I have to say that I always thought that water pressure was water pressure.  What you get is what you get.  Although I did find it odd that one shower seemed to have more pressure than the other.

This past week, we took the shower head from the guest bathroom and put it in our bathroom (we both liked that shower head better and it appeared to have much better pressure).  Then we figured we should get a new shower head for the guest bathroom (looking for something similar to what it already had).  We searched at Home Depot this past weekend and found a shower head that we both seemed to like (at least it was worth trying).

Jason wanted to try it out in our shower first (why give it to the guests if we like it better). :)  We were blown away by this new shower head.  The pressure was far better than even the shower head we had in our guest bathroom.  It takes seconds to wash the shampoo and conditioner out of my hair now.  I’m so thrilled!!!

I now know that it has nothing to do with the house’s water pressure but what shower head you have.  If you’re not thrilled with your shower water pressure, I suggest getting a new shower head.

And if you’re wondering what shower head we got, it’s called Delta Victorian 5-Spray Shower Head in Satin Nickel and they also have this shower head in a hand held option.

Today is my 13th wedding anniversary and there isn’t one thing unlucky about the number 13.  I was born on the 13th.  If you switch those numbers around, Jason was born on the 31st and then Brody on the 31st.  Those numbers are lucky!

I’m lucky in love, lucky to have found my husband (boy did I hit the jack pot), lucky to be happily married for 13 years to my best friend.  So, the number 13 is extremely lucky (no taboo here).  And, I’m fully aware that luck has nothing to do with it.

Happy 13th anniversary to me!

Almost 13 years ago we started our search for the perfect cat.  I wanted a lap cat and wanted a cat that needed and wanted affection and boy did I get it.  Bailey loved to be held.  He was at your feet at every waking moment.  He had certain cries for certain things that he wanted and communicated very well.  He was a purebred Birman and as fluffy as a cat could be.  He loved to be brushed, loved laying in your lap and loved any attention anyone would give him.  We got him 9 months after we were married (our first little baby).  He was indeed the perfect cat!

Bailey, passed away on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 12 years of age.  He hadn’t eaten, drank, or used the litter box in three days (that we’re aware of).  I took him to the vet on Friday and the doctor thought it might be his kidneys.  Said he was very dehydrated, then tried to take blood and found out he was extremely dehydrated, so wanted to keep him over night to observe and hook up to an IV.  So, I left the vet with an empty cat carrier, but thinking I’d get a call on Saturday to say that I could come to pick him up or that the blood work showed something and we needed to make the decision to keep him alive or put him to sleep.

Apparently Jason got a call before I even made it home from the vet saying that Bailey had passed away on his own.  They were trying to hook him up to an IV and he just stopped fighting his fight.  It’s very bittersweet as we were just recently considering finding a better home for him.  He required so much love and attention that we now couldn’t give to him with Brody.  I think he partly died of a broken heart.  I’m very sad (as you can imagine).

I’m struggling with that best case scenario.  Is it better that he died on his own?  Sure, we didn’t have to make a choice.  He made it for us.  But then I think how it might have been easier to know that he was suffering and to make that choice for him (as if we were saving him from a horrible road that led before him).  There would be peace in that.  Either way, it was his time.  He is definitely not hurting anymore.  I will forever remember his last visit with the vet (and it wasn’t a pretty one).  Oh I wish I could get that memory out of my mind.  Every place in this house reminds me of him.  He was everywhere (waiting at the door when we got home, sitting at my feet as I washed bottles each night, jumping into bed with me to snuggle at night, etc…).  There are so many memories.

The day that Bailey died, I was able to get some pictures of Brody with Bailey and I’m so thankful I thought to do that.  One last memory.  Bailey was loved and he had a good life.  Rest in peace Bailey.

Our neighbor’s little girl next door, Jessie (9-years-old), had an assignment in church yesterday to write a letter to God. Here’s what she wrote (and boy do we feel honored that she wanted to pray for us).

Did you know that 95% of people that diet fail according to the FTC?  In order to succeed long term, people need to understand and be able to live a healthy lifestyle.

My trainer/coach, Jared, is leading a Fat Loss WEBinar this next Thursday (May 27th).  The WEBinar is free.  Jared will be talking about the 5 components of fitness that will start you on your way to ultimate health.  I’m attending this WEBinar and hope you’ll join me.  I’ve learned so much from Jared already (things that have kept me motivated to wanting to get this weight off).  I’m looking forward to learning even more.

Check out the picture to the above.  This is my trainer, Jared.  Can you believe that in this before and after picture, Jared weighs exactly the same weight?  Now that’s proof that fat loss is better than weight loss.  He went from 15.2% body fat to 7.5% in just 14 weeks.  Crazy, huh?  Certainly makes you interested in finding out more about fat loss, doesn’t it?

