Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Camera and photo with Paint.net
Wish I saved an original of this photo as it is not straight out of the camera. Retouched a bit just because I have NO idea what I am doing. Will someone point me in the direction of easier photo shopping?!! Guess I'll have to pop over to MckMama and browse through her old photo posts!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Dummies Guide to Being a Friend
I'm sure there's a book out there! Seems like they've got a guide to everything. Computers. Cooking. Fixing cars. Pet care. If they have written a book on How to be a Friend I would like a copy!
I have a friend! Can you see me patting myself on the back?!! This is new for me. I don't have friends. Not in the flesh, go out to Target on Friday night friends. I have work friends who I spend more time with at work than my own family. I have facebook friends most of whom are family and the others are those who I went to highschool with and when I see them out in the "real world" I duck down another aisle to avoid them. That's just me. It's nothing personal, I just don't know how to be a friend. It's been so long since I have had one. I'm out of practice!
I've always been a good wing man. I've been the friend that no one expected anything out of. I was the quiet listener. The one who watched everything happen. I watched as my friends got the boy that I secretly admired. I watched as they applied to colleges and were accepted. I watched their fascinating life happen around me. I just watched.
I was never asked what I thought. I didn't give advice, I didn't ask for advice. I was just Jen. Just there. Always there. And they all said I was such a great friend...was I? How? Because I sat there and listened? Because you never heard my opinion? What made me a "good friend"?
So now I have a real friend. Someone who wants to have conversations with me. Someone who cares about my opinion. My happiness. My life. All I have ever wanted was a friend. Anytime a "new girl" started working at the school I would think, "She looks nice. I wonder if she would want to be my friend someday!" How sad is that?!!
Sarah is that friend. We have a lot in common but I am holding back on being the friend that I really want to be. I am constantly thinking, what if she is thinking I'm stupid? Is she really listening to me? Does she care what I think? Does she know that I think she's better than me? She's going to college. She's going to be a "real" teacher and I am a joke.
I am so afraid of losing her friendship.
I used to sit at a lunch table by myself while I watched 10 girls sit and talk about me for years. I had people pretend to be my friend only to turn around and use me for a good laugh. I don't know how to carry on a conversation one on one. I stutter, stammer and sound stupid. I never know what to say and I'm awkward.
My birthday is days away and the only gift I want is a Dummies Guide to being a Friend!
I have a friend! Can you see me patting myself on the back?!! This is new for me. I don't have friends. Not in the flesh, go out to Target on Friday night friends. I have work friends who I spend more time with at work than my own family. I have facebook friends most of whom are family and the others are those who I went to highschool with and when I see them out in the "real world" I duck down another aisle to avoid them. That's just me. It's nothing personal, I just don't know how to be a friend. It's been so long since I have had one. I'm out of practice!
I've always been a good wing man. I've been the friend that no one expected anything out of. I was the quiet listener. The one who watched everything happen. I watched as my friends got the boy that I secretly admired. I watched as they applied to colleges and were accepted. I watched their fascinating life happen around me. I just watched.
I was never asked what I thought. I didn't give advice, I didn't ask for advice. I was just Jen. Just there. Always there. And they all said I was such a great friend...was I? How? Because I sat there and listened? Because you never heard my opinion? What made me a "good friend"?
So now I have a real friend. Someone who wants to have conversations with me. Someone who cares about my opinion. My happiness. My life. All I have ever wanted was a friend. Anytime a "new girl" started working at the school I would think, "She looks nice. I wonder if she would want to be my friend someday!" How sad is that?!!
Sarah is that friend. We have a lot in common but I am holding back on being the friend that I really want to be. I am constantly thinking, what if she is thinking I'm stupid? Is she really listening to me? Does she care what I think? Does she know that I think she's better than me? She's going to college. She's going to be a "real" teacher and I am a joke.
I am so afraid of losing her friendship.
I used to sit at a lunch table by myself while I watched 10 girls sit and talk about me for years. I had people pretend to be my friend only to turn around and use me for a good laugh. I don't know how to carry on a conversation one on one. I stutter, stammer and sound stupid. I never know what to say and I'm awkward.
My birthday is days away and the only gift I want is a Dummies Guide to being a Friend!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Santa through the years!!
One of the Christmas traditions we have started in our house is an annual photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Audubon Society in Bristol. After that we go and pick out our Christmas tree and begin the holiday celebration! This year Erin was feeling under the weather but I'm not one who likes to break tradition and I just couldn't imagine not having a photo with her and our "Audubon Santa" this year.
