I wish I had kept up all that has happened in life. It is in reality good I didn't take time to record openly all the struggles. I think it is fa more appropriate to surface now and say, ok I made it!
It is my birthday today, I am 42.
I am in no way the same person who started this blog in 2009.
four years later I sit and wonder who am I?
So it begins... A year of discovery every day a step.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Sunday, May 13, 2012
May 11 2012
Uploaded Google chrome. Will be interesting having a blog. No one is paying me in a real job for all the life experiences but maybe someone could enjoy them.
I love Latin food. I DO NOT LIKE TEX MEX. Hattie's in Bellevue, NE is tasteless and nothing of culinary value.
Note to self if they don't offer green chili on the dish don't order the chimichanga. Although they did describe it as open.. like a taco salad. Then please call it a taco salad. We took food home. Gavin raved about his cheese sauce and chips. HAHAHA yep you cant mess up Nacho cheese out of the can. Don't get me wrong I am glad they didn't try and be creative and change it. I won't tell him but did sit there and think how he is one smart kid. He doesn't want to eat out if we say Mexican food. Tonight he did for me for Mother's day. Authentic Latin food experiences for me please.
One of my favorite memories is eating at Senior Frogs with Philip on our first date. We talked about that tonight. He too hands down compares all Mexican food to that.
Tomorrow we will see who will eat some of the 4 boxes of leftovers we brought home.
I love Latin food. I DO NOT LIKE TEX MEX. Hattie's in Bellevue, NE is tasteless and nothing of culinary value.
Note to self if they don't offer green chili on the dish don't order the chimichanga. Although they did describe it as open.. like a taco salad. Then please call it a taco salad. We took food home. Gavin raved about his cheese sauce and chips. HAHAHA yep you cant mess up Nacho cheese out of the can. Don't get me wrong I am glad they didn't try and be creative and change it. I won't tell him but did sit there and think how he is one smart kid. He doesn't want to eat out if we say Mexican food. Tonight he did for me for Mother's day. Authentic Latin food experiences for me please.
One of my favorite memories is eating at Senior Frogs with Philip on our first date. We talked about that tonight. He too hands down compares all Mexican food to that.
Tomorrow we will see who will eat some of the 4 boxes of leftovers we brought home.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Retirement 101
August Philip went through the motions to retire. It was very humbling to see friends and family from all over the states. At least once a week I tell him that I am so thankful he is home now. The reality hasn't completely hit. We did switch back to making a month of menus to ensure we didn't eat out. Being an American family isn't any busier than a military one overseas. There are great differences in the culture. The biggest adjustment for me is being able to understand the language being spoken. Most times I prefer not to and miss simple nods and smiles.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Despicable Me
ok so i have a lot of great ideas. Most are never excuted due to random excuses and loss of motivation.
Some how through all the craziness of the last two years I have finally found a direction that feels exciting and am motivated to succeed.
What do you ask brings this on? Well I knew the goals but had no way of obtaining the skills to escute them... Alone.
Yes me the extrovert has accepted that without the imput of my loving and forgiving husband no matter what goals I set will sabatoge myself
Some how through all the craziness of the last two years I have finally found a direction that feels exciting and am motivated to succeed.
What do you ask brings this on? Well I knew the goals but had no way of obtaining the skills to escute them... Alone.
Yes me the extrovert has accepted that without the imput of my loving and forgiving husband no matter what goals I set will sabatoge myself
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
titles are just words sometimes there are none
Tonight I talked to a friend, she wears many hats and somehow she is intertwined in many aspects of our life in just a few short months. Funny when you meet people during a traumatic event. I have waited for some time to actually blog about what has been going on since my move. Certain aspects you want to keep private while others at a certain point don't matter anymore.
November 30th my husband and I went in to find out the sex of our baby to be told there no longer was a heart beat. It was the single most shocking event of my life. I thought before I had been through emotional trauma but nothing like this.
