Friday, December 31, 2010

Baba's Bread Pudding

John's Baba used to make this. His dad is in town for a few weeks so I made some for him. I hope he will like it.
Char
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Well this puts a fine point on the end of the year.

I'm at the doctors office and I'm not happy about it either.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Chili


Leave it to the Florida girl to decide to make chili now that it is getting warm outside!


Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Yes it is still freezing here.





I say that if it is going be this cold we should at least get some snow to play with!!

Char


Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A Picture a Day

Well I'm not promising anything... But seeing how I sure do take a lot of pictures and now I have figured out how to post them from my phone... I'm going to give this a whirl.

Mother Nature didn't get the memo that this is FLORIDA... Again.

Dontcha just love this picture!  I love what the ice crystals did to the sunshine!  So pretty!

Charlene

PS - I'm going to go back in time and put some pictures up too!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Merry Christmas and Happy New Decade

Christmas is over and for the most part it was drama free.  Thank you God!

I received some nice things and exactly what I wanted, plus was surprised too which is always a good thing.  More importantly to me, I was able to give some things.  They were homemade, but most everyone seemed to appreciate the time and effort that went into making them.  It would be so much easier for us to write a check or go to the store and pick up a gift, but money was tight this year so we baked.  This is what we made and distributed to friends and family:

Christmas Mice
Cream cheese filled Oatmeal Raisin Whoopie pies
Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sugar cookies with sprinkles and dots
Pecan rolo pretzels
Pretzel rolo pretzels
Mojo de Ajo
Cranberry almond white chocolate bark

We had planned to make more or bake cakes etc... but that just didn't happen.  I think Christmas was a success this year because:

I put a tree up (Next year I would like for us to put it up together and maybe get a real one)
I was able to find and give enough things to make me feel good
I received surprises. (I guess I love surprises!)
I sent out Christmas cards (Even if they weren't embellished)
There was no family drama.  Everyone was perfect!!
I got to spend Christmas morning watching Zoe & Zane opening gifts again
We had a fantastic meal with both families
I made a VERY yummy rub/paste for the rib roast


These things about Christmas did not make me very happy, and I'd like to improve them next year:

I left the ribs to the rib roast on the counter, so I had to throw them away instead of making yummy soup! :(
I remembered at the last minute that John had to work until late on Christmas Eve and it upset me a lot
I mostly got all the gifts together myself
I filled John's stocking at the last minute
I finished wrapping presents at the last minute


All in all I can't complain.  I'm a very happy camper!

How was your Christmas?? 

How are you going to ring in the new decade?

Char

One of my surprises:

Baby it's cold outside!

Yes... This is Charlene from FLORIDA. I'd like our warmer weather back please. TYVM.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Purple Leather Jacket

I am really digging this jacket. It is marked down to $45 at Dillards. Hoping they will mark it down a bit more. I'd love to own it!
Its also a teeny bit snug... So maybe by the time they mark it down again.. I will have lost a few pounds?
C

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Morning

Here are some pictures of how I spent Christmas Morning:

Mmmmm Coffee

Zane posing for a picture

Zoe posing with a napkin on her head.  Silly Goose!

They opened their stockings, now waiting patiently for breakfast!

Finally we can open our gifts!

The big reveal!  Just what we asked Santa for!

Zoe:  I want to ride it!  Zane:  I want to put my lollypops in the basket!


Ready to go!

Zoom~Zoom~Zoom

I can do this too!

Helping daddy put on the bell

Hangin with mama!


Special thanks to my sister and BIL for letting me share Christmas morning with them again this year since John had to work!

C

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Eve Bummer

I was enjoying the 'W' family Christmas but really missing my husband. He made it just as we were sitting down to eat. You can bet that turned this frown upside down!
C

Christmas Gifts

In my family since there are now 7 grandchildren/nieces and nephews, we decided quite a few years ago that the adults would draw names. That worked out well, but now that times are tighter, for the past two years we've added a new wrinkle.


You draw a name, and you can get that person anything you want, as long as it comes from your home (something you already have) or you make it.

The idea is that you don't have to go out and spend money. It's worked out pretty fantastic for the most part.



This year my grandmother picked my name and she gave me a sweet little box filled with about 8 shot glasses that my grandfather had purchased from Eastern Airlines when he worked for them over 50 years ago. She wrapped them in some of her delicate, gorgeous hankies that I have always loved. A true treasure for sure!

My brother got John's name, and my brother has been honing his woodworking skills on the tools that he inherited after my grandfather passed away. He made my brother a wooden sign that says "John's Cafe" with a little pot with steam coming off of it. It is really beautiful!

