Rogue?

Did I need something new to get the creative juices flowing? Yes, I think so. Haha!

I've stumbled upon another interesting writing prompt blog. This one is called Three Word Wednesday, or 3WW for short. You can find this week's post here. Basically, every week there are three new words to use in any way you see fit. This week the words are as follows:

Accelerate; verb: [no object] (of a vehicle or other physical object) begin to move more quickly; increase in amount or extent; adjective (accelerating): go faster.

Passive; adjective: accepting or allowing what happens or what others do, without active response or resistance; chemistry (of a metal) made unreactive by a thin inert surface layer of oxide; (of a circuit or device) containing no source of electromotive force;  (of radar or a satellite) receiving or reflecting radiation from a transmitter or target rather than generating its own signal; relating to or denoting heating systems that make use of incident sunlight as an energy source.

Rogue; noun: a dishonest or unprincipled man; a person whose behavior one disapproves of but who is nonetheless likable or attractive (often used as a playful term of reproof; [usually as modifier] an elephant or other large wild animal driven away or living apart from the herd and having savage or destructive tendencies; a person or thing that behaves in an aberrant, faulty, or unpredictable way; an inferior or defective specimen among many satisfactory ones, especially a seedling or plant deviating from the standard variety.

I thought maybe a poem was in order for this post. Here goes nothing.

----------

I am usually quite passive.
You, my friend, are massive.

A rogue and deceitful man.
With a daunting master plan.

You have sealed your fate.
For I must now accelerate.

No others will be duped.
My car is being looped.

Now you may rest in peace.
Your actions, they will cease.

I hope she's worth it.

I'm back with another Trifecta post and this one has been a struggle for me. When I was done writing I had 525 words and didn't have anything I wanted to take out. Since I didn't have a choice, that's part of the challenge, I've spent the last hour removing things, and plugging it into Word Count Tool, to make it meet the 333 word limit!

Anywho, you can find this week's post here.

This week's one-word prompt was MANIPULATE. The third definition says "to change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one's purpose : to doctor." With 333 words, I give you "I hope she's worth it."

----------

She watched him manipulate himself for the skinny thing that approached the table. Smiling, he stands and pulls the chair out so she can join him. I'm disgusted. She melts. They appear to be very familiar. Is she the reason he is "too busy" for lunch dates with me? I want to move closer, but first I need to snap some pictures.

I enter the diner, and try not to be seen. I'm seated at a booth a few tables away. I can see them, but they haven't noticed me. He's looking at her as if he's in love. He used to look at me that way. Where did the love go?

They finish lunch and he pays the bill, like he's a gentleman. He stands from his chair and moves to help her. Reaching for her hand, he places his other on the small of her back.  She stands and he escorts her out. I feel physically ill watching this unravel before me. Where do I go from here?

I sit in my car, numb, pondering my next move and decide the pictures need to be handled before I go home. Starting the car, I pull into traffic and make my way to get prints. With pictures in hand, I sit in the lot deciding what to do. My cell rings. It's him. Hesitantly, I answer. He tells me he's going to be stuck at work until midnight. Rage floods my body. He's lying again. I'm no longer sick to my stomach. Now I just want to punch something, or someone.

I make it home in record time and start a fire in the pit. Room by room, I empty his items into bags and drag them out back. Two hours later I'm done, and it's time for me to put pictures where his belongings were. With a margarita in hand I sit in the backyard, waiting, watching his chapter of my life go up in flames.

I hope she's worth it.

Fresh for Friday?

Apparently a good night's sleep and some snuggle time with my hunny has me feeling fresh! I don't feel like crying. I've been nothing but smiles thus far today! Yay!

Here's to hoping it stays that way! It should be a pretty good weekend. We have Gavin and we are going to a cookout for Mike's dad's birthday tomorrow. Hopefully the rain will be gone by then. It's supposed to be gone, since it's been raining for days, I sure hope it is. Maybe we will hang out in that area with our friends for the night. We shall see. There are miles of possibilities!

I'm feeling very optimistic about this weekend! :)

Why...?

The title says it all.

Why am I such a jumbled mess? I feel like my emotions are exploding in so many different ways right now. Or maybe I should say, I feel like I'm imploding....

I've started the last two days with tears. Why, you ask? I have no effing clue. I'm on edge. My body is apparently trying to tell me something. Maybe I've not had a good cry in a while and it feels like it needs to release. Does this make me crazy? I'm talking like me and my body are two separate things. I mean, really?!

