Day 3 - Dreams - 30 days of Gratitude - in pictures

I had many dreams of what I would be when I was growing up. One was being a decorator. I would even make doll house out of cardboard boxes, creating walls, doorways and windows, making sure the floor plan was usable. I would draw furniture in each of the rooms. My sister would then ask for the finished product so she could play with it with her dolls. Pretty much the only time in our young lives I didn't care she wanted something that was mine (such are the feelings of an older sister). I gladly gave them to her, because the joy was in the designing. I wanted to go to an art school to study interior design, but my father insisted on a four-year liberal arts degree. I would be more marketable he thought.  He died after my first year of college, but I continued with his advice. Because, pleasing a dead man makes so much sense, no? I majored in creative writing and minored in history (completely and totally NOT marketable).   One of my other dreams was to be a writer. The problem was and still is, is that I'm mediocre at best and didn't have the discipline to make writing a career.  But let me tell ya, it was a fun major to have. I got married, worked job to job, not very fulfilled. Then had babies. 

Another dream -- being a mom. I love love being a mom. I love parenting. As much as I complain about it, I don't mind the numbing-tiredness that parenting can be at times. I love my children with all my heart and love the men they are becoming - metaphorical warts and all. When the kids were older, I needed to think of a career, one that would be fulfilling, one that would tap into the caring person my children taught me to be, one that would give back. I thought about teacher, because how much fun would it be to inspire kids to want to write and read and have wonderful discussion about great works and newly discovered authors. Yeah, I'm an idealist. I also thought about nursing. Nursing won out, I enjoy the science of health, I think the nursing ideal of loving care of those who are in need fits right in with my personality. It was hard, nursing school was hell (seriously, if Dante actually went to nursing school, this would be the closest ring to Satan himself). But it was all worth it.  Nursing was a newer dream, but one of the hardest to achieve and I'm proud of the work I've done to get here. I also get to add teaching back in as I volunteer to precept, speak at nursing schools, mentor and encourage new nurses. I also do a lot of patient teaching....so nursing was a great choice, even if I'm not discussing great works and encouraging writing (although, I do talk to patients about the books they have on their bedside tables and have had great discussions about books and authors).

I haven't given up my dreams on decorating and designing. I just use my own house as my canvas and once in awhile my friends will ask for my advice and I gladly and enthusiastically give it to them, sometimes with swatches. I, and I can't believe I'm admitting this, am starting to write a novel. I'm not sure how good it'll be, or what will come of it....but if I don't try, I'll never know.

That's the thing about dreams, the first step is the hardest, but once you take that first step you are that much closer at achieving whatever it is you dream.

Day 2 Gratitude Challenge

Thirty days of gratitude....yeah yeah, we should all be grateful daily and I am. I just don't announce it to the world because I really believe the world enjoys my whining so much more.  I'm going to do this thirty day gratitude thing (don't worry, I'm sure I'll still whine). It won't always be on my blog...because let's face it, I've been sucking at blogging. Day one was on my FB page -- I just posted a picture of the Front Range and thanked the Lord I live in one of the more beautiful cities in the US (because I really do, I mean how many people get the beautiful view of the Rocky Mountain Range on a daily basis).  Today (as you can see by the nifty challenge graphic below) is laughter.  And I LOOOOVE ME some laughter.  I really do have one of the funniest husbands ever, he makes me laugh all the time -- he sometimes even does it intentionally. I am also always finding amusement in my children, who are both growing up with wonderful senses of humor -- sometimes even appropriate. I love laughing and I love to make people laugh.

 For this post I am thankful that although my sister was full of pain to the point she lost her life to alcohol, drugs, and depression, she had the most contagious laugh of anyone I have ever met. Her smile and laugh would light up a room and you couldn't help but laugh when she was laughing.  We grew up laughing. I am grateful I was able to hear my sister's laugh for over 40 years of my life. My sister and two of my brothers are pictured here laughing.

 After she died, one brother and I went to Florida to be with my mom, step dad and other brother. We spent the weekend crying, fighting (good-naturedly), and laughing. I am grateful for such two awesome, talented, handsome brothers who can do silly like no one's business.

 Look at my hubby's smile...how could you not laugh all the time with this guy, and the youngest -- he is such a lovely sweet boy who says the wildest things, and the teen, who has that typical teen expression, has a dry sly wit that catches you off guard. I am grateful for all of them. I am the luckiest mom and wife in the whole entire world.

And my coffee lady book club neighborhood peeps -- crying, laughing, gossiping, hugging group of women who give me strength -- All have wonderful senses of humor. How can I not be thankful with these lovelies.

One of the best pranks ever played and it still makes me laugh is when a group of my friends added a bunch of extra wives to my sticker-car-family -- a little making fun of my weird obsession with plural marriage (okay, all of us had a little obsession, we got together to watch Big Love every week and we call each other sister-wives).

 My marriage started out in laughter...the best way to begin a life together. My sister and sister-in-law laughing along with me, one of my best friends from high school and my best friend from college joining in (the three of them also came to my sister's funeral, to say good-bye because they too knew my sister, loved her and laughed with her). We have all had our own journeys to live, one with a mother and husband who had cancer (and are still alive and doing well). She and her husband make me laugh all the time. One whose daughter has Down's syndrome with autism, but posts the cutest and funniest pictures of her son and daughters on Facebook, and the third, my sister-in-law has advanced MS and she still is able to laugh and enjoy life.

