One Minute Inside A Woman's Head

Welcome to this woman's head.

Things have been crazy. I don't know if I am coming or going anymore. Things HAVE GOT to slow down a bit. Hello Lord, are you listening up there? Mama needs a break, some time off, a nice bubble bath, SOMETHING.

• I went to 4 days a week to spend more time with my daughter. Turns out my job is still a 5 day job. I am totally swamped and can't even begin to be caught up. Do I tell the boss from hell? No thanks. I'll ride this one out because I am afraid they'll put me back on 5 days.

• School. Oh school, how you are driving me nuts too. I want to be a Nurse. I do NOT want to be stuck in this English class for another two months. Seriously. It's not even English. It's called "The Elements of Argument" and they classify this as English because we write paper. And stupid papers they are. I've got an A++ in the class and I find myself day dreaming constantly instead of reading that 800 page book. They seriously make an 800 page book on arguing. And how did the writers not kill themselves of boredom writing it?

• If I have to fix my car one more time this year I might scream. Yes, I need a new car. But mama doesn't have that kind of money. I'm in the middle of re-doing the room, we've got cheerleading, we've got everyday bills, and the car thing is killing me here. I tried to spend my morning at Panera Bread on Wednesday to have a cup of tea and read the above mentioned book. But the car broke down in the parking lot. But $184 later and an oil change, she was back on the road.

And that my friends, is one minute inside a women's head.

P.S. I figured out that my only alone time each day is in the shower first thing in the morning. Wow, I get to spend 15 minutes by myself each day....at 4:45 a.m. Even the roosters aren't awake yet. Where do you get your alone time at? Or are you like me and have about zero alone time?

Wordless Wednesday

We got Missy's Halloween Costume! She went from last year's Super Girl to this year's Bat Girl (she LOVES Super Heroes)

Have your kids decided on costumes yet?

Big Hole?

So what exactly is the point of this phase that teenagers and young adults go through? In my day, it was piercings.......and lots of them. I've got the scare on the eyebrow and belly button to prove I was a part of it all! ................ but what happens to these kids ears when they hit 30?????

Reunion Night - CPHS Class of 97, Here We Come!

It's the long awaited night. Wow. I've been out of high school for 10 years? Seriously? It can't be. I still have the mind of an 18 year old, without the body to match! Ok, ok.........I am just a really really mature 18 year old.

So, this morning on the way to work I began to reflect on these last 10 years. I wonder what everyone did with all these years. Will I be the loser of the bunch? Will they all be fat and ugly (yes I am hoping a few of them are!)?

High was the best time of my life, until now. I absolutely love my life these days and wouldn't trade any of it.

There will be people there I can't wait to see, people I won't even remember, people I won't even recognize, and people I really would rather slit my wrist than be in a room with. Wow, it's like high school all over again! But I guess that's the point right?

Do old feelings end? Does time really heal wounds? I guess tonight we'll see. There's this girl.....a girl who was one of my best friends all through high school. After high school, I found out she'd been sleeping with my boyfriend the whole time. Nice huh? I haven't seen her since that fateful night. Will I be nice? Mmmmmmmmmm........

I really wish that Sheryl over at PBJ Boats was going to be here tonight. I really, really miss her since she's been in Florida. I got used to her visiting Indiana monthly!

But, have no fear, cuz I will have my Donut over at Crooked Eyebrow there tonight. She can't find clothes. She stresses way too much over it! Hop over to her page and help her find an outfit to wear!

My 15 Minutes Of Fame

On Tuesday, I was in the paper. If you would've blinked, you would've missed me. Ivy Tech announced their dean's list...........and I am on it! So check it out! If you scroll down far enough you will see "Jennifer North, Merrillville."

So anyone that says they are too old, don't have the money, don't have the time, or use their kids as an excuse as to why they can't get a degree........is dead wrong! I managed a 3.5 GPA with working full time, being full time mom, part time taxi driver, part maid, and part time cheerleading mom. So there really are no excuses and I now know that.

Not bad for a runaway kid from the trailer park, huh? NOW if I can just get that acceptance letter from Nursing School, I will be ALL SET!

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Anniversary!

