Magic Week

We're back!


For the past week, we were on our family cruise. (The one I booked at the last minute & was freaking out about!)


Well we went and now we are back.


End of story.


Shit, I'm only kidding.


I had so much fun most of the time.


Before you ask:

YES, my children did fight with each other.


YES, H acted like she was in charge.
YES, K did his whining.
YES, L acted like her normal diva self.
YES, D did act the best, which is why he's my current favorite child.
YES, h did have some tough times.


OH and YES I did something to piss off G so he bitched at me about something rather loudly. You know what I heard?
BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH


Sunday
We had a fucking fog delay. I know it wasn't Carnival's fault, Royal Carribean was stuck out there too.


We started getting texts from Carnival concerning the fog so we decided to hang out in our hotel until they kicked us out.


We drove to the pier, dropped off our luggage, handed the porter a $20 and drove back to the seawall to sightsee.

There was more fog on the seawall then there was at the pier.


So we drove back to the pier and decided to have lunch at Fisherman's Wharf.  While we were there we saw her come in followed by that RC ship. I just love the Magic. She is amazing!


So since we knew she was here we decided to drive over to EZcruise. I figured we would park the van and walk around a bit.


Well there was a line for their parking lot. I decided to get in it since it was only about 20 cars long. 2 hours later the van was parked and we were walking the 2 blocks to the pier.


Apparently a lot of people checked into the terminal during those 2 hours because we were given a zone 31 tag and we were ushered into the overflow room. Carnival passed out cheese crackers and bottled waters. 2 hours later we were given our ship cards and we were on the ship.


All in all, a good "teaching experience" for my kids.


Monday & Tuesday were "fun days at sea".


We watched but didn't participate in the game of love show. When I told G I wanted to go see it I got the look!
I told him that we were chosen on the Glory and it probably wouldn't happen again and I was correct.
I talked to the middle couple a few days later and told them they should be happy they didn't have to answer the questions from the Glory. Their questions were TAME compared to the shit they asked us!


We went to a cocktail party organized by the cruise critic/facebook group. That was super fun. When they played the cupid shuffle I jumped on the dance floor!!
When they played the Wobble I started dancing like I knew what I was doing. UNTIL the DJ left his booth and stood next to me to help me out. Hey I was drinking A LOT and still think I did pretty good.


WEDNESDAY was Mahogany Bay Roatan.
We got off the ship and got on the Magic Flying Beach Chair that took us to the free beach. While the kids & G were swimming/relaxing, H and I got on our flying beach chair to go shopping at Del Sol (family tradition).
We went back to the beach and stayed a few more hours. The kids were starting to get restless and a little red (even after repeated coats of sunblock). So we headed back to the ship. As the kids & G went to the restroom, I went to Fat Tuesday and got me a drink in a tube. One word to describe that drink... YUMMY!!!
After we had lunch on the ship I noticed that we had another hour or so in Roatan. I kept telling G that I was going to get another tube but since I fell asleep at the lunch table, he didn't think that was a good idea. ;)


THURSDAY was BELIZE
Belize is a tender port. Since we all had Carnival sponsored excursions booked on this one we were given a tender # and a time to meet. Me, H, K, L & D were on one excursion and G & h were on another. G & h went to a private beach and had lunch.
The other 5 of us boarded a bus for a 1~ 1/2 hour drive. When we arrived in the "jungle" we paid for a locker and got outfitted with harnesses, helmets and gloves. I think we had to walk like a million steps to get to the first zip line. Ok, maybe not a million but I bet we were as high, if not higher, than the first hill of The Titan at 6 flags!!!!
During the walk, K was starting to "melt". At one point he was sitting on the steps 2 flights below me and not moving. His reason?? He wanted to be first and L was in front of me.
Well I had an EPICFAILMOMMOMENT. I yelled (2 flights down in the jungle) "K...., you can be first in our family if you get your ass up here right now! However, if you make me walk down there to get you I will make you go AFTER ever fucking person in this line!"
He chose the first option.