So, yes, I am grateful for laughter. Without it life would be unbearable.

MEME (via cool guitar playing guy in England)

Stole this off of Rock Chef who stole it off of someone, who stole it off of someone.  How do these things start?    His answers were cooler then mine, but he's a guitar-playing-English-dude so what can I say.

Here are my answers to some random questions:

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you.   I can’t think of anyone famous, but a friend from nursing school, Denise, has the same birthday.  When we could remember we’d try to have lunch together to celebrate.

2. What has been your favorite age so far? I’m liking my 40’s.  I’ll like them a lot more when I’m done with my Master's program.

3. Where did you meet your husband? I was working in a dry cleaners when I was in high school.  Jason came in to be his friend’s wing-man, the friend was trying to pick up my friend who was also working there.  They never got together, but Jason and I hit it off.

4. How many children do you have? 2 boys -- they are my life

5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people?  No, but I did read one of my poems in front of a café crowd during a poetry reading.  It was one of the worst experiences ever.  I am not, nor will I ever be a public speaker.

6. What’s the first thing you notice about your preferred sex? Eyes, color doesn’t matter they have to look kind.  After that, looks don’t matter at all they just have to be smart and funny (I’m lucky to have the entire package, beautiful eyes, great smile, super funny –he makes me laugh all the time – and he’s smarter then I am)

7. What really turns you off? People being mean.

8. What do you order at Starbucks? Grande non-fat Hazelnut Latte.

9. What is your biggest mistake? Ooooh, so many.  The biggest right now is not taking care of myself, eating too much and not exercising.

10. As a child, what did you want to grow up to be? So many things, even now I’m not sure there are just so many things to do.  I always thought it would be fun to major in ‘level 100s’ and know a little about everything.

11. Say something totally random about yourself.  I have to have my feet covered when I sleep.  It’s a throw back to being afraid of the monsters under my bed…apparently my child brain thought I was protected by the sheet.

12. Do you still watch kiddie movies or TV shows? Only when I have to.

13. Did you have braces? No.

14. Favorite Social Network? Right now I’m really hooked on Pinterest.com  It’s a great place to ‘pin’ things you find on the web that you find interesting and you can retrieve the info later.  It’s social because you can ‘follow’ other people’s boards and see what they find interesting.  Not as much interaction as FB stalking or blog friendships, but it’s a great way to procrastinate.

15. What is the most romantic thing someone of the preferred sex has done for you? So many…I swear those nights when I’m dead tired and Jason does the dishes.  It seems like such a small thing but my ‘love language’ is acts of service  and for Jason to do that little thing it makes me feel loved and cared for.

16. When do you know it’s love? When you draw a stick line in Pictionary and the other already knows what you’re about to draw (Jason and I can’t play as partners anymore because people think we cheat)

17. Do you speak any other languages? Not anymore, Spanish was my first language (well bilingualish) but my parents stopped speaking it and I didn’t remember any of it.

18. Have you ever been to a tanning salon? Before my wedding, I wanted to get a good base going so I wouldn’t burn when we went to Mexico.

19. What magazines do you read? Decorating and Cooking magazines.  Someday I’ll have time to do those things again.

20. What is playing on your iPod right now? Rolling in the deep by Adele.  I don’t know what happened but somehow my Ipod and Jake’s (my 12 year old son’s) I-pod music was combined.  He’s not too happy about it because really what 12 year old boy wants ABBA on his play list.

21. Have you ever ridden in a limo? Yes, went to Mexico a company retreat and a group of us went into town in a limo, it was cheaper then using a bunch of taxis.  It wasn’t as glam as I thought it would be.

22. Has anyone you were really close to passed away? My dad.  I was nineteen.  I still miss him.

23. Do you watch MTV? No.

24. What’s something that really annoys you? Mostly myself. I need to learn how to shut up sometimes.

25. Which television show were you sad to say goodbye to? Big Love – my fascination with polygamy borders on obsessive.

26. Can you dance? Nope I have the girl version of white-man-overbite-syndrome (I take more after the WASPy side of the family rather then the Cuban side in this respect)

27. What’s your favorite place in the world? This is not a fair question.

28. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? No – thank goodness.

29. If you could meet anyone (dead or alive) who would it be? Also, not a fair question.  Maybe Jesus, I would like some clarifications and frankly would like to make some suggestions.

30. If you could change one thing in the world for your child, what would it be? I hope they have a world…..

Jason and I in 1986

Should you find these interesting questions and also want to answer them for random strangers I would love to see your responses, so let me know in my comment section so I can come by.

My interview from Chief Rock Chef

My first day of class went well...well the lecture went well, but I failed my math test (a test you need 100% on to pass) so I retook it today and passed...woo hoo. Anyhow, I'm thinking this semester is going to be my favorite yet. I finally feel like I have a rhythm to my studying, I know the teachers and I only have two classes....it's the home stretch and I'm stoked! Soooo, Chief Rock Chef sent me some interview questions and I thought I would share them with you....for those who requested interview questions, I'm in the process of getting them out and those who haven't yet, please do! It's fun to think up questions and no worries, I'll be very polite, no weird stuff!

Here you go.....

