Coming to a theater near you...

Can't wait to see this...



and this...



and this...

B Goes to the Movies!

I'm going tonight.  I'll update tomorrow with a review. 

Hasta Later.

Chores

I think I'm going to do a little housework. I really want to scrapbook later today.  I'm going to bust my arse getting things done and then reap the rewards later.

I'm giving myself one hour to get some work done.  I'll report back then.  If I'm not happy with my results, I'll take another hour. 

I'm going in...

B's Movie Review

It's been a while. 

This one has been out on DVD for a while now.  And I'm just now getting around to seeing it.

"He's Just Not That Into You."

I loved it.  Mr. B and I watched it together.  Sadly, I wish I'd seen it about twenty years ago.  I don't know that I would have learned anything, but I would love for my 17-18 year old self to hear some of that.  Luckily for those my age or older, we didn't have caller-id jacking up our phone stalking.  Those were some good times.  I could totally relate to GiGi in that movie.  That was *so* me back in the day.  Which translates to - - I was pathetic.  I had to have a man to identify me.  I chased and I chased.  It's so embarrassing. 

Anyway - - the movie was great.  I loved it.  I laughed out loud several times.

I give it a strong, "A."

It's on.

Like donkey kong.  Okay, that was gay.

It is on though.  Time for weight loss.  So me and eleventy billion others will dive into the "get healthy" thing for the first of the year.

I have to do it this time.  I have to.

I'm doing it for me, first and foremost.  I want to look better.  I want to feel better.  I want to not be embarrassed in my own skin.  I want to go back to the days of getting ready in the bathroom in just my undies.  Not covered up in a ginormous robe.  I want to look in the mirror and be proud of who I am.  I've seen a couple of pictures of me from Christmas.  I'm not liking it.  At all.  I want to love what I see, when I see it.  And when I don't.  I also want the 8000 pairs of Victoria's Secret underwear that I have, that are like new, to fit me.  I want to be ready to put a swimsuit on this summer.  No, I won't be anywhere near perfection by then, but I want to be happy.  I want to be a healthier person.

I'm also doing it for Mr. B.  I know he loves me no matter what.  He's never said a hurtful thing about my weight.  He's not that kind of guy.  I know some guys can be real a-holes when it comes to this.  Not Mr. B.  He's encouraging in the right kind of way.  I want him to be proud of me.

I want to do this for my kids, too.  I want to ride bikes with them and run and play.  I feel old.  And I'm not old.  Not really.  I want then to be proud of me, too.  I don't want them to ever be embarrassed of me.

How am I going to do this?  Common freaking sense.  I'm not joining a gym.  I'm not hiring a personal trainer.  I'm not joining a "Hi, I'm a fat ass" program.  I'm going to do it.  I'm going to utilize the workout programs I have on the Wii, ride my new bicycle, walk our dog, etc.  And - - I'm going to watch what I eat.  Late night snacking is my downfall.  I have to stop.  Just stop.  I know I can.  Smaller portions, less sugar, no candy and lots of water.

I'm not seeking any advice here.  Not trying to be snarky.  Just saying that I'm going to do this.  I appreciate encouragement.  Not nagging.  And - - the first skinny person that comments on here about how "proud they are of me" is gonna get their ass kicked.  I'm sure you skinnies mean well, it just comes across condescending to us fatties.  Just sayin'.

So - - here I am.  Plus-sized me.  Gonna lose some weight.  For me.  For my husband.  For my kids.

*sigh*

January 1st - - it's on.  Anyone want to join me?


I am going to post my progress once per week.  I'll include some of my motivational play lists, workouts I've done, etc.


It's scary.  And I have a long way to go.  Short-term goals.


I. Can. Do. This.

Scrapbook Order Surplus

I found out why the bill was so high.  They doubled up on me on the paper.  I don't remember ordering *that* much paper.  So - - here's the deal-io.  If you are local, or Shawna, and want some of this Twilight themed paper, just give me a shout.  First come, first served.  I can't remember how much each sheet is.  Close to a $1 a piece.  Let me know if you are interested.  I'll show it to ya.  Cute stuff - - I just don't need this much.

*kisses*

Pillow Talk

No - - not dirty talk.  Not intimate "revealings."

I'm talking about bedtime for the kids.  Here's how things have gone down tonight:

1.  I hear the bed springs squeaking.  That means they are jumping on the bed.  I went and stood in the doorway and caught them.  The goofballs still denied it.  Then, when I said I saw them, Cameron said, "Justin told me to do it."  So I turned the t.v. off.  That's when Cameron started crying.  He said he wasn't done watching it.  I told him he wasn't even facing that direction.  Apparently I hurt his feelings.  I'm so sorry.  

