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Thursday, November 12, 2009

Random emails: Round 1

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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Tuesday morning conversations

I got a late start this morning. When I came downstairs, Bill was already gone. Now I had heard him moving around in the kitchen while I was getting ready and assumed he was making lunches. I went downstairs and there were no lunches.

Me: Did daddy make your lunch?
Will: No.
Me: What was he doing down here?
Will: He was getting ready for work. Like watching TV. You know, the stuff you do to get ready.

He is so his father's son.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Happy Birthday Jack Bill!

Dear Jack Bill,

Today you are one year older than you were yesterday. We both know that it's my fault you have a bit of an aging complex. You have come a long way in a year. Last year at this time, whenever you would find a gray hair on your head, you would make me pull it. Now you just accept that pulling them out is not going to stop. It's my wifely duty to remind you that it could be worse. You could be bald like your brother.

We've been together for what seems like freaking forever ten years. During those years, we've grown up together. We've grown together as individuals, as a couple, and as parents. There are so many things we've weathered together. From gray hair to moving out of state, we've done it.

I don't want to make you cry, but I have two things for you to think about. I will always be younger than you. I'm sorry about that. Really, I am not. The other thing is that I most likely will never get gray hair, so you'll have to get enough for the both of us. With a devil daughter like Kelsey, that should be no problem.

I want to thank you for not liking cake. At this moment, that is one of the top five things I love about you. Having two birthdays in our family within ten days wreaks hell when I'm trying to watch what I eat.

I hope that you've had the best day today. Will, Kelsey, and I started your day out by singing Happy Birthday this morning at 6:55. I will put you to sleep tonight singing the National Anthem. Consider it my birthday gift to you.

I love you.

Love,
Casee

Monday, September 21, 2009

Happy Birthday, Will!

Dear Will,

You are nine years old today.  Nine.  I can't believe that you are one year away from double digits.

You are the quietest member of our family and would let yourself fade into the background if we let you.  You also have the kindest heart of any kid I have ever met.  I know that I'm biased b/c I'm your mom, but you really do.  There is nothing that you wouldn't do for someone you love.  While I usually shudder to think of what kind of chaos your sister will bring to the world as an adult, I look forward to seeing what you accomplish.  I wouldn't be surprised if you found a cure for cancer.  Right now, you want to work at Roaring Springs when you grow up, but I know that won't last forever. 

I went into labor with you at 4am on September 21st.  That was your polite way of warning me that it was coming.  I didn't go to the hospital until later that afternoon.  You were born at 9:20pm at a whopping 8lbs. 11oz.  We really didn't expect you to be that big.  From that moment on, you've constantly done the unexpected.  You say things like "Dinner smells delightful!" to "Pardon me, I just keep getting the words wrong today (while reading)".  Hearing big words come out of your small little mouth is really one of the greatest joys.  You never fail to make us smile. 

Only a person like you could be such a great brother to Kelsey.  She has no idea how lucky she is, but we will be sure to remind her. 

Happy Birthday, Sweet William. 

Love,
Mom

Friday, August 28, 2009

My first day back running.

I believe in being prepared. When we go camping for four days, I pack Kelsey ten pairs of underwear. So it wasn't a surprise to me when I stepped out the door to go on my first run in over three months that I looked like a contestant on a hiking reality show gone wrong.

My sister recently came out for a visit. On her way out of town, she picked me up a bunch of Nike running gear for cheap. So I was armed with new shit all over the place. Since I'm generally allergic to the heat, I decided to run in the morning. I got dressed, put my new dri-fit tank on (along with my shorts) and was ready to roll.

Except I wasn't. It took me, like, 10 more minutes to get out the damn door. First I had to figure out how to get this on comfortably:



Then I had to go get my iPod out of the car. I was wondering where my Garmin was and knew I had let Kelsey use it on her bike (I don't know what I was thinking). Luckily, I found it (by complete accident of course), but the battery beeped and read "You have 0 hours of battery life remaining". Ah well, I wasn't planning to go far. It would last.

The hydration pack has two compartments, so I was saved from having to look for my arm band. After that, I had to adjust the pack and figure out exactly how it was supposed to rest. On your hip? On your waist? I filled it up with water, grabbed my sunglasses and was out the door.

