Spring Break Recap

So many visions of what our Staycation would be like. Well... let's go back to that checklist that I wanted to accomplish:

1, Book our next Disney vacation.

Complete! We are now booked for a week in a two-bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs during our February break. I didn't add the Dining plan yet. Or purchase tickets yet. I know when I can book our dining. Like always, booking through Disney Vacation Club's Member Services is easy-peasy (though, IMO, booking Disney trips on your own is too!).

2. Complete reading Game of Thrones, Book One in a Song of Ice and Fire Series.

Did not complete. I did, however, get through most of the first season on Blu-ray. I still want to read the series, I just didn't yet.

3. Finish watching Season 1 of Sherlock (again).

Complete! Now, I am ready to start the second season.

4. Job hunt some more.

Still a work in progress. Obviously, I didn't find a job yet, but I have a more direct action-plan.

5. Go get sponsors for our middle school's 5K.

Didn't even begin. More on this later.

6. Finish St. Patrick's Day projects.

Did not complete. I wanted to make a shamrock button piece. I bought the supplies, I just didn't do it. Oh well. Next year!

7. Start Easter/Spring projects.

Complete, I suppose? I started. I did make an egg. And I cut out a bunch of things on my Silhouette machine to work on. So, I guess I did START some projects. Hey, I never said anything about finishing them!!!

8. Spend time with my three favorite boys.

Sort of completed.

Mark had Tuesday-Sunday off, so that was great. We did do some fun things as a family, however our Break began with Mason getting sick. He was fine by Tuesday, however had ever so nicely passed those germs onto me and I am just today finely returning to the world of the living. So, I had planned to go out and get sponsors (especially on Monday, while Mark worked), but we just couldn't.

Though I didn't finish reading Game of Thrones, I did, however, finish reading another great book. When She Woke is written by Hilary Jordan and is a modern re-telling of The Scarlet Letter, taking place in the dystopian future. Instead of the main character wearing a scarlet "A," however, her entire body is "chromed," or dyed red. It is really an amazing book (especially very relevant with today's government choices regarding the female body and abortion).

So, that was our Spring Break. Lots of tissues and Nyquil was used. And, sadly, we only watched one episode of Season 6 of Doctor Who. However, we played 48394587 games of Draw Something. That counts for something, right?

Back from my Break

Hi friends. I have taken a much needed Blog break. And I'm back!!!

What did I do while I was "gone?"

I wish I could say I went on a fabulous vacation. I didn't.

I wish I could say I worked on a huge project. I didn't.

I wish I could even say I completed a book. I didn't.

I just have been busy LIVING. Hanging out with fabulous friends and even fabulous-er (teehee) family.

This week is Spring Break for The Boy. Mark is taking a few days off work and we are just going to veg at home. And probably watch Season 6 of Doctor Who on Netflix.

What I want to accomplish this week?

1. Book our next Disney vacation. And I will blog about it. I am obsessed with Walt Disney World and we are Disney Vacation Club members (Disney's version of a timeshare), so we go quite often and I loving planning. I have a pretty good idea of the when and the where, I just have to get off my booty and call Members Services and book it (I could do it online, but I have a question to ask).

2. Complete reading Game of Thrones, Book One in A Song of Ice and Fire Series.

3. Finish watching Series 1 of Sherlock (again).

4. Job hunt some more. Seriously, this is starting to get depressing...

5. Go get sponsors for our middle school's first 5K. Your's truly is one of the co-chairs.

6. Finish St. Patrick's Day projects (just in time to pack up for next year. Ooops).

7. Start Easter/Spring projects.

8. Spend time with my three favorite boys.

Oh! My wonderfully amazing friend, Mandy, has a website. Each week she features a Geek of the Week and I am this week's Geek! Read about me here!!!

Learning Lessons

Day 27 of NaBloPoMo and the prompt is: What is something you learned from someone else?

Really? That's it? I have learned a lot from my boys.

From Gibson the Wondermutt, I have learned to love unconditionally. That dog loves everyone and goes out of his way to prove it. Even by practically laying his 80 pound body on top of your hip to cuddle on the sofa.

From Mason, I have learned that love is patient. It's no big secret that I have never been a fan of kids (especially the green-nosed ones. Ew.). And I am sure part of it is because I am, by nature, a very impatient person. However, being a Mom, you have to be patient.

From Mark, I have learned that love is forgiving. No surprise with my upbringing, I had a very hard time to trust a boyfriend. In past relationships, I never could fully believe 100%-no-doubt-about-it that someone would always be there for me. Mark changed that.

Sure, I have learned so much more from the wonderful guys in my life. They are great people who I adore with every part of my being.

Raindays

I am just getting to Day #18 of NaBloPoMo! Where do Saturdays go? Anyway...

I wish I had a craft or two to show you this week. I don't. I did break out my Silhouette after Mason's swim practice this afternoon and played with it for a long time before our friends came over for dinner. Give me a day or two and I'll be able to reveal something.

What did I accomplish today?

I got my hair colored.

I took Mason to swimming in the pouring rain.

I washed our bed linens.

