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Archive for April, 2010

Sandra Bullock’s surprise…

Friday, April 30th, 2010

It kills me that people are so shocked that Sandra Bullock not only managed to secretly adopt a child, but to also manage to maintain that secret for months. It makes absolute perfect sense to me…

If you were the object of continual public scrutiny, and you wanted to raise a child…wouldn’t you do everything you could to keep that innocent little one out of the limelight? I think that’s a sign of an excellent mother. I give Sandra…I can call her that because we’re likethis…major props. Seriously.

I know how hard it is to keep secret something that is huge exciting news. (I have no spotlight…no stardom…and I shout everything that matters from the roof tops.) It was all I could do not to call everyone…and I mean EVERYONE…the night HE proposed. How I managed to not tell anyone for very nearly twelve hours still amazes me.

And when I found out I was pregnant with Rachel…and Keenan… Yeah. I spread the joy. I can’t contain myself.

It must have taken incredible self-control for her to keep quiet about such a miraculous event, such life changing news. I’m ridiculously proud of her. And now…it’s out in the open. It must seem a huge relief. And at the same time, it must be just a little bit scarier now, too.

Now…the world is watching. If she didn’t have enough attention because of her philandering husband…if the public wasn’t already tuned in to her every move…wondering over the state of her marriage, now it’s about her being a single mother. There used to be such a stigma attached to it.

Today, however, there’s not. It wasn’t such a big deal for me to get divorced and be on my own. I didn’t feel like the failure I imagined I’d be judged to be. I didn’t even feel a moment’s hesitation when I changed back to my maiden name. I didn’t worry that I would be frowned at in public, or at the kids’ schools, or anywhere for not sharing their last name, for not having a ring on my finger. Times have definitely changed.

Now the only challenge of being a single parent is taking on the role of two people when you’re only one. Without the stigma, now we just get to parent. We get to be just like everyone else. There are many who paved the way to make my life easier, just as I pave the way for other single mothers to come.

As Mother’s Day approaches, here’s to all the single mothers, famous or not. Here’s to wearing many hats. Here’s to all the challenges that role entails and confronting it with your chin up and your face pointed toward the sunshine. Here’s to demonstrating a level of problem solving some never need to achieve. Here’s to maintaining a sense of pride and a grace that eludes even debutantes. Single moms, I salute you.

Oh, and to the single dads out there, the dads that step up and help out, and especially to the ones who take on the role of the single mom…that goes for you, too. You are the best kind of men.

Thinking about that makes me all sappy. See, when I start thinking about the single dads, I also have to think about those uber special step-dads. I think about men like HIM who have taken on an instant family, embraced their new role, and not only thrive, but ensure the kids do, too.

I guess what it all boils down to is that nothing in the world is more important than being a good parent. It’s a job that is often thankless, the pay is in affection and appreciation (sometimes we don’t even get that…), and the reward is often the job itself…seeing a job well-done. Still, I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

Maybe that’s why Sandra worked for years to adopt a child. Maybe she understands that already. And if not, she’ll learn. This is one of those roles with a lot of on the job training. Somehow, I think she’ll do just fine.

Posted in Reflections | 9 Comments »

Happiness is a shared project…

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Yesterday was a huge day for us.

Instead of going to work, like I normally would, and spending all day working in an office, like I normally do, I went to a special class with HIM. It was something we’ve been planning for about a week. And our shared project is one we’ve been talking about longer than that.

See, HE is a contractor. He has worked, first for his father, and later with another carpenter, but mostly with his father for all of his adult life. In fact, it was only the past year that he has done the maintenance thing as the remodeling market dried up. To quote him, he had to do what it took to take care of his family.

And I really admire a man who wants to go above and beyond, sacrifice his dream, to make sure the bills are paid. Okay, I really admire him period. I tell him all the time that he is the best man I know.

