Opposites Attract/The Man Behind the Scenes

I have been planning this blog in my head and had it narrowed down to two possible titles.  As you can see, I couldn't decide so I am using them both...This is the story of a man and a woman...they met in college, got hitched after graduation, got a dog, had two kids, got another dog, and are still going strong.  How does a couple such as Erin and Brad stay together...Two words:  Opposites Attact

I'm not sure if we were so opposite when we met, many years ago.  We both were working towards a common goal:  College Graduation.  We were both young, (skinny too!), enjoyed the likes of Garth Brooks, going to the movies, etc.

Erin and Brad in college - dressed for the Christmas dance - Awww

Nowadays, however, we seem to be very opposite.  Here are a few of the things that we differ on:

• Music - Brad has turned into a heavy rocker kind of guy.  He enjoys the music that makes me want to bash my head into a wall.  Don't get me wrong, I do like some of the same music that he does, but not a lot of it.  I like the more "pop" kind of music and I also love me some Bluegrass-Gospel music too.   Of course, I am in the car with the kids 99% of the time, so I listen to a lot of Kidz Bop and things too.
• House Decor - Our opinions on how the house should be decorated is another difference we have.  I am into more of the country/primitive sort of stuff, while he wants to buy the most fancy looking stuff he can find.  I don't do fancy.  I am a plain, cheap girl and fancy just doesn't fit my taste.  Brad thinks that every wall needs a picture hanging on it.  He thinks that every window needs curtains, while I am content with the mini blinds.  He would put up border in every room we have if I would go along with it.  
• Home Cleanliness - This might be our biggest obstacle in our marriage.  I know a lot of people have money issues, we have clean issues.  Our house is NOT nasty, it is NOT dirty...we have two kids and two dogs that are always getting their toys out, leaving crumbs behind, etc.  I try to clean the house, I really do, but after so many times of picking up the same crap and 5 minutes later it gets messed up, you get tired of doing it.  My goal for our house is to keep us clothed, fed, and dishes available for us to use.  If these things are done, then I feel we are OK.  Brad is the total opposite.  For him, there's a place for everything and everything should be in its place.  He hates that I put Leah's school stuff on the counter in the kitchen.  If someone is coming over, he wants the house to be spotless, nothing in the floor, nothing on the counters, etc.  We battle about this on a regular basis!  LOL!
• Socializing - I am a very social person, I could talk to anybody I think.  Brad, on the other hand, is very quiet around people that he doesn't know, and sometimes around those that he DOES know!  I enjoy people, I enjoy chatting and visiting with them.  Bradley is content to watch TV all day and I don't think it would bother him one bit not to speak to anyone if he didn't have to.   I tell him all the time that he is anti-social...he says, "No, I just don't like people."  LOL.  Go figure.
• Family functions - I enjoy family functions, whether it is going somewhere with our kids or a family get together with our family...I love to get together, talk, eat, laugh, etc.  I realize that life is short and I want to spend it with the family while we can.  You never know when you might lose someone.  Brad is more of a home-body and doesn't enjoy the family stuff like I do.
• Church - I love going to church.  I love the singing, I love the fellowship, I love the atmosphere.  Brad does not enjoy singing, nor does he like it when people speak to him.  (Back to the antisocial-ty that I just mentioned above - LOL)
• Food - Another one of our constant battles.  Brad loves him some food, but he wants what he calls "good food."  I'm still not exactly sure what he qualifies as "good food."  My goal is to fix food that the kids will eat.  It seems that no matter what I fix, he doesn't really like it.   Occasionally, I will fix something that he approves of, but that usually means the kids are eating SpaghettiO's due to not liking what I fixed.   As long as my kids eat and are full, I figure that he is a grown man and can fix himself something if he gets hungry enough.  Let me also mention that Brad does not know how to operate the microwave to warm up his food (so he claims...)  He will go without eating unless I warm up his food for him.  (Can we say SPOILED???!!!  LOL).