We were to find out the sex of the baby. Seriously we had talked only of a girls name really, Shelby. November 4th was our anniversary and for a gift I bought the early gender test. It said we were having a girl. Shelby Rae. Ray is Philip's dad's name. He is a honorable man worthy of much more than a name but all the same he doesn't ask for much.
I was told by the Dr after three different tests there was no heart beat and that delivery was needed that day. We went home cried and screamed into my pillow. Now looking back there is wisdom, don't scream bloody murder into your pillow. For the rest of the evening overpowering most of my labor pains was a horrendous migraine.
My Mom and GG drove up from Kansas City and cousin (who is also a nurse), for the delivery. It was interesting for the three of us women to be together. I never had anyone with me overseas but P. They were amazing support. GG took the boys after P picked them up from school. Telling our children was one of the hardest things he has had to ever do he said. I can only imagine.
Sometime in the evening we delivered a baby boy, Logan Ray. I had liked Logan but until then it wasn't official. Bergen Hospital is a Catholic hospital much different from the military one at Yokota AFB. The Chaplain came in to pray with us and we realized we really wanted more than a figure of faith in our lives. A Pastor who would know what our faces read more than our words. Sometimes the basic prayers are the best. Silence and warmth of a hand much more powerful. The hospital staff was nice, the social worker got me quite upset when there was mention of a mass grave for babies born before 20 weeks. I didn't know before 20 weeks a baby wasn't considered alive because it cant sustain life outside of the womb. Never before had I had to choose my voice in this but to me that little hand I held when I kissed his cheek was real enough to love. The lips and toes in my heart held life. Why do I mention this? Well emotionally draining as it is to read, there is closure. Life is happening in so many layers.
Later I realized my mom was waiting for me to ask her to stay, I wished I had. No matter that I am twice the size of her, when she wrapped her arms around me I fit. Her heart beat was soothing to hear, and made my tears stop. All the words that had gotten in the way over the years were thrown to the side. This time, in silence I had healing in so many ways. It is ok to be still, and listen and feel empty.
Part of my closure is to know what happens as much as we may want to drag our feet kicking and screaming to do, may be it was really just what we wanted most after it is over. Yes I was so confused that we were having another baby and the timing it was hard to not to panic.
P and I have a strong faith in God. To us he is omniscient or all knowing, there is still this need to be in control.
The day before I delivered was a Sunday, we went to visit Victory Baptist Church. We were attending a few in the area. Pastor Moore and his family were in a small storefront church. Sometimes life doesn't make sense, neither does how you can attend a church thinking it is too small, well nothing is to small for God. ty. It is better to allow others to help, when you don't know what to need for. His sermon touched my heart and filled my soul. Sermons are sometimes intimate and personal a kind you cannot ignore or discard after you leave the building.
The Moore family would be at our sides for the next 6 weeks encouraging us along. He was the first Pastor to visit our home Dec 3. We had not called him during our time in the hospital. He did get a welcome in the door, and hope was left as he went home.
We decided to cremate Logan's ashes. When P made arrangements the woman was very moved and offered sincere condolences. P isn't a huger and was quite surprised when he received a hug when picking up the ashes. It wasn't that he was offended more that he needed someone to care besides family. A stranger had mourned for our child she shared. The small amount was placed carefully among some wispy flowers in a tin with a note of certification. In my heart there was some small sort of closure. My prayers were for not begging for myself but all those mothers who don't get to say goodbye. My small boys asked so many questions. The most significant to me was G asked WHY US? my answer simply was because we were suppose to. There is always someone else. Of all the hospitals in Omaha filled with children, I didn't have to say goodbye after months of pain. Our time with Logan was cuddles on my belly, and C yelling Good MORNING baby or GOOD NIGHT BABY into my belly. E was most vocal it coming out as to why he would never get to teach him to play football, sometimes its not what you had but hoped for.
November 30th my husband and I went in to find out the sex of our baby to be told there no longer was a heart beat. It was the single most shocking event of my life. I thought before I had been through emotional trauma but nothing like this.
