Life is a beach, then you get back to work.

I like to think that when women are relaxing on the beach, thinking a multitude of things, that occasionally how they feel about their body comes into play.  Then they look at every person, man or woman, that passes by and judges them.  Too fat, too skinny, too much muscle, not enough muscle, ugly bathing suit, not enough bathing suit, etc.  That is the thought.  This is the first trip I've taken where I am 10lbs lighter that I used to be and I actually feel ok about my body.  What I realized for the first time is that every single person that passed by had something that I would change.  So I figure if that body was my actual body and I wanted to change something, I'm sure they feel the same way.  I realize that every person that passed by was different and made differently on purpose.  That this is how God wanted me to be, then I'm ok with this, because He is perfect.  He loves me and my life is because of him.

Girls Weekend...

I know there is a reason it's called "Girls" Weekend, we leave the husbands/boyfriends etc, home.  However, when you bring a large canopy it is sometimes helpful to have a man around to put it up and take it down.  I think we did a good job, but it still would have been nice to have a couple guys around to do it for us.

I love trips to Florida with girls it's always a blast, but I miss my husband already.  Everyone says that this will go away that one day I won't really care if I'm away from him, but strangely enough, I LOVE HIM soooo much and  I miss him when I'm away.  I know I've said that before and I know there are some of you that are "barfing" mentally as I talk about him.  Granted we didn't have much to talk about when I called to check on him and Pedro too of course.   We actually did "face time" sort of video chatting, but Pedro could only hear me.  He didn't "know" to look at the phone.  Pedro isn't the smartest dog in the world of course.  Guess you can't have it all, cuteness and brains.  Like me, I'm cute, but not the most intelligent person in the world.  My husband on the other hand was blessed with both:  he's darn cute and brilliant.  AND he can sing.  that is SOOOO not fair.  HA.

Well I'm in Fort Walton with some ladies I used to work with briefly at the La Workforce Commission.  We have a lovely view and are here until Monday.  It's Memorial Day weekend, I'm thankful beyond measure for our service men and women, and I am hoping and praying for their safe return home.  So glad to be here, I needed a tan so bad.  Hopefully I'm nice and bronzed when I get home.  I won't be back at the beach for another two months when we do our 2nd (should be third) Flotta-Poche family vacation.  In fact in December our Memphis trip could be called the 3rd, since we're all running a 1/2 marathon together.  OUCH...I still cannot believe they have talked me into it.

I definitely have to run in the morning.

Patience is a virtue.

For the first time in my life, I have patience.  It's just when you think you've finally gotten to a point where you are ok with the way things are, you're happy and enjoying life: well it's then that God sends a curve ball.  Thankfully the curve ball that is to come is a lot of GOOD curves.

Right now I'm patiently waiting on an offer on our condo.  I trust that if it's meant to be it will be.  Every day that I run (I don't run everyday, don't get confused) I run past houses that are for sale.  Some of those houses have been for sale longer than ours, others not as long.  It makes me wonder, why our house?  Why not their houses? I just have to keep trusting, because I know that my house, the one where I will raise my family, is out there, waiting for me.  Same goes for this condo, it's waiting for someone special - they will be here soon, I just know it.

I haven't written in a while and wanted to drop in.  I'm not living up to my "promise" to this blog.
"If God is for us, than who can be against us? "

Enough said.

Happy Birthday Carey...and Davis.

Well Carey is still celebrating his birthday 6 days later and as he says (and I quote) "technically it's still my birthday week."  Which ends tomorrow.  The truly wonderful man that he is, has given me the money his Mom gave him for "his birthday" although she gave him two presents already. He's spoiled.  We are spoiled. I like it.  I cannot tell a lie.  HA!

I'm excited to say we have someone coming to look at the condo on Monday and I hope that they are "the one."   I am trusting in God's plan, I keep saying that I know, but it's true.  I just know that it'll work out.

Sandra is in the hospital and was about to go into surgery around 5:30...I'm going to call and check on her in a minute.  Mr. Emile Spano is there as well, I spoke to Beth before I left earlier today.

I was supposed to do my first bike ride tomorrow morning but with Davis' party at 2pm and me having to be back and ready to head to Donaldsonville right after, I just won't have time.  Deborah and Jefferey Dinino are getting married tomorrow night in Destrehan and Mom and I are going should be nice and fun.  I wish Carey could come, I just LOVE when he puts on a suit...>YUMMY!  He has to work and then he's going to practice, so needless to say I won't see him at all tomorrow.  :( Which is not unusual for a weekend when he's working.

Hopefully I'll wake up early enough and get a nice 3 miles run in tomorrow, b/c my tummy still hurts from eating to much at Sammy's and so I'm yet to work out today...this is the only thing I hate about Fridays.

So HAPPY Birthday to my precious Angel Davis...I hope you know how much I love you and to my wonderful and beautiful husband. I love you more than should be allowed by a person. You're mean so much to me.  I wouldn't be as happy as I am right now, if you were not in my life.

the 31 Woman

Suzanna - this is for you love.

Today's devotion was about the 31 Woman and how we should get down on our needs and ask God to help us be that woman. Respected by her husband, honored by her children and a hard and passionate worker.  The writer of this devotion mentioned how that was the Lord's reason for writing about this woman.  So that we could go to Him and ask for the things that we need in our lives to be THAT woman.

What do we need in our lives to be that?  I'm each of us has a least that is quite long.  I believe that if we openly discussed it, we could add to our lists.  We all know what I shortcomings are, but do we ask God to help us along the way so that we can strive to be better, to get closer to being the woman described there.

