SO...
after a few days of feeling like I'd been hit by a big 'ol barrelin' down the road truck, I saw a doc today... I have a sinus infection.
imagine that.
**rolling eyes**
I'm seriously tired of the ickies. ALL. THE. TIME. really. all the time.
My sinuses are always going crazy, and my allergies... sweet Lord... don't get me started...
ugh...
anyway, sometimes it's the little things that make the awful things OK again. or at least, make the awful things disappear for a minute...
my minute?
well, that would be my oldest making his pizza breathe tonight.
..yea, I'm that mom that feeds the kids pizza & cereal on the nights when dad is working late (or, in our case, dad is at school...)
besides, I'm sick, feeling like a whiney 2 year old, and didn't want to fix dinner... waaa waaaaaaa...
So, here was my entertainment. My oldest. On YouTube... he's stoked.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Looking back
It's been 10 years.
September 11th.
Just about everyone has a story of where they were, what they were doing, and what they remember about September 11th, 2001. I'm no different.
This day is filled with a million mixed feelings for me.
First, I was a newlywed. Tim & I had just gotten married on June 30th, 2001. I knew about this military life I had just married into. I knew about the dangers, the stress & the uncertainty it brings. I also knew about the huge amounts of pride that came with it.
This day tested all of that.
We lived in a rental home right outside of the Fort Bragg, NC main gates. Not anything like home, and not a town I wanted to be in.
My oldest child, "JT", was only 8.5mo old that morning. A wee baby.
We got up early to start our day. An absolute beautiful blue sky morning.
I remember putting JT in his highchair to start breakfast around 6am. Usually, I would turn on the radio, or TV for background noise, but that morning I didn't as I didn't want distractions... we had to be somewhere...
I fed baby J, and soon after, we loaded up in the car & headed on base. We went to the doctor, stopped at the commissary, then came home. But before coming home, I noticed a lot more cars around base. A lot more traffic, but thought nothing of it.
Coming home, JT was asleep in his carseat, so I took him in, and put him down for a nap.
Phone was ringing... off. the. hook.
I honestly thought to myself 'geeze! Can I put the boy down first!! stop calling!!' This was before we invested in an answering maching...
Little did I know it was just about every family member making sure we were safe.
I finally reached the phone, and answered all cheery-like
'hello?!'
'Tara?'
'ya, mom. it's me.'
'Tara, turn on the tv.'
'err. OK. Gonna have to give me a minute mom. got groceries in the car.'
'TARA. NOW.'
...
when mom says my name like that, she pretty much means business.
'mom, what's going on?'
'baby, I don't know. *sniffling*..'
'MOM, what's going on? What happened? WHY are you crying? mom?'
'Tara, this isn't an accident'
... a few minutes pass ...
'oh my God. MOM!! OH MY GOD! ANOTHER PLANE, MOM! MOM!! MOM, ARE WE UNDER ATTACK? **hysterics**'
'baby, I dont know!!! Where is JT? Where is Tim?'
'uhhmm. I ..I-- um, JT is in bed. Uhmm, Tim is at wor--TIM. I gotta call him. mom, I have to go.'
'Tara, call me back in 5 minutes.'
'uhhm. ok.. yea, I'll-- um, ok.'
panic dialing.
hands shaking.
busy tone.
dialing.
busy.
dialing.
busy.
I swear I did this for what felt like 3 years.
call.
busy.
call.
.....dead silence....
calling...
busy.
my phone rings.
'HELLO?! TIM!! TIM!!!'
'Tara, its mom. Did you talk to him?'
*crying hysterically* 'no, mom! I don't know where he is! What do I do mom?! I'm so scared mom. Where is he?'
'Honey, I dont know. I want you guys home'
'I can't leave mom! I can't leave without him knowing!!'
'I know. Stay calm.'
'mom, let me hang up. In case he tries to call.'
'ok. I love you!'
'**crying** i love you too, mom. I love you too.'
frantic calling..
busy..
calling..
'this number is unavailable'
'WHAT?! WHAT!!! no... no-no-no!!!'
*watching tv*
It was all a blur.
I just remember fire. planes. tv talking, but no words. buildings on fire.
... and no communication from my husband.
*phone rings*
my thoughts were 'geeze mom, ugh!'
'Tara!'
