The best birthday ever!

 

 

 

Dear Diary,

 

I started out kind of bummed because I had to work on my birthday...all day.....But how lucky am I! Zoey and 68" showed up in the lobby of the radio station with a cake for me that Zoey and Carter got up that morning and baked! Seriously....do I have a great husband or what! I have more on this special day but no time to post right now..I'm off to deliver lunch from the YSG to some very cool office.

Kelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's my kiddo's having fun with their newest toys.... boxes and foam peanuts.

Who knew things we normally throw out could be this much fun!

 

                               

Above...Zoey playing the Princess Jewelry Game and Carter "meets" a cupcake.

 

Click on the picture for Zoey and Carter Updates

(Go to "How's Zoey" on the side scroll bar)

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Dear Diary,

Here's my thought for the day...."Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Hmmm..good thought...good perspective.

Hugs,

Kelly

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5/26/09

Dear Diary,

On Memorial Day we dressed in our red, white, and blue and headed to the local Memorial Day parade and then to Home Depot to buy flowers and plans....Plants for....a GARDEN!

 

Seriously…I was raised in the country…we planted a garden every year…now that I have children and we now own a home….I’m planting a garden this year…WHY? I’m not sure…I HATED the garden thing when I was growing up. Why my parents tortured us by making us weed the thing is beyond me…I could just as easily go buy vegetables at the store or from a roadside market….So it’s not about saving money…the cost of plants is ridiculous…so I guess you only save money if you save seeds and sprout them yourself…and for the time all of that takes I could just as easily get a part-time job and buy the vegetables...we’d all break even.

 

Then I wax philosophic….and I guess I want my children to understand how vegetables get here…I want them to experience the soil, the seeds sprouting, the care that it takes to help things grow, the harvest, etc…..Uhhmmm...

And then I’m tortured by the thought of having to weed, hoe, till, and water for the next 3 months. Yuck.

 

Hugs,

Kelly

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4/14/09

Dear Diary,

I just got the funniest e-mail. Like many moms I can totally relate to this...and I'm sure my mom can relate to it to....something tells me I was probably doing this when I was a kid too! I have to share it with all of you.

A 3-year-old tells all from  his mother's restroom stall.
By Shannon  Popkin

My little  guy, Cade, is quite a talker. He loves to communicate and does
it quite  well.  He talks to people constantly, whether we are in the
library, the  grocery store or at a drive-thru window. People often
comment on how  clearly he speaks for a just-turned-3-year-old.  And you
never have to ask  him to turn up the volume.  It's always fully cranked.
There have been several embarrassing times that I've wished the meaning of
his words would have  been masked by a not-so-audible voice, but never have
I wished this more than  last week at Costco.

Halfway,  through our shopping trip, nature called, so I took Cade with me
into the  restroom.  If you'd been one of the ladies in the restroom that
evening,  this is what you would have heard coming from the second to the
last stall:  ''Mommy, are you gonna go potty?  Oh!  Why are you putting
toiwet  paper on the potty, Mommy?  Oh!  You gonna sit down on da toiwet
paper  now?  Mommy, what are you doing?  Mommy, are you gonna go stinkies
on  the potty?'' At this point I started mentally counting how many women
had been  in the bathroom when I walked in.  Several stalls were full ...
4?  5?  Maybe we could wait until they all left before I had to make  my
debut out of this stall and reveal my identity.

Cade  continued: ''Mommy, you ARE going stinkies aren't you?  Oh, dats a
good  girl, Mommy!  Are you gonna get some candy for going stinkies on the
potty?  Let me see doze stinkies, Mommy!  Oh...Mommy!  I'm trying  to see
In dere.  Oh!  I see dem.  Dat is a very good girl,  Mommy.  You are gonna
get some candy!'' I heard a few faint chuckles coming  from the stalls on
either side of me.  Where is a screaming new born when  you need her?  Good
grief.  This was really getting  embarrassing.  I was definitely waiting a
long time before exiting.   Trying to divert him, I said, ''Why don't you
look in Mommy's purse and see if  you can find some candy.  We'll both have
some!'' ''No, I'm trying to see  doze more stinkies..

