Mcklinky Blog hop~ Favorite Kid Photos

So I am going to tackle the favorite Kid Photo this week.
Here is one of the many favorites.

This is Aimee... at the time that she got caught bathing herself
in Aim toothpaste she was 2.

Then in her grown little self she had to explain what she was doing



And of course why it was in her hair
see how serious she is in explaining this




Then flashing the cute smile
She was so proud

I hope you enjoyed these pictures.
I have many others.
But this is a good start.
Hugs,
Robin

Better today

OK feeling better today! Sorry for the venting yesterday but it must of helped cause I'm not as down as I was yesterday! Today I am crafting and playing, then off to see if the boys (husband, father, stepson and his friend) got any work done on my parents rental house...Maybe they will surprise me who knows..
Anyway I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend
Huggs,
Robin

Self Battle

I started my blogs to share and write about the things I know and I do...So what do I know and what do I do? (thats a good question)...I look like I have it all together at times (for me anyway) and I do good at faking it for others..I am good at hiding it all..sometimes it is difficult for even my husband to see but the image always shows a glitz..I know he is worried ...I hate that I cause him concern...cause he truly loves me and only wants the best for me and for me to be happy (he’s a fixer..knight in shining armor type).... this has been phasing in an out for over a year (well also about 9 yrs)..But it reared it’s ugly head since breaking my arm and realizing it was much more than just a break....That is another story to share at another time...

I have a wonderful life! Do not get me wrong this is my fairytale life so why am I depressed and feeling worthless...

Well besides suffering from depression brought on by PTSD and having to battle that constantly and dealing with survivors guilt (which is another story too)...just something else to deal with and try to conquer...I also am not working for the first time since I was 16..I have always had a job...I became a nurse in 1993..That was my saving grace during my failing marriage and my years of trying to find myself and grow up to raise my oldest daughter...(I do not know how she became as wonderful as she is it is truly a miracle)....Now I can’t work, can’t find a job, and am forced to stay at home...plus add decreased income....Now do not get me wrong I always thought that was what I wanted to be a SAHM or a WAHM and it may still be but I think I wanted it on my terms...and I do miss the interaction with others...But I think that is who I became and now I am not sure who I am or what I like...So lets add to this that

I turned 40 this year...

So is this a mid-life crisis?
I don’t know but I am taking steps today and try to kick my self out of this....
Yesterday I yelled at my youngest for no reason..the signs of the past are coming back...so I see them so that is an advantage right?

You would think that as a nurse I would know what to do...But that is part of why I can’t get a job...I am a Pediatric Intensive Care Nurse and have always been at the bedside...never wanted to leave or climb the management ladder...there are some of us this is what we want to do...But I did get my BSN and even with 16 yrs of experience and a BSN, I either have not enough education or not enough experience...add in my inability to do CPR which is important for bedside nursing due to my injury to my left arm (the first other story)..Jobs are not available..do not get me wrong there are jobs out there but none for me..I have no adult experience, I specialized, so I put my career in a corner doing that. In addition, the area I live in there is only one PICU and children’s hospital. They currently are not hiring and do not have positions open above bedside nursing and there are a few other things....(not going there)

I think a job gave me structure..so how do I find that type of structure working from home? What do I do from home to bring in a little extra cash..not looking to get rich just have a few extra bucks.
I do like structure even though if you saw my house and life it would not look like it...
Furthermore, it gave me socialization that I do so love..and because my friends all work in the hospital it is hard to get to see them and interact..plus not having anything in common when they talk shop I have nothing to add.

So where do I fit in? What can I do? I am no longer the bread winner. How do you get through the adjustment? No, I did not have a CEO or bigwig job but for where I grew up I had a great paying job (job security... it was not factory work) and compared to the Marine Corps pay, I had a great job!

OK I am through with venting today on here and talking to myself (weird quirk I have) ;o)!
I am going to take a shower, shave my legs and see if I feel like a Human after wards.
( I know TMI)
I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Robin

PS thanks for letting me vent and reading my vent!

Supporting other Moms

Today is about a giveaway over at Buy By Mom. The giveaway is


"For the Americana Bash, Sew Fierce is offering up one Custom Made to Order Infant Gift Set which includes:

• (1) Monogrammed Embroidered Huggies Natural Care Wipes Travel Cases with Wipes Included
• (1) Embroidered Bib with snap closure
• (2) Matching Burp Cloths
  

Winner will get to select their choice of fabric, and Stephanie with Sew Fierce will go over all the details with the winner to ensure they get the perfect gift set."


Yes this is a direct quote from Buy By Mom.. I was not sure how to mention the contest in a way that would do it justice. But all the links are in the appropriate places to make sure you make your way over to check out the giveaway.

I found this by accident because Stephanie of Sew Fierce happened to spot the USMC uniform on my wonderful husband in my pic (Amazing how the military wives pick up on those...) and posted a comment so I went to her blog to show the love and in my snooping around found this.

So I wanted to do my job and spread the word!!!
I will be duplicating this and posting it on my other blog too!
Best of luck!
Huggs,
Robin

The weekend

So the Weekend went way too fast. But fun was had by all!

My best friend Joyce came in late Friday night from Denver. She had in tow Larae, who is currently living in Nashville. Larae was a new addition to the group. She jumped right in and fit very nicely with everyone. I really do hope she takes us all up on our offers and comes to visit.

So now for the weekend on Sat we all went to the beach. The goal was to see the ocean and play at the beach. With a late start and no clear destination in mind. We were just going with the flow it was Joyce and Larae's vacation. (So to speak... they did do some work...)
We ended up heading to Fort Macon in Atlantic Beach. This was a good place to meet up with everyone.
Well with it being summer, It was very crowded so we ended up all the way down at the Fort and on the sound side. This actually turned out very good for the kids to be able to wade and play in the surf (even though we are not suppose to because of all the boat traffic and currents on that side). So we stayed in shallow water and let the kids splash.
Here are a couple of pics...

Getting ready to hit the water

Here is my own little mermaid Aimee playing in the water

Brendon is not sure of the water

I left soon after this to attend the Toby Keith Concert in Raleigh. So I was covering some territory that day! (this was an awesome concert!!! Trace Adkins was there too..Met up with Lou Ann and some of her freinds at the concert... we had a blast)


On Sunday we had a cook out, played in the water and then went shrimping with Captain Jack. It was a very busy day.

Water play was a big hit for the kids!

Then it was off to conquer the sea with Captain Jack...

Here is a pic of our loot...

We estimated about 25lbs of shrimp.

The proud shrimpers!


Then it was the task to prep them and get them in the freezer....I was so glad to have this crew help with that!

Monday was their last day. So we tried for a game of golf (not me I was just driving a cart..the arm is no where ready for that). We were rained out before we even finished the second hole..so it was off to lunch and then relaxing at my house before we met up with friends for dinner. Joyce and Larae left after dinner for Raleigh to catch their planes the next morning.
This was sad I was so not ready for them to leave!! It just was not long enough.
But now I am looking forward to the next visit and maybe I can get to Denver soon!
I hope you enjoyed the short recant of my weekend!
Huggs,
Robin