Except I forgot my hat. So I came back in, went upstairs and got my hat. Went back outside. Forgot my sunglasses on the counter. Went back outside. I contemplated taking my phone (for safety purposes), but it's a freaking Blackberry. It weighs like 3 pounds.

By the time I turned the Garmin on so it could pick up the GPS, I already felt like I weighed an extra 20 pounds. In addition to the hydration back and water bottle, I had my watch on one wrist and my Garmin on another. Unfortunately for me, my Garmin is an old model. It doesn't look like a normal watch. And I forgot to take the damn battery charger clip off. I haven't decided on a good pair of running ear buds, so I had dangling cords. Even with all that, I set off in relatively good spirits, happy that I was finally able to do something.



The damn Garmin died at 0.75 miles.

I count on the Garmin not only to tell me how far I'm going, but what my pace is. If I don't have it, I don't run a steady pace. So I had to guess how far it was until I hit a mile. Which is really pathetic b/c I've run the route before. After running an errand, I eyed the odometer and realized I didn't even go the full two miles.

After all that shit, I didn't even go 2 miles. Mother-f-er.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Why reading isn't always a good thing.

Right now I'm reading Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh. It's damn good. Therefore, I have to place the blame for what happened yesterday squarely on her shoulders. Sorry, Nalini. You shouldn't be such a good writer.

When Kelsey was about two years old, I decided to do away with the bangs. At that age, she actually let me clip her hair out of her eyes or put it in baby pigtails. Those days soon passed; as well as my willingness to let her hair grow long. When she was four or five, I got her hair cut. Short. I was sick of her hair being a nest to food, paint, gum, and various other things that young kids get into at that age. Having her hair cut short served two purposes. She didn't look like a homeless child and I didn't have to deal with her hair in the morning. Double bonus.

It started about eighteen months ago. The inevitable fight about her hair. She insisted that she wanted to grow it long. I was just as adamant that it wasn't.going.to.happen. Whenever we went to get haircuts, I did what most parents would have done. I lied right to her face and got her hair cut the way I wanted it. Not b/c I wanted her hair cut that way. On the contrary, I just didn't want to deal with her hair issues.

Which brings me to yesterday.

Kelsey has been asking for side bangs for about a month now. I kept putting her off, trying to figure out how to convince her she has side bangs without actually giving them to her. At this point, I had already agreed to let her grow her hair out with the understanding that if she doesn't take care of it, that I will get it cut off.

Before



Yesterday we went into the salon. Kelsey wanted to go first. I told the hairdresser that Kelsey wanted side bangs (all while saying "hell no" w/ my eyes). I asked that she part her hair in the middle, trim it, then when her hair is parted on the side, it would look like side bangs. Perfect, no? It would have been if it weren't for Nalini.

While Kelsey was getting her hair washed, I pulled out Blaze of Memory to finish the chapter I was reading. When Kelsey came back, I looked up for a second and smiled to see how excited she was. Then I went back to reading. When I looked back up, there were side bangs.

After



I honestly felt like crying. At the same time, I couldn't help but laugh while I was getting my hair cut. I saw her looking in the mirror preening. She had to do that for twenty straight minutes.

Bill was less than thrilled when we got home. I'm sure he doesn't care what her hair looks like. It's what happened this morning that we both wanted to avoid.

"My side bangs don't feel right."


Srsly.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Health care rant ahoy

Is health care right or a privilege?

That is not a question that is black and white. There are many shades of gray.

Children definitely have a right to health care. You can't help who you are born to. If a baby is born to a drug addict mother, why should s/he not even get a chance at being healthy?

Illegal immigrants do not have a right to health care. They are in this country illegally. Why should Americans have to pay for their health care? And make no mistake, someone has to pay for the supposed "free" health care that is being proposed. Nothing is free. If you think it is, you need a serious reality check.

My family is a family of four. My two kids have been insured without a break in coverage since the day of their birth. Is it private insurance? Yes. Did it have to be? No. When I had my kids, my husband and I were making a paltry $20/hr (combined) salary. We could have chosen to have more money in our pocket, put our kids on Healthy Families and gone without insurance ourselves. Or we could suck it up and pay the cost of insurance for the kids we chose to have. We went with the latter.