We were to find out the sex of the baby. Seriously we had talked only of a girls name really, Shelby. November 4th was our anniversary and for a gift I bought the early gender test. It said we were having a girl. Shelby Rae. Ray is Philip's dad's name. He is a honorable man worthy of much more than a name but all the same he doesn't ask for much.
I was told by the Dr after three different tests there was no heart beat and that delivery was needed that day. We went home cried and screamed into my pillow. Now looking back there is wisdom, don't scream bloody murder into your pillow. For the rest of the evening overpowering most of my labor pains was a horrendous migraine.
My Mom and GG drove up from Kansas City and cousin (who is also a nurse), for the delivery. It was interesting for the three of us women to be together. I never had anyone with me overseas but P. They were amazing support. GG took the boys after P picked them up from school. Telling our children was one of the hardest things he has had to ever do he said. I can only imagine.
Sometime in the evening we delivered a baby boy, Logan Ray. I had liked Logan but until then it wasn't official. Bergen Hospital is a Catholic hospital much different from the military one at Yokota AFB. The Chaplain came in to pray with us and we realized we really wanted more than a figure of faith in our lives. A Pastor who would know what our faces read more than our words. Sometimes the basic prayers are the best. Silence and warmth of a hand much more powerful. The hospital staff was nice, the social worker got me quite upset when there was mention of a mass grave for babies born before 20 weeks. I didn't know before 20 weeks a baby wasn't considered alive because it cant sustain life outside of the womb. Never before had I had to choose my voice in this but to me that little hand I held when I kissed his cheek was real enough to love. The lips and toes in my heart held life. Why do I mention this? Well emotionally draining as it is to read, there is closure. Life is happening in so many layers.
Later I realized my mom was waiting for me to ask her to stay, I wished I had. No matter that I am twice the size of her, when she wrapped her arms around me I fit. Her heart beat was soothing to hear, and made my tears stop. All the words that had gotten in the way over the years were thrown to the side. This time, in silence I had healing in so many ways. It is ok to be still, and listen and feel empty.
Part of my closure is to know what happens as much as we may want to drag our feet kicking and screaming to do, may be it was really just what we wanted most after it is over. Yes I was so confused that we were having another baby and the timing it was hard to not to panic.
P and I have a strong faith in God. To us he is omniscient or all knowing, there is still this need to be in control.
The day before I delivered was a Sunday, we went to visit Victory Baptist Church. We were attending a few in the area. Pastor Moore and his family were in a small storefront church. Sometimes life doesn't make sense, neither does how you can attend a church thinking it is too small, well nothing is to small for God. ty. It is better to allow others to help, when you don't know what to need for. His sermon touched my heart and filled my soul. Sermons are sometimes intimate and personal a kind you cannot ignore or discard after you leave the building.
The Moore family would be at our sides for the next 6 weeks encouraging us along. He was the first Pastor to visit our home Dec 3. We had not called him during our time in the hospital. He did get a welcome in the door, and hope was left as he went home.
We decided to cremate Logan's ashes. When P made arrangements the woman was very moved and offered sincere condolences. P isn't a huger and was quite surprised when he received a hug when picking up the ashes. It wasn't that he was offended more that he needed someone to care besides family. A stranger had mourned for our child she shared. The small amount was placed carefully among some wispy flowers in a tin with a note of certification. In my heart there was some small sort of closure. My prayers were for not begging for myself but all those mothers who don't get to say goodbye. My small boys asked so many questions. The most significant to me was G asked WHY US? my answer simply was because we were suppose to. There is always someone else. Of all the hospitals in Omaha filled with children, I didn't have to say goodbye after months of pain. Our time with Logan was cuddles on my belly, and C yelling Good MORNING baby or GOOD NIGHT BABY into my belly. E was most vocal it coming out as to why he would never get to teach him to play football, sometimes its not what you had but hoped for.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
whoa NELLIE
ok hold on STOP
First of all I have spent enitrely too much time with myself inside my own head/
I learned a few things la
ok quick list since i shouldn't be wasting time pshyco analyzing myself.
my own language to myself is filled with crazy mix of languages and other wise strung together with curse words.
