Everything Happens For A Reason...

I have no idea why "life lessons" popped into my brain for this week's topic - but it did. I think some of our hardest times in life can end up being something so rewarding. I know it's been true in my life on many of occasions...and for that...I am thankful...

1. I am thankful for my broken heart. I dated a guy who professed his undying love, wanted to marry me, wanted to spend his future with me. I wanted that too. I was happy. I was ecstatic. And then...I was devastated when he changed his mind. I didn't understand it then. All I know is I became someone that I don't care to associate with anymore. I became VERY unhealthy. I became someone I don't even recognize. BUT...I am SO happy I had that experience because had I not...I would not be the person I am today. I would not be the confident - won't take that type of treatment from ANY man ever again - happy woman that I am today. I would not know myself the way I do now. Plus...had I stayed with him, I would have been divorced by now and would have never met my hubby! So I am TRULY thankful for that "lesson".

2. I am thankful for being lied to. I honestly believe that if you lie...the truth will ALWAYS come out. It may not be today. It may not be tomorrow. It may not be next year. BUT...it WILL eventually...one day...come out. I am thankful for the lies that have come out. It has taught me which people I do not need in my life any longer. It has allowed me to purge unhealthy people, even if at the time it was painful to do, from my life. I am much happier today without the toxicity of those people and without the drama that followed!!!

**okay...this is a hard one this week...I may not get to 10!!!***

3. I am thankful for arguments with my hubby. Okay...I HATE arguing with him. BUT...I must say...without those arguments from the past...Hubby and I would not have grown to where we are at in our relationship now. Relationships are definitely a work in progress and learning to communicate is NOT an easy task. There was a time I could have never imagined us where we are now. I could not imagine things being serene. But...we have overcome the major hurdles and I am thankful we had them so that we could learn and grow together. I couldn't be more thankful that he is in my life.

4. I am thankful for having my entire world turned upside down. Our little munchkin was a surprise. A HUGE surprise. Hubby and I were not married and were not even thinking about children at that time. Hubby and I never had a "woops" moment (sorry for TMI) and just were absolutely SHOCKED when we found out I was pregnant. Literally...the whole world around me felt like it was crashing in. I was so incredibly frightened. I didn't know how the heck I would be a mommy. I am a person that MUST plan everything out. This came out of left field and just hit me like a freight train. But damn am I glad it did! I CANNOT imagine my life without my munchkin. My world is now such a brighter place, a happier place, and a more meaningful place because of HER. I am SO HAPPY it happened the way it did!!! I wouldn't have wanted it to happen any other way!

5. I am thankful for death. It hurts to lose someone you love. I am STILL hurting from losing my grandma. To this day, at any given moment, I can start bawling over something that reminds me of her. (Happened the other night watching Grey's Anatomy). It hurts to see those around you lose people they love as well. BUT...for me...I am reminded to hold those SO close to me that are left here still. I am reminded that I need to be more upfront with my love for people. I need to tell people how much they mean to me more than I do. I need to live my life instead of always being so cautious. I am thankful for that reminder. I hate how I have to be reminded...but I am thankful for it.

**I have now been staring at the number "6" for a good 10 minutes and am not sure what to write next...***

6. I am thankful for unsupportive people. I am in the process of changing my career. It has not been accepted lightly by family and friends. They think I am making a mistake and I should just stay working as a family law paralegal. Yeah...there are days I LOVE being a paralegal. But lately...it's wearing on me. I've been doing it for almost 18 years now and it's time for a change. There is only so much divorce I can handle. So I am switching gears - to a career I never considered before. It's a career people never could see me in and obviously still don't. But with each unsupportive person...with each person that doesn't believe in me...it makes me try harder. It makes me want to prove to them that change is okay - even coming from someone that loathes change. Hard work pays off - ALWAYS. So thank you unsupportive people...you are making me try harder! :)

7. I am thankful for losing friends. In a way. I miss the friends I have lost sometimes. However, each time I miss them, I have to remind myself why they are no longer friends. Each one of them were in my life for a reason - each one, a specific reason. I always try and figure out what that reason was after I cut off a friendship and try and hold onto that so I am not filled with too much hurt or anger or whatever. I always appreciate the lessons I have learned from them - even if it takes a while to get there. I am thankful they have taught me to look for friends that treat me better. I am thankful for the "life lessons" that I have learned.