Well, we decided, given the recent climate of things with the maintenance business in general and his boss specifically, that it was time to work towards his goal again. And this shared dream has become a shared project. And this shared project is intensely time consuming.

Yesterday’s class was on lead generation. Let’s face it. It doesn’t matter if you are the best contractor in the world if you have no jobs to prove it. So, we’re working on learning on how to make the phone ring.

It was a phenomenal class. It was a two hour class. It was so not his thing. And that’s why while I’m writing feverishly, taking notes, and giving him these meaningful looks…he’s mostly yawning and checking the time on his phone.

Then, in the afternoon, it was my turn to get the glazed over eyes. Yes, the afternoon session meant that we walked around and spoke to various vendors, snatched up product samples, and literature, made important business contacts. He was right in his element then.

And that was where his father found us. Naturally, being in the business, he was going to go and meet possible new vendors himself. I suddenly turned around after talking to the Hardie siding representative only to find him directly behind me. It was a very pleasant surprise. I really like his dad.

I think his dad really likes that I’m working with HIM. I think he likes that we’ve made this a family project, recognize that it may take a team effort. I think he even likes…me. At least it sure seemed that way when we were walking around talking, meeting and greeting.

By the end of the day I was fairly glowing. His father kept introducing me as his son’s fiancee and giving me loads of literature that he thought would be beneficial. But I think the best part was when we were in the Mastic truck, which was actually the Mastic traveling showroom. Very cool.

Suddenly, I was getting introduced to the owner of the company sponsoring the event. And the owner is asking me about the class I had taken and how I liked the business. That’s when HE walked in from dropping off samples at the car. (Do you have any idea how big and bulky a sample window is? I didn’t before then…) And I made sure that they were introduced.

HE was a bit star-struck. I guess he knew what I didn’t. And, in all honesty, I have met lots of rich and famous. The best ones, my favorites, are the ones that seem just like normal people. And that’s what this guy was like. So, I had no difficulty speaking with him and simply being myself.

Later, when we finally finished for the day…after hours of working on the website we’re designing and having dinner as a family and the haircuts that Rachel and I went to get were done…we decompressed on the screen porch. I was chattering away about some of my ideas, some of the things I picked up on at the class, how I was going to implement them in the business. And he was smiling, rubbing his hands together, beaming with pride.

me: You like this!

HIM: I do. You are really on top of things. It makes me work harder to stay on top of my things.

And he told me then how impressed he was that he had come into the Mastic truck and found me talking with that group of men and his father. He told me I seemed completely in my element all day. And he admired the way his father and I could strike up conversations and build relationships with people. It was one of the many ways he wished he was more like his dad.

I’ve watched him. I’ve watched them together. And I see more of his father in him than he realizes. That’s a really good thing.

So, as if I didn’t have enough of my own projects to contend with, now I’m working on this: building our remodeling business. It’s a huge undertaking. It’s going to require a lot of drive and determination, which I have plenty of. And it’s going to require a lot of time and energy, which I seem to find a short supply of these days.

Guess I’m just going to have to dig deep. It’s worth it. I’ve never been happier.

Posted in Happiness is... | 5 Comments »

My version of People of Wal-Mart…

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

walmart Um…yeah. I have seen it. It makes me laugh. People of Wal-Mart. Yup. I don’t know why these people left the house looking like this, but I’m glad they did.

At the same time, experiencing people in Wal-Mart, not always so good.

Take, for example, if you are in the middle…or early beginnings of a project and you just want to pay and get on with your day.

So, Saturday morning, we found ourselves in two, yes…2…Wal-marts. I had found the pool online, but it wasn’t in stock at the first one, the one that was closer to the house. Instead, we had to drive waaaay out to the Super Wal-Mart.

It was a super big pain. It was super time consuming. It was super frustrating. And that was just the part where we tried to find a parking spot.

Once we managed to get in the store, things weren’t looking much better. We struggled to find the pool. And we were starting to get discouraged. Only…I’m not a man. I will ask for directions.

