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?

Mothers Day 2014

 

On Friday before Mother’s day, I received a card in the mail from my mom (who lives in the same town as me, who I see almost once a week at least).  I opened it, and it was a Mother’s Day Card. I’m not technically a mother, but I did inherit 3 stepkids, so I have the step “mom” title.  The card was sweet.  I thought nothing more about it.  I’m not a mom. 

 

Sunday morning (Mother’s Day), the first words out of Bo’s mouth is “Happy Mother’s Day”. He was acknowledging my hard work as the stepmom and my mother-role in our family.  It was sweet!  Not what I expected. I’m not a mom. 

 

We went out with his family to celebrate his mom, Nini, and sister as mothers.  We then went out to dinner with my parents. (We celebrated my family’s mother’s day the night before).  That evening, I get a phone call from my sweet kids who wanted to tell me Happy Mother’s Day.  Melted my heart.  They were acknowledging me as one of their moms.  I won’t compare myself to the role their actual mom has, but it’s still great to know I have been accepted and everyone knows that as a stepmom, we are still a mom/caregiver to our children.  When we went to bed that night, the last words Bo told me again was “Happy Mother’s Day”.  It’s been great! 

 

Three days later, a friend of mine had mailed something to me that also said “Happy Mother’s Day”. And he hasn’t even MET my family yet.  Made me smile again.

Dakota

Back in October, October 5th to be exact, last year, Me, Bo and the kids were spending a weekend in Austin, helping his sister and her family move. My mom was doing us an awesome favor by dog-sitting two of our three dogs, Dude and Dakota. We brought Sunshine with us, but didn't have room in the car for all three, more room in Bo's Mom's house to keep all three while we were staying with her.

On that beautiful, hot, Saturday afternoon, my mom called to tell me that Dakota, my sweet, beautiful Vizla (who looks like a Pitbull :P ) was bit in the face by a snake (turned out to be a nest of snakes t give her more than 7 snake bites). She said she is ok, but her face is swollen and it's obvious she is in pain. Mom took her to a vet and they gave her some antibiotics and sent them home. Sometime late that night, my mom noticed that both of her eyes had red liquid coming out them, she couldn't open her eyes, and her face and neck had swollen much much more.

Mom made the decision to take the dog to a neighboring town where they had a 24 hr pet hospital. They immediately admitted her in, and gave her several doses of antivenom. not konwing what kind of snake, they couldn't be 100% sure which antivenom to give her, but did their best. That Sunday evening when I got home, I went to visit her and that Monday morning I moved her from the hospital to a local vet for care and treatment.

Throughout that week of her staying in their care, frequent calls checking on her, visits every morning and evening with her, their lovely assistant staff, were quick to jump to conclusions about Dakota's fate and pass those conclusions on to me. I was first told she wouldn't make it through Monday. Then I was told on Tuesday that she will probably lose one or both eyes due to the liquid coming out. Then I was told she will need blood/platelet transfusion (for only many thousands of $$$), among other things I'm sure. I was a nervous wreck that week!!! Friday I was able to bring her home, thank goodness.

That night, she had scratched the top of her head and it peeled off a healing scab from one of the TEN (yes, you read that right) TEN SNAKE BITES on her face. Her head was filled with lots of fluid/puss which began pouring out of her head from that scab wound. The following Monday, I had to admit her back to the vet clinic for her to have surgery so they could insert a tube in her face to drain the liquids. She had to wear a cone for a week. Friday, they removed the tube and she was slowly getting back to her self.

Several months later, Dakota was still lazy and not moving as much. This is due to her white blood cells count dropping so low and her turning anemic. 

Today, she is a great, healthy baby again. She is more loving than she was before the snake bites, and just wants to sit and cuddle any chance she can get.  

Family car

Wow – It’s been two months and I haven’t posted about this yet.  I’ve been saying for a year that by summer 2014 I will have my first SUV. I’ve had trucks and cars, and fortunately, I didn’t buy a single one. They were given to my by my parents.  I’m 30 now, time to get my own car! The truck I’m driving is small. Doesn’t fit the kids in it, is now 15 years old, with almost 350 thousand miles on it. SHEESH! One day, it will break down and I won’t be able to afford to fix it.  Me and Bo have been looking for a few weekends. I’ve compiled a spreadsheet of the possible vehicles I want, then researched them, crossing off the ones with the worst reviews and least gas mpg.  We test drove several, and kept coming back for the same make/model. We went up to Houston looking around on a Saturday, found one that drove great, but was brand new and we did NOT want a brand new vehicle.  He said they didn’t have any others ,but would ‘run some numbers’ on the new one. While he stepped away, Bo got on his computer and pulled up a list of vehicles they had on the lot, and saw a 2011 that fits what we wanted. We asked him about it when he came back, and ended up leaving in it that very night. It’s a 2011  Chevy Traverse, and it’s wonderful! It seats 8 people. I haven’t gotten it 100% full yet, but the kids love the room and space and it drives so great and wonderful.  I’m so super excited!!  Here’s me with the new car the morning after I got it. 

