Day 12 - Something I Am OCD About

My food. I am kind of ridiculous. I will eat just about anything except mushrooms but the way I eat itwhat is odd. I can't stand for it to touch. I can't eat food on the bone. I can't eat food that reminds me of an animals. I can't eat something I've seen in my backyard, minus chickens and pigs which we had for food. Luckily I have a very understanding husband that will de-bone my food for me and bought me divided plates. I have gotten better about touching food as long as they become separated easily without leaving any reminants behind. I know I am completely crazy, but it is who I am.

Day 11 - A Photo of Me Taken Recently

Sorry, not quite comfortable with y'all seeing all of me yet. This is from December, Night of 1,000 Candles at Brookgreen Gardens!

Day 10 - A Photo of Me Taken over 10 years ago

This is more like 20 years ago, but it fits the parameters! This is from my first trip to Disney World!

My Dad

My Dad texted me on Tuesday and asked if his darling daughter would allow him to take her out to lunch on Friday. I get off at noon on Friday and we have done this 2 or three times before, but I think this time he has an ulterior *sorry, got distracted by & was able to hold a 1 month old!* motive. We totalled up the costs for the trip to Arizona (it was going to me me, Jon, my dad and my step-mom) and for the two of us it totalled $1800! Jon & I made the decision that it was not a good idea to spend that kind of money while I had a year old car & we are trying to have a child (which they don't know about!) I know that Dad was upset to hear that and so was my brother. Dad asked if him paying for the whole rental car would help, and it would, but we want it to be under $1000.00 for the whole trip. My brother asked if it would help if he paid for the plane tickets. I know that Jon won't allow him to do this and he would be pissed off if Michael did because he doesn't want any help from my brother. I really want to go though!

I think that Dad is going to make me feel bad for not going & not spending the money. He wants me & him to go see them and leave the spouses behind. As much as I want to see my niece and nephew I want to do it with my husband. I don't want to go and see the world without him! And its not that my Dad doesn't like my husband either. He knows that Jon is perfect for me, and that he is a great man, hard worker and amazing husband to me. I just think that marriage doesn't mean the same to him as it does to me...seeing as he has been married 3 times.

My Dad & I have had a rocky relationship in the past. He hurts my feelings a lot (unintentionly I hope) and I eventually get over it, but until then I just try to ignore him. After I told him that we wouldn't be able to go to Arizona he didn't call for a while & I get stubborn and don't want to be the one to make the first move. That was the first time I heard from him since he offered to pay for the entire rental car. I don't know what to do but I can almost guarantee that I will leave lunch upset.

Does anyone else's parents give them guilt trips? How do you keep from getting sucked into them?

Day 9 - A Photo I Took

This is from Night of 1,000 Candles at Brookgreen Gardens in Myrtle Beach, SC. I volunteer for an organization called Scultpure in the South. Their mission is "to promote sculpture through education and through the creation of a permanent sculpture collection that enhances Summerville, South Carolina's public spaces." My mother, husband, and I get together each year for their annual show & sale and prepare and serve all the food for the volunteers, artists and guests. We really enjoy this time each year. We go to several meetings throughout the year and have come to know the organizers and volunteers quite well.

Each year they get together for a trip to Myrtle Beach (about 1 1/2 hour drive) and rent a charter bus and go as a group. This year my mother and I joined them. It was a blast! The ride up there we all got to chat. When we arrived they had a buffet dinner waiting (shrimp & grits...mmm...) and then we had about two hours to walk around. This place is amazing. I have been there about five times and I doubt that I have seen everything! If you plan to come down south make sure you make a trip out there, especially if it is during the holiday season!

Day 8 - A Photo That Makes Me Angry/Sad

This photo definately falls into that category. It is of me when I was down to 135. I loved the way I looked then. I have lost 4 pounds so far, but I feel so far away from who I was then. 36.4 pounds to go. That seems like so much to me. I have done so well so far though, excusing my ice cream cone last night! :) I always seem to have great intentions, but you all know the saying...

Day 7 - A Photo That Makes Me Happy

This picture makes me happy, because I can reminisce about the times that they were here. This is my niece, Julie and my nephew, Sean. They were both born in Hawaii and I had only met Sean one time before this, when he was six months old. When Sean had just turned 2 and right before Julie turned 1 their mother was deployed to Iraq. For that year my brother moved to Charleston to be around family and so that we could help with them. They moved here in August of 2009. In January 2010 I was laid off and decided to finish my degree and go to school full time. I was with them 24/7, many times leaving after they fell asleep and getting there before they woke up. I love them. In June of 2010 their mother was coming back and they were being stationed in Arizona so they all left to get things set up for their mother. I cannot wait to see them again.

We are hoping to take a trip to Arizona in April, but with planning for a baby we aren't sure if we are going to be able to spare the money. Either way I miss them and I love looking at pictures of the fun we had!