Wednesday Random Leap Year Edition

I'm cold.

I quit biting my fingernails again.  I think it's been over a month.  They look nice.  I painted them pink today.  I don't like pink on my fingernails but I do on my toes.

I woke up with snow in my yard this morning.  I swore under my breath.

Tonight I get to see a woman I haven't seen in nearly 20 years.  My friend Rachel from third grade (well, not just 3rd grade but that's when we met) it's her mother.  I've talked to her on the phone a couple of times over the past few days and it's so fun to hear her voice.

Spice has been so involved with school lately that I've decided to purchase the phonics curriculum for her that I used for Sugar last year.  For the longest time she could spell her name aloud.  But last week, out of nowhere, she wrote her name on a piece of paper.  I don't know if this is a big deal for a 3.5 yr old, maybe all or most 3.5 yr olds do this, but my first 3.5 yr old (Sugar) didn't even want to touch a pencil at that age.  Heck, she's 6.5 and doesn't wanna touch a pencil.  So I'm pretty stoked over it and while she's loving it, I'm going to encourage it like crazy.

We had a pretty crazy windstorm in our area last week and because of it some people had trees fall over.  Josh and I were presented with the opportunity to take care of one such tree.  When I was a kid (3rd grade, with best friend Rachel, mentioned above) I spent time at Rachel's grandma's house.  I remember loving that place.  Her grandma's tree uprooted itself last week, and after over 20 years, I find myself back at that house.  The tree is about 50 years old, so she's rather large.  My girls have enjoyed playing in the large yard, while Josh and I have enjoyed working side by side cutting up the tree.

Rick Santorum will be in Tri-Cities tomorrow and I'm thinking of going to hear/see him.  Ron Paul was here a coupla Fridays ago but I had company that day and didn't get up to hear him speak.

I just looked down and realized I have melted chocolate on my jeans.  How any chocolate missed my mouth is beyond me.

Speaking of chocolate, I told Josh the other day that I was giving up candy bars until I'd lost 10 lbs*.  Yeah, I lasted two days.

*I don't need or necessarily want to lose 10 lbs but heck, if that could happen, rock on.


This Saturday is a day that I'm sure will provide much blog material for next week.

Our tax return is going to pay off my medical bills instead of buying the cow we'd originally planned on.  People who were freaking out over us having farm animals can now breathe a sigh of relief.

I'd much rather have a cow than pay off medical bills but I'm going to be a grown up for once and be responsible.

But I'll be wishing I were buying a cow instead.  With chickens.

And a pig or 7.

The Beth Moore bible study that I've been going to is almost over.  Last week's lesson was about talking bad about our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Wow.  Wow.  


I love a good cuppa french press.

I also love my new tattoo.  She makes my heart happy.

So you know how we have a crew of peeps we cycle with and how they're currently mountain biking and not road biking?  Well, they are.  And I hate it.  I don't like mountain biking.  Maybe I would had the first ride out not ended up with my leg looking like this:

Well anyway, yesterday Doc showed up at my house yesterday and before he leaves he grabs his iPhone and says, "what's the weather supposed to be like on Saturday?"  So we both look at our phones and realize it's not going to be too shabby.  He asks if I want to road bike on Saturday.  Heck yes I do!  I told him I wasn't sure though, that I needed to talk to Josh.  Told him I'd text him later about it.  So I did.  And his reply, "okay, for you, at the office at 8."  YAY!  My heart is happy!

So before the fun of my Saturday (it's time with Amber) I'll get to road bike.

Here's hoping I don't get hit by any cars.

Frustrated. Thankful.

Last Friday I went into the billing office for the hospital where I have all my surgeries.

All being three.

I hadn't received a bill, just statement after statement.

After statement.

I had been in contact with the billing office right before my surgery, setting up a payment plan since I'd had 2 CT scans done (one abdominal and then one for my ankle back in Oct) along with a ton o' blood work and some other junk.  Even with my insurance, my account was getting bigger and bigger.  There wasn't any way I could just write a check for the whole deal.

