Ceece.net

*I had this post written yesterday I swear! My wireless just won't let me upload pictures*

This weekend we went to the Festival of Trees and Lights so I could take pictures for the Christmas cards of the babies. Yeah, that didn't work out so well. Conner scowled the whole time. Adam jr.

Anyway, here is a crappy one of the whole family.

It's a good thing our kids are cute.

Posted by Ceece at 08:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I need all the help I can get when it comes to artsy-craftsy and decorating stuff. I figure I'm not the only one. So I'll be posting all the tips and tricks I'll pick up over the holidays here for you guys.

First one. Tying the perfect wreath bow. Compliments of Martha Stewart.

Posted by Ceece at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tomorrow starts the official holiday shopping season for me this year. Garden Ridge is having a wonderful friends and family secret sale, and I'm off to buy a bunch of unneccesary, tacky, expensive Christmas decor that I'll end up making Adam put up.

I'm going to try and take the babies picture our Christmas card, and pull the rest of the Christmas stuff out of the basement.

I pointed out a house with Christmas lights up down the street to Adam the other day, and as long as I'm not the first decorator it's fair game.

We'll also be getting our Christmas tree Thanksgiving week-end. Last year we dicked around and waited until the weekend before Christmas, and I hardly got to enjoy the tree being up and decorated and Christmas-y.

I LOVE IT!

Posted by Ceece at 08:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Woman kicked off plane for breast-feeding baby.

Ok, even as a fellow nurser, I agree that sometimes women can take the whole look at me I'm nursing in public thing a bit too far. Why would you want to purposly make some people uncomfortable when there is a way for you to be more discreet?

But this? This woman was doing nothing wrong. She was by the window, no part of her actual boob was showing.
Airline, how about no, this is completely out of line. Kicking her off by refusing a blanket? Do you know how hot it gets underneath those?

Assbags

Posted by Ceece at 01:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

whew I finally got it finished. It's hard to do these without feeling like you're bragging about yourself, no?

