25 Random Things About ME

1. I’m very lucky… I’m married to a wonderful husband, who loves, adores and spoils me. He is the best snuggler, comforter, and companion. He’s seen me at my worst and best, and loved me fully through it all. I don’t believe that any person is perfect, but he is perfect for me.

2. My family is the most important thing in my life. All of my family. We are very close and nothing comes between us. We celebrate holidays and everydays together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

3. I learned at a pretty early age the importance of respect. You have to give it to get it. And those who don’t give it aren’t worth it – no matter who they are. One day, I think my father will wake up and realize this. I think then he’ll also learn the true meaning of regret. And if he never does then I guess it’s his loss.

4. My mom is my best friend, and has been for as long as I can remember. She has taught me the true meaning of unconditional love, and I have the utmost respect for her. My biggest fear is that I won’t live up to her expectations, and that I won’t be half the mother she is to me.

5. I am so proud to be Madelyn’s step-mom. She makes me smile. Being her step-mom is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and at the same time one of my greatest challenges. Sometime I cry for fear that I don’t live up, but I’ll always try my best to be the best for her – she deserves it.

6. I have a new found fascination with eating healthy (Yeah Weight Watchers) and working out. I LOVE my aerobics classes, and I HATE anything to interfere with their schedule. I love cooking new healthy recipes, and I’m fab at counting points. It’s been a great reality check after a tough year. Now I didn’t say I gave up all the good, but not good stuff. I still enjoy a great meal out and have to have my sweets. But I’ve learned a lot about moderation and balance. Sometimes I lose the motivation to keep it up, but it always comes back.

7. I’ve never been a person to have a lot of friends. And I’ve always been okay with that. Because instead I have a few amazing friends. You know who you are – and I’m so thankful for you everyday.

8. My brother and I aren’t as close as I’d like us to be, but I absolutely adore and love him – even when he drives me crazy. And since he’s given me a wonderful sister-in-law, and the most beautiful, bright (and stubborn – not sure where she gets that from) niece, Mia, he has an even more special place in my heart. Not that he didn’t already.

9. So many people complain about their in-laws. I’m very fortunate, because I have nothing to complain about. They’ve become an extension of my own family. My mother and father in law are rocks, and I so admire them. My sister-in-law, April is one of my very best friends – I don’t know what I would do without her. She keeps me sane and happy. We laugh together, talk constantly, and can finish each other’s sentences and thoughts. She’s an inspiration to me, and she keeps me motivated (see # 6).

10. I have been diagnosed with Lupus. It’s been a challenging year and half learning to deal with this. I’ve learned a great deal about myself, what my body can handle, and what it can’t anymore. Learning to live with Lupus has been a roller coaster that I hate to say, I don’t think is over yet. But again, I say I am lucky. I have been surrounded by fabulous support – from family and friends to phenomenal doctors. It’s a great feeling.

11. I miss my Meemaw (grandmother). It’s been almost 2 years since she died, and I think of her every day. Some of my fondest memories are of times we spent together. And there a ton of memories, because she was there for it all. She didn’t miss a thing. The heart remembers…

12. I graduated from the University of Texas in Austin, with a BS in Communication Studies. Hook Em’ Horns! I think it’s ironic how when you’re in school all you can think of is being out. And when you’re out, you yearn to go back.

13. I truly enjoy my job. I work with great people, I have a sense of accomplishment with what I do, and I like being there (almost) every day.

14. I am not a morning person. I don’t like to be talked to, touched, or involved in any way with anyone for at least an hour after I wake up.

15. I’m Jewish. I like that I come from such a rich (not money) and spiritual culture. I wish I was more involved with my religion. I don’t like that there are more questions about Judaism that I can’t answer than I can. But when all else fails, at least I know where to go to find out. My husband converted to Judaism about 4 years ago. It was an amazing experience for me to be a part of.

16. I love Dogs, I do NOT like Cats. I can’t really explain it – I’ve just always felt this way. Dogs win me over. Especially cute, fluffy, cuddly ones. Cats do nothing for me.

