Happy Blogaversary!!
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 Yours Truly, Samantha
It's hard to believe that it has been one year since I decided to start my own blog. I must admit, that in the beginning...I really had no idea what I was doing. I just
Now...the moment you all have been waiting for. Your questions...answered:
- Mrs. M from I've Changed My Name to Mommy asks...
If you had to pick ONE characteristic or action that made you want to marry Paul, what would it be?
Paul was just easy going. "Chilled-out", I guess you would say. He was calm. Not nerdy, but not loud. He didn't feel like he had to be funny all of the time. He was just...Paul.
What does being a young mother mean to you/How do you feel about it?
I'm pretty excited about being a young mother! When Bree graduates high school & heads off to college (God willing), I won't even be 40 years old yet! Heck yeah!
What are your future plans for blogging-specifically what role do you want your blog to play in your personal life and what do you want your blog to accomplish in "the outside world"?
I want my blog to continue to grow, at some point, I'd like to be able to make money by blogging. I want to help people feel less alone in their crazy world, and I want to be an escape for those who just need a good laugh at times.
- Working Mommy from Lessons Learned asks...
When are you having baby #2?
Of course, you can't stop what God has planned...but my plans don't include a baby # 2...Bree is too mean. Subjecting her mean-ness to a new baby would just be inhumane :)
- Julia from Sweet as Punkin Pie asks...
You are pretty young to be the mom of a 2 year old... was she planned?
She definitely wasn't planned. But she was the best unplanned event to ever happen to me!
How did you meet your hubby?
When I was a senior in high school, I had a chance to take a college course for early college credits. So I signed up for an English class, and Paul was in that class. At the time that we met though, he had a girlfriend and I had a horrible, horrible boyfriend.
What's one thing about your hubby that drives you nuts?
There are quiet a few things about him that drives me nuts, but probably the worst is how much of a critic he is. Nothing is ever good enough. Whether it be movies, television shows, food, etc...he criticizes everything!
What is one thing about him that you absolutely LOVE??
I love how sweet he truly is. He has a great heart.
- Helene from I'm Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor asks:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a young mother?
Where as most people don't get started on raising children until they are in their late 20's or early 30's, I was 19 years old when Bree was born. That will put me being 39 years old when she goes off to college...and I consider that a pretty good advantage. Where most people are just getting started, I'm already done. But I do miss not being able to just go out on a whim. I miss the quiet, and I miss being young. I had to grow up pretty fast.
Would you ever consider homeschooling your daughter?
I have actually thought about homeschooling her, but I haven't completely decided on it or not. I went to public school from Kindergarten through the seventh grade, and then my Mom began homeschooling my brothers and I. I never went to a public high school, and I wish I had. I feel like I missed out on a lot. I have a couple of more years to think about it though.
Any plans for more kids?
No plans yet, but again, I can't change God's plans. I honestly, personally, feel as though I am done. I'm good with one. I think I'll die of a heart attack if I have to go through the toddler stage again. I'm not even quiet sure I'm going to make it out of the one I'm in now.
- Salt from Salt Says asks...
What is some advice you would give for a successful marriage?
Most people would answer this question by saying that it takes "trust" & "honesty" to keep a marriage going. I'm not so sure that I agree with that. It takes a lot more. It takes a lot of love, a lot of respect, and a lot of patience. Appreciate each other. And when you're angry with each other, it's just best not to talk until you have calmed down. In my experience, a lot of hurtful words can be thrown in a fight...and those are words that you'll never forget. Never mind the old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." That's not true. Words do hurt.
- Kiera from Imperfect Daisies asks...
Ok, the only reason I feel like I have the liberty to ask you this is because I'm a young mom and was pregnant before I was married. Were you? Tell your story, if you don't mind.
