The crazy life I have been living the last few days

Oh. My. Goodness. Gracious.

This last week has been crazy.

Let me start with the basics. First of all, my friend Ben has been staying with us for the last 3 weeks. Why? Because he worked on a cruise ship and decided that he was ready for land. He would have moved back in with his parents, but since he decided to write them an email admitting that he is gay two weeks before he came home, they aren't "ready" for that. How they didn't know I have no idea. I mean, he walks around Target belting showtunes or lady gaga WHILE doing the choreography. But anyway, that's beside the point. So, as much as I love Ben (which I really, REALLY do), living with anyone for three weeks can put a strain on your relationship. Especially when I am only gone 3 days a week and he is still unemployed and car-less. And when you are getting just a little sick of lady gaga and her "poker face" choreography. Basically we have just spent WAYYYYY too much time together and I have been needing a break big time, but since I love him, and he has no where else to go, and he starts a new job this week, I'm sure we will overcome this obstacle.

Secondly, my youngest brother-in-law is in town. Since Dan, the middle brother, was gone for Marine Officer Candidate School for most of the summer, their mom thought the three brother's needed some quality time together and flew Jake out here. The last few days have been boy overload. Mike, his brother Dan, his brother Jake, Jake's best friend Mitch, and Ben. Not to mention that my mom's significant other was over last night to help with the sprinkles and have pizza and beer. That makes 6 boys and one me. Ejtrvu6rvkuyg.

To make things even better, Mitch's parents found out last night that Ben was staying with us and freaked out. I mean FREAKED OUT!!! They told Mitch that he isn't allowed to use the same bathroom as Ben, ride in the same car with Ben...you get the picture. Do people think homosexuality is contagious!?!? Do they think it's gonna rub off on their son or something???? That situation added to my stress level just a bit. I pretty much wanted to reach through the phone and smack that dad in the face.

Thankfully, all of these nice boys have helped us finish our landscaping. We now have sod, and trees, and sprinklers, and all sorts of other pretty yard things.

At least that's one thing to check off my list.

Oh and remember how I was scared I was going to fail my classes? Well one of my teachers gave me a D despite the fact that all of my work is turned in and refuses to raise my grade because she doesn't think I deserve it. She wouldn't grade two of my papers because then I would have a C. Great. Perfect. Thanks for being so understanding. You would think a female teacher would understand. I guess not.

My male teacher graded all of my assignments and didn't even deduct any points for turning them in late. I have an 86%!!!! Hooray!! I guess a B and a D equal two Cs, right?

So since I have had such a stress free week and all, I decided that I couldn't live if I didn't go to the farmer's market today and embark on another canning adventure! I bought an entire box of tomatoes, 8 onions, a bunch of basil, several heads of garlic, and a bottle of wine. With Ben's help I ended up making two HUGE pots of tomato sauce which translated into 18 pint-sized jars. They are all sealed and hot, resting on my counter-top. There is some serious satisfaction in hearing that popping sound as they seal up and get ready for their home in the cabinet. There was even enough sauce leftover after I filled all the jars to go with a pound of whole wheat pasta which is now warm and waiting for me to finish typing this so I can topa bowl of it with Romano cheese and dig in.

After all of that canning business the boys decided that they were going to go back up to school with Dan, and Mike headed out to watch the UFC game with the guys. Dan is going to drop Ben off at his friend Becca's so that he can have some time out of the house, and Dan, Jake, and Mitch are going to do manly things like shoot guns and go to the mall to look at girls.

I am home. ALONE. And its quiet. Unbelievably quiet. And my house smells like garlic. I'm going to crack open a bottle of wine, serve up a bowl of carbs with cheese, and enjoy the silence.

Guilt

Don't you just hate it when you mess up and you know it? You feel guilty and just wish that whatever you did wrong will just disappear. And then to top it all off everyone else tells you that you should have done better, when you already know that. I did that twice this weekend.

Number one: I drank too much on Saturday night and not only did we have to call Steve to come pick us up, but I was also completely useless yesterday.

Number two: yesterday was the last day of my eight week class session. That means everything had to be turned in by midnight. It was a bitter realization that I had seriously slacked this session. I did have a very rough 8 weeks, but I still probably could have done better than I did. Feeling dizzy all day certainly didn't help me write all 5 papers that I wrote yesterday. Yes, 5. And yes, they were all turned in late and my teachers will probably fail me just because they are mad that I waited until the last minute. I might deserve it but I am crossing all my fingers and toes and praying to God that I get Cs in both classes.

The good news is that I had written on my calendar that new classes started today, only to realize that they don't start until next Monday!! That means that I have a whole week without guilt to get my house painted and get motivated to blow my teachers away next session.

So today I'm going to do all of the laundry and put it away, wash my sheets, clean out my fridge, sweep my floor, and decide on a paint color. Hooray!!

