So Much To Report

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything here. I’ve been so busy with work, school and home life that I have not had the free time to get my thoughts down in the digital world. My husband, daughter and I recently returned from a trip to Punta Cana. We try to take an annual family vacation and this year we decided on the Dominican Republic. It also happened to coincide with my daughter’s 13th birthday so we splurged on first class seats (outbound flight only) and stayed at the very beautiful Dreams Punta Cana resort. I have not been away since our trip to Belize in February and as soon as the plane touched down I instantly felt at peace. As soon as you enter the Punta Cana airport there are women dressed in vibrant colors welcoming you to the island and stand with you to take a photo. Going through customs was a breeze, the lady barely looked at our passports. We never check bags so we were able to walk right past the crowd gathered around the carousel directly out of the airport where our driver awaited holding a sign with my name on it. I was so eager to get to the resort I almost skipped to the car. The ride to the hotel took about 45 minutes but it didn’t bother me in the least. When we finally arrived at the resort we were met with cold towels and a glass of champagne. I have not been drinking lately but I could not refuse the bubbly goodness. I sipped on the glass of champagne while the clerk at check in told us all about the wonderful activities the resort had to offer, as if I didn’t already know. Once in our room I sprawled out on the canopy king size bed and reveled in the fact that we would be in paradise for the next 5 days. I purposely left my laptop at home so as not to get the urge to do work or school assignments. I could not give up my phone, still had to have some access with the outside world. The resort was full of activities during the day and entertainment at night. The beach was beautiful, with plenty of lounge chairs and beds. I didn’t go in the water, bit too much seaweed for my taste however the pool winded through the entire length of the resort. I was content to sunbathe and listen to my ipod. My husband and daughter thoroughly enjoyed the pool and all the perks that come with staying at an all-inclusive. At night the resort had live shows and showed movies at different areas of the property. Around midnight we would bring my daughter to the room and head back out to enjoy adult activities like the casino and night club. The day before we left I decided to take advantage of the spa and treated my daughter to her first professional massage and pedicure. It was a wonderful experience. After our massage we relaxed in the sauna and hung out in the hot and cold pools. During our time at the spa I promised to treat myself to a spa treatment at least once a month. It has been awhile since I’ve felt that relaxed. On the last day of our stay I was a sad to leave but felt rejuvenated and ready to come back to my reality. Now I am looking forward to my all girls vacation at the end of August.



Me in my uncanny way of putting too much on my plate decided to schedule my daughter’s 13th birthday party the day before we were due to leave on vacation. On top of that the night before the party she had her very first sleepover. The party was held in a private room at a restaurant not too far from our house. I decided to go all out and make cds of her 13 favorite songs to hand out as favors, hire a caricature artist and order a fabulous 3 tier cake to celebrate the occasion. She also, thanks to her father, had a DJ spin records at the party. During the party I sat back and reminisced about my 14th birthday party with my best friend, also her god mother. I remember it was right in the back yard and we ate chips and burgers. Music came from the boom box and dessert was simple sheet cake from the local bakery. It was very low frills but I remember we had such a good time by the end of the night I had a boyfriend and one of my Mom’s kitchen chairs was broken…LOL These kids today are too afraid to dance and gather in corners giggling. Thank God my little nephew is fearless and got the party started when he hit the floor to Soulja Boy’s swagger song. It was nice to see Shania with her family from mine and her father’s side all in the same place celebrating her special day. I know a few children from broken homes that don’t have that luxury. At one point her bio dad and I shared a special memory of when Shania was two years old and she used to sing Sisqo’s Thong Song. I was surprised he remembered that and we exchanged a quick glance that showed we both remember the good times in our relationship. At the end of the night Shania made a wish and released her balloons into the air. As a Mom I can only hope all her wishes and wildest dreams come true and provide her the tools to make that happen.

Latest DIY Project

Just wanted to share, so proud to finally check this off my "to do" list for this house.

Hubby and I finally finished the mantel, it will have to be moved down a bit when we get the flat screen next spring but I'm excited to have a new place to display artwork and photos. Home Goods here I come!


This is the fireplace before



This is the fireplace after

Can I Skip The Teenage Years?

My 12 year old daughter is quickly approaching teenage hood which means I’m slowly losing my mind and cool. Each day that creeps toward that magic number 13 and I plan for the celebration I secretly want to sell my house and book a four year trip around the world. Each day I find myself repeating the same phrases: you have no privacy, I’m not your friend, don’t slam that door and who the HELL are you talking to. I’m not naïve, I realize this is the time they start smelling themselves and test their limits. They get to your eye level and for a fleeting moment think they can kick your ass. I’ve been there, I had that thought about my own Mom but with a quick chin check that was put out of my mind…LOL

And what‘s up with the stupid excuses? The other day my daughter forgot her house key again and had to sit in the backyard and wait for me to get home. It was a nice day so I told her to do her homework while she waited. When I got home I asked if she had done her homework and she said she didn’t do the math because she didn’t want flies to get on her paper….FLIES. Is she really trying to insult my intelligence. I would have appreciated more if she just came out and said “Mom, I really didn’t feel like listening to you so I decided not to do my homework”. When I hear these stupid excuses for not doing something you were clearly told to do I tend to look at her like she is completely foreign to me. I think to myself, did I produce you? There must have been a mix up at the hospital.