What is wrong with me? I asked one of my closest friends this question and she said, "because you are a girl." Is that really an answer though? I am female, yes, but is that a reason for being emotional over nothing?

I have a pretty normal life. I use the term normal loosely, because not a lot in my life is really the everyday "normal." I have a man that I love (and that loves me), gorgeous children (yes I say children because I love Gavin as if he were my own, too) and a career that is perfect for me; so why do I feel so emotionally messy?

Speaking of children, my mini me - but in boy form (aka Keegan) got straight A's on his report card again. I'm so proud of him. He is so incredibly intelligent, even if I'm a little bias his grades - or his teacher - don't lie!

Besides the stress from money (which really will probably never go completely away), my job (and his) sometimes, and the drama that is associated with my Gabba's mother, my life is normal. Mike and I's relationship is wonderful. We both have dependable full time jobs that I am very grateful for. My family is doing fine and so is his. Yet, here I find myself an emotionally jumbled mess. Why?

Trifextra

YAY! I'm back to make another post in a timely manner.

This week's challenge is slightly different from last week's. It looks like it will alternate weeks between Trifecta and Trifextra! I'm excited for the challenge.

Anywho, you can find this week's post here.

The directions say:

This week we're asking for 33 of your own words inspired by the following picture.  If you use the picture on your blog, you MUST give proper attribution to the photographer by providing a link to the photo, not just to Trifecta.  Failure to comply will eliminate you from the challenge. 

Good luck and have fun with it!

Here's the picture -

Thomas Leuthard / Foter / CC BY

- and my 33 words - She was sitting at the table, completely engrossed in her studies. She appears to care less what is going on around her. I wonder if that could be me; oblivious or seemingly carefree.

I'll be back soon with a new post, I hope!

Oooooh...

I've been on the hunt for a new weekly blog addition and I think I have found it. First let me explain why I've chosen this one.

When I was younger, writing was always a therapy for me. Poems, journaling, short stories and eventually blogging for most of my teen years. It became sort of a way for me to get it all out without needing anyone's approval. It was a great help for me in more ways than I ever knew it would be. Anyway, enough about that.

I've chosen to add Trifecta to my blog. Here is the directions from this week's post:

Now onto this week’s Trifecta prompt. 

We’re back to one word and its third definition. And, of course, as many syllables as you please in your 333-word limit!

Happy writing!

QUAINT (adjective)
1:  obsolete:  EXPERT, SKILLED
2a:  marked by skillful design <quaint with many a device in India ink — Herman Melville>
  b:  marked by beauty or elegance
3a : unusual or different in character or appearance :  ODD  b : pleasingly or strikingly old-fashioned or unfamiliar <a quaint phrase>

Remember:
• Your response must be between 33 and 333 words.
• You must use the 3rd definition of the given word in your post.
• The word itself needs to be included in your response.
• You may not use a variation of the word; it needs to be exactly as stated above.
• Only one entry per writer.
• If your post doesn't meet our requirements, please leave your link in the comments section, not in the linkz.
• Trifecta is open to everyone. Please join us!

For my entry, I give you the beginning of Peter and Elizabeth.

-----------

There she was standing in front of the quaint little cottage that they chose for their honeymoon. Her hair was flowing in the breeze as she sipped from her glass of sweet tea.

"Good morning beautiful," Peter said as he approached her from behind wrapping his arms around her and taking in the luxurious scent of her shampoo.

"Good morning my love," said Elizabeth. She was smiling from ear to ear. This was their first morning together as husband and wife. "I can't believe we got married yesterday. How did I get so lucky to call you my husband?"

"I'm the lucky one baby. I'm the lucky one."

Peter and Elizabeth had known each other for three years now, but had only been together for one. Timing was always the issue. Well timing and other relationships. She had always had a thing for him, as he did her. Little did they know they were beginning a friendship that would develop into a lifetime of love.

One night while he was walking at the beach, he called her. She was pleasantly surprised, and a little nervous. They talked all night long about any and every single thing that came to mind. They laughed and laughed, and for Elizabeth that was so important. Laughter truly is the best medicine. It was then that she knew this was their time, and she wasn't about to let that pass.

.............to be continued.

Just another manic Monday....

....not really, but ya know!

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and I had the day off. Mike is at work and I've been cleaning since he left basically. You really don't realize how much you've neglected things until you have time to get to them. Keep in mind my house is never really as much of a disaster as I usually claim it is, but still. LOL.

