Substitutes

I mentioned before that we had talked to Gianna's doctor and had decided to put her on a lactose free diet. I did it for three days straight one weekend when she had an extra day out for school and I thought we saw some improvement in her bloated stomach and overall gassiness (I'm not being crude at all but ever since I can remember Gianna has seemed a little more gassy than I would think is "normal"). But then I found out that the school needed certain paperwork filled out by her doctor and then it had to be turned into the school and then it had to be worked out there, etc. So to make a long story shorter by the time I got the paperwork from the school, got it to the doctor's office, it took them over a week to get it filled out and then I got it to the school and then it had to go through all the channels there.

SO, yesterday I had a meeting with the cafeteria manager and one of Gianna's teachers just to go over everything and sort out the details. Apparently out of the 350 students at the school (give or take a few!) Gianna and one other boy who turned in paperwork around the same time are the only ones who have a lactose issue. So the manager has never had to deal with this before so she's kinda learning too. But luckily she was SO kind about it and is more than willing to try and work it all out. The other little boy is on almond milk but Gianna will be on Lactaid so that puts different limitations on her. I had no idea but schools (at least here) are required to serve each child 24 ounces of milk a day! 8 ounces at breakfast, 8 ounces at lunch and 8 ounces at snack time! Geez. I felt bad because that's a lot of milk and Lactaid isn't cheap.

Speaking of Lactaid, we finally found something Gianna LOVES instead of milk. We tried rice milk and almond milk and she didn't like either so I was really starting to feel nervous and a little upset. I mean, how I was going to substitute some of the stuff she loves without milk? She didn't even like it in her cereal. But I saw a commercial for Lactaid and their big thing is it tastes just like milk. That it's milk without the lactose (I'm not sure how that works but whatev!). So I bought some, a half gallon is $3.50. But luckily Gianna only drinks milk here on the weekends really since she gets plenty at school. I was scared to taste it and made Benjamin taste it first! Lol! He said it tasted just like milk so I tried it and it did taste like milk but with a slight after taste. But Gianna loved it and so I'm happy! And it's great they can provide it at school too.

There are some things the teacher can sub like taking the cheese of the broccoli for her or leaving the butter out of her potatoes or taking the cheese off her taco, etc. But some things she can't like when they have pizza so Gianna will have to eat something else those days. But to be honest I don't think Gianna eats enough or pays attention enough to really care!

I'm going to get some Lactaid yogurt this weekend and see how she likes that because she loves yogurt and I hate for her to miss out on that so we're going to try it. I wonder if they have Lactaid butter?!

Breaking the fever....

I think I spent most of last year with insane baby fever. I was totally regretting my decision to have my tubes tied, I was so upset that Gianna would never have a sibling, I stared and gazed at babies when I was out and about, I thought about baby names, etc., etc. And I can't say I'll never go through it again. I never expected to go through it the first time. I've spent four year being perfectly happy with one child and then suddenly I felt I needed another one?! Never saw that coming at all.

Luckily, my tubes are tied or I might have done something stupid! Lol! And my hubby, who is always the voice of reason, convinced me that even if we were able to now was most certainly not the time. And to be honest, I don't know that there is ever the perfect time to have a child or a second one. I think we probably would have spent the rest of our lives waiting for the perfect time if it hadn't happened "accidentally" for us. Was it the ideal time? Abso-freakin'-lutely NOT! But we made it work and in the end it's been a beautiful part of our lives.

I think maybe I was just scared about really losing Gianna's babyhood/toddlerhood. She's in school full time now, she is pretty independent, I don't have to keep an eye on her every second, she self entertains, she can get basic snacks and stuff for herself, brush her own teeth, potty without my help, get dressed and undressed. When she started school I think it really scared me. Suddenly I have no purpose. I've desperately looked for a job and can't seem to find one so I feel like I'm literally just wasting days away. Part of me thinks maybe my baby fever was forged in the fires of fear. Fear of this purposeless feeling.