So we set up that payment plan.  It was about $150 per month (for the rest of my life) and while that seemed like quite a chunk, it was definitely something we could swing.

Fast forward a coupla months to last Friday.  I realize I didn't get a bill for February and wanted to know what the deal was so I went in.

"Well, your account balance has increased."  (previous payment plan was based pre-surgery)

"So we need to adjust your payment plan amount."

Ugh.

What used to be $150 a month is now $300 per month.

Ugh.

"And we'll need a payment today."

Fo realz?!

I'm frustrated.  With me.  For not having a savings built up enough to just pay my balance in full.

Thankful.  For insurance. For not having a car payment or credit cards that I have to pay on monthly, because if I did, I definitely wouldn't be able to afford $300 per month.  I don't know how we're going to do it as it is but I know we wouldn't if we had those other expenses.

Really hoping 2012 is hospital visit free.

So there was this one time I got hit by a car

True story.

And since I am alive and well to tell about it, I will.

And we can laugh at me.

And my stupidity.

On Saturday night I got this brilliant idea to ride my bike to church.

Our church is approximately 35 miles from our house.  I figured I could make it in 3 hours.

What I didn't figure in is that at the time I wanted to leave (6 am) it's still dark.  I have no reflective gear or flashy lights or anything like that so I waited a little longer for the sun to come up.  I left the house about 6:30 and made my way to church on the highway.

At what I figured was my half-way mark I stopped my bike, checked my phone for the time and called Josh to let him know where I was.  I also took a drink of water.  Because I have to stop my bike to take a drink.  Hey, I dye my hair blonde and apparently me drinking water whilst riding my bike is a bit like a blonde trying to chew gum and walk at the same time.

I just can't do it.

It was 8 when I called Josh.  I knew I wouldn't make it to church on time.  We had to be there at 9 to work in the nursery.  I was mad.  Had I been able to leave at 6 I would have been on time.

So I'm pedaling.  And pedaling some more.

There's a small stretch where I had to get on the freeway (talk about intimidating) and cross a bridge that has very little shoulder.  Josh had told me I'd have bust my butt across that bridge.  I'm getting close to the bridge when Josh and the girls drove by me.

"Oh, please God, let him pull over."  I was tired.  And still had probably 6 miles or so to go.  I took the off ramp, went over another bridge and there he was, waiting at the bottom of the hill for me.

Hallelujah.

All that to get to the night I was hit by a car...

So the next day, Monday, I decided to ride to the gym.  Josh got home early and I knew I could make it to the gym before dark.

What I didn't count on is that my legs would be DEAD from my 31 mile ride the day before.

When I bike to the gym I'm usually cruising around 15 mph.  I was seeing 12 mph.  It was miserable.  My legs just weren't moving like they usually do.

I get into town and there's a stretch when I first enter Prosser that I can cruise at about 22-24 mph for a bit, it's a little downhill and I've usually gotten my second wind.  Yeah, this night?  Not so much.  I was lucky to hit 14-15 mph.  So, I'm behind schedule, and it's dark.

I look to my right to see if there's a car on the highway I'm about to cross.  I see a Suburban and realize if it pulls up to the stop sign far enough, I can glide behind it just fine and not have to stop.

I'm running late!

So the Suburban is in my mind.  I look ahead of me and see more cars, all of which I think are heading straight, and not realizing that one is actually in the left turn lane.  Suburban pulls up far enough that I can ride behind her, I'm about to cross when I realize that a small car is in the left turn and will be turning into me before I get across.

Slow motion.

Thankfully she wasn't driving very fast.  Thankfully there was no one coming from the other direction.

I knew she was going to hit me.  There was no way for me to move any faster.  And had I stopped she would have hit me much harder.

I yelled to God.  Out loud.  I can't remember exactly what I said but I'm pretty sure the word, "help!" was in there somewhere.

She came to a stop.  Against my bike.  She didn't even hit me hard enough to knock me over.  It jarred my bike and pushed me but I was able to stay on.  I clipped out of my pedals, stopped my bike and she stopped her car.  She opened the door and at the same time we asked if the other was okay.

