tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26545481481856519232024-03-19T02:24:01.791-07:00Confessions from the MotherhoodAll things flabby and unfabulous. From whats left of the mind of a mom to 6.Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-4729474787023603302015-02-01T23:52:00.002-08:002015-02-01T23:52:27.666-08:00A late night and a little peaceA little time has passed since we first learned about the possible complications regarding our pregnancy and I have begun to notice some things that are unexpected. Most days I feel a lot of peace. I did not expect that. I still have worry don't get me wrong but deep down I have a real sense of peace. <br />
Anyone who really knows me, knows that we have been through much in our 20 years of marriage. I tend to be the one who prepares mentally for anything and does all she can to mitigate damage even before it happens. As you can probably imagine this has led to times where I worried for no reason and was often left exhausted and while relieved, I often felt hapless as if I was carrying a basket that was useless. <br />
This time I don't feel like that. I feel like I gave my basket away. I know there is a very real possibility that things may take a heartbreaking turn but yet there is that sense of peace. I often look back at my life so far and think about how I never saw this life coming. I always wanted to be a mom and marry someone who truly loved me but I grew up pretty jaded about the likelihood of that happening. So to sit here surrounded by blessings that are so plentiful that I can't even number them is humbling to say the least. <br />
Another unexpected thing that announcing the journey we are currently on has brought is the people. People have come together to show us love and support and their love is loud. I did not expect that. I told my daughter a couple of days ago that no matter the outcome this baby is already here. Real and loved. Not just by us but by those around us who are praying and showing their love for us. I also told her that this baby doesn't feel like just our baby. It feels like everyone's baby. I know that is an odd statement but there it is. <br />
I have also noticed how some voices are oddly silent. Maybe they don't know what to say. Maybe they don't want to say anything. Maybe what they want to say wouldn't be well received. I have reflected on all of these things and I have come to the conclusion that whatever the reason it is all OK. Generally speaking we would not have told anyone we were pregnant for a few more weeks if not the entire first trimester. If it were not for the E.R. visits and the fact that we were afraid of what was going to happen , we would not have said anything because with our history of miscarriage, it was a very real possibility. I stopped telling people when they happened because sometimes well meaning people can say things that hurt so deeply that you carry it with you and it becomes intertwined with your grief. <br />
Needless to say, to have all that we are going through "out there" is unusual for us. I tend to only tell a very few people what is going on with our family and most others get a very abridged and sanitized version if anything at all, not because we don't want others to know us. We just don't tend to share very often. <br />
I started blogging again because my husband said I needed to document this journey and I agree. It is therapeutic to talk about what is going on. <br />
So here is what we are looking at in the next few weeks. I have to find a doctor and get another blood test as well as another ultrasound to determine where baby is and if my HCG levels are still rising normally. If baby is in the womb like it should be then we well see the doc again in a month I would assume unless the doc determines I need to be seen more often. If baby is not where it should be then it will set into motion a whole different set of circumstances that we will have to navigate. We are spending each day as if everything is fine and enjoying the idea of a new little one again.<br />
I think one of the things I am most looking forward to is seeing my mom with the new baby. She didn't get much chance to bond with our kids as babies but she did plenty of bonding as they got older! I hope I get to watch that relationship develop. Especially since I am older and I feel like my eyes are open now. <br />
So here is to hope and peace. I quite like their presence.<br />
Take care<br />
Mrs. FlabbyMrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-57503104831416329592015-01-26T16:00:00.000-08:002015-01-26T16:00:17.616-08:00The Journey so far.Once again I restart my blog with the intention to detail our life but invariably it gets put to the wayside in favor of said life. Here we go again.<br />
<br />
A little over two weeks ago we discovered after 11 years we are pregnant. Our youngest will be 11 in February and needless to say this was a shock. The story goes we tried for many years after our youngest to have another baby and we had 2 miscarriages one of which was a second trimester miscarriage. Four years went by in total before we decided we were likely done. It was such a hard thing to get over for me and I can't say I ever truly healed but you do go on and I focused on what a blessed life I have. It gets better. Fast forward another four or so years and two weeks ago I was feeling really sick and had been for several days. Darling hubby being on the ball like he always is decided to bring home a pregnancy test and said take it when you want to. I rolled my eyes and said yeah ok. I knew I couldn't be pregnant I mean who gets pregnant after so many years of trying. Ha! turns out TONS of people. Turns out ME!<br />
As the shock set in and the sound in the room evaporated I just stared at the test that took FAR too quickly to declare positive. Seconds. Literally. I realize my phone is going off and it is darling hubby asking if I had taken the test. How did he know?! I ignore the phone because this is my last chance to announce pregnant to my sweet husband and for once I would like to do it in a cute and clever way. He texts again. I ignore it again. A little time passes and I think the dog has let go of the bone. Nope. He texts again and I know I can't ignore him. <br />
<br />
"did you take the test??!!" <br />
"yes" <br />
"AND?????????"<br />
......I have nothing clever and after all that has happened I cannot even remember what I said to him. All I know is that I had to tell him because he was clearly anxious. I didn't want to make him suffer so I said that I was and the joy began from there. His joy allowed me to find mine. We were thrilled. Scared but thrilled. <br />
<br />
Fast forward again two weeks and I began to have severe pelvic pain concentrated on the right side and after having so many children you know the signs to look for in regards to danger in pregnancy. My mind said we may have a problem. To the ER we went and after a blood test and an ultrasound they initial diagnoses was indeed and ectopic pregnancy but not a tubal pregnancy. The baby could not be found in the womb and that left the only other option of a baby outside. The ultrasound showed a couple little abnormal things but they were nothing to fear so we didn't. We were devastated. They told us to come back in 48 hours to do another blood test and ultrasound. The reason being, they needed to measure the pregnancy hormone to see if baby was growing or not. They also wanted to recheck the ultrasound to see if they could see anything yet. <br />
<br />
Yesterday we went back to the E.R. prepared for the heartbreak of being told how this needed to be handled. They got us right in and then we waited. The doctor who was an angel, came in with the results after quite some time and she said :<br />
<br />
" Ok, so we rechecked everything and you are very definitely pregnant but we still see nothing in the womb but we also see nothing any place else. We rechecked the two abnormal things and before the radiologist thought the baby might have implanted on the outside of the uterine wall but today they determined that it was indeed just a small fibroid and nothing to worry about at all. They did see a cyst on the right ovary but again the radiologist is confident that it is a simple cyst and again nothing worrisome. So....*long pause* here is what I think we may be looking at. It is possible you have an ectopic pregnancy but there is no evidence of that on anything that we have seen right now. It is possible it will show up in a couple of weeks and then we will obviously have to deal with it then BUT and here is the thing. I think it is just as likely that you are in the very early stages of pregnancy and this early we wouldn't see anything in the uterus anyway. I think your pain last time is unrelated and so now here are your pregnancy hormone numbers. " <br />
<br />
She showed us that in fact my numbers had increased and were in line with a pregnancy about 2-3 weeks along. She said that she sees no indication that this isn't a just a very early healthy pregnancy. She did caution us that it still could be what they initially thought but she really has no indication of that at this time. So now you know all that we do and in 2 weeks when I find a OB we will have more tests done and hopefully be able to see something. <br />
<br />We are operating on the idea that joy is a precious thing and we are going to embrace it until such a time as we are told that something else is going on. We have been so blessed by our friends and family and their support and love and hopefully in the end this will result in a little baby Lofgreen and all of this will just be a story for the baby book. We will keep everyone informed as things progress and thank you so very much for your love and support and prayers. They are much needed as things are still so uncertain but you know what in life is certain? Not much. We are so grateful and overjoyed for this chance to expand our family as we so wanted. Whatever happens that will never change.<br />
all our love<br />
The Lofgreens Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-43076094313059209902014-05-06T12:21:00.003-07:002014-05-06T12:21:50.852-07:00Knock Knock Kna Knock Knock.To my brother,<br />
<br />
Do you wanna build a snowman?<br />
<br />
MeMrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-4859159748069724662011-01-20T19:24:00.001-08:002011-01-20T19:38:23.435-08:00Sick, Sad and Disappointed<strong><span style="color:#000000;">Well I finally got this stupid virus and I got it so well that I may have to see a Doc if my fever goes up another point. I am writing this during my one hour of lucidity, the rest of the time I have been chattering in bed and wishing it was a week from now. It seems we get this bout of illness around the same time each year and our whole family gets it and it lingers. No amount of quarantine or sanitizing keeps it at bay. Everyone gets it and then we get the follow up virus. For the record this year the second virus is worse than the original. In essence we are sick for 2 months or more and then we do ok for the rest of the year. A kid may get the odd virus but it doesnt keep them down much and usually not everyone gets it. Huzzah! </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">That pretty much sums up the sick part. Onto the sadness. Having callings in the church is not always easy and generally they are worth it but it kills me to see someone I love being wished to fail. Sometimes I think people forget that we are supposed to be a ward family and try to think the best of eachother instead of assume the worst. How come that is so hard for some people to do? I won't go into details except to say that my heart hurts for my loved one because I know they are trying but it is so hard to succeed when some people around you just really want you to fail so they can have back whatever they feel they have lost when someone else gets the calling.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">I am so sad. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">Disappointed that I cannot fix what is going on or help my loved one to feel good about their calling. Especially when I can't say I support the program as it is and have removed one of my children from it months ago. I understand how my loved one feels. It is so hard to want to be a part of something that you feel has been overtaken by some people who are overzealous and have run not just my family out of the program but others too. I literally sat with a sister as she cried over her calling in this program as she detailed how she felt unwelcome and like a usurper and treated as if she was inept and wrong at every turn. How can people grow in their calling and in the spirit if they feel such a strong opposition to everything they are trying to do?</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">I am disappointed that it seems this program has deviated from being youth led . I won't say more because I just needed to vent, my heart is heavy and being sick I am sure makes it worse. I just hope my loved one knows how much I love them and support them.</span></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>I don't think the answer is to throw in the towel and take our remaining children out of the program but sometimes that is really what we want to do. It's so hard.</strong><br /><strong>Mrs.F</strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-53893602749198134482010-10-09T05:18:00.000-07:002010-10-09T06:37:18.894-07:00Updates and gratitude!<strong><span style="color:#333333;">It seems I am always apologizing for not blogging more so why break with tradition right? </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Sorry I haven't been around lately. We have had some technical difficulties with our net provider and I have been really busy with life in general.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">I promised a few posts ago to give updates on the entire fam so I intend to do that now since I am so remiss and have put it off far too long.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Superman ( our youngest) has had an eventful few months. He has lost 4 teeth, two naturally and 2 by virtue of horseplay. He has discovered the art of humor and let me tell you he is a quick wit. Who knew a 6 year old could make you laugh until your sides split? </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Superman has also discovered that being the youngest has certain perks. He has learned that if he pretends to cry and loudly, his older siblings will do almost anything to get him to stop. Ahh manipulation. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Superman has learned to use a computer and is learning to read and write. He has made such progress in even just the last week. It is really amazing to watch him learn. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Superman went on his first family campout and discovered that he loves peeing on trees, hates outhouses, loves firepits and has a special fondness for anyone who gives him hot chocolate before his parents wake up.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Next we have WalkerTR. WalkerTR has had a great couple of months too. He is excited for his new cousins to arrive. He has discovered that he enjoys taking care of little kids and he wants to learn to cook. He is currently plowing through his math book with ease and has discovered a real love for reading. ( WOOHOO!) </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">WalkerTR also enjoyed the campout but for different reasons. He loves the outdoors and found hiking and exploring to be great fun. He also enjoyed the games one of our friends brought and played them for hours.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Walker TR has a best friend. Big news here in homeschool land. His new BF is a neighbor boy who has either adopted our family or been adopted by us. We can't really decide which. He spends a LOT of time here and has just integrated himself right into our life easy as pie. So he shall now be known as Aloha Dude. More on Aloha Dude later.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">This brings us to Sketch. Sketch has been very busy the past few months as well. Sketch has continued his artwork but has also gravitated to cooking and has decided he wants to run a restaurant with me when he gets older. His new favorite show is Man vs Food on the travel channel. He has also discovered a new love for reading but to a lesser extent that his brother. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Sketch had some great experiences at the family campout as well but his favorite moment I think was when he was hiking with some family friends and his brothers, he discovered an old axe head. Further down the path he then discovered a broke axe handle and proceeded to spend the rest of the campout reassembling the axe. He is very proud of his discovery and intends to make it into wall art for his room. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Sketch has moved into his own room. We gave him his own space because we felt he was growing frusterated with sharing with his two youngest brothers. Since he has had his new room he has kept it clean every single day. He gets that from Farty Papa lol.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Next we have Macguyver Jr. Mac Jr has moved into his own room as well and has not been as successful at keeping it clean but he is trying. Mac Jr has enjoyed scouting and is currently working on his next big milestone . He enjoyed the campout and showed his dad and I that he really is a young man. That kid seriously knew more about taught lines, knots , propane stoves and fires than I ever thought possible. He is so smart and the first one to help lift, carry, set up, load, unload. He really made his parents burdens lighter at the campout. I never want to camp without him. EVER.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Mac Jr is trucking right along in his education. He averages a book a day for reading and has determined to have as little help as possible to complete his assignments. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Mac Jr's biggest achievement in the past few months I think has been his transition from young boy to young man. He truly has impressed me and his dad over and over with his willingness to help with the big stuff. It is bittersweet to see my little boy grow up so fast. He is taller than I am now and he is only 13.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">MTA has had an eventful few months as well. Between school work, socializing, dances and church activities she is busier than ever. She was called to serve as President of her young womens age group and has been asked to speak at a fireside this month. It is a stake fireside and it is kind of a big deal :) </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">MTA has had some struggles too, it is hard being a teenage girl and navigating the world of girlfriends but she never ceases to amaze me at how she always trys to be a good person and her ability to forgive is really humbling. Amazing how kids teach us isn't it?</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">MTA has also gotten her drivers permit. Where did all the time go? My memories of her as a baby are still so vivid. How did she get to be here and how is it that I am not prepared? So now we embark on the driving lessons for the next six months. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Next we have our oldest son who has had some of the biggest milestones . He graduated from high school this past summer and has spent his summer working and hanging out with friends. We still see him every other weekend as per his request. We love that. He just started college and took on a second job so we see him less but that is the nature of a college student. He is working toward moving out on his own . He wants to be in law enforcement and his jobs both have to do with loss prevention for retail chains here in town. He really likes his job and they give him on the job training that is in line with his education. I really admire his dedication to his future to work full time ( 2 jobs) and go to school full time is a really hard life to carve out for himself but if anyone can do it. He can. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Farty Papa has had some of his own milestones at work and he continues to work hard . His office has had record months for three months in a row and they were just upgraded to an A store from a B store. This means they can have more employees and greater earning potential. He enjoys his job and I really like to see him come home from his job tired but content. Farty Papa was tasked with being the 11 yr old scout leader for our church boy scout troop. He is just getting it off the ground but his sons Sketch and Walker TR are thrilled with the idea that their dad is their scout leader.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Farty Papa and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary this summer. We didn't do anything fancy but thats kind of the great thing about being married for so long. Dinner and a nice conversation really go a long way to edifying ones soul. Sure love him.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">As for me well a lot has gone on but I want to keep this post about the fam, I can talk about me any time. Next post I will try to recall all that I have been up to.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">All my love</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Mrs. F</span></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-88746528007028818522010-07-27T17:34:00.000-07:002010-07-27T18:02:06.366-07:00A new perspective comes a new design<strong><em><span style="color:#333333;">It has been quite some time since my last post and in that time tons has happened that I should have chronicled but I didn't. We have had two deaths in the family, a couple of new babies that are still cooking but will be here soon. ( not me) Our oldest has graduated from high school and is now in college. We have had girls camp, scout camp, Picnics at the park, sleepovers, ER visits, bbqs and the list goes on and on. I have lots of pictures and yet when it comes to putting them on the blog I am totally impaired. I have no clue how to add them. I used to know but it escapes me now. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;">My brother lost his newborn son recently and while he and I are not close, I feel such an ache for him. We know the pain of losing a child and it is one that somehow never leaves you. It changes but in some ways never dulls like the death of someone who has lived and tasted life. All of your hopes and dreams for that child and what could have been are the reminders that you take with you when you say goodbye. That is a pain that lingers. So I hurt for him and his wife and hope that their ache lessens with time. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;">A few weeks ago my grandfather passed away. He was the only real father I ever knew. I can remember times with him where he really nurtured my spirit. He encouraged me to do what I wanted to do and to trust myself. He trusted me when no one else did. He loved me like a father when I thought I was never supposed to have a dad. He loved his wife unconditionally and showed me how I should expect to be treated. He worked hard and showed me that there was pride in a job well done and life well lived. He loved totally, partied entirely, hurt privately and supported unconditionally. He never asked for more than he had and gave of himself before having to be asked. He raised a mom for me that is strong, unique, smart and independant. Someone who would teach me those things and allow him to be the example of the kind of man I should look for in my own spouse. I was lucky to have known him, blessed to have loved him and even more blessed to have been loved by him. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;">He succeeded in teaching me many things but the thing I am most grateful for is he taught me not to settle for less than I deserved. His influence in my life , I attribute to the husband I have and the life I lead. I owe him more than I could ever articulate and my gift to him will be to raise my own children to appreciate all the qualities I loved in him, in their own father.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;">On a different note we have had a lot of summer fun. We were not able to go away for vacation this year but Farty Papa did have a vacation in which we spent watching movies and letting him get some much needed rest. He spent time with the kids and it was the first time in a long time that he was able to just BE and not feel the pressures of life. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;">I will give specific updates on all of the children later but generally speaking we have had a good summer. We have spent it with dear friends and family doing all the summer activities we love. There is never enough time to do everything we want to do but we sure tried .</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;">On one such summer night Superman had a friend sleep over and during a bit of rough housing he knocked his front teeth out on the wooden frame of a fouton. Much weeping and wailing was heard across the land as Farty Papa and I embarked on an ER trip to see if he was ok and to ensure he lost none of his super powers along with his teeth. The doctor was unconcerned and said to Superman to make sure to get a lot of loot from the tooth fairy. So I carried his teeth home and we waited for the tooth fairy and all was well in the land. Except that I was ill prepared to have to present my sons front teeth to the doctor. Even still it makes me a little sad. Somehow he looks so much more grown up now.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;">I hope to be updating on a more regular basis now and adding pictures as well. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;">until next time</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;">Mrs. Flabby</span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-15177424822661380782010-04-15T10:00:00.000-07:002010-04-15T10:30:48.528-07:00Trials and faith.<strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Currently we are going through a struggle. I am trying to remain positive because to be fair, we don't have near the struggles we used to have. This is due in part to a really wonderful support system we have in friends and family and also due to my husband being employed after a long time period where he was unable to find work. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Over the years we have had many struggles of all kinds but mostly of a financial nature. We still struggle financially, as do many families in this economy. I oddly feel blessed that the struggles we have , while serious and important and can be devastating, they aren't life and death. I have healthy children thank heavens. I have a loving husband whom continues to work hard with me to make sure our marriage is strong. Illness and family issues would seem to me to be insurmountable and I am unsure how I would manage those trials. I feel very blessed to have the trials I have. I know that sounds ridiculous. Who feels blessed to have trials? </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I suppose I just feel blessed because they are trials I know. Struggles I am familiar with and honestly they are not as severe as they used to be. It doesn't seem to get easier to handle these trials but they seem farther apart in occurence. To me that is progress by golly! </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">In this past month we have had both of our vehicles break down. A flub with our bank account that led to us having to eat hundreds of dollars thanks to the lovely bank we have. I lost my tutoring job due to them not having the money to pay for the lessons anymore. Things just continue to compile. Like most families now , we live paycheck to paycheck. If several hundred dollars has to be used to fix cars or gets eaten by the bank, we feel that for a very very long time and suddenly we have the snowball effect. Does anyone else experience this? You have one problem that creates another and then another. Suddenly you are faced with a crisis that reminds you how very close you are to being in a place you never saw yourself.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">A couple of years ago I would have really struggled making sense of it all but lately I really feel like these are opportunities for my faith to be strengthened. It is easy to say you have faith when things are good. When they are easy but when things are bad and your faith is tested, those are the moments when you know your mettle. When you know what you need to work on. I am listening extra close right now to try and hear what I am supposed to learn. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I know I have things I need to work on to become who I want to be, we all have things that we know we need to change. So moments like this when I feel unhappy about a trial I am facing, I am going to focus on what I can change in me and then who I can serve outside myself. Serving others has always been a great way to feel better. Not better in the way some think. Some people think others serve because they are greedy and are trying to garner blessings for themselves, I have heard people say that others serve so they can feel better about their station in life. AKA They give to others so they can feel good about their wealth. I think those are foolish ideas and I have never met a person who has served my family in any capacity that I felt was serving me so they could show off their wealth. I just don't think people do that. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I serve others because it makes me take the focus off of myself and feeling sorry for myself and focus on someone else. Someone who may or may not be worse off than me but in the end I need to serve others because always looking inward prevents you from growing your life outward. So I am trusting that this situation will get itself taken care of or we will be presented with a way to remedy our situation and turn my focus onto people outside of me that perhaps in some small way I can serve.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I feel better for just putting this down .</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">talk more later</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Mrs. F.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-77330359336073531112010-03-21T04:15:00.000-07:002010-03-21T04:41:42.965-07:00Curious<em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>Seems I lost a fan yesterday. It always makes me curious when things like this happen because usually I have no idea why lol. </strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>When writing a blog, they are usually insanely personal and often riddled with things that might otherwise be private. Often times we put ourselves out there and hope that people " get " us. We overshare and often open ourselves to ridicule or negativity. You hope that people can see who you are behind clumsily written words or thoughts expressed haphazardly and awkwardly.</strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>You hope that people that come across your writings, opt for the benefit of the doubt and don't rush to judge to quickly or harshly.</strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>So when something happens, someone leaves a nasty comment or they leave all together you are often left to wonder what exactly happened. Now most bloggers, at least all those that I follow and read, would never knowingly say something to cause issues. Normally we are just venting, pondering, documenting or capturing our lives much like a journal. Blogs to me are very personal and something that is different for everyone. Some people mommy blog and only talk about things that are upbeat , fun or funny. Much like a scrapbook of a life. Some people blog their creative writings or accomplishments in their career. Some people blog a hodge podge mix of things that don't really have rhyme or reason except they are personal to the writer and therefor prudent and relevant to them. Some people blog like a diary, deeply personal and private things that occur in their lives and blogging helps them navigate situations and problems.</strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>Some bloggers do all of this and more.</strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>I have rarely come across a blog where I was impressed to leave a nasty remark or say something negative to someone. Perhaps it is because I don't look at someone's personal musings have having anything to do with me personally so therefor not really my place to judge or ridicule. </strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>Now I have stopped reading blogs due to content or that simply they have deviated from a path where I have much in common with the person so it really doesn't hold my interest anymore. Nothing sinister though.</strong></span></em><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">All of this leads to this , I posted something personal a couple of days back and while I don't know what was said, a comment was left and then deleted, and then a person left as a follower. Now this could all be coincidence and be completley benign. The person could have deleted their account. The commenter could have just decided they didn't like what they said. It all could be nothing. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">In case in isn't nothing though:</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"> I didn't think I wrote anything controversial or bad in my post but just in case I took it down pending my going over it at a later date. The only reason I decided to address this is not because I particularly am bothered by someone no longer reading my blog. I don't blog for others. The reason I brought this up is because I wanted to state that if anyone ever has an issue or a comment please feel free to post and know I will treat you with the same respect you give me. If there ever is an issue , it cannot be clarified or resolved without being brought to light and addressed. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I would hope that those few who do read here, would know me well enough by now to be able to come to me either by commenting below or privately if I have ever said anything that strikes a nerve. That is not to say that I will retract or even change my thoughts but perhaps I can clarify something I worded badly or perhaps someone elses perspective can help me see a different side. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">So often we go through life afraid of someone's reaction , I know I have felt that a few times since writing this blog. I would hate to think that anyone reading this would be afraid to be themselves here. Anyway, perhaps it is nothing and all this is for the sole purpose to let those few who do read here, that their comments are welcome all the time regardless of wether we agree or not.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I appreciate all of you who do read and comment. It is always nice to hear what people have to say. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">talk again soon</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Mrs. Flabby</span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-10102832028047738142009-11-26T12:34:00.000-08:002009-12-02T10:40:31.671-08:00Today and always<span style="color:#330033;"><strong>I am, I was, I do, I did.</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>I am Greatful </strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>I was Blessed</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>I am Honored </strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>I Loved</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>I Laughed</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>I Hugged</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>I do Remember</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>I Hope</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>I am overwhelmed</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>For all who have touched our lives this year and in years past, you can't know the gratitude I have. Every day I am faced with how good and kind and faithful people are. Thank you to those who have, loved, forgiven,blessed, cared for, lifted up, held, taught,tended,nurtured and in all other ways shown your love for me and mine. Thank you to all who have allowed me and mine to love,bless,care for, lift up,hold,teach,tend,nurture and in all other ways let us love you.</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>You will never truly know what you mean to us but perhaps this can be a small sampling of what you mean to me. Words cannot express the depth of feeling I have.</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">I am greatful for the gospel that has taught me to keep trying to be better. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">A husband who is my best friend but more than that he is my best person. I want to be better for him. For not seeing my faults and turning my pain into laughter. For spending time and creating memories. For allowing me to lead sometimes and then allowing me to follow. For driving even when he doesn't need to. For working hard to give us the best life he can. For giving our sons the priesthood. For my baptism. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">For sisters who gave me a chance when I was new and afraid. Who continue to love me through my faults and allow me to love them. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">For my children who are examples to me everyday and who endure my hugs and snuggles without complaint. Who give me hope for the future of this world.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">For mothers , who surround me every day. For giving me a chance to love their children and share such a special part of their live with me.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">For My mother who loves quietly and laughs loudly. Who taught me there was far more to life than the rules. That life isn't black and white and that grey can be fun. Who loved me even though I like black and white. Who continues to love some despite the pain. Who taught me to sing and clapped the loudest on opening night. Who loved me when I had no one else and made it feel like it was the whole world.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">For my Mother in law who effortlessly orchestrates her huge family with the long arms of her love. Who taught me that there is strength in faith and that some things have infinite worth. Who taught me the merit in patience and virtue. Who quietly forgives and continues to be an example. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">For my Father in law who teases my kids and smiles at me. Who acted like a dad to me even when I didn't appreciate it. Who reminds me he loves me and does so without expectation. Who loves his son the way his son loves his children. For teaching his son to be the man he is today.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">For best friends who don't see dirty houses or messy kids. Who don't see dirty clothes or that my yard needs cutting. For emergency sewing sessions on Halloween day and never letting me feel like they would rather be someplace else. For letting me listen and give advice. For letting me lean sometimes too. For eating my cooking and making me feel like a chef! For letting me love your family. For bringing cookies just because and call just to say Hi. For treating my babies like your own. For trips to the science center just because. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">For nieces and nephews who are thoughtful and kind. Who take time to show me their love and make me feel like their favorite Aunt!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">For extended family who remind me that distance doesn't have to matter. Who never change or falter in their love for me and my family no matter if we don't speak often. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">For a ward family who continues to show love and support and tirelessly gives to others. For taking care of my family when we struggle, for restoring faith and showing compassion. For being such great examples of the gospel. For Turkey drive bys and Secret Santas. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">My heart is full, thank you all for the blessings you continue to give. Thank you for being who you are and allowing us into your lives.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">All my love.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">Mrs. F.</span></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-59300230337679364792009-10-08T11:21:00.000-07:002009-10-08T12:39:50.884-07:00Some levity amongst dealing with trials<strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">We need some levity around here since we are dealing with some serious things that have really dampened Farty Papa and I's sense that there is goodness in all people. Some people, you have to try really hard to see it.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">You try and try to see it, you are patient and forgiving and hope one day to see true change in a person and then WHAM they remind you that they are indeed who they always were. Sad to see no growth in someone. I digress.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">On to the levity. Farty Papa came home from work yesterday and imparted a story on me that gave me fits of giggles. His day started out fairly rough due to afore mentioned "serious things" ( Will not be discussed here because some forums are simply not appropriate to air things that should be private. Family blogs, social networking sites are just not a place for things that in truth, should be respected and private.) </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">So anyway....FP was feeling kind of low yesterday morning , his day progressed and I could see he was in far better spirits when he came home. I am sure there were several factors involved in bouying his spirits but I like to think this one was "special" .</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">The story begins as it always does at FP's work.( I will try to do the story justice and tell it as it was told to me)..his boss pulled him aside after helping a customer and it goes like this:</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Bossman: " that customer you were just helping? ( a young woman)</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">FP: " yes?"</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Bossman:" Well she asked me if you were married , I told her yes and with several children, She said "oh well he seems like a very nice man, sweet and very helpful" And then she said something along the lines of I'd like to meet a man like him"</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">FP: " um....."