8. I am thankful for being laid off. I was laid off back in 2003 and that was the defining moment for me to either do my business full time or let that dream of mine go. I chose to jump in with both feet and go for it - even with unsupportive people. I started the business in my house, grew enough to move into an office and saw my profit double every year. I am thankful for that experience. I am thankful for that defining moment in my life - even if it was a VERY hard thing to go through. I am thankful for that opportunity God gave to me - even as that chapter nears its end! :)

***I cannot think of anything else to say. I am thinking not many people will participate this week!***

Okay...I am going to leave it at 8. That's a good number, right? So tell me...what difficult times have you been through that have taught you something?

Thankful Tuesday!

Welcome to Thankful Tuesday! I hope you will take the time to participate this week! It is a great feeling to stop and reflect on all the things you are thankful for! It can do wonders for a bad mood and can do wonders to remind you of the little things that sometimes we all take for granted!

So for this week's assignment...

Your topic is:

LIFE LESSONS. What lessons in your life have you learned - either by a good experience...or bad...that has now made you thankful?

So what you do is simple...

1. Post a new blog listing ten things that you are thankful for in regards to this week's topic! Feel free to do more than 10!

2. Be sure to link my blog somewhere in your post. (Shameless plug...I know!)

3. Come back later on in the day (after I have posted my post (which will probably be some time around 10 California time)) and sign Mr. Linky that will be at the bottom of my post. This will let everyone know you have participated.

4. Leave a comment for the person that signed above you (or if you are first, leave a comment for me).

5. If you are feeling generous, leave a comment for at least 3 people...or even more!

That's it! :) Pretty simple! Now get to work!

It always creeps me out...

I think it always creeps me out when I see who visits my blog. I get such random people visiting. The people that google to find me is weird - especially for what they put in in their google search. The people that know me, yet we don't talk to each other any more but they still read about my life, is weird. The people that find my blog and then email my blog to others to read is weird. Plus, NONE of them leave comments. Well, one did..."anonymously" and I guess thought I couldn't see who wrote it.

I guess if I am writing a blog for the world to see...I should expect the world to see! LOL! I usually write stuff I don't care if people know about. I am not divulging too much info about myself that I wouldn't share with a stranger. I was TOTALLY okay with that...until I saw who was looking at my blog recently. Sometimes...just seeing who has visited...is a little unexpected, sometimes a little creepy...and sometimes just plain annoying.

So once again...I am thinking of going private. I'll give it a few days to see. Last time you all made me feel better about having such a public blog...but once again today...I am thinking of not having it be so public anymore.

So all you in bloggy land...why do you keep your blog public vs. private...and for those that are private and have allowed me access...why did you go that route?

Is That A Lobster On Your Head Or Are You Just Happy To See Me??

Last night hubby and I attended our first lobster feed with a local fire department! It wasn't the first one they have hosted - just the first one we have been to. I must admit...it was probably one of the best nights I have had in a very long time! It was SO INCREDIBLY FUN! Good drinks, good friends and awesome food...you can never go wrong!!! :)

The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we couldn't have asked for a better day...


We got there, stood in line, and then got inside to be seated. We were supplied aprons (instead of bibs) and these wonderful little hats! LMAO!





We mingled a tad and took a look at the silent auction to see if there was anything we wanted to bid on. There was...and so we bid on this...

Before we bid we called the hotel to see what rooms go for. They go for about $600 per night for a room and we figured since the bidding started A LOT lower than that - we would bid. We have not had a night out since the munchkin was born. Actually...pretty much since we got married. We have not had a honeymoon and although this is not a honeymoon...it will still be a night...away...just us. A MUCH needed night away...just us. So I was excited! :)

So we placed our bid, headed back to the table and got dressed in our aprons and were ready for the food...


And then it started! They come and pour your dinner right out in front of you and you shell and eat everything (literally...EVERYTHING) by hand...


