Moving - Come Join Me!!!

I am finally just making the change.

It has been a busy month and I still have a few things to work out but I created a new blog on WordPress and I am close to being ready to go so I am just going to go with it. Now or never right.

I learned a ton about how to blog and code that I did not know before so it is and has been a fun learning experience.

Where is it you ask?

www.midwesternparadise.com

Learning the hard way

So in my little free time,  I have been following my curiosity of learning how to build a web page/ blog page and have been working an hour or two a week on it but low and behold last week.................I deleted it!!! Yep -screwed it up and it was gone!

Lucky for me I got it recovered but it was extremely frustrating so it was making me want to give up because I don't have a lot of time to devote to it but I am back at it. I will get it if it is the last thing I do!!!

The Tourist and the Mexican Fisherman

I saw this in blog land today and thought it was a great message about obsessing over the "stuff".

The Tourist and the Mexican Fisherman

author unknown

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village.  An American tourist got out and complimented the local Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish, then asked how long it took him to catch them.

“Not very long,” answered the Mexican.
“But then, why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” asked the American.

 The fisherman explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American tourist asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The fisherman replied,

“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, señor.”

The American interrupted,

“I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should spend more time fishing, and with the proceeds you buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.”
“Instead of selling your fish to a middleman, you can negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge enterprise.”

“How long would that take?” asked the Mexican. “15 perhaps 20 years,” replied the American. “But what then, señor?” “Afterwards? That’s when it gets really interesting,” answered the American, laughing. “When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!”

“Millions, señor?  Then what?”

The American said slowly,

“Then, you would retire!  Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

Celebrate good times..............

Guess who got the call today from ..........the Ellen Show. Holy crap - I GOT TICKETS!!!!!!!!

You don't know how excited this makes me - Now I have to try and get off work and check on ticket $$$. I know flights to CA are not that cheap but come on it is ELLEN.

Soooo I have two tickets and it is in Nov. anybody interested in joining me??? I am also going to try and get tickets to the Price as Right when I am there - why not right?


I am doing the happy dance right now!

Labels

I forgot to tell you guys about the hubby and our competition yesterday but I had a huge headache one of those that you can't cure with what I like to call the "headache cocktail" (Mountain Dew & 3 Excedrin). Anyway, another thought for the week and then something fun next time.

Why is it that we want to label our kids???? Anyone.....
I had another frustrating conversation with someone indicating that I should test my child for the "gifted program" and should I be happy I don't know but I it is actually really annoying.

Yeah he has an good memory (I personally think it is the repetition) and don't get me wrong that is great but why does he have to be "gifted" why can't he just be two? I hear from other parents: My kid is the fastest, or he is the best player on the team or even other parents talk about other children - is he autistic or ADD or PPD.  Now I do understand that early intervention is critical for autism so unless the child needs special assistance why do they need to be labeled - WHO CARES.

Really at the end of the day if my child is the smartest or the most challenged what I want most of all is that they grow up to be kind, respectful, they work hard, & that they are truly truly happy.

Don't get me wrong, I do talk about what my kid does but when I mention something I mean it more as an observation because just find their differences interesting.

So the question: Is it just me or are parents quick to "label" or "define" children OR is it just parents with their own insecurities that they have the "my kid is the greatest" competition.  I just see it on many aspects with people and their kids and I wonder why can't they just be - I don't know ....happy? To simple?

P.S - I do realize that I am talking to myself but it is good to just get it out.

Will vs Want

So it has been a week or so since I got off the soda stuff and I am right back in full swing drinking soda daily. BOOOO

Here is what I originally thought- 1. If I didn't have it for 30 days then I wouldn't crave it anymore 2. It was just a habit that I needed to break.

Reality check: I am always going to Want it but I need to just realize that I don't need it and have enough self control to not. (One positive thing without the soda is I drank a ton more H2O which I am always lacking on).  I sound like an addict right but it is really more than just soda it can be many things but what really made the difference was being accountable to you guys because once I put it out there to you all I had to do it.

Another thought: I have to give my gal Kel major props and the big balls award because she put her weight loss journey out there on Facebook. I think that took some serious guts because as we know that our "facebook friends" aren't necessarily are friends. So Cheers to you Kel - I am so proud of you for all the hard work and congrats on hitting the big 50 loss!

So not sure where to end this randomness..........I might go cold turkey again as part of the hubby vs. wife weight loss challenge that I will tell you about tomorrow.