Oh!  Mommy!' He started  to gag at this point.  ''Uh - oh, Mommy.  I fink
I'm gonna frow  up.  Mommy, doze stinkies are making me frow up!!  Dat is
so gross!!''  As the gags became louder, so did the chuckles outside my
stall..  I  quickly flushed the toilet in hopes of changing the subject.  I
began to  reason with myself: OK..  There are four other toilets.  If I
count  four flushes, I can be reasonably assured that those who overheard
this  embarrassing monologue will be long gone.

''Mommy!  Would you get off the  potty, now?  I want you to be done going
stinkies!  Get up!  Get  up!'' He grunted as he tried to pull me off.  Now
I could hear full-blown  laughter.  I bent down to count the feet outside
my door.  ''Oh, are  you wooking under dere, Mommy?  You wooking under da
door?  What were  you wooking at?  Mommy?  You wooking at the wady's
feet?'' More  laughter.  I stood inside the locked door and tried to assess
the  situation.

''Mommy, it's time to wash our hands, now.  We have  to go out now,
Mommy.'' He started pounding on the door.  ''Mommy, don't  you want to wash
your hands?  I want to go out!!'' I saw that my wait 'em  out' plan was
unraveling.  I sheepishly opened the door, and found standing  outside my
stall, twenty to thirty ladies crowded around the stall, all smiling  and
starting to applaud.

My first thought was  complete embarrassment, then I thought, where's the
fine print on the  'motherhood contract' where I signed away every bit of
my dignity and  privacy?  But as my little boy gave me a big, cheeky grin
while he rubbed bubbly soap between his chubby little hands, I thought,
I'd sign it all away  again, just to be known as Mommy to this little
fellow.

(Shannon  Popkin is a freelance writer and mother of three. She lives with
her family in  Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she no longer uses public
restrooms)

Hugs,

Kelly

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Tuesday 4 7 09

Dear Diary,

I finally got a few pictures of Zoey's birthday party and Cinderella's visit....well of course I took pictures but for some reason they all turned out blurry.

I was so bummed but a few of the other mom's shared the pictures they took. I will get them posted later today. Too cute. The girls were just mesmerized by Cinderella.

Seriously, she was the best Cinderella ever. Zoey still shows me how to do the "tap-tap" etiquette that Cinderella did with her napkin as she wiped her mouth at the dinner table. How funny! The things kids remember....and I'm glad she did! LOL

Cinderella also told them a story and showed them the princess wave. They dipped marshmallows, apples, and pretzels in fondue.....they drank princess punch. They asked Cinderella the funniest questions...

Does she brush her teeth?

Was she ever in time-out?

Who is her favorite princess?

If you ever have Cinderella for a party you'll be amazed at the grace with which she handles things. LOL I don't know if I could think that fast.

Many of you have asked so let me try to get these pictures posted on the Zoey page...it's been a while.  LOL

 

Hugs,

Kelly

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Thursday 4 2 09

 

Dear Diary,

So it's been 3 days....I'm doing okay....I had a remote yesterday at Cocca's Pizza....I did okay....until Steve was nice enough to send a couple of pizza's home with me. I left one at the station and took the other home for dinner....but there I was at a red light...and dang it....It was 2 in the afternoon and I was tired and hungry with a capitol H.

Other than that I think I've done pretty well for 3 days...Bob Evans delivered an entire Easter Dinner on Tuesday and I wasn't even tempted....not even by the lemon merangue pie..........But now.....Dunkin' Donuts has delivered a bunch of Bagels and Donuts and they are in the kitchen here at the station. So I think to myself...."Make an informed choice, Kelly."

So I go to their web site to check nutritional info...and what are the chances?...The nutritional section of their web site is down!

I'm in the middle of a food emergency and their web site is down! Arghhhh...A whole grain bagel is good for you....right?????

Kelly 

 

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3/29/09

Dear Diary,

I don't know if I'll ever be able to be seen in public again......I may go into hiding.

