Catholic Animal Lover!

So it’s been a while (again) since I’ve updated. But I figured I’d better drop a note. I really want to find a “mommy” blog & make a new one…even if it’s not for pay, heh. Since Today.com hasn’t turned into the most lucrative deal for me anyway (probably would if I was interesting or consistent!)–maybe blogspot.com or something…But I haven’t gotten around to it.

It’s  June 3rd. Baby is supposed to come on the 10th. But I am SO ready to get him out of my pained belly, lol! And off my bladder, but that’s another story altogether… I am as big as a house, and Sunday I had such hard contractions and pain I was sure Dominic Raphael Josefek was coming that night! But nope. Just my body adjusting and being slow.

I finally have my bag pretty much ready to go to the hospital, and am now just hoping it happens soon. I want to meet my baby! I mean, I feel connected to him and everything, but I can’t wait to begin being an actual hands-on Mother.

Of course there are worries and nerves–but as Peter and I talked about the other night–most of that stuff is for his future, and the future of our family–not for the parenting-of-the-baby part. Being a traditional Catholic in today’s world, is going to be tough. Raising up your children in the way they should go, so when they’re old they won’t depart from it, is a monumentous task, and a brand new one for us and our familes (at least in the Catholic sense). Life is tough, and finding others like ourselves has been a real challenge.

The Catholic Church today isn’t really much to look at mostly. It’s hard to find traditionalists, and even harder to find ones that really do want to be in the world, but NOT of it. Like every “Christian” avenue–there are many lukewarm people in the mainstream.

Even the Catholics in our familes aren’t people we’d want raising our kids when it came down to it. So obviously God wants us to start our generational family anew…Question is, how do we, when it seems like so much is against us?

We have to trust Him. There is no other way. If God shows you a path He wants you to take, though the world may go against you–you MUST go forward in trust and obedience. Or there will be dire consequenses. Listening to His will brings untold joy, though

So we shall try to raise a good family, and children that know truth. Even in a dying world.

Contractions that are fake suck! I pretty much envy my fellow-new-mom friend Grace–she was due a day off from me, but instead went into labor about a month before, having her baby boy the night before Mother’s Day! Her water broke hard-core, and her labor was only–craziness!–5 1/2 hours!!! Lucky stiff! She didn’t get the random “think-you’re-in-labor-but-have-no-idea” problems like I’m dealing with!

Ugh..every day I’m hoping he comes! Except, tomorrow is Peter’s and my anniversery, so we’d rather Dominic’s birthday not be on that day!

We shall see.

I’m making pancakes for dinner tonight! Ember Fast day, so I figured that’d be different. Also, I’m finishing watching Ice Age–one of my all time favorite movies! Cracks me up!!

Well, I guess that’s enough of an update. I shall try to update as things progress. I may go into labor any time now! I really hope so..it’d be nice to get it over with, heh..

Life comes at you fast, indeed! It’s now less than 2 months till Dominic Raphael J. is supposed to make an entrance, and I’m so excited! I feel a strong connection with him, and am constantly rubbing my belly and talking/singing to him, heh. I’m also sure he’s either going to be a kick-boxer, or a dancer! He’s crazy active sometimes. Which of course is better than not active!  Last Ultrasound went great–except for the fact that the little bugger wouldn’t show his face, and we ended up with no good pictures. Meh! But just went to the OB Dr. the other day, and the consensus is that I’m doing perfectly fine! No high blood pressure, no high sugar, no problems whatsoever. Praise God! It’s come a long way from “high-risk”, eh?!

Anyway, so that’s the update with that. LOOK OUT MOTHERHOOD, HERE I COME!

New apartment, new outlook on life, new realizations…Craziness all around!

I’ve got several friends pregnant along with myself, which is nifty. Miss Grace especially, and wish I could see her; she and I are due within a day of each other! People getting married too! Just found out another friend is headed down the isle this year (congrats AnnMarie!). I know I’m headed to at least 2 weddings–1 is in July, which will be right after Baby! Hopefully that’s ok, and Baby enjoys going up to NY, heh. Then there’s another one down here in August…

Isn’t this a cool candle? It’s a round, shaped candle covered with “mini roses” that I got from a Yves Rocher catalog probably 7 yrs ago! I never burned it, because it was so pretty, but figured, now that I have a place to, I might as well. It’s really cool to look at, and burns pretty straight. It also smells like roses!!