Yet at the same time I'm so thankful that we're at this place. Even though I feel like so much of Gigi's babyhood was a blur for me it's still nice to start feeling like I have some "freedom" again. Like I said before she's really becoming kinda self reliant in a lot of ways. I can work out for an hour straight and not have to constantly stop and check on her or have her bugging me for something. It's SO much easier to talk someone into babysitting one kid versus two or three or four, etc. And it's easier to get out and do things with one not to mention cheaper.

I think I will forever remain a little torn though - mainly because I wonder how Gianna will feel never getting to experience being a big sister. Even though my sisters and I don't always get along (and sometimes never get along! Haha!) I still can't imagine not having them around. I will always wonder what our family would be like as a foursome versus a threesome. But then again, I would fear that the extra stress would mess things up. My hubby and I are so happy together right now, I like where we are at and part of me wouldn't want to mess that up.

All around me people are pregnant or having babies. I guess sometimes part of me just feels left out. I'm out of the loop now. I can't relate to growing bellies or picking out names, or the "joys" of getting up and down at night and all that jazz. Part of me doesn't want to relate but part of me just wants to feel apart of things. And as my hubby says "That is absolutely NO reason to have a kid!" Lol!

So for now I seem to have put that fever out and hopefully it will remain out! For those of you having more and more kids.....good luck!!! Lol! :-)

Friday, Saturday, Sunday....

We had quite a lovely weekend. We didn't really have lots of plans or anything and we didn't do anything crazy exciting but we had fun and just enjoyed spending time with each other!

My husband works Monday through Thursday so our weekend starts Thursday night when he gets home. I talked B into taking us to Outback Thursday night when he got home from work. It was so yummy and Gianna has discovered her love of steak too so she's eating half of my steak now!

Friday the kiddo was off to school - her outfit looked all 80's unintentionally!

After we took the kiddo to school we grabbed a quick breakfast at McD's and ran a couple of errands around town. B made BLT's on croissants with Chipotle ranch for dinner that night and they were SO yummy!

Saturday morning we "slept in" which means we got up at 7:30am! Lol! But Gigi crawled in our bed and we browsed our phones while she played with her Nintendo. B helped her through some of the tougher parts....then we got up and headed out for some breakfast at Denny's.

We stuffed ourselves with pancakes and eggs and did word search puzzles. Then made a stop by the flea market just to browse around. B has made friends with one of the dealers there and they've exchanged CD's and such. He's had some awesome hard back Stephen King books for sale and gave B an amazing deal on it three of them that we didn't have!

After that we went by the in-laws house and Gi and I made a run to Costco with her to pick up a few things.

Gianna had a blast trying samples including a greek yogurt smoothie on top of orange juice, turkey bacon, chips & dip, crackers and cheese and shrimp! Lol!

We picked up some yummy food to eat.

Costco seriously has THE best grapes ever. I love going there for produce because it's so much better than the produce we get around here. My mother in law also bought Nutella. Uh oh. I consumed WAY too much of it over the weekend. But it was so yummy!

Sunday morning we headed to church. I'll admit we haven't been in awhile. Just one thing or another or we've just been down right lazy and just haven't gone. But we went and our pastor was out but we had a guest speaker. The guest speakers brother was there visiting as well. He looked like a white haired Johnny Cash! He ended up playing a couple of little songs on the piano at the end of service and it was the best part of church!

After church we grabbed lunch at Taco Bell like we usually do. Gianna even opted to try something "new" - crunchy tacos instead of cheese roll ups! We've finally gotten all the paperwork completed and turned in to the school so that she can be put on a lactose free menu at school. So we are trying to get her prepared to cut it out completely pretty much. We've discovered Lactaid milk - which is lactose free milk and it pretty much tastes like regular milk. She's thrilled because she didn't like rice or almond milk. Cheese is mainly going to be the hard part for her.....