And then there is the Boy thing. Ugh I’m so not prepared mentally for this round robin. No matter how much talking or after school specials or books read I know she will eventually make her own choices. I can’t lock her up, although I’d like to, so I just have to trust that what I’ve told her and continue to tell her resonates. My anxiety is not at all eased by the curse my mother put on me so many years ago. She would often say to me “I hope God lets me live to see the day that you have a child who does the same thing to you”. Now all I can think is Lord please be merciful. I’m not sure I can handle a pregnant 18 year old, although I don’t think I turned out half bad…LOL

These are the years when fathers and daughters begin to bond. I’ve noticed that most of our discussions often turn into an argument and my daughter will seek solace in her step father or her biological father. My husband often plays referee as his tolerance level is so much higher than mine. He is some what of a teenage whisperer because he can listen to her complaints weed through the whining and get to the core of what she needs and relay that information to me. On top of that he is the fun guy, willing to put homework aside to play a game of cards or watch cartoons with her and let her stay up past her bedtime. I’ve seen her ask him in a hushed voice “is Mom in a good mood today, I want to ask her a question”. Often it will be something she knows I will say no to but as usual she will try. Then she refers to her biological father as her best friend. If I say no to something the first thing she wants to do is call Dad. So for the next few years I’m content to be the enforcer and the bad guy. I’ll wear the title with a smile on my face and a bottle of vodka in my back pocket…LOL Pray for me!

I Think I Love My Feet

I used to hate my feet. Back in junior high school all of my friends had small feet ,sizes 6 to 8, and here I was with boat sized 9s. During this time the Reebok high top sneakers were all the rage and almost every weekend was spent at the mall buying the new hot color. I used to save up my pennies to afford the latest fifty four elevens (the sneakers cost $49.99 plus tax hence the name) but dreaded going shopping with my friends because often was the case the store didn't have any more in my size. When I got to high school I slowly learned to accept my large feet which were a size 10 by this time. They didn't look out of place and matched my height just fine but I was still apprehensive when my first real boyfriend asked for my shoe size so he could buy me the new Jordan kicks. I told him I didn't want them when I desperately did just so I would not have to endure the embarrassment of having to tell him my shoe size. It's not like anyone made fun of my feet or even noticed, it was all me. Today I am totally content with my size 11s. Once I realized that because the shoe store didn't always have my size was not due to my feet being abnormally large but that there are many women who wear the same size I became content with my "big" feet. Once I accepted the size my love affair with shoes began. My closet is full of boots, high heeled sandals, shoes and sneakers galore so much so that my husband had to build a closet system to accommodate them all. So I declare before all in cyber world that my name is Misty, I have big feet and love walking through life on them :)

Hope Springs Eternal

Yesterday the tree in our front yard finally bloomed. I was nervous because all the other trees in our neighborhood had matured and I longed to see the pretty pink petals of our tree. I thought perhaps we put a bit too much weed killer on the lawn and some how killed the tree along with a large patch of grass. Thankfully the petals popped and the front of our house looks beautiful even with the huge mound of dirt on the driveway. Looking at that tree gives me hope that things, no matter how bad they seem now, will get better. God always reveals his plan in the end and what is meant to be will be. That tree bloomed late this year because it was meant to lift my spirits. I know that in the dark there will always be light and that is what I cling to. The hope that things will get better and all the struggling thus far will not be in vain.

Time to Renew and Regenerate

I've been having a hard time lately. Apparently I've lost the ability to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders without breaking a sweat. Well maybe not the weight of your world but definitely the weight of mine. I've been told that I speak of horrific events very nonchalantly. I don't know any other way of being. Having been raised in a large loud family often racked in turmoil I've some how been conditioned to handle drama as a normal occurrence. I'm not one to boo hoo when something bad happens with the exception of death. My way of dealing is to immediately think of what to do next, I'm in constant planning mode. Well after almost 31 years of dealing my body and mind have had enough and are cracking under the pressure. So I have no other choice but to take the next few weeks to try and center myself. The plan is to begin the process of repairing myself physically, mentally and spiritually. Wish me luck.

Babies on the Brain

This weekend while gardening in the front yard I noticed my neighbor with a baby bump. I instantly felt a pang of jealousy because I wanted us to be the first ones on the block to have the it's a boy or it's a girl flag posted on the front lawn. I know it's silly because I'm not in a rush to have one, especially in such a rocky economy, but the truth is I'm not getting any younger. I could stop now and in 5 years my daughter will be off to College, I'll still be in my 30s footloose and fancy free. But then I'll never know what it is like to bring our baby home from the hospital and experience the first night at home as a family. If we decide to not have any more children then the only memory I'll have of motherhood with an infant is trying to navigate my way through the teenage turmoil years with a baby on my hip and not doing a very good job at either. Neither is a good reason to have or not have a child. My husband is a good Dad, the fun one who is more than willing to go to the park and play basketball or football and doesn't mind children tracking mud through the house. I am the enforcer, the one who makes sure homework is done and chores are completed. I think together we make a good parenting team and God willing one day we'll bring our little one into the world.