Courty D

Accusations, Assumptions, Assinine qualities.

2011-08-05T12:43:00.003-07:00

A Poem I found that truely represents my week. Geesh, I thought I was out of High School. Apparentley, mentally I am older then this person and know right from wrong, though they are old enough to be my mother. I'm glad my mother taught me to always treat people with respect, and never to judge. Something that I have and will instill in my girls. Bullys come in all sizes, young and small. I for one never accepted that behavior. I have always been for equality and fairness, and will stand up to anyone promoting otherwise. There is never a reason for bullying, of the verbal or physical kind. If you are going to fight with someone, do it right. Meaning: to come to an agreement, to argue your sides, to hear the other person correctly. Fighting with someone to purposely hurt, enrage, knock down, in the fit of jealousy and envy will surely leave you alone in the dark.

Jealousy winds are blowing higher,
Spreading a contemptible fire
Where sinners cast the first stone,

Leaving them empty and alone.

Their imaginations running wild,
Rumoring like a scarred child.
Self imposed morality,
Loses sight of truth and reality.

Spreading falsehoods, altering truth into lies,
Blackhearts not relenting until the innocent cry.
Bringing forth the non-existing proof,
Accusers left in the shadow of untruth.

Producing mischief from the heart of their life.
Gaining pleasure from anothers strife.
Hoping to redeem the improprieties of their past,
Only to find an ill conceived victory will never last.

Santa, God, Airforce, and changes.

2011-06-29T11:33:00.019-07:00

Sooo here's the low down that some of you may not have known. I'm due Dec 14th, and my husband CJ was notified a month ago or so that he was to deploy for the 4th time in 8 years in oct-ish for 6 months. He goes when he's told, but he really wanted to be home more with our family. He just spent all last year in Korea (to the AF that is not a deployment). My reaction? I laughed. Not a I'm mad, about to hurt someone laugh. Just laughing. I laughed when I found out I was pregnant. Found it completely hilarious that we just moved here, live in a 3 br house on base, and AGAIN I'm due at the end of the year (Taylor and Lauren were born 5 yrs and 3 days apart). I'm not afraid of childbirth, that never crossed my mind. I can do that without him (well I mean, I'm doing all the "work" right?) but I would be naming him/her without him, and having to rely on A LOT of people. Two kids plus baby, two dogs, and a house to take care of- 2 weeks before Christmas...can Santa do more then just deliver presents??
Fast forward to last week.
He passed his PT test, made Tech (avg sew on is at 12 yrs in service, he'll be at 8.5 yrs when that goes down:) I never had a doubt he wouldn't make it, he kicks my A$$ in trivial pursuit everytime. The mans knowledge has no bounds. That and he's just really good at his job.
Pass go and move to June 27th.
So. My future changed this day. The chief of his squadron heard "good things" about him lately. A job opened last week in staff, no one applied for it. UDM, unit deployment manager. They decide who is on what deployment, when they go, and guides them through how to get ready for it. It's a tech only kind of job. He was "voluntold" he was taking over this position. Which means for us??? He cannot deploy for the time in which he is in that position. Meaning around 2-3 years from now. He'll work mon-fri business hours.

So. Me and my girls will have the man of the house, IN the house for a good while! I'd like to give a special shout out to the Big G O D. My prayer wasn't specific to you, I could never ask you to take him off the team and put another in his place. I asked for safety for my husband, guidance for our future, and patience of the angels to get through the deployment.

I'd like to edit the last part. I'd like to say thank you. Thank you for all that you do. The little, the big, the unnoticeable, and the miracles you perform all day, everyday, all year, every year for eternity.

The goodstuff

2011-03-03T20:42:00.022-07:00

I look back, and I loved my childhood. Yeah, there was a divorce. Yeah, there was some moving. Yeah, I went to more schools and lived in more houses then my military brat husband. Through all of that, I was still able enjoy what life offered. I had the life of the country, and the life of the city at the same time. I had Mom's and Dad's side of the family all in one country town. Holidays were the best. Because we always spent it with Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and a ton of cousins on both sides of the family, all in one day. Morning to midnight.Life is moving on, new babies, new houses, new food. But then again it's not, the love is still the same. Even though I don't live there anymore, going home is like coming home in my heart. And that is comfort to my soul.

