Cards to Jason from the girls

Sarah even included money. :)

Today's challenge: iFLY

Today is Jason's birthday.  **HAPPY BIRTHDAY!**

 I asked him last week if he'd be willing to take the day off so we could spend it together and go to iFLY as his birthday present.

He had a gift card he had never used.  And I am trying new things.  Seemed perfect to me.

iFLY is an indoor skydiving place.  I hate heights... won't climb on a ladder...  won't look down over our railing when I'm upstairs in the house.... I hold onto the railings all the way up when riding an escalator.  I hate small planes.  You get the idea.  This idea was a major thing for me!!

We had some time to kill before our flight so we watched the instructors for a while doing their thing.

Bad idea. 

Jason said the color drained from my face.  I knew he was right because my fingers and toes went cold and numb.  Just watching.

I almost had tears in my eyes-- I'll admit it-- and said, "Jason, I don't want to do it."

He told me I didn't have to but that I'd be perfectly safe.

We met our instructor, Andrew, who took us through the training video.  He tried to crack jokes, and I laughed politely.  But he took one look at me and said, "You look really nervous."

Ummm, YES!!!!  What gave it away?  The trembling?  The ashen color of my face? The look of dread in my eyes?

Jason told him that this was a really big deal for me to be there, doing this.

We suited up and headed into the chamber where you sit on a bench and wait your turn.  I said I wanted to go first.  I did NOT want to watch any more people do this thing before I did it.

Andrew motioned for me to go to the door of the wind tunnel, fall in, and he'd catch me.  I told him, "no".  Still terrified!!

He showed me what he wanted me to do, and I made myself get off the bench.  One of the hardest things I've ever done was getting off that bench and walking to the door.

But then I flew!! :)

We had two flights and the video below is of the second flight.   At the end he made me stand on the cables and walk to the door instead of flying me to the door, like they usually do. 

Being able to walk on the cables is difficult... As you'll see, the wind was blowing at 105 mph, and I couldn't get my bearings.  I look like I messed in my pants. But I promise I didn't. :)

Watch until the end because my reaction once I'm in the hallway sums up the way I felt perfectly!!

JULIE-- FLIGHT #2

I am SO GLAD I did it!!! I think I'm still on an adrenaline high three hours later.  Might look like nothing but fun to you, but it was a majorly big breakthrough for me.

WOO HOO!!

And since it's Jason's big day, here's the birthday boy's flight.  He loved it!!! He couldn't get enough.

JASON-- FLIGHT #2

What a day!

Top Golf

Last night Jason and I went with a group of five other couples to Top Golf in The Colony.  This was another exercise in leaving my comfort zone.

My hand/eye coordination is TERRIBLE.  Tennis, baseball, golf... count me out!  I can putt into a lion's mouth at Putt Putt.  That's where it ends.

Of the girls that went out last night, half of us had never done this before.  We split up into two bays.  Three couples on one side, three on the other.  I can't speak to how well the newbies did in Bay 301, but the newbie with me was a natural!!!

Don't you just love people like that?! *side eye*  

I used a 6 iron.  I was told that as the numbers go up, the ball goes straighter.  As they go down, the ball goes higher. Six seemed like a good number in the middle.

I missed the ball several times.  SEVERAL times.  And, if you've never been before, the set up is such that your friends are on the couch, drinking and watching you hit (or miss) the ball (several times). 

One even joked, "Is this bringing back T-Ball memories for you?" :) LOL.  Yes.  Yes it was!  But I can laugh at myself... especially with enough alcohol.

Eventually I hit every ball.  One sort of rolled off the tee and off the side of the building, but hey-- contact!  ;)

So here were the scores for Round One... Guess which one is mine!

I know you're thinking... last place.  A 12.  And you're shaking your head, wanting to believe I did better than that.

Well, smarty pants, I'll have you know that--- yes, I scored 12.  :(

(Did I score 12 or shoot 12?  I don't know.)

