Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Sacrifice & Great Ideas

There is a large portion of my life that is spent not being able to pay for the great ideas I have.  I have amazing ideas of things that I want to build or do.  I have incredible ideas of all of these things that I want to accomplish.  Yet, most of my life is spent trying to find ways to finance things.  I'm not complaining at all.  I'm very blessed.  It's just my lot in life.

As a working mom, there is always this part of me that cringes and cries inside when I have to miss my children's school events.  I got a notification the other day of my daughter being involved in an awards ceremony....that's during school hours.  Guess who works during those hours?  Bummer, huh?  She was so disappointed that it made me sad and made me feel like a failure on some level.  I have to work to help support our household but it's events like this that make me sad about that part of my life.

So what is there to do?

I guess the biggest part is to understand that sacrifice is essential in life.  It's not something we like or it wouldn't be called "sacrifice."  I may not be able to make it to the awards but we can have a fun dinner and take pictures at home WITH her awards.  We can still celebrate; just not at the school.  There is compromise to be had and there is still celebration in the great moments and sadness in the sad moments but God is good and I am blessed and remembering that is remembering that I don't have to be able to do everything, as long as I can do something.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Football Heaven

As a sports nut and Broncos fan, I am going crazy over the recent additions (and subtractions) from the Broncos roster.  First off, let me give a sad (for me) but happy (for him) send-off to Mr Eric Decker.  You will always have a place in my heart Mr Decker and I'm glad you didn't go to a team I loathe (aka the Raiders, Ravens, etc).  I'm sure you will get ample playing time for the Jets and, while I'm sad to see you go, I'm sure it'll be a great fit for you.  Good luck in your endeavors...just don't plan on winning any Superbowls with them. (Hahahaha)

Next, Champ Bailey.  While I was sad to see him released, he will always be a Bronco and it was time for him to go.  Contrary to some other GM's, Elway definitely knows what he's doing and he's assembling a Superbowl-worthy team.  I was also sad to see Zane Beadles and Wesley Woodyard go.  Amazing players that I know will do great with another team.  It's just not their time here anymore.

And finally...on to the additions. 

DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, TJ Ward, Andre Caldwell....this is going to be an amazing season.  Elway has definitely got it down...we're amping up our defense and perfecting our offense this year.  It is going to be an incredible season and I can't wait to go to the Superbowl...and win this time :)

Hump Day Post

My apologies for forgetting to post this yesterday.  I wanted to do a final lookover and completely zoned out on the actual post.  Today I'm going to give a little lesson on Driving Etiquette.  Lesson of the Day? Merging.

When merging onto the highway, there are a few things to remember:

1.  You are merging INTO traffic.  It is NOT their responsibility to speed up or slow down to accommodate you. Yes, there are some of us that are polite enough to move over when possible or attempt to accommodate you but it is not our responsibility.  It is a courtesy we do when possible...or when the wind hits us right.

2.  On the heels of number one, YOU need to speed up (or slow down) to go with the flow of traffic.  That is what the on-ramp is for...getting up to speed.  That is what your mirrors are for...to see what's going on around you that you cannot see by just looking.  If you see someone speeding up, don't jump in front of them at 35 mph

3.  Once you've merged, it is NOT the time to check your Facebook or change your radio station, causing you to slow down as you fiddle.  You are on the HIGHWAY....DRIVE!

With those three things in mind, let's give a lesson on what you should be doing to merge.  Using the on-ramp, get up to speed while simultaneously looking at the traffic you're going into using your mirrors and traditional looking.  (We'll cover bumper to bumper traffic in a minute).  Using good judgment, find a gap that would accommodate your car comfortably and pace your speed so as not to cut anyone off but to glide gently into the space that's there.  Stay up to speed with the flow of traffic and drive...undistracted.

Now let's take a moment to cover bumper to bumper traffic....In bumper to bumper traffic (aka rush hour), merging is a bit different.  While you don't have to get up to speed, you are required to exercise just as much vigilance.  Merging into rush hour traffic is much like shuffling a deck of cards:  highway driver, merging driver, highway driver, merging driver and so on.  Don't be the butthead that tries to push your way in behind another merging driver because you can't wait one car's length.  You are not getting anywhere any faster doing it and you're just ticking off the cars around you.

Driving is a lot like sex (particularly rush hour driving and merging).  Merging is best completed with ample foreplay (or in the case of driving, paying attention to what's going on) so as not to go in without preparation/lubrication.  Honking is much like premature ejaculation: it isn't fun, it doesn't make me go any faster and it's frustrating for both of us.  Exercise some manners when you're driving and there might not be so many frustrated people on the road.

Rant over.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Hockey Heaven

I am in hockey heaven right now.  I thought I was treating my amazing fiancĂ© to something special for his birthday.  He'd never been to a hockey game ON his birthday before and I managed to score tickets (thank you stubhub) at a really reasonable price on the club level.  I set them aside a couple of months ago and we looked forward to the game but had no idea how special the night would truly be...

When we got to the Pepsi Center, we handed the attendant our tickets and he said, "Right past those ropes and up the escalator."  I should explain that we have a non-floor-ticket policy, in general...too hard to keep track of the game if you're behind an inconsiderate fan unless you're up against the glass.  We've always been limited to the third tier because we assumed it was the only option.  I say that to say this...we've found our new ticket home. Going beyond the velvet ropes, having no lines for concessions or restrooms, and seeing how polite and helpful everyone is while having the food and drinks actually be cheaper than most things on the upper level means we're in love.

The game was completely different from our seats and we were already in heaven.  Avs won in overtime and it was incredible.  Then came the best part.  We walked down to where they were having an event called "Hockey in Heels" on the ice and....WE WENT OUT ON THE ICE.  Not only out on the ice (in my hooker boots, by the way), but in the penalty box, on the bench, center ice....OH.....MY.......GOD.  It was incredible.

The hockey hangover I have this morning (due to 3.5 hours of sleep) is so worth it.  Only thing that could have made it better was meeting the players.  Now to do it at Sports Authority......

Monday, March 10, 2014

A Monday Thought :)

Today marks a very exciting day for me in more ways than one.  Not only do I start back into the wonderful world of nanny-share but I also get the privilege of taking my fiancĂ© out for a birthday hockey game.  I confess, the stress of everyday "grrr" moments has gotten the best of me a few times lately: car troubles, school mumbo jumbo, work, family, and just trying to take care of myself in the midst of a million different things happening.  With all of that being said, I feel very blessed to have my little family and to celebrate life in the million and one ways that are ahead of us.  We've had our share of ups and downs but our family is strong and the hard stuff brings us closer together.  I honestly believe that God has some great things in store for our family and for me personally!

Birthday Weekend!



Unique


Let's make this short and sweet for a catch up post from Saturday...Kids are very different.  Some are more quiet, some are more loud.  Some are big eaters and some are picky.  Some are serious and some are funny.  If we take a moment to drop the "create a cookie cutter" parenting that is shoved down our throats and truly let them be who they are, we can get a clear picture of their unique personalities.  Let them stand out from the crowd!