Seconds later I put on my friendliest helpless face and one of the employees wandering around the store walked us to the pool…and walked away. There was no price on the shelf so I found another employee wandering the store. She had a handy dandy scanner and did the price check. Woo hoo!

Well, HE wandered off to get a cart. And she wandered off to get a special cart. And I stood there and guarded the pool. It was the only one. And since it was still available when everyone converged at the pools again, I must have done a REALLY good job. Or everyone else knew how much work installing a pool was and simply steered clear of the crazy lady.

Potato…potahto…

Well, we loaded the pool on the special cart, grabbed extra filters, and headed toward the line. I grabbed baggies and the new Snickers Fudge bar before joining him. I needed the chocolate, mmmkay?

And the line isn’t moving. It’s the lawn and garden line. And it isn’t moving. We talked and planned. And it still wasn’t moving.

That’s when a man came over and asked if he could get in front of us since he only had one item. And we looked around. There were lots of people behind us, all suffering since…the line wasn’t moving. And HE made…the right decision.

HIM: Sorry. We all only have a few items.

He gestured to the line of people behind us, all of whom were intensely interested and looked ready to blow…since…the line…not moving so much.

And that’s when the lady in front of us interceded.

Lady (and I’m being generous with that term…): Sir, you can get in front of me.

I took a deep breath and looked away. Words are my friend. And I don’t like using them angry, but I was ready to make an exception. Well, we tried to make sense of the situation as we talked amongst ourselves.

HIM: I didn’t let him in because we all only had a couple of items. And there’s all these people behind us.

And I see the shackles rising on this woman’s back. And I know she’s going to turn around and spout off. And I’m so NOT in the mood for it. And I’m really trying not to get involved. And yet…I am.

Lady-ish individual: Sir, the reason I let him in was because I remember when others have done the same for me when I only had one item.

And I get it. I’ve done that. Only…when I did it, it was because the only person I was inconveniencing was me. I didn’t have a line of people behind me. And I had more than just a couple of items.

HIM: Ma’am, I’ve done it before, too, but we all only have a couple of items.

And she continued. And the woman behind us became involved. She didn’t have a cart and her couple of items were heavy, wheras the man who cut was carrying a scan ticket. She was not pleased.

And I was not planning on spending my Saturday morning in a fight at Wal-mart of all places. Honestly. You should need a passport to go in those stores.

Well, the line slowly moved as the tensions rose. And the woman in front of us just grew more and more smug, especially when the man who cut made a big point of thanking her. He got off waaaay too easily.

We loaded the pool in the car, started it, and took one look at each other before venting.

me: It took everything in me not to get involved in that. You know I always have a come back.

HIM: What would you have said?

me: Congratulations, you did your good deed for the day and you managed to irritate everyone else in line. Now you can go to church tomorrow and feel really good about yourself. In the meantime, turn around and mind your own business.

I took a deep breath.

me: See why I don’t get involved?

HIM: Why couldn’t I have thought of that?

So we went home and worked on the pool for the rest of the day. And we worked on the other pool all of the next day. And I guess if that was the lowest point of our weekend, we’re doing alright.

PS. If you are one of those chronic cutters, beware. I might not always keep my comments to myself. And if you are a chronic cutter, keep in mind that you are opening a can of worms.

PPS. And if you are tired of this angry story and want to read about how I’ve turned into a junkie…visit Wedding Journeys.

Posted in Reflections | 7 Comments »

Buyer’s Remorse…

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

So we went to bed Saturday night, imagining this lovely relaxing day. We couldn’t wait for the kids to come home and see the pool. We were completely thrilled with the way everything had been going.

And then we woke up.

Sunday as I was puttering around, our only plan for the day to get more chicken wings for the fryer and pavers to create a lovely path from the patio to the pool, HE was out checking out the pool. And when he returned he was frowning. I walked out to the pool with him.

HIM: I don’t like it. I’m not happy.

