my sparkles Archives - Page 2 of 21 - Insanity Is Not An Option

Yes, I know it’s UGLY, but I’m Under Construction!

I guess I need to address this hot mess that was once Insanity is NOT an Option. Right now, it kind of is an option. I might be ready for one of those cute white jackets that’s designed to make you hug yourself before this is all over. For real. I need a hug.

You see, I’m switching from Blogger to WordPress. For those of you that don’t understand that, it’s OK. I’m just here to tell you that I realize this place is a MESS (and I’m totally not a fan of messes). For those of you that do understand, HOLD ME!

It took awhile to move me and I actually vanished for some time. There was a code missing. It was a pretty important code too. But with the help of some friends, we got through that (and I wasn’t hospitalized). But now, I’ve got THIS. This black, not very sparkly, complete ugly mess.

It’ll be fixed soon and I’ll be sparkling again in no time. This is temporary (keep telling yourself that Christy) and my designer has my back. She just spent more time porting than anticipated so she had to put me on the back burner for a bit with the design work. It’s a process. I need to be patient, but I’m not.

So yea, hold me, please and thank you and be sure to stop back by. I’m just under construction. I haven’t lost my mind…YET!

3 Years What? Happy Blogiversary to Me!

By Christy 1 Comment

That’s right y’all. I’ve hung on to this little piece of .com real estate for 3 years now. I missed it by a day (or 2) but I’m 3 years old now. Don’t split hairs and point out the obvious. I’m talking about this blog, not about me.

It’s an amazing thing. They (whoever “they” are) say that the majority of blogs don’t withstand the first year. I’ve made it to THREE. Happy (we all knew I was stubborn) blogiversary to ME. My first post didn’t contain a single photo. It didn’t seem important back then. I just wanted to talk, to myself, even if I was the only one that listened. But other people joined along (again, I’d like to thank all 10 of you) and I grew. I learned that photos were important. I learned that sharing healthy recipes meant people that I had no clue existed would pop in from time to time. I grew.

I’m not huge (neither in stature nor page views) but I’ve grown. I like how I’ve organically grown and I love all of the other opportunities that this little dot on the internet map has afforded me. And I truly love the real life connections I’ve made since joining the blogging community. I’ve gotten really frustrated along the way and thought about throwing in the towel way more than once. This, along with my other gigs, is a lot of work. But I love what I do and I’m happy to be 3!

I’ve decided, I’m in this for the long haul. I’m sure I’ll still get frustrated from time to time. I’m sure I’ll be hit with the sudden urge to throw this laptop off of the balcony at least once a week. And I’m sure I’ll sit here and scratch my head wondering why, oh-why, would anyone want to read anything I have to write on a daily basis. But that’s OK. Because, as with anything that you truly love, there are always frustrations in life. If you see more good than bad. If the scale is tipped in your favor. You just don’t give up, and I don’t plan on it any time soon.

I’m proud of this little dot. I’m proud of myself and my staying power. This is the most fun and rewarding “job” I’ve ever had in my life. What are you most proud of in your professional career?

Time to Pass the Gauntlet

By Christy 11 Comments

My beautiful mother had 3 girls. I suppose she thought at some point she’d have grandchildren and it would be time to pass the gauntlet. I suppose she thought each of us girls would have children in order.

But the truth of the matter is, I’m the youngest of her 3 girls and I had her first and second grandchildren, both girls. My middle sister had her third grandchild, another girl. Then I had her fourth and fifth grandchildren, another girl and our first boy. Of course I did bring 2 step kids into the mix too so I was over fertile, even by marriage. She handed the gauntlet. Her kids were grown. It was time for her to just be a grandmother at that point, and she was happy to do it.

I knew at some point I would have to do the same thing. I have six kids and I can’t keep having them forever (insert huge sigh here knowing that Bubby will turn 5 in October). But it is what it is and I always knew it would happen. I figured all of my children would be older by then. But then again when you have children spanning from the ages of 24 all of the way down to 4, I guess you just never know.

My “big” girls are growing up, meanwhile I have one going into 1st grade and one that won’t even enter Kindergarten until next fall. I’m still the mom of young kids, babies even!

My big (baby) girls are 24 and 19. They’re gorgeous and they are proud big sisters, and I’m a proud momma. That’s enough right? I suppose the oldest will be a mom before long. I should get prepared to pass the gauntlet.

B and I are ready to be grandparents some day. When the babies are grown that is. But guess what? The babies won’t be grown before that happens.

Nope. My #2 is going to be a mommy in December. There, I said it. I wasn’t trying to hide it. I’m just superstitious and announcing these things too early makes me nervous. Like I’m jinxing things. But she’s far enough along now that I can tell you. I will be a Mimi and B will be a Poppy. Why those names? Because it makes me sound younger and him sound older (which makes me giggle for so many reasons). Give me this. I’m passing the gauntlet and hanging on to what I can through my excitement.

And by that time, my Bug will be a 7 year old aunt, and my Bubby will be a 5 year old uncle. I assume they will think this new little minion is their little sister although they won’t see her as much as we’d like. I’ll let them think what they want until they get a little bit older and understand it more. They’ll get it in a couple years and think it’s really cool. So do I.

I’m actually glad I get to hand over this coveted gauntlet when I’m young enough to enjoy it. I’m glad my babies will be around for years to come to watch their little niece grow. I’m proud of my daughter for the woman that she has become. I just wish we were closer in proximity so we could all enjoy this together on a daily basis.

Our family has an odd dynamic, but it works for us. I’ll be the mother of a preschooler and a Mimi all at the same time. What more could you ask for in life?