10 Weeks

Hey Lovelies & Dolls.

It has been 10 weeks since I posted last and 10 weeks since I shut the blog down.

There are a lot of things I could say.
I could be witty with my explanation.
Or honest.
Or apologize profusely for being 'such a terrible blogger!'

Eh, no thanks.
No matter what, the message would end the same.

I'm back. 

I Am Behind

Behind.
Yes, we all have one but my glorious badonkadonk is NOT my issue right now.
It's the fact that I am so BEHIND on pretty much everything.

Laundry.
Cleaning.
Finishing painting projects.
Starting furniture projects... one is a year behind.

See, I told you.

Really though, I have zero excuse.
I know I'm behind and I know exactly why.

When I PLAN on being productive, it does NOT happen.
Today was supposed to be a slew of projects and productivity.

Guess what I did?
Worked on slimming down my DVR and ate Valentine's Conversation Hearts.
Not the nasty tum/chalky kind, the sweettarts kind.
Or as the bag says, "Tart & Sassy"

Kind of like me.

Anyway, I have about 5 giveaways I'll be putting up soon and as promised, the Lovelies who entered my last one, will be getting something fun.

I hope they think its fun.
I very well could have failed at that too.

For now Lovelies, thanks for sticking with me!!

xoxo

Breaky Break Time

Hey there lovely Lovelies! As a lot of you have noticed, I've been ridiculously MIA for a while now and I don't see it getting much better anytime soon.

Between my many, many doctor's appointments, procedures, tests, Mr. Superman's ever-changing work schedule (now he's on 12's from 6-6), trying to not let the house cross the line between "Homeless-hoarder-laundry and dishes up to my neck-style" and "I'm really trying but just can't keep up with the housework-style", the blogging has been brought to a major stall and that includes keeping mine up to date and sharing the hundreds of things I've been wanting to share with you all as well as reading and commenting on all the ones I love. Not to mention between my 8 different prescriptions, I'm always either sick to my stomach or zonked out good.

Along with all of that, emails, postcards, letters, Facebook messages, and every other form of contact has piled up rather splendidly. I cannot say how much everyone's words of kindness, love, support, and encouragement mean to both me and my Loverface and I am so sorry I have been unable to respond to anyone. This newest health development has definitely been testing us but I'm confident all will unfold as it should and we will remain strong as ever.

I just wanted to tell all of you darlings a little of what's been going on. Hello to all you fabulous newbies and to everyone else, pleasepleaseplease don't leave me while I'm on this unplanned and unintentional hiatus okay?

My Blogging World With Hold On, Love

Lovelies! Here we are again with another fabulous line up of guest bloggers to entertain you all while I am busy cleaning our new house from top to bottom, grocery shopping, and all of the ever-important mani/pedi, spray tan, waxing, and hair appointments in preparation for the big HOMECOMING!! I am so glad I have all of these wonderful Lovelies stepping in for me so I can focus on the important things not to mention so I can be sure to take breathers in between my anxiety attacks. So please be sure to show all of my wonderful Lovelies lots of love because they deserve it. Today I have the lovely Beka from Hold On, Love. She is incredibly charming and one of the sweetest Lovelies I have. I asked her for her take on a peek inside her blogging world.

"Q: I was wondering if maybe you'd want to write about how you got started in blogging, what kinds of blogs you read, what attracts you to reading those blogs..."

A: I just procrastinated a little bit and watched/listened to this song by the civil wars; one of my favorites in the music world. Why on earth would I do that? Procrastinate? Heck, it's only the first time I've ever guest-posted, and it was the lovely Mrs. S. who emailed me with the request. My goodness, I got excited :) I've loved her blog for a while. So....before I put this off till tomorrow or the next day with an excuse such as a blank brain or something, let me say a couple things: I'm beka, and I love to blog, I love to write, cook, bake, paint, take walks, brew coffee, and photograph all of the above.

So, when I started blogging . . . it was not for me. I set up a blogger account to co-write a webzine type of blog for young women: cameratismo. Too bad everyone's lives got super busy and we hardly posted after it got started up.  My first post for my blog was on September 13 2009. It was lyrics from a song I was obsessed with at the time. (It's still a really really good song.) But within a few months, I was . . . hooked. Though yes, I admit, I freaked when, at around 12 followers, a linkless follower clicked that f-button. For a while I was wondering if I should go private, if there were creepers out there reading my stuff. I've since gotten over that. I questioned a blogger friend up and down about her take on it all, and I felt safe with the advice she gave. Ha. I've posted recipes, paintings I've done, days that were beautiful, and random scenes and stuff that struck me as funny...such as some of the ones with the label siblings. ;)

The kind of blogs I read varies . . . Mainly, blogs that post things that I'm interested in, or blogs that are written by friends, and thus, I enjoy reading them no matter what. So. If I comprised a short list of subjects of blogs I follow? It would be mommy blogs, foodie blogs, military blogs, photography blogs, traveling/European blogs, decorating blogs, and you all know those just plain old freaking creative blogs.