K has got to be the bravest kid I know. He never looked nervous at all. The guy hooked him up and K yelled "YAHOO" the whole way across.
L looked nervous but you could hear her laughing.
I told the guy I was nervous. He said "relax & close your eyes". When I did...... he FUCKING pushed me off that platform!! Can you guess what I said the whole way?? 
S H I T !!!!
I waited on the other side for H for what seemed like an eternity. Apparently the same thing the guy did to me, he did to her.
She came across screaming "What did I do to deserve this???"
D came across laughing.


By the time we were on the 5th and final zip line we were all laughing our asses off.


When we got off the zipline we went to our locker and changed into our swimsuits, got outfitted with a life vest and helmet, grabbed an intertube and walked FOREVER again. When we finally stopped at the river with our guide the water no longer seemed cold.  He hooked us up and we went cave tubing. It was so nice to just sit on that tube and do nothing. While in the cave we saw a skunk climbing the side!
Our guide said that he had never seen one in the cave before.
When our ride was over, I bought everyone an authentic Belizian lunch of rice, beans and chicken. OMG that food was so good. I bought myself a Belizian beer. (Note to self... look for beer at Central Market!)
After we ate, we got back on the bus for our long ride back. While the kids were asleep a nice good looking man, traveling with his equally good looking partner, told me that I was his favorite mom ever because of what I said to K. If you really know me, you will know that at that exact moment my cheeks flamed. I was so embarrassed.
When we got back to the city we found out we were late but since we were on a Carnival excursion it didn't really matter. We didn't get to shop like I had hoped but we did make it back to the ship. They told us the last tender would be at 4:15. We got on the tender at 4:45!


FRIDAY was Cozumel.
We got a taxi and went to an all-inclusive resort for the day.
The kids ordered non-alcoholic smoothies all day and I had bloody Mary's. I don't know why I chose those to drink but man were they yummy!!!
While sitting at the bar ordering another one a man asked me how long I was going to be there for. I said.. "Oh about 4 more hours". Then he asked if he could take me back to his room. I told him that I didn't think that would be a good idea since I was traveling with my hubby and 5 kids. For some reason, I didn't see him after that.....


When we got back from the resort we did some shopping. I got myself 4 more bottles of Mexican vanilla and some souvenirs for the teachers.


SATURDAY was a FUN DAY AT SEA
I finally tried the ropes course. SUPER SCARY


SUNDAY we had to come home.
It was about 75 in Galveston when we got off the ship around 1:30.
My kids were all in t-shirts and shorts when we got to the van.
I wish I had known about the sleet that greeted us at Buckees.
OR the sleet that followed us all the way from 179 to 84 to 171.
By the time we hit 35 in Hillsboro the roads were icy.
I am not sure how many wrecks we passed.
We actually saw one happen on the other side of the road.
It involved a truck with a horse trailer.
My kids said "Mom, we need to pray for all these people in these wrecks and those horses too!"
As we crawled by the tow truck drivers and fire fighters we told them about the people on the other side of the highway. One of the tow truck drivers said Thanks, turned around and went to check on them.
A truck that was RIGHT BESIDE US started to spin but he got ahold of it and barely missed us in the process.
At that moment I closed my eyes and told everyone not to wake me until we were home.
Nearly 10 hours after we got in our van we were home. It took us double the time but we arrived safely.
Today school was canceled so the kids got caught up on their homework and I went to the store.


Tomorrow... reality starts again.


Reality sucks!


I wish I was back on that beautiful ship drinking that Thirstyfrog red beer....

Life in the 100's

My last post was more like a whoeisme post.
I was having a hard week (year) and was feeling sorry for myself.


My all-inclusive, adults only trip with 7 of my girlfriends was just what the dr. ordered.


I can't tell you about all our antics (what happens on the girl's trip, stays on the girl's trip) but I can tell you a few things.


To date I have lost 215 pounds.
Which means, I have lost more than I currently weigh!
YEAH ME!!


Even though I am now in the 100's, I still don't feel good about my body.
I am not sure I ever will feel good about my body but I do feel better.