I’ve been learning a bunch of things lately, with this new life of ours. Figured I’d share them, for what they’re worth.

1. I’ve learned that no matter how crappy our little apt. may seem…no matter how many splotches of paint there are on the walls/floor that shouldn’t be there…no matter how many gaps there are between the walls and counters/shower/ceiling…no matter how many huge brown spiders seem to be invading this place…no matter how little insulation there is between us and the upstairs, and how loud the neighbors are…no matter how muddy it gets outside…no matter how much of a walkway we DO NOT have…no matter how little countertop space there is for cooking…no matter how few windows there are…and even no matter if there aren’t any oven/stove knobs–THIS APT IS STILL BETTER THAN LIVING IN A BEDROOM IN MY PARENTS’ HOUSE! And it is a God-send. It is our own, and till we get a house someday, right now-this is where we are. This is where God has led us. And He has let me begin to make it a place of living. That is NOT a little smelly bedroom in someone else’s crazy chaotic home!

2. I’ve learned that even though there are only 2 people living in this apt., we still go through toilet paper like crazy! When planning for your own place, people, remember the little things that cost $$!

3. I’ve learned that I’m not nervous or scared about being pregnant, or having a baby, even. None of that hospital stuff seems to freak me out. All in all, I’m pretty calm about it, I’d say…but I am nervous about the after. Because I haven’t ever been a Mother, and I believe training up children in the way they should go, as God directs, is a huge task and a great responsibility. Also, I’m a bit nervous about raising a boy first–it just seems lately that little girls are around me, and they’d seem easier. But Lord willing, I’ll find out that path as well down the line!

4. I’ve learned it’s tough to remember “budget” when trying to put a house together, and especially when trying to make sure there is food on the table! Sometimes my creativity wants to get the better of me, and while pasta is dirt cheap so we stocked up on it–I don’t want to serve pasta–again! I’m learning that ads and coupons come in handy when grocery shopping. Never underestimate them, pals! And also, having a few good spices and marinades can make a big diff.

5. I’ve been learning that while I may not be the best Catholic, and while I may be light yrs away from understanding all the intricacies of my Faith, I am so glad to be part of the Catholic Church–as screwed up as the modernist-infected-version is! The traditional faith, laid down from Christ, is a huge comfort. And I’ve also been learning that God does give grace to learn if we have the heart/mind/desire to do so. I’ve been trying to get myself more focused and conditioned, so that the things I might otherwise not focus for/find boring, become part of my spiritual walk, and help build my faith. Prayer life is a big point right now, especially with Baby coming!!–and Bible reading, and focus on the faith.

6. I’ve learned that I really love the Bible my hubby got just for me! It’s a huge, hardcover, real leather, black large-print Catholic Bible, and it’s become a big part of my mindset, actually. It’s helped me get back to that place of reading every day, where I need to be. Also, I love that Peter’s started reading before dinner, like my Dad still tries to do, heh. It’s a cool thing to institute, and I’m glad it’s become a habit for our family

7. I’ve learned that while much of our past, and even this past first year of our marriage, has been defined by error and struggle, we’ve come a long way. By God’s mercy, and angel’s protection, I firmly believe. There were times when I was sure I could understand people feeling like they might as well just give up (to an extent), but I knew in my heart it was a sacred Sacrament, and a love worth fighting for…and I realize nothing is ever alwaze roses and cuddles–but a life-long commitment to make a family under God, to love each other unconditionally, to work towards holiness and salvation of our souls, and help our mate’s do the same. Marriage is amazing, people, really. And so God-blessed.

8. I’ve been trying to learn ways to motivate myself, and to keep focus when in this apt alone, to still get all the things done I need to, yet not lose my mind! I’ve been trying to be a good wife–and make sure things like dinner-on-the-table-when-he-gets-home, are done, but sometimes my ADD and my pregnancy seem to rally against me at the same time, and I start 6 different things! It’s hard not to feel like a failure when there seems to be so much to get done still in the day, but my body/mind just isn’t there. But I’m learning! Being a wife is an adventure.

9. I’m learning I have several avenues of creative streak that I’m not sure how to pursue. I’m feeling creative a lot of times, but I’m not sure in what areas I’m strongest, or should be moving forward in (if that makes any sense). Some days I feel like pursuing art, some days I feel like working on my voice. But I’m not sure how to pursue any of them, or which one–more importantly–I’m supposed to be pursuing. Especially with Dominic coming, and $ being ever-tight. But I’m learning the creative streak is there, and God HAS given it for a reason, so maybe I just need to calm down, pray more, and let Him guide?!

