Cape Fear Fair & Expo

So, being Isabella did not have school Monday, we decided to go to the county fair Sunday night. We had alot of fun! But omgosh.... $15.00 a person, even for her. Talk about breaking the bank, I can't imagine if I had to take more than just her and I... But that did include all the rides so... But I wasn't even sure if she would ride any so... But she absolutely loved them all! She even went on some bigger rides. A couple times the operators told me she wasn't big enough (she's a little thing) but since I was going too, they let her. She had a blast!

Halloween pics

So, I said I would post some pictures from Halloween. Here are a couple. I didn't dress up as Pink as I originally planned, long story, but I didn't dress up, period. But here's my University of North Carolina Cheerleader! The girl got so much candy! We had fun, this was the first year she really has enjoyed trick-or-treating.

And this is how I found her 5 minutes after I told her to brush her teeth.... in the bed, fast asleep, clothes and all. Guess the teeth didn't get brushed that night.

She likes me, She really likes me!

So, I received an award. Yes, me. The horrible blogger who can't seem to get it together and just do it.

"C" over at The Scattered Mind of a Tattooed Minivan Mom gave me this Kreativ Blogger Award. She's just great! She keeps me laughing every which way I turn. Go check her out and leave her lots and lots of comments and love! She is real and I've grown to love her ways! Like I said go check her out for yourself. If you don't believe me, just check out her thoughts on a Mister Linky vibrator. You know you can't resist checking her out now! Thank you "C" for being you and choosing me!



Now I have to list 6 things that make me happy and give this award out to 6 other bloggers. Since I'm in a very pissy mood tonight ~ Let's see what I can come up with...

~Thankfuls~

1. for "C" because she makes me smile.

2. chocolate because it seems to make everything better, at least for the time being, then you

feel like crap for eating it and moan and groan about going to the gym.

3. my daughter, of course. She keeps me on my toes and my hair at wits end...

4. my health, because a year and a half ago I was a very sick chick!!! That's for another blog...

*Note to self* Get a move on this blogging stuff!

5. The fall weather

6. Good hair, because if nothing else is going my way this week, I know I have good hair.

~Passing To~

1. Spaghetti and Bagels because she is a spunky one!

2. Nana's Box because she's doing great things and bringing smiles to alot of people!

3. Spunky Teddy Graham because she simply trips a sista out!

4. Pineconeprim because she is so sweet and thoughtful!

5. Me & My Girls because she's down to earth and I like that!

6. Mom of 3 Crazy Kids because she's a teenager at heart and I sometimes think I am too!

I'm Not Crazy~Just Anti-Sane!

It's been a while since I have blogged. I have just felt SO incredibly overwhelmed with everything going on in my life and feel like all I would do is complain. I don't want to complain.

So, I took some time today (after lots of procrastination) and did a little Halloween thinking. My daughter wanted to be Hannah Montana for Halloween, then decided she wanted to be Glinda (the good witch from The Wizard of Oz).... You know what she is going to be? A cheerleader. ha ha... Is that bad? I had very little money so I had to make do. She had the cheerleader skirt and I went out and bought her a light blue t-shirt. I used iron-on letters to make it a University of NC (UNC) shirt. She had pom poms and I made some hair ribbons for her pig tails. Of course she'll be cute. I just hated that I couldn't do what "she" wanted to do. I spent a total of $9 on her costume.

I decided to go as Pink (the singer). I'm going to mohawk my hair and dye it pink. I'm wearing all black with a pink big belt, worn high. It should be fun.

So, that's it for my Halloween shopping. Pictures to follow this weekend. Wish me luck as I get totally stressed over stuff like this, doing it as a single parent just isn't as fun!!!!

**Note to self~blog about Nana's Box that I recieved for my mom. It is amazing!**

I've Been Tagged!!!!

I've been tagged by Me & My Girls for this little bit of fun.




So you get to learn about 7 weird or random facts about me:

1. My daughter's name (Isabella Dare) has a quirky story to it. Isabella came from Queen Isabel of Spain (who funded Christopher Columbus' voyage to the New Land) and Dare came from (Virginia Dare who was the first child born on the New Land *this was also my grandmother's name). And I am so NOT the history buff!!!
2. I drive a PT Cruiser. The weird thing about this one is, I have always hated PT Cruisers, they just look weird. But the price was right and I needed a new car (I just bought it a few weeks ago).
3. I have played the piano since I was 5 years old. Not many people know this fact about me.
4. I left my husband of 7 years but still love him dearly! If you read my blog you probably know that by now!
5. I am a certified Paralegal, not practicing. Actually, I'm in school for Accounting now. I think I'll be a student for life!
6. My hair is my outlet! ha ha It used to be down to my butt and blonde. I cut it to about 4 inches long; then about 1 inch long and Platinum blonde. Last year is was real short and black with firey red streaks in it. Now it is back to my natural color and cut into a stylish stacked bob - trying to grow the front out a few inches more - keeping the back short and stacked. But I struggle not to cut it and dye it some kind of crazy color. I love funky hair!
7. I have 4 tatoos. (1) back of my neck, butterfly (2) under wrist, cross (3) ankle, ladybug *Tina Bug* (4) calf, wings around Bella's name *my favorite*



Ok, so I don't know how well I did, so let me know! I didn't know what to put down...

