Wordless Wednesday: Something cute and kinda creepy

A Christmas gift from my youngest!

Dominoes falling one by one

My life is out of control right now.

I am overwhelmed and it feels like the dominoes are all in a line and one by one they are slowly knocking each other over.

I feel like once there is none standing.......is when I'm going to break.

Some how, some way I have got to get my life organized and on track again.

I need to slow down, breathe deeply, and try to find my happy place again.

On the 1st Day of Christmas.....revisited

Well last year I did this awesome little blog with the 12 Days of Christmas.

I thought about doing another one this year.....even grander than the first.



But after I reread last years, I just thought I did such an outstanding job that I just want to revisit it and enjoy it once again!

So here is the link. You can read each day separately and see all the clever little pictures......or you can just read the 12th day, which will have all the verses.......just not all the pictures.

Your choice.........enjoy!

(This is the link for 12th day.....you will find all the other days once you click the link. I couldn't get the linky thing to work right here)

http://pizzazoneinc.blogspot.com/2010/12/on-12th-day-of-christmas.html

Love, your Dad

My boys got a Christmas card from their father the other day.

It was signed Love, your Dad.

It's funny how strange those words looked to me, for long ago we never associated the word "dad" with our family. Dad has really never been in their lives and now after 24 years is trying to make an attempt at it.

All these years "dad" has just been a word that we spoke about, but with no feelings or emotional attachment to it. Until Paul came into our lives, there was no "dad" --just the three of us. For the longest time I was both parents.

Now after all this time there is a "dad" trying to come back into their lives. I listen to them as they each tell me their feelings about him. I don't interject my own thoughts -- I just hear them out. It's amazing what they tell me.

I am so lucky to have them and I feel very selfish over having to share them with him. I am the one that has been there for everything. Not him.

But I guess in the end, it's their decision.

But so far I'm winning.

Wordless Wednesday: Feeling Crafty

Why do errands take so much time?

I try not to leave the house if I don't have to. So I try to do all my errands in one day. Doesn't it seem like you don't work as good when you get back to the house after running errands?

So yesterday, was my errand day. Here's what it looked like:

1. Drop off flyers to elementary school for pizza nights this week.
2. Stop by Grant Rd. store and drop off flyers, signs, and other stuff I had.
3. Stop by Michaels and get things to that take up the time that I don't have.
** (You'll see more on this one later in another blog or two)
4. Stop by bank for Grant Rd. store and do deposits.
5. Stop by Kuykendahl store and drop off the same stuff that I did at Grant Rd.
6. Stop by other bank for Kuykendahl store and do deposits
7. Stop at grocery store and pick up a few things that we needed for dinner.

Whew......I was exhausted when I got done.....but there was no time to rest!

I miss -- I don't miss

I sure do miss those days when I had vacation time earned.

And sick days.

And a lazy weekend where I could watch Lifetime chick flicks and cross stitch all day long.

Those days are long behind me.

But on the other hand, I don't miss getting up early on weekday mornings.

I don't miss having to be someplace every single day whether I wanted to be or not.

I don't mind sitting here in my pajamas at 10:30 in the morning and working.

Ok, I feel better.

Sometimes you just gotta tell everyone

WARNING!!! WARNING!!!!

Mushy stuff ahead............danger!

I am so excited at what the future holds for me and this crazy guy here:

I love you so much baby!

P.S. Okay....sorry....I just needed a personal moment between me and my husband.

I wish.........

......we could go on a trip. It has been 3 whole months since we've been anywhere!

Continental is tempting us with these travel destinations --- some of which are on our list of places to visit or RE-visit.

I think we are taking a mini, small, limited, teeny tiny vacation at the beginning of this next week. Of course, it is business-related.

I'll just have to blog about it and make it a real event!

Here is Continental's idea of where we should go this weekend:

Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Alexandria, LA (AEX) $139 OR 17,500 Mile/$41
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Amarillo, TX (AMA) $199
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Baltimore, MD (BWI) $299 OR 22,500 Mile/$41
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Brownsville, TX (BRO) $139 OR 17,500 Mile/$41
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Cedar Rapids, IA (CID) $249
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Columbus, OH (CMH) $249
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Harlingen, TX (HRL) $139
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Los Angeles, CA (LAX) $299 OR 22,500 Mile/$41
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Midland, TX (MAF) $139
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Mobile, AL (MOB) $139 OR 17,500 Mile/$41
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Philadelphia, PA (PHL) $299 OR 22,500 Mile/$41
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Pittsburgh, PA (PIT) $299 OR 22,500 Mile/$41
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Raleigh/Durham, NC (RDU) $299
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Richmond, VA (RIC) $299
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) San Francisco, CA (SFO) $299
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) San Jose del Cabo, Mexico (SJD) $229
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Washington, DC (IAD - Dulles) $299

Dang you Continental. I hope you'll have some of these great cities ready for us when we are ready to take a trip again!