10. And I’ve also begun to FINALLY realize that my husband and I are such opposites, we make a great team–when we learn how to play to each other’s strengths, not weaknesses! God has given us the gift of each other, and sometimes it seems like we are on opposite ends of the world! But we’re not…we just aren’t being patient with each other, and sucking up our pride. When we do, we are an amazing team. And I’m hoping we learn to show our different sides to our kids, so they learn the best of both worlds–not just opposite ends of a spectrum.

Well, that’s just some of the brain food I’ve been thinking about today/the past couple of weeks. There’s so much more I want to say, but I’ll try to update more often now, so you can read my crazy ramblings

Be sure to follow me on Twitter if you’re not already! LovingAnimals is me! God bless!

Heya. The past 2 days have been rather productive–if stressful and crazy–for Peter and I. We decided to check out the car insurance issue, so went to our local State Farm agent office. Turns out with collision and everything, our insurance for the Chevy our friends wanted to give us–would only be about $67!! It was crazy amazing. I was expecting around a hundred at least!

Peter did our taxes on TurboTax.com–which has been a longtime friend of both of ours–and it turns out from the state returns and federal, we are getting a nice amount back. So we signed up for the insurance right then and there!

We tried to get in touch with the housing authority, but that didn’t work out very well–wrong office, etc. So we’re going to look into that on Monday-ish, methinks. I actually may call them today…

Anyway! So after some crazy mixups with the family’s car yesterday, we went to our non-electricity-sawdust-toilet-oil-lamps friends, and after waiting for the husband to fill up the tires of the car with air that had lost some or something, we took the wife to a notary’s house (cutest little old woman–she still worked on a typewriter printer!!), and got the plate, title/deeds switched!

The car is a 200 Chevy Cavalier. It’s funny–it has roll-down windows, which I didn’t realize. Mostly cause my fam has older cars that have electric windows, lol. But it has ABS, so that’s good. And it gets about 25mpg city/33mpg highway, so that’s awesome!

It does have to be inspected–which I’m taking it for today @ 2pm–and it has over 151,000 miles on it. But our friends have had it for about 5yrs and it’s been fine for them, as well as whoever had it first. So I think it’s a good deal. It was a gift–and we are SO BLESSED to be able to have our own wheels right now!

There is a problem with the head gasket–I guess some sort of small-teeny-leak that they’ve had for a long time, and have just put coolant in to control. So eventually we’ll either have to find a cheaper way to get that stupid thing fixed, or junk the car, but I’m hoping it’ll last a while before. We’re going to start saving for a second car anyway, because eventually we’d like one for Peter and a fam car for me (he wants to saddle ME with the mini-van, lol…oh well!).

The car is white–not my first choice, but whatever! Our friends are funny. The whole back is covered with crazy bumper stickers–all anti-abortion and Catholic–which is awesome! Except a couple are worn and have to get taken off–as well as “kill your TV” and “support your local midwife”. No offence mid-wives, heh. But I’m having my kids in a hospital, thanx.

Annnnyhoo! So now we have a car! Of our own! I’m soo excited! yaaaay! God is surely good to us. So very good.

I can’t wait to start taking trips, heh…

Today I didn’t do as much as I’d hoped to accomplish, but it was still a very rewarding day, methinks.

First off–I’ve become a Twitter.com addict! If you’re on Twitter, let me know! My Twitter is Twitter.com/LovingAnimals, and I’d love to “tweet” with you! I’m learning the ins and outs of Twitter, but I do know it’s an easy way to have your work of any kind advertised, as well as to share pointless tidbits from your daily life, heh. Which we all know Audrey loves to do.

I got to do some laundry, which I still have to hang up to dry. I got to call the insurance to switch my Dr., only to find out that the Dr. I wanted–for pedeatrics as well as general health–wasn’t accepting any new patients. So I have to check the website again, find another Dr., and then find out if they’re accepting new patients before I call my insurance back.