John and I both made various baked goods for our giftees and added some little trinkets that we had laying around.

I think everyone was pretty pleased with how things turned out. I know I am!!  I also like how it makes it more about each other and less about trying to out-buy someone.

How do you guys deal with Christmas gifting in your family?
 
Charlene

Saturday, December 18, 2010

O Christmas Tree

Yes *I* put it up. I hope that *we* will put it up next year. I have to admit it does feel more like Christmas with the tree up.

C

White Mice - For Chrismouse

I'm pretty bah humbug when it comes to Christmas.  I guess it's mostly because I hate all the garbage that comes along with the holidays.  The planning, the parties, the commitments blah blah blah...

It really doesn't help when you don't have money to spend on gifts for people, when you really, really want to.

We have 20 nieces and nephews plus 3 great nieces/nephews in the family and even if we only gave them each $10 it would still be $230... that's a lot of dough for us right now.

I was talking to Summer, and she suggested that I make something... I was like yeah but...blah... and she's like what about those mice that you made a few years ago.  Those were so cute, and the kids would really get a kick out of them...  So she inspired me.  To wit:

Mice en Place (har har har) (Click on the pictures to enlarge)




Mice - First dip





Mice - Second dip plus ears




Cute little meeses





Mischief of mice!



Ready for packaging




Char

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving

Being as it is Thanksgiving, and being so inspired by my friend Lisa at The Cutting Edge of Ordinary, I just wanted to jot down some of the things I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful for my wonderful husband.  He is truly the light of my life and loves me like I have never been loved before.  He makes sure I know it every day, not just in his words, but in his actions.

I'm thankful for my crazy family.  They.Drive.Me.Crazy a lot of the time, but I love each and every one of them.  They are all special to me, and I would be very sad with out them*.

I'm thankful for my Cats.  Squeak and Catria have been extra loving to me at just the times when I need it.  Squeak knows me better than I know myself.  I pray that she will feel better soon, and stop getting older, because I just can't bear the thought of losing her.  Squeak has even showed her amazing loving timing to John this year, at just the moment he needed it.  I love her so much.

I'm thankful for my neighbors.  I truly cherish them, and am surprised and delighted by their generosity and kindness.

I'm thankful for my job.  I have met a very special friend and two bosses who I couldn't be happier with.  My job is challenging and just the right amount of crazy for me :)

I'm thankful for my house.

I'm thankful for the many friends I have made through blogging and online.  I am grateful for all of you.  We may not have met, but I feel a strong connection nevertheless.  I look forward to sharing a cup of coffee or a martini with you at some point in the future!

I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!

Char


* - I still reserve the right to move to Alaska!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

The Final Curtain

Every weekday at a food related message board I am a long time member of, a random question is posed.  This week one of the questions was "How do you picture your funeral?"

This was my answer.  Hopefully it will be a long long time from now...

I want to be buried in a beautiful cemetery that allows upright headstones (Those aren't very common in Florida for some reason). I have one in mind. My husband's mother is buried there. It's a peaceful beautiful place. I'd like to have a short wake, and a quick service followed by a party for my family to celebrate my life, it'd be really cool if they had lots of my favorite foods... I'd like a pretty headstone too... My husband's mothers is so beautiful... Carved granite with polished and raw edges.


Char

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Sticks and stones break my bones, and I'm trying not to let you hurt me...

I'm having a hard time putting on my happy face today.  I just can't handle two things in life...

1 - When someone calls you a liar when you are not.  and
2 - When someone says that you were impolite,rude,insensitive,unhelpful,(insert other negative adjective here) when not only were you not, but you bent over backwards and went above and beyond for them 

This is an incredibly hurtful thing to do to me.  Someone always told me when people lash out, they sometimes have other things going on in their lives, and in this case they do, serious things... so I'm trying to be understanding.  But really... you have to attack my character and my integrity. 

That hurts.

 It hurts to the very core.

Char

Monday, November 15, 2010

The macabre terpsichorean like unfolding of a car accident...

The macabre terpsichorean like unfolding of a car accident, you know that moment while it is happening.. at least for me... it's in slow motion... you hear the car skidding, even though you have your foot slammed down on the brake pedal as hard as you can... you feel the anti lock brakes pumping, you look left and right to see if there is any escape...you start to see the hood buckling, you hear the horrible sound of metal crunching and plastic parts popping in an awful melody of screech.bang.crunch.pop.hiss.sputter...you look down at your legs, you look up out the windshield...glance to the left, glance to the right...lie back in the seat and look straight forward at the horror that has been wrought upon you, the horror you have wrought upon yourself.




That was my Friday morning.