I really should be doing dishes right now but, as I have said in previous posts, I hate doing the dishes. They are in the sink soaking in hot water right now and I will do them when I am done, as long as I don't find something more important to do first. *just kidding*

I've been searching for a weekly meme to do. I used to do Friday Fill-Ins but they are no longer being posted. *hmph* Any suggestions?! Let me know!

Love Languages

So I was reading my best friend Jessica's blog the other day and she was talking about a book called “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. I decided after reading her post that I needed to look into it. I'm a very curious person by nature, and I thought it would be interesting to find out both of our "love languages." With that being said I did just that.

In the book there is a questionnaire for both the wife and the husband, or the girlfriend and the boyfriend. It consists of 30 pairs of statements. You have to pick one of them in each pair. There was one or two that were difficult choices for me, but I did it and I got my results.

*drumroll please*

My love language is Physical Touch. This was no surprise to me as I am always reaching for his hand, waiting for him to hug me from behind, playing with his hair, snuggling into him or really doing anything to be close. In fact, I am always saying "love me honey," when I'm feeling like I need him close; and he does just that. He wraps his arms around me, or something of that nature.

Quality Time was next, followed by Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation and then Receiving Gifts. Nothing about this order really surprised me. Quality Time is very important to me and I try to make sure that we have some sort of alone, quality time everyday. Sometimes this is difficult with our crazy kiddos (he has an almost two year old that we have half of the time named Gavin <3 ) running around but it's important to us, so we make time. Acts of Service is third, and well I hate doing the dishes so I am always grateful when he does them for me after a long day of work. Words of Affirmation are lovely to hear as I'm sure anyone would say, but they aren't the highest on my list. Important yes, just not the most important. Lastly there is Receiving Gifts. I truly do not care what you can get for me, money can't buy happiness. That is that.

After I was finished doing it, I showed the husband one to Mike without telling him what it was (or telling him my scores), so I could get his love languages order. They were so eerily similar and that made me immensely happy. One more thing that were are in sync on. <3 His were as follows: Physical Touch, Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service and then Receiving Gifts. We actually got the same number for Physical Touch! Basically he needs to hear how much I love him a little more than he wants me to do things for him. LOL! Everything else is the same! YAY!

Anywho, you should definitely check it out. If you are struggling in your relationship it could help you, and if you are happy in your relationship it could make it that much better ;)

WOW. Can you say slacker?!

Has it seriously been 18 months since my last blog? That is insane! Where did the time even go?

Where do I even begin? Keegan has been in and graduated from VPK already. He's now in Kindergarten and made straight A's the first nine weeks. The second nine weeks, just ended and I'm expecting the same this time too! I'm one proud mama over here! He is doing great! He is beginning to swim like a fish! He did swimming lessons for the rest of the summer of 2012 and from April to September in 2013. He's already lost three teeth and one tooth is very loose now! Let's just say he's getting way too big, way too fast....

A bunch has happened where my job is concerned. The school that I was working at closed in June, and we merged with a sister school, since we are corporately owned there are many schools owned by the same family. I took on the same position at this school - Assistant Director, VPK Teacher and Curriculum Specialist. It has been a very difficult half of a year, trying to get settled in. I even considered leaving. I interviewed for a Director position, that I turned down because I just didn't get a good vibe. (I forgot to add that I got my Director's Credential in May of last year, YAY!) Anywho, in addition to merging I've also started doing assessments as a consultant with our Early Learning Coalition. It's been a great experience. It has definitely broadened my knowledge, and my horizons.

I lost a little bit more weight, and then gained a few pounds back by being lazy. I'm working on taking them back off! All in all, I would say that I'm definitely maintaining my weight loss! I have a very exciting event to attend in May, and I DEFINITELY have to have the pounds off by then! I will come back to this at a later date.

After dabbling with one guy and then having a little fling, again, with Justin - I'm not even sure what I was thinking then, maybe I was just lonely, I dunno - I have finally found the one for me. He is amazing in all aspects of the word. Mike calms me in a way that no one else has ever. We compliment each other well and are in sync with everything. I'm not saying we like all the same stuff, but we both have a love that is accepting and that is what is important. I'm so glad that our lives have happened in the ways that they have, so that we were lead to each other. I'm truly happy with all aspects of our relationship, and I think this is a first for me.

I suppose that's all for now. Expect me to be back soon with another post! I have more to talk, or should I say type, about but I don't want this post to be like a book! LOL

Well hmph....