He had been walking around with a tape measure. It wasn’t going to be as deep as he hoped. It wasn’t going to be as sturdy as he hoped. It wasn’t going to be…what he hoped. And so…there I was…back to fixing things.

me: So, let’s return it and get the one with the frame.

HIM: I don’t know if it can be returned.

me: I’ll call.

HIM: And we’re going to waste all that water.

me: Nope. There are ways around that.

And so we developed a plan. We’d purchase the new pool, assemble it, set it it up where it was going to remain, and then syphon the water from one to the other. It was a good plan.

We went to Sears. I get a discount there. Only my card hasn’t worked in FOREVER. I’ve tried ordering new ones. I’ve tried…everything. My latest solution was to borrow one.

So, to buy the pool…and a new umbrella for the patio table…we used a borrowed discount card, my Shop rewards card, HIS credit card…and a partridge in a pear tree. It was very nearly that complicated. And we went home to set up the new pool.

There we are, car parked in the back yard again. Setting up another pool. Most people are lucky to have one, we currently have two. Ridiculous. Even he looked at me at one point.

HIM: Who does this?

me: Just us. We like to keep it interesting.

As always, we worked together beautifully. We laughed. We joked. We had a great time…until we decided it was time to add water.

HIM: I don’t think it’s level enough. I think we’re going to have the same problem as before.

UGH. Buyer’s remorse.

me: Where would you like it?

So we enlisted the help of Brian and Ed. And we started toting the pool around the back yard. There was a lot of…oh, let’s try it over there…and…just two feet that way…and…well, it’s definitely lower there, Nicki can see over it…

Finally…we decided to put it right where it was to start with. Only…the ground was prepped first.

Yup. I went in the house to get a drink and check my email. When I came back…there was a pick ax, a tiller….wait for it…AND A TRACTOR. Yeah. Seriously. There was blood, sweat, and tears. Well, maybe no tears.

And in the middle of it all…the kids came home.

Rachel: We have two pools? What?

Keenan: TWO POOLS!

me: Yeah. One for adults, one for kids.

HIM: We’re going to Sam’s Club to buy that big inflatable one. We’re starting a water park.

Keenan: Really?!

me: No, not really.

And they went back inside to leave us to it. Rachel was muttering something about how they never knew what they were going to find when they came back at the end of the weekend. Later she decided that was one of the many things she loved about living with us. Naturally.

So, just shy of 7pm we started pumping water from one pool to the other. We are not wasteful. We can’t afford to be. And I was in the pool trying to get as many wrinkles out as possible. And then I was skimming the pool. And then I was vacuuming the pool. And then I finally was back on dry land to order dinner. That’s right. So much for making chicken wings and potato skins. We were ordering pizza.

It was a long day. We finally stopped working about 10pm Sunday night. I was feeling it. We were both dragging. It had been a long weekend. Bishop found it to be particularly rough. He was grounded most of it, stuck in the house, expected to stay out of trouble. He looked absolutely pathetic by the end of it.

Then it was into the garage to plan the new week. And into the garage to decompress. And into the garage to reminisce.

I think we both agreed, the low point of the weekend was standing in line at Wal-mart. You should definitely stop back tomorrow to read about that experience…My Version of People of Wal-mart…

Oh, and to read about my best wedding planning find…read today’s post on Wedding Journeys.

Posted in Reflections | 5 Comments »

Welcome to our ool…

Monday, April 26th, 2010

That’s right. With our love of water, is it so hard to believe that we took the plunge and bought a pool? Nope. Wasn’t for me, either.

The talk about it had started days before. Maybe even a week before. I guess I just didn’t realize how serious he was. I should have.

See, we both remember last summer when we were constantly waiting on someone’s good graces to get wet and cool off. We had gone to the beach one time…just the two of us…and that was in April…well before the truly hot stuff started.

