Well, there's more than one so I'll post them all. Some are silly but I added them in because they do make me happy. :) This is the easiest blog day yet!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
30 Day Challenge- Day 6
Day 6- A picture of something that makes you happy
Well, there's more than one so I'll post them all. Some are silly but I added them in because they do make me happy. :) This is the easiest blog day yet!
Well, there's more than one so I'll post them all. Some are silly but I added them in because they do make me happy. :) This is the easiest blog day yet!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
30 Day Challenge- Day 5
Day 5- Your siblings
Well, I have one brother. Growing up we didn't get along at all times. We fought, like most brothers and sisters probably do. We had some great times though. I remember when we were young we used to love riding our bikes all over town with our cousins. We had an empty lot across the street from our house and we used to make all kinds of bike trails through the woods there. Our dad and uncle even built a fort for us. I felt like we were the coolest kids ever, riding our bikes and having meetings in our fort.
My brother moved to Boston shortly after I went off to college and he's been there ever since. I'm so proud of him. He went from the irresponsible teenager who quit job after job, to the manager of a security company in an office building in Boston. He wears suits to work. Which I just think is too cool, he's so GQ now. :) He's the life of the party. Outgoing, fun, funny, and caring at the same time. He loves to have a good time, always trying to make people laugh. Family is just as important to him as it is for me. Our Grammy recently passed away and I called to tell him that my parents were on the way to the hospital with her. I couldn't stop crying as I was trying to tell him. He stayed together and just talked me down until I was calm. I appreciated so much his level head at that moment and although I know he was just as upset as I was he kept it together for me.
I have to go here because I feel like so many people don't know much about this. My brother has Tourette Syndrome. It does not define him but it is a part of who he is. Tourette Syndrome is a inherited neurological disorder that is characterized by physical and vocal tics (movements or sounds that are involuntary). In my opinion, when people think about TS they think of some movie or tv show where the actor randomly screams curse words. There is only a small percent of people who have TS that actually have this tic. My brother has never been one of them, just in case you were wondering if he's yelled "shit asshole shit shit" in a crowd full of people. The tics are not always the same. They change randomly from time to time. At one point I remember he used to stop when he was walking and have to do a little hop before he could start walking again. He may not still do that but now he may jerk his head a certain way or click his tongue when he never did that before. When he's stressed or excited about something the tics are more noticeable. If he's calm and relaxed they don't come on as often. I appreciate all the people in his life who understand this disorder and accept it and love him just the same. They are the ones that matter and make a difference. The ones that want to laugh and make fun....well they are just ignorant and I feel bad for them that they are missing out on having such a great guy as a friend. I'm very proud of my brother and love him more than anything. I only wish we lived closer and could see each other more often.
For more information on Tourette Syndrome - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourette_syndrome
Well, I have one brother. Growing up we didn't get along at all times. We fought, like most brothers and sisters probably do. We had some great times though. I remember when we were young we used to love riding our bikes all over town with our cousins. We had an empty lot across the street from our house and we used to make all kinds of bike trails through the woods there. Our dad and uncle even built a fort for us. I felt like we were the coolest kids ever, riding our bikes and having meetings in our fort.
My brother moved to Boston shortly after I went off to college and he's been there ever since. I'm so proud of him. He went from the irresponsible teenager who quit job after job, to the manager of a security company in an office building in Boston. He wears suits to work. Which I just think is too cool, he's so GQ now. :) He's the life of the party. Outgoing, fun, funny, and caring at the same time. He loves to have a good time, always trying to make people laugh. Family is just as important to him as it is for me. Our Grammy recently passed away and I called to tell him that my parents were on the way to the hospital with her. I couldn't stop crying as I was trying to tell him. He stayed together and just talked me down until I was calm. I appreciated so much his level head at that moment and although I know he was just as upset as I was he kept it together for me.
