comfort from across the room by asking me how I'm feeling and if there's anything she can get for me.

When I'm sick, I'd rather just stay in bed or curled up on the couch and not be a bother to anyone.  That's how I'm most comforted.  But, Hubby is also always great asking me if he can fix me anything or get me anything. 

2.  How attached to your cell phone are you?

So attached that my cell phone has basically become an extension to my hand.  It's permanently attached there - unless my hands are occupied doing something else, and in that case it's on the closest surface to me.  It's very sad to admit, but Hubby has literally had to text me from the other side of the living room on rare occasions because I'm so engrossed with a game or reading emails or something else that I'm completely oblivious to him talking to me.  He's had to text me just to get my attention.  Very sad, isn't it?

I have the iPhone 4S - so basically it's a mini-computer.  I can get on Facebook and Twitter (not that I ever use Twitter) and I can also play games like solitaire - which I'm completely addicted to.  Yes, the most simplest game in the book - and I can't stop playing it.

Next week, I'm getting the new iPad.  It's something I've been longing and saving for since last year.  I didn't realize a new iPad was going to come out back then - but now that I'm less than a week away from the store launch, I put my iPad purchase on hold and will buy one of them.  Then, I'm sure my cell phone won't get as much love.

3.  What brand, color and kind of sneaker do you own to work out in?  Why?  Do you get a custom fit or just pick one off the shelf?

Up until a few weeks ago, I had a pair of no-name brand tennis shoes from Target.  I love them, and I still use them for my walking.  I decided to treat myself to a new pair of work-out shoes a month ago and bought these...

They are Sketcher's Tone-Ups.  They have those special soles that are supposed to help increase muscle tone.  I've used them every time I've gone to the gym - and I really like them.  They are super comfy and bouncy.  I picked them right off the shelf - and basically picked them for the color.  But it seems I did pretty good with my selection, so I'm happy.  The reason I bought them was simply because I wanted a name brand pair of work-out shoes.  Totally materialistic reason.

4.  Do you ever wish you'd picked a different name for your blog and why?

Yes and no.  Yes, because I often receive some flack for calling myself a fat woman.  It's not PC to refer to myself as fat - and many people have expressed their concern with the fact that I call myself fat.  I picked the name of this blog simply as a spin off of Diary of a Mad, Black Woman - the movie from Tyler Perry.  I was a nubby in the blogging world - and didn't really have much creative talent with picking a blog name. 

But, the name really does fit me.  Right now.  My life is crazy hectic.  I go through mood swings faster than some people change their underwear.  I don't like the way I look or feel in terms of my weight - so using the word "fat" makes sense...cause I don't want to sugar coat it.  One day, I'd like to change the name to Diary of a Still Mad, Previously Fat Woman.  Cause, let's be honest - I'll never get over being a little crazy.  And that's the definition of the word "mad" in the title.  It's supposed to mean crazy - not angry.

Making this blog, and using it as a diary is my salvation.  There have obviously been more bad days than good - but as long as I'm here every day writing, it means I haven't given up.  I enjoy this blog, and the title doesn't define what it is or what it's about.  Oh, wait.  That's exactly what the title does - scratch that last sentence.

5.  Repeat question.  Summarize your week in real life and in blog land.

Real life has been CA-RAZY!  At work, anyways.  The week after next is spring break.  These poor kids (and teachers) haven't had any snow days like they're used to.  OK, I had a snow day - but the rest of the school didn't.  Everyone is used to having at least a couple of days between Christmas and Spring Break off - but that hasn't happened this year.  Which makes for a very stir crazy school of kiddos this close to Spring Break.  I'm exhausted.  On top of all that, every single day this past week (except Wednesday) I've had something to do after work.  Monday I had Benchmark training.  Tuesday, the school hosted Chuck E. Cheese night - so we had to go to that... because the last one feel very close to Jelly's birthday - and then she ended up getting chicken pox which stopped us from going.  So, I had to make it up to her this time around.  Thursday, Peanut had a field trip that didn't get back until 6:30 and the rest of the family decided to go out to eat dinner.  And last night, I had to take Butter to my mom's house after work - so he could stay there for the weekend.  Wednesday was the only night I could make it to the gym.  And almost every other night, we ate take-out for dinner.  UGH!!  I don't even want to think about how those kids are going to be next week.  May need a coffee IV to help get me through.