I am all for health insurance reform. I don't think the insurance companies should have as much power as they do. I don't believe the government should have that power either. The federal government was not created to be the ruling power of the people.

A smart person I know says this:
The Constitution was created to limit the powers of the federal government. The Founding Fathers knew that the country needed some form of federal government to take care of some basic needs, i.e. defense of the country, infrastructure, etc. The Constitution is very specific about what powers the federal government has. It says in essence that anything that is not listed in the Constitution is reserved to the States or the people.

So we're going to change the Constitution at will to state what the federal government needs it to state? That completely goes against what the Constitution is there to do and specifically goes against the saying "All men are created equal...". Every one American has the same opportunity as the next. Sure, it's harder for some than others, but your life is what you make of it.

So why should I be forced to pay for your health care?

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Srsly effed up

Will and Kelsey are camping with my parents. They left on Monday and will come back on Saturday. What I have asked myself since I got home on Monday night is wtf is wrong with me? I have no kids. I should be doing things that people that have no kids do. (What do people that have no kids do?) Instead, I find myself a little out of sorts.

Next Monday, I am going in for foot surgery. What this means it that I'm basically useless for two weeks. The first few days, I can't even go to the bathroom without help. It's srsly fun, ppl. So without the kids here to drive me fraking crazy entertain me with their cute children antics, I'm slowly driving myself crazy. Eight weeks of being laid up is not my idea of a good time. And although I'm not the biggest exercise advocate, that doesn't mean that I don't want to do it once in awhile. Instead I'll be sitting on my butt eating kettle chips and drinking gatorade, watching re-runs of Buffy while being doped up on pain pills.

Good times.

In addition to worry to the point of making myself physically ill, I've also decided to worry about whether Jack will actually stick around after my surgery when I'm as loopy as, well, a fruit loop. Even though he hung around two years ago when I had the same surgery, I keep flashing back to when I had my wisdom teeth pulled. He settled me on the couch with the doctor's warnings (don't leave the patient alone, she might walk out into traffic and get hit by a car) ringing in his ears, gave me the remote and went to play 18 holes of golf. After that, I decided to plan a spa day when I brought him home from getting his wisdom teeth pulled.

To top it all off, Jack got me at a weak point (read: drinking point) on Friday night when I was in Newport Beach. He asked me if I wanted to play softball b/c they needed an extra girl. He cajoled me with the fact that it will be the last time I'll be able to do anything for eight weeks. Being the happy person I am when I was drinking, I enthusiastically agreed that it would be great. I wouldn't even have to worry about the kids b/c they weren't home. Now I can only hope that when the forecasted thunderstorm hits, I'm not up to bat with a piece of metal in my hand while lightning strikes.

Just a little warning...any posts up over the next two weeks will be done while under the influence of pain medication. If it doesn't make sense, at least it will be entertaining.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Hangover Hell

Jack's brother came into town from Spokane last Thursday to visit for the weekend. He's newly single, so I talked to a friend from work about going out on Saturday night. We went to a comedy club, which I remember as being extremely funny. Idaho is only second to Utah when it comes the Mormon population. This joke cracked me up:

So as I said, I'm newly married. Of course, being Mormon, that means I'm still dating.

Okay, maybe you had to be there.

So then we went to this bar/club and after that we went to this other bar/club. We closed the place down. Srsly. Those who know me well know that I do not stay up until FOUR IN THE MORNING. Ever. I don't even stay up until 2am. Even when we go to my sister's house, I can't stay up that late. I just don't do it.

It was the beer. That's all I was drinking...beer. It must have been a whole hell of a lot of beer b/c I felt like shit yesterday. About 9 last night, I called Jack upstairs and told him that I didn't think it was a hangover, it had to be the stomach flu. I mean, I was having hot/cold flashes, I had a low grade fever, I felt like I was going to vomit all day long. All I had to eat was one piece of toast and two bites of oatmeal. It had to be the stomach flu.

::snort::

Jack wouldn't let me get away with that. It wasn't my blondness showing as much as it was the fact that I never get hangovers. Well, there was that one time at my Christmas party, but that was like 2 years ago.

There was no way I was telling the kids that "Mommy is sick, she needs quiet time" b/c that just reeks to me. So last night found the three of us laying in my bed watching Kelsey's favorite episode of Charmed.