Today is a special day. 4 years ago today, I became a single mom. I left the abuse, the humility, the embarrassment of a broken relationship and found myself again. Today it's all about me and Missy. She's too young to realize everything I did 4 years ago was for her and her safety. It's been a long and hard road, but I do believe we've made it kiddo..............

BLOGGER NEGLECT!

Sorry ladies, things have been crazy busy in our house. Friday I went and saw Bad Company in Lowell at DC'S Country Junction. Talk about some interesting people! And I ran into so many people I knew! On Saturday, I had a birthday party for a dear friend of mine, and Sunday was all about homework in our little house. I will post pictures later in the week! Good good times..............

Are you all ready for the new challenge? Starting tomorrow, Tales from the Scales is going to help us shape our bodies and minds! If you haven't joined, you really should. There's nothing more I love than TEAMWORK! There is no fun in dieting when you are doing it alone. I don't need to lose a lot of weight. I've recently lost 11 pounds and on my 5'2" frame that's actually a lot. But there's still 10 more to go before I can be pre-baby. Hmmmmmm and my baby is 6 years old. I am a little behind in the dieting department. I hate diets. And if I eat one more lean cuisine I might throw it across the room. Seriously. I need better ideas and alternatives for dieting other than that cardboard box that tells me how many points I am eating. Any ideas???? I am getting desperate and find myself going back to my old ways rather quickly.

Wow, When Life Hands You Lemons.....

I was in the middle of posting a blog about my excited-ness over Tales from the Scales when a call interuppted it. So I'll post that blog tomorrow.

My Tiger is very worried today. Most of you know that he is an ex-Marine. Ok, I don't know the proper term for this because he always says, "Once a Marine, always a Marine."

He's a 3 time veteran for the Iraq War. Not bad for a 26 year old man huh? He was released in May of 2006. However, you are considered in-active duty for the next 4 years after that. So he can be called back up until 2010.

A buddy of his called him first thing this morning to tell him that 3 guys from his company, 3 guys that walked away from the Marines on the same day he did, were called back to duty for another year. All of these men have done 3 tours, were released, and have started their own families back home for over a year now. And now in two weeks, they will report back to Iraq.

I know I said I wouldn't posts much on my thoughts on the war.........but it BREAKS MY HEART.
Why can't these men just be left alone to be with their families?

The news said that by next summer, Bush would return 30,000 troops back to their bases/homes/ect. So, then WHY are we sending more over there? I don't get it. I really don't.

All Marines goes by job numbers. The guys called back yesterday were 0311's. My Tiger is an 0331. Not very far off huh?

God, please don't make my Tiger go back there. Ladies, just pray he gets to stay right where he's at. His life is together now. He's got a job, he's got us, he's going to school. Pray my family is not torn apart..........

Wordless Wednesday - A Forgotten Picture

This was taken last March. We were at the Colorado Springs Zoo when a deer walked up to us. 'Twas Amazing.

September 11th

It's a day of sadness. A day of painful memories. No matter how much you've tracked the Iraq War or how much you really know about September 11th.........it's still a big part of history and generations to come will know about it. September 11th will be in our children's history books (if it's not already).

Do you remember where you on that day in 2001? I do. I was a week away from returning from Maternity Leave. I was watching Oprah and giving Missy a bottle. The program was interupted and what sat in front of me was two planes crashing into the Twin Towers.

My Grandma died because of September 11th. No, she was not in New York. It didn't happen until October 20th of that year. But, she was in perfect health on the day the Twin Towers fell. She made herself sick with worrying. She had nightmares of World War 2 where she lost two brothers. She had nightmares of Vietnam where her son-in-law lost his leg. She was obsessed and left the TV on 24/7. It was so heartbreaking to watch her go crazy over it all. Within in a month, she became dillusional and had a stroke. The doctors have associated it with her obsession over 9/11 and her body couldn't take anymore. My Grandma raised me for a long time, so this was pretty hard to swallow.

I look back and reflect on the last 6 years. My daughter was born in July of 2001. Think about it like this........ this war has been going on virtually her whole life. Now she is in 1st grade, and the war is no closer to being won today than it was back then.

I've got my own views about it all, I won't share most of them because I do not want to upset anyone. But, the Tiger was a Marine and sent to Iraq 3 times. His brother is currently over there for his second tour. I will say it again. We are no closer to winning this war today than when we first stormed in there in 2002.