This is where I went to soak in the tub.  I needed to soak in Calgon.  For the sanity and for the moisture.  Plus, I'd been snuggling with Bella.  So I smelled like dog.  Out of Calgon.  Buggar.  I soaked in some other bath salt stuff and loaded up on the lotion.

2.  I got out to hear the kids laughing and cutting up.  I asked Mr. B what they were doing.  He didn't know.  Well, caught again.  This time, stacking stuff up on the bed.  Bean bags, extra pillows, etc.

Go. To. Bed.

Ugh.

GO TO BED!!!!

More snow?

We have a 30% chance for snow tonight and a 90% chance tomorrow.  I can't believe it.  At least we don't have to go anywhere.  I can't believe this West Texas weather.

Oh, by the way - - I'm hating the oldest cat more than ever.  I swear I'm gonna put a hit out on her.  I have connections.  I know people.  Seriously - - will she ever die?  I'm sick of the pee on the bathroom rug.  Old bat.

Eeeeek.

Mr. B is in San Antonio today getting the bed liner sprayed into his truck.  Since we didn't get to go as planned (stupid weather) I wasn't able to go by and pick my order up from the scrapbook store there.  I asked him if he would mind going by there for me.  He said he'd do it.  (*yay*)  Except for the bill.  He called and said, "$50????"  I should have known better.  It would have been easier to just pay for the shipping.

Oh well.  It comes out of my allowance.  I know he doesn't understand.  I don't think he ever will.

Prayers

Please pray for baby Taytem.  She is battling for her sweet little life.  She is the newborn daughter of a friend of a friend.  And therefore, a friend of mine.  Our God is a God of Miracles.  He is good all the time.  He is in control.

His timing. His miracles.  His peace.  His grace.  His mercy.  His love.

Taytem - - for you sweetheart.

Gah.

I really hope he is a one-term president.

I went and listened to Bill Clinton speak.  I thought he was absolutely fascinating.  I would not give our current president any of my time.  I'd kind of like to give him a wedgie.  Just sayin'.

Jim and Pam

Any of you watch The Office? I am relatively new to the show. It has DEFINITELY grown on me. I absolutely love this scene. In it, Jim and Pam get married. They both questioned why they invited anyone to the wedding. It had been a total disaster. She accidentally ripped her veil and it set her off. So, he cut his tie and then just watch.




They ditched everyone and went off to get married on the boat at Niagara Falls. I can't believe it, but it made me cry. It was him and her. Just them. I freakin' loved it. Then, their friends, not knowing they snuck off and got married, thought they'd do the wedding to Forever by Chris Brown that went viral on youtube.

Not kidding. I cried. If you are a fan of the show - - you should love this. I am totally Team Jim. :D

Quick Update

I'm at the "intermission" of a movie right now.  I'm watching Goodfellas.  Yeah.  Mobster stuff.  Kind of cool, but a lot violent.  Wow.  I needed a break to refresh my beverage.

We said good-bye to Mr. B's family today.  We had a great visit.  We ordered tamales from Diego's.  We got two dozen spicy ones and three dozen regular ones.  I made the rest of the food.  (That's right.  I'm pretty freakin' awesome.)  Now, spicy vs. regular.  Huh?  OMG!  Let me put it to you like this - - B don't do spicy.  Not at all.  I'm still feeling it.  And a certain body part is ON FIRE.  Know what I mean?  Oh my Santa.  I need a fire extinguisher for my backside.  Let's leave it at that. 

Anyway, great visit.  My sopapilla cheesecake killed.  :D  (In Texas, we do Mexican food before Christmas.  I don't know why.  Just - - lots of us do.  Go figure.)

Bella is doing great.  She's doing fabulous tonight.  It's been raining and I think the sound has her in a trance.  The last two nights have been kind of brutal.  So I'll take a break if Mother Nature deems it necessary to let the rain continue to fall.  I'm going to update our website again tomorrow.  Look for lots of pictures of her.  (She's quite photogenic!)

I better jet.  I'm only half way done with this movie and it's late.

Happy Festivus!  (Seinfeld thing.  Google it.)

Bella!!!

We might have just lost our minds today.

Meet Bella...

We did not wake up this morning planning on getting a dog.  We've talked about it for quite some time but have never come across what we were looking for.  We've been very specific and consistent in our train of thought.  We wanted a female yellow lab puppy.  I'd looked around on Craigslist, check the local ads, and even a few websites.  Nothing that worked for us.  (We weren't too interested in paying $3K for a dog.)

