Who Knew?

Before becoming a mom, I knew there were going to be a lot of things that I wouldn't anticipate, but one thing in particular caught me by surprise.  I'm not really sure how it happened or how to fix it.  Somehow, after birthing my beautiful baby boy into the world, I have completely lost the ability to park...

I'm not talking about real close to the line.  I'm talking about being completely over the line.  I have to try to correct it once and sometimes even twice.  I don't know if I'm over compensating the space needed to get him in and out of the car.  All I know is it is real bad and real embarrassing.  

The sad part of this picture is that I took this after I had already tried correcting the parking, had gone in to have lunch, then returned to the car.  This is as good as it gets people.

Mom of the Year!

This year I gave Rhett a special Halloween treat.  I locked him in the car... with the car running...at Kent's office...in front of Kent's co-workers...Yay me!    He didn't even notice.  He was playing with a lollipop with plastic wrap on it that he is entirely too young for.  

Happy Halloween from the cutest little dragon ever!

Here I am

I used to love blogging.  I did it all the time.  It was fun, something to look forward to, and I wanted to share my life with my friends and family since I live so far from most of them.  It was such a great outlet and gave me something to focus on.

Then all of the sudden, after a year and a half of trying, I was pregnant.  It was like I was hit by a truck.  The only "glow" I had was a shade of green from all the nausea.  Somehow 16 hours of sleep a day didn't seem like enough.  I was on one set of steroids because, due to my Lupus, my white blood cell count plummeted.  This steroid contributed to my 60+ pounds that I packed on during the pregnancy.  I had to start buying the pint size ice cream tubs because I had to limit myself somehow...I had no control when scooping my own bowl.  I don't think I exercised once during the entire 8 months that I was pregnancy.

Then the sweet little precious came unexpectedly 5 weeks early...during hurricane Isaac at a hospital an hour away from our house.  Kent was back and forth because I was in the hospital for over a week.  The entire experience was just so traumatic and I feel like I'm finally moving past it.  But we are definitely one and done kind of family.

Back to the blogging.  I was very determined to not change the direction of my blog towards baby, baby, baby.  But then I am finally realizing that after staying at home with him for over a year, what the hell else do I have to talk about.  I have to include him in my blog, otherwise there will be no blog.

I want to be clear.  I am so happy to have Rhett and he brings a certain light to my life that is inexplicable.  I have just had a hard time figuring out how to be myself while being a mom at the same time.  I used to be the this independent person that was constantly on the go...trying to figure out my next trip, but having a kid reels you into a world of limited freedom and a sometimes an overwhelming sense of responsibility.  Those were the two aspects of parenthood that I hadn't considered before.  I hadn't planned on stopping my active life, I was going to continue working, I was just going to squeeze him into it somehow.  After many sicknesses throughout his first year, I realized that I had to slow down.  I'm still adjusting.

I do, however, want to return to writing again.  It may not be as often as I used to.  The material that I cover may be a little different.   Here I am, the new me. Without the constant encouragement of Natalie, one of my few readers,this blog would have never been possible...and this is why I love her.  With that, I will leave you with a song that reminds me of her.

Inner Goddess vs Reality

I think the true, real, inner me is actually a fashion diva.  I haven't been shopping in a while, but usually when I shop, I am in desperate need of an outfit or clothes.  I make a clothing buy out of complete desperation and I usually end up with something that I NEVER wear.  I envision myself being very sleek and well put together and then I see myself in pictures and realize I am wearing mom shorts that give me mom butt.  I've decided that I really need to make a change by investing in real, cool, fashion acceptable clothes....or accept the fact that I'm not and never will be trendy.  Hmmmm...let me think, do some guys find mom butt attractive?

Oh my god...this is what I've become.

How is it possible?

How is it possible that I have a one year old?

How is it possible that I have a niece that I  love more than words?

How is it possible that sleeping until 7:00am feels like sleeping in to me?

How is it possible that I haven't blogged since April?

Boston...

