Simply Suprising

That is something that I think of when I think of women.

Women who work full time, do the gym, do their hobbies and still are amazing mothers.

Women who always have a smile on their face, even through sickness and stress

Women who do what it takes to make sure their loved ones are okay

Then after all that, when a normal person should have no more strength

They do a little bit more.

That is why women are just simply suprising

I am honored to be able to call myself one, errr well kinda.=)

Happy Tuesday

hugs,

Bridgette

Rewind

So remember that lovely 20 some odd things to do this week? Well let's recap and see what I exactly did shall we???



I did try to get my car inspection done, but THEY FAILED ME. Because my battery is a little loose. Yeppers, that is the ONLY reason...:::rolls eyes:::::. Then I hung up one load of laundry, so have a huge pile of clean clothes on my spare bed. I kinda worked out this week but not really, I did not make a weekly meal plan. I did make some awesome food though.=)



I did make the calls to my mom and Shirley. Did not do the gym last week, not even once. Unless you count walking the dogs. But have done the gym this week. So cross my fingers I keep my willpower this week. I got wrapped up in my books, lol. That is just me. I am unashamed of it.

I am registered for Human Biology, Human Biology Lab and then US History 1865-Present,plus got my books ordered. I did not know as well on my grammar final as I had hoped. I did not mail ANY boxes...I am fired. But if you are my friend or family member waiting for a package, you are used to it. I also did not do Rosetta Stone. Maybe I should not make lists anymore. That way..I do not fail.

Anyways off here for now, gotta do some chores, then head off to the gym.



.

This or That...

Procrastination should be my middle name. Why? Well because I should be writing my Compare-Contrast Essay from Grammar class due at Midnight EST. Which for those of you trying to figure the time difference are 6 is my time here in Belgium. “But Bridgette, you knew this was due for weeks, are you not almost done”? You say? Hahahahaha try just an outline, I picked a topic, wrote and outline…then focused on other stuff, and now it is 11pm on Sunday night and I need to write it,

BUT WHAT AM I DOING YOU ASK?

I had not had a chance to read everyone’s lovely blogs this week, soooo caught up on that. I updated pictures to my MySpace and facebook, (very important) as well to our shutterfly website. Got a bit excited because I have tons more lamp post pictures now from this last trip to London, I will get that book of European Lamp Posts made for sure. I jumped for joy when I realized I did not have to paint tomorrow (we have been painting our kitchen, another post for another time), worried about my loved ones by listening to Buddha Bar and going inside my mind with my thoughts…not a safe place sometimes.=) BTW for those who have not heard Buddha Bar…look the cds up, listen to the tracks, then buy them cause I know you will love them.
I also realized that I have 4 pairs of shoe pictures to post on my other blog, which by thinking of that got me really excited because I can shop again. MY ONLINE SHOPPING BAN IS OVER….I can start looking at shoes again, but after paying for the kid’s lawyer...well that is just a dream=)
So after all that I should be able to focus on my essay right? Hmmm nope…so started adding to my “100 Things to do before I die list”, read some of my latest book “Marker”, by Robin Cook, played some Mario Kart WII with Ryon…I won in case you had any doubt.
So now...after all that I am writing a post since been over 2 weeks since I had, and this post is as boring, jumping and pointless as my procrastination from this essay. SO I guess I will sign off with my list of 20 things on my mind for this upcoming week, which will be a busy first week of August.

You all have a lovely, lovely rest of your Sunday Night. If you read through all this jumbled nonsense, you are a kind soul.

1. I have to get my cars CT done tomorrow(emissions, brakes etc)
2. Got lots of laundry to hang up and put away
3. Gym everyday this week…MUST DO IT
4. Need to make my weekly meal plan(helps me eat right)
5. Call my mom and Shirley, let them know the airfare I found out
6. Got to follow my chore list, and not let the house slack
7. Try to not get to wrapped up in my novels, function in the real world.
8. Have that big grammar class final this week, even though the class ends in 2 weeks MUST STUDY
9. Make sure my fall classes books have been ordered
10. Stop everyday and Thank God and my loved ones for my life and my many blessings, no matter the stressful time
11. Work on not getting offended when people CONSTANTLY tease me about my poor sportiness(is that a word) or call me crazy or say I scare them playing games, I know they do not mean it the way I take it..(when I really just want to never play games with them again, since I really do not get crazy, I dislike that word immensely, after everything in my life…I could really be the officially term of crazy..But I am not. At least never been diagnosed, I admit I am a poor sport, but I do nothing to scare people…If I do and you are reading this let me know…quit teasing me.
12. Realized 11 is waaay to long =)
13. Help Ryon with the yard work, since he did not do this weekend , because I asked him not to
14. Try to get a box or two mailed from the GAZILLION we have to mail off.
15. Do Rosetta Stone 3x this week, to keep practicing my French
16. Do something for me everyday, bubble bath, face mask, scented candle and a breathing exercise..etc
17. Talk my boys for a walk 3x this week, they have been neglected due to other stress factors.
18. Try to catch up with friends in the states this week
19. Go pick some blackberries and try to make home-made jam
20. Love life