1. My middle name is Michelle
2. I have one sister, Alicia
3. My parents are still together
4. I have one son, Conner Addison, born July 29, 2004
5. I have one daughter, Lillian Eve Stockton, born September 25, 2006
6. Both of my grandpas died this year
7. I named Lilli after my grandpa Fred, his middle name was Stockton.
8. I was with my Granddad Dirk when he took his last breaths in the hospital.
9. He moved out here from CA in October of 2005. Before then I only saw him 4 times my entire life.
10. I miss them both terribly
11. I sell advertising for magazines
12. I make more money then Adam
13. It surprises me
14. Adam really is OK with it
15. That’s a lot of freaking pressure
16. I am a Christian
17. I am a registered Democrat
18. I used to drive a Jetta, it’s been my favorite car, and I regret selling it every day.
19. I am a deacon at my church
20. I am involved in the local politics of my hometown
21. I love shoes
22. A lot
23. A whole lot
24. Like, it’s almost a problem
25. I have 58 pairs of shoes
26. See!?
27. We live in a 130 year old house
28. I think it’s haunted
29. But the ghosts are nice, and don’t visit very often
30. We have a lot of renovation work to do.
31. We have the nursery done.
32. We have two weimaraners
33. Gandee and Gracee
34. Adam and I got married on February 26, 2005
35. We got married in a historic home in downtown Louisville
36. Our friend Bret was the officiant
37. He got “ordained” over the internet
38. It meant more to us then anyone else doing it
39. I’ve met Zig Ziglar
40. I think he’s great
41. I’ve never been to Europe
42. I really want to go to Italy
43. I’m a super fast reader
44. Sometimes it sucks because I spend so much on books and they only entertain me for a few days
45. I like to cross-stitch
46. I made a sampler with Conner’s name
47. I’m working on Lilli’s now
48. We are done having babies
49. I’m kind of sad about that
50. We are thinking about moving. AGAIN.
51. We have moved 6 times since we have been together.
52. Hiring movers is the best $150 I’ve ever spent.
53. I love music, like a lot.
54. I miss going to see local shows
55. Adam doesn’t share my passion for live music
56. Both my babies were in the NICU after they were born
57. I’m a member of public radio
58. I used to work at Victoria’s Secret and Target. I have also worked for a law firm.
59. The job I had in college, paid for most of my schooling.
60. I can tell you more about bras and undies then you ever needed to know
61. I have more undies then any normal person needs
62. I hate the word panties, blech it makes me shudder
63. I would love a job at an ad agency or PR firm
64. I scrapbook and make stationary in my “free time”
65. I’m not ashamed to admit I love diamonds and diamond jewelry
66. If only I could Adam to buy me more.
67. I have been struggling to lose weight for the last 5 years
68. I have three tattoos, on my wrist, ankle and back
69. I want more!!!
70. I used to have my tongue and right nipple pierced.
71. I took out the tongue ring when I was pregnant with Conner and it induced morning sickness
72. I took the nipple ring out like 3 months after I got it.
73. The nickname Ceece, came from my younger cousin who couldn’t say Courtney, and said CeCe instead, it eventually got shortened to Ceece.
74. I don’t talk to my best friends from high-school anymore, and it makes me sad. ( hi steph, sarah, amber)
75. In high school, I played tennis, swam, was in theatre and the color guard with the marching band
76. I loved being pregnant
77. I have a Nikon D50
78. I get sick to my stomach just seeing a commercial for Baileys
79. I passed out in my friend’s yard on 4th of July 2005, the cops came, and had to ask Adam if I was alright.
80. I haven’t had a drink of Jager since.
81. I love button-up shirts
82. My favorite stores are Target, Eddie Bauer, Gap and Babies R Us
83. Adam is in the Army National Guard
84. I love to decorate for fall and Christmas
85. I forgo my hair and manicure budgets in Oct-Dec to buy Christmas decorations
86. I love buying people presents
87. I have a hard time waiting till the right time to give it to them
88. My favorite restaurants are Qdoba, Panera Bread, Morton’s and Fuji
89. I love DMB
90. I have seen them 7 times
91. I did an internship at Walt Disney World in college
92. I hated it then, but am so glad I did it now
93. I am currently reading a biography on Walt Disney
94. He was a crazy dude.
95. I like bluegrass music
96. I take way to many pictures of my babies
97. Cardigans are my favorite article of clothing
98. Dr. Pepper is my carbonated beverage of choice
99. I HATE sweetened tea
100. I eat way to many carbs

Posted by Ceece at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In my small town, one of the many topics that comes up repeatedly is focused around Wal*Mart (and other chains) and how they are killing the small-town mentality and local business'.

This just added fuel to the fire.

I don't really care for Wal*Mart, mostly because of the censorship thing with their music. And isn't it wonderful to be idealistic and swear off big-box stores in favor of smaller boutiques?

I was all about this until I had kids. Especially Lilli, did you know that Meijer and Wal*Mart are the only stores within a 20 mile radius of my house that carry preemie diapers? I couldn't find one mom and pop or boutique store that even carried diapers, let alone preemie diapers. Target doesn't even.

Also, when buying clothes for a 2 year old which will most likely be stained or grown out of in a week, I head to a big box store. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to buy all their stuff from Strassburg and Hanna Andersson, but I can't spend $15/shirt that won't last around here.

I do however buy all my books from my local bookstore (which is quite a few) eat at a local restaurant at least 2-3 times a week, buy flowers from my local florist, buy my hometown newspaper, and Adam bought my birthday present at the local jewelers.

For Christmas, my sister and I get angels from the angle trees, in lieu of presents for some family members. Our budget goes a lot further at Target or Wal*Mart, allowing us to give these kids clothes, presents and just a little bit more then if we were limited to just boutique shopping.