1.- Soon after we "met" you sent me a prize (an amazingly well chosen prize at that) and I remember you commenting that you like trying to buy good presents for people. Have you ever bought something that has fallen totally flat, turned out to be absolutely the wrong thing?

I'm very glad you liked your prize. It was very fun trying to pick something out. But, you were actually very easy to buy for. I never seem to find the right thing for my sister-in-law. She would never ever say otherwise, she's too polite, but sometimes you just know. I once bought her a heather gray sweater and leggings only because I thought she would look fantastic in that color. I hadn't realized at the time that she never wore much color, she stayed with some pretty basic whites and blacks and sometimes tans...it never occurred to me that this color would be out of her comfort zone, but it was. Most of the time I buy her gift certificates, she has most of what she needs and wants.


2 - You have committed yourself to the wonderful, stressful, often thankless world of nursing. If you were suddenly able to switch to a new career (no training, studying, etc needed) what would it be?

If I could be anything....I'd be an interior decorator. I love color, furniture, paintings etc and like to see how to put them all together to make a comfortable livable room. My favorite channel on television is HGTV . I would also like to be an artist, preferably a sculptor.

3 - Looking at old posts, you seem to get a lot of bad weather where you are - Colorado I seem to recall? Do you enjoy this or would you prefer to live somewhere with a kinder climate? Where would you go?

Colorado is a pretty awesome state. Even though we do have snow (not much lately, it was 70 degrees F today, we had the windows open and the kids were wearing shorts) we also have more sunny days then California. The snow rarely stays on the ground for more then a couple of days. We have the beautiful Rocky Mountains just a few minutes away. I love having all four seasons too.....BUT, I would actually love to live in the Pacific North West, a place with actually worse weather then ours because of the amount of rain they have...but I love rain and I love green. They also have mountains but in combo with the ocean.


4 - Long ago I had did a post about a TV show that I wanted to do - a cooking show called Rock Chef which would feature a different rock star guest each week. Have you ever thought of yourself doing a TV show? If so, what sort would it be? Who would be on it with you?


Whatever show I'd do, it would probably end up a comedy....I'm not really comfortable being the center of attention like that so I think most likely I would produce rather then host a show. I think it would be fun to do something Martha Stewart like but with REAL people and ideas for REAL life. Seriously if I spent hours creating marzipan turkeys for Thanksgiving I'd have a fit if someone ate one....Martha Stewart is just nuts.

5 - If you are having a bad day, what thing is most likely to cheer you up, or are you doomed once a day turns bad?

Sadly, I often turn to food, but it doesn't cheer me up, it makes me feel worse....but a lot of times my husband can joke around or poke fun at what I'm doing and I can usually cheer up. I'm rarely doomed....but the days that I am, I usually leave the family and crawl into bed so that they don't have to witness it.....
Thanks John for the interview questions they were fun to answer. And for the rest of you...check out the directions in my post below should you wish to be interviewed (and I so hope you do!).

My Interview from Ali

OH MY GAWD, SCHOOL STARTS TODAY....TODAY...AND IT STARTS WITH A MATH TEST! so instead of freaking out (okay, who am I kidding, I'm freaking out) I'll leave you with my answers to Ali's interview questions:

Ali, at Idiosyncrasies of a Gemini Mind (Isn't that a great name for a blog....oh wait as a Gemini myself, maybe I'm biased) sent me some interview questions (and in case you're wondering, so did Chief Rock Chef...I'll get to his on Wednesday)...so here are the answers, and should the whole 5 people who read my blog wish to be interviewed by ME....just see below what to do....


1. Once school is over and you're "officially" Nursey McHealthypants, what are you going to do to celebrate?
Well, I think I'll start off with sleeping for a week....I'd like to take a family vacation, not sure where --it'll most likely depend on our finances, so it could be a week away in our lovely mountains or a cruise in the Caribbean.

2. What's one of the funniest situations you can remember being in with your hubby - where you both laughed yourself silly?
Jason and I have known each other a long time, but the one thing that strikes me as one of our funniest moments, is also quite embarrassing to me.....but what the heck, I'll share it anyway. Jason and I went to an improvisational thing one night and someone on stage was revving up the audience. He would yell things out like "what high school did you go to" and everyone would yell out an answer. I was very caught up in the moment and when he yelled out "who did you lose your virginity to" I yelled out "JASON"....but no one else said a peep, so it was my lone voice in the crowd yelling an answer-- then a roaring burst of hysterical laughter on the announcer and audience parts....color me beet red...but, no, it didn't stop there. Later the announcer came around in the audience asking questions and he came to me and asked who was sitting next to me and in a shy, contrite voice I had to say, "Jason" which made the audience and the announcer laugh that much harder.



3. Do you ever wish you weren't such an unpredictable/feels everything Gemini? I only ask this because obviously I am one myself, and sometimes it's exhausting.