Our food...

Dinner...

Beyond full...

A view from above...


After dinner they do an auction for other things and I REALLY wanted to win this:

Heck...I even raised my hand for a $500 bid (knowing I'd be outbid). It went for $6800!!!! How insane is that! However...we DID manage to win our hotel stay! I CAN'T WAIT! :)

This was us before we headed out to the car...


It was SUCH a fun night! While you eat they play music and it seemed like everyone was singing along. They also showed a slide show of various fires - even ones hubby went on! I felt VERY proud to be a firefighter's wife! I CANNOT wait until next year!!

I believe in prayer...

So for this week's assignment over at Mama Kat's, the prompt was to write about someone you are praying for.

As mentioned in my last post, I was praying for my uncle to come through surgery okay and for them to get all the cancer. I was also praying that it had not spread to other parts of his body.

I am SO HAPPY it went well. It had not spread and they think they got it all. Only time will tell so I am going to continue to pray for him.

After I got the good news he was doing well...I heard about someone I know whose sister, Katie, was NOT doing well. She was just informed she has stage 4 inoperable lung cancer. She has never smoked in her life. She is only 30 years old.

She can use all the prayers she can get. She had her appointment yesterday with the oncologist and is starting chemo. Good news with that is that it is not suppose to have such horrible side effects as other kinds of chemo. She should not lose her hair and should feel okay enough to go to work - except for days she is receiving the chemo.

I HATE CANCER. It has affected wayyyyy too many people I know. I hate it.

Thirty is just soooooooooooooo young to have this. It has made me so sad since I read the news. I have been praying and praying for her and if any of you have room in your prayers...could you add her too???

Get Well Soon!

Am I really down to blogging one day a week - on Thankful Tuesday? Really?? Ugh.

Life seems so hectic with school getting increasingly more difficult, clients that need my attention, hubby that needs my attention, munchkin that needs my attention, friends that need my attention and other family that needs my attention. Also...myself needing my own attention!

I am currently on spring break from school and honestly - I don't know if I'll have time to post a Thankful Tuesday tomorrow so I am going to skip it this week. Sorry about that. BUT if you feel so inclined to let me (and the world) know what you are thankful for - I'd love to read it!

Tomorrow...well every day really...I am thankful for family. My uncle is going in for surgery tomorrow to remove prostate cancer. I have been praying, family and friends have been praying, but I am going to say extra prayers today and tomorrow that the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body and that he makes it through surgery just fine.

I will also be praying for my aunt and cousins. It makes it SO HARD that I am not there for them. I am selfish and wish they never moved out of California to Oregon. But...they did and that is okay because that is where they want to be! :) Like I said, I am just selfish and wish they were still here!

At any rate, I am not sure if my cousin will be able to see the video I uploaded for her on her iphone (youtube on the iphones have problems), but SHOULD be able to hopefully see this.

So... Uncle Denny...this is for you! I LOVE YOU! I love all of you and miss you all SO SO SO SO SO much! Praying for you all...

Things I Am Thankful For...

Today is a great day to be thankful! I have had a lot going on lately and it's nice to stop and reflect on all of it ! :)

1. I am thankful for St. Patrick's Day! I have two friends (yes, they are named Patrick) who have a birthday today! :) I am also thankful for fun memories like this:


2. I am thankful for blue jello. The munchkin LOVED it and also LOVED sticking out her tongue so I could see! :)


3. I am thankful for cute moments like this...I just LOVE to watch her sleep and this was just hilarious! :)


4. I am thankful for crazy baby hair! It always makes me giggle...


5. I am thankful for Guitar Hero/Rock Band. Not only do I love it...apparently so does the munchkin!


6. I am thankful for pedicures with friends...and cute toes...


7. I am thankful for margaritas on a Saturday with friends...


8. I am thankful for the incredibly hilarious moment of my munchkin trying to imitate the sea lions...


9. I am so so so so thankful that my daughter tells me she "wubs" me all the time now. It's SO incredibly heart warming. It can instantly get me out of a bad mood. It's so cute to hear her say "I wub you" or "I wub you too". Or even better..."I wub you mommia".


