Update on non-smoking: I have noticed, as have a couple of others, that I am smoking the magic stick less. It is now about 9 or 10 in the morning before I really have a craving for the nicotine.
I have also heard rumblings of the starter kits being taken off the market. I haven't researched it yet, but word on the street is that the FDA is throwing a fit because they haven't approved it. I didn't know that was even a requirement of the FDA anymore with all the commercials for drugs on TV now, which turn out to have class action suits filed within a period of about 3 years because the drug they advertised and you went and got from your Dr. turned out to have serious side effects that will probably kill you. Have you actually listened to those commercials? The side effects they read at the end always have me in stitches. You really have to wonder who would need a drug that bad.
But back to the electric cigarettes, I think we will still be able to buy the cartridge refills. If you are interested in one at all, I would buy one or two now. It has been a miracle for me and several of my friends. No one who has tried one has said it did not cut down on thier smoking.
In other news, I will tell you where the name of my blog comes from. My oldest son, the Rock Star, recently recorded a CD with his band. This CD is the result of years of work, sweat, money, tears and life experience and I am so very proud of these kids. The name of the band is Our Last Run. I happen to know they take all exposure, especially if it's free, and I have been cleared to talk about them.
These kids have been playing together for 4 or 5 years, and for most of those years, our house was a place where musical instruments were always laying out, song lists and partially written songs were on slips of paper everywhere, and it was not uncommon for 5 or 6 strapping young gentlemen to wander in and inquire if there was anything to eat. (There was, as a result of my having discovered Pioneer
Woman about that time.)
It was loud, the hours were not regular, and you might get a call at 10 pm requesting an extension cord or something be delivered to where the band was playing. The Rock Star wrote most of the lyrics and used words like "debris" and "disarray", which thrilled his already proud mother to no end. "Hey, mom, listen to this song and help me figure out what to do with it" was a common request.
So, you would think I would know all the words, right? Not so right.
When I got my advance copy, I put it in my car and rode around until I had listened to the whole thing. When I got home, I told The Rock Star that I absolutely loved it, raved on and on very enthusiastically, and said "Lace your days with hope", that is the best line. The Rock Star didn't miss a beat. He just smiled fondly and said "Huh. It's actually "replace your fears with hope", but that's actually better. I think I'll use that." I felt terrible about it. I assured him it probably wasn't his singing, it was more likely my old hearing. But since I came up with it I decided to use it for my blog title. If he wants to use it now I will of course give him permission.
I can't tell you what it is as a mother to listen to these songs. They chronicle his life in those years, and he has grown so much and so WELL that I can only hope he never stops. It's been 6 months and I still can't keep from tearing up everytime I listen to it.
If I had known when I became a mother how wonderful it would turn out, I would do it all again, 1000 times. It is being a parent that makes us become the best person we can be. We live a certain way not because we like to (at first) but to give our children an example of how to live thier lives. I used to think as a young mother that when the kids grew up I would have time to chase my own dreams. Along the way I came to realize that my children were the only dreams I ever had worth pursuing.
I think sacrifice is the secret to life. You have to do it for a long time without getting anything back. Because otherwise, it's not really sacrifice, is it? If you do it long enough, you will learn to love it for itself. It ceases to matter whether you get anything back. And when you do, it only makes you glad they see that you made it and are grateful in turn.
That's how you know they will be all right, even if you die tomorrow. It all comes full circle and you will find that all those years you went on because you didn't know what else to do, well, there was a plan. You were doing exactly what you were supposed to.
It's a really good feeling. It takes 20 years, but it's SO SO worth it.
That should be enough hope to lace several days. Especially for the young mothers who are trapped at home during this long, miserably cold haul up the hill to spring. Take heart and have a little faith in yourself. Trust God. He really is in control.
Jan 16, 2011
Jan 15, 2011
Random Facts
10 things you may not know about me:
1. I have a pretend grandbaby. The baby is not pretend, she is real. I just pretend she is my grandbaby.
2. When I count my blessings, I often include thanks for the magic eraser.
3. I really hate it when people in electic wheelchairs use the road like a car. And I feel badly about that.
4. I was a party girl in the 80's. This is not as uncommon as you may have been led to believe.
5. I have an incredible love for older gentlemen, especially of the southern variety. All that chivalry, what's not to love?
6. I have recently been wondering what the difference between apathy and security is.
7. I gained over 100 lbs when I was pregnant with the twins. People nudged each other when they walked by me and refused to make eye contact with me.
8. This reduced my mother to fits of uncontrollable laughter.
9. I go outside first thing every morning and last thing every night. I can't seem to stop.
10. I believe once you have eaten all the crow from all the opinions you were so free with in your 20's, your work on earth is pretty much done.
These are all things I have good stories about. But this weekend I am going to be cooking and cleaning (because you know that makes me feel like a woman) and visiting with my kids. And counting my blessings.
If you haven't counted your blessings recently, give it a whirl. You may be surprised.
1. I have a pretend grandbaby. The baby is not pretend, she is real. I just pretend she is my grandbaby.
2. When I count my blessings, I often include thanks for the magic eraser.
3. I really hate it when people in electic wheelchairs use the road like a car. And I feel badly about that.
4. I was a party girl in the 80's. This is not as uncommon as you may have been led to believe.
5. I have an incredible love for older gentlemen, especially of the southern variety. All that chivalry, what's not to love?
6. I have recently been wondering what the difference between apathy and security is.
7. I gained over 100 lbs when I was pregnant with the twins. People nudged each other when they walked by me and refused to make eye contact with me.
