Hey, It's OK Tuesday

I am still dealing with a sick kid and the doctors are pretty much no help.  How frustrating is it when you have a child who wakes up in the middle of the night crying or getting sick and you have no idea how to help her?  

Okay so here is what is okay with me:

-I have had to work from home the last two days to keep track of the kiddo. She asked me to stay so what was I suppose to do?

-We lost one of our baby chicks yesterday and it makes me so sad. The only thing I can figure is that she got caught under her chicken sisters and was suffocated. I have checked on the remaining little ones repeatedly now making sure they are alright.  Paranoid? Maybe but it's okay. 

-The Texas Rangers are inducting Juan Gonzalez into their Hall of Fame.   In the past the team has been hesitant because Juan hasn't expressed a desire to return for the ceremony.   This year the club decided regardless of whether Juan shows up or not,  he was going to be inducted.   As a long time fan of this club, all I can say is, It's about time!  

-I didn't know until this morning who was even playing in the Stanley Cup much less that anyone had won.  

-I don't think I really understood how many roles a woman plays until I married.  I would kill for a weekend of doing nothing but watching movies and eating cereal.  I wouldn't trade my husband and kid for anything but sometimes I think I didn't really appreciate being single when I was.

-Speaking of that, I had a friend ask me to set them up with some of my friends then proceed to send me a list a mile long of what was acceptable.  I looked at my husband and said "I would not pass these qualifications.  Being lonely sucks but being lonely and picky as you know what is just too much."  I told my friend that I can't help.  I understand picky but many single people seem way too stuck on superficial or stupid things that don't matter like physical appearance, income, and geographically friendly locations.  Look, if you are perfect, you can afford to be THAT picky but if you aren't, take a hard look in the mirror, see yourself honestly, all the pimples, circles under your eyes,  grey hairs and wrinkles and  learn to love and accept your imperfections then find someone who thinks you are amazing just the way you are, warts and all, and try dating different people. You never know.  Someone outside your norm may end up treating you perfectly wonderful, loving you more than anyone but your mother, and accepting you while maybe, just maybe pushing you to new limits.  Hey, it could happen.  It happened to me and that is REALLY Okay.

-It's suppose to rain today and even though the lakes are flooded from the rain for the last 2 months, we have had 2 weeks of dry and I am okay with a little rain. Texas is hot in the summer!

-It seems to me like I am the ONLY person over 35 not running for President.  Can I ask you honestly, why would you want that job?  I mean I don't need a house that big and I certainly don't need the press watching me for weight gain, hair styles, and commenting on my lack of fashion sense.   (Remember when Hillary use to wear headbands when Bill ran?  No, okay you aren't old enough.  It was a MAJOR thing.)  It is REALLY okay that someone else gets that job.

Hey, It's Okay Tuesday: Why chickens are better than people.

Chickens don't see feather color 

Welcome to my It's okay Tuesday post.  Today I am going to do things a little different.  You see, I realized that I like Chickens better than most people so I decided to explain why chickens are better and it's okay that I like them better.

Why Chickens are better than people:

-Chickens don't hate.  

-Chickens don't give a cluck.

-Chickens don't see feather color as an issue.  They either like the other chicken or they don't. They base it on how the other chicken treats them. 

-Chickens don't pretend to be friends with chickens and bad mouth them or make fun of them behind their back.

-Chickens work hard for a living.  They go out and get their own food.  They don't expect handouts. 

-Chickens give back. They eat bugs thus ridding your yard of terrible, ugly spiders and ants and all things bad.  They also produce eggs.  Eggs are protein for humans and delicious too.

-Chickens know the importance of a good nights rest after a long day of scouring the yard for bugs.

-Chickens know why they crossed the road but they don't feel like explaining themselves to humans and guess what?  They don't owe anyone an explaination. 

-Chickens have a pecking order and they know who is in charge. 

-Chickens are cautious.  They don't leave the hen house until it is safe and they know when it is safe.

-Chickens know who they can trust and who they can't and they stay away from anyone who is going to back stab them. 

-When a chicken plays a game with another chicken it is a sport not a mental game.  They don't feel the need to bad bock other chickens behind their back and they don't feel the need to make themselves feel more important than they are by stepping on other chickens.

