Internet in da house...

This is not just any news - this is BIG news in our home. I may or may not have mentioned that up until recently, we have been struggling with getting an internet provider to give us service way out here in the wild, wild West (we do live on the Western end of our county and if you happen to be a local reading my blog - pun was totally intended. Hehe)

Since building our home and moving in late 2009 - we have yet to have home internet. Not the conventional home internet, any way.

We've been through the 3G and 4G wireless services. We've been through the added hot spots on our cell phones. We were even this close to signing a contract locking us into satellite internet for 2 whole years (at a whopping $100 per month for LIMITED service).

What seemed like 100 phone calls and  more than few choice words I'd rather not type for the public eye - the technician pulled into our drive way (at a very early 7:50am, might I add) one morning last week and I could have hugged his neck.

Drum roll please.....

 

 

Aren't those the most beautiful wires you've ever seen? Ha!

This moment was definitely worth a photo and a blog post! :)

 

We have internet, people! Real internet! Did you hear that? Real internet!  

I can download pictures and watch movies - you have no idea what its been like to have lived in a black hole for nearly 3 years. No, really! 

Wordless Wednesday

Well isn't that a joke. I can't have a wordless post - my OCD will not allow it! Ha!

 

The Coach has had a super busy game schedule lately. Its been just this sweetie and me in the evenings lately (and I'm loving getting all these extra cuddles he usually shares with The Coach.....shh, don't tell them)

 



 

Fashion(less)

I've probably had the same style since high school.

I'm pretty predictable in my choices, especially my choices of colors.

(I mean hasn't black ALWAYS been the new black? Ha!)

Having light hair and fair skin have always limited me on the colors that I prefer to wear.

Yellow makes me look sick and brings out all my flaws. Orange clashes with the rosy tone my pale skin takes on in the slightest amount of wind, sun or humidity and I consider white a total wash out.

Complain much? Ha!

I try to mix in a few colors and I try to stay up on some of the latest trends that I can tolerate. But for the most part, I'd say I'm pretty fashion-less.

I'd also say I'm pretty boring when it comes to my work attire. We are expected to dress business casual at my office and I tend to resort to my go-to black slacks and a dress top 4 out of 5 days. To me, it looks polished while being comfortable without screaming, "Look at me! Look at me!" (I'm just not the attention seeker type)

Recently - I purchased a few skirts to mix into my work wardrobe. Skirts I actually love and want to wear. Form fitting pencil skirts, in various lengths that hug just the right spots and hide the un-wanted flaws. I thought, what better to pair with these awesome skirts than a few sexy button ups? You know, the powerful business-woman button-ups you see in movies (example: Reese Witherspoon's black pencil skirt and white button-up in 'Four Christmases')

After searching high and low - I've come to a conclusion.

It is not meant for me to wear a button-up shirt. (Sorry for this repeat of information if you follow me on Instagram)

No matter what type of buttons, or what brand, or how its made - there is no hope.

For those of us who were...ahem...blessed up top on a smaller frame - you know exactly what I'm talking about. Even with a shirt underneath - who wants a huge gap between your buttons?



And then there were sprouts...

Not much has happened in the outdoor garden.

I still have a few weeks before certain things can be planted and we've had some really strange weather. We actually had sleet falling this morning when I took The Bronxster out for his morning walk - sleet in April. Weird much?

However the little cups of soil in our spare bedroom have been doing better than I expected.

So far, everything except my rosemary and basil have sprouted. Some cups are further ahead than others and based on my reading, I think I'll have to weed out a few of the extra sprouts out once they get a little bigger.

Thyme



 Chives, Basil, and Cilantro

Eggplant - its there, barely, but its peeping out :)

Parsley  - parched parsley (I did water it after these photos were taken. I've got to get better at that if I want this work work!)

I have plans to plant a few things this weekend in the outdoor garden.

One tip I've learned thus far - SOAK YOUR SEEDS!