The good thing about traveling with your gorgeous girlfriends is that they make you feel like you are gorgeous also.
There is a lot to be said about having a roommate (LK) that tells you that you're beautiful everyday.
Yes, there was A LOT of alcohol consumed but sometimes the truth comes out when you are sloshed. So I will take LK's word for it on this one. HAHAHA


Another thing is that when you are traveling with group of hot women, you tend to get attention from hot guys.
You see that is something that I am not used to. Yes, I get asked out when driving my bus on occasion but that's different.


To actually have hot guys sit by you on the beach because they think you are hysterical and fun to be around is a huge compliment.
To have those same guys dance with you in the club is fun.
To have them make you laugh is fun.
To have them pay attention to you is something that is hard to forget.


It is hard to come back to reality after a week of constant compliments.


Yes, my girlfriends are gorgeous but they are also the best friends anyone could ask for.


LK, GP, TH, LH, T, AR & SF are the cure for when you are feeling whoeisme.


On our trip we went on a pirate ship. I had the cutest little guy dancing with me.
On our trip we went on a sunset cruise. I had the funnest time dancing with my girlfriends.
On our trip we attended a foam party. No words can describe the fun with this one. If you have never attended a foam party, I highly recommend it.
On our trip we went into the resort's club where I went toe to toe with LH in consuming 10 lemon drop shots. After the 10th one a man said he needed someone like me on his trips. LH proceeded to tell him he could have me!
On our last night we sat on the beach and decided to go for a swim.
So we did! LK turned some music on her phone and we danced and played around in the water with our beers wearing just our under garments.
I have never laughed so much in all my life.


You see, being in the 100's has its advantages.
I would have NEVER had the nerve to disrobe on a public beach before the weight loss.


In 6 days, I will be on vacation again.
This time with my family.
Chances are there will be no midnight swim in my underwear.
Chances are there will be no hot guys sitting by me on the beach.
Chances are there will be no foam party either.


However, I will have my family with me.
As a family we need this break.
As a family we are going to breathe a little easier.
As a family we are going to enjoy each other's company.
With my family in tow, I am getting to check off something from my bucket list.


You see, now that I'm in the 100's, I am going zip-lining!!


You know what....


I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Say something I'm giving up on you....

Have you heard that song by "Great Big World"?


Say something I'm giving up on you.
I'm sorry that I didn't get to you.


You know how when you climb a mountain?
You see when you get to the edge, there's a chance you are going to fall off.


I am on the edge.


Leaps and Bounds forwards


Leaps and Bounds backwards


Is this really my life?


Why can't we have good days ALL IN A ROW???


Today was h's 2nd day in BIC and he will be there tomorrow.


L & H are fighting LITERALLY.


K refuses to do his homework until G is home so G yells at me.


D seems to be the only normal one this week.


DON'T CALL CPS


I'm not giving up on the kids.


I feel like I'm giving up on me.


I'm so damn stressed out I can't concentrate.


I started emptying my closet of all my bigger clothes hoping that would help me.


Instead it has caused me more stress.


I am overwhelmed that I am a shopaholic.


I had no idea I had so many clothes.


I have given a friend 5 garbage bags full and I have 2 more.


I have given Goodwill 6 garbage bags full and I have thrown out 3.


What is wrong with me?


I shopped because I was depressed.


Now I'm stressed.


After 20 years, I took up smoking cigarettes again.


It seems to be the only thing that calms me.


I am up to 3 a day.


You see, G thought I quit again Thanksgiving.


I did.


This week, I started again.


I honestly feel like I am losing my battle of wills.


I even ordered a BOX of Big Hunk candy bars from Amazon.


Why do I sabotage myself?


My reward for eating the candy was my crown falling out.


Geesh.... I can't catch a break.


Everyone says they envy me because of my trips coming up.


I find this even more depressing.


I would give everything I own up if I could be guaranteed a good school  year.


NO guarantees in life.


I am on the edge and I don't know which way I'm going.


My upcoming girl's trip could not have come at a better time.


There's a good chance I will be drunk the majority of the time and I will probably act a little inappropriate too.


I feel blessed beyond measure that I am going with true friends who don't judge me. Because right now I'm not sure which way is up.


Say Something I'm giving up on you.............   That line is what I say to myself.


Lord, help me through because I am at my breaking point.