Kick ass post!

I just spent an hour on a phenomenal blog post and when I went to publish post, it was an error, so wasn't too worried, it auto saves... NOT... Just went back and only had the first two sentences saved!!! BOOOO

Well, have to write more later... have boys that need mom... and lunch :D

Long Day

Well, has today been an incredibly long day for anyone else? I couldn't get up and around this morning for nothing. It just was like I was in slow motion...Like one of your dreams where you are doing various things but with no energy and slow as a snail.

I had to go out of town today, about two hours from the house...about half way there, I come up to a small town where I had just missed a horrible accident... wow what an eye opener! It was between an officer and mini-van. Both car demolished, van flipped. I will look at their local news page tomorrow to see if anything is posted. Sure makes you appreciate God's timing!!!

Lost Marbles

How many marbles do you think we have...I ask because I'm not sure how many I have left. I am always losing my marbles. Do you think they are like blood cells that replenish themselves? I sure hope so because it seems like my marbles are limited.

Okay, well here it is just after 8 am and my nerves are already shot. I have nothing against animals, at all. They can't help who they have been stuck with and the definitely can't tell others whats up... But this neighbor behind me has a dog that is a blood hound slash beagle...kids think it's cute... I however am about to feed it some Nyquil. This dog bark/howls all the stinking time. It can be for hours or minutes  this dog "talks" to the whole neighborhood! Of course you feel bad for the (now whining) dog... and would like to take the parent's of this dog and ask HOW can they tolerate it?? The lady of the house is very unapproachable so I have yet to muster up the (shocker I know) energy needed to deal with this situation. I have thought of different ways to talk to her and usually in my head comes out where I had her on a collar, strung outside!
Hold on, let me relish in that a minute....Okay, that's better! This dog issue is just one of the many joys of living in a close (not close knit) housing community...

Now, well, I shouldn't sound so negative. I have some awesome neighbors. A few we have become very close to. Those are the ones that keep us sane. Most of our neighbors are prior military or current law enforcement as well as fire department and of course those are our circle of friends that comes with job association. It is very comforting to know there is back up when needed and medics (first hand experience) right around the corner. Although that is a positive aspect, our home, that we own, is a three level home attached to another home such as ours. We live in old base housing. Houses aren't too bad. Theres many updates and we do our share of "updating" our way... So now envision being able to hear everything!

Stage left....ROLL... Okay here we are, at my house, barking dog, and the noisiest neighbors ever!! The previous owners had six people in it and I literally never heard them, ever! We were so close and they were a lifesaver to me during a time I needed honest, true friends most. That story to come soon... Anyway...the gal and her daughter, yep, you read right, TWO people in the home... Are so loud. It is non freaking stop! I have no idea what they do over half the time! The daughter is 9, mom, well, she is heavy footed...and strong armed...SLAM...STOMP!!! Daughter doesn't like what she's told, well here it comes...STOMP, STOMP, STOMP, SLAM....BANG... UGH! It is about to drive me up a wall! I even tried in the friendliest way possible to talk to her...she has no clue how they are that loud, then proceeds to blame it on her ice machine "must be the ice machine dropping ice". My favorite "ohhhhh, I bet its the cat"!!! Are you kidding me??? I even tried to go around Joe's barn to explain to her daughter the rudeness of being so loud using my kids as an example. Still nothing! The six small steps from level to level doesn't need to be a hoedown!

Okay, I guess that's it for now. 

ATTENTION

Long day today and have meeting tonight. I would really like to spend some time making an interesting blog post...don't think it's going to happen at this time. I hope to get on tonight and post something so interesting I will have hundreds of followers!

Enjoy what's left of the day!!

Screaming Inside

Well, I have tried to stay away from complaining (too much) about my hubby's ex and kids. Not happening today. It all started Friday when we received a call from the kids' school (500 miles away) at 5pm our time. Of course hubby didn't get to the phone in time, couldn't answer, they didn't leave a message and no one answered when we tried to return the call. So, like most concerned parents, especially after getting a phone call two years ago that their grandmother kicked them out of her car on a major highway and picked up by the sheriffs department (whole other story) , you tend to be over cautious. So for five hours hubby tried call all three phone numbers available to try and reach his girls... with no avail, he called Sheriff's department to do a welfare check... So about an hour later, department calls back informing all is well mother had them on an "outing". Okay, that's great, but two of the three numbers were grandparents (whom mom, son, my husbands girls, her NEW 4th husband and parents live). So why couldn't grandma just answer and say everything is okay?? Here is a concerned dad, calling and texting just to make sure his kids are ok.

So today, my hubby gets a wonderful text from ex stating how rude and inconsiderate he is and how he jumped the gun and made an issue of something that didn't need to be. How disrespectful and over dramatizing he made of the issue. She also insists she doesn't have to nor need to inform him of anything that she does with their kids! And the last text was LEAVE ME ALONE...will have girls call you later. So, about three hours later, girls call, first thing 11 year old says is Who called the cops? Why? Hubby didn't reply and just changed the subject to how was their weekend... He then says Hey, do you know why the school might have called me? She says maybe because she only went to school 1 1/2 days last week. Supposedly she was so sick, but mom takes them out camping in the hills of New Mexico where it gets very cold! OMG! So then hubby talks to 7 year old who basically chastises her father on how he had no right to call the cops and why would he do that? Then in the next breath says how she doesn't like school because they make her mind...

