Major TO DO list!

* connect Direct TV, water, electric, gas
* clean, clean, clean to make my house a home
* painting estimate (he comes on Friday)  get those boys to paint the entire interior on Monday and Tuesday
 * landscaping company is pulling all my big bushes (hahaha)
* cut grass
* spray pellets for mosquitoes, grubs, ticks, fleas, icky creatures
* pressure wash front porch
* paint front porch white  (got paint)
*paint shutters black (got paint)
*change front entrance outside lighting
* sell all appliances currently in the home, Craigslist baby!
* rip up carpet
*put down wood floors on main level
* 6 stainless steel appliances being delivered next Wednesday
* pay movers to deliver all my storage unit stuff and load it in the house on Tuesday
* put the last bit of fencing up for Zanie Wanie
* decorate
* measure and purchase the rest of the 2 inch wood blinds for the upstairs bedroom and kitchen
* fill my pantry with food.  Isn't it sick that I'm excited to spend hours at Kroger stocking up on food and organizing my walk-in pantry?!  Yep, I am so excited to get new everything.  People, I don't even have salt.  Zero, zilch, nada. 
* get my butt to my financial planner and change up my plan and make my finances bring in the $$$$
* Ootie comes to visit for the weekend and Zeta day  (guess the princess will need an organized guest room hehe)
* Rescue Zane a seeester or a brudder  ASAP. He's been with dogs for the past 4 months, he's going to be lonely with me.
* Smile....life is good.  Oh, and it's finally Spring!

Quick baby trip

On Saturday I headed west to see my girlfriends Sarah & Beth and their little ones Sally and Brody.  We spent some time playing with the babies, grabbed lunch in town, did a little shopping and lots of snuggling!

Sally- 1 month,  Brody- 7 months

Me and baby Sally

Feeding babies in a parking lot- Teen Mom style!!

Loved the quick day trip, girls!  So thankful to have you in my life.  

** Apparently, it was "wear stripes day" and I didn't get the memo!

Patio Thoughts

I sat on the patio today watching the dogs play after a really long walk.  Of course I'm alone, except for my thoughts, and these are the random things that went through my head during this time. This may be too much TMI but oh well.
* I'm so thankful that my life is drama free.
* I'll never choose money over people. The people I'm around are top-notch.
* I'm thinking about being a foster mom.  To school-age kids. I have a big heart, but I'm afraid not having a "guy" figure as a foster parent may be an issue.  I also wonder if my parents would get too attached since they've never had a grandchild.
* Driving on I-40 makes me cry. every.single.time. Happy tears, happy memories, old CD's, time alone, all things that make me think!
* My dog is so wonderful. I just love every ounce of him.
* I've only had kisses from my dog in the last year plus some months.  crazy to calculate.
* I do want to get married again....someday....
* I'm way more content with myself and my life.  It feels good.
* I think God has a plan. I just wish I knew where it was going.
* I don't believe in fairy tales but I do believe in happy endings.
* I'm excited for bills in my own name that I pay with no boss! 
* I'm ready for Esther and the girls to be home.

---and these were just during my walk and patio time.  I think way too much!

Day Trip

This weekend I'm off to see these girls for a super quick Saturday.  The reason for the visit? Besides fun, babies and girl talk?  Sarah was pregnant in this picture!  Now, we have little miss Sally who turns 1 month this weekend.  Precious, right? 

Can't wait to see my sister as a momma! 

Flash Back Friday!

I don't remember looking like this!Wow, I was skinny then.We borrowed these dresses from a boutique in Nashville for Miriam's Promise-an adoption fundraiser.  We all look so young!

Changes

I love these two blondies!! Sometimes, when I get really overwhelmed or go into my "reflection" phases I think about the things I missed out on the last 2 years.  I know it's just as much my fault.  But, at the time, I had my reasons.  Their momma is truly one of my best, closest, kindest friends and I didn't want her to have a window into my world--at the time.  Half of it was embarrassment, fear, whatever it was, at the time, it was easier to keep her at bay.   I'm not saying it was right, I'm just saying that's what happened.   Luckily, once everything was out of the bag, she came to my rescue in ways I couldn't have imagined.  I also couldn't say thank you enough!  The friendship that was there before is still there, just different. It's stronger.  I know I can't reclaim all the minutes and time lost and that's okay.  Tomorrow is a new day and I'm living in the moment.  I'm really loving bonding with Rice and Beans (momma too) and know for certain I don't want to lose that again.  I love these girls!