But I'm challenging myself.  Learning to feel comfortable being uncomfortable.  Trying things that bring out insecurities.

So I ordered another drink.  And saddled up for Round 2.

During Round 2, Brian (one of the guys we were with) suggested that I switch to a pitching wedge.  It's a shorter club and might be easier for me.

I liked it a lot better!  And my friends told me that even though I "half- swing", which I guess means I'm not swinging as hard as I should, I hit the ball solidly every time with the new club.  My problem was that I needed to line up my shot differently because I kept hitting the ball into the same place every time... thus amassing a bevy of goose eggs.  Not good for the scores.

I did much better the second round... Look!!  Player 9.

A 34!! :)

Still horrible!!

But so much better than a 12!! :)

Perseverance.  Not taking myself too seriously.  Doing my best to be coachable.  And lots and lots of vodka are what I attribute to my success.

Next challenge day-- Tuesday!!  Stay tuned ;)

listeria hysteria

So Blue Bell pulled all of their products from the shelves in an abundance of caution because over the past 5 years ten people (most of whom were already sick and had weakened immune systems) died from a listeria contamination.

I don't mean to belittle the loss of life.  I think the amount of media coverage is a bit of an overreaction to the problem though.

What shocks me is how many people are being "forced" to find another brand in the interim.  Why not just stop buying ice cream altogether for now?

That's when I realized ice cream is a "go to" dessert for a lot of people.  It's a staple in the freezer.

If everyone else does it, I wondered why I don't. So I started thinking....

Four reasons I don't keep ice cream on hand...

1. I think it takes up too much freezer space.  Space I need for my freezer-burned casseroles I made months ago and forgot about.

2. It makes me cold. I don't want dessert to make me cold.

3. It's hard to scoop.  And my knuckles always get sticky when I scoop it.

Obviously I scoop wrong.  I know.

4. I like chocolate.  Everyone else wants homemade vanilla, And vanilla with Hershey's syrup is NOT the same as chocolate ice cream.

All that's to say. .. I may be weird but at least my world isn't turned upside down because Blue Bell is unavailable.  ;)

Last night recap

I read an article about things you should do once you turn 30.

Things like... stop eating fast food.  Start lifting weights.  Yada yada yada.

But one thing they said was, "Do something that scares you every day."

I. LOVE. THIS.   Well, I love the idea of this anyway.

The older I get the more I believe in the importance of getting out of your comfort zone.  I really don't want to fall into a routine that isn't challenging. I like pushing myself. It's a RUSH.  The fear and nerves that set in make the sense of accomplishment that much greater when you conquer the challenge.

It could be big things... like training for a marathon... or small things... like trying a new hair color.  Life's too short to limit yourself to the "same old/same old".

Which actually brings up this point--- My mom and I were talking yesterday, and she said something to the effect of, "Life is too short to choose to be unhappy.  You only go around once."  Attitude is everything!!  Believing you can do something or that life is good is the key to making that your reality.

There are bazillions of books about how important your mindset is.

So here's where I'm going with this.... are you still following me? In a very long-winded way, I'm saying... I've resolved to continue to do things that push me.  To wholeheartedly believe that I can do whatever I put my mind to.

Yesterday-- as I've said-- I modeled at a little fashion thing.  And I was terrified!

Standing in front of a group of women knowing that they're judging the way you look is the stuff nightmares are made of.  We all know men may do an overall scan, but women pick each other apart.

I've become comfortable in the last couple of years with being the center of attention if I'm talking.  I can keep your attention if I'm able to show my personality and crack jokes and gesture a lot. It's my presentation style. :)

Standing silently in an outfit I didn't choose, knowing that people are judging the clothing based on the way it fits my body... ugh.



Here are the top 5 things that made last night awkward:

1.  The white pants---

My first outfit required white pants.  The white pants I needed were being worn by the first model.  So I had to wait for her to be finished with them so I could put them on.

