Self Preservation

As I type these words, I'm snacking on a bit o' Papa John's goodness, I'm anticipating the Jennifer Aniston flick I'm about to pop in the DVD player, and I'm contemplating whether or not to go for the Diet Coke I want or the bottle of water that I seriously need and should be drinking instead.

During the last year and a half since my husband has been in Iraq, I've done a lot of soul searching. I've found myself. If someone told me two years ago that I'd be spending every single night alone (Well, except for the company of my little guy, of course.), I'd say 'Nope. I think I would go insane for fear of intruders in the middle of the night.' Lol. Seriously.

Glad I got over that.

(I don't even sleep with the police-grade baton anymore.)
Aren't you proud?
On occasion, I've even fallen asleep without the pepper spray too.
Seriously.
I. Was. That. Freaked. Out.
I'm strong though.
I'm independent.
Very.
I'm going to preserve a bit of myself on this little happy blog tonight.
I might even print it out.
Stick it in my little memory box.
Maybe I'll read it again in (God willing) fifty years or so.

Here goes:
I'm a list maker.
I try to be organized.
I suffer from what I've learned is labeled as "Perfectionist Procrastination".
I don't want to start something unless I can execute it perfectly.
According to my list, that is.
I've purchased a book about organization.
Reading it is on my To-Do list.
This is really me.
Not one of those I like scrapbooking and the color pink lists.
The real me.
Shamefuly honest and unedited.
I'm brainstorming about a new business.
Okay, when haven't I been doing that?
I'm always coming up with hair-brained business ideas.
(I think I get that from my Dad, by the way.)
Those close to me can attest to that.
I seriously should write a book on home business ideas.
Add that to my list of home business ideas. Lol.
I analyze.
All the time.
About everything.
The wheels never stop turning.
I read into things too much.
It gets me into trouble at times, but I can't help it.
It's how I think.
I'd be content eating Lean Cuisine glazed chicken and rice for the rest of my life.
It tastes good.
With no effort.
I could not live without my microwave.
My sister cooks elaborate meals.
I just am not like that.
It drains me.
I'd rather be doing creative things.
I suppose cooking can be creative.
Maybe I'll get into it one day.
I think I will.
I do enjoy cooking desserts though.
That, I get from my Mom.
I enjoy having a system.
A process for doing things I do on a regular basis.
For example, I put my makeup on in the exact same order every day.
Does anyone else do that?
Is it a girl thing or just a Delaney thing?
Who the heck knows.
I enjoy developing my son's mind.
We read all the time.
He really amazes me sometimes.
His memory is better than mine.
I think I have a photographic memory.
I have a humorous, sarcastic outlook during really crappy situations.
I've found this helps me stay sane.
I'd rather laugh than cry, you know?
WOW. This is so random.
It has no flow.
This is totally not how I write.
I'm seriously considering deleting all of it and just going to watch my DVD.
Hmmmm.

Things I Love: (Besides the people in my life.)

• "The Way I See Its" on Starbucks cups.
• That I sometimes wake up at 3am wide awake. I feel like I have an advantage starting out the day early.
• The fact that things like kiwis, pineapple, and Mackintosh apples are actually good for the bod.
• The fact that I indulge in Coke Icees even though they aren't.
• The feeling of people loving me for me. Not for who I was. Or for who I could be.
• Checking off a task from my list.
• Finding a really cool color combination.
• The sense of urgency I feel in airports.
• Accomplishing something on my own when people tell me I should ask for help.
• The way my son shouts "Mama!!" when he first sees me at the door to his preschool classroom. Being needed is good. Needing can be good to, I have found.
• The fact that I was taught how to be a good mother by a good mother's example.
• The way my supplies smell from Signed Sealed & Delivered.
• My featherbed. Totally.
• There's more. Of course. I just want to hurry up and watch my movie.

Anyway... There's so much more to write. I just don't feel like I have the time right now to do it all justice though. I'll write more tomorrow. More self preservation. Take two.

Well, I suppose I didn't delete all of this. That's good. Off to grab a Diet Coke.

Yeah, I opted for that.

Carpe diem, you know?

I'm just a creative soul trying to preserve herself.

That's all.

Renewed

I feel renewed.

Excited about the ideas I have.

Ready to turn them into reality.

I have a plan.

Nothing too huge.

I'm all about family.

It's good for me though.

Wish me luck.

Thanks Kayla.

By the way, here is my super-simple Ebay auction banner that I created for the top of my auctions! Check out www.divinepapers.com to see my latest creations!

I'll be adding an album entitled "Pregnancy Memories" tonight!

Honoring Bravery...

My God.
This was just released to the public.
I have no words eloquent enough to do justice to the honor of this great hero.
Read the news story below for yourself.
Send prayers to his family.
It's the least we can do.
Please.