The moral of the story is that I don't think I want to have a beer EVER AGAIN.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Why Microsoft should hire me

I have my Outlook setup to automatically check for spelling when I send it. Sometimes my little fingers just move faster than my brain. The spell check feature has saved me some embarrassment more than once.

I never really pay attention to what Microsoft considers a grammar error. This one I just had to share b/c it cracks me up.



So Microsoft, the reason you should hire me is that I got "Master of grammar" on a Facebook quiz. Heh.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Depression

I've been trying to articulate this post since last Tuesday.  For some reason, it just wasn't flowing.
 
I'm prone to depression and have been since I was a teenager.  Goth would have really suited me back in those days.  It would have really gone with my attitude.  Maybe that's why I tried so hard not to be like that.  As I got older, I hoped it would be something that I would grow out of.  Now I know that you can't "grow out of" depression. 
 
I have to try so damn hard to deep myself out of going into a bout of depression.  It's a constant struggle.  Though it's not something that I generally advertise, I'm on two anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medications.  Two.  About a year ago, when I was only on one anti-depressant, I decided that it was time to start lowering my dose so I could eventually go off of them.  Not happening. 
 
Last Tuesday, I went into a major funk.  At this point, I couldn't even say why.  I just felt totally awful, inside and out.  When I have these bouts, I don't cry.  I just feel heavy.  That's the only way I can really describe it.  I feel like I can't talk to my husband about it when I feel like that.  It's not something that I can snap out of, which is usually what I would expect him to say.  So I called my mom.  She always makes me feel better.  She makes me think.  What's going on right at this moment that is making me feel bad?  I haven't been exercising regularly, we've been crazy busy getting the kids to/from soccer, I've been seriously stressed at work.  Somehow she forces me to take a look at things from the outside, which always helps.  I don't know what I would do without her.
 
About two weeks ago, I was working on this project at work.  There was a deadline and I was feeling pressure from all sides to get it done.  It made me so anxious and stressed out, I had to take xanax.  During the day.  I don't take xanax during the day, but I started feeling sick to my stomach and I started getting chest pains.  It felt like something was sitting on my chest and I couldn't breathe. 
 
Ever since then, I've been feeling these chest pains at least once a day.  I've ruled out acid reflux b/c it doesn't happen after I eat.  I srsly feel like I can't catch a freaking break.  As if depression and mild anxiety aren't enough, now I have to have anxiety/panic attacks?  The hardest part of all this is trying to keep it from touching my family when I'm home.  I don't want my mental problems rubbing off on my husband or kids.  It takes a lot of energy to put on the "I'm okay" front. 
 
Right at this moment, it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest.  I have nothing very stressful going on at work.  Will and Kelsey cleaned their rooms yesterday.  The laundry is almost all done for the week.  Bill cleaned the shower yesterday.  Sure, it looks like the mailman threw up on our kitchen island, but that's relatively easy to clean up.  So why do I feel like this?  The fact that I can't answer that makes me sick to my stomach.
 
Tomorrow I work from home.  I'm already starting to worry about having a repeat of last Tuesday.  Maybe that's what's making me so stressed today.   
 
I can only hope that tomorrow is better than last Tuesday.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Letter to PETA

Dear Ingrid Newkirk,

Stop sending me emails asking for money. I know I should just unsubscribe to your newsletters, but there has been interesting news I've gotten, so I haven't done it yet. I just received your newsletter titled "Meet Dog #3017".

The impact of your newsletter was harsh until I read the inevitable sentence "Horrific and pointless experiments like these can be stopped, but only with your help. By making a tax-deductible donation today, you can help our work to prevent the suffering of animals like dog #3017, who right now face needless agony behind the closed doors of laboratories and other hideous places."

If I was a celebrity or some shit, I'd donate to PETA. For now, I'll stick with my local Humane Society. And that's only if I have money left over after paying all the bills that go along w/ having a family of four.

Thanks,

Casee

P.S. Do you condemn me b/c I'm not a vegan? I still eat animal products. Does that make me bad?

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Day 11: 4/8/09

I just can not get through one day w/o pain.  Even if it's minor pain, it's pain.  Other than my back, my left knee is giving me problems and now my neck.  *sigh* 
 
Food for Wednesday, 4/8.
 
