Moving Ahead

I sold my very unused keyboard last night. Nice kid, couldn't have been more than 21. He said a couple things that struck me as odd, which made me know who's child he was. I asked him if he had been playing long, since he said this was his first electric keyboard. He said he hadn't, it was something he had just started in January as a way to relieve stress...and it better than "getting involved in sex or drugs or anything illegal." That was a mighty bold statement to make, wasn't it?? I thought so too. After further inquiries as to him living in this area, I find out that he was gone for over a year doing missionary work with his church! That confirmed it! Very cute kid, how awesome to hear him so boldly make that stand!

We went to Leigh's to celebrate her birthday with cake. She had carrot cake, which was GREAT, 'cause I didn't want regular birthday cake. I wouldn't have cheated for that. Amazingly though I was good after a few bites. I ate it all though, didn't want to throw it away and I couldn't give it away to the kids! I didn't eat lunch though, so that helped calorie-wise.

I went to Aldi and grabbed a few more things for me but mainly stuff for the kids' dinners throughout the week. If I take the time to plan the meals, then we may be more likely to get things done. I didn't relax my hair still, and boy am I overdue! Maybe it will be tonight...

I made a decision last night when I went to bed that I was going to wake up this morning and workout. The alarm went off at 530a, and I got up! I took another load of laundry to the basement, did the washer-to-dryer switch, then brought a load up and sorted it for the kids. My TV is very close to going out, so it wasn't cooperating to do my workout DVD. So I went to plan B...my laptop! Worked out just fine, despite the distraction of a very large waterbug somewhere underneath my couch! Eclipse tried to get it, but it scampered out of her reach under the couch. Honestly, it was only 10 minutes working out, but it's a start! I would have done it a second time had it not been so late already. So tomorrow I will likely do it twice in a row.

Well, time to the wake the kids and hit the shower! Already heard from my sweetie this early, so my day is off to a great start!! Hope yours is too!

Happy Birthday to my Big Sis!!

Happy Birthday Leigh!!!

This is what I told her this morning:

"So if 40 is the new 30, then 41 is the new 31....which makes you the youngest, since I am 34!!"

She acknowledged the VERY far stretch with that one, but accepted it graciously!!

She was feeling pretty good, since she has lost 12 pounds since the beginning of March, so that is her motivation to keep going on SBD. We are each other's motivation on this, and we talk daily to keep up with the highs and lows. It's amazing the difference a support system makes!

Birthdays Rule!!!

WOW!!!! I thought my birthday rocked! Dante went above and beyond for my birthday! I haven't had such a *ahem* pleasurable time in I don't know how long!



Well, I knew that when Dante came into town on Friday night, he was coming straight to my place. The plan was to take the kids to Kween's house where they would spend the night, and I would pick them up in the morning. So, after I had fed them and they were close to ready for bed, I took them to her house and got everyone situated. He was about 45min to an hour away. Which was still enough time to get home, straighten a little more then take care of me. Even though I am not totally in love with my figure, I also know it's not as bad as I sometimes tell myself. So knowing that, I decided to wear a "little something" for when he came in the door. Black, lace stretch chemise that just barely covered the assets!



I was so concerned about "looking right", I tried on a couple of different pieces to make sure it would be the right one! I haven't been that concerned in a while, but it was a special occasion after all! (His reaction told me I picked the right piece!)



I lit candles in the room and closed the door, then went to take my shower. I was so anxious for him to get here! It was a VERY long week without him! I drank a Smirnoff Ice very quickly to get a good buzz going on, then lay across the bed. I dozed off for a second, but then he called and told me he was on his way. There was no napping first this night!



Yes I did sleep very well with him next to me. And so did he! BUT, before we slept...

Let me just say, I didn't think it could get much better but...well... (sighs and grins)

So, the next morning as we're laying in bed listening to music and talking, Kween calls. She tells me to tell him hello and he immediately holds his hand out for the phone. So they talk and she tells him I need to be somewhere by 12noon, which he understands as I need to be at her house by noon. Fast forward to a little bit later when I am trying to "convince" him to play a little longer. He was determined he wasn't gonna have Kween mad at him if i didn't show up.

Now comes the good part.

So, he asks me where I needed to be, and I told him about the loan place so I could start borrowing money to pay my rent. (My landlord was NOT happy that I was gonna be late again) He asked how much I needed, and I told him (it was over $500 but under a grand). He preceded to call his credit union to start the process for a bank to bank transfer!! I couldn't even speak After everything was done and I was still in shock about what happened, he came over and put his arms around me. All I could say was "Thank you. This was beyond." I told him I was shaking, and he said he knew because he could feel it.

I was finally able to compose myself and we got some clothes on then went to IHOP for breakfast. Spinach and Mushroom omelet with a stack of pancakes...perfect! (I definitely worked up that appetite during the night/morning!) We talked and talked and talked. I learned even more about him...and I ate up every word. Perhaps he learned a couple more things about this fascinating creature known as SoloMommy.