We both were.

And we carried on.

I called Josh right away and said something like this, "Honey, I'm fine, I was just hit by a car but I'm fine."

Him:  silence.

Me:  I'm okay, just wanted to let you know.  Can you pick me up after the gym?

Him:  Um, no.  Let me come get you now.

We argued about that.  I wasn't going to let a little bump keep me from the gym.  I got there 10 minutes late for class and could not concentrate.  I finally ended up sending him a text during meditation to come get me.

My bike has a scratch.

I do not.

I'm a lucky chick.

It coulda been a whole lot worse, especially because I foolishly went without a helmet that night.

I won't be stupid like that again.

So yeah, there was this one time I got hit by a car.  Good conversation starter.  Or blog material.

The things I do for your entertainment.

The Tattoo

I got it.

A coupla Fridays ago.

My sister made the appointment for me with the guy who did one of her tattoos.

He's located in the mall.  When I found out that part I was wondering if Claire's had added tattoos to their ear piercing section.

I could just see the sign outside the door:

"Buy one pair of glittery, heart shaped earrings and get a tattoo for half price!"

That wasn't the case.  Thank God.

But before my appointment time I had to figure out what I wanted.  I still hadn't decided on which bike to get or where to put it.

I showed Josh the pictures and he fiercely hated them both.  Which I didn't realize until just a coupla hours before I went in. Niiiice.  He kept pointing out all the flaws on both bikes.  Saying they didn't even look like real bikes, etc.

I realized he had a point.

So I decided to print off a picture from REIs website of my bike and have the guy just do a basic outline of that.

I considered adding the spokes in (that was one thing I didn't like about Bike B) but if I was going to make the bike look completely realistic I'd have to add 28 spokes to each wheel and then that would just be a very busy bicycle.  So I opted out of the spokes and did outline instead.

Megan took pictures for me.  It's what a good sister does.

In her driveway. About to get the party started.

"Hurry, I gotta watch the road!"

A "before" picture of my calf.

I look nervous but wasn't really.  Excited, yes!

Aaron, Mall Tattoo Artist and Sarcasm Extraordinaire 

He wanted to know where I wanted the tattoo.  When I told him I wanted it on my calf he asked why I'd want it there.  I said, "where else would I put it, my forehead?"  His reply, "well, do you even ride bikes?"  Me, "duh, if I didn't would I put it there?"  Him, "look, I work in the mall, you wouldn't believe what people put on their bodies and where."  Me, "well, it just so happens I do ride bikes.  So there."  And that was the end of that convo.  (neener neener)


And the finished product.

The first question I always get asked is, "did it hurt?"  Not so much, no.  It stings at first, just a little.  The worst part is that I am terribly ticklish on my calves.  So, when he'd have to dab at the blood and ink I would move my leg because he was tickling me so bad!  

This is kinda how the process would go.

Bzzzzz sound.  Stop.  Dab.  I'd kick my leg.

Him: Stop moving!

Me: Then stop tickling me!

Lather, rinse, repeat.

The whole process took about 30 minutes.  He did an awesome job and I could not be happier with the work he did.  Plus, he was just a good time.  And Megan was a good time.  She's always a good time.

If/when I decide on another tattoo (I kinda already have something in mind) (don't tell Josh) I'll be going back to Aaron, the mall tattoo artist.

It happened so fast

Sunday we took a little road trip to Bend, OR.

We stopped at a gas station to use the restroom but it was occupied forever so we drove across the street to Wal Mart.  I'd shudder here but it's Wal Mart in Bend.  Not Wal Mart of my town so there was no need to shudder.

As we leave, Sugar wants to start running in the parking lot(!?) and I quickly told her that wasn't a good idea.  She slows down and is about a step in front of me, so close in fact I nearly stepped on her heels.  We are two cars away from our van when a Subaru Legacy starts to back out.