'oh my GOD! TIM!!! Tim are you ok?! Tim! What's going on? *sobbing*'
'Tara, listen to me, I am fine. I'm still here. I'm not going anywhere. I need you to listen. Bad things are happening right now.'
'I know! Are we under attack?'
'I dont know. I just know that we've been told terrorists.'
*terrorists?*
'Tara, where is JT?'
'He's napping. Saw the Doc today, he was tired...'
'OK. I need you to STAY PUT. I know first reaction is to leave, but you being on the road is NOT a good idea right now.'
'ok. just stay here? til when? are you coming home?'
'no, baby. we're on lockdown. I have to go, babe. Lines are jammed up & they give us 3 min to call home.'
'okay. Tim, I love you.'
'I love you too, Tara. I'll call when I know mor----'
lines cut off & tears started falling.
baby starts fussing.
After everyone called, and I gave all the info I possibly could, I realized it was after 9pm.
Somehow, throughout the day, I managed to feed the baby, change the baby, answer the phone, make calls, and stay in touch with family.
I remember at one point I went outside, after JT had gone to bed, to get away from the TV, and the stagnant inside air.
The first night was a long night.
I was so scared to be alone... I was scared I wouldn't be able to see Tim that night. I needed to hold him, I needed to talk to him.
I NEEDED to say that even though it seemed as if the world was falling down around us, we had a bit of a silver lining ...
September 11, 2001 I found out I was pregnant with our second child...
I had a million mixed emotions that day. That morning I was STOKED about being pregnant again. I prayed it would be a girl!!!
...then reality set in.
My God.
How selfish could we be?!
America was under attack, possibly AT WAR, and we were wanting to bring another child in this? Into the military life?! What if I lost Tim? I would be a single, widowed, mom of 2!!
what have we done?
But wait. We're in the land of the free. We're in AMERICA! We can over-come this!!! We're strong, we're not gonna BACK DOWN!!!!
This new life growing, that WE created was a tiny glimmer of hope of a better life. Better days... this child HAD to be. Meant to be.
... and that SHE was.
Miss Emily was born in May of 2002. Our sunshine through the darkness of 9/11.
...My story is a little thought for everyone to remember that even though in the moment, things seem like they'll never be the same; they'll never be good again. But that's not true.
well, not all true.
Things were never the same again. a LOT of good came from that dreadful day. Security tightened. The American PRIDE was shown through & through on every street, there was a gentle calm & compassion for your neighbor. Lending a hand wasnt so much a burden anymore.
...and we over-came our fear by welcoming a new life & a new start.
So, when all seems lost, and things seem like a personal HELL, it's really not. Sometimes we must tread through the dark dreary jungle to get to the sunshine, and start things anew.
For all of those lost, all of those left behind... your memory is eternal. *I* personally will never, EVER forget. I don't want to forget.
United we stand... and we'll NEVER fall.
September 11th.
Just about everyone has a story of where they were, what they were doing, and what they remember about September 11th, 2001. I'm no different.
This day is filled with a million mixed feelings for me.
First, I was a newlywed. Tim & I had just gotten married on June 30th, 2001. I knew about this military life I had just married into. I knew about the dangers, the stress & the uncertainty it brings. I also knew about the huge amounts of pride that came with it.
This day tested all of that.
We lived in a rental home right outside of the Fort Bragg, NC main gates. Not anything like home, and not a town I wanted to be in.
My oldest child, "JT", was only 8.5mo old that morning. A wee baby.
We got up early to start our day. An absolute beautiful blue sky morning.
I remember putting JT in his highchair to start breakfast around 6am. Usually, I would turn on the radio, or TV for background noise, but that morning I didn't as I didn't want distractions... we had to be somewhere...
I fed baby J, and soon after, we loaded up in the car & headed on base. We went to the doctor, stopped at the commissary, then came home. But before coming home, I noticed a lot more cars around base. A lot more traffic, but thought nothing of it.
Coming home, JT was asleep in his carseat, so I took him in, and put him down for a nap.
Phone was ringing... off. the. hook.
I honestly thought to myself 'geeze! Can I put the boy down first!! stop calling!!' This was before we invested in an answering maching...
Little did I know it was just about every family member making sure we were safe.
I finally reached the phone, and answered all cheery-like
'hello?!'
'Tara?'