Only there were very few invites and few of the invites resulted in actual follow throughs. There would be the passing…’oh, maybe we can all go to the pool in the afternoon’….followed by…nothing. And that was frustrating. The south is zero fun in the summer without cool water.

And so Saturday , after we finished doing what needed to be done around the house, we went out and bought a pool. Yup. It’s nothing fancy, it’s nothing permanent, but neither is the house. This is our ten year house. After that, we’re off to live in our beach house.

The rest of the day was spent on assembly and set up, filling. And that task was compounded by the fact that it was raining. Yes, just as soon as we had it all laid out, the ring filled, and the pump hooked up…it began to rain. It was a drizzle at first, allowing us enough time to relocate indoors to assemble the ladder and pick up the yard. Then the really big drops began.

Oh, but that didn’t halt our fun.

No, late in the evening, after we’d had dinner and he hung out with the guys and played pool in the garage, we went and checked on the pool. All evening he had been pacing around it, checking its progress, doing the happy pool dance…alone and with me.

I knew it was only a matter of time. I knew that before long he’d be diving in. I knew it. So, when he began pulling all of his valuables from his pockets while completely clothed, I wasn’t too surprised. Despite the fact that the pool contents were fresh from the hose…probably a whopping 50 degrees…despite the rain and the low temperature…maybe mid 60s….he was going in.

HIM: Hold this.

And he passed me his iPhone. I opened it up to take a few pictures. I’m not good with the iPhone camera. Everything I take looks blurry. He says I don’t hold it right. I say the camera app sucks.

Well, he flopped around in the water for a few minutes. And I ran inside to get the camera, which I clearly can use, and a towel. There were more pictures, pictures I can’t show because he needs his anonymity. And there was a bit of a water fight.

He dried off and we played pool, alone, for a change. We joked and talked. Then the gauntlet was thrown.

HIM: You should have gotten in with me.

me: I will. Later.

Oh, later. What was I thinking? I guess I was secretly hoping he would chicken out. I guess I was secretly hoping that I could distract him any number of ways. I guess I thought he might take later to mean another day. Alas, no.

And so at 10pm, we were trekking across the yard to the pool. (Make that our ‘ool’…as in…there’s no pee in it, let’s keep it that way.) He was wearing swim trunks. I was wearing my new white hooded bathrobe the kids bought me for Christmas. Yup. That’s all. And this is why. My theory is that if you have to go in ridiculously cold water, less is more, because when you get out, all you want is dry bathrobe against skin, rather than dry bathrobe against dripping wet suit and freezing body. Good theory, huh?

Well, I managed to climb in. And he was rushing me the entire time.

HIM: You know James could look at his window at any time, or Jack could come out, or Rick or Bud…

And given how much older everyone but James is…I’m doubting that they are able to see that far. I’m doubting that they are that interested. And I’m grateful the only full moon was mine.

He had then tried a different approach.

HIM: It’s not even cold. I don’t feel cold anymore.

me: That’s because you are numb!

And soon he had dunked me and was holding me in his lap, keeping his word. Man provide heat.

We rushed to the house soon enough to grab a warm shower and snuggle in a warm bed.

HIM: How did we end up in bed at 11pm on a Saturday night? We are so lame. At least we get to relax on Sunday. No work.

me: We worked hard today.

We had. Only…not as hard as we worked on Sunday Funday.

Come back tomorrow to read about…Buyer’s Remorse.

And on Wedding Journeys…see how we picked our officiant.

Posted in Reflections | 7 Comments »

Night of the red-headed vegan…

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Well, after months of trying to organize it…Rachel’s boyfriend finally came over. Yes, there was another ginger in The Bubble. In fact…more specifically…there was even another ginger in the castle.

The plan was simple. I was to pick them up from school on my way home. From there, I was to go home, feed them, and head off to a movie. Right.

Well, I picked the kids up. And I pretty much told Justin that I hoped he was more fun than the last boy I drove home. (And HE had already mentioned that he hoped Justin was made of tougher stuff than the last boy Rachel brought home.) Justin’s response?

