25 Things About Me!

Well, I believe this may classify as a 'cheat' post today but necessary to appease my friends who have tagged me (on Facebook) and are interested in 25 Things About Me. If they know me well enough to tag me, then I am assuming that there's nothing on this list that will come as a complete surprise. Nonetheless, here it is...

1. This list will follow some sort of order which makes sense to me because I am anal like that and could quite possibly be diagnosed with some form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

2. I have a Life List. It has no order but I do check off and add items to it. I feel successful and hopeful when I do.

3. I never tell my middle name when asked and if you are close enough to me to know it, please don't ever share it. I detest it and I don't even know why!

4. My dog has a middle name, it's Trump! When her fur grows, she has a nasty comb over!

5. I have a mini-shrine of my first dog, Pebbles. It includes her ashes in an urn, her scrapbook I made (and haven't yet finished), a couple of angel figurines and a shadow box with her paw print, a tuft of her fur, her collar, her photo and the poem I wrote for her.

6. I can say the entire alphabet backwards and with a tune, to boot! I can also write backwards and upside down. I think there's something with the way my brain is wired.

7. I'm a lefty which could possibly be the reason for #6.

8. Music is a big part of my life. I listen to music to suit my mood so my library of songs varies. I won't even try to list my favourites but I can tell you that I cannot resist cranking "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz to daring decibels when I hear it!

9. I sing, "You Are My Sunshine" to my baby girl, who is 8, every night before bed. I've been doing this since the day I found out I was pregnant with her and she cannot go to sleep without it.

10. I started college three weeks before I gave birth to my first child. Yes, I finished and graduated with honours and proudly gave the Valedictory Address as my 20-month-old daughter pointed at me and clapped her hands!

11. I love camping. I seasonal camp which means I set up my 'Jayco Jayflight 31BHDS' trailer at a nearby park and live in it for the entire summer!

12. My strongest sense is my sense of smell. I remember so much based on the scent around me. I specifically bought a different pit-stick for my trip to Punta Cana so that whenever I want to be 'taken back' to paradise, I can juice my pits, take a sniff and there I am! (SUPERSTAR)

13. ♫ I had the time of my life ♫ in Punta Cana!

14. Dirty Dancing is one of my favourite movies. Are you singing now?

15. I don't watch T.V. I have actually tried to force myself to get into a show and I can't. There are also very few movies that I've watched and remembered.

16. There are quite possibly over 100 apples in my kitchen. No, not real ones, it's the decor!

17. I am addicted to Diet Pepsi! If I do not consume at least one can (and it must be a can) each day, I just may snap! It's really bad!

18. My first best-friend is still my best-friend. I continue to call her Pal because she'll forever be My Pal!

19. I always wait to take the last fortune cookie.

20. I bake the best chocolate chip cookies, according to my Dad.

21. If I would have had a son, his name would have been Andrew Jeremy after two of my favourite men. Tony is taken and my nephew owns it well!

22. I married the first boy I kissed. We first exchanged wedding vows when we were 10. My friend performed the ceremony in her backyard.

23. I only have one regret about my 'real' wedding day, maybe two? I didn't get a professional photo taken of my beautiful flower girl (our daughter) by herself and we left the celebration too early.

24. I make wishes at 12:34.

25. I am not a morning person and I don't even try to be because I can't fake things because I wear my heart on my sleeve and this could count for another thing about me and put me over the "25" quota but I don't care because this is MY list and sometimes I like to break rules because I can, SO THERE!

I really could go on and on because another Thing About Me is that I am seldom stuck for words but since the title says 25, I'll stick to it!

Mindless Mondays

Not that I am brilliant any other day of the week, but Mondays? Forget it! You'd think that knowing this at my age, there would be something I could do to combat the stuper I find myself in as a new week begins? Nope!

I am without a doubt, not a morning person. I am sure that my Mindless Monday begins at the shocking sound of that bad black box! As I drag my lifeless body and absent mind around the house getting myself ready and making sure the girls are doing the same, I grunt, moan, sputter and think very unpleasant thoughts about the day ahead of me. I have even tried planning exciting things on Mondays to be sure I had something positive to look forward to. As the day moves along without my full participation, my mood does eventually ease however, once night falls, I am useless once again.

Sunday night insomnia could possibly be to blame for the reason I loathe Mondays. I find myself planning out the entire week from activities to meals to clothing to the impossible! Sheesh...go to sleep and figure it out tomorrow!

I do work Monday to Friday at an elementary school so I might add that this problem is somewhat seasonal and does completely correct itself each July. Finally some reprieve for about 9 Mondays. Ahh...

So, until the final school bell rings on June 26th, here's to the next 17 Mondays I have to get up!

Fabulous Furry Friends

DOG

When GOD made the earth and sky, the flowers and the trees,

He then made all the animals, the fish, the birds and bees.