I'm sure that there are more differences that we have, but this blog can not go on forever.  It amazes me that we can be so different, yet we are happy and content with each other.  Things can get hectic sometimes, we get mad at each other, but we also have a lot of fun together!   He can be one of the funniest and goofiest people I know at times.  I love to torture him, buy things that annoy him, and do things that aggravate him.   He hates my scarecrows that I have out for Fall...so what do I do???  Buy more scarecrows!!!  It keeps the relationship fresh :)  

The "man behind the scenes" of the Johnston family is a hard working man, he is a good Daddy, and a good provider and hubby.  I can't say that he's a good daddy to the animals though because they really annoy him and he thinks that the dogs stink all the time - LOL.   Through all the years we've been together, we have grown apart in some ways and our differences have increased, but we've also grown closer in other ways too.  Here's to Brad Johnston - my opposite, my hubby!!!  

Girlie, I think not...

Guess what folks?  My nails are painted.  Oh yes they are.  I painted Leah's last night and, in return, she wanted to do mine.  I debated and debated and finally let her.  I normally don't wear nail polish on my fingers.  It drives me crazy, and I'm not sure why.  Perhaps it is because I equate nail polish with being girlie, and I - my friends - am far from girlie.  

I think that I used to be a bit girlie when I was younger.  I liked to wear dresses and skirts and even wore heels. Now, I can twist my ankle just wearing tennis shoes.   I wouldn't mind being girlie, but there's a big problem:  I don't know how!  My hair, bless my heart, might be some of the worst hair in the world.  I have fought my natural curl/wave/frizz for YEARS, but have recently tried to embrace it.  With lots of mousse and gel, I can get it to curl without too much frizz, but then it looks hard and crunchy all day.  It is a no win situation.  I just have crappy hair genes.  

Make up is another girlie procedure that I am not good at.   I wear foundation - to cover the zits.  I wear mascara because my eye lashes are blond and without the mascara, I look like I am missing my eye lashes.   I wear powder  to cover the zits even more.   I have tried to do eye shadow but it just never looks right when I do it.   Lipstick - oh my mercy - if I put it on, I spend the next few hours constantly licking, trying to get every speck of it off.

I don't really have girlie clothes either, probably because I don't want to spend the money on them.  I like stuff, but I like it cheap!  It seems that the more girlie the clothes are, the more expensive they are.

Sigh.  I might be a girl by gender, but I am not good at it.  I guess I'll just continue to be me...plain ole' Erin who wears foundation, mascara, powder, and clearance rack clothes!  Woot!

Thank you for your time.  

Hugs and Prayers

I have recently read through some of the letters that my Granny wrote me while I was in college.  She was so good to write me, I'd get a few letters a week, and it always brightened my day to see her handwriting when I opened our mailbox at 7605 College Station Drive (Woo hoo - I'm happy I remembered that!)  Most of her letters were full of general day-to-day happenings of her and Grandad - what they'd been up to, what they were doing that week, etc.  Some were full of tidbits of gossip.   It is such a joy to be able to read back through these letters!  Some days, I miss that woman so much it is unreal.  Even after 4 1/2 years, it still hurts to know that she's gone.

Almost all of Granny's letters were ended the same way:  "Hugs and Prayers,"  Granny and Grandad.  I know that my Granny was one of the most faithful people in the world.  Even through her pains, and she had many of them, she never wavered in her faith.  It kept her going.  I know that she prayed for me, and I am sure that it got me through many a difficult times.  When I read her letters, sometimes I think that I'd do anything to have one more hug from her...and to see her praying one more time...sometimes when I read her letters, I can hear her voice in my head.  What a warm reminder of her!  I hope that I never forget what her voice sounded like.

This is highlighted in Granny's Bible.  I am so happy to know that
she's "Dwelling in the house of the Lord forever."  

I have lots of VHS footage with her in it and today, I decided to play one that I remember well...I tried to record it with my digital camera, so the sound quality might not be the greatest, but at least I got to see her, and got to hear her voice again.

Hugs and Prayers - what a great motto to live by!!!  

Love and Miss You, Granny!

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the fat cells on my rear...