Jesus argues with me a lot in regards to how things should be done or addressed. I should listen more.. Ok the holy spirit. inner conconscience whatever you may believe ...
Philip brings me to insanity when i think about him.mmmmmmmmm
I have so many places I have been I should have been journaling becaus e those times were much better than now.
First of all I have spent enitrely too much time with myself inside my own head/
I learned a few things la
ok quick list since i shouldn't be wasting time pshyco analyzing myself.
my own language to myself is filled with crazy mix of languages and other wise strung together with curse words.
Jesus argues with me a lot in regards to how things should be done or addressed. I should listen more.. Ok the holy spirit. inner conconscience whatever you may believe ...
Philip brings me to insanity when i think about him.mmmmmmmmm
I have so many places I have been I should have been journaling becaus e those times were much better than now.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Julia & Julia
I just finished watching the movie Julia & Julia. Philip was so exhausted he feel asleep, or just hated it. In the morning he will surely give me the run down. The food alone made me hungry. He never had the love affair with Paris that I did. Of course it is obvious to me at this time it isn't always the place I am physically in life but mentally. Most people see one perspective and off in a complete opposite I would be with stars in my eyes. Julia & Julia did Paris well for it captured the back garden in one scene of what appears to be Notre Dame. A church I found to be totally overrated until I saw the back garden and just feel in. It took me to a memory of my mom reading The Secret Garden to me and my brother when we were about 9 and 11. It was his favorite book. I don't remember ever finishing it with them. Mom has the most beautiful reading voice. Even now I enjoy reading as she did to my boys. There is something in sharing a story, like a hug, that wraps you in warmth.
Julia & Julia also made me think about how the idea isn't that original at all. Philip and I were married and moved to Panama the year after I graduated high school. He worked in a special duty Postal job for the Air Force then. The amount of bulk mail ( catalogues and magazines) that consumed his day kept him from ever allowing me to order much. He was not about to add to his work load. Gourmet magazine did capture his attention. We were the only married couple at the time that was our age. All the single guys had him hands down in the party dept but when it came to food he carried all bragging rights. Each date we had always tried a new restaurant which continued when we got married. While living in Panama we didn't trust the local food for the first two years we lived there. It was his idea that since employment was not an option for me that I cook a new meal at least once a week. I remember the first time he chose the recipe for a London Broil the price made me almost cry. Back then he didn't know how to give compliments so it was just good. I believe that issues is still floating around in a box 18 years later.
After the movie the special scenes talk about how people experience life with food. We sure have, in every country my best memories have some unique culinary story to move the listener down memory lane. In these memories are beautiful people who I hold in my heart still today. Although some are no longer "friends" it is well for they have not been forgotten.
.
Julia & Julia also made me think about how the idea isn't that original at all. Philip and I were married and moved to Panama the year after I graduated high school. He worked in a special duty Postal job for the Air Force then. The amount of bulk mail ( catalogues and magazines) that consumed his day kept him from ever allowing me to order much. He was not about to add to his work load. Gourmet magazine did capture his attention. We were the only married couple at the time that was our age. All the single guys had him hands down in the party dept but when it came to food he carried all bragging rights. Each date we had always tried a new restaurant which continued when we got married. While living in Panama we didn't trust the local food for the first two years we lived there. It was his idea that since employment was not an option for me that I cook a new meal at least once a week. I remember the first time he chose the recipe for a London Broil the price made me almost cry. Back then he didn't know how to give compliments so it was just good. I believe that issues is still floating around in a box 18 years later.
After the movie the special scenes talk about how people experience life with food. We sure have, in every country my best memories have some unique culinary story to move the listener down memory lane. In these memories are beautiful people who I hold in my heart still today. Although some are no longer "friends" it is well for they have not been forgotten.
.
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