Rolling down Grandma's hill
Sucking on honeysuckle
Catching fireflies
Hide and seek
Snow forts
Riverboats
Riding like the wind on my bike
Drive-in movies
Caramel corn
Grandma's noodles
Shotgun on a red moped
Running trails
Barbie car races down the driveway
Fishin at the pond
Cocker spaniels
Stuffed mushrooms
Riding in the trans AM
A trip to Hatterus Island
Yatzee at grandma's
Chicago Bulls
Ed Debevic's
Old man with a sailor's mouth...
The windy city
A dog that loved sheet music for a snack
Pepper my feathered dance partner
Nick at Night
"The Beast" @ Kings Island
Butterfingers

Madonna

Frostee Freeze

Riding the back roads at night with the windows down

WEBN labor day fireworks

Graeters Icecream

Skyline food

Daffodils along the walkway

Kickball

Dodgeball

Baseball with the boys

Julie's corn

Judy's cakes

Air hockey

Sega Genesis

The boogie man at the back fence...

Banging on the old piano

Swimming at Coney Island

Jem

Smurfs

Hey Dude

Dinner at Lake Manor

The Liberty Bell

The Smokey Mtns

Dad's hot fudge cake sundae's

Pizza burgers

Family fun center

A country Fair

Butterscotch candies in Grandpa's pocket

Julf's Park

Raquet ball

Michael Jackson, before he seemed Bad

The "Gingerbread House" at Christmas

4th of July at Hyde Park

Croquet in Great Uncle Sam's backyard

Where am I?

2011-03-02T09:39:00.016-07:00

I'm stuck in a rut.
CJ's stuff finally got here from Korea, which included the new TV he bought there for our bedroom. When he's working at night, I tend to watch a little Netflix before bed. Which means I don't turn it off until some time between 10:30 and midnight. Everyone knows that if you watch TV or read before bed, it sometimes causing sleep to evade you, or an un-rest full night. I. just. can't. help. it.

Another interruption.
Past couple of nights have been short and interrupted. Laurens thing is to wake 3times a night. I think she's sleep walking. Not quite awake, but awake enough to be crying. Sometimes it's due to bathroom break or to get a drink of water. Drink of water is not my favorite. Because it leads to another wake up. Bathroom break. So we've opted to put a gate up in the door, and when she wakes she is told to go to bed. I still get woken at the same time every night. Around midnight.

Please turn out the light.
Cincinnati, Oh elevation level is 482 ft. Destin, Fl elevation is 26 ft. Surprise, AZ elevation is 1,175ft. The elevation of my new residence in Edwards AFB, Ca is 2,302 ft. Here if any of the moon is visible, I would compare it to a full moon somewhere else. It's that bright. I'm thinking it has something to do with the following:
1. I live in the desert.
2. Away from town lights by a good 30 miles.
3. I'm at higher elevation compared to previous homes.
4. The pollution here is low.

So with my blinds shut, velvet curtains from target shut, the window lights up the room as if there was a little night light in the wall. I don't usually follow the moon phases. I just know since moving here, I haven't needed to keep the bathroom door open for a bit of light.

Falling asleep.
People generally require several minutes to calm down and relax enough to fall asleep, and the deepest stages of sleep typically occur 20 or more minutes after sleep onset. However, sleep onset and associated loss of consciousness can occur in an instant. This is particularly obvious in very tired people who can fall asleep at inconvenient and sometimes dangerous times, such as when driving a car. Similarly, waking up from sleep can occur very quickly, for example in response to an alarm clock, although it typically takes people much longer to become fully alert after awakening.
(Taken from http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/science/how/neurophysiology)

Getting ready for bed:
1. Close blinds, and pull curtains shut.
2. Turn fan on setting #3.
3. Close bathroom door.
4. Close bedroom door.
5. Turn off TV and PS3.
6. Turn on monitor.
7. Get into bed, pull on sheet and down comforter.
8. zzzz...zzzz...

