Uneventful Weekend

I would like to say I had the best weekend ever, but it was pretty uneventful.  Cole when fishing with Daddy on Saturday (BTW - he's already starting with fish stories...he caught 27, Daddy caught 10, Daddy says Cole caught 10) so Hannah and I went to the laundramat...how exciting.   Then we just hung around the house the rest of the day.   Yesterday she started on this screaming at me kick.  We were supposed to go to the St. Rosalie fair to see my friend Beth, but I warned her that if she screamed at me one more time, we weren't going...well, I guess she didn't believe me, because she kept it up.   Then she threw a temper tantrum when I said we weren't going.   I hated to see her cry but if I give in, she will never listen.

She cried when I brought her to school again today (every time she woke up during the night, which she usually doesn't do, she said "I don't want to go to school tomorrow.").

I thought it was the "terrible two's"...She is almost 6.

Well, have a great Monday night everyone...gotta do my lesson for CCD tomorrow and my favorite show is on!!!!   I guess I don't have to mention the name....LOL.

Update on My Bucket List

My Bucket List -- UPDATE 9/23/11

I created this bucket list last June after returning from a retreat.

Things I want to do and places I want to see/go (in no particular order)

1. Disney World
2. Las Vegas
3. New York City
4. Hollywood
5. Rocky Mountains
6. Medjugorje
7. Greece
8. Italy (Rome)
9. Run a marathon
10. Go white water rafting
11. Go horseback riding
12. Go on a zip line
13. Go on a hot air balloon ride
14. Overcome my fear of snakes
15. Get a complete makeover
16. Learn to play guitar and/or violin
17. Learn to salsa dance
18. Take an RV trip on Route 66
19. Go swimming with dolphins
20. Learn to knit21. Visit a waterfall
22. Go hiking in the Smoky Mountains
23. Go on a road trip to see fall foliage (preferably in the beautiful state of Maine)
24. Learn a foreign language
25. Re-learn the piano
26. Run through a meadow of wildflowers
27. Go snorkeling/scuba diving
28. Go on a romantic picnic
29. Fly in a helicopter
30. Go on a cruise
31. Visit Hawaii
32. Learn sign language
33. Go to Ireland
34. Visit Napa Valley/San Francisco
35. Go on a scenic bike ride
36. Visit Coney Island
37. Visit Yellowstone National Park
38. Visit the Grand Canyon
39. Buy a home
40.Start a craft business41. Run the Crescent City Classic
42. Achieve ideal weight
43. Take ballroom dance lessons
44. Go on a scenic train ride
45. Serve a meal to the poor/needy
46. Sleep under the stars
47. Rent a convertible for a weekend
48. Plant a vegetable garden
49. Create a family tree
50. Sew a complete outfit (correctly)
51. Send a message in a bottle
52. Plant a tree
53. Shower in a waterfall
54. Write down my goals and work toward achieving them.
55. Visit with the elderly
56. Give Christmas gifts to the poor57. Fly first class
58. Go whale watching
59. Be financially independent
60. Go to a concert in the park
61. Give a heartfelt surprise to someone – special or a stranger
62. Make a difference in someone’s life
63. Perform a kind deed for 5 strangers
64. Write a book/memoir
65. Experience a sunrise with someone special
66. Experience a sunset with someone special
67. Go stargazing
68. Go birdwatching
69. Rescue a dog from a shelter
70. Write a letter to three of my closest friends
71. Bake a cake for someone special
72. Have a meditation/peaceful weekend all to myself.
73. Help someone in need
74. Go sailing
75. Make a recipe book
76. Keep the house clean for a month
77. Put myself first
78. Feel special to someone
79. Accept that I deserve the best
80. Dress up in a great costume
81. Take classes regularly to learn something new
82. Learn wine appreciation
83. Visit a museum of art
84. Visit plantations
85. Ride a streetcar
86. Go on a river cruise
87. Get closure on all hurt, grieving, unhappiness
88. Start a monthly social gathering
89. Be a mentor to someone
90. Get naval pierced
91. Get a tattoo
92. Take up a sport
93. Find true love
94. Become better organized
95. Visit historic churches
96. Go to the beach
97. Sign up to be a bone marrow donor98. Volunteer at church
99. Spend a day doing whatever the kids want
100. Have a spa day

First Day of Fall

Happy Fall Everyone!

I am extremely jealous of my sister, Carolyn, right now as she is on her way to Maine to visit our dad's side of the family, my godparents, and family friends.   Of course she picks the last weekend in September to go which is typically the peak of fall foliage, but it looks like it is behind this year (http://www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/report/index.shtml).  I hope she has a wonderful visit, especially with our awesome grandmother who is 87 (88 in December).   I have lost both my parents, both my grandfathers (3 out of 4 to cancer, Poppa Pratt to strokes - although he had pancreatic cancer in 1960 and was sent home to die - lived til 2001!).   Both of my grandmothers are still alive (my mother's mother is 94, will be 95 in January).  They are both very strong women and both still live alone.   I hope and pray I get those genes!!!!  I love you both very much.