I don't mind telling my story at all. In fact, I had hoped someone would ask me this! Paul and I began dating in June of 2006. Things went pretty fast for us, which I assume is what happens when you meet "the one". We found out in December of 2006 that I was pregnant. That was a scary moment in my life. Not because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to be a Mother, but because I am the daughter of a preacher, and disappointing my Parents is not something I tried to do. In fact, disappointing my Parents was something I always tried to avoid. The scariest moment of my life was when Paul and I had to tell my Parents that I was pregnant. I didn't know how they would re-act. I wasn't sure if they would be so disappointed in me that they couldn't even look at me. I didn't what to expect. The relationship between my Parents and I was a little rocky after that, but things got smoother over time. Paul and I got married in February of 2007 and over the stretch of 9 months...our relationship got back to normal (sort of). Bree was born in September of 2007...and now, things couldn't be better between us all. I am so thankful to have such a loving set of Parents, who will absolutely love me no matter what.
- Becky from In the Trenches asks...
How did you and the hubby meet?
I was taking a college course my senior year in high school, and Paul was in the English course that I was taking. I remember the very moment that I first laid eyes on him, I just knew that he was it. The one. Most people don't believe in those moments, and I wouldn't have either if it had never happened to me. But, love at first sight does exist. Unfortunately, at the time that we met...I had a boyfriend and he had a girlfriend. It wasn't too long after we met though, that I broke up with my boyfriend. I was thinking about Paul all of the time, and I just didn't feel right having this boyfriend whom I really didn't see myself going anywhere with. Besides that, I didn't really like him much at all...and really wasn't sure why I was with him. Paul and I didn't have anymore classes together after that English course, and I went about my life. I never did get his phone number, or anything so we didn't talk for nearly a year. But hot, Summer day in June, I found him on Myspace. I asked to be his friend, he accepted. He says that he didn't know who I was, he just accepted my friend request because he thought I was hot (how flattering). But two days after I befriended him on Myspace, we went on our first date...and the rest is history!
- Brandy from You Don't Know asks...
Does your Husband read your blog?
No he doesn't. He doesn't do much on the internet actually. He doesn't even Facebook. Such a weirdo :) He enjoys television more than the internet. I guess that's okay. At least I don't have to worry about having to share the computer with him :)
Thank you all for sending me your questions. I was excited to answer each and every one of them! Thank you all for your support, and for making Apple Juice and Milk what it is today. Make sure you get yourself a cupcake and celebrate Apple Juice & Milk's 1 year Blogaversary. You all deserve it!
When Valentines Day & Wedding Anniversaries Collide
Monday, February 08, 2010 Yours Truly, Samantha
I have never really been a fan of Valentines Day. I think it's become a pointless holiday (if you can really call it that). It's just another day to remind the single people that they're single, and to stress out the already married or dating couple. Hubby and I always wonder what we should do for Valentines Day, because our wedding anniversary generally falls a week and a half after Valentines Day (February 24th). Of course we want to put more money and love into our Wedding Anniversary, because let's face it, it is more special than Valentines Day ever thought about being. Last year though, we should have definitely talked things over a little more. On our Anniversary I wound up spending the evening in the bathroom, crying my eye balls out.
On Valentines Day, Paul brought me home some beautiful Daisies (my favorite flower, I hate roses). I smiled and felt so special, because he brought me something home even though we had decided to do more for our Anniversary. I took pictures of the flowers and proudly displayed them on Facebook for all to see. I was so in love with my hubby.
But then came our Anniversary...
I was making us a special Anniversary dinner; breakfast with HUGE pancakes! When he came home from work, I had expected that he would have in hand some flowers, or chocolates or something meaningful. Instead, he walked in with nothing. Nothing! At first, I tried not to get offended. I mean, he had brought home flowers for Valentines Day. But this was our Anniversary, and even though we were going to celebrate it the following weekend...I felt like he should have at least brought me home something.
As I stood there making our special Anniversary breakfast, I felt myself getting angrier and angrier. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. By the time supper was ready, I threw the HUGE pancakes at him, gobbled down my dinner, and went in the other room...to cry. A few minutes later he walked into the room, and actually had the balls to ask what was wrong with me. I told him. It was our Anniversary, and he should have at least brought home something. I wouldn't have cared it was a Hershey Kiss, or a flower that he jerked up out of the yard before he walked in the door. I wouldn't have cared what it was just as long as it was something. He was completely dumbfounded (as most men are), and tried to argue with me. I ended up locking myself in the bathroom, on the floor with my back against the door, using toilet paper as a kleenex, and bawling my bloody eye balls out. Paul stood on the other side of the door, pounding his fist, begging me to come out. I still haven't figured out what good coming out of the bathroom would have done. I could talk just fine through the wood of the door. He still didn't understand what he had done wrong. We were celebrating our Anniversary that weekend, where was the need to bring something home?