</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Bossman: *laughs </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">FP: " wow " and I am going to interject my own thoughts on what he may have been feeling and thinking" did she just hit on me via my boss? " " wonder why she thought that?" " I am one sexy devil, she couldn't help herself" Ok no he wouldnt have thought that but he SHOULD have.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">So as FP is relaying this to me it should be noted that before he told me about this story ( which isn't finished yet , yes it gets better) He asked me if I like his hair the way he styled it that morning. He looked hot so I said yes. He always looks hot so it wasn't hard to agree. So he then says well I haven't done my hair like this before so I just wondered. Oh and I think I got hit on today at work....then he proceeds to tell the story.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">(back to the story)</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">FP is telling me that after his bossman had this conversation with the customer, FP went back to helping her and aparrently extolling the virtues of his wife and children , unaware of the fact that she inquired about his marital status to his boss. She then proceeds to tell him this...</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">" Well you seem like a really nice guy and I wish I had met a guy like you myself. Maybe if I had a guy like you I would go back to being with men instead of women." </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">This is where FP becomes speechless and his eyes glaze over for just a moment before he recovers and says a polite thank you and smiles. He told her that was a really nice compliment and as FP states it, helped her on her way and then began to think about it some....</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">The following were FP's actual thoughts as per told to me:</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">"Did I just get hit on by that woman?"</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">"I told her I was married , did she hit on me anyway? No...she was just nice"</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">"I did my hair different today, I wonder if my hair is the reason"</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">" I need to get my hair cut ASAP!"</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">So after I stopped laughing I said to FP</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">"you just got hit on by a gay woman and you think it was your hair do that was the real attraction?"</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Now for the record his hair did look really good..LOL</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Sometimes I just don't understand why it is so hard for him to see that women find him handsome, attentive, attractive and kind. Among other things I am sure. He was really concerned that he needed a haircut to ensure this didn't happen again. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I told him " honey you are a good looking , kind , friendly and attentive man. You will be hit on for the rest of your life. Get used to it" He kind of blinked at me and smiled. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Oh this story made me giggle. He is such a good hearted and oblivious man.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Oblivious to his own HAWTNESS aparrently. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">More later </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Mrs. F.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-87843725156223421972009-09-07T06:12:00.000-07:002009-09-07T06:44:23.623-07:00A Life Worthwhile<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>Yesterday as Fartypapa went through pages of his old highschool mates on facebook and detailing their jobs and accomplishments. I began to feel a little wanting. As if my life hasn't really amounted to much. I am just a mom .</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>I made a comment to Farty Papa that was in my mind just a passing thought and one I didn't really think about before I said. </em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>I said " This makes me feel like I haven't done anything worthwhile in my life you know?" </em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>His response gave me pause " I don't count huh?"</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>Ouch. </em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>It wasn't what I meant when I said that but how else was he to take that? Yea I know...It got me thinking.</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>Which in truth is the real reason for this post I suppose.</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>I didn't go to college though I wanted to. Badly. </em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>I don't have a career though I thought I wanted one before I got married.</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>I don't have fancy cars, houses, boats though they would be nice.</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>I don't take exotic vacations , I didn't even get a honeymoon.</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>I don't have much in the way of financial success and trappings.</em></strong></span><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>These things are great if you have them. I do not begrudge anyone who has one or all of these things. However these are not the things that have made me laugh until my sides ache. Given me peace when the world caved in around me. Comforted me when I cried. Encouraged me when I had no courage left. The trappings of the world didn't give me joy when my children were born. My family has done this.</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong><em>When I got married and saw my new son coming down the aisle swinging the ring pillow , the trappings were not what made my heart swell with such pure love and hope for him and his future. How lucky I felt that I had two men in my life that I could call my own. No trappings and worldly successes can overshadow or even compare with how totally blessed and excited I was to start this new life with them. </em></strong></span><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">To say I haven't done anything worthwhile in my life is to totally negate the last 15 years of my life. I am so embarassed that it even escaped my mouth. Those that know me though may not be surprised. lol.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">The culmination of my life so far can only be described as being of infinite worth. I have six beautiful children whom I love dearly. I hope someday every single one of them will know that without question. I have an extended family whom has shown time and again that they love me and remind me in little ways and sometimes gigantic ways. I have a mother who despite being given every reason to fail and every hardship given to single mothers, and more, raised me the best she knew how and encouraged me to dream even though there was little she was able to do to help me achieve them. Even though her dream was cut short by my very existence. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">You may be wondering why I didn't address Fartypapa first. There is a reason for that. There is so much to say in regards to him that in truth , I needed to unclutter my mind by putting down the previous blessings so that I can articulate what I wanted to say. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">How do you determine the worth of the one relationship that makes having all your other relationships possible? </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">How do you express your love and gratitude for someone who has spent the better part of 15 years trying to make your dreams come true? </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">How do you express how worthwhile someone is to you, who gave you six amazing children? </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">How do you express your unadulterated awe of someone who has spent his life being the good guy? </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">Being the one who teaches you more about yourself and who you want to be than any other single person you have ever met? Or will meet? </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">How do you express the peace you feel to the person who patiently and lovingly showed you the path to what will ultimately make you see the value of yourself? </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">How do you ever repay or even articulate these feelings? </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">How do you express how safe you feel with the one person who has never broken your heart? </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">I still don't know.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">It is weak at best to say I love you. It doesn't begin to cover all that is in my heart to say the very thought of you and our life together , reminds me that the infinite worth of my life begins with you and will end with you when we are old and grey. The best thing I ever did was marry you. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">So in case you were still wondering. Yes you count. You count infinity times 100.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">with all the love I can muster.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">Mrs. F.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-86074563350460654392009-09-07T05:34:00.000-07:002009-09-07T06:12:43.190-07:00A moment of reflection<strong><em><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;">I received an email a few days ago that is not unlike several FartyPapa and I have received over the years from this person. It was angry, distorted, bitter and mean. More than that it was really reflective of this persons distorted view of their own life and what they perceive mine to be. I won't be going into detail because this person and the email are not really what I want to write about.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">I want to write about how negative people, enemies, whatever you want to call them, (non friends) have in the past really played a part in what I thought about myself. I allowed people who found no merit in anything to do with me (sometimes it included my children, I presume the thinking was that if they came from me they had to be in some way bad.) to determine on some level my self worth. As you can imagine it was very damaging. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">However over the years I began to notice that these people bothered me less and less, especially after the fire. I began to look at these people as desprately unhappy people, people who needed someone to blame for whatever they needed too. I began to see them as individuals who found no true happiness and peace in their own skin and it is far easier to blame others for your own shortcomings and failures than to step up and admit your role in your own life. Once this transformation in my thinking happened I found that I began to believe the circles around me who knew me, saw me. Truly saw me. I began to believe them when they would speak kindly of me. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">Fast forward to today. Today I have tried very hard to prevent toxic people from entering my life, but sometimes you don't have a choice regarding who is in your life. Today I look back on my life, looking for some validity in the harsh words from the email. Where did these things come from? Like everyone I know, I am not perfect. I learned how to be a wife and mother by doing. No one taught me. I learned how to be a friend by doing, there was no manual. I have made mistakes like anyone , typical things we all do and as much as I try I cannot own their criticism. It isn't who I am. Once again I am faced with an individual who needs to blame me for their own shortcomings and failures. Their need to blame me really has given me a realization that was unexpected. Welcomed but unexpected.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">I realized that for this individual to have such animosity toward me, I really must be doing pretty good. To be so vilified by someone whom you share no value, standards or morals with. Not a single thing in common in how you live your life, who you are. It must mean only one thing. I am living my life right and in accordance with who I want to be. Who I should be. I am raising my children with love, empathy, understanding, a hard work ethic and most of all an understanding of who they are and why they are in this world. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">I think that is pretty darn good. I think that is something to be proud of. I think that pretty much trumps anyone elses negative view of me as a human being.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">Yea it's good to be me. It is good to have the family I do.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">Today is a good day.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">Until next time</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;">Mrs. F</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#663366;"></span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-77039025260205128902009-08-22T08:04:00.000-07:002009-08-22T08:22:11.586-07:00The poem I promised<strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;"><em>The Invitation</em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>I want to know what you ache for</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>It doesn’t interest me how old you are.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool </em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>for love </em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>for your dream, </em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>for the adventure of being alive.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon...</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow,</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em> if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shriveled and closed</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em> from fear of further pain.