Blog land has been good.  I got to meet one of my heroes on Monday - Patrick House, winner of Season 10 Biggest Loser.  On Wednesday, I ditched my usual weigh-in Wednesday..and I'm now trying to accomplish going a whole month without stepping on the scale.  After the disastrous week with my eating this week, it's probably good that I did.  I haven't logged my food since Thursday.  But, I plan on getting right back to that on Monday...when I'm balancing out my life...again.  It's just been a very bad week full of excuses, and I'm ready to get it behind me.  I haven't had much time to read my book this week - which is obvious with my behavior.  That's something that must make a return if I plan on using it's words of wisdom to help my transform my life.  Yesterday, I blogged about how important it was to have spirit days at school.  Totally not related to my weight - but I found a way to connect the dots and make it work. 

OK, that's it for me today.  I have to go and get ready to go visit P-Momma today.  We haven't seen her in a while - so I'm so looking forward to it!! 

Till next time. ;)

BYOC - I Got Plenty of Crazy to Share

Dear Diary...

This morning's blog has been on my mind all day.  Partly because it was a pretty solemn post, and today wasn't that bad of a day.  I realized that while Butter's "issues" are pretty bad, they're nothing compared to what I was dealing with this time last year.  It's a process that will take time to work out, and I'm prepared to put the time in.  Peanut's situation is out of my control.  There's nothing I can do about it right now.  Dwelling on it will just make it worse - so it's better to just take one day at a time and let things play out as they fall.

I didn't go to the gym, yet again, tonight.  The wheezing in my chest is still pretty bad.  I had problems just walking up and down the hallways today - it sent me in to a coughing fit every time.  I thought it just better to give myself a few more days to get it out of the way...and will have a fresh, healthy, gung-ho start on Monday.  It means I won't be able to claim my $5 bonus next week for working out 3 times this week - but I'd rather be healthy and giving 110% than sick and making it worse with hacking and coughing.

In order to end today off on a positive note - as it needs to be - I decided to do Drazil's BYOC.  That always puts me in a good mood.  We answer 5 questions in an effort to get to know each other better and to give our blogging brains a break. Copy to your own blog if you wish and ENJOY!

1. Name a Valentine gift you would NOT want to receive.

This is a tough one to answer, cause I'd be happy with any Valentine gift.  I am lucky enough *insert sarcasm* to have a hubby that doesn't believe in celebrating Valentine's day.  He's convinced it's just another holiday motivated purely on commercialism.  Although, he did buy me a gift this year...and just doesn't realize that I will look at it as a Valentine's gift.  This afternoon, he upgraded our phones, and ordered me the new iPhone 4S - that will arrive on Tuesday.  Sorry, Hubby, but I'm pretty sure that's Karma calling saying it's about damn time you got your woman something fancy for Valentine's.

2. What’s your vacation personality? Do you act/eat/talk/do things differently or completely opposite from when you are not on vacation?

Like Draz, vacations are very far and few between for me.  The last vacation I had was 3 years ago, when the family and I spent 4 days in Hot Springs, AR.  It's a small, touristy town that has a theme park and historic landmarks as it's main attraction.  I enjoyed myself, though, mainly because a) I don't get many vacations and b) I was in a historical place and the beauty and calmness of the surroundings had me at peace. 

I like vacations that relax me.  I want a place I can sit and relax - a beach, a cabin in the woods, something along those lines.  I am very laid back and calm in those situations.  I can't remember a vacation in which my personality changed... but then again, trying to recall what I did on my vacations is hard enough without having to remember how my personality was. 

3. Describe yourself in 5 POSITIVE words.

Loving
Loyal
Dedicated
Caring
Fun

I could also use those same 5 words to describe my dog.  HA!  I kid, I kid.  Not really.

4. Do you have any phobias or irrational fears or dislikes?

I am absolutely terrified of spiders.  That's the one thing I've always been afraid of.  Have no reason to be except that majorly creep me out, and I can't be within 100 feet of one.  Even spiders on TV or the computer send me in to near panic attacks.

In regards to irrational fears? Well, I developed a whole bunch of them after having kids.  I have no idea why, but I suddenly became terrified of heights.  I used to be a girl that would go on the highest, craziest rides at fairs and theme parks - but now?  It takes a lot to get me on anything that has some height to it.  I don't like flying.  I can tolerate it, and I'll do it, but I don't like it.  Which was another dislike that appeared after having my kids.  To further add to that list: I can't ride in a car without wearing a seat belt.  I am terrified of driving or being in a car when there's snow on the road.  I also have a fear of jumping bugs (crickets, grasshoppers), frogs, mice, and rats.

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in blog land and in real life.

Blog land has been pretty good.  Being able to post positive stuff about my weight loss has been amazing.  It's been so long since I've been able to share how I've enjoyed exercising and eating right and drinking lots of water.  This morning I blogged a little about some other stuff that's going on with me right now, and it was nice to be able to get it off my chest.