After about an hour, he stormed out of the house and went bought some flowers. I took them from him, threw them on the counter and told him that the flowers didn't make any difference now; it didn't mean the same. I know, I was probably being a little bit of a bitch now...but hey...what man doesn't bring something home to his wife on their Wedding Anniversary? My Dad tried to explain to me Paul's train of thought, but in my mind...there was no train of thought.
I'm sure he has learned his lesson from last year's little ordeal...okay maybe it was a BIG ordeal...but we've got things planned out now. This year we will celebrate Valentines Day with dinner and a movie, no gifts (but there better be some flowers in there somewhere), and although our Wedding Anniversary falls on a Wednesday (again, there better be some flowers or chocolate or something)...we will be celebrating it the following weekend in North Carolina.
If I had it to do over, I would have definitely pushed our wedding back another week or so. Heck, maybe I wouldn't have gotten married at all (totally kidding), but the fact is...it's kind of tough having these two "holidays" right next to each other. I imagine that this is how people who share a birthday with Christmas feel. What do you do? So, this is yet another reason why I just don't like Valentines Day. It adds unnecessary stress to situations...like my Wedding Anniversary. I hope to not spend my Anniversary, locked in the bathroom and crying my eye balls out, this year. I hope it runs smoother, and I hope that husband of mine brings home something on both occasions.
I'm Cheering For the Team With the Pretty Colors.
Monday, February 08, 2010 Yours Truly, Samantha
There were actually two reasons why I decided to pull for the Saints in last night's Super Bowl:
1. I liked their colors best
2. Everyone I knew was pulling for the Colts, and well, where's the fun in pulling for the same team that everyone else is pulling for?
To be fair, I really didn't watch much of the Super Bowl. I was at the In-Law's house (which is a whole other situation I could delve into, but won't), and I brought my computer to keep me from being bored out of my mind. I had thought that I would at least watch the commercials, because they're generally pretty funny. Not this year. They were terrible, and lacking in some serious funny! There was like one that made me laugh, and it was a Dorritos commercial.
Anyway, that's beside the point.
The point is...the Saints won, and my tradition of choosing which team I'm going to pull for because of their colors lives on!
Anyway...
Tomorrow is my Blogaversary and I am super excited to answer all of your questions!! If you haven't submitted your question(s) into me just yet, click here to read all about my Blogaversary & submit them. I have gotten a lot of great questions, but would love to get more! I am also pretty tired of looking at this dreary look I've got going on for this blog. Be looking for something new and fresh and bright! Spring will be here soon...at least for Apple Juice & Milk.
I hope everyone's weekend was fantabulous (yes, I made up another word). Mine definitely could have stood to be better, but that's another post for another time.
Oh and to all of my newest followers, welcome!!
A Saturday Morning Post
Saturday, February 06, 2010 Yours Truly, Samantha
Anyway, our monsoon weather finally cleared out late last night. What was supposed to be tons of ice and snow, turned into tons of rain. I'm not sure which is more annoying, snow and ice, or a lot of rain. Rain is definitely more...wet. We did however, go out to eat with the FIL and BIL last night. I wasn't going to spend another Friday night at home like I had the last 3 weeks. Sometimes ya just gotta get out and ya don't care who you're getting out with. It was okay, but I'm in a serious shopping mood and have absolutely no money.
Why is it that when you want to shop the most, you're the brokest (I definitely just made up a word)?