And when at last he'd finished, not one was quite the same,

He said, "I'll walk this world of mine and give each one a name."

And so he travelled far and wide and everywhere he went,

A little creature followed him until its strength was spent.

When all were named upon the earth and in the sky and sea,

The little creature said, "Dear Lord, there's not one left for me."

Kindly the Father said to him, "I've left you to the end,

I've turned my name back to front and called you 'DOG,' my friend."

~Author Unknown~

I am a dog lover! Not just any dog, my dogs. Although I think most canines are cute, there's a little something more in the two I've called my own. Kind of like my children, I guess!

On Tuesday, June 15th, 1993, my childhood dream came true. I was 16 and always wanted a dog. Pebbles, a 14-month-old Shih Tzu, was advertised on the radio. This was the best $200 my parents ever spent on me.

Pebbles added so much to our family. At first we were not sure what adventures a puppy would bring, afterall we were a family who had never owned a pet of any kind. It didn't take long for her to win our love and move into our hearts. She was a great dog! Pebbles spent just over 12 years and 7 months with us. She was two months shy of her 14th birthday when we had to make the very painful decision to have her euthanized. Although I often wondered if we should wait just one more day, to do so would have been selfish. On February 2nd, 2006, with heavy hearts, Jeremy and I carried our beloved family pet into the veterinary hospital, said our final farewells and gave our last nose kiss. Shattered, numb, empty. I found that looking through photos and scrap booking her life helped dry my tears. Our daughters were sad as well however, there were times that I felt they were tending to my loss more than I to theirs. Pebbles was MY childhood dream come true. She was MY dog - and now she was gone!

Pebbles’ Last Wishes

When you see that I am weak,
And pain is keeping me from sleep.
Will you be strong when I am not?
And know the battle I have fought.
You will be sad but no less,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
Take me to where my needs they’ll tend,
And stay with me until the end.
Hold me tight and talk to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
And though my tail its last has waved,
From hurt and suffering I’ve been saved.
Think of memories through the years,
And fill your heart with happy tears.

Love, Shauna

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My search for another dog soon began. Some may have thought of this as replacing Pebbles. How dare they? There was such a void in our home that welcoming a puppy could only lift our spirits. As a family, we had so much to offer a dog. On April 7th, 2006, after many phone calls and emails with a breeder who was 8 hours away, we anxiously waited in the cargo area of the airport for our 12-week-old Shih Tzu to arrive.

We decided on the name ASJA (pronounced Asia). Her name is the acronym of the four initials of the members of our family. ASJA has been an absolute delight to have. She has an entirely different personality than Pebbles, although many of her mannerisms are similar (specific to the breed, I'm sure.) Comparable to the feelings of adding children to the family, some may wonder if you'll feel the same as you did with the first. It's amazing how the human heart has a way of multiplying when another is loved...there is no such thing as having to divide your love! This is how we feel about ASJA. We told her from Day 1 that she had big paws to fill, she is trying her best!

Here is a poem I wrote for ASJA on the day we picked her up.

On this beautiful April day,
Little ASJA has come our way.
To lift our hearts and ease our tears,
As we remember the wonderful years.
That Pebbles filled with fun and love,
Her tail is wagging from up above.
And each new day with ASJA we spend,

Will remind us how great Pebbles was ‘til the end.

In My Daughters' Eyes

Things don't always turn out the way we plan. Events unfold in our lives and before we know it, we are living them.

Sometimes I've found myself on a peaceful journey with the wind in my hair. Other times I was on a bumpy road and not sure where the next turn would lead. And then without warning, I was belted in the seat of a wild roller coaster ride where the thrills, ups, downs and excitement have lead me to have feelings of absolute glee, shock, exhilaration and terror all within moments of eachother! Phew...welcome to parenting in a nutshell. Hang on, it's quite the ride!

I am NOT an expert on parenting. My roller coaster ride began way before I expected it to. During my final year in high school, my plans were to graduate, go off to college with Jeremy, work, travel, get married and perhaps start a family. So how did I end up waiting in line for the 'Mommy' ride? Duh, I know how, but WHY? I've known the answer to that question since September 21st, 1995.

Jeremy and I were 18 when we welcomed our first daughter into our lives.

Unplanned, YES! ~ Unwanted, NEVER!

Although becoming a Mommy was not yet on my agenda, I pride myself in how well I handled the entire situation. I have gone on to check many items off my 'life list' (and I do actually have one) just not in the order I had planned!

Several months after we were married, Jeremy and I were delighted to find out that our 'trying' to conceive had paid off and we were expecting another baby. It was nice to plan for this one and to feel like we were doing it right this time. (Pfft...it irritates me that people actually made those comments!)