New Year's Resolutions - 2014!!!!

Well, it's 2014. Another new year, and another time for resolutions and goals.

I have decided not to make resolutions, because making them is setting myself up to failure. I have however, decided to change some things in my life and improve in many ways. That’s not the same thing as a resolution, even if it did make this decision on Jan 1… right?  Some things I am improving in my life:

Read 18 books
 Learn to say NO
Use less electronics
No facebooking in the evenings (more time with family)
No stalking (checking out useless sluts on social media sites just to get myself worked up)
Volunteer with C.A.S.A.
Stay POSITIVE
Leave work at work
Learn Spanish

I've heard setting resolutions is a way to set yourself up for failure... Probably right.  but we'll see.

CIAO!

2013 - Year in Review

As I did last year, this year I am going to do my 2013 year in review.  I didn’t have any many milestones this year as last, but it was still a pretty great 2013!!

-        Turned dirty 30…

-        Got MARRIED!

-        Gained 3 awesome step-kids

-        Started our own Family Traditions

-        Held the same job all year (If you ever heard me complain, you’ll be as surprised as I am :o )

Wow, can that really be it for this year?!!  My life has finally slowed down a bit this year.  Now, Let’s bring on 2014!!!!!

It's September already

Wow- it’s the middle of September already.  I remember just the other day it was early Spring and I was delaying wedding planning til August, because I didn’t want to get too ahead of myself. August came and went, and I didn’t accomplish all that I needed.  I’ve been busting my butt on the weekends lately, and Hobby Lobby employees know me on a first name basis.

 

There’s so much to do, yet I’ve done so much already.  Most of my projects are half-done which makes it harder to pick up where I left off on so much.

 

I’m so glad that Bo is willing to help me out some as well. So much would not have been completed already if he wasn’t there to help make some decisions, and do some of the grunt work along with me.

 

We decided on our first dance song! YAY!!! I started out with a long list, maybe 30 songs. I listened to them, crossed a few out.  2 weeks later I listened to the ones I didn’t cross out, and then crossed a few more out.  This weekend I took the songs home and Sunday night me and Bo listened to each song on the list that he didn’t already cross out.  We narrowed it down to 3 songs.  How do you decide from there?  Well, we wrote the names on a piece of paper, and tossed the paper into the other room.  Whatever one we picked up would be our song.  Sunshine took joy in selecting the song for us.   So, there we have it. Our first dance song forever will be credited to Sunshine. 

 

 

Wedding Nightmares

I have to keep a record of my crazy dreams.  This isn’t my first one, but I didn’t write the others down and now I have forgotten.

 

WEDDING NIGHTMARES!!!! Oh lordy….

 

I had a dream this week that I was at my wedding and my wedding dress fit me like a box. It was too big and I had to actually hold it up with my hands the entire time.  The caterer, photographer, DJ and cake did not show up, even though I have signed contracts and paid them.  Only FIVE guests showed up, and none of them included the groom.  His friend from the Army asked him to go bowling, and so he agreed forgetting that it was the same day as our wedding.  So he was at the bowling alley while I’m standing at the alter crying my eyes out. 

 

I woke up all upset, and even woke Bo up to get on to him about forgetting about our wedding.  Then I started panicking thinking the wedding really IS off, since our honeymoon is (at least temporarily).  So the next day I decided to start doing some hard-core wedding planning so I can feel back in the groove of things. 

 

Lunch with the big dawgs

It’s not a really big deal, but it’s unique for a company and unique for me as well. A week ago my boss told me that he chose me from our department to have “Snacks with Steph”, to be scheduled June 24. Steph is our CEO/President for my company. She tries to be down to earth and relate to the employees. She does a monthly blog (sometimes bi-monthly) to keep us informed if what’s going on. My company employees 680 people currently, in about 15 different cities, some 3 hours away, so it’s nice for her to do this to keep all informed. Anyway- She extends this offer to several departments each month to select 1-2 people to have lunch with her. This was the first time my department got the offer, and I was chosen. I didn’t ask to have lunch with her. It made me feel honored that my boss thought of me first. It was 1-1/2 hour lunch where about 15 of us sat in a conference room and just got to talk with her. It was pretty neat to be a part of that. The culture of my company is really genuine for the most-part, and we stick out. We were even voted one of the top work places in the Houston – area.


 

Independence Day

A serious post here.  This past holiday event, Independence Day, got me to think a different way than I ever have before.  I want to open your eyes as well. Everyone needs to be aware, and considerate, and think about it some. 

