Day 15 - My Dream Home

I've resigned myself to being behind in the 30 day blog journal.  My 30 days might last 45.  Oh well.  I'm on day 15 bloggy wise...not calendar wise.  So, here goes :)

Our Dream Home -

We've actually talked about this one a lot.  A LOT.  I don't have a picture, because I'm not sure this home exists.  A list of wants for the dream home:

• A farmhouse sink
• LAND - at least an acre
• A pool or pond...or on a lake
• I'd like to buy an old farmhouse and re-do it...that may or may not be possible.  If not, I'd at least like for it to LOOK like it was once a farmhouse...a big porch and lots of tall windows.  A tin room on the porch.  A long(ish) driveway.  Big trees.  Getting an idea?
• 2 closets for the master bedroom.  Preferably, with a deadbolt on mine with only one key for me :)
• A basement
• A guest bedroom on the main floor with a full bath.
• A big kitchen with a "bar" for stools and a big window or bay window near an eat in kitchen table.
• A big, fancy dining room
• A family room with lots of room.  (See yesterday's post - I like to be the hostess AND I don't ever want an empty house...)
• Lots of windows
• A screened in porch
• 3 or 4 bedrooms upstairs, with at least 2 bathrooms upstairs
• A big mud room
• A nice big laundry where I can also have a present wrapping/craft station
• A cute little room where I can sew
• A playroom/media room where I can decorate it straight up PB Kids style
• A workroom/separate garage where Rob can have his tools
• A garage big enough for both of our cars
• A place where we can plant a garden
• A fruit tree - don't care what kind...just want to grow some fruit :)

Lots of wishes there.  I want a place for Molly (and hopefully, her siblings) will always want to come home to, where they will think of when they think of "home" no matter how old they are, where they can come back to and know they were loved unconditionally and will always have a place.  Wait...I just want them to feel like that when they think of me :)

Day 13 & 14

A fictional book and a non fiction book, respectively.

A favorite fiction?  That is a tough one.  I enjoy reading.  Translate - When I pick up a book it's almost impossible for me to put it down.  I'll read until 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning, knowing full well that I have a job and a child to attend to the next day.  It's a blessing and a curse.

My all time favorite is Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya sisterhood.  I've already written about it here.  Afterall, we are all part of some sisterhood.

I read "Chasing Harry Winston" at the beach a few weeks ago.  It was a cute chic lit book.  I enjoyed it.  I wouldn't say it was a novel I could read over and over.  I was able to predict how it would end, but some days, that is just the right RX.  Living in an unpredictable world, sometimes it's nice to be able to forecast where *people* (yes, I know they aren't real) will end up.  If you want a quick read that is good for relaxation, I'd definitely reccomend it!

Day 14 - A Non-fiction

I must admit, I'm not a big non-fiction reader.  I try, I just prefer the stories.  I'm an ESFJ for any of you MBTI-ers aout there.  Over the past few years, I've read several non-fictions related to fertility.  Most were pretty dry and all "science-y" and I won't pretend that I read them cover to cover.  I did, however, read one book several times.  It's a memoir, I think that counts as non-fiction?  For all intents and purposes here, I'm going to count it as one.  I fell in love with Peggy Orenstein and her husband as they searched for a child of their own (be it biological or not).  Their story gave me hope and understanding during a time when I needed a ray of hope and some help in understanding our situation.  The book starts out with Peggy attending a Jewish ceremony of cleansing, forgive me, the actual name of the day escapes me.  I felt like reading their story was cleansing for my own soul.

Day 12

I can not seem to stay true to my declaration that I am going to blog daily.  Here's to one more try and to catching up.

Day 12 - Something I am OCD about

If the subject was "Something Rob is OCD about" this post would be PAGES.  HA!  My sweet love, he likes things done a certain way.  To the point that I'll clean and he will clean behind me.  Sounds like a good excuse for me not to clean, don't you think?  As for myself, these days, I'm just grateful things get done.  Mom helps with the laundry and cooking when she is at the house and Ann, my mother in law, God bless her.  She just about spit shines the house when she is in town.  MC, the Nanny, she helps with the dishes in the sink and folds laundry sometimes.  I used to like the towels folded just right.  Now?  Oh, they are clean?  SUPER!

