Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Miracles happen everyday...{and not just at DisneyWorld}

Haybales to Highways Chapter 8: Neither Rain Nor Snow Nor Dark Of Night!

So, the last installment of H2H left young Shelly in the lurch--stuck in Ohio for the summer without boyfriend or friends but the promise of impending engagement is enough to get a girl through a long summer of nothing but cornfields, crappy apartment dwelling and the GAP.

I would love to say that the day Mr. Wonderful left Ohio for Jersey wasn't horrible--but boy was it! No amount of hanging out together beforehand, talking about the departure or thinking about the departure could have prepared me for how utterly heartbroken and sad I was when I had to wave goodbye to my love! I watched him and his friend Josh load up the last of his belongings in a little U-haul and waved and smiled bravely as they pulled out of the driveway. I remember I went to a movie that night with some girls from church to pass the time but felt myself as if I were in a horrible, sad movie as I was mostly alone in Ohio for the rest of the summer.

I spent all of my time working--literally! I had three jobs, worked 7 days a week and had at least two jobs to go to every day. I worked on the weekends developing pictures at Target, at night folding clothes for the Gap and during the week I sat at a mall kiosk trying to get nurses to sign up for a temporary staffing place. The days were very long (12 hours a day at the mall--never again I say!) but I had some very kind roommates (albeit strangers until that summer) to come home to. I was also taking three classes that summer so that I could graduate early and get the heck out of Dodge and a few steps closer (or states) to my man.

I only saw Mr. Wonderful once that summer--we took a fun trip to Florida where I met his mother and we spent lots of time exploring and taking day trips and kissing when no one was looking =)

The fall came upon me before I could blink and started preparation for student teaching. I only had classes for about 2 hours a day and spent most of my time alone since all of my friends had a ton of classes AND their significant others to keep them busy. Looking back, it was the loneliest time of my life but I doubt I would have enjoyed being with my honey as much if everything had been easy.

I only saw Mr. Wonderful once during Fall Quarter and headed home for Christmas break which was more exciting than ever this year because Mr. Wonderful was going to come home with me for the holidays! Before he left I got the call--asking me all about my engagement ring specifications so I knew that he would propose over Christmas break but I wasn't exactly sure how or when it would all take place.

During my Christmas break my mother had gotten me a job working at her office building which was an hour south of our home--so, on the night that Mr. W came up from NJ I stayed after to hitch a ride home with him, show him the way...etc. Unfortunately, Mr. W was rudely acquainted with life in the hostile North when there was a horrific snow storm--he was supposed to be there to pick me up around 4 and I sat all alone on the 19th floor of the office building watching the hours click by....5.....6.....7....(this was before we had cell phones =) and finally finally at 7:30 he pulled up and we made our way home. I took over the driving so that he could rest from his wintery driving ordeal and the worst was yet to come! By the time we were about 20 minutes from my home we couldn't see out the front window--I literally drove by looking out my side window to make sure I was still on the actual road! We inched and crawled towards home and were just about there when we came to this HUGE hill that leads to my parent's house--I ended up putting the pedal to the metal and listening as we spun and sputtered up the entire hill--I distinctly remember screaming at Mr. W to "BE QUIET I"M TRYING TO GET US HOME ALIVE AND I CAN"T PROMISE I WILL IF YOU DON"T STOP TALKING!".

It was the first time I ever yelled at him...(unfortunately for him--not the last!).

We did make it home in once piece and saw the next morning why it was so difficult to drive his car--his tires were completely bald! NO TREAD AT ALL! Mr. W said, and I quote, "They are just clean!" My poor man has no clue about maintaining cars--but I'm sure that's just one of the many reasons God put us together!

We spent a few comfortable and happy days together in snowy central NY until Christmas Eve when he asked me to go on a walk with him. We drove a little ways away to Salmon River Falls--a very pretty waterfall that completely freezes in the winter--it really is lovely! He wanted to walk somewhere pretty so that he could pop the question--unfortunately all of that snow made walking almost impossible! The snow on the trial was WAIST high (I kid you not!) and we waded and trudged because Lord knows I was going to get engaged even if I had to hire a Sherpa to get the job done!