Needless to say, this is just the tip of issues mom, her parents and girls do. I am already dreading summer as they spend it with us! I have until May to figure out how I am going to deal with this. The lies, manipulation, sneakiness and attitudes never end! I have tried the nice, loving, caring, detachment, stand ground, nothing seems to matter. I feel as though the only way is to detach myself from them completely. How do I spend time with my kids in the summer but not them? I can't. But the chaos and contention they bring really wreaks havoc. 

Any suggestions, thoughts or just how to DEAL with everything?

Desperate

Gosh I am so desperate! I changed the blog name to hopefully grab some attention. I want to just write my whole life story but I also want to keep the blog posts short so it will draw interest.

Gluten Free

Well, about three weeks ago I self-diagnosed myself with a gluten sensitivity. It's been interesting and very challenging. All has been going good for the most part. Food choices are slim and doesn't accommodate my sweet tooth all that well :D I have seriously dropped about twelve pounds (50 to go) so that is encouraging. The book I ordered just came in today filled with recipes and ideas... looking forward to scouring through it! 

So with all the allergies and food sensitivities out there, how do you adapt? Any favorite restaurants that seem to accommodate food issues better than others?

Addicted

I wanted to put together a "links I like" page, but have become incredibly addicted to finding buttons and templates! I guess I'm just excited because I finally figured it out. There are so many cool templates and backgrounds!!! I want them all! Oh, and don't get me started on the buttons and tags! CUTE! I want to post them all! 

Is anyone addicted to them? Do you find yourself changing your background often? Am I on a "high" that will ware off? LOL

Discouraged

I am trying to stay positive with this blog. I have read many "blogger help" pages and suggestions and I'm trying to cover all the bases... What keeps bloggers going when they don't have the audience they would like?

Wonderful

After a pretty amazing day, although busy, I got to enjoy the evening with my hubby! We lounged then headed to Thursday Bible Study. We talked about faith and of course I became a little discoraged about what little faith I have sometimes... well, here lately, most of the time. It was a good discussion and big surprise I sat quietly and just listened. Of course when we got to the van, I had a million questions/comments for the more faithful hubby. He did pretty good with me... So guess whats in store for him? Lots of research!

After we talked a bit, we ended up at Wendy's and seen some amazing friends. I love the fact that God blesses us with the family of friends we get to enjoy! It's great to relax and laugh... hubby was glad too I think as it took the focus off the constant questions :D

Anyone else ever have crazy Heaven, biblical questions? 

WOW

Oh my gosh! I can not even begin to contain myself! I actually figured out how to change my BLOGGER theme!!! I have been trying for weeks to get this right, and finally just gave up... But found and awesome web-site that made it so simple!! I get absolutely nothing from endorsing this site, but it is now one of my favorites... How simple was that! Here is the link!

http://leelou-freelayouts.blogspot.com/p/free-blog-templates-and-backgrounds.html

Well, still no followers, but that is okay. Going to still keep plugging away. Working on the suggested reading list. Figured I'd venture on to other things to "rant" on...

Wonderment

So I am wondering, what will draw a captive audience? What clever and life changing wisdom can I share? What would I want to read to help me in this journey? I guess not complaining in every post... Although it does help to have the reassurance you are not alone in your thoughts and feelings. 

In thinking, I have decided to make a suggested reading page of books I have read as well as some that have been recommended to me.I truly hope that will spark some interest. 

What would you like to see? 

Rants

Does it make me bad that I don't care if I see my husbands children for any length of time?

Then life began

After an almost 15 year marriage, due to irreconcilable differences, it ended... Then after many tragic dates, God sent me the man I was destined to spend the rest of my remaining years with. We were so in love and inseparable! My four boys didn't warm up to him immediately but time would tell. At the time, we didn't or should I say couldn't think outside our new found love. My man, who was incredible and made me incredibly happier than I ever thought possible, had two small girls from his eight year marriage. Anyway, through all the mushy love stuff we married and soon had something like a Brady Bunch. My four boys and his two girls. His children live with their mother and we have them every summer. That can be a bitter sweet arrangement.

The first summer was great. Daddy had a new wife, new step-mommy was trying so hard and was excited about having girls after being the odd one out, always surrounded by boys : D Much to my surprise, in our situation, I quickly learned, boys are way more easier. I know, it's what I was used to, but I really did want to do the girly stuff!

Anyway, I say all this to get to here, my husbands girls have learned the art of manipulation, conniving and lying from dear old biological mom. The summers they are here is complete hell. My efforts are  shut down and now we are hitting pre-teen attitude with the oldest (11) and youngest (8) is following in her footsteps.

So, I guess that my reasoning for starting this blog is to be a source of information, support and just for readers, followers, anyone to have a place to get things off their chest! There are joys and ideas to share and frustrations to share... If that is what you need, this is a good place to go.

Why I started a Step Mom blog

Hello fellow step-parents. I have thought long and hard on starting a blog... What to write, will it draw an audience, will it help other people... And after much mental debate, I "just did it". 

I truly hope to share our concerns, frustrations and positive experiences. As I looked for various step-parenting support blogs, they didn't seem to grab my attention or have much to offer. If you have done the same thing, please make yourself at home here and open up! 

I will put this disclaimer out there : I am not a professional... No MD or PHD after my name... Just a biological mom, step mom and wife (with many other activities). So I and hopefully other can only offer school of hard knocks and been there done that knowledge.

Thank you for checking my page out and welcome!