UPDATES: APRIL

APRIL UPDATES

BLOG- I should say it’s going pretty well, I’d like to have more than 13 followers myself included- but I’m having fun, hopefully making you smile and more importantly writing these stories for my children to one day read. A friend of mine came over last weekend and taught me a few things-how to add links and pictures. I was informed that are books on the subject-I had no idea what a big movement blogging has become-after all spell check still underlines it red! It is kind of hard to find the time, I write when my daughter sleeps – while trying to tackle a million other things. If only I had someone to clean my house, run my errands, premake the coffee and sit on hold for me until the inconveniencer gets back on the line. Currently my husband mans this position, which is unfair because he does work two jobs in order to afford the luxury of me being a stay at home mommy. O to have a butler, that would be my biggest splurge item if I were rich…

WALK 5 MILES-O YEAH RIGHT! It was going so well, but then it snowed on the 17^th of April, we had wind advisories, it rained for 5 days straight, tornado watches, and thunderstorms, so I’m just going to start all over, I am aiming for the first of May. It’s not like it was for nothing, I feel like my clothes are getting looser and my shoulders don’t look like a linebackers any longer.

DONATE BREAST MILK-  I called yesterday and got the ball rolling! It began with a short phone interview and moving forward there is paperwork I have to fill out, I have to have blood work done and my Dr. and Z’s Dr. have to approve it. I am so happy to begin doing this, the milk goes to babies who are born as early as 23 weeks, and it also goes to cancer patients. Breast milk is AMAZING! It is the best thing for any baby other than love. This is a non profit organization, they pay for all the blood work and they will be sending me cooler, storage containers and labels-it will come in with pre paid postage and all I will have to do is drop it off at a UPS drop box. I was wrong about the amount, the minimum is 200 ounces, not 100 ounces-we’ll see how long this takes me, milk can only be stored for 3 months but the need is so urgent they ask that you send what you can right away and they will resend the cooler. Ladies PLEASE just take a look at the website. http://www.hmbana.org/.

CHURCH-I began last week for our Easter service and it was wonderful! We attend the greatest church, it’s not anything you would ever expect church to be like. There’s a café and you can bring your coffee into the auditorium, everyone wears jeans and the music is that of professionals-literally several of the musicians are actually from the Freecreditreport.com commercials. It’s comical, it’s touching it is a church for everyone, except the elderly, I don’t think they would really get it-it is anything but traditional.

 Along with my husband and daughter came my mom and a friend of mine but ten minutes into the service I could tell my baby getting sleepy and it’s so loud but fortunately they have a room designated solely for nursing mothers. There are big soft comfy sofa chairs, low lighting and a tv so you don’t miss the service.  My little girl fell asleep in my lap and it was so relaxing and sweet so we stayed in there until the service was over. It could not have been nicer. I did feel bad for daddy though, he could have come back there and knocked on the door and we could have sat in the room designated for families with small children that is a big room filled with couches and Tvs. They do have a very nice daycare facility that is actually separated into different age groups but I am not willing to leave my baby with anyone yet.

 I am so happy to be going back, I feel like it gives me clarity and guidance and reminds me to try to do the best that I can, it gives me advice on being a good spouse and parent. I would love for anyone who’s interested to join us for a service sometime, Kensington does have several locations nationwide, click here for the website.

That's NOT for Me! : Bungee Jump

There is one thing that I highly doubt I would EVER do, and that is bungee jump. I simply do not have a death wish.  Sure, it looks like a lot of fun but it also seems as dangerous as driving the wrong way on I-75 while checking your facebook, it’s possible nothing would happen but probable that something would. My fears include the cord breaking, that my neck would snap like a cold fresh carrot, or that I would pass out at the same time I jump not attaining the needed trajectory and I would slam into the bridge- SPLAT!

That's NOT for Me! : Ride a Bull

            If my bones were made of titanium and I could wear a thin armor capable to withstand one thousand angry pounds and then the Lord Himself came down and assured me that I would not have spinal damage, my brain smashed or my organs squished, then I would ride a bull. Now, I know that I do have ‘ride a longhorn bull’ on my list-this is very different. This is a longhorn in Fort Worth Texas that an older man straps a saddle and reins to and strolls people around down the street that was featured on the Travel Channel. This seems to be quite safe.

