Introverted and Loving It

It’s been a very long time since I blogged here, but hopefully that will change. It’s not that I haven’t thought about it, I did, I really did. My frustration came down to the simple URL. This blog is www.introverts.net and I am one, but I just didn’t want to blog about introverts all the time. Catch my drift? I wanted something (a URL) that wasn’t so singularly focused. After thinking about it for a long time…almost a year, I came to a conclusion that I will talk about what I want, when I want to talk about it. I am not going to be held back by a word in a domain name.

Also I want to give a shout-out to Sally of Sally Around the Bay. Hey Sally! She told me that she misses this blog and always looked forward to what I had to say. Sally might have been being nice, but hey it made an impression!

I am still MAC-less, but do have a new HP Pavilion that is pretty good. Yes, no comparison to a MAC, I know. However I did find this cool widget thingy called ObjectDock which does give your PC a feel of a MAC albeit only somewhat. So for now I am happy in knowing that my world did not come to an end because I wasn’t using a MAC on a daily basis.

I still over-think things, wonder if anyone is reading what I write here, etc. But I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t really care. Blogging is cheaper than therapy. Let’s say it together…”BLOGGING IS CHEAPER THAN THERAPY!”

Have an awesome day!

Independence Day came and went with no sign of my precious IMac. But life is good and will continue to go on despite this incessant need for a new toy.

All in all it was a quiet weekend. Our plans to go to Baltimore were shot because of a family emergency, so I didn’t get to meet Yamisi. However we did get to see the movie Wall-E, it wasn’t my favorite movie, but it was cute and it did make me want to recycle. We even got some pool time this past weekend which was great. It did rain, but heck we were wet anyway right?

A BIG BIG BIG thank you goes out to Lisa B at Simply His Blogger. She read my post “Back Up Again” and said “are you sure you don’t want your posts back? I think I can get them.”

In my mind, I was thinking, “yeah right”. But this is Lisa, she’s the go to person for issues like this by many.

To be honest, I wanted to figure it out myself and I didn’t want to go to her with my tail between my legs and say, “hey, I did this again”. My webhost was contacted, I’m still waiting for an answer, but Lisa rescued me, so now I can care less if they respond.

I won’t get into the techno-mumble-jumble about the issue at hand, but suffice it to say that Lisa B came to rescue and got my posts back. I’m a little embarrassed…ok alot embarrassed that I haven’t blogged here in almost a year. I honestly don’t care if anyone reads my blog, comments are nice, but they’re not my driving force. Sometimes you just need a little therapy you know? And blogging is a heck of a lot cheaper.

If you’re in a technical quandary…give her a holler.

Oh bla dee a bla da life goes on bla o o o o life goes on. I keep singing that over and over in my head. Similar to that of a Seinfeld episode where George’s father was stuck in his “serenity NOW” phase.

OK, I’ll admit it, I thought I was Super Woman. While I’ll admit that I don’t do it all, I really, truly believed that I “could” do it all…then reality hit and it hit hard. After last week, I am ready to crash and burn by 3:30 pm.

See I started homeschooling this year through the PAVCS (Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School). The first day (Wednesday) went pretty well, except for some minor hurdles. Then Thursday and today were filled with woes…mostly in phonics. OK, truthfully phonics was never my thing. But I followed the instructions on the supplied video, grasped the concept of their method and off I went. I’m not sure if it’s my reluctance coming through but my son can’t stand it. He’s five and already reads, perhaps he just feels like he doesn’t need it. I lack patience, but I don’t think I ever displayed patience the way I did on Thursday morning. The boy was literally kicking and screaming, but I went on with the teaching. Finally after 60 and in utter desperation in a booming voice he said “I want my Daddy to teach me!!!!” So out came Daddy and he got through the lesson in 20 minutes. That night Daddy and I talk about him teaching the boy phonics and he agreed without hesitation.

Friday morning and the boy sat down eagerly at his desk and we thought we were pretty cool because everything was under control. NOT!!! (Can I emphasize that any more?) Calm before the storm was more like it. Five minutes into the lesson he was bored out of his mind and started acting out. 30 minutes into the lesson came “I want my Mommy to teach me!!!!” So what can we say. We taught it together, which worked for about 10 minutes…but at least we got through it.

My son and I “school” for about 5 and a half hours every weekday. It’s rewarding and pretty draining on an introvert like myself. At about 3:30 when we’re finished, I am spent. I am trying to figure out how to convince my husband that I need about an hour of unwind time after the school day is over…a nap would feel wonderful. I asked for one today and he was none too sympathetic of my plight. He explained that he goes to bed with me at night and I make him wake up at a specified time, even though he’s not a morning person, so it gets in his crawl when I ask for a nap in the afternoon because he too feels like he never gets a break. Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand where he is coming from. It’s not fair because I do have different expectations for him than I do for myself, so should I ask for a nap? Probably not, but still the only way I can describe my afternoons after school is “spent”…emotionally and physically. Think about it…even though I am working with a child, I am still exerting myself in an extrovert kind of way.