I saw a news clip of my hometown school levy rally that I was at over the weekend. They showed me walking up the steps of the gazebo to go on stage.

Seriously...I was waddling...waddling! I'm not kidding! I was waddling up the steps to take the microphone.

Have you ever seen a ground hog shuffling along the side of the road. That's me...that's how I saw myself walking up the steps.

Sad...just sad. I can't get that image out of my mind. Funny how you don't know just how bad you look and then you see yourself and it hits you in the face.

 

Do I have a plan? Every Monday I have a new plan. It usually lasts until around 10am. At that point the show is over, I'm tired and I do something stupid to blow it.

Will today be any different?  Hmmmmm......

I need to find something...anything.....what will be the "it" diet for me?...I've done the maple syrup/lemon juice diet...I've done "the point system" and the "prepackaged meals" diets. I've been hypnotized.

I still think there's a diet out there for me...I just haven't found it yet.

Memo to self...google "new diets".

Hugs,

Kelly

 

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Tuesday 3 17 09

Dear Diary,

 

Not sure why my updates haven't been posting...even JDub can't figure it out...oh well.... we'll see if this one works......I'll try to post again later.

And yes, I will post pictures of Zoey's birthday. You really have to see Cinderella to believe it. Seriously, this lady is talented.

Hugs,

Kelly

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Kell's new diet...Got Help?

Sorry I can't get this link to work...I'm actually posting EVERYTHING I eat on this link/page...in the hopes that it will help me make better choices...heck, if I actually have to post that I'm eating a cupcake then maybe it will help me just say no....Ya' think? Anyhow, it's my plan for now..... sooo.....if I can just figure out how to link the on-line food journal I'm keeping.

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Monday 3 16 09

Dear Diary,

There are moments in life that you just can't describe.....Saturday at our house was one of them. Zoey turned 4 this week. We were planning a small b-day party....something like last year...kind of princess-ey. So my friend Toni tells me that she invited "Cinderella" to her daughter' b-day party and she came to it! ow cool is that...soooooo....since Toni is the queen of party planning. Seriously, she needs to do it full-time...she's just that creative.

So I called Cinderella...and sure enough she was able to make it to Zoey's b-day party!

We had it in our basement. 6'8"s mom Carol decorated our basement into a castle garden. It was so sweet.

We had a fondue pot set up with mini-marshmallows, apple slices, and pretzels for dipping...we had a punch bowl with sherbet-punch served in fancy champagne glasses from the dollar store.....

The look on all of the girls faces when Cinderella walked down the steps was PRICELESS!

She carried a special jewel box that had tiaras, rings and wands. Each gir got a turn to go up and have Cinderella put the ring and tiara on her. The looks on their faces...seriously...unblievable...

CInderella ate dinner with the girls and showed them how to eat like princesses and put napkins on their laps. Soo cute!

More later,

Hugs,

Kelly

 

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Monday 3/9/09

Dear Diary,

 Here it is.....another Monday...another day where I say "This is it...I'm starting a new diet."

But will I succeed this time?

Last fall all of us went on a diet at work. Money was a huge motivator...we all chipped in and the winner took all.....I was so sure I would win....I lost 16 pounds! But one of the guys won....bummer. Then I think I got down about it and gained back 8. Boooooo.......

I did learn alot about myself....and I learned that money was great motivation for weight loss!

I also learned that if I talked about it publicly I was a bit more motivated to stay on track than my usual "keep it to myself so no one will notice me" diet.

I'm about to combine some of these elements.....

I will put a link up as soon as I figure this out....but I need you to help me with this...I'll explain in a bit.

Click here.....

Hugs for now,

Kelly

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Monday February 16, 2009

Dear Diary,

So how much should you pay a babysitter?

We don't go out that often.....and finding a baby sitter is tough...and you don't trust just anyone to stay with your children...so it's not that they're not worth the money...Baby-sitters are worth every penny and then some...but at what point is it counterproductive to go on a date?

 

So 6'8" and I were trying to get a sitter for Saturday night. We realize it's Valentine's Day but we were looking to go out in the afternoon...and leave the crowds of Saturday night for single/dating people who don't have children.