Justin: Don’t worry. I’ve got this.

I love his confidence. And I really like him. He and Rachel have been friends for two years. During that time, he dated numerous other girls. NUMEROUS. And during that time, he and Rachel spoke with such frequency and texted so continually that I had to question how much attention the actual girlfriend could be getting. Luckily, he came to his senses and decided to date her.

Her backup plan was to take him to Vegas when they hit 21, get him drunk, and marry him. Yup. I’m raising her right. She even had the wedding night all planned out. Of course, her doctor put the kibosh on some of that by telling her there would be no more bubble baths, even in a bathing suit. (And she expected me to believe there would be a bathing suit. I love that she loves me enough to try to comfort me with G-rated talk. Ahhh.)

So, we made it home and it took forever to get them in the house. She had to show him the gate and the babbit and the garage wall. And then we walked in and realized that HE was in the back yard with Keenan and Bishop.

Grr. And I was really hoping that Bishop would be there to greet us and…okay…frighten him…just a little. Teenage boys should always have some fear of reprisal when in their girlfriend’s home. And Justin was having some difficulty grasping the true size of our puppy-cow.

Justin: My aunt has a Weimaraner.

We chuckled. Yeah. That’s the same.

Well, then Rachel brought him to her room to drop their bags. I immediately saw my chance. I opened the patio door and beckoned Bishop.

me: Bishop! There’s a boy in Rachel’s room!

He happily jogged into Rachel’s room. Imagine my disappointment when he didn’t even hesitate to lick and kiss Justin. Dammit. I moped off to talk to HIM.

me: He’s clearly too socialized. You ruined this dog.

HIM: Do you want to feel better?

me: Yeah.

HIM: Justin, go punch Nicki.

Justin didn’t even hesitate. He marched over and pretended to hit me. Bishop bounded over, pushed his way in between us, and moved to intercept Justin’s hands. I smiled.

HIM: There. Feel better now?

me: Uh huh.

Soon we were all in the house playing keep away with Bishop. We have three of his beloved cows. Yes, three. You can never have too many cows. (Especially the way he goes through them…) So there were three cows flying around the living room and one puppy-cow jumping happily all over the place.

Rachel and I each took a cow to the eyeball. When HE hit me in the eyeball, he came over and hugged and loved on me. Awww. When Justin hit her in the eyeball, he hit her a few more times. He wasn’t going to be all snuggly in front of her mother and her mother’s fiance. Smart boy.

We didn’t go to the movie. Instead we opted to go one of my favorite places. Yup. I took the kids to my playground. They ran around and played. Justin pushed Rachel on a swing. And later, I caught them sitting together on a bench. It was sweet. They didn’t even seem too bothered when I did that annoying mother thing and recorded the moment for posterity.

He’s coming back. And he’s agreed to participate in her birthday. That it’s a surprise and is driving Rachel CRAZY. And that it’s driving Rachel crazy really makes me happy. Mwah ha ha.

Posted in Reflections | 3 Comments »

So much going on…

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Every once in a while, I’ll hear someone complain about being bored. I don’t understand that. I really don’t get bored. To me, boredom represents a lack of imagination. And if there is one thing you simply cannot accuse me of, it’s a lack of imagination.

No, I have imagination in spades. And I’m adventurous…as long as I don’t think I’ll die from it…and creative. For me, there’s never enough time in the day to accomplish everything I want to do.

Right now, I’m working every day on trying to build HIS business, our business. Ultimately, he would like for me to not have to work where I work, to be able to focus on my writing and focus on helping him. I’d like that. I’m a big helper. And I love love love writing.

On top of that, I’m being offered numerous opportunities right now that could propel me towards my goals. I’ll tell you more as I know more, but suffice it to say…I’m really excited at some of these new prospects. It’s exciting and scary. I worry that I’ll stretch myself too thin, which is way different from actually getting thin, by the way. I’m worried I will fail. Only…I’m really determined. And when comes down to it, somehow, I always manage to dig deep and pull through.