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>I want to know if you can sit with pain</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>mine or your own</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>without moving to hide it</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>or fade it</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>or fix it.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>I want to know if you can be with joy</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>mine or your own</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>if you can dance with wildness</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>without cautioning us</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>to be careful</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>to be realistic</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>to remember the limitations of being human.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>is true.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>I want to know if you can</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>disappoint another</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>to be true to yourself.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>If you can bear the accusation of betrayal</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>and not betray your own soul.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>If you can be faithless</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>and therefore trustworthy.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>I want to know if you can see Beauty</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>even when it is not pretty</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>every day.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>And if you can source your own life</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>from its presence.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>I want to know if you can live with failure</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>yours and mine</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>and still stand at the edge of the lake</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>and shout to the silver of the full moon,</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>“Yes.”</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>It doesn’t interest me</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>to know where you live or how much money you have.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>I want to know if you can get upafter the night of grief and despair</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>weary and bruised to the bone</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>and do what needs to be done</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>to feed the children.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>It doesn’t interest me who you know</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>or how you came to be here.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>I want to know if you will stand</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>in the centre of the fire</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>with me</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>and not shrink back.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>you have studied.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>I want to know what sustains you</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>from the inside</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>when all else falls away.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>I want to know if you can be alone</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>with yourself</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>and if you truly like the company you keep</em></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><em>in the empty moments.<br />- Oriah Mountain Dreamer </em></span><br /><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;color:#330033;"><strong>This is the the poem I promised a couple of days ago. I didn't post it yesterday because I posted that bohemoth ( I have no idea how to spell that word. That is not normal ) of a post yesterday and I figured that was long enough to make anyone read. I really wanted this to have a place of it's own.</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#330033;">I got it from a fellow blogger. I really enjoy her blog. <a href="http://www.swissarmywife.net/">http://www.swissarmywife.net/</a> Check her out.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#330033;">I want to talk a bit about this because it feels very real for me. Almost like a deja vu sensation. Like I owned these words as my own.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#330033;">It is almost like each stanza is a stage of my life. At some point I was that and then I changed into a different stanza. I love that.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#330033;">Much of this poem I think remains true about myself. Some of it I want back. Some it was time to let go and embrace a new part of myself. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#330033;">This really touched me. I am so glad she shared this with me.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#330033;">Can you see yourself? Let me know what you think!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#330033;">As always</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#330033;">Mrs. F.</span></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-46757666752444688012009-08-20T13:35:00.000-07:002009-08-20T14:22:21.865-07:00I love cooking<strong><em><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">I just posted a tidbit about a new recipe I created on my Foodie Flabulosity blog. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I wouldn't say that I am a very creative person per se but when it comes to food I think I very well might be creative! </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I had the BEST lunch. It stemmed from over cooked rice. I turned overcooked rice into creamy risotto cakes with shredded chicken, cheese and sour cream in them. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">The result were crispy golden cakes fried in butter that were creamy and seemed really indulgent. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">My daughter and I came up with this , when our rice cooker decided to have a stroke and over cook the rice. A first for this cooker.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">The first batch MTA fried up were a little loose and flat. They tasted great mind you but they just didn't look very good. So we determined that if we chilled the mixture for a bit, we could fry them better and they would hold their shape.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I love creating new recipes. I wish my kitchen was a better work space so that more than once person could be in there at a time but nothing to be done about that . That takes money we just don't have. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I find myself sitting in front of my laptop often and just brainstorming ideas for recipes. Reading online recipes and cookbooks for inspiration etc. It's funny, after the fire I thought I would never want to cook again. My family was actually worried about it. Slowly I got back into the swing of things, for some things it was very slow. I seemed to want to try new things after the fire and leave all our family favorites tucked away. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"> It is interesting to me how food is such a part of our memories and experiences. Those beloved family recipes that my kids clamored for were painful for me. It took me to a place that I wanted to forget. Just move on I told myself. Keep plugging away. Don't stop for a moment to think because if you do.....I knew I would have to face how horrific the fire was for our family. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"> I try not to talk about it anymore. The kids mention it but it has become a footnote in what has turned out to be a pretty great transformation of our life. Thanks to a ton of people who cared for us when we couldn't muster the strength to be strong for one more day. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Sometimes though , something as silly and significant as creating a new recipe with my kids, brings those memories back. They are bittersweet now and don't carry as much pain as they used to. It would be easy to sweep it all aside and say flippantly " we only lost belongings and a couple of pets" smile emptily and follow it with" We have eachother" </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">It is true we have eachother. We were so very blessed to have no one hurt in the fire. Having seen my brother hurt badly in a housefire when I was a kid. I have a clear understanding of what can happen and how very very blessed we were to be able to hug eachother after the fire and every single one of us , in perfect health. That is the single greatest blessing. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">However, our lives are made of up so many things that we take for granted. Every parent knows their childrens favorite things. The things that soothe them when they are fussy or scared. We as families know our pets are huge parts of our lives and they imprint on our children as litter mates and treat our babies like they were their own. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">We all have things we treasure and become such a part of who we are that we cannot think of parting with them. Attatchment is human nature. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I don't know why I am going on about this today. Maybe I am feeling triumphant and sad at the same time. Who knows. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">All I know is there is a memory after the fire. A couple of nights after the fire. That haunts me. I try to never entertain it. Never allow it to settle into my thoughts. I try very hard to replace that memory with something else, anything else. To no avail. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I should share it here and maybe by speaking about it I can finally leave it all be but somehow I know that this instance, this fire, this...happening. Will live on. It has to. It is part of our family history. It has molded us into who we are and our children as well. They remember. They , as most kids ,are open and relaxed about their memories. They talk about it. What they hated, what they are thankful for, what they wish they had back. What they wished mom and dad still had. The difference between them and me is when they talk about it, its only sad for a moment and then they let go. DM could tell you that letting go for me is very hard. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Sometimes I just can't let something go even when it hurts. Most days I am fine but some days are like today. A really great moment with me and my daughter is shadowed by memories of what once was. How she and her brothers once spilled a five lb bag of flour all over the kitchen and surfed in it until I got out of the shower. Belly surfed. The memory is a funny and sweet memory but it gives way to seeing that kitchen after the fire. It's hard to explain. I can still smell the smoke. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">The memory I referred to was the night of the fire, our family crammed into a one room motel room. Two beds and a tv. It was a truckers motel. It was dark and Superman was crying that he wanted his Bibo ( His stuffed panda bear he loved). Then MacGuyver jr was heard softly weeping as he said " I miss Roxxy" (our chihuahua that was badly injured in the fire and later passed away) Sketch and Walker TR began to weep as well though they wouldn't speak. MTA trying to be brave said to Superman ( He was 2) " you can have my bear " her voice was quivering and it was her only belonging in the entire world ( gift from the red cross ). There we all were in the dark. The kids on one bed and Farty Papa and I on the other. Everyone weeping. Farty Papa got up and one by one brought each child into the full size bed that we shared. We all cried and snuggled together in the dark. I have never felt more helpless to comfort and help my children with their sadness. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Their comfort was gone. All they knew and treasured. I feared their childhood was gone in one moment. It was a very very bad night. It still makes me cry. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Now let me say that my children are happy and healthy kids and the fire is just a memory for them. They have a lovely childhood and speak often about the good memories they had in our old house. They have created brand new ones in our new house. All is well. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I just never want to go back to that place again. I never want to know that heartache for my children's hearts. If that makes sense.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Yet when I look back now, in this moment, I can remember clearly that they kids tears quieted down quickly and then they slept. FartyPapa and I didn't sleep much for what seemed like months. Looking back I can see that all we needed was eachother for comfort .</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Thank the heavens we had eachother. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Sorry for the rambling post. I am unsure why I felt the need to share. Perhaps someone out there needs to read something I wrote. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Sometimes I think I should write a book. Then I remember that I have a gaggle of kids and likely not enough brain cells left to put down a coherent thought.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">So whatever comes to me goes here for good or bad. Take it for what you will.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Feeling very blessed and bittersweet.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Mrs. F.