But we couldn't even get a sitter for Saturday afternoon! Everybody was booked...at least that's what they said....which lead us to wonder "Did we not pay them enough the last time they baby-sat....and they just said they were busy?"

Hmmmm......AC told me that we don't pay our sitters enough.

So then we got into the discussion of "What is the going rate for baby-sitters?"

Is there a set fee? Is it cheaper if you have them during the day instead of at night? Is it more expensive for toddlers rather that 9 year olds? How much do you pay for and 18 month old and a 3 3/4 year old for 3 hours?

And where's another couple who wants to trade sitter-services like they tell you to do in all the parent magazines?That's seems to be a bunch of ha-looey.....because what happens when you call such friends and they're like "Oh, no thank you....we have someone for the weekend." Don't we just look like the loser couple who can't afford a sitter.

Hugs for now,

Kelly

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Dear Diary,

I don't even know where to begin....there's just been so much going on....To those of you who have been gently nudging me to keep the updates coming...thank you. I'm not giving excuses but honestly....we've just been very busy. I'm working like crazy. Due to budget cuts we're all working 7 days a week. I don't mind....I love my job. It's just made doing some other things difficult.....

but that's what we do when times are tough....pull together, right? 

 

I'd love to tell you that I've kept up with my New Years Resolutions...but...or should I say BUTT....cause it's pretty much the same size...BIG! I'm still trying to work that whole thing out...ya' know...weight loss. I don't want to talk about it...til I get it figured out in my head. If I had to pick one area of my life...that is complete zero it terms of how good I feel...it's definitely my weight. They say living life is like being a juggler...you have to keep all of the plates in the air at the same time. If that's true, then I keep dropping the weight loss plate....but I guarantee you the other plates I'm juggling are loaded down with fajita's, lasagna, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, brownies, tiramisu, ice cream cakes, and more....and I must be nibbling off all of them...why do I keep dropping the weight loss plate.....simple.....I'm holding a fork in the other hand........

 

So how funny is this....it's Chinese New Year. We met a bunch of other adoptive families at a local restaurant....we make it a family affair as far as trying to honor the customs of Chinese New Year......wearing something new.....Chinese clothes, putting out a bowl of oranges, giving red envelopes, making Chinese lanterns, learning to say Happy New Year in Chinese, red bracelets, etc. We try to explain what we're doing and why.....we want her to know about China....and how it has given us the best gift of all...Zoey.

We talk about how we're going to a Chinese restaurant for Chinese New Year, there's going to be a Lion Dance, etc, etc.

 

And just when you think that she is understanding what you're talking about.....

Here we are in the middle of a packed Chinese restaurant.......We get up to the buffet, Zoey takes one look at the Fried Rice and Lo-Mein noodles and loudly exclaims "Hey, mama, look! They have Chinese food here!" Seriously...she's is a riot!

Hugs for now dear diary...I'm back....and it feels good. I missed you.

Kelly

 

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Seriously....we paid $25 for 3 hours...which I thought was acceptable....but according to AC he paid $10-$15 per hour! If that's the case then I'm opening up my own baby-sitting business! Who can afford that? And again...not that they're not worth it....but really?

Thursday December 11, 2008

Dear Diary,

How is this possible? How is it possible that I lost 16 pounds during our big diet challenge in September and October...and now two months later I've gained 8 pounds!!!!! How does that happen? Okay...maybe if I think back.....

Think, think, think...oh yeah....it may have had something to do with Halloween, and then there was that weekend at my mom's house...food equals love and my mom sure loves me cause I ate like there was no tomorrow.

I wanted her to know I love her too right? So it would have been an insult not to partake in the onion rolls, homemade bread, pancakes from scratch and homemade cinnamon rolls...right?

Oh and did I mention she sent home a care package? Again, because she loves me.

....and then there was the now infamous Election Day Bake Sale at Carter's school...yep, I figured I could do a better job describing the goodies to people if I knew how they tasted so I bought myself a sample plate...and then I bought some to bring home for "6'8 and the kids"....yeah, I don't think I made it out of the parking lot before I lifted the plastic wrap.