B watched some golf and then took Gianna out to course to play but the course was packed due to a tournament so they ended up going a playing around at the putt putt course and got ice cream at McD's! She loves getting to spend time alone with her daddy.....

I spent a lot of time reading - started a new Stephen King book called Lisey's Story. And we watched a lot of Food Network and called it a night by 9pm! All in all a very good weekend!

Oh, and this week is Dr. Seuss week at school so each day they'll be reading a new Dr. Seuss story and they have to wear something to go along with the book. Today they are reading The Lorax and they have to where something green. Tomorrow it's Fox in Sox and they have to wear crazy socks! Gianna's really excited about it! And I think we are going to go see The Lorax at the movie theater on Friday after Gianna gets out of school.

So I'm off to get things done and get the week started off right!

11 Things

Saw this post over on Krista's blog, Saturated Canary and since she kinda

"tagged" everyone I thought I'd do it!

Please play along and leave me a link to your post if you do!

There are five rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you've tagged them.

1. I went to Cosmetology school & worked for a year as a hair stylist.

2. I wasn't allowed to "date" until I was 16 and even then it was very closely

supervised.

3. I was 17 before I ever had my first kiss.

4. I got married in a pair of black Express pants and a white "t-shirt".

5. I can't stand the smell of the Yankee Candle stores. Just a whiff gives me a headache.

6. Even though I like lots of different scents, Moonlight Path from Bath & Body Works is

my ultimate favorite.

7. My cat has a thing for balloon strings. Seriously, it's the only thing he kinda freaks out about. He'll eat them and then puke them back up. It's lovely. So we have to "hide" balloons strings from him.

8. I love the freckles on the top of my hubby's shoulders. I think they are sexy!

9. I desperately want a hairless cat. If I got one as a surprise for my birthday I wouldn't be mad at all! *hint, hint*! Lol! I want a male and I already have his name picked out!

10. Part of me wishes I could paint - I'd love to have a studio full of light, music, paint and canvases. But I'm not artistic at all.

11. I think I'm more excited about seeing the movie The Lorax than Gianna is!

Questions for me to answer:

1. Favorite nail color? I'd have to go with hot pink. It's girly and looks pretty against my skin tone!

2. Pink or RED lipstick?...or are you a gloss kinda gal? I'm a gloss girl and even that's rare. I use a pretty nude shimmery gloss from Mary Kay when I do use something.

3. Favorite craft site? Um, does Pinterest count? If not than I don't have one!

4. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Morning person all the way! I'm useless after like 10pm. I'd much rather get up early and get stuff done.

5. Are you really chatty or super quiet? Or maybe somewhere in between?? Somewhere in between and it kinda depends on who I'm with too.

6. What is one thing you want to accomplish this year? Getting back into the work force. I haven't had a job outside the home in over 5 years and I'm ready to get back into working again.

7. What is your best talent/gift? Um, I don't really think I have one but I do love to sing and I can at least carry a good tune!

8. Do you have a tattoo? I've got four - technically 5 because one of my tats was actually two different ones but they are one now!

9. What is one thing you'd like to learn more about? Painting

10. You're alter ego would be a _______. (think occupation:) Tattoo artist! I think it would be so cool to tattoo people. But I can't draw a straight stick figure much less anything else!

11. What three people (past or present) would you like to meet? Stephen King, Celine Dion and Kristen Stewart

My Questions for you to answer!

1. If you could be the character from any book who would it be?

2. Do you play an instrument? If not, which do you wish you could play?

3. Who is your favorite super hero?

4. Who is your celebrity crush?

5. What's one thing you think you cook really well?

6. Were you popular in high school?

7. Have you ever been fired from a job? If so, why?

8. If you were stuck on an island with one book, one movie and one person which ones would it be?

9. What is the one thing that disgusts you?

10. Who was the first person who ever broke your heart?

11. How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

Blog Awards!

Thank to Felicity over at Pursuit of Felicity for nominating me for a blog award!