I was going through some writing websites today, that I have on my creative bookmark tab, trying to remember why I kept all of them, and if I’m actually going to write for any of the jobs/contests. This was a big thing for me, merely because I see a lot of things that I would love to write for, and seem like great opportunities–but I’m realizing writing short articles, or certain things may not be my niche. So I am trying to weed out the junk, and see what I’d actually be willing to commit to. I loose interest easily, I guess, or focus, rather.

Maybe some of it is being pregnant! I blame Dominic, heh (Dominic Raphael, to be exact!!).

But there was a great sense of joy in seeing my hands spashed in metallic sapphire blue acrylic paint today!

I started painting another plaster mini today–a little dragon. He’s adorable, like the Turtle I put up on Artfire.com was (see him HERE ), but I want to make him special in color–like the Cat I put up was–(HERE ). So I’m doing him in a base of sapphire blue metallic, and will use silver and other “shiny” colors on him after the initial coat is done.

I know painting and my craftwork isn’t something right now that seems to be worth it, but I’m hoping to get started, get better, and get some selling under my belt. I have bigger,other projects I’ll be doing soon–the wreaths, frames, coat hangers–but right now, due to space and money, I have to stay small.

But I admit, it is tough trying to develop creative talent into something useful. Especially since i’m sure it appears to my husband that I should be writing and not painting, heh. But it’s part of my dream to keep my creative side alive in all avenues–if I can, and maybe be able to sell some things on the side, to share my work with other people.

This includes writing, of course, and drawing. And even singing down the line–maybe. We’ll see what opens up. Right now we’re limited with means and opportunities, so I have to go a bit slow.

But it is a dream of mine. Even as I paint more, I’m learning more what works and what doesn’t. Who knows–I may even get good!

I’m glad I can blog on here, although I wish I knew why Today.com wasn’t paying for the posts in my 1st blog for this entire year. They’re not even flagging or checking them as problem posts! All the posts from my OTHER BLOG on here from 2009 haven’t even been reviewed or anything. I got no notice that they were going to stop checking them–and the posts from this blog have been all reviewed/payed for..so who knows.

March already? Wow. Craziness.

Last Sunday we went to the SSPX Church again, this time due to weather and stuff. The priest was different, but still French. But he was cute, and a lot easier to understand. After service, Peter wanted him to bless my baby, if he would, because we were going Monday to the specialist Dr. due to them calling my pregnancy high-risk, and my baby possibly having an irregular heartbeat.

The priest was so friendly, and excited about our new addition. He said there is a specific blessing for an expectant mother, and took us up to the sacristy for the blessing. He got the blessing book out, and Holy Water, and we knelt–though he told Peter the blessing was for me and my baby, heh, not him–and he went through a full Latin blessing from the Roman book. It was amazing. A novus ordo priest probably would’ve just said “God bless your baby”, but this SSPX priest gave me the full blessing from ancient times! It was such a blessing.

The next day, we went to the specialist. We were early, and the Dr.s offices were about an hour behind. I was excited I got to go into an Ultrasound. This time, the nurse actually spoke to us a lot, and seemed to know more of what she was doing, and explained what everything was.

We immediately saw what the gender of the baby was this time! A baby boy!! YAY! No closing his legs this time! Plus, he’s getting so big! She showed us his little legs, and his feet–he was dancing or something. Probably didnt like being poked and prodded!

Then she said they were going to do a 4-D Ultrasound. I have no idea what that means, technically, but I know the picture was amazing! It was what I thought was a 3-D picture, but I guess not. Not just profiles of the ancient Ultrasounds. And not all offices have the new 4-D Ultrasounds, so we were blessed.

I asked if the nurse could show us his little face. The first picture she shot for, the baby had his little arm up, showing his little bicep (awwww!!!) but not his face! And oddly enough–due to the color of the baby’s skin, and the sac he’s in, and everything, it looked like he had no hand! But the picture is adorable. You can see his little ear… The second picture is of his face. He is SO AMAZING!

That a woman could see an Ultrasound photo, then abort her baby, is beyond me, and a true act of sickness.

Speaking of which–Peter took all the abortion pamphlets in the office and threw them away later!! It was great sneak-age, heh…

Anyway, the baby is beautiful, and the Ultrasound was so amazing. If you’re going to get an Ultrasound–you should check if you can get a 4-D, because they’re something else.

I am due for another one in about 6 wks, so by then he should be so very visable and full. YAY!