'ya, mom. it's me.'
'Tara, turn on the tv.'
'err. OK. Gonna have to give me a minute mom. got groceries in the car.'
'TARA. NOW.'
...
when mom says my name like that, she pretty much means business.
'mom, what's going on?'
'baby, I don't know. *sniffling*..'
'MOM, what's going on? What happened? WHY are you crying? mom?'
'Tara, this isn't an accident'
... a few minutes pass ...
'oh my God. MOM!! OH MY GOD! ANOTHER PLANE, MOM! MOM!! MOM, ARE WE UNDER ATTACK? **hysterics**'
'baby, I dont know!!! Where is JT? Where is Tim?'
'uhhmm. I ..I-- um, JT is in bed. Uhmm, Tim is at wor--TIM. I gotta call him. mom, I have to go.'
'Tara, call me back in 5 minutes.'
'uhhm. ok.. yea, I'll-- um, ok.'
panic dialing.
hands shaking.
busy tone.
dialing.
busy.
dialing.
busy.
I swear I did this for what felt like 3 years.
call.
busy.
call.
.....dead silence....
calling...
busy.
my phone rings.
'HELLO?! TIM!! TIM!!!'
'Tara, its mom. Did you talk to him?'
*crying hysterically* 'no, mom! I don't know where he is! What do I do mom?! I'm so scared mom. Where is he?'
'Honey, I dont know. I want you guys home'
'I can't leave mom! I can't leave without him knowing!!'
'I know. Stay calm.'
'mom, let me hang up. In case he tries to call.'
'ok. I love you!'
'**crying** i love you too, mom. I love you too.'
frantic calling..
busy..
calling..
'this number is unavailable'
'WHAT?! WHAT!!! no... no-no-no!!!'
*watching tv*
It was all a blur.
I just remember fire. planes. tv talking, but no words. buildings on fire.
... and no communication from my husband.
*phone rings*
my thoughts were 'geeze mom, ugh!'
'Tara!'
'oh my GOD! TIM!!! Tim are you ok?! Tim! What's going on? *sobbing*'
'Tara, listen to me, I am fine. I'm still here. I'm not going anywhere. I need you to listen. Bad things are happening right now.'
'I know! Are we under attack?'
'I dont know. I just know that we've been told terrorists.'
*terrorists?*
'Tara, where is JT?'
'He's napping. Saw the Doc today, he was tired...'
'OK. I need you to STAY PUT. I know first reaction is to leave, but you being on the road is NOT a good idea right now.'
'ok. just stay here? til when? are you coming home?'
'no, baby. we're on lockdown. I have to go, babe. Lines are jammed up & they give us 3 min to call home.'
'okay. Tim, I love you.'
'I love you too, Tara. I'll call when I know mor----'
lines cut off & tears started falling.
baby starts fussing.
After everyone called, and I gave all the info I possibly could, I realized it was after 9pm.
Somehow, throughout the day, I managed to feed the baby, change the baby, answer the phone, make calls, and stay in touch with family.
I remember at one point I went outside, after JT had gone to bed, to get away from the TV, and the stagnant inside air.
The first night was a long night.
I was so scared to be alone... I was scared I wouldn't be able to see Tim that night. I needed to hold him, I needed to talk to him.
I NEEDED to say that even though it seemed as if the world was falling down around us, we had a bit of a silver lining ...
September 11, 2001 I found out I was pregnant with our second child...
I had a million mixed emotions that day. That morning I was STOKED about being pregnant again. I prayed it would be a girl!!!
...then reality set in.
My God.
How selfish could we be?!
America was under attack, possibly AT WAR, and we were wanting to bring another child in this? Into the military life?! What if I lost Tim? I would be a single, widowed, mom of 2!!
what have we done?
But wait. We're in the land of the free. We're in AMERICA! We can over-come this!!! We're strong, we're not gonna BACK DOWN!!!!
This new life growing, that WE created was a tiny glimmer of hope of a better life. Better days... this child HAD to be. Meant to be.
... and that SHE was.
Miss Emily was born in May of 2002. Our sunshine through the darkness of 9/11.
...My story is a little thought for everyone to remember that even though in the moment, things seem like they'll never be the same; they'll never be good again. But that's not true.
well, not all true.