The Rules

1. Thank the person who nominated you by linking your post back to their blog.

2. Share seven random facts about yourself.

3. Pass the award along to other deserving bloggers and let them know you nominated them!

Facts About Me

1. I feel naked when my toenails aren't painted. Thus they are always painted!

2. I love Nutella on green grapes! Delish.

3. I stand on the outsides of my feet when I brush my teeth. It's a habit.

4. I'm part Lebanese, my name is Greek and most people think I'm Italian!

5. I like Phineas & Ferb more than my daughter does!

6. My favorite color is black although that's not really a color.

7. I got married at 18.

Deserving Bloggers

Deanna at Delirious-Rhapsody

Polly at This Enchanted Pixie

Elena at Bird And Tree

Ashley at Hudson's Happenings

Jamie at With Love Jamie

Amanda at Chasing Twins in Louboutins

When to say yes, when to say NO.

First of all let me say that I do not, by any means, have a perfect child. She still misbehaves, she still back talks, she doesn't like not getting her way. But for the most part she is a good, well behaved child. I'm not patting myself on the back either because I've screwed up royally plenty of times when it comes to dealing with her properly. Yet at the same time I've done by best to raise her well. To teach her right from wrong, to expect her to behave and obey, etc.

So I guess it really blows my mind when people do not expect the same of their children. No, I do not expect anyone to parent exactly like I do. Nor do I think that everyone is going to believe the same things are right or wrong for their children. Some of the things my parents believed were right or wrong for me I do not see that way for my child. So I don't expect the same thing for everyone BUT I do think there are basic rules and ideas that apply to every child's upbringing. I'm realizing more and more people don't see it that way.

I've heard several things lately that honestly just don't compute in my brain. Several times women with little girls have mentioned that their daughter "just won't let me fix her hair" or "she just takes it down after I put it up." Um, I've never spanked Gianna or punished her for anything that had to do with her hair. I've simply told her that when I fix her hair she's to leave it like that unless I tell her otherwise. She respects me as a parent as does as I tell her.

Another thing I hear a lot is "my child isn't old enough to understand what no means." And I'm not talking about a 1 month old baby. I'm talking about 1 year olds up to 3 year olds. Again, let me apologize for being so frank but, unless your child is mentally handicapped they understand what no means as early as 4-6 months. Gi started trying to suck on her fingers around that age and all I had to do was pull her hand out of her mouth, look her in the eyes and say in a gently but firm tone "No." It took a few times but she got it. Who knows. Maybe she was a baby genius!

I recently heard another blog mom mention that she has quite wearing earrings since her daughter was born because she likes to grab at them. Her daughter is almost a year old and she's still not wearing earrings?!! Yeah, kids are going to grab at them, Gianna used to grab at mine but guess what? There is a magic little word called "no!" - you say it and you are in charge. What?! A parent being in charge of how their child acts and behaves?! What is this world coming too?! Lol.

My point is this - it's time to stop being lazy and scared parents. Yes, there are days I get so sick of repeating some of the same things to Gianna. I hate having to punish her because she continues to do something I've told her not to. But for the (almost) past five years her daddy and I have been consistent in what we expect of her and how we handle it when she doesn't and as a result we have a child that is a pleasure to be around. From the stories I hear from a lot of other moms/bloggers I would be terrified to meet their kids. They sound mean, scary and uncontrollable. I used to have a friend who would let her 2 year old daughter scream in public places. High pitch and shrill. It was so annoying and embarrassing. She said as long as she wasn't doing it in anger it didn't bother her. Well, guess what? It bothered everyone else trying to enjoy their lunch or shopping. It drew attention and was just down right embarrassing. It got to the point where I avoided going out in public with her simply because her daughter wasn't pleasant to take out anywhere.

