Hazards of Sonic

Every time I drive by Sonic during happy hour, I say something along the lines of "Hey look! Its Sonic. Lets get a drink!" More often than not it is with the Hubbs and more often than not the car continues on without stopping. That's ok actually becuase I sort of hate Sonic... minus the slushes. And all thanks to Kelsi. My favorite? The Lemon Berry Slush with a shot of Vanilla. Its disgusting really how much I like that drink. So it is a good thing we keep driving. Otherwise I would be an addict. I guess I am an addict going through withdrawals anyhow. 

After this past weekend though, I realized its probably for the better.

This is me in the beginning of the freezing of my brain.

The beloved slushy brought as a surprise to me by my beloved hubby was giving me a brain freeze. It was bad. As the camera selfishly snapped pictures, my niece came to my resuce:

Whats the matter!?

I have a brain freeze!!!

Whats a brain freeze?

Its when your brain gets frozen.

Why is yoru brain frozen?

That's a good question.

MOOOOMMM!!! Her brain is frozen 

Mom of niece: Well you better help her unfreeze it

And so she dutifully did, She blew on my brain. See the lady in the background on the couch? She is my sister and she is laughing so hard she is not even making a sound. I am sure you know what I mean.

And for the record... it really hurt. And now I no longer want Sonic. Ever.
And here is a picture just for fun. Because she is darn cute and we love you.

15 minutes to make a happy Husband.

"And so I have committed myself to 15 minuted each day...."
I sat there in my car. (yes, I said my car and it makes me smile), and committed as well to break down my day into 15 minutes. On a mission we had our time broken down into 30 minute intervals. So I think the 15 minute idea is inspired. Its from Dr. Laura. I know what you are thinking but she makes some great points.

Here is what happened:
I cried. Yup, in my car. I was beyond overwhelmed. I am sure you have been there too. Not a very fun place to visit. So I called my friend Mommy-to-be-T and said "Canyoucomehelpmepulleesse!!!" I had to say it fast for fear I would just lose it on the phone. And let's be honest, no one really needs any more reasons to think I am nuts. I do a fairly excellent job of that on my own when I try to be stable. "Of course" that was her reply. Because she may be pregnant but she is a whole lot more stable than I am. And she even made a full picnic lunch. I mean, who does THAT!? It was the best lunch I have had in a while and I even sat down at the table to enjoy it.

The next day I was driving and listening to a book on tape. Dr. Laura describes a letter she got. >>>CAUTION, it is a little naughty>>>> I am going to paraphrase.
This woman calls up and says to her "My husband has been having sex with a co-worker for 9 years. He has been doing it every day after work for 15 minutes"
(My jaw DROPPED when I heard this, as I am sure your did as well) I don't recall what the response was but I am sure it was something along the lines of "if you had been busy being intimate with him for 15 minutes each day, I am sure he would not have gone and found it with another woman." It's Dr. Laura. She is not really known for her compassion.
Well, she then goes on to talk about a letter she received from a male listener. He said that after he heard that 15 minute affair, he started thinking "What if I took 15 minutes each day to love my wife (this is not sexual, just loving in any form), or 15 minutes each day with my kids, or in scripture reading or in improving work skills etc....
I thought back to my crying breakdown episode and thought, if I can just spend 15 minutes each day in excersing, in learning to spell, in calling a friend, in loving my husband and daughter, in cleaning the house... even in dinner preparations... WOW!!! Now that would make a difference.

And so here I am, making a public goal to be better 15 minutes at a time. It took me 15 minutes to write this. That is my limit. I am now going to spend the next 15 minutes cleaning up with the hubbs... is that double dipping?

Forgiveness

My wife and I just barely finished watching this. Of course she was crying, but I teared up too (that's no small feat for me). This was such a powerful and incredible story about forgiveness. I'm glad that there are people like Chris in the world that we can all learn from and be inspired by.

McKay

Reasons I love the South

Manners, Manners manners manners. This is something that is fast disappearing, What! You have noticed this too? I blame it on social media. But not on blogging. Just the other social media forms. Yes, THOSE ones.

Living is Texas for TWO YEARS now, I like to think that we a bit of experts if you will, on the south. You see, since I have started working at the lovely little people place, I have noticed a few things.

4 year olds call me Ma'am
3 year olds tell me they are fixin' to go
Teens say "pardon me"
and of course, who can forget the endless supply of small talk that greets me everywhere from the post office to the gas station to the parents who are dropping off kids. Seriously, we are all BFF's here. And Paris Hilton is no where to be found.

It is truly wonderful. Simply wonderful. And being the now well mannered and polite and reformed California girl that I am, here is a list for you to enjoy. And remember:

Having bad manners will cause other southerners to question your upbringing


................................................................................
-Say "pardon me" or "excuse me" when having to walk in front of someone or if you bump into someone.