The seeds that I soaked sprouted almost 5 days sooner and seem to be growing more rapidly than those seeds that I didn't. I plan to soak every seed I plant this weekend. I also read on Pinterest that this is a good practice when gardening. If it was on Pinterest - it has to be right! Right? :)

Bronx Breaks

Though this is a usual 'Bronx Breaks' post - I'm actually off work today. Yay!

 

Our veterinarians office was having their anniversary celebration this week. Today's special was 20% off of flea/heart worm medications. Owning a dog isn't cheap and their insurance doesn't cover routine medications (unless you want to shell out over $500 per month, which makes zero sense) so I try to buy meds when they are on sale or have a rebate.

 

They have been offering a special all week long to celebrate the anniversary and today - they were giving out prizes. Shhh...don't tell Bronx he would have gotten a treat if I had taken him along.

 

In The Bronxster's absence - Jackie, the sweet lady at the front desk sent him home a tennis ball anyway! How thoughtful!

 

Look at that face! He's like - thanks for the ball, now get away from me! Ha!

 

 

 

It didn't take long for him to go to town....

 

 

And within minutes - the ball, was a ball no more.

 

 

That wraps up another "lunch break."

 



Gardening 101 - What I've learned

In the past I've grown a few herbs. One jalapeno plant in a large pot on my patio. Oh, and a cherry (aka: tommy toe - if you too reside in the South) tomato plant in a 5-gallon bucket that we rarely got to enjoy because Bronx would pick the bush clean behind our backs. With that being said - I am NO expert when it comes to gardening, but its something I want to do and I want to be good at it and I'm not going to give up easily.

 

Its really my Mother who has the green thumb. I swear, the woman has been known to bring plants back from the dead. She can transplant 'clippings' from anything and she wouldn't want me to tell you that even though it takes her nearly an hour to water her hoard of different plant life, she loves it.

 

I love that she loves it - its natural, the beauty of growing something and allowing it to thrive, knowing YOU did that. I've managed to keep a few house plants alive and recently I gave into my urge to begin a garden. I can only hope that I'll have half of the success my Mom has had.

 

After consulting my Grandma and Grandpa for a few words of wisdom, getting The Coach's approval to till up a patch of his precious lawn, and what seems like 395,585,545 pins later - I went for it.

 

I set off for the local hardware store, where the helpful young man directed me to these little beauties.

 

These 'cups' - if you will, are biodegradable and you can plant them directly into the soil versus a plastic version that has to be removed before planting - simple! I like simple.

 

I got a variety of sizes - for no particular reason really. At my local store they ranged from $0.05 to    $0.14

 

 I used the website - www.sproutrobot.com to gauge when I needed to start my plants (certain plants will need to be started indoors several weeks before they are ready to plant into the ground. Starting the seeds indoors ensures that you'll be able to begin young plants closer to their 'season' because germination may take too long once the soil can be worked and the seeds are planted)

The Sprout Robot website also gives you dates that you can plant your seeds outdoors, based on your area. You go to the site and enter your zip code - it couldn't be easier.

 

 

I also bought a few of these little 'plastic frames' while I was at the hardware store. The hold the biodegradable cups so they keep their shape while you are watering and growing your seeds. The helpful young man said the cups should slide right out of the plastic frames and I can re-use them. Score!

 

 

 

I selected my seeds based on two things - how many large planters (pots) I have and how many rows I had room for in my tilled garden.

 

For instance - I read that its very easy to plant lettuce and carrots in planters, so I planned to begin my seeds directly in the planters since I could keep them indoors until the time came for them to go outside. The lettuce will sit on my front porch which gets mostly shade - this was how someone grew it in a feature article in some home/garden magazine I read, and they were able to grow it almost year round in a planter.