Aren't the photos adorable?!!
2007
2008
2009
Aren't the photos adorable?!!
2007
2008
2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
I don't want these pics. to get lost again...
I thought these pictures were gone forever. A few years ago when our hard drive crashed it took along with it all the photos from my pregnancy and our life before Erin. It was a great heartache for me to know that those precious pictures would be gone forever. Until one day while searching my photo album through my Wal-Mart account I found these buried in a folder from May 2007. I knew that huge baby bump the moment I spotted it!! I am amazed that I saved my favorite photos in that album! So here I am today putting them in my blog for safe keeping. I don't ever want to loose those memories again!!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
I've been a little busy!
A classroom of 27 children. Most of them "young" 4's. Only 4 of them are girls!
Like I said...I've been a little busy!
Like I said...I've been a little busy!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Big day tomorrow, Father's day and potty training!
As I sit here typing about my big day tomorrow (my first 5K ever!) I am wondering if having McDonald's was the best choice for my "last meal"...all I can say is that I ate it for Stellan and the MckFamily! (was that believable?)
I think everyone doubted me when I said that I was going to run the Father's day race with my dad this year. After all, I have been a little like the "boy who cried wolf" for a few years. Every year since my dad has run this race in Fairhaven (it's been many) I have said to him, "next year I will run it with you dad!" I am so proud of myself that this is the year!
Training this past month has been hard but it was all worth it. I am proud of my determination and perseverance. I honestly didn't think I had it in me!! As I ran I would occasionally think to myself "if you were able to deliver a baby, you are more than capable to run 3 miles!" and then I would remember that I had a c-section! So then I would remember all the hardships that we have been enduring for the past 2 yrs. or so and it would motivate me to keep striving for that finish line. It is in my sight and I am going for it!
As I run tomorrow I will be leaving another bit of the past behind me. It has been long road, one with hills, bumps and roadblocks but they haven't stopped me yet, and they will not stop me tomorrow!
Wish me luck!
************************************************************************************
My big girl proudly sitting next to her accomplishment in the "potty!"
Watching her friends use the "potty" at school has helped Erin take a BIG interest in using the potty herself lately. For the past few week she has been having her diaper changed in the bathroom at school and home (at least by me!) and sits on the toilet to "try" going to the bathroom. To me and her teachers it is the first step in successful potty training.
When we are at home Erin will say she needs to use the potty but usually only after her diaper is wet! She is almost always accurate though when she stops during quiet play and announces that she needs to "do poop on the potty". We are waiting to be able to devote a whole weekend to potty training. It will require 2 full days of no diaper on and total commitment no matter what. Once the diaper is off and the undies go on, there is no turning back, it's too confusing. The only time the diaper will go on is nap and bedtime.
I was hoping to be able to devote this weekend to training but along came Father's day weekend! Better luck next weekend! Greg had literally been looking forward to the day when Erin is out of diapers. He asked me the first week she was home how long it will be before she is potty trained! Really, he asked! I can't believe that the time has finally come and I am so glad that Erin initiated this herself, it will make it that much easier for all of us! (especially Greg...he HATES messes!)
**********************************************************************************
Happy Father's day to two of the best father's that I know!
I love you Dad!
I love you too, Greg!
I think everyone doubted me when I said that I was going to run the Father's day race with my dad this year. After all, I have been a little like the "boy who cried wolf" for a few years. Every year since my dad has run this race in Fairhaven (it's been many) I have said to him, "next year I will run it with you dad!" I am so proud of myself that this is the year!
Training this past month has been hard but it was all worth it. I am proud of my determination and perseverance. I honestly didn't think I had it in me!! As I ran I would occasionally think to myself "if you were able to deliver a baby, you are more than capable to run 3 miles!" and then I would remember that I had a c-section! So then I would remember all the hardships that we have been enduring for the past 2 yrs. or so and it would motivate me to keep striving for that finish line. It is in my sight and I am going for it!
As I run tomorrow I will be leaving another bit of the past behind me. It has been long road, one with hills, bumps and roadblocks but they haven't stopped me yet, and they will not stop me tomorrow!
Wish me luck!
************************************************************************************
My big girl proudly sitting next to her accomplishment in the "potty!"