Along came Bella.  She is registered and everything we were looking for.  We wanted a puppy for a couple of reasons.  1.  For the kids.  We knew that growing up together would be better for the kids.  2.  The cats.  Well, we didn't want to bring in a grown up dog that might hate cats.  Since we have three, it's kind of a big deal.  They are not happy with us right now.  As a matter of fact, they are pretty pissed off at us.  I don't blame them.

Mr. B came home from the grocery store this afternoon showing me a picture of the puppies that were for sale in the parking lot.  He NEVER should have shown me the pictures.  I told him that we absolutely had to go back.  This was our shot at what we wanted.  I didn't have to twist his arm too hard.  Truth be told, I think Mr. B wanted a dog as much as the rest of us.

When we saw her - - I fell in love!!!!  She has a sister who is yellow and then two other sisters who are black and a brother who is black.  I asked which of the two were more calm.  You know, calm for a puppy being purely relative.  They pointed at the one with the blue collar.  Our Bella.

I've had our dog name picked out for quite some time.  I didn't want to give the boys the opportunity to pick.  (Justin wanted to name her Justin.  *eyeroll*)  And yes, sort of a "Twilight" picked name.  It just seems so fitting for her.  Not in the Twilight character's pathetic way.  Just - - it goes with her.  And - - I love the name.

She is seven weeks old and that makes her birthday the day after Justin's.  Cool, huh?

So - - meet Bella.  She is a total sweetheart and fitting in quite nicely with our family.  We are very happy!

Winter Break Reading

I hope I don't regret this.  I swore off of Nicholas Sparks after Nights in Rodanthe.  (I only saw the movie.  But still...)

Anyway, here goes...

Good Deed for the Day

I stopped at the mailbox on my way home from picking Justin up from school.  I saw this CUTE pug just marching down the street.  She came right over to me and was so friendly.  I looked at her tag and it had a cell number on it.  So I called it.  The owner was in Houston, but her mom was at her house.  So me and Miss Pug Thang loaded back up in the van to take her home.  She rode in my lap.  Sweet dog!!!  But kind of stinky.  She is now back at her home.  When I got back in the van, Justin said, "Mommy, that sure was a nice thing for you to do."  Awwwwwwww.  Thanks, J-Man.  I felt pretty good doing it, too.  I would hope someone would return the favor sometime, too.  We have HUGE hearts for fur babies around here.

Busy.

Beyond busy.  Things will slow down by Sunday evening.  Then it will be temporary.  I will try to fly-by post occasionally.

Tonight - Cam's final preschool choir performance, Survivor, decorate two clipboards to give as gifts

Friday - Both boys have parties.  The mister is doing one and I'm doing the other.    At night, we are going to try to go see Santa.

Saturday - birthday party, time with my scrappin' peeps (this would be my chillaxin' break, can't wait)

Sunday - clean like crazy because the inlaws are coming to town on Monday, Survivor finale

Time to go put gas in Gyna, pick up a prescription and the oldest kidlet.  Busy, busy, busy.

Quote of the day...

"That's the true spirit of Christmas; people being helped by people other than me."

~ Jerry Seinfeld

Good afternoon.

Today is better than yesterday.  Much better.  I get about four or five migraines per year.  We're talking full-blown, need to be knocked out, migraines.  No nagging headache.  None of this "Oh I have such a migraine..."  I'm talking about a headache so bad that I'm completely nauseated and can't even talk or I'll urp.  This one hit me Sunday afternoon.  I took my usual meds, but didn't lay down like I should have.  It subsided a bit and then about 9:00 Sunday night - - kaboom!  I wasn't about to ask Mr. B to take me to the E.R. for it.  It costs so much money.  So, I took my ambien and hoped for the best.  I woke up every twenty minutes.  I wanted to die.  Mr. B got up with Justin and I decided I'd get Cameron to school.  I couldn't.  I just couldn't.  I didn't feel like driving and I certainly had no business being behind the wheel in that kind of pain.  So, I did what any grown up woman would do.  I called my mommy.

She swooped in and saved the day.  She picked Cam and I up and she dropped me off at the walk-in clinic and kept Cam for the day.  They let me get my injection once the mister showed up.  (They want to make certain you don't drive after that shot.)  It worked.  I slept all day yesterday and last night.  I'm a bit groggy today, but better.  By tomorrow morning, I'll be back to my normal self.