Here's what I failed to notice after completing steps 1-7. The moon wasn't visible. It was in crescent phase where it's not lit up. With the doors all shut, no moon, black bedroom furniture, and a tired Courtney..The room was pitch black.

It was the middle of the night.. I go walking in my sleep..From the mountains of Faith..To the river so deep..I must be looking for something.- thanks Billie Joel for explaining my attempt to wake up to reality this faithful night.

So add all that together, and this is why the next part happened.

Let's set the scene.
I'm dead to the world asleep, it's
been maybe 40 minutes since I drifted off. Do YOU know how hard it is to wake someone during that sleep phase?

"Courtney!" Eyes drift open...then shut...open.. then shut..and zzzz.

Although Lauren wasn't yelling my name, she was crying her eyes out at the gate at her door. I flung the sheet/comforter off, barely opening my eyes- noting that it was extremely dark. "Let's search for the light" I thought. Eyes closed. Next I open them again. My body is on it's right side 4 inches from the ground. Yes people. My conscious mind thought it was still in the bed, and I was .2 seconds from hitting the ground, going at full throttle speed. I have no recollection of movement between flipping off layers and landing on the ground. I closed my eyes and fully fell back asleep during my acrobatics off the bed! This was a rare moment in my life. I don't fall out of beds...If anything wakes me, I'm fully awake after one blink. Works great for when you have a baby at home, or you think someone is trying to break in, or then dog needs to go out. However, tonight I failed myself. Can you put yourself in my pj's and think how weird it was to not remember or feel "Oh crap, I'm about to fall out of bed"? Where was vertigo, when I needed him??**

I find this all completely funny. I crack up laughing at someone getting hurt (of course when it's not that serious that is). SO I take care of Lauren, I open the bathroom door, and crawl back into the MIDDLE of the bed all safe and sound.
**Disclaimer**
No person, or persons, were physically injured during this reenactment.

Move along people, there's nothing more to see.

2010-08-13T14:47:00.002-07:00

Some may relate, others may not, some may say this is personal. And it's all of that.

A glimpse of my thoughts from the past.

You go a long time not thinking of what it would feel like being touched by the man that loves you. You're busy. The day to day needs just can't seem to be met, so it's added to the list for the next day. You look back to yesterday and think, "what did I do?" I can't even remember. Nothing stands out. If it were important to the overall picture, you would have remembered. It's like you are running. Running through the days. Funny how the last two weeks of school seem to take forever. But when he's gone, a month and a half are a blink of an eye. All the days run together. If you've done this before, then the routine and boredom sets in quick. By the middle of this separation someone says to you, "Oh! But you are halfway there, champ!" Thanks for reminding me that how long it's taken me to get HERE, I now have that much time left til I kiss the man I love, until death do us part. That month before and after the halfway point, to me, is the hardest. I literally scream in my head as if that will teleport me months into the future. Because you have been "running" through the days, your feelings are on the back burner. That is until pure selfish and blindingly stupid people say or do things that light the burner into full flames of rage. You are sensitive, even if it doesn't show. During complete stressful times with everyday stuff, all you want is for someone to take notice and take over. Let someone else "put the foot down." That would mean more then cookin a meal or grabbing coffee. Although those are great too. After all, you have been the one doing EVERYTHING lately...well, seems like eternity really. No where in your mind would you trade it for anything. There is no replacement for what that man means to you. Therefore, his "job" is him. And he is yours, forever and eternity.

My smile is bigger today, then yesterday. The dream of you home is more of a reality today, then yesterday. I love you more today, then yesterday.
~Courtney Coles

Lights, camera, let me see the action!

2010-05-18T09:18:00.019-07:00

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

New York City. Lights, camera, and all the action. Busy people, shiny buildings, shopping, and food. I feel like I've seen it my whole life. But yet I've never stepped foot on it's soil. Movies and TV have done so much of the work, but I feel like I really want to go. To see it's magnitude and beauty in person would be amazing. You can't just go for a few days. That doesn't cover it. If I went, I would go for a week atleast. And a wad of cash (safetly tucked away in my bank account). So much to see, touch, and eat there in good ol' NYC. It would be hard to not look like a tourist. I think the camera in hand constantly taking pictures would give me away. I would definitely buy the corny tourist shirt just to have.

