Happy Forced Affection Day

Well, its been a while since I've blogged and I have several reasons why...work, sick, sick of work, etc. With today being such a "special" day I thought it'd be a great time to get back to it.

I've never been a big fan of Valentines Day and I think it's mainly because I usually don't have anyone to share the day with. I know, poor pitiful me!!! I wasn't one who dated alot in high school (had my one guy the entire time) and I was busy raising a child as I went through college (my new little guy). So I've really never made dating a priority.

I've always been entrigued with the whole concept of Valentine's Day. My pastor calls it Forced Affection Day. He says he likes to celebrate the love he has for his wife every day of the year. A pretty nice save from the pulpit if you ask me!!!

I guess all in all it's not that bad of a day. If you are in a fabulous relationship you can use it as a day to reflect on you & your spouse or significant other. Then it gives those of us who aren't in a relationship or who have had bad luck in that arena someone to blame it all on. Poor Cupid!!

Now that's a whole other topic itself...Cupid!!! I really should've done some research on Valentine's Day before writing this but since this blog is all about my perspective then I guess it doesn't really matter what the research says about the day. I just wonder how in the world a little person (baby, I guess) in a diaper got chosen to represent this particular "holiday". Who had the bright idea that this diaper boy, as I like to call him, should go around and shoot people with arrows that then give them some kind of eternal love thing? Who decided that???? If it works you find everlasting love if it doesn't you just got shot in the you know what with an arrow by a dude in a diaper. What's that about????

I know I'm guilty of blaming Cupid for all my relationship flaws. Maybe it's not fair of me to do that but someone certainly needs to take the blame. It definitely wasn't MY fault!!!

The honest truth is that I like where I'm at in my life!! I've had the opportunity to experience love and all that comes with it. The butterflies, the smile that won't go away, the comfort of just knowing that person was in the same house that I was in. Been there done that!! Obviously it didn't go as planned and although it took me a long time to deal with that I'm finally there. I decided long, long ago that my priority wasn't going to be to get back into "that". I've relearned who I am. I've figured things out and I'm so thankful for all of life's experiences...the good, the bad, the fun, and the hurt!!! It's all good!!!

Contrary to what some think about me I am not bitter and I do still believe that love is out there. I'm just not gonna go lookin for it!!!

So Happy Valentine's Day to you all!! To those of you in a fabulous relationship, to those of you who want to be in a relationship, to those of you whose relationship may have just ended, and to those of you who are single and lovin life just as it is!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

My Nephews

Well today begins day 3 of my new blogging adventure. So far so good I think! It appears that my topics of choice are going to be about some kind of experience I've had for the day, which I will stick with for today as well. Not much at all going on today. It's pretty quiet and I'm enjoying it. I actually got to sleep in which is good considering sleep doesn't seem to be a priority for me these days. Let me rephrase...sleep is a huge priority for me personally, but for whatever reason my body or internal clock feel differently. Needless to say I was happy to get a few extra winks in on this great Sunday morning.

The dogs were pacing back and forth on my bed for quite a while so I finally decided to get up and let them out. I made my way into the living room, turned on the TV and watched the end of a movie, As Good As It Gets. Great show!!! When that was over I grabbed my laptop to see what everyone was doing in the world of Facebook today. I scrolled down a little bit and after making my way through all the Mafia Wars and Farmville postings there they were...the thing that would make my morning, put a huge smile on my face and I have to admit a tear in my eye.

It was my nephews, Taylor and Greyson!!! The were playing hockey and dressed up in their gear and they looked amazing. They've been living in Illinois for about a year and a half now. Before they moved I got to see them play in their activities on a regular basis whether it was a school function or an extra curricular. I tried not to miss many and the ones I did miss I sure regetted it!!! Taylor was usually cool with it or maybe he just didn't say anything, but Greyson would call you up and just flat out ask ya where you were. Try coming up with an explanation that's suitable for a 5-year old. There isn't one!!!!

When I see pictures like that I have no choice but to reflect on all the time that they were right here in the same town with me and the fact that we didn't take advantage of it like we should've. We hung out and did things together but now I just wish we would've done more. Now look! Now I have to watch them from a distance and it really stinks!!!! If I could walk to Washington,IL I would.