I immediately threw my body against Sugar's, slamming her into our van and I just stayed there for a second.  I turned around and saw a wide-eyed teenage girl.  She'd braked and just stayed put.  Both of us were freaked out.  My first response as a mama (or any protective human being) was to be angry but I could see in this girl's eyes she didn't mean to, she honestly just didn't see my little girl.

She rolled down her window and could hardly get her words out.

"I'm so...I'm so sorry.  I just didn't...see her."

I told her everything was fine.  I gave her a reassuring smile and put Sugar in the van.

Then I got in my seat and I lost it.  All the what ifs started playing in my mind.

But none of the what ifs matter.  Sugar's safe and for that, this mama is thankful.

this is when

My dad had the same birth date as Josh.

So on their birthday I'm usually busy preparing a birthday party for Josh to think about how my dad would be 50+ yrs old this year.

I used to be a wreck on the anniversary of his drowning.  But after some long overdue (like 11 yrs overdue) counseling I didn't cry on the anniversary.  Plus, on the last anniversary I spent that day with friends.

My days used to be spent thinking of him everyday.  For years.  I don't think that's normal but I've never claimed to be.

Through counseling though - I learned that it was okay to grieve.  I learned how to grieve.  And I healed.  Through healing I found a peace.  And through that peace I didn't have to think about him daily and live with regrets.

But it's on this day.

On Valentine's Day that I think of him.

When I was nine he started sending carnations.  Some years the note would read, "From, Mark" or, "Love, Mark" or, even bolder, "Love, Your Dad."

At 17 I received - for the last time - carnations and a little bear.  That year the card was, "Love, Your Dad."  Maybe because he knew I was getting closer to feeling comfortable calling him that (though I never did.)  The Valentine's after I turned 18 I was married and I wonder if he just didn't feel it was his place anymore to give me anything.

I don't know.

I do know that he made the day special for me - even if I didn't like carnations ;)  It was nice to know someone was loving on me and thinking of me.

My goal is to provide those happy memories for my girls.

Minus the carnations, of course.

My inner Valentine's Day struggle...that's no longer inner but uh, outter.

Source

Valentine's Day is coming up.

Did you just groan, too, or was that just me?

I'm not a fan of this "holiday" at all.

It's not really one that we acknowledge in this household.

But this year I've been seeing some fun stuff on Pinterest and wondered if maybe I shouldn't be such a Valentine's Day Scrooge.

I have two oh so sweet little girls that deserve to be loved on on this day.  I've struggled, though.  Do I make a big to do about Valentine's Day for my girls every year? Build it up, make it special - only to have them one day have a husband who's kinda "meh" toward the day?

I don't want their expectations of Valentine's Day to be too high.  But I feel like a schmuck saying that.  I mean I should want their expectations to be high, right?  Um, but not too high.  Just high enough.

A perfect amount of expectation.

I'm sure there isn't such a thing.

I just know that I've had too high of expectations about the day.  For a long time Valentine's Day was a big let down.  It took a whole lot of years but I no longer have any expectations of the day and am no longer disappointed.  February 14th is just like February 13th or August 2nd or December 1st.

But I want it special for my girls while they are under my roof.  And when they are adults, I think I'll continue to make it special for them until they have someone to do it for them.

*this is not a bash on Valentine's Day or the lack of celebrating that goes on in our house for it.  Josh and I have an unspoken understanding that this is just a regular day and we're cool with it.  

Write that down

I always think I'll remember the funny things my kids say, but dangit, I don't remember half the funny stuff that comes out of their mouths.  So I'm going to try to start blogging them as quickly as they happen so that it's written down somewhere.

Sugar has been going through a growth spurt (again) and is constantly hungry.

My girls eat breakfast around 8 and I offer a snack at 10 with lunch at noon.

At 10 this morning the girls each had a banana.

Half an hour ago Sugar says she's hungry.

surprisesurprise.

I told her it wasn't lunch time yet.

Sugar - "Kids die without food, you know!?"

Me - "Yes, I know. But you're still not getting any food until lunch."

Sugar - "Then, Goodbye, World!"