The food of NYC is a must eat. The iconic brooklyn style pizza. yummm.

A nice southwestern dinner at Mesa Grill, by Bobby Flay.

Maybe some desert afterwards. Dylan's Candy Shop. I have a sweet tooth, need to calm the craving.

I would love to see a Broadway Show.

What an iconic picture.

So much life has happened there. To walk where the famous, present and past, have walked. It would be something to remember for the rest of my life. There's plenty I don't know about NYC. I think I would take a trip to the History Museum. Someday I'll get to go...

Moments that make you laugh..

2010-05-17T16:39:00.013-07:00

I love to laugh. I laugh at a lot of things. I have this terrible problem of laughing at someone when they get hurt. Well not always, I exclude extreme accidents from that list. I have a list of favorites that will always make me bust into a million giggles and gasping for breath! Some may just be a "you had to be there" kind of funny, but others will make you laugh too.

High school was funny. I had a couple of really goofy, uncoordinated friends. Just crazy stuff always happened to them! One of my good girlfriends she was coordinated,but it was a laugh factory together. These were the funniest. I had stayed the night one night in the summer at her mom and dads house. It was almost 11 pm and we were headed in the house. There were absolutely NO LIGHTS on outside. The house was kind of out from town, so they had a nice big front yard. We had to walk through that in the dark. Now back in the late 90's there were these shoes for girls called "moon shoes" or something like that. They were made of I don't know hard foam? The sole was about 3-4 inches thick from toe to heel with two wide straps across the top of the foot. My friend was wearing them on our lucky night tonight. We were all ready laughing about something. I can't even remember what. She was through the gate first, we're laughing and talking, and about four feet into the yard she went from standing to laying flat on the ground face down in 2 seconds flat! Her moon shoe hit a crater hee hee... Every joint from her feet to her head went down in order hitting the ground..For me, standing behind her, it was like watching a movie on the big screen. With front row seats. We were laughing so hard we were snorting like piggies, gasping for air. Her body was convulsing on the ground from silent laughing and snorting, and I was blind from the tears falling down my face! I can't believe we even made it to the door. We couldn't even repeat the story for days, because we'd be on the ground laughing. All we could say was "you just had to be there!"

This other time together was pretty funny too. We went to visit another friend. I drove my moms ford taurus. When we pulled up to the friend's apartment the window was open with her head sticking out. We rolled the windows down when we parked, and were yelling up to her. Well after a few minutes we said we were coming up. At this time, my friend had really long hair, like halfway down her back long by the way. I then proceeded to roll up the windows, without looking at my friend, and rolled her hair up in the window! We were (again) laughing and snorting so hard that neither one of us could roll down the window! We were paralyzed by laughter...I'd like to point out that her hair was not harmed in the process ;)

In dance class, there was always something funny happening. I mean, you are learning to do all sorts of turns, leaps, steps and sometimes gravity just isn't on your side. We've all fallen on our you know what's. But this one takes the cake. We'd stretch then do our combinations. Ms. Dana had us doing double turns, pique's, and all sorts of leaps across the floor every single day. This day we were doing a lot of making fun of, and talking during floor work. My friend was busy chatting and showing off during her leaps across the floor that she didn't realize how close she was to the other side. She leaped into the wall. How you ask? One foot slammed in between the double bars on the wall and she fell to her derriere!!! Even Ms. Dana was laughing (which was hard to do) while trying to ask her if she was OK...Good times.

I'm sorry, what did you say?

2010-05-14T11:54:00.013-07:00

When our lives begin, we are learning something new everyday. Just because you haven't uttered a single word yet, does not mean you don't understand. It's always been funny to me when they do start to speak. Syllables just don't sound the same coming out of the munchkins little mouth. We started with the ABC's and 123's. Practicing sounds each alphabet letter makes. Not too hard, but not too easy to learn and remember. Once they have around 300-400 words learned, it just gets too funny. Many times the word is almost right when spoken. Maybe an extra letter or two in there, or missed some. Taylor had a habit of mixing words. She knows what an astronaut is, and what olive garden is. Put them together and she called a food place, "restaurnaut." Still to this day she will slip and say it. But she corrects herself now. Another funny one is cum-cue-mer= cucumber.

