Love-Hate Relationship

It's coming.....you know, that season that is between the flower season and the cool crisp air season. Some call it Summer, I sometimes like to call it hell. Today was warm here in Kansas, but I know not to complain because in no time, summer will be here.

Summer has it's downfalls....
*the #1 complaint, the awful Midwest heat! I'm not a fan of heat. I could just live in the air conditioning if my life would allow it.
*mosquito's at night. They lurk waiting to make your body a tic tack toe game.
*the snakes. You want to go to the creek or the pond, but you can't....the big bad snakes live there.
*sticky, hot car seats.
*And the HEAT!

Summer also has always been an adventure, a time to let go and be fancy free.
*When you were little, summer was all you lived for. The freedom!
*Popsicles, snow cones, corn on the cob, fish fries, fresh strawberries, bacon, mayo and tomato sandwiches. That is just a few of my favorite summer foods.
*Eating outside at night....with bug spray of course.
*Ice cold corona on a hot summer day.
*Sundresses, capris and Old Navy flip flops.
*Road trips, summer vacations and trips to the farmers market.
*And my favorite summer event....my birthday.

So summer has it's ups and downs. I'm always ready for it to be over, but ask me in January while I'm snuggled up inside during one of our blizzards....I'll tell you that I can't wait until Summertime.

Giving Thanks and Saying Prayers

First of all, I want to say Happy Mother's Day...even though it is late in the day. I don't think my mom has read my blog (I'll send her a link tomorrow) but I wanted to send her a BIG HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! And to the best mother-in-law EVER as well. You see, I'm always thankful for my momma Carol, but after this weekend I'm thanking God that my mom and other family members are OK.

My Mom, Sister and MIL were in the path of the tornado that hit NE Oklahoma and SW Missouri yesterday. Thankfully they lingered a little longer at Sutherlands and did not drive in the direct path of the twister. They would have traveled a road where the tornado hit that we travel on many occasions to go to Joplin, but again....they lingered. Thank God for mom's who like to shop.

I also want to send a prayer request out for all of the victims of the tornado. I've lived in this area (Tornado Alley) my entire life. I've been around to see the damage of some of the worse ones (May 3rd-OKC and Greensburg, KS), but this one literally hit home. I know the area, I know the people, sadly enough, I knew one of the victims. So, while you are saying your prayers tonight, say one for all the folks in Picher, OK and SW Missouri. They will need them.

No Complaining Here

I'm wearing a purple bracelet. I move it from one wrist to the other every time I complain, gossip, or use negative words. I have to go 21 days without switching it over to the other wrist. I started yesterday and I've already switched it probably about 50 or more times. Maybe less, but I really doubt it. It is suppose to take someone 21 days to form or break a new habit. Tomorrow I will start over at day 1 of my 21 toward my new habit.

It's called "A Complaint Free World." It started with a pastor challenging his congregation to not complain for 21 days. He is the only one that succeeded and it took him 3 or 4 months.

Here over the past few months I have really noticed my negativity toward everything and anything. It seemed that every time I opened my mouth, nothing good was coming out of it. I figure I would give this a shot. What can it hurt? It is definitely making me think before I start to speak. I actually turned around today when I realized the only reason I was going to talk to someone was to gossip. That is not who I want to be. Do I believe I will never complain again or whine? No. But if I make an effort to watch what comes out of my mouth, whether it be, "I wish I wasn't here, I just feel like crap today." Or. "Did you see what she did yesterday, I just can't believe it....!" I think it might make myself more aware of what is oozing out of my mouth.

Weenie dog rancher or professional bacon test taster?

I change my mind, a lot. It's who I am. I want everything and anything, so I go back and forth with ideas, dreams and so on. Of course somethings stay constant, like my love for Brady, my family, friends and the girls. I also still love bacon even though I'm trying not to looove bacon too much. Weight watchers and all. But the biggest change lately is I'm back on the path of deciding what I want to be when I grow up. I've decided to not pursue Social Work. My heart was not into it. I hadn't even started, but just knew. I didn't want to waste my time or others. I'm also trying to decide if going back to school is even what I want to do. Biology kicked my butt to the curb. So I've been thinking/dreaming....what does CharlyGirl want to be?

When I was little I wanted to be a waitress, marine biologist and a nature photographer? Hmmmm.....you see what I mean. Here is my list (I heart lists) from my new quest "What do I want to be when I grow up and what can I do in the mean time?"