I have to go here because I feel like so many people don't know much about this. My brother has Tourette Syndrome. It does not define him but it is a part of who he is. Tourette Syndrome is a inherited neurological disorder that is characterized by physical and vocal tics (movements or sounds that are involuntary). In my opinion, when people think about TS they think of some movie or tv show where the actor randomly screams curse words. There is only a small percent of people who have TS that actually have this tic. My brother has never been one of them, just in case you were wondering if he's yelled "shit asshole shit shit" in a crowd full of people. The tics are not always the same. They change randomly from time to time. At one point I remember he used to stop when he was walking and have to do a little hop before he could start walking again. He may not still do that but now he may jerk his head a certain way or click his tongue when he never did that before. When he's stressed or excited about something the tics are more noticeable. If he's calm and relaxed they don't come on as often. I appreciate all the people in his life who understand this disorder and accept it and love him just the same. They are the ones that matter and make a difference. The ones that want to laugh and make fun....well they are just ignorant and I feel bad for them that they are missing out on having such a great guy as a friend. I'm very proud of my brother and love him more than anything. I only wish we lived closer and could see each other more often.
For more information on Tourette Syndrome - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourette_syndrome
Friday, October 29, 2010
30 Day Challenge- Day 4
Day 4- Your parents
My parents rock. They really do. They just celebrated their 32nd anniversary and are happier than ever. I hope that when hubby and I hit our 32nd year mark we are as happy as they are. They are who I hope to be like when I "grow up". I had an amazing childhood. My parents were semi-strict but I realize now they were like that to protect me and do what was best for my brother and I. I had the earliest curfew of all my friends. They always wanted to know who I was with, where I was going, and when I was going to be home. I remember my mom would lay awake in bed until I came in to tell her that I was home safely. I think even now when I go home to visit and I go out with my friends, she still lays awake and waits until she knows I'm back safely. I may not have liked all the rules all the time but thank them for how they raised me now. I will raise my own children in much the same way I'm sure. Family has always been very important. My parents always put us first.
One big thing I remember from my childhood is the Christmas we got our dog. I had been asking Santa Claus for years for a dog. My mom would always tell me that we didn't have a fence so we couldn't get a dog. So, I asked Santa for a fence so then he could get us a dog. I don't remember how it came about but it was the year I found out that Santa Claus wasn't real. I cried and cried and remember saying to my mom, "Now we'll NEVER get a dog!" That year Santa brought us a dog. The cutest little cocker spaniel I had ever seen. My dad left to go get donuts after we had opened all our presents. He came back with a big box all wrapped in Christmas paper. We opened it up and there she was, cuter than ever. My dad was our Santa Claus.
I'm very close with my parents now. We were close growing up but I didn't feel that I could always tell them everything all the time. I was afraid of disappointing them or making them upset with me. I talk to my mom everyday now and tell her everything. I can share with her in happy times and sad. I love the relationship that I have with my parents and wouldn't change a thing. They have shaped me into who I am today and I love them more than anything. I hope that one day I can be the same type of parent that they are to me. They both mean the world to me. <3
Thursday, October 28, 2010
30 Day Challenge - Day 3
Day 3-Your first love
Oops, forgot I was on day 3! Better late than never right? However, this one might not be my favorite to blog about. I'm not gonna lie and say that hubby was my first love. He is my love, my husband, my one and only. But the first....no. Granted, I knew very early on when we were dating that we'd get married, that he was "the one". I remember bringing him home for Christmas a few months after we met and we were in the mall with my mom. Hubby went to some store and my mom and I were wandering around when she randomly asked me if I was going to marry him. Automatically I said yes. I knew we'd get married. Needless to say I didn't think it would take him so darn long to make it happen!! But it happened and that's all that matters. :) There's my disclaimer. Now to attend to the topic of day 3.