I recently read a blog on not spanking. Again, we spank. We don't beat, we don't hit, we don't slap. Those are no-no's. But when the situation is right a swat on the bottom or the hand gets their attention. We haven't had to spank Gianna a lot but when it calls for it we do it. It amuses me that most of the people I hear don't spank are the ones complaining of out of control children. Or they are the ones who have no idea how to spank in the correct way. They immediately assume spanking is the same as beating. One woman mentioned that her mother used to "spank" but after listening to what she had to say it was more than clear that her mother had beat her and her siblings out of anger. That I do not in anyway agree with. I try to never spank Gianna while I'm mad or upset. I send her to her room to think it through and most of the time that ends up with us talking instead of spanking anyway. But for example, the other day she kept messing with my straightner. I told her two or three times to stop touching it. The last time I told her "if you do it again I'll pop your hand." I gave her fore warning and she heard me. She did it again. So I pop her hand. She scowled but she didn't say anything because she knew she was wrong, she knew what was coming if she continued to disobey. She walked away and didn't mess with it again.

So my encouragement is this - do not be scared of your child and don't be lazy is taking the steps to discipline them correctly. Discipline is backed by love and it is your job to love your child. Disciplining them so that they are well behaved and good mannered and know right from wrong is doing them a favor, people, don't destroying their minds or taming their independence. It's a balance!

Only the Fairy Best.....

One month from today my cute little fairy is going to be 5! Yes, five! Geez. Originally I had decided to forego the whole party thing. We've done a "family" party every year for her. I let her pick and theme and we have a party with mostly family and occasionally a family friend or two will come. She always has a blast and really looks forward to it. But this year I knew most of my family wouldn't be making it up and so I thought I'd just do something like take her to Chuck E Cheese or something like that.

But after talking to her yesterday I realized she really wanted a party so as of yesterday we are having a party! Lol! My aunt and her family are going to come up so Gianna's cousin will be there (she'll be 5 tomorrow, they are almost exactly a month apart). We are also going to invite a couple of her "best" friends from school. I'm a little nervous about that to be honest. A. I'm afraid no one will come and B. I'm afraid that if the parents stay it will be awkward because I really don't know any of them. But even if no one but her cousin is there she will be thrilled and have a lot of fun!

We are doing a fairy theme. Not really Tinkerbell but I'm sure she'll make an appearance somewhere. I mainly just want it to be really magical. We have a room that we don't use that much so I'm going to drape blankets and curtains and make little tents and really try to make it a little fairy land. I've already been looking for fairy food ideas and I've found some really cute stuff. And of course we're going to make fabulous cupcakes!

I'm enlisting the help of my sister - mainly because she can find a deal anywhere so I'm hoping she can help me find some cheap options AND she's great with kids so I'm really counting on her help with projects like making your own wand and such.....I'm actually kinda excited and really want to be a lot of homemade touches on this party. We've done some really great parties (like her Luau party and her Fiesta party!!!) but I really want her to remember this one forever!

Anyone have some cute ideas you'd like to pass along to me? Any helpful hints?!

Standing Up For Myself

My husband and I "recently" made a choice to eliminate drama in our lives. To be honest that is far easier said than done. It seems like every time I turn around their is an opportunity to start it or be apart of it. And I can't say in all honesty that sometime my human nature doesn't want to "push some buttons" just because I can. But I've really been trying to stay away from that and just focus on peace. That doesn't mean you let people walk all over you just to keep them "happy". I've been doing that for quite some time. I know things that will set them off or upset them or make them mad so I just avoid those things. Not because what I'm doing is wrong but because they are overly sensitive or always on edge and I just don't want to deal with their drama. So I keep my mouth shut, let them have their way and just push down my own hurt that their actions cause.

My husband is the opposite, in a very good way. He stands up for what he believes and he's not afraid to tell people when they are wrong. I admire that so much in him and I desperately want to be able to do that. I'm a little better but I still shrivel up in fear and guilt when I have to confront someone or disagree with them. Mainly because it's never one of those "agree to disagree" things. It's always me saying what I think and then getting a "Well, you are wrong." shoved down my throat. I know it's not right, I know those people aren't right yet something in me cowers to them and I hate that so much about myself.