Someone has a flare for the dramatic lately.

And I've no clue where she got that from.

homeschoolish update

We're using Explode the Code to help teach Sugar to read.

It's working marvelously.

She's reading.

Now to work on fluency.

Handwriting is a big deal to me.  It just is.  I like handwriting.  I like to be able to read other's handwriting.  I want my kids to have not only legible handwriting but handwriting that is nice to look at.

Sugar pretty much could not care less.

All of last school year (you know, the 6 days of it that we did) (kidding, there were more days than that) I had Sugar using the rubber pencil grip because she held her pencil all wonky.  It helped her to hold her pencil properly but her handwriting was horrid.

(in my critical handwriting opinion)

One day early on in this school year we couldn't find the pencil with the rubber grippy dealio so she went without it.  Her grip on her pencil is still wonky but her handwriting without the rubber grippy dealio is so much better!

I prefer the handwriting to look nice over how she holds her pencil.

We quit doing Math back in...oh...October.  We were struggling.  She was.  I was.  We were.  So at the advice of some veteran homeschoolin' mamas I quit.  Let her do it on her own.  And this week I finally decided to get our Math books back out (we're using Singapore) and she has blown through about two weeks worth of lessons in two days.  It's like it's clicked for her.  Or maybe it was the M&Ms I decided to use for a manipulative that made it more fun...

Science is us going to the library and Sugar picking a book.  Never fails that it's some sort of sea creature.  She loves dolphins and whales.  I haven't been super structured on her science.  We had been using our  Sonlight curriculum from last year for science but she was sooo not into learning about clouds and tornadoes and rain.  So we've bagged that for now.

Emphasis on for now.  I don't want you guys thinkin' she'll never learn about that stuff.  She will.  But one thing I'm learning about my kiddo, when she's into learning about something, she's into it.  Absorbs it.  Loves it.  Right now it's sea animals.  So we're going with that.

History is something we're just kinda pluggin' away at.  I admit that I think she'd be way more into it if I was on the ball about doing the projects listed in the book.  Sometimes they just require a whole lotta supplies that I don't have or want to mess with buying.  I know.  Lazy.  But the projects make the words come to life, so I need to just suck it up and go to...WalMart.  *shudder*

Spice sits right along side us and works in her own little books.  She asked the other day to be taught to read.    I just need to do it.  She's showing interest and that's like 90% of the battle.

Overall I feel that we're doing well this year.  The main thing Josh and I were concerned about for first grade was teaching Sugar to read.  Anything over and above we considered a bonus.

So, that's our update.  Sorry if some of it was a repeat from last time.  I can't remember if I posted an update or if it's in draft.  I didn't look.

Questions?  I'm sure someone's got'em.

More on the Tattoo

Pretty sure I'm going with Tattoo A.

And I'm thinking it'll go on my right leg just above my ankle.

More input from you.

Should I include words underneath the bike?

If so, what?

Or should I leave it plain?

The big day is coming soon.

Tattoo Ideas...Vote NOW {not that the voting really matters but it's still fun, right?}

So, I'm in the process of deciding on my next tattoo.  I have a couple of different ideas that I'm going to share.

Let me know which one you like best.  A or B.

A)

Source: tatt.ly via Sarah on Pinterest

OR

B)

Source: flickr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Also, can't decide on placement.  I like both locations pictured.

Rando-Random

Got a text this morning from my friend Chelsea.  She had her baby early this morning.  The tiny babe (5 lbs) has no middle name.  So of course I suggested using my middle name.  Rhett Lee.  It sounds good right?!

And how fabulous is the name Rhett?  I love it.  I can't wait to squeeze him and hear all the birthing details.  I love birth stories.

And giving birth.

Yes, I'm that weird girl (so is Amber) who loves, absolutely loves to give birth.  My body was good at it.

I got up at 5:15 this morning with Josh and Jim (our live-in for the next couple of months).  This morning was the first morning since he's been here that I've gotten up.  I'm just so bad at mornings.  I sat at the table doing my Beth Moore study while the men folk talked.  I love listening to them.  It's so nice having Jim here.  Josh has a running partner and I have one more man to make fun of and cook for.