Those suckers are killers.  I seriously think about grabbing Mr. B's drill when I have one and drilling a hole in my skull.  I just want the pain to go away.  I know that wouldn't help, but when I'm in "that place" I don't think very logically.

Anyway, I'm better.  And I'll give you a quote after a while.  Sorry you had to miss one yesterday.

Quote of the day...

"Boys, I don't want to speak ill of your mother on Christmas, but she's nothing but a common street whore."

~Howard (Four Christmases)

Quote of the day...

"Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?"

~Clark W. Griswold (Christmas Vacation)

Quote of the day...

"You can't take me off the naughty list.  I am the naughty list."

~King Julian, Merry Madagascar

The Cow Gives Birth

One of Mr. B's favorite shows is Dirty Jobs.  I don't complain much.  I think Mike Rowe is hot.  So I'll watch.  Last night, a scene came on where he was having to help deliver a calf.  David was grossed out and laughing about how MR had his arm up the cow's hoo-ha all the way up to his shoulder.  He then says, "Oh, wow, big contraction."  I was cracking up about how a cow's contraction could probably dang near pinch your arm off.  Or feel like it anyway.

That's when Mr. B said that he was glad he didn't have to experience a pregnancy with me.  (Should I be offended that his seque into this conversation was a cow giving birth?)  Pregnancy and then actual delivery.

He really started in on me.  He said I'd be screaming for my epidural and the doctor would say, "But B - - you are only in your first trimester.  No pain meds yet, you big wimp."

Should I be more offended by the cow giving birth leading into a story about me or by the fact that he called me out on the wimp thing?  Cow or wimp?  Which should I be more offended by?

Quote of the day...

"Though I've grown old the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe."

~Hero Boy, The Polar Express

Quote of the day...

We just gotta get through these four Christmases as quickly and painlessly as possible.


~Brad from Four Christmases

Get. Out.

I did not need these...

But they were SCREAMING at me from the shelf today.  Who am I to say "no" to something that so desperately wants to be a part of my life?

Oh. My. Santa.  These things are fabulous.  I recommend pouring a glass of milk first.  It *is* the rule.

Quote of the day...

"Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, kiss my ass. Kiss his ass. Kiss your ass. Happy Hanukkah."

~Clark W. Griswold, Jr.

Quote of the day...

"It's just nice to meet another human that shares my affinity for elf culture."

~Buddy the Elf

Spreading the scrapbook love around...

Scrapbook Trends 2010 Quick and Easy Pre-Order

If you order today, free shipping.  Plus, I found a 25% coupon code.  Enter save25 in the coupon code spot.  My total was $13.46.  This is a very good deal.  ST is my favorite idea magazine.  And I'm all about quick and easy.  (No comments from the peanut gallery please.)

So scrapbooking peeps.  Get after it.  :D

Weekending

I'll try to summarize.

Friday night - - the kids played and Mr. B and I watched Four Christmases.  Cute.  I love Vince Vaughan.

Saturday morning - - I got up at dark-thirty to go help with Breakfast with an Angel at our church.    There were tons of people there.  I ended up scrambling a lot of eggs.

Saturday afternoon - I went through my scrap things and loaded the van with my stuff to go crop later.  I also cleaned the never-ending junk pile by the phone.  That involved lots of throwing away.  Then I did some general clean up around the house.  Mostly straightening.

Saturday night - - I cropped with my peeps.  I didn't even finish a page.  I talked more than I scrapped.  At least my stuff is all organized again and I have some direction.  I know which pages I'm going to tackle next.  I have a plan.  In the works: one completely phawesome page.  If it turns out as good as I expect - - I may actually submit it.  I got inspiration from the girls last night.  We'll see.  I love spending time with my girls.  The conversation was both stimulating and funny.

Sunday morning - - I didn't wake up until 10:45.  And I'm still sleepy.  I really need to get my body back on a normal person's schedule.  I'm getting too old for this.

Now - - it's lunch time and I'm still sipping on coffee.  I need to get a lunch plan going.  Then, I'm going to put away the TONS of laundry that's folded.  And hang up the TONS of laundry that needs to be hung up.  I'm going to mop the kitchen floor (finally) and then unload my scrapbook stuff from last night.  Then, I'm going to let my creative juices flow.  I'm turning off the internet.  I will only get on the computer to design with my Cricut if necessary.  No Facebook.  No Message Boards.  Just me having a productive afternoon.  Wish me luck.  I'll post something tomorrow.

By the way - - this post is mostly accountability for me.  I didn't intend on boring anyone to tears.

Cameron lost his DS this week.