Let's see....then I was the emcee for several events that involved food...

The Rich Center Wine Taste...and what good wine taste doesn't serve food involving cheese and chocolate and some baked flakey mushroom things dripping with butter...and a little chocolate to bring out the good flavors in a red wine whose name I couldn't even pronounce.

Then there was the Boardman-Poland Junior Women's League Reverse Raffle DINNER! Complete with a cake made by Clarencedale Cakes...only one of the best bakers in our area.

Then we had a party for our China Adoptions group at our house....pizza, chips, dip, Chick-fil-a nuggets, desserts and more.

Then it was Thanksgiving...again, food is love, anmd I'm so thankful for so many things...including desserts and I'm especially thankful for those who make them too.

This past weekend was another party at our house...and what do you do with leftovers....I TRIED sending them home with people....Apparently everyone else is trying to diet too. Hmmmmmmm.

Last night was the Rotary Holiday Party, tonight is the on-air staff party, and next week is the station holiday party.

This big ol' celebration has got to stop. But how? There's still 3 more weeks of holidays left.

And poor Oprah is having the same trouble....and she has a personal trainer, a personal chef, and a nutritionist on staff! I need a diet and I need it quick.

Until then.....What's a girl to do? I'm wearing expandable pants from now til January.

Hugs,

Kelly

_________________________

Monday December 8th, 2008

Dear Diary,

Here's something that made me smile the ther day.

We're still waiting for Zoey to ask questions about being from
China...so far nothing...no interest in talking about it.

So last night I'm opening up our mail and there was a card from a
friend of ours who has two daughters adopted from China, who are in
our local Chinese adoption group. They were all dressed up in their Chinese silk dresses.
Zoey looks at the picture...her eyes get all bright and she
exclaims "Hey mama, these are Chinese girls!"

I wasn't sure how to respond...but I was curious what made her say that...what she's thinking....so I asked "Yes but how do you know that?"

Zoey didn't miss a beat and said "Cause they're wearing Chinese
clothes!"

Too funny!

Hugs,

Kelly

_______________________________________________

Monday December 1st, 2008

Dear Diary,

I do owe you some explanations....first of all...the Election Day Bake Sale was a huge success! NOT because of me..and certainly NOT because of all the worrying I did over it all.

It was the best in the history of the day care!   They raised over $900 from a  bake sale! The success was due to parents and friends donating some awesome baked goods...and teachers and staff selling sandwiches....and to the fact that there was a record number of voters coming out to vote.

Wow! It was awesome...and to those of you who have asked for the recipes from Karen, Debbie, and Dalene...I will post them at this link.....these are the now famous bake sale cookies that everyone has been bugging me about. I've never made them but they were HUGE sellers at the Election Day Bake Sale.

Okay...click here for the link and happy baking. 

Hugs,

Kelly

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Monday October 27th, 2008

Dear Diary,

File this under "What the $@!! was I thinking?" Seriously......

So I'm on the board at Carter's Daycare. All board members have to sign up for committees....by the time the list was passed around the table to me there was one empty space to fill in so that everyone is on a committee.

Are you ready for this?
I am the new Chairperson for the annual Election Day Bake Sale! Ha! Ha...ha...ha...woo-hooo...thats a good one right? NOT!

Are you kidding me? Me? Bake Sale? Anyone who knows me...knows that you should keep me out of all things involving cooking and food.And they want me to chair an event involving food? Might I remind you the few attempts I've made at cooking.....it started in Junior High Home Ec when I burned the No-Bake cookies. And don't mock me because it IS possible to burn No-Bake Cookies. And thank you to Mrs. Clark for pointing that out to the rest of the class-room on that fateful day.  It didn't really stop them all from laughing at me but it did make me feel a little bit better.....although I was reminded of it just about everyday through the end of my senior year.

Then there was the incident when I got my first apartment and cooked dinner for my parents. Three hours later my dad was in the emergency room with chest pains. I guess I know why my dad always insists we get take-out when he comes to visit.

