Introducing Evan and Laura

I would like all of you, my bloggy friends, to meet my newest family members Evan and Laura.

It will take a while to explain how I just came to know my 1 year old Niece and Nephew, but suffice it to say, I am very proud to be their aunt.

I am actually tickled pink!

Aren't they ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL?

I HATE this house!

May I have the above please? Only make it be on the water, With lots of windows.

When I moved to this part of Fla, I rented a townhouse. I was so excited! A whole townhouse? Not a duplex or an apartment? In S Fla a townhouse was out of my pay grade.

Now 5 years later, I confess: I HATE THIS HOUSE!

One teenager, one tween, two bedrooms, no storage.................and mustard colored walls.

Ok, not really mustard, maybe a dark beige, a light tan.......(I'd take a picture, but my camera is away being fixed).

No, they are mustard. A cross between Grey Poupon and Frenches, but MUSTARD!



So, I've started looking for another rental.

It used to be so simple! You find a place you like, you move in.

Now it's different. You know what makes it different? KIDS! ARGH!

One is at one school, the other at another. Then there is soccer practice and friends and clubs and and and and and!

So I keep looking, and wondering if my landlord would kill me if I painted the darned walls WHITE!

Sick Little Ones

What is a mother's worst nightmare? A sick child.

Sleeping in on Saturday morning, the house was so quiet, I was loving it. The usual bickering wasn't going on. I wondered about that for a moment as I lounged in bed enjoying the feel of peace. Then it was shattered.

Ashley came upstairs and said those dreaded words: "Mom, Taylor's sick". "How sick" I asked....

"She's burning up Mom".

It's been a nightmare since then.

I took her temperature and it was over 102 degrees. AGH!!!!!!!!!!! Panic mode.

Starting with the Tylenol and the Motrin alternating to a quick stint in a tepid bath and she was..........better. She was ok for most of the day and even felt well enough to go out to dinner.

Flash forward to Sunday at 5:30 AM. I opened my eyes to see Tay standing next to my bed. "Mom, I don't feel so good. I feel dizzy". I leapt out of bed to fumble for the thermometer.

The verdict? 104 Degrees.

Off to the hospital we went.

Now there are two types of doctors. The useless ones and the good ones. Our first stint in the emergency room was utterly useless. He barely looked at her, didn't listen to me, ordered a chest X-ray and sent us on our way with as very strong antibiotic prescription. It was so strong, she couldn't keep it down. So early this morning, off we went again.

By this time, she had quit speaking and barely moved. I saw a doctor there we had seen before, I remembered he was great. "Can we see him please?

Five minutes later, there was my poor baby. In a hospital bed with an IV of fluids, a dose of phenergan in her for the nausea, blood work being drawn and a nurse and doctor who listened.

This time, we got an antibiotic her little 54 lb body could handle, some Tylenol and codeine for the pain in her throat, some phenergan for her nausea and a bundled child back home in bed.

She has made a little progress today. She's eaten some broth, managed to keep her head up for a few minutes and some color back in her face. She still won't speak and hates to drink because her throat hurts, but all in all a great improvement over earlier today.

As mothers, do we ever feel more impotent or powerless than when one of our little ones is sick?


UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

Taylor is better today. She is sitting up, drinking fluids and even had a light sandwich.

I saw her smile today for the first time in three days.

She's getting well




HURRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now that I have been "meme'ed"

Ok Ladies (and Dad), this one is not a true Meme. It is a question.

If you could pick three people, either fictional or real, dead or alive..... that you could invite to dinner and have a conversation with........



A) Who would you want to have dinner with?

B) What would you discuss?

C) What would you serve?

Oh Man......I've been tagged!

I knew it was inevitable. I even knew it was probable. I knew eventually, it would happen to me.

My friend from the opposite side of the US (all the way on the opposite side, as far away on the opposite side as you can get), Diane...from Meyers On The Hood has tagged me.

OH THE HORROR!!!!!!!!!

Worse yet, she wants to know weird things about me. I am the most non weird person I know.

Oh well, it's all in good fun right? I have to say seven things about me that are either random or weird.

Ok, here goes:

1) I am an immigrant, but I don't speak the language of the country I immigrated from. I was born in Germany and my parents are German. I came to the US when I was 6.