Oh my goodness yes...and the quickness a mood can change for me is sometimes confusing and irritating...but the good news on that front is that I can come out of a funk pretty easily (especially if humor is being used). What is most aggravating though, is the whole fence sitting thing...I'm really good at seeing both sides and often agree with both sides of almost any issue. I really admire those who can take a stand for something because they can move forward where as I am still debating in my head which is the right thing to do...
Jason does joke with me about which personality is coming out to play, or he'll ask if I'll consult all the people in my head before making a decision....he's a funny guy.
4. Your favourite thing about being a mom to your two little boys? And do you think they're easier than girls?
The hugs....I love those spontaneous hugs and "I love yous" from them. I know that they are going to get less and less in the coming years so I eat them up now. I love smelling them when I hug and cuddle them, almost like I can breath in their essence.
Not having had girls, I'm not sure what would be easier. I've heard that girls a more mellow at this younger age, but harder in the teen years? Boys at 9 and 6 are certainly exhausting! I think I'll still have the worries about teen peer pressure with smoking, drugs, alcohol and sex that a mom of girls would have in the later years, so I'm not sure I'll have it easier then then a mom with girls?

5. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? And what would your superhero name be?
It would be 'super fix-it woman' and I would get my house remodeled....I would love to channel Carter Osterhouse (or whatever his name is..the real cute carpenter guy on HGTV) and have my house actually completed within the next year...seriously we are now over a year on our master bath remodel.....grrrrr
Not very creative or romantic, but there you have it!

Thanks Ali for your fun questions! And if any of you would like me to interview you, let me know and see rules below.


The only rules are that you have to link back to the original post and you have to put these rules in your post:"Want to be part of it? Follow these instructions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions."

Quirky Stuff

Although I was not officially tagged by Ms. Martha, I am still going to play along with her Meme and list off some of quirky things I do. Sadly, unlike Ms. Martha, I had NO problem coming up with six things, as a matter of fact I could have gone on and on.

Number 1. I think Vincent D'Onofrio as the detective in Criminal Intent, Law and Order, is hot. There's something about a really smart, quirky guy that is a real 'turn on'; come on have you met my husband...He's Vincent but shorter, darker and with a beard.

Number 2. I enjoy more the planning rather then the actual execution of said plans.

Number 3. I like to mix mustard and ketsup and dip my fries in it.

Number 4. When I lock any door and put my keys in my bag, I'll reopen my bag and check that the keys I just put in are still there, then I start to close the door, but right.before.it's.closed I open my bag again to absolutely make sure the keys are in the bag, then I shut the door, but hold my breath, check my bag again and breath a sigh of relief. Periodically, through the day, I'll check for my keys...ok, this is really more OCD then quirky, but we all have our dirty little OCD secrets...(don't we, please say I'm not the only one).

Number 5. Sometimes when the kids are playing nicely I'll scream at the top of my lungs and giggle hysterically while they looked shocked, scared and totally freaked out. They are so going to need therapy.

And, Number 6. When I've done something nice for someone, I'll go buy a lottery ticket, because really, don't I deserve a million dollars for having been so thoughtful to have cooked someone a casserole?

I hope that revealing some of these things haven't completely turned you off from reading my blog.....and if not, please clue the rest of us in on those quirky things you do....Teresa, Chief Rock Chef, Ali and Terri in particular (Danielle got tagged officially by Ms. Martha...but here's another plea to hear what you have to say.)

A Meme

I got tagged by Danielle for a Meme on useless trivial habits I have...hmmmm, well almost all that type of information about me is useless and trivial, but I'll go for the most trivial....

Here are the rules:
(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) List the rules on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let each random person know they have been tagged.

1. I can't sleep with my feet uncovered -- it's a hold out from when I was afraid of monsters under the bed (a couple weeks ago...hahaha, JK)

2. I have a paper due on diverticulitis today and instead of working on it, I'm reading blogs and doing stupid memes.....In other words, I'm a procastinator.

3. When I was a child I liked peanut butter and sweet pickle sandwhiches.

4. If it wasn't so impractical, I would have gone back to school to be an interior decorator rather then a nurse....I really love to decorate.

5. I'm a practical person...in a flighty, artsy, procastinating way.

6. I can't think of anything really interesting, but probably in the middle of my lecture of the lower GI tract I will think of tons of things and want a redo...

OK, Danielle already tagged the people I would tag...Dodi
Aimee and yes, she does need to update more, Colleeno, Ms. Marfa and Scott -- so if you want to read more on this line, check out their blogs and if you want to do this meme, let me know and I'll come read your blog!

And....oh my gosh, spell check is out, so I have no idea how badly I've done here....

Now, for the more serious stuff....I went to the Caucus (again, have no idea how that's spelled) for the first time ever. I had no clue what it was all about and it was so neat to be a part of the political process at that level...you really feel like at that level your vote means something -- like you're at the heart of the whole process. And there was such a camraderie (again, wish spell check was on). I even saw someone I knew...My first words, "Oh my gosh, I had no idea you were a democrat" she said the same to me and we hugged. I met some other neighbors too. You see in a red state, and in the suburbs, it's hard to find other dems...and ever since liberal has become a nasty word (and why is that?) it's not like we want to shout it out to the roof tops. I mostly keep my opinions to myself. Along with choosing a candidate, we also decided we should wear blue D's on our shirt in Scarlet Letter fashion.

So here's my opinion...
Romney? Really? Why?

Obama, Hillary? It was hard to choose, mostly because they're both a little left of the whole party line (I'm a middle of the road, fence sitter myself) I went with the majority (Obama) but still not sure who my fave is.