We arrived at the falls and Mr. W wasn't next to me so I turned around and he was on his knee in the snow (at least I think he was, it was impossible to see knees at this point) and he told me he loved me and asked me to marry him. I squealed yes and promptly a huge drop of snow landed on our heads.

Isn't it romantic?

We trudged back to the car and headed back home so that I could share my news and start making plans. And by plans I mean everything except for the venue, date and dress--all of which my mother and I had set, purchased and paid for BEFORE the big proposal. We sure had a lot of faith in My Mr. Wonderful--well placed faith, I might add!

Hot Dogs: It's what's NOT for dinner!

Today I was at my in-law's house watching their mondo-amazing hd tv (with hd cable if you must know...) and was happy to catch one of my all time favorite shows from the days when WE actually had cable--How It's Made. Love it! Anyways, they were showing how hot dogs were made--and it's not like I eat hot dogs all the time--but I will eat them occasionally or cook them once in a while for A (Hoffman hotdogs my NY'ers?!!) but NEVER AGAIN! If you could see what that stuff looked like before it became a hot dog you would die. Literally. Ugh, misc. meat leftovers, lots of water, corn syrup, grinding machines, weird vats and mixers--I really thought I was going to lose it when they focused in on the MEAT PASTE used to form the hot dogs. Oy and Disgusto! Do yourself a favor, if you plan to eat hotdogs in the future don't watch the program featuring them! AHHHHHHH!

Smee Cards Make Me Smile

I was reading my friend Rachel's blog today (go check it out--she is a rockin' fashionista) and she picked up on a challenge that her friend posted to describe yourself in "amazingly unflattering ways" with Smee cards--and holy crap, this website is so super funny--if you have a few minutes to kill go take a look at the hilarity.

Here are the 5 that I came up with:

Praying People Pray

I've been reading a blog for about a year about a family with kiddos similar in age to my girls plus a few more--right now Mck Mama is pregnant with her 4th kiddo who is in heart failure in the womb--go head over there and read her story and pray for her and her family--for God's peace and strength and for a miracle for her little one (and we've seen miracles before!)
Peace.

Reduce Reuse Recycle

The first step is admitting you have a problem...

Hello, my name is Shelly and I don't recycle.

*gasp

I know, it's horrible right?

I know I should recycle but I'm lazy and that's been as good a reason as any not to.

But I've seen the light.

I'm mending my ways (and I've got the extra bin under my sink to prove it).

I'm officially a recycler

and a reuser

and a reducer.

So-get thee behind me laziness and overflowing landfills!

Excuse me, I have to go separate my glass from my tins or my cans from my bottles or...

The Mystery of Genetics

What's the deal with my girl and her tan tan tan legs?

We go outside together!

She wears sunscreen on her legs and I don't!

How come I'm just starting to turn off-white after all the summer sun we've soaked up and she's a dark nut brown?

Sometimes life and genetics just aren't fair.

Shelly...

* doesn't like the phrase, "All things being equal,' (for absolutely no good reason)

* has never had red velvet cake--i think it looks like a bloody cake carcass.

* see's a man at the bus stop every morning practicing his tai chi

* is preparing for D-Day (August 1 baby)

* wants to build a third bedroom in the apartment for the early rising baby

* loves the christmas tree shop and want's to have its baby (seriously, i went in for one tiny thing, spent $10 and found enough to redecorate my entire house--absolutely amazingggg)

* still wants to go blond

* is listening to Mr. Wonderful talk to the tv (i.e. he thinks the Phillies can hear him)

the end =)

Weekly Rhymey Reader

Monday-- Such a day, I can't recall what we did, though I'm sure twas a ball!

Tuesday-- Said no to a job, sick to my stomach all day, i still can't believe it--maybe i will someday...