Fortunately... or not... I happened to be following my husband in to work to sign health insurance paperwork, so the person that I rear ended was him.  The bumper of his truck has been sliced and permanently tattooed with the imprint of the front of my car.

Not two minutes later....screech.crash.bang.pop.crunch.hiss.sputter... a four car pileup right next to us.  This is a new light in this intersection.  Clearly they don't have the timing right yet...

I called my dealership, the service department people that have taken care of me for many years... they said if it is driveable to drive it in, I would be in good hands... my dear friend, and prime handholder JR was on vacation.  Dave did take good care of me.  ... I called work and spoke to the receptionist... the bosses are out of the office today... I called OnStar and had them connect me to the police department the police department give me crap because i called OnStar and didn't hit the red police/fire/emergency button...I'm not damaged I tell her...I hit my husband... do I have to report it... well that depends on your insurance company, in this instance you only have to report it if your insurance company requires a report... called the insurance company... no report is necessary, take it to the garage. Told them where I wanted to take it... where I already had arrangements to take it.. Oh your garage is on our approved list (thank God!)... We walked down to the other accident scene to talk to policeman handling the other accident, explain the situation... he waves us on our way...

Driving slowly and carefully with a buckled hood...morning rush hour... i can feel everyone is staring... why is she driving that pretty car in such a state... they are probably wondering... hisss....smoke puffs.... hisss..... call dealership, thankfully my new BFF Dave answers... uhm I think I punctured the radiator... smoke is coming out pretty hard now... I'm at X and X - less than five minutes away, do you think I can make it to you, or should I pull over... Pull over, here's the number to the towing company we use.  It'll be okay, don't worry, you're in good hands...

Call the towing company... I'm a mess, I can barely talk, the dispatcher can't hear me... I say about three times where I am... John is outside my window holding my hand...I'm pretty sure I'm still in shock...dispatcher tells me to close up the car, leave a note on the window saying that "X Towing company" is coming to get it and leave the key under the mat... uhm..... i sputter... sputter... ma'am... are you ok???  Well I'm afraid to do that... won't someone steal my car... oh...I look out the front windshield... well I guess they won't get very far will they... that was a dumb question... well I don't know... he says "it'll be ok, people do it all the time.."  He says someone will be here within 45 mins to get the car....I mumble again and hang up... I tell John... he asks if I want coffee.... I say YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!.  He goes and gets coffee... I send an email to family letting them know that we won't be going to have a little getaway I had invited everyone to at the beach this Saturday, because I had an accident instead... I'm ok, but my car isn't... (Thanks to Summer and Daisy for the phone calls btw.  I love you two SO.DAMN.MUCH.)

I call my friend in the insurance business... and ask her off the record how screwed I am...  She confirms that I'm pretty screwed... my deductible is only $100 though... but so is John's.  Great... I ask her what I have to do next... she gives me the 800 number to call and open a claim... Why am I screwed you ask... well they will penalize me for having an accident... on my next renewal... which is in January... of COURSE it is.

I call the ins 800#... the lady is very... professional... she almost seems to be...placating me... John points out that she's being empathetic, and trying to make me feel better... I see that he's right and I loosen up a bit.  Coffee is screaming hot... I open the lid so it cools down... I take a sip of John's with a little something to calm me down.... The phone call with the insurance company takes f.o.r.e.v.e.r!  I will get a rental car allotment of $20 per day.  Great news.

Still waiting for the tow truck... I call him back and let him know that we decided to wait for them to show up... he says it'll probably be around 30 more minutes... ok....

I called one of my bosses who is home*... tell him what happened.. he is extremely sweet and kind and caring, and tells me that I don't have to come in, if I think J can handle it all... I tell him I will let him know what I decide to do.  We decide not to bother the other boss who is on vacation out of town... I'm not dying or bleeding, so we'll tell him on Monday. 

Not really feeling much of anything but sadness and disgust really.  Later my body aches my neck, upper and lower back and ribs... John is off this weekend... drinking and debauchery should be in the plans for the weekend...

Tow truck guy comes... told him, I bet I had a worse day than you today... he says yes today.. but yesterday I had to go to an accident where an old man died.... Well yeah, I guess that trumps my bad day by like a million trillion.... perspective... oh hello there you are....

John packs me into the truck with my coffee and my crap from my car... which oh by the way I had to clean out while we were waiting for the tow truck guy because i'm a slacker and my car was a disgusting mess... but that's another show.

We drive to the dealership and I go over and give my friend Dave a hug and thank him profusely... he directs us over to the body shop... and we sit and wait while the semi-nice lady writes everything up... in the meantime the car comes in... I get another look at her and my gut sinks...  The tow truck driver comes in, and I thank him for taking good care of her.  He was really sweet.  The insurance company will pay him directly.  No charge to me.  Thank goodness. 

