Ten Years Already?

I stopped by Wal-Mart this afternoon and ran into a couple folks that go to the church I used to attend when I previously lived in Carrollton.  They thought I wouldn't remember them, but after all this time I do.  We chatted for a few minutes, they asked me how I was doing, if I was still living out here (told them I had left for a while but came back), and I mentioned buying lunch stuff for my husband so he'd have something to eat when he went to work.  They never asked if I was still married to the monster, or even anything about Steven or CJ.  I was a little surprised that they didn't ask me if I was back in church somewhere, or invite me to come back to their church.  (Please go back to this blog to read my issue with their church.)

I've run into the preacher for that church once at the hospital (I saw him once previous to that, but he either didn't see me, or didn't recognize me as we passed by each other).  I imagine being that I work at the hospital, and preachers tend to visit the sick folks, I'll run into him again.  I haven't mentioned to him my issue with the church, as it was a brief run-in and I just don't know that I want to bring it up under those circumstances.  I've actually fantasized about going to the church one Sunday morning, and asking to speak to the congregation, to let them know how I feel about the fact that it's been 10 years now and no one has reached out to me.  Perhaps my mere presence at the church would make most who knew me realize what they've not done?  Alas it's only a fantasy, I don't see myself ever stepping foot back in that church.

As I was leaving Wal-Mart and thinking about my conversation with these 2 folks, it made me realize that I have been woot woot divorced from the monster for 10 years this month!!! 

I never imagined my life would be this peaceful and happy, as it is now.  Sure, Brian and I have our ups and downs like any normal couple, but the vast majority of our ups and downs are not related to each other or our relationship, but to outside forces weighing on us.  And fortunately, whenever something is putting pressure on one of us, or our relationship, we discuss it and work through it.



Very happily married to the love of my life for 5 years and counting!!!!!

Time for Some Random Goodness

Yep, gonna bounce from one topic to another, but now that I think about it, I do that on most blogs these days, don't I?




The other day, Gabriel was laying on the floor and I thought I saw a GIANT dingleberry hanging off his butt, like the size of a large grape.  Scared me half to death but thankfully I was just seeing things.  He's a messy boy, but OMG I was glad he wasn't that messy.




So last weekend, Brian was trying out a new medication (his doctor thinks he has high blood pressure, but we're only seeing normal readings in the mornings and evenings, so I think it's one of his other meds that's elevating it during the day).  Anywho, Steven was at work, and Clydie and I left Brian asleep on the couch while we went to the store.  Gabriel was on the back porch, and Dominion and Kita were inside.  We get back home, and the back door is WIDE open (Gabriel knows how to open it if it's not locked), Kita miraculously had not run away with the open access to the backyard, and there was a bird flying around in my bedroom!  Brian's blood pressure was 90/60 when we checked it later that night, and he slept all day long, so he's no longer taking that medicine!



My beloved pickles have once again done me wrong.  I got some pickle spears and slices at the hospital cafeteria to go with my burger and fries one day last week, and I overdid it.  They really did a number on my tummy.  :'(

We're having a yard sale this weekend.  Some of our things, and some stuff from my mom's.  We really have our work cut out for us the next few nights, getting everything ready.  Hopefully we'll sell most everything and it will clear some much needed room in the garage.  (There's hardly any walking room in there at the moment)

Clydie made some awesomely delicious ghost pepper chocolate chip cookies last week.  The heat from the pepper powder cuts some of the sweet. If you want the recipe, let me know.


So you know the insurance commercial with the couple, and they're talking about their perfect driving records until someone hit a food truck?  Well that was us, not with a food truck but with an SUV.  Perfect!  We went to court recently because it's required when there's an accident involved, and what a time we had!  Did you know that in Georgia, if you have an accident and want to plead Nolo Contendere, you have to have a letter from your insurance company that states they are accepting the liability for damages to the other vehicles involved in the accident?  (pleading Nolo saves you from 3 points on your license) We called the insurance company and got the letter, and while we were waiting for it to come through, the fire alarm went off.  We had to stand outside in the hot sun, across the street from the courthouse, for about half an hour.  In all, we spent about 5 hours at the court house for something that once you're in front of a judge, takes less than 5 minutes. :-/


Got my flu shot today.  I hate getting shots, especially in the arm.  It stung for a bit, too.  And started stinging again after I got home.  I imagine my arm will be sore tomorrow and I'll be whiny.  At least it didn't give me a headache and make me feel sick like last year!


I've fallen off the treadmill wagon - it's been about 2 weeks since I've been on it, due to being very sick, and then just not getting enough sleep.  I'm hoping to get to bed early enough tonight so that I can get on the treadmill in the morning!  I feel so much better when I walk daily, it's really worth it.

It's Been a Year Already?????

I cannot believe it's been a year since Steven had his accident.  Here's a link to the post I wrote right after it happened:  You See What Had Happened Was......


I see those photos in my phone sometimes (yes I keep them there as a reminder), and I still sometimes think "what if".  I don't dwell on that, though. I think Steven learned an important lesson that day, about how very quick and easy it is to have a devastating accident, and how very lucky, fortunate, and blessed he was to have survived it with just a few bumps and bruises.


So to all my friends and family - please pay attention to your driving.  Always wear your seatbelt (thank goodness Steven was!), pay attention to the speed limits, and don't freak out and overcorrect if you drift a tiny bit to one side of the road, as it's too easy to lose control, even when you're not speeding.

Five Years Ago Today......

I was seeing my husband off for his deployment to Kosovo.  It was a beautiful, bright sunshiny day, very cool , very early morning.  And devastatingly sad at the time.  Here are some photos from the day:

It was a tough year, full of many trials and tribulations for us as individuals, a couple and as a family, but we came through it stronger than ever.  His mother beat cancer while he was gone, and moved in with us.  I got to deal with a busted water heater, a leaky aquarium, and some other stuff that seem like really distant memories but were big deals to me, having to take care of by myself.  He injured his shoulder at the gym over there and came back to have surgery a few months after his return. 

Brian came home the next year, on September 29, 2012, and as of July 31, 2016, is now retired.  I don't ever have to worry about sending him off on a deployment again.  I get to keep my husband at home, and for that I am forever thankful.