Posted by Ceece at 03:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(or why my congressman is spineless and it hurt to vote for him)

I don't like him, but I voted for him. Baron Hill is my congressman, and I was appalled at how little he took a stand on. But I think that was the democrats "tactic" this year. Point out the faults of the others, and whatever you do, DON'T say anything about your political standings.

Baron Hill's commercials all reminded me that he was for our "Hoosier Values" and he doesn't support same-sex unions. Of course not, why would a forward-thinking democrat put his neck out there like that? I hate that term "Hoosier Values", I can garaun-damn-tee that Baron and I feel completely different about our values. I'd like to think that my Hoosier Values include open mindedness, forgiveness, acceptance. You know that whole live and let live thing.

I guess it boils down to my wonder of why everyone has their panties in bunch over people getting married in the first place. Umm look brother, unless it's you Bob down the street is trying to marry then why the hell do you care? Plus there is the whole separation of church and state thing. Last conversation I had with a gay friend, he was mostly concerned about getting the same rights legally when it came to making the same (and in some case stronger and more genuine) commitment to his partner. He didn't say anything about wanting God's or your blessing. So butt out.

Why would you want to keep apart two adults who love each other, who have found a friend, companion, lover in someone they want to spend the rest of their life with?

I'd like to think Britany Spears has done more damage to the "protecting marriage" campaign then my "queer" buddies.

Please don't mistake this anti-gay sentiment as a "Christan value" either. It's extremely far from the truth, while many Christians I know don't condone it, they also realize that A) It's not really their place when it comes to the legal aspect of it, B) If you are going to pull it to a God and sinning level, then every sin is the same in God's eyes, so whether it's ogling Brad Pitt on TV or cussing at the jerk who just cut you off, you're on the same sin level as "the gays" you hate so much.

I guess my point is this. FIND SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT TO OBJECT TOO, LIKE OUR THOUSANDS OF TROOPS DYING OVERSEAS BECAUSE OF BULLSHIT.

Whatevs, I've gotten all worked up. I'm out.

Posted by Ceece at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Shit. I have to go back to work tomorrow. Has it really been 6 weeks already? Is my last baby already a month and a half old? How is that possible?

Uggh. I don't know which is worse, her 6 weeks into NOT being a baby any more or having to go back to work.

The nice thing is my work is super casual so I can continue wearing my sweatpants and t-shirts, but I have made the decision to start wearing my "Professional clothes" to work. Why?

Because I'm bored with my sweatpants and t-shirts, and the NoBloShoeMo, has made me revisit all my shoes, and I forgot how amazingly wonderful my shoe collection is. I mean I'm not pulling a Carrie Bradshaw and wearing Minolo's or anything like that, but my shoes are still fun.

Anyway back to work. Of course, I'll be able to bring Lilli with me a few days a week, so I won't be going cold turkey. Plus, all my clients are planning their budgets for 2007, so hopefully I'll be signing clients like crazy.

Have a great Monday and week, and happy Day 5 of NaBloPoMo.

Posted by Ceece at 03:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Umm, I really, really like Fergie (from the BEP) and her new single and I will probably go buy the CD.

Posted by Ceece at 04:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So. The stove and I made up. I have actually cooked two (2!!!!) things
that turned out great! For me, this is a huge accomplishment.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls,Caramel Apple Crepes were on the menu when I cooked dinner for my dads
birthday last week.

People actually went for seconds. Since staying home with the baby,
even though I've been doing some work from here, I've also been trying
my hand at the stay-at-home-mom thing. OH.MY.GOD. It is kicking my
ass. Seriously, I don't know how you guys do it full time. I guess you
get into a schedule when you have longer then 6 weeks, but wow. I'm
tired.

Anyway, I've gone through my barely used cookbook, and mapped out some
recipes to try out for the next three weeks. As soon as I'm sure this
isn't just a fluke, your all invited over for dinner. :-)

Posted by Ceece at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

When I go shoe shopping, this is totally how it happens.

Posted by Ceece at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hey guys, just a quick update as I'm home for a bit to get some sleep, spend time with Conner and pump.

