We all know them or at least one of them. Those people who only come around when they need or want something. They are greedy, self absorbed and often lazy people who survive off of using others. They are parasites. I just don’t have the energy for such people anymore.

PS: Yes, I recycled the layout from my last graphic because I liked it.

Sometimes it dies

I'm not to blame

Sometimes people want to blame you for not fixing a problem. It’s then that they need to accept the blame for creating the problem. It’s YOUR mess, YOU clean it up! 

The Voice Hotties

I’ll have one of each please! Blake Shelton is the kind of guy you want to take home to Mom. Adam Levine is the kind of guy you want to take straight to bed! #EachHasItsRewards

People change. Not always for the better.

I HATE sports

Does anyone else absolutely hate sports solely because of our bf/gf/partners obsession with them?

I wasn’t always this way. There was a time I’d sit and watch the games with him. It all changed when one year he got it in his head that I was a jinx. He was convinced they lost because I watched the game. For a time it seemed he was correct but then his teams started losing even when I wasn’t watching.

I was a scapegoat because he couldn’t or didn’t want to admit his team sucked. He would argue this but I know it to be true. When his teams went into a slump I’d would ask him, “So who’s the jinx now? Maybe it’s you! Or, maybe they just suck.” He didn’t like hearing any of those things.

I just feel like so much time is wasted. If it were one team and one sport maybe that would be different but he comes home every single day to watch a game he has recorded. When he’s watched all of his teams games he’ll watch the rival teams game so he knows who’s where in the standings.

If his team loses look out because he’s going to be in bitchy testy mode until the next game. I just can’t see putting that much emotion and energy into it. Why hang the mood of your entire day or a couple of days simply based on how your favorite sports team did?

I can think of a lot of things to get myself all wound up about; world hunger, world peace and crime against humanity. I’m sorry but sports are just not something I can give that much time or energy to. So, this is me. The sports hater. Blame it on him, the sports obsessor.

(I’m not sure who the sculptor is to give credit. If you know feel free to message me.)

Time doesn't heal everything

"Time heals everything." Um, no. Time does not heal everything. It has been 11 years today since our house burnt. We lost our beloved dog Bear and everything we’d ever worked for. Eleven years later and I can still smell the smoke. I more than remember the pain, I still carry it with me. I can’t find the words to describe watching your life go up in smoke. There just aren’t any.

I still miss you Bear. I hope Papa is spoiling you. I hope all of you furbabies are enjoying each other. What a beautiful pack you must all make.

If you tear others down to build yourself up you are building your character on their foundation. At some point they're going to stop taking it & supporting your behavior and you're going to crumble.

Don't make Mommy tell you again!

Mommy needs a break!

Winter Blues

Sometimes it doesn't take anything more than cold wet winter weather to ruin a perfectly good day. What do I do when the winter blues threaten to drag me down? Well I shovel out around the pony, brush the snow off, fire her up & go for a ride. Nothing cures the winter blues quite like outrunning them ;)

Count Your Blessings

I'm seeing a lot of people feeling unappreciated lately. I think it's one of the saddest issues a couple can face. I find it the saddest because it is so unnecessary. How difficult is it to take a moment from your busy day to tell someone they look pretty or handsome? How much time does it take to stop and give them a hug, say 'I love you' or just ask them how their day was? If your answer to any of these questions was 'Too much' then you need a fish not a girl/boyfriend.

If you don't like how he/she treats you as a girl/boyfriend what in the heck makes you think they'd treat you any better as their wife?!?! If you aren't happy as boyfriend and girlfriend you will be even more miserable as husband and wife. That marriage certificate is not a bandaid or a miracle cure for a relationship that doesn't work. Do yourself a favor and move on before you are stuck with each other because you had children. They deserve better than to have parents that are only together for their sake. 

Relationships 101

RELATIONSHIPS 101 

When people ask me for relationship advice I always pass on the few rules I live by.

RULE #1 - NOTHING comes before your relationship. Not kids, family, friends, work, etc. If you put the kids first, what good will that do if Mommy and Daddy can't get along or are getting divorced? The relationship has to come first so you have a strong enough relationship to survive children, work, family and all of the stress that brings.

RULE #2 - Don't take an bulls&%t! People will treat you how you LET them treat you. People make mistakes but if someone treats you poorly more than once then it becomes your fault for putting up with it.

RULE #3 - When you have a problem ask yourself: Can I live with this if nothing changes? If the answer is yes then it really isn't that big of a problem. If the answer is no then you have two options, either fix it or get rid of it.

RULE #4 -  Never fight too hard to stay with someone who is willing to let you go & never hold on too tightly to someone who is willing to walk away. Have more respect for yourself than to ever beg someone to stick around. If they are willing to leave hold the door open for them.

RULE #5 - Property becomes that of the couple. You are a unit and it's important to think and act like one.  It's our house, our money and our things! If you start keeping a record of what belongs to whom you are automatically inserting a small wedge between you from the very beginning. Over time that little crack will turn into a huge valley that all of your little problems will slide in to eventually opening it up to the Grand Canyon. People come before things. Never forget that.

You have to fight for and work at any relationship. When it becomes more fighting than loving and all work rather than enjoying each other that's when you know you've got big problems and only the two of you can decide if you're going to fix it. You can't salvage any relationship if you both aren't committed to it. 

Missing my Marine

Wish you were here....

I wrote this for him when he first deployed. I thought once deployment was over it would make being apart easier as long as he was in the US. It did for a little while but spending another Christmas without him feels just terrible. He spent the day online with his Dad playing video games. I'm grateful they get that time together and that it helped them cope but it didn't help me feel any better or make me miss him any less lol. 

Christmas with a broken heart

Sometimes knowing you are supposed to be happy makes it even harder to actually BE happy. That's when we paste on the smile for the sake of those around us.

This is my Dad, Ed. This is how I try to remember him. Back before diabetes and age took their toll. It's a terrible feeling when you know the end is near. We didn't know the exact date or time but we knew it was coming. It was growing more near with each passing day. When his day came, even though I thought I had prepared myself, it rocked me to my very soul. It has been over four years now and there are times the pain still takes my breath away. Nights I am still robbed of sleep missing him. Days when I would gladly go back in time and do it all over again no matter how hard it was. Left behind with a ton of regrets for the fights and all of the visits I didn't take the time to make.

I take solace knowing that in the end he knew how much I loved and adored him. He knew he was loved, wanted, needed and would be missed.

I love you Dad!
Merry Christmas in Heaven