The top things that attract me to the blogs I read are: The aesthetics of the site. Relatively clean, unjumbled (yes, I just made that word up ;), organized, purposeful, and, to an extent, carrying the taste and personality of the author. --Still talking about the look of the blog, not yet the actual content.
And if it's only one or two of the above characteristics mentioned, and I follow it, you know I find the writing worth it all. I'm a person who prefers space to think and read the blog, not be cloistered.

*laughs at self*

I love it when I find a blog where the writer, whether practiced or not, just says it as it is. Whether they're poetic, blunt, or just everyday, they're usually one or two of those together. Heck, you might run into a really wonderful blog where the author happens to (subconsciously) be all three.

Photos attract me. Food attracts me. Beautiful people do, too. Writing, most of all, has attracted me.
People have diverse ways of saying things. They have different --or completely mirrored-- thoughts about the same general subject, and yet their heart can come through in the writing, and the shades and tints of speech and phrases are different . . . and that's what makes it lovely.

I love that there are different styles, different feels to the text and emotion that is published. Yeah, I was kind of obsessed with the word different.

This was a pointed post, and my normal blog posts have the tendency to be quite random. And sometimes amusing. So, there you have it: some of the whys and hows of my blogging experience thus far.

In Case You Didn't Know...

"i love you my chelle belle"

Them, right there, those are some of my favorite words.
Straight up. 

I know I am super MIA right now but that's okay. 

I'll be back with a vengeance once I start digging the whole blogging thing again. 

Oh yeah, and once I cross some very important things off of my 'To-Do List'

Finding and securing the perfect house and dealing with the Finance Office from over 2,000 miles away is extraordinarily difficult and frustrating. 

In case you didn't know.

What the Censoring Fatty?!

I have a question for you guys. What do you think about Blog Censorship? Do you guys feel like you can be 100 percent upfront, open, and in your face with your blogs or do you edit out things you really do want to say but don't want to offend people or what not? I know that was a major run on question but really, what do you think?

In the past I have not edited anything to make things easy for someone else because this is MY blog.  This is where I vent and journal and feel like I can be me without having to apologize. I have however, toned down the politics quite a bit and I try to be a little more mellow.

Lately, I have been getting numerous anonymous posters talking lots of shiznit about Mr. Superman, his being in the military, my talk of my infertility, and really negative and oft times derogatory comments. Most I don't publish and I don't dignify them with a response but what about you guys? What do you do?

I think that in my Answer post from the Q&A I will answer every question and comment I have gotten just so I can have piece of mind about these idiots. The way I see it is if you want to be a jerk and be completely negative, have the gumption and balls to do so without hiding. Really? You want to talk badly about me and about my life but you aren't brave enough to do it straight forward? Step up for real.

Alright now that that's out there, here is what's been weighing on my mind lately. Ha ha well more like weighing all over me. My weight. I have always been really self conscious and super self critical. Since meeting Mr. Superman, I've felt better about myself and my self perception has improved a bit. There have been a few times where I all of the sudden will gain weight without any changes in my diet or exercise. Usually when I notice, I'll up my activity level and I will drop back down to my normal weight. Now in the last year, I have had a few operations, went through something extremely personal that tore me apart,  have moved 2,000 miles away, started school, and am trying desperately to balance life. A little stress weight is to be expected I think but this is insane.

I am at my ALL TIME HEAVIEST and it has been a huge downer for me. I thought it would be like every other time I lose weight. NEGATORY GOOD BUDDY. I have cut out soda, tried to have smaller portions, drink lots of water, and have worked out for at least an hour every day for the last 2.5 weeks. Guess what? I haven't even lost half a pound. Its getting under my skin so bad. There have been other times I thought I was chunky but I see pictures from then and I just wanna cry because I was so skinny and fit and had a great body. Needless to say I have had a major wake up call and once I get back to my healthy weight, I will be content. Once I am back to my healthy weight, I won't be saying I'm fat because I now realize I wasn't. I guess all I can do is keep working out everyday and pray it starts working soon 'cause 25 el bees is A LOT.