Breakfast: Strawberry protein shake
Snack: Kashi GoLean protein bar
Lunch: Cafeteria salad
Snack: Handful of salted almonds
Dinner: Cheese & crackers
 
Drinks: Coffee, water, G2.
 
Exercise for Wednesday, 4/8.
 
1 hour yoga class.
 
My knee was really annoying me, so I skipped the video.  I figured yoga might help.  It may have, but the jury is still out on that one.
 
Another thing I find is that the days that I go to the gym in the evening, I don't eat as much when I get home.  I'm just not that hungry.  I really have been worried that I'm not eating enough. 
 
I'm going to be trying on the bridesmaid dress this weekend.  Hopefully it will just fit better.  If I go down a size, I'll be in trouble b/c I'm already wearing the smallest size they have.  I don't want my mother-in-law to have a coronary since the wedding is next weekend.
 
 

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Day 10: 4/7/09

I have been so tired during the day.  I'm getting plenty of sleep at night, so I can't figure out what's going on.
 
Food for Tuesday, 4/7.
 
Breakfast: Honey Nut Cheerios w/ Fat free milk
Lunch: Cheese, Crackers, and apple
Snack before gym: Chocolate peanut butter Kashi bar
Dinner after gym: Vegetable soup (which Kelsey correctly classified as "tasting like water")
Snack while watching Fringe: Kashi GoLean crunch cereal (dry)
 
Drinks: Coffee, G2, water, Diet Pepsi (bad me).
 
Exercise for Tuesday, 4/7.
 
AM: Level 2 30 Day Shred.
 
PM: 1 hr Spinning class.  Which kicked my ass...hard.
 

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Day 9: 4/6/09

One more week. One more week. One more week.

Food for Monday, 4/6.

Breakfast: Strawberry protein shake
Lunch: Cafeteria salad
Snack: Zone protein bar (Chocolate caramel - yum)
Dinner: Leftovers

Drinks: Coffee, Water, G2.

Exercise for Monday, 4/6.

Level 2 of 30 Day Shred. I decided to give it a try b/c even using heavier weights in Level 1, I wasn't feeling sore. That's how I know it's working. It worked, let me tell you. For some reason, I didn't have as hard of a time w/ the cardio, but the weights kicked my ass. I did have to modify a few things that involved twisting, but other than that it wasn't as bad as I was expecting.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Day 8: 4/5/09

I have srsly been counting down the days.  I'm over halfway through my goal and each day gets me closer to the end.  I'm wondering if I'll actually want to stop, considering that I feel great.  Sure, getting up in the morning is no fun, but other than that...it's great. 
 
Food for Sunday, 4/5.
 
Breakfast/Lunch: Kashi GoLean cereal
Snack: One scoop of Baskin Robbins Butter Pecan on a cone (yum).
Dinner: Barbeque Tofu Sandwiches and Kung Pao Spaghetti
 
I didn't get up until about 10ish.  By the time I had my coffee and wanted to eat, it was already 11.  I'm not sure if I ate enough yesterday, though after dinner I was soooo stuffed.
 
Exercise for Sunday, 4/5.
 
Level 1 of 30 Day Shred.  I used heavier weights than I have this past week. 
 
I've really noticed a difference with the fit of my clothes.  I may not be losing weight, but my clothes do feel better.  I just might not look like a big fat grape in the bridesmaid dress after all.  Just a grape.
 
 

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Day 7: 4/4/09

Today was my day off. Originally, I planned on doing the video every day, but that just didn't work out.

So yesterday, we were at the soccer field most of the day. Then we went to my mom's house and I had three glasses of wine while we were there. We had dinner and then played Rockband.

I'm ready for week 2.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Day 6: 4/3/09

I was srsly considering taking the day off. I work from home on Fridays and the last thing I wanted to do was get up before I absolutely had to. I eventually did the video at about 5pm. Then I remembered why I liked doing them so much in the morning. I have no food in my stomach, so I don't start feeling sick.

Food for Friday, 4/3.

Breakfast: Kashi GoLean Crunch cereal
Lunch: Cheese and crackers
Snack: Protein bar
Dinner: Baked potato w/ cheese
Drinks: Coffee, G2, and water

I really need to start cooking. Actually writing my food down is making me realize that I have no variety. I really need to get more fruits and vegetables.