I decided to go into work because J and I were planning to go see a movie and I am not bleeding, and I feel obligated to go in... plus if I go home by myself, it will be an incredibly bad idea... wallowing in self pity and disgust and lots of crying and feeling sorry for myself... Work would be better.  I can't believe it, but I went to work...

Day is good at work, but a little busy, we go to the movie... Due Date... lots of Robert Downey Jr, and laughing... just what I needed.

Text message to John later that day... Your truck ate my car... uuurp!... I'm sure it made him laugh.

They tell me that my car will be good as new... after $5207.31 in damages... I can't wait to see her look like this again....




*Ironically the day before I put an emergency contact list on the common drive at work so we could all access it in case someone had an emergency.  I had J get me his number, and she mentioned that she got it from there.  He said that I jinxed myself by doing that yesterday.  Very funny guy he is. :)

If you read all the way to the end.. you deserve a prize.  Email me your address and I'll mail you a piece of my broken car :)

Friday, November 12, 2010

Due Date Hilarity - Spoilers

At the movie with my friend J. Scene in car at night....
Pete: What's that sound?
Ethan: I'm masturbating.. Helps me sleep.
Pete: Oh my god stop it!
Ethan: I can't I need to sleep.
Sound continues...
Pete: How long is it going to take???
Ethan: Usually about 35 minutes..

Entire theatre cracks up...

Guy behind us.... "It never takes me that long!"

I thought I was going to pee my pants from laughing so hard!

Char
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

30 Days of Truth - Day 5

Day 5 - Something you hope to do in your life.

Well geez.  I guess most people who know me can figure this one out.

I want to be a mom.

Unfortunately, God doesn't seem to think I'm ready for that yet.

I've never been sure if I'm ready for it, I just know instinctively that I want it.  I want to be a mom so much it hurts.

It hurts so much I find myself being selfish and jealous of things that are absolutely ridiculous...

I guess I need to work on #4 up there a little more and add forgiving myself for not being able to reproduce to that list...

C

Thursday, November 11, 2010

30 Days of Truth - Day 4

Day 4 - Something you have to forgive someone for.

I won't lie.  This has been a hard one for me. 

At first thought, this was easy for me.  I forgave my ex-husband and his now fiancee a long time ago for the hell they brought down on me.  I'm actually thankful that it ended, though it could have ended better, we're friendly now, and I am happy about that.

What hit me, after that realization, is that there are some things I haven't forgiven yet.  Things that I don't talk about, or think about, because it hurts too much, and I go into a downwards spiral and can't get it out of my head.  Some things that can never really be properly forgiven because the perpetrators are dead. 

As I'm finally typing this, I realize that the Truth about Day Four is to acknowledge that you have to forgive someone for something.  You don't actually have to do it.  So that's what I'm doing now.  I acknowledge that I should be able to forgive.

I thought I was to a point where I could, but I can't.  Maybe I will someday.

Here we go again.

Char

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Bloggy Transfers

As you  may have noticed, I've been transferring blog posts from the other THREE blogs that I have started over the years.  Bear with me during the transition.

I'm post dating them to the date that they were originally posted on the old blogs.

Char

Right now

I've not forgotten about the days thing... I'll get back to it, pinky swear.  Right now, I saw this and felt like doing it....

Right now

Time: 10:10 AM


In my mug: Black coffee

In my belly: Publix fruit on the bottom cherry lowfat yogurt.

Last thing on : Lie to me – last night.

In my life: Craziness.

Wanting: My house to be neat and orderly again, I really miss my housekeeper.

Last thing on the laptop: GEFP, probably.

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving, surprisingly.

On my mind: Too much.

What I'm feeling right now: Anxiety.

What I'd like to make again: Grandma’s sugar cookies.

C

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

30 Days of Truth - Day 3

Day 3 - Something you have to forgive yourself for.

I've really been struggling with this one, and I don't know if it is because I don't think I have anything to forgive myself for, because I don't want other people to read it (not that anyone I know of reads this anymore, except you Bill!  Thanks for the comment :) ), or if I'm just such a perfectionist that I can't just pick one thing.

About that perfectionism thing... When I came back to the computer today.  I was actually thinking, well I'm going to have to go back and do the last two days and backdate them because I missed them and this is supposed to be 30 continuous days blah blah blah... well that's a problem of mine.  I run into a little hiccup... like having my parents over for dinner monday night and not having time to post day 3, and then yesterday the wireless connection is down at the house, and won't be up again until my ex husband can dig a router out of his garage, so I am sitting in the cluttered office typing this on my laptop that is not plugged in and will probably die in a few minutes, oh and the laptop is on top of no less than three canvas bags of stuff that i need to go through... anyway...