Well, those plans were shattered when 12 weeks into my pregnancy I was told the baby wasn't viable and I began miscarrying. On November 14th, 1999, I delivered the little baby we had 'planned' for, on the side of the road while driving 3 hours to have a D&C. That was it...no more! We had one healthy little girl and we were happy. I could not put myself through that again.

Five years, 4 months and 1 week after our first daughter was born, our family was completed when we were joined by our second daughter on January 28th, 2001. I might add that she too, was not planned :)

My daughters mean the world to me,

All I feel is pride!

I couldn't have planned

to be their

Mommy

any better

if I had tried!

TEDDY

Teddy With Me

I don't remember the day
Daddy gave you to me
That was many years ago
With Me

As I recall my childhood
I know you were
the most prized possession I had
With Me

I have held you many times
Through the years
You've always been there
With Me

When I was mad
I hit you
When I was sad
I cried on you
When I was happy
I laughed at you
No matter how I felt
I always had you
With Me

When I was young
I left you behind
For some reason
You slipped my mind
Although we may have
Travelled for hours
Daddy always turned around
And went back to get you
With Me

Teddy,
You've aged over the years
You've shed alot of fur
I've sniffed off your right ear
There were times that
You'd lose something
Either your head or your right leg
Then Mommy or Nanny would sew you
Once again for another day
With Me

Now that many years have passed
I think it's time to say
That even though you're cute and all
In a safe place you'll have to stay
With Me

It's a GIRL!

There are reasons why I chose to wait until today to officially introduce myself.

Today is my Birthday!

On this day in 1977, I was born into a normal family. I have a Mom, a Dad and a big sister. I grew up in a happy home and continued on with my happy life. I have a husband, two daughters and a dog. We are happy.

To know me is to know that I wouldn't, rather couldn't, just leave the description of those dearest to me so cut and dry however, this is the blogging world and if these digits of mine could possibly type as fast as my mouth can speak and my heart can feel, then I would elaborate. I'm sure the pride I have for my life will shine through as my blog becomes mine!

I wear my heart on my sleeve (as the saying goes) and this is another reason why this introduction had to wait until today. Yesterday wasn't about me...it was about the memory of Suzette.

I am an Educational Assistant at the elementary level. Several years ago, my students were asked to write an Auto-Bio Poem. If you are not familiar with the pattern, here it is:

Line 1: Your first name

Line 2: Four descriptive traits

Line 3: Sibling of

Line 4: Lover of

Line 5: Who feels

Line 6: Who needs

Line 7: Who gives

Line 8: Who fears

Line 9: Who would like to see

Line 10: Resident of

Line 11: Your last name

For many, this poem took much thought, the students were in Grade 4. But for me, the words flowed - like magic!

~Shauna~
Honest, helpful, fun and content
Sister of Paula
Lover of my family, music, rocks and apples
Who feels grateful for my daughters
Who needs hugs, laughter and Diet Pepsi
Who gives with an open heart
Who fears not knowing
Who would like to see my children grow very old
Resident of a happy home
~Dare~

Go ahead and write your own. You just may learn a little more about the person you are!

There's an ANGEL looking after me!

Thoughts flow through my mind, my heart, like magic! I am often told that I should be documenting these thoughts but time seems to slip away. I have wondered what the blogger world would be like for my 'down-to-earth, no-frills' self. I have decided to find out and so, here I am!

As I type my first entry, I have a heavy heart. Today marks the 17th anniversary of the death of an amazing person. Suzette Melanie Ryan was born October 31st, 1975 and 16 short years later, was tragically taken from this earth. January 11th, 1992. I know exactly where I was and when...although my reaction to the news seems to be a blur. I've since heard people refer to 9/11 like that. The day that shook the entire world is how 1/11 shook the world for those who knew Suzette. The next day was my birthday...I don't think anybody said "Happy Birthday" and if they did, it was for formality only - I don't remember. I do recall the phone ringing often and flight plans being made...wow!

Seventeen years later and once in awhile it'll hit me and I feel that 'hard to breathe' feeling again. I turned 15 the next day and as the years went on I always dreaded the age of 30. For most, 30 is naturally the age to dread (as is 40, 50 and so on) but for me, it held a little more. I knew that 30 meant that Suzette would be gone from this earth for as long as she was here...that was a tough piece for me to swallow, still is! I am comforted with knowing that although 17 years have passed, I can still remember so much of the little time we did spend together. Music videos made by Paula and Suzanne to the tune of Belinda Carlisle's song titled, "I Feel the Magic" (fully rehearsed with Bibles held overhead as the lyrics, "there's an angel looking after me" played) and Suzette and I singing Bon Jovi's hit, "Livin' on a Prayer" into curling irons acting as mics. Even the titles of those songs leave something to ponder.

I believe Suzette is here in our hearts - she is much too amazing to leave. Suzette has recently been joined by other angels dear to me. As time goes on, I will share more. I know I need to feel those thoughts, like "I Feel the Magic!"