We'll just call him D. Those who have known me for awhile will know who he is. Kind of a crazy story actually. In high school I was kind of obsessed with the internet. I used to go into chat rooms a lot. I had a bunch of friends who lived in other states. These were real friends, people that I honestly got to know. Well, one of these friendships turned into something more. After awhile of talking online and on the phone we decided to meet. He met my parents, my brother, he came to know my family. We were best friends. We saw each other once or twice a year, me going to visit his family or him coming to mine. We continued our friendship/romance through high school and into college. I thought about going to college where he lived but my parents were pretty against it and I didn't push the issue hard enough. We both dated other people when we got to college and we grew apart a bit. Sophomore year in college we decided to meet in NYC. Later that year our friendship was over. I am still kind of confused on how it happened. I just remember him telling me that he didn't want the 9-5 lifestyle. And apparently he thought my mind was set on living that life. I had no clue what the hell I was going to do when I got out of college. I was more worried about going out with my friends than worried about my resume. I usually let my heart guide me, not my head. Maybe it was his way of telling me he just didn't want me anymore. He needed an easy way out and that was it. I was pissed and confused and heart broken. I think maybe I talked to him once after that....maybe not at all, I can't remember exactly now.
It's funny how you think you know someone so well. You think they know YOU so well. But yet I didn't care about the 9-5 life. As long as I'm happy I don't care what I do or where I am. I don't blame him now for how he dealt with things. Everyone has a different way of handling things and if to pretend like I no longer existed helped him to handle it then so be it. It probably helped me in the end too so I can't be mad at him for how he treated me. A clean break is sometimes the best. Everything that's happened before now has shaped me to be who I am today and I wouldn't change that. I love my life and love where it's taken me. So, thank you D. Thank you for the good memories and for making it a clean break, as hard as that was at the time it was the best thing. I can do nothing now but wish him all the best for his own life and hope that he's as happy as I am. I'm pretty proud of myself too, for remembering how I felt that day sitting on my stairs crying, and for being able to forgive him and honestly wish him all the happiness in the world. 3 more minutes and this is going to be into day 4's post!
Oops, forgot I was on day 3! Better late than never right? However, this one might not be my favorite to blog about. I'm not gonna lie and say that hubby was my first love. He is my love, my husband, my one and only. But the first....no. Granted, I knew very early on when we were dating that we'd get married, that he was "the one". I remember bringing him home for Christmas a few months after we met and we were in the mall with my mom. Hubby went to some store and my mom and I were wandering around when she randomly asked me if I was going to marry him. Automatically I said yes. I knew we'd get married. Needless to say I didn't think it would take him so darn long to make it happen!! But it happened and that's all that matters. :) There's my disclaimer. Now to attend to the topic of day 3.
We'll just call him D. Those who have known me for awhile will know who he is. Kind of a crazy story actually. In high school I was kind of obsessed with the internet. I used to go into chat rooms a lot. I had a bunch of friends who lived in other states. These were real friends, people that I honestly got to know. Well, one of these friendships turned into something more. After awhile of talking online and on the phone we decided to meet. He met my parents, my brother, he came to know my family. We were best friends. We saw each other once or twice a year, me going to visit his family or him coming to mine. We continued our friendship/romance through high school and into college. I thought about going to college where he lived but my parents were pretty against it and I didn't push the issue hard enough. We both dated other people when we got to college and we grew apart a bit. Sophomore year in college we decided to meet in NYC. Later that year our friendship was over. I am still kind of confused on how it happened. I just remember him telling me that he didn't want the 9-5 lifestyle. And apparently he thought my mind was set on living that life. I had no clue what the hell I was going to do when I got out of college. I was more worried about going out with my friends than worried about my resume. I usually let my heart guide me, not my head. Maybe it was his way of telling me he just didn't want me anymore. He needed an easy way out and that was it. I was pissed and confused and heart broken. I think maybe I talked to him once after that....maybe not at all, I can't remember exactly now.
It's funny how you think you know someone so well. You think they know YOU so well. But yet I didn't care about the 9-5 life. As long as I'm happy I don't care what I do or where I am. I don't blame him now for how he dealt with things. Everyone has a different way of handling things and if to pretend like I no longer existed helped him to handle it then so be it. It probably helped me in the end too so I can't be mad at him for how he treated me. A clean break is sometimes the best. Everything that's happened before now has shaped me to be who I am today and I wouldn't change that. I love my life and love where it's taken me. So, thank you D. Thank you for the good memories and for making it a clean break, as hard as that was at the time it was the best thing. I can do nothing now but wish him all the best for his own life and hope that he's as happy as I am. I'm pretty proud of myself too, for remembering how I felt that day sitting on my stairs crying, and for being able to forgive him and honestly wish him all the happiness in the world. 3 more minutes and this is going to be into day 4's post!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
30 Day Challenge - Day 2
Day 2- Meaning behind your blog name
I wanted to blog but I am horrible with coming up with creative names for things. Most of my friends will call me G at some point. It's just easier than Gretchen.....and "Gretch" is just not allowed. When I started this blog I wasn't going to blog about anything specific. Some people blog about deployment, or health topics, or specifically kids. I wanted to be free to talk about whatever I wanted and not be limited to a certain title. I asked all of my friends what they thought a good name would be for my new blog. This is what one of my friends came up with and I thought it was pretty creative and a funny play on words. Maybe not totally appropriate, but whatever!