      What I am talking about here is a bucking bull that is let loose from a corral and you hold on for dear life until you are inevitably and violently tossed off. What a rush! Surely this sounds ridiculous-who would ever ride a bull? Well, my husband has I am proud to say. If he had the video and pictures I would post them, which I did actually learn how to do today! When he rode, it was under the scrupulous supervision of his buddy who was a professional bull rider. Yes, I believe he put the bull in the enclosure, and opened the door. By doing it this way there was no fee for my husband but if I were to suggest it to someone I would recommend going through this wonderful company called Cloud 9 Living that gives the not-cowboy individual the opportunity to have a thrill ride of a lifetime. I wish I could take the bull by the horns and enroll in bull riding school but I have broken too many bones and had too many surgeries to inflict this torture on myself. Plus, I have been thrown off a horse-it is not only painful but the mental agony of laying on the ground with your head covered wondering ‘where is this horse going to step on me and will it kill me, paralyze me, or break my bones was a life experience I do NOT wish to relive. P.s. the horse did not step on me thankfully.

That's NOT for Me! : Rock Climb

I wish I could put this one on the list because I would LOVE to go mountain/rock climbing but that ship has sailed. When I was 16 I went to one of those indoor rock climbing places. I was very excited. So I got all suited up and had my friend be the spotter with the rope and I started climbing, slow and steady, but then I looked down. I yelled to my friend in a panic to get me down, I could not go up any higher, I was way too scared. Confused he said, ‘but you’re only 2 feet off the ground’. It was then that I knew that my rock climbing future would not be. But it looks like lots of fun and if I ever grow male testicles I will try it again.

LIFE LIST: FLYING LESSON

The best gift you could give is one that is life changing.

When: September 2001

Where:  Tradewinds Aviation 

Why I wanted to do this: It was a gift from my grandpa.

Cost:  Around $130/lesson....you can occasionally find a deal on WWW.GROUPON.COM 

How I paid for it: It was a gift!

What I would do differently: Made a bigger deal about, taken pictures, told people...I don't think anyone even knew I was taking a flying lesson. Also any research you can do beforehand is a plus.

Something I would recommend? Yes! 

Would I do it again? Absolutely! And that's coming from a panic flyer. I would love to get a pilot's license...that way if there is ever an emergency on an airplane I could jump in and save the day....I have no shortage of heroic fantasies.

Was it life changing? Yes! It opened my eyes to experimental gift ideas, I think it jump started my adventurous spirit and it made me realize that really ANYONE CAN DO ANYTHING---ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LEARN HOW.

My experience:

            Yes, I took a flying lesson-the girl who hyperventilates when she steps foot on an airplane while it’s still parked and attached to the terminal. My husband tells me that he will no longer indulge my in-flight hysteria since I was brave enough to jump out of an airplane and take a flying lesson. Obviously this was ‘pre’ fear of flying. The day I showed my skydiving video to my grandparents, my grandpa stood up and walked into his room. I thought he that maybe he was mad at me but he came out a minute later with a gift certificate for an initial flying lesson he had been given. He handed it to me and said that he thought I would enjoy it and he’s done it before anyways. I was so excited-what a great surprise! So I scheduled my lesson a few weeks later. I don’t think I even really mentioned it to anyone-I must have been more low key back then, besides I’m sure my friends would not have believed me if I said ‘o by the way I flew an airplane this afternoon’.

I had no idea what to expect, nor did I have any knowledge of aircrafts. I took it for what it was, a new and exciting experience. The pilot walked me around the plane and pointed out all the parts of the plane and told me the lingo-I didn't know if I was supposed to be taking notes and I would be quizzed on them before we took off- I’m sure he could tell that I was not serious about becoming a pilot so we skipped the quiz.  We got inside the two-seater and were off! The lesson lasted over an hour and I did actually get to fly the plane myself for a longer time than I suspected anyone would ever allow me to. But my lesson became more of an excursion when he asked me to ‘turn’ the plane. I said ‘No way, I’m not doing that the plane will tip over!’ he said ‘trust me this plane cannot tip over’ I told him I didn't believe him and I wasn't doing it. What an absurd thing to say ‘the plane can’t tip over’-I’m no fool! I already cheated death once that summer in an airplane, I was not about to tempt my fate again. I wasn't asked to fly the plane any longer.