I actually lost my first game of checkers in over fifteen years (well played, Colt!).

I insulted a friend by making fun of show choirs (sorry Mandy!).

I scolded the Wondermutt (who broke one of our plates that was on top of an oven mitt. He loves to steal oven mitts).

I talked to some Tidal Waves friends.

I learned how to play a new board game.

I spent time with my three awesome boys (well, Gibson was awesome until he broke that plate!).

To some, it may seem like an uneventful Saturday, but to me it was perfect. With the exception of playing checkers against Colt, showing Angela the new Hunger Games nail polish colors, and playing three games of Temple Run, I didn't have the iPad glued to my hand. With the exception of a few texts to my sisters, Mandy, and Samar, I didn't have my iPhone glued to my hand either. I never watched a single TV show. I just got to hang out with some amazing people.

And I loved it.

Sons vs. Daughters

Day 17 of NaBloPoMo and I really do not like the prompt, but I will write about it:

Friday, February 17, 2012
What do you think of the saying, "A son is a son till he takes him a wife, a daughter is a daughter all of her life."

I hope this isn't true. I want Mason to one day get married, obviously, but I also want to be a part of his life forever. While it's true in my situation (we usually spent most holidays with my family), I think it depends on how close you are to your parents/family.

Growing up, we spent ALL holidays at my maternal grandparents' home. My paternal grandparents wintered in Florida, so they were never home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I'm sure we may have seen them on Easter, but I remember spending all holidays with my maternal grandparents.

So, it just seemed natural that we would do the same.

Mind you, Mason is not even thirteen years old. I have no idea what will happen in the future, but I do know I will work my hardest forever to make sure I have a wonderful relationship with my son (and I know Mark will, too). I want him to be happy. And I will pray that includes spending time with us forever.

People have commented how unfair it is to have an only child because Mason will have to make sole decisions on our well-being once we age. That's an entirely different blog entry, but I think because Mason "only has us," we have a much more unique situation.

So, what do I think? I think that saying is a bunch of... well, crap.

Mind Dump

Day 16 of NaBloPoMo and I'm over half-way there!! Yay!! And I'm ditching today's prompt of :

Respond to the proverb: "Treat your family like friends and your friends like family."

I've been in a funk this week. It started on Monday when I got sick. Since then, I'm feeling better, but in a blah-like mood. I'm not sleeping well.

Tomorrow, I am working at The Boy's school all day, covering for the receptionist. And it's Friday! Weekend cometh! In Ohio, we would have Monday off for President's Day. They don't in our school district here.

The Boy's birthday is next week. He is going to become a teenager. I am so not ready for that. At all. And the spoiled kid can't think of anything he wants for his birthday. I guess that's what happens when it's so close to Christmas. Mark and I have a present plan that's pretty sweet.

My Great Uncle Stanley passed away on Tuesday. I found out by reading the funeral home website. It's weird. I check it everyday, to see if anyone I knew died. More and more names are looking familiar. And I'm not the only weirdo from my town who does this. Anyway, Uncle Stanley was my paternal grandfather's brother. He was one of the few paternal family members who stayed in contact with my mom, sisters, and I after the divorce. He and his wife, my Aunt Nelle, would always visit us when they came to town. They were great people. He will be missed. One cousin contacted us on Facebook to let us know it happened, for which I am thankful. We are used to never hearing family news until much later.

Mark made Oatmeal-raisin-bacon cookies last night thanks to Bon Appetit magazine. They are really good, but I can't really taste the bacon. Gibson got into trouble for jumping up and grabbing one from the table this morning. This caused Mason to get scared, because dogs can't eat raisins. He's fine, albeit in big trouble. Silly Wondermutt.

No other real happenings right now. I am taking Tylenol PM tonight so I can finally get a good night's sleep.

My Funny Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day!

Day #14 of NaBloPoMo. And I sort of guessed today's prompt awhile ago (didn't we all?).

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tell us about someone you love -- your partner, spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, best friend, dog..

Can I talk about three someone's I love? Sure. It's my blog.

Mark is the love of my life. He's my rock. He calms me down when I am upset but more importantly, he makes me laugh. In my life, I really need some good laughing a lot to get me out of rough times. I can always count on Mark to do so. I can't imagine a life without him. He is my husband, best friend, soul mate, and constant.

Mason is also the love of my life, in a different way. One could never imagine how blessed and complete my life became once he arrived. He's just this amazing person that has the pure heart of gold (most of the time -- he IS almost a teenager with an occasional 'tude!) and still likes to hang out with his ol' mom and pops. He is funny, loving, smart, and caring.

Finally, there is Gibson the Wondermutt. A neighbor kid found him, neglected, abandoned, starving, and flea-covered. No one claimed him and we offered to take him. The completion to our little family. Sure, he likes to over-welcome our guests by giving them hugs, but he's so darn love-able. I have never met a dog who wants to be loved so much. He follows us everywhere and knows when we are upset, because he makes sure he gives us extra kisses and loves.

These three boys are my life. And we have made a pretty great life together. We may not always be a serious family and are sarcastic -- but I love my funny valentines. And I know they love me back!