So, now it's time to pass the weirdness/randomness along. I am tagging:

1. Farm Girl
2. Mom of 3 Crazy Kids
3. XO, Miss L2
4. Life of a Southern Belle
5. Spunkyteddygraham
6. Tropic of Mom
7. The Happy Homebody

TAG.... I've tagged 5 of you out there!!!

It's Tag-Time!!

I was reading April's blog over at Straight From the Heart and loved this so decided to do one of my own.

OK, here are the rules:Grab the nearest book. Open the book to page 56. Find the fifth sentence. Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your journal/blog along with these instructions. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST. Tag five other people to do the same.

This excerpt comes from the book "Fireproof" by Eric Wilson. It's an awesome book and just came out in the theaters as a GREAT movie!!! I recommend everyone reading and/or watching Fireproof. It is meaningful and touched my heart!

"That sounded like surrender, like giving up. But who was Caleb fooling? Marriage wasn't a game, some contest in which all the spoils went to the victor. This was supposed to be a joint venture, right? A partnership. And his partner wanted nothing to do with him."

Alright, so now I'm going to tag:

1. Mom of 3 Crazy Kids

2. Farm Girl

3. Me & My Girls

4. Spunky Teddy Graham

5. Tropic of Mom

It's your turn!! HAVE FUN!!

Fall is Here!!!

A few weeks ago I went to Raleigh to visit family and friends. My daughter, sister-in-law, 3 month old nephew and I went to Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville (20 minutes outside of Raleigh) and had a wonderful fall day!!!

~This is the view as you entered the Farm...

~I thought this guy just looked cool! He just stood in the little house observing everything.

~I would hate to make him mad!

~FALL COLORS!!!!! I love it!

~Another view of the Farm

~Who doesn't love a corn playground? We found corn in all kinds of places at bedtime that night!

~Peek-a-boo!

~Baby Nash and Aunt NieNie

~Look closely! It's a huge slide!!! Everyone grab your burlap (sp?) sacks... and let's go!

~Thanksgiving Dinner???

~Haystack Mazes...

~Train Rides and Hay Rides...

~And pumpkins for EVERYONE!!!

HAPPY FALL EVERYONE!

Scary Time For Me

So, it's been like two weeks since I've even signed on to Blog. I have alot of catching up to do, but just don't think I am going to get around to it in the next week or two. I'M EXHAUSTED!!!

So, where have I been you ask...

About two weeks ago, my husband (estranged, but he's still mine) started complaining about a pain behind his knee. I kept telling him it was probably a pulled muscle, get over it. Well, after a week of pain, the pain spreading and increasing, he decided to go to the doctor. They immediately sent him straight to the hospital, DON'T PASS GO, DON'T COLLECT $200 DOLLARS. He had an ultrasound and was admitted into the hospital an hour away from me immediately. He had (has) a blood clot in his leg. The pain was coming from no circulation in his leg. He broke his foot about two months ago and the doctors think the trauma from that caused the clot. He was put on bed rest for eight days. Now, my question, what sense does that really make? I mean, I know why they do it, but laying in the bed - not moving around - causes clots so they put someone who has one on bed rest??? This one baffles me.

So, the day before he went into the hospital I had just gotten back from visiting my brother, sister-in-law and nephew in Raleigh (2 hours away). Tired from traveling, I had to turn around and drive an hour away to make sure G. was alright. I had to drive back that night to work the next day. Then back that night. I stayed at the hospital for a solid week, sleeping in a chair. Why don't they be more accomidating to family? Oh well, I'm not a complainer but a week of sleeping in a chair was torture. I did climb in bed with G. when I could, but that wasn't often. It's not like they let you sleep in the hospital anyways, taking vitals, blood and everything else all through the night.

Well a week later, it was time for me to make my way home. My daughter missed me and had lots of questions as she didn't know where her daddy was or why I had been gone. Back to the single mom life, taking care of Bella, working and catching up on school work. It is kicking my butt.

G. got out of the hospital yesterday (11 days in) but it will be a slow process to try to get the blood clot to absorb back into the bloodstream.

As of today, G. is 12 days sober!! He got out of the hospital yesterday afternoon and went to an AA meeting last night and another one tonight. He plans on hitting one each night! That is a good thing! And I actually enjoy being around him and talking to him now! He doesn't have the alcohol distorting his thought process. I am hopeful for him but CAN'T get my hopes up.