-Chickens never, ever, ever say "Poor me.  Life has given me such a bum rap".   They simply go out and work their tail feathers off and make life better.  

-Chickens don't actually care about politics, religion, or race.  They are chickens and they all come from the same God.  That is all they need to know. 

-Chickens are the closest living relative to a T-Rex so they are pretty fierce.   

-Chickens don't make enemies out of friends.  They have enough enemies without turning on one another. They see a snake for a snake and a coyote for a coyote and they know to run. 

-Chickens have no opinion on other chickens love life, relationships, or life choices and chickens do not judge. 

Chickens work hard for a living

That my friends is why it's okay that I like chickens better than most people I know.  That is why I would rather play with my chickens than talk to some people.

 I am linking up with Amber for today's It's okay post.  I hope she doesn't mind too much that I semi-high jacked her hop. 

Memorial Day: things I love about the USA Plus It's Okay Tuesday

There is no doubt in my mind that this is the greatest country in the world.  Is it perfect?  No, of course not.  Is it amazing and a LOT of Americans fail to not only appreciate our freedom but they fail to take advantage of the opportunities because they are taking advantage of the system.

So I put together list of some things I love  about this country. Ready?  

1.  Band of Brothers: 

I realize it is a Mini Series but it is based on real heroes some of whom did not return from Europe.  As the Grandaughter of a World War II veteran, a medic who was stationed in the Pacific Theater, I feel it is incredibly important to appreciate the Greatest Generation.  They built this country.   They saved freedom.   They never once asked "What's in it for me?"  We should be more like that generation and less selfish.  If we spent our time working and enjoying life the way our grandparents or great grandparents did and less time complaining about how life wasn't fair, we would all rise above. 

2. Baseball on National Holidays.   Okay, so baseball isn't there for Veterans Day, Presidents Day or MLK Day but is there any doubt that those days would be better if it was?  No sport does patriotism the way MLB does from the Red, White and Blue camo hats to the giant flags, to the National anthem and God Bless America. Memorial Day and July 4th were made for baseball. 

3. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, potato salad, brownies, and our grills.   

We had friends over Sunday and it was amazing because the 35 days of rain in the last 50 or whatever it is stopped about 1 and we were able to spend our entire night outside on the deck. 

This is just peaceful brilliance.

4. Freedom:

Our freedom was won by those amazing men and women who served and sacrificed for all of us. We are all free to choose who we are and how we will survive, or not survive.   We all have the gift of education and we all have the chance to take advantage of that education to better ourselves and our children.  Most importantly we are free to live how we want, where we want, with whom we want and worship as we wish.   Only when our individual freedom effects someone else's freedom does the debate start about who's freedom is more important. Usually, as is the case with prayer, the freedom of the majority is put aside for the freedom of the minority.   Is it right?   Probably not but freedom isn't perfect and it isn't free.  

5. Coffee. 

If we were British we would drink tea but thanks to the amazing people in Boston we threw tea in the harbor and never looked back.   Coffee became a way of life and thank GOD for that.  I will only ever drink my tea iced and sweet but you  give me coffee hot, cold, strong, creamy, full of lucious flavors or just plain.   Anyway you slice it, coffee is genius. 

6. Apple Pie.  What I did baseball and hot dogs.  Apple pie had to be there.   Actually I love Cherry best but Apple is good too.  Pie is brilliant and I almost convince myself there are some health benefits to fruit, sugar, and buttery crust.  

7. Outdoor sports

Fishing, swimming, hiking, biking,  softball, baseball,  and anything that gets you outside in beautiful weather is a win. 

8. Moments of peace. 

Have you ever stopped to think there are places in this world where there is no peace?   There is no quiet. Can you imagine living in Israel where having a bomb shelter in your home is a necessity?   Can you imagine being a Christian in a Muslim country where Isis or any other radical group is terrorizing people? Can you imagine the reality of explosions going on day or night?  Probably not.  Thank God for that.

9. The vote. 

We take it for granted.  We hate politicians.  We argue with our friends.  We mute our friends during election season on Social Media but,  we have the right to vote our conscious and that earns us the right to complain about the idiots in office. 

