TAG, I'M IT

Well, last week I was tagged, and it is now time to share interesting facts about me! Here we go!

1. I despise cold weather. It makes me grumpy, lethargic and pretty much a wimp! I would much rather have sweat dripping down my forehead than have goosebumps consuming my body, making my freshly shaven legs feel prickly! Oh, and add rain to the cold.....forget it, stay away from me!

2. I love home cooked meals. For so long my life was in the habit of grabbing food on the go. No thank you, I prefer anything home cooked, well, almost anything! Of course, when I say home cooked, I mean Tony doing the cooking! My job is the dishes.

3. Some know this, but I have had 6 knee surgeries; hence the blog name SIDELINED! The root cause, a lanky clumsy girl coming underneath the volleyball net, taking me out in the best volleyball game of my career. The good news, I am a "great" candidate for a knee transplant. Not sure if that's good news, but the docs seem to think so! Though it may sound I am a bit bitter, I once was, I now know God has other plans for me!

4. I didn't get my drivers license until the age of 24! I know, insane! Luckily I had great friends who drove me lots of places. If anyone EVER needs a ride I am the first to do it! No guys, not hitchhikers, people I actually know! I am forever indebted to provide free rides!

5. ROAD RAGE drives me crazy! The thing I least like about HOUSTON is the drivers! If everybody would let one car in at the freeway entrance ramps the flow of traffic would be a WHOLE lot better! Geez, what a concept!

**This was one of my blooms just last week**

6. I love Hibiscus. Yes I went as far as to get a tattoo of one on my back. And I love it, no regrets! My goal is to be known as the "Hibiscus Lady"in the neighborhood! I love the flowers beauty, that they bloom for so many months, and that each bloom only lasts a day.

A Lump on a Log

Lately, I am like a lump on a log. Or shall I say a mushroom on a stump. I am gliding through each day doing what I am supposed to do, except the dishes, hoping something exciting strikes me soon. To put it simple: I feel I have nothing of interest to make a difference in your day!

All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth.....

It's been 4 months and Walker has NO signs of his two front teeth coming in. When making his Christmas list we suggested his two front teeth should be top of his list!

Two front teeth were obviously not on the top of his Christmas list. A new big boy bike definitely is, however, he is willing to take it off if he can have one other thing, actually it's two somethings.

Yes, it is a baby sister Walker would love to have. At dinner the other night he sweetly rambled on about a baby sister, "but not just one Mommy, we need two baby sisters like Riley and I."

"Twins you mean?"

"Of course, that way we will have three boys and three girls and our family will be even. But don't worry Mommy, I will get them for Christmas so that way you never have to go to the hospital or anything like that."

"That's sweet Walker, but where would they sleep?"

"In Peyton's room because Riley and I already share a room."

"Baby, I think you already have a long list for Santa already made out, it's too late to change it this year."

"I'll take my big boy bike off the list, that would be o.k."

Thankfully he never changed his original list. I think by next year he will have decided that two baby sisters is not such a good idea, and we should keep our family just the way we have it.

Oh and I've decided no more spending time with his baby cousin Kate.....since this conversation came a day after spending a whole weekend with her! (just kidding JoJo, you can have them anytime!)

Thanksgiving Day 7: Who's Parents are Those?

Well, with a week of giving blog thanks, it's time to hit two very important people who deserve so much gratitude! My crazy and wild parents! Now, those of you who are reading this and knew my parents when I was young are probably thinking "yeah, like the Nelson's are wild and crazy!". Maybe this picture can prove my point!

Mom and Dad are now Parrot Heads....nothing makes them happier than hanging out with their friends in Kemah, traveling to Parrot Head events in Key West, Alabama, Vegas......if there's a gathering, they are there!

Well, deserved time too.

I am thankful my parents:

forgive

were at every event of mine as a child

traveled 5 hours on Tuesdays from Houston to Stephenville to watch me play volleyball

love my boys to death

live near by

are having fun

helped me through the toughest time of my life

instilled values that helped shape my character

I am thankful that my parents put my brother and I before anything growing up! They were ALWAYS there!

Love you MOMMY and DADDY!