Have I ever mentioned how much we love to have company?  It's our fave.  A couple Saturdays ago my side of the family came over for dinner and games.  We had 19 people here and I just couldn't get enough. (I would also like to say that I fed all 19 of us for $14.50.  That's 76 cents per plate.)  We had so much fun.  My sister and I were dancing (she's got moves!) We played cards.  My aunt and uncle's dog laid on the table. And after Spice used the potty, the other 18 of us cheered for her when she came out of the bathroom.

Good times.

When Amber and I started going to yoga and body flow last year we placed ourselves in the back.  Well, it's been a year and we're still in the back row.  It's easier for us to get away with our inappropriate comments back there and if we screw up our moves, we're the only ones to know.  Well.  WELL.  Last night she couldn't come and when I got to class MY SPOT WAS TAKEN!  I had to be in the very front.  ALONE.
And next to the mirror!  I hate the mirror!  Some women stare at themselves in that thing the entire time.  I avoid it like the plague!

Also.  And this as random as random can be, I learned last night that a thong to the gym is the only way to go.  The undergarments I wore last night were CREEPING.  And seeing as how I was IN THE FRONT ROW, it was a little difficult to pull out my wedgie the entire time.  Talk about uncomfortable.

Just got a text from Chelsea.  She went without an epidural and in her words "had to be tough like you."  So proud!

Josh and I have made plans for our 14th wedding anniversary.  We're going to Utah to ride our bikes!  Last year Josh went to Butte, MT with the crew we ride with on Saturdays.  This year we're going to Utah.  First stop will be Boise and then on to Ogden.  I'm excited that I get to go this year, that we get to go together.

Yesterday it was fairly warm.  The sun was out.  My kids ran outside with no coats. Socks or shoes.  And played in the mud.  I love, absolutely love that about my girls.  Spice is daintier with her mudding, but Sugar would roll in it if I'd let her.  Which I would, on a warmer day.  Heck, I'd join her.

Sending my taxes off to my friend, Kristie today.  Our refund will be spent in the weirdest way.  Looking forward to telling you about it.

Okay, that's enough randomness from my life.

What's random in yours?

It's time for the reward

On my journey to get healthy and lose weight, I decided that should I reach my goal (which I did) I'd buy myself a fancy shmancy pair of jeans from my fave store as a reward.  A good job, Sarah, present.

I've been at the same weight for nearly 6 months, I don't think I'll be losing much more.

I think it's time to buy those jeans.

But I want to make a day of it.

You see, I've reached my one year anniversary of this whole deal and I wanna celebrate.

I've decided I'mma get myself a babysitter, get my hair did, go shopping for those jeans and get myself another tattoo.

Oh, and buy myself lunch.

Because I like food.

This is going to be an expensive day.  Maybe I should sell that dog bed, huh?

The Expensive {but worth it!} Dog Bed

About five years ago I bought a down comforter and duvet cover from Overstock.  The two items cost $300.  It was pretty and it was cozy.  But it was too warm.

But every winter I still pull it out thinking that this will be the year we can stand to have it on our bed.  This winter was no different.  I pulled it out, we used it for three nights and the sweating was just too much.

So I threw it on the floor, thinking I'd take it to its bin downstairs at another time.

Remember when I vlogged about Ace sleeping in our bed and getting up in the night more often than a newborn?

Well.  He no longer sleeps in our bed.  Or gets up to pee in the night.  It's fantastic and I feel refreshed in the morning.  I no longer want to send him to "the farm" the way I once did.

No more Beagle paws stretching out on me in the night.  Or whimpers to go out.

Because Ace, he loves that down comforter.  It's his BFF.  He snuggles up in it and we don't hear from him all night.

It may seem ridiculous to let a dog sleep on a $300 bed but for a full night of sleep without dog breath in my face or his paws in my back or getting up three times a night to let him out, it's worth every penny.

Oh yes it is.