Lilli was born on Monday after my water broke EARLY Monday morning. Labor and Delivery were easy and pretty quick and she came out pink and crying. Her lungs are just a little tiny so it was working her hard to breathe and the drs made the decision to move her to Kosair's. We've been there just over 24 hours and she's been improving every second.

It's very scary to see her on a ventilator but I know she's in the best place. Adam is in love with her and Conner just wants to bring her home and play with her.

I've got a few pics and I'll upload them as soon as I get a chance.

Prayers are appreciated!

Thanks all.

Posted by Ceece at 09:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

Hooray, it's finally here. My favorite time of the year. Cardigan Weather Time! Hot damn, I love me some cardigans.

Posted by Ceece at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I always said I'd never be one of those parents who bought their kids everything, it was a waste of money, I thought.

Ha. that flew right out the window the first time I saw how happy Conner gets. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I run out and buy him everything I see or he see's, it can something as big as a helicopter toy or inflatable spider for the front yard(I'll get to that in a minute) or as small as a new cup with spongebob on it, or even a piece of paper for him to put stickers on. Seriously, that kid grins and it's all over. This is also part of the reason Adam and I choose to work full-time, so we can buy him things that he wants and needs, and we can afford to go to the zoo with him, or take him to the fair to see the "moos", or go camping and rent a boat for him to "drive".

Of course, sometimes this backfires. Case-in-point, since the stores started putting out their Halloween crap while fireworks were still going off for 4th of July, I have been way ready to decorate for fall and Halloween. It's always been my favorite time of year, and with Conner it's even more enjoyable. At one store we visisted, they had a huge section devoted to the big blow up yard displays, and then he saw it. The big black and purple "pidey" with legs that moved and eyes that glowed. He was infatuated. We had to take several trips around the pidey every time we visted the store. I went back 2 weeks ago to buy it and it was gone. I don't know who was going to be more heartbroken, me or Conner. They manager said they "may" get more in, but he just didn't know. Happily they did get more in and I brought one home on Saturday. Conner danced around the box and immitated how the pidey moved when all blown up.

Adam asked Conner if he wanted to set it up in the living room. Then all hell broke loose. Conner flipped shit and did a total 180. My proud purchase and attempt to lure Conner over from the "dadside" had backfired, and I think I just scarred him emotionally now.

Once the thing was out of the box and blown up, we couldn't peel him off our laps. Adam and I each took our turn sitting next to the pidey and even fed it a dog. Nothing. Of course Adam was delighted. Conner also said his first sentence that day. Pidey back in box!!!

(more once you click on the pic)

Posted by Ceece at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

shit, fuck, damn, bitch. I am having one of those days. The baby's almost here and we dont have the nursery done, the house is freaking filthy, I am at my wits end with the dogs and how dirty they make my house, I have so much shopping to do before the baby gets here, I'm super-stressed about work-GAAAHHH.

I am cranky and hormonal and want to sit down and sob. Just have a good, long, snotty cry.

Posted by Ceece at 09:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I just had a really weird, really strong Deja vu moment with my moo goo gai pan for lunch. This baby is messing with my mind.

In other baby news, I got the all clear today from the doc to return to "normal activities" (Adam is psyched) he said that as long as I've made it this far he's happy. Lilli's heartbeat is all good and she's measuring right on track. No more checks until my next appt in 2 weeks. So it could be tomorrow, it could be 6 more weeks.

Let's hope for the latter as our nursery STILL is not done.

In other cute baby news Conner now requests "lubies" when he wants to hug and kiss. When I dropped him off at my moms house this morning he gave me extra lubies and gave "lilli" a "kisses" too. Christ on a cracker (thanks erika) this kid rules.

Posted by Ceece at 01:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

We've got some major shit floating about at the Paris household including the new baby and some pretty big decisions that will need to be made soon.

Please cross your fingers that everything goes smooth and we decide right.

