I'm very excited to announce I purchased a domain and am trying to transition my blog to a new address. It is taking me forever to decide how to proceed and which plug-ins to use. Whenever I choose something, I don't like it.
PICKY PICKY ME!
The new address is
Tina B's World
I am slowly working on it but I plan to add a blog post there later today.
I hope you will all start following me over there.
Happy Reading!
Friday, May 3, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Sounds of Spring
FINALLY!
Mother Nature did right by us this weekend. It's currently raining and chilly so she maintains her fickle status, but at least Saturday was beautiful!
Saturday was 54 degrees. A sunny, clear 54. It felt warmer, although anything above 50 feels 'warm' now. it was an open-the-windows-to-get-rid-of-winter-germs kinda day.
Aah the sounds of spring..
Birds chirping..
Lawn mowers going..
Neighbor kids laughing and yelling..
Neighbor kids hurling threats to kill each other over basketball..
Teenage girls complaining and gossiping..
I need to keep my office window closed!
It was a great Spring day so we took full advantage. On a whim, the husband decided to finally put a paving stone walkway on the side yard leading to the back. He went to the store, came home then looked at me.
Here is the difference between us: MY parents used to take "spring cleaning" to heart and rearrange the yard, plant new stuff, clean cabinets and stuff inside, you get the idea. It was always an "all hands on deck" series of projects, every single year. HIS parents, on the other hand, never forced him to do much yard work, save for mowing the lawn once in a while. He never did any landscaping or anything so he had no idea how to proceed.
I knew doing the project together would probably end with him on the ground with my hands around his throat, so I gave him instructions then demonstrated on one and left him to his lonesome. I didn't really care what it looked like when it was done. I knew I could futz around with it later, but it didn't come out half-bad.
Mother Nature did right by us this weekend. It's currently raining and chilly so she maintains her fickle status, but at least Saturday was beautiful!
Saturday was 54 degrees. A sunny, clear 54. It felt warmer, although anything above 50 feels 'warm' now. it was an open-the-windows-to-get-rid-of-winter-germs kinda day.
Aah the sounds of spring..
Birds chirping..
Lawn mowers going..
Neighbor kids laughing and yelling..
Neighbor kids hurling threats to kill each other over basketball..
Teenage girls complaining and gossiping..
I need to keep my office window closed!
It was a great Spring day so we took full advantage. On a whim, the husband decided to finally put a paving stone walkway on the side yard leading to the back. He went to the store, came home then looked at me.
Here is the difference between us: MY parents used to take "spring cleaning" to heart and rearrange the yard, plant new stuff, clean cabinets and stuff inside, you get the idea. It was always an "all hands on deck" series of projects, every single year. HIS parents, on the other hand, never forced him to do much yard work, save for mowing the lawn once in a while. He never did any landscaping or anything so he had no idea how to proceed.
I knew doing the project together would probably end with him on the ground with my hands around his throat, so I gave him instructions then demonstrated on one and left him to his lonesome. I didn't really care what it looked like when it was done. I knew I could futz around with it later, but it didn't come out half-bad.
Winter certainly did a number on our yard (and our fencing) so I'm hoping we can turn it around by Mini's birthday party in June. Here's hoping!
Happy Easter to all who celebrate. Happy Candy Day for those who don't :)
How was your weekend?
Friday, March 15, 2013
An Accident and The Fix
After 2 weeks of waiting and wondering, my 07 Equinox is back in my driveway and I couldn't be happier!
A couple of weeks ago, it was snowing really bad. My husband had taken my truck to work and had gotten into an accident. Thankfully, it wasn't his fault and there was little damage to my car (or so we thought). The front bumper had a sizeable dent in it and I could see a small piece of the grill had cracked. We debated on whether we should even bother fixing it.
I had noticed it drove a little differently, but of course I was told it was all in my head (typical dude response). My husband asked me if I felt the need to have it fixed being that there was "barely any damage". I said yes for cosmetic purposes (I'm strangely protective of my car) and because my gut said I should.
Good thing I listened to myself!