Then there was the time I tried cooking a frozen pizza to impress my in-laws (I didn't tell them it was frozen) and I put it on my own baking stone that I received as a wedding gift. As they arrived the house smelled of fresh baked pizza. All was well until we went to cut it and found out that I never removed the cardboard circle that was underneath the pizza. Doh! (Or should I say "dough!") Busted!

And now.....I'm in charge of baked goods???? Then one of them told me "Oh it's so easy, you'll he fun." I'm thinking "Yeah...and that's why YOU didn't sign up for it right?"

The other members of the board reassured me that I wouldn't have to actually bake anything. A few of the moms said they just go buy stuff at the grocery store and put it in individual baggies.

Hey, how come I never thought to do that? I have so much to learn about being a mom. Anyhow, I do have to collect the baked goods on Monday, bag them up, price them, and tend to the stand on Tuesday.

My first Bake Sale. I'm so dang nervous!

Anyhow, at this point I don't really care who wins the Election next Tuesday...as long as the annual Election Day Bake Sale goes well...then I'll be a happy camper....and maybe I can redeem myself and get rid of this cooking stigma that has haunted me my whole life.

Hugs, Kelly (AKA Betty Crocker)

Friday October 3, 2008

Dear Diary,

I'm sooo nervous. I know I should have told you about it but...well....It just seemed weird to talk about...now...I have knots in my stomach thinking about it.

A few weeks ago AC and I met a lady named Sara for lunch. She's a writer for Valley Magazine.

Valley's doing their Best of issue and they want us for a cover story! Yikes!

It was about a week into our diet challenge. We met at 11:30am at the Youngstown Sports Grill and the rest is a big blur.

The smell of food is all I remember...that....and the fact that it was probably the WORST interview I've ever given. She was great, AC was great...but me...I couldn't focus. I was hungry and lethargic. I'm lucky I didn't just pass out from low blood sugar. 

All I remember was the smell of something being deep fried in the kitchen....then she'd ask a question and my focus would be on the food being served at the table next to us.  

I couldn't even concentrate on the questions being asked. Now that I think about it....I don't even know what she asked. I think it was about my favorite food which just made me hungrier.

AC...he was Miss Chatty-Cathy......"blah, blah, blah, blah.......and another thing about myself.......blah, blah, blah,blah....and Sarah, did  tell you about the time I...blah....blah...blah." I probably sounded like the world's biggest idiot. She'd ask something simple like "What's your favorite movie?"....and all I could blurt out was "Disney Princesses...Volumes 1 through 4." And the sad part is that it IS true! When you're on a road trip and the Disney Princess series keeps your three year old content...it IS your favorite movie! Of course that probably wasn't the cool answer now was it . Ugh!

I do remember Sarah, the writer, was so sweet. I might call her and offer to pay money to give me second chance. I'll eat a Snicker's bar going into it to make sure I'm coherent. I'll order the fries and pierogies at the Sports Grill.

And now the issue will be out next week for the whole world to read about what an idiot I am....

Kelly

Friday September 12, 2008

Dear Diary,

One of our goals this summer was to clean out our basement…well, really just unpack our basement. You see we moved from our condo into a house this past spring. The condo fit us quite well when it was just the two of us…then it was the three of us….and then the four of us…well, we weren’t quite so comfy. LOL. It’s not a new house but it’s new to us and we love it.

I look at our basement and wonder how we ever fit all of our stuff in that condo. Amazing! Bottom line, we need to have the world’s largest garage sale.

Something interesting happened while we were unpacking.....

Do you remember me telling you about Diane? She was one of our neighbors at the condo. She had been through cancer with her grandma Nan, and then her mom Linda passed away from cancer in 2004.

Then Diane found out she had terminal brain cancer. In January of 2005 she was giving many of her things away…sentimental things. She said she wanted to be able to give them to people instead of waiting for someone to do it after she passed. We had our paper work to China and we were waiting for Zoey. Little did we know it would be another year until we got Zoey.