A Navy SEAL sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade Iraqi insurgents tossed into their sniper hideout, fellow members of the elite force said.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor had been near the only door to the rooftop structure Sept. 29 when the grenade hit him in the chest and bounced to the floor, said four SEALs who spoke to The Associated Press this week on condition of anonymity because their work requires their identities to remain secret.
"He never took his eye off the grenade, his only movement was down toward it," said a 28-year-old lieutenant who sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs that day. "He undoubtedly saved mine and the other SEALs' lives, and we owe him."
Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad.
In an interview at the SEALs' West Coast headquarters in Coronado, four members of the special force remembered "Mikey" as a loyal friend and a quiet, dedicated professional.
"He was just a fun-loving guy," said a 26-year-old petty officer 2nd class who went through the grueling 29-week SEAL training with Monsoor. "Always got something funny to say, always got a little mischievous look on his face."
Other SEALS described the Garden Grove, Calif., native as a modest and humble man who drew strength from his family and his faith. His father and brother are former Marines, said a 31-year-old petty officer 2nd class.
Prior to his death, Monsoor had already demonstrated courage under fire. He has been posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions May 9 in Ramadi, when he and another SEAL pulled a team member shot in the leg to safety while bullets pinged off the ground around them.
Monsoor's funeral was held Thursday at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. He has also been submitted for an award for his actions the day he died.

30 Ways to Eat a Pumpkin...

Yep.
Pretty crazy huh.
Thirty ways to eat a pumpkin.
Right here.
So, get in the spirit of Autumn,
and check out this link...
http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/43189/30-ways-to-eat-a-pumpkin
I know.
I'm up at 4:30am getting ideas on how to cook a pumpkin.
How Martha Stewart am I?
Wait. Don't answer that.
Have a fabulous Thursday.
Grey's is on!
Life is grand.
Over and out.

Blog Challenge

Here are my answers to today's blog challenge!

1) When was the last time you truly watched at a sunset?
Two-ish? years ago in Michigan the night before my best friend's wedding.

2) What are you most obsessive about?
Proper grammar.

3) Last thing you ate?
Aside from my late night Starbucks vanilla latte, glazed chicken, wild rice and green beans.

4) Any plans for Halloween?
Trick or treating with my little Superman, of course! What the heck, I may dress up too...

5) What kind of shampoo do you like?
Pantene, baby! (With "matching" conditioner, of course. They must match. Always.)

6) What do you do with your change?
I don't change. I'm a creature of habit. *wink* Oh- you're speaking in a monetary sense, I presume? I toss it into the super-convenient change holder in my car after it clinks around in my purse for a bit.

7) What do you usually do/eat at lunchtime?
I eat lunch every day at home with my son and have some of the greatest conversation in the world. God, I love him.

8) When was the last time you called someone for help? What was it for?
I honestly can't remember. I have this complex about needing to do things on my own... Seriously.

9) If you could have one TOY for Christmas, what would it be?
A monogramed embosser.

10) How many people have you currently not forgiven for something/do you hold a grudge against?
Ooh, I'm going to keep thinking happy thoughts today! I plead the fifth.

Flying Down Highway 102

I swear, my mother's words traveled down Highway 102 and came flying out of my mouth earlier today...

"Would you talk to your teacher that way?" I asked my three year old after he protested something random I asked of him. I honestly don't even remember my request, but that's beside the point.

If you're reading this Mom, then I suppose your teachings stuck with me a tad more than you thought at the time, eh? Lol.

After my amusement at what I had just spoken, trying to hide the half smile on my face from my son, I contemplated this very concept:

Why do we as human beings, at times, give more respect to those we barely know, rather than to those we love most? After tossing this back and forth in my mind all day, my analysis took shape.

I mean, I'm probably more polite to the lady at the checkout counter in Walmart than I have been in years past to my own family members. Ever do that? It's not real though. You put on a fake smile, say you're doing well... Ask how she is doing, in her little blue vest, with her required twenty pieces of flair on it...

(Anyone catch that allusion? Diehard Office Space fanatic here.)

Sometimes I'm tempted to tell it how it is.

"I'm doing horribly, thank you for asking. My son is overdue for a nap, I'm tired of reading signs in Spanish, and I have a deadline I'm late on."

Yeah right. I'll stick with the fake stuff for people I don't know.

My point exactly. Save the real stuff for people I'm comfortable with. The true life stuff. Coarse. Sucky at times. But that's life. Thank the good Lord the happy days outweigh the not-so-good ones, right? :)

In continuation, showing lack of verbal respect usually occurs when the guilty party is upset with the said loved one. The guilty party has a high comfort zone with the said loved one. Therefore, the guilty party feels comfortable opening themselves up to sharing the frustration through the venting of their frustration on the said loved one. While this level of comfort is a good thing (It shows trust.), it can temporarily harm the relationship through utterly verbose streams of nonsense.

Here's the bottom line: If you find yourself in the shoes of the guilty party (wildly waving hand here), take a step back. Take a breath, and explain to your loved one that you only had a temporary slip of the tongue due to your high level of trust and comfort with the object of your most unnecessary negati-

Seriously. Like that battle plan would work in a heated verbal war. Lol.