10. I am thankful for my friends. I feel SO busy lately without much time to see my friends as much as I'd like. Between watching the munchkin and studying, and BARELY working...it seems like I don't get to see them as much as I'd like. I am thankful they are understanding. I am thankful they miss me. I miss them too. I am just thankful they are in my life!


11. And...last but NEVER least...I am thankful for my hubby. I feel I need to have a number all to him - even if it's more than 10 items. We haven't had much time to spend together lately because he's either working or I am hiding away studying or at school. He's SUPER supportive - probably the MOST supportive out of everyone. He is also SUPER patient. He picks up the slack that I have left because I feel like I am running a million miles an hour. He does his best not to complain. He makes himself available to watch the munchkin so that I CAN succeed on this journey. I couldn't be more thankful. I miss him so much. I see him when he's not at work, but I miss him...if that makes sense. I remember him doing all his schooling and internship and probation at work - and that was SUCH a difficult time for me...for US. But the hard work paid off. It always does...in any situation. I know this will pay off too...even if some sacrifices need to be made. I love you sweetie. I know you are reading - even if you never comment! LOL! I always tease him with different things and usually say something like "so what...you want a trophy???" So this one is for you sweetie! :)


So tell me...on this St. Patrick's Day...what are YOU thankful for????

Thankful Tuesday - and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Welcome to Thankful Tuesday! I hope you will take the time to participate this week! It is a great feeling to stop and reflect on all the things you are thankful for! It can do wonders for a bad mood and can do wonders to remind you of the little things that sometimes we all take for granted!

So for this week's assignment...

Your topic is:

YOUR CHOICE. No specific topic this week - feel free to write whatever it is that makes you thankful! :)

So what you do is simple...

1. Post a new blog listing ten things that you are thankful for in regards to this week's topic! Feel free to do more than 10!

2. Be sure to link my blog somewhere in your post. (Shameless plug...I know!)

3. Come back later on in the day (after I have posted my post (which will probably be some time around 10 California time)) and sign Mr. Linky that will be at the bottom of my post. This will let everyone know you have participated.

4. Leave a comment for the person that signed above you (or if you are first, leave a comment for me).

5. If you are feeling generous, leave a comment for at least 3 people...or even more!

That's it! :) Pretty simple! Now get to work!

A Day In the Park

It's been a while since I shared pictures of what we have been up to. It seems like life has been SO busy lately with school and work and being a mom, I sometimes fail to post pictures of our outings. I know family likes to see them so I thought I'd take the time and share some today!! :)

Last Sunday my friend :)Val and I hung out to get some breakfast and then do some shopping. The girls ended up falling asleep in the back of the car and since it was such a beautiful day, we decided to head up valley to see what we could find to do. For those of you that don't live in the Napa Valley, it is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous this time of the year with all the mustard! If any of you ever decide to come to the Napa Valley for a visit - this time of year is HIGHLY recommended.

At any rate, once the girls woke up, we found a park to take them to to let them run around. Here are some pictures from our day! :)

Sleeping through all the Napa Valley beauty...

Walking in the park...

Ohhh...one of those tunnel things. I don't usually like them.

Let me inspect it...

Okay...it looks safe enough...

Is this what I am suppose to do?

YAY for slides!

Best friends sliding together...


There will be A TON more photos to share - but right now I need to get back to my homework while the munchkin is asleep! :)

'Til next time...

Okay...gotta recap...(long)

I usually watch DWTS on DVR each season so I can fast forward through all the mumble jumble and commercials. Last night was the first time since half way through the first season I actually watched it live - with commercials and all.

It started and Lil' Kim was first. She was...well...one word...ghettofied. I mean, I think the best line this show has ever had was "The first time I ever watched Dancing With The Stars Was When I Was in Prison". Her "girlfriends" in the Penn told her to be on the show - and how awesome that she is now! :) You know...I actually take it back. The best line in the show was NOT the one I said above, but it was when she said "I am dedicating this first dance to all my girls in the federal detention center". Class act right there! :) Anyways...she dances and is semi-okay. I honestly think her scores were a tad high - but whatever. She does have potential.