Things were never the same again. a LOT of good came from that dreadful day. Security tightened. The American PRIDE was shown through & through on every street, there was a gentle calm & compassion for your neighbor. Lending a hand wasnt so much a burden anymore.
...and we over-came our fear by welcoming a new life & a new start.
So, when all seems lost, and things seem like a personal HELL, it's really not. Sometimes we must tread through the dark dreary jungle to get to the sunshine, and start things anew.
For all of those lost, all of those left behind... your memory is eternal. *I* personally will never, EVER forget. I don't want to forget.
United we stand... and we'll NEVER fall.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
What a SURPRISE!!!
Time has ended to enter the contest for the free software... BUT, the great news is the coupon code is still available for you!!
If you have any qestions, PLEASE feel free to email me!!!
Imagine my shock & pure EXCITEMENT when My Memories contacted my small, very new, but FUN wittle bloggy blog?!
They asked if I would like to try out their digital scrapbooking software, review it, THEN.... (as if they could possibly do more!!) said they would like to do a giveaway! *OF* said digital program!!
um, WOW!
SURE!!!
Now listen, I don't have too many followers, but I'm sure the word could spread like wildfire, and SOMEONE out there can enter right here for this awesome digital scrapbooking software...
First, let's talk about My Memories ... They have a great selection of various digital scrapbook kits. Prices to fit every budget, and even (get this) a FREE (eff arrr eeee eeee) section! FREE folks!
Besides that, they have a VERY easy to learn, user-friendly digital scrapbooking software program that is quite affordable. (And, if you wanting to dab your feet into digi'booking, but didn't want to spend half a paycheck & first born on photoshop... *this* is it!) My Memories Suite2 was a LOT of fun for me to play with...
There is a very small learning curve, and once you get started, trust me; you might wanna have a timer set, or ask the husband to pull the plug at about 4am or so.
I, myself, have Photoshop, and know it OKAY... I also have put together a LOT of movies through windows movie maker, so for me, playing with this program was kinda like taking a step down. BUT, that's OK!!! This is absolutely PUUUURFECT for the beginner & BEYOND!!!
My Memories Suite 2 allows you to make an album of anything... first birthday, summertime fun, winter frolics, etc, and will even let you ADD MUSIC, add your OWN narration, and you can even use your own collected digital scrapbooking kits.
Seriously, the list goes ON. and on....
The software usually sells for $39.97, but if you purchase it now through this post, you can use this code STMMMS62858 to save yourself $10, AND a $10 coupon to use in the MyMemories.com store. Think about it. That's like a FREE $20 just for purchasing the software thru reading this post, on my itty bitty blog!
Lucky YOU!!!
But, here's an ever cooler thing... My Memories asked me to do a giveaway... OF THIS SOFTWARE!! You can actually ENTER to win the ENTIRE program! SO, if you're interested (and, c'mon.. I KNOW you are!) here's what you do...
As if you needed more of an incentive, here are some of the things I have created using the software.
...And here's some snipits from our Hawaiian Vacation... (i like these!)
See what I mean? See the fun I've had??
Monday, September 5, 2011
Challenging myself ...
So I've played along with other blogs and their challenges, and I might not have the traffic for my OWN kind of challenge, but I have decided to start my own. Even if its for my own satisfaction...
here goes.
I'm going to try and do 1 week of a song title, or song lyric inspiration project. Whether its a card, layout, or anything.
I have had lots of time to think about this, and I truly believe that crafting is my therapy. When things get crazy here, or unbearable, instead of picking up that bottle of Jack, gimme some paper and some glue, and I am on cloud nine. heh.
If anyone would like to play along, I'm thinking I could gather up some things for a prize for a winner. Winner will be picked at random by a generator.
SO.... here we go...
A completely random song will be picked for each day.
BUT, for this week, I think I'll go with a specific decade. Let's do ......
the 19.......
80's !!!
It was my FAVORITE decade... (and the one I was born in...) so.... LET'S DO THIS...
RECAP:: make anything. card, tags, layout, etc.
Use any part of the song. Lyric or title.
Monday, September 5th, 2011 and our song is ....
Kool & The Gang Cherish
... and in case some of you are like me, and need the lyrics, here they are!
here goes.
I'm going to try and do 1 week of a song title, or song lyric inspiration project. Whether its a card, layout, or anything.