The body shop had my truck for about a week before the new bumper came in. I was driving a rental car which I absolutely hated. I had no elbow room. The sideview mirrors were so so so tiny. The rearview mirror was smaller. There was no rear wiper. I missed my truck something fierce! Mini enjoyed the rental (hello sunroof!) and I was grateful to have it, but I was miserable driving it. Let's not forget my knee problems and the fact that it was causing me pain getting in and out of the car. So anyways, the new bumper came in and they took off the old one.
Bad news.
There was more damage behind the bumper than they originally thought. I almost had a breakdown when my husband called me. I thought I was going to have to end up getting a new car. I was afraid it wouldn't drive the same. "Once you start screwing with the underbelly of a car, it's never the same" is what everyone told me. After another week of worrying, I got my truck back. It feels a little different, but I think that might be due to me getting used to the other car.
I hope so.
I love my Silver Bullet (If you've ever seen me drive, you'll know why I named her this).
I'm not ready to give her up!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Siblings: Rivalry or Revelry?
I have a lot of siblings, as I have mentioned before. If this is the first post of mine you're reading, I have 12 siblings total. I need a flowchart to explain so just take it as fact :)
My sister T4 and I went into foster care and were adopted together. She was the only sibling I had that was there the "whole time". We are just under 3 years apart and she turned 29 today. (Don't bother with the math. I'll be 32 in September). We love each other madly but tortured the hell out of each other as well growing up. We were each other's biggest cheerleaders and harshest critics. We had 3 of those 36-gallon totes of Barbie stuff that includes 4 vehicles, 23 dolls, random playsets (pool and dune buggy) and hoards of clothes. That never stopped us from clawing each other's eyes out over a stupid dress though. Seriously, we were a smudge disturbed. We would happily tie ribbons around the dolls and swing them around. Disturbed? Okay, more like we were insane..
We had the best times playing together and honestly, my worst fights with anyone were with her. It still happens from time to time. We fight, scream, curse, hit below the belt and stop talking for months. It's funny that no matter how much older we get, we revert right back into kid-mode when it comes to our families.
There is a pecking order in most families (not necessarily in AGE order) and let's face it, some people just bring certain parts of our personalities to light. I saw it with my husband's family as well. Months ago, both of his older brothers were in town. They had not been in the same place (all 3 of them) for years. I watched as his oldest brother ragged onto the middle brother with my husband piggy-backing on the oldest one's quips. I was both shocked and amused by the whole scene.
I see it with aunts and uncles and even cousins as well. People who you only see at weddings and funerals all revert back to their old selves when around certain people. It's fascinating to watch.
So, what is your family like? Do you have the same problems?
My sister T4 and I went into foster care and were adopted together. She was the only sibling I had that was there the "whole time". We are just under 3 years apart and she turned 29 today. (Don't bother with the math. I'll be 32 in September). We love each other madly but tortured the hell out of each other as well growing up. We were each other's biggest cheerleaders and harshest critics. We had 3 of those 36-gallon totes of Barbie stuff that includes 4 vehicles, 23 dolls, random playsets (pool and dune buggy) and hoards of clothes. That never stopped us from clawing each other's eyes out over a stupid dress though. Seriously, we were a smudge disturbed. We would happily tie ribbons around the dolls and swing them around. Disturbed? Okay, more like we were insane..
We had the best times playing together and honestly, my worst fights with anyone were with her. It still happens from time to time. We fight, scream, curse, hit below the belt and stop talking for months. It's funny that no matter how much older we get, we revert right back into kid-mode when it comes to our families.
There is a pecking order in most families (not necessarily in AGE order) and let's face it, some people just bring certain parts of our personalities to light. I saw it with my husband's family as well. Months ago, both of his older brothers were in town. They had not been in the same place (all 3 of them) for years. I watched as his oldest brother ragged onto the middle brother with my husband piggy-backing on the oldest one's quips. I was both shocked and amused by the whole scene.
I see it with aunts and uncles and even cousins as well. People who you only see at weddings and funerals all revert back to their old selves when around certain people. It's fascinating to watch.
So, what is your family like? Do you have the same problems?
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Yup. Sick.. Again!
I wrote about how sick I got right before Christmas already. All throughout January, my daughter and husband tag-teamed me. When one was feeling better, the other would be sick. What does lack of sleep and crazy cold temps bring me?
Yup. Asthmatic bronchitis once again.