I need to forgive myself for lots of things, but I can't really put them into words exactly.  So let's just say I'll promise to ask a professional for help on that one.  Fortunately I go to see one next week :)

I still don't think I'm done with this yet, and I may come back later, I may not, right now, I'm worried the darn computer is going to shut down on me.

And I am very proud of myself for not AGAIN making this all about something else.  I need to quit that, I said I was going to, and I need to.  So I am.  I am I am I am.

Do you need to forgive yourself for anything?  Are you more articulate than I am?  (Not to difficult a thing.. that..) 

Is anyone playing along?  Is anyone besides Bill out there?

Char

Sunday, October 10, 2010

30 days of truth - Day 2

Something you love about yourself.

I love that I seem to have the ability to make people laugh.  There is just something about the feeling it gives me that I love.  I can't do it all the time.  Most of the time it backfires on me and I inexplicably offend someone... but I can, and do make people laugh sometimes.  And I like it.

Have I ever made you laugh?


What do you love about yourself?

Char

Saturday, October 9, 2010

30 days of truth. Day 1

I came across this in the blogosphere and thought I would jump on the wagon. I think this is great.




This is the list if you want to add your own:


Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.

Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.

Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.

Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.

Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.

Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.

Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.

Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.

Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.

Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.

Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.

Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)

Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)

Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.

Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.

Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.

Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.

Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?

Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.

Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.

Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.

Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)

Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.

Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?

Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?

Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?

Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.

Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

DAY 1



Something you Hate About yourself:



I wish I was better at picking up hints.  I wish that I didn't second guess myself so much.  I need to learn to TRUST my gut.


What do you hate about yourself?

Char

Friday, October 8, 2010

We all have stuff we don't talk about.

“We all have stuff we don’t talk about.” -April from Greys Anatomy. This might be one of the best scenes ever from one of my very favorite shows. So yes, we do all have that stuff. We don’t talk about it to polite company or strangers or family members that “can’t handle it”. Sigh.
I’m so happy I have my husband. I can talk to him about all that stuff. Even the stuff that I didn’t think I could talk to him about, it turns out I can.

Char

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Reason number 673,475 why I love my husband

Via Text message:

Me:   Ugh, J is talking to me about Christmas.  I may have to strangle her.

Me:   Feeling very anxious today :(

Him:  Please settle down.  It's ok to want to strangle people talking about Christmas already.

Me:   I'm now laughing hysterically.  Thanks.

Him:  Ok.  Good.


C

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Mommy love

The Spohrs are Multiplying - mom-seeking-manual

After reading the above entry in the blog above, I had to comment.  I am really struggling to put words to how I am feeling right now, but I just wanted to share that blog entry with you and also share my comment.  That's all I can say about that now :-(

Dear Heather, I'm so sorry for the loss of your Aunt. I have only recently started reading your blog. You've been through so much. I have to tell you what prompted me to comment was this line "I have the love part down pat. I smother my Annie with so many kisses that sometimes I think, “Self, maybe you should cut down on the kisses and do some laundry. Also, something stinks and it’s probably you.” But then I reply to myself, “no…the laundry can wait. MORE KISSES!”" I SO totally get that. I don't have children of my own yet.. we have been trying unsuccessfully for over a year now. I can totally hear myself saying what you said there. Hopefully Someday. XOXOXO, Charlene

Friday, June 11, 2010

Love this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4nbq2Hrh90

Sunday, April 25, 2010

It's too late to be up like this....

I'm feeling very passive aggressive this. . . uh. . . morning... I really suck at it. So I'm gonna shut up now.


Also not feeling well (to put it mildly), and cranky (very).  The cramps are extremely severe today.  They haven't been this bad in quite a while.  (Yeah, so that means that my plan didn't work this month either.  We won't even GO there.)

I guess I'm going to have to break down and take the advil PM so I can get to bed before the sun comes up.

Sure hope the other crap I'm taking doesn't mind.

Sigh.

C

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Lap Band Update

Someone asked me today some things about my lap band and how it is going.  She's thinking about getting one herself.  I haven't posted an update here in a while, so I thought this would be a good topic and I'm sure some people are interested but for whatever reason, don't really want to ask me.  So here is some info, and if anyone has other questions, please let me know.  It has been a great experience for me, and I am happy to answer any questions.

A curious friend wrote:



How much weight did you lose and how long to lose it?

I have lost up to 90 pounds, I've kept about 75 of it off. I've had the band since May 2007. I need to go and get another adjustment, I've just been putting it off.

 
Why no liquids with meals?