Now I’m getting ready to switch my PCP from Dr. Kon (who we haven’t seen yet), to a pediatric/family PCP Dr., so I can get a normal check up, and my thyroid checked. The OB/GYN office visit (which was great except for the “poking” part *shiver*) had about 6 vials of blood taken for tests, and the specialist Dr. told us that my Thyroid is indeed under-active, and so I need to get on meds for it, cause it can harm the baby. So hopefully I get that taken care of soon.

So that’s the latest update!

Let it be known beforehand that I suck at video games. I usually do. Although I did beat the Marios in my heyday, lol. But anyway!

Just got done playing Halo 4 on X-Box LIVE with my 2 brothers. They’d wanted Peter to play, but husband had worked 12 hrs, and was beat, so he was off to bed. I’m the only other one here who remotely knows the game, so I was picked. Plus, I was the only other one here who could play.

I personally was a huge fan of Halo 1, and heard 2 wasn’t that hot. I didn’t really see 3 on the normal 1-player mode, of course, but it didn’t seem that bad. The jist of it is like every other game where you battle: grab a gun, run through a level, try not to get killed, kill the other team’s members.

I’m really bad at controlling my gun/speed/view, so I usually didn’t get more than 2 kills before I was murdified a zillion times! But Halo 3 was fun in the aspect of colorful, and good graphics. I really liked being able to run to the side waterfall and hide in the mist–which was working fine for me till my brother shot me from far off land on a jeep-looking-thing!

Which was another fun aspect. In most of the games, all three of us were on the same team (red or blue). But sometimes we just would turn on each other in a silly way–or they would shoot me because instead of picking up a gun, I was just walking into the wall trying to walk to where it was, being totally stupid and lacking any sort of control. So I would swear I was going to hunt them down, and try to do it.

It’s called a betrayal, but we weren’t overly-excessive with it, so it was ok.

On one game, it was 4 teams of two–except at the last second one of my brothers’ team-mate left him high and dry, leaving the X-Box LIVE game, so leaving him stranded to fight alone. I was ironically paired with my youngest brother, who is the best player of all of us, and he told me to just hide and let him shoot, heh.

I really liked the feature–whether from Halo 3 or X-Box LIVE I know not–where we could replay and watch the entire “battle” like a movie, except an interactive one where you could move the camera anywhere you wanted, to any angle. It confused the heck out of me, but my bro used it to show us cool things happening all over the map, with other players, that we wouldn’t have otherwise known.

Of course, none of them were having as much as we were, I can assure you. I think sometimes people take the whole gaming thing waaaay too seriously! If you can’t laugh when someone elbows you off a cliff you didn’t know you were standing on in the game–then you have a problem and should get your funny bone re-adjusted!

I enjoyed playing with my brothers, a rare moment, and laughing so hard, and even perhaps learning to be a bit of a better player (…..riiiight!). I enjoyed Halo 3 cause it’s not all blood and guts, but more stratagy and color and staying alive and control. And I loved playing as Master Chief! YAAAY!

The only downside to X-Box LIVE is if you don’t have it muted, you get to hear all the weirdos that are prone to play using curse words for no reason.Especially the little kid punks who must just think it’s cool cause their parents are asleep or something….

Desperate times call for desperate measures! I’ve begun drawing again, as I’d mentioned. I’ve also started doing some painting–Acrylic is what I decided to start with–and so have begun to be “on a roll”, as it were, with my artistic side. Whether it’s any good remains to be seen!

I’ve started with Acrylics, because I don’t really like the way Watercolors can look, and I’m not skilled enough to dabble in Oils (no way, no how!). Plus, you can buy the little bottles at Walmart for like, $.60, which is good news to those of us struggling!

I also purchased a mess of discount paintbrushes, which are all from China (oh well), and all different sizes/uses. There are even a couple of those small black foam looking things with the wooden handles that you use when you’re painting in your house, and alwaze break, and are good for nothing, heh. But beggers can’t be choosers, and I’ve been enjoying testing out the different brushes and finding what they’re better for.

I was really glad there was a tiny brush, because I wanted to have something workable for detail, till I can buy some good ones.

So, I have carved out a little nook for myself on the dresser that resides in the room hubby and I and Berzerker (cat) reside in. We have no room for anything, but I need a space to work! I’m currently working on several projects, including an 8X10″ canvas, a couple of plaster animals (2 of which you can see in the picture), and my first ACT/ACEO card!! I have an idea what I want to paint, but man is it hard to paint something on a card the size of a baseball card! But it’s a fun challenge, and something new for me to try…

As you can tell from the photo, I also am using cheap palettes, and am not really following any protocol. But it’s art, right? Do I have to?!