Jane, the lady heading up this shindig, told me to get dressed in my outfit.  I said I couldn't because I didn't have the pants.  She was a little stressed and repeated herself again in a "Don't argue with me" tone.  So I went to my dressing room and put on my shirt and my jacket and stood there... pants-less.

Then someone opened my door so I could hear the emcee, saw me pants-less, and walked away with the door open.  Is this some sort of hazing?  I don't know. Not the debut I intended to make.

Thankfully, the dressing rooms are in the back of the showroom where we were having the event.  Only a couple of people saw.

Oh-- and also the pants that I was waiting on were being worn by a lady in her early 60s.  Not that there's anything wrong with being 60, but I don't want to share pants.


2.  The blue jacket--

I had a blue jacket on and was instructed to take it off and show the crowd the shirt underneath.  I acted like a moron who had never worn a jacket before.  I fumbled trying to get it off.  It was like zippers and snaps were the most challenging things ever created.  Awful.

I started to sweat.  So so much sweat.  I hope no one ended up buying the shirt I was wearing.


3.  Nicole--

Nicole is a size 00, tall, pretty, Black woman with big boobs and her own radio and television show.  Everything looks GREAT on Nicole.  Nicole is charismatic.  Even though we're supposed to stand there quietly, she owned that stage and was able to make people laugh, and they were whispering about how cute she is.

No lie-- every time she came out, there was an audible gasp because she was so stunning.

Guess who was in line right behind Nicole and had to follow her act every.single.time.?

Boo.


4.  The black heels--

I needed black heels for one skirt.  I forgot them in my van.  I ended up borrowing black heels from a woman in her 70s.

Her heels were way cuter and way sexier than any black heels I own.

I think I need a black heel intervention.


5.  Water + No bathroom--

I needed to go to the bathroom the entire time I was there.

I wasn't hurting, but by the end of the night, I was dancing, if you know what I mean.

In fact, this pressing need may have contributed to my awful sweating habit and part of the reason I was flustered and couldn't get the blue jacket off.


BUT I got through it! :)
I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and decided that, if nothing else, I'll have a good laugh when it's over.

I'm not planning on doing anything that scares me today, but I'm trying something new tomorrow!! :)  I'll tell you about it later!

TGIF!  Have a good one!

Homemade instrument

Caroline: "I found this in the recycling bin. I'm going to use it to make an instrument to bring to school."

Um, NO, you're not.

update: found 4 looks

I will be wearing four different outfits during the fashion show tonight.

There was a pair of pants I couldn't even come close to buttoning.  It was a 00... and I am MORE THAN ok with being bigger than a 00. :)

not the right size

My phone conversation yesterday with a family friend who works at a high-end boutique.

Friend:   Julie,  I have some ladies coming to the store tomorrow night for a spring trend fashion event and was wondering if you'd wear one of the looks. A doctor's wife had to back out at the last minute. 

It's a size 0.

Me: I'm honored you'd ask me, but I'm not a 0.

Friend: Really?? You used to be. 

Me: (as if the implication of weight gain isn't enough I had to say out loud) Yes I know.  But I've gained weight.

Friend: Well there are a couple of size 2s. But the woman who was going to model complained they were too big on her.

Me: Twos may be iffy too.

Friend: (with a hint of either shock or disgust in her voice) No! Really?!?! Well, I guess we could always go to a 4. Come by the shop tomorrow and we'll see if anything fits you.

Awesome.  Looking forward to today. :/

A post for my kids

As a middle child of 3, here's a post for my 3.  Read it when you're grown, and it will make sense. Normally this is the type of thing I would write in your journals, but I'm online... and I type faster than I write.  Forgive me. ;)


I am not oblivious to the dynamics of the three of you at this age... (9, 8, and 5)

I acknowledge that dynamics change.

I am WELL AWARE that there are things, have been things, and will be things that I don't see that will affect the way you feel about each other.