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-30018004862416436352009-08-19T11:40:00.000-07:002009-08-19T12:19:49.172-07:00Stuff and changes.<strong><em><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">So much has happened in the past few weeks. We watched the demise of our pool party and the birth of the trade off. More on that later lest I jinx it by mentioning it. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Oh DM if you are reading this. We need ribs ASAP! Lets get together for dinner soon. I'll bring the hungry tummies and the sides. DM= the rib lady.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">We bought a truck that we badly needed. Our poor cars are like that one teacher we all had in school that was wayyyyy past their prime, limping along and hating life. We really needed to get something that we could really depend on. I really love it. I feel like a teenager getting their first car only not MY first car( which had a blown head gasket and I never got to drive it).</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Squee! so excited. Thanks to SIL and BIL for letting us buy their truck and for taking such good care of it.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">We started back to school a few weeks ago and wow the kids are just doing so well. They are very dedicated and I love seeing Sketch reading so well. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">So enters my pet peeve. Handwriting. I cannot stand my childrens handwriting. I have tried and tried to correct it but it is like BURNED into their brains to write like mad doctors. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">So do I continue to beat my head against the wall and endure hours and hours of correcting handwriting and complaining from kids who just don't think they should have to write legibly? Or do I throw up the white flag and let them write how they wish and decide I don't care if their handwriting makes them look like illiterate, backwoods hillybilly's on paper? </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">(no offense to backwoods illiterate hillbillies. I totally support your right to be illiterate and backwoods and eat swamp rats and the like. Power to the people!)</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">moving on.......We bought MTA a car for her and her Fartypapa to fix up before she turns 16. She is over the moon for her first beater car..LOL. We had hoped to do this with my husbands oldest son but that didn't manifest much to our disappointment. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">So for the next year and a half or so she and Fartypapa will fix up the car and ensure it is safe and well maintained. I will ensure it is cute and fun! </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">MTA started seminary this year. She loves it. More time with teenagers. *le sigh*. For those of you who read this blog but don't really know what seminary is, basically its a religious class that is geared toward highschoolers, it is kind of like a short class that gives teenagers a more involved understanding of their religion.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Also this year Fartypapa and I have decided to join a homeschooling co-op...sort of. MTA and MacGuyver jr. are being enrolled in a leadership history class of sorts. They go once a week for two hours and will get an indepth look at the founding fathers and the constitution. I am not a huge history buff so in regards to history they get exposed to what is in their curriculum and that about covers it. Don't get me wrong, their curriculum is good and I am entirely happy with the level of knowledge they are getting but when my girlfriend invited them to this class I was so excited. See she is practically on fire for History. She will give them a different perspective than my own and will hopefully give them some of her enthusiasim. MacGuyver jr LOVES history. LOVES it. He loves the stories of the past and why people did what they did and how our country came to be. this class is literature based so I am thrilled for him. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Fartypapa got promoted at work and we are thrilled about it. I love the fact that he loves his job. That is so hard to find today. He really does love it and he really likes the company he works for. We are really feeling blessed and thankful.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">On a similar note, my daycare kids went back to school. They are such good kids. I sure hope they get to come around again once in awhile. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I think that is all the updates for now. Posting a poem from a fellow blogger tomorrow so be sure to check me out tomorrow. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Also for those of you who followed my cookbook blog, I am sure you noticed that I haven't updated it. It's not because I haven't written any new recipes. It is because I decided to only post recipes that I won't actually put in my cookbook. So eventually I will update it but for now not so much.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Also if you have any recipes you want to share please do so and I will post them in that blog and give you all the credit! I am always looking for new recipes.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Until tomorrow</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Take care of you and yours.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Mrs. F.</span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-61492309806654387502009-07-16T15:40:00.000-07:002009-07-16T15:57:55.652-07:00Days of Our Lives<strong><em><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">After a few days of daycare drama I am already ready for the weekend. I love them but I need a break. We are having a real clash of the titans over simply eating what you are served. I think we are currently on a hunger strike. Poor guy he would be so much happier if he just ate his lunch and got it over with.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Why do kids think we are trying to poison them? I mean really how bad can cheese, potatoes and hambuger be? Or cheese noodles and chicken? I mean its not like im trying to get them to eat sushi. LOL.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Anyway, I am weary and need some time to regroup. I hope this weekend offers it. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Funny story follows.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Superman comes running into my room followed closely by his brother Walker TR. The conversation is as follows.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Superman " Mom you have GOT to look at my face!"</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Mrs. F. " whats wrong? "</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Superman " Look at my face! it has bumps!" ( yes he was very excited)</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Mrs. F. after carefully checking it out. Stay lunch, two old bug bites " What I don't see anything dear"</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Superman " I have bugs bites , look!"</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Walker TR " I told him he has two bug bites on his face. See mom right there"</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Mrs. F" Yes Walker but those are a week old" </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Walker TR " Oh I didn't know " exit Walker TR</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I look at Superman who is caressing his face as he walks toward my bedroom door exiting only to hear him say.....wait for it....</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Superman " Oh I thought there were bugs coming out of my face" </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Shrug. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Exit Superman.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">*blink*</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Mrs. F " AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....*snort* AHAHAHAHAhAhA</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-22440538879120840852009-07-13T11:49:00.000-07:002009-07-13T12:27:13.681-07:00Not too Quick on the Uptake.<strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">This past week Farty Papa and I were faced with the fact that we are not so quick on the uptake. Myself more so than him. So we planned Macguyver jrs party for the 11th because hey two weeks is enough prep time to set up a 20ft pool no problem. Wow....the level of wrongness is so high. Turns out we have to level the ground , enter 2 tons of sand. Then we have to set up the pool , enter half a day of work, sweat and probably some cursing. Then we have to fill the pool, enter a huge water bill ( we knew this) and crossed fingers as we hope the liner has no pinholes and the pump didn't arrive cursed. So needless to say a week is not enough time so we pushed his party to the 25th. Turns out there may be a scout campout that weekend and Macguyver jr says to me :</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">" what a bummer I will have to miss that campout. I really wanted to go" </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">...</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">....</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">......!!!!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">So before I scalped him I walked away so no one fear, he is still alive. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Moving on. Now I am waiting on news of when said scout campout is and if it is that weekend then we will push it back another week . Le..SIGH. Thankfully I have yet to send out invites. DM is going to laugh her A$$ off at me for this one. It may work out if the campout is that weekend because I was told of a family gathering on the 25th that I didn't realize had been hammered out as a sure thing. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I swear I don't know wether I am coming or going and I have gone through the past few weeks with that odd feeling of " Do I have toilet paper on my shoe and I am the only one who doesn't know about it?" </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I swear by the time the party comes I will be unhinged. I will need the party more than anyone else! </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">On a different note, our days lately have been sans school. I have found it really hard to homeschool with daycare kids here. So my kids have had a longer summer break than average for them. They actually hate it. I didn't see that coming. So next week I have decided to start up again at least somewhat. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">On an even more different note, I hate picky eaters. I swear if I had a quarter for every parent that I did daycare for that said " My child is a picky eater but I don't know where he gets it from" I'd have a lot of quarters. Another one I like is " my child is a picky eater? really? Wow, he's not picky at home" Huge pet peeves of mine. I really believe kids are picky eaters because they are allowed to be. I know I am gonna raise hairs on people but I will have to deal with the fallout of my radical ideas. <dramatic> </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Now don't get me wrong I am not a force feeding mother. Nor am I a mom that won't allow her kids to dislike anything. Far from it. However I am a mom that won't allow my kids to dictate what I cook and server and I will never be a mom that is a short order cook. No way. One family , One meal. I am trademarking that saying so don't take it. :D</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">When I was a kid my mom decided our meals and we ate it. If we didn't we went hungry. It wasn't long before we ate what we were given , if only to fill the empty spot. She bought and cooked what she could afford. Cheapest cuts of meat, noodles, canned veggies. We didn't eat like kings but we ate and we grew up with a broad range of tastes because of it. I will never like canned peas. Ever. Or canned spinach. However that led me to believe I hated spinach and peas period. I don't . I discovered as an adult that I love frozen peas and fresh spinach. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">The point to all of this is, I have two kids that I do daycare for, LOVE LOVE LOVE them. Adorable on every front. However they are picky eaters. Now I know for a fact they are not like that only at my house. What I find so interesting is this. They are from a split household. They split their time between Mom and Dad. Now Mom and I are good friends. Almost like sisters. I treat her kids like my own. One Family, One Meal. They are not always happy campers at meal time. Now Mom is trying hard to change their eating habits and bless her heart they give her a time. However I have a sneaky suspicion that Dad is not interested in changing their eating habits. The kids tell me Dad lets them pick dinner all the time and it gravitates between , pizza, Panda Express and Burgers. Now this is a man who was concerned that I would not feed his kids healthy meals. This stemmed from a day they were at my house and they have Oven pancake for breakfast and liked it so much they ate it for lunch too. He expressed concerns to their mother that pancakes for every meal was not well balanced. *blink* </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">In case you don't know and Oven pancake is a dish that is baked in the oven and it puffs up like popovers. It has an eggy custard center that we often top with ham or fruit. It is very good and a part of a healthy meal :P</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Needless to say my kids would love to eat pizza, burgers or Panda Express three times a week but there is no way we can afford that and no way we would allow it. So their Mom and I will continue plugging away and hope for the best.