There is a HUGE difference between keeping the peace and there actually being peace. And that is one thing my hubby has really helped me realize. Just because I keep my mouth shut and walk on egg shells around certain people doesn't mean there is peace between us. Because just as soon as something doesn't go their way they are all up in arms and cramming their opinions, attitudes and drama down my throat. And I'm tired of the stress of it. The good times that we may have when I'm tip toeing around them isn't worth their mess when I decide to just be me. I'm tired of being told that every move I make it wrong. So instead I'm having to shut some people out of my life. It's hard because some of these people I care about but at the same time the stress and pain they cause me isn't worth it. I'd rather live in true peace by just not having them in my life.

It feels harsh, I still struggle with it. I want to be the one that apologizes (even though I'm not the one who did anything wrong or started anything) and crawls back simply to "keep the peace". But I know deep down that's doing nothing but giving them even more leeway to walk all over me and control my life.

There is a time to be corrected, their is a time to learn from others. But those people aren't the ones who complicate and belittle your life. Just because someone doesn't "learn" from you doesn't mean they aren't teachable. Maybe what you are teaching they don't want to learn! Lol! I'm having to learn that standing up for myself or my husband or my daughter doesn't mean I have to be ugly but doing so may cause some ugly reactions from people who want to control you. You'll find out that people aren't nearly as sweet, kind or loving when they don't feel like they have control over you anymore. Suddenly you aren't the "person they thought you were" and they are done. When that happens I immediately start questioning myself - did I do something wrong? Did I say something wrong? And I'm very glad I have my husband to help me find a balance. If I'm wrong than I'm pretty sure my husband would kindly tell me so but he's also there to help me realize when I'm right. Just because someone reacts badly doesn't mean you handled it badly or did the wrong thing.

Stand up for myself is hard. Even when I know I'm doing the right thing. There are just certain people who can make me feel like I'm worthless for the choices I've made even though those choices have ended up being beautiful things in my life. And I'm learning that my worth is in God and not in their view point of me. My worth is in the eyes and heart of my husband. It's in the love and admiration of my daughter. And in those things I have to find the strength to stand up for myself and the Truth I believe I am living. Not in the words of those trying to tear me down.

I don't have it down, I still struggle but I'm trying hard and realizing it is an issue for me and it's something I have to work harder on than some might.

Choose to love.

I have often heard people say that they've "fallen out of love" with who they are with. I don't believe that. I believe one of two things - a. you weren't in love with them in the first place or b. you've chosen to stop loving them. To me, love is a choice. True, there is that initial "falling in love" and that time is magical but after that there are going to be a lot of times where you have to choose to keep loving that person. You may think you aren't in love any more - those gooshy feelings aren't there or you don't see stars when you look at them anymore. Life becomes reality and it gets down to the nitty gritty. And these are the moments where love is a choice. You have to look past what they aren't or what they aren't being and love them. Let me clarify though that there are times when you have to draw the line. You can't continue loving someone who is abusive to you or dangerous to your mental or physical health. These are the times where you have to choose to stop loving and move on.

I'll admit that there was a time in mine and B's marriage, not long after Gi was born that I felt like I didn't "love" him anymore. But thankfully I woke up and realized that I did love him, I'd always choose to love him but I was choosing to focus on the bad and the negative rather than the positives and the reasons I fell in love in the first place. I don't turn a blind eye and pretend B doesn't have faults, he's human, he does. But when I choose to focus on what I love about him, how good he is to me and our daughter, how hard he works, how funny and outgoing he is, etc. these things FAR out weigh any negatives. But again, it's a choice. We make the choice daily to focus on what we love about each other and not what irritates or gets on our nerves. It's not always easy but if every time B and I had an argument or got on each others nerves I said "I'm done, I'm not in love with you anymore....." it would start taking it's toll on us and our relationship. You have to speak positive into your relationship or it will die. You can't constantly focus on "what if there is something better" or "what if someone loved me better?" Its about focusing on how well you are loved and taken care of right now and what you can do to make you spouse/significant other feel loved and taken care of as well.