What a wonderful time we had together. We left each other's company at about 2p, then I headed straight to Kween's house. I didn't leave there until almost 10p! That was the first time I have really spent time at her house, and we both really enjoyed it too! Today is my recovery day, so I am just lounging! It's back to the grind tomorrow. It's not like this will be a short week for me, since I am working both Thanksgiving and the day after!

Somebody's got to do it, right?

The Rest of the Weekend

Saturday night turned out to be a fiasco. My bff and I weren't on the best of terms. The way things turned out, I didn't get to go to dinner. By the time I got babysitting all situated and was on my way from home, they were done eating and the chocolate souffle was to be ready in 17min. It was going to take me 40 minutes to get there. So, here I was frustrated and highly disappointed, and all dressed up with nowehere to go.

I called the Kween to vent, she told me to call Dante and see when the game was over and if he had plans afterwards. East Saint Louis Senior High was playing for the shot to go to state championships...and they won!!! Go us!!! Kween said if I didn't get a hold of him or if he already had something else planned, she was gonna put on some clothes and we were gonna go somewhere! Which was very sweet cause I was near tears and so disappointed by all that had happened, and because she is not the 'going out' type but willing to do it for me.

So I met him in the parking lot and then followed him to the Ahmes Temple (lot of older folks' hangout), where he was to meet with his old classmates and some of his family. Well we got in there and got a table, his cousin ordered us drinks. (I only had cranberry juice due to my very first -and prayerfully very last- UTI) I noticed his talking was rather slurred which concerned me, cause I didn't want him out there drunk driving. So we were talking and he laid his head on my shoulder and it started getting heavier. And heavier. And heavier. His cousin woke him up once and he talked for a few minutes, but his eyes were very heavy. The next time we got close and he laid his head against mine, he was out like a light!!! So I woke him up and told him to come outside with me, thinking the fresh air would wake him up. It didn't. We got into his truck and he started it since it was chilly out. He got comfortable and within a few seconds was out again.

That's what I wanted, which is why we went out there. I didn't want him sleep in the place. So, here I am thinking I would listen to some music and let him nap for about an hour. Then we could go back in and enjoy ourselves.

Yeah....um....not. How about 2 and a half hours later, I FINALLY got him to wake up!! The combination of alcohol and a lack of sleep from the night before was too much for him, and he literally passed out. There was nothing I could do to wake him. His phone was clipped to his pants and vibrating, and that did nothing. I was shaking him and talking to him...nothing. At one point he went to stretch and began gunning the engine, since his foot was on the gas. I had to literally lift his left off the pedal! (I told him about that later and he was very freaked out)

I know, I know. You're thinking I'm a nut for staying out there with him while he was sleeping, and you probably would have left. You know that thought crossed my mind but, being the fiercely loyal and very protective Scorpio that I am, I just couldn't do it. What if something happened? I would never have forgiven myself. EVER. I just had to watch over him and make sure he was okay, he needed me.

When he finally woke completely up, realized how much time had passed, and realized that I stayed with him the whole time, he was amazed! If he didn't thank me 50 times, he didn't thank me once. He was truly shocked, and grateful, and appreciative for what I had done. It was no big deal. So, we went to Ruby Tuesday's to eat (I hadn't eaten since JITB earlier). Can you believe, I was one of those couples that sat on the same side of the booth?? And yes we smooched most of the time too! I loved it!

So, I went to Sam's and got Champagne's cake. My bff and I talked and kind of made amends for the day before. We learned some things about what the other person was thinking. I told her I felt slighted alot of the times because she is always doing something with the couple when she's here. And then strangely she felt like I was more focused on texting and talking to Dante, which was infringing on our time together. I say strangley because honestly, he and I didn't text but a couple of times throughout the entire day (it was less than 15 messages received and sent, I counted), and we talked once when he came up to the movie theatre. But hey we both acknowledged that we were being a little bratty I guess. I also did my weekly trip to Aldi to get groceries to make dinner for the week. I can easily feed all of us for a week with a few staple products and about $25. Once again everyone, a round of applause for the amazing feats of Solo-Mommy!!!!

Dante ended up coming over when everone was there so he got to meet the whole crew. I apologized later, just in case he was freaked out by that at all, but he said he it was fine. I am sad that he is leaving in the morning. So now I have to get my feelings back in check, cause I was really starting to dig him. Back to reality! He gave the birthday girl 5 $1 bills, which was so sweet. She was happy cause she got her birthday card from Grammy. I will try to have a Wordless Wednesday and post all the pics but, no guarantees k?

So, all in all, it was an up and down weekend. I went through the gamut of emotions and had some very interesting experiences. I have to say everything turned out as it should have so, no regrets I suppose.

I still say 34 is off to a great start!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

OH WHAT A NIGHT!!!!

I had a GREAT day yesterday for my birthday! I picked my bff up at the airport at 9a. We stopped at Schnuck's to get a few items since she was in the mood to cook breakfast. She had a phone interview with Monsanto while we were on our way to her friend's house (where she stays when she's here). We stayed over there a few hours. Part of the time while she was cooking, I was wasting my life away trying to get a complete moron to change my Sprint plan. After 45minutes of my life had passed, I hung up and got another agent who changed it to the way I asked and then we moved on to something else.