17. I don’t drink alcohol or do drugs. Now I didn’t say I never have. I’m a realist, and I think that experimenting is a natural part of life. My only expectation is that it’s done in a responsible and safe way. When Jackie and Dani or Madelyn are ready to try things, I hope they’ll come to me so that I can help them understand how to experience life smartly.


18. I believe that it takes all kind of people to make this world go round. While I wish everyone were noble, and kind, I know that is not the reality. I recognize that it takes the good and bad to make us who we are. And even though we may wish away the bad or uncharismatic pieces of us, they are a part of who we are, and who we become. I believe that life is complex and difficult, but beautiful and sacred.

19. I tend to live in the gray areas in life, which can make things a challenge with my black and white husband. But we find a way to make it work, and it keeps things interesting.

20. I’m up for a challenge, but can also appreciate things to be easy sometimes too. This very concept is my biggest fear about being a parent. It’s so difficult to find that very fine balance between giving your child(ren) all that you want them to have and you think they deserve, but also teaching them how to work hard for it, and not just giving it all to them. My mom perfected this balance, and I don’t know how she did it. I find it to be one of the most difficult things I’ve ever encountered in my life.

21. I think one of the most unfortunate things in life is that Madelyn will never know what it is like to – by herself – ride her bike to pool during the summer, walk a few blocks to her friends house to play, or lay in the grass in the front yard seeing what images the clouds make. It’s a very scary world, and it really bothers me that these simple things done by herself will never be something I feel it is safe for her to experience.

22. My absolute favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I love the food, and the way my family celebrates it – casual with everyone cooking, eating, laughing, and just being together.

23. Some of the things that make my world go round … Starbucks, manicures and pedicures, having a new car, the smell of vanilla scented candles and air fresheners, reading all kinds of books from great girlie books to fiction to sudoku to a cookbook, going to the movies, lazy days at home (I’m a true homebody), going on vacation (who doesn’t love that), Starbucks (I know I already said it, but it deserves a second mention), seeing my niece grow and change by leaps and bounds, feeling appreciated, being organized, having a clean house, my Flintstones gummy daily vitamins (my doc says 2 of those are just as good any adult vitamins – and they taste just like gummy bears – it’s so hard to just eat the recommended dose), seeing Jackie and Dani grow into beautiful, charming young ladies… oh I could go on for hours.

24. I met my husband by being on a bowling league. If you know me you know how funny this is. I can’t bowl well (Trey would say at all), and it’s so uncharacteristic of me. It’s the perfect example of why I believe things happen for a reason.

25. My goal in life is to make those around me, who love me, proud. To carry on my Meemaw’s legacy of family and love and laughter. Lots of laughter. And to be happy – because if you’re not happy, what else is there?



So, that's me...

How nice it was to walk in this morning to see these beautiful roses. And they opened up so nicely over the weekend. Put another huge smile on my face!

Flowers

I consider myself a pretty lucky person.

I have a great job that I enjoy. I am in relatively good health, and getting better every day. I have a handful of really fabulous friends, and my entire family is truly wonderful. I am blessed to be Madelyn's step-mother and so proud that I get the privilege of being a part of her life. And have you seen how precious and adorable my niece, Mia, is?!

And it doesn't stop there. Because as if that all wasn't enough, I get to be married to a man who loves and adores me, in spite of my quirks and annoyances, and often because of them. I am so grateful for my husband. I can't even begin to put into words the feelings of knowing that someone will so unconditionally love you, and always be there - through the good and the bad. Trey has certainly proven that over and over again in the past year and half (not that it needed proving).

Well, today, he showed yet again just how much he loves me. Saying I love you is never difficult for us - we say it all the time. But today, Trey let his actions speak louder than words. Today, I received at work a beautiful bouquet of a dozen long stem red roses, delivered to my office. You should have seen the smile across my face. I was so surprised and completely touched. And the card simply read... "To my sweetheart, I was thinking about you and thought you would enjoy these. I love you."