Wednesday--We went to the park, (didn't we girls?) a nice day for friends and delicious pizza was served.

Thursday--Dr's appt for little Mavis B, doctor said "no" to breast milk and really confused me!

Friday--Swimming time with Brie and girls--perfect weather, so fun together!

Saturday--Early morning shopping trip, and then I thought I'd blog a bit--A's taking her first fishing trip today with Granny and Pop pop to a lake or a bay--Next week will bring VBS--(our first VBS experience)--I'm sure twill be fun and fabulous too--my dear friend's A's teacher--which makes Mama feel good.

My weekly rhymey reader is done--time for a nap for Mavis Beacon!

Already Been Cuddled

I just got a sweet sweet deal on a "used" single jogging stroller! I've been looking for one for a while and they are hard to find and just as expensive as double strollers! Ahh! I wanted a single jogger for those early mornings with M while A is still sleeping! We were driving by a consignment shop when I spotted it and found this one for less than half the price of a new one and it's obviously NEVER BEEN USED! It still has all those special spiky tire treds and the seat looks as if it's never been sat upon.

Ah...good things. Good things indeed!

9 Month Appt Starring: Mavis Beacon Featuring: Cow's Milk v. Breast Milk and The No-More-Pictures-Please-Pout

This is the face M wears to tell me she's tired of pictures.

Too bad for her that her "i'm all done with pictures" face is just as cute as her smiley face!

M had her 9 month check up today--and yes we get shots

--don't even get me started on how silly I think it is not to--

and M got all weighed and measured (H-26 in, 10th%, W-17 lbs 10th%) when the Dr. started talking about how M hadn't gained much weight (only 1 pound in three months! yikes!) and that I should start her on cow's milk--whole milk--and substitute that for breastmilk.

Um, WHAT?!?

Human milk for human babies please!

I findly it highly DOUBTFUL that cow's milk is any healthier or better for my baby than breastmilk--M is thriving in every way, and is still at a healthy weight for her height and isn't acting hungry or anything so I will def. not be changing her to whole milk--anyone ever heard of such nonsense before? I've never heard anything good about starting a baby on dairy products before the age of 1--and the Dr. was pushing yogurt, milk, and cheese hardcore--I just found it all very odd. I guess some research is in order but just thought I would share--and you know, I love to share!

Home Improvement

Can you believe that this sweet little upside down toddler is capable of throwing a whining fit that could peel paint off the walls? No? You can't? Well, alright then....anyone know a good painter?

These are a few of my favorite places...

1. They're always *One Step Ahead* of me...

I was browsing the new One Step Ahead catalog...

Seriously, those guys are really excellent at coming up with things that I didn't know I need like the new play yard slipcover--most excellent idea!

(I wouldn't have asked for a new one when M was born if only I had known....)

And while I don't think I'll be splurging on the baby knee pads or helmets (for safety while crawling and learning to walk of course) their site always has some fun must have for me!

2. How About Orange is a website full of fun project ideas and crafty problem solving. I could spend hours at these sites making plans which eventually lead to me making not much else.

3. 30 Handmade Days This is my new FAVORITE website--seriously, I want to make everything this chick posts--I would need to get a part time job just to pay for craft supplies though so for now, I'll sit and think about it all =)

4. House on Hill Road My third and final crafting blogsite--I don't do much crafting in my spare time but looking at blogs like these always inspire me to create more, which is a good thing.

5. A Quiet Life If you're a follower of the Pioneer Woman like I am then you'll recognize Miss Booshay from her photography post contributions on that site. She takes beautiful pictures and is so positive and sweet--I love reading her blog and looking at all of the pictures of her most beautiful daughters.

6. Now, if you're in to digital scrapping or just USING digital scrap odds and ends for blog design (like me!) then you'll love Scrapping With Ikea Goddess She posts tons of free digital kits and templates--rock on!