I was watching all of the devastating footage yesterday. My stomach was sick. The first thing I noticed in amazement was how many people ran over, without hesitation, and began to immediately help and pull the fencing off the injured. Yes, as humans we have a few bad seeds... But there are definitely a lot really goods ones out there ! I haven't given up on us yet!

Good waves to all of the people that have been affected by the recent happenings.

#4 -- Voodoo Dog

On my way to Valdosta last week, I stopped at Voodoo Dog in Tallahassee.  I tried the Jefferson and the Hari Kari.  The Jefferson was a bacon wrapped dog with house made mac n chz and the Hari Kari  was also bacon wrapped with pineapple, teriyaki and chive.  Both were perfection.  

In my opinion, the bun is just as important as the dog.  These buns were perfectly heated...not over steamed or cooked to where they get crunchy.  The Hari Kari was a lot of flavor.  The Jefferson was simply awesome.

My one negative was the fact that they used styrofoam cups.  I mean come on people...it's 2013...but I will definitely be back.

#3 Zacadoo's

So, after the third post of hot dogs, I've decided that chili dogs look pretty gross.  That doesn't mean they aren't delicious, in fact, I haven't yet found a chili dog that I didn't like.  I'm simply saying they aren't very photogenic.

My third hot dog place is Zacadoo's.  They are famous for their fried chicken and Zacadoo sauce, but also have a killer chili dog.  I can never resist their yellow dog (chili, cheese, and mustard).  On this occasion, I tried their slaw dog.  Not my fave...it had too much mayonnaise and I am not one for mayo on a hot dog.  I'll continue to just stick to the old yellow dog.

Finally #56-Cowtown's Cultural District

I finally made it to one of the 1000 Places.  It had been awhile and was a last minute decision.  I had to cancel on my dad...sorry Dad. Lindsay, Whitney, Reese, Rhett and I all trucked over to the Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.  I figured I wouldn't be in Ft.Worth during this time of year for a very long time, so we just did it. We missed the actual rodeo because we couldn't find it, but at least it was blaring over the speakers all over the grounds. No one rightly knew how to direct us to it. (Notice my use of twang!!)  I would also like you to take note of the top left picture. I don't know who was more scared of it, me or Reesey.  The raiser of the little calf was trying to bring it closer to us, but I had to intervene and tell him that it was perfectly fine staying right where it was.

I kept asking Lindsay if my hair looked alright...she is a liar.  She should have said, "Leave it in the greasy ponytail." instead of "Yeah, it looks good."

All I have to say is...who knew Reese was such the daredevil and Whit is a total trooper.  I don't know that I could have handled the rides they went on.

Don't puke Whit Whit!!

I just love these guys:)

#2 Bluewater Bay Club

Kent, Rhett and I walked down to the golf club Saturday night.  We do this about once a week.  I finally tried their hot dog.  Check out the size of that wiener!   I didn't even finish it even.  The chili reminded me of the times we went camping with dad and he would cook chili by adding bottle after bottle of beer to the chili...something I like to call sourdough chili.  The problem with this chili dog may have been the walk back home.

A Year of Hot Dogs! #1

Okay, so, lately I felt like I really didn't have much to say unless it had to do with babies, poo, spit up, and boogers and I wasn't sure that I wanted to take that direction with my blog.  Then it finally hit me...something that I always have interest in...hot dogs of course.  I love them. Sadly, I usually pick them for my birthday dinner.  It is difficult for me to refuse them, even though I have a good idea of how they're made.  I just love them...always have...always will.

I am going to begin with the most accessible hot dog establishment for me, Sonic.  My go to item is the extra long cheese coney with mustard and onions.  I usually get the jalapenos too, but we all have to make sacrifices for our children...until I decided about 2 minutes after this photo was taken that I couldn't resist adding them.

I accompanied my hot dog with tator tots and a grape slush.  In review, the coney was exactly what I expected it to be.  It got the job done.  I look forward to more in my future. 

My goal over the next year,is to try all the hot dogs choices that are at sonic and to visit as many other hot dog joints as I can.

Oh, and did I mention that I'm trying to lose weight too!