So choose today to love the one you are with. Stop thinking about the negative or focusing on the faults. Choose to be the best you can be with them! Love them like you want to be loved and they'll return it!

In celebration of love

It's Valentine's Day and of course I have to post about V-day and love and all that good stuff! We actually celebrated Saturday night. B usually works late on week days and trying to find someone to watch Gi and but then get her back so she can be at school in the morning....it's just better to celebrate on a weekend. It was really nice because my sister took Gianna that afternoon after she got off work and she kept her until 5:30pm the next day so we got to spend Sunday just hanging out in our pj's, watching TV and B caught up on some sleep due to a nasty migraine. But Saturday night we headed up to Asheville in the freezing cold and went to Carrabba's. We have three favorite restaurants - Outback, Carrabba's and Bonefish. They are all owned by the same company and when B worked for Outback we got a serious discount at all three and just fell in love with their quality ingredients, delicious menus and great service! So usually any time we are celebrating we go to one of those three. We went to Bonefish for our anniversary back in August so I decided on Carrabba's!

(I love how simple the menu is. One page, that's it. But the food is UH-mazing!)

(Their bread is hot and has the best crust and they serve it with an oil & herb dipping

sauce. I could seriously eat loaves of that bread!)

(Antipasti plate for an appetizer. Calamari (THE best I've ever had!), Mozzarella sticks,

and brushetta. Delish!)

(I ALWAYS get the Sirloin Marsala. I can't pass it up. It is literally one of the

best steaks you'll ever put in your mouth!)

(Perfect medium rare! And please, refrain from leaving me comments that it's

"still alive" or "moooing". I've heard them all! Lol! And if you like your steak

cooked like beef jerky more power to ya but this is the best way to

truly enjoy the flavor and texture of a good quality steak!)

(B had the sirloin and crab stuffed shrimp!)

(Gianna brought home whoppie pies she made with her aunt. They were

unreal yummy!!! I may have had one for breakfast today.....come on, it's Valentines!!!)

(My hubby and I don't really do gifts but I made him a card yesterday and put him

together a little thing of candy to snack on at work today.)

(And of course our little cutie pie ready for Valentine's Day at school -

passing out her Valentine's and having a little party at school.

B will bring her home a little something too like a balloon and a little thing of candy.)

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Now a little "rant" about Valentine's! Lol!

There seem to be two kinds of people on Valentine's - people who love it and can't wait to celebrate and those who all out hate it.

I personally love Valentine's, not because we go overboard and there are lots of gifts involved or anything like that. Although if that's how you celebrate that's great!

For us we like to just spend time together and have a great meal. We enjoy just hanging out together and just focusing on us.

Lots of people say that they celebrate their love all year round. And that's good, we do too but it's nice to have a holiday where we can exclusively focus on us and the love we share.

I'm all about people who do things for their kids, we usually get Gianna a little something but Valentine's isn't for her. It's for lovers. And that's just the truth. Sure, we celebrate lots of people we love because V-day has kinda become a generic holiday about "love" but originally it was for people who were IN love.

It hurts my heart to hear people say things about love being stupid or basically say that people who are in love are "lying" or that they'll just be an "ex" sooner or later.

That's such a bitter outlook on love. And I know, lots of people have been through crap with people they thought they loved or thought loved them. But in the end, that wasn't love. It was a cheap imitation and you shouldn't make fun of the people that truly have love.

I wish everyone could experience what B and I have. It's not perfect by any means but we truly love each other more than I thought possible.

So for me Valentine's is just an extra day to let my husband know I couldn't imagine life without him!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Questions....and answers!