The little plaster animals are a bugger to paint with Acrylics, but I realized after the kitten I did came out less than great, that it’s better to go over the whole thing (or as much as one can) with the base color, and work over that. The good thing about Acrylic paint is that it dries really quickly, so you can paint something, then go right into painting something over it.

I am hoping to get used to painting the plaster animals, which I think are adorable, and then perhaps sell some of them–after I coat them with a sealer, of course.

There are a lot of other crafts I want to do as well, but I have to make sure I don’t go all ADD and get distracted. Luckily we don’t have the money right now for me to do anything but little ones, heh. But hopefully down the line, even after the baby, I can get back into some things–like the wreaths I used to make–and can get good enough to maybe sell them at crafting fairs or something.

I really want to focus this year on using as much of my creative talent as I can–even though Peter (hubby) is constantly saying I don’t use my talent enough, lol.

ETA: Ok, I had trouble with the photo–for some reason they’re not showing up full size–only one side of them. So I made it a thumbnail image. Hopefully it shows up ok and there aren’t two of them!! Sorry it’s so tiny..

So my goal is to sometime today/tonight find out the true background story behind St. Valentine’s Day, and why in the world America has a random Catholic holiday?! I mean, at least St. Patty’s Day goes along with all the Irish immigrants, right? So when hubby and I read the Propers for today, I’ll look into it.

Today was the first day for husband’s new job–it’s a 12hr shift that he had to be up by 5:30am for. But the day will end up being really long for him (and brother), because he left at about 6am. He’s gonna be hurting today, I know that much. Not much longer till he gets home, thank God. I miss him, and feel for him; I woke up earlier today, but made myself get back in bed just trying to kill time till I see him again–my heart misses him when he’s gone, even to work. Especially since I know it’s going to be tough day for him.

But he and my brother lucked out with this contract job, and because they wouldn’t work on Sundays–they get tomorrow off, and only have to work a few days a week before 2 or 3 off. It’s a weird schedule, and shift, but beggers can’t be choosers, right? I am thankful for the job, I really am, and am hoping we can save the $ that comes in from it, though I pretty much suck at that aspect of life (oy vey!)!

The tough thing about this job is it’s a temp job, really. The branch they’re working for is normally a swing shift–which hubby can’t work, with me and everything–and doesn’t give Sundays off. So, this job is only guaranteed for about 2 months. Then they may kick them out, or say they have to work swing, which my man won’t. So we’re still looking for a “real” job, and it’s tough.

I know it’s tough on him, and his provider instinct. But he doesn’t realize what an amazing man he is, and how much he does indeed provide for me. No man tries harder, and he has it where it counts–in his heart. We must just accept God’s will for our lives may be to struggle right now *or forever lol*, and we have to learn to trust Him…But man, it’s hard!

Older Sister and her hubby and baby came up today for an overnight stay. I was planning to stay away, but after searching my heart, and praying for strength, I decided against it, and was glad I had. The baby loves her Aunt Audrey, oddly enough (I have a thing, and kids just like me, I swear!), and I am glad to see her and respond to a baby, even if I don’t approve of everything older Sis does with her fam.

But it’s alwaze been like that; we’ve never gotten along too well (except when maybe we were little kids), and have never been on the same track of life–we do so many things opposite, and rarely approve of what the other does. Plus, given the lack of God-factor, it’s tough to connect with her. But I connect with the little one, and that’s what matters to me.

I am trying to be a good Aunt, so when the little baby is older, she doesn’t only remember raging showdowns between her mother and me, but rather a good Catholic Aunt that loves her. It’s an area where I can be a witness, of some sort.

So, it IS indeed St. Valentine’s Day today, which is of course a highly commercialized holiday, and one which I really don’t enjoy, because of that aspect. I hate the concept of a specific day when you’re supposed  to give your loved one/s gifts/flowers/candy, etc. That’s one of the things I love about my Man–he’s amazing, and will buy me something special and heartfelt when I don’t expect it, thereby making the gift so much more special. Expecting stuff on Valentine’s Day is obnoxious!

