The Best & Worst

Sorry I failed to make a timely post as promised. I spent most of my weekend holding a very whiny, sick 3-yr-old. His fever finally broke this morning, and he went to the doctor, today. I'm hoping we are on the down-hill side.

Okay, so before I begin my massage story, I need to explain two factors.
1. I only go to one place for my massages, and I don't vary AT ALL. I love her, I feel comfortable with her, and I love the environment. She knows I'm there to relax, and she knows I'm not offended if she doesn't visit -- in fact, I prefer NOT to visit. I just want my time for dark, silent relaxation. :)
2. I hate birds. I REALLY hate birds. HATE them.

Now that we have those two things laid out, here's what happened:

When I found the massage gift certificate in my car console, I was a little hesitant about even going because it wasn't to my normal location. But, since I knew Sam had gone to great lengths to make my day special, I wasn't about to skip out. I just told myself to suck it up, take a deep breath and enjoy.

I was somewhat leery with the fact that I was actually going to someone's home and not a business. When I walked around to the back side of the house, the entrance door had a sign that said, "Please knock." For some reason, that made me very nervous. After I stood there for about a minute, the door was answered. She was friendly but seemed like I was her very first client; I think she was more nervous than I was.

I walked in, and right in front of me was my massage table. One side of the room, which was the north side of the house, had windows that had no covers other than blinds. Again, this -- along with the entrance door being right there -- was not inviting to me in any way. Oh, and the deep breath? Yeah, I should have never taken one...I gagged after walking in about 2 feet. All I could smell was smoke and dog. This "surprise" that was supposed to help me relax had instantly given me a migraine, instead.

Why didn't I walk out at this point? I have NO idea. Well, actually I do, because I thought about it once she told me to get undressed and she left the room. But, I simply did not want to hurt Sam, nor did I want him to lose the money that he had already paid. So...I pinched my nose, got undressed (leaving on my green & white boy shorts that said, "Bite Me"...which btw, Sam, you could have warned me NOT to wear those!), and made myself as comfortable as I could in the well-lit room. The kitchen was blocked off with closet doors, and a dog was happily running his nose across the bottom panel, trying to figure out who was in his house.

THEN...I heard it. A frickin' parrot. "Buddy, be quiet. Buddy, be quiet. Buddy, be quiet." Over and over and over and...

Yeah. I HATE birds. So this totally gave me the willies.

Eventually, she came into the room and began the massage. Somehow, I managed to get over the smells and the obnoxious animals...and it was Heaven. UNTIL...

*knock* *knock* *knock* *knock* *knock* at the door.

"Oh, dear Lord, please don't tell me she is going to answer that door with me laying here pretty much naked!"

She excused herself, walked out through her kitchen, and around to another entrance that is apparently on the other side of the room. She returned a few minutes later, indicating it was a delivery man.

Back to the massage again, I was just beginning to really relax and enjoy when the frickin bird started in again, the same sentence, about 10 times. Finally, the lady loudly stated, "Buddy IS being quiet! YOU are the one who needs to be quiet! I'm working right now!"

Oh, gosh. I was ready to crawl to my clothes, grab them, and crawl out to my car. :)

After another deep breath and few more gags, I was able to re-kinda-lax, again. Until a train came barreling through. The tracks are literally in this lady's back yard. The entire house shook and the sound made me want to grab my ears like Dominic and scream.

By this point, I was done. I was so ready to get up and leave. I didn't even want her touching me. I was irritated. The noise was too much. The light was too much. The stink was too much. The talking was too much. Ugh...

But, I didn't want to be rude. So I laid there...and it started feeling oh, so painful yet oh, so good. I had stress knots in places that I never even knew existed. It was wonderful. I didn't want to move...until...

*knock* *knock* *knock* *knock*...

She excused herself, again, and came back about 5 minutes later. Why I didn't leave that time, I'll never know. Apparently, when the delivery man came to the door, the lady's dog slipped outside without her knowing. So when she finally came back in, she was huffing and puffing, indicating it was a little boy at the door who told her the dog was loose and she was off to the races to catch him. I SO wanted to ask her to please go wash her hands and change her shirt before touching me again...

