Tennessee

In the whole no matter how bad things are it could be worse theory... I found out the other day that my uncle was in the hospital. Open heart surgery. My dad had a quadruple bypass a few years ago. I guess its genetic. At least my heart is intact, right?

My mom told me that she and my sisters are planning to go visit him. I really want to go too! Its been so long since I've been to Tennessee. My last trip was Freshman Year of college. Which makes me feel really old:( Its so beautiful there. My cousin took some awesome pictures of me/her/us at my last visit. She's very talented.

I used to love going to Tennessee to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins. Did I mention it is so pretty there this time of year.

I want to go. Maybe I'll be able to swing a trip when Lexie isn't in school.

The Bad Luck Fairy

Every so often I'm walking along happy and the bad-luck fairy decides to whop me up side the head with her wand. At least it could always be worse.

I had a car accident on Friday. Am currently without any mode of transportation except my feet. Luckily I'm in town and can walk places. And walk to work. My weekend building manager bought me coffee for my birthday. Which was really nice of her. Some people are awesome. I found out today that I really could've just walked to Hardees for coffee & its not THAT far. So this weekend if I'm still stranded I can walk to Hardees... Actually I'll just walk to work its closer and the coffee is free. They'll prolly expect me to work anyway. And Lexie is staying at her dad's right now so I don't have to be making her walk everywhere. So it could DEFINITELY be worse.

I didn't even get cake for my birthday. Not that I need it. I started back working out today. Maybe the no cake was a good thing.

But sometimes I feel like the bad luck fairy just HATES me:(

Back Online

Okay so maybe you didn't notice I was offline...

But just in case you did. I am back online. Last week was a rough week. Lexie started at her new school. She misses her friends. I promised a sleepover in the next couple of weeks so she'll feel a little less like all her friends are going to forget her. Man - I am LOVING my new place. And Lexie *knows* she likes the pool. And hey - we even got cable (internet) today. The last few weeks without cable have been rough for me. Even more so for my daughter having to be at a new place, a new school and no friends. But we're adjusting. Well technically she's adjusting. I'm in heaven. And even happier to finally have cable.

So hopefully I'll be back blogging and checking out all your blogs and catching up.

Yeah - I know you didn't know I was missing.....

Random Thoughts

***Amy Marie - your post is below. You're supposed to reply when you read it. Vacation or no vacation:)

Sometimes in life we find ourselves staring up at the heavens screaming "Why" to a god that doesn't answer. All the little things and the big things that just don't go our way seem to add up. And we content ourselves to know that no matter how bad things are they could always be worse. We could be homeless or jobless or we could lose yet another person that we love. Several weeks ago I ran into an old friend that I hadn't seen in about 12 years or so. I found myself answering the question "what would it take to make you happy - do you even know?" Of course, I know. I spilled out my list. And in the last couple of weeks I've watched my list come to pass. I got everything on it. And I'm happier than I think I've ever been in my life. So I was thinking that maybe sometimes God doesn't give us what we ask for but forces us to wait for the better that comes along.

Great Songs to Skate to....

Okay so I was talking to a friend about. Well actually about the Jonas Brothers. Yeah I listen to the JoBros. No, I'm not 8. And of course you can't get the hype if you've never even heard their music. DUH!!!
Here are 2 of my favourites that I think would be awesome showcases to skate to....


What a great movie - if you haven't seen it go rent it or something.


As far as i can tell the Jonas Brothers seem to be really great kids. And children are always going to have idols. People in the spotlight that they look up to. Our kids could do a lot worse than Kevin, Nick and Joe. That's all I'll say...

On another note a few years ago Lexie skated to Cinderella. Which is really ironic because even at that age we talked about her touring in terms of Cinderella. Lexie has dedicated the last 5+ years to figure skating. We'd talk about how when she grows up she could be Cinderella and travel all over the world with DoI. Not every skater can be Cinderella but you don't have to be the star of the show to be a professional skater. Somebody has to be the ugly step-sister or play all the other girls at the ball wanting to try on the glass slipper (skate). Being able to get paid to do something that you love and getting to see the world would be an amazing experience for anyone. How many careers can you tour with. Its something that I've always wanted for her. She has to really want it for herself. Not just say she wants it. At 8, its impossible to map out your whole life of what you want. Most of us don't even know what we want to be even after we are all grown up. Lexie's is all mapped out. She wants to tour (skating - DoI), tour (rock star), go to art school and become a fashion designer. Oh and be a famous actress. Famous enough to star as herself. We call this plan of hers "growing up to be like Richie Rich."
So I hope you like this one too...


***Updated to add this one from NBB***

and a few comments... i don't really think they sing that good. But a lot people obviously do like them for something other than what they look like or their name. So whatever - to each their own. I don't get why people have to slam them and be so vulgar on youtube. They are a band that a lot of little kids like. And I don't like my 8 year old reading that stuff. I think people are jealous because they are having fun and making a lot of money doing it.

Week 2

Well week 1 of camp was a bust. I won't complain about it - just say that I have high hopes that this week will go better. Lexie spent last week with the folks. I was lazy without her around this week. Honestly - didn't do too much missing her either. I enjoyed the alone time. I ran the other day for the first time in a week. I've been so sore I could hardly walk since. We went to see Wall-E last night. It was pretty good but I was expecting it to be better. The theater gave Lexie a Wall-E watch that looks like one of those little rubber arm bands that say stuff on them like PEACE or LOVE. Hers says WALLE on it and has a digital clock embedded in it. And we're about to go skating in a few minutes. Hopefully my leg muscles will work enough for me to be able to skate.

**UPDATE** Not only did my legs manage to skate for an hour and a half today. I ran 3 miles when I got home. Okay well I walked a little of it. But not bad overall. Something is better than nothing - Its the mantra I live by these days just case I haven't told you. I feel really good right now. Keep your fingers crossed that tomorrow goes well.

First Day of Camp!

Well some of you know that aside from the weekends and a couple of days I took off from work Lexie has been away from me most of the summer so far. She has been at my parents. And I've been alone. I've made good use of the time - extra hours in the office getting stuff done. I did some housework at home. And I spent 1.5 - 2 hours working out most every day. I didn't lose any weight but I feel stronger. I was hoping I'd lose a few pounds. NSL. Anyway she is back home now. We've spent this weekend Ice Skating (I worked on my spins, turns and backward crossovers) - Lexie worked on all her single jumps, spins, and pre-pre moves, we went roller skating yesterday and hung out and watched cartoons and movies together.
And tomorrow she is going to camp. I'm having a 'my baby's growing up' moment. She has to be responsible for herself starting tomorrow. By putting on & taking off her own skates, wiping them down good and putting on soakers so they don't rust, and putting on guards before she puts her skates on. We've been practicing this weekend. I keep telling her nobody is going to do it for her at this camp. I'm just a tad bit worried. Hopefully someone will help her for a day or two at least until she adjusts. And at the same time, I hope someone tells her she is old enough to do that stuff for herself now. I don't know what I want. Except for tomorrow to go well so I can stop worrying.