~*~Life as Me~*~

The last day of May

Nothing totally special about the last day of May, except its the ending of the first half of the year and then the start of the next half! Whoopeee I know but I am wondering where the year has gone to, it seems like only weeks ago I was dealing with all the issues with Kirsten and her dad. Now, 6 months on she wants nothing to do with him regardless of what I say to encourage her to just accept him for who he is. She only bothers with that side of her family when they make contact with her, which isnt really that often. I guess she has to do this one herself. A couple of weeks ago she asked me to text her nan to tell her she wasn't going up there for the weekend because she was going into town and to the cinema with her friends. In return I got her nan accusing me of all sorts. I assume she thought I was keeping Kirsten away. I asked Kirsten if she had any idea why her nan would say all this but instead of getting a yes or no she got angry that her nan would say this stuff. Next time I wont say anything to her, there's no way i'm going to be the reason she doesn't see her family, especially before we fly out of here.

Today i'm very restless about the move to Utah, things are in and out the house like i'm a shop, paperwork is keeping our postman busy and dealing with all the natural emotions of moving so far away from my boys and my dad is starting to weigh me down. But having spoken with all of them they totally support our move and our reasons for going. I knew it would be hard but I didn't think i'd be affected so soon, maybe a few days before flying out but not yet. In my gut I know its the right time so I dont have doubts enough to stop me going, just that its naturally going to be strange not having my boys in driving distance. Ebayers don't help either, they win a bid, not a buy it now price but a bid, they turn up and get rude and offensive so much so that twice i've had to ask them to leave and cancel out the transaction. Now if they'd have bartered with me i'd have been fine, after all, thats what you do when your buying secondhand stuff, but these guys didnt, not one little bit. I wondered if it would have been different if there was a man in the house. Idiots.

We are loving the weather this weekend, through all the sorting, packing, cleaning and tidying we have kept a good spirit here, half geared by Kirsten and her friend Sophie. At this moment in time I wish I had two girls, I think it would have been easier for Kirsten over the years but it is what it is and she will have 2 step sisters in months to come and some new friends are already waiting to meet her so I think thats another good thing about us going. My friend Angie is going all out to help us there in Lehi, her children are working on their English accent so we're going to have some fun there...especially when I do my brummie one which Kirsten hates!!! Lol We are going to stay with Angie and her family for three weeks and in that time I just know I am going to learn a lot and have the best time! I just wish she wasn't moving though!! :( **sigh**

Dinner outside today for us, a full roast dinner (blame the kids) out on the patio under the great big parasol with the cat scavaging and the dog whining....but I tell ya, he has no table manners to sit at the table!! ;)

Oh, one last thing about idiots, getting here from somewhere other than Technorati does not hide you are here! Lmao! You know who you are!! :)

Have a wonderfulastic Sunday!! :)

~*~Debs~*~

In Perspective

Today hasn't been a good day for me, regardless of listening to some uplifting music, inspirational talks and attempting to ignore the nagging negativeness inside. I don't often feel like this so I'm not too sure what is going on. Before our move to Utah, I have set about putting as much in order as I can, leave things on a positive rather than a negative kinda thing. However there are some things that cant be put right and thats mostly down to other peoples choices, and thats ok, they have their choices too. But it still leaves me wondering and feeling a bit low but then I remember the atonement and think back to all that the Lord endured and I dont quite feel so bad!

My stats tell me who's been on this blog, as i've mentioned many times my stats are very in depth but there's one person in particular who is still intent on visiting here rather than doing what 'they' know is the right thing to do. Using different ways to get here doesnt eliminate the information my stats show, and that makes me chuckle at the mind game they are obviously trying to play. Well I hope they are having fun, cos while they are doing all this I am chuckling and wondering what the facination really is! ;)

I dont like thinking or feeling negative or down, its not really who I am or what I want to be. So i've decided to sit back for ten minutes and really give thought to the positive things in my life right now, today. In doing this I am sure my thoughts will return to normal and I will regain the battery power I am missing!