Now the thing that makes this gesture so funny and ironic is that Trey and I have had a couple of conversations about flowers. I've always said I don't understand the point of sending flowers - they just die in a few days and it's such a waste of money. And I do truly believe this... to a degree. Then in a conversation about flowers, I said to Trey - what girl doesn't like to get flowers. I know - talk about mixed messages. But as just another reminder that Trey is so right for me - he read me loud and clear and completely understood me... I don't want flowers on Valentine's Day when your "supposed" to send them, or our anniversary, when one would "expect" them. It means so much more when it's a random day - a meaningless, yet now meaningful moment. And that's why receiving these gorgeous flowers today meant the world to me - because it was just his way of expressing how much he loves me on just another day - on every day!

I promise to post a picture next week - they're still at the office for a few more days of enjoyment there before I bring them home.

HO, HO, HO!

We celebrated Christmas in our usual, Jew fashion... food and movies!!!

Last year started the Gourley-Glazer tradition of IHOP for breakfast / brunch, followed by going to a movie. It's what Jews do best on this holiday! And what else is there to do anyway - everything is closed. So, we got up leisurely on Thursday morning, showered, and met the Glazer bunch at IHOP.









It was CROWDED!! Luckily we didn't have too much of a wait, but the place was packed. (I don't understand - isn't Christmas supposed to be a stay at home with the family holiday?) They were so busy that our waiter ended up being the manager. He was quite a character - very odd, but nice and attentive. So we got our tummy's nice and full and then headed to the movie theater to see Marley and Me.












Again... it was packed. I guess everyone woke up early, opened their presents, had their family time, and had enough! The movie was really cute, happy and sad, and sweet. A good choice for a family flick.

Once the movie was over, April and I were in dire need of a Starbucks fix. And since they seem to be the only one's open besides Ihop, movies theaters, and chinese restaurants, we headed to our local Starbucks. Oh no - they were closed! Okay, not a problem. There is another one up the street... Closed. This is not a good thing! Okay, one more try. There is another one just a few blocks away... We could see the building... I don't know - they don't look open... It's dark inside... But there are cars in the parking lot... But there is a Panda Express so the cars could be for there... Wait a minute... Did you just see someone walk out of the Starbucks... YES - I think so... Hey that guy has a Starbucks cup... Pull in, Pull in!! Just in the nick of time - it was 3:15 and they were closing at 4:00 (what's the big deal anyway - it's just Christmas!) But we made it, and we were oh so happy!!! But bummer... across the street we hoped to see Walmart open - no such luck.

So next up, we headed home to do what... watch more movies! This time, on our big flatscreen TV (details to come in my upcoming Black Friday blog). We rented movies the day before, and finally saw the Dark Knight. I thought it was really good, Trey wasn't so impressed. It was really nice to relax, and do basically nothing. We cooked dinner, stayed in the whole night, and just hung out. Such a good way to spend the day... before it was back to the real world.

Way to go April

I know I am way behind in my blogging. April has been done with the Fall semester for weeks now, and all of the great information she got from those classes has been emptied from her brain and replaced with cheesy romance novels and mindless reading (okay not really cheesy romance, but teeny vampire stories [hello - Twilight] - yes). So even though I'm overdue, I have to take a moment to say WAY TO GO!

Yet another semester behind her, and yet another PERFECT 4.0 GPA!!! You have to know April to really appreciate this. First of all, she works her butt off to stay on top on her classes, tests, grades, etc. She gets super stressed out about it all, and just when she thinks - screw it, a B isn't so bad - she throws herself back into mode and pushed to the A. Anyway, I'm so proud of her (I know... I sound like I'm her mother), but I am. And I'm so happy that her hard work paid off.