 

Below is a list of seeds I started indoors in my biodegradable cups -

•  Romaine Lettuce (I decided to live dangerously & try it in the garden and in a planter, though I'm told by my grandpa that its probably too late and it wont make it - I did it anyway)
• Eggplant - I'll transplant these into the outdoor garden
• Green Bell Pepper -I'll also transplant these into the outdoor garden.
• Chives (I actually have these already planted outdoors in my raised herb garden, but I tend to do things for no reason, see paragraph above! Ha!)
• Parsley/Thyme/Cilantro/Rosemary/Basil - these I plan to transplant into my raised herb garden that The Coach built me last summer.

Based on the website I recently planted iceberg lettuce in my outdoor garden and in the next few weeks I'll also add the following;

 

• Summer Squash - both yellow crook-neck squash and zucchini
• Watermelon
• Corn - I'm partial to sweet yellow corn
• Cucumbers - pickling cucumbers for canning and standard southern burpless for fresh eating
• Cantaloupe
• Okra
• Tomatoes
• Jalapenos

 



 



I used Miracle-Gro Potting Mix when starting my seeds. This was probably my first mistake. Upon opening the bag I realized this was not the moist, rich, deep black soil I was searching for. Luckily, I had about half a bag left in our garage from last year, so I mixed the two and dredged on.

 

 

 

I planted my seeds as directed on the package and arranged my cups in some dollar store cake pans. I'd like to think this was genius on my part - for $1 each I was able to fit 6 cups easily and I don't have to worry about any drippage or spills from watering, spilled dirt or moving each cup on by one.

 

 



 I used what I had on hand in a pinch (sticky notes, toothpicks, and a some tape) to make my labels, I watered each cup thoroughly, and took them inside to sit in front of a sunny window in our spare bedroom.

 

I plan to update on my journey through gardening. I can only hope that my experience is a good one, but I fully intend to see this project through. I wont let a few dead plants stop me and with a little perseverance I hope to eat lots of home grown veggies and herbs this summer and share my extras with my family and friends!

 

Bronx Breaks

Three days per week I have the luxury of being able to go home for my lunch break. 

I absolutely love being able to come home for lunch on those days. 

Its amazing what a difference it makes in my attitude (and work ethic) when I'm able to take that short break home to eat and unwind for a minute or two. Especially when I get to come home to this sweet booger...

I usually walk Bronx, eat something quick, and throw a load of laundry in. 

And of course snap a few "selfies" of the two of us to send to Dad. :) 

 

Marriage Is....

First thing - marriage is tough!
If someone told you that marriage was all butterflies and rainbows - they straight lied to your face!

My marriage isn't perfect and I'm willing to bet yours isn't either.
We're human. And by nature, believe it our not, none of us are perfect. So, why expect your marriage to be?

Marriage is the single most hardest thing I've been involved in, thus far in my life.
Marriage is also the single most rewarding thing I've ever been involved in. There is no greater feeling than confessing your love and devotion to the person you desire to share your entire life with before God, family, and friends. There is not anything that gives someone more contentment than to "finalize" your attachment to your soul mate.

Marriage is hard, but its fun.
There is no one else in the world you can treat like your spouse (in a good way, of course!)
They are the person who understands you. Loves you for you.
They are the person who will always lend you a shoulder to cry on. The one who tells you everything will be okay, even when it may not be.

For most of us, marriage is also sacred. Its something we locked into with all of our heart and faith. Marriage, most of the time, is something that is began and built on religious faith or values.
Even for those who don't practice a religion - marriage is still something they view as a special commitment and submission to the vows that tie a man and a woman together, both spiritually and legally.


I'm usually not one to speak on behalf of anything political or on my opinions of laws, judicial rulings, etc. But today, I feel as if all the talk, posts, and news reports shared on Facebook, and other social media have slapped me in the face (no pun intended). Are you married? Do you feel this way?

If you ask my family or close friends, they'd likely tell you that I'm a "go with the flow" and a "to each their own" type of person. I like to think that we're all going to have our own opinion about anything and everything, and that's okay. After all, we're all different in our own way, whether it be shape, hair color, height, etc, so why shouldn't our opinions be different? I think we all have a right to our own opinion and this post, is solely MY OPINION. Nothing I'm about to say is RIGHT or WRONG. It is simply what I believe and it is my own opinion. You have yours and I have mine. And this is my blog and I'm going to use it the way I intended to, to document my life, my beliefs, my opinions.

