If it doesn't kill you...it'll only make you stronger...

My goodness, a lot has changed on BLOGGER since I last posted. In fact, it's looking a little wonky. Not sure how to fix it. But I'll figure it out.

ANYWAY...how has everyone been?  I can't tell you how many times I've attempted to do a post only to get distracted by something else (mostly Facebook) and totally forget.  Well, today (Wednesday, 10/13), if it takes me a week, I'm gonna post something.:-)

In my last post, I mentioned that my oldest daughter was moving back home. At the time, we didn't know how long she'd be here. And quite frankly, we were a little scared to even guess :-).  She, her dog, Diego and her attitude all moved in about a month ago. Again, we didn't know how long she'd be here. In fact, she had no idea either. But as soon as she noticed that some things just don't change at "home", she quickly started making plans to relocate yet again.  I admit, it can be quite difficult and maybe a little embarrassing to have to  move back in with your parents. Fortunately, I don't know this from personal experience. But I'm just guessing.

Needless to say, we've had our "issues" since she's been here. And I've tried REALLY hard not to be on her too much. As I know this can't be an easy adjustment for her. On her own, when she was 18, she decided to give it a go at being a "real grown up".  And I must say, she's done pretty well. Made some mistakes along the way, as we all do. But some are a little more difficult to recover from than others. Which brings us to today. At the age of 25 (almost 26 in December), she had to move back home with mom, dad & little sister. Honestly, the attitude I can (kinda) deal with. But the dog pissin all over my house is yet another issue all it's own. Don't get me started!

I could go on and on about this. But I won't. I will spare you the gory details. But I will say this, her being back home has, in NO way, shape or form been an easy adjustment...for ANY of us. I will just add that some things never change. And attitudes, ungratefulness, selfishness and down right stubbornness, are some of the hardest to get over.  Let it be known, though, that I TRULY love my daughter. I thank God for her everyday. I just pray that she gets things together really quickly so that she CAN have the desires of her heart. It's really hard to impress on someone, especially your child, that attitude is EVERYTHING! People are watching. And things CAN get worse if you don't fix those PERSONAL issues.

ALRIGHTY...enough about THAT!!! :-) On to everything else that's been going on. So hold on, cuz I'm bout to bring it....:-D

Soccer season has begun (well, it actually started back in August). Did I tell ya'll that already? Anyway...it has :-).  J'Bear and her team (Brazil or Brasil, depending on where you're from) is doing really well this season. So far, they have won 3 of their 4 games. And I'm almost positive these wins have NOTHING to do with the BRIGHT, NEON, HIGHLIGHTER Yellow uniforms they got this season. Good GRACIOUS! Those things are bright. No wonder the teams they play can't score...the poor things can't SEE! LOL

J'bear scored for the first time in a really long time, a couple weeks ago. And I HEARD that it was an awesome goal. I wasn't there.:-( I was on a girls weekend getaway (more on that later). But she did score 2 goals last weekend. Those I did get to see. So now I feel better. :-). Here she is...

J'Bear ready for the Fall season in her Highlighter Yellow uniform.

J'Bear, Gracie and Ashlee

Quick side note. Since B and her dog have moved back in with us for a while, this is a common scene around our house. Poor J'Bear can't even have an afternoon snack in peace. LOL

Trae and Diego watching J'Bear have a snack :-).

Here's another common site in our house. Poor Trae is so tolerable of J'Bear dressing him up :-).  Mister M. says I should be ashamed to show these, lol. I think it's adorable!

Trae all dressed up (and humiliated) :-)

Several weeks ago, Mister M. had his 25th high school class reunion. We had a BLAST! His class is SO close and I just love that. Fortunately, a bunch of us live in the same area and are able to get together. But the reunions are always so much fun. We can't believe we've been out of school now for 25 years! (26 for me!) But we still clean up pretty well ;-).

Mister M's 25th High School Reunion

As I mentioned earlier, the last weekend in September, me and 7 of my Girls Night Out crew decided to go on a girls weekend getaway. Our friend, Lisa, has a lake house about 2 hours from where we all live. So we decided to pack it up and head there for a much needed weekend. We've been planning this weekend for about 6 months. So we were all really excited to finally get away.   Here are a few pictures from our stay...

Beautiful view of Lake Jackson.

Another beautiful lake view at sunset.

Me and my crew on our girls weekend getaway at the lake house.

We took a BUNCH of pictures!  3 of the 8 of us are professional photographers.

One of the girls that was with us, remembered that, years ago,  I'd made some chicken for GNO one night. So back 6 months ago when we started planning this trip, she asked if I'd make more. Well, the girl doesn't forget a thing! So I had to "let my YES be YES" and fry up a batch. It was a huge hit. Needless to say, we ate pretty well that entire weekend.

The Fried Chicken is ready!

YES, there was drinking involved over the weekend!  I made sure the old beverage bar was fully stocked with my DP. :-)

A little thirsty :-).

Takin it to the head!
I kinda like Dr. Pepper, LOL.

Lastly, as if I need another hobby...I found a new craft. I'm sure this has been around for a while. But I live a sheltered life and find out about things later than the average person :-).

I've been making accessories out of Duct Tape.  How cool is that? They have SO many colors available now. When I think of Duct Tape, I think of the old silver stuff. Not anymore. Check out the colors and patterns that are available now...

My Duct Tape wallet (The prototype).

Zebra print wallet made for my oldest daughter.

Hello Kitty change purse f/ J'Bear.

And a purse to match.

Duct Tape tote bag.

Inside the tote.

Well, that's all I have for now. I know it was a long post. But the fact that I haven't been posting wasn't because I haven't had anything to share. So I just did one big dump :-).  Thanks for reading! Enjoy the rest of your week. Until next time...I'm out!!!