Really, really, I would like to tailor design my own candidate...some one down to earth, who really has, not only the country, but the individual man and woman who works to keep this country going, in mind...not so much big cooperations and the people who can afford to lobby. A candidate who cares about the earth and our resources....whether or not you believe we're in for a heat wave, ice age or nothing's going to happen, it does make sense to use renewable sources of energy...like say, solar, wind....It makes perfect sense to take care of our poor, our sick, our young and our old. I know that how we do that needs to be tweeked (I'm not about a free ride) but give me a break...and single mother trying to make it on her own, needs some help, if dead beat daddy isn't going to cough it up....and blaming her for getting into the mess, well that's just not helpful.

You know I just thought of something, maybe Jim Fay needs to write "Love and Logic for the politician" hahahahah (ok, for those of you not parents, Love and Logic is one of my favorite parenting books, it's about parenting out of consequences...like, 'If you choose to go out of the house without a coat you'll be cold, and if you make that choice you can't complain" I love it and the kids love it too).

anyway...I'm just saying.

6th Truths

OK, I've been tagged by Ms. Martha

Here's the plan for this type of tag: A. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves. B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names (OK, I'm not going to do this because no one ever does my meme's...whine whine whine)

1. I'm competitive....I actually did not know this about myself until recently because I always thought it a bit negative. Here's the deal, I am so happy for those who do better then I do (especially if I like them). I just want to do well for myself and I want to be comparatively high on the whole grade thing in school....whatever, it's just who I am.

2. If I had to do it all over again, I'd be an interior designer and would so have tried out for Design Star

3. Even though I should have done the whole other career thing before and really, designing rooms and stuff is my first love, I am loving nursing school and I do believe I will be a good nurse.

4. I ADORE my husband and children. Even when I'm mad at my hubby I know he is the only man out there for me. I really do think my children are amazing even when or maybe particularly when they are messy, dirty, talking back and wrestling...they're just great!

5. I am addicted to television. Are there any 12 step programs for that? It's what keeps me from getting tevo.

6. I HATE CLEANING THE HOUSE. I want a maid. I will eventually get one, but my house is in between fixer-upper and demolition mode and it's hard to know what to even ask someone to clean.

OK....if you like this tag and plan on doing it, just let me know so I can read it!

and a note on real life...
finished fundamentals (most likely a B----booo hooo, see number one above), pharmacology an A (woo hoo---again, see number 1 above). And a thank you to Ms. Martha for putting things in perspective. I was able to get a B in a really hard class and still be a mom (soccer practice, some volunteering in the school, a couple of play dates), a wife and a friend.

Halloween shenanigans to follow in a couple hours? few days?

Dodi's meme

So Dodi sent me a Meme....and I'll play even though, really I just DID one, but here it goes.....List 8 things about yourself and one of them UNTRUE and people get to guess out there which was is untrue.....

1. I am not adopted, I'm really related to my crazy family.
2. I married my high school sweet heart.
3. I did not graduate from high school.
4. If I had to do it all over again, I would have gotten my degree in interior design.
5. I am a procrastinator (thus writing on my blog instead of homework or cleaning).
6. I have a secret crush on Donald Trump. "You're Fired" just gives me the chills.
7. I'm really scared about doing IV's and Catheters.
8. I never had to work hard for A's the first go around and now I'm working really hard for B's.

Now Dodi never said when we give up the untruth...maybe we don't?

Now...and you know you had it coming because I think you've tagged me a couple of times....and it's okay if you wait til you feel like it and I do know I'm doing it at my own risk....but, yes I'm tagging youValiens and Amanda but realized when I went there to copy her URL she already did this one...OK UMMMMostly True Stories and anyone else who would like to join in.....

I predict from dodi and a meme from valiens

From Dodi's blog
I Predict

My friend sent me an email that we were supposed to fill in with our answer and then pass it on. Well, most of my friends (all what? 4 friends that I have?) usually hate to get these kinds of emails - and I do too. So, I thought I'd blog it. If you want to also blog it - the more the merrier.
(side note here, I do think Dodi has more then four friends!)

1. I predict that my parents will move to Colorado from Spain within the next 6 months to a year and my step dad's brother, will also move here from NC and within a year my brother will leave bartending in Miami and make the move too.

2. I predict that the fake-reality show of the Cavemen from the GEICO commercials will not make it.

3. I predict that even after taking out the mutant Cat Tails that I did NOT plant but are taking over, I will have to continue to do so for a couple years until they are completely eradicated. How the heck did I get those to grow in the semi-arid environment of Colorado is anyone's guess.

4. I predict that the Big Love Finale tomorrow will want me wanting more and I will be very anxious until the new season starts. I predict Bill helps Roman regain his power and Albi is put back in his place.

What do you predict?

Now, the MEME from Valiens

Love...name 10 things you love about yourself....sheesh, I think this may be hard to do, but suspect important to do once in awhile.

1. I love that I can laugh at myself.
2. I love that I'm a middle of the road kinda gal and can see both sides of an issue and want to see both sides, but still have an opinion.
3. I love that I'm starting nursing school and taking on a challenge like this, particularly because I'm not one to take on challenges...I'm too afraid of failing.
4. I love that I am able to pick out some great friends.
5. I really love my sense of humor.
6. I love how Jason and I are together (most of the time, there are times when I do a lot of eye rolling)....I love that we finish each other's thoughts, that if something is funny we can look at each other and laugh, that he's analytical and that I use intuition and even after 22 years of being together and 15 years of marriage he still questions 'why' I know.
7. I love that I can laugh with the kids and that they are developing a great sense of humor (can you see a theme here). I LOVE it when I can make them laugh.
8. I love that the kids say they love me more then the stars themselves....even if they sometimes are ornery, I know that they are learning the capacity for love.
9. I'm pretty good at decorating.
10. I love that I'm accepting of many different types of people....even though my choices seem quite conservative and suburban, I enjoy many different cultures and ideas.