I'm not what some would call a - Holy Roller. Not.Even.Close
I'm guilty of not making it to church on a regular basis.
I don't participate in every function my church hosts.
I don't read my Bible daily like I should.
I wear make-up, short skirts. I have holes in my flesh and ink on my skin. I am not perfect. 
I don't preach God's word to everyone I meet and try to make them believe "my way."
But, I am still a child of God and The Bible - the Word of God has influenced my life in many ways.

I believe The Word. I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman.
I believe a man, was made a "man" both physically and spiritually - for a reason.
I believe a woman, was made a "woman" both physically and spiritually - for a reason.
I believe a man and a woman were made, for each other - both physically and spiritually.

Anatomy doesn't lie and neither does God's word.

I may lose friends or followers (all 11 of you!). I may push someones buttons and I may even hurt feelings. But I feel like allowing gay marriage in the United States is just one step closer to hell here on earth. Our country was founded on Christian faith. "In God We Trust" or "One Nation, Under GOD" - hey, remember those? And if we still followed the 10 Commandment's - I do think the world would be a better place.

Now - before you throw me under the bus, hear me out. Okay?
Just because my opinion of gay marriage is a little narrow doesn't mean I'm a prude. I have gay friends. Heck, I even have a gay Uncle. I still love him! He's not a different person because of his selection in partners, he just chooses to live a lifestyle I would never choose for myself.
Its not my place to judge people. That's not what this is about. I don't have a problem with anyone who is gay. I don't have an issue with gay communities or gay bars. I don't even care if you want to have a dang gay parade - do it! The ONE and ONLY thing I care about - is gay marriage.

The single most important ACT in a person's life is taking marriage vows. (I know some would argue that becoming a parent reins in higher on the scale, but alas, I have a different belief on that situation too....but that's another post.) Sharing the vows of marriage and committing to your husband or wife is the one thing that married couples have that proves their love and devotion and provides assurance that their relationship is true and pure. If we allow same sex couples to marry - how scared is the ACT of marriage then? Will we allow dogs and cats to marry too?

Maybe that isn't fair? Life isn't fair. School isn't fair. Sports aren't fair. The workplace isn't fair. Get used to it. 

There are already so many marriages that have been ruined and scrutinized because some straight couples can't even grasp the importance to uphold their marriage vows. So many people don't view marriage as a BIG DEAL...until theirs begins to fall apart. Marriage isn't to be taken lightly. Marriage is the real deal. Marriage is something that a lot of people think they want, but aren't committed to put in the time and effort to have a real marriage. If men and women haven't been able to uphold what a marriage is and is suppose to be....how are men and men going to do this? Or women and women?

Sleep Tight

Bronx sleeps with us. Like, in our bed. Our queen bed.
Not just "in" our bed, but all up in our bed. He doesn't share much space and he doesn't mind sprawling out and stretching his legs out over top of anyone, either.

I understand that not everyone allows their dogs to sleep in their bed. Some people don't even let their dogs live inside. I get it. It wasn't my plan to have Bronx sleep with us  between us when be became "ours." It just sort of happened...around 2am after 4 hours of constant crying on Christmas Eve night and I just wanted some sleep, happened. One night in the "human bed" and he was ruined.

[No judgies, okay?]

Bronx is a snuggler. He HAS to be touching someone when he's sleeping, or settling in to fall asleep. He's not the type of dog to just sleep at the foot of the bed. He'll get right up in your business.

Most nights, when The Coach is away at a game or has a late practice - its just me and The Bronxster at bed time. So he takes The Coach's spot and I take mine.

