BRRRR it's COLD outside

Brrr it’s cold outside!!! Well for Florida at least. It’s a nice change though. Getting the lights hung outside, slowly, but they’re coming along. The girls are excited each night as the calendar gets a day closer to Christmas. Paige and Savannah received emails from Santa last night!!! He let them know what they were doing well at and a few things they need to work on. You should have seen their faces when Santa KNEW what they wanted!

Some really good news about my ankle!!! I’ve been walking on it for about 2 weeks now and the limp I had in the beginning is slowly fading away as I re learn how to walk on it properly. I have to tell you though; it’s like a brand new ankle. STURDY and STABLE something I haven’t felt since maybe high school BEFORE hurting it so bad in a game, against Western Hill! Yes I still remember that game. I’ve never really been hurt in sports except when I came down from a re bound and landed on another player. I felt my ankle twist and pop but kept playing. In the end the HS set me up with their trainer to get it better. Now looking back it might have been an attempt to keep me from getting medical attention. Either ways it’s fixed now, and that’s all that matters. I’m still slow going and the kids are walking faster than me but in time…..

I’ve been crazy busy running around like a mad woman getting project supplies, groceries and trying to stay on top of the house cleaning, but it feels good again to be able to get up and do things I need to do and get out of the house. *Side note* Angela does NOT have a cell phone. The first day wasn’t so bad… I’m so used to always having it with me. But the freedom you feel when you’re out and about and not having to worry about the cell always ringing…… AHHHH pure joy!!! Don’t get me wrong I’d like to have my phone back but I’m ok without it for now at least =)

On a personal note, I’ve been going through a few things of my own. So if I’m not being the friend you need right now, please know I just need your thoughts with me. I’m okay, the girls are ok but it’s time for a change. I’m tired of being in this rut. I miss being happy, smiling, enjoying my friends and family without feeling like I’m doing something bad. I want to be me again and be accepted for that…… I know this too shall pass so I’m optimistic and looking forward to a better year coming up.

Where does the time go?

Since my last blog I’ve gotten the ability to put weight on my ankle and start walking and driving!! WAHOO!! But owie…. My ankle is swelling but it’s to be expected for a few months. I’m just happy to be able to get up and go if I want or need and not having to rely so much on others.

Thanksgiving is next week and I just made plans with our neighbor and friends around the block from us. We’ll have over 15 people there! Good thing we’re all cooking a TON of food. I’m thankful for my health and having served to be able to have the surgery done. It goes without saying (which shouldn’t be the case) but I’m also thankful for the family and friends that I have in my life, though we may not always talk on a daily basis. I’ve had a few friends pop out of the wood work and give me a call. It was nice to hear from them J to feel thought about enough to have someone, out of the blue, call you!

The girls are all doing well in school and are looking forward to the days they have out for the holiday.

This year I have a buddy to go with me on black Friday, to wake up super early and try to beat the crowds. I was trying to be sneaky and thinking about venturing out of the city to a smaller but still “big town”, maybe there aren’t as many shoppers in those towns… We’ll see. I want to have all my holiday shopping completed by the end of November.

I can’t believe how fast this year has flown by. It just seems like it was this time last year! So after shopping all day the day after turkey day I’ll get the tree up and hopefully have all the gifts ready to go under. Amazing how when Halloween sneaks up the stores push you straight to Thanksgiving a week before Halloween and then before Thanksgiving we’re given the countdown for Christmas!!! We wonder why Americans are always in a rush! GESH, so take a few minutes each day and take in the moment!!

What to do?

What an uneventful day. I've stayed home while Don and Savannah ran errands. Made fudge with the girls and they carved their pumpkins. All in all an ok day but I'm BORED!!! I sound like a kid during summer vacation LOL.
Halloween is tomorrow and the girls are beyond excited to get dressed up and get candy. I just wish the weather would be a little cooler to give the effect that it's fall. I'll be in the wheel chair shortly behind them with my camera.
I go back Monday for my 4 week post op appointment. I'm wishing I'll hear it looks great let's start putting some weight on it, in reality I know it won’t happen that way, at least 2 more weeks with no weight. That's ok I have Friday to look forward to, Ladies night Bunco at a friend’s house. We always have fun while eating, drinking and enjoying each other’s company.
So much going on that I need to get done and taken care of. Like studying and passing the personal training test asap, but I will only take it when I'm 100% confident! Our family trip was fun and a time for me to reflect on things I need to do, to better myself and family and the things I'm thankful for.

Welcome back to humidity!!

     Whew!! What a trip. The family and I had a lot of fun on our trip to the Smokey Mountains. The kids got a chance to forget about school and home life and just relax as did Don and I. We got a ton of sight seeing done and a few really good dinners too. The highlight had to be the helicopter ride over the Smokey Mountains, what a beautiful view!
     The kids came home with report cards today and all made excellent grades. Keep up the great work girls! Paige has also been asked to draw the cover of her schools yearbook, what an honor!!
     Coming back to Florida really stinks! I have accepted that I'm OVER being in Florida. I don't hate Florida, per say, but strongly do not like it. Don't get me wrong. The weather was cool for the first year but I miss the seasons. I want a real fall and winter! I have so many great memories as a child bundling up to go play outside after Thanksgiving with the family, going to the lake during the summer, hitting the bike trails in the spring and hoping it may snow for x-mas. Here it's just warm and muggy. Every now and again it'll get cool for a bit but with the humidity it never feels like fall. WELCOME back to FLORIDA..UgGhH!!
     *on a side note*
Just so everyone is clear, there is not real "theme" to this blog. it's jsut me and what's going on almost like a journal.