Posted by Ceece at 04:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sometimes I'll walk in on Adam while he is peeing in the bathroom (duh) and I'll start giggling and say in my head "hehe penises are funny", and turn and walk out.

Yes, I am 12 years old.

Posted by Ceece at 03:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last Sunday was Grandparent's Day. Sure it's a made up Hallmark Holiday, but it's still fun to celebrate none the less. Sunday was also the day that my grandparents church dedicated their new pulpit.

When my grandpa passed away in January, he made it clear that he wanted all expressions of sympathy to be donated to his church's building fund. He and my grandma had been going to this small church since they moved her 30+ years ago, and were both very very involved there. The church is in the process of going through some major renovations and having such a small congregation has put some strains of their plans, financially.

They needed a new pulpit to match the rest of the interior of the new sanctuary, but sadly that got pushed to the "hey won't that be nice" list. With the money that was donated by friends and family the church decided to get a pulpit and dedicate it in my grandpa's name.

My grandma spoke a few words during the service and she asked me to speak as well. I read the list I'd made of things I'd never forget about my grandpa. It was hard but nice. So many people were touched by knowing my grandpa and he was an excellent role model.

I miss you grandpa and I still think about you every day, I can hear your sing-song hi to Conner when we would walk in the front door of your house, and I wonder every time how long until I can't hear it anymore. I'm sorry Lilli won't get to meet you in person, but I'm glad Conner did. I'm thankful for all the love and support you always gave.

Posted by Ceece at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Siigggh, my very first lovah. I've watched you grow from a young jazz singer down in Nawluns, to the television acting hearthrob known as Leo, and finally as the hottie hottness that you are on Broadway.

Happy Birthday Harry!

Posted by Ceece at 09:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So I have an embarassing confession to make. I like to chew on sponges. Like really REALLY like to chew on sponges. And not just any sponges. They have to be a certain kind, have a certain texture and have no taste.

No kitchen sponges or make-up sponges. Usually I can find them in the car wash section.

I have had this weird-o fascination for a while, and now feel like I can openly embrace it. I have actually searched on the internet to see if I can find any information on this, but I haven't been able too.

This is something I can't explain, and Adam gives me shit for it all the time. It's really almost borderline obesession.

You guys have any weird-o stuff like this going on?

Posted by Ceece at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I've been fighting it for as along as I can, but the snark is starting to win out.

I have a huge list of people who have contributed to the current state of snark, but since this is a public thingie, I shant screw myself over by posting it here. (hooray for old school written journals).

While most of this is probably due to hormones from the baby, I'm pretty sure its also a good indicator that I need to get back with the Lexapro soon. Believe me, I don't like having to be right and superior all the time people, it get's old!

Posted by Ceece at 09:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I’m listening to the podcast (or whatever you call a non-live version of it) of the “MommyBlogging is a Radical Act” panel from Blogher 2006. Last year at Blogher 2005, Alice from Finslippy made the statement that Mommy Blogging is a radical act, in response to some of the accusations that writers who use their blogs to write about their children are wasting precious resources and should be focusing more on changing the world and other radical acts.

So this year they devoted a panel to this topic. The speakers are Finslippy, Sweetney and Mir, all of whose blogs I read on a regular basis. So far the dominating topic has been about the actual title of “mommy blogging” and whether or not it’s insulting and blah, blah, blah. BLAH exactly. That sums up how I feel about it and the fact that it’s even a controversy. I guess it goes along the same lines as what Ms. Roosevelt said, "Noone can make you feel inferior without your consent".