Real life, I've been sick.  That's put a damper on being able to work out.  I was going strong Saturday, Sunday, and Monday but by Tuesday, I was wiped out.  My body has some form of crud that's in my nose, throat, and chest.  It's making my breathing shallow and sore - which when mixed with exercise becomes unbearable.

OK, that's it for today.  I feel much better now that I'm leaving my blog on a positive note for today.

Till next time. ;)
\

BYOC - To Brighten My Day

This morning's post was kind of blah. I don't want to end my Friday on a downer, so I'm gonna do another round of BYOC - Friday night edition!  I'm Bringing My Own Crazy, and gonna have some fun with it.

The awesome Draz comes up with 5 questions...and then I answer them.  It has become quite a phenomena as I see more and more people participating.  So, here goes...

1. Do you have a favorite traditional “birthday meal”? If yes – what is it and what is the meaning behind it?

I don't really have a tradition when it comes to my birthday.  I'm lucky if it even gets noticed.  That's not entirely fair - I don't really like my birthday to be a big deal, so it's not like Hubby is some mean man that doesn't remember my birthday.  Some years, we've gone out to eat the weekend before or after my birthday.  Sometimes it's been breakfast.  It just depends on if I'm in the mood to acknowledge my birthday, if we have the money, and if I want to go out. 

2. If you’ve lost weight, has your style changed since you lost weight? Or what's your dream purchase when you do lose weight/hit goal?

My style changed drastically when I really lost a lot of weight.  I went from living in baggy sweats and t-shirts to owning dresses, and "girly" clothing.  I dared to be different, and started showing off some of the curves that were starting to appear out of the fat rolls.  I even started wearing heels, which I haven't done since high school - and even then it was for special occasions only. 

Now that I've gained quite a bit back, I'm back to living in sweats.  I hate that my clothes don't fit anymore, and I hate the way I look in just about everything "girly".  My dream is to get rid of everything I own and replace the whole damn wardrobe with size 12 clothing.  Dresses, skirts, tighter fitted jeans, dress pants that don't cause muffin top, fitted shirts...that's my dream, and I'll get there.  I promise you that!

3. Pick one question of the following two to answer: Who is your favorite Muppet and why? Or who is your favorite Smurf and why?

Will I be forever hated if I say that I never really watched the Smurfs or the Muppets?  I didn't.  I was much more in to Fraggle Rock for my puppet fix...and cartoons were few and far between.  I guess if I had to pick, though, I'd say Smurfette - just because she's the only female smurf and she totally dominates the Smurfs with her sex appeal.  The Muppets would have to be Miss Piggy cause she doesn't give a flying rat's behind what anyone thinks of her.

4. When you buy a lotion or after bath spray or body spray or candle (not perfume) – what’s the “flavor” you always find yourself loving the most?

I'm a sucker for fruity flavors...although I do like perfumy scented lotions and body sprays, too.  I am fond of vanilla.  I don't like the sprays that smell like food - birthday cake, cookies, stuff like that. (Sorry, Draz).  When it comes to candles, that's when I'm a sucker for food....of the sweet kind.  I love the apple pie, pumpkin pie, or chocolate scented candles. 

5. Repeat question. Summarize your week in real life and in blogland.

Real life has been goodish.  I joined a gym this week, and can't wait for Feb. 4th when it opens up.  I have been enjoying work, and loving the people I work with more and more each day.  I really feel like a part of the team, and feel like for the first time in my life I can actually call my co-workers friends.  I have also been dealing with a case of the crappies this week.  I had trouble sleeping Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights - which led to an almost migraine on Wednesday.  That sent me home from work for the day.  Then I was dealing with the most awful back pains.  They both seemed to have settled down today, so that's good.  Had a great meeting with my principle today, and she gave me some great tips to be working on before looking for a teaching job next year - so that was awesome, too!

Blogland has been about the same.  I've posted about everything mentioned above, except for the conversation with my principle...cause that happened today.  I've been faced with a lot of realization with things that are happening or have happened since the weight gain.  I'm also facing that it's all my fault, and I'm the only one that can do something about it.  I'm hoping that this next week is full of a lot more humor and high points and way less downers.

Alright, I'm done for today.  If you want to join in, copy the questions to your own blog and then let me know so I can read your answers!!

Everyone enjoy your Friday night!

Till next time. ;)

BYOC - Yep, Two Posts in One Day!!

Dear Diary...again...

I saw that Draz posted a Bring Your Own Crazy post this morning.  In the past, I've just held off and done the BYOC post on Saturday, because I was in this frame of mind that I can only post once a day.  Well, I checked the official blogging rule book, and no where does it say I can only make one post a day.  So, I figured, I'll do another post...and do the BYOC post.