Proverbs 31:10-31 - let it be a lesson to us.
What is it exactly that we want to be?  What do we want to be for our friends and our families?
How far are we from being there?  Have I asked God today, to help me on that journey?

Happy Mother's Day

I never thought the day would come when I realize that My Mom is the best Mom EVER!  I know that everyone says that, but I really mean it.  She  makes life wonderful.  She sacrificed so may things so that I would not go without.  She gave up a lot so that I could go to Catholic School.  She taught me everything I know.  She makes me laugh sometimes and I love that I can do it to her by saying things that she would always say to me.  I mean we have reversed roles since I've grown up. Granted I'm a worry wart just like her and I "can't" throw things away because well, ask her.  I find myself doing things the way she does.  I'm turning into her, it's scary, but amazing.  I love knowing that I can turn to her no matter what.

I turn to her first, it's because she will never let me down, I know that.  She has never let me down before.  I know that she would give her life for me as I would for her.  Today is more than Mother's Day.  There really aren't the words to describe.  Well there are, but I don't know if could adequately describe what she is to me.

I appreciate so much more because of how she raised me.  I worry too much because I'm just like her.  I'm loving, compassionate and hopeful too because of her.  I am so thankful that she is my mother.  I hope I can be like her when I am older and I hope my children will understand my reasons for decisions and realize, as I do now, that "Mom knows best."

I love you Mom.

There is no one more committed to her  honoring God and teaching me to be thankful for everything.  She has always taught me to ask God for the things I want, but also trust that He will make things happen for me.

Volleyball - it's become a full contact sport

Yes that is correct. Volleyball is full contact. OK, so it's accidental full contact, but the truth of the matter is that last night, I went left, Amber went right...her knee right into my thigh that is. So much for running my way to a size 2. It was funny and painful, I called a "time-out" while crying and laughing and everyone kept playing. No one believed that I was as hurt as I was. It's like I pulled a muscle or something. It's really uncomfortable. I have no idea, really, what actually happened. I just know that I can't run/job/bike or walk very well. Bending my leg is not an option at this point, I can do it, it just hurts pretty bad. I guess things could be worse.

Tomorrow is Friday and for that I am SOOOO thankful. I have to admit the days fly by at DOTD, it no wonder why people work there for 20, 30 and even 50 years. Before you know it, it's been 1 year and 3 months...my how time flies.

If I haven't told you lately, I love my husband. He's on the couch right now and has to be the cutest thing ever. Although Pedro is pretty cute too. I was going to add some pics, but the computers (yes with an "s" because we have two) aren't working the way they should. Actually if you count the iPad and two cell phones, then we have 5. Are we spoiled or what?

It's Mother's Day weekend. Carey and Pedro's birthday on Saturday also. I'm taking my sweet husband to Gino's Italian Restaurant for his big day. That's where he wants to go, I mean he's 31, he should get a proper Italian meal, and believe me he will.

I'm looking forward to spending a bit of time with him this weekend. He's off, I have a mani/pedi at 10 and he'll be sleeping anyway. Then he'll leave early to go to Mandeville to play music. At least I know I'll see him on Sunday.

Corporate Cup - 5K

So I guess you could say I'm an avid runner again.  I run 4 days a week, plus bike a couple...so I'm a freak I guess.  Well here is a pic from the 2011 Corporate Cup Race...I ran 3.1 miles in 32.15 (I think) better than last years 36 minutes.  I ran 3.18 miles the other day in 28 minutes so I'm super pumped about that.  I'm feeling a lot better too!

This is me and our Chief Engineer being silly because I was supposed to beat him in the race.  He smoked me however, we enjoyed the rivalry.  Maybe next year.

...The General now...it's not just for insurance.

I really enjoyed the devotional today.  It talked about life bringing good and bad things and how we easily thank God for the many blessings, but when things aren't "going our way" we sometimes try to handle it by ourselves.  We might pray but it's quick and impersonal "God please help."   We typically put on our armor and fight the way we know how as best we can.  What we need to do is put it all on God.  Let Him lead this army of one, let Him be the General.  We have to have Faith...that seems to be a recurring phrase for me.  Matthew 17:20, we need only faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains right?

Romans 8:28 "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him."


I know that my love for Him is great, but not nearly as His love for me.



To change the pace...I had a very interesting night at Volleyball.  Amber and I ran into each other and she kneed me in the thigh.  I'm am still in so much pain, I'm just waiting for this HUGE bruise to show up on my leg.  I know it'll be there in the morning.  We'll see.

Tornadoes and Floods and Wars, O My

I'm in shock right now.  The devastation in Alabama and a number of other states is unbelievable, it's like Katrina all over again.  Then the rising of the Mighty Mississippi has everyone at DOTD going crazy, with the Ferry's and Surveyors and people scurrying around making assessments, I'm wondering what the after effect will be on Donaldsonville.  Although the war is still going on, our Navy Seals have killed Osama Bin Laden.  I was talking about it at work and I called him Obama Sin Laden.  WHHOOOPS!

If you know me, I use that statement a lot on here don't I?  Well if you do, you'll know that all I listen to on the radio, at least 90% of the time, is Christian Radio.  It's just a great start to my day and a great way to "detox" on the way home.  Regardless, of my reasons for listening, it's good stuff.  I have some very moving and profound realizations while I'm listening to that music.  I keep telling myself, I'll start blogging about a certain song and lyrics in said songs, but I can't seem to get a set schedule...too much stuff going on.

I have to go watch Glee, apparently the light from the computer is driving my husband a bit loony.  Later...