 After we landed I thought how much fun that was and perhaps I could continue taking lessons- I mean how great would that be to have a pilot’s license! It’s kind of like being a doctor! I inquired before I left and I after I discovered how expensive it was I forgot all about it. It was a great experience that I’ll never forget and I think it was then that I realized that experimental gifts are much more valuable and fun.
And, who knows...maybe I will take another lesson one day!

That's NOT for Me! : Drink Moonshine

                           

I think trying Moonshine would be a great thing to put on a life list. A guy’s life list. I just always thought I it would be such a neat thing to do-just not for me! A dainty little flower like me couldn’t handle it, that’s for sure.  My assumption that goes along with drinking a shot of Moonshine is that it would burn my nostrils, tongue, esophagus and the lining of my stomach which would lead to a permanent loss of taste and smell, trouble swallowing and complications digesting food. I could even throw up. Or in the worst case scenario it would lead to brain swelling and memory loss.  I mean I don’t know if these things would happen or not, but I’m pretty sure that they probably would.  So-not for me personally but it would be an interesting experience for someone else to have, and I'd if anyone has I'd love to hear what what it was like!

LIFE LIST: SKYDIVE

 A guide on achieving life goals
           to become better people, 
                       improve our quality of life

                               and enjoy every moment to the fullest

LIFE LIST: SKYDIVE


When? August 2001

Where? Wild Wind Skydivers

Why I wanted to do this- For as long as I can remember

Cost: $165

How I paid for it- I used the money from my open house from high school

What I would do differently- Nothing!

Something I would recommend- ABSOLUTELY! I really think every person should jump out of an airplane at least once, it is an unbelievable experience!

Would I do it again? I don't know about that....I think I would like to, but I would really have to trust the person I jump with. I don't think I would call and make an appointment ever again but if someone surprised me or really wanted me to go with them I would seriously consider it.

Was it life changing? OF COURSE! I relate everything to skydiving, if I was brave enough to do that I feel like I can truly do anything. The day I gave birth, I was SO scared about the c-section and my husband kept saying "You can do this, you've jumped out of an airplane, this is nothing". So it really changes your outlook on life.

Would this make a good gift? For the right person, it would be an incredible gift-and you would be awesome! I would not even consider it for a person who has not expressed a strong interest in going skydiving.

My SKYDIVE story-Aside from my major undertakings like getting married, having a baby and finishing my B.A. my greatest, proudest, most favorite and certainly the most courageous  accomplishment was jumping out of an airplane when I was just a puppy of 18 years old. I decided when I was about 14 years old that I was going to go skydiving one day, maybe I saw it on tv or something I don’t remember specifically. I do however remember specifically telling my dad that I wanted to do it one day and he probably assumed that I would forget or the desire would dissipate when the reality of how dangerous and just plain terrifying it really was, as he simply said “if you do, don’t ever tell me”.

In May 2001 I graduated high school and left for Paris the day after my open house, I returned home just in time to celebrate my 18^th birthday. I was an adult with money in my bank from my graduation party, what else would an 18 year old do-I bought a boxer puppy, I bought stock, I got a tattoo and decided to spend the rest on the only other thing I wanted to do in life-jump face first 10,000 feet in the air back towards Earth where I originally came from.

           Without really thinking too much about, I picked up the phone book and found the closest skydiving company in Michigan, again without too much thought I picked up the phone and very calm and cool I left a message stating my name, number and intent. When they called back, it became very real. It was June and I picked August, I needed time to let this one sink in. I did have one thing in my favor to ease my mind though, my faith in God. Months earlier I was in a terrible car accident and I figured that if it was time to go, the Good Lord would have taken me then.

            The day came and the only people that knew about it were my mom, my sister and my friend Shannon who drove with me for support. With me I brought a change of pants because I thought ‘if I have the guts enough to do this there’s no way I’m walking away with unsoiled breeches’. I didn't really feel nervous or excited even on the hour ride to the jump site-because I didn't think there was any way I would actually go through with this! I was the last one to arrive-you know, just keeping it casual. So they told me that since I was last I would be the last of the seven tandem jumpers to jump, which was great news, with this I assumed I had another 5, 6, or even 7 hours. Apparently I didn't do very well in science class as I was under the impression that it was very time consuming to jump out of an airplane.