Diane gave us a wall hanging/picture of a little girl that her grandma Nan had given her when she was a little girl. It was about 38 years old. It played “lullaby” when you pulled the string. I was so touched by her gesture...that she wanted us to have this very personal part of her childhood. I put it up for safe keeping. Diane died that summer of 2005. She was 39.

Fast forward 7 months…it’s now February of 2006. We just got our referral for Zoey and we’re turning my office into Zoey’s room. We haven’t touched the wall hanging for nearly a year. I go downstairs, pick it up, walk upstairs, take one step into Zoey’s newly painted room and the thing starts playing lullaby!

Then when we took pictures of Zoey’s room for the website there was a green glow around the wall hanging! (If you don’t believe me the pictures are still on the Zoey web site under “pictures”).

We’ve hung it in Zoey’s room again here in our new house. From the time we brought Zoey home from China she has loved that wooden lullaby picture. We always look at it and say “Miss Diane wants to sing us a lullaby. She’s in heaven looking over us.”

And you wonder if people really do look over us….can they?

I believe they do…and I think they find subtle ways to let us know they’re still around.

So….here we are in our new basement and we’re sorting through things. I got chills when I came across Diane’s funeral bulletin. It had a picture of Diane in full Jimmy Buffet gear,and holding a frozen drink in one hand. It’s how she wanted everyone to remember her.

I remember being in tears at her funeral….and then looking down and seeing her picture on the front of the bulletin. It made me smile…actually almost laugh right in the middle of the mass….and she intended it that way. Diane had that crazy sort of sense of humor. She was always laughing and had the funniest stories to tell.

Anyhow…there I am in our new basement….and I got chills as I looked down at the bulletin.

There it was….on the front….just below her picture…..

Diane, born June 30, 1966 to July 21, 2005. Yep……July 21^st…

Could I ever have a good association with a day that was so sad?….and then it hit’s me….

July 21^st…….that’s Carter’s birthday! 

And just like that….. Diane found a way to make me smile again. Carter Christian was born ahead of schedule on July 21st, 2007.....and I think somehow Miss Diane may have had a little something to do with it......

July 21^st……. Carter’s birthday….Thank you Diane….and (her mom) Linda….and her (grandma) Nan.

Hugs,

Kelly

Dear Diary,

First of all....I'm still trying to get my computer fixed....still not able to upload pictures. I'm working on it. Trying to get some cash to get it fixed. Diapers and formula are more of a priority right now.

Sooooo...that leads me to my next project and my motivation for it....

The AC & Kelly Ultimate Weight Loss Challenge.....Yep...I'm taking this public. Several of us at the station have started our own little "Biggest Loser" contest. 30 days to see who can lose the biggest percentage of weight. Winner takes home some nice cash. Perhaps this is the motivation I need.  In my defense, it has been a really tough year and my back still bothers me so badly that I can't walk or exercise the pounds away...soooo....I'm going to try to control the pounds through food intake....At least in theory.....

I can't call my fat butt "Baby" weight any more...afterall, Carter is 13 months old. It's not baby weight anymore. Yes, I know I look fat. There have been some real "LOW" points lately...like when a client patted my tummy and asked how the baby was growning...Uhmm....I replied with a laugh  "Oh I just haven't lost the baby weight." Then I excused myself and ran to the closest ladies room where the tears just wouldn't stop. I wasn't upset with him....afterall, if I didn't look it then he wouldn't have said it. He saw me later and said "Kelly, just kick me...right here, just kick me." I laughed and told him it was no big deal......I knew he felt bad, but it wasn't his fault. 

Sad part is that he's not the only one to think that in the past few months. So.. Am I motivated? You betcha!

We did our official weigh in....how sad for me....I weigh only 10 pounds less than I did when I went into the hospital to have Carter! Ugh....I have a long way to go......but I'll get there....somehow.....

Hugs,

Kelly

Monday August 25, 2008

Dear Diary,

 Here's a play-date that will never happen.