(Holy crap, Grace Davis just spoke, siigh, she's awesome)

When Jen talked about this very thing after returning home from Blogher, it got me thinking about a lot of things. One of the things (bashfully) was “Why isn’t my blog more read”? I guess not even that, I have a site counter I know people read it, and visit, and sometimes comment. People tell me they read my blog. Is it because of my topics? Because I’m a shit writer? Because I’m just not as cool?-Holy shit, did you feel that? I think we all just went back in time about 8 years to when I was in high school. Then I remind myself that, that’s not why I started Ceece.net, I started it to keep people that I loved who were away, updated on what was going on with me and home. I’ve used it for writing about me, Adam, Conner, my family, my hometown, my faith and for a while I wrote about work. (yeah I nixed that idea and deleted those posts). It also got me thinking about why I don’t write about certain things like politics and business news etc. I don’t write about that stuff because I have no idea where to even start when it comes to those things. Yeah, I consider myself to be pretty smart, but I don’t think along those lines unfortunately. Not to say I wouldn’t like to, but ask me about the GOP’s political motivation and you’ll probably get the head-tilted stare that I get from Gracee when I ask her if she has to pee. But ask me about Conner’s favorite past-time right now (helicopters and trains) or what’s the best way to market my hometown, then you better grab a seat because we might be here a while.

Sweetney has posted a few times about the ever-growing number of blogs that pop up everyday. (we are talking thousands a day), and then I think about the connections that I have made with other bloggers and how their actions and lives affect me. Example, TB over at Soul Gardening recently found out she was pregnant after years and years of trying. When I started to read the post announcing her pregnancy, I held my breath until she came out and said it, then? I cried. I cried and grinned. When I told Adam, he looked at me like I was crazy.

Maybe I am, but I’m glad to know that I was able to pray for her and J, and that I was able to see some good news in a world that seems like it’s going to shit.

Anyway, this probably doesn’t make a lot of sense but, meah, I felt like writing about this and I’m not done.

Posted by Ceece at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

And our president and their mayor continue to disappoint.

Posted by Ceece at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Damn baby...I'm thinking that since this is only 1 day before my due date, I'll prolly not go. But what a show it will be, I'm sure.

GWAR w/ The Red Chord & Municipal Waste
Thursday October 26th @ Headliners Music Hall
1386 Lexington Rd Louisville Ky 40206
18 & Over / Doors @ 7:30pm / $17.00 Avance / $20.00 D.O.S.
Call 502-287-7038 For More Information
Advance Tickets Available @ www.Ticketweb.com & Ear X Tacy (502-452-1799)

Posted by Ceece at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My granddad passed away this afternoon at 1:10, we were all there and it was pretty peaceful.

Posted by Ceece at 04:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I just wrote this long winded bullshit response to an article about Section 8 housing.

Before I was able to hit publish, my mom called from the hospital, apparently we are rounding the corner my granddad. He just got moved to the ICU and if his condition doesn't improve over the next 24 hours, then they are going to take him of all his meds (save the oxygen) and just let his body do his thing.

This decision came after he got transfered into his room and the dr came in to talk with him and he looked at my mom and said, please don't do anything to hurt me. Of course that was enough. They talked with him about his options and reviewed his living will, and the decision was made. The drs have said it could be anywhere from a day to a week, they just don't know how long he'll fight.

He's battling kidney failure, congestive heart failure, low blood pressure and an array of other complications. My mom finally got him some pain medication so he could rest. That's when she called to tell me what was going on. Since I had only seen my granddad about 6 times up until about 10 months ago, it's a bit strange, almost like a stranger. I hurt for my mom, this is essentially the last of her family. I feel for my granddad who I feel like I now view as a child, innocent, scared and I find myself protecting him against everything, from cruel nurse-aids to the truth about how we're all doing.

My granddad retired from the Navy and is a first generation Dutch-American. That's pretty much all I know about him, that and that this was his favorite poem.

I Must Go Down to the Sea

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

-John Masefield

Posted by Ceece at 04:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Freaking Old Navy, can they make anything the same?

Last week I went in there and bought 2 pairs of maternity jeans, same size and cut, the color was the only thing differant. The pair I wore on Friday were way to big and I had the saggy crotch thing going on, today I put on a pair and the damn things are so tight I'm afraid Lilli's going to come out with a waistband mark on her noggin.

Plus the shirt I have on is like big enough to be a damn skirt. Although what can you expect when it cost $6?