There was one that drove me mad. It took her a year or so to say it right. I heard Y's and L's might get mixed up. So the word was Yellow. She said "Lillow." Here's how it would go down:

MOMMY: Say yellow Taylor.

TAYLOR: Lillow.

MOMMY: Try again. YYEELLLOW.

TAYLOR: LLILLLOW

MOMMY: OK. Yell. O

TAYLOR: Yell. O.

MOMMY: Very good Tay Tay, say it a little faster now. Yellow.

TAYLOR: Yell. O. Lillow. LILLOW I said it!

MOMMY: *sigh* Yep great job. We'll try again tomorrow.

You spend so much time with your children that you totally understand "their" English. But sometimes I find myself wondering, "What language are you speaking??"

TAYLOR: B's a later gator

VISITOR (FAMILY): Huh? I heard gator, is she calling me a gator? I don't get it...

ME: No. It's: see you later gator.

Lauren speaks more words then Taylor did at this age. I'd say she's 6-12 months ahead of her. Pretty much complete sentences around 7-10 words. Understands, "have this first, then you can have a bite of that." She also has a knack for making up words more then Taylor did. Jasmine, our dog, has now inherited many nicknames. One of the popular ones is "Ya Ya." Lauren gave her that one. Her new one of the week is just, well it's foreign. She picks up a coin and says, "look mom I find a toints." Toints? Like points with a T? I marvel at her amount of knowledge, then I get one of those in the mix. I love the uncertainty of what will she say next. All I said to her was,

OK...

Who's that lady with her shorts inside out?!

2010-05-12T19:40:00.012-07:00

Exhaustion ex·haus·tion n.

1.The inability to respond to stimuli; extreme fatigue.

2.The act or an instance of using up a supply of something.

3. Completely zoned out while the children run amok.

4. I have children?? I didn't even remember...

Here's a true story. It was a busy day at the Coles's residence one Tuesday afternoon. The year was 2008. That was the year that CJ was gone to Iraq. During deployments I spent a lot of time with my best friends Sarah and JT. I usually was pretty exhausted. I was breastfeeding Lauren still, and Taylor was in school for her first year. Sarah and I had started running together. All that equals exhausted! So here's what happened:

Today however started good, but turned embarrassing. It was a whirlwind to get ready to go. JT was at work, and Sarah and I were running errands together. She was a little revved up. I think it was a family issue (don't we all have that?) This time it was her sister, and who she (I mean we, I put things in the box also to give to her for the baby) was sending a box off to in Vegas. And I had a package to send to CJ in Iraq. Two babies in the back seat, two boxes ready to go to the post office, and two busy ladies. I had gone to the Hospital for an appointment (I think. The memory is a little fuzzy. I just remember, "Lady at the Hospital didn't say anything to me"). No funny looks, no words of advise...So now you are wondering what the problem was? My light tan shorts were INSIDE OUT! Tag sticking out the top of my crack, and no one said a word. Must be because no one looks at my butt anymore, you say? Well my retort is, "it's too big to miss ;)" My dear friend noticed. Thank you Sarah for saving me from future humiliation. That's what friends are for right? Well technically she was laughing. So my totally accidental day was hilarious to her. Happy to put a smile on your face Sarah. This was a prime example of what can happen to you! If you are exhausted you will probably do one of the following top 10:

Put your shorts on inside out.
Place your keys in your freezer.
Put the frozen food in the pantry.
Forget that you hadn't taken a shower yet and it was 3 pm.
Or worse, forgot to brush your teeth! You gave that nice checkout lady @ the store a big cheesy smile when you left didn't you?
Keep saying sentences that do not make sense. "Go to your bedroom and get on the pot, then go to the bathroom and make your bed and get your backpack."
Didn't hear your child wakeup. Caught ear to her ripping open a birthday present for friend while she was sitting on the pot. What girl doesn't love Mulan?
Falling asleep by 7:30 when the kids go to bed.
Dream of vacation with a hunky celebrity.
When you kids start to ask you, "what's that on your face?"