This is me now

This is what I want so desperately to be again.

(Mr. Superman taking a creeper shot)

Thanks for letting me whine a bit. You guys are the best. Happy Thursday! (The beginning of my weekend, yes Sweet Mary!!)

♥ Mrs. S.

Oh No!!! (Mrs. S's First Q&A)

I am so sad! I missed my 200th post! Geeeeze. Legit blogger fail. EPIC legit blogger fail. I think this is like my 206th or something. I was wanting to do something fun like a Q&A session but am super apprehensive about feeling like a lame-o when I get no questions asked. What do you think? Shall I proceed and place my blogger pride on the line? Okay you've convinced me.

I will be accepting questions from all you lovelies for the next few days.... ha or until I get enough to not look like a complete blogging loser. Rules are that there are no rules. Anything goes and I promise I will answer everything with 100% honesty. Feel free to post shameless shout outs and link backs to this post to help me feel more loved and to diminish my fear of experiencing yet another epic legit blogger failure. So if you are curious about what makes Mrs. S. tick, what makes her love, laugh, cry, her dreams, her fears, her embarrassing perfectly graceful moments, then join in the fun that is

Mrs. S's First Q&A!!

Alright, ending the use of third person speech now.

Thanks lovelies. You all are seriously the best!

♥ Mrs. S.

Photo courtesy of myself. 

Taken a few years back while stuck in CA traffic 

from The Tonight Show and a game at Angels Stadium.

Kindred Connection #2

Here are the quickie instructions again for those who are new.

*Grab the Party Button
*Answer the questions on your blog
*Link to your post via Mr. Linky at Kindred Connection at Windy-Poplars

Remember if your blog is about "marriage, family, faith, decorating, crafts, travel, gardening, saving money, cooking, homemaking, style, and a dash of everyday life!" then you are a Kindred Blogger!

Here are week #2's questions:

 1. What is your favorite vacation spot?

Ooohh the Mr. and I both love California (Newport, Huntington, Balboa) so so so much but when he got home last year (he had been gone for our 2 year wedding anniversary), he surprised me with an ocean-side room in Panama City Beach, Florida. It was GLORIOUS. We have decided to make it our anniversary tradition for as long as we can.

2. What are the three qualities that you most admire about your husband (or if you're not married what are the three qualities you would most desire in a man)?

 

Oh choosing only three is so hard! I think by far that Mr. Superman's unconditional love for me (you have NO idea how much he has had to put up with, deal with, take care of on my part) tops the list. I love how hard of a worker he is. Not just in his job as part of the USAF but also how hard he works around the house and taking care of me. He's always going non-stop. Number three will have to be his desire for a baby as much as me. We both were devastated when we got the diagnosis of infertility and he has been so good about holding me together. The fact that his heart is broken too shows me how completely connected we are. Someday we'll have our miracle.

3. What has been a meaningful Bible verse to you this week?

 

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." I have to confess, I read this several times a week. Its something that has been helping me since I was 14. Love it.
 

4. What is your favorite color(or colors) and why?

 

Hmmmm difficult difficult. Green, black, and pink. I'm huge on color combos thought like black, pink, white, & gray or pink & green, or aqua & pink or aqua & brown. I'm a lover of color.
 

5. What is the funniest thing that happened to you in the last 24 hours?

 

I don't know if its been in the last 24 hours because my time blurs but Mr. Superman and I were driving home from running errands and I had an empty bowl and fork (from strawberries I had eaten on the way) sitting in the console next to the cup holders. He turned and the fork flew out and stabbed him in the foot. It wasn't funny but I lost it. I mean LOST it. I have not laughed that hard in over a year. Even funnier was his face when that first laugh flew out of my mouth. He tries so hard to keep a straight face sometimes but he's not very good at it. I know he's struggling when his his nostrils start flaring and he bites his bottom lip to keep from smiling. His whole "serious and angry" facade fell apart. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. It was fantastic. 

Alright lovelies, join the Kindred Connection. It's great!

♥ Mrs. S.

A Military Wife

I've been trying to catch up on my blog reading and saw this posted on my friend Marie's over at ABU's & Cute Tennis Shoes. She always posts great stuff and I loved this so I had to steal it. It wasn't written by her and she isn't sure who did write it but its PERFECT. It was just what I needed on a day like today. A reminder that the sacrifice and "hard stuff" is all worth it.