2) I have a brother and a sister that I have never met and a mother I only met once. I've thought about contacting them, even found out their address. And I never have....after all, what would I say, I don't even speak the same language.

3) I am a single mother that doesn't collect child support (trust me, it's better for my kids), and I like it that way. Only recently have I thought that I wanted to get married again, because I truly have found the greatest man. I have dated him for four years, just to make sure.

4) I am smart. Not a little smart, but geekishly smart. I hide that from most people. My interests are politics and numbers. I also do crosswords in ink and solve them. Reason for hiding.....all those years of wanting to just fit in.

5) I have lived in four countries. Growing up in one of those countries made me a "CZ Brat" (ok Didi, YOU figure out what that means....after all, this is your fault!). No, I didn't grow up military. I speak Spanish fluently.

6) I love reading. It's always been an escape for me and I enjoy it tremendously. I read just about everything, but I absolutely love murder mysteries.

7) FINALLY! I read cookbooks and cooking magazines for fun. Sitting right here on my desk are the latest issues of Cooking with Paula Dean, Rachel Ray's Everyday (check out the orange beef and broccoli in the middle section), and Taste of Home.


Ok, the seven I have tagged:

Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee (who doesn't love that?)

Beth at A Mom's life....who is a paragon of everything I envy.

Andrea at Sgt and Mrs Hub...she's moving and needs MORE things to do, lol

Cheryl at Life with Cheryl....because her writing makes me peaceful.

Bronie at Team Victory........my rock!

Megan at Fried Okra...because she just ROCKS!!!! And since she's preggers can always find the time for more to do.

And Lainey at Blog in My Eye....just because. I am not sure she even knows I read her blog faithfully.


The Rules:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


HAVE FUN LADIES!

What kind of Shoe are You?

Hilarious........Since I do live near the beach.,....and I dearly love my sandals!

You Are Flip Flops

You are laid back and very friendly. Cheery and sunny in disposition, you usually have something to smile about. Style is important to you, as long as you can stay casual. It takes a lot to get you to dress up! You are a loyal and true person, though you can be a bit of a flake. You tend to "play hooky" and blow off responsibilities a lot more than most people. You should live: By the beach You should work: At a casual up and coming company

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

Corporations, Red Tape and Peons.

This is what my life looks like (at least I imagine it this way in my nightmares:



I....manage a companies accounting. I know, I know..........ME? Yes, me.

I don't do taxes (anymore), I just make sure that things flow smoothly. We get paid, and we pay others. I used to be ruler of my domain, Princess of the realm....the one person every business owner has, that he likes, but can tell him NO, and he doesn't bat an eye. I used to work in the small business world. I liked it, I was comfortable....I was GOOD AT IT!

So, what happened you ask? I (brilliantly) decided I needed to "grow up" go to work for a corporation, seek the ever elusive benefits, and 401k, and regular hours!


I did that.

I got the job.

And somewhere along the way, the free spirit that I was has become a "person in a management position".

And, much to my surprise...I LOVE it.

I don't love the excess paperwork, I don't love the red tape, I don't love the constant interruptions when all I want to do is finish one thing.

I love that I never knew I would still be good at what I do in that structure. I was afraid to do it for so many years. I always thought that I would just get lost in the shuffle. I didn't. I love it that I learned that I was far more organized than I thought I was. I love it, that I can actually manage a small staff and that I can motivate them.

I love it that, much to my surprise, I love doing it......ALL of it.

I have a great Boss. She is at a remote office from mine and I hardly ever see her, but we speak the same language. We think alike, we make very similar decisions and choices. She allows me room to show my skill, and is always supportive. That's cool!

I manage three employees that are uniquely different, but bring such amazing dedication and hard work.....we are in sync.

I thought I was too old for a career change, that I wouldn't like it very much. Now I know that my false bravado was nothing more than a fear of trying something new.

Now, how to translate that into a lesson to a 14 yr old. What was I thinking???????????

My Car is FIXED!!!

I know it's not much, and it's a little old.....But it's mine and I love it.

And now it is FINALLY Fixed.

I would love to sit here and write a post, but like a junkie needing a fix, I think I need to go toodle around town in my FIXED car for a bit.

Have a great day all!

Cars and other things Guys are supposed to fix

This is what broke in my car.

One week ago, I was coming back from taking Ashley to school and in the middle of a major road, this stupid thing broke.