Can't Get Right/The One had left a voicemail while I was talking to Sprint Customer Service. No, I didn't ignore his call. Sprint somehow disables your call waiting when you call their customer service (*2) number! How nice of them! Cause you know, this 10 minutes I was on hold just to talk to you is nothing compared to the minute or two (tops) that you may have to hold while I take what could be a very important call!

Anywho - back to the story. Turns out, Mr. Man had taken the morning off and wanted to spend some time with me. But, of course, by the time I called him back he was headed in the work! Of course! No big deal, I wasn't that broken up about it. When you don't have something, it's hard to miss it right? I don't miss my GMC Yukon XL Denali....cause I don't have one! See how that works? Same with him, I can't miss spending time with someone that I never spend time with.

After we left there, I stopped up at my job and introduced my bff to a few of my coworkers. Then we headed to see Tyler Perry's (best film yet!) Why Did I Get Married? at the movie theatre. OMG!!! We laughed, we cursed, we cried, we got mad, and we got glad! That movie was awesome and I am SO GLAD I got to see it with my bestest friend! It was very good, we could both relate to it...and neither of us had been to the show in so long! She even got to meet Dante, since he stopped up there and gave me a card (and a few good kisses). She said she liked him and wanted him to come to dinner with us today. So that was cool. This little sneak even left a card at work for me! Kween sent me a text message to come to work, so I went right after the movie thinking something was wrong. She just wanted me to see the card he brought up there.
I know......awwwww, what a sweetie! He is good at what he does!

We stopped by the house for a little bit to recoup, then picked up the kids. I fed them dinner and then we went to Dominique's game. I was very excited that for the first time ever, she has been at an event of her godson's! With her living out of town, it was just never really possible before. Then we went to the Officer's house for cheesecake for my birthday. We decided on cheesecake instead of cake and ice cream due to Starr's birthday last week and Champagne's birthday the day after mine. We had a good time and she got a little bit to eat as well. I had one bite of cheesecake (not a huge fan) and fed the rest to the WonderTwins. I noticed my bff was getting tired so we were wrapping up for the evening. So Dante calls and wants to know if we wanna go to a party. I told him sure but I knew my bff wouldn't want to, since it's already past her bedtime and she'd been up since 4a to fly here.

So, with a knot in my stomach, I asked Leigh if the kids could stay over. She said she didn't mind. That was HUGE for me to do! I don't have a life as it is, because it's hard asking people to babysit FOUR children, while I go out and do whatever. But I thought, 'hey, it's my birthday dangit, and I wanna do something'! Leigh said yes and I took BFF to her friends' house in St. Louis, then dropped off the kids at Leighs. I thanked her again and headed down to meet Dante at a little hole in the wall in the city.

We didn't stay there long. He was still reeling from seeing me earlier that day. I had my hair down finally (first time he's seen it), some well-fitting jeans, and my grey contacts. It was the first time he's really seen me prettied-up in person! And he LOVED IT! So when he asked who had the kids and I told him they were at my sister's house, he perked right up. This is what he said:

"So you got the house to yourself?" [I replied that I did] "Well, let's go. I'm following you!"

It was an absolutely awesome day with the bff...and the night/morning with my Soldier Boy was phenomenal! There was some sleeping...but not a lot. We had music, candles, burning oil, and two Scorpios with enough passion to light a city! It was SO GOOD! A birthday night well spent...and noone I would have rather been with!

34 is off to an AWESOME START!

Champagne is 5 Today!!!

Yes, the baby girl is the big 0-5 today! Since I have plans today still for my birthday, I am going to have the family over for cake and ice cream tomorrow.

They make these little crowns at school with the child's name and their age on it, so she is wearing that around now. We didn't do anything major this morning after I picked them up. I wanted to go to Denny's, but really my pocketbook didn't support that theory. We went to Mickey D's at about 10:25a, and they had already decided to start serving lunch. So we went to Jack in the Box, because Jack says breakfast is available ALL DAY! Jack rules for that in my book (the giant blueberry french toast sticks are a helper as well). Now I am just lounging around...recovering from last night/this morning with my Soldier Boy. (more on that later)

I will probably go to Sam's tomorrow to get her cake, but no more 1/2 sheet cakes! I'm getting a round this time, I ended up throwing away cake from Starr's birthday! I am so GLAD there are no more birthdays (that require cake) until March!

Starr is 9 Today!!!

Yes, she is in her last year of single digits! She was so excited for her to birthday to come. Not cause there was some big party or anything like that. But she was excited just because it was HER BIRTHDAY! That totally rocks in my book!

Yay me, that I raised completely unselfish and unmaterialistic kids (thusfar)! And a big Yay to my Momma for doing it to me!!!

She talked to her father on the phone this morning. He kept checking with me on the evening's plans and agenda all day. Did he manage to show up for her birthday?

Is George W. Bush the best president ever?

I thought that would answer the question pretty smartly (read: sarcastically).

Life is still good though. My mom gave me these Valentine's things from Krispy Kreme...and I may let them go tomorrow morning and get their own doughnut for a 2nd breakfast (we'll probably have cereal before we leave).

Really? What kid wouldn't think that was cool?