Apparently, when The Coach comes home we're already sleeping tight and having sweet dreams and usually we and I quote - "Look like a pile of puppies piled on top of each other snoring." In my defense, its Bronx that does the snoring, but its true, I usually wake up in the morning with an arm in my face, a nose/snout in my arm pit, and legs tossed across my waist. Who needs a blanket? Ha!

Here is the evidence:

February Random-ness

Hubs season opener is today! 

Based on the weather app on my phone - I had better have multiple layers on if I don't want to freeze! 

(I have no idea how baseball players manage the beginning  of the season in the Northern states...buurrrr)

Valentine's Day may be long gone, but I'm glad my candy held on a little longer! I've almost become addicted to these Dove - Strawberry Creme swirl milk chocolates. Its a good thing I can't find anymore at the store or I would be in big trouble...or should I say my waist line would be in big trouble!

Our winter here in NC has actually felt like, well, Winter. 

I'm not a fan of very cold weather, but there is nothing like a huge bowl of soup on a cold night. 

We've been making a weekly habit of putting Taco Soup on the menu. 

The Bronxster

I took this yesterday morning. I was trying to leave for work, but someone was not happy about having to get out of the bed. 

A huff and a puff and a long stretch later...he did manage to roll over and swat me away with his paw. 

If he could talk I'm pretty sure the caption to this photo would be - 

"You want me to do WHAT?" or maybe 

"Umm, maybe later. Okay? Thanks, bye."

Can You Claim A Name?

Background: I come from a mingled family. Its something I've always known and it works for us. My biological father is not the man I call, "Dad." My step dad became the man I look up to, the man who taught me to drive, shoot a gun, and scold me when I was late for curfew. He's my Dad.
My Dad is my little brother's biological father (some people would call him my half-brother, but I don't have that outlook on the situation) and they both share a last name that I never got to call my own. Carter.
I wouldn't say I've always wanted to be a Mom, I mean, I want to be a Mom, its just not something that I've been dwelling on my entire life. It wasn't my life-long dream to marry my husband and instantly begin popping babies out everywhere. Mom is also a title I'm not in a hurry to have. I've done a lot of soul searching over this whole "Mom" thing, and in the end I know in my heart that I'll wear that title when its my time, and I'll wear it proudly.



So, just because you aren't pregnant, or planning to become pregnant doesn't mean you can't pick out baby names, right? I sure hope so, because I've had my babies names picked out since I was a little girl. I'm pretty set on these names. Like...Set.In.Stone

 

 

Drum roll please.......

 



 

Boy: Carter

 

Girl: Paislee

(pronounced just like Paisley, alternate spelling to match my name)

Paisley is a name I gave to every single baby doll I ever owned! I LOVE this name. I, of course would adapt the original spelling to conform to the spelling of my name. Charles Lee was my great-grandfather and my Mother named me after him- combining his first name and last name to create a new feminine spelling - Charlee.

Carter of course is a family name. Often times women will use their maiden name as a first or middle name for their baby boy. I value that tradition and though I never carried the last name, Carter, I would hope that it would honor my Dad and my Brother by naming my son after them.

Now - here's the real question??
Can I claim these names and let everyone know about them and vow to hurt anyone who uses my baby names? I'm pretty sure the answer is no, but it couldn't hurt to ask. Although I have made it very clear at several family gatherings that these are my unborn children's names! Ha!

Here's the scoop -
My younger cousin just found out she is expecting. I'm so excited for her and her husband, really I am. I'm also so over-taken with anger that I can't see straight. My cousin is the daughter of my Dad's sister. So at some point in life my Aunt and my Dad both had the same last name - Carter.
Guess what baby names my cousin has been talking about??? Carter.

No - I am not pregnant, she is. I realize this. But just because she is the one actually having the baby, does that mean that she gets to take MY baby name?? Is this a first come, first serve style?
Lawd, help me now!

Ugh!

If you need me, I'll be downing bottles boxes of wine while trying to erase the name from my head that I've had picked out for my unborn child for 20+ years now....

