Le Bounce!!!

This last Sunday (2/20) I took Stratton to the new play place in Cape. It's called Le Bounce. It is right next to the Apple Bee's in the old Rust & Martin building. I took Stratton by myself and Derek met us there later. It was seriously SO much fun! Not only did Stratton have a blast but I did too! It was more fun than I have had in a long time. I felt like such a kid again. We jumped, crawled through tunnels, climbed over ramps, slid down slides...the works. It was fun getting to see Stratton come out of his shell and really try hard to keep up with the bigger kids. I got a few pictures but it was hard to take any because the lighting was pretty crappy and Stratton was non stop! If you have kids and live close by you should definitely take them to Le Bounce. It's well worth the $8 to get to play and run around. Best of all your kid is POOPED after they get done and crash as soon as they get home.

What's Daddy's name?

Last night I had to go to Wal Mart and Petco so I took Stratton with me because for some reason he LOVES Wal Mart. He wants bananas (namas) every time we walk in the door. We went by Petco first and Stratton looked at all the animals and I went to check out and the item I wanted was 3 times as much as it was supposed to be (it was supposed to be on sale) so I wound up not getting it. We headed to Wal Mart after that and got some cat supplies and he got his bananas. We checked out, he said bye to everyone as we were leaving and then we headed back home. In the car I like to talk to Stratton a lot and make sure that he is learning everything he can as we ride in the car. So last night I was asking him what his name was, what my name was, and what Daddy's name was. Well I started off with me I said "Stratton what's my name" he says "Mommy." So I ask, "What's your name?" he says "Stratton" then I ask, "What's Daddy's name?" and without missing a beat he says "Babe." Haha. I couldn't help but call Derek and tell him what Stratton is now referring to him as. Too cute.

Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary

Monday was Derek's 24th birthday! Happy Birthday Derek!


Today is my 3rd Anniversary with Derek. I can't believe it's been three years. It's seems like so much longer. I couldn't imagine my life without him now. I know everyone around me is getting a divorce so it's really nice to know that I have one of the few men that will truly stick with me until the end. We have such a great support group of family and friends.  It makes it easy to have an ear to bitch in and a shoulder to cry on when you need it instead of taking it out on the husband. We have made it through a few tough times but I know we will have many more in the future. I'm so happy I have Derek and so blessed that he gave me one of the greatest gifts ever...Stratton. I hope we have many more anniversaries together in the future. Here is what I got him for our anniversary.

I got this idea from a friend who also got one made for a child they lost. I ordered it from a couple who has a blog called Memories In The Sand here. They were super fast at getting me the file of the image and I ordered it from shutterfly. It turned our really neat and I think Derek was pretty impressed that I went through all the effort to get it. I thought it turned our really neat and it's something I can keep for many years to come.

I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT...

My favorite band in the entire world (avenged sevenfold) just announced that they are coming to Cape in April. I can't believe it! I never in a million years thought that they would come here. I'm so excited I seriously RAN to Derek's office to tell him that we're going. Yay! Can not wait until April 25th now. Lets just keep our fingers crossed that they don't cancel like every other band that ever says they are going to come to Cape does.

I couldn't resist

I found this while looking for decorations for my house from this blog post the other day. I found this on Targets website and I couldn't resist sharing it with you all. Let me know what you think. 

 Here is a close up.

Mrs Yuck

I'm feeling under the weather today so I'm not going to post a lot. I'm going to try to catch up on my Picture Challenge then hopefully (maybe) go home from work early to get some much needed rest. I'm going to try to put on my big girl pants today and stick it out but, I feel like I got ran over by a truck and EVERYONE here at work is sick or has been sick the last week. We've had people out for 3-4 days in a row! That's crazy! One of my co-workers has the flu (like the real deal flu not the stomach virus flu) and another two others have the first stages of pneumonia. Scary! I'm hoping this will just pass over and give me a sore throat and go on it's way but I'm never that lucky. Especially when the sick kid has to sit right next to me in class. THANKS A LOT BUDDY!

Anyway... I'm going to be lazy on this one and just say what it is. You get the point.

Day 9 of Picture Challenge
Person that has gotten you through the most.
Derek

Day 10 of Picture Challenge
Person you do the most messed up things with.
I'm not sure what this is trying to imply but I don't do messed up things because that's well...messed up.
SO I'm going to null and void this question.

Day 11 of Picture Challenge
Something you hate.
I'm glad I'm not having to look for pictures of the thing I hate because as most of you already know...it's throwing up. I'm not looking that up OR posting that on my blog. No thank you. We all know what it looks like, smells like, and how it makes you feel. Just thinking about it is making my stomach turn. I'm done. Good day.

20 Easy Ways to Be Happier

1. Make Your Bed Every Morning
I’ve heard this one before, and not just from my mother. For most people, outer order leads to inner calm. And making your bed is one quick, easy way to get some semblance of a tidy room (even when your closet is anything but.)

2. Shorten Your Commute
Okay, this one may not be a cinch. But if there’s any way you can shorten your commute, it’s certainly worth the effort. Spending two hours a day in gridlock traffic is enough to drive even the most Zen commuter up the wall. Not only is the drive itself infuriating, a long commute eats up time that could be spent on proven happiness boosters, like sleeping or interacting with other people.