So moral of this story is to take your vitamins, put time aside everyday just for you, find a great babysitter, get a library card to check out books (feed your mind, and the rest will follow!) and get 8 hours of sleep a night. With that in mind, goodnight y'all!

Your character and ethics as a human being

2010-05-11T09:09:00.027-07:00

–plural noun

1.(used with a singular or plural verb) a system of moral principles: the ethics of a culture.
2.the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc.: medical ethics; Christian ethics.
3.moral principles, as of an individual: His ethics forbade betrayal of a confidence.
4.(usually used with a singular verb) that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions.

char•ac•ter –noun
1. the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing.
2. one such feature or trait; characteristic.
3. moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character.
4. qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity: It takes character to face up to a bully.
5. reputation: a stain on one's character.
6. good repute.
7. an account of the qualities or peculiarities of a person or thing.

Not everyone likes their "character" qualities. Over time some shrivel away, while others (sometimes the bad ones) take over at every chance given. I, myself, had a low threshold for stress tolerance. Sometimes it does get a little out of control still. Only when i feel overwhelmed mentally. It's my quick get out answer. Just say something quick so the situation is over. With having this problem also adds another. Taking things personal...all the time. I'm better at that, too. When I am having a stress tolerance issue I find saying little as possible in a situation best. But since I used to say so much during those moments, people who know me best misunderstand why I am quiet. It's truly not because I am "sulking". I am counting in my head, or saying "this isn't that big of a deal, calm down.." Unfortunately I have found that I am easily provoked still. It's a trait that has stayed with me. The upside to that is, if I'm on your side I will take care of you. I've got your back always.

Example: If you can't tell the Doctor on call to stop being rude and to stop treating like you are stupid, I sure as heck will. I am all about being treated fairly and equality for all.

What's the phrase? ASSUME. It makes an ass out of u and me. Don't assume someone is thinking or meaning something different then what is coming past their lips. Otherwise you will always have confrontation in your life. A little is OK. You need a strong back bone for those once in a lifetime moments where you need to stand up for someone or something. But over analyzing everything will surely make you nuts. And yes, everyone will notice too. You will be coined "she's crazy." Who wants that? Not I said the fly.

Back to having a low threshold for stress tolerance. Here's a simple, "skip the heightened emotions and in excusable behaviour" answer: just ask me what is really bothering me. Chances are it isn't you (or it could be lol). That is a universal move. It works with EVERYONE. A hand on the shoulder, soft voice, maybe if you were bickering too an apology (I'm big on that, apologizing ALWAYS is the key to successful relationships), and a quiet setting will surely calm this person down. You'll get your answers and more. Again taking that mountain down and turning it into a plateau full of grassy fields, aromatic flowers, and a slightly breezy 72 degrees.

Boundaries

2010-05-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

Boundaries.

They are invincible to the naked eye. Well unless there is a 10 foot wall or fence, that would just be obvious? The one i'm speaking of are personal boundaries.Invincible. Wouldn't it just be easier for everyone in the world to have a fence around themselves or their family? You wouldn't have to fend off as much as you do. "How dare you go behind my wife's back and deliberately disobey her wishes?! Off with your head!" How easy would that be? I wish you could say that, but then you would have no friends. Nope, instead you tip toe. Whisper there. Whisper here. Subtly hinting of your displeasure in their behaviour, and hoping that they understand you and follow suite. We make these boundaries for ourselves. There are all types. Personal, Marriage, Work, and Friendly to name a few. All invincible, but tightly bound. You push because you have no knowledge of them. But once you run smack into one, it hurts. There are five stages in my opinion.

Stage One: First you get angry. I mean "who do they think they are?!They don't know what's best, they are crazy for thinking that way! I'm right...they're wrong." Isn't that how it goes? Have I missed anything? The ones with the pitch fork held up guarding their fence think, "Hey honey? Did i nail em' good? I got your back babe ;)"

Stage two: Second, you feel the need for backup. The blind one that ran into the fence (you) is thinking, "Hellooo?! Can I get an amen? Who's with me? All right I've got 2 on my "side" and they've got one. OBVIOUSLY I am right, they are wrong. I just couldn't let this go, it would be an injustice!" The ones standing behind their beautifully sculpted boundary says, "Girl...you won't believe what she said after I told her- nuh huh that ain't happenin! Her face turned beet red and her head started spinnin! No kiddin! Did you know I always thought that thing was on a little too loose? Who does she think she is?"