Crack Potatoes

I called this recipe "crack" after my husband literally almost pouted when they were all gone and he has since requested them daily, with EVERY meal.

So the name was born by my husbands addictive actions to these heavenly little potato morsels. And the best part is...they are SUPER easy.


Crack Potatoes (original recipe)

2-3 large potatoes, washed, dried, and diced.
2-3 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 package of Onion Soup Mix



Preheat your oven to 450
Toss the diced potatoes in a glass baking dish and coat well with the olive oil and the soup mix.
Bake in a 450 degree oven for around 40 minutes.

**I'm not a good recipe follower. There is usually something that I change about all the recipes I find. Sometimes its just omitting seasonings to my taste or sometimes I just change it all together based on the ingredients I have on had. This is one of those recipes where you can make 10 pounds or 10 pieces - its so versatile.
For my version - its just me and the hubs at dinner, so 2-3 potatoes it just too much. Below is my alternate version of this recipe for two servings (hearty servings, remember these are like crack, so seconds are suggested)



My Version:

1 large potato, washed, dried, and diced.
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
3 Tbsp Onion Soup Mix (I saved the rest in a plastic storage bag for later this week)
1 tsp dried Parsley
1 tsp dried Oregano
2 tsp dried minced garlic (we like the extra garlic flavor these give)

Follow same cooking directions as above, however with only 1 potato, it doesn't take the full 40 minutes, unless you like very crispy potatoes.



They aren't the prettiest things to eat, but they sure are tasty!

Hey, Coach! Its February...

February is here! Don't remind me....
Could you hear the sarcasm in my title?

As I've made very obvious, I'm a coach's wife.

My husband coaches high school baseball, in a small town here in North Carolina.
My husband also coaches American Legion Baseball.

See a pattern here? My husband coaches a lot of baseball.

Although he technically only coaches two different teams, those teams have different seasons. Having two teams, with two different seasons, creates one very, very long baseball season....for me.

I love baseball. Its probably the one constant in our lives, when everything else is unpredictable.  Its also the one thing we can both completely agree on, watch together, and enjoy together. Its America's past time, its the signal that Summer is here. Its the one game that you can talk about with anyone in the world, literally.

That doesn't mean that baseball and I always see eye to eye.

You see, in February baseball season starts in our area. Try-outs, practices, scrimmages, and workouts take up the month of February to prepare for the new season. Want to know who runs all those try-outs, practices, scrimmages, and work outs? The Coach.

If you know me in real life, I've probably told you (more than once) that I'm only married for half of the year. I may have been joking around, but I wasn't kidding. Technically, I'm always married and have been since 10/9/10, but that doesn't mean that February through August, I feel like I am.

So here's to the new year, the new season, and the next 6 months where the only time I see my husband awake is when we're passing each other in the drive way or when the rain cancels a game. Its a crazy baseball life we live, but we love it!

Play ball!

Who's a dog?

Its no secret that Bronx is spoiled. 

I'm fully aware that I created a monster when I began treating Bronx more like a human "baby" than the puppy he really was. Hence, his nickname "The Bronxster"
 Its my fault he's so attached and trust me, when MY spoiled rotten little boy does something naughty - I hear about it. (I love you honey! ha!)

My husband sent me the picture above (which I then posted on Instagram - so some of you may have already seen the photo) last night, making sure to point out that our dog is so spoiled, he had to lay his head on the pillow and stretch out on the bed just like a human.

In my defense I would like to remind everyone (my darling husband included) that just a few weeks past Bronx's second birthday he had major orthopedic surgery on his left rear leg which left he and I sleeping in the floor on a mattress (Yep, that mattress is back on the floor again. This time its the other leg!) for a whopping 12+ weeks. During that time, I'm afraid my spoiled dog turned into a little monster!


I haven't been to the bathroom alone in 3 years.
I can't walk without him being under my feet.
He HAS to be touching me when he sleeps, if not laying on top of me in some strange way.
He WILL NOT wake his Dad up to go outside, only Mom.
I only worry about what he's doing when I CAN'T hear him.