Have a great Friday!

Hannah in Kindergarten

Every morning I get Hannah ready for school it is a battle.  She doesn't want to go to school and starts crying.   Yesterday when I dropped her off in carpool line, she was crying and it just broke my heart.  I just wanted to get her back in the car and take her home. 

 She was supposed to be with Daddy last night but wanted to stay with me so we had a girl's night.   I asked her why she cries at school and she says she misses me (awwwww, my poor baby).  So I just held her and we watched t.v.

This morning I walked her in to morning meeting.I waited until the teacher came in at the bell and Mrs. Johnson told me that Hannah is having a hard time adjusting and cries over everything.   She said Hannah is a perfectionist and cries when she doesn't get something just right (doesn't get that from me!).  Mrs. Johnson said she doesn't have to take things so seriously (ok, she may get that from me...LOL) and that she is one of the smartest ones in the class.

On my way out I spoke with her Pre-K teacher from last year (yes, we had this problem for the first half of last year too).   Mrs. Heath said she would stop by and talk to Hannah. 

I am helping a friend out with her church fair this weekend, but I am going to try to fit a little more girl time in with Hannah.   As I posted earlier, after watching Courageous I want to make sure I am doing enough as a mother.

Have a great Thursday.

Courageous

I went to Lifesong's screening of Courageous last night at Elmwood Palace.   AMAZING MOVIE!!!    I can't wait to see it again!   

I know the movie is geared towards dads, but I highly recommend it to all parents.    As a mother it got me to thinking am I doing enough for my kids.   In today's society most families, whether parents are married or divorced, both parents are forced to work.   Fortunately I have a wonderful boss that is family oriented, but that was not always the case.  The office manager of a former employer was very materialistic and not family oriented.....she didn't have her own children and always complained about her stepchildren.   It was a very stressful job and the stress carried over to home.  The best move I made was when I quit there.  

After seeing the movie last night, I have been doing alot of thinking and soul searching to make sure I do the best for my kids.   I made mistakes with my older children, which I regret, but I want to learn from those mistakes so I can do my best for Cole and Hannah.

Have a great Friday everyone!!!

Getting in Shape

Well, I unpacked my scale last night.....want to pack it away again!   Wasn't too happy with myself but it got me motivated...immediately!   I weighed in, changed clothes then headed to Lafreniere Park.   I did 2 miles in 35 minutes, walked mostly, jogged a little....not too bad for not having exercised in months!!!   From there I hit the grocery store where I bought carrots, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes and whole wheat sandwich rounds....the diet begins (again).  I feel pretty good this morning, just a little sore in my low back.   My first goal/reward is when I hit a certain weight (sorry, no numbers right now...LOL), I am going to invest in some good running shoes.  I am tracking my food on www.sparkpeople.com. 

A dear friend won tickets to the screening of "Courageous" tonight so I am praying my willpower sticks with me, but I have already counted the popcorn at the theatre (no extra butter for me) for today so I won't go overboard for the rest of the day.   

Unfortunately, because of the movie I won't be able to go walking tonight but have my pilates DVD already to go when I get home.  

Have a great day everyone!

Hugs!!!!

Happiness

As many of you know, I am on team for Beginning Experience New Orleans.   For those of you who don't know what this is, it is a peer based Christian ministry for people grieving the loss of a spouse, either by death or divorce.  I attended a weekend in October, 2010 and felt so much better after the weekend that I wanted to join to help others.   I met so many wonderful people through this ministry it is amazing to think of all the good that has come out of my divorce. 

This past weekend we were doing training, which we do for each of the weekends we hold (February, June and October).   I was to write about something that was bothering me, but I didn't have anything!  I can say that I am truly happy with the status of my life.   I have my health, great kids, a wonderful boss, wonderful family.     I can say I am truly happy!

Hugs!!!

This was my Message from God on Facebook today:

 

On this day, God wants you to know

... that this very message is a little hug. Hugs tell us many things; that we are loved, that we are important, that we are valued. This message is a little hug from God telling you all those things. Enjoy it, be blessed by it and try to figure out a way to hug God back.

 

I love hugs!!!   When I was married I would give my husband hugs and he would semi hug back, more of a loose hug with a slight pat on the back like you do when you hug a semi-acquaintance, but not your spouse.  