I really hate being sick. Coughing takes a lot out of you. I am just exhausted. Finally feeling better and able to get some stuff done this weekend has been a good thing. I missed a family dinner Saturday and my friend's daughter's birthday party today. Truth is, even though I'm feeling somewhat better, I'm afraid to go outside.
Doc wants me to see an asthma specialist to see if there is a more effective way to control this in the winter. I feel like a prisoner in my own house! If the sick wasn't bad enough, we got slammed with snow. One night was 32" followed by an inch a few days later. This week it snowed twice, adding another few inches. You know not enough to cause a scene, but enough to be obnoxious..
Being that I was on the mend and had cancelled plans, I finally went through Mini's room this weekend. We made a donation pile of things to donate to her Grandma's home daycare. We got rid of useless toys she no longer uses and we got the boxes to organize. Her room pretty much looked like a tornado went through then an explosion hit. She likes to take advantage of me being sick :)
I am not a fan of Valentine's Day (as I've mentioned before HERE) and it was a pain to have to help Mini do all the valentines for her class. We had to decorate a box and everything. Well, THAT part I enjoyed. I busted out some decorative duct tape and went to town. Also, I decided that even though I hate the day itself, I shouldn't try and push my view onto my child. Let her decide when she's older how sick VDay makes her (HA!). I discussed it with her father and we decided to surprise her with flowers, a card, balloon and brownies. She was excited about the day and tore into all the candy she received the second she got in the door. I was too sick to really fight her plus she's quick!
I hope to be able to get back into the swing of things this week. I guess I shouldn't jinx myself though. I DID say that after my holiday sickness. :)
How is YOUR February going?
Yup. Asthmatic bronchitis once again.
I really hate being sick. Coughing takes a lot out of you. I am just exhausted. Finally feeling better and able to get some stuff done this weekend has been a good thing. I missed a family dinner Saturday and my friend's daughter's birthday party today. Truth is, even though I'm feeling somewhat better, I'm afraid to go outside.
Doc wants me to see an asthma specialist to see if there is a more effective way to control this in the winter. I feel like a prisoner in my own house! If the sick wasn't bad enough, we got slammed with snow. One night was 32" followed by an inch a few days later. This week it snowed twice, adding another few inches. You know not enough to cause a scene, but enough to be obnoxious..
Being that I was on the mend and had cancelled plans, I finally went through Mini's room this weekend. We made a donation pile of things to donate to her Grandma's home daycare. We got rid of useless toys she no longer uses and we got the boxes to organize. Her room pretty much looked like a tornado went through then an explosion hit. She likes to take advantage of me being sick :)
I am not a fan of Valentine's Day (as I've mentioned before HERE) and it was a pain to have to help Mini do all the valentines for her class. We had to decorate a box and everything. Well, THAT part I enjoyed. I busted out some decorative duct tape and went to town. Also, I decided that even though I hate the day itself, I shouldn't try and push my view onto my child. Let her decide when she's older how sick VDay makes her (HA!). I discussed it with her father and we decided to surprise her with flowers, a card, balloon and brownies. She was excited about the day and tore into all the candy she received the second she got in the door. I was too sick to really fight her plus she's quick!
I hope to be able to get back into the swing of things this week. I guess I shouldn't jinx myself though. I DID say that after my holiday sickness. :)
How is YOUR February going?
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Wait. Aren't You...
A friend suggested I tell a story. This particular story cracks up my family, but gives us chills at the same time. We just shake our heads and say "Wow".
I have a half-brother I didn't meet until I was about 23 or 24. On the day I met him, I recognized someone who came in with him... his wife! Unknowingly, I had met my own sister-in-law a few years before we even knew we were related.
I was working at a bakery at the time. I was hired to replace a woman who went out on maternity leave. One day after her son was born, she came in to visit with the bosses. They introduced her to me and we chatted a bit. She gave me a tip on writing on cakes (how to hold the writer so it went faster). She gave me other helpful hints as well. I was happy to have met her and all her advice made my job easier.
Fast-forward a few years. My half-bro decides it's time to meet us all. I walk into my cousin's backyard and we're introduced (WOW he looks like our shared Father!). He turns to introduce me to his wife. I reach out my hand and blink several times.
My mouth drops open and my throat dries immediately.
