13 13 13

*better late than never*
1. this trip was probably the easiest drive ever.
2. no rain, no traffic or road work.
3. and, most importantly, no car trouble!
4. traveling with food concerns and no plan is not recommended, though.
5.  i ate crap and am paying for it......
6.  had sausage croissant, sweet wine, cheese, bites of zachary's coca cola cake, ketchup, a piece of candy, sonic chili cheese tots.........
7.  and now my stomach hurts and i feel yucky.
8. i will be better prepared for the return trip.
9. i also hate it that my desire to be healthy and eat real food is seen as picky or inconvenient by others.
10.  in order to please people around me or make things easier for them, i compromise myself.
11. don't see how this is fair.  and then i feel defensive.
12.  i wish i had a handy explanation- like celiac or true allergies.....
13. or maybe if i could get a doctor to take me seriously.

THIRTEEN

1.  Well, I promised stuff for planning a trip.
2.  As usual, life got in the way.
3.  No one else did anything to help get ready and I got overwhelmed.
4.  We have not been camping in 5 years.
5.  My flow is gone.
6.  I am also sort of dreading it.
7.  Someone has already made up her mind that it is going to suck, so therefore, it will.
8.  FIghts will be instigated- but I am not going to fall for it.
9.  My mantra for the weekend?
10.  "I'm sorry you think that."
11.  "You could have gone with Ozzy and Buddy to Grandma's"
12.  "In 4 years you can move out and never have to go anywhere with us again."
13 "Pass the rum."

must be thursday....

Things I have stopped asking:

1. Why is there a lacrosse ball in the kitchen sink?
2. Why is your jock strap on the banister?
3. Doesn't anyone know how to use the trash can?
4. What IS that smell?
5. Can you let the dog out?
6. Where are my keys?
7. Did you brush your teeth?
8. Who wants a salad?
9. Am I the only person who knows how to replace the toiler paper roll?
10. Who broke that?
11. Why are shoes always in the hall?
12. Are you ready to go?
13. Why do you throw your trash under your bed?

13 13 13

1. I took a very long break.
2. It has been a very difficult year.
3. I really have missed blogging lately and hopefully will stick with it.
4.  Big changes in my life = big changes to the blog.
5.  Since I have been thinking more about my health, the new posts will reflect that.
6.  There may be some other things coming along too.....
7. My life is pretty boring and I know that.......
8.  In the interest of keeping my job, I will need to keep all things super personal, or controversial, to myself.
9. I like to write, but had been lazy using the 13 list and nothing else....
10. Going to really write this time.
11.  Going to not let life continue to trip me.....
12. Actually, more like life is on its hands and knees behind me while time gives me a big shove......
13. then I cry.

things i learned

on my pilgrimage 2013

1. The only Earthly creature capable of unconditional love is a dog.
2.  People will break your heart.
3.  Anyone pulling any object behind their car needs to stay to the right.
4.  The cheap hotel is not worth the money you will save. Get a good night of sleep.
5.  Tylenol PM needs to always be in the overnight bag.
6.  When you leave someone's house, make sure you take ALL your belongings.
7.  You really can't call it home when you have had another state's drivers license for 16 years.
8.  Mac and cheese is still a vegetable.
9.  Fountain sodas make the best travel beverage.
10.  My mama still gives me a go cup when I leave.
11.  My children WILL eat grits.
12.  My children will NOT drink tea.
13.  David is better than I give him credit.

thirteen

1.  Getting ready to go to Georgia.....
2.  I am excited to see my family, nervous about the long drive and looking forward to the Cracker Barrel.
3.  I do plan to meet up with friends, too.
4.  Mostly excited about seeing my sister!
5.  We don't get to talk as much as we used to, and I miss that.
6.  Some of it is because I just don't use the phone as much since my hearing has started going....
7.  I don't like to admit that I can't hear..... I used to blame the phone, now I know it is me.
8.  I hate getting older....
9.  I also hate not knowing what to do with my hair.
10. No one ever tells me they like my hair.  No one ever tells me they hate it.
11. Until I cut it and then either folks liked it the way it was, or they tell me they are so glad I don't have that "man" hair any more.....
12.   The biggest critic, however, is the person with the worst hair, lol.
13.  Maybe I will just buy some wigs.........