1. I woke up alive (go figure)
2. My kids are pretty cool
3. The dog left half of the cereal I was eating before I answered the door (he had the other half!)
4. Jd and I are doing just great, he is a great strength and inspiration to me
5. I've made a new friend who makes me laugh at the small things
6. I have many good friends who aren't afraid to tell me to buck up and quit feeling sorry for myself!
7. Only 13 days left till I see the knee surgeon
8. I have buyers for my furniture left right and centre
9. My favourite scripture keeps shouting out at me: Ether 12:27 - And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them.
10. I have a Heavenly Father that loves me and doesn't roll His eyes and shake His head when i'm on a bad day!
11. I didn't burn dinner yesterday
12. Charley has the ability to make me laugh at the small things
13. I have binned more than i'm storing
14. I have a new bird friend who sits on my bedroom window and watches me, not going to approach it yet but I may do soon
15. Currant bread is the best thing since Jaffa Cakes
16. Mary Ellen Edmunds makes me laugh just by hearing her laugh
17. President Monson really IS the prophet of God and that is just so awesome
18. I am weeks away from my temple recommend and that is going to be life changing for me
19. Swimming in the imaginary pool in my living room is the best excercise i've had all year
20. Star, Car, Airplane and Tractor shaped sandwiches taste better than any other
21. Silly teen humour is never tiring
22. Kids hang out in my front garden cos they know they will get 2 for 1 - Kirsten as their friend and me as the humour!
23. Ice cream. It is the answer for everything!!
24. Twilight is STILL a good movie even though I read the books first and i've seen it more than 12 times
25. Having the gospel in my life reminds me of who I am, why i'm here and what my divine role is, with this reminder it is easier to get back on track and start again.
26. I really am grateful for the small things in life. With care over those the bigger things seem to fall into place easier.

Ok, not too bad there for a ten minute run off the brain! Yeah I did set a timer on myself too!! Now i'm going to go work on some requests for sites that would like to be featured here. Feel a little popular now!! ;)

What ways do you have to help you pick yourself up on a bad day? Do you even have bad days? (jokin there!)

~*~Debs~*~

Life as Me ~ Part 2 ~ Utah Panic

Sat here going through the legal stuff I feel a panic attack coming on. I don't normally freak out over things like this, even though moving abroad is a big thing. I know its the right thing to do and I know its the right time and we are all super excited at hopping on that plane and heading into the almost unknown.

But....i'm panicking all the same. The original apartment we were having has been leased to someone else. Since then i've emailed with a few people and most of them say that I need to wait till we get there but that's not offering much security is it?

One person at the US embassy says I can apply for an extended stay visa when I get there, another person says I have to apply before I get there.

My stuff is still being sold slowly but I have two sheds full of junk that is going to take days to sort out and I only have one pair of hands.

The bank account is possible to open from here but they need my signature...which requires me to be there. Go figure!

Because of the cool chick, Angie, I have decided to look at going to Lehi, near where she is because she is well worth stalking for her cooking!! Trust me, i'm serious here!! Go check out her blog and tell me i'm wrong! Besides that, Angie has raved about what she likes about the town and is giving me some good pointers and when all is said and done, that is what someone needs when they move to a totally new area! Thanks hunny! :)

Back to more sorting, phone calls and sweet talking....

~*~Debs~*~

Child Slavery Rocks!

Not much fun and excitement in our house at the moment. We are still working through stuff that is going through freecycle, the for sale ads and the very few things we're keeping. I'm so fed up of boxes, the door bell and seeing the big green bin at my door while we load a heap of stuff in it! Where does it all come from?!! Give my kids a box each and anything goes in it, even the dog if he dont run fast enough! Seriously, they are sorting their stuff out like its the last day of earth!! Not that i'm complaining! :)

So not much to say right now but I have had a fun time chilling out with some spiritual stuff (see previous posts and ones after this) and this totally keeps me going.