If you're new, BYOC is 5 little questions you can answer in your own blog to give your blogging brain a break and to get to know each other better.  The amazing Drazil comes up with the questions, and I answer them...and you can too!!

So, here goes...

1. How do you feel about NY resolutions? Do you make them? Do you forget about them quickly? Do they help you?

I tell myself that I don't make NY resolutions, instead I use a fancier way of saying it... something like "goals".  In actuality, they are resolutions, but sshhh, don't tell anyone.  I like having the fresh start of the new year to try and get my mind focused on achieving stuff I need to achieve.  I haven't had the best luck with making them, but I do it anyway.  Each year, my goals are pretty much the same:  Lose weight, eat better, work out more.  Last year, I added:  Get a teaching job.  I didn't achieve any of them.  This year?  I have the exact same goals - and I'm going for them...again.  I wouldn't say I forget them, they are always something I want to achieve, I just tend to get distracted.  I'm hoping that doesn't happen this year.

2. Did you put up a Christmas tree? How many? Is it still up?

I did put up a Christmas tree - always do.  If you've been here since Thanksgiving of last year, you know how Ga-Ga I am about Christmas.  I only put up one, and that's usually the extent of my Christmas decorating.  The tree gets decorated with all of the ornaments that the kids have made over the years, some garland, and lots of colorful lights.  It goes up the day of Thanksgiving and comes down New Year's Eve.  Always has, since I've been an adult, and probably always will.

3. How many total Christmases did you choose to have to attend outside of your home?

I only attend two Christmases outside of my home.  One is held on Christmas Eve, at P-Momma's house and the other is on Christmas Day at my parent's house.  We always make a trip to my in-law's house on Christmas Eve, but just to drop off gifts and say hi.  They are not really big in to Christmas.  At P-Momma's house, she cooks a nice dinner and we open gifts and all that stuff.  Then, after I've done Christmas presents at my house Christmas morning, we head over to my parent's house for more presents, dinner, and we spend the night.  I love it.  Already counting down the days until I get to do it all over again next year.  There's 353 days left...in case you were wondering.  :)

4. What are you most looking forward to this year?

Well, I want to say finally getting a teaching job - but I said that last year, and look where that got me.  Instead, I'm looking forward to just making this a good year.  I want to really get back in to my weight loss stuff, and I'm going to work my rear end off to get a teaching job.  If the job happens, it will be the most happiest year of my life....yes, shared equally with the years my kids were born.  If I get a teaching job at the school I'm currently in?  Well, sorry kids - it may top the giving birth years.  I know that sounds bad, but I've wanted a teaching job for 25 years.  Now that I'm in a school that I love...that has doubled the intensity.  If I don't, then I will look forward to going back to working another year at the school I'm in now...and will love every minute of it.

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in real life and in blogland this week.

Real life has been great.  It was back to work after two weeks off.  That's always hard, getting back into routine I mean.  I loved being back with my kiddos at work, though, and this week went by pretty quickly. I started the Biggest Loser competition, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that goes in later weeks.

In Blogland, I've been working on making my blog posts less structured and formulated.  I want to really write about what's on my mind, things I'm dealing with, my weight loss process, etc. so I'm trying to get myself in to the mindset to just sit down every morning and write about whatever pops in to my brain.  It's why I started the whole "Dear Diary" thing...so  that I just let my fingers do the talking.  I like it.  While my writing hasn't exactly been the most interesting stuff I've come up with - it has been from the real me...so that's a plus.  I've noticed that comment traffic has picked up, too, and that has really brightened each day.  I love getting comments.  I want to find a way that I can get one of those comment widgets where I can actually respond to comments individually - maybe that's a project for this weekend?  Hmmm...

OK, that's it.  There's BYOC for the week.  I love having a quick little flashback to Christmas.  I know I said I was done posting about Christmas until next year - but you can blame Draz for this one. 

Alright, talk to you again tomorrow morning...

Till next time. ;)

BYOC is BACK!!!!

After a couple of Saturdays off from doing Bring Your Own Crazy, it's back...and I couldn't be more excited.  If you're new, BYOC is a little thing I do each Saturday.  It's a few questions created by one of my most favorite bloggers, Drazil, and then we share our answers so that we can get to know each other a little better.  This week, Drazil has come up with questions all related to a specific theme:  Where you live and why.

1. Describe the structure you live in. (apartment, condo, house, mansion, cardboard box?)

I live in a house.  Well, actually, it's a "modular home" which is a fancy way to say "mobile home".  Hey, I live in Arkansas!!  I don't like using the term mobile home - because it's not really mobile.  It's on a permanent foundation... so it's not going anywhere.

