Family Living: Abbott Style

I may possibly be crazy.  Alright, so I am crazy.  On many different levels and in many different ways.  But today, we will just discuss one circumstance. A very wise woman once said that a man doesn't tell you his love, he shows you his love with acts of service.  The sleazy and crummy guys are the first to be all talk and no action.  While my hubby doesn't always have the right words (but often he does) he has the right actions that show me he loves me. With both those things said, here's the story of the day. The reason I am even sharing this story if for a few reasons.  A.) To demonstrate how crazy I am. B.) To brag about how awesome my husband is.  3.)  To either share the epic shavings or an epic failure thanks to Craigslist. As many of you know, Ian and I are relocating.  Long story short, our current furniture doesn't fit as nicely as I would like it to in our next place.  If I took you on a tour of all our belo...

Well I assume I will be all over the place today, but that's not uncommon. First off,  yesterday 6 years ago, was the loss of a coach and family friend that I will forever hold dear to my heart.  I think about JB often, and heaven is lucky to have him.  He did so much for the community and for me personally, and I hope we never forget that.  I appreciate all the time he spent trying to better me as a player and as a person.  You will not be forgotten. http://www.basehorinfo.com/news/2006/jan/05/communities_mourn_loss/?utm_campaign=ljpgtweet&utm_source=ljpgtweet&utm_medium=ljpgtweet Moving on, today has already been much much better than yesterday.  I'll spare you all the details, but Haley was extremely difficult.  I hadn't been that tired, that worn out, and that tired of crying since she was first born.  Today has been much better.  She slept in.  Taking her naps like a champ.  I am so grateful, because I couldn't h...

Twas' the day after Christmas, when all through the house; Not a person was stirring, not even my spouse. The tree is put away in it's box with care, And I've had all the Christmas music that I can bare. Little miss Haley is snug in her bed, Over stimulated from sounds of toys in her head. Ian with the stomach flu, fast a sleep in a nap. And his wifey feeling bad, like a total sap. ...... yup that's all I got.  And that is the last bit of Christmas spirit I have left in me.  The tree is put away ( I wasted no time last night) and the Christmas music is silenced for another 11 months.  I feel pretty terrible for Ian.  He NEVER calls in sick.  Last night, an hour before his shift was over, he came rushing through the door, sick as can be.  In the 6 years we have been together, I have never seen him throw up.  My poor man was throwing up every hour on the hour last night.  Finally he is catching up on sleep, but my heart hurts for him. ...

Yup, one more post. Why?  Because I just found out I am working until 7 tonight!?  Long story, but I am only suppose to work 3 hours on Fridays, just for my sanity.  But today got crazy and now I am here for 9 hours instead.  So much for pizza and a movie.  I am, however, watching old episodes of Boy Meets World online.  I am a sucker for that show. On other news... I just saw Ian's doppelganger.  For real guys.  I am not joking.  They were even wearing, basically, the same outfit.  And they were butt twins.  That's right I looked.  I have a thing for a cute rear on a gentleman.  And they had the SAME rear.  I wanted to take a picture (of his face not his rear), but opted not to be that crazy today. Oh goodness. T -minus 6 hours........I am not use to a full workday away from my kid.  This is going to be tuff stuff.  Hopefully Ian and miss Haley will come early to pick me up and hang out with me (...

Christmas Eve. Eve as the 10 year ol' girl inside me likes to call it. One of my favorite Christmas pieces from Calvin & Hobbes: On window panes, The icy frost Leaves feathered patterns, Crissed and crossed But in our house the Christmas tree is decorated festively With tiny dots of colored light That cozy up this winter night Christmas songs, familiar, slow Play softly on the radio Pops and hisses from the fire whistle with the bells and choir. My tiger is now fast asleep On his back and dreaming deep. When the fire makes him hot. He turns to warm whatever's not. Propped against him on the rug, I give my friend a gentle hug. Tomorrow's what I'm waiting for, But I can wait a little more...... Last night, the Abbott family went to see Christmas in the park.  It was lovely, but would have been way better if Haley was able to enjoy it more.  She was looking around and such, but she can't fully appreciate something like that until she is older...

So, I would really love to take a course this semester.  So I was looking around seeing if any of the colleges offered something I would be interested in.  I already have my Bachelor's Degree but have no real vision in what direction I would want a Master's degree in, so I'm not currently seeking that path.  I just want a little something something.  I am a nerd, and would gladly become a 'hobby student'.  You know 'just for fun'.  We all have things we are good at.  My 'thing' just happens to be being a student.  I love learning.  I love being challenged and educated.  I've been able to stay content with humoring my own curiosities and preforming my own research on various subjects, but I am getting to the point where I need more.  I feel like my intellectual growth is beginning to become stunted. How did I come to this revelation?  I spent a few hours on the IRS website over the past few days because I am...