THURSDAY!

1.  I am amazed I have kept my sanity this summer.
2.  The organizing has helped, but I am not gonna lie.....
3.  I am worried.
4.  I know I shouldn't be.  Everything works out in the end.
5.  Matthew 6:25-27  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
6. That kind of sums it up.

7.  Now if I can find a way to not hate everyone.....

8.  and win the battle of fleas and ants.

9.  I still have a very long to do list- my bedroom is proving to be the most difficult room of the house.

10. Every time I think I have made progress, it turns into a junk pile again.

11.  Sometimes I think it becomes a metaphor for my marriage.

12.  It is often overlooked and dumped on, too......

13.  and I can't stand looking at it.

thirteen for ....... tuesday?

1.  I am trying to make a comeback.
2.  Time off was needed- I have just finished the suckiest year ever in the history of teaching.
3.  I felt like anything and everything could be used against me, so the less I had to say, the better.
4.  Out with the old, in with the new.....
5. I am looking for a job- was "laid off" from the last one (I still say it was personal, very personal).
6.  My kids will start a new school in the fall.
7.  I am continuing to work on myself. Am still working out- am down 25 pounds.  I am trting to dress better and take better care of myself.
8.  I am going to try to enjoy this summer, as much as possible.
9.  September might find me stocking coolers at the Royal Farms store, but that is OK.
10.  I finally bought a new digital camera and will try to add photos to the blog soon....
11.  I am amazed at how miserable another human being can make me.
12.  I have been freed of the burden, but it has been replaced by another one- I have no job and my insurance expires soon- and I will have a hard time getting new insurance.
13.  And, there you have it....... more on actual Thursday!

THIRTEEN........thursday (even though it is really saturday)

**thirteen things I want at my last supper**

1. Dressing and gravy

2. Sweet potato casserole

3. Mac n cheese

4. Green beans

5. Broccoli casserole

6. Squash casserole

7. Leonardo DiCaprio

8. Sister Shubert's yeast rolls

9. Peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream

10. Johnny Depp

11. Diet coke and rum with lime

12. Nachos

13. Royal Farms fried chicken

(I apologize for the amount of carbs and gluten, but since it is my LAST meal, I get to live it up. Pretty sure numbers 7 and 10 are gluten and carbohydrate free)

THIRTEEN........thursday

1. This has been a very hard school year.

2. I have a very full class with bodies that constantly move, and several who need much attention and love.

3. I also have one very defiant student.

4. Add that all to my loud/defiant/attention seeking off-spring, I am managing behavior from sun-up to well after sun-down.

5. I am about to lose my mind.

6. Seriously, if there was a beach, sun and rum nearby, I would so be there......

7. I am tired. Every day is a battle and I am beginning to think I am losing that as well.

8. Oh, yeah, don't forget the very yappy dog. Tired of that, too.

9. I hope that things will brighten soon and this phase will pass.

10. I used to feel like this was my mission in life.

11. Now it just feels like a job.

12. That is not a good feeling at all.....

13. Please think of me in your prayers.......I need to find a solution......

Thursday 13- FINALLY

1. I have been gluten free for about 2 weeks.

2. It is a lot harder than you would think.

3. But it forces one to think about what they are eating.....

4. I decided to follow my gut (no pun intended) instinct that something was not right.

5. So I tell my doctor I am anemic, I have chronic sores in my mouth and if I am not going to the bathroom about 8 times a day, it is the other extreme. My stomach always hurts, my arthritis always hurts, my belly feels bloated......