But let me go "on record" with what I do see.

First, let me confirm the "beefs" you have with each other that you think I don't see.

Sarah--- She takes over.  Jack and Caroline, you can be playing alone or together.  If you introduce her to the mix, she will make up new rules, talk louder than the two of you combined, and make it hard for either of you to contribute.  You say she's bossy.  I see where you're coming from.  You're not crazy.

Jack--- He thinks he knows EVERYTHING.  Sarah and Caroline, he will correct you.  He will ask you questions that he knows you don't know the answer to just so that he can tell you the right answer.  You say he's a know-it-all.  I see where you're coming from.  You're not crazy.

Caroline--- She acts entitled.  Sarah and Jack, I see that she cleans up slower than anyone else so she has to do less work. She will fein incompetence when she doesn't want to do something.  She has fewer expectations put on her than you older 2 do.  You say she's spoiled.  I see where you're coming from.  You're not crazy.

.........

"So why don't you step in, Mom??"  That's what you're asking, right?  If I see it happening, why don't I intervene?

First, let me say that I do interject sometimes.  But it's not my job to make every road smooth sailing for you. Your siblings give you GREAT practice at resolving conflict and standing up for yourselves.  There are times I hear the arguing and then watch and listen to what happens next.

THIS is how I know what your problems are with each other.  THIS is how I know what your strengths are and where I need to coach you on how to either back off or stand strong.  I wouldn't know your dynamics if I stepped in every time before the powder keg exploded.  Things have to bubble over sometimes.  I can't nip every conflict in the bud.

........


Now let me remind you of the sweet things you think I don't see.

Sarah--- Sarah will drop what she's doing and take you to the park, Caroline.  She is so proud of you and impressed with how smart you are, Jack.  She toasts your Pop Tarts for you and fills your bath water for you, Caroline.  She laughs harder than anyone else at your jokes, Jack, because she understands you in a way that no one else possibly can.  She would WITHOUT QUESTION go to bat for and defend either of you in a HEARTBEAT.  She loves you both!!!

Jack--- Girls, Jack notices when you look pretty, and he tells you.  Caroline, Jack will play games and teach you things and play school with you when no one else will. He lets you spend the night on his top bunk when you have a hacking cough, and it's a school night.  He'll lose sleep to make you happy. He LOVES being your big brother and takes it very seriously.  Sarah, he knows a lot... this is true... but he looks up to you! He knows that you've done more and experienced more in your 9 years than he has in his 8 years.  He may fight over pecking order with you, but ultimately he knows and respects that you're the oldest.  He would WITHOUT QUESTION go to bat for and defend either of you in a HEARTBEAT.  He loves you both!!!

Caroline---  Caroline just wants to keep up with you two.  She loves you both so much!! She knows she can count on you to walk her to class or buy a book for her at the book fair when she's unsure of herself.  She follows you both around because she's studying your every move.  I've heard her repeat jokes and talk like each of you... because she's always watching... which means you have an incredible responsibility to her.  She will likely never be able to give to you the "role model" aspect that you give to her, but she gives you a reason to be the best you can be.  And you have to know that she looks up to you both!  She would WITHOUT QUESTION go to bat for and defend either of you in a HEARTBEAT.  She loves you both!!!

................

A dynamic of three is SO complicated.  Everyone has options.  This one's mean to me so I'll go play with that one.  This one's my favorite. That one was always rude.  It's not just you and one other kid against the world.  There's always room for someone to be the odd man out.

I want to remind you, though, that whatever issues you may feel towards each other as you grow--- while likely valid and grounded in some sort of truth--- MUST be tempered with the unwavering love you show each other daily.

Conflict is normal and natural and healthy.  But you three are a TEAM.  You love each other.  You are bound together-- growing up in this family, this neighborhood, these times.  You give each other understanding and support that Dad and I could never give you.