Today is a day for rememberance. Remember every office worker, every fireman, every policeman, every soldier, every civilian that has been lost since 9/11/01. Also, remember every one of these thousands of people were a big part of someone else's life and how sad they must be.

The 11" plate

I came across this article while I was surfing the Internet; this is my attempt on procrastinating that 500 word paper calling my name. Apparently, this woman that wrote the article hasn't been told of my ability to stack meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn, and biscuits like a pyramid.

Two Blogs in One Day - Not a good thing

I've worked in my company for 9 years (this month). I never thought I could feel the pain of a death of a co-worker. You don't realize how close you grow to someone until they are gone.

A co-worker (whose name I won't release.....I am HR after all) had kidney cancer several years ago. He never told anyone but HR (for paperwork reasons). He went through remission and things were going great. The cancer came back and he passed away a couple of hours ago.

I cry for the loss of him, as well as our company. He's been a statue in this company for over 20 years. How do people just pick up and do their job as if he was never there?

Then I began to reflect on his days alive. He never married. He never had any children. The only person by his side at the time of his death was another co-worker of ours.

He had so much, but he had so little too. Please just pray for this man up in heaven and for those he left behind.

A horrible, horrible day it has become. Times like this I want nothing more to just be at home and tucked away under the covers (like I used to as a child) where nothing can harm me.

Enquiring Minds Wanna Know

So Marissa spent the weekend with the "others" right? She went to Alabama (that's where her other family is from). She came back with a vicious "hey y'all". Every time I talk to her, I feel like I should be sitting on a rocking chair in front of my trailer waiting for someone named Paw to deliver today's mail.

But here's the interesting thing about the trip.............

I pick her up, we hug, we kiss, YES I cried. Whatever, I cry during Hallmark commercials so this was a moment for me.

We get in the car and the FIRST thing she says is, "Sorry I didn't call you that much Mommy but when I missed you, I looked at your picture on the wall and blew kisses."

Me - What do you mean a picture of me on the wall?

Missy - The one of you and my daddy on their wall. I wasn't born yet.

Me - There's a picture of me and your dad at your Great Grandparents house?

Missy - Yep. On the wall. In a frame. You look pretty, but you look young.

Me - So I look old now?

Missy - No, you just don't have the wrinkles by your eyes in that picture.


UM, OK.......first of all, I am not even 30. There are no wrinkles (none that I care to admit thank you very much).

Second of all, Billy and I haven't been together in 4 years (this month). Think Granny it's time to take the picture down? I AM SURE his girlfriend loves seeing a 10 year old picture of me on their wall. Ok, fine I'll admit it. It gave me a little smirk. And a giggle. Definitely a giggle.

Need More Shoes!

Well I DO love giveaways. I think there's a lot to be said for free contests over the internet! Here's another one I signed up for......and you can too.

Anyone out there want some new shoes? Check out Steph's contest for Vincent Shoes. And if you don't win, still go and check them out! They have summer shoes on sale right now for 75% off. Who can beat that?

Wordless Wednesday - Woah Caterpillar!

A caterpillar my brother and I found on a recent camping trip.................ever seen one this big?


For more Wordless Wednesdays, click here

Random Thoughts Day - My Head is Foggy

So, I can't focus on just one thing today. So I must focus on them all I guess, huh?

1. First, my baby girl is on her way home right now. I cannot wait to get off of work and hold her. I love her, I missed her, and damn......I don't want her ever going away again (ok I know this won't happen).
2. I learned this weekend you are never too old to meet new friends and re-connect with old ones. Went to the bloggy meet up on Saturday and it was a blast! For pics go to Crooked Eyebrow. For the details of how the night went, visit Steph.
3. I also learned this weekend that you do not even have to touch to catch a cold. Sitting next to Steph at dinner on Saturday has left me sniffly and coughing.......but honestly I wouldn't trade sitting by her for a minute. She has the cutest faces ever.
4. Another friend of mine is pregnant. That makes 4. And people want to know when I'll reproduce again. I don't have time or the funds, all my money is going to gifts on your kiddies! When you all stop reproducing, I'll start producing again! hahaha
5. I've got a wedding in October. I'm determined to fit in a smaller size dress. I've lost 9 SLOW pounds on Weight Watchers. Eventually my clothes will get big on me right?