What happened you ask? The car died. It wasn't a horrible death, it was a very quiet, everything just was working then it wasn't, kind of death.

And then came THE MECHANIC.

You would think, that since this is a guy thing, it would be a quick fix. It wasn't. A week later, I still don't have my car.

The Belt led to the oil leak that caused the belt to break, which was a seal that had to be replaced. Which led to the discovery that the pulleys are bad and they may not need to be replaced now, but they may not last long, to a family emergency which prevented the mechanic from working on the car....ENOUGH!

I WANT MY CAR BACK!

You'd think the problem was this:



IT ISN'T.

I think this may be who is working on my car:


You all pray and maybe I'll get my car back this year sometime!

Auntie AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!

Allen and I are proud to announce that we are going to be Auntie and Uncle AGAIN!

For those of you that don't know, this is my best friend and my first "niece"



Isn't she GORGEOUS?????????

(yes I mean the baby not the beautiful 6 ft blond (who is now a red head).

Alexia (Lexi) is walking and talking up the storm. The new Baby is due in November and I say it's a boy.........what say you?

I am taking bets!

Allen and I are so thrilled for our friends. It appears that Kyle is done with going to Iraq for awhile, and Monica is working very hard towards her accounting degree (God help us all, another one of me in the world).

In your prayers, please include them, so this pregnancy goes well and we have a healthy, happy........boy or girl!

Oh Yea, I PROMISED....Collards everyone loves.

I promised Fried Okra a few weeks back that I would post my Collard greens recipe.

I have been so busy, but I always keep a promise.


Ingredients:

Two large healthy heads of Collard Greens

5 slices of thick sliced bacon. (slab bacon is best...don't worry, I took out the calories and cholesterol)

1-2 smoked ham hocks (if they're big use one, small, use two)...you may substitute a large smoked turkey leg.

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Hot pepper sauce

2 tablespoons butter

Fresh grated nutmeg



INSTRUCTIONS:


In a very large pot, lay the bacon slices so that they will cook evenly. Cook over medium heat until browned. Once the bacon is browned, remove from pot but to not discard the bacon fat.

Tackle the collards.

As an aside, collards are a HUGE veggie, they can be intimidating. You will have to touch every leaf. NO SHORTCUTS! Cut the bottom stem off the collards and wash the leaves, lay them in between paper towels to dry. Discard yellow or rotten leaves.

Fold each leaf in half along the stem. With a very sharp knife, cut the complete stem away from the leaf (stems are bitter and shortcutting this step will ruin it). Put the leaves in a colander. There will be a HUGE amount.

In the pot that you fried the bacon in, start putting in the greens. You will think there is no way that you will fit all those greens in one pot, but you will just have to trust me.

in between, add the butter and maybe a 1/4 cup water. Work the greens so that as they sautée, you are pressing them down into the pot.

Once you have all the greens in the pot, add the hot pepper sauce, vinegar, fresh grated nutmeg (not more than one or two passes over the grater), garlic and ham hocks.

Cover.

Cook on low for 1-2 hrs stirring frequently.

When the greens are wilted and the aroma tickles your nostrils they are almost done. Crumble the bacon and stir in. You will also need to extract the meat from the ham hocks (or turkey leg) and add it to the collards.

Taste them, add more pepper sauce to taste, and THEN..........................

Use your best storage, I prefer pyrex with tops. Put them in the fridge and let them sit overnight.

Reheat in microwave or over low heat when you are ready to serve.

Serve with cornbread (or jalapeno cornbread) and enjoy.


IT'S A SOUTHERN THANG (but huge in vitamins an iron)

Thoughtful Thursday: Pride

When I see these birds in my blue skies every day, I feel such pride.

When you come across military personnel, Take the time to stop, thank them for their service. If you can, buy them lunch. Talk to them.

They give so much, their families give so much. Express your gratitude.


ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINES (and yes COAST GUARD)




For every member serving there is a father, a son, a mother, a daughter, a nephew, a niece...............

Thank them when you see them.

Mundane Monday.....Or Not!

I knew there was something I disliked about working for a national corporation......DEADLINES!

The end of the month is fast approaching and with the little training I got, my head is spinning.