Watching her friends use the "potty" at school has helped Erin take a BIG interest in using the potty herself lately. For the past few week she has been having her diaper changed in the bathroom at school and home (at least by me!) and sits on the toilet to "try" going to the bathroom. To me and her teachers it is the first step in successful potty training.
When we are at home Erin will say she needs to use the potty but usually only after her diaper is wet! She is almost always accurate though when she stops during quiet play and announces that she needs to "do poop on the potty". We are waiting to be able to devote a whole weekend to potty training. It will require 2 full days of no diaper on and total commitment no matter what. Once the diaper is off and the undies go on, there is no turning back, it's too confusing. The only time the diaper will go on is nap and bedtime.
I was hoping to be able to devote this weekend to training but along came Father's day weekend! Better luck next weekend! Greg had literally been looking forward to the day when Erin is out of diapers. He asked me the first week she was home how long it will be before she is potty trained! Really, he asked! I can't believe that the time has finally come and I am so glad that Erin initiated this herself, it will make it that much easier for all of us! (especially Greg...he HATES messes!)
**********************************************************************************
Happy Father's day to two of the best father's that I know!
I love you Dad!
I love you too, Greg!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
A lot of jogging and getting no where!
So it's been a week since I started training for the Father's day race on June 21st and I feel like I have been working hard and getting no where!
If today was Monday I would be "not me-ing" about not pushing myself to do things that I am not able to do or not following the advice of my IRL (in real life) friend Mike, who I have reconnected with through facebook. He's the one who helped me with my training goal sheet. He has been running for a while and has learned through his mistakes and is now teaching me what not to do! (I am so thankful, Mike!)
I just want to be good at this and I don't have the patience to wait and work hard for it. Scratch the latter! I AM working hard, too hard and I pushing myself to be somewhere in the training that I am not. I'm not going to be able to run a mile if I skipped adding more minutes to my jog. How will I ever run 3 miles?!
I have been pushing myself because I want to be able to keep up with my dad. I have been wanting to do this race for years now and now that I registered for it, I am ruining my chances of being successful. It's self sabotage!
Today was my long run and I ended up walking/jogging for an hour without feeling horrible. Tomorrow is a new day and I will stick to the plan. Walk less and add a few minutes to my jog. I started to type "by Friday I will be able to..." but I can't do that! By Friday I will continue to do my best and listen to my body, not push it.
This is my goal for the week:
Make Sunday your long day, and try extending the jog to 7-10 minutes. (maybe I will do that tomorrow to make up for the crappy long day I had today)
This week, again 3 minute walk, 10 minute jog, 5 minute cool down walk. Sunday extend the jog to 12-15 minutes.
If today was Monday I would be "not me-ing" about not pushing myself to do things that I am not able to do or not following the advice of my IRL (in real life) friend Mike, who I have reconnected with through facebook. He's the one who helped me with my training goal sheet. He has been running for a while and has learned through his mistakes and is now teaching me what not to do! (I am so thankful, Mike!)
I just want to be good at this and I don't have the patience to wait and work hard for it. Scratch the latter! I AM working hard, too hard and I pushing myself to be somewhere in the training that I am not. I'm not going to be able to run a mile if I skipped adding more minutes to my jog. How will I ever run 3 miles?!
I have been pushing myself because I want to be able to keep up with my dad. I have been wanting to do this race for years now and now that I registered for it, I am ruining my chances of being successful. It's self sabotage!
Today was my long run and I ended up walking/jogging for an hour without feeling horrible. Tomorrow is a new day and I will stick to the plan. Walk less and add a few minutes to my jog. I started to type "by Friday I will be able to..." but I can't do that! By Friday I will continue to do my best and listen to my body, not push it.
This is my goal for the week:
Make Sunday your long day, and try extending the jog to 7-10 minutes. (maybe I will do that tomorrow to make up for the crappy long day I had today)
This week, again 3 minute walk, 10 minute jog, 5 minute cool down walk. Sunday extend the jog to 12-15 minutes.
Monday, May 25, 2009
5K for Father's day
I tell my dad EVERY year that I am going to train for the Father's day race her runs every year in Fairhaven. This year, I am going to do it! I swear! (and I actually do!)
Today I went to the track near my house to "get my feet wet" and discovered that I am going to need a lot of help! I am the type of person who likes instant gratification and as far as training to run 3.1 miles, it's going to be anything but instant!