Pictures to just fill the space, this is what you get when the kids run riot with the camera:

Dont mess with the chick!



As if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth!



1 daughter + Caz & Sophie = 3 daughters for me!



And you thought I was going to pose eh? HAHAHA



A-hem!



Nothing sounds better than hearing them laugh.

Well thats my lot for now. Back to some spiritual and uplifting stuff.

~*~Debs~*~

Happy Mothers Day

Just a few words to my friends over the pond....

 

I know some really amazing mum-to-be/mums/grandma's and any other flavour that comes within the umbrella of a female nurturing a child from early 20's right through to the 80's and I think they all do a fandabbydousy job! I read funny stories on some of their blogs, I enjoy reading about their imperfect but busy days, seeing cute photos of each of their 'pride and joy' and generally getting to know them through their words, emails and any other form we move with.

I just want to wish them all a wonderful day today, I hope the kids and the partners get out there and spoil, spoil, spoil each and every one of ya, cos I know how much you deserve it!! :)

~*~Debs~*~

I love my kids, even when they....

• leave their shoes in the middle of the floor for me to trip over
• eat an apple and stuff the core behind the cushion
• leave their rubbish in their jeans pockets
• dump their stuff in my room to save their rooms being untidy
• wont give me more than a million kisses a day
• wake up cranky, curl up on the sofa and totally ignore me for an hour
• bicker between themselves
• join forces when I step in to solve an issue they created
• spill milk on the floor cos the bottle is a 6 pint size and too heavy, but dont clean it up
• are too busy with their friends (including imaginary) to chill out with me
• when they laugh at my singing
• dont laugh at my jokes
• sing the right words to the right hymns/songs and I get em wrong
• look over the laptop lid and demand my attention cos i'm engrossed in reading something
• leave each room like they are whirlwinds then stand amazed when I ask them to tidy up
• they say they will get in bed with me and dont
• they say they are going to call and they dont
• when they snap and stress at me and its not my fault, then tell me they love me and just need to vent
• are laughing between themselves
• dont think i'm looking or hearing and they are showing love and support to each other
• tell me their thoughts, funny, serious, happy or sad
• tell me i'm shady
• are too excited to settle down at bedtime and i'm still up with them an hour later

Today was a reflective day for me, no particular reason for it but I just felt so chilled out and relaxed, nothing could make me negative today, almost like I was immunised against it. We didn't venture out, we didn't do anything amazingly exciting, we just hung out.  We played with balloons, sang, talked, laughed, pushed cars and ate, ate and ate! My friend Zoe called in, we had a chat and a giggle. I made a new friend Heather from the deep south of Alabama, we chatted for hours, laughing and sharing our lives. Today I just felt gratitude that I have been blessed with so much in my life.

We all need days like today, to stop, do nothing, just be and enjoy.

Priceless.

~*~Debs~*~

Survival

That is the word I can confidently describe for my life in 2008. Better than 2007 and not as good as 2009 will be.

Handed Kirsten over on Sunday which I dealt with pretty much ok, crap Christmas with it all hanging over us but the kids were happy with what they got on Christmas day so that alone was something positive. I'm doing ok so far with Kirsten not here, I pretty much tell myself she's just 'visiting' her father but soon I daresay the reality will kick in. In the meantime I have sought legal advice and it seems I have a VERY good case in opposition of how this decision was made. Cant say no more about it yet but its my first and biggest venture for the new year!

Well today is obviously the last day of 2008 so to you I say:

At the moment I am working on a few things to enhance our family and regular lives. I will talk more of it in another post but for now I am postive and going ok. Naturally I have low moments but on the whole I'm doing pretty well.

A big THANK YOU to you lovely people who have left me comments, emailed and text me words of support, encouragement and ideas on how to get through this, you REALLY have helped me gain a stronger perspective and more positive feeling on it all.