I used to think that I didn't have a shoe fetish. Now I am thinking that I am wrong. Although I just got my Clarks a couple of weeks ago, I told Hubby I wanted a pair of Dansko's. He looked at me like I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. Hey...I like a good comfy shoe and I can't help that you have to pay a 100 dollars to get that. Don't yell at me, yell at the companies for pricing it that way. Oh and the Spring shopping I'm going to do when I get that tax refund. Oh the flip flops I'm going to buy. And Oh the Doc's appointment I have to make with my OBGYN. I don't have health insurance. Can't afford it. So...in order to avoid debt, I'm making my check-up appointment at the OBGYN so I can pay for it with my tax refund (yes, this is how poor people have to live). Gotta have all that precious woman stuff done. Ugh. Child birth was embarrassing enough. And yes, my OB is a man. And no, he's not attractive. I even think he may be gay...but that's another story.
Anyway...
This post turned out looking like a Random Tuesday Thoughts post. I guess that's the mood I'm in, but that's what's to be expected from someone who didn't get much sleep.
How many of you are snowed in today?
...Freaky Friday
Friday, February 05, 2010 Yours Truly, Samantha
As I mentioned in my interview over at Ian's place yesterday, one of my favorite television shows is Ghost Hunters. I love how the T.A.P.S crew set out to disprove paranormal activity, but aren't afraid to admit when they have the proof to prove a "haunting". That sets them apart from any other "ghost hunter" crew out there. Plus, Jay, Grant & Steve kick butt (never mind Kris & Amy...and GHI? Nah)! Anyway, often people wonder why I get so into stuff like Ghost Hunters and the paranormal. I don't strike people as the type of person who would believe in that type of stuff. You see, I've been seeing things since I was a baby. My Mom often tells of times that she would be changing my diaper and I would begin smiling, laughing, and waving at something over my Mom's shoulder. She has also told stories about me waving at something in our front door, as we would leave the driveway. I believe these stories that my Mom tells about this particular something, because I remember what she looked like. Yes, I said she.
[Cue creepy music]
I may have been 3 or 4 years old; I remember my Mom standing me up on the dining room table, for what reason, I'm not sure. I remember the dining room table begining to tilt as if it were going to tip over. As I replay this moment in my memory, everything plays in slow motion. I remember seeing her walk down the hallway toward me, and that's when I began saying something about my Nanny Bridges (my Grandmother). I guess to my little 4 year old mind, she looked like my Grandmother. That's when my Mom saw that the table was tipping over, and quickly scooped me up...clearly a little freaked out. Was she my guardian angel, or perhaps just a lady watching over me in the house? I don't guess I will ever know, but I will never ever forget what she looked like.
Fast forward a couple of years...
When I was about five years old, we moved to a house in a part of the county that was referred to as The Dark Corner. It sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and was named the The Dark Corner, because it attracted outlaws and moonshiners. It is said that there were gun-fights, knife-fights, and mayhem in general. I tend to believe that the house we moved into was built on top of an indian burial ground. Why? Well, my Dad's Mom lived in the house before we moved in and I had spent the night with her one night. I remember waking up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, when I saw a man standing there at the door of the bedroom. His face wasn't real clear, but I could make out the outline of his body, and I could tell that he didn't have on many clothes (like an indian). By the outline of his head, I could tell that he didn't have any hair, and I could tell that he was very muscular. My Grandmother had a lamp that was hooked onto the headboard of the bed, that could be turned on by a a chain. The ghost scared me so much that I jumped up and turned that light on. I'm pretty sure that my Grandmother suffered a mini-heart attack that night.
That was the first of many occurrences to happen in that house. Everything from seeing shadows, to a man standing at the top of the stairs, to feeling like someone was standing right behind you while playing the piano. I never will forget that house, and the many, many "paranormal" experiences I had there.
I am not afraid to tell people of my experiences with things like the paranormal, because I know that they happened. I can't explain it though, and I don't intend to. But, I do believe that the "dead" are closer to us than we think.
I hope I haven't scared some of my new followers away. I felt like in honor of the dark and dreary day outside, doing a sort of Freaky Friday post would be fun! Do you have an "experiences" with the paranormal or some other type of entity that you would like to share? If not, it's okay. I tend to think that you have to sort of "believe" in these things, to see them. That's why children often see things; they're innocent and have no reason to not believe in anything.
*If you haven't submitted your questions to me for my Blogaversary, DON'T FORGET to do so!! You have less than a week to get those questions into me! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, or you are new to my blog...click here to find out how you can help me celebrate my Blogaversary!!*
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