I wanted to blog but I am horrible with coming up with creative names for things. Most of my friends will call me G at some point. It's just easier than Gretchen.....and "Gretch" is just not allowed. When I started this blog I wasn't going to blog about anything specific. Some people blog about deployment, or health topics, or specifically kids. I wanted to be free to talk about whatever I wanted and not be limited to a certain title. I asked all of my friends what they thought a good name would be for my new blog. This is what one of my friends came up with and I thought it was pretty creative and a funny play on words. Maybe not totally appropriate, but whatever!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
30 Day Challenge - Day 1
Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Well, if you're here you probably already know who I am. I'm Gretchen. My maiden name starts with a G. I grew up as GG most of the time and I think I'll always be GG to the people who love me, no matter what my last name might be. I have been married to my husband for almost 3 years and look forward to many, many more. We are expecting our first baby in 5 weeks....crazy, 5 weeks!! We have a four legged baby named Zoey who is the best little dog ever. Well, on to the 15 things about me....not sure how interesting they will be but here goes!
1. I am addicted to reality TV. It's true, I can admit it. If it's crappy reality then I'm probably watching it. On DVR because I hate watching live TV.
2. My mom has become one of my best friends. We talk everyday and if I don't hear from her I worry.
3. My worst fear is losing my mind. Not remember who my family is, people's names, what day it is, where I am.....freaks me out like no other. I can only pray that they get closer to a cure as myself and the people I love get older.
4. I love my dog like she's my child. She is the best thing ever and if I could take her everywhere with me I would.
5. I have a terrible sweet tooth. I feel like I'm missing something if I don't have some sort of dessert after a really good dinner.
6. I am not a patient person.
7. Sometimes I wish I had a time machine. I remember parts of my life and want to go back and relive them. Not necessarily change anything, just be there again, who I was, and remember who I'll become from that experience.
8. I live my life without regrets.....or try really hard to anyway.
9. I really want to start my own business. If only I could figure out what to do....
10. I went to college but was never passionate about what I wanted to do. I don't have that thing that says, I want to be a nurse, or a teacher, or a banker. I wish I had that sometimes.
11. I feel like I was made to be a mom. Like maybe that is my purpose, my passion, what I was meant to do.
12. I love being pregnant. But giving birth scares the crap out of me.
13. My brother has Tourette Syndrome. And it REALLY bothers me when people makes jokes about having Tourette's and think that it's funny. Not everyone with Tourette's curses and blames it on that. Think before you speak.
14. I am a water baby. I was on the swim team in high school, a lifeguard, and could spend just about every day at the pool.
15. I can't dance. And not willing to try....unless I'm in my car.....alone.
Well, if you're here you probably already know who I am. I'm Gretchen. My maiden name starts with a G. I grew up as GG most of the time and I think I'll always be GG to the people who love me, no matter what my last name might be. I have been married to my husband for almost 3 years and look forward to many, many more. We are expecting our first baby in 5 weeks....crazy, 5 weeks!! We have a four legged baby named Zoey who is the best little dog ever. Well, on to the 15 things about me....not sure how interesting they will be but here goes!
1. I am addicted to reality TV. It's true, I can admit it. If it's crappy reality then I'm probably watching it. On DVR because I hate watching live TV.
2. My mom has become one of my best friends. We talk everyday and if I don't hear from her I worry.
3. My worst fear is losing my mind. Not remember who my family is, people's names, what day it is, where I am.....freaks me out like no other. I can only pray that they get closer to a cure as myself and the people I love get older.