*My dream for a few years and one that keeps coming back to me is to open my little shop. That's what I call it anyways. It would have everything that I love. Sparkling trinkets, postcards that you just have to buy for your best friend, miniatures of anything and everything and just about anything else that if I walked by, I would go, "I LOVE that!" There would also be a goofy photo booth, a area for fresh flowers that you could take home for your dinner table and an area with all the necessary items to plan a awesome party/shower/wedding. Oh yeah, cupcakes would be available on a daily basis for my customers to munch on while the browse. They could then buy the components of the cupcake if they desired, the sprinkles, tins, etc. So MANY ideas.
This is what I want. This is what I dream of. This will be in my future, someday, just not right now.

*Create, Create and Create some more. Once I get over my lazy nights on the couch, I'm heading back to making "stuff." Anything to get my creative side going. I might even break open the sewing machine. Be looking for a post about an Etsy shop in the future. I'm not out to make money with this, just to get my hands moving and brain working. Creating is what I love to do.

*I woke up the other night and this was the phrase that was left in my mind. I should be an art teacher. I need to research this one a little bit more. It would mean going back to school. I'm attracted to the idea of helping small town kids express themselves through art. I did not have this advantage in grade school or even high school. Thank goodness for USAO. I think I would be good at this, especially with younger ones.

There are many more possibilities out there. Yes, I have a job currently, but I want to look back in a few years and be able to say that I'm passionate about my profession and I can't wait to go to work in the morning. A little dreamy? Yeah, but it's my dream.

Little Bunny Foo-Foo

I am so excited that Spring is finally here or I think it is here. It hasn't snowed in a few weeks. I have a vase of Easter lilies or daffodils as I think they are officially called on my coffee table. Growing up, Easter lilies in bloom were always a sure sign it was Spring. I had to swipe this bouquet from Brady's grandma's front yard because the apartment complex is just not quipped with pretty flowers to steal.
There are other sure signs it is spring.....
*March Madness. I'm not a big fan of sports but this is one event I'll stay somewhat interested in. Somewhat! I like when the Cinderella teams make it. I always root for them.
*The green grass poking through the ugliness winter left us. I love the green grass. Dixie had fun rubbing all up in it today. There was probably dry poop under it or some other gross goo.
*All the pretty pastel clothes are out at Target. And the bathing suits which I just think is wrong. I hate looking at them during the summer months, let alone in March.
*The fruit and veggies at the grocery store are starting to look healthy again. I bought some strawberries today and they looked tasty.

I'm sure there are other signs of Spring, but these are ones I've noticed. The title of the blog, "Little Bunny Foo-Foo" is a song from my childhood that would drive my parents crazy. I would sing it for a REALLY long time without stopping during the Easter/Spring season, especially when we were in the car. I loved it! So I'm thinking, that someday when Brady and I have wee ones, that when we hear "Little Bunny Foo-Foo, I don't want to see you picking...." we will for sure know that Spring has arrived.

Everyone have a wonderful Easter Sunday tomorrow. Start enjoying the Spring season because before we know it we will be sweating to the heat of summer.

My Diva Doxies

I thought I would let you see my wonderful weenies. They don't get enough attention as it is.....

Top pic: The Smith Girls. Middle pic: Dixie the protector. She is very protective of her mama. Bottom pic: Okie the house slut. She will lay her back for anything and everything. Good thing she is fixed.

I'm doing it again....

I started WW for the umph-tenth (not for sure how to spell that word or if it even is a word) time. This time is a little different. I have someone that is very motivated and has a lot of willpower to share in this journey with me. I tried to do it with my friend in OKC, but I needed someone here in Wichita to hold me accountable each and every day. You may ask, why can't you do it on your own? I've tried, I've learned to cheat the system. Splurging after weigh-in, justifying eating for special occasions (every day!) and so on. Now that I have someone that is going to see me everyday and ask how I did the day before, it helps. I've done well so far, we are now going on two weeks. I have to do this. I need to do this. I want to feel good (not out of breath walking up steps), I want to feel sexy again (stomach fat spilling over my jeans, not so sexy) and I want to be healthy (I want some day in the near future to start having bambinos).
I don't know how much I will post about my journey with WW on this blog, but by putting it out there, it helps me be accountable in one more place.