I came to blog this morning, yesterday's Friday Fill-Ins, but I can't seem to locate it.... The only one I can find on the blog is last weeks (that I missed) *sighs* oh well, I was a day late anywho ;)

With that being said, I've had quite an eventful two weeks.... With summer being in full force, and me training to be Summer Camp Director, it's been crazy (and fun!).... Last week we went to Gatorland! It was my first time there and it is totally a place that Keegan would enjoy. We will definitely be going there in the near future! We also went to this AMAZING Aquatic Center! Awesome area for the kids! We will be going there soon too ;) This past week, we went to Monkey Joes, among other places.... It was my first time going to this one and it was SOOOOO much bigger than the one I have been to.... This is definitely one of the children's favorite field trips! I am thoroughly enjoying this summer! I'm completely exhausted by the end of the day, but I'm enjoying it! :)

This week also marked the end of my first Body by Vi - 90 Day Challenge! I'm proud to say that I have lost 25.8 pounds and 16.5 inches in 90 days! It's been an amazing journey! I didn't realize how big I had gotten until I was putting our before and after pictures together.... I have had an amazing partner in all of this. *Jami* She lost 23 pounds and 11 inches! We are not finished yet.... With the end of the first challenge, we begin another! Hopefully by the end of this next 90 days we will both be at our goal weight! Here's two pictures of my success - One from the front, and one from the side :)

Click my pictures for a closer look ;) If you want to learn more about the challenge just click the "Body by Vi - 90 Day Challenge" link above.... I would post Jami's pictures but I'm not sure how she would feel about that! ;)

Besides that, everything is going good! I'm hopefully signing Keegan up for swimming lessons on Friday! Lord knows living in Florida, with water everywhere, he definitely needs to know how to swim! :) I guess that's all for now!

Friday Fill-Ins :)

My First Friday Fill-Ins since I've decided to start bloggin' again! YAY!

....here we go!

1. I knew it was love when... I saw my gorgeous son's face for the first time!
2. My heart can be broken but you always make me smile.
3. A dog is a loyal companion and friend.
4. My how you have a sexy smile.
5. Can you see the sunshine through all the rain?
6. And the week has been long, I'm glad it's almost through.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to Kobe's with my Florida family and celebrating my 3 year anniversary from work & my birthday (that's really next week), tomorrow my plans include going to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's at 2pm and Sunday, I want to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! ;)

I found this a while ago....

....and I have yet to try it out.... (although since it combines my two favorite pies I'm sure I'm gonna love it!) I figured someone else might have the same loves as me and want to try it to, so I give you:

Pumpkin Apple Pie

1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
3 cups thinly sliced, peeled, cored apples
3/4 cup canned or fresh pumpkin puree
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

Combine brown sugar, cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan. Stir in water and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Add apples and cook for 4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar, egg, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, ginger and cloves. Beat until well blended using a rotary or electric mixer on low speed.

Pour apple mixture into unbaked pie crust. Spoon an even layer of pumpkin mixture over apple mixture. Bake 10 minutes then reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake another 40 minutes or until filling is set around edge. Cool on a wire rack before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

--If anyone tries it out, PUH-LEASE let me know how it turns out! :)

How does the time pass so fast?!

I'm not sure how I let so much time pass without blogging at all! Seriously, maybe that's why I've been crazy! Where do I even begin?!

I have recently graduated with my Child Development Associates degree and am now teaching Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten! I'm the last teacher they have before they are off to "big school" and it has been quite a learning experience for me, just as much as the kids I teach!

Speaking of my class we just had graduation on Friday! It was quite an emotional week for me! I'm glad that it's done with and my life can resume regularly now. Next for me, is summertime with school-age kids... Field trips and crafts all summer long!

Keegan is big as can be, four and a half already and I'm not sure how that happened?! Where does the time go? In the fall he will begin his final year of preschool. I'm gonna be a crybaby I'm sure! I just can't believe 5 years ago I was pregnant with him, it really doesn't seem like it has been that long. He's so smart (but of course I'm bias)! He can spell his full name, knows our address, numbers to 20, the alphabet, etc. I am so proud of the little boy he has become.

We moved into a duplex with a big back yard last month and it has been great for us! I couldn't be happier with my decision to move here! As for my love life... I'm currently single... and I'm content... It's time to focus on me... and of course Keegan :)

and for old time's sake here's my current desktop for June :)



I downloaded it from the Shabby Shoppe Blog....

Wow, it's been almost a year!

I just made some yummy peanut butter fudge, and thought I'd share the recipe!