I know you can't weight (get it weight) ;0)

Patience!!!

I had a moment of reflection yesterday evening as I was agitated/frustrated with my children as we had a four days together while the hubby was gone and it seemed like I was constantly yelling at them. It was just a long 4 days whining, fussing, fighting, & the little man was not sleeping so I didn't get much sleep either. Needless to say it was wearing on me!

Then yesterday evening I was thinking about how they were acting and how I need to change my attitude because I am basically showing them how to act when they are tired and things aren't going as planned. I turned into the "yelling mom" which is not the person I want to be or the person I want my kid around.

Cheers to all the moms.....  hell to anyone who has any amount of patience as it is not something that comes easy to me and something I need to work at daily!

So hopefully I can keep myself in check when I have these moments and remember as the A-bomb has shown me that he is always listening and watching.

I made it!!!

Holy Smokes - I made it!!

It was officially 30 days on Sat. and I celebrated all day yesterday with a Coca-Cola IV. Not kidding. I thought that I would get this great sugar high or something but actually I felt like crap so I am going to go cold turkey again until I have enough self-control to limit it to an special occasion thing and break the daily habit.

The last few weeks I have been working on some home projects and figuring out how to design a web page (because I am a dork like that and wanted to see how it worked).

Plus - I crossed something off my list so I will update you guys hopefully this week on those fun things.

Kristi - You can now spend the next week partying like a rock star and Nat - enjoy some cake for me!!!!

Ode to Soda Pop!!!!

My name is Mendi and I am addicted to soda. I don't drink a 64oz of soda but I do have 2-12oz cans a day and that is 370 calories on soda!! I have tried to stop the morning soda but then end up with major caffeine headaches and then I am right back to my two a day and as I think of trying to be healthier this is clearly the 1st thing that needs to go but it is sooo hard.... I feel like a junkie but I am giving up the POP for thirty days!!!

I found this article for extra  motivation to "Stop the POP"  here is the first paragraph that caught my attention.

Some people drink soda pop as if it is water, some even instead of water. Sure, the primary ingredient is water, but, with all the other “stuff” it contains it can have a…toxic…poisonous…lethal…venomous… seriously harmful effect on your entire body. Drinking soda pop is a sure-fire way to age faster. Read it here

Ohhh soda pop how I do love you but alias it is time to go as I drink my last sip of cold mountain dew - in the can I am sad and not looking forward to the terrible f'n headache that I will receive in the morning but I am armed with my Excedrin and hopefully that will get me through these next 30 days!

Anybody else have a vice they want to quit with me????

Room Update!!!

I am turning this into a non40list blog but I am so excited about BC's room that I wanted to share it with you guys.

I always wanted the boys to have cute rooms and decorated nurseries but I really never did anything because we were always planning on moving and plus they were sharing a room.

Long story short I found this great lady that paints wall murals for a very reasonable cost and I am soooo exicted about the results and wanted to share the transformation with you guys.


BEFORE:  Can you see how indecisive I am about the color!!!

AFTER:

DOESN'T THAT LOOK AMAZING!! I am always impressed when someone does anything artistic because my brain just doesn't work that way!

Now I have to get bedding, furniture, curtain and everything else but it is a start.

This week she painted AJ's room so I will have to show you those when I get some pics.

MR

Vacation Alert!!!

Soooo although I have not had anything crossed off the list I am still here and doing what I do best and no it is not being an ahole.

This week was the very first time in 5 yrs that I took a vacation and 1. It was not school (MBA classes) related & 2. It was not to take care of the kids because of sitter issues. It was just for the hell of it and it was glorious!!

I will let the pictures do the talking ......


Preshow Excitement.




That's right an autographed Vinyl from Ms. Brandi.

As soon as Brandi said she was signing merchandise ole Ashley sprinted & I mean took off to get in-line for an autograph- She was on a mission and it totally paid off. Is a 30min wait and a few pics of Brandi worth it? Absofreakinlutely! I didn't get many pics up close because it felt stalkerish. Whatever. 



Us Stalking Brandi




"I love Spokane!!!!!"




Love it.





Don't ask

Last but not least our annual golf tourney which is also the ONE and only time a year that we play golf. Considering that we all have seriously not played since last year- we did pretty damn good. Just wait until next year -those witches are going down.

One thing for sure I am not standing next to these guys again without a spray tan.

Ideas for 2 more!!