But, silly man that he is, he got me some kind of secret gift!!! The rat! I love him so much, heh. I guess Mom and little siblings knew about the gift, which was something he ordered and arrived with his name on it. Mom had the box in her room, and I only found out last night when Little Sister found a package with my name on it, and I wanted to see if it was the ATC cards I ordered to paint. She didn’t want me to open the package,and told me why. So I let her open it, and sure enough it was what I ordered from Artfire.com.

But I guess husband’s gift arrived today and was in Mom’s room hidden, till Dad brought it out, asking what it was. Mom tried to stop me from getting it, but BWAHAHAHAHA! I really want to open it, but heh, I’ll wait till Hubby gets home, so he can give it. He’s so cute, really. I have no idea what it is, though it feels  like a VHS or a book or something. I have no idea…

Excited! Surprises are fun–even if it is St. Valentine’s Day, and I don’t normally enjoy that concept, heh!

More on the ATCs later…I’m really trying to get my creative level up; got a couple more plaster animals–turtle and a dinosaur–to paint and hopefully sell. I want eventually to get some classes on painting so I can be worth a dang, but for now I’ll have to practice with my own brain!

Ok, so I FINALLY read a thread about the update Today.com is doing on their blogs, and finally realized that while they seem to have gotten rid of the themed blog templates, they made the bland normal one a color-coded scheme, so you can make it your own.

It’s not that bad, really. I have updated this blog, as you can tell (if anyone reads this), as well as MY OTHER BLOG , changing all the colors, so they’re not so bland. I like colors, and love to change them, so expect that with my blogs!

I have a bunch of stuff I’d like to blog about concerning life, methinks, but I’ll wait till later. This was just to inform everyone that I’m ok with the new Today.com blog scheme! The world will go on…

First and foremost–for a while I’ve been trying to look at new “looks & feels” for this Today.com blog, only to find that all the themes I was given the option to view/pick when I started my blog–are gone. Not only that-!!!–but the them I HAD picked is also gone, thereby making my blog plain and boring and running with basically no theme *the today.com theme*! Uh..did my background/theme have a time limit or something I didn’t know about? Was there a memo I missed? As far as I can tell, none of the other people on my blogroll are having this problem.

I haven’t checked my other blog on today.com– Entertainment To Me — But I’m figuring the same thing is happening, as I know the themes have also been vanishing for an option from that blog as well. What’s up, Today.com? Anyone else struggling with this? I didn’t like the theme I’d chosen for this blog, but am fine with the one I have for my other blog. But either way, I apparently can’t change either! So needless to say, this is annoying me to no end…

Also, how come I can’t delete the “Uncategorized” category in my list?! That’s so stupiud. Why would I put a blog under no category? Uggg. Some things…

Sisterly Connection–

On a lighter note, I’ve been learning some things whilst we’ve been stuck in this house. Hubby and I are besides ourselves to leave, and it’s ridiculous. But I really have been being brought closer to my fam, and have been enjoying the time I get to spend with my 4 youngest siblings (and the next 2 up even), who are still here at home.

Little Sis and I have ended up spending some time nearly every night together–whether by pupose, or accident. But the laughs have been a comfort I long have needed.

It brings back the memories I have of her and me. We’ve alwaze been close–even though there is a 10yr gap between us. She’ll be 17 in a couple of days–can you belive?! Wow. I’m old…..teehee..

Annnyway. Older Sis and I have never been close, and have never been a team. But I bonded with the little one ever since she was born. My fondest memory of her young is that I am the one who single handedly (I swear!) taught her her colors as soon as she could learn them, using little books and colored pencils and markers! I was (and obviously still am, heh) so proud of that when she first started to learn and we bonded that way, and I was able to help her.

And ever since, it’s rare that we don’t get along. When I first got here, there was a chance I could’ve screwed up my relationship with her, but I saw that soon enough, and now we’re back on track.

On the 9th, I introduced her to Whose Line Is It Anyway clips on YouTube. None of my younger siblings have ever seen Whose Line, and I think Little Sis and I watched clips for about almost 2hrs! We were laughing so hard, and cracking up over jokes and even inside jokes of our own. It was great fun!

Then last night (cause it’s almost 1am on the 11th), we set up to watch Harry Potter 1, since she’s been wanting to watch them all again. She fell asleep, so I stopped it so we could finish next time.

Just like we share the same allergic reaction to nickel–we share a lot of the same traits and interests, though she is–thank God–very different from me.

I truly love her so much, and she makes my time here much more bearable.