OK....if this looks interesting to anyone else, do it and let me know so I can read it on your blog.

favorite quotes

favorite quotes? ooooh, how do I choose? OH, this question coming to you from ms. martha

I like this one:
"You can preach a better sermon with the way you live then with words"
It's pretty self-explanatory...but I'll explain why anyway...

I'm so OVER the "good Christian" thing. Being a democrat, think people should make their own choices, say a naughty thing or two (or three), see R-rated movies and well, like sex with my husband doesn't make me a bad Christian. I don't need to preach to all who don't want to hear what they are doing wrong (or right)----even if I DO KNOW EVERYTHING. I think I should live my life as wholesomely as possible, with grace, love of my neighbors, kindness to strangers, etc. AND in the way I LIVE my life be an example, not by what I tell people to do. AND...sooo don't tell me what to do---Really ask anyone, I HATE being told what to do.

And, mushy mush stuff, just went to an uppercase living party and bought this quote to put on the wall " Happiness is being married to your best friend". And here is where it gets really mushy...go ahead get a barf-bucket. We have a 'love wall' above our bed where we hang pictures and, things we've found on anniversary trips etc and that's where I'm going to put my quote. I so love my hubby, which is good because we've been together for over half our lives.
They also have this quote that I may get for our hallway where I plan on having pictures of the boys...Boy: n. a noise with dirt on it.

My brain. Very scary

The challenge: Just write. Stream of consciousness. Doesn't matter if it even makes sense. Who cares if it flows. Just start. Just type whatever pops into your brain. Go

hmmm where do I even start, my coffee, it's so damn early in the morning and this going to soy milk, even vanilla soy milk is really NO substitution for that nice chemically goodness of hazelnut creamer....sigh, but my quest for healthier living, of course what excuse do I have for the oreos last night? oh they were reduced fat. I can't believe ...i before e...I hate those words...I'm doing this instead of my TB report, what the fuck was I thinking taking these two classes together, I should get a prize at the end of this semester, 6 hellish weeks to go, I can't wait, I am enjoying the learning but wish I had more time to actually do the learning, heck I wish I had time to do the dishes, but here I am doing this. I wonder how ethical it is to cannibalize my TB report from Micro? How do you spell consciousness anyway, I suck at spelling thank goodness for spell check. I so the hell don't want to take this test today!

oh, look at that, my consciousness has a potty mouth. I wonder what that would have sounded like if someone was stoned? or on cocaine?

Spotlight Meme

I got tagged by Valiens to answer a portion and/or all of the questions posed on Christy's coffee house so here it goes:

What are my feelings on the blog popularity issue:
I had no idea there were popularity contests on blogs, but I figure it's like high school. Your best bet is to do what you love with integrity, be respectful and courteous and not care what others are doing or thinking of you.

Are you a spiritual person:
Yes. I have a strong belief system but do not assume that all people should share that, or think that they are wrong for not believing what I do. It is my choice and it's 'place' from which I gather strength, peace and wisdom. I am not a sheep; I am not chattel; I have been known, on occasion, to even think for myself.

Best/worst qualities:
My best quality is that I know I have no worst qualities
hahaha, I crack myself up. Really, my best quality is that I can laugh at myself, as well as others. I don't take myself or anyone else too seriously and it takes a long time for my fuse to blow, but when it does it leads right to my worst quality. Worst quality is that I hold on to hurts, mull them over, analyze them, share them with all, way too long and too much.

Favorite childhood memory:
Christmastime. Our house would be decorated. We would socialize with a bunch of people. My parents would invite anyone who didn't have a place to go over on Christmas Eve. We would pull out card tables, stack boxes for tables, anything that you could put a table cloth over and we would place them all over the house and decorate each table. One year we had three or four in the living room, a couple in the front hall and in the kitchen. No overhead lights, just candles and lamps and a fire in the fireplace. Then we would leave the house a mess and go to Midnight Mass and St. Johns Cathedral (beautiful Gothic style Episcopal church in Denver). We would come home and my sister and I would open one present each, then go to bed. It was magical.

Okay, I tag all those who even read this....it's not a popular blog, and that's okay, I didn't start blogging to become popular.

NOW, I do believe I've procrastinated enough and I must go work on my pathophysiology.

blog challenge love/hate

love/hate with the 5 senses

LOVE:
the SIGHT of my front garden and porch in the spring with everything blooming.
the SMELL of hazelnut coffee brewing in the morning.
the TASTE Anthony's cheese pizza with an extra dash of garlic powder.
the SOUND of the waves hitting the rocks on the Pacific Coast or a full rushing creek in the Rocky Mountains
the FEEL of a cool brisk mornings in the Fall, just before it gets really cold.

HATE:
the SIGHT of someone in pain, emotionally or physically
the SMELL of swampy standing water....GAG, ick
the TASTE of my mouth when I have a really bad cold....again, GAG
the SOUND of someone yelling at the kids, not in the regular 'I've just had it' but those deep hurtful life altering things.
the FEEL of losing my temper with the children and seeing their little perplexed faces!