-Err on the side of being too nice.


-Conduct small talk with others whether you know them or not (particularly in stores and restaurants, etc.).

-Respect elders

-Be gracious and extend hospitality whenever possible. Offer guests in your home food and drink.

-Don't interrupt

-Say "yes sir" or "no sir" and "yes ma'am" or "no ma'am" at all appropriate times. If you don't use these you may 
be viewed as arrogant or disrespectful, or uppity.


-If you don't get what you want, say something like "well, thank you anyway." You should also use "May I," "You're Welcome," "Excuse Me," and "Pardon Me."
Read more: How to Have Good Southern Manners | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2324670_have-good-southern-manners.html#ixzz0uAQvE30
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Houston in July

{before I start, let me preface that I have been writing this since Sunday. Yes, Sunday. I am finally getting to post this. I have dishes in the sink, Lemon-Blueberry bread in the oven and 6 seasons of LOST to watch. Feel privileged. Oh, and I am allergy-ridden along with my toddler. Feel very privileged}

and here we go.......
.........................................................................
Most people I associate with love Houston. I mean, where else will you find such diversity in people, art, food, etc. It is the 4th most populated city in the USA, home to the largest medical district in the world, and the second LOWEST cost of living. Lest you think I have made these facts up, just click here.

I love Houston. I love the heat. I love the humidity. I love the use of Ma'am and Sir and doors opened for me by strangers and chatting to my new BFF in the grocery line (you know, the one you will never see again). Its.... wonderful. HOWEVER... I do understand that some people really do not like the heat and humidity. But really, who goes outside for long periods of time in ANY US city where it is hot and humid? I'll wait for your response...


still waiting.....

I didn't think so. With that said, there really is a lot to do in Houston. I feel like we are doing something each weekend. Maybe all this "going-and-doing" is why I currently have lost my sense of smell and taste and can't seem to stop the sneezing and watering of my eyeballs. I should stop. I should rest. I should.... but I don't. It is a disease. Its called "I can do it all, all of the time" disease. You have it too!! And here I thought I was the only one. Glad to have you aboard my friend. You can be the Vice President.

This week we have started the POTTY TRAINING process. And I would like to say for the record that I am doing pretty well. Every twenty minutes I try. And so far it has been a success. Oh, and the toddler has been doing pretty well too. But don't be fooled. She still has a long ways to go. But the end of diapers in in sight! Please bless I am not saying this prematurely.

And then we went to see this beautiful girl. Lois! who smelled like, well, crap. Apparently at its peak it smells like a rotting corpse. No thank you. And yet, we lined up and saw this girl with Mommy-to-be-T.

One of the truly great things about here in Texas is how they battle this war against heat and humidity. For instance, building a stadium that is indoors. Yes my friends, picture enjoying a baseball game in the comfort of AC! The last time we went the toddler was still in incubation. This was our two-year anniversary of that almost to the day.

And who could forget the celebration of another 16year old! Our cousin had a bday party. And teenagers do but of course, I never did because I am perfect. (sarcasm? satire?) The toddler was taught to JUMP OFF THE TRAMP INTO THE POOL. And as her ever diligent parents, we watched her do it not just once, not just twice, but three times. I figure she is going to do it anyhow so I may as well encourage it and supervise.

Now that is sound parenting advice right there. And I am off to visit LOST

This says it all

Many people have commented to me something along the lines of:
"Wow, she's a firecracker"
"She must keep you busy"
"No wonder you are so skinny!" (really, that's all you can say?)
or even my special favorites:
"None of my kids would ever do that"
"Doesn't she ever stop"
"I bet she never sleeps"

When I hear these statements I think to myself "........." Actually, I am not going to tell you what I think. I am sure you can imagine. i just take a breath and give thanks to God for this girl of mine and her daddy who takes over when I need a break, or even when I don't.

As we gear up for the big SuperWHY Birthday Party in just a month, I am loving even more her activity. She dances, she sings, she climbs and UNlike her mommy, she has no sense of fear. Hmmm, maybe that is the wrong statement. She does know her limits. She is very (read: for a toddler) obedient. And boy can this toddler sleep! But she is my lover of life. And when she wants to try something crazy (like cliff jumping for beginners at Club Larsen) and I don't want her to, I just remember that Life without adventure is likely to be unsatisfying. And no, I did not make that up on my own. (but it is not because I am not clever. I am very clever in fact)

I love Spam

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. And unless you have tasted this lovely dish, preferably at the 7-11 off the Kam highway in Laie, I just don't want to hear it. We are going on a cruise in a few months and I am hoping against hope that the cruise has these onboard.