Anyway, you get the point.

Random thoughts for the day...

Take 'em or leave 'em.

It's 2am here.
I'm freaking tired.
How insane am I to be up at this hour blogging about analytical nonsense I've been tossing around?

Don't answer that.

Goodnight all.

Worthy homepage headline? You decide.

So I'm at the Yahoo! home page to get my daily dose of news headlines and after I study the North Korea situation, my eyes skim down a few headlines and...

Oh. My. Lord.

"Hilton, Richie seen together at LA Steakhouse"

Wow. Can you imagine the effect this has on the American people? Thank goodness it was on the Yahoo! home freaking page or else I might have missed this must-read tidbit. Don't get me wrong, I love to live vicariously through my People magazine as much as the next stay at home mom who wears comfy pants, an Old Navy t-shirt and StazOn ink on her hands from an album she's about to post on Ebay at 5:17pm. ~But I digress....

My point is: Seriously? Seriously?

If one could only see the look of exasperated-I-don't-give-a-darn-confusion on my face right now...

On a home page? A few lines away from prospect of nuclear war?

That's all for today ladies and gentlemen.

Back to my hole filled with patterned paper, ribbons, ink, and embroidery floss...

Sneak Peeks!

Here are a few sneak peeks of a luxurious 6x6 Princess album I'm going to list on Ebay later today! It's created with different shades of pink and brown! So fun. I spent two days creating it! Just click on the link to the right to see my latest Ebay auctions! Have a very happy Monday!

5 bottles of Jergens on the wall...

Call me obsessive compulsive. Call me resistant to change. Call me a traditionalist. ~But don't call me out of my favorite lotion!!!

(At least, not anymore.)

When I discovered that Jergens lotion changed their lineup, I was crushed. So, being the resourceful individual that I am, not to mention "creature of habit" that I've been referred to on more than one occasion, I made a phone call to my Jergens representative whose phone number was so conveniently listed on the back label of my empty bottle of Jergens lotion. Alas, my favorite lotion is being discontinued. No longer can I walk into my local supermarket (More commonly referred to as a supercenter by Walmart USA residents here at the hub of the retail giant's home office where I reside.) and purchase my Jergens. It's official.

~And now for the reason why most of you are probably here reading this... :)

Have you ever had a product discontinued that you adored? My friendly Jergens representative helpfully gave my the name of this fabulous website:
www.medichest.com
Inside this so-called chest of yesteryear, a desperate soul will find just about any product that has been discontinued! It's a great site! A bit prehistoric in design, I'll admit, however, it is packed with items who used to to have their very own SKU number... Check it out.

My, um, five bottles of lotion were just dropped off at my doorstep today!

A Seemingly Random Photo...

So, here is the new wallpaper on my phone. ~Pretty unexpected coming from someone who usually gravitates toward girly-girl inspired decor, I know. However, if you haven't watched Superman Returns, run [don't walk] to go watch it! Elements of romance, drama, and fabulous conspiracy are entertwined throughout! Anyway, just wanted to share...

*wink*

Sneak Peeks!

These are a few sneak peeks of an album about boys that will be on Ebay later today! Check out www.divinepapers.com to see it!

Hugs,
Delaney

The Way I See It #181

Yes, blast it, I'm writing about coffee again. Well, I suppose it is related to coffee in a "Six Degrees Of-" sort of way...

As I check my morning email [delete 99.9% of my unreads due to spam], I glance down at my Starbucks venti vanilla latte. The words "The Way I See It" jump out at me in bold Starbucks green letters. Why on earth have I not read these before?! Apparently I have a lot of catching up to do if the particular one I was handed today is numbered 181!! I'm going to share it with you:

"A child's mind isn't a blank slate; it's more of a jungle. Each time a parent helps a toddler read, the child is walked through this jungle from one side to the other. Trip after trip, a seemingly impossible passage becomes a well-worn path. Children sent to kindergarten skipping merrily along this path to literacy fare far better than those sent to school with machetes.
-Keith Mastrion
"Reading Man" and 1998 National Teacher of the Year

Fabulous. What an amazing analogy. I love analogies. Always have. I find it interesting that I received #181 on this fine Wednesday morning, as I just picked up a large bag containing my son's Scholastic book order today from his little happy preschool. Such fun. When I noticed the flimsy brightly-colored book catalogue a month ago in his brightly painted cubby, I was taken back instantly to the hours I had spent pouring over my own Scholastic book order form on the school bus on my way home. I would sit scrunched down in my brown plastic seat, rest my knees on the anterior seat, and get out my pale pink ten color pen... (Hmmm... I wonder whatever happened to that thing?) There I'd sit, analyzing each and every title, circling the ones that were "must-haves"...

Fast forward to a month ago, and one would see me circling away again as I chuckle to myself... Ah, the memories...

No machete needed at this house.