Words

A new blog challenge (kind of like a meme) from Martha:

Words can be powerful. Think of an occasion when someone blessed you with their words. (Conversely, words can be powerfully hurtful, too. Write about one of those instances if you must, but try to think of a positive memory instead.) Describe the circumstances surrounding the words that were powerful to you. Who said it? How did you react? How does it affect you today.

Normally I would jump at the chance to write about something funny and entertaining. But I've been wrestling with words and their meaning a lot in the last week. Maybe because mother's day was so recent, maybe because of some conversations with different family members that recently happened, I don't know? But I've been thinking about the words I said to my mother, almost 18 years ago in a family therapy session and how those words have impacted her. I've been reevaluating the benefit of confronting those who have hurt you. Does it really do any good, can it do more harm? I'm not exactly feeling guilty. I wasn't intending to hurt I was just addressing my hurt. It was rehearsed and approved by the therapist. The therapeutic session was beneficial to me; I realized that my step-father argued with my mother about her decision to give up custody of us (always good to know that the "steps" aren't always evil) and my mother explained that it had nothing to do with me or my typical nine year old behavior (for the longest time I struggled with the idea I wasn't good enough, which pretty much landed me in the eating-disorder clinic where the therapy session happened). So this was all helpful to me, but what did it do to my mother? I think she convinced herself she made the best decision for all of us; she did have two new babies to take care of, a new marriage, a new business, a new town. I hated living in Miami and I missed my father in Denver. All of these things translated to her that she was making a sacrificial decision in my sister's and my behalf. It translated a bit differently to me. Did me exposing my hurt and feelings of abandonment make her question her decision? Question her ability to mother? Was it at that moment she began to wrestle with guilt that has slowly eaten away at her and has made her more of a shell of a person? Someone who doesn't laugh as much? Cry as much? Doesn't feel as much? Someone who is in a self-induced protected shell. Was this just the last straw in a series of painful moments in her life? Did what I say to her that day effect how she mothered my brothers from that point on (they would have been young teens at the time).

Words can be powerful. They can make you cry, they can produce patriotic fervor, they can make you laugh. But silence.......silence, the silence in the moment before you speak the words, the moment when you think am I doing harm or good with these words? The silence when you choose NOT to say the words that could change a person's life for the worse. Silence before you say the words that are swarming in your head in the midst of anger. Silence can be so much more powerful.

All About Me

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Kinda fun, snagged idea off of Sis-in-law and sis-in-law's-sis's blogs.

Just One Word?????

And now for this week's blog challenge:

Have you ever tried to describe yourself in one word? One word that sort of sums up who you are, what makes you tick, what sets you apart. It's not as easy as you think. As women, we need to spend more time recognizing and celebrating the talents and positive traits we've been adorned with. Whether we're suburban upper-middle class moms or urban, poor, living-the-moment teens - we all have one thing in common: we're beautiful women with amazing talents, unbridled potential... and we're fabulous, baby. Fabulous. Go ahead. Describe yourself with one word. Then ask three other people to describe you, too. Celebrate yourself. I dare you!

Oh my, just one word.....hmmmm, so very difficult for me who loves to talk (at times ad nauseum, so glad to have to have been introduced to blogging). But here it goes:

Waspina: It's a word made up by DH. My sister, who loves to poke fun at my natural reservedness, so foreign to the Cuban side of our family, the side that she emotionally responds to more than I, was accused, herself, of being a bit cold by her Argentinian husband (of three hours but that's another story). I had to laugh as she had lovingly, for years, accused me of being a WASP (the side of the family I generally emotionally gravitate toward, even if I look more Cuban). So our needling at each other was put to a quick stop by DH who called us both Waspinas making us both giggle with delight.

It does describe me pretty well. Caught between two cultures, not quite fitting in either and yet also enjoying being a part of both. Being a little reserved at times can be quite beneficial when deciding on a course of action. Being a bit emotional can make you a warrior for your family when needed. I enjoy being in the middle, I feel well-balanced, empathetic and at times even somewhat wise.

There are some honorary Waspina's out there. Colleen, who grew up pretty much glow- in the-dark-anglo-saxon loved visiting her Italian family (married into her family, Italian), feeling the warmth, the tears, the love made her feel happy to even witness it. She's declared herself a Waspina. Martha, so loves the idea and has joined the club. Sis-in-law is a member (of course her children, given that she is of the WASPY persuation herself and my brother is Cuban, will be Waspina/os by birth).

So here's to us who may start the evening with a Martini, have some Picadillo and frijoles negros for dinner and finish it off with a nice Cobbler. Celebrating and embracing all of the cultures that make us who we are! And, yes, I do beleive WASP is a culture, you just need to look hard.
(Dad, Wasp, Mom, Cuban, and the two Waspina girls, the dark haired, one is me and the light one is Elena)

Please still be my friend....

Oh my I got 'tagged' by someone I haven't officially met, but really enjoy reading her blog (to the point of stalking) I have no idea what that means but I'm so honored. Being the kid that was picked last for such things in grade school this means a lot! So this is what I'm supposed to do, name 10 things people don't know about me. I did this once before for a 'blog challenge' (Jan 9)which seems very similar to being 'tagged'. I'm so new to the blogging world I'm just not too sure about these things. Anyhow, it was fun the first time so I'll do it again.