*shiverrr* yuck.

At this point, the phone rang. As if I wasn't already fuming, she seriously excused herself AGAIN to ANSWER THE PHONE! Really? Since when can you not respect my time -- that I have paid you for -- and let the voicemail pick up?!

Again, I was stupid -- or whatever you want to call it lol -- and I laid there...and laid there...and...

Finally, she came back in and started massaging me for the 10th time.

Needless to say, it was horrible. I was late getting out of there, which threw our entire schedule out of whack for the rest of Sam's plans, I was more irritated when I got home than when I left, and Sam felt really, really bad, which certainly was NOT how I wanted him to feel. I was so, so grateful for what he had done for me...and I loved the massage...segments...but...ugh...it was just awful.

At least the bird was happy, I guess.

Sam now knows that if my Lisa isn't available, send me to the park for some quiet alone time with a good book. :)

xoxo,
Sarah

Friday Mascot

I went along with the group on Mr. Beckham...not necessarily a first choice of mine, but hey, he looks like he smells good so I'm fine having him invade my computer screen for 9 hours. :)

For those of you anticipating the massage experience...tune in, tomorrow.

xoxo,

S

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for the wonderful weekend I had...relaxation, yummy eating, big laughs with friends, more relaxing, wonderful red velvet cake, and more relaxation that included over 8 hours of REM sleep! I thought it would be fun to share just a few snapshots from my fun-filled day.

The hair...there is some serious purple in there that shows in the sun. Maybe next time, I'll be more brave and make it obvious. :)

Nails by Angel.

Toes by Angel.

Then I was instructed to look in the car console for directions to my next stop. This is what I found. :)Let me just say...it was the BEST and WORST massage I've ever had. Maybe more on this another time...for now, I likely won't be found naked on a massage table at this location. Ever. Again.


Then, it was time to get ready for the evening to begin.

Oh, Godiva...how I love you.

Someone really taught Sam well.

Loved the silver decor.

Yep, I need one of these in my house. For real.

This picture is dark, but if you look closely, to the left is a gorgeous grand piano. This is my dream. Exactly. I could play all day sitting by a window overlooking a river and trees (even if they are dead). In the bleak mid winter...

My night concluded with comfy pj's that were appropriately themed with the food we ate that night. For those who don't know me so well...pj's are my FAV.

So, what are you thankful for, today?

xoxo,

S

Our Inspiration

Someone did a GREAT job at the game, tonight...and Lindsey did, too!!! ;)

So much love for this guy. Our cups runneth over.

xoxo,

~S

Support. Educate. Advocate.

Our family is excited about going to the VC basketball games tonight, primarily to celebrate Senior Night with Lindsey! Apparently, the seniors were asked to write about someone who has been an inspiration for them, and out of ALL the people Lindsey could have written about in our family, she chose the person who most likely inspires ALL of us the most: Dominic. :)

We are keeping our fingers crossed that Dominic will be able to handle the crowd tonight, as well as the acoustics in the gymnasium. If so, he will be hopping out to meet Lindsey on the court when her name is called. Obviously, his Daddy, Papa, and Uncle Sam will be a short distance away to quickly remove him, should he not be able to handle it. I'll admit - I'm a bit concerned considering it won't take place until after 7 p.m., which is his normal bathtime and snuggle time with his mama. But, we'll pray for the best! I will have some pics up tomorrow.

With that said...

I'm ready to walk. Are you ready to sponsor me? :)

The Autism CAREWalk is quickly approaching, scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 2012. I am begging you to support me for this great cause that is very near and dear to my heart. Click the link below to help me help Dom!!!

https://my.heartspring.org/pledge/1168

xoxo,
Sarah

*YAWWWWWWWWWWWWWN*

Well, I actually began writing this post this morning at 5:37 a.m. At that point, I still had not been to sleep.


My baby girl (yes, she's 5 and still my BABY girl lol) has been up all night with tummy issues & pukes...so Mommy was up all night doing laundry, giving baths, and making beds. She has no other symptoms, so I'm hoping it was just her acid reflux rearing its ugly head. Whatever it was, *yawwwwwwwwwwwwn*, I hope she feels better when she wakes up.