Exercise for Friday, 4/3.


Level 1 of 30 Day Shred.

Instead of moving to Level 2, I'm going to do Level 2 w/ heavier hand weights. This video really works. I've already noticed that my pants are looser.

ETA: I totally skipped 4/3. I guess I really want this to be over. LOL

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Day 5: 4/2/09

I'm really disappointed in myself today. I only did half the dvd. As soon as I started, my nose started running and I started sneezing. I really hope I can do something about these allergies b/c I was miserable all night last night. *sigh*

Because I'm such a procrastinator and put off working out in the past, I can't help but feel like I'm doing that now. Even though I know I'm not.

Food for Thursday, April 2nd.

Breakfast: Protein Shake
Lunch: 1/2 veggie sandwich and bag of chips
Snack before gym: Kashi GoLean bar
Dinner: Spetzel

Drinks: Water and soda w/ lunch.

Exercise for Thursday, April 2nd.

AM: Half of 30 Day Shred

PM: 1 hour Spinning class

Day 4: 4/1/09

I really dislike April Fools' Day. Like, a lot.

Food for Wednesday 4/1.

Breakfast: Protein Shake
Lunch: Salad (a really yummy one - they had garbonzo beans)
Snack: Kashi GoLean bar
Dinner: Kashi GoLean Crunch cereal.

Yes, I'm having cereal for dinner. Sue me.

I also had a piece of tofacon (that's tofu "bacon") that a co-worker made today. It wasn't bad, but not something I'd take the time to make.

Exercise for Wednesday, 4/1.

AM: Level 1 of 30 Day Shred. Jillian is right, it does get easier.

PM: 1.44m run.

I remember why I don't run in the spring. I have HORRIBLE allergies. About halfway through my run, I started sneezing. I was half a mile from my house (I run a loop) and I sneezed the whole way home. Misery, I tell you.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Day 3: 3/31/09

Food for Tuesday, 3/31.

Breakfast: Kashi Go Lean cereal (w/ 1% milk)
Lunch: Broccoli and cheese quiche
Snack: Pepper-jack cheese and crackers (6)
Snack: Kashi Go Lean bar
Dinner: Baked potato w/ veggie chili topped w/ cheese.

Drinks: Coffee, water, G2.

Exercise for Tuesday, 3/31.

AM: Level 1 of 30 Day Shred.

I am so terrified (no, srsly) of hurting my back, that I don't know how I'm going to bring myself to try Level 2 on Sunday.

PM: I was planning on going to Spinning, but I took Will to soccer so Jack could go instead. I'm so nice.

Tomorrow, my goal is to come home and run. We'll see how that goes.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Day 2: 3/30/09

I actually got up at 6:30 to do the dvd. Knowing that my exercise is behind me really makes my day easier.

Food for Monday, 3/30

Breakfast: Strawberry Protein Shake
Lunch: Cafeteria salad (no garbozo beans, the bastards)
Snack: Kashi Go Lean Crunch bar and banana.
Dinner: Pasta w/ Pesto & salad.
After dinner snack: Bowl of strawberries

Drinks: Water and G2. (eta: Coffee, too. How could I forget coffee?)

Exercise for Monday, 3/30

Level 1 of Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. Jillian, I don't know whether to hate you or love you.

By the way, I'm only planning on doing this until April 15th (the day we fly out). After that, I'll probably do a weekly thing. Maybe. I might just be burnt out on blogging by then.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Omfg


Not much could make me post two posts on this blog in one day. I just got off the phone w/ my mom and I am livid.

To make a long story as short as possible:

I have a 23 y/o cousin that is a complete screw-up. Whatever is wrong w/ her is someone else's fault. She doesn't take responsibility for anything. She's been married and divorced. She has an almost 3 yr old daughter.

She finally went into rehab a little over a month ago. She lived in Boise, but took the baby and went to her mom's house in Socal. The rehab was inpatient, so the baby was w/ my aunt the whole 30 days. While all this was going on, it was decided that my aunt would rent out the house she bought in Boise (for my cousin) and bring my cousin and her baby home.

My whole family (which includes my mom and my brother) have done so much for this girl, that it is unbelievable. The last time she pulled this shit, I washed my hands of her. I wouldn't help her if she paid me. My mom won't help her either, but she will help my aunt (her sister).

