Big Girls Don't Cry?

If they do, they get many negative reactions, based on an article that was on Yahoo's front page today.

But my personal dam finally broke, here at work, and I cried. A lot. At work. Sobbed. In the front office. And I didn't care.

Okay, I cared. A little bit. It's a little embarrassing. But sometimes it's the straw on the back of the camel that already has a load the size of Texas.

I'm better now.

It started with a day that I managed to stay behind no matter how hard I tried to get ahead. Then I tried to cram 500 errands in a one hour lunch. Then I got back to work and found that I had left half of my purchases at Wal-mart. When I called, they had put my items back in stock, and said I had to come back and basically re-shop all over again. I can't foresee any time to do that for the next few days.

Thanks to the listening ear of friends, to Sandy for going to Wal-mart and getting my money back for me, and deep breathing techniques, I think I'm going to make it. ;)

But for the record, big girls do cry.

I'm Alive, I Promise...but Am I LIVING? ;)

You know, my woeful neglect of this blog of late is shameful at best. What has this blog ever done to me that I've turned my back on it so completely? Nothing, nothing at all. ;) I think I've just gotten to the point that on most days I'm too busy to blog, and then on the days I'm not too busy I am too bummed or tired to blog. I know, excuses, excuses. If you only knew how many posts I've started and allowed them to sit idle without publishing. Sigh.

Rest assured, I am thinking of you, my blogger peeps. I am jumping over to your blogs every chance I get, and I am reading your posts. If my schedule (and my computer) cooperate, I actually get to comment now and then. But I haven't forgotten you, I pinky swear.

Over a month ago, Josh pulled his hamstring at practice. We've spent the last month since then running him to the orthopedic specialist, physical therapy, etc. No mistake: if they are injured, football players still have to be at practice, at every game, etc., on top of their rehab. It's been tiring, and expensive. Thank God for AFLAC! And trust me, I'm not getting paid to say that. It's been a godsend! The good thing is, Josh is back in the game! They are fast healers, those teenagers! ;)

I'm also very appreciative of Josh's team trainer who was so supportive during this process with Josh. He came to the ER the night of the injury just after we arrived. He stayed, asked questions, offered input and reassurance, and even called the orthopedic doctor at home to discuss Josh's case. The following morning, he called the dr.'s office, made Josh an appointment, then called me at home to tell me where to be and when. He even provided detailed directions on how to get there! I half expected him to show up in our driveway and chauffeur us there as well! It was so helpful.

Here's a clip of a video (crossing fingers now) of his very first game back from his injury. I wish I could recoup like this! Sorry about the shaky video. I was leaning on the fence, which some kid was kicking, so I took what I could get. ;) Hope you don't get motion sickness!




Well, Jo's team is still undefeated. They are awesome! One night Robert and I dropped Jo off at a scrimmage, then went to our local Dollar General to get some gloves, as it was going to be a cold night. We weren't prepared for the drop in temperature, as we had just experienced a record setting hot weekend. So, we were about ten minutes late getting back to the game. The score was already 23-0, with Jo's team taking the lead that early on. We were flabbergasted! (How often do you get to use that word, huh?) ;)

Jo's team's last regular season game is this coming weekend. That may sound good in theory, but my life is getting ready to get even busier.

The playoffs work like this: Every team goes in to the playoffs equal. It doesn't matter how many wins or losses a team has during the regular season. Team names are thrown in to a hat, and that's where the selection begins. If a team wins on Saturday, they play again on Sunday. The playoffs run from October 27 through November 10th.

Now, keep in mind that Jo's team is undefeated in the regular season. They're very good. Chances are, they're going to make their way through several teams before they're eliminated, if at all.

Btw, isn't this just the cutest thing? Daddy and son, watching the game, waiting for Jo's team to take the field..... ;) Brag, brag, brag...or as Pat would say, "Cluck, Cluck, Cluck." teehee!