Needless to say I am exhausted but... I am pushing through, doing the best I can. I can't help but to feel I am being stretched thin though. G. is getting Bella this weekend and next so hopefully I will get my school work under way and catch up on sleep.

So, there you have it, that's what's been keeping me away from "my time"...

Thanks to all that have shown concern. It is comforting to know there are people out there thinking about me!

xo,
Tina

Mommy Tag

So, I got this from Dancing Queen.... I liked it so much I wanted to do one of my own. I was curious to see what my daughter would say about me....

What is something mom always says to you?
Isabella: That you love me.

What makes mommy happy?
Isabella: being nice

What makes mommy sad?
Isabella: Sad songs

How does mommy make you laugh?
Isabella: By saying silly things **nooooooooooo, not me!!!**

What was mommy like as a kid?
Isabella: You have blonde hair like me.

How old is mom?
Isabella: 26 (tha's my girl!)

How tall is mom?
Isabella: 7 feet tall

What does mommy like to do?

Isabella: do crafts with me, sometimes

What does mom do when you're not home?
Isabella: do homework

If mommy was famous, what would she be famous for?
Isabella: singing

What is mommy really good at?
Isabella: drawing and painting

What does mommy do for her job?
Isabella: Mommy

What is Mommy's favorite food?
Isabella: chicken?

What makes you proud of your mom?
Isabella: Doing things I like you to do.

If mommy was a cartoon character, who would she be?
Isabella: Dorothy from Wizard of Oz

What do you and mommy like to do together?
Isabella: smell flowers

How are you and mom the same?
Isabella: blonde hair and same eyes

How are you and mommy different?
Isabella: You have green eyes now (my eyes changed when I was 6 or 7) and I have blue eyes.

How do you know mommy loves you?
Isabella: Because EVERYONE tells me all the time!

What time do your kids wake up? 6:30am

On a good night, what time do your kids go to sleep? 8:00pm

How long have you been a mom? 5 years

How old were you when you became a mom? 22

What is your favorite kid show? Winnie the Pooh

Least favorite kid TV show? Spongebob

Favorite meal to cook? breakfast

What's the meal cooked most often? Dinner. Different things with Chicken.

What is the kids favorite meal? Chicken Nuggets

What are your favorite things that Daddy does with the kids? cuddling, anything outside, listening to her sing and watching her dance

What are 5 things that make you smile while being a mom?
1) Seeing her Smile!
2) Hugs and Kisses!
3) Watching their accomplishments, big or small!
4) Their imagination
5) Watching her do the things she loves!

Where do you want to take your kids someday? Disney, of course!

When was the last time you and your husband went out without the kids? we are separated so it's been a while )c:

One thing you said you'd never do as a mom? Get divorced from the father, some things you can't are out of your control! But I HATE it for my daughter!

Favorite past time with your kids? Going to the island on the boat, going to the movies, taking walks, doing special things that are not everyday stuff, like going to the Cirque Solei (spelling?)

Advice for a new mom: Don't rush ANYTHING! As an infant get all the holding you can in because there comes a day when they want to be independant!

When was the last time your kids said "I love you"? Just a little while ago, while swinging on the swingset.

New Layout from LeeLou!

Sooooo.... I did it!
I finally had the time. What does everyone think of the new layout. I went to LeeLou's blog and found it. It was so easy! All the thanks to her!

xo, and Happy Tuesday! Fall is here and I'm loving it!
~T

11 Things I am Thankful for! Picture This!

These are not in any particular order....

1. Girlfriends

2. Lazy days by the pool

3. Double sided Fireplace in the Fall! (not decorated yet!)

4. My little Hannah Montana! (she has the guitar, the wig, she knows the words, What am I gonna do?? ha ha)

Isabella as herself!

Isabella as Hannah Montana (I tried to upload the video of her playing the guitar and singing but it wouldn't upload )c: )

5. Ice Cream Boats! You are playing on the Island, sitting half way in the water, keeping an eye on the children when all of a sudden you here bells, lots of bells. You see a boat go by with a blow up palm tree and says Ice Cream on the side. Then the flock tramples you. The flock of kids running towards the ice cream boat! What a great idea!

6. Sunsets from the front porch

7. Days on the Island (Mason's Island)

8. Lady Bugs *they seem to follow me, they are said to be good luck. hmmm I'm not really thinking so right now. *My girlfriends bought me a ladybug tattoo for my birthday.

9. Road Trips with my Isabella

10. Wolfpack/NC State football games!

11. Last (for today) but definitely not least! Licking the left over chocolate out of the bowl after mixing up brownies. mmmm - We don't 'make brownies too often but when we do, we go all out!