Bronx is truly the toddler I never had. I didn't birth him. He's four legged, furry, and 100% canine.... but you can't tell him that.

Truth be told - I don't mind it. He might be spoiled to the core and he might be the biggest Mama's boy you've ever seen, but in my heart I know, as a dog, his time on earth is not long so I'll continue to cover him in kisses, play endless games of tug, and cherish his attachment to me, after all, isn't that why he's mine?

Bronx & Dad - 1 Mom- 0

In our house - we all pitch in. We try very hard not to let anything or any task be too one sided.

We take turns taking Bronx out for walks, doing laundry, vacuuming, and other "chores" around the house. I guess we live under the assumption that if it needs doing, who ever gets to it first, does it.

I don't vacuum the way Dave likes and he doesn't do laundry in the meticulous fashion I prefer, but I can live with that. Hey, if he wants to do that load of towels for me, who am I to turn him down?

There are a few things that only one of us do...most of the time.
There is no real reason behind it why I'm the only one who does the grocery shopping or why Dave is the only one who gives the dog a bath.

I mean, Dave HATES shopping...especially for groceries or household items and it doesn't bother me. Mean while, I can't give Bronx a bath without taking one myself or having him escape the tub and cover our walls with little Bronx's bath water droplets. So, I guess there really are reasons, but its not like we would refuse to do either of them, if need be.

However, I guess there is always an exception to every rule. Up until last night, I was pretty confident that Dave would never refuse to do a "job" or "task" in our home. He has always helped out and picked up my slack when I've been sick, etc.

"Charlee!!! I tried to stop it. I really tried." - Dave said to me last night with the slight tremble of panic in his voice, as he walked into the kitchen where I was fixing dinner. I knew whatever came out of his mouth next would not be good.

Next Dave said - "I can't do it. I can't even walk back in there. I can't look. I just can't. Actually, I can't and I won't and I'm sorry."

Wow? Had he lost his mind? Was there an alien in our bedroom?

It came out of his mouth so quickly, I wasn't sure what to think. So I walked into our bedroom to see for myself what all of this gibberish was about.

**If you have a weak stomach, stop reading now.

In front of our bed was a large "present" in our carpet......vomit. Dog vomit.
Vomit, puke, hurl, throw-up, chunks -whatever it is you want to call it.

Now, if I'm being real....let me real, REAL - the bigger the dog, the bigger the, ya know.
In case you didn't know, Bronx weighs in at around 100lbs and stands about thigh high to me (I'm 5'2").

Getting the picture? Good. Cause I didn't take one.
How freakin' gross would that be?

I do not have a strong stomach and had the "present" been a pool of blood - I'd be out cold on the floor, but seeing as how there are only two people humans that live in our house and my husband had already flat out refused, I had no choice.

Lesson learned - shit (or vomit) happens. You can't help it and you can't stop it. And my husband will NOT clean it up. Score: Bronx & Dad - 1 and Mom- 0

So, when the topic of having children comes up in the future, I really need to remember this, because I'll be damned if he's getting out that easy!! If I'm the designated bodily function cleaner-upper then I'm designating him some sort of duty too! Ha!

Wrath of "The Rash"

As a child and young adult I've always had sensitive skin.

My entire life has consisted of buying every cosmetic item and skin care solution in "scent free" or "no-fragrance" varieties.

I've always been careful to use the same products my skin is familiar with and I've always had a habit of checking labels to see if anything has changed with the products formulation.

I can remember soaking in oatmeal baths for hours as a child because my Mom accidentally purchased the wrong type of laundry detergent. But I've never considered my sensitive skin to be a true issue or health dilemma. 

Never until this..... 

I wish this photo was better detailed. I guess I shouldn't rely on my cell phone camera so often!

 I woke up one morning last week with both my upper arms covered in red hives, itchy bumps, and it was also painful to the touch. 