4. I love my dog like she's my child. She is the best thing ever and if I could take her everywhere with me I would.
5. I have a terrible sweet tooth. I feel like I'm missing something if I don't have some sort of dessert after a really good dinner.
6. I am not a patient person.
7. Sometimes I wish I had a time machine. I remember parts of my life and want to go back and relive them. Not necessarily change anything, just be there again, who I was, and remember who I'll become from that experience.
8. I live my life without regrets.....or try really hard to anyway.
9. I really want to start my own business. If only I could figure out what to do....
10. I went to college but was never passionate about what I wanted to do. I don't have that thing that says, I want to be a nurse, or a teacher, or a banker. I wish I had that sometimes.
11. I feel like I was made to be a mom. Like maybe that is my purpose, my passion, what I was meant to do.
12. I love being pregnant. But giving birth scares the crap out of me.
13. My brother has Tourette Syndrome. And it REALLY bothers me when people makes jokes about having Tourette's and think that it's funny. Not everyone with Tourette's curses and blames it on that. Think before you speak.
14. I am a water baby. I was on the swim team in high school, a lifeguard, and could spend just about every day at the pool.
15. I can't dance. And not willing to try....unless I'm in my car.....alone.
A New Challenge
One of my friend's has started a new blog challenge. 30 days of blogging with a specific task each day to blog about. I figured this will help me pass some time and get me into the blogging mode.....being that it doesn't happen very often lately. The original idea came from a friend of a friend at http://katieslifejourney.blogspot.com/. So, thanks for the idea girls. I'm excited to start this and look back on it at a later date to see what my thoughts were. Thinking day 1 will be tomorrow. :-)
Here's the challenge list-
Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3-Your first love
Day 4-Your parents
Day 5-Your siblings
Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7-Favorite movies
Day 8-A place you've traveled to
Day 9-A picture of your friends
Day 10-Something you're afraid of
Day 11-Favorite tv shows
Day 12-What you believe
Day 13-Goals
Day 14-A picture you love
Day 15-Bible verse
Day 16-Dream house
Day 17-Something you're looking forward to
Day 18-Something you regret
Day 19-Something you miss
Day 20-Nicknames
Day 21-Picture of yourself
Day 22-Favorite city
Day 23-Favorite vacation
Day 24-Something you've learned
Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26-Picture of your family
Day 27-Pets
Day 28-Something that stresses you out
Day 29-3 Wishes
Day 30-a picture
Here's the challenge list-
Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3-Your first love
Day 4-Your parents
Day 5-Your siblings
Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7-Favorite movies
Day 8-A place you've traveled to
Day 9-A picture of your friends
Day 10-Something you're afraid of
Day 11-Favorite tv shows
Day 12-What you believe
Day 13-Goals
Day 14-A picture you love
Day 15-Bible verse
Day 16-Dream house
Day 17-Something you're looking forward to
Day 18-Something you regret
Day 19-Something you miss
Day 20-Nicknames
Day 21-Picture of yourself
Day 22-Favorite city
Day 23-Favorite vacation
Day 24-Something you've learned
Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26-Picture of your family
Day 27-Pets
Day 28-Something that stresses you out
Day 29-3 Wishes
Day 30-a picture
Monday, October 25, 2010
Stranger Friends
Is it possible to have friends that you've never even met? If so, then I definitely have some good ones. I'm part of a December Moms group and have gotten to know a handful of these girls through the months. It's usually the same several girls that post and are on the board often. One set up a chat room for us so we could all chat with each other. We all live in different places, we are different ages, some are pregnant with their second, or third, or forth child, for some this is their first baby. We are different ages, come from different backgrounds, some of us are married, and some aren't. We have this one thing in common though that brings us all together. I can post my questions there and they will answer me. I can tell them my worries and they will encourage me. I can vent and they can relate and give me positive words. We share belly pictures and pictures of things that we've made for our little ones on the way. It's so cool to put a face to a name and build a real friendship with these women. I truly believe that even after we all give birth we will still be there for each other, encouraging each other, helping each other, giving advice to each other. And love seeing pictures and hearing stories of everyone's "bean" or "little dude" or "princess" that is now here, and not just kicking our bladders or giving us heartburn. I'm excited to continue this journey I'm on with these women. And I am grateful and thankful to these friends that I've never met.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Finding My Balance
I went to a Tastefully Simple party the other night at a friend's house. On my way home I realized that sometimes I forget who I am. I forget that I need other people in my life. I've become more of a homebody. I'm ok with that....I like just hanging out most nights with hubby or sewing in the basement. When he was deployed I had a great balance. I enjoyed spending my time at home watching movies or scrapbooking. And I loved having a full calendar of taco Tuesday nights, fondue, bunco, happy hour with my work crew, and brunch with my girl friends. It's probably changed a little since I moved here....ok well changed a lot. He's home now, it was a new place, and I don't have as many close friends as I did. So I expected it to change when we moved. I guess until a few nights ago I didn't realize how much it had.