10. I really would love to be an 'intellectual' but I am a bit too silly, and frankly not quite intelligent enough.
9. My conservative friends think I'm too liberal
8. My liberal friends think I'm too conservative
7. I think I'm just right
6. I am caring less about what people may or may not think about my parenting. They're bright, curious, healthy (majorly) active little boys. I don't need for them to be perfect and frankly if what they do makes you feel better about your own children and your parenting, I'm happy to provide that service for you.
5. I so dig the whole Big Love polygamous family. Not into the sharing of the husband thing but the whole 'taking a village' to raise the family thing is great! And thank you to my neighborhood mommies colleen (barb), martha (niki) aimee and shaina for helping me raise mine (and, gulp, I'm margine --except shaina thinks I'm barb and to her I probably am, but to the other guys in the group, not so much......another reason why I can't be in the whole 'intellectual' group I'd love to be a part of--I'm a bit of a scatter brain)
4. Sometimes when the kids are perfectly content playing without me I want to go hit them so that they cry and need me. I have never done this, just been tempted. I love that feeling that I'm the one that can solve their problems, with a snuggle and assurances that they are loved. They need that less and less from me and I'm missing it.
3. I lose my temper with rude customer service people.
2. I want a particular ex friend to be 'outed' as a sociopath and then have her move away.
1. I really love doing these stupid list things! and enjoy reading other people's stupid list things.
So now I will 'tag' some of you others to do this too
sis in law , sis in law's sis, tosin another person I don't know but like to read and last but of course not least Niki (that would be you, martha)
And of course feel free NOT to do it. I won't think any less of you.

blog challenge.... a Count Down

10 favorites
Color: blue
Food: Cuban Sandwiches
Month: October
Song: Mama Mia
Movie: ????? I like so many
Sport: whatever my kids are playing
Season: Fall
Day of the Week: Saturday
Ice Cream Flavor: Dulce De Leche
Time of Day: Morning
9 Currents
Mood: Tired
Clothes: Comfy
Taste: sticky mouth, need some water
Desktop: particle board
Toenail: Color: Nothing, but in the summer, I like to do something crazy
Time: 10ish
Surroundings: study/guestroom
Thoughts: mostly garbled, I have mommy brain
Wonderings: huh?
8 Firsts
Best Friend: Don't remember her name, erika, I think.
Kiss: His name was Nelson
Screen Name: traceyzimmer, not very creative
Pet: Nicki, a crazy wired haired terrier
Piercing: ears I was a few days old
Crush: Gus
Computer: a Tandy in high school
Home Location: my very first home as an adult, up the block from here
7 Lasts
Cigarette: sometime in college
Drink: Christmas
Kiss: this morning
Movie seen at the theater: Charlotte's web
Phone Call: to my message machine (and yes Martha your message was on there, don't know why I didn't hear the beeping)
CD played: ABBA
Gift received: Roses on Valentine's day
6
Have You Ever Dated One Of Your Best Friends: nope
Broken the Law: speeding?
Been Arrested: oh my gosh no
Skinny Dipped: nope
Been on TV: yes, on some PBS special about high school students
Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: yikes, yes...
5
Things You've Eaten Today: Chinese food, yum
You've Done Today: field trip with the youngest, the museum
You Can Hear Right Now: the hum of the computer
You Can't Live Without: said computer
You Do When You're Bored: computer, tv, read
4
places you've been today:
museum
Chick Fillet drive through (on the way to the museum)
home
that's it...
3
people you can tell anything to
shannon
colleen
shaina
oh what the heck, I tell most people everything
2 Choices
a. Black or White: White, look great in white when I have a tan but then I look good in black when I have that mid-winter pale thing going.......I just can't decide. Ok, i'm just going to go back to blue.
b. Hot or Cold: As a bonified Waspina, I'd have to say, in the middle.
1
Thing you wanna do before you die:
Meet all the Grandkids I'm going to have.

Another List Thing

Blog challenge forwarded by Martha is another list thing....hmmm, well it sure beats studying and I'm all for anything that keeps me from THAT!

When is the first time you fell in love?
Well it would be Jason, and I'm not saying that to spare his feelings, we met when we were 16 there weren't very many before him and no one serious.

lost someone close to you?
My Dad, I was 19.

drank alcohol?
High school....Oh My Gosh, I hope my kids DON'T do what I did in High school.

got kissed?
5th grade, you think I would have turned into a slut, given I was so young, but it was just a peck on the cheek. First REAL kiss, Jason...well the kiss that mattered, the kiss that made my toes curl.

went to the hospital?
For myself? when I had babies.

smoked a cigarette?
High school...unfiltered Camels....yikes. I do not smoke now, though

broke a bone?
never

got a job?
High school

got cheated on?
never

rode the city bus?
a month old, my Dad took me into the city and I peed all over him. For some reason he loved that story.

went to a concert?
High school

Met someone famous?
Had a chance to meet Andy Garcia, but bailed. My parents knew his parents.

dyed your hair?
In my 20's

got your own cell phone?
In my 30's

snuck out the house?
Ummm, that would be High school again (seeing a trend?)

drove a car?
16

got your own digital camera?
2002 and Like Martha,I resisted, because I was very attached to Film!

how old are you now?
38