3. Find a Rocking Chair
You know it works for babies. Now it seems that rockers bring similar comfort to elderly sufferers of dementia. Researchers at the University of Rochester encouraged twenty-five residents to rock as much as they like and they became less upset and anxious and required less pain medication. Who’s to say it couldn’t work for you?

4. Make Lists
Writing it down (whatever “it” may be. is a successful tool for managing stress. Just make sure your list doesn’t get out of control. After all, your list is supposed to help with your stress, not add to it. Remember that you can always adjust your priorities.

5. Paint Your Toenails … Even in the Winter
In the winter months, it’s easy to ignore your feet until they morph into a Shrek-like monstrosity. Who’s going to see them anyway, right? Wrong. You are! So give them a soak, a scrub, a bit of moisture, and a dash of color. You’ll feel better instantly.

6. Wake up the Right Way
Are you coffee lover? Wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee by investing in a percolator with a programmable timer. Tired of waking up to the shriek of a buzzer or the irritating voice of the talk radio host? Get yourself an alarm clock that wakes you up with natural light and sounds.

7. Talk About Something New
People tend to get stuck on the same old topics of conversation. Stimulate your mind and encourage others, too, by finding one little interesting tidbit a day and starting a conversation by saying, “Did you hear about _________? What do you think?”

8. Refuse to Give Advice
The easiest way to get sucked down the negative spiral is by participating. Do your friends a favor: when they start unloading their problems on you, let them figure it out on their own. The reverse is also true—don’t bore your friends with your problems. Focus on fun!

9. Rearrange Your Furniture

It may sound silly, but even the tiniest shift of a kitchen table or couch can make all the difference. It’ll make the room—and you!—feel new again. And the best part? It doesn’t cost a thing. (Tip: If you need to move a large item on your own, stick a dish towel under each leg and push; or if you’ve got carpet, use furniture sliders.)

10. Smile on the Outside
Even when you’ve got nothing to smile about. Forcing a smile can trick your body into changing your mood. You’ll also find that other people will react better to you when you’ve got a smile on your face. Voilà! You’ve just created a snowball effect of fuzzy feelings.

11. Gaze at a Photograph
If the photograph is of a loved one, it can stimulate blood supply to the brain, says researcher Andreas Bartels from University of London. Imagine them giving you a hug.

12. Turn off the TV
Happy people don’t watch TV. Instead, they socialize, which brings them more long-term satisfaction. We’re not saying to skip your favorite shows altogether. But if the choice is between watching something just because it’s on, and grabbing a friend for a last minute dinner date … well … you know what to do. Delicious and good for you!

13. Get Informed
Stuck on a problem that just won’t go away? Try Googling it. Reading up on how other people have handled your situation may give you some clues on how to tackle it yourself.

14. Eat Avocados
Avocados are good for your skin, your hair, and—more importantly—your heart. But did you know they’re also good for your mood? They’ve got monounsaturated fats and tryptophan, which boosts feel-good chemical endorphins in the brain.

15. Sing or Hum a Tune
Listening to music can make you feel good, but singing or humming your own tune is even better! Try making up the words to one of your favorite songs, and sing it out loud. Even if your cat is the only one who appreciates it, you’ll feel good about it.

16. Break the Rules
Here’s a little known confidence booster: when you follow your own path, (especially when you go against the grain. it’s incredibly intoxicating. We’re not advocating anything illegal, just saying that you should do exactly what you want sometimes and not what you think you should be doing.

17. Invigorate Your Senses
A quick spray of lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, or lemon can clear your head quicker than you think. For an extra-calming treat, take a nap on a pillow scented with lavender—either in fabric spray form, or crumble some of the plant itself and put it in your pillowcase.

18. Visit a Quiet Place
Libraries, museums, gardens, and other quiet places can give you a break from the frantic pace of everyday life. Find a secret spot and make it your sanctuary, whether it’s in your backyard or the Reference section.

19. Forgive Someone
Research shows that those who are able to forgive are less stressed, less angry, and more optimistic than those who aren’t. So, if you’re holding onto old grudges for the sake of it, it might just be time to let go.

20. Spend More Time with Your Happy Friends
Misery loves company. Too often, we find ourselves surrounded by soul-crushing negativity. The good news? Happiness really is contagious. Research shows that happiness, even when removed by three degrees, can make you happier than an extra $5000. Focus on spending time with the optimistic people in your life and you might just become one of them.

 (via)

Things I Would Like To Get Done for Spring

In my kitchen:

-get a new handle for my fridge

-Get a wire shelf for pots and pans like this:

In my living room:

-organize all of Derek's magazines in something like this:

-take down or fix our current dvd rack or replace it with something like this:

In my dining room:

-organize top of cleaning closet

-organize bakers rack

In Stratton's Room:

-organize his closet

-organize dresser

-get rid of all clothing that is too small

-decorate walls with decals and pictures like these:

In my Upstairs Bathroom:

-paint in one of the following two colors:

 -get matching light fixtures. I like these the best:

In my master bedroom:

-organize the closet like this:

-organize the dressers

-move around the furniture

-take down the closet doors and replace with curtains to save space

Guess what I wore today?

FLIP FLOPS!

I might be a little eager to be wearing these in February but the weather was awesome yesterday and I've been comfortable in a t-shirt, jeans, my northface jacket and flip flops today. (I'm inside of course but that's besides the point) I can't wait to start wearing these everyday and get a tan on those pasty white toes!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!