Of course I immediately went in search of the culprit. I knew I had accidentally used something I wasn't suppose to on my skin, but after searching every product I had in my cabinet I couldn't pin-point a specific reason.

 

Benadryl seemed to help the itching and burning that I felt, but it didn't phase the whelps/bumps/blisters that were forming on my skin. I've never experienced this type of rash before. In the past my rash has always been very red and itchy, not raised, with zero bumps/whelps present. So this was something new...

By the next morning, most of the symptoms had subsided and the appearance of my skin started to look better, but it wasn't gone. Funny thing is...it still isn't gone. 

I know, I know - I should have seen a doctor to have them look at the rash, but hear me out. 

 By the next morning, it didn't even look the same as it did the day before and I thought the Doc may think I'm a crazy lady if I go into the office with normal looking skin.  Also, we just changed insurance providers at my employer and I really wasn't ready to fool with changing all that information while doped up and groggy on antihistamines.

Some of the nurses at work seem to think its eczema (symptoms sound similar) and my friends and my Mom seem to think it was just a fluke rash from something I came into contact with, but don't remember. 

I don't even want to guess...as long as it doesn't come back I'll be okay with "it" being name-less for now.

So, for any of you self proclaimed medical healers out there....what the heck was it? 

Snow.....almost

On Friday (1/25/13) the foot hills of NC saw our first glimpse of winter weather of the year (if you want to get technical, its the first winter weather since 2011 because we didn't get any snow, sleet, etc in 2012 at all).

I'm not sure where you are from, but around here when the weather man even mentions the "s" word...people freak out. Sadly, I'm included in that group of "people." :) Although they were initially only calling for sleet and freezing rain, I held out waiting for a few flakes of SNOW to fall.
 Good thing I didn't hold my breath...

At the first sign of any perception - Schools close or release early. The grocery stores sell out of bread and milk in rapid time, and 9 times out of 10? It doesn't even stick.

Any who, on Friday shortly after the schools closed they sent us home from work and while I was no where near finished with my work load for the day, I was super excited for a free afternoon at home with my boys.


We napped and ate chili. Bronx and I wanted to play outside so bad, but we ended up with mostly freezing rain and sleet. I didn't see one.single.snow flake!

FYI - it is not fun to play in the ice.

But that was it - our first mix of winter weather for the year. Although I'm ready for flip flops and beach weather, I'd take another snow day before Mr. Sunshine comes out for good.

Bad Blogger

Its official. I'm a horrible blogger.

I really don't mean to be. Really. But this is my little diary about my little life and I need to keep up with it better!

I've been working 50-60 hour weeks for several months and on top of that we currently have zero internet access at our house. Like, zero.

You see, hubs and I like our country living. Our closest neighbor is a short drive away, wheat fields span out as far as the eye can see, and the only thing that will deliver to our house is USPS, UPS and Fed-ex.
My husband things the worst thing about living in the middle of no where is not having the option of pizza delivery.
I, on the other hand thing the worst thing is internet service....or lack there of.


Cable internet isn't even in our area, at all. The phone company refuses to run additional lines (other than phone line) to our home on our dead end road and I've gotten so fed up with wireless modems that I almost took the poor boys head off at Verizon when I lost all control about a outrageous bill from going over on our data plan.

We're screwed on internet at home for now, but I'm going to try my best to not let that small set back hinder me from being a better blogger!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas 2012!
From my family, to yours!

O' Christmas Tree

Its up! Its finally up and it actually has decorations on it! 

I haven't had much free time lately, so we went with all store bought ornaments and a few of our keepsake ornaments. I WILL try out some Pinterest decor next year for sure! 

This is the only picture I've taken so far of our tree. I'm going to try to whip out the big camera this weekend and get a few shots. Although its just a phone photo, I'd like to point out that there is are not many things more sweet than watching your puppy sleep beside a light Christmas tree while listening to Christmas music. 

This is the VERY best photo I could snap of Bronx in his Christmas hat.

Sadly, most of the other tries look like this....