We played hookey and we didn't even feel guilty

Well needless to say, we really need a day off. Poor Paul....he's worked solidly for about 3 weeks and half of that time he was sick.

We just needed a day to relax, spend some time together, and just have fun.

So bright and early on Tuesday we left our house....seriously early.....like 8am early. We had to drop off some stuff at the Grant Rd. store and than we had the privilege of attending another protest hearing.

After we successfully reduced our property tax renditiion by $10,000 (hallelujah), we stopped at Denny's for a quick breakfast and a chance to discuss what we wanted to do that day.

The easy part of the decision was that whatever we did -- it would be done INDOORS! The temperature outside was a cool 40 degrees with a chilly breeze blowing.

So off to the Houston Museum of Natural Science we went. One of our most favorite places to go. Their special exhibit this time was on the Civil War. Hooray.....that's our most favorite thing we are learning about right now. We really want to go to some Civil War Muesums and visit famous Civil War sites.



After spending about 2 hours looking at the exhibit (I really learned alot!), it was off to the IMAX movie at the Museum. Watched a 3D movie about dinosaurs of the ocean. Good fun -- not so great taking a picture of the both of us with my cell phone.



Well after spending a few hours at the Museum it was time for lunch (late lunch). Since we were on the opposite side of town -- we decided to stop in at one of our favorite healthy food restaurants. Today's choice was the Hobbit Cafe. Seriously, a difficult restaurant to find -- we always have trouble, but the food is really delicious.





Paul got a small sandwich loaded with Guacamole and other veggies and I opted for the Spinach/Mushroom/Pepper Jack Quesdadilla. Yummy! Look Mom......I'm eating spinach and Mushrooms!



The end of the day was spent at a trivia game and another fun night out.

We came home exhausted, but we feel a little recharged. Yay for days off!

Wordless Wednesday: Trivia Palooza!

Random thoughts from a shower stall

I truly think I should be doing more work in my shower. The minute I turn on that water......thousands of great ideas burst forward. The minute that water shuts off.....I forget almost all of those genius ideas.

So before I forget them.....here's this morning's brilliant thoughts:

Another idea for a book I need to write. Of course, I've thought of about 20 of those already and have even written a chapter or two --- but no books yet. In fact, writing a book is on my bucket list......



.....which is another thought. I really should write down my bucket list, but I'm afraid it would get too long. I'm afraid that there are 100's of things I would still love to do. But it would be fun to see it written down and put little lines through the things that I get the lucky privilege of completing.

Christmas Decorations. When am I going to get them down? What degree of decorating are we going to do this year....little or "best house in the neighborhood"? Who can come help me get them down out of the attic?

Of course, some of these shower thoughts are also when I reflect on what needs to get done for that day. Today is paperwork, laundry, cleaning, data entry, and trying to get caught up (ha...ha....big laugh on that last one).



And we can never stop thinking about all the things that are just going to stay on the "need to do list" for a while longer: rip out bushes, tear down canopy, finish painting outside, do some painting and remodeling inside, make walkway, finish exercise room, blah....blah.....blah.

But in order to achieve success and satisfaction for today -- I need to get cracking on my "to do" list.

Things that make you go awww......

There is absolutely nothing that makes you smile more than a 4 year old looking across the table and tells you "I love you".

Awwwwww.......that just makes my heart melt. These are the things that matter most in your life.



I love you too Hayden! (Sorry the picture is sideways......but it does work the kinks out of your neck looking at it)

Uh Oh.....I got the fever

the Christmas FEVER!

The last few years have just really been ho hum. Part of it is because the people that I lived with didn't really care if the house was decorated or if there was anything resembling Christmas spririt anywhere's near them. Or then again, maybe they just said that.

Anyways.........I'm excited for it and I think this year I am going to make it BIG!

I have bought a couple of Christmas presents and I really am excited to decorate the house this year. In fact, I talked to the eldest son tonight and told him I need him to get all the stuff down so I can decorate. My husband is closing 5 nights this week.......so since I have a lot of time by myself -- guess I'll decorate!

We'll be having our next Family Dinner around the 15th of the month -- so I want to have the house decorated and I have some other "secrets" planned for that party. I really miss having little kids around and all the excitement that resembles Christmas.