Stage three: You attack. I hear the silent one is the best. They don't know you are comin. You mobilize your plan in secret..."Ssshhh...I'm going to pretend that everything is hunky dory and it's all in their heads. I'm not mad...I'm silent mad." Come on! You may be sneaking around, but honey- you are the one wearing pink elephant costume in the dark and they have night vision goggles on. They all ready had a strategy in place while you were hiding and sulking under a rock. Just waiting. Watching your every move. Waiting for the right moment to execute you with an A-K 47 to let you know they were serious- don't even try me. Headline news: "There once was a rare pink elephant. Now she is dead. So onto the next headline: The world animal extinction list has added 1 more species to the list. If they could only learn to keep themselves out of danger by not crossing the boundary line. More on that at 10."

Stage four: You realize now that you were out of line..literally because once you were before the line and now you have crossed the line. It's a big line. Kind of invincible, but it's there. See if you try on others shoes, you would have realized that what you said or did was leaping the line. But now you are at stage four. When you crossed the line you should skip stages 1-3 and go to four. Four is where you play hot potato (you are the potato and your feet are HOT) and hop back quickly to before the line. Aaahhh, safe. Give yourself a pat on the back, you did the right thing (for once)!

Stage five: Apologize. It's not about what you said or did. It's about respecting one another enough to admit that you crossed their boundary and you are truly sorry and meant no harm. There is a story to everyone, a story for every reason given, a story for every reaction. Just ask for the story and you will understand thoroughly. It's the game of life I guess. Learning from every mistake. Lesson of the day: Say you are sorry, it squashes the mountains into plateaus between you and that person.

Started working out again this week

2009-08-07T08:36:00.000-07:00

It's been tough getting time to do it. I finally got some of those "projects" I wanted to get done finished. Feels soooo good to running again. Plus I get a tan while doing it! I work out in the gym a little bit, but mostly we grab the jogging stroller and go. But man is it hot out! I go in the morning, but it's still 75% humidity or more. But I feel so much better afterwards. I know after the heat cools 5-10 more degrees I'll be able to do my favorite route around base. It's too hilly and I'd be pooped before I hit a mile!

My sister is getting married

2009-08-06T20:13:00.000-07:00

Heather is getting married!

So here's the poop: Her fiancee's name is Joel, and he's a great guy. My sister is a cosmotogist and co-owns Kids fun cuts in Milford, Ohio. Really cute establishment. They met through her/his friends Jamie and Travis (that's a woman- Jaime). Heather used to be their roomate like 10 years ago or something.

Joel is a dentist. It really surprised us that he is a dentist, NO OFFENSE JOEL!Couldn't have asked the heavens for a better brother in law! I'm so happy for my sister, I cannot tell you how much because there is no way to measure the jubilation I feel. It seems the future spouse is always right under your nose, doesn't it? Was always right around the corner ( hint to my own,"How I met your father" story). And so now they are trying to figure out the wedding details.

To Vegas, or not to Vegas?

Right in good ol' rural southern Ohio?

Or on the beach in Destin, FL?

Who can make it when or where? So many questions so little time! (She said it'd be in 6-9 months..) but atleast she all ready knows what kind of dress she wants.

I know i'm way ahead of things, but i'm selfish and I cannot wait for my sister to have babies...

It's potty training day!!!

2009-08-06T19:01:00.000-07:00

Lauren from the beginning has known what she wants and wants it NOW! Also knows exactly what she does and doesn't like, thats the story and she's sticking to it. She's all about comfort. Had to have really soft blankets, had to be rocked (up until 1 yr and 3 months), did not like pacifiers or bottles whatsoever from the beginning. So I knew she would probably continue this outlook on life and when it came to potty training it was either going to be heaven or hell. She has decided she wants to potty train starting yesterday. We spent the day at Kyleigh's (Sarah's) house and she is potty training ( a little over 2 yrs old). Lauren thought it was fun getting on the pot. I wasn't really letting her get naked for it, but we laughed and told her what Kyleigh was doing. It was fun and giggles. Today how ever, she woke almost dry! Maybe went once before waking. I grabbed her and darted to the pot. She actually let some go! Not a full "I'm peeing in the pot" but good enough for me! So we hit the major traffic hours.