You know how I love my back stories... A few months ago, Ian and I went on some date night action and came home for some regular ol' married action.  But that was promptly put to a halt when we found that our dog was MIA.  We live on the bottom floor of an apartment complex and have a little fenced in patio ( he can't dig out and he certainly can't jump over the fence.....).  We would leave Winston our there for some fresh air and so he wouldn't have an accident in our apartment when we planned to be out for a few hours.   When we came home, Winston was gone.  I went out searching for him, just knowing he was long gone.  The next morning, still gone.  I even searched for him some more.  Then when I was getting ready for the day, Ian came in to tell me that he was back on our porch again (someone must have put him there).  It was really strange, but we stopped leaving him on the back porch while we are gone because we assumed someo...

I could write, yet another post, a bajillion words long.  But I wont.  I will try keep this one brief. I had a fantastic weekend. Got one great of a CL deal!  We had been searching for a large area rug for our future living area.  I think we have decided to hardwood floor the majority of the main floor, so I needed something to comfy up the living room.  I wanted something with neutral tans, with a few pops of color.  And I found just what I had in mind. Saved hundreds on this beautiful, basically brand new rug: We went to Fairway (Mission Area) to pick up the rug.  We bought it from a fantastic couple whose home looked like something straight off of Pinterest.  After chatting for awhile, I found out that she is in fact a fellow 'pinner', and she showed me several of her DIY projects.  I thought about asking her to be my new bff, but decided that would be strange. We ended up stopping by the Goodwill in Shawnee to look for ...

Happy 7 month birthday! Over half way to a year old. I hate saying this over and over, but I just can't believe how quickly she is growing up.  It seems like I blink, and she is a month older. Everything Haley at 7 Months... She now has two of her bottom teeth, and I are obsessed with them.  She loves with I use the little baby tooth brush on them.   She has been so inconsistent with her sleeping lately.  Generally speaking, she is in bed and asleep by 8 and sleep to anywhere between 5 am and 7:30 for a bottle.  Then she goes back asleep until somewhere between 8:30 and 9:30.  Then she is back down for about a two hour nap at 11, and then again for another nap around 3.  I have no idea how this started.  For months you refused to take any naps and now all you do is sleep.  I am not complaining. but it is just such a big change. She is eating 3 meals a day with bottles before nap times and bedtime.  I have a feeling the...

Well today is bring your daughter to work day, take 2.  Good thing I have a cool boss!  Today, Ian is off to fix my cracked windshield.  I am pretty sure some homeless guy in Colorado threw a rock at it or something.  Sorry I don't ever carry cash bro.  I'm not above giving someone a few bucks who might need something to eat or something.  But I am pretty sure he didn't take debt.  It could have just been the altitude.  Who knows.  But I am glad it is getting fixed today. Christmas break starts next week for most schools.  This matters to me because I will either be working a lot or not at all, depending on if my little buddy's parents decide to take vacation or not.  I'm cool either way.  I think Haley enjoy visiting with my little buddy because she gets tones of attention and someone new to play with her.  But I won't mind sitting at the apartment, doing a lot of nothing. Oh!  So ya.  Pictures were a big fa...

Since I can't sleep, I guess I will blog.  Chances are, it will be so boring that it will even put me to sleep. First a recap.  Today was a fantastic day.  I slept in (which is probably why I can't sleep).  Haley slept in (probably why she wouldn't fall asleep until 10).  The weather was nice (I'll take 60 degree weather in December in any form, gloomy and all).  I found out we are going to have our basketball league after-all (yay!).  Had a nice play date and got to catch up with a friend (mom-to-mom time is a must have).  And I am super excited about date night tomorrow (dinner & comedy club). I was bored and re-read some of my previous blogs.  Please know that I am sarcastic and joking in a lot of my remarks. A few posts ago, I mentioned not liking to buy stuff for my kid.  I was totally joking, but if any of my readers missed my tone in that comment, you may view me as selfish.  So it got me thin...