1/2 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream (or milk, I just like to use cream)
1 cup peanut butter (I prefer Reese's!)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups confectioners' sugar

1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
4. Pour over confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth.
5. Pour into an 8x8 inch dish. Chill until firm and cut into squares.

It's yumm-oh! And a helpful hint, if you have some wax paper, line your pan with it first and then it comes out super easy and just peels off the wax paper!

A Grand New Year

This year has been nothing but great so far.. Justin is completely out of the picture I think.. He hasn't been here, or tried to contact me since he came with the cops to get the last of his stuff.. It's a great relief.. I've found someone new to keep my attention. I love it. He's great! Keegan likes him, and he is good with him.... His boys love me and I love them.... Alls good :] I'll keep ya posted on that ;)

Keegan is growing like a weed! We are potty training and it's an up and down process! He's doing great at day care.... Hasn't really been having any accidents there, it's just tackling the at home accidents.... We will get there :) He also just had his first haircut about three weeks ago.... He doesn't even look like the same kid! It's crazy! I miss his hair, but well that's part of letting go of him being a baby! He's my big boy now.... I can't believe I have a running, crazy, rotten two year old!

I love my job! I love the kids! I can't imagine doing anything else! All in all.... Things are good :)

Something has to give!

My emotions are yet again at a breaking point. From all of the mess that is my break-up with Justin to trying to figure out how to get out of the hole he has point me in financially. I feel like I get one step forward just to be knocked back four steps. I'm not sure how much more I can take. I'm trying my damnedest to be strong and believe that God doesn't give you more than you can handle, but I mean really can't he test someone else. I just need a break. Something has to give. Being the holiday season I think everyone is struggling. But I just feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water. All because he's a lying bastard that didn't feel he needed to pay the bills that HE was supposed to pay. Seriously you are 26 and you don't feel the need to be responsible. I guess that's why you were single when I got with you. Had I had known that I would go from having ONE son to TWO I would have never came here with him. I guess you live and learn. I now have a job that I absolutely LOVE, and a place to call my own. Granted I am struggling, really struggling, right now trying to play catch up (and pay everything needed in the current time) because of him, but I believe I will come out of this on top. It's just going to be rough and right now I'm not sure how it's going to happen but it will. Maybe I should play the lottery. Gosh, it will help if I could hit it, but really that's not practical. How I wish it was though. Having all of this idle time is doing nothing but giving me more time to think about everything. They say idle hands are the devil's playground and really I believe that idle time is the devil's time, as well. The more time I sit here alone the more I think and the sadder I get about it all. I'm thankful to have a healthy, gorgeous son and a job, but really I need something else to give. I'm doing my best to provide the best life possible for my son and I feel like I'm just being spit in the face for trying to do it on my own. I really need a break.

I'm beyond excited to go home to see my family and friends in a little less than two weeks, but I know that when I come back I'm going to struggle more than I am now. Taking two days off work is going to put me back 18 hours of pay. That's devastating that it comes to me seeing my family and friends for Christmas or being able to make all my bills. It shouldn't be this way. I wish that he wouldn't have put me in this position. Really. I don't know what to do.

Something really has to give.

So maybe..

..it's not a update post but I'd like to get back into a routine again, soooo.. here are my desktops from August & September. [ i was too busy in June and July ]


August is from GG Digital Designs & you can find it {HERE}.


September is from The Bloc Creative & you can find it {HERE}.


Annnnddd of course my October desktop, made by none other than the FABULOUS Megan Turnidge! You can download this desktop {HERE}.

I'm so out of whack!

First of all do you like my new look?! Let me know ;)

I'm going to attempt to be back in a little while with an update, but we will see how that goes! Heck maybe I'll even have my desktops for you to see :)

TYLENOL RECALL

From a mama who is a bit bothered by this, I thought it was important that I pass it on!! Read more about it here: http://www.tylenol.com/generic.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subpchildinfantnews.inc

Friday Fill-Ins #140

I know I know it's been a WHILE! a loooong while..

1. I feel tired.

2. Photoshop is always fun. (well almost always)

3. Right now, I can hear these things: Everybody Loves Raymond, the a/c and my laptop keys.

4. I can smile and I'm glad that is possible.

5. The last time I saw my mommy was the weekend after my birthday & I miss her sooo much.

6. Relaxation is in order for this Labor day weekend.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to computer time, tomorrow my plans include nothing really, sitting on the couch & watching college football with Justin and Sunday, I want to do the laundry!