8am waking up

12:45pm before nap

3:15pm after nap

random times she WANTED to get on the pot

7:45pm before bedtime

Anything else is BONUS!!

She went again REALLY good right after her nap and she was ACTIVELY trying to pee. She let quite a few drops go and she got off clapped and said "yay!!" I didn't have time tonight to go get the little 3 in 1 potty, but I did pick up training pants. I wanted to wait until we got to AZ in December, but she couldn't wait I guess. She's still in the "want to please mommy" phase so we will tread forward to victory!

They're having a GIRL!!

2009-08-05T19:31:00.000-07:00

My sister in law Ashley and her husband Nick are having a girl!

We are sooooo excited for them to have babies. Nick is such a great addition to the family. They are due December 27th. So far the name they like the best is Sophia Rose.

Nick is italian, and a fireman.

So Sophia fits perfect. And he will be the most protective daddy since King Triton. The very next day Ashley was at Baby gap shopping for the wee one (I would have been too if not for a rainy day). I can't wait for the baby shower, i'm flying to Phoenix in October just for that.

Aunti Em! Auntie Em!

2009-08-05T19:12:00.000-07:00

Today we had showers. No. I take that back. We had a massive storm. Tornado warning and all. Me and the girls were over at Sarah's new townhouse hanging out for the day. Around 1pm it starting to rain and within seconds it was a full blown storm, siren, and whooping winds and I swear I heard the freight train! Well that wasn't until around 2pm. I've been having this dream about a tornado tearing my home apart and trying to gather all of my family in one room. It always ends ok. About 2pm I heard not thunder, but some kind of loud roaring. The wind started beat against the house pretty hard. I yelled to Sarah to go take cover and we grabbed all the girls and sat in the bathroom for 5 mins. We could hear it calm down. We don't know for sure if it was anything, I just know the sounds I heard were different then normal storm sounds.

A sickly greenish or greenish black color to the sky.
If there is a watch or warning posted, then the fall of hail should be considered as a real danger sign. Hail can be common in some areas, however, and usually has no tornadic activity along with it.
A strange quiet that occurs within or shortly after the thunderstorm.
Clouds moving by very fast, especially in a rotating pattern or converging toward one area of the sky.
A sound a little like a waterfall or rushing air at first, but turning into a roar as it comes closer. The sound of a tornado has been likened to that of both railroad trains and jets.
Debris dropping from the sky.
An obvious "funnel-shaped" cloud that is rotating, or debris such as branches or leaves being pulled upwards, even if no funnel cloud is visible.

Sometimes dontcha feel like a nut?

2009-07-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

Where did my summer go? Taylor got out of school beginning of June and the summer just whizzed by. Told myself I was going to run everyday or so. Yeah did it like 3 times...So much going on. Family visiting, visiting family, friends in need, you're in need- you need friends, and now it's just about August. School starts. HAVE to get up at 6:45am 5 days a week. For sure running then. But these 90 days of summer have left me "feeling like a nut." Meet Gracie. She is my moms new black pug. When I whistled she does that. All summer I have felt like her. I want to cock my head to the side and say, "HUH?" I had lots of things I wanted to get done that require my personal (alone) time. For example: I like doing outside projects. If I have a project in mind, I have to do it and finish it quickly. I have a renovation in my head and it's been there for over a month. Haven't had time. Too busy taking care of everyone/thing else. You say "but you don't work out of the home, how are you that busy?" HA! I could make the list. But I'm not going to. So I'm sitting here with my head cocked to the side coming up with a schedule to do these things. We're moving in December, and have collected more things then we need, thus creating projects. I am part procrastinator, part perfectionist. Once I do it, it is detailed and clean. And I like to do all of it myself, by myself (unless heavy lifting is required).