Ian shared this with me.  This is so us.  The video is super cute as well. Tags: A Woman Like You , Lee Brice , Lee Brice Videos

About a month ago, I was shopping at Aldi's because I enjoy being frugal.  In the wonderful-random-crap-they-have-on-sale section, I saw a little toy dog thing.  You press different parts of his body and he lights up, sings, and entertains.  I showed it to Haley and she was pretty enthusiastic about it.  At that point, I opted not to purchase it for her, because I'm cheap and don't like buying things for my kid.   A couple weeks later, I saw the same dog thing at Aldi's again.  I decided, for $15 it would make a fun little gift for Haley.  After all, she is getting older and enjoys stuff like that.  I get it home and take the thing out of the package (which took me much longer than it should have).  I was going to wait until Christmas to give it to her, but it looked pretty complicated to wrap.  So anyway, she immediately puts the dog in her mouth.  And that's about it.  The enthusiasm I saw in the...

This is something I never in my wildest dreams thought of...thinking about.  But thanks to Jillian, it's all I can think about today.  I keep wondering, will a quarter bounce off my bum?  If not, I would like one to.     She says some pretty odd things during the video.  Which is alright because it distracts you from the actual workout.  For week one, I listen to her the first few days, then the last few days (once I got the hang of it), I muted the TV and just listened to Dr. Laura while I worked out (ya'll know how I love me some Dr. Laura talk radio).  Today, however, I started week 2, so I kinda had to listen. Week 2 seems like a big jump from week one.  In fact, I think I am going to go back to week 1 for a little bit.  I could hang with week 2, but my form was terrible.  My core is so weak right now.  Which makes sense...after nine months of carrying a child with no strength training,  that area of your body...

Oh glorious lazy Sunday.  Usually I do my heavy cleaning on Sundays, but I got most of everything accomplished yesterday, so today--I'm going to be lazy.   Part of my productiveness yesterday went to reorganizing closets and such.  You must know, I am a clean freak.  However, I am lazy about a few things; folding laundry and putting things away nicely.  Out of sight, out of mind.  I have a bad habit of just shoving things in the general area where they need to go or just shoving things nearby because I am too lazy to put it where it belongs.  Example, Haley's clothes.  In the beginning, I took the time to fold her stuff and put it away nicely, but quickly I found her stuff comes unfolded so easily.  So then I would just shove her things in her dresser and that was it.  Well, it was finally driving me crazy and I came up with an idea.  Instead of folding and stacking, I am now rolling her clothes like so... Now I can easily find...

I am BEYOND excited. If you actually read my blog on the regular you know that today was the day that Ian goes in to bid his next year's shift!  It is going to be one great year!  I can't believe he is going on his 5th year!  Anyways, we couldn't have asked for more.  Since Ian and I have started dated (dating, in a serious sense; we actually went on our first date in 2004) back in 2006, he has NEVER had weekends off.  We worked together at a restaurant, which meant we both work weekends and from there he started his career and always had like Wednesdays and Thursdays off until last year when he had Thursdays and Fridays.  This year he has....Saturdays and Sundays off!!!!!!!!  I'm so excited, I almost can't believe it.  Weekends off?  We will have to completely re-learn how to function together.  We have never been weekend off types of people.  Normal date nights!  Weekends at the lake without having to take time off!?...

I'm way late on this....but thanks to Lifetime television (you know, daytime TV); I have fallen in love with How I Met Your Mother .  It is clearly the new Friends .  Man on man that show was great.  They just don't make shows like they did in the 90's.  Fresh Prince, Boy Meets World, Family Matters, Friends....Regrettably, all good shows must come to an end.  Luckily,  How I Met Your Mother has been added to my DVR, and now I have a well balanced TV watching schedule.   24 hours from now, we will know Ian's next schedule.  I am starting to get anxious.  No big surprise there.  This past year, I have gotten a bit spoiled.  I could go see him at work whenever.  Eat dinner with him, whenever.  His days off were perfect.  I actually like him working afternoons while I am a SAHM.  That last year has been...blissful (and I don't even mean that sarcastically).  However, I've been informed that he will not be ...

.....that's what I Googled to find directions on how to use a bulb syringe (Google taught me the correct term) on my kidlet's nose.  For all of my non parent readers out there a bulb syringe looks like this: This thing looks pretty scary if you ask me.  I wasn't sure how or when to use the dang thing, but my kiddo had a nasty sound in her nose area, so I figured I would give it a shot. So I have a confession, I even watched a YouTube video.  It looked simple enough.  Stick the thing in, pull the snot out, and baby giggles.  Ya right, great editing trick on that one. You would have thought I was preforming an exorcism on the poor child.  And that was before I could even get it in her nose.  She was just pissed off at me because I wouldn't let her suck on it.  You can only imagine her total anger and frustration when I put that thing in her nose and sucked her brains out.  Sheesh, luckily, it appears to be just a little runny ...