10. The American Soldier and the American Spirit: 

It has been there for almost 240 years.   Sacrificing comforts,  missing family, dying so we could live, laugh,  love, act on and express our beliefs, and sleep easy.   God Bless the American Troops, past, present, and future.  Without them, the USA would have failed a long, long time ago.  Without them, we would be drinking tea or speaking German.  Without them, we would have reason to fear terrorists could prevail.   We have the best trained and strongest military in the world.  Nobody, not crazy terrorists outside this country or in, will prevail.  This country knows how to come together and fight when outsiders attack and deep down, this country is full of men, women, and children who will grab a pitch fork or a shovel and fight, if need be.  We do not give up.  We are the sons and daughters of the United States of America and if you push us, the great eagle will swoop down on the little field mice and tear them limb from crazy limb.  

Can't forget It's Okay Tuesday:

It's okay:

*Sometimes I just don't feel like I am a good enough Step-mom.  I suspect that every parent goes through this.  I feel like when my kid acts up I am suppose to have some special insight into why and know how to fix it and that isn't the way the world works.  Shoot, I don't know how to fix it sometimes when I act up. 

*I haven't picked up a paint brush to paint furniture in weeks.  I want to but right now I am feeling like a total failure because I haven't sold either of the pieces that I had for sale and I look at the 3 pieces in the garage and think to myself  "If I refinish these and I do them the way someone else should want them, I won't want them in my house.  If I make them the way I want them, they may not sell."   I haven't figured out where I am going with this side business and can it even be called a business if you haven't done anything but paint some pieces that haven't sold?

*I am in desperate need of a haircut and can't seem to find the time to get it done.   My split ends have split ends. 

*Lately, everyone at work is more use to seeing me without makeup than with it.  I am suffering from a big time case of "I just don't care".  The problem is, I look like I have no eyes when I don't wear eye makeup.  I have big eyes but without mascara, you can't see my lashes.  

*I really want to go to Broken Bow, Oklahoma for our 1st anniversary but we can't plan anything yet.  I have been looking at cottage rentals and I am in complete love with this place.  So much so that I am actually ready to move there, forever.  It is perfect.  There are hills and a lake.  It is the place I always wanted to live in my dreams.  We didn't take a true honeymoon.  We spent a couple of days in a hotel then moved into our new house.   I would say in the 8 months of marriage the 2 nights in the hotel have been the least stressed and most relaxed nights of our marriage.  

*I am trying really hard not to complain about rain after years of drought but I really need to see the sun for a consistent two week period before the next rain shower.  I realize what I am asking.  I realize this is Texas and the minute it stops raining it is going to hit 100 degrees.  I am getting cabin fever and to be honest, we are all getting a little depressed being stuck indoors all weekend long every weekend.  

*I have failed completely so far this year at making a commitment to getting back into a exercise routine.  

Hey, It's Okay Tuesday!

I have missed doing an It's Okay post and right now I am in real need of an It's okay so I was happy to find It's Okay Tuesday with Airing My Dirty Laundry!  

It's Okay:

-That my hormones are all over the place lately.  I swear I hit my mid-40's and a switch went off. I find myself crying over nothing all the time.  I am waiting for people to come with the straight jacket.  

-That I get super frustrated over how poorly organized the girls softball league is in our town.  They seem to not have a clue when or where the games are until game day and it is really hard to be a parent or step-parent and try and schedule and plan and get off work early for games that are cancelled 30 minutes before game time. 

-That all I want for Cinco De Mayo is sleep.  No margaritas or fajitas or tacos, just sleep.

-That our baby chicks are about 3 weeks old and so awkward looking.  They have feathers and fuzz and they are pretty ugly right now but they are getting so big!  I can't believe how fast they grow.  We have 12 now and I am hoping to convince my husband to get 4 more if we can find the right kind.  I want 2 Silkies and 2 Ameraucanas.  

-That I really want to order Shari's berries for myself for Mother's day because I know the dogs and chicks aren't going to think about it. 

-That I am thinking about suspending my Facebook account.  The one with everyone on it.  I am so stressed out by everyone's opinions and my immediate family has to take priority.  

-That I am really looking forward to spending some time with my hubby at the ballpark.   We haven't been to a baseball game together yet this season so it will be fun being alone with him, and 30,000 of our closest friends. 

-That I have not painted a piece of furniture in a week.   Last weekend I spend painting the chicken coop before we got rain for the next week.  I have the base white on but I still need to get the roof and trim colors painted.  