Keep in mind, I may not be fun to be around while digging deep and pulling through. If, however, you come at me with chocolate in hand, or some similar peace offering, you could walk away unscathed. Yes, chocolate soothes this savage beast.

This of course reminds me of one more thing that I have to do. We have depleted…nay, deleted…our emergency chocolate. Between the S’mores last weekend and the two ‘ritas before dinner night when Rachel was dying for anything chocolate…gone. All of it. *sigh*

It’s going to be okay. I’m eager to see what will happen next. I’m eager for some of these changes and opportunities that seem to be cropping up to come to fruition. And if it translates into some extra money for the wedding, all the better.

Oh, and that reminds me. I had the loveliest email from a reader today. She’s heading off to Ireland next month and wanted to know if there was anything she could ship me…to my PO Box. (She really does read me!) And it’s the little things that make me smile. Little things always make me happiest. HE still marvels over that.

On the two ‘rita night, we finally settled into the lounge chair to watch some of our DVR’d shows and he pulled out his phone. I teased him about becoming one of those crazy ‘app’ guys. Well, he found an ‘app’ for me, so he’s forgiven. Yeah, he downloaded Skeeball to his phone. It makes me so very happy.

And for those who have been wondering…he still leaves his sweatshirts all over for me. And the other night…I came home and my fridge had fresh bottles of ‘ritas. And no doubt, by the time I’ve posted this, I will have had a therapeutic Friday night in The Bubble.

Well, time for me to get to work. I have more writing to do, other commitments to keep. I have to come up with some bloggy brilliance for Deep South Moms this weekend. And I have to get to work on Wedding Journeys. (It kind of goes along with one of my sparkly new opportunities. Fingers crossed, please!) And I need to work on getting thin and pretty. Obscurity, remaining faceless, may not be an option for much longer.

Wish me luck!

Posted in Reflections | 5 Comments »

I won…again!

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

791-July-Claddagh-Ring-sml So, for years I would admire Makenzie’s Claddagh ring, given to her by Danny when they were young. She has worn it forever. It’s beat up. And I rather liked it because of all the history. We know I’m big on history and having items with deep meaning and all that jazz.

I’ve researched the Claddagh, since it is a rich part of HIS Irish heritage. It stands for love, loyalty, and friendship. I really like that. And I love that I am about to have a custom one.

I mentioned before that I had entered a contest for a claddagh ring from a Celtic Jewelry Company in Ireland. (Yes, they’re in the heart of Dublin, to be precise. Too cool!)

See, I had contacted them to see if they could make us custom wedding bands, alter one of their designs to incorporate his family crest, but they couldn’t. Instead, I entered their engagement story contest. And most of you know that story. You’ve read the entire story of our relationship. Well, I posted an abbreviated version of it at o’dark thirty one morning on their Facebook site as my entry.

And…I won!

I have to admit, I’ve been particularly lucky this past year. I won the laptop from Giyen. I won an autographed book from Rachel Sarah. I had the opportunity to get a free lip gloss from Bare Escentuals and give one away to a lucky reader. And now…this.

See, I’ve been missing all my birthstone jewelry. It was all given to me by the ex and I hadn’t worn it since the separation. I missed having a ring on my hands period, let alone the wedding set and the anniversary band I wore on the middle finger of my right hand. So, that’s where the Claddagh ring is going.

Everything just feels right again. It’s like everything is simply falling into place. And I think that’s the way it goes when I’m on the right track. At least, that’s the way it seems to go.

So, if you want to read the entry…here’s our engagement story.

And if you’ve tuned in late and need to catch up on the entire history of our relationship…I have all that for you, too. You can read about how we met, and why I believe we’re destined to be, and how we found our way back to each other, how he came to love me, and…ultimately the proposal. Our story doesn’t end there. It will never end.