So watch out family......we are having a BIG Christmas at this house this year whether you like it or not. No bah humbugs here!

Ha ha.....I'll keep you posted!

Family Dinner Night: Operation Lasagna

Another fun night of frivolity at our family dinner night. I really wish that we had thought of doing this long before now. It's really fun trying to outdo the previous event. I hope I'm not stressing myself out too much each month trying to plan these things.

This month's events brought out a demonstration of a heavily tattooed guest:



Another notable importance at this event was the addition of 4 new members to our dinner.





It was a little crowded fitting 13 people around a table in the living room, but it's much more fun to have everyone eating together. The menu included Lasagna, Garlic Bread, and Salad. Jessica brought homemade Cherry and Apple pies, which were very yummy!



The evening ended with the ceremonial group picture and the decision of who would bring next month's dessert and what the main course meal would be.

Wait until December's party -- I have all sorts of things planned for a great night!

It's the night before Thanksgiving......

and all through the house......
I'm preparing the dinner ..... but first I need soused

After a freshly poured beer and a crappy TV show.....
I'm ready to go after it -- I'm ready to go.....



The veggies need cutting
The bird needs a wash
The dips need a mixing
I need help...oh my gosh!



But I quickly exclaimed as I crammed food out of sight.....
"Happy Thanksgiving to all and I've had a great night!



*P.S. The use of the word "souse" above was used for rhyming purposes only and did not accurately describe the condition of the author.

Blessings galore

This is the time of the year when we should reflect on our life and be thankful for all that we have. I have to tell you that I do that all year long. I feel so blessed.

#1 - I am so blessed to have a husband who works so hard for us. This allows me the wonderful freedom of working from the house. I can't tell you how wonderful it is really is to have your own business. Yeah....it's stressful, but there are also so many freedoms that come with it. Added blessing here is my brother coming out to helpfully take some of the workload off my husband and hopefully grow our business and eventually give us more money and freedom to really enjoy some of the things that we really enjoy (like traveling). Meeting Paul was one of best things that ever happened to me and my boys......huge huGE HUGE blessing!

#2 - I am so blessed for my kids. They are so grown up and I just can't believe it. They still are the little boys that I see when I look at them. I am thankful for all that they have accomplished and will enjoy watching them work towards their next goals in life.

#3 - I am blessed to still have my parents. We don't get to see them much -- but always have a fun time when we do get the opportunity to get back to our "hometown". I am also blessed to have a crazy sister and brother-in-law -- who always show us a good time when we come. I seriously enjoy spending time with my mom and sister -- we laugh the entire time and it's great to sit around and talk about the "good old days".

There is of course many, many, many more things that I am blessed with -- but to me these are the 3 most important things.

I am so blessed in a million ways.

Highway Mile Markers

As I was sitting here working and entering these boring old numbers, I was letting my mind wander off again.

I was thinking about road trips and when driving down the highway you see the signs for the upcoming cities with their "miles to go". As you approach that city -- it's so familiar in your mind because you've been counting down the miles until you would reach it.



Then as you pass that city, it's time to see what the next highway destination city will be. As you travel on, the last city you went through begins to fade from your mind as you focus on the next one to come. All the little city and town names become so familiar as you continue on that journey. But once you get home, they soon become a distant memory and eventually you can't even remember their names --

It's kind of like that in life. You jump from one major event to another. Always focusing so much on the first one and then once it's past you look ahead to the next one. Whether it's planning a trip, having a family gathering, or even a work deadline that needs to be accomplished -- it still works the same as traveling down that highway.



Interesting.......wonder what it all means? Maybe I need to go on a road trip and do some more research!

Being Paul's Wife

The last blog I wrote centered around all the changes that come from getting older and the kids moving out.

One sentance that I included was "changing from a Mom into Paul's wife".

After talking with my own mom today, I really thought more about that statement.

What a huge transition it was from being a mom to changing into somebody's wife.

Being a mom means sacrificing everything:

*Making sure that you take little portions on your plate so that there is enough for everyone else.
*Always being available for every single phone call and handling every emergency that they can throw at you.
*Making sure that everyone always has an ample supply of underwear, socks, and clean clothes.
*And so many other things that it would take me an hour to write them down.

But changing into someone's wife is a whole different level.

*Enjoying the quiet moments with each other when it's just the two of you in the house.
*Skipping out and doing something totally spontaneous when one of you is bored and just can't make themselves do necessary work.
*Finding things that you can enjoy together
*Having the ability to devote 100% of your attention to your spouse, because after all -- it's just the two of you now
*Being there to listen to each other, try and help each other when one of you is stressed out, lending a hand and helping out when one is really busy.