For the last week or so, my mom and my brother have been cleaning out and packing her house up. Did I mention she had a dog? That was ALONE in the house the whole time she's been in Socal? The neighbor would come over to feed it, etc. So my mom and my brother took it to the Humane Society and were told that it had a chip and they had to call the owner. Well, the owner is in rehab, but you can go ahead and try.

My cousin found out that it was my brother that dropped the dog off and wants to press charges against him. W. T. F. I am so fucking pissed.

The moral of this story is that no one fucks w/ my brother but me. And I'm going to call her and tell her that.

Day 1: 3/29/09

I've decided to try to do a short entry every day about what I've eaten and any exercise that I've done that day. I'm hoping it will not only get me motivated, but also force me to take some accountability for my inability to do what needs to be done. What needs to be done?

I need to wear a bridesmaid dress in 19 days. Now I don't think that I'm going to be losing a ton of weight in 19 days, but I'm determined to do whatever I can. That means no food binging on the weekend. No beer. No wine. No dessert.

The sad thing is that I've known about this wedding for months. I've told myself that I'll do it, then something will happen. I'll do something that hurts my back (this is the only legit excuse I have), I'm too busy b/c of soccer, I'm too tired, or I'm just plain lazy.

Food for Sunday, 3/29.

Breakfast: 1 bowl Kashi Go Lean cereal (w/ 1% milk which made it hard to eat since I prefer fat free).
Lunch: 1 piece of broccoli cheddar quiche from Costco.
Snack: Kashi Go Lean Crunch bar.
Dinner: Fettuccine Alfredo and Salad.
To drink: About a gallon of effing water and a G2 Gatorade.
Snack: Garbozo beans w/ cajun seasoning.

Exercise for Sunday, 3/29.

Level 1 of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. It would be nice if she looked a little winded.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Blonde moment 7,164

We have lived in this house for THREE years. That's 3. Yet this morning when I walked out of the bathroom to get my sweats out of the closet, I turned too early and walked into the wall.

Oy.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Dieting sucks

Does dieting really work?

I have to say that I don't think it does. For me, dieting translates to eating nothing that I actually want to eat. No cookies, chips, or pizza. No beer or wine.

I generally eat pretty healthy. I've been good during my grocery store outings, not buying things that look soooo good on the shelf. I've been exercising regularly. Everything was going good and I was right on target for losing some weight before my mother-in-law's wedding. Then it happened.

PMS and bronchitis...at the same time.

Food doesn't really taste as good when I'm sick, nor do I actually feel that hungry. Except for popsicles, cookies, maybe some chips and cake. That stuff tastes wonderful during that time of the month whether I'm sick or not. Which is a shame. I could have lost five pounds while I was sick if PMS didn't accompany bronchitis.

Now I have three and a half weeks to slim down. I'm not saying how much weight I have to lose, because it makes me feel like crap knowing how hard it is to lose it.

Today I am going to Spinning. I'll bring my inhaler so I don't cough on you, Jack.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The husband hot-seat

I sat Jack down and interviewed him. Let's see how well he really knows me...

1. What is something I always say to you? Are you listening to me?

2. What is something that makes me happy? Charmed.

3. What makes me sad? Looking at Mickey after it rains.

4. How do I make you laugh? By tickling me.

5. What was I like as a child? I don’t know.

6. How old am I? 35. This is way of getting back at me for teasing him about his age.

7. How tall am I? five foot [pauses] two. Wait no, five foot one and three quarters.

8. What is my favorite thing to do? Read.

9. What do I do when you're not around? Read.

10. If I become famous, what will it be for? Reading.

11. What am I really good at? Reading.

12. What am I not very good at? You sell yourself short when it comes to doing certain things. Which was not his first answer, btw.

13. What do I do for my job? IT.

14. What's my favorite food? Veggie spring rolls

15. What makes you proud of me? That you are a respected reviewer of pornographic literature. bwahahahahaha

16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be? Lois from Family Guy. I don't watch Family Guy, but I think I'm offended.