8. This reduced my mother to fits of uncontrollable laughter.
9. I go outside first thing every morning and last thing every night. I can't seem to stop.
10. I believe once you have eaten all the crow from all the opinions you were so free with in your 20's, your work on earth is pretty much done.
These are all things I have good stories about. But this weekend I am going to be cooking and cleaning (because you know that makes me feel like a woman) and visiting with my kids. And counting my blessings.
If you haven't counted your blessings recently, give it a whirl. You may be surprised.
Jan 14, 2011
Love Handles - Check
Still smoking my magic stick and sticking to the plan but it is HARD. For one thing, my tongue has blisters all over it from constantly sucking on hard candy. Butterscotch is my preference but I have never been picky when it comes to candy.
So last night I stopped by the store to get a some garlic bread and lettuce. Lo and behold!! All Christmas cookies were on sale for $1 a bag. Now, I should explain that when you stop smoking certain things happen. Like, for one thing, you begin to taste and smell things again. And you are kind of anxious all the time because you feel like you are forgetting something, so putting something in your mouth serves two purposes. It makes you feel like you are doing something, and it helps get that taste of ashes out of your mouth.
Well, at $1 a bag I decided to live it up and threw 3 bags of cookies in my cart. I'm feeling pretty good about it all and I don't even have to stop to bag a bunch of stuff, so efficient is the non-smoking, candy devouring new me. When I got in the car, I was so hungry that I ripped open the nearest bag of cookies and I ate 27 cookies on the way home!! I counted. Because I'm efficient like that. They were kind of stale, but that did not deter me in the least. I was thinking this was crazy and how low I had sunk, when the person inside my head said "Hey, babe. Whatever it takes. There are probably children still starving in Africa. You're golden." And I felt better.
The person inside my head talks to me alot. I used to think it was God when I was little, and it could be. I always hear the person inside my head. I do not always follow their advise, usually to my dismay, but in this case it was nothing but comfort.
Which brings me to the jiggling sides. Possibly love handles. Is that two words? Whatever. I have some. I do not seem to have actually gained weight, but you know how it goes when you suddenly notice your jeans are tighter? Mine are. I was just starting to worry about gaining weight when the person inside my head said "It's not that you have gained weight. It's just that you are not coughing 100 times a day anymore. That must be the equivalent of 100 sit ups. Or crunches. Or WHATEVER they are calling them these days.
It made perfect sense to me.
So, my plan is to scoop some snow. Plenty of that around. If we get real excited we may even build snowmen this weekend.
I am just starting this blog and have not yet discussed permission to talk about my children (at least one of which I am pretty sure is not speaking to me right now. Either that or there has been a disaster that I am not yet aware of). So I will just say that I have 4.
The Rock Star, male, 21
The Beautiful Redhead, female, 18
and two perfect halves of what I like to call the Grand Finale, both males,both 13
The Oldest Baby, and
The Youngest Baby
Because you know they will always be my babies. They'll tell ya. They aren't even embarrassed at all.
So, is there anybody out there who can tell me how long before you can sit still without anything in your mouth? Or is that just me?
So last night I stopped by the store to get a some garlic bread and lettuce. Lo and behold!! All Christmas cookies were on sale for $1 a bag. Now, I should explain that when you stop smoking certain things happen. Like, for one thing, you begin to taste and smell things again. And you are kind of anxious all the time because you feel like you are forgetting something, so putting something in your mouth serves two purposes. It makes you feel like you are doing something, and it helps get that taste of ashes out of your mouth.
Well, at $1 a bag I decided to live it up and threw 3 bags of cookies in my cart. I'm feeling pretty good about it all and I don't even have to stop to bag a bunch of stuff, so efficient is the non-smoking, candy devouring new me. When I got in the car, I was so hungry that I ripped open the nearest bag of cookies and I ate 27 cookies on the way home!! I counted. Because I'm efficient like that. They were kind of stale, but that did not deter me in the least. I was thinking this was crazy and how low I had sunk, when the person inside my head said "Hey, babe. Whatever it takes. There are probably children still starving in Africa. You're golden." And I felt better.
The person inside my head talks to me alot. I used to think it was God when I was little, and it could be. I always hear the person inside my head. I do not always follow their advise, usually to my dismay, but in this case it was nothing but comfort.
Which brings me to the jiggling sides. Possibly love handles. Is that two words? Whatever. I have some. I do not seem to have actually gained weight, but you know how it goes when you suddenly notice your jeans are tighter? Mine are. I was just starting to worry about gaining weight when the person inside my head said "It's not that you have gained weight. It's just that you are not coughing 100 times a day anymore. That must be the equivalent of 100 sit ups. Or crunches. Or WHATEVER they are calling them these days.
It made perfect sense to me.
So, my plan is to scoop some snow. Plenty of that around. If we get real excited we may even build snowmen this weekend.
I am just starting this blog and have not yet discussed permission to talk about my children (at least one of which I am pretty sure is not speaking to me right now. Either that or there has been a disaster that I am not yet aware of). So I will just say that I have 4.
The Rock Star, male, 21
The Beautiful Redhead, female, 18
and two perfect halves of what I like to call the Grand Finale, both males,both 13
The Oldest Baby, and
The Youngest Baby
Because you know they will always be my babies. They'll tell ya. They aren't even embarrassed at all.
So, is there anybody out there who can tell me how long before you can sit still without anything in your mouth? Or is that just me?
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