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">As I said they are treated like every other kid here, they are given the meal. They eat it. They are expected to eat it and if they choose not to they are given another shot at it at snack time. If they don't eat it then, they get an interesting breakfast. Now some parents might disagree with that approach but I am trying to teach the next generation not to waste food and to appreciate what they are given and find contentment. A lot of my generation have a hard time being content with what they have so much so that they overspend, over indulge and even over populate their relationships. ( if you know what I mean)</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">My kids know there is one meal and they need to eat it and be grateful. There is always another meal and maybe you will get lucky and it will be something you like. LOL.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I try to get my family's input on meals as well so I don't want to come across as I make my family eat vile creations. Ask DM , I'm a pretty good cook. Besides I use her friends as guinea pigs. Not my kids. :D.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">So there is a pet peeve of mine in a nutshell.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">What are yours?</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Till next time</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Mrs. F</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-79523271476853635142009-06-24T14:17:00.000-07:002009-06-24T14:36:47.760-07:00Clean up on aisle 7.<strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">It seems with everything we have going on, that our backyard is like the poor cousin who lives in the woodshed. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">We give it the bare minimum effort to keep it up and try and forget it exists. Largely our backyard is dirt. We live in the desert and dirt comes easy. This has become a dilemma as of late due to the fact that my son Macguyver Jr is hosting his first birthday party in a couple of weeks. This party is to be a BBQ/pool party. Out in the backyard. You are beginning to see my point.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">This party would be easy to create if three things manifested ASAP. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">The first being a clean, trimmed and mowed backyard. Good thing we have my brother coming over this weekend to help Farty Papa do just that. Crisis averted. Almost.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">The second being that we in fact had a pool. Now I may have blogged last year about buying a softside pool and how excited we were to put it up. Alas that was never to be. We in fact never set it up and it was left to it's doom outsite in the elements. Plastic + heat + dust = pool death. We mourned and like good family members we planned to replace it. Problem is the pool we want is expensive. It will afford us longevity as it is a sturdy pool and convenience because we can leave it up year round but it ain't no chump change. We hope to have the new one before the party or egg will be on our faces. And not the good kind.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">The third obstacle in our way is a BBQ. Now we have a BBQ but Farty Papa informs me that it is not in working order. I think if I had known this I never would have even suggested this party to my son. HOW can you have a party with no food? I mean there is food and then there is pool party food. DUH.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">So this week I intend to go out and clean it as best I can and see if I can get the sucker to turn on. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">So say a little prayer for our pathetic pool party. lol. We will need it.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Oh and DM yea I'm gonna need the chairs again..LOL. I'm not proud I am going to borrow tables from the church again too! </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Truth be told I am excited about this party. My son has done so much in the past year and he deserves a celebration. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">A quick thank you to Farty Papa for being the wonderful father he is. There is no doubt in my mind that our children get their good qualities from him but a few they got from me , make them interesting. :D.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">I love you, we love you and I am proud to say you have been the kind of father to our children that I wished I had had for myself. Thank you.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;">Mrs. F.</span></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-84431826851617795642009-06-23T10:04:00.000-07:002009-06-23T10:31:49.245-07:00Blessings, Trials and something to look forward to.<strong><span style="color:#330033;">It has been a long long time since I have blogged. I could say I've been busy, I could say I haven't been inspired, I could say I have been hiding. All would be true and all would also be a lie.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">The truth is far more uninteresting. I haven't blogged lately because it stopped meaning what it used to , to me. It used to mean a way for me to chronicle my life for my childrens sake. To document changes, successes, failures, joy, pain and all of our lifes "moments". It used to mean a way for me to focus on the little joys and quirky moments that display all of my blessings quietly. So quietly sometimes that if I am not keyed in, I can miss them. It used to be a way for me to not miss those moments. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">Somewhere it became more like those banal Christmas letters we all get from people we know we aren't important to. I don't want the story of my life to get lost in a christmas card. I don't want that for my kids either. So I stopped blogging. It wasn't a concious decision it was a series of moments that I encountered where I chose not to document my life. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">I recently had a conversation where there were several opinions about blogging, the internet and people oversharing. I guess I have never been one to worry so much about oversharing as much as I worried about withholding myself from those I loved. Or holding back myself so much that It changed who I was.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">I personally love reading blogs about those people who are important to me. I wish those around me did it more. In a society where we are all so busy and so wrapped up in our own lives, struggles etc. It gives those around you a chance to know when even small things happen. I may not talk to my family every day or my nieces or nephews but I read about them whenever I can. When I do see them I have things I can ask them about, begin a dialogue with them about things that are important happenings in their lives. I like that. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">I like knowing one of my sister in laws loves her cats. I like knowing that she has suffered something and allows those that care about her to share in her pain. It's a way to bond even though she is states away from me. I like knowing when my brother in law hires a stretch hummer to woo his wife. I like knowing about new babies on the way and getting the glimpse of the very tender heart of one of my sister in laws. She likes to have people think she is tough and that she doesn't care what others think or say about her. I like knowing that she really does. I like that I know this. I like knowing moments in the lives of those people I love. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">Suddenly I began to see those banal Christmas letters quite differently. Instead of seeing them as a needle to poke me with, to remind me that while I may merit a once a year letter I do not merit anything more. A subtle your not welcome here sign. I started seeing them as a window. A window that allows me to see moments in peoples lives whom I may wish I was closer to but for whatever reason it is not meant to be. It dawned on me that it was a blessing. Something I am now grateful for. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">What does all of this meandering have to do with my blog. Well I began to think that perhaps there was someone out there who wanted a window to my family. I had closed that window and drawn the curtain and what if I had shut someone out? I decided that it was a good thing to blog about my life and my family. I know that 99% of the world will never see or care what I write but there are a few and more than that....I care. I will see it and perhaps one day it will allow me to write my life story to give to my children one day. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">I decided that I was holding back so much that it changed who I was. It changed how I approached something I loved. I no longer care if blogging makes it look like I spend all my time on the computer. I no longer care if it makes people talk or wonder about my commitment to my family. If you actually read my blog those two things would be laughable. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">So here I go again. A life story unfolded and unfolding.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">Mrs. F.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-30944277157350240632009-03-05T10:44:00.001-08:002009-03-05T11:30:47.951-08:00A Fun Day<strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Today promises to be a good day. The kids are going to the park with Grandma. She is going to teach them to play tennis. They are happy with any excuse to go to the park. This will give me some time this afternoon to sort through the kids books that came yesterday! I love books. So far , from what I've looked at, these books are perfect. I am so excited for next year!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I also will have some time to research some vendors for my business. I need to find wholesalers for most of my materials. I am excited to get things really moving. I have made some beautiful designs that I am anxious to put out there and see if anyone agrees!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">The kids are getting a day off from school , their cousins have a half day so I decided to just give them the day. Half days are generally our day. lol. They are currently finishing up their chores so they won't have anything to do when they come home. It always shocks me how quiet the house gets when the kids leave. The dogs get forlorn and follow me around , even to the bathroom. They hop up on the couch if I am sitting there, and lay next to me or they lay on the floor at my side of the bed if I am napping or working on my laptop. It's quite funny. Have you ever seen a beagle sad? If you know beagles they are very emotional. They wear these emotions on their already sad looking faces. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">( I thought I lost this post due to a net hiccup and turns out it POSTED! I wasn't finished yet so I will finish now)</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">This evening DM and I are going to do sushi and then to a new asian market here in town. I am excited. I love asian markets. They have so much more to offer me and my way of cooking than traditional markets. Love love love them! I have promised myself that I am going to learn to make my own Sushi this year. I need to invest in some of the gear and then I will be ready to start. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Farty Papa is not feeling well this week. We think he got attacked by a really vicious allergy. He was really miserable yesterday and he didn't complain once when I had to help a friend out with something, which meant her two children had to come over and play with ours. By the time I got home I could tell he was just burnt. I felt bad for making him babysit but I think he understood that my friend needed some help. I taught her how to make homemade laundry soap. She needed to do laundry, had no soap and no money to buy any. Mrs. F to the rescue! </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I was happy to help but something tells me Farty Papa needs some pampering tonight. I'm happy to help him with that too! *grin*</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Until tomorrow.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Mrs. F.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">P.S.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I hope to have pictures coming soon. </span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-34454765910454795242009-03-03T13:21:00.000-08:002009-03-03T14:08:36.328-08:00A full plate<strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Once again I find myself busier than I have ever been. I always have in the back of my mind to take on less. To do less. Often because at the end of the day I growl at myself because my kids have to play in the backyard instead of going to the park. Mom just doesn't have the time to pack up five kids and make that trip. I always feel lacking in the mom department. Why do Moms always feel so lacking? </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">So here is the break down of what I'm doing! </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I am expecting a delivery tomorrow of the kids school books for next year. So exciting. I am so relieved to have that out of the way. The kids are eagerly awaiting summer and the pool being set up.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I am still working on my cookbook and trying to find any opportunity I can to cater parties. I have written probably ten new recipes in the last month and I hope to have them uploaded to my Foodie blog soon. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I am working on getting my website up and running for my new business. I haven't blogged much about it but it's exciting. I make handmade jewelry. Look for The Silver Lining coming soon!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">We homeschool five days a week and we will continue throughout the summer. However we will have shorter days because I am not keen to have them inside most of the summer. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">We got some sad news on Sunday. It seems MTA's best friend is moving away in June. I can't even express my sadness for her but she seems to be handling things very pragmatically. How did she get so level headed? I'm really proud of her for seeing the big picture and oddly I think the internet will help her stay close to her friend and feel connected. She is one of my Hero's. I wanna be like her when I grow up.