Dominican Republic, Boys will be Boys, Girl Time

A couple of weeks ago Garrett randomly said we should go on a cruise. I thought about not wanting to be tight on money... for about 2 seconds. He loves vacation once we go but hates and I mean HATES planning. This includes anything from a date night to a big vacation. So I was stoked when he suggested it. We looked into cruises and realized that the "all inclusive" price does not include alcohol. Not that we are a couple of alchies but when you go on vaca without the kiddo drinking is definitely a fun part. So... we started looking into All Inclusive vacation packages. Someone he works with suggested the Excellence Resort in Punta Cana. By the way did you know Punta Cana literally translates to mean Bitch Let Your Hair Down? Wow! So we looked into it and found a great deal on Expedia and booked it! So excited! So off we go May 2nd to a 6 day vacation on the beach.

Speaking of vacation...and beach... HELLO MOTIVATION!!! I will need to start busting some serious ass like today. I was going to wait until next week but we all know how that goes. I think I'll do my dvd at home today which I have dubbed "I hate you Jillian Michaels" and then head to the gym for a second workout.

So my boys are gone this weekend. Off on a camping/jeeping trip. I am so excited for them to have some boy bonding time but Garrison's first jeeping trip really freaks me out. So I decided not to be there. I was excited to have some girl time this weekend and be able to sleep in. My phone rings at 7:45 this morning though. It was Garrett telling me I forgot to pack Garrison's underwear. Really?!?! I don't think he quite understands that I never get to sleep in and this is bliss to me. So then he says, "Yeah, I guess I'll drive into town and get him some today." Good idea there Garrett... let's please not make our son wear dirty underwear for three days, thanks!

Speaking of Garrison he got in trouble the other day for farting on a girl at school. Oy vey... I grew up in a family 7 uncles and there is no way to avoid adopting male humor when you're in that environment all the time. So I will admit it - farts are funny! But I promise I did not teach him to do it on people. I can only assume he learned this from his father. Geez... and of course I had to be the one that his teacher told that to. What am I going to do with him?

So I was able to get dinner/drinks with one of my best friends last night. Forgot my camera though. I swear we have been great friends for over 4 years now and I don't think we have one picture together. Oh well - just another excuse to get together again soon. I am so glad to have friends who understand what it's like to have to wake up at 5 AM for work and therefore be tired by 9 PM. We had a 3 hour dinner and left 20 minutes before the live music started. Haha... what can I say? I'm an old lady and was so excited to just get home and go to bed.

Tonight another one of my best girl friends is coming over and we're just gonna' order pizza and chill at the house with some wine. Love my girl time!

Hope y'all have a great weekend! I'm off to face the wrath of Jillian Michaels...

Jewels*

Rejuvination and Bliss

Monday I woke up and did not want to get out of bed. I was dragging all day at work and definitely wasn't in a good mood. I kept asking myself why. There really was no reason. Being tired and having no energy just put me in a bad mood and made me want to stay that way. So, I decided to start working out again... what a concept! Oh and it doesn't hurt that I will be in my cousin's wedding as a bridesmaid at the end of March... in a bridesmaid dress... strapless... Hello! Where has my motivation been for the last month? Probably in the trash along with my fast food bags and candy wrappers. Ugh... anyhoo, I've only been at my 4:30 am workout for two days now but I can already tell a huge increase in energy. I've said it a million times - why is it that I know how good working out makes me feel yet I never stay consistent? Not this time... at least not for the next 12 weeks. My hope is to continue popping right out of bed at the ass crack of dawn eager to see Jillian Michaels' face on my tv screen! BRING IT!!!

Do you ever have those ordinary moments where you realize how blessed you are? Last night Garrett said he was going to grill (for the second night in a row I might add... can you say miracle?!). We marinated some Ribeyes in red wine and garlic (try it... trust me!) and he cranked up Hank Williams Jr. while I read to Garrison in the bathtub. As I sat back on the - important to mention closed - toilet (which by the way when you become a mom is like a recliner for 10 minutes while your kiddo takes a bath) drinking my glass of wine it hit me... my life is awesome! Pure bliss! I know that might sound silly to those who think a perfect night is hitting the bars or going to a fancy restaurant. Don't get me wrong - I love going out with my friends on occasion and I love it when Garrett and I get a chance to go out... but it's nights like last night that make me realize that my sometimes chaotic, imperfect, crazy life is truly incredible!


Well I'm off to watch Molly and Jason's wedding (Bachelor) - I know, I know... but I need something mindless every once in a while. It keeps me sane! Because I know that is a word all of my friends would use to describe me - sane!

Jewels*

I'm still here...

Hello! I'm still here... wow it has been forever since I posted.