These two boys are truly amazing! Each with their own distinct personality and their own way of doing things. Taylor is smart, calm, soft spoken (most of the time) and funny! His sense of humor is incredible and he can make me laugh having no idea why or what I'm laughing at. It's him!! Greyson on the other hand is also very smart not only educationally but he's also got street smarts. Scarey combination for a 5ish year old to have!! We credit some of those smarts to having an older brother. He picks up on everything and if he doesn't undestand he will ask!! Of course like all brothers they have their moments but if you say anything to one about the other prepare to lose a kneecap!!!

Taylor is going to be 16 in April and Greyson is going to be 8 the end of March. My wish and want is for them to move back. I'm a selfish aunt and want to see them. They are both thriving in their new school and doing great in their new town. But, I WANT THEM HERE!!! Of course I want what's best for them but I miss them so much and don't want to miss anything else. Like I said...I'm a selfish aunt!!!

Since moving back isn't an option right now we do the best we can. I'm soooo thankful for email, texting, and facebook even though I fought forever to not get on there. Taylor sends me text from time to time so we can keep in touch and Greyson likes to call. We look forward to the times we can get together regardless of how far apart those times are. I have to say this Aunt has learned a tough lesson and that is to take advantage of the family that's close by. I feel for Taylor and Greyson when I do see them again...I hope I don't smother them!!!

So here it is, another blog about a fabulous topic and this aunt is signing out. My heart hurts. I need to see Tay and Grey...until then guess I'll go get some chocolate! Which by the way doesn't even come close to filling my void!!

I love you guys and miss you tons!!!
Aunt Ennie

Taylor: Pardon me, do you have any grape apple pie?


Greyson: I love you big bunches than that!!!

My First Bandwagon

Well, a writer I am not. If you are reading this and expecting to see correct punctuation, perfect grammar, and words spelled correctly 100% of the time you will be disappointed. There is a reason spell check was invented and frankly I love it!!!

This blog isn't about writing but more about talking. I always seem to have something to say and I feel like everyone should have the opportunity to hear what it is. My precious little son, Colton (who isn't so little any more) is gone most of the time enjoying his life as a teenager. Because of this I am home alone ALOT. The only ones who get to experience my daily thoughts are my dogs, Boomer and Nadia. They usually agree with me most of the time but sometimes it feels like they don't get the point that I'm trying to make. However I do always get some kind of a response from them which is more than you get from some humans. A wagging tail and perked ears say alot!!!

I have several friends who are into blogging and I love reading what they have to say. We all know the phrase that parents have told kids for hundreds of years "if they jumped off a bridge does that mean you would too?" That phrase was never something my parents had to say to me. I was usually the opposite. If everyone did it, I usually didn't and vise versa. Well, until now!!

So here it goes. I'm jumping on the blogging bandwagon! I can't say that I will do this often and can't say that I will have anything of value at all to say. In fact I'm sure I won't. But sometimes at the end of the day we just need junk to read. With all the meetings, phone calls, family issues, kid issues, and just the basic ins and outs of life we just need to empty it all and refill with a bunch of nothing. I am so happy to be able to provide a bit of "nothing" to you.

This blog will be about my thoughts, experiences, life, my friends and they're lives (don't worry, I'll change the names to protect the innocent, guilty, and the stupid) and anything else I can think of. I may say something that you agree with and I may say something that you don't agree with. That's probably a given! I have a tendency to speak my mind as well as just telling it like it is. Regardless of what people think Dr. Phil did not invent that concept. People never have to wonder where they stand with me. To me that's a positive. One of the things I can't stand is trying to figure out if someones words actually match what their thoughts are. My opinions are just that...OPINIONS. When having conversations with others I try not to share my opinion unless I'm asked for it but since this is my blog I have free reign.

I love advice and other people's opinions. Especially if it's total opposite of mine. If I agree with it I'll use it, If I don't I won't. I love hearing how others get through situations I've either been in or am currently in. I love hearing how others raise their children and what issues they're going through. My most favorite thing is to sit down with my friends and hear their life experiences. So feel free to comment on any and everything.

So now begins my contributon to nothing. This will be the Seinfeld of blogs!

Welcome to "The Ins and Outs of E Ro"