-That I haven't been on my bike in a year.  I really need to find some time and take the bike out for a ride. 

-When I am feeling blue, I turn to Dr. Suess for advice:

source

So what's Okay with you?

It's Okay #1:

It's OK Thursday was one of my favorite blog links but it's been a year or more since the final link up and I can't live without it so I am dusting it off.  Join me if you feel like it.

Here's what is Okay with me this week:

Pretty much

Printfection makes this shirt and it's Okay that I feel like they were thinking of me when they printed it.   If I had a dollar for all the times it wasn't my fault, I would have $5.00.

It's okay that since I have gotten married basically the only jewlery I wear my engagement and wedding rings.  I don't take them off and I just don't think about jewlery anymore.

My V-Day gift is the 2nd band 

It's okay that I already am wearing my Valentine day present right?

It's okay that my fingers look so incredibly fat!

It's okay that I am now on idea number 3 for the coffee table (which used to be a dining table) I am refinishing.  You may never get the DIY blog I planned but I just can't seem to get this stupid thing the way I want it and I refuse to rest until I do.

It's okay that I am super tired of the games people play.  I am just going to do my thing my way and be true to myself.

It's okay that I am trying to get a business started (not the blog, don't worry) and that I am frustrated with the lack of time I have to devote to it.

It's okay that I am probably not going to be at Rangers Opening Day this year.  I have been every year for about 10 years.  Okay, maybe it isn't okay but it is a fact I can't change.

source

It's okay that I want to start a campaign for a FRIENDS reunion by cutting my hair in "The Rachel".  God I miss that show!

It's okay that I am feeling alienated from almost everyone use to know.  I don't particuarly know why but I just feel like I am on an island somewhere.

It's okay that my Whole 30 has gotten a little off track in the last week.  The superbowl was not my friend when it came to eating.

It's okay that I have way better ideas for this post when I am driving down the road then I do when I sit down to write it.

It's okay that I seriously have an addiction to Pinterest.  I get a ton of useful DIY projects, recipes, and dangerous  useful ideas there and I just can't stop!

It's okay that I have spent a lot of time and energy on this blog lately.   I feel like I have finally gotten into a groove and I have gotten some amazing feedback.   I am constantly looking for ways to improve the blog so if anyone has any suggestions or something just really bugs you about my site, send me a note.

It's okay that this explaines exactly where I am in life right now.

source 

So what's okay with you?

It's OK Thursday: Rangers, Healthy Eating, and so much more!

It's Okay Thursday: Baseball, Healthy Eating and so much more!

I know there isn't an 'It's Okay' Link up anymore but really, I just need this today, and that is OK!

My food on the Whole 30 challenge. 



Chicken Mango Salad

I know I said I wasn't posting pictures but, I lied.  How amazing and healthy does this stuff look?  It's Okay that I am posting these because....YUM!  I am living off salads, veggies, lots of fresh fruit, and healthy meats with an occasional bite of cashew or almond butter and guess what?  I do not miss sugar at all! 

My Rangers coffee mug!

I love my Rangers coffee mug that my hubby got me for Christmas.   I love that it is almost baseball season and that't really, really OK by me!  It's also really ok that my life has gotten so full, that I don't plan on spending half my summer at the ballpark.  Life happens.  I will be there when it matters.

It's ok that I am still fighting this stupid cold.  

It is ok that this morning when I saw the slushy rain falling, this song came to mind and I had to tweet it, share on facebook and now with you all.   It's been a long time since I heard this song and while singing, trying to sing,  cackling as I drove in traffic, I was enjoying this happy tune!

It's ok that I sometimes get frustrated with all the negativity around.  I noticed yesterday (and may have tweeted) that people sure are down on life.  We all get frustrated but trying to find the positive is the biggest thing I am working on in 2015, aside from my diet and getting healthy.

It's ok that I have read several blogs lately on infertility and the struggle and coming to terms with not being a mom.  This blog explains the struggle better than anything I have read.  I read this blog with tears in my eyes and realized, it really is ok that I am not going to carry a life.  If God has a plan for me, His plan is better and accepting that His plan doesn't include me giving birth, is OK.   Honestly, for the record, this doesn't mean I am not a good step-mom.  For years, and years, and years, I put so much pressure on myself to find a father to my child, not a husband for me, because my biological clock was ticking.  I found a husband who makes me laugh and feel safe and pushes every button I have and that is so much better then a sperm donor.