And Justin found it this afternoon while they were outside having a snowball fight.  Kudos to the Nerf Protector.  The DS still works.  If it had been rain, it would have been ruined.  It was frozen.  I brought it inside and took my awesome new hair dryer to it.  I took the battery out and dried everything out.  He is dang lucky.  And *so* grounded from it.

For the record - - those things are NOT supposed to go outside.  That's our rule.  He *clearly* broke that rule.  Then, while looking for it this week, I specifically asked him if he'd taken it outside.  No.  I never dreamed he'd actually break this rule.  Oh.  He did.  When Justin shouted out that he'd found it, Cameron kicked in his most abject apologies.

The turd.

The lucky, lucky turd.

More pictures.

Here is the link to the pictures on our family website.

Bray Family Website

Snow!!!

A very rare West Texas phenomenon.

I'm going to upload more pictures on our family website.  I'm glad I took them when I did.  It's already melting.  The kids are going to be mad when they get home from school.  It sure was pretty for a while.

The Fray

You guys know how much music inspires me.  It triggers memories and emotions in me.  Big time.

I had to take David's car somewhere the other night because it was blocking me in.  (His car, not his truck.  I haven't been given the "opportunity" to drive The Beast yet.)  Anyway, his car didn't have any good cd's in it and it doesn't have XM.  I was forced to listen to the radio.  *gasp*  I know.  To think...

Anyway, a song came on and I found myself caught up in the familiarity of it.  But I couldn't quite remember where I'd heard it.  I texted some of the lyrics to David so that maybe he could find the song for me.  He couldn't tell.  So I looked when I got home.  I finally solved the mystery.  It was a song by The Fray.  It was played during a very emotional part of Brothers & Sisters a couple of weeks ago.  (I cry at the end of EVERY episode.  This episode was no exception.)  I found a clip of it on youtube.  If you don't watch, Sally Field is the mother.  Her daughter, played by Calista Flockhart, has been diagnosed with lymphoma.  She had just finished her first chemo treatment and her hair had begun to fall out.  She was terrified of how she'd look.  So - - well, just watch.  She conquered her fear with tremendous support from her mother and sister.  It was one of those scenes where I BAWLED my head off.  Watch it and tell me what you think:



Needless to say, this song is currently the most played on my iPod.  I love it.  It is "Never Say Never" by The Fray.

Are you freaking kidding me??

I've discussed before, ad nauseum, my extreme irritation of unsolicited e-mails.  Especially from someone I specifically told that I didn't want any fast forward crap.  I could not have been more specific.  I believe my words were, "Here is my e-mail address.  If you need to contact me about any of the subject matter we will be discussing or if you have a concern, please feel free to contact me.  But please, I beg of you all, do not forward me the cutesy stuff.  I know that there are some really sweet and cute things out there.  And I know lots of people have lots of opinions about lots of issues.  However, I don't have the time, or desire, to forage through it all.  So please, limit your e-mails to issues we need to discuss.  Okay?  Thanks!!!"  It was all said with a smile, received some giggles and we moved on.

Enter Mrs. Fast Forward.

She did not acknowledge the boundaries I presented her with.  At all.

I finally added her e-mail address to my spam list and her e-mails go directly to my spam folder.  She forwards everything.  Eh-ver-eeee-thing.  I occasionally peruse the spam folder to make sure someone isn't in there that shouldn't be.  A few have slipped through the cracks before.  I found the following e-mail from her:

Hey everyone!  I am going to be on vacation  for the next two weeks.  If you would, please hold ALL emails until 12/14/09.  Thanks for your cooperation.

Seriously?  All e-mails?  I've NEVER sent her an e-mail.  Ever.  Do you know what this tempts me to do?  Do you see that twinkle of evil in my eye?  I am inclined to find as much nonsense on the interwebs as possible.  And the bigger the attachment, the better.  I want to freakin' flood her inbox.  I want it to be so flooded that she will consider contacting FEMA.

Will I do it?  No.  I'll likely never ever say a word to her because I don't want to hurt her feelings.  I shall limit my cruelty to venting here.  And since I didn't mention her name, I don't feel so bad.

Whew.  I feel better now.

By the way, those of you that really know me - - you know when to forward.  And thanks for that.  Through the years, I've received some pretty funny stuff.  And I love it.  Please don't stop.  But you know the rule, if you know it will dang near make me pee my pants from laughing - - send it.

Also - - you know I'm preaching to the choir.  Right?  None of my fans are known offenders.  :-)

Okay.  Gotta jet.  Jack Black is on Yo Gabba Gabba.  While I hate that show, I love Jack Black.  So...

*smooches*