Sigh.  I am sad to be posting a blog about being fat.  I used to be skinny, a long time ago.  I really did.  Looking at me now, you'd never believe that I was.  Did I ever, in a million years, think I'd be the size I am today?  Of course not.  Sometimes I look at the love handles, the cellulite, and the stretch marks and wonder what in tarnation happened to my once toned, tanned, and skinny body.  One word:  KIDS!!!

Proof that, once upon a time, I was skinny

I don't guess I can really blame the kids, when I stop and think about it.  I chose to have the kids.  I love my kids.  I would do anything for my kids.  What I didn't notice, until now, is that in loving and taking care of my kids, I neglected to take care of myself.  Without even realizing it, the weight has just added up over the years.  Now, here I am.  Trying to begin a new quest to get in better health, eat better, and loose some of the horrid weight.  As someone who loves food - I swear it is in my genes to eat! - this is proving to be a task for me.  

My sweet babies did a number on my body.

Leah (5 years in the picture) was 8lbs 8ozs when she was born

Logan (8 months in this picture) was 9lbs 11 1/2ozs when he was born

Getting older is hard so far.  Granted, we are all in relatively good health and don't have any major health problems.  However, the little things do make a difference.  For me, this summer has been a turning point.  In May, I went to the doctor and had a terrible ear infection.  Once it cleared up, the dizziness set in.  Physical therapy, lots of doctors appointments, and finally - right as Leah went back to school, I felt better...for a couple of weeks...and then another ear infection.  I am still battling some slight dizziness but am hopeful that it will continue to improve.  At the doctor appointment before I started therapy, the doctor said that if the dizziness didn't start to get better that we would do an MRI to rule out a mass.  That scared the snot out me.  I guess, I should be thankful that he said that because it really made me step back and look at my life and my health.  I realized that I don't want to be a fat person anymore.  I want to be healthy.  I know I will never be skinny again, but I do want to loose some weight.  Mainly, I want to LIVE!   What good is giving your life to raising your kids if you aren't around to SEE your kids grow up?!!

It is sort of ironic that, as mom's, we dedicate our lives to our children, but don't realize that we are sacrificing our lives in the process.  I guess we just really need to find a balance between caring for our children AND ourselves.  I am hopeful that I am on the right path and can keep up the healthier eating and drop a few pounds.  I am sure positive that this won't be an easy road, but I am ready to head down it!!!

Mama got some new kicks...

I am a woman.  We are supposed to LOVE shoes.  My daughter loves shoes.  My mama loves shoes.  I am not into shoes.  Today, however, I had to buy me some new shoes.  My New Balance had plastic pieces in the heel that pinched/scraped me every time I walked and the sole was coming off of them.  They'd served their purpose for quite awhile.  I tend to wear my shoes until they are either too embarrassing to wear in public or they fall apart.

Since I am not into shoes, I usually don't have trouble finding shoes.  Went to Rack Room today, found a pair of Nikes in about 10 minutes.  Tried them on and woo hoo!  Since Rack Room offers buy 1 get 1 half off, I thought I should get myself another pair since I was in there.  That's when I saw the Converse.  I had a pair of Chuck Taylors in highschool/college and I loved them so very much.  They are so not girlie, but still cute I think.

The state of KY better watch out, with these new shoes, there's no telling what I might accomlish!  LOL!

Out with the old!!!

In with the new!

Holla for new kicks!!!

Married, mother of two, seeks BFF - Richmond Area

I see the ads on TV, newspapers, online, and hear them on the radio.  Dating services.  Find your perfect match.  Find your soul mate.  I wonder how those ads would work at finding your BFF.  I have a lot of friends and I have a few really good friends.  My problem is that none of my really good friends live close by.  Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a BFF that lived in Richmond, someone I could go to the movies with, someone I could go to the gym with (once Logan is in school), someone I could go to the park and walk with, someone I could laugh with, gossip with, and complain with.

I got to thinking about my "ad" that I would put out there on a "Find your new BFF" site.   What would I say?  How would I describe myself?