Hold on to Truth and Love.
Know that I understand that the irritations and injustices you've experienced and will experience are real.
But LET IT GO.
Choose love and friendship, and y'all will make it through whatever life throws at you.

You're good kids, and I'm SO blessed that you're mine!! xoxoxo

First tooth necklace

The first McGlamery kid to lose a tooth at school and get the coveted tooth necklace from the nurse.

It's a big day!!

CASA gala

Friday night Hilary texted me to see if I wanted to go to the CASA gala with her this weekend.  Her husband is out of town, and the friend she was going with bailed at the last minute.

Lucky for her (and me), I'm a loser with absolutely nothing going on and am ready and willing to be a last minute date. 

CASA and the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center are my favorite charities to help with or attend events that benefit them.  The work they do is SO very important!! 

So the dress I'm wearing doesn't look that great in this pic.  It has a really low back and that makes it fun and special.  I should've posed facing the giant boot. ;)

They had casino tables set up.  Hilary and I decided to learn how to shoot craps.  John was an excellent instructor.  We got really good by the end of the night.  And it is BY FAR the most social table in the casino.  Cheering and talking.  It's my new favorite game.

Neither of us had any idea that our friend, Nancy, was being honored.  She is very deserving!

After dinner, we gambled more... we went from $2500 to $9400 over the course of the night.  If only these tickets could buy things!!

Then we did a little line dancing and two-stepping.  We will shut a dance floor down.  Watch out!!

A special, fancy girls' night out!  Thanks for thinking of me, Hil.  xo  

Knock it out in a day

Since all 3 kids are at the same school, I've become a "See you at 2:45!" kind of mom.

I don't want to volunteer in the classroom.

I don't want to work the school store.

Need a mystery reader? Ask someone else.

If you need parents to send in more glue sticks, I'll hit up Walmart for you.

More Kleenex for allergy season?  I'm your girl.

But I've served my time holding 2 positions on the PTA Board.  I've served my time spending every waking minute with my kids. 

 Now that they're all elementary age, I'm 100% OK with giving them a hug and a kiss and not seeing them again until 2:45.

However, now that I'm not working, I signed up to help with Field Day this year.  First time ever.

I also helped last week with 2nd Grade Measurement Olympics.  

So. Much. Volunteering. I'm exhausted. ;)

Anyway, every year I promise I will eat lunch with them at school... once.  

Today was that day.  And I knocked them all out today.

.......

Jack eats at 11:00.  Sarah is 11:30. Caroline is 12:30.

I worked out this morning and laid on the ground... a sweaty mess.  I finally peeled myself off the ground, looked at the clock, saw that it was 10:08, and realized that I needed to:

~ shower

~ shave

~ get dressed

~ makeup on/hair done

~ get food 

~ and get to school

in 52 minutes.

I realize you might be thinking, "If you're in a rush, why waste time shaving?"  

Because I NEEDED to shave.  Trust me.

You might be thinking, "Well then, just put on jeans or wear a maxi skirt."

Shut up.  Stop making sense.  Hindsight logic is obnoxious.

I was frantic.  And then I started sweating from the shower, the hair dryer, and the flat iron.  There is nothing more frustrating than sweating when you're getting cleaned up.  Am I right?

Somehow I got ready, bought food at Whataburger, and pulled into the school parking lot at 10:59. 

Nothing short of miraculous.

.........

JACK

Jack's goal for 2015 is "to try new sandwiches".

Don't ask.  

But, hey, at least he's goal oriented.

He's added a Reuben and a Philly Cheesesteak to his list of new sandwiches this year.  He wanted me to buy him a Club from Potbelly, but they weren't open at 10:50.

So I got him a Patty Melt from Whataburger.

..........

SARAH

Sarah came out next and she had her Whataburger, ketchup only.  

Her 2015 goal is most definitely NOT trying new sandwiches.  

...........

CAROLINE

Then I had 30 minutes to kill before Caroline came.  So I went to get myself Chipotle, and she had requested McDonald's.