I have had lots of time to think about this, and I truly believe that crafting is my therapy. When things get crazy here, or unbearable, instead of picking up that bottle of Jack, gimme some paper and some glue, and I am on cloud nine. heh.
If anyone would like to play along, I'm thinking I could gather up some things for a prize for a winner. Winner will be picked at random by a generator.
SO.... here we go...
A completely random song will be picked for each day.
BUT, for this week, I think I'll go with a specific decade. Let's do ......
the 19.......
80's !!!
It was my FAVORITE decade... (and the one I was born in...) so.... LET'S DO THIS...
RECAP:: make anything. card, tags, layout, etc.
Use any part of the song. Lyric or title.
Monday, September 5th, 2011 and our song is ....
Kool & The Gang Cherish
... and in case some of you are like me, and need the lyrics, here they are!
Let's take a walk together near the ocean shore
Hand in hand
You and I.
Let's cherish ev'ry moment we have been given
For time is passing by.
I often pray before I lay down by your side;
If you receive your calling before I awake
Could I make it through the night?
Cherish the love we have
We should cherish the life we live
Cherish the love
Cherish the life
Cherish the love.
Cherish the love we have for as long as we both shall live
Cherish the love
Cherish the life
Cherish the love.
The world is always changing
Nothing stays the same
But love was stand the test of time.
The next life that we live in remains to be seen
Will you be by my side?
I offen pray before I lay down by your side; . . .
Cherish the love we have
We should cherish the life we live - baby yeah -
Cherish the love
Cherish the life - oh yeah -
Cherish the love.
Cherish the love we have - while we're together -
For as long as we both shall live - will you love me -
Cherish the love
Cherish the life
Cherish the love.
Cherish the love
Cherish the life.
Cherish the love we have
We should cherish the life we live
Cherish the love
Cherish the life
Cherish the love.
Cherish the love we have - ev'ry night when I think about you -
For as long as we both shall live -
I pray that my dream will come true
Cherish the love
Cherish the life -
Yes
I do - cherish the love.
Cherish the love we have -
We have cherished ev'ry moment we have together -
We should cherish the life we live - hand in hand
You and I -
Cherish the love
Cherish the life - baby - cherish the love.
Cherish the love we have for as long as we both shall live
Cherish the love
Cherish the life
Cherish the love.
Hand in hand
You and I.
Let's cherish ev'ry moment we have been given
For time is passing by.
I often pray before I lay down by your side;
If you receive your calling before I awake
Could I make it through the night?
Cherish the love we have
We should cherish the life we live
Cherish the love
Cherish the life
Cherish the love.
Cherish the love we have for as long as we both shall live
Cherish the love
Cherish the life
Cherish the love.
The world is always changing
Nothing stays the same
But love was stand the test of time.
The next life that we live in remains to be seen
Will you be by my side?
I offen pray before I lay down by your side; . . .
Cherish the love we have
We should cherish the life we live - baby yeah -
Cherish the love
Cherish the life - oh yeah -
Cherish the love.
Cherish the love we have - while we're together -
For as long as we both shall live - will you love me -
Cherish the love
Cherish the life
Cherish the love.
Cherish the love
Cherish the life.
Cherish the love we have
We should cherish the life we live
Cherish the love
Cherish the life
Cherish the love.
Cherish the love we have - ev'ry night when I think about you -
For as long as we both shall live -
I pray that my dream will come true
Cherish the love
Cherish the life -
Yes
I do - cherish the love.
Cherish the love we have -
We have cherished ev'ry moment we have together -
We should cherish the life we live - hand in hand
You and I -
Cherish the love
Cherish the life - baby - cherish the love.
Cherish the love we have for as long as we both shall live
Cherish the love
Cherish the life
Cherish the love.
These are what I came up with... Maybe you can use as inspiration... Have fun!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
A different kind of challenge!
I came across a digital scrapbook challenege, and thought I'd give it a try.
It's 'all about me' page, and even though I didn't include EVERY LAST LITTLE THING, I think its cheery & cute!
Besides, who really wants to read about EVERYTHING?! My own husband doesnt know everything!!
It's 'all about me' page, and even though I didn't include EVERY LAST LITTLE THING, I think its cheery & cute!
Besides, who really wants to read about EVERYTHING?! My own husband doesnt know everything!!
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