Married, mother of two, seeks BFF - Richmond Area.  Loves to be goofy and make people laugh.  Loves animals.  Loves to collect box tops and soup labels.  Loves to recycle.  Enjoys walks around the neighborhood with the dogs.  Cherry Coke Zero is the fave drink.  Sonic rules!  Has a good heart and an old soul.  Loves Bluegrass-Gospel music.  Can't stand the taste of lettuce.  Doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, and only cusses when she has sustained a terrible injury.  Enjoys going to church, loves God!  Tends to neglect herself and always puts her children first!  Can be serious when she feels passionate about something.  Loves food.  Doesn't like peaches and cream oatmeal.  Bargain shopper.  Insecure at times.  


Looking at that, I wonder how many folks would apply to be my BFF - LOL.  In summary, I sound like a 90 year old soup label collecting, recycling woman who likes to eat and drink.  I wonder if that would get more attention than my long, descriptive "ad."

Woman who acts 90 years old.  Loves to clip soup labels and recycle.  Enjoys food and drinks.


I guess I'll just stick with the wonderful friends that I "do" have.  Afterall, BFF's aren't that easy to find, and when you DO find one, you cherish them, despite the distance between you!!!

Christmas Morning at Goodwill

Most of you who know me, or follow my Facebook status updates (which I do a lot of), know that I LOVE a good bargain.  I hate paying full price for anything, whether it is a pair of socks or a new couch.  I am always on a quest for a good deal.  Don't get me wrong, I "will" pay full price for something if I have to...but if you wait around, almost everything eventually goes on sale.  


I must admit, I have dropped a lot of donations off at Goodwill before, and have browsed through a couple of times, but have never actually shopped there.  Until this past weekend, that is.  I went to Goodwill on a quest to find some stuff for my Halloween costume, but left with so much more!  My first row of clothing I went down was the kids jeans.  Oh my gracious - the excitement I felt as I found Leah a couple pairs of really cute jeans.  My friend, Lisa, had been having such great luck at the Goodwill in Stanford, and I am now proud to say that I had good luck at our Richmond Goodwill!  I ended up with 4 pairs of jeans for the kids, 2 pairs for myself, a hooded Kentucky sweatshirt (HOLLA), an EKU tshirt for Leah, and a shirt for Brad.   $14 and some change...for all THAT???!!!  It was like Christmas morning for me.  

There's no doubt, I am going to start frequenting the Goodwill more often...it took me awhile to look through the racks, but what I spent in time, I made up for in purchases!  So I want to say to all of you rich folks who drop the Limited Too jeans off that I bought for my daughter, thank you, and keep up the good work!  Goodwill - you better hold onto your donated britches cause you have a new shopper that you will be seeing a lot of in the future!!!

Big Mama doesn't do kites...

It was quite a windy day here, which was nice, for a change!  I am so tired of the burning hot sun and welcomed the wind.  It occurred to me that the kiddos both had kites, still in the package, in the garage.  Well, I got those suckers out and put them together (which entailed putting a little plastic piece in two holes and attaching the string - I am so handy!)  We headed to the backyard.  Before I go any further, let me just make it clear that I might, perhaps, be the WORST kite flyer in the universe!  I honestly don't think I have ever got a kite to go in the air.  Sigh.  There are just some things that I don't do well...I don't do marathons well, for example.  Granted, I have never tried to run a marathon, but the fact that I can't run to the mailbox without nearly passing out is a good indicator.  Anyways, Leah finally got her kite in the air, after much name calling ("stupid kite.")  Once she got it up, it did great!  Logan's wasn't as easy...and he's four...and his helper was ME...Finally, Brad come home and helped him and then, believe it or not, I got it up in the air for him a couple of times too!  HOLLA!!!

My First Blog Attempt

I must admit, I am very confused by the blogger stuff so far.  I mean, I know how to type, and trust me, I have plenty to say, but the whole formatting and design and things will take some getting used to.  Hopefully, I can figure it out soon.  

Leah is home from school and the three day weekend has begun.  The Johnston's have plenty in store this weekend.  Possibly buying a new couch for our trusty computer room, maybe going bowling, and hopefully going to the zoo.   More importantly, though, we are going to GRILL OUT.  I want me some grilled corn on the cob so bad, you don't even know.  Corn on the cob is mighty tasty, butter, season salt, yummy!  

Here's to Labor Day Weekend!  Hope everyone has a safe one!