It's okay that my purpose may be to be the best step-mom I can be with the child God has put in my life and to that end, I am trying to give her new stability and new ways of thinking and doing things. Like a chore board.   It is really ok that she fussed about this because when she came over the other day and saw it, she immediately went to town cleaning the toilets and then planning her week so she could get her allowance.  I am not kidding when I say that, for her, I think this has become a game. There are a few things she told me flat out she wasn't going to do...even for $3 extra.  (Apparently, picking her school stuff off the middle of the living room floor each day and putting it in her room is just asking too much!).  That's ok.


It's ok that I worry about people that aren't a part of my life anymore.   I posted this on Facebook a few weeks ago.  There is someone from my past, a friend, sister,  someone I use to know, that is sort of bugging me.  I worry about this person, dream about this person, and pray for this person, even though we are not friends anymore.   Don't ask me why because I do not know but after dreaming about this girl for months and months, I just decided I needed to pray for her and whatever struggle she is having.  Maybe God knows she needs all the prayers she can get.  Maybe I just need to say an extra prayer a day  week, and that is how God works.

It's ok that there are so many things I want to do with my house that I can't figure out where to go next with the stuff.   My house is great.  I love it.  I do however, hate the carpet and can't wait to tear it up and see the original hardwoods underneath.  I need to know what I have to work with!

It's ok that I am thinking of starting my own side business.  I am getting excited and working on the what, when, and how's now.   Stay tuned!

It's ok that my husband told me 10 times this morning to drive safe in the rain and my step-daughter told me 3 times.  I seriously do not know if I am suppose to laugh because they love me or laugh because they think my driving sucks that much!  (I am not a bad driver, BTW.)

It's ok that I made a list the other night of all the things that I have done since I met my husband that I Never would have done in a million year could never imagine doing before I met him.  This list includes: Shooting a handgun, shooting a rifle, shooting a muzzle loader, shooting a shotgun, sitting in a deer blind, using outside restroom facilities (that means a whole in the ground for those not translating my modesty), crappie fishing on freezing lakes, cleaning a fish....yes, I helped clean them, touching a dead hog, thinking about shooting a pig of my own, and asking my hubby to buy me a hunting rifle of my own, for that purpose.   Oh, this list is actually much longer, but I think you get the picture.  I have helped him experience new things too but I don't think mountain biking, baseball games, Dallas Stars hockey, and eating some foods he had never tried (tortilla soup, really honey!) are as crazy as the stuff this girlie-girl has accomplished.


Well, that's a long good list.   Happy Thursday y'all!  We almost made it!

It's Ok Thursday!

It's Ok Thursday! I know Amber and Neely don't actually do this link up anymore but every once in a while I need it and this week is one of those weeks and that's ok! So I dusted off the meme and I am being a rebel!

Here's what's ok with me this week:

-My allergies may make me look like I am crying constantly but short of a sinus transplant I can't possibly take any more medicine so I think my next option is a space suit. Houston, we have a problem. Mascara on my nose!

-I have so much to do this weekend and so little time but I know I am blessed and loved and I am focusing on that and not the pressure of getting things done, just this once.

-I got my concert tickets this week! Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, can I just call this the summer of eye candy?

-The Rangers seem intent on channeling my sleep energy and use that for a comeback, walk off win. That's my way of saying I keep falling asleep and missing all the 9th inning excitement.

-When I was a little girl, my grandmother use to make a lamb cake every Easter. (Jesus is the Lamb of God, get it?) My brother and I loved that lamb cake and looked forward to it every year. I tried for years to find a cake pan like that to make a cake at Easter and couldn't. Last month I was at a resale shop and they had the exact pan my grandmother used for $1.00! I grabbed it up and Saturday I am going to try making this cake. We will see how it goes but it brings a smile to my face and that's ok with me.

-Finally, it's ok with me that the best relationships are built on laughter. I have watched this week as a friend has gone through some hard times and laughter has helped. I realized that I can laugh with all the important people in my life and that is a blessing and that really is ok!


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