Liquids with meals allow more food to go through and you don't feel as full. This has been the most difficult thing for me, and part of the reason I haven't lost more weight.


Did you PB ( vomit) often?

I still do PB. Nearly every day. It is my own fault though. If I eat something too fast, or if it isn't moist enough, it gets stuck and comes back up. It isn't the same as vomiting like you know it now though. It's very different.

Any foods you can't eat?

I used to have a lot of trouble with bread and rice. I can eat them both now, as long as the bread is well buttered or mayo'd, and the rice has some kind of sauce or gravy on it. Dry meat is out... boneless skinless chicken breasts are difficult, unless eaten with a sauce. I also find that It is VERY difficult for me to eat first thing in the morning if I don't have a warm drink first. Texture is very important. Like with bread, the crunchy veggies are almost always needed to get the bread down too.

Do you drink wine or alcohol?

I definitely drink my share of wine and alcohol with no problem! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you think of anything else, ask away.  I'm an open book!

You might also want to check out my blog.  There aren't a ton of posts about the lap band, but you can find some.  www.lifedramatic.blogspot.com.

I'm very excited for you.  Even with the little bits of trouble I have, I would definitely do it all over again!  It is totally worth it!

Char

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Neti Pot!

Wow! After reading a neti pot thread on a message board I belong to I was convinced that I had to try the Neti Pot. My nose has been giving me issues for a very long time. I've always had allergies, asthma. Recently I've started having sinus issues. Constantly drippy nose, or really dry... so bad that the skin cracks.


I ordered a neti pot kit on amazon and it got here today and I tried it for the first time. It wasn't bad. I feel a little energized afterwards to be honest. It is going to take some practice to get the correct head position so I don't feel like I'm going to drown, but overall it wasn't bad,and I look forward to doing it again.

My head feels clear, and my drippy nose has stopped for now. I can't wait to see how I feel in the morning.

Anyone try it for the first time recently?

How often do you all do this?

Advice?

TIA!
Charlene

Saturday, April 10, 2010

5-5-5-5-5 meme

5-5-5-5-5.

Question 1: Where were you five years ago?

1 – Living in the same house I’m in now which was about half as new as it is now.
2 – Working at a place where I had been fairly happy for many years, and it was just about to get really unhappy.
3 – In a marriage that was about to end, or was already over and I had no idea.
4 – In a family that was much happier then, than it is now.
5 – Over the “30” hump and ignorantly happy.

Question 2: What is on your to-do list today?

1 – Learning lab trying to get stuff done for school, and my hours in.
2 – Filing taxes and paying… gosh I hate that.
3 – Laundry. It is teh suck.
4 – Put all the clean dishes away from last weekend.
5 – Some ah other thing that doesn’t need to be discussed here ;-).

Question 3: What five snacks do you enjoy?

1 - Cheese crackers – Cheez It’s to be exact.
2 – Chex Mix.
3 – BBQ Potato Chips.
4 – Pistachios.
5 – Chewy candy.

Question 4: What five places have you lived?

1 - I'm including my parents' house, since even though it’s generic I lived there three times (once, left, came back, left, came back, left for good) and I haven’t lived that many places...
2 - With ex-boyfriend who moved up here with me to where I am now, only to be left by me a few years later.
3 – With crazy room-mate and new boyfriend. (parents in between)
4 – A perfectly nice apartment complex that we could afford… we lived in that place two different times, in two different apartments and I have some fond memories from there.
5 – Our current home. I built this house with my ex-husband and I have cut off my nose to spite my face to stay here, but stay here I have. During the time the pool was being built he left me. He’s never swam in the pool to my knowledge. Nor has he been in the spa. I still don’t have paint on the walls other than the white they put on when they built it. I’ve just recently had to have the septic tank pumped for the first time. Last year the dryer quit. The microwave is on it’s last legs and I had to get the garbage disposal replaced last week. It’s been a good home though, and I love it. It’s not big enough, not by a longshot though. My husband and I say that the next place we move to (if it isn’t under a bridge) will be a kitchen with some rooms attached.

Question 5: What five things would you do if you were a billionaire?

1 – I’d help to pay off debt of all our family members. Then I’d send them all to classes on how to manage money :-)
2 – We would cruise the world. We wouldn’t stop until we were sick of it.
3 - I would help those organizations or create a new organization to help feed the hungry. I can’t stand that there are so many people in the world without food.
4 - Save money.
5 – Dream Kitchen with some rooms attached. Several of them. One in the mountains, one on the beach, one on a lake etc….

I'm supposed to pick 5 people to do this meme, but I'm not sure 5 people even read this blog, so I'll just put it out there: do it if you want. :)

My morning of suck.