I'm taking this shit back, well the crap I haven't "tarnished" by wearing yet.

Posted by Ceece at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This was on a banner at the entrance to the Indiana War Memorials Musuem, in Indianapolis. We were there on Sunday for Adam's graduation from his OCS class (which I'll talk about later).

This banner made me stop and ponder for a bit because it really sums up what, I think, being in the military means to a lot of these men and women.

They do something most of us could never do by serving in the armed forces, they sacrifice family, security and a lot of other things on the off chance that they will get to help someone just "be better".

As you walk through the musuem it starts at the beginning of our country basically and follows the conflicts up till the present day war in Iraq.

Several of the displays are about individuals in the armed forces who made a significant impact (most gave their lives) to the country and sometimes even world. And these are just people from Indiana.

It also made me question what I am doing to help others better their current situations. Is it everything I can bed? Is there something more?

This quote just hit me in such a way that I wanted to share it with you guys and I hope you can find some kind of special meaning in it too.

Posted by Ceece at 04:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Fellow blogger and Ceese, posted recently about a song that had a strong meaning to her. Later on I was tooling around YouTube and came across a live version of the song Stay or Leave by Dave Matthews. I've posted on the significance of songs and music to me before, and thought I'd add to it. I didn't even hear the first compelete bar for this song and my eyes were already watering.

I have always been a huge fan of Dave Matthews and his work either solo or with the band. It's been interesting to watch this group of partyers grow-up and start singing about world and social issues as opposed to just getting loaded.

I have found solace is several of Dave's songs and Stay or Leave was one of those. It was written beautifully and really helped me get a good cry out when I needed it. When Adam and I went through a period of rough patches, I would listen to this song, and usually cry but sometimes it's just nice to feel something so intensely.

also, Dave looks super hot in this no?

Posted by Ceece at 01:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So, I went and saw SOaP last night with my friend Jim and a couple of his friends. Let me just tell you ifyou have been even a little excited about seeing this motherf*&$ing movie, you won't be motherf*&%ing dissapointed!

The fans that were there were just awesome too. There was one kid running around acting like he was Sam Jackson, greeting people as they were walking in theatre thanking them for coming to see "his movie", people had all kinds of snake toys and accessories. At one point someone stood up an announced that once the movie was over everyone should head over to the Steak N Shake, to which a chick in the back stood up and announced, SNAKES ON A SHAKE! Fucking right.

The audience yelled and cheered through the whole thing, which in another setting may have been annoying but not here, it just made it better. Behold the screaming and yelling instances:
-when the lights dimmed for the previews
-When the opening sequence began
-When the title appeared on screen
-When Sams name came on screen
-When Sam actually appeared on screen
-When we saw the first plane
-When the snakes made their entrance
-Everytime someone got bit
-When Sam delivered his famous line about getting the motherf&*%ing snakes off this motherf&^%ing plane.
-Too many others to list.

I'm not a big fan of horror movies, and especially not campy stuff, but this played off everything so well! Then ending is awesome and I can't wait for the sequal!

If you go see it let me know what you think!!!!

Posted by Ceece at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hell yeah! I'm going to see Snakes on a Plane tonight. Squeeeee!

Posted by Ceece at 04:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hot damn, Samuel L Jackson, Jon Stewart and Snakes on a Motherf*&*ing Plane!
Damn right.

Posted by Ceece at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My friend Amber got married on Saturday, and I wasn't in the wedding. :-) Whatever, that's not the point of this post. The point is to say congrats and show you guys some cute wedding pictures. Also, I want to show off some of my "whack" photo-playing-around-with skills.

(click on the photo for more)

Posted by Ceece at 04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wow, she's getting so big (and so am I!) We are getting more excited by the day now. Only 10 weeks it feels like this pregnancy has just flown by!

(Click on the picture for a few more)

Posted by Ceece at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So, I figure I better see 'em again before they die!

