7 Quick Takes: Take 10 (A day late from Florida)

Greetings everyone from sunny Florida!  After counting down the days til I arrived I am finally here.  It's been glorious weather and a nice break from the crappy Michigan weather. 

So here we go...7 Quick Takes: The Florida Edition

***1***

I am going to start off by saying that as good of a time I am having and as wonderful as it is to be in Florida visiting my parents, I really, really miss my husband.  (And I think despite what he might say, he misses me too!)  I like him.  A whole lot.  He's been my rock these past few months especially and it's been kind of hard being away from him.  We learned how much we need each other with losing our son and what being married is really about.  So anyways, I miss him.  Enjoying Florida, but can't wait to be back with my best buddy on Tuesday. 

***2***

Today I have to give a shout out to Dramamine.  Being a sufferer of motion sickness flying would be nearly impossible without it!  I am thankful I had it this time, but I am equally thankful that I had the whole seat to myself.  I stretched out and relaxed the whole way here! It was a good flight!  Here's hoping the same on the return!

***3***

Did I mention that I am in Florida and it's hot!!  Really hot! And therefore if you are not in the air conditioning you better be at the pool!  I have really enjoyed swimming these past few days!  My mom will tell you that I loved the water since I was a little girl.  It's a good exercise regiment for me too!  I have to figure out whose pools to crash this summer! 

***4***

One of our other favorite things to do while in Florida is scouting alligators.  When we were on the boat the other day we saw at least 12!  One was super large and hissing at us!  Alligators scare the heck out of me and yet intrigue me.  They are definitely one of God's interesting creatures.  I don't need to meet them too close though.

***5***

Last Sunday, TRC had Al Kresta come and speak!  Al did not disappoint.  While there we purchased his 3 books.  I have been reading "Moments of Grace" by Al Kresta and Nick Thomm.  It's a compilation of interviews Al has had over the years.  There are a lot of conversion stories and snippets of faith.  It has taken me back to my story.  It reminded me of all that God did in my life and is continuing to do!  It is a reminder to me that we are constantly called to conversion in our lives. Just when we get a little lukewarm, God comes in and reminds us to let Him in.  Anyways, I highly recommend it.

***6***

This age in which we live is scary for sure.  With the recent terror attacks in Boston, the economy in the dumps, and liberal morals making a stamp on our society it's easy for me to get scared or worry about our future.  But there are some things that I am glad in this time and age I get to live.  I am thankful that there hasn't been a time in history that we can get the medical care that we do.  Although my Jackson only lived 4 days, he wouldn't have lived 4 minutes at another time.  With these medical advances, the chances of us having a successful future pregnancy is very, very good.  I am thankful also for the technology of this era.  In fact, just a few minutes ago I was able to FaceTime with my husband who is 1000 miles away from me.  He was able to show me the project he was working on and I got to see his smiling face too!  I love Facebook and Pinterest!  I think technology has it's faults, but I also think it brings a lot of joy into my life as well.  So I am choosing to be happy and positive in this age of fear and turmoil.

***7***

 

This Thursday I turned 34.   It was a nice day spent with my parents and a few of their close friends!  34 feels old to me, but being in a retirement village I am reminded just how much living I have left to do.  I think this is going to be a good year for me!  I know God's not done with me yet!  I am looking forward to all the good things He has in store for my family in the year to come!

7 Quick Takes-Take 9

Good morning dear friends!  If you are reading this from Michigan you are in no doubt dreading another rainy day!  Will it ever end??  April showers bring May flowers, but this is ridiculous!  I have considered building an ark more than once this week.

***1***

Speaking of rain...I really detest thunderstorms, rain, the whole gamete.  Good friends of mine know I practically have a break down if I get stuck in the rain and get soaking (or even slightly) wet.  I hate it!  I never go on the water rides at Cedar Pointe for the same reason.  My fear of thunderstorms however I think started when I belonged to an evangelical church that often spoke of the 2nd coming.  The Rapture that is!  Every time it thunderstorms I swore that this was it! (And why was I still here??)  I have come to mature in my faith since then, but I still get a little freaked out with thunderstorms.

***2***

On to May flowers, yesterday I looked out in our yard (previous owners owned a landscaping company so it's full of foliage) and surprisingly there were some daffodils blooming!  They were lovely and made me smile!  My hope is to one day plant tulips and daffodils so that I can enjoy watching them bloom in the spring!  You can take your roses (we have 3 bushes) I will take my tulips any day! 

***3***

Tonight, Tom and I are going to see my niece Morgan in a play at my alma mater!  She's just 9 years old, but has acted in the past 2 plays at the high school.  I am so glad she has her aunt's love of the theater.  I enjoy watching her embrace it just as I did when I was a young girl.  Break a leg, Morgan!