I really am lucky

It's been a week and a half since my surgery and it's opened my eyes a little. I've reliezed that my kids are way smarter, funnier, creative, beautiful than I had know them to be and how priceless they really are to me.

Hailey is almost 13 and is becoming such a beautiful young lady. She's definetly acting as teen but that's expected. She makes excellent grades and pushes herself to achieve only the best in academics. When meeting Hailey for the first time many assume she's older than she is Not only the way she carries and presents herself but at her height. She's almost as tall as me and she's 12!!! She can wear my clothes but she surpassed my shoe size about a year ago : (   She's my nerd but I love her ( I say this in the most lovingly way and she knows it). Watching her become a young woman makes me tear up....

Paige, wow!!! OMG she's me...... If you knew me from 10 on then you feel me here! She definetly has a mind of her own and not afraid to tell you even if it's under her breath or with her eyes rolling into the back of her head. I've never met a kid so passionate about being creative! She's always fining something new to learn on the computer with video making or posting and entering into contests with singing and dancing. She's the biggest help when Savannah nags her to play with her. She'll plan a whole "school day" with her down to the bell schedule. Model shows, acting shows, nail salons, garage sales the list goes on. Her beauty goes without saying when you see her piercing blue eyes. I know she'll have a fun live for the moment life.

My little goose, isn't so little anymore. She's my diva fashionista!! She changes clothes so many times I dont keep track anymore. Everyone know her for her long blonde hair and her boots. She's my lil Texas girlie girl. She loves to dress up, do nails, fix people hair, and live in the moment. Yes I know she's spolied and it's something I'm working on (she's blantley taking advantage of being spoiled so it must end, I learned my lesson). She's my goose and I get asked why I call her that. I dont' know I found myself doing it without thinking and it stuck. After looking into the meaning of a goose and mythology a goose is known to be loyal to end to family and those they care about and always having a good sense of knowing where home is. Bottom line they are loyal and loving... Definetly her!! She's learning so much so quickly while havign 2 older sister she's very smart for only being 5.

Ask me a month ago if I could of seen all their beauty and I would have said yes but now, I see how truely LUCKY I'am to have my girls. I wish my mom were here to see them grow up along with my nieces and nephew but we knwo she's looking down and smiling proudly.

My friends have really been a huge help and I cannot say Thank You enough for their time and patience with me. Anything from getting the kids to places they need to go, to dinners being brought for the family including yummy desserts. I just got a call from a friend who asked if I knew of the Mother lunch day at school. I had no idea so I'm off to get ready to surprise the girls at lunch!! I love my friends and thank you again!

I did get a chance to get out and try one of those motorized carts at Wally World and ugh, those things SUX!!! Nothing fun about them. They have one speed and give you whiplash when you "break" ie STOP!! Although one man said I'd end up on the people of wal mart page. So here ya go, my People of Wal Mart photo, my sister always said with the pics I post of other ppl one day it'd catch up to me....

UGH 5 more weeks....

   
Ok I have to get this off my chest. So follow me for a second. Funny how when you think you know someone then they show a new side that is so ugly!! Why do they allow themselves to fall victim to their own vices? I'm not one to preach in any way but, c’mon there comes a time when some people need a wake up and call!

     I feel much better! I'm a week out of surgery today for my ankle Wahoo, only 5 more weeks in the cast. It's been a lot harder to sit in the house and not do the things I need to get done and want to do. Even putting the laundry in the washer and dryer is a chore. Imagine, me hobbling my way into the small laundry room and leaning over to get the dirty laundry, while leaning on the crutches to sort them. Putting crutches down and leaning on the washer to start and put soap in. My left Quad and Hamstring are BURNING at this point. Quickly lean over and grab the clothes and put them in. Whew!! So what should take 30 seconds takes me about 2 mins, 2 mins on ONE leg. I'm going to have one awesome leg with all the squatting and hopping LOL.

     There is a bright side. Saturday is MNO (moms’ night out). I have some amazing friends who are kind enough to pick me up and bring me home. I need a beer preferably one that is ice cold with Blue Mountains please :)    I haven't seen some of these ladies in awhile so I'm excited to get out for awhile. Now what to wear with pink crutches with skulls and a black cast? hmmm decisions decisions........

Sharing my blog

As I sit here and try to figure this whole blogging thing out, I'm so confused, and I'm contemplating on sharing the site with everyone now or later when I know how to personalize it and really make it mine. Yet my friends and family are a part of me and I'm sure they can offer some kind words and advice. So here goes nothing. Enjoy your first peek at what’s to come everyone.