I stayed a little later at the party just chatting with a few of the girls that didn't go home right afterwards. It was really nice just hanging out and chatting about whatever random things came to mind. I laughed a lot and had a great time. On my way home I realized that I had acted more like my old self. The fun, going out, busy, self. The person who enjoys spending time out of the house instead of inside it alone. I need to find that balance again. I'm going to focus on going out even if I don't feel like it sometimes. I know once I go I always have a great time. And I'm going to enjoy the time I spend at home. With the baby and winter coming about the same time I think I'm going to be indoors more and more. My life will certainly take on a new meaning and I'll have a whole new set of priorities. But I can still be me, spending time at home just hanging out, and getting out and about with the girls.....just now with a little mini me to bring along. :)
I stayed a little later at the party just chatting with a few of the girls that didn't go home right afterwards. It was really nice just hanging out and chatting about whatever random things came to mind. I laughed a lot and had a great time. On my way home I realized that I had acted more like my old self. The fun, going out, busy, self. The person who enjoys spending time out of the house instead of inside it alone. I need to find that balance again. I'm going to focus on going out even if I don't feel like it sometimes. I know once I go I always have a great time. And I'm going to enjoy the time I spend at home. With the baby and winter coming about the same time I think I'm going to be indoors more and more. My life will certainly take on a new meaning and I'll have a whole new set of priorities. But I can still be me, spending time at home just hanging out, and getting out and about with the girls.....just now with a little mini me to bring along. :)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
50 days!
Well, here we are again with my monthly post. I guess that's just how it's gonna be. It's become more of a pregnancy blog than anything because that's the most exciting thing in my life. I'm totally happy with that too. So catching up on that....33 weeks this week. Amazing. She's moving around so much more lately. I can literally sit and watch my belly for an hour and do nothing else and be completely content. I knew I would feel her in there....but watching it is completely different. Sometimes I won't even feel it, just see a leg or arm or something making a wave across my belly. She's a stubborn little one though....whenever daddy gets called over to watch or feel her she doesn't like to show him. I love the mornings....she's so strong when I wake up. I like to lay in bed just feeling her kicking and moving around....when she stops then I can get up because I know I won't have missed it.
Last weekend was my baby shower. My mom surprised me a week before by telling me she was coming in for the weekend. Best surprise ever! It was so nice having her here. She helped me organize the nursery, ran a bunch of errands, and of course we spent some time sewing together. She loved getting to meet all my friends that came to the baby shower. It was an amazing day. No words can explain the gratitude that I feel for the friends that love me enough to put that together. And the friends that took time away from their own families and free Saturday to spend it celebrating with me. It was truly can incredible day and I couldn't ask for anything more.
Last weekend was my baby shower. My mom surprised me a week before by telling me she was coming in for the weekend. Best surprise ever! It was so nice having her here. She helped me organize the nursery, ran a bunch of errands, and of course we spent some time sewing together. She loved getting to meet all my friends that came to the baby shower. It was an amazing day. No words can explain the gratitude that I feel for the friends that love me enough to put that together. And the friends that took time away from their own families and free Saturday to spend it celebrating with me. It was truly can incredible day and I couldn't ask for anything more.
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