I'm going to name some of you guys, if you have a blog it will be linked, if not then GET ONE!! Lol

Suzy   Charlie   Chris   Sue   Dena   Sharron   Katie   Maz   Tina   Sonia P   Sonia A   Zoe   Martin    Dawn   Steph   Jia   Wendell   Mandy   Anna   Briget   Gill   Claire   Sue   Carla   Greg  

Not to mention my dad who has been totally awesome, my boys Jaymie and Scott and my cousins, Sharon and Maggie along with Shaz's husband Darren. You guys are just awesome and I love you all.

Next time I will post some cute photos and I plan on doing a competition here....the prize will be a £20 or $20 Paypal Voucher ;) So check back in a few days.

Lots of love to you all....you are the best!! :)

~*~Debs~*~

Alphainventions.com brings me blessings, truly!

Well I have to say it, for the last week or more I've been getting more traffic here in my lil blog space and according to my stats reports they are stayers....people who come here, and stay for a while. In total, from all the visitors that have come here from alphainventions there have been FOUR people who have stayed here less than 5 minutes in total. That means that out of the other 300+ they have stayed longer and all of whom have clicked various other posts on this blog and taken an interest in what i've written about. Three people even spent around 4 hours reading everything on my blog since I began this one in June! Do you know what that is like for my self esteem? I mean, it's like 'wow' someone is actually reading this waffle that I spend ages even just thinking about! Take a peak at this, this is just a peek at what makes me smile:

Its when I actually see that my blog is even a tiny bit worth reading it feels worth it. That said, I do blog for myself, to empty my head or for my friends and family afar to keep up with us here in our lil home but lets face it, its always nice when someone stops by, gets comfy and stays awhile. Innit?

Anyway, the downside is I cant return the favour to these people cos there's no real trace on who they are. My ''regular'' readers I know their ip's, towns and a lil bit more but all these new people...well I just dont know and I wish I did because I would love to comment on their blogs and see what their world is about. Anyway, thanks to Alphainventions I have a whole loada new readers and that makes me happpeeee!!

I have to also mention my new matey Dena, she is full of wit and charm that you just gotta go check out her blog...HERE. This is what she wrote about me...take a giggle:

Jesus v. Santa

If you go to my Tech Inventions and Websites page you will see a website I have discovered and really enjoy. It is called Life As Me. The article is written by that author and it does an excellent job at explaining how one can be Mormon (or any Christian for that matter) and still tell her child about Santa.  I guess it is the belief that Santa is for the secular kids and Jesus is for the Christians and the two shall never meet.

However, Santa Claus is based on a Catholic Bishop, St. Nicholas.  He was born in the third century and eventually became the Bishop of Myra. If you want to learn more about the real Saint Nicholas go here:

St. Nicholas Center

So because the real St. Nicholas was a follower of Christ, you can join the two together and help build the faith of your child. However, you can allow them to have the mythical Santa Claus as well. A little imagination never hurt anyone.  In fact, Jesus is the one who gave us the wondrous gift of imagination, he gave us the land of dreams. He wouldn’t have done that if it wasn’t something he thought was important and necessary.  Therefore to take away a child’s ability to marvel is downright cruel and inhumane!

I can prattle on forever but she makes a much better case than I. So go…..you’re still here? Go read her article already. LOL

Dena is a woman who knows her mind and is not afraid to share it, albeit in a fair and non offensive way, I admire any person who can do this and still be true to themself. You ROCK Dena!! ;)

So, are you going over to Dena's place? Or you gonna stay for a while longer? Make up your mind ok, its cold with that door open!! ;) Oh, and thank you for coming by here, and for staying and reading my blog! Feel free to leave your blog addy and i'll come return the favour!

**sigh**

More posts soon...and another recipe that is just sooo delicious!! ;)

~*~Debs~*~