***4***

Monday was our Jackson's actual due date.  Believe it or not, the day ended up being quite peaceful. (Which I understand is a phenomenon with this grief.  The days leading up to it are far worse than the actual date.)  We started the morning off at a Mass being offered in his honor, then Tom went to work and I went to the cemetery for the first time.  I wanted to go alone.  I spent some time talking with my son, although I talk to him all the time.  I came home and an old friend stopped by with a lovely memorial for our son and soon after flowers arrived.  It was a peaceful, wonderful day.  I realize that although there isn't a day that goes by that I don't ache to have my son here with us, the impact he has made on my life and other's lives is eternal.  His presence is always with me.  I know he is interceding for us from above and taking the prayers of his father and I straight to the throne of God.

***5***

I met with my spiritual director yesterday and it was such a blessing!  He gave me some wonderful ideas on how to grow spiritually and give purpose to my struggles currently.  I am thankful for his willingness to shepherd his flock and help me become the woman in Christ I am called to be. 

***6***

Yesterday we had our first official spring meal....chicken sausage, homemade sweet potato fries, and the sign of spring....corn on the cob!!  I love summer eating!  Lots of veggies and light tasty meals!  Believe it or not, the Bauers do not own a BBQ.  This of course will be one of our first purchases this summer!  There is nothing better than food on the BBQ!  Bratwurst, hot dogs, and hamburgers! Oh my!!

***7***

In just a few days I will be turning 34.  33 didn't seem that old, but 34 seems really old to me.  I looked in the mirror recently and I swear I started to see wrinkles on my face.  I know it's just a number, but this seems like a hurdle.  Closing in on that 35 mark which will make me soon 40!  I don't feel almost 40.  I think I still feel 25.  Something tells me though that my 34th year is going to be a good one.  So I will hold onto that thought and try not to dwell on the fact that I am indeed getting old.

Heading to Florida in just a few days!  Fun in the sun here I come!  Have a lovely weekend all!

7 Quick Takes: Take 8

TGIF!!  I wish I could tell you all that the sun is shining and spring is on it's way, but quite frankly, the weather sucks here in Michigan currently.  It seems we may miss spring in it's entirety this year.  The forecast for the next week doesn't look any better, so hopefully this blog will bring you a little sunshine and hope for the week to come!  12 days til I head to Florida and I CANNOT WAIT!!!

***1***

So, something that has made this week a little more exciting for us is we got a Wii this past weekend! No it's not a WiiU, it's just the basic old Wii.  (So 2009, right?)  BUT We LOVE it!  It has been so fun!  It has been a great tool to help us both get more active.  And my husband, who says he bought it for me, is enjoying almost more than I am.  He'll even dance with me to Just Dance to help me out!  We both lack coordination, but we have a lot of fun and laughs....just what we need!

***2***

I remember reading for years that women should lose the weight earlier in life than later because your metabolism slows down...well, I think that's true!  I have been working really hard these last few weeks and the weight loss is slow....really slow.  I know that they say that "slow and steady wins the race," but come on!  Throw me a bone here! I bought an ActivityLink from Weight Watcher that monitors my activity level for a week and then gives me goals to get more active!  I am hoping that will be the boost I need.  Fighting depression hasn't made that any easier, but I am fighting each day to get up off the couch!

***3***

Remember in the 80's/90's when we all wore neon colors? Have you seen some of the pictures?  Slouchy socks, scrunchies, bike pants...all neon.  Yes, I have seen the pictures too, which makes me wonder why again in the year 2013 I am once again loving all things neon!  Maybe I need some bright and cheerful colors in my life, but I seriously can't get enough of those vibrant colors!  Hopefully, my neon is a little more refined and subtle, but it's all neon nonetheless.

***4***

I have to tell you about the best thing I cooked this week!!  My husband and I were both drooling at the dinner table!  And it's a Weight Watcher's recipe!  Go to the deli, get some prosciutto. (6-8 thinly sliced slices) Then cut each slice in half long ways.  Wrap each piece around an asparagus spear.  Then on a flat griddle pan, sprayed with Pam spray, cook about 10 minutes until prosciutto is nice and crispy!  SO GOOD!!!  Weight Watchers...about one point per spear and worth every point!

***5***

This week I received 4-5 cards in the mail.  Have I ever told you how much I love to get snail mail?  Of course I hate to get the bills that arrive, especially the countless medical bills we are dealing with currently, but when I see a hand addressed card from someone it brightens up my whole day! 