Next was Belinda Carlisle. I LOVED the Go-Gos. Oh hell. Did that just date me? At any rate, she did pretty well. She had problems with the spins. I can't fault her for that. When I took dance...I always had problems with spins too! They make you friggen dizzy! The trick is to "spot". I hope he taught her that. I mean EVENTUALLY you are okay with spins...but it takes a while! She did okay. There is room for improvement on her too. Her scores fit how well she did.

Next was Lawrence Taylor and Edyta. Okay. I don't really know who Lawrence Taylor is - other than another NFL player. BUT...I LOVE watching Edyta. I am SO jealous of her body. She is one hot chick! If I could pay for a huge amount of plastic surgery...her body is what I would want to look like! Okay...enough of that. Lawrence Taylor I personally thought did okay. The judges didn't think so. I know there is room for improvement but I think he did decent. Come on...it's his first night!

After him was Steve-O and Lacey. I LOVE Lacey. I love that she is more of a risk-taker and I love that she was paired with Steve-O. Steve-O actually did WAYYYY better than I thought he would. But he was SO stiff and just not good AT ALL. He kept making these silly faces though and I didn't care for his very last move - but that's Steve-O and that's one thing Lacey likes to do with her dances...keep part of the person's personality in it. I was kind of amazed at how horrible his balance was. This guy has circus training and use to walk tightrope. I thought he'd be better. BUT...he was okay. I highly doubt he'll make it to the end unless fans keep him there. But...I don't think he should be the first to go. There is DEFINITE room for improvement.

Next is a guy named Gilles. I missed his last name. He is paired with Cheryl. I missed who he was because I was talking to hubby at the time. Who is this guy? He is nice to look at - but who is he? He dances well - in fact I was quite impressed.

Next up is some country singer named Chuck Wick. (Oh goodness...I probably just got his last name wrong!) At any rate...he is Julianne's real life boyfriend. Hubby and I giggled watching them and came to an agreement that this show is going to cause some big turmoil in their relationship. BUT ya know...they did REALLY well! I was impressed! They dance beautifully together!

Next is Holly Madison. She is replacing Jewel who got hurt during rehearsal. Holly
only has 5 days to prepare for her big debut. To me, she seemed stiff. She seemed unsure of herself. She also seemed a tad annoying when they showed the scenes from rehearsal. Overall I think she did really well for only having 5 days to learn. DEFINITE room for improvement and I think she has it in her. But the one thing I kept thinking the ENTIRE time she danced was..."I wonder if Hef is watching".

Next up Ty Murray - the world famous bull rider. I was SO SURE he was going to be so stiff. He was. But he actually did A LOT better than I thought! There is an obvious mess-up in the middle but they keep on going. But...after the mess-up - he started to get stiffer and stiffer. Must have been the fear. Overall, he did good. I was impressed! I don't think he'll make it to the end but I think he did well! But...I think he got the first 4 I have ever seen on that show. Ouch.

Next is a gold medal winner for gymnastics - Shawn Johnson. She is the youngest DWTS performer yet. I missed her age though. Again, talking to the hubby. They do well. I kept looking at her back and shoulders and kept thinking they were HUGE. I knew that was from being so muscular. But I still thought they were huge. They have great potential and I think she'll go far.

Next up is Steve Wozniak - co-founder of Apple. He can't dance. BUT I love him! His attitude ROCKS. I think the show purposely teamed him with Karina SmirnoffIce because she is...well...a bitch. I DO NOT like Karina one bit. I remember in one season - the one with Joey Lawrence...they were interviewing him after his dance and she sat back there rolling her eyes and shaking her head. Hated her since then. She seems so annoying. Anyways. He was not a good dancer at all - but I found myself rooting for him! His personality is so awesome and that is just inspiring! I have a feeling he may be the first to go... :(

David Alan Grier is up next. He is one funny guy. His partner doesn't get his jokes at first but he kept me laughing. I actually thought he did great! I agreed with the judges that his face had wayyyy too many expressions. But I think he has great potential! I think his scores were lower than he deserved.