My evenings have been spent working, which I used to be able to accomplish during the day time. I can’t complain though. There are not many of us who have the ability to stay at home with our children and provide for them mentally and physically. I keep reminding myself that I can name about 25 people that I know who would kill for the life that I have.

Becki

I just wanted to take a moment to say Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband! He is definitely my rock! I just want to say that he really is as sweet as he comes across on his blog and he even practices what he preaches.

I can remember clearly our wonderful day 9 years ago. We had canceled our first wedding date (May 98) due to family squabbles. But before I go on, God’s plan was all over our marriage. In May 98 we were as lost as a ball in tall grass, meaning that we didn’t know Him. On June 6, 1998 we came to know Christ and it was the start of making our relationship stronger…because we were no longer two, we were now three. I hesitate to think about what our life would be like had we gone through with our May 98 plans…we may not be where we are today.

After we got down to brass tax, took the bull by the horns and stole the reigns from the “family”, we had the ceremony of our dreams, complete in shorts and t-shirts by a gorgeous lake with our friends and immediate family…there were even a few jet skiers and boaters who stopped to witness our nuptials. I’ll never forget the standing ovation and woohoo’s at the end from the curious onlookers. My husband cried during the entire ceremony, like he knew immediately it was going to be H. E. double hockey sticks living with me for the rest of his life. He was overjoyed as was I, but the guests couldn’t have both of us crying so I maintained the strong front. But truth be told, I have a hard time remembering the ceremony because I was so focused on my new husband and God. God brought this awesome man into my life who completes me in every way and no I’m not trying to knock off “Jerry Maquire”. He is a rock in my life, a humble spiritual leader, a wonderful husband and father and my best friend.

Today on our anniversary, I am reminded of the scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). We’ve had our ups and downs but have always grown closer and stronger. God ensures that all things are possible!

This one is for you baby!! Happy Anniversary!

I am mourning the loss of my scale. Old HOM has had quite a few years with her many ups and down, but alas, I must retire her and replace her with Tanita, who is due this Thursday. I am awaiting her arrival with great anticipation for bigger little and better things to come!

My weight is still the same, no loss, no gain. I’ve had a good run so far…I knew the plateau would come.

I’m learning little by little to stop and smell the roses. A friend of mine, Judy Lorenz, has a way of talking about nature that makes it so real to me. I barely notice things like hummingbirds, green grass and flower bushes until I’m down in the dumps. But Judy has a way of making me stop and smell the roses. For that, I want to thank her.

This past weekend the family had a fabulous time at our local park. We played in the stream and stopped to really take a look at the world around us and just marvel in God’s wonders. My goal is to take more and more time to do this. Not only do we connect with God, but we connect as a family.

I am thankful for

…that my mouth is 100% better. My voice is back (no lisp anymore).

…my wonderful husband. God is working miracles through him.

…spending time with my gorgeous, one of a kind, son. I thank God everyday that he was placed in our lives.

…my wonderful friends in the box, who keep me laughing and sane.

…the fact that my mom is doing better and better everyday health-wise.

…my husband’s dad and step-mom who came to visit with us yesterday from Florida. We had a little mishap with the cat that made me want to cry. But Cindy had a great sense of humor about the situation and made me feel at ease with her hugs and laughter. I miss them already.

…for the fact that God rocks!

I am 2 lbs lighter!! WOOHOO!! For a grand total of 26 lbs lost!!

This past weekend my husband and I went to the park and played pretty hard with our son and had an absolute blast. We even found a swimming hole in the large creek…I think that will provide us with some great fun this upcoming weekend!

Congratulations to everyone who is participating in Tales From The Scales May Day Challenge. You guys rock

Taking time to watch the kiddo play with the kitty…what’s better than that?

Becki

I am constantly amazed by the little miracles that I see when I take the time to stop, sit back and smell the roses. Yesterday my son asked if he could sit on my lap while he was playing with his Leapster. He is so smart! I took some time just to sit and watch him because his childlike wonder captivated me. His eyes would twinkle when he did something right and his little nose would scrunch up when things didn’t go his way. During the day I am so busy doing, that many times I neglect to watch the little things. It is my hope and prayer today that I can stop, look and listen for the little miracles around me.

I am thankful for

…doing well with my dental surgery and that God was with me the entire time.

…my wonderful husband, his understanding and patience mean the world to me.

…my son and his endless questions…he keeps me on my toes.

…the wonderful week I spent with Heather last week. I had a wonderful time and miss her already.

…the fact that God is becoming the forefront of my life and that His hands are on everything I touch.

…the opportunity to be home with my family each and every day.

I’ll leave you with a picture of the little cutie.