Email to my husband this morning, after his text message to me asking how my morning was and my response was "It was a wreck and I'm a colossal idiot and I'll explain why in an email because it will take forever in text".

*****
How do I get through life, I really wonder sometimes.

So I get my lazy tired ass out of bed this morning (I didn't get to sleep last night until around 2:30am - even the one advil PM couldn't get me to sleep) and drag ass to the car, only to remember that I have the truck, and I think that all the bill stuff is in it, but it isn't... it's probably at work. (Where I should probably go, because all the food from lunch is probably still on the counter because I ran out of there like a bat out of hell yesterday - to go have a client sign a form in Palm Bay (Out by mom and dad) - I think I forgot to tell you about that...)

Anyway... so I'm driving to the Learning Lab this morning so I can get in some of the 16 hours of lab that I need. I only have about 3.5 before I came in today and we have 3 weeks of class left, so really only two weeks that I can get lab hours in... My brain hurts to do the math on that one, but suffice to say I'm screwed and I suck.

Even though I'm fairly certain you can't take food or drink into the lab (millions of computers duh). I decide that I have to stop and get coffee and an apple fritter at 7-11 - you know, the one practically across the street from BCC Melbourne.

In my incredible moronic brain fog this morning, I pack up my laptop in one bag, my books in another bag, and my suitcase of a purse - I've got to carry all this shit around with me and I don't know where the learning lab is in the mammoth group of buildings that is BCC Melbourne, and my ribs are still a little ouchy...

Oh yes, and I have a steaming foam cup of coffee... Hey if I move the books and papers to one side of my bag, I'll be able to stick my FOAM coffee cup that is full of steaming hot coffee in the bag with the books and papers, and it will free up my hands to carry all the crap I brought, and it will be fine because you know those tops are awesome on those cups......... yeah, well you see where this is going. Those tops ARE awesome, but they don't do a damn bit of good when you are dragging 90 pounds of crap across the gobi desert that is the parking lot to BCC Melbourne to find the freaking learning lab...

So about halfway there, I realize, yes, the FOAM cup changed its shape and just popped that nice little lid right off and I have hot steaming coffee sloshing around with my books and papers. Hey at least I didn't put it in with the laptop...

So I stop right in the middle of the sidewalk and take everything out of the bag... dripping with coffee... OMG... I'm such an idiot. I'm just standing there looking at it... trying to figure out what the hell to do, since I really need to get in there so I can start the clock on my hours... I put the file folders back in the bag, I stack all the other crap in my arms, and carry the whole thing, and what is left of my coffee (not much) to the lab. The woman running the lab, should be in an ESOL class and not running a learning lab, and I can't understand what she is saying and she is SLOW and I JUST want to login to the computer so I can start the clock running. I finally get logged in and I drag my crap back to a table and sit down. Look around for paper towels... or SOMETHING... to help clean up the mess... I found nothing but tissues... I look for the lady... she's gone.... she comes back and tells me that there are paper towels in the bathroom down the hall. I was JUST waiting for her to tell me that I had to sign out before I could go get paper towels. She didn't...

Anyway... that's been my morning. The thing that got mostly messed up is the bill book... the school stuff was mostly fine. My ASL dictionary has a slight twinge of coffee. Oh and I smell wonderful.

Oh yeah, and there are no drinks allowed in the learning lab. I ignored the sign, and took the cup back to my desk anyway, keeping it respectfully away from any computer. It's now almost 11:30 and I've had 3 sips.

I think I may go home and drink. Like starting at 2pm.

Love you,

Your moronic wife.

(ETA: He read the email and said "I read your email and I still don't think you're a moron", God I love that man.)

Friday, April 9, 2010

Things that make you say hmmmmmm.

I called my ex-husband today to reminisce a little since together we built the house I live in now - nearly 9 years ago. I had to have the septic tank pumped for the first time, so I called to tell him. It was kind of funny, because when we saw them putting it in all those years ago, we had no idea how long it would take to fill it up... Of course over this past weekend when I had almost 60 people here for Easter, we put it to the limit.

My ex and I still talk and are on very good terms. I guess I just have a different mindset than some people do when it comes to forgiving. I never thought i'd forgive him for what he did to me. I really never thought i would get here, but I am glad I did. Even though he did crappy things, he's a good person, and I'm fortunate to have him as a friend.

Charlene <----wistful today

Friday, March 26, 2010

Cats cats cats

So, I think we have finally got Squeaks' vomiting under control. After a very long, very emotional, extremelly expensive process, we have her on a regular daily med regimen - and she hasn't vomited in about a week.