Not just the deadlines, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, I have to make sure everything gets done, and I also have to hire someone new. My boss was going to do it with me, but due to a family tragedy, she will be unavailable.

And this is my dilemma.

Do you ever wonder just what God's plan is? Why mean, nasty people: thieves, wife abusers, murderers, child abusers live and innocents die? Why does God decide that one can survive to torment others here on Earth and the other, who's life is so valued by many, he takes from us?

My boss has a 19 year old son, who's girlfriend (18) died in a horrific car accident this weekend. She got a call late Friday night that her boyfriend was involved in a fender bender in Tallahassee while he was going to see her. He was not hurt, but the car was, and he was stranded. Being the person that she was, she immediately got in the car for the 7 hour drive to go rescue him. She was just below Gainesville when she encountered some very bad weather, lost control of her car and hit a tree. She was a talented, beautiful and caring young lady. I never had the pleasure of meeting her, but reading about her today made me so sad. Sadder yet (she didn't suffer), for my boss's son who is losing himself in the guilt, thinking this was somehow his fault.

We see so many horrible people in the news and some even in our daily lives. God's way makes so little sense some days.

I will never be so pompous to think that I deserve an explanation, but to see so many people suffer because she was so loved, hardly seems fair.

What think you?

What a Valentines Day!

Have you ever had a day that, at the end of it, you are not sure if it was good or bad?

Wow.

Today I had one of those days. I had to reign someone in and let someone go. I had to allow something new and disallow something old. I had to get decisive and unpopular, and I got to feel empathy and demonstrate all the qualities I hold dear.


I have very few pecadillos. I know I get pissy about 10 pieces of paper being held together with 8 staples, each one of which cut my fingers.............I digress.


I believe the only thing you can believe in is your own integrity.

I believe that a work ethic is something that is either in you, or it's not.

I believe that everyone has "issues" but if you are conscientious, there should be no conflict.

I believe that you should finish the work. Deadlines should never be an issue if you work smart instead of fast..

(Aside, I had an Eight Grade Home-EC teacher who told me something: I am a lazy person, therefore I strive to do things right the first time, because I am just too lazy to do it over again")

I believe that you work as a team. No man is an island, right?



I believe that if you like what you do, and who you work with, life is just easier. It is up to you, however, to be approachable.

I am so optimistic, and surely know that I have so much to learn. I think as long as my head and heart are in the right place. The "corporate" structure is no different.

Will it make me a better accountant/problem solver/supervisor? Not sure yet.


But you, will be the first to know!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(alright, right after "the other half" has the whole diatribe, in three part harmony).

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!

Change at 40! (alright 42)

As many of you know, I started a new job last week, and since it is the Internet, I obviously cannot tell you exactly where I work. I am an employee in the vast media company known as Freedom Communications.

It's been an adventure, and a time of huge change for me.

I have always been a small business accountant. I never had an ambition to work for a HUGE company like this one, because I always thought that I would get lost in the shuffle, my talents wasted.

Yet, as of last week, here I am.


Getting here was an adventure in itself. I felt like my whole life was under a microscope. I had to have a background check done, a credit check, and a drug screening, just to see if I was even remotely worthy of working for this conglomerate.

Then the interviews, the signing of contracts, the endless manuals I had to read, the policies I had to review, and that was before I even STARTED my first day of work!

I was so nervous. How much was I really sure of myself and my abilities and my knowledge. How could I go from managing finances for a small business to manage a department in a network of thousands of people?

I will tell you, it is much easier to tell the owner of a small business that he just doesn't have the funds for his overinflated ambition, than it is telling countless department managers, Veeps and the like, that I need what they have NOW!

I was thrown to the wolves!

Not really, my boss is patient. Being at a remote office from mine, she has tried desperately to get a handle on things. She is my new lifeline and will probably end up being a good ally.

Intimidation aside (all those "really important people"), I have managed one week. I feel good about it. My talents, my knowledge and my sheer skill seems to be what they really were looking for (they didn't just appeal to my ego).

I will continue to ask you my friends and family to pray. At 42, this has been such a change, and sometimes I think I am just feeling my way instinctively. When my instinct fails, and my ability to "speak"accounting falters, I will count on God to show me the way. I have a talent, after all, only on loan from Him (sorry Rush).


I hope all of you have had an amazing New Year so far. May you have new adventures, and people who love an support you as I do.