I headed back to the school and got there with time to spare.

..........

I feel accomplished. :)

But I CAN'T WAIT for them to go to school tomorrow so I can get a few things done!

"See you at 2:45!"

Kicking the ball around

Since we drove to soccer practice and suspiciously no one was here, I decided to check email.

They canceled practice an hour ago.

Guess I'm the only dummy who didn't check messages.

I would argue that a texting system might work better to notify parents of cancellations. But oh well.

Might as well play a little since we are here.

Jack + Caroline

This sweet big brother played Twister, Candyland, jumped on the trampoline with, and gave a piggyback ride to Caroline today.

He deferred to her, let her win, and didn't argue.

It was heartwarming! (And saved me from playing Twister and Candyland.) ;)

Haha, happy Monday!

This was shared on facebook by one of my friends.

It's so funny. And real. And awkward.

I had tears I was laughing so hard.

The back story: This family was headed back home to Massachusetts.  They made a pit stop. The dad intended to get out and stretch his legs...

Heads up: The problem won't be solved during the filming. But according to the family's post, they do stop laughing and get him out. :)

Happy 1st birthday, Emory and Luke!!

My sweet nephews turned one yesterday and had a Masters themed birthday party.  I'm not sure what all that entails, but my parents flew to Virginia to celebrate with them.  I'm sure I'll get all the details from them!

I can't believe how much they've grown!

Such a sweet family :)

Love y'all!!

Reese's "adoptiversary"

Sunday marked one year since we adopted Reese.  So we got her a cake from Three Dog Bakery.  

 

 

And I made the Pioneer Woman's Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever for us.  Still as good as I remember!

 

 

The kids gave Reese presents.  Sarah picked out the flower collar accessory.  Caroline gave her a charm for her collar and this blue bone.  And Jack picked out a chicken flavored rawhide stick. 

All BIG HITS!

 

 

Jason took her to the park to let her play.  I know she has no idea why she had a great day, but that's one sweet look of contentment.

 

 

We love you, Reese!! 

Roughriders game

 Friday night was the Roughriders game.  Not well attended, but that that was fine with us!! We had a blast!

 

 

 

Sarah had a sleepover so I took these two.

 

 

This guy caught a foul ball.  A little too close for comfort if you ask me.  I don't want to die via foul ball.

 

 

This kids spent a lot of time on the playground as predicted.

 

 

And I got suckered into the foam fingers again.  Like I said... and as you can see... hardly anyone was there, so I'm assuming not many people were annoyed when they ran down the stairs waving their fingers.

 

 

Daddy/daughter date night

Caroline's turn to go out with Jason.  She chose to bowl as well. :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter 2015

The pics we got Easter weekend... 

 

 

 

it never gets old :)

As they said, "In honor of the Masters..."

throwback TUESDAY

Yeah, yeah I know it's not Thursday.  My dad found an old pic of Sarah from 2010 that I had to share.


I remember this day at Polished.  (I probably blogged about it.)

She was 4. Jack was 3 and Caroline's was 8 months.  I was so consumed with the 3 kids that I was making an effort to spend individual time with each one.

On my date with Sarah,  we decided to get her first manicure!

She sat so still and so quietly.  She had a Sprite... very fancy! She was watching everything intently and trying to hold her fingers just right as they painted them.

When it was time to go, she asked me to put her sunglasses on her and she flashed me this smile....

Diva :)

Gosh, I love her!!

Sometimes a Dad has to prove to his scared 5 year old that bad guys can't break in by coming down the chimney.

#irrationalbedtimefears

Relaxing in the pool

Reese has the right idea...

Passover dinner

Pics of attendees

Finished products

Eggs are complete.

One child had a red/blue pattern.
One wanted the colors of the rainbow.
One was whimsical and went wherever the wind blew. Including tie dye.

Can you guess which belongs to each child?