So, here are the updates in short:

• I started a new job in December
• Garrett and I just celebrated 7 years together. Had a great weekend in Grapevine to celebrate!
• I signed my not so baby anymore boy up for T-ball a couple of weeks ago - starts in March

Now to expand just a bit...

My new job is... let's just say... interesting. I am grateful that I'm making more money now which this sugar mama needs to get my hubby through school. BUT putting it nicely this company makes me appreciate the last company I worked for SO much! This is the most unorganized company I have ever worked for, and those of you who know me know I have worked for a LOT of companies. :) The people are great and the money is good so I'll deal. I just wish there was a perfect job out there... some day!

I am so blessed to have been married to Garrett for 7 years. Those of you who have read any of my blogs or have had relationship conversations with me know that our marriage (like all marriages) is definitely not perfect. Marriage is hard but you have to wake up every morning and want to make it work and be the best partner you can be! And I feel so blessed to be comfortable enough with him to talk it out when we have problems. I've said it before and I'll say it again - Communication is NUMERO UNO in a marriage! Off my soap box... We went to Grapevine and had lots of wine and listened to a jazz band. We stayed out there at the Hilton and it was just a great time for the two of us. I'm so grateful for mini get a ways like that.


Yes, I signed Garrison up for T Ball. Sigh... I know he's getting older and I really don't want to be one of those moms who wishes he was still a baby and stopped growing... but it's so hard. Especially when we have to wait to have another one. Sometimes I want another one RIGHT NOW and sometimes I know it would be best to wait until Garrett is finished with school. Why does life have to get in the way of my plans all the time? :)

So... just thought I would share this thought. Garrison asked me to sing him songs tonight before bed and I always sing praise and worship songs to him. For those of you who sing praise and worship music (by yourself, at church, wherever) do you ever just get lost in it? I mean, I am super passionate about all kinds of music and I can really connect with a lot of songs. But there is just SOMETHING about those songs. It doesn't matter where I am, who I'm with, what the situation is, what mood I'm in... it's always my way of connecting with God. Love it! Anyways, I love that Garrison loves it too and sings along now. And his off key voice with the wrong words half the time is the most beautiful sound I think I have ever heard!!!


Well, I'm off to watch American Idol. I'll really try and blog more often.

Jewels*

At a loss...

Sorry I'm just not creative enough to come up with a catchy title for my blog today.

I have been feeling like crap since Saturday night. Awful sore throat, drainage, stuffed up nose, allergies, sneezing, congestion, coughing... you get the picture. I finally decided to do something about it and went to the doctor today hoping to get a steroid shot like I got a month ago. When the doctor came in and heard my complaints I asked if I could PLEASE have the shot again. I was prepared to beg if that is what it took. He gave me the doctor look and said, "I'll give you the same talk I give my Vicodin addict patients"... what?!?! Anyways, good news is I got the shot! Yay! But the bad news is I can't keep getting them every 2 months. He will only let me do 3 - 4 a year. I guess he doesn't want me growing a penis. Bahhahahaha! Jokes, just jokes. He said some crap about it causing diabetes and osteoperosis over a period of time. Blah blah blah. Just glad I got my "fix" today because I'm already starting to feel better. And in two months I guess nasal spray will just have to do.

Garrison is SO disappointed that we cannot put up Christmas lights on the house this year. Garrett said most of our lights from last year are broken. My response to that was that the garage fairy must have come in and busted them all. WHAT?! Anyways, we can't afford (nor can we even find) new lights for the house this year. So I'll be going the day after Christmas to buy them 75% off. That's right! Dah dah dah dah! Cheap ass to the rescue!!! And to help keep Garrison in the Christmas spirit I'm going to buy him his very own mini pre lit tree for his room! :) So excited!

I am promising myself my house WILL be decorated by the end of this weekend. I am cleaning tonight (thanks to my newfound energy from my steroid shot) and will be decorating the rest of the week/weekend. Oh if I only had a maid, personal decorator, personal trainer, chef, personal massage therapist my life would be SO much easier.

Love,
Jewels*

Hair...Vacation...Atkins...Christmas?!?!

It has been far too long since my last post. So here goes...

I had a hair appointment scheduled the Monday before Garrett and I left to go out of town. Back story on this gal. I was recommended to her by a friend so I went to her once about 6 months ago and she did an AWESOME job on my hair, she was super nice, and really cheap. She charged me $65 for highlight (two colors) and a cut. Well a few months went by and I tried to call and make another appointment, left a message, no return call. I referred my best friend to her, same thing. My friend called her TWICE with no return call. My mom finally called a couple weeks back and the gal's 3 year old daughter answered. (to which my mom said she was thinking "GOTCHA!") Let me pause here and say I'm no expert but if my income depended on repeat and new customers I'm pretty sure I'd return a damn phone call every now and then. Se la vie!