***6***

Speaking of cards, yesterday I went to the Hallmark store.  I honestly don't know if there is a better place than the Hallmark store.  I love cards!  My mom and I used to go the local Hallmark and read cards forever!  We would laugh out loud at the funny ones and even give each other cards in the store.  My mom was good about giving cards and passed that love on to me!  I wish cards weren't so darn expensive these days, but I sure love giving and getting them still!  "Hallmark, When you care to send your very best!"

***7***

One reason I have received so many cards of late is that a lot of my friends know that this coming Monday, April 15, is not just tax day, but it's also my son, Jackson's, due date.  It's been really hard for me.  Several friends of mine on Facebook have had children in the last 2 weeks and I am so happy for them and so sad for myself.  I just can't shake the thought, "That that should be me. I should be posting happy picture of my son's arrival."  But alas, it's not.  Only God knows why that is, but it's definitely a time of great struggle for my husband and I.  We are having a Mass offered in his honor on Monday at our church and I am planning on visiting the cemetery for the first time, but it's not enough.  My arms still remain empty and a hole remains in my heart.  So my friends, I ask for your prayers over these next few days.  We are trying to keep our spirits up and heads held high, but it's a struggle and a conscious effort.  We love you sweet baby boy!

7 Quick Takes: Take 7

If you live in Michigan your days have undoubtedly got a little brighter as spring has finally decided to show herself and hopefully the sun rays have hit your face a time or two in the last few days.  Quick takes were on hiatus for Good Friday, but I am back!  Here we go....

***1***

On Holy Saturday my husband and I celebrated 2 years together!  Two years since he asked me out on our first date.  Can you believe it's only been two years??  Wow!  What a whirlwind of two years! In hind sight that seems so short, and yet, I can't remember life without my hubby these days!  We've learned a lot about love, life, and each other in these two short years.  I can't wait to see what the next 2 hundred years have to hold for us.

Our first picture as an official couple.  :)

***2***

 On Easter, I made my first official Easter dinner.  Ham, cheesy potatoes, grape salad, and a trifle.  It was wonderful!  I really rocked it out using my grandmother's famous ham recipe.  One small...err, BIG...problem.  I cooked for 10 people instead of 2.  Let's just say we enjoyed that meal for days to come. 

***3***

Speaking of food, Easter dinner set me off on my love of cooking once again.  I had been in a slump this winter, for a variety of reasons, and this week I found my love of cooking once again!  I have enjoyed cooking new meals for the hubster and I and remembered how much I enjoy cooking.  Homemade split pea soup, banana ice cream, and a wonderful and fresh Mexican orzo dish!  I actually get excited about cooking!  Perhaps one day this will wear off, but I love trying out new recipes and growing as a cook.  We love trying and critiquing new dishes!  Yum!

***4***

The problem with loving food....it loves me back...especially my belly and butt!  So, now that I am feeling a little out of the fog, I have gotten serious about losing weight!  I have enjoyed walking outside and getting back to Weight Watchers.  (For real this time....)  I am going with a great friend which helps with accountability and makes it fun!  This week I am happy to report that I lost 5 lbs!  Woo hoo!!  It was just the kick start that I needed to get back on track!  I am hoping to keep it up and get back to where I am feeling healthy and happy.  It's been a challenge, but I am doing it!

***5***

When I went to the doctor a few weeks ago they said I was low in vitamin D.  Why you ask?  Because we live in Michigan!  So I can't wait to head to Florida in just 19 days to get a large dose of Vitamin D and some hugs from my parents too!  I was talking to them this morning and they wanted to know my plans...basically I said sun.  Do you know what looks better than white fat?  Tan fat!!  I know, I know...it's not good for you, but I love a good tan!  AND it's just what the doctor ordered! ;)

***6***

Do the rest of you hate your clothes this time of year?  I do.  I have a closet and dresser full of clothes and I just sit and stare at my clothes in detest.  I am done with winter and ready for spring and yet, despite the sun shining, it's still a little cool outside.  Third world problems....I know...but I still am ready for sandals, capris, and some bright colors.  Maybe when I lose a few more pounds I will reward myself with some cute spring pieces!

***7***

Every day, my cat, jumps at the window and scares the heck out of the mail lady.  It's mortifying really.  The funny thing about this is A) she really is a scardy cat and is afraid of everyone and B) when I apologized profusely to the mail lady one day, she stated,  "It used to scare me, but now I am used to it."  Oi vay!  So embarrassing, but I do have to say, it makes me laugh every time.  When we have the screen in she clamps on like a real psycho!  I do not know what gets into her!

Well people, it's Friday...it's supposed to rain all next week, so get out there this weekend and enjoy the sunshine and mild temps!!  Until next time....