Of course.... Catria has vomited twice in the last three days..... FML!

I think we may have to end up giving Catria some liquid deworming medicine... I am SO freaked out by this, because she is the worst patient in the world. When she was younger she had severe behavioral issues, and we had to go through a lot of different things and a lot of medicines, and nothing worked, she eventually grew out of the behavioral issues, thank goodness. She is absolutely unruly when we try to give her meds now.... So the next few weeks should be really interesting.


Charlene

Monday, March 22, 2010

Hoarding

Open letter to the creators and producers of the Hoarding: Buried Alive shows on TLC.

Thank you very much.

I am not a hoarder of the caliber that you have on your show, but I am a baby hoarder. I have papers from long ago, that I'm sure I don't need anymore. I have lots of stuff. I can't pass up a bargain.

While you can walk in my house, and I only have a garage full of stuff so bad that you can't easily navigate through it, I do realize through your show that it could be WHOLE lot worse.

I watch this show in awe. I feel the pain of these poor people that have stuff piled to the ceilings. I feel for them. I am so happy that through your show, they are able to get some help.

I also know that every time I watch, it gives me a little extra boost to get rid of some pile of stuff that is calling out to me.

So I say again. Thank you very much.

That is all.

Sincerely,

Charlene

Thursday, February 18, 2010

F******

Well... I guess I just jinxed myself.

Squeak hasn't missed a pill, and she threw up just now anyway.

S***

C

Calmness

My mind is calmer today. It has been a whirlwind two weeks, and I have had so many highs and lows. Right now, as I sit here with my sick kitty lying across my chest with her head on my shoulder purring like a banshee, I am calm. I poured a little vodka, peach schnapps, blood orange soda cocktail, and I've decided to sit down and write for a few minutes. Between that and talking, it's the only way it seems I can get things out of my system. Due to my stupid F'ing insurance, the therapist hasn't really been an option until recently. John has been working, and we have had family obligations that have kept us apart for much more than I care to admit.

Thankfully this weekend, we are off together and we have no plans. Well we have one plan, but it isn't anything that will keep us apart or drive us crazy. At this point, I don't have much more energy than to list the things (with a small notation) that are keeping me from sleeping without medication every night.

Squeak is sick - She has been sick for more than six months now, and I don't think she is getting any better. At this point we have her stabilized, but that could change with a single missed dose of a pill.

Shauna's death - She died last March, on the 16th. I still think of her often, and my heart breaks knowing that my Squeak is sick now too.

My father and my brother - This is the straw that is breaking my back. This last episode has put me out of commission for most of this week. I simply can not deal with it. I love them both. I see both of their sides. I will not take sides, because I love them both, and I do not want this to happen. Of course, I have no control, and it seems like no one has control, and this bus is veering down the road like something out of the movie "Speed".

Having a baby - NO we aren't having a baby yet, and **** if I can't stand hearing that ******* question one more time. We are working on it, and at times it seems freaking hopeless.

The garbage disposal is leaking water. I caught it before it ruined the cabinets, but I haven't had the time or energy to figure out what to do next, so my stockpot is catching the water and I'm pretending like it's not broken.

What is good you ask?

My husband is so wonderful I can hardly believe he is mine.

My job is awesome, and my bosses are very special,and I am so happy to be working with them.

My friend - I have a new friend that I work with, and while she isn't my sister, and I miss working with Daisy dearly, I truly treasure my new friend.

School - After nine million years of being out of school, I have taken a baby step and gone back, and I LOVE it!

Cats - Squeak and Catria shower us with love every single day, and I love them so much.

Charlene

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Sick and tired

Gosh, I can't believe the last post I wrote was from the Wedding day. That wonderful, horrible day.

The repurcussions of that night are still reverberating in my life, worse than ever. I have decided that I am going to try to vent about it. I seriously doubt anyone that would be offended reads this anyway, and if they do, please don't be offended. These are my feelings, and my words, and I have to vent them.

To be continued....

Charlene

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Lent - from spaces.live

February 09


Lent

I'm not Catholic, so I'm not going to be giving up anything for Lent.

My close friend is Catholic and "will be until the day he dies", but he says he's not a "practicing" Catholic, so he's not giving up anything for Lent either.

One of my bosses is on a cruise, so I don't know what she gave up for Lent, but i'm sure she found someone on that boat to give her an ash mark last Wednesday, and I'm equally sure she gave up something for Lent.

The other boss gave up sweets for Lent.

I felt the need to protest. He really likes sweets, and can be unruly without them. I told him he should've given up girly martinis instead... At least that wouldn't affect us at work

Then I ate a big ole piece of my birthday cake in front of him

Char

11:40 AM
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