The house is about 10 years old... but feels and looks a lot older.  It's got 3 bedrooms and an office that's attached to the master bedroom.  It has 2 bathrooms, a double living room, and a huge kitchen.  The house has the potential of being beautiful - but it needs new carpets, paint, bathrooms....well... it needs a LOT of work.

2. Describe the city you live in. (population, main attractions)

Like Draz, I live in Podunk, USA.  The town has about 1500 people.  There's a school (which my kids do NOT attend), a few churches, a couple of convenient stores, a pizza place, a cafe, a general store, a bank, and a post office.  The town also houses two big chicken plants.  Those plants are about the only thing that keeps this little town alive.

I am not a fan of the town I live in - just because there's nothing here.  I'm more of a city girl...and so I spend all of my time (and money) in the closest two city's to us.  When I say city, I mean bigger towns - because you won't find any skyscrapers or any of that jazz.  The closest city to me is home to the biggest corporation in the WORLD.  Yep...it rhymes with Schmal-Smart.  I'm also very close to the home of J.B. Hunt, Tyson Chicken, and some other major corporations.  The other big town is the town in which I work.

Those big towns is where I do all of my grocery shopping, work, and play.  I live in a dry county - yet every restaurant in those towns serves alcohol.  Go figure.  If I want a night out on the town, I visit one county over - which is about 45 minutes from me.  There's a street right smack dab in the middle of a college campus that is nothing but bars, clubs, and restaurants.  I've spent many a girls' night out there. 

In the town in which I work, there's a huge outdoor mall, several outlet malls, hundreds of restaurants, just as many churches, and a lot of recreational stuff like movies, bowling, swimming, etc.  It's my dream to move there - one day... but I doubt that will happen.  Hubby prefers living out in Podunk.

3. Why do you live in the town you live in? (job, to get away from a different town, family, schools?)

I have no idea.  No, that's not entirely true.  We live here because we really don't have any other choice, at the moment.  My house belonged to my in-laws.  When they decided that they wanted to move into the bigger town, they gave us the option of taking over the payments to the house. At the time, we were living in a small two-bedroom apartment, and we were on the hunt for something bigger.  The house came with a very low mortgage payment, our own little plot of land - 5 1/2 acres to be exact, and the ability to buy it if we wanted.  The mortgage on this house was/is cheaper than the rent I was paying for the small apartment.  So, we couldn't pass up the offer.

4. What’s the view like from your backyard?

Of everything I don't like about my house - there is one thing I LOVE....and that's the view from my back deck.  We live in the forest...literally...so when you look out the back door, you see nothing but trees.  We really don't have a backyard, per say, just because there's about 10ft of grass before the forest starts.  However, in that forest - almost every morning - is the most beautiful wildlife.  I have deer that walk right up to the house, raccoons, beavers, foxes, squirrels, skunks, chipmunks...and so on and so on.  I actually had Hubby build me my back deck just so I'd have somewhere to sit and look into the woods.  It's breathtaking, really. 

During the spring, when I was struggling with school and finding a job, I spent many hours on that back deck just finding my peace.  As much as I really don't care for where I live - I have to say that if I ever moved, I would miss looking in to those woods.  Seeing a momma deer with her babies is one of the most beautiful sights that can be seen when you're a little down. 

5. Repeat question: How has your week been in blogland and in real life?
  
Blogland has been FANTASTIC!  I kicked off my Christmas countdown with a very heartfelt letter to Santa.  A couple of days ago, I also found out I won a blog giveaway!  I won a copy of My Memories digital scrap-booking software - courtesy of my friend Renee over at Renee's Ramblings.  My hope is that I can use the software to dabble around with a new blog design or at least sprucing the place up bit.

Real life has been good.  Dealing with the drama at work sucked donkey balls a little - but I quickly swept that crap under the rug and moved on.  Now, I'm full of Christmas spirit and happiness.  My mood is great, my family are all great....life is...well.... great.  Tomorrow, I'm having Jelly's birthday party.  She's going to be 4 on Monday, sniff.  I can't believe she's getting so big.  Four years old, already...doesn't even seem possible. 

OK, so if you want to join in with BYOC - please do!!  Go copy the questions on your own blog - and then come back and tell me when you did.

Things have been very quiet around here, lately.  I'm not sure if people have just moved on to better things - or if Christmas just has everyone so busy, that they're just behind in reading blogs.  I'm hoping it's the latter - and I'm guilty of that, too. 

Alright, I'm off to play with my new scrap-booking software.  

Everyone have a fantastic Saturday!!