 

God works wonders.   I won't go into the sordid details of how we separated.  I am over that and moving on.   I will tell you, though, that I was devastated.  It was the worst year of my life and I started saying the Rosary and returned to Mass.   I wanted to get away so I looked for a retreat and found one called "Healing the Hurts of the Heart" at Rosaryville, outside of Ponchatoula.   It was an amazing weekend and I could feel God's love in my heart.  It was a Catholic Charasmatic Retreat.  I had heard of "Charasmatic" before but didn't know what it was.   I left that retreat wanting more so I started attended the weekly Charasmatic Conference Renewal of New Orleans (CCRNO) meetings on Wednesday nights at St. Benilde.    The people were so welcoming and loving.   I spoke with someone there who I had seen on my retreat and she invited me to join a women's prayer group, Women Empowered by the Word of God.   I was very nervous going to my first meeting but the women all welcomed me with open arms and gave me hugs. 

 

I had also seen the advertisement for Beginning Experience in the CCRNO song book.   For those of you who don't know what Beginning Experience is, it is a peer based ministry for helping individuals dealing with the loss of a spouse through separation, death or divorce.  I had seen in the church bulletin while I was married but never thought I would be divorced again.

 

I attended my first weekend in October, 2010 and it help me deal with my own deep emotions - all of them.   All of the people there, team members and first timers, knew what I was going through and didn't judge.  At the weekend everyone becomes friends and hugs each other!   I finally felt a "true hug" for the first time in years.  

 

I left that weekend wanting to help others so I joined team, which I will write about at a later date.  I will say this, that out of my divorce, I have met the most amazing people and have so many new friends now, because God led me to them.  God has a plan!

GAME DAY!!!

Well, it is finally here!!!  The NFL season opener....the Saints versus the Packers!!!!  It really makes me miss my mom and dad even more.   Although they relocated to Wisconsin, the Saints came first for them...did I tell you what smart people they were???  LOL

I called my mom's friend, Bonnie, in Wisconsin this morning with a WHO DAT!!!!   She was so happy for my call and we had a nice chat.    She had breast cancer several years ago and is undergoing chemotherapy again.   Please pray for her!!!!   She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met.  She drove Mom to all of her chemo treatments and was like a sister to her.  I love that woman!!!!    Her only downfall is she is rooting for the Packers tonight.   LOL.  

It is going to be hard to get through today with the anticipation of tonight's game, but I will try to manage.  

When the ex and I were still together, we would take turns with four couples and their children hosting game days at our homes.   I really miss those times, but tonight I will be watching the game with new friends from BE who have become like sisters to me.   I am sure we will have a lot of fun! 

HAVE A GREAT WHO DAT DAY EVERYONE!!!

Is it really fall????

Woke up to sunny skies and cooler weather.  I know it is just a tease and I am sure the heat and humidity will be back before we know it, but I love fall!   That is one thing I miss about Louisiana....no seasons (unless you count summer, summer, winter and summer as four seasons).  I love when the leaves change colors and the air turns brisk!   

The house we lived in in Maine was in the country and out the kitchen window you could see the mountains.  My mom would spend hours washing dishes just staring out the window when the leaves were changing.  We would also go apple picking.  I found out during the year I took care of my dad that he and my mom did that to earn Christmas money and depending upon how good the crops were was how good the Christmas was.   My two brothers, two sisters and I just loved going to the apple orchard and picking up the apples that had already fallen off the trees!   We would also help the neighbor hay his fields for the winter (which for us consisted of riding on the back of the truck and then playing in the barn while they stacked the hay).  Those were good times.  We didn't have cable and were outside from sun up until sun down and were very happy!  

My ex often criticized me for not going to the movies enough as a child (I remember seeing the Star Wars movies, E.T. and Sasquatch.....that's it), but I had a happy childhood and my mom stayed home with us kids, sewed our clothes and canned vegetables....we didn't need movies.  We had the great outdoors! 

My parents were wonderful parents and I miss them dearly!  

WHO DAT and My 2 year anniversary!!!

My boss gave me a ticket to the Saints game tonight!  Can't wait to go!   I will be sitting by myself but who cares - it's a Saints game!!!!  

He actually had 3 tickets available and offered them to one of the other attorneys in the office who only needed 2 so I am using the 3rd, but it is in a different section.  

I have the world's best boss!!!!   I worked for him in the 90's for 4 1/2 years at a different firm.   When my ex told me I had to go back to work, even though I was taking care of my dad full time, I called him for a reference and he asked me if I could do part-time.  God has a way for watching out for me because that was exactly what I needed!   I started 2 years ago today!! I was able to work 3 days a week and still take Dad to his doctor's appointments the other 2 days.   When Dad fell and broke his ribs, he told me to do what I needed to do and just to let him know when I could work.  

When, shortly after my Dad died, I was dealing with my separation and divorce he was always supportive, as well as when Hannah was in the hospital twice this past year with asthma.  Even though I was only part time, he paid me for my regular days.   On top of that, he pays my health insurance and matches my retirement contribution.  And I am only part-time!  

He has told me by the end of the year, if not sooner, I will be full time.  So even though money is tight right now, I couldn't imagine working for anyone else.