1. What time did you get up this morning? I was awake at 5:50 but I actually got out of bed at 6:15am. I get up by then Monday through Friday to get Gigi ready for school.

2. How do you like your steak? I used to eat it well done (someone slap me)then my hubby worked me up to medium and recently I've been getting it medium rare! Yummy!

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Um, I think it was Puss In Boots at the discount theater with my sister and Gigi. Before that it was Breaking Dawn with my hubby.

4. What is your favorite TV show? That's hard. I love anything on Food Network just about. And any wedding show like My Fair Wedding with David Tutera and Say Yes To The Dress. Currently I'm loving re-runs of Law & Order SVU.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? In the US I'd say Franklin, TN. Love that sweet little town! Outside of the USA I'd say some little town in Greece. It's so beautiful there.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Plain oatmeal with a little honey and strawberries.

7. What is your favorite food? Steak and mashed potatoes! Can't ever go wrong with that. Particularly Outback and Carrabba's steaks!

8. Foods you dislike? Asparagus, mushrooms, onions and peppers.

9. Favorite place to eat? Outback and Carrabba's.

10. Favorite dressing? A good Caesar dressing is my favorite!

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? An old red Ford Explorer. It's borrowed from my parents until I can find a job and afford to buy a car. I'd love to have another Honda Accord or an SVU of some sort.

12. What are your favorite clothes? A pair of leggings, my black "riding" boots and a tunic and cardigan.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Greece

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? I tend to be a negative person (shame on me, I'm trying....) so I'd say it's 1/2 empty most of the time.

15. Where would you want to retire? GREECE! Lol!

16. Favorite time of day? Morning. I feel energized and hopeful for the day.

17. Where were you born? Springfield, MO.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? College football and golf. Not a fan of pro ball and I hate baseball and basketball.

19. What is your favorite fragrance? Currently a "no name brand" Cotton Candy scent.

20. What is your favorite face cream? I don't have one although I really really NEED one.

21. Favorite baby/kids products? I dunno, my kiddo is almost 5 and I can't really think of anything in particular that I love for her other then Target and Old Navy clothing!

22. People watcher? Oh, Absolutely

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23. Are you a morning or night person? Morning! I'm pretty much out after 9pm.

24. Do you have any pets? A 13 year old Persian cat named Gandalf

25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share? Not really. We're moving this summer but that's about it.

26. What did you want to be when you were little? A singer

27. What is your favorite memory? The day my hubby first text me after we had been apart for several years, the day he proposed to me and the day we got married!

28. Are you a cat or dog person? Cat for sure!

29. Are you married? Yes, it'll be 7 years in August!

30. Always wear your seat belt? Yes, I'm a stickler for that.

31. Been in a car accident? Yes, two. The first someone hit me from behind and another I was riding with a friend and a guy turned out when he wasn't supposed to and hit us.

32. Any pet peeves? PEOPLE BEING LATE!!! I HATE it more than anything in the world!

33. Favorite pizza toppings? Pepperoni and extra cheese.

34. Favorite flower? Lilies and roses.

35. Favorite ice cream? Mint Chocolate Chip although Bluebell's Strawberries and Homemade Vanilla is a very close second!

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Taco Bell

37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test? 0!

38. From whom did you get your last email? Pinterest!

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Old Navy for sure.

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Nope, I'm not really like that, I plan ahead 97% of the time!

41. Like your job? I'm a stay at home mom but since my daughter started school I'm not enjoying being home much.

42. Broccoli? Yes, in stir fry or raw with ranch!

43. What was your favorite vacation? Girl's Beach trip last year. So nice to get away and relax!

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Benjamin and Gigi.

45. What are you listening to right now? The TV

46. What is your favorite color? Black

47. How many tattoos do you have? Currently 4 but I have plans for lots more! ;-)

48. Coffee drinker? No not at all. I drink a Mocha occasionally but that's just a treat kinda thing.