Till next time. ;)

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BYOC - Thanksgiving Edition

Yay!!  I'm so excited to be doing Bring Your Own Crazy today.  My mind is just too excited about getting out of the house in a couple of hours and hitting the streets to find some awesome Christmas bargains. 

I get these questions from the amazing Drazil.  If you want to answer them, then please copy them and answer them on your own blog.  It's a lot of fun!

1. What is your FAVORITE part of Thanksgiving?

Hmmm...this is a tough one.  I can't decide if it's the green bean casserole or the stuffing.  And you thought I was going to say family didn't you?  Nope, I love the food...all of it... but I can't get enough of the green bean casserole or the stuffing.  Also the ham and the turkey...smothered in gravy.  The roasted potatoes are also high up on my list.  Oh, and the pie.  Mmmm...the pie.  Oh, who am I kidding?  It's the entire spread.  Everything I fix for Thanksgiving is super yummy...and I love all of it.

This year, we're trying out cooking the turkey in a slow cooker.  Never done it before - but maybe trying it this year.  Maybe next year, just the turkey will be my favorite part.

2. How many Thanksgiving family events will you attend?

Just one.  At my house.  My parents, two teenage siblings, my little niece and nephew and the two children my parents are fostering will come to my house for Thanksgiving.  Sometimes, we go visit my in-laws the day after Thanksgiving or that Saturday.  Sometimes, we go and visit my pseudo MIL on one of those days - but just to visit.  The only Thanksgiving meal we eat is the one that I prepare.

3. What’s your biggest Thanksgiving tradition?

Well, being that I'm British - and all of my family are British - Thanksgiving was never more than a day my family came over and we ate a bunch of food.  Now, I've made Thanksgiving in to more of a Christmas season starter.  I have the big family dinner, then they all leave.  Then, Thanksgiving evening, the kids and I put up the tree and watch a Christmas movie.

That's become my most favorite Thanksgiving tradition.  After a hard day - it's so nice to sit down in front of the twinkling lights and get into the Christmas spirit with a good Christmas movie.

4. Do you Black Friday shop the day after Thanksgiving?

No.  Not no, but Heck No!!  I've tried it a couple of times - but after spending the entire time defending my ankles and back from crazy women...I've decided it's much better to just stay home, and spend a couple extra bucks shopping any other day than ending up in a cast from a broken ankle, or worse...in jail because I've finally lost my patience and retaliated.  Besides, from what I've seen from the black Friday ads this year - there's nothing that I want bad enough or that's cheap enough to even give me an inkling to want to try it another year.

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in real life and in blog world.

Real life has been good.  I've managed to sell a few things on Craigslist that has given me a few extra bucks to spend on Christmas.  Work has been really good.  The family are all healthy and happy.  Yep, real life has been very good.

Blog land has been the same ol' same ol'.  I'm glad that the Shrinkvivor challenge is over.  I've shared that I've been doing much better with my eating - even with the holidays approaching.  I've made the executive decision that my main focus between now and January 1st is to maintain.  No going crazy and gaining more weight - but no stressing over trying to lose weight at the one time of year that's just about impossible for me to lose weight.

But...I'm already making plans for the new year. 

OK, that's another edition of BYOC over with.  Now, it's time to jump in the shower and let my shopping extravaganza commence.

Have a wonderful Saturday, every one!!

Till next time. ;)

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Bring Your Own Crazy....Another Themed Edition

You've all figured out by now how crazy I am, right?  I splatter and spew random nonsense and package it all onto a page that I call a blog.  That's how I roll...that's how I like it.  Then, my great friend Drazil gave me even more crazy that I can share....and I don't really have to think much doing it.  How f'in amazing is that??  

Each week, Drazil comes up with these awesome questions for anyone to answer....and I do.  I love it.  I get to bring my own crazy to her crazy party.  SCORE!!  So, here's this week's edition of BYOC...once again, it's themed...the theme is what's in/on....Enjoy!!

1. What’s on your desk between your monitor and keyboard? (if it’s a laptop – what’s on your desk in general)
I have a laptop.  My desk is pretty organized at the moment.  It has the basics:  Pencil cup full of pens, pencils and highlighters; file holder where paper stuff goes; a few ornamental things...like a candle that looks like a cup of mocha with whipped cream and a flower pot filled with rice that holds 3 flower pens; a laminator; a huge tub of paper clips...cause I love paper clips; and a basket full of nail polish....cause my desk also serves as my mani/pedi station on occasion.

2. What’s on your mind right at this moment?
Ahhh...there's not even enough room on this blog page to share everything that's on my mind.  It's a dark, swirling black hole of thoughts in there.  I guess I can just stick to the basics.... I've got to get the laundry done, and it's going to be another one of those weekends where I'm gone all day today and tomorrow...when will I have time to get anything done?