Denise Richards is next. I am jealous she gets to dance with the sexiness known as Maks. He literally is so beautiful - although I didn't like the chia pet on his face. But Denise Richards...not a fan. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt when they showed her. She kept messing up and kept saying "Sorry". Maks tells her to stop saying sorry. She cries. Seriously? Cries???? Damn...quit crying. Even Maks couldn't believe she cried. Her dance sucked. She has no rhythm. I don't see her going very far. Maybe the viewers will have sympathy on her because she cried. Who knows.

Last is Melissa - the girl that got dumped on the Bachelor. If you haven't heard about it, you must have been living under a rock. I don't watch the show - but even I heard about it! At any rate...I was annoyed she was on there. I was under the impression she was never going to do reality tv again. She lied. She then only had 48 hours to prepare. I was certain it would be a train wreck. She looks really pretty - but I am not so sure what the glitter thing on her back was. It reminded me of a tramp stamp. Hmmm. Anyways - she dances and I am actually blown away. She did SO GOOD! I COULD NOT believe how great she was with only 48 hours to learn and not having dance experience. Oh. That's right. She does. She was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and has ballet training. Hmmm. Is that even fair??? But - I must admit. She ended up being one of my favorites! I may just be on Team Melissa this year! We shall see! :)

So...did any of you watch it??? What did you think??

Right Now I am Thankful...

I am thankful for these things right at this very moment...

1. Caffeine

2. Zycam, Echineca, Vitamin C, Multi-Vitamin. They are keeping me from not getting munchkin and hubby's cold full blown...*yet*.

3. Baby laughter.

4. Yo Gabba Gabba.

5. The fax I have been trying to send for 2 days - FINALLY went through.

6. The fact that Trina works at the dentist we are taking munchkin to. I think it will make the appointment go a lot smoother since munchkin will know her.

7. Sleeping through the night. Not Munchkin...ME.

8. Having a huge debt off my credit report.

9. 2 point bagel with cream cheese for breakfast.

10. Another day on this planet with my family! :)

So tell me...right at this VERY moment...what are you thankful for???

Thankful Tuesday

Welcome to Thankful Tuesday! I hope you will take the time to participate this week! It is a great feeling to stop and reflect on all the things you are thankful for! It can do wonders for a bad mood and can do wonders to remind you of the little things that sometimes we all take for granted!

So for this week's assignment...

Your topic is:

RIGHT NOW. At this very moment...what are you thankful for? :)

So what you do is simple...

1. Post a new blog listing ten things that you are thankful for in regards to this week's topic! Feel free to do more than 10!

2. Be sure to link my blog somewhere in your post. (Shameless plug...I know!)

3. Come back later on in the day (after I have posted my post (which will probably be some time around 10 California time)) and sign Mr. Linky that will be at the bottom of my post. This will let everyone know you have participated.

4. Leave a comment for the person that signed above you (or if you are first, leave a comment for me).

5. If you are feeling generous, leave a comment for at least 3 people...or even more!

That's it! :) Pretty simple! Now get to work!

Baby Crack...

I think it's kinda scary and well...probably more like pathetic...that my life centers around the craziness known as Yo Gabba Gabba!

My daughter LOVESSSS this show. She asks for it by name. Well...it's more like "Gabba Gabba peas...Muno...Muno...Gabba Gabba!" It's not like I let her watch it for hours on end - but she has been exposed to it a lot during her short 18 months on this planet. Sniffle Sniffle at the realization AGAIN that she's 18 months.

Not only does she get to watch a show here and there...but because the show is so...well...addicting...she has Yo Gabba Gabba shirts, sweatshirts and toys. We are not the ones that usually buy the toys for her...but we realize that we play with them just as much as she does and we are glad she has them.

I find myself singing songs to her when I want her to behave. For example...trying to suction out her boogies from her nose. She has now started to REALLY REALLY despise this...but it must be done. So I sing to her "workin' together...suckin' your boogies...makin' it better...team work team work!" I learned this song (not the suckin' the boogies part) from the show - but hey...you can change the words to any song to suit your particular needs.

