New Years Resolutions

This year the only resolutions I am making are the ones I can keep. Say good bye to the old ones, lose weight, save more money, stop yelling, get in shape, keep my house spotless at all time, go on a date with John at least twice a month, read a book a month, take up a hobby, and whatever else I can think of. I've made them and broken them in the past. This year will be different, I am going to stick to my guns this year. I'll find the willpower that has always evaded me in the past. So here's to a new year and a new life. A life where goals are kept. So here are my goals for the year.
I will yell at least 5 times a week!
I will attempt to set up dates with John and make sure to hardly ever follow through!
I will gain weight this year!
I will make sure that at least once a week, I have a mess in my house somewhere that needs to me picked up, a mess that is big enough to bother me!
I want to look a little more frumpy/rounded this year. No need for toned and tight!
I want to put off reading books that are recommended to me and ignore at least half of them.
I will make sure to take up no hobbies!
Last but not least, I want more wrinkles! Yes WRINKLES!!!

I think I can accomplish these, what about you?

Bagpipes :(

So I have this neighbor who plays the bagpipes. Yup the bagpipes. This is not an attractive instrument, and it sounds like a sick moose's mating call mixed with a drunk bull frog with a wee bit of scared cat. Well, at least that's what it sounds like when my neighbor plays. He is very dedicated. He practices almost daily, right in the middle of the day. I didn't sleep well at all last night so I thought I'd try and take a little 20 minute power nap before the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert, so I set my alarm, laid down my head and turned off the TV, only to hear the beginning of bag pipe practice. Ever slept while someone plays Amazing Grace on the freaking bag pipes just 10 yards away from your bedroom window? No, of course you haven't, not because you don't know anyone who plays the bagpipes, but because it isn't possible to sleep under those conditions. There is a small change those pipes may bust by next weekend.

Baby it's cold outside.

The joys of ice....
I really have enjoyed the weather lately. Some of my favorite things about the bad weather are....
-you can skip errands,and have a good excuse to do so
-it is a good reason to hold your kids hand and RUN into the store (literally run)
-for some reason it is always funny when you slip around
-The dog just doesn't seem to know to walk on it. She just prances around on it.
-Warm baked goods are a necessity (like I need an excuse to eat sweets)

I even get a kick out of driving on ice. I mean I obey ALL of those silly traffic laws when the road is covered in a nice smooth sheet of ice. I actually went 20mph down the road, I don't think I've ever done that before, even though that is the posted speed limit. I also obeyed the "safe following distance" rule, even though I usually ignore it (no, I don't drive on your butt, but I am close enough to get a good look at it. Not to mention actually checking the intersection before going through it, just in case someone else isn't stopping.

This being said, I can't wait for spring.

DWI Kills?

So the other day on my way to Target (of course) I saw a white sports car that said DWI kills. Upon further inspection I saw a little girl 8 maybe, in the front seat, no car seat, just sitting in the front of a sports car, on the way to the interstate. This car had a back seat mind you! I was furious, ya, DWI kills, know what else kills? Ignorant mothers who don’t take the time to realize how dangerous letting a small child ride in the front seat is! In the even of a crash if the seat belt didn’t kill her (from not fitting properly because of the child’s size) the air bag would! We won’t get into specifics, but it is a horrible way to go if a child is hit by an airbag. Why do these people get to procreate?

Here are Arkansas child safety guidelines:

-Children under 60 pounds, irregardless of age, MUST use a safety seat.
-Sitting in the front seat is not “recommended” unless the child is at least 12 years of age.
-All minors must be buckled.
-Rear facing until 1 year and 20 lbs. This has to do with spinal development, don’t tamper with this rule. It can easily lead to death or paralysis.


I know I seem hard core, but there are these rules for a reason. I know when we were kids these rules weren’t in play, but, when we were kids the infant crash mortality rate was significantly higher. Accidents are still the number one killer of children under the age of 10.

Thankful

Well, it's that time of year when we are supposed to stop and think about what we are thankful for. I know that ideally we would think about it all through the year, and I do try, but sometimes I forget to. So here's a list of what I am thankful for (in no particular order)
-Kailyn. She is the most wonderful thing in my life and I would trade anything and everything for her. I honestly feel like no one in the history of the world has ever loved and adored another human as much as I love and adore her.
-John, he has put up with me for over 8 years, and lived to tell the tale!!! He has changed so much since we met (as have I) and he continues to impress me every day. I love him so much now, it's hard to believe that I considered it love in the beginning! I am truly lucky to have a man who loves me and my flaws :)
-My parents, they are constantly there when I need them. That is priceless. Not to mention that Kailyn needs them involved in her daily life, she calls them all the time, and when she asks them to come over and kiss her knee when she falls, they do, no matter what time it is, or what they were doing.
-My brother, sister, and sister-in-law. We may not talk everyday, but I know they are there if I need them, and that is a comforting thought.
-My home. It's safe, warm, and comfortable. I have so many memories in the house, and think that I've painted it more in the 3 years we've lived here, than in it's entire life before us!!! I get sick of the same look all the time, you know?
-My car. I know that may seem silly, but I'm in the car a lot, so I'm glad I have one. I'm also glad that I have a reliable vehicle that I like. I've had reliable before, but it wasn't as pretty.
-My religion. It comforts me, it strengthens me, and it makes me thankful for my trials. I've never had a trial that didn't make me stronger. When I wanted to quit one semester, I only needed to pray (a LOT) and that helped me get through it all. I kept on, even when my body wanted me to stop. My denomination (LDS) also gives me the additional knowledge that a family is an eternal thing, and death will not separate me from my family, and it is my duty to work towards that every day of my life. Life is a joy and a blessing, and eternity is even better.
-John's job. He works waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much (that "way" should be longer, but you get the point.) He likes what he does though, so he's an overall happier person because of it.
-My degree, it is a mish mosh of knowledge that helps me in everything from money, to parenting, to nutrition, to psychology, to even reading blue prints. I tell you, it comes in handy.