6. She says there is nothing wrong.

7. We are no longer seeing each other.

8. Which means I am looking for a new doctor.....

9. Have I ever mentioned I don't like doctors?

10. Well, I don't.

11. The only two that I have ever liked are my ENT and my OB/GYN.

12. If I could see these guys all the time, I would......

13. So, the search is on. Wish me luck!

13!

1. This time of year kicks my butt.

2. School has begun, homework has started to flow into the house, we are busy.

3. Plus, I have an all new group of kids at school.

4. Some of them have never been in any kind of structured routine. Ever.

5. Some cry. Others scream.

6. They tell me "no".

7. Many do not even recognize their name. Or know how to hold a pencil.

8. They will learn so much this year.

9. And then I will start all over with another bunch of fours.

10. Meanwhile, my own kids continue to wear me out/amaze me.

11. I think it is going to be a good year for Helen. I hope so; she is past due for a great year.

12. And hopefully, by Halloween, PreK boot camp will end and the real learning will begin.

13. And maybe I won't need a nap after school.....

13! for Thursday

1. It is back to school time in my house.

2. I went back this week, kids come next week.

3. No matter how much I have done, I always feel unprepared.

4. There are so many things I wanted to do over the summer that didn't happen.

5. Next year we are going to use a giant piece of paper to make a bucket list.

6. I think being able to see it will help tremendously.

7. Uniforms are hanging in closets; socks and underwear are in drawers; school supplies wait to be packed......

8. Possum needs a new belt; Jelly bean needs new bras (!).

9. Why do we moms never feel finished?

10. I guess because as soon as we finish one task, we hear the next one calling our name.....

11. This time of year is always bittersweet.

12. I am the kind of person who always looks forward to the next thing.....

13. But part of me is not ready to give up carefree days of summer (as if anything about my life is ever carefree, lol)......

13! (for friday)

Things I have learned on this trip

1. Folks in Covington have started driving golf carts.

2. I catch a second wind when walking- at about 1 mile I feel like I will die- 1 1/2- I feel like I can go forever (which is actually more like another mile).

3. I really NEED for my children to have a normal bedtime. For my sanity. I cannot parent after 9:30 pm.

4. My mother is crazy.

5. I usually miss David more than I expect to. This time I missed him before I crossed the Georgia state line.

6. I never get everything I want to do in one trip.

7. So too many things did not get crossed off the list.....

8. and too much time was wasted hearing old stories that do not matter.....

9. I always return home feeling very tired.

10. But I also feel very focused on the things I need to get done.

11. I need to put my marriage first- David is the person who keeps me sane, and he is the person who will still be there when the kids are gone.

12. I need to put myself as a priority- my health really is riding on it.

13. And I know who my real friends are.

THURSDAY/13

1. I am leaving this morning!

2. I found my camera.

3. The drive always seems so tedious.

4. But I think the stop on the way down is so much a part of the trip.

5. We always stop about 4 or 5.

6. We eat at Cracker Barrel.

7. We go swimming.

8. We sleep (or I try to).

9. In the morning, we have whatever the hotel offers (usually waffles).

10. We get ice for the cooler and gas for the tank.

11. And count the hours til we are in Georgia.

12. This year, Helen will be sitting in the front seat.

13. I will let you know if this reduces car fights.......

13 13 13 13 13 13 13

1. Getting ready for the big GA trip.

2. I still have lots to do.

3. Like find my digital camera- starting to think I have lost it.

4. I need a haircut.

5. And a pedicure.

6. I need to do lots of laundry and clean the house.

7. Even though cleaning seems kinda silly when David will be here for 13 days to mess it all up.

8. Pack! I will have to pack!! I hate packing.

9. Get kids' portraits done because I haven't yet and am running out of time.

10. Buy school uniforms- there will be no time after if Helen's skirts need to be ordered. Ditto on the shoes.

11. Buy paint for Zachary's room and the closet stuff for Helen- David needs something to do while I am gone.

12. Download music to MP3 players; books for the Kindle.

13. Get an oil change, fill washer fluid, vacuum and wash car......

I could add about 13 more to this!