So I went to my appointment Monday night and to keep things clear the first thing I said was, "You still charge $65 for highlight and cut right?" To which her response was, "So what are we doing today?" Oooookay... so I told her what I wanted and asked how much it was and she said $100. What? "How much for one color?" I asked. Her response? "$100." Pretty sure this lady was smoking dope. To shorten this story as much as possible she went back to mix the color before I even had time to respond. She came back and I told her I was so sorry but just could not afford that when I was expecting to pay $65. I even told her I wasn't looking for a handout but it just wasn't what I was expecting. Her response? "Have fun on your vacation!" That was it. So my embarassment for leaving quickly turned to anger and all the "should have saids" quickly came to mind. As a side note I KNOW $65 was cheap for color and cut but that isn't the point. The point is that it's what she charged me the first time. Good luck retaining clients lady!

I ended up going to a random Pro Cuts - that's right, I said it - in Wylie and the manager there did an awesome job on my hair. My mom saw her also and loved her's as well. Here is a pic of my new hair:

Garrett and I took a much needed trip to Arkansas for a little get-a-way. In our 7 years of marriage we have taken one weekend alone trip together about 2 years ago for our anniversary. So I was super excited about this trip. We rode along the infamous Pig Trail to get there and it was a gorgeous drive.

We stayed in a house in Eureka Springs with an awesome view.

We visited the Thorncrown Chapel which was a BEAUTIFUL chapel set out in the woods. So peceful and awesome!

Then we went to Hot Springs for some off roading Jeep fun. I loved it because everywhere we went there was a gorgeous view of mountains.

I was so excited to get home to my bubba (Garrison) and puppies though.

So Garrison has been cracking me up the last few days. I already posted his comment about my bad baseball playing abilities on FB so I won't go into that again. But I will tell you this one:

Last night we were playing around, wrestling and stuff on the couch. And he was messing with Garrett trying to push him off of me and I said, "Get him Garrison, get him!" and...bahahahahah, I'm laughing so hard to myself right now. He SLAPPED him across the face. (Kind of like how Jackson did to Weezer in Steel Magnolias.) You should have SEEN Garrett's face. He was totally shocked! Of course I busted out laughing and could not stop, tears flowing from eyes and all. We told him it's not nice to hit but were both laughing SO hard. Garrison said, "Mommy, I thought you said HIT Daddy!" haha. Good to know he listens at least!

I started Atkins Monday. Call me crazy but it's worked for me before and BY GEORGE it's working for me now. No cravings, not ever really hungry, and in 2 days I've lost 2 lbs. I know it's not the healthiest diet out there but it's the only one I've been able to strictly follow. My plan is to stay on this as long as I can - maybe a month - and then switch over to healthier eating. My workout routine starts back up tomorrow. Only thing I didn't take into consideration is Thanksgiving next week... nice. So I will eat a normal Thanksgiving lunch because I refuse to be one of those women who says, "Oh I'll just have this because I'm on a diet!" Nothing more annoying than those people. And not gonna' lie - kind of looking forward to some green bean casserole and chocolate pie for a day. :)

I CANNOT believe Christmas is right around the corner. Taking Garrison to see A Christmas Carol this weekend - can't wait! And we're going to see Scrooge at the Pocket Sandwich Theater and will probably hit up Santa's Village too. So excited for the Christmas season. Just not looking forward to shopping. Maybe I'll start listening to Christmas music to get into the Christmas (not HOLIDAY, come on people) spirit!

Sorry this was so long but it's what you get when I only post every month. :)

Love,

Jewels*

Happy Birthday Garrett!

Today is my husband Garrett's 27th Birthday. As I put on FB earlier, I can't believe we have celebrated 10 birthdays together. Time really does fly. It seems like yesterday I went to a good friend's house over Spring Break with some friends and there he was! He had just turned 16 and drove down to G-town from McKinney in his POS brown 1982 Datsun. (How I wish I had a picture to share with you.) We all went and played some game at the local elementary school and he and I flirted most of the night. He drove me and a friend home and then we talked almost all night on the phone. And the rest is history...

What do I love about Garrett? Because I know you're dying to know... he makes me laugh until I cry, he tells me the truth even when I don't want to hear it, he is a GREAT dad, he lets me be myself around him, he is one of the hardest workers I know, he sacrifices a lot for our family, he is a manly man, he fit in with my family from the first day (7 uncles and a dad can be intimidating), he has a sensitive side that not a lot of people get to see, most beautiful eyes ever, he is a man of his word, he is giving to others... I could go on and on. I will leave you with my fav pic of my hubby.

Garrison and I went to play basketball (okay, okay we just shot baskets because let's face it - a 4 year old...and me... aren't really "players") at the park by our house yesterday. If you're a parent do you ever have those moments with your kids where it's like time freezes? I know this sounds corny but I'm assuming if you're a parent you know what I'm talking about. He looked up at me at one point and it was like time froze and he had the biggest smile on his face with his flushed little cheeks and that look of pure innocence. It was a moment I will never forget. It is engraved in my memory forever. I love moments like that! Old picture but how can this not make you smile?