Parenting. I wouldn't give it up for the world.


So today is going to be a day full of surprises, from what I hear. It actually started yesterday when Sam picked me up from work and took me to get my hair done. I absolutely love it. And, I absolutely love Salon Allure. :)


Yep. I'm spoiled. It's gonna be a great day...AGAIN. :)



xoxo,

Sarah

Friday Mascot

Yep. It's gonna be a great day. :)

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for my Sam. :) I had a pastor's wife once, and she always referred to her husband as her "hero." I wondered if I would ever get to the point that I felt like that, and I have to say...I've arrived.

From making me breakfast in bed to tucking me in every night; from dressing the kids everyday to giving them baths at night; from working third shift in a less-than-desirable environment to staying awake all day so we can have family time; from cooking the best suppers to cleaning the entire house (no, I haven't touched a toilet brush in 6 years); from Tuesday gifts to random surprises throughout the week; from spoiling our monkeys to spoiling me...every. single. day.

Yep, he's my hero.

xoxo,
Sarah

LOVE my babies.

What a FANTASTIC Valentine's Day...AFTER I got rid of a nasty migraine. :) Love was in the air...and I was able to spend the day with Sam. Call me crazy, but yes, spending a day with him still makes me feel like a giddy teenager. We had fun going to lunch together with the kids, taking them to preschool, and going to their parties. Of course, my "Tuesday gift" was special...a new ring and a very special candle. LOVE them both.

I think it is safe to say that Maya and Gabriel enjoyed their parties at preschool.

Oh, how I love them.

And consider this a fair warning to those of you who are regular readers -- tomorrow's post is going to be a little on the sappy side. Read at your own risk. ;)

xoxo,

Sarah

P.S. -- A very special birthday 'shoutout' to my sister, today...32 years old!!! Love you, Steph!!!

Survival

In an effort to keep our sanity and joy flowing, "the girls" at work and I have been choosing a "Friday mascot" to invade our computer wallpapers. The only rule is that we all have to agree on the same mascot, but the pictures we choose must be different.

Last week's: Steven Tyler. <3

This week: <3 <3 Mr. Stench. <3 <3 (This is for you, GGV!!!)

Naturally, I chose one of him playing the piano...and I will believe, for today, that his "Wino Forever" tattoo really says, "Sarah Forever." LOL

~S

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for Heartspring. Even though Dominic does not receive direct services from the organization, the amazing staff has been a WONDERFUL and MUCH NEEDED source of encouragement & information for our family. We are forever grateful for their deep concern for and desire to help us help Dom!!

What are you thankful for?

~S

STOMP!

If you've never seen this group live, go. It's apparent from this picture how awesome they are as human beings, and they are equally awesome as performers.

~S

A Royal Birthday

Our little, red-headed comedian of the family is 7 YEARS OLD, today!!!

SEVEN!!! Time goes oh, SO FAST.

Tonight we will be enjoying our typical, Friday night dinner routine with guacamole and enchiladas. Then, everyone will head to Grandma Luna's for a quick celebration to wish "Honey Honey Lovey Lovey" a very Happy Birthday!!!

I have to share an email exchange this morning between my sister and me. I hope it brings a smile to your day.

Me: "Little stink wouldn't even let me sing to him this a.m. I started singing Happy Birthday, and he screamed at me. LOL"

Steph: "He was adorable when he came out from the bedroom this morning. He came out and I said, 'Oh, my goodness! There is my big 7-year-old! Happy birthday, darlin'!' and he just smiled great big and sat on my lap. It's like trying to hold a baby giraffe." :)

THEN...

I will spend some time reminiscing on my hornet days as we all head over to the high school to see our gorgeous, Luna Homecoming candidate. We are so proud of her! Good luck, Linds...we love you!!!

(She is the prettiest one. Errr...I mean, she is on the left. ;)

Happy Friday!!!

~S

Thankful Thursday

Today is my 31st day with NO PEPSI. Can you believe it?!?!?!

After the emotionally draining week I've had, I have wanted nothing more today than a glass full of God's sweet nectar to burn my throat! :)

Today, I'm thankful for lemonade.

What are you thankful for?

S

Showing Our Love