Jury Duty?

I have jury duty for the first time ever! I am having a hard time with this, I do not judge anybody period!  Who am I to say if someone is innocent or not? In my eyes everyone is innocent, that person could have a real good reason to commit t a crime.  I am not the one to judge, God is.  Now these poor people's fate is in my hands. 

Let's also not overlook that I don't like to hear disturbing details, no lie horror movies gives me nightmares.  If movie doesn’t have a happy ending, I will probably cry, followed by DH reminding me that these are actors and everybody is really ok.  But it's the grueling plot and details that get me so upset, the thought of somebody thinking of these disturbing movies (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) just send chills up my spin.

Needless to say I have been praying for weeks that this will be better than expected.  Any tips or advice on how I can get through this with a clear conscience?

Daybook: October 21, 2011

Outside my window... it’s 50 degrees outside and the sun is coming up

I am thinking... this weekend, I will have 4 little boys all day tomorrow :)

I am thankful for... it’s Friday, spending time with my nephews tomorrow, going to be a bridesmaid,

From Monkey’s lesson... he is learning about eating healthy so I am going to take that to a new level of healthy spooky eating this weekend

In the kitchen... nothing! This could be bad lol

I am wearing... brown pants with a orange sweater and one of my favorite heels…pep toe with a cow design on them   

I am creating... I know it’s early but I am creating thanksgiving plans, menu, and events.  My inlaws will be up from NC and I want to take advantage of them being here

I am going... to have a coffee date with Brittany for lunch

I am wondering… about dinner tonight and what to do with 4 boys tomorrow

I am reading... nothing!! At the moment I am putting up some fun free Halloween decorations so all my night energy is fixed on that

I am hoping and praying... all the mommas to be out there; Tiffany is due in 35 days, another friend has another 4 more months, and Matuska Anna is a few weeks pregnant.

I am looking forward to… spending the weekend with friends and family, Halloween (it’s the first time I get to see Monkey with his preschool class), meeting Tiffany’s baby, seeing who wins Sarah's blog every away she has been blogging for one year and is giving away her favorite children's book,  and my best friend just got engage so another wedding in May 2013

I am hearing... my Pandora radio Carrie Underwood station

Around the house... finish putting up Halloween decoration and carve out the pumpkin this weekend

One of my favorite things... playing with the kids outside during this glorious weather

Picutre I want to share... are from when Monkey was 7 months old, one of my favorite of him still to this day.  Oh yea, this crazy momma painted that pumpkin to match his outfit lol

Fun Fact

I laugh at myself

more than

I laugh at others

Who am I?

Who am I

Just to make it a little more fun, I asked my sister to answer a few questions about me. Their answers are in a different color so make things a little more clear.

How would you describe yourself? 

I am a passionate sensitive person who loves to have fun and enjoy a good laugh. I don’t have any problem laughing at myself and talk to myself ALL the time.  It takes a long time for me to open up, I have trust issues, but once I open up your world will change lol.  Once I trust you, you will find me demanding, only because I care and want the best for you that I want you a part of my family.  I have a hard time taking NO as an answer.  My closest friends are my family, and once you are in, you can never leave lol just kidding. 

I asked my sister’s to answer this question about me, her answer: I would say you’re a very hard worker, you like your life organized and you take care of everyone around you.

What do people most often criticize about me?

I felt it wasn’t right to answer this question personally so my sister said some would say you can be a little too organized.

What are your pet peeves?

Two things, first I hate drama.  I know it’s part of our lives and everyone has them but some people make and need drama.  My second pet peeve; I truly don’t judge anybody nor their drama.  I find myself finding close family and friends wanting to be judge, they feel they don’t hold up to my standards, but I have very low standards and that drives me crazy.  I know it’s a crazy pet peeve but it’s mine.  The only thing I want from my family and friends is for them to be in my life if they REALLY want to be. That’s it.  I don’t care about money, status, lifestyle, choices.  Don’t get me wrong I want everyone to be happy but what makes me happy could be something completely different. And I am truly ok with that, that’s the way God made us.  Everybody is on a different path and I embrace that.

What are you passionate about?

Church, family and friends are on the top of the list, if they are not happy I am not happy.  I am also passionate about cooking for my family and friends and taking pictures of them. One of my favorite things to do for fun is just to hang around home (we have a sports bar in the basement) with great company and good food.  Even my friends will call me up and say “I need some lounge time” I will call up the crew and we will eat, share, laugh, and drink. 

I only give my opinions on the things I am passionate about; I go with the flow with everything else. Everything else is just “details” to me, I don’t care about how, when, where, I care about WHO. Therefore I am not controlling actually I rather somebody else make all the decision on all the details.  

What are your priorities?

My priorities might be different than some, church and family come first.  And to keep it that way we have some house rules.  We eat dinner together every night, there is no work or shopping to be done on Sundays, that’s a day for church and family only. We try are best not having to work overtime to pay the bills. Which means to reduce the financial stress in our house and to live under our means we are making it a priority to live a simply life.  My number one priority right now is to raise a well rounded child; I want him to have fun, to love, to learn, and to be sweet.  My second priority is my husband, next is the rest of my family and friends, then the house, finally and defiantly last… work.

What do people most often criticize about you? How do you handle stress and pressure?