Zoey's play-mate from school had been trying to set up a play-date with us. Never met the parents but we had left messages for each other. I knew they were a tad...okay, how do I say this correctly.....how about "more religious" than us...I deduced it by the fact that we couldn't have a play-date on certain weeknights because of church and their answering machine messages always ended with "have a blessed day." Now I want everyone to have a blessed day too....I just don't say it. Maybe I should.

But back to the play-date....Who doesn't want their child hanging out with another child whose family also goes to church? Perhaps while Zoey and her friend are on the swings they'll discuss things like the 10 commandments....thou shall not lie, thou shall eat all your vegetables, etc.

So we're at the grocery store getting food for a small dinner party we were having. Zoey starts waving at someone and sure enough it's her friend in the buggy and there's the mom....so finally we all meet! There I am loading my groceries on the conveyor as we're talking...the whole time my face is turning 80 shades of red. I realized I had 4 bottles of wine, a case of beer, and a jar of olives. Nice....nice first impression.

What's that?     Nope definitley not the sound of our phone ringing for a play-date.

Hugs, Kelly

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Thursday, August 14th, 2008

Dear Diary,

Let me catch you up on things....we went to 6 foot 8's parents for our vacation. They live nearAtlanta. Georgia was hot and I loved every minute of it!

Monday was my birthday....gosh, I joke about how time flies with the kids birthdays. With that in mind I told my mom that I can only imagine how she feels everytime I celebrate one. LOL

Now, please keep my friend Sara in your prayers. She is having brain surgery tomorrow @ Rainbow BC Hospital. Sara, we love you and wish you the best.

Here's more on Sara's story http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/saral

More later.

Love,

Kelly

August 1st, 2008

Dear Diary,

G-U-M....that is the new word in our house.

Zoey has discovered it...and after letting her try a piece of mint g-u-m.....because I was sure she wouldn't like it because of the mint....it has become the "new" thing in our home. Soooooo....like any other mom would do in this situation....I'm using it as a "reward."

Now, not only does our child eat all of her vegetables, say please and thank you, pick up her toys, etc. when she wants a piece of gum.....but...she also has the freshest breath in town. LOL

However, I have learned that even the best plans can back-fire....We had company the other day....and I told her if she was really good during their visit, used good manners and gave hugs goodbye...she would get a piece of gum.

She was as good as a three year old can be...not perfect...but at least polite with no meltdowns. We were on the porch saying goodye, she was in the process of giving hugs when she blurts out to me....right in front of our guests as she's still got her hands around their necks......"Mom, I gave my hugs, now can I have my gum?"

Is there some sort of manual to tell me if I'm doing this stuff right?

Love,

Kelly

July 31st, 2008

Dear Diary,

My heart is heavy...you know I do a lot with Relay for Life... You probably heard me talk about the Newton Falls Relay for Life and the two sisters from Struthers (Sara and Elizabeth Lance) who sang at the Newton Falls/Lordstown Relay in June.....They were amazing!

Well.....I just got an e-mail telling me that things aren't looking too good for Sara. If you get a minute...would you please drop Sara a line and maybe let her know that you're thinking of her. It would mean the world to her. She is such a sweet soul and Sara and her family are facing a really tough time right now...that's all I can really say...you can read the rest on their blog...please click this link. It will only take a minute of your time and it would mean the world to Sara.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/saral

Thanks! I knew I could count on you to care.  :)

Love,

Kelly

Thursday June 26, 2008

Dear Diary,

I can't believe today is here.....it's our 9th wedding anniversary!

Honestly, it seems we've been married a couple of years...3 maybe....but 9! Wow.....it really seems like it just happened. And so much has happened in those 9 years.

I remember back to my single days. I had a poster by H.Jackson Brown...author of Life's Little Instruction Book. It was Rules for a Happy Life.  I had it hanging in my garage and everyday I would pull out of the garage I would read one of the "rules" and try to apply it in my life somehow.

When we moved a few months ago I took a look at it. One of the rules for a happy life was "Marry the right person. This will determine 90% of your happiness."

How lucky am I that I have 6'8" in my life......yes honey, you make me very happy....more like 140% happy.  :)

Love,

Kelly