When she doesn't want to eat something...we try and sing to her about the party in her tummy. We explain milk wants to go to the party in her tummy. She usually just puts the cup up to her tummy and giggles. This morning she actually took a sip - then realized it was milk. LOL!

When she is exercising her lungs inside the Old Navy dressing room because she likes the sound of the echo...singing to her about her "inside voice...quietttt..." is another good song.

But this is what happens when you get two of the cutest girls EVER together and this show comes on...it's like crack...they just stop and stare...


I think Munchkin was looking a little grumpy from being bothered during her show...K didn't even notice pictures were being snapped! LOL!


If you haven't seen the show...if your kids don't know what it is all about...I would highly suggest it. In my opinion...it's the new Sesame Street!

My Writing Assignment

It's been a long time since I did one of these. This week...I almost decided NOT to do it again - but then I thought...why not.

Mama Kat gave a few descriptions of things I am intrigued enough to write about...

1.) Write a limerick.

2.) Normal is...

3.) Describe a memorable camping experience.

4.) What's the best thing that has happened this week?

5.) Did you have a childhood hideout? Where? Describe it.

6.) Words that hurt me.

The one that stood out the most would be a camping trip that was memorable. Oh boy was it. In fact, I highly doubt I'll EVER forget it.

So I believe it was 2006? I remember Hubby was still on probation at work and couldn't take time off to go with us so I am thinking that is when it was. It was his sister, her boyfriend at the time, my cousin and my 'friend' let's call her 'A' that decided to head up camping for Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Day Weekend around here is filled with TONS of sunshine, water activities, whatever.

We head up about 2 hours away to camp. We set up camp. We start to BBQ and start to drink. I am the only one not really drinking. I am not sure why I didn't want to, but I just didn't. Everyone continued to drink into the night. Erik's sister and her boyfriend finally went to bed and A, my cousin and myself headed to the bar to hang out. Yes, there is a bar at the campground. My cousin and A continue to drink. I continue to drink water. What a party-pooper I am.

We get back to camp and somehow A and my cousin get into an argument. A VERY LOUD argument. At 2am. What a disaster. A (who is now my ex-friend) got REALLY belligerent, got really...well...out of line. I am not going to write out all she was yelling. It would be pretty embarassing for her. She doesn't read this blog, but I am deciding not to go there. So she packed her stuff and decided to leave. We tried to stop her since she was completely wasted. We hid her keys. We tried physically calming her down. It didn't work. She had a spare set in her glove box that she grabbed and headed home. Well..rather, headed to jail with a DUI. It was a very dramatic scene and for 3 sober people (Erik's sister, her boyfriend and myself) it made it 20 times worse. By the time she left, my cousin was even sober too.

The next day Erik's sister, her boyfriend, my cousin and I woke up to some VERY VERY VERY cold weather. It was MISERABLE cold. It had taken a HUGE turn from the day before. In fact, it was at least 32 degrees cold. Hubby's sister and her boyfriend said they weren't going to camp in that weather (they had a tent, we had a trailer) so they packed up and left. Cousin and I were left camping, which wasn't that big of a deal. But we were stuck in the trailer...on Memorial weekend...because of this:


And this:

and this:


Yes...snow. On Memorial Weekend. It was quite insane. But we made the most of it. We played cards and laughed until we cried. We packed up the next day and headed home in the afternoon.

It DEFINITELY was not what I planned. The ex-friend decided to call my hubby while on probation at work and go on and on and on about what a horrible friend I was for not sticking up for her (she said my cousin was being mean to her - when in reality, he wasn't) and how I was the one that caused her to get the DUI. She went on and on and on about how he should not be with me and he deserves better and what a horrible person I am. He left me hear the voicemails when I got home. She attempted to contact me after-the-fact so that I could return her car keys (remember, I had them so she wouldn't drive...but somehow I caused her to get the DUI) and wanted to talk. I didn't want to talk after that. The scene that was caused up camping was actually pretty intense and pretty crazy. I decided I don't need friends like that. She has some issues I REALLY hope she worked out. She isn't a bad person at all, just has some issues she needed to work on, and I hope she has! :)

But needless to say...that is BY FAR the most memorable camping trip I have been on. I haven't gone camping since!