1. Please join Jared’s WEBinar, Thursday, May 27 at 7:00pm Eastern Standard Time (6:00pm Central Standard Time).
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/853471560

2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.
Dial 646-558-2101
Access Code: 853-471-560
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

Meeting ID: 853-471-560

Hope to “see” you there!

My online consignment shop that I love so much has gone out of business, but I’ve recently stumbled upon something else, called “thredUP”.

This is a site where you can list your gently used child’s clothing and purchase gently used children’s clothing in return.  Everything is shipped and received in a medium sized flat-rate USPS box (stuffed to the gills).  And you can order your medium sized flat-rate boxes from the post office website for free and they get sent directly to you.  How easy is that.

You take time to list the contents of your box, sizes, type of clothing, name brand, color, etc… and wait for someone to pick it.  When your box is picked, you ship it out and then get rated.  You do not receive any money for your items.  It’s a straight “trade” for a trade.  You also do not pay to ship your items (as thredUP has you print out a pre-paid label to put on your box).

You can pick a box out first (to try it out), but have to list a box (or multiple boxes) and have someone pick one of your boxes before you’re able to purchase another box (I do like these guidelines).

It’s a pretty cool concept.  Thought I would share it with everyone.

It’s hard to believe, but our ring bearer graduated from high school this past Saturday.  Jason and I have been married for almost 13 years.  My has the time past quickly.  Congratulations Ben!

Isn’t that a combo for a title. :)  So, what am I going to do with all these toilet paper rolls and the bleach pens.  Stay tuned to find out.

Last night I went to a “Mom’s craft night”.  Our craft…freezer paper stenciling.

I’ve seen so many people blogging about freezer paper stenciling.  It looks so simple (and it is).  I had so much fun looking online through stencils and picking out things I wanted to stencil on onesies for Brody.

In case you’re interested, I found some of my stencils from the Microsoft Clip Art collection and some from a stencil website.  I also found two great tutorials!  One with a video and one without, but both with step-by-step instructions.

The hardest part is cutting out the stencil (takes the longest too).  The freezer paper works like a charm with no seepage.  Try it out.  You’ll be addicted!

Ubuntu Logo

Baby Tux (can't remember his name)

A mouse

A frog

An owl

I have to say that I’ve hated this day for many years. Why, you ask? For the past eight years, I’ve wanted nothing more than to be called a Mom. When Mother’s Day rolled around, I hated this day more than anything. It was such a painful day for me (wanting so badly to have a child and not being able to). We even stopped going to church on this day as each year only got worse for me.

So, now that I am actually a Mom, I’m not quite sure what to think of today. While I’ve waited for this day for what feels like forever, it’s hard to believe it’s finally here. I have mixed feelings about today. It feels weird to experience it for what it is. I thought I’d embrace it, but like pregnancy, it just left me in a weird “in between” space. I think my wounds of Mother’s Day are still there and aren’t going to heal very quickly. I’m sure as the years go by, I will soak up all that this day offers. I’m looking forward to that day, but in the meantime, I have a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. My day is finally here. I’m a Mom, something to be proud of.

And, now transitioning from all that nonsense, to something more fun…
Brody got me the greatest gift (besides just being him). I woke up this morning to a card on my nightstand. How this little guy snuck in at night and put it there is beyond me. The card was amazing (I did blur out what Jason wrote as I want his sweet words to be just for me). Included in the card was a handmade gift card entitling me to a day away to do whatever I want, going to my favorite spa for a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, and whatever else my heart desires. To top it off, I have the option of taking someone with me (on the house….house being Jason of course). So…who wants to be my friend?

What I loved even more was Brody’s next surprise. We’re sitting in the living room together and here is the conversation…
Jason: What? What’d you say?
Brody: whisper, whisper, whisper
Jason: Oh, you have one more surprise for Mommy?
Jason: What was that?
Brody: whisper, whisper, whisper
Jason: Oh, you want Mommy to check out your blog?

So, I went into Jason’s office and checked out Brody’s blog. I LOVED it! Check it out yourself…

If you’re a Mom, I hope you’re having a wonderful Mother’s Day.  If you’re wanting to be a Mom and the day hasn’t yet gotten here for you, please know I know how you feel and how hard this day is.  I’m praying for you.

Last night Jason and I were sitting on the couch together watching TV.  Here’s our conversation…

Jason:  Close your eyes.
Jan:  Do I need to hold my hands out?
Jason: No, just close your eyes.
Jan: Ok
Jason: You promise you’ll keep them closed?
Jan: Why?
Jason: There’s a bug on the floor I don’t want you to see.
Jan: Is it big?
Jason: Well, it’s not small.
I hear him pounding away at this bug and assume that he’s killed it by now, so I open my eyes just as he’s lifting up the paper towel, exposing what it is.
Jan: Oh my gosh!
Jason: You said you were going to keep your eyes closed.

Here’s what it was…BLEH!