I hope y'all have a great night! We're off to dinner for Garrett's birthday but we don't know where yet because as Garrett says, "You know I hate to plan Juliana." UGH! As much as I love him he drives me insane sometimes. But hey, that's what makes life interesting, right?

Love,

Jewels*

Sorry for the wait...

I know all my fans out there have been eagerly anticipating my next blog (only kidding) but wait no longer, here I am... with nothing much to say. HA!

About 2 weeks ago I was in the Wal Mart parking lot (you're shocked I know) on my lunch break and this old man was just standing there with his empty cart and looking around. He appeared to be looking for someone to give it to so he wouldn't have to walk it over to the cart return cage. I felt so bad for him so I walked up to him and said, "Can I take that for you?" "Do you need it" he says. "No, I just thought I would help you out" was my reply. He touched my shoulder and as ashamed to admit it as I am I jumped back a little. "You're so sweet honey. I can get it myself though, thanks" was all he had to say. My point is, isn't it funny how in 2009 we are shocked by physical contact with a stranger? It was totally normal years ago for a stranger to perform a simple gesture like touching your shoulder when they talked to you. And here I am with this 80 year old man thinking, "Oh my gosh, is he going to drug and rape me? Did someone else pay him to stand here and trap a poor unsuspecting girl so they can rape and rob her?" Okay, so it wasn't that extreme, but it just made me sit back and think maybe I need not be SO paranoid all the time. A little human contact is what all of us need every now and then. As an aside, I love people. I mean, how cute are they - when they aren't driving 20 in a 40 when you're in a hurry that is.

So nothing new with us really. Still working, taking care of the kiddo, Garrett still in school. Garrison is growing up WAY too fast. Yesterday when he was getting ready for school he was slightly, okay REALLY, grumpy. As soon as I left his room he slammed the door. I went back to my bathroom to finish getting ready. I could hear him yelling across the house in what I can only describe as a testosterone induced voice of a 15 year old boy. I sat there with my mouth hanging open. Surely a 15 year old wandered into our house and that wasn't my sweet, precious 4 year old son. I went around the corner and realized it was in fact my sweet, precious son but now somehow an older and angrier looking 4 year old. I realized right then and there I have eveolved into a new stage of parenting when I leaned down and took his face in my hands and said, "Slamming doors in this house is completely unacceptable. Do you understand me?" And my precious boy was back, "Yes ma'am!" There! Now that problem was solved... until next time.

It's funny how you have to change your discipline tactics when they get to a new stage. If this incident would have happened before I might have calmly sat him down and said, "Garrison, I understand you're frustrated right now, but let's not slam doors okay?" Pretty sure that wouldn't have worked on him at this stage. Don't get me wrong though - he's still one of the sweetest and well behaved kids I know. Okay, so I'm a little partial.

I am loving the start of fall weather. My body, however, is not. Garrison was sick last weekend with an "adnoid virus". Basically he had lots of snot but no infection. Damn, I missed my calling as a doctor, I know. But now I have either that or something like it. I am finally giving in and going to the doctor this afternoon. I hate being sick, but would hate even more to be at the urgent care clinic this weekend with all the swine flu patients. And as Dolly Parton/Truvy would say, "There's a story there..."

Last weekend after Garrison having a high temp all day Saturday I decided to take him to the pediatric urgent care clinic on Sunday. They open at 11 and we were there at 11:02. The waiting room was already PACKED and half the kids had masks on their faces. Nice... But we stayed anyways. Garrison was feeling okay at that point- poster child for Motrin, that kid is. He was watching Cinderella (okay WE were watching Cinderella - I LOVE that movie) with all the other kids. He was dancing and playing and asking about the "mouses" (yes, being the grammar freak I am I said, "yeah the MICE"?). I'm sure all the other parents were trying to figure out what we were doing there as they sat their with their high fevered, eyes glazed over, coughing, hacking kids. We went on back to the room and he literally marched back saying, "Hup 2, 3, 4, Hup 2, 3, 4..." and I have to admit I was somewhat embarassed that he wasn't acting sick. HA!

I'm hoping I feel better tomorrow so I can get some cleaning done around the house... my house is DISGUSTING! One of my dogs sheds like crazy and it gets to the point where I just give up and get to it when I can - which is very rare. I'd like to know if you are a full time working mom how often you clean your house. PLEASE be honest... I need to show your comments to my husband so he has proof that I'm not the only one who lacks in this department. You know what would be even better? Tell me what, if anything, your hubby does around the house. Hell yeah I'm showing Garrett this list...

Have a great weekend everyone!

Love,
Jewels*