            We watched a 20 minute video, then the professional skydivers pulled me aside and told me that since I was the only one jumping alone, I would go first. Ok, no biggie, I probably still have another 3 hours or so of training. They said they would show me how to land once we got in the plane. So here’s what I was thinking; that we would get suited up and pretend to jump out of the plane while it was on the ground over and over again until I really got the hang of it, of course there would be a lengthy training course attached-this could be quite hazardous to my life living!

            So we suited up and the videographer, my tandem guy Dave, the pilot and myself hopped in the plane, and I thought ‘good we’re all going to practice together, this is very official.’ Then the pilot fired up the engine and we took off. ‘What an elaborate practice run….’ I thought...then we began ascending higher and higher….’hhhmmmm’ “are we jumping now?” yes this actually came out of my mouth, remember I was a fresh adult of only 3 months. “well, we’re not wasting plane fuel sweetheart” I was enlightened. This was ok, every time we climbed another thousand feet I looked out the window and thought ‘alright I can jump from here.’

            We reached ten thousand feet and they opened the door, my how my outlook rapidly changed. I was sitting on my Dave’s lap since we were already hooked together and he scooted us over to the open door. Our legs were dangling out of the plane in the cold air and at this moment I experienced such an extreme fear that I could no longer speak, never in my life will I forget that exact feeling in that moment. I knew that I had lost my ability to speak because I wanted to tell Dave that I had $1,100  in my bank account and would give him every penny of it to NOT PUSH ME OUT OF THAT AIRPLANE.

            Too late. He hurled me out of that plane so fast like he had a hot meal waiting down below. We were doing somersaults in the air at 170 miles/hour-I did not know this would happen so I started screaming bloody murder. I knew I was going to die. My final thought was ‘I just paid two hundred dollars to kill myself-how stupid’. Then the first shoot opened. ‘I was going to live! Tremendous!’ This was when I started screaming with sheer joy and excitement, what a true thrill! Now I could enjoy myself, so I spread out my arms wide like a flying squirrel on a nut high.

 ‘Hhhhmmmm’ I thought to myself ‘that videographer is looking at me funny, he was looking at me funny in the plane too…’ So I looked down, down would be at my body not towards the ground as my eyes were parallel to Earth, I looked down ‘oh my God, my nipples.’ Apparently by diving at such an accelerated speed my tank top and bra had been thrusted underneath my breasts. Now, I know this sounds a little unrealistic but thankfully I have the video to prove it and as soon as I can 1.get it off vhs and onto a disc and 2. have someone edit pasties over my nipples I will post it. What makes this so hysterical, aside from the basic fact that I can truthfully say that I went skydiving topless, is that before we jumped in the plane the boys told me to tuck in my shirt so I “wouldn't get a boob shot”.

            I pulled up my shirt, deciding to worry about the bra later, and then Dave pulled the second shoot which literally stopped us in mid air. It was the strangest feeling in the world, to just be standing on air, motionless hundreds of feet off the ground. Of course this was thrilling and to date the most exhilarating adventure I’ve ever been on. I don’t know if there’s anything that will ever top it, but I kept my cool. What I really wanted  to do was to shout and giggle and say ‘WOAH’ emphatically over and over again, but with it just being the two of us in the entire universe of air it would have been awkward. It’s unexpectedly quiet and slow moving, it seemed to take forever to meander our little feet back to solid ground.

            When I landed I saw my mom, she said she came up because she wanted to see me one last time just in case. I’m glad she was there. I never did tell my dad but about five years later my grandpa accidentally let the cat out of the bag. It was for the best, sometimes it’s easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission. He would have been hysterical if I had told him beforehand but by this time it was all said and done and I think he actually thought it was kind of neat.

            This was one of the greatest things I’ve done- but a once in a lifetime situation for me. Ironically, I think that this is the cause of my newfound fear of flying-more on that later. I think this is a must for every single person in the world to put on their life list. Male/female, old/young, rich or poor-this is the biggest rush imaginable.

Was this life changing? Heck yes it was! It gave me a craving appetite for adrenaline and propelled my adventurous spirit rendering me eager to live my life to the fullest.