A Few of my Favorite Things

So I have seen a lot of other people do these posts so I thought I would do one of my own just to show how pathetic I am.
My first favorite is Peanut Butter M&M's. I'm completely addicted. If there is a bag in the house I will sniff it out like a grey hound and it will be devoured before the night is over. I feel this way about any kind of chocolate, but PB M&M's are the top of the pile. This is why I usually don't allow any junk food in my house because I have no self control. If you haven't tried some of these, run, don't walk! Get yourself some ASAP.


My second addiction is cold Sauvignon Blanc. Any kind. It just has to be cold. I want to be a red wine lover, but the truth is that it is room temperature, stains my teeth, and gives me a headache. Don't get me wrong, with a steak I will drink a red, but for any given day I can seriously drink some sauv blanc.
Next is my face mask. The Beyond Belief ABH face mask is AMAZING. It makes my pores look smaller, gives me a nice rosy glow, and helps get rid of dead skin. The only down fall is that it brings dirt to the surface, so you might breakout a little after you use it, just like any acne product, but it goes away fast. You can pick this up at Sally's for pretty cheap. Maybe six dollars.


Another favorite beauty product is dry shampoo. If you are a woman with thick hair and you haven't discovered this product yet, you are seriously missing out. So far I'm not particular to any specific brand, but I have tried Ojon and Batiste and they both allow me to go three days between washes.

And finally, Target underwear are something I couldn't live without. 5 for $20, and they are just as nice as Victoria's Secret but with more color choices. My favorite are the thongs with thick lacy sides.

I feel like such a goof ball for thinking anyone would care about the silly things that I wish someone had told me about, but here you are. A few of my favorite things!!

The last two weeks in a nut shell...

I have been slacking a little in the blogging world. I just realized everything that has happened since I last wrote.

First of all, Mike and I flew out to DC to visit his parents and brother, and then drove with them to Annapolis, Maryland for a Whelan Reunion. The Whelans are a bunch of crazy Irish Catholics. When I say "a bunch", I mean it. Mike's dad is one of 12 siblings. His grandmother and all 12 of her kids were there, plus their spouses, kids, and even some grandkids. I genuinely love this family. All of the cousins have taken me in and made me feel like family. I love them all!! We had such a great time in Annapolis and it made me proud to be a Whelan!!

*Just a few of the 21+ cousins having our own little dance party at a little bar on the bay. Aren't we a good looking group?? I'm the one 3 from the left peeking out behind my lovely cousin Jon's shoulder*

We got back last Wednesday, just in time to be ready for my dear friend Hannah's wedding. Friday night was her bachelorette party and things got a little crazy (but not too crazy). This poor guy drove all NINE of us girls on the back of his bicycle rickshaw meant for two people. Don't worry though...we tipped him well. And I don't think he minded all the attention we got him either.

Her wedding on Monday was beautiful and she looked stunning. Unfortunately it rained through the whole outdoor ceremony, but that's good luck, right?*Lori, Me, and Jen trying to wait the rain out before the ceremony*

Unfortunately, now that all of the excitement is over Aunt Flo has caught up with me so it's decision making time. I think it might be time to reinstate baby making extravaganza part 2. I'm still scared shitless but I don't think anything will get me passed that besides hearing a little heart beat so I guess we better get started. At least trying is fun ;)

I know I can be...

Today I feel inspired and capable. The clouds have cleared. The storms are few and far between and I can see more clearly now. I know I can. "I can do what?", you may ask. The answer - anything I want to.

I can paint pictures. I can try new recipes. I can grow herbs in my backyard. I can make preserves and pickles and all kinds of things with the beautiful flesh of fruits and vegetables from the farmer's markets. I can feel the sunshine on my cheeks and the breeze on my shoulders. I can read all about new things without feeling inadequate for not knowing them already. I can feel accomplished from all of the new things I teach myself to do. I can feel God's hand holding mine. Or Mike's hand holding mine. Or both of their hands holding each of mine- while I struggle to try new things. Isn't that a beautiful thought? Just close your eyes and imagine God holding your hand like you are his little child. And then think of the people who love you holding your other hand.

Today I am happy for the future. I am not intimidated or scared. And whatever happens I know that I can find this happy place again. It may be hard. It may not be all the time. But at least I can remember that it exists. I know that I have a journey. I'm gonna stop worrying about it. I will find what I will be and do along that journey. I will stop forcing myself to try to know what I don't know. I don't know where I will work or if I will work or what I will do. I don't know when I will be a mommy or how. And that's ok. The plans God has for me will unfold as I walk along.

I hope that when the walls start closing in again and the clouds are over my head again and I feel like the weight on my shoulders is too much to carry I remember this peace I have in my heart right now.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. -Matthew (6:34)

The things I want to be:
Happy.
Fulfilled.
Busy.
Inspired.
Motivated.
Sane.
Witty.
Appreciative.
Faithful.
In love.
Capable.
Reflective.
Humble.
Confident.

And I know I can. What do each of those words mean to you?