13!

Thirteen things I plan to during Georgia trip

1. Stop at South of the Border

2. Eat at Waffle House, Cracker Barrel and Krystals

3. Visit with family and friends, especially my Aunt Sybil and **** (if he will see me :P )

4. Go to Yellow River Game Ranch

5. Visit Downtown Covington

6. Buy a new Troll bead at Spire's

7. Would love to visit Lake Rutledge with Rider, Harper, Jude and Bailee....

8. Visit my Dad's grave

9. See my Grandmother's house

10. RELAX!

11. Read...... (as if I have not already read a lot this summer)

12. Visit Breanu.

13. And (hopefully) get some sleep.....

THURSDAY/13

1. I am not enjoying this summer.

2. I think I might get a job next year and send the kids to camp.

3. Not enough money to do anything and tired of hearing kids complain.

4. First I get mad because they are complaining.

5. Then I feel bad because I feel like I am not giving them good memories.

6. I don't want to be rich, just comfortable.

7. I know- many folks are worse off than me and I should feel grateful for what I have.

8. But, I am human and am tired of sacrifice and struggle.

9. The one thing that I loved, my job, is now fraught with anxiety and uncertainty.

10. I feel like I can trust no one.

11. I hope that this fall brings answers, at least on the work front.

12. Until then, I will go to the pool every day and listen to my children fight and complain.

13. *sigh*

Memory Monday..... followed by a belated 13!

hjs @ field hockey opening tourney (date correct, time wrong)

*she is actually asking to play this year- think she has finally realized

she is better at sports than she thought*

1. Worry sucks.

2. It is also pointless.

3. Humans are the only creatures that worry.

4. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:25-27

5. So why do I worry.........

6. It so hard not to, but I need to stop and trust.

7. I have two children- one a worrier, one not...

8. Their personalities are so different.

9. Bet you cannot guess which one is happier.

10. I have had way too much to worry about lately.

11. Some of it effects me directly, other issues really do not.

12. I need to say a prayer and send it up to God.

13. He will show me the right path......

13! for Thursday

13 Unwritten Rules of Spitzer Haus

1. If the trash can is full, keep shoving more trash on top until Mom empties the can. It doesn't matter if things fall off the top- she'll pick that up, too/

2. If you spill, it will evaporate. Or Mom will clean it up. Either way.....

3. Do not write important numbers on someone else's wipe off board.

4. Do not move or throw away any jibbles of paper. It will be the very thing that Dad looking for.

5. Go ahead and pile your socks next to the basement door. Oh, there is a laundry bag hanging on the back of that very same door? That's ok, Mom doesn't mind picking up all the socks and putting them in the bag herself.

6. The TV stand makes a great table and Mom really doesn't mind having to take all your cups and plates to the kitchen or wiping your food off the TV..... really.

7. Mom needs to vacuum and you are playing X Box------ that is ok- just pick up one foot when she gets close and turn the volume WAAAYYYYY up so you can still hear.

8. Dogs are pacing back and forth and barking to go outside but Mom is still asleep? Don't worry, they will wake her up soon enough- no need to get off the couch and stop watching "Good Luck Charlie".

9. Mom likes chiseling dried on cereal out of bowls and scraping toothpaste from the sink.

10. If Mom says it is a rule, go ahead and argue. She might change her mind. Even though she hasn't in 10 years, there is always a chance.....

11. Don't ever drink from Mom or Dad's cup after 5 pm....... you might not like the surprise.

12. Pile everything on the table in the foyer. Mom enjoys having to put everything away and then having to find it again......

13. Pull all the shoes from the shoe basket to find your flip flop and leave the rest all over the floor- Mom LOVES to trip over all the shoes at the bottom of the stairs!