Things I continue to be OCD about -

1. My laundry room - I like it to be decorated (hence, the purchase of a new light fixture last weekend).  The laundry was one of the first rooms we painted after moving in and it's seen a few makes overs in the past 5 years.  I'll have to dig up my pictures and post them.  I like the washer and dryer to be clean and I *prefer* there to not be anything stacked on the dryer.  I like my baskets just right on the shelves and the hangers is some semblance of order.  Once the hanging clothes are dry, I like them put away (unless they are Moo's, then, I just like to see her tiny little clothes hanging there).
2. The trash can - I like the lid to be clean of any debris.  I Lysol wipe it pretty regularly.  It's white and I like it to stay white.
3. Mom would say I'm OCD about changing Molly's diapers.  I just think if it's at all wet, it should be changed.  Would you want to sit in tee tee?
4. My diaper bag- it may look like it's a mess to you, but it's the way I like it.  Please do not try to organize it for me.  Also, please leave the sleeve of diapers in my car.  They are my back up. :)  (Can you tell these things have happened?)

That's about it.  I'd say I've simmered down in my old age...Rob would disagree and say I'm as controlling and anal as ever.  Must be the accounting degree....

A serious case of the slacker...

I love the idea of the 30 day blog journal, unfortunately, the idea has been lost on me.  I am so bad about actually blogging everyday.  I was hoping the journal would help me, but, life gets crazy and I get slack.  I am catching up today and committing to finish the journal with more posts - hopefully not in catch up mode!

Day 7 - A photo that makes me happy...

Day 8 - A photo that makes me sad...

Our kitty Garfield and her kittens...We miss them all.

Day 9 - A photo I took...

I love Robbie's smile

Day 10 - A photo of me from 10 years ago or more...

with my Uncle Marlin circa 1994

Day 11 - A recent photo of me...

On Emma's 5th birthday

30 day blog journal - Day 5

I screwed up and skipped Day 3's topic and used Day 4 and 5 as Day 3 and 4.  Are you still even reading this???

Day (3) 5 - Favorite TV show

I must admit, I don't watch a ton of TV.  Rob watches A LOT of TV.  We fall asleep with the TV on, but mostly just for the noise and the light (for me).  Most nights, I'm the last to bed and the last to sleep, so I'll put the TV on Lifetime - Will and Grace is on 10 - 11 and Frasier is on 11 - 12.  Yes, I know.  I have a new baby.  I should be going to bed before such hours.  I don't know what my problem is, but I just can't do it.  I should, especially considering my work day starts at 7 (4 days/week) and Molly is up at 7:30 every day.  I do enjoy me some Law and Order, mostly the SVU kind, and HGTV - especially, Sarah's House.  Love her style!

I'm cheesey, but my favorite show is probably Private Practice or Grey's Anatomy.  I guess I like keeping up with who is currently shagging who - ha!  I'm upset that "Izzie" isn't on Grey's anymore...and I LOVE "Addison" - are real people really that pretty?!

In other news....

Molly sat up for several minutes today!  She is so sweet.  I was so proud of her sitting ability!  She is also pushing up on all 4's and I'm sure she will be on the move sooner rather than later.  It's crazy.  Just 6 months ago she was brand new to this world!!!  Crazy. 

I've been serving Jury Duty this week.  It is less than thrilling.  It has really screwed up my schedule...work and life.  I have to report again tomorrow morning.  However much I'm complaining about this, though, I am so grateful to live in this country and thankful for this great nation - civil service and all :)

Day 3 & 4

We went to a friend's birthday party Saturday afternoon and had a great time!  Well, probably a little too much fun, hence the reason I'm behind a day on my blog journal. 

Day 3 - Favorite Book

If you know me, then you don't even have to think twice on this one.  Our first dog is named Sidda.  Still need help?  OK.  It's Rebecca Wells' - Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.  LOVE IT.  Could read it over and over. 