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Therefore, my weekend plans are on permanent hold until at least November 10th. And November 11th is Jo's birthday.

Then what? Thanksgiving is just around the corner, then the mad dash to get ready for Christmas! In between all of that, Bipsy and I have another trip to Tennessee for training. Looks like early December. I'm tired just thinking about it. How about you? Have you even started thinking about Christmas? Ugh! Who has the time?

One cool thing: I just found out that my friend, Wyn, is going to come for a quick weekend visit on the last weekend in January. She hasn't been here since March of 2006, and that was just after my surgery. I was tired and lackluster, so I am hoping for a high quality visit this time around. ;)

Nothing else real exciting to report at this point.

Our fall colors aren't in full splendor this year due to the drought. We have had rain for two days, but I think it's going to be a dissapointing autum color-wise this year. This is usually my favorite season due to the gorgeous scenery that we normally have, so let's cross our fingers for better weather next year.

Hope this post finds you and your family blessed! Until next time, (which I hope isn't as far off, if I can stop being such a blog slacker) may you have more joy than you can contain!

Okay? Love and hugs!

More Stealing of Denise's Brilliant Ideas:

Before I list more of my favorites, having taken more of Denise's ideas, I want to amend my last post. I didn't know that "Our Lady Peace" was a political Canadian group, but I like their sound. So I guess they would have my vote for favorite political Canadian band. Also, how could I have forgotten Frankie J as one of my favorite Latino male artists? So, that is all the corrections/additions that need correcting/adding in that post.

favorite Canadian female singers: Sarah Harmer, Alanis, and Carolyn Arends
favorite song written for me: I don't have any: sob, whine, moan. ;)

favorite song that i was the major inspiration for: Still got nothing

favorite line of b.s.: I go to the doctor, and tell the nurse who is about to weigh me in that I "prefer to carry my purse on to the scales...it's a security issue I have," and then I ask her if she believes it weighs 30 lbs. It always gets a laugh. ;)

favorite cd's: I like compilation cds that friends and loved ones make for me, that is super special. I also love all my favorites....Cindi Lauper's greatest hits, The Eurythmics greatest hits, Phil's greatest hits...Toby Mac's solo releases, anything DC Talk....too numerous to mention, really.


favorite bands from this century: I'm so stuck in the 80's....I have to say I enjoy RBD, Jess' favorite band, and Chris Brown (not a band, an artist) that is Josh's favorite R & B artist, as well as reggae artist Sean Kingston. But the last two don't really qualify as bands.


favorite job i've had: the one I have had for the last 9 years. Most of the time I look forward to coming to work, with very few exceptions over the years.

favorite cartoon: "Family Guy." shhhhhh......

favorite superhero: The Tick

favorite "in your face" album: Anything by Alanis

favorite winter activity: This is a family blog, so I must plead the fifth ;) ....no, just kidding...I love making hot chocolate for the family after a snowball fight...it always ends up being a warm, fuzzy moment....except the part about wet clothes everywhere....

favorite makeup: CONCEALER and lip gloss. I am addicted to lip gloss. I hate having chapped lips.

favorite part of my body: Oh man....I am not wild about my body, because I have such a short torso...but for a short person, I have reasonably long legs, so I guess I like my legs better than all the rest of the body parts that don't comply with my high expectations.

favorite life quote: "It's hard to be optimistic when your fat pants are tight." ;) (That's my favorite "funny" quote.)

favorite life quote is: "Do Unto Others As You Would Have Others Do Unto You."

favorite hidden sin: I shamelessly stare at guys with muscular biceps. ;) And now it's not hidden anymore, is it? ;) Thank God my handsome husband is among those shamelessly stared upon guys. ;)

favorite t.v. mom: Debra from "Everyone Loves Raymond."

favorite cartoon strip: dilbert and cathy

favorite moment when time stood still: The first time I saw Robert walk in to the restaurant where we met. It truly was one of those "time stood still" moments. I had never seen anyone that looked quite like him or that exuded more confidence and kindness all at the same time. I was mesmerized.