3. What’s in or on your nightstand on your side of the bed?
Wouldn't you like to know?  There are some serious treasures to be had in my nightstand.  Just kidding...hello - I have three kids...one of which is a very nosy 3 year old.  There's no way I could store that kind of stuff in my nightstand.  No, alas my nightstand looks like it belongs to an 80 year old woman...no offense to anyone that age that may be reading. 

My nightstand, inside, is full of yarn and crocheting stuff.  The top holds my alarm clock and a few hair bands.  That's it...exciting, isn't it?

4. What’s on YOUR Christmas wish list (let’s assume you’d get what was on it)?
There's only one thing that I have on my wish list this year - and it's something I'm not going to get...for a while anyway.  That would be an iPad.  I want one really bad.  Hubby has one - and back when we bought his, I didn't think I'd want one.  Now I do....when, of course, we don't have the money for me to get one. 

Other than that, I'd much rather have some cash - before Christmas - so that I could spend it on the kids.  Christmas is my favorite time of the year - just seeing the kids' faces on Christmas morning is a huge gift for me.  It's always a surprise...the gifts don't go under the tree until they are fast asleep Christmas Eve.  This year, there's not gonna be much under the tree.  I know that my kids are going to be just fine about it - they are good like that - but it's still going to be disappointing to me.

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in real life and in blog land.
Real life has been fantastic.  My Butter came home for good last night...and I couldn't be more happier.  When I got there, I found my Butter got a hair cut this week...his entire head is shaved.  Yes, bald.  I was far from thrilled.  Apparently one of the nursing assistants thought it would be a great good-bye gift...I disagree.  He likes it, but now he's a little self conscious about it - with starting school on Monday and everything.  I wouldn't have minded it they had just cut it - and left about an inch of hair....that would have been much better.  But, no point in dwelling - it will grow back....sooner rather than later, I hope.

I've been doing well with my eating...haven't gone for anymore walks this week - but I have been making sure I get plenty of movement at work. 

In blog land, I revealed November's Mantra...Rejuvenation.  I'm spending the whole month focusing on getting back into the habits I had last year when I was focused and dedicated to losing weight.  I'm planning meals, I'm drinking water, I'm not stressing - too much. 


OK, folks, that's it for Bring Your Own Crazy for this week.  Like the questions I just answered?  Where you answering them in your head as read?  yeah, that rhymed!!  Why don't you answer them on your own blog?  Go do it - then come back here and let me know.

Enjoy your Saturday... be on the look-out for Peanut, Butter, Jelly Time tomorrow...there may or may not be a guest visiting for that post.

Till next time. ;)

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BYOC - Bring Your Own Crazy....Theme Edition!!

Well, my buddy Drazil has really given us a doozy this week.  A theme based BYOC!!  AND there's 10 questions this time.  I'm so excited...let's just get to it, shall we?

1. When did you begin blogging? Do you plan to do it a long time or do you think you’ll stop after a while?
My first ever blog post was written on March 25th, 2009.  That year, I wrote a total of 59 blog entries.  I was just starting out, and trying to find my groove.  In 2010, I wrote 222 posts.  The majority of them came after June, 2010...that's when my blogging fuel really blew up, and there was no stopping me after that.  This year, I've written almost every single day...and have a total of 284 posts.

Honestly, I don't think I'll ever stop.  It has become a part of my routine...and as long as Blogger is still around to record my thoughts, I'll keep sharing them.

2.  What do you enjoy more - blogging yourself or reading other’s blogs?
No offense to anyone, but I enjoy blogging more.  Don't get me wrong...I LOVE reading other blogs.  My blog is what introduced me to the world of other bloggers out there.  But, at the end of the day, my blog isn't just me sharing my life with the world - it's my own, personal therapist.  My blogging helps release stress, anxiety, worry, and leaves me feeling calm and collected so that I can enjoy reading other blogs.

3.  What’s the biggest thing blogging has taught you? Biggest surprise about blogging?
My blogging has taught me that there are so many people out there struggling in the same ways I struggle.  I was never naive enough to think that I was the only one struggling with weight loss, but I was so surprised at how many people blog about it...succeeding or failing.  My biggest surprise was that other people want to read what I write.  It still blows me away that I have 146 followers, and get a couple of hundred hits to my page each day.  I don't consider myself a talented writer...I just share what's on my mind.  But, I love having people interact with me, getting emails of encouragement, and sharing my journey with others.  That's just AWESOME!!