7. Facebook.com I love connecting with my peeps. Nuf Said =)

So check out some fun new blogs and live creatively--it's the way to be.

I can't believe I said *NO* to $40 an hour....

Excuse me while I hurl.

Saying A Lot Without Saying A Word A.K.A. A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

I love this picture of my babies--it speaks so much to their personality--
I love how Mavis Beacon is all serious and gazing at the camera serenely while Princess Rosebud is swinging with reckless abandon in the background.

My heart is full of *joy*

What a lucky Mama am I.

Sunday Scramble

1. I still haven't made a decision about my job--I am completely utterly irrevocably undecided. What don't you tell me what to do b/c I am at a loss!!

2. I distrust men in Capri pants--seriously, what's the deal with that? I mean, if a man is going to wear capri pants he may as well throw on a 3/4 sleeve boatneck top--just sayin'

3. Speaking of men, what's the deal with the short men who have really big muscles? Short men, big muscles--it's just not right--it's all just a little unbalanced and lop-sided.

4. I will officially be perfectly happy once my husband is completely done with his master's degree--just don't hold me to it.

5. A and I have decided that we need to have 2 baby boys--or baby Beacons as A says.

6. I have the busiest friends in the world =(

7. And again, just so the world knows--just because we may not agree with each other--or just beacuse you come across someone in the world who doesn't agree with you--it doesn't mean they are judging you--seriously, we're all allowed to have our own opinions--just not about Jesus.

Ah, Monday is coming! Another day closer to a visit from my Floridian Mother in Law (Granny of the South)--Lord Help Us All!

A Plague Upon Your House(s)!!!

Since they are English I thought I'd send them a Shakespearean era threat.

Oy Vey Wiggles!

You make me want to cut my ears off with rusty scissors.

Pet Peeves: No I Didn't, Yes I Did, What? A.K.A. I heard it through the grapevine and didn't read it in any way shape or form on your blog

Do you blog?

Well, you know that I do...I love blogging so much I have three of them!

Do you know what really peeves me about blogging?

What really flips my switches and gets my goat and puts flys in my honey is when I'm talking with someone--either a friend, or relative (who has never once left a comment on my blog)--casually drops a comment or a question in real life about something we've done or I've said without admitting that they read my blog even though there is no way on earth they ever could have found out UNLESS they read my blog!

You know, like,

Person Who Shall Remain Nameless (PWSRN): "So how did you like the children's museum?"

Me: "I never mentioned the children's mus.--how did you know we went?"

PWSRN: "Well, you have kids so I just assumed you went to the children's mus. and assumed that you might like it if you did."

Does this ever happen to anyone else?

I think, obviously you are reading my blog--and btw--I love nothing more than the fact that people read my blog so sharing this with me would be GOOD news--but I have come across so many people who have accidentally let slip something they read on my blog and then back track as if to say, i-know-you-have-a-blog-but-i-don't-really-read-it-peruse-it-really-and-this-question-is-purely-based-on-guesstimation-and-intuition.

I love my blog reader--I'd sing it from the rooftop if I had one of my own--I just love my blog readers more when they don't pretend not to read my blog =)

Ha!

Special of the Day

1. My new favorite book--just wait till you see what I created from the ugliest t shirt I've ever been in possession of =)


2. And if you have time, click here and read a sad tale.


3. It's hot out.

that is all.

Pros and Cons: Taking a New Job Version

Pros
extra $$$
3 mile commute
good/short hours
i love teaching
extra $$$
excellent program with caring teachers, low turnover
the program is a "blank slate" for me to write on
extra $$$

Cons
steve might have to leave work a few minutes early every day or we'd have to find someome to come to our house watch the girls for a few minutes each day
we'd get to see each other for 30 seconds between our jobs
less time with the girls
breastfeeding?
the program is brand new and would require a lot of prep time
no paid or unpaid sick or personal days
at risk students = challenging/mean etc.
nothing to work with (until orders arrive in october probably)
no sink (who ever heard of an art room with no sink?!?)