She has almost the same reaction, "Wait. Aren't you...?"
I nod and we start to laugh.
Everyone turns around and is pretty much saying "What the..."
Still in a little shock, I tell everyone: "We met three years ago when I worked at the bakery!"
If you tell my younger sister this story, you can see the goosebumps on her arms. I have them as I type this. It's a small world and getting smaller by the day.
Moral of the story? Be careful what you say to people and be mindful of other people's first impressions of you... You never know who knows who :)
I have a half-brother I didn't meet until I was about 23 or 24. On the day I met him, I recognized someone who came in with him... his wife! Unknowingly, I had met my own sister-in-law a few years before we even knew we were related.
I was working at a bakery at the time. I was hired to replace a woman who went out on maternity leave. One day after her son was born, she came in to visit with the bosses. They introduced her to me and we chatted a bit. She gave me a tip on writing on cakes (how to hold the writer so it went faster). She gave me other helpful hints as well. I was happy to have met her and all her advice made my job easier.
Fast-forward a few years. My half-bro decides it's time to meet us all. I walk into my cousin's backyard and we're introduced (WOW he looks like our shared Father!). He turns to introduce me to his wife. I reach out my hand and blink several times.
My mouth drops open and my throat dries immediately.
She has almost the same reaction, "Wait. Aren't you...?"
I nod and we start to laugh.
Everyone turns around and is pretty much saying "What the..."
Still in a little shock, I tell everyone: "We met three years ago when I worked at the bakery!"
If you tell my younger sister this story, you can see the goosebumps on her arms. I have them as I type this. It's a small world and getting smaller by the day.
Moral of the story? Be careful what you say to people and be mindful of other people's first impressions of you... You never know who knows who :)
Monday, January 21, 2013
Oh Great. It's Snowing Now...
I really need a sarcasm font.
I'm not a fan of snow. When you're a kid, it's all sledding and hot cocoa. As an adult (or more specifically, a parent), it's all shoveling and making the hot cocoa, only to hear your kid scream "IT'S TOO HOT! I BURNED MY TONGUE!" after you repeatedly tell them to wait to drink it. It's below freezing out right now and it's only going to be in the 20s tomorrow.
Ugh! So after venting a bit, I tried to find some good in this day and I have. Fellow baseball fans, rejoice with me: SPRING TRAINING IS A MERE THREE WEEKS AWAY! Since New York's football season is over (grumble grumble gripe gripe), I'm eagerly awaiting the start of baseball season. I have my jerseys and t-shirts pressed and ready! Well, they're ready. I don't iron. Ever.
My goal for this week is to straighten out my den/office. I started over the weekend, giving it a major overhaul. Even though there is stuff everywhere, it just looks better. I'm not into feng shui (is that how you even spell it?) or anything, but this is already helping me relax and find inspiration. I feel like all I do is move the junk and papers from place to place with no real organization. That has to change and it will this week. I'm determined to do it.
Being that it is Martin Luther King Jr Day, I feel compelled to share one of my fave quotes from him.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that."
I'm not a fan of snow. When you're a kid, it's all sledding and hot cocoa. As an adult (or more specifically, a parent), it's all shoveling and making the hot cocoa, only to hear your kid scream "IT'S TOO HOT! I BURNED MY TONGUE!" after you repeatedly tell them to wait to drink it. It's below freezing out right now and it's only going to be in the 20s tomorrow.
Ugh! So after venting a bit, I tried to find some good in this day and I have. Fellow baseball fans, rejoice with me: SPRING TRAINING IS A MERE THREE WEEKS AWAY! Since New York's football season is over (grumble grumble gripe gripe), I'm eagerly awaiting the start of baseball season. I have my jerseys and t-shirts pressed and ready! Well, they're ready. I don't iron. Ever.
My goal for this week is to straighten out my den/office. I started over the weekend, giving it a major overhaul. Even though there is stuff everywhere, it just looks better. I'm not into feng shui (is that how you even spell it?) or anything, but this is already helping me relax and find inspiration. I feel like all I do is move the junk and papers from place to place with no real organization. That has to change and it will this week. I'm determined to do it.
Being that it is Martin Luther King Jr Day, I feel compelled to share one of my fave quotes from him.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that."
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