4.  Have you met any other bloggers in real life – solely because of your blog or theirs?
I haven't.  Not because I don't want to, just because I haven't had the means to do it.  There are several bloggers that I would LOVE to meet in person.  I think I'd have the most amazing time spending the day with Draz...we'd tear up some shopping, that's fo'sure.  I'd also love to attend one of the many blogging conferences, like FitBlog or something cool like that... but with my schedule, and lack of funds, not sure if that will happen any time soon.  There are also many other bloggers I'd just love the chance to have a cup of coffee with...just because we interact so well with each other on our blogs. 

5.  Does your blog have a general theme as in one topic or do you cover everything and anything?

Well, my blog is a weight loss themed blog.  That's how it started out.  I still, for the most part, try to stay with that theme... but it's also transformed in to a more personal, day-to-day journal type blog. I think it's important to share my successes and failures in regards to my weight loss... but it's also important for me to share the general goings on of my life.  It helps with the whole my blog is a personal therapist thing.  So, it's not uncommon for me to go a whole week with just talking about weight loss, another week being completely devoted to my personal life, or a general mixture of the two.

6.  Are you public or anonymous? Whichever you are – do you ever wish you were the other?

I'm public.  I use my real name, and real pictures of me.  I do, however, use "code names" for those closest to me...like my fiance, my kids, and my friends.  I don't mind exposing who I am - but it's not up to me to expose them. 

For a long time, now, I wish that I was anonymous.  That's only because I feel like I am constantly monitoring myself and what I say - in fear of someone I know reading my blog and taking things the wrong way.  I have to be careful how much I write that I don't really want people I know knowing about me - that make sense?  I think that if I had started off anonymous, I would have a lot more freedom in what I can write about - and really letting my true feelings out.  Sometimes, I tend to hold back a little.  I know that sounds bad, because it is my blog - and I should be able to write about what I want to write about - but being public tends to fray the edges on that, just a little.

7.  What’s your best blogging advice for a new blogger?
Before you even begin, make the decision on whether or not to be public or private.  Depending on what you plan on writing about can have a huge impact on that decision.  Also, if you start a theme blog - like weight loss, cooking, shopping, whatever....don't feel like you have to stay restricted to that topic.  I was so bad about this in the beginning.  Just because I have a weight loss blog doesn't mean that's the only thing I can write about.  There are no Blog Police that are going to arrest you for switching gears, and writing about something that's not really in line with your theme. 

8.  Does anyone in your real life read your blog/know it’s address? Do you wish they would or wouldn’t?
There are several people in my real life that read my blog.  I post it on my Facebook page daily...so it's nothing new for a family member, friend, or co-worker to make a comment and let me know that they've read a particular entry or they read every day. 

While I don't wish that anyone wouldn't read my blog - this goes back to the whole being private vs. public thing.  Knowing that I have so many people in my real life reading my blog, I am always cautious about what I write about - because I don't want to upset or offend anyone.  Sometimes it doesn't really have anything to do with offending - it could just be that I don't want to share something personal because I know people will know about it...and it's embarrassing or a little shameful.  At the end of the day, however, I'm grateful to anyone that actually wants to read my blog.

9.  Do you enjoy blogging or do you view it as a chore? How often do you blog?
OMG...it's my most favorite time of the day!!!  Blogging is the first thing I do EVERY SINGLE MORNING...unless I'm out of town or something...but that doesn't happen very often.  If I miss a post, I get all out of whack and moody and disgruntled.  My early morning blogging is others early morning yoga.  It's my way of releasing tension, preparing my mind for the day ahead, and just letting everything out through the ends of my fingertips.

10.  Do you tell people in your real life that you blog? Or keep it a secret?
I tell everybody and anybody that wants to listen or is the least bit interested.  It's such a huge compliment to me when I get new followers or people that I know say something about what I've written.  In my warped mind, my writing is my claim to fame.  Hey - I said in my warped mind.  No matter how many times I've wished that my blog was anonymous, or that I've had to censor my writing...it's still a massive boost to my ego if I hear "Hey, I read your blog this morning, I love how you say...."  I feel all important and special and stuff.  What started out as a little piece of the Internet for me to write a daily log of my weight loss process has now become a full time devotion to my love of writing.  I do it because I want to - and I want others to hear what I have to say.  I think I've mentioned how much of an attention whore I am, right?  Well, now you know why. 

Wow...that was so much fun.  I felt like I was being interviewed.  So, my lovely blogging buddies - how about you sit yourself in the interview chair and fill out these questions for all of your followers to read?  If you haven't done so already, copy the questions and answer them on your blog.  I'd love to hear what you have to say on the topic of blogging.


Everyone have a great Saturday....relax, have fun, and enjoy yourself!!

Till next time. ;)

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