Listen Linda, listen!

When you talk to others, hold a conversation with your best friend, or your mom, or a co-worker, or your child, are you really listening?  The majority of time in a conversation, the ‘listener’ is often thinking of what they are going to say next that is relevant to themselves, rather than listening to what is being said to them and commenting back on that.  Pay attention next time you really have a conversation with someone and see are you a true listener? Everyone needs a listener and if you are only thinking about yourself and what to say next, you are not giving your conversation partner the time they need to talk.  If you learn to actually listen, then they will reciprocate and begin listening to you also. 

I’m not a listener… I’m one of those that are thinking about the next thing to say to make the conversation about me.  This was pointed out to me many years ago, and I started noticing it then, but I don’t realize to actually listen until the conversation is over and I reflect back.  That’s when I’m beating myself up for being selfish when my friend, or family, or co-worker just wanted to get something off THEIR chest.  They don’t care how their situation is comparable to mine at that moment.  Start paying attention to what you say and what you hear, see if you are that person they can really come to, or if they avoid you for a reason??

My Aunt is the best listener I know and when we talk, I always think how I want to be more like her every day. She asks me questions and genuinely wants to hear what I have to say about myself, and she feeds off that and continues to talk about me as well.  That is what your conversation partner is looking for when they initiate a conversation.  Be that listener!

30 days

30 days left and It will be Saturday, June 27.  Why am I waiting so anxiously for a random Saturday in June? Oh, that’s right. It’s because I will be flying to JAMAICA on June 27.  That is correct, my friend. J  My beautiful cousin is graduating high school next week and her grandma (my aunt) wants to take her on a celebratory senior trip.  They were originally looking at London and Paris.  Once my aunt did a tiny bit of research, she realized just HOW expensive this trip is, and that my cousin didn’t know anything about the area, other than seeing the Eifel Tower. That’s a long and expensive trip just to see a tall piece of architecture.  From the beginning, I was included in the plans.  My aunt would love to have someone a little younger to help watch my cousin, and also in case anything happens to her, there will be another mature, responsible adult there (has she MET ME AT ALL??? :P )  Eventually,  they narrowed down to a place and booked Jamaica.  My mom is also going to keep my aunt company. Me and Alivia will be able to venture off on our own and do our stuff and leave the old folks to lay around and talk about old folk stuff.  – ok KIDDING.  They aren’t old. They will probably be right there with us through it all and it will be an amazing trip because I love these ladies so much! 

 

And I need a vacation. I need a week-long break from life and responsibility.  My only hiccup is my aunt will try to put a damper on things by wanting to have real moment conversations and keep me from just drinking away the week… Either way, it’ll be great J

Now if I can just get my butt in gear to work out a tad bit…

Family Night

I haven’t seen one of my uncles since 2009, and before that, I don’t remember when.  His wife, I haven’t seen her in 20 years or so.  So when they told the family late last week they were coming to Texas, we gathered together (May 19, 2015) for a great fun evening of fun!  My family that is close by all came together and we had crawfish and shrimp (and chicken for me and the kids).  It was a great evening of fun and laughter.

My cousin came with their 4 month old baby who most of us have not met yet. I was one of the two lucky ones that got to hold her.  My SIL held the baby first for all of 30 seconds before she cried and momma came to the rescue.  I got to hold her and walk around for a good 10 minutes or so and love on her and talk with her before she cried.  Immediately upon crying, Momma came to take her, fed her and then left.  She is so sweet and definitely gave me baby fever!!  Of course I spend most of my family time with the adorable kids so here are the few pictures I captured:

What are your plans?

What are your plans on August 1, 2015? My plans are to take off work and stay in bed ALL day long.  August 1 doesn’t really seem like a day just to pick to stay in bed right? Yea, I know.  But for me, it is.  For the past 3 years I’ve had some horrible life events happen on that specific day, and maybe if I don’t move on this day, nothing bad can happen.  I’m actually looking forward to a day off work and staying in bed for an entire day. I’ll probably sleep and watch Netflix and maybe eat some Mint Chocolate Chip Blue Bell Ice Cream (assuming it is back on the market and not contaminated with Listeria anymore). 

 August 1 – you can SUCK IT this year!!!! J 

 Oh my – my sweet innocent nephew.  Oh how the words that come out of your mouth make me laugh.  This weekend, May 17 to be exact, he came over and cleaned out my gutters for me.  I was mid-jumping up on top of the roof when he showed up and said “Julie!! You don’t need to do that, move let me do it!” he’s so sweet.  I told him I am going to pay him for his work and he says I don’t have to because he likes helping me. Of course, I will because he’s 11 and needs money for his itunes music and whatever else he might want.  He said I need my money - J  Then he also made this comment. “When ya’ll all die, I’m going to hack into your facebook and Instagram accounts and change your status to ‘Chillin with Jesus’.  Such a funny, morbid thing to say.  But kinda sweet. Right?? Maybe?

DIY: Blanket

I made this cute blanket for my cousin's baby girl that was born in January.  It's the middle of May and I have yet to get this in the mail to them... I think I've just gained a blanket. haha.

I love the combo mixes. If you know me at all, you'll know my obsession since I was a kid with Camo. 

It was so easy to make. I just bought the camo frabric, washed it a few times to soften it up.  The pink fabric, washed it a couple times, then sewed the outsides together.  and voila!! a cute baby blanket. I'm going to be making this for all my friends that have babies.  they may or may not get mailed to them, but I'll at least have it made ;) 

Just Me

I've had a rough week, so I just wanted to take a picture of myself and share it :) 

I love my new jean jacket!!!!

Sausage sandwiches

In light of recent events, I decided to cook something easy for dinner. I'm actually not supposed to do anything, according to my dr.  but if you know me, you'll know that I will probably be on my deathbed and still piddling around doing SOMETHING. 

I cooked some bbq sausage links for Pete and my brother since they were working hard on my flooring.  My brother ended up not eating, so more for me!! :)

I guess since it's the dr orders to relax, I'll take a nice hot bubble bath too. 

Quisadilla Time

Yummy!! I was working on a list of meals for the week and wrote down Quisadillas, and decided I really wanted this right now instead of later. So, this is what we had for dinner and it's so delicious!!! And super easy to make.

Grill up some chicken (you may want to season the chicken with salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash and anything else you want first).  Add Pepperjack and Cheddar cheese on top of a tortilla.  But butter on the frying pan and place the tortilla on it.  Add the chicken.  Add another layer of cheese on top of chicken.  Once the cheese starts to melt, add the top layer tortilla and press the sides down so it closes up on the cheese.  Butter the outside of tortilla and flip until golden brown. J

Rescued Rocky

A few weeks ago we had a storm come through like none we have seen before.  It rained pretty bad, but for about 1-2 minutes (and that was a LONG 1-2 minutes!!!!) we had 75+ mph wind along with golf-ball sized hail come down.  I ended up with only one broken window from it, surprisingly. It sounded like we were in a tornado, or inside a war-zone being attacked.  me and the dogs were pacing around FREAKING the heck out.  A tornado was spotted on the ground about 2 blocks from my house, and I'm pretty positive it went through my yard too.  Terrifying.

After the storm, 2 days later, Pete noticed a dead baby squirrel on the ground.  When he went to look at it, it moved.  Of course, my motherly instinct kicked in and I went and got it, wrapped it in blankets, gave it a bath because it as filthy (and covered with maggots, poor thing), went to the store and bought him formula and bottle fed him. I loved him and held him for about 4-5 hours.  until he died.  I was very sad because Rocky would have been a great sweet pet to keep.