"A military wife is mostly girl. But there are times, such as when her husband is away and she is mowing the lawn or fixing a youngster's bike, that she begins to suspect she is also boy. She usually comes in three sizes: petite, plump and pregnant. During the early years of her marriage it is often hard to determine which size is her normal one.

She has babies all over the world and measures time in terms of places as other women do in years. "It was in England that the children had the chicken pox...In was in Texas, Paul was promoted..." At least one of her babies was born or a transfer was accomplished while she was alone. This causes her to suspect a secret pact between her husband and the military providing for a man to be overseas or on temporary duty at times such as these.

A military wife is international. She may be a Kansas farm girl, a French mademoiselle, a Japanese doll, or a German Fraulein. When discussing service problems, they all speak the same language. She can be a great actress. To heartbroken children at transfer time, she gives an Academy Award performance: "New Mexico is going to be such fun! I hear they have Indian reservations...and tarantulas...and rattlesnakes." But her heart is breaking with theirs. She wonders if this is worth the sacrifice.

An ideal military wife has the patience of an angel, the flexibility of putty, the wisdom of a scholar and the stamina of a horse.

If she dislikes money, it helps.

She is sentimental, carrying her memories with her in an old footlocker. One might say she is a bigamist, sharing her husband with a demanding entity called "duty." When duty calls, she becomes No. 2.

Until she accepts this fact, her life can be miserable.

She is above all a woman who married a man who offered her the permanency of a gypsy, the miseries of loneliness, the frustration of conformity and the security of love. Sitting among her packing boxes with squabbling children nearby, she is sometimes willing to chuck it all in until she hears the firm step and cheerful voice of the lug who gave her all this.

Then she is happy to be...his military wife."

I hope you all enjoyed. Until next time my blog lovelies.

♥ Mrs. S.

Kindred Connection

I've seen this on five different blogs I follow so I'm finally giving in even though I am a day late. This is a kindred connection button. If your blog is based on "marriage, faith, family, homemaking, decorating, crafts, cooking, travel, saving money, style, and a little bit of everyday life," then you qualify to join The Kindred Connection. To join just go to Windy Poplars to check it out. 

1. If you could describe your desired lifestyle in one word, what would it be?

One word is so difficult. I'm going to have to go with content I suppose. Yes I am happy with the hubbs, and with our life but we are missing babies. We're waiting for our miracle and when we get it, I will then be content and my life will be full and complete.

2. What style of home is your "House of Dreams"?

Mr. Superman says I was born in the wrong era and in the wrong part of the US. I love everything old. I love big, old, historical looking, Victorian style, plantation homes. That is my dream.

3. If you could live in a fictional story/movie, which would it be and why?

I could really get myself into trouble here. I'm going to go with my major obsession by choosing Harry Potter.Yeah, I'm one of those.

4. Do you prefer coffee or tea? Favorite kind?

I don't drink coffee or tea but back in the day I was known to enjoy a wonderful icy chai :)

5. Share the last sweet/romantic thing your hubby did for you.

Everything Mr. Superman does is romantic. Lately its been him giving me back rubs, making dinner, doing laundry, scrubbin the tub so I could bathe, doing the dishes, getting my heating pads.... The list could go on forever. Mr. Superman is always extraordinarily considerate, sweet, romantic, etc etc.

♥ Mrs. S.

Flakes, UTI's, and Vacation.... Yes, all in one.

Wanna know what's worse than dandruff flakes? (EWIE, I promise I don't have any) Real life, real people flakes. They make me wanna scream, bite, and throw up a little all at the same time. They make me angry. Do they not realize that when they don't keep their word, or bail, or lie that they are not only making themselves look like a fool but they lose all credibility as a person and a friend? I don't think so otherwise they'd change right? They must all just be insane in the membrane.

Wanna know what else sucks harder than a Dyson Ball? Being up all night, cramping from my half exploded cyst, then throwing up all night. Mmmm doesn't get much better than that does it? WRONG! After my ER visit a few days ago I realized I now have a UTI. Sweet. I am now peeing a lovely shade of red/orange. Love it.

Now that I've got some venting outta my injured little system, its time to share little bits from our vaca in Arizona. It was filled with delicious food (Pete's, Thai, Gecko Grill, things only my beloved Valley of the Sun has), lots of fun with family and friends, and some good R&R for sure. It really was exactly what both of us needed. Here are some (tons) of pictures.

All of my nieces and nephews are so beautiful! I couldn't get enough of them. It breaks my heart to think I won't be seeing them for possibly a year. That's too long to think about. I love my family.

♥ Mrs. S.