That's all I've got for now, but I know there is so much more. I hope you all enjoyed your time off, and I hope you got to spend it with those most dear to you.
-

Addicted to Ice

I LOVE to chew on ice. I sometimes go make myself and nice big cup of crushed ice. It is delicious! I want to eat it all day, every day. I'm pretty sure I could just stop eating all together if I would fully indulge my ice eating habits. This started back at the end of February when I was in a particualarly horrible situation. I was stressed, and well, I had no control over any of it. I soon after noticed my stomach was hurting. I began eating ice, a LOT. This went on until the last week in April, when I woke up in horrible pain (I'd been doing that for a few weeks) and was going to eat some more Tums, but realized, Tums wouldn't help, I was sooo nauseated. I ran to the bathroom and (don't read this if you have a week stomach) and threw up. I noticed it was very metallic in taste so I flipped on the light, and was shocked to find out it was red. I decided it was time to go to the doctor (I know, I know, DUH, I should have gone a month ago, but I hate doctors and I hate wussy people.) I made the arrangements that morning, and after some blood work, found out my hemoglobin was very low and needless to say I was anemic, and my overall blood count was low. This was caused by a severe case of gastritis. This gastritis was also the reason I lost a wonderful 15 pounds (in a matter of just 3 weeks, don't feel sorry for me though, cause dangit, I looked good, well besides the fact my face had no color and even my gums had turned white.) Gastritis in an inflammation in the lining of your stomach, that had caused me to bleed. I was told to be on bed rest, and to take iron supplements, or just be a big girl and go to the hospital. I picked the bed rest. I realized then that my ice chewing was related to my anemia. Here's what mayo clinic says about that:
It's not known why some people with iron deficiency anemia crave and chew ice. Researchers from one recent study suggested it may be because of ice's pain-relieving properties, since some people with iron deficiency anemia experience tongue pain and inflammation (glossitis). The same researchers found that ice has a new and better taste to some people who are iron deficient.

I must concur. Ice is delicious! I don't think I'm anemic now, I think I just really love how it tastes. Which is funny, because I don't like the taste of water. Any who, I know it's bad for my teeth, but goodness, it tastes wonderful. When I'm done eating lunch I just want to sit there and eat my ice, it takes all I have to walk away. In fact I was at a special luncheon sitting next to the head of our department at school, and while she was talking to me, all I could think of is "how tacky would it be for me to get a big ol bunch of ice and chew on it." I resisted the urge but the second she turned to greet someone else I took a big swig of my drink and let some of that sweet wonderful ice get in my mouth so I could chew on it. AAAhhh relief! I'm no longer stressed, but I just can't kick the habit. It's so good. In fact I'm eating some now, I just poured my drink down the drain in order to access the ice more easily!! YUMMY!!!

Doe's Eat Place

Melanie and I went to the newest restaurant in Conway to get some dinner last night, but it turns out we didn't eat there. Once again, Melanie and I have attempted to eat, and it hasn't worked out as planned. Turns out their dinner menu consists of seafood (gag me) fish (I don't eat things that breath in poopy pond water) and steak. The food is in large portions meant to be shared, so since Melanie had no one to share her food with, we left. This little outing reminded us or our visit to Sonic we made a while back.
Here's the story (names have been left out to save the dignity of the people):
Once upon a time there was a beautiful blond headed girl who is a little bit too high maintenance and another amazing, smart, funny, energetic, mother of the year type (haahhahahahaaa.) These two happened to be working at the same place temporarily and both had been talking on their way to work, stating they were hungry. Both wanted breakfast food, but it was after the deadly cut off breakfast time of 10:30, so Sonic was the decided dining location. Well, The mother of the year jumped into the beautiful blonds car, and off they went. They order their food, and are ready to pay, then the mother of the year realized she left her purse, and had no money. Well, the blond being the wonderful girl she was, said, "don't worry friend, I'll pay for you" and she went to grab her debit card. Turns out, she had no wallet. Well, moty (mom of the year) said "hey, I have an account at that Bank of America over there, but we never use it, maybe I have enough left in there. I'll go over there and see if I can withdraw some cash!" Off she went. She found out she only had like $5 in that account, not the needed $8. Well, turns out a teller just gave her a 10 dollar bill and said to pay her back whenever she came back that way. (this is no lie people, it really happened this way.) Well moty was so excited, there would be breakfast, there would be food! During this time, Melanie (oops, I'll just use names now I guess) had already had a conversation with the lady who brought the food and she said it was okay, we could pay her later, but please do it before her shift ends, or she'd have to pay for it. So the beautiful blond was already laughing, at herself when I ran back into the parking lot. Well I was so excited I just opened the door and jumped in. I turned to tell Melanie of my new found money I realized, "hey, that's not Melanie!" I had opened the wrong door! It was a white suv, but not the one I came in. I mean, I was IN her car, sitting in her passenger seat! I told the terrified, wide-eyed- open-mouthed girl, "oh, sorry, wrong car" and hopped out of the strangers car to go over to Melanie's car. Melanie was laughing hysterically at me. Finally she told me that she'd found a credit card in her car and had put it in to try and pay, only for it to break off in there. We had to go tell the manager that the card was stuck in the machine, but we finally had cash to pay for the food! The manager was mad that Melanie had "broken" his expensive machine. So to sum it up, I borrowed money from a stranger, Melanie practically stole our food (I mean she took it without paying!) and then she broke the credit card machine, made the manager mad, oh and I tried to get in a strangers car, can't forget that. OH, what a day.