July 4 every year our nation celebrates our Independence Day with BBQ and beer and fireworks.  If nothing else, Fireworks is the one thing almost everyone participates in. The cities spend lots of money and put on great fireworks shows.  It's beautiful to watch them light up the sky.

Something we need to realize is, the fireworks are loud. They make loud BOOM noises.  The noises sounds like guns and bombs going off if you might be living in another country that you hear that noise often.  For me, it sounds like fireworks.  For the one I love, it gave him flashbacks to the war he has been fighting since he joined the Army in 2002.  I never thought about the affects our fireworks, our normal traditions on American Soil affect our military men and woman.  I looked into it a little, and found this article:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/4th-july-fireworks-nightmare-shell-shocked-war-veterans/story?id=19554318#.UdmXZ9iXuSo


 Once I realized that the noises I was taking for granted, enjoying, made him feel the way it did, it put the fireworks in a whole new perspective.  I was no longer enjoying this beautiful site, yet having my own 'flashbacks' of what it might be like for our men and women who are in the middle of this 10-year war and what they may be dealing with.  As someone who will never go to war, I will never fully understand, but this can put it in some perspective...

 

What's happenin?!

A lot of things have been happening, and yet nothing at all has been happening in my world. Not sure if I should post an update or not. I've been spending a lot of time reading, as you can tell by my regular book posts.  I am overly swamped with a lot, but yet I managed to find time to read.  - mainly, I go lay in bed between 9-10 pm every night, and sit up for a few hours reading.  It seems to be very relaxing, who would have thought??

The wedding planning is coming along. I found a place, I'm working on a timeline and entertainment for guests.  A couple of my amazing bridesmaids went with me to try on dresses, and we decided on the dress.  The color is Charcoal.  I don't know why, but whenever I imagined my wedding (well, besides from the imaginary destination wedding that I've always wanted), the color was always silver.  Did you know that silver comes in a wide range of similar colors? some are a shade of pink *YUCK!!!* so, charcoal is the silver I always pictured.  I still have a long way to go, but looks like I am staying close to budget with everything and that is making me happy.

I'm still working at H&R Block in the evenings and some weekends.  The perk of this is the bonus we get at the end of the season (which is April).  We get a set wage, but then we also get commission based on the tax return we have completed and the items we sell to the clients.  my bonus is going to pay for my wedding photographer. :) unless I spend it on something for myself first... no.  think wedding first... ugh.  I can't go any trips because all extra money has to go to a wedding now?? what was I thinking......

The kids are a mess.  Brynnlei walks around saying 'Jujee' when I'm home. It's adorable. Hopefully this week I can videotape her saying my name, before she actually starts talking. It's moments like this that you soon forget when they begin talking 90 to nothing.  I don't want to forget these moments. 

An American Hero

On President's Day, most businesses were closed.  State, government, and banks all closed.  I work for a bank.  While our actual bank was closed, all 650 employees that work for my bank did not get to have a day off.  Instead, we had an all-day meeting, that  occurs every other year on President's Day.  It's a way for employees to socialize, meet people we wouldn't normally get a chance to meet, and learn some new stuff.  This year's event was titled "Improving Lives". We had 3 guest speakers: One lady from a vendor we contract with to talk about our 401K benefits we might be eligible for, as well as better ways to save/budget our money.  Another guest speaker was another lady who talked to us about managing our time.  Learning how to organize our time on-and off the clock.  How to help prioritize so we can get the maximum time out of enjoying life as possible.  The other guest speaker  is the one that had the most meaning.  He made many people tear up (of course, not me.  I'm tough :P ) His talk was to teach people the beautiful way of looking at life, "Adapt and Overcome".  Most people have plans for their future, their dreams, wants and desires.  Often, our plans are interrupted by the unexpected.  We have to learn to accept what is thrown at us and learn to go with it.  Don't let it bring you down because what you originally thought you wanted is now unachievable. 

Do you watch Dancing with the Stars? Our guest speaker won on Dancing with the Stars recently.  HE also is an actor.  Starred in an episode of Army Wives as a Soldier with PTSD and war wounds.  He also began what was supposed to be a 3-month stint on All My Children as a soldier who came home with war wounds as well.  His 3-month stint turned into a 3 year role.  In 2002, this man joined the US Army. Do you recognize him?

Probably not in this picture.  J. R. Martinez his his name.  He is an American Hero.  An Iraqi War Veteran.  Recipient of the Purple Heart.  just 7 months after joining the Army, he was driving a Hum-vee that ran over an IED.  The 3 people in his vehicle with him were ejected, and walked away with minor scratches.  J.R. became trapped in the car, which had exploded.  Two of his SGTs' pulled him out, and he suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on nearly 1/2 of his body.  He has an amazing outlook on life, even though his dreams were shattered and his plans were drastically changed.  You may recognize him better from his more recent images:

J.R. is a beautiful person, inside and out.  I was so honored to meet an American Hero. 