I like being a wife -- and the new found fun that we are having.

But I also like being a mother. There is nothing more special than being the FIRST person your child calls when they have exciting news to share or when they have sad news to share (I don't really like that part).

But I do have to say -- it's much more fun to be a wife without all the other obligations that you have when the kids are still around.

Does this make sense?

Reflecting on changing

I was just thinking about how much things have changed recently. It's been just about a year now that the boys have moved out and we are in the process of changing.

Changing rooms that once belonged to kids into a guest room and an office.

Changing a game room where boys used to gather and play pool, video games, or watch movies into an excercise room.

Changing a house that once held a noisy, busy family into a quiet home with just middle-aged adults.

Changing myself from being a mom to solely committed to being Paul's wife.

Change is good........

Wordless Wednesday: Love

I am so totally in love with this man!

No whining or crying here.....

If you see even a glimpse of me whining and crying about how I didn't get much work done today.......it's because I couldn't help myself.

The storm came rolling through. It got dark. It got loud with the sound of thunder. It was the perfect moment to just stop everything and lay in my bed and read.

I am reading one of the BEST James Patterson books I have ever read. I can't put it down. I'll probably finish it tonight. But.........first we'll be attending trivia tonight.

Wow.....it really is great to be self-employed sometimes.

Here's the book I'm reading......it's awesome!

**WARNING**.....busy weekend ahead!

Well this is the busy pizza time of the year.....and this year is proving itself to be no different!

Not only are we short-handed due to a shift runner's having a baby, another one got another job and is leaving soon, and all other sorts of oddities that make people not show up as scheduled -- but it's just the busy, busy time of the year. We love it!

But for now I must focus on the task at hand -- which is my weekend. Last weekend was spent mostly on painting some more of the outside of the house. We'll be working on that again next weekend -- just a tiny bit more on the sides and then we don't have to do anything for awhile again (because it's the back of the house and the HOA can't see it).

This weekend my mission is to get Cris' old bedroom cleaned out and maybe starting to look a little like the guest room I want. The "kids" have been gone now for a year and yet we still don't have that one bedroom cleaned out yet. Most of it is going to go in the garbage. A lot of it is going to be boxed up because it's stuff that belongs to them -- I'm just gonna box it up and stick it in storage. I have a entertainment center in that room that I bought at a yard sale a long time ago that I want to paint black. It's permanent home will be in my guest room when I'm finished. I need to shampoo the upstairs carpets. I will also need to paint the new guest room -- but that ain't happening this weekend. Also need to clean up my bedroom and bathroom.

But my avid readers......I also have to get the bank deposits done for PZ. Start getting the rest of the house all spruced up for Thanksgiving and our family dinner (which will be taking place on Nov. 21). Also our new employee is supposed to be here on Nov. 15 and he's probably going to start cracking the whip and getting us in shape. So I'm sure there is going to be some extra workload there. Whew.......I'm tired just writing all these things that need to get done.

So.......as much as writing this blog has been therapeutic and fun -- I have to get busy!

P.S. Oh one other thing I'm looking forward to getting to. Now that the outside of the house is looking beautiful -- I need to do some major landscaping....as in, pulling up shrubs and replanting new ones, buying new front porch furniture (I would love a porch swing...*hint *hint), and weeding, raking, and winter flower planting. **sigh.......wow there is always too much to do.

Personal Confession

My husband has a problem.


He's probably not going to like it that I am discussing it here, but I think it needs to be brought out in the open and that he face up to it.


We've discussed this problem for so long now and it's hard to let him out of my sight (He'll indulge if I'm not around to stop him).



He's addicted to this:

Yes......the yard sale sign.

Because it leads to this:

The yard sale. He can't pass up the chance to see what other people are getting rid of. If he goes by and doesn't stop at just one yard sale, he might miss some valuable treasure.

In fact, I wasn't even going to take the time to blog today.....but he just called me telling me about some great books that he was looking at in a yard sale on his way to work.

So honey, it's time to admit your problem and your yard sale addiction.

And by the way Paul, you know you are totally laughing about this.....cause you know I'm right!

Today I don't feel like I conquered the world....

....however, I do feel like I conquered part of my long "has to get done" list (a small part of it)

I managed to get accomplished this weekend: painting 1 1/2 sides of the house, laundry, mopping floors, sweeping, clean up here and there, working on paperwork, and watching the Amazing Race.