So with a little help from my friend Mike, I have a schedule to help me out in the coming weeks! I hope I will be able to stick to the schedule this year and actually run with my dad for Father's day!
Wish me luck!
This week, its all about just getting out there. If you have a school nearby, use the track because its nice and flat, and don't have to think distance, just time. Go out for a 3 minute walk, then 5 minute jog, and end with a 5 minute walk cool down. Make Sunday your long day, and try extending the jog to 7-10 minutes.
Next week, again 3 minute walk, 10 minute jog, 5 minute cool down walk. Sunday extend the jog to 12-15 minutes.
Week three. No more starting walk, just do a good job stretching.
Day 1 - 17 minute jog, 5 min cool down
Day 2 - 20 minute jog, 5 min cool down
Day 3 - 25 minute job, 5 min cool down
If you can fit in 4 days, do day 2 twice.
Week 4,
Day 1 - 30 minute jog, or 3.1 miles, with a cool down.
Day 2 - 20 minute jog, with a 5 min cool down
Race Day.
Today I went to the track near my house to "get my feet wet" and discovered that I am going to need a lot of help! I am the type of person who likes instant gratification and as far as training to run 3.1 miles, it's going to be anything but instant!
So with a little help from my friend Mike, I have a schedule to help me out in the coming weeks! I hope I will be able to stick to the schedule this year and actually run with my dad for Father's day!
Wish me luck!
This week, its all about just getting out there. If you have a school nearby, use the track because its nice and flat, and don't have to think distance, just time. Go out for a 3 minute walk, then 5 minute jog, and end with a 5 minute walk cool down. Make Sunday your long day, and try extending the jog to 7-10 minutes.
Next week, again 3 minute walk, 10 minute jog, 5 minute cool down walk. Sunday extend the jog to 12-15 minutes.
Week three. No more starting walk, just do a good job stretching.
Day 1 - 17 minute jog, 5 min cool down
Day 2 - 20 minute jog, 5 min cool down
Day 3 - 25 minute job, 5 min cool down
If you can fit in 4 days, do day 2 twice.
Week 4,
Day 1 - 30 minute jog, or 3.1 miles, with a cool down.
Day 2 - 20 minute jog, with a 5 min cool down
Race Day.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Not Me Monday
I am not obligated to plan a non- preschool graduation for June 12th and still only in the "coming up with ideas" stage of planning. Of course the night has been planned down to the food since September and I haven't been dreading this night since I took this position last June!
I have not been dealing silently with my case of pericarditis since September and today, the 3rd echo. I have had since September did not still show fluid around my heart! I am not secretly thinking it is all due to the toe nail infection I have had (untreated) since pregnant with Erin!! Yikes! That could be dangerous!
I have not been visiting my blog daily just to see that I have still no comments since returning to the bloggy world a few weeks ago. Was the first post back really that bad?!! I have not been singing the song that my mom used to sing to me when I complained that I had no friends, "Nobody likes me. Everybody hates me. I'm gonna eat a worm!" in my head every day!
A mom at Erin's school did not approach me and suggest that we exchange phone numbers so that Erin and her daughter get together for a "play date" sometime this summer. Erin is still a baby and wayyy too young for play dates!
I did not have a fabulous time with Erin, all by myself, at little ole' Slater Park this past Saturday and it certainly was not the high point of my busy weekend and this is not the picture I will use to prove my point!
Tag! You're it!
I have not been dealing silently with my case of pericarditis since September and today, the 3rd echo. I have had since September did not still show fluid around my heart! I am not secretly thinking it is all due to the toe nail infection I have had (untreated) since pregnant with Erin!! Yikes! That could be dangerous!
I have not been visiting my blog daily just to see that I have still no comments since returning to the bloggy world a few weeks ago. Was the first post back really that bad?!! I have not been singing the song that my mom used to sing to me when I complained that I had no friends, "Nobody likes me. Everybody hates me. I'm gonna eat a worm!" in my head every day!
A mom at Erin's school did not approach me and suggest that we exchange phone numbers so that Erin and her daughter get together for a "play date" sometime this summer. Erin is still a baby and wayyy too young for play dates!
I did not have a fabulous time with Erin, all by myself, at little ole' Slater Park this past Saturday and it certainly was not the high point of my busy weekend and this is not the picture I will use to prove my point!
Tag! You're it!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
A post written by Erin...
Could you think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning? All of my favorite things...milk trucks, fire trucks, tractors and ...
my daddy!
my daddy!
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