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"><span >A bit of randomness. I have a new obsession. I am HOT for this new thing I found. I want one so bad. Check this bad boy out!</span> </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><a href="http://www.trikke.com/Trikke-Showroom/hp/T78-Convertible">http://www.trikke.com/Trikke-Showroom/hp/T78-Convertible</a><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">You see I want to lose a bit of weight and this is the first and ONLY piece of equipment that ever got me excited. Farty Papa has seen many things he likes in the fitness world but me? Never. However this seems right up my alley. I need low to no impact due to bad knees. I need something that is going to be fun as well as faster paced. I want no jumping around and all that business. Nope. This is perfect for me. I would love for MTA and I to each have one and then we could go along with the boys when they go on bike rides. MTA hates bike riding and quite frankly my girly parts have forbidden me from riding my bike . EVER.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Only one problem. They are so expensive. If I could afford it I would get one for everyone in my family. I can so easily see this little scooter being life changing for my family. We just can't afford it. How cool would it be for a group of homeschooled kids to be told" Close your books it's time for Phys Ed. Get your Trikkes! " I would love that. We would be on those things ALL the time..LOL. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I so wish we could afford them. I bet they are worth every penny. I would give them free advertising. Heck I'd pimp my car for them! LOL. Oh well. Maybe someday we will be able to afford them.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I wish that I could afford the really great things I want for my family. Maybe this business venture will be an answer for my family. I love creating and designing jewelry and to be able to make a living at it would be amazing.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Well time to sign off and get dinner going. Mozzarella chicken over pasta with garlic fococcia and a micro green salad with fresh green beans in a chunky vingrette! YUM!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Until next time</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Mrs. F </span></em></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><em><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330033;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-47371880523168417462009-02-13T14:29:00.000-08:002009-02-13T15:06:00.942-08:00VNSA Booksale and preparing for a new school year.<strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Well so far homeschool this year has been relaxed and a lot of fun. It's neat to see the kids take control of their own education. Learn things they are interested in and progress at their own pace , although we have a set core curriculum we have as the basis of their learning for each grade. Each of the kids has such a distinct personality and learn in such different ways. MTA squirrels herself away in her room with her books and assignment and pulls on headphones and she simply works. The only thing she dislikes is math. This next year and the years following we are going with a two prong approach. She will have what is called a teaching textbook. As well as Saxon Math for her grade. She will switch back and forth to give her some variety. I am rather excited about her going into Highschool because her classes become much more interesting. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I am hoping to find some great textbooks and readers at the VNSA book sale tomorrow. It happens once a year and its a huge boon to bibliophiles like Fartypapa and I. This is my first year going and from what I am told there are deals to be had and homechool curriculum a plenty. WOOHOO!. I love getting a headstart on the next years stuff. We school all year so we go at a somewhat varigated pace as per public school. We still have 7 months left in our school year which is great for us because the kids HATE being bored in the summertime. This summer I will have daycare kids too so that should help with the boredom. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">We are hoping to hook up with other moms this summer to do outings like the science museum and other points of interest. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Sketch has improved so much from last year to this. It's amazing. He wants to read the Harry Potter series but our books are either being read by others or are scattered about. I'm going to look for a set just for him. Its such a change from a year ago when the idea of reading was awful for him. Now he gets excited about it and doesn't complain at all when its reading time. I love that! </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Walker TR is a year younger than Sketch but they are in the same grade because I discovered that they learn better when they can be buddies. They LOVE buddy work. They test eachother on their Spalding phonics cards. Its awesome to hear then correct eachother. LOL. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Macguyver is just trucking right along in his work. I am hoping to get an advanced science book for him because he just eats it up. He always has his science and history book done half way through the year. So I am hoping to find something more challenging for him to keep him busy. He loves math which is a relief for me. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Sketch is like me in that reading was very hard for him. It still is. We are fairly certain he has a mild form of dyslexia. I have a severe form. I couldn't read even a little until I was in 4th grade. Sketch we could say was a firm reader by third grade. He is doing very well now though he still gets frusterated when he messes up his b and d. He transposes like I did and it takes time and repetition for it to solidly enmesh in your brain what belongs where. I am excited to see where he will be in 7 months. He enjoys working with his brother and that seems to have helped a lot. However he is still the artist. He would rather be creating something than doing just about anything else. Something tells me that is how he will be all his life. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">The great thing about homeschooling is that Fartypapa and I decide what they should learn and we don't have to conform to anothers idea of what a good education should be. We choose the books. We pick the areas of study. It gives us this great opportunity to involve our children in deciding what they study. I love that!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Walker TR just told me he loves math. WOOHOO! just wait till he gets to geometry or calculus. UGH.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">I will report my finds from the VNSA book sale tomorrow. Wish me luck!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Mrs. F</span></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-45220770952413366752009-02-10T12:05:00.000-08:002009-02-10T12:21:36.445-08:00An Update and a day beginning.<strong><em>In case you all were wondering Mr. Incredible is doing very well now. He is home with his family and no doubt has some recovery time but all in all he will be fine. It seems so strange to me how such a catastrophic thing can end so quietly. Although I am sure there was much celebrating upon his return home. It just reminds me of how the world keeps moving onward no matter how we feel it should stop in its tracks and wait for us to overcome our tragedy or strife, wait for us to catch up, Wait for us to catch our breath. It doesn't. My family wept when we heard he went home. All of my children stood in my bedroom doorway with baited breath as I read the note that I got saying he went home and was recovering nicely. They all suddenly burst into tears. It was so sudden but so undeniable. They shouted with joy and relief and the tears were just an expression of their joy. It was amazing. What a blessing they are to me. </em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>Soon I will be adding pictures to my blog and making a renewed effort to blog daily. I think its important to document each day in some fashion. </em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>Oh and I have a confession to make. I haven't done anything for Valentines day for my hubby. I am obsessing over this because we normally don't bother with the holiday because we tend to make little expressions to eachother all year long. Fartypapa one upped me this year and he ALREADY has a gift for me. He says its something he would have gotten me anyway so it doesn't really count. He has no idea how much it counts! Its huge! Im on the hook. Help.</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>More later</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Mrs. F</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-964351850574443492009-01-19T13:57:00.000-08:002009-01-19T14:20:26.214-08:00Power of Prayer<strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Once in awhile you have a moment in life where things are so obvious. Things are clear and concise and the grey area disappears. Over the past few days as our family has carried a prayer for this family. I know many others have as well. I know this because I have been told as much but I also know it because of the update I am about to tell you all about.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">The words thank you cannot express the level of gratitude I have but they are the only words I have.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Here is where the power of prayer comes in.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">From here on in the boy I told you about will be called Mr. Incredible. The Incredibles have been through so much in the past week and over the weekend we got a lovely email detailing Mr. Incredible's progress. First and foremost. He woke up. His family waited for hours before he spoke but when he did it was to say he was dying of thirst and he was starving. All very good signs. He was in fact very hungry and thirsty. He hadn' t eaten anything since before the accident. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Here is an excerpt from the email we got regarding him:</span></em></strong><br /><span style="color:#330033;">Mr. Incredible's brain bleeds have stopped. He is still in ICU until Monday, then they hope he can be moved to a pediatric bed unit in the hospital. They do not know how long he will be there since that all depends on how he responds. Incredible Mom has asked me to ask the ward members to please send her via email, a photo of those who know Mr. Incredible. They are making a slide show of familiar people, places and things on their laptop computer that can be played for Mr. Incredible over and over. They are hoping this will help with his recovery. </span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>Incredible mom sent an update about his specific condition as well.</strong> </span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><br />Wednesday night Mr. Incredible fell from the banister at the top of the stairs landing on his head at the tile floor. He has several head fractures. The worst being a long line from over one ear around to the other ear. It's not over the top like you'd wear head phones but just a little on the back of his crown. He was unconscious for more than 24 hours and his head is swollen. He woke up yesterday (Fri.) morning and was finally talking by afternoon/evening. We are so thrilled. He's still tied down to the bed so he won't take out the catheter or remove all the gadgets and needles attached to him. He is sooooo hungry. He calls out as he twists "I'm going to die! I need water!" Then he'll call out "Food! I must have food!" He hasn't eaten since dinner on Wednesday. Imagine that for a growing 8 year old boy :-/ He has pneumonia as well probably from inhaling some of the fluid he'd been vomiting out so much while in his unconscious state (different from a coma).<br />Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. It's only from praying and fasting that he's gotten this far - and Incredible Dad and I too. It's been a tough ride. If you want to send him pictures or make a little movie for him that would be good. According to the head trauma doctor he needs familiar objects (books, toys, etc) and pictures of people he's familiar with.<br />Thank you so much!<br />Love to you all.<br />Incredible Mom.<br /><br /><strong>Now I have changed names for obvious reasons but I really wanted illustrate how prayer has helped this family. This recovery has been a miracle. I know my family has cried and prayed and rejoiced over this past week. When we got this last update every member of my family sobbed and hugged eachother in relief. We know Mr Incredible and his family have a long road to traverse yet but it is amazing the strides he has made. My family thanks you as does the Incredibles. Keep doing what you do. More updates will follow.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Till next time</strong><br /><strong>Mrs. F.</strong></span><br /></span><span style="color:#330033;"></span>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654548148185651923.post-18114875097369309992009-01-15T15:41:00.000-08:002009-01-15T15:44:50.002-08:00Update and a continued request.<strong><span style="color:#330033;">I just received an update a few minutes ago and I don't know if anyone is reading but I am updating because it makes me feel less useless in this situation.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">Our friends son it has been determined , has several skull fractures and bleeding on the brain. He is currently sedated as they monitor his condition to determine how best to continue his treatment. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">It is scarey how easily this can happen to anyone and how much they need our good thoughts and prayers. Please if you can, continue the faith chain and get the word out about this little boy. He and his family can use all our best.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">Thanks</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">Mrs. F.</span></strong>Mrs.Flabby and Unfabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286015726938402496noreply@blogger.com2