I tried out my workout DVD for the first time tonight.  Pretty legit actually.  I think it will give me something to do until I can either get back to the gym or start running when the weather isn't so..blah.  I was definitely breathing hard, sweating a little, and my muscles are sore...so that's something right?  Now if I can stop eating everything I see, I'll be in good shape ( figuratively ).   Things have been pretty lazy around here.  Ian is back to work after his week long vacation.  Friday we find out what his next year's schedule would be.  I am always anxious and excited during shift bid.  It's a pretty big deal as it will effect the next year of our lives.  Luckily, he has enough seniority that he will probably never have to do midnights again but not enough to score a day shift, so it shouldn't be that big of a change, but we will see.  A girl can dream.    Today, Ian went and picke...

But not the personal add kinda lovin'.... Back story: Ian and I....we have history, with our furniture. Each piece we have come to own has it's own little story.  And many of those stories begin, with a Craigslist ad.   Like our beautiful writing table we got for a steal.  We picked that up from a lovely lady living on a nun convent.   Our matching TV stand, a young girl getting ready to move to California. Our sectional, a lady who drove a very nice mustang, and had the sectional in storage,  brand new, with the tags.   The list goes on...we have sold tons of stuff of CL as well.  We have easily saved hundreds on CL.  We love a good deal.   Now, I know of many people who have tried CL once or twice and had horrible outcomes.  Like, delivering a TV to the ghetto and hanging out with crazy toothless people in BestBuy to help pick out a sound system to go with the TV.  I am sure, while it was ...

I feel as if blogging at this point could be a really bad idea.  This can go in two directions.  1.) My grouchy mood will continue to flow through my blog...or 2.) I can find positive and happy things to blog about thus resulting in a great mood. You see, my poor husband received a laundry list of things, via text, of reasons I was frustrated/irritated/ etc. etc. at him and at the world.  All of which were, irrational, and out of portion.  I knew that going into to my texting rant.  I am pretty sure I even yelled at him (through text, mind you once) for telling me that he wanted me to do whatever made me happy.  How can you be mad at someone who wants you to do what makes them happy?  Sooo.. publicity, I would like to say oops. Anyways.  So I am thinking positive at this point.... Remember that workout DVD I bought, still in the package.  And without basketball on Mondays, I have been really really lazy.  I...

I had a blog written.  It was--somewhat harsh, coming from me.  Somewhat, passive-aggressive.  And a lot hypocritical.  But mostly, honest and truth.  I'm frustrated on many accounts, but I've decided that laying it all out in the manner in which I had planned would do more damage than good; and certainly seal my fate as an unpopular blogger.  So instead, I'm going to be the change I would like to see.  I've been silently complaining about the same things time and time again.  I am a true believer of the idea that you only get to complain about something for so long before you have to A.) Do something about it or B.) Stop complaining.  No one likes a social martyr.  It's time to do some growing, and with growing comes growing pains.... Speaking of growing, there is a lot of areas that I need to grow in.  We've done a lot better at attending church lately (three Sundays in a row is something sad to feel accomplished about). ...

I am thankful for Jesus!

Today I am thankful for.....a years time.  I can't believe how fast the past year has gone by.  Our lives have completely changed.  Last year I was still in college.  Pregnant.  Busy beyond belief.  Grading papers.  Dealing with cranky 5th graders. This year, I'm a sahm with a beautiful baby and a loving husband.  It wasn't the easiest year, but every struggle was worth while because of where we are today.  Married young has given us the opportunity to grow up together.  This past year, we have grown a lot.  And as we grow we continue to grow closer together.....I wonder what our lives will look like in another year. 

Today I am thankful for....cloudy, cold, weather.  Why?  Because it slows down life.  Being hunkered down, inside with the ones you love.  Just taking the day slow and enjoying the small things.  The laugh of your infant.  The subtle warmth of the heater.   A

Today I am thankful for t-shirts, free ones that is. Oh and my parents who watch Haley on Mondays when Ian is working so I can play ball.  We are league champs this season.  Won by one with a three pointer at the buzzer.  Cliche, but oh so sweet.  Next round starts in the beginning of Jan.  I can't wait!  I need to practice some bc my game is still not up to par.  I've gone soft.  Whose up for a pickup game so I can practice?  There's a court at the apartment complex, I might have to check it out sometime before it gets too cold.  Also...Unforked maybe my new favorite place ever.