Other favorites include To Kill a Mockingbird and Good in Bed by Jennifer Wiener.  I'm a sucker for Chic-Lit and good beach reads.  I read Tori Spelling's "Stori Telling" at the beach in August and loved it.  I liked her before, but even more after I read her book.

Day 4 - Favorite Quote

Whoa...I don't really know where to start with this one.  I have lots of quotes and bible verses that seem to get me through tough times and some quotes from movies that make me laugh every.single.time.  Some of those include:

If God brought you to it, He'll get you through it.

It's always darkest before the dawn.

I'm just not sure if you would hire someone who may or may not be married to someone who may or may not be a dangerous criminal.

Yes, Annelle, I pray.

Here, hit Weesa.  (Yes, these are all Steel Magnolias...)

You get what you get and you don't pitch a fit.

Suck it, Trebeck.

Kung pao Chicken

(Rob says anything he says instantly becomes my new favorite quote...)

My current absolute favorite...compliments of my friend Amy...well, actually compliments of the Bible, but Amy made it my favorite...

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord.  "Plans to prosper you and not harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future."

It's been a long Monday.  I had Jury Duty, which means I sat in a room with strangers all day and didn't get asked one question by an attorney.  Luckily, I get to go back tomorrow, too!  Yay...I'll make an extra $50 this week for only, oh, 12 hours of my time.  WELL.PAID.  Off to bed...all that sitting around is so tiresome!

Day 2

My Favorite Movie....

This is a hard one.  I have several movies I could watch time, after time, after time.  Those would include (and the quotes that come to mind when I think of them):

• Top Gun (Talk to me, Goose...)
• Steel Magnolias (Yes, Annelle, I pray...)
• The Sound of Music (So long, farewell...)
• The Devil Wears Prada (oh my word at the FASHION!!!  That isn't a quote from the movie, but that is the first thing I think of)
• Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (Siddalee!! (my first dog's namesake))
• The Shawshank Redemption (I don't think of a quote, I think of Morgan Freeman's character reading the postcards)
• March of the Penguins (weird, I know.  I watched this movie like 1,000 times during the last month of my pregnancy.  NOTHING is on TV in the middle of the night and I couldn't sleep.  Morgan Freeman reminds me of my Pawpaw...and his voice is soooo calming.  I bet Molly would fall asleep to that movie...)

But, my all time favorite....

FIELD OF DREAMS!!!! 

If you build it...he will come.

Now that I think of it, it's kind of metaphorical about our journey to pregnancy and ultimately, Molly.  We had to have faith and believe.  Wow - just made that connection!

We are off to a birthday party!  I am so excited!  This is Molly's first "friend" birthday party!  Happy Saturday!

30 day blog journal

I am soooo late to the game on this one, but I loved the idea, so I am starting it today, August 20th for the next 30 days!  I saw it first on my friend Amy's blog, but it started here.

Here is the list of topics for the next 30 days. (copied from Ecstaticaly Pregnant)


Day 1 (Aug. 20) - your favorite song
Day 2 - your favorite movie
Day 3 - your favorite television program
Day 4 - your favorite book
Day 5 - your favorite quote
Day 6 - 20 of my favorite things
Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11 - a photo of you recently
Day 12 - something you are OCD about
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - your dream house
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a youtube video
Day 24 - where I live
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - my worst habit
Day 28 - whats in my handbag/purse
Day 29 - hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - a dream for the future  

So, feel free to go ahead and join me (late) to this 30 blogging!  Let the fun begin!

Day 1 -
My favorite song.  Do I have to pick just one?!  I love all kinds of music.  All time favorite....the song that keeps coming to mind is Bright Side of the Road by Van Morrison.  My friend, who is also named Tara, introduced me to this song the day of a college friend's funeral.  He has lost his battle with cancer.  I heard this song and knew that Brad was on the bright side of the road.  It's a very happy song.  It's in our wedding "montage" that was played at our rehearsal dinner.