Here are some potentials:

1. "Yell drinks on me at a bar"
2. Kiss everyone that I meet on the lips.
3. Smack someone's ass at every bar I visit in Nashville...Move this to the Done List -Thanks to Nat.
4. Lose and keep off 20#'s.. if it is on the list then I HAVE to do it. Damn kids and my inability to put food down.
5. Watch a really bad movie that when your friends see it on TBS that think of you every time!
6. Get very good at a sport that isn't really a sport! (found this one on Google- Hilarious)
7. Go Horseback riding -another on that I have not done yet.
8. Learn how to play just one Patty Griffin song. Just one.
9. Go camping with the family.
10. Learn to surf. I had this before but took it off.
11. The one I really want to do. Is hike the highest point of 45 states but with the foot and the amount of travel aka$$ I am going to make that a Before I Die Goal. I might just start with hike the highest point of 5 states! Really love hiking so I might keep this one.

2 More things!!

Shoot - I am such a loser was not careful enough went I put together the list and put one thing twice!! Thanks Nat for checking.

I was also going to change #34 Heal the Past as all I really meant by that is to Live in the Present and not the Past. Instead of being stuck with the thought - "I should have done xxxx differently"" I was wanting to make myself stay more present and look forward not back. So I was not really sure if that one was a cross off or not or more of a state of mind so I was going to update that as well.

Hmmm what to do????? Times a ticking!

Just cut it off!!

Foot Update for those who care since it impacts my ability to finish #1 & #2.

As you guys know I have had plantar fasciitis for about 2 years now so here is my venting on the the history of treatment:

• First Podiatrist: I saw told me to take Advil and gave me cortisome shots then it came back in 4 weeks and same thing rest, take advil. Check - unsuccessful
• Second Podiatrist: Verteran guy but gave it to me straight 2cortisome injections, customized insets and rest. Check, Not better suggessted the surgery of cutting the muscle and that is my last option!
• Third Podiatrist: Started with the ESWT surgey & Cobalation first time no success, second time with the ESWT we added the platelet injection but it is a little better but nada.

Although I have never been thin, I have always been active in my life from playing sports when I was young through high school and I have continued to work out through my twenties and thirties excluding the last two years. It is not for weight loss but for overall health plus it really is a stress reliever for me. God what I wouldn't give to be able to run without worring if I would be able to walk in the morning.

Now what to do! Now he thinks I have nerve damage in my foot so I am going for an MRI in the next few weeks to see if that really is nerve damage. This has been such a frustrating process and I feel like the current dr is how bout we try this.

So everyone keep their fingers crossed that it is not nerve damage and it just magically heals next week.

I am so done with this!!!

P.S. Since I am going to start to look for non-impact exercises has anyone tried a swimming program that they recommend? I am not really that interested in swimming but I have got to get back in it to win it.

Attention Derby Team

Alright Team  - So I checked into the Kentucky Derby and it is always the first weekend in May. Since it is a bit late to get it together in two weekends -I am officially declaring that we plan for it next year - May 2012 write it down Ladies - May 5th, 2012 it's Derby Day!

#8 - The Piano

I really can't remember much from my early days but one thing I do remember is a very old piano at my grandparents house and asking my mother if I could learn to play the piano. We could not really afford lessons at the time but I never lost the desire to want to learn to play.

Thirty years later......

So I did not want to invest in a piano yet as I want to make sure it was something I was going to do so I purchased a cheap keyboard from Target which allows the kids to bang on it all they want and for me to attempt to play. I got on Amazon and purchased the "All you need to learn the piano" book for adults and got through the first chapter and was stuck.

I thought after playing the clarinet in middle school that I would remember how to read music and notes but nope. Every time I look at a note I am thinking "FACE" & "Every Good Boy Does Fine".  My 4 year old said, "Mom why do you keep saying FACE". Needless to say I was frustrated I decided to do more research.

I came across this great site http://www.you-can-play-piano.com/ and I sent the site owner Kim Luker an email asking her what she recommend for someone with my can't read music handicap. She was so great and encouraging about me wanting to learn and provided me with a ton of information. I totally recommend this site to anyone curious about playing the piano.

Sooooo Game On -  I am committing to practicing 30min a day and trying this. I think it is going to take me 5 years to figure this out but I am doing it!! Wish me luck.

Finally

Here we go - This was a lot harder than I thought! The hard part is not really coming up with "The Forty" but making it tangible, putting it out there, and putting a time frame on it.  Game on.