Posted by Ceece at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

For those of you that don't know or are new to my little blog or whatever, I consider myself to be a Christian. HANG ON! Don't hit your Red X just yet. I want to clear a few things up.

When I say Christian I mean it in the way of believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died for our sins, I believe in the bible when it tells us that we need to look out for each other and love one another, and that it is not our place to judge, lest we be judged.

I am a Christian who believes that the whole argument/debate about homosexuals being able to get married is ridiculous. That whole part about God wanting us to love and look out for each other applies to EVERYONE fools. Not who you think should get it or what gives you "the willies". I am a Christian who believes that none of us is perfect or better then someone else.

This last Sunday at church, we had a guest speaker give the sermon, it focused on building and tearing down walls, literally and figuritively. The speaker was a young man who is about the same age as me and I have had the pleasure of knowing for a while.

He spoke about a recent trip he took to Mexico with a group to learn about the current status of immigration and that whole mess. He talked about people who live in cardboard boxes with no running water, and who make $3/day yet they save up enough money to make the illegal trip across the border which costs around $2500-$3500.00 and is, now more then ever, dangerous.

He talked about the good-semaritan groups that were set-up in border cities on both sides and the deeds they do. How they are there to look out for immigrants trying to cross into the USA, to look out for them and get them water and medical treatment when neccesary. He told us about the number of deaths that occur in the desert because these people run out of food and water. He talked about a 2 young men who were members of a group that helped these immigrants and one instance when they were transporting some immigrants they came across who were near death, and they got stopped by border patrol and arrested, and now face time in prison as well as heavy fines. Why? Because they were doing the thing that God calls us to do as Christians, to take care and look out for each other.

As a Christian, God calls us to be kind and extend our hand, not build up walls to keep those we don't like out, as a Christian, God calls us to love one another and be happy for our fellow-man, not persecute and judge them because they have been able to find love in a way we don't understand.

As a Chrstian, I am personally hurt each time our current president throws around that word as an excuse or justification for his decisions. Most Christians I know feel the same way.

My local political blogosphere, in which I regularly participate in, has had two posts over the last week in which "Christian behavior" has been called under attack.

I wish that anyone who has ever been offended or disgusted by Christianity had gotten the opportunity to hear the sermon this week. As I sat there and listened to what he had to say, I felt the tears roll down my cheek. I was feeling so many differant things, hope because of the people who were helping, sadness because of the hate that is being brought against so many people, anger at these people's home country for making their situation so bad that they would literally risk their life to come to a country where they would not only be doing hard labor for probably the rest of their life, but probably never get the respect they deserve for being hard workers, and then hope again, because of people like Andy, our speaker, and the other Christians and non-Christians out there who are tearing down these walls of fear, ignorance and hate, we can all look out and love each other.

To me, that is a Christian.

Posted by Ceece at 09:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

From the Daily Show, a segment about just how dangerous it is to live in Indiana.

Posted by Ceece at 03:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Damn, I feel like ever since Adam got home, we've just been going and going.

I feel super stressed at work, at home and in the city. I'm not sure if it's nesting coming up early or if my brain chemicals are off again.

Conner started a daycare this week and today's his second day. He seems to be going strong, but I'm a paranoid mess, and imagine EVERY worse case scenario. Like he manages to escape out the front door and into the street, he cries all day, he gets bitten or physically assaulted in some way, he gets attacked by a venemous duck, he get's the gay,you know every mothers worst fear stuff!

Plus, our beshitted city can't get their act together and it's driving me just nuts. I'm sick of incompetance and I'm sick of the blame. I'm sick of everyone trying to be all politically correct and not standing up and saying what the real problems in the city are.

Adam and his brother just bought a new house to redo and that will soon be sucking all our free-time :-(, and I just want to go home and curl up with him and Conner on the bed. I feel like I'm not good at being a housekeeper person and like the house is in perpetual nastiness, and it kills me because I know Adam hates it.

Gaaahhh, must breathe...

Posted by Ceece at 1