Wow, these last 2 years have flown by, and this time next year, she will have walked "the walk", and have her hard earned diploma to show for it all! The downside... I think she may try to move out!! So sad...

a brief update... with a promise for more

Well, well, well... look who's back! I know you all think I've fallen off the face of the planet. And rightfully so. I was starting to wonder myself. Things have been really crazy with the holidays, trips to see family, work, and life. I know - what kind of excuse is that? But as my mom famously likes to say - it is what it is. So I know I have tons to catch up on. Since my last post, I've had a birthday (one more year in my twenties!), we celebrated Thanksgiving (my absolute favorite holiday and a blog topic all of it's own still to come), survived Black Friday (and we have pictures to prove we were there!), visited Blanco (twice), celebrated Hanukkah and Christmas, celebrated Mia's 2nd birthday (that kid is A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!!)... phew, I'm exhausted just trying to remember it all!

Well, there have been lots of things happening, but I can't get all in to one update. So I'll start with some of the biggies, and then I PROMISE, I will update with the latest happenings and goings.

Medical Updates:
- Mom is doing much better. You know that she had gallbladder surgery a while back. While she has some adjusting to do, she is feeling much better and is getting used to what her stomach can and can't handle. This wasn't, however, the end of her problems. She's continued to have tests after tests to no avail. Just before Thanksgiving, I flew into Houston to take her to the latest and greatest one - an endoscope sort of, but more in depth than the typical one. They put her out, stick a scope to look all through her insides to determine where bleeding is coming from and what needs to be done to fix it. This, mind you, is after the camera test (she swallowed a pill that is a camera that is supposed to travel throughout her insides taking video feed - creepy and amazing at the same time). Well anyway, after the camera test (which is supposed to be the end all to getting answers, and the endoscope (even more so the end all to getting answers), the doctor call me in to say that they didn't find anything that seemed to be a problem. Well this sounds like good news, and in a way it is, but in a big way it also was not. She is so tired of just not knowing what is going on and what she needs to do to be better. So she talked with her primary doctor (the one that did this last test is a rare specialist who she didn't particularly care for, but is one of very few in all of Houston that performs this test), and it was determined that since everything that is of real concern has been ruled out, she needs to wait it out and should get better with some time. I suppose this is good news - meaning that it's nothing serious enough to identify and need a remedy, but it's also a bit scary. So now we're waiting, and hoping for a little bit of time to do the trick.+
- I continue to do really well with my Lupus diagnosis. We've still had some ups and downs, and I've had to go back up slightly on the Prednisone, but still at a manageable, relatively small dose. I've been feeling pretty consistently well, and again am grateful to have great doctors, and phenomenal family and friends who check in on me, support me, and are constant rocks in an uncertain world. But, you know how I like to rock the boat, and these last few months were no exception. I went for my annual woman checkup at the end of October, and my test results returned some abnormality. Not very uncommon, and something I've had before. It just requires a minor in office procedure to determine if the abnormality is precancerous or of no concern, and my doctor expected a completely insignificant result. Unfortunately, the biopsy resulted in a little more concern than expected, and I had to have a second procedure done, just after Thanksgiving. Again, in office, and still very minor. All in all it took less than an hour. It's called a L.E.E.P procedure, and reading about it online was very interesting. It's actually a procedure that produces and electrical shock through your body that causes the cells to burst, and the doctor cuts a small portion of the uterus where the abnormal cells lie to get out any precancer cells. It's not even painful, but there was a very strange sensation from the electricity that goes through your body. Anyway, the biopsy results came back normal, showing that she got all of the problem cells out before they became a problem - yay! So that was my latest and greatest - I wouldn't even call a scare, but more of a nuisance. April was fantastic - taking me to my appt, and even going in with me so that another set of ears could take in what the doctor had to say (I'm so bad about remembering that stuff!) and that wasn't easy, but she toughed it out for me!!

So, all in all, we're all hanging in just fine and are happy to have made it to another New Year, though we sometimes wondered if we would. Hope everyone has had a wonderful, peaceful, happy holiday (whatever you celebrate), and have an even better New Year!

MIA

A few weeks ago mom took Mia to a great park in Houston to take some pictures. We now have a new photographer in the family - she did such a great job, and just like the Princess she is, Mia posed and smiled and "cheesed" like a pro! Here are a few of my favorites, but when I say there are a TON to chose from, I'm not kidding. Friday I'm going to print some and get a great collage frame to put up in the hallway with my favs.