1. Run a half marathon
2. Compete Finish a Biathlon
3. Learn to ski : Hard to believe that I have never been skiing
4. Learn to water ski: - yep never done this either
5. Try fly fishing
6. Go sky diving: I am scared to death on this one which is why I have to do it
7. Learn conversational Spanish.
8. Play the piano.
9. Ride a mechanical bull
10. Go white water rafting
11. Go rock climbing
12. Fire a gun – weird but I always wanted to try and shoot those clay birds
13. Stand in Times Square
14. See the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
15. Mount Rushmore
16. Visit Lady Liberty
17. Go to a Drive-In Movie
18. Make a difference in someone’s life
19. Become a college professor
20. Become an early riser
21. Start my own business or Nonprofit
22. Learn HTML Coding and Create a web site.
23. Learn to meditate
24. Be on TV – I have always wanted to be on the Price is Right! Strange but not kidding!
25. Go to Ellen Degeneres show: I had such a great time going to the Oprah show with my sister and I would love to experience that excitement again with my favorite talk show.
26. Go to the Super Bowl
27. Drive a motorcycle
28. Go to Kentucky Derby
29. See a Broadway Show
30. Go Skinny dipping
31. Audition for a play
32. Discover my life’s purpose
33. Learn to meditate
34. Heal the past
35. Do a man's job:  I am not talking about taking out the trash.
36. Actually Sew something: Sounds weird I know but I have never really taken the time to learn to sew anything a pillow, shirt, a stitch….  Don’t care but this is a skill that I don’t think a lot of people can do in my generation
37. Grow my own vegetable garden
38. Be able to play 18holes on my own aka without a scramble
39. Meet someone famous: I just thought this would be fun to get my picture take with someone "famous" and I thought why the heck not.
40. Learn to accept my body and all it’s imperfections

Shout Out continued!!

I actually have two people reading now I have serious pressure to keep this going!

Thanks to my BFF Tammy for the support!! I actually have one specific list item in mind for you to do with me so now you are in and committed.....mmmuuuwhhhhhha

Shout Out!!!

So the hard thing about a blog for me is trying to find time to write it so I am committing to at least one post a week.

Today I am giving a shout out to one of my BFF's Nat!! Thanks for the encouragement and support and actually reading my blog. Love Ya!

Pulling together the list...

So I wanted to do a little research on putting together my list because I didn't want it all to be about travel which it could easily be and I didn't want it to be generic either.

One article that I found interesting and wanted to share about creating your own list is asking yourself the below questions:

• If you had a year left to live, what would you do, who would you take with you…?

• If you won the lottery, where would you go what would you do…?

• What did you always want to do when you were a child…?

• If you were on your deathbed, what would you most regret not having done…?

• If you had an upcoming high school reunion, what would you like to be able to tell your former classmates you’ve accomplished

• What do you need to have more of in your life

• Who do you admire and why…?

• Your sitting with your grandchildren on your lap and telling them about your travels, what stories are you telling them…?

• You’ve died and are listening to your eulogy, what are your friends and loved ones saying about you.

• If a Genie granted your 3 wishes, what would you ask for…?

• What do you want to Be, Do or Have…?

• Where do you want to go…?

• Who do you want to spend your time with in your life, negative people or positive people that you like, trust, respect and that make you happy…?

I really like some of these questions but one thing I noticed about myself and my "Safe" choices is that it always deals with one underlying thing.

$$$-Dinero. This is especially evident by my career choice as my field is not something anyone really truly enjoys....but you get paid.

Just to Ponder:

How much different would our lives be without worrying about money & stuff? How much of this is ingrained into us as kids that as adults our actions are based on our adolescent feelings about money.

Selfish

As I was telling someone important to me about it they said that I was being selfish because it was just something that I wanted to do....But really is it selfish by setting goals and trying to accomplish them???

Getting in the Game!!!

Ahh - reflection for me was an an eye opener. I was telling my four year old about working hard for something that you really wanted and of course he did not get it because the only thing he really wanted was to watch TV but it made me think about my own life, on happiness, and things that I always wanted to do. The thoughts that always come to my head begin with: 1. I always wanted to .... 2. I wish I could .... 3. If I could go back to XXX date - I would have done this differently..blah blah Well I have decided at the ripe old age of 35 to stop the wish list and GET IN THE GAME of my own life. Who is with Me!!!