2012 review

I ended 2012 with a lot of first time experiences. And new adventures. Saving the best for last, here's a brief flashback:
-Went skiing in another state (snow and mountains in Texas?? yea...) on my first date with Bo
-learned how to do taxes- professionally
-got pregnant
-got a new job (worked for my previous employer for 6 years)
-graduated college
-had a miscarriage
-moved cities (that city felt like home) causing me to leave behind wonderful awesome friends
-watched my baby niece Brynnlei learn to talk, and say my name "Jujee" (even before she could say momma) -GOT ENGAGED to Bo. :)
-spent New Years weekend with Bo and my future step-kids

Wow. Ok check it out. I know you want to. Notice the cute butterfly on either side?! Adorable!! And he says no one helped him pick it out either. Way to go, Bo. Now who wants to plan my wedding (mind you I'm always broke). JK. Maybe.

It's wedding time

My friend had a really beautiful, lowkey wedding last weekend. I loved every minute of it. It was outdoors, pretty leafs were on the ground everywhere. Delicious bbq chicken. A candy-bar. nice dancefloor. I had such a great time!!

 I bought this beautiful dress, and then even prettier shoes. I can't wait to wear this outfit again sometime...

 

 

perks

I am enjoying my job pretty much all the time, and it definitely comes with perks.  Just last week, I had a meeting with a vendor and his manufacturer to pick out a new line of uniforms for all employees to wear.  Since all the samples were size medium, I got the opportunity to 'model' the clothes for everyone in the meeting.  It was a lot of fun.  Then, the vendor asked us to lunch.  His treat.  While at lunch, I learned an interesting fact.  The manufacturer that I've been dealing with lately, Greg Collins, is a former Patriots Football player, he was a receiver.  He was also the Former mayor of Kemah. And after some googling, I found out his son might go off to play professional football too.  Pretty neat.

Here's one of the shirts I got to sample/model:

Beach 2012

This summer I had the chance to visit the beach twice. Once in Galveston for my cousin's wedding. Once at Surfside for our annual family beach weekend gathering. We discovered we have been doing the yearly beach trip for about 12 or more years. Wow! Gotta love traditions.

Here aremy favorite pics from the trips.

Summer 2012

Summer 2012 has definitely been one for the books. I graduated college. And I moved out of my town, back to my home town that I haven't lived in for nearly 11 years. It's different for sure. I quit my job I've had for 6 years and am starting a new one next week. I had a miscarriage. But- I'm back. With school out of the way I have time to read for fun, and blog again. And read all your blogs. Expect a pictures blog to be up shortly.

Wedding Weekend

This weekend, my sister-in-law-in-law (my sister-in-law's sister) got married. It was an eventful time for sure. The wedding- I have no words to describe it, honestly... but all in all, it was a good weekend. Saw some friends, and of course spent most of the time with my favorite two little girls. Carissa- the bride- made the girls all matching dresses. It was a cute idea, although it was made of toule and when they moved, it didn't really cover their whole bodies. But it was still cute on them! It matched the bottom half of her dress. Here are a few pictures I was able to capture from the wedding.

 

Party time

Bachelorette Party time!! Last week, a bunch of us spent the night in Mid-town Houston bar-hopping, wearing wigs. I have to say, wigs is the way to go. We me so many people who would just buy us all drinks as an excuse to talk to us about why we all had wigs on. hey- I'm not about to complain when I'm handed a free drink.

I will refrain from talking bad about the event, but I have to ask one question- Why do most bachelorette parties end in DRAMA??  Can't a group of girls just drink, party and have a good time, without someone(s) ending in tears and someone else's feelings getting hurt? 

SISTERS (me, my sister-in-law's sister, my sister-in-law)

The girls

Something was funny. Me with a dr. (so he claimed)

Dude wanted to party like a rock star

What a week!

What a week it has been!  I won't get into the details because it would just bore you, or make you have sympathy for me, or whatever the reason, and none of those I want.  But I feel like I just have to get this down, in writing.  In the past 5 days, my emotions have been on some roller coaster.  There have been ups and downs, twists and turns, out of the blue surprises and news. I'm sitting here today, trying to figure out how to react to everything that has happened to me this week. The news, the surprises, the stupid choices I've made, the good feelings I have along with the sad feelings as well, as well as confused because... gosh.  It has been crazy.

I will say this- The boy and I, are no longer.  After my quick rush to the dr. and checkout, my heart is completely healthy. And, I got a do-over from an event that happened 11 years ago, that didn't turn out so well the first time.  And this time, it was awesome.