I will not list all the things I didn't get accomplished

This week is going to be a busy one: dropping Paul's car off, getting my car inspected, auction, trivia, working at least 2 nights, catching up everything to do payroll, doing payroll, plus all the other unexpected things that will get thrown my way before the week is complete.

Life is busy.....would be nice to slow down just a little.

Long Day = Tired Night

8 hours of painting today.

My old bones are really feeling it tonight, but I have managed to get the kitchen cleaned and get the laundry sorted and started.

I did even manage to make dinner: pot pies and Paul is bringing home a salad. I know it's not gourmet, but it's really all I can manage after all the work we did today.

Got almost 3 sides of the house painted now -- still have to put in a few hours tomorrow to get the 3rd side finished.

Now it's a nice hot shower and some nice comfy jammies. Just waiting for the husband to get home with the salad and then we can eat.

Then I'm laying in bed and just relaxing.

I earned it......I deserve it.

Call 911

I need to blog
I need to blog
I need to blog

I can't blog
I can't blog
I can't blog

There's no time to blog
There's no time to blog
There's no time to blog

I seriously think I need some therapy.

But I do feel better.

My Top 5.....My Bottom 5

The top 5 favorite things:

1. Traveling with my husband (and spending quality time with him)
2. Spending quiet time on the porch with my youngest
3. Spending time working side-by-side with my oldest
4. Using my brain. (e.g. trivia, puzzles, general detective work)
5. Doing things for my family (cooking, gifting, etc.)

The bottom 5 things:

1. Being so disorganized (I used to be a master at organization)
2. My dirty house (just can't find the time or the desire to get it done)
3. My weight
4. My lack of time to do some of the things I used to really enjoy (cross- stitching, crafting, etc.)
5. My total lack of patience (I want everything NOW)

Need some more hours in the day

Wow.....the blogging has really fallen off this month.

Honestly, it's not that I haven't wanted to -- it's just that there hasn't been enough time.

There is always paperwork to catch up, marketing to work on, laundry, painting the house, getting ready for a hearing before the Appraisal Board, planning, and doing whatever else gets thrown my way.

I really miss some of those fun things that I used to get to enjoy on a regular basis. Like cross-stitching, reading, or laying out in the sun. Now there is no time for any of that.

When the evening comes -- I collapse into bed totally tapped out of all energy.

Trust me though.....I've got lots of pics to post of some of the things that have been happening. I've got lots of ideas floating around in this crazy head of mine.

I just need 32 more hours in every day to get it all done.

Taco Tuesday night with the Family

I know that I am seriously behind in my blogging. I apologize.

I have a camera full of pictures that need dowloaded, edited, and posted somewhere for us to enjoy the memories from them.

I'll get to it someday.

Back to the subject on THIS post.....our monthly family dinner night. This last time it was a Taco Tuesday. These boys and their friends have grown up on my delicious tacos -- so it was an overwhelming YES when this was decided as the entree.



There was lots of noise, food, laughing, and fun. We introduced a new game called Party Gras and it was the highlight of the party. The object of the game is to have the most strands of beads at the end of the night. You get beads by having cards that tell you what you need to do. In addition, we offered up a $20 bill as a prize for the winner of the game.

For example: see someone scratch their nose (you take away a strand of their beads)
or catch somone texting on their phone.

We have never laughed so hard and we really had a great time. The winner at the end of the night was Lucas.

Next month it was voted that we would have a Lasagna night and we will have even more people attending this next event. I am so glad that we started this. It's a great way for us all to get together one night a month and spend some time with each other. Plus it's a night when I can cook for all of them (it's nice that they love my cooking).

I think that this will be a tradition that we will have for a long time. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures from our most recent fun!

Mushy stuff

For Richer or Poor

In Sickness and in Health

Til death do us part

I will love this man for ever and ever with every fiber of my being

Thank you God for bringing this person into my life!

I am blessed..........

Shhh......it is secret!

Don't tell anyone......we snuck out of town..............

Wordless Wednesday: Sad Face

Trying another new food

Last night I made another new entree. So far we've been really lucky with all our new foods that we've been trying.

This time we made Black-Eyed Pea Cakes topped with Corn Salsa. The cakes we made were 10x better than the ones we had in Atlanta. The ones we had in Atlanta had been topped with a Peach relish and we elected to do something a little different. The Corn Salsa was perfect on top!

We also served it up with a side of Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce.....seriously I really love Asparagus!

Watch for the blog about Brussel Sprouts. We both want to give them another try since it's been many years since we've had them. Who knows....maybe we'll like them this time.

Wordless Wednesday: Finally it happened!