favorite moment growing up: My grandfather bought a play house for us from a neighbor and fixed it up. He painted it the same color as our house, put in carpeting and locks on the door and windows. It was so neat. We spent many a fun hour in there, being kids.

favorite story to tell at family get-togethers: Sadly, we don't really get together as a family in my family...and I don't have too much of a long history with the family I do have left. Most of the family that I have left are relatives I met after I became an adult. My maternal grandparents are deceased, as are my paternal grandparents that raised me. My mother is deceased, and the rest of my family is scattered. Most of the stories I tell in my family are stories about cute things my kids said or did when they were little. Most of those stories I've told here at some point. Sad but true.

Okay, that's the end of my "favorites" as borrowed from Denise's recent posts.

A Cool Survey From Denise's Blog:

My Favorites:

favorite colors: mauve

favorite color to wear: green

favorite dead singer in the last 30 years: Ray Charles

favorite male singer: Phil Collins

favorite singer that turns me on: Chad Kroeger

other favorite male singer: Toby Mac

favorite Canadian band: Nickleback

favorite political Canadian band: I'm not a political kind of gal, so I'm not sure.

favorite Broadway song: "You're the One that I Want" from "Grease"

favorite female singer: Annie Lennox

favorite female singer who is most controversial: I thought so long and hard on this that I almost got a headache, so I gave up. My second favorite female singer- and I don't know if she's controversial- other than her hair color: is Cindi Lauper.

favorite dead female singer: Karen Carpenter

favorite folk female singer: Joan Biaz

favorite female rocker: Amy Lee (of Evanescence)

favorite folk group: Peter, Paul and Mary

favorite rock group: Bon Jovi hands down, followed by Genesis

favorite album: Phil Collins' greatest hits

favorite Hispanic female singer: Jaci Valasquez

favorite Hispanic male singer: Ricki Martin (shhhh)

favorite Hispanic rock group: RBD

favorite song to make fun of: Most anything Beonce sings

favorite vehicle: 1972 Yellow Slug Bug with convertible top

favorite classical song: "Eine kleine Nachtmusik"

favorite classical composer: Mozart

favorite new age artist: Enya, since she's the only one I'm real familiar with

favorite day of the week: Sunday

favorite holiday: 4th of July

favorite outdoor activity: Fishing, lounging in the sun

favorite toy: my digital camera

favorite food: boneless, skinless chicken breast

favorite fruit: strawberries

favorite veggie: toss up between broccoli and brussel sprouts.

favorite author: Debbie Maycomber

favorite book: Cedar Cove series by Debbie Maycomber

favorite genre of book: comedic, fluff novels.

favorite poem: "When the Frost is on the Pumpkin"

favorite female poet: Me-who else can put in to words what I'm thinking?

favorite horror book: Don't have one. I'm a big chicken.

favorite horror animal: See answer above

favorite movie of all time: "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."

favorite sci-fi movies: Star Wars series

second favorite movie: "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"

favorite form of exercise: walking to Leslie Sansone dvds

favorite tv shows: "Everyone Loves Raymond," "Third Rock from the Sun," "Whose Line is it, Anyway?" reruns, "Smallville" and "Cold Case," although I saw a show with Wayne Brady last night...something to do with remembering lyrics to songs and I really, really liked it. May be a new potential favorite. I think it was called "Don't Forget the Lyrics."

favorite sense: Sight. I like to see where I'm going.

favorite way to pass the time: scrapbook or read

favorite comedian: Sinbad

favorite vacation place so far: Georgia, but just because my uncle is there. Otherwise: New England area in the fall for the colors of the leaves.

favorite time of year: fall

second favorite time of year: spring

favorite shoe: Sandals

favorite material to wrap myself in: Velour blanket

favorite phrase: "What's the dealio?"