17. What is something we do together? Watch Nip/Tuck and 24.

18. How are we the same? We both rock at Rockband.

19. How are we different? Our height (or lack thereof).

20. How do you know I love you? Do things that completely surprise me. Any time you’ve gotten me a gift.

21. What's my favorite place? Hawaii.

I do love Veggie Spring Rolls and I'm going to boycott Costco until they get them back.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Nine years and counting

Dear Jack,
 
Can you believe we've made it through nine years?  I'm having a hard time believeing that we've made it this far, yet I'm not surprised that we have.  We have come so far since the day we met in 1998.  You don't have bleached hair anymore and I've gained 20lbs.  Ha. 
 
Even before we were married, you stood by me when you didn't have to.  You helped get me through one of the darkest times in my life.  I took it for granted at the time, but I don't anymore.  You were my rock then, before we were married and before we had Will and Kelsey.  You are still my rock, even if I don't show it very often.  We both know that I'm the control freak strong one in our family, but I get my strength from you.  As you know, there was a time in this last year that I thought our marriage had seen its last days.  You fought for us when I didn't have the energy to fight.  That is something I thank you for because I'm a better person with you as my husband.
 
Here are 9 things I love about you more now than I did when we were married.
 
1. Your devotion to the kids and I.
2. Your tenacity in keeping our family together.
3. Your ability to make me laugh.
4. Your body.
5. How you strive to make things better for us every day.
6. Your willingness to keep our marriage going strong.
7. How you make me feel beautiful even when I know I'm not.
8. Your continual optimism (except about politics).
9. Your faith in us.
 
I love you.  Happy anniversary.
 
xoxo
Casee

Thursday, January 22, 2009

My husband's girlfriend

There's this girl my husband works with, we call her her. I think she's like 20 or 21. Jack srsly dislikes her. If I was the insecure type, I would think that he really likes her, but covers up by saying how much he hates her. Since I'm not (and I know my husband), I know that he really doesn't like her. Here's the thing, she likes him. I know she does. She does things that are so blatantly obvious, that I can't believe he can't see it. Then again, he is a man.

Her happens to go to the same physical therapist that I go to. Apparently she asked the PT questions about me and then went to work and talked to Jack about it. I've already called the PT and asked him to not discuss me. I think that she asked about me, not b/c we have the same back problem, but b/c it's a reason to talk to Jack. Jack thinks I'm overreacting. I don't think so. I think that she likes him, even if she doesn't realize it.

He just can't accept that I'm right. Even if her doesn't plan on doing anything about it, she still wants him. I'm a woman; I know I'm right.

I just need to have him tell her to find something else to talk to him about. Maybe they should talk about puppies or rainbows. Or politics. That ought to do it.

[Oh and Jack? xoxo ;)]

Friday, January 16, 2009

Men are too easy

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Friday, January 9, 2009

New Diet Pepsi can

I was just grabbing a Diet Pepsi out of the fridge when I noticed how much it looked like the beer can sitting next to it. I wonder if there will now be people pulled over for drinking Diet Pepsi and driving.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Living in Boise: The Traffic

In an effort to get Holly to at least consider moving to Idaho, I decided I should probably point some things out that I actually like about living here.

More often than not, people generally complain about things more than they think about the good things. This is actually a good thing for me to do, because it makes me wonder why we moved here in the first place. This is going to be one good thing per post b/c I have to make up for all the bad things.

Onto the traffic...there is no traffic. On a normal day, the news will report that traffic is "slow" on the way downtown, when in fact it will only take me 30 minutes to get there. The next day when they say that traffic is moving along nicely, it still only takes me 30 minutes to get there. There may be stupid drivers here, but there is nothing remotely similar to California traffic. Oh yes, I remember what California traffic was like. Evil, evil, traffic. The commute is much less stressful here than it is in California. And that's good for your health.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

From inside it doesn't seem as bad



Yesterday I had the commute from hell. It usually takes me about 30 minutes to get the work. That includes being in what these crazy people call "traffic". Yesterday it took me an hour and a half. I was at a dead stop more often than not. Which sucked, but I'd rather be safe than sorry (*ahem*Jack). Still, I literally feel the tension in my body while I'm driving in snowy/icy conditions.

This is what it looks like outside my front door this morning. It's really not that bad when I'm looking from the inside out. I even let Jack take the 4Runner today, but only because I have my brother's car and only have to go 1/2 mile to pick the kids up.