That the engagement story won me a birthstone Claddagh ring from Ireland only solidifies his belief that I should write our story. He’s convinced if nothing else could get me published…that could. And he swears it’s the one novel he would ever finish reading. That might be reason enough for my efforts. Plus, who doesn’t love to read a story that’s juicier than any fiction I could come up with?

Posted in Big News!!!! | 12 Comments »

Happiness is celebrating nature…

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

holding the earth I love nature…in small doses. We all know by now that after years of camping in the Adirondacks and TRULY roughing it…I had to pee in a hole *gasp*…my idea of camping has become a hotel without a pool. (Yes, I’ve learned to get by without a hot tub.)

Through the years, I’ve tried to teach the kids to appreciate nature, to love the earth. And it seems to have worked. They like hiking. They take time to smell the flowers. And we even take time to plant some.

There’s nothing in this world that makes me happier than seeing something I’ve worked so hard to create…grow. For years, I’ve been able to enjoy the kids as they have flourished. Now, I’m loving the yard.

For me, it’s truly important that where I live be a reflection of me, someplace that I’m comfortable and happy. That’s why I decorate with plants and flowers and trees and stones and wood outside. And that’s why I bring as much of the outdoors inside when I decorate there. (I love nature…controlled…)

Nature is soothing. That’s why the best relaxation tapes and devices have sounds of the birds in the rain forest and the patter of rain and the rush of the oceans and the crackle of lightening. That’s why the most popular destinations for vacations aren’t to cluttered man-made cities, but to the mountains and beaches and places where we can away from it all and rejuvenate.

As I have made abundantly clear…the ocean…the beach…these are my favorite places. And so tonight, since I have to relinquish my kids for the weekend and I want to have some nice quality time with them, we’re going to go see the new Disney Nature film, Oceans.

I wish I could adequately describe how excited I am to see this and to share it with them. It’ll be a blast. It’s definitely going to be visually stunning. And HE is coming, too, making it a whole family outing. Yay!

Haven’t heard about it?

I found the trailer here.

PS. In a little side note…check out my post on Deep South Moms to see how this daughter of mine is growing up. She volunteered on Friday night at The Joy Prom.

Posted in Happiness is... | 9 Comments »

Sending some love…

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Sure, almost every member of the blog family has received a comment from me that ended in ‘thinking of you.’ And it’s true. I spend a lot of time thinking about all of you. While I haven’t met most of you in person, or on Skype…we have bonded through comments and emails.

Know that I do value you…each of you…and I’d like to show it…

So, Jolene, I know that you are struggling with the idea of a relationship and finding the man you are going to spend the rest of your life with. This song is for you. (And maybe you can share it with David. He’s looking for love, too…)

Pippi..we’re lucky. We get to talk on the phone regularly and even meet in person on occasion. (I live to watch you get a foot massage. ) I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you always give me a shoulder when I’m struggling. Know that I offer one in return.

(And Rain…this one’s for you, too!)

Amira, Danielle, and Mindy…you all have so much going on. And I know that more than anything there are times you’d like to run away, take a break from it all, the ultimate Calgon moment. I wish I could give that to you. Instead, I offer you this…

T, I live for your posts and your encouragement. I feel like we are such similar creatures. And I have no doubt that if we ever stumbled across one another, we’d be insta-friends. (You’d be the hot one…I’m merely cute.)

And I know that you’re having to make a lot of really big decisions right now. No matter what…it’s going to be okay. Everything will ultimately turn out as it should. And when the dust settles, we’ll all be here.

For you, a song that puts things in perspective and puts a smile on my face. When I think that I have it rough, that I’m not precisely where I want to be at the moment, I simply hear this song and realize that I have enough.

And Meredith, my would-be Bubble Buddy, in a nod to your love of anime…Rachel told me to give you this song. She thought it would make you giggle. Hope so!