THANKSGIVING DAY 6: My Brother

I am so so thankful for my brother! Without him, I truly don't know where I would be. He was a hard brother, he had big expectations of me, and when I failed him I could see the disappointment! I've always wanted to make him proud of me.

I must admit, as compettive of a heart that I have, there was no better feeling as a kid than beating my brother at a sport! Any sport, you name it, I was gonna beat him!

I think my brother was even my biggest fan, well, next to Dad! I played volleyball for years and continued into college. As I was huffing and puffing catching my breath from a long strenuous game, there was my brother waiting in the bleachers to untie my shoes, pull off my STANKY ankle braces, and my sweaty sticky socks so I could air off my feet. If he was at a game he always did that. Now that I read that, it sounds weird, but let me tell you, I felt like the luckiest sister around.

My brother's senior year in high school, ( I am 3 yrs younger ) I cried so often at night knowing he was leaving to college. I would go in his room and sleep on the floor! Funny thing is, he decided to live at home and go to college, thus I was the first to leave! All that worry for nothing!

When I was a freshman in highschool and he was a senior, I could walk up to his table at lunch, hold out my hand, and he would lay lunch money in my hand. No questions asked, no speaking, he took care of me, and I left silently to spare him from any embarrassment, I was a freshman, they're not allowed at the senior table, so not cool!

To this day, I would have to say, I look up to my brother more than anybody, sad thing is, I see him the least. Chris is a go getter....he is full of ambition, loves his children, and on a good day, he's REALLY funny!

The last story I will share about my brother, when I went through a divorce, it was him (and my parents) who allowed me to get out of a bad situation. It was him who made me realize, that it's not always the woman deciding to stay in a bad marriage. So often I hear, "why does she stay with him". I know why, if the woman has no money, a lawyer to protect her children, and a place to stay until she gets on her feet, what is a woman supposed to do. You will never hear me ask why a woman stays......I will pray for the situation. I am fortunate that I had a family to help me in a HUGE time of need!

Oh, and my brother's pretty good at bragging about he's lil sis too! I often catch him telling stories of me back in the day. Makes me smile, just a bit! He also landed me a job with the company he works for, and have now been with the company for seven years.

I definitely am thankful for my one and only sibling.....I could go on forever about him! I hope my boys and Michaella grow up loving one another the way we did....of course we did have a few HUGE fights....sorry Chris, I gotta let em know I won those fights!

Here's to brothers and childhood memories!

THANKSGIVING DAY 4 and 5 : SINUS MEDICATION

I had all intentions to blog on Sunday, but I had to commit myself to some major yard work, primarily raking 8 bags worth of pine needles! I love our pine trees, the entire neighborhood is engulfed with these long lanky trees! Absolutely beautiful, definitely a neusance. After completely satisfied with a days worth of work outside, I wake this morning to, well, a yard full of pine needles. Just overnight, viola, coated in needles.

I almost forgot this post was supposed to be about Thanksgiving. If you can't quite tell by the tone of the blog, I don't feel well. Sinus pressure is throbbing behind my eyes and I would rather be at home in bed. But since I can't, I am THANKFUL for Sudafed Maximum Strength Sinus Headache Medication. I have tested them all, yet this is the only one to relieve some of the pain!

Until tomorrow ! I promise to be much more chipper tomorrow!

THANKSGIVING DAY 3 : THINGS THAT MAKE A DAY HAPPY

Today I am being thankful for the things that make me smile throughout a day, and with the day coming to a close, I better hurry!

I am thankful for Jacuzzi baths

Late nights

jeans and t-shirts

flip flops

romantic sappy movies

another chance

forgiveness

the bay house

PEOPLE magazine

my computer

Prayer

neighbors, we love, having a hard time selling their house (now that's selfish)

and my 13 year old DOC MARTINS (13 yrs old) yes, Jade they are as old as our friendship!

I am thankful for lazy days and chotic days, all the same,

redemption and salvation

and I am thankful I am me and nobody else, no matter what comes my way, I wouldn't want to be me any other way.........

I am thankful you are reading this, no matter what your thoughts might be about me....

I am thankful for you! Yes you, I might not even know you! The world wouldn't be the same without you! I hope that someday I meet you!

I thank you!