These two questions I feel have the same answer if you ask my husband. I like to make lists and I take baby steps with everything. I am not a risk taker, I will to research, plan, and have a backup plan with lots of prayer all over. I don’t like stress, I hate conflict, and the whole thing makes me sick.

What is your greatest weakness and strength?

I have a horrible short term memory when it comes to details and I am a great listener. I feel the two go hand in hand because when someone wants to tell me their problems they really don’t want to talk about it again in the future which is great because I don’t remember all the details.  My one best friend calls me “the vault”; because she tells me everything and I will never bring it up again and never tell another soul.

Another weakness I have is if I trust you I really believe everything you will tell me (my DH hates this) I just don’t know why someone would lie to me.  I see this as a strength because I am never looking for people flaws or holes in their stories.  However I have to trust you firs.  It does take a lot for me to trust someone, without trying I study people’s behaviors and reactions, I am very observant person, I don’t miss a beat. (Fun Fact: When DH and I go out to dinner, we pick a couple and try to find “their” story based on body language) I can pick out a trouble maker/ liar; I have excellent judge of character.  But I never try to change a person, if they want to think the world is flat, let them.  I won’t argue with a person; I’ll nod my head and walk away, to me that’s just details.  Thank the lord that I never ever fell for peer pressure, I know the world is round but I never seem the point in arguing with someone or calling out their lie.  What good would it do? 

My sister said my strength is “Your willingness to help everyone, to work hard for what you want and that you keep your eye on the prize.”  And weakness is “I don't think you take enough time to just go with the flow, you might be missing something you would really enjoy.”

What motivates you? What are your goals for the next five years / ten years?

Another two questions one answer.  My mother always says that I am a very highly motivated person.  I just try to see the big picture and stay on the right track, sure I have taken a few turns but I always get back on that dirt road which leads me to the only thing I want, my family to a happy healthy future. The only goal I see in our future is more children.  I don’t want material things, sure now and then I see something and will be amazed but the next morning I remember what my family needs and don’t need.

What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them? If you know someone is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it? My biggest problem is dealing with other love ones.  I hate conflict but that’s part of life. I’m not a drama girl but I will stand up for myself and for a love one.  I have strong beliefs and values plus I’m from Jersey.  I can have a temper and get a little unrashable (can’t believe this isn’t a word).  However when I get in a disagreement with someone I love, I learned to walk away, pray, then talk about without getting my emotions too involved. 

When was the last time you were angry? What happened?

It’s been a tough month for me lol.  I have been upset with my boss and husband (totally in need for confession) With my boss, it’s about control issue, but I remember myself, it’s just details and it really doesn’t affect my life.  However with my husband, I felt he wasn’t paying attention to me and I felt unappreciated. I was dealing with a lot of emotions (you might have noticed the lack of post in this month) after a few days of prayers and talking to my best friend who always reminds to me see if from another light. I was reminded that men and women are different and that we are still growing as a couple and new parents of an active toddler. I talk to my husband and we are better, still working on the issues but back on the right track.

How do people misjudge you?

I can be very quite not because I am shy but because I don’t want to say something stupid or something I will regret (I have been known to talk before I think).  I don’t talk about people, when someone is gossiping; you can tell I get very unconformable.  I also can’t tell I good story, that’s something my husband hates too.  You may have notice, I don’t complain or like talking about myself, I rather give a Monkey story than anything about me me (I meant to double that on purpose).  But I feel you all should know who I am.

Thank you for the past year!

I have been blogging for one full year plus two days !

Here are some fun stats:

All time page views 3,470 (average about 10 a day)

I wrote 195 post

Top Five Posts

1) The Help (that’s because of the movie)

2) My only goal today (thanks to Matushka Anna)

3) Memorial Day Prayer

4) Perfect shirt for Monkey’s Safari Party (don’t ask me why)

5) Introduction

I have been awarded for "Keeping it real" award (thanks to Matushka Anna)

I am really happy to see people from all over the world reading my blog;

Canada, France, South Korea, Germany, Slovenia, India, Romania, Denmark, and Greece..plus all 50 states!

Some measurable changes in my life from the last 12 months

1) I pray more, in fact thanks to reading The Help, I keep a list of people to pray for and what I need to pray for ( I have horrible short term memory)

2) A little embarrassed to say but this time last year I didn’t fast on Wednesday but now I do :)

3) My grocery bill has dropped $50 a month, plus we aren’t eating out as much and I am baking more!!

4) I lost 10 pounds since last year (ok that’s not really blog related just wanted to share lol)

5) Monkey is still not potty trained but he knows some of his colors, he kinda can count, write the letter T, O, M, and W (I didn't focus on ANY of these letters, lol kids)

Ok but here is what I am really happy and thankful for, the great relationships that have been created through this blogging world.  A year ago, I didn’t know how to connect with people who have the same values and beliefs as me. I belong to a church where it’s more of an older generation than younger, and our family isn’t Orthodox (or really Christian) so it was a struggle at first but I am so happy where my family is at today. It might have taken me a little longer but I am here.  It’s tough and tired but that means we are on the right track.

When I first started this blog, my main goal was to be a better Orthodox Momma, and thanks to your support, tips, and advance, I am 100% better at my main job. I always said it takes a village to raise a child, I never imagine it takes the whole world :)

THANK YOU and I can't wait to see what this year will bring!