View through my Lens

I just wanted to post some pictures that I have been taking. I truly love photos, I love to look at things and try to get an angle that will give me an awesome picture, or edit it to where it looks nothing like the orginal, yet still awesome. There has been a HUGE lack of photos in my blog, I mean there has also been a lack of me writting really meaningful things, besides a "I am doing good" or " I am doing bad". People seem to leave comments every now and then, but I am not intrested why would others be. I know blogs are for the person and I feel this blog is for me, yet at same time I really need to be aware of putting myself out there in a manner that can be pleasing or entertaining to readers. Well that is what I want anyways, not that I have too. However I will still always be me.

Anyways....

So usually on a weekly basis I draw inspiration from these photographers I follow, It started with Luminous Lisa, then my first stranger added who was Goregous Georgia, which then led me to the path of the Creative Claire(not there names just adding adjectives to their names to be fun), and then as well onto Jazzy Jamie. There are more I follow but THESE 4 just really.....make me look at their pictures, and try to asorb their amazing talent.

<---- This two handsome devils are my boys. Jax is the Amercian Staff. Terrier and Friday is the Chocolate Lab, they love to cuddle up together soooo sweet. I did not do anything to this, except make it to where people did not have to see Jax's "privates" all spread out.

^

This is part of a brick wall, inside this tunnel. If you click on it to enlarge it, well it does not look that cool, I used a blur tool to play up the hole more, however it only looks cool for a distance.=)

This is also from a trip to Namur, this was a tree stump that caught my eye, I just played around with different angles, got a bunch of it. I made it black and white and added a green tint to the one weed that is growing through the tree stump. It shows that when you really want to be somewhere nothing can stop you-------->

<--------This photo was taken at Auline Abbey, in Belgium. It is a pretty and peacful place. It was built around the 700's.

^
This is going through the town of Cheivres, Belgium on my way home from work. I love the mix of the purple and green trees along the road. Plus most parts of the drive are a max of 50km an hr. Soo you go nice and slow...which I enjoy most of the time.=)

Isn't this boot cute? It is a TRASH CAN in Trier, Germany. It was at a christmas market we went to in Nov of last year, I was just playing around with some photos to edit, came acorss this one and thought you might enjoy. I love all the cute, extra touchs. ---------->

<---- That backview is of my lovely friend Bobbi, back in April we went to a town called Namur. Very quaint, with a HUGE citedelle in it. Citedelle is a fortess, this survied going through a siege with Napolean supposedly. I really played with this photo. So it is not as a peaceful pic as it was before, but I like it.

So I hope you had a FANTASTICAL weekend, that you have a great Monday. This monday over here is almost over, it was a good one though. I got my clearance stuff done for my job with the Goverment, at the Child Delevopment Center. Which is perfect goes with the whole Education/Pyschology degree I am doing. Plus it gives me secuirty, allows us to Carpool and when my siblings get here more money.

BIG internet HUGS

~B~

P.S

I hope everyone is having a wonderful July so far, ours has been and will continue to be busy. We had/have 4th of July, my birthday, London, BBQ's, Bunco, Movies, London trip, Cruise in Antwerp, Birthday party for a friend here, camping, plus numerous friends birthdays.....I love every min of it though

The Pressure on Women

Things are going smoothly over here, just a quick blog post about a blog I read via Already Pretty's blog.

It is about BMI's and the ridiculous labels they put on us women

I was in shock at some of the photos, overweight and normal seem to be to varied, women that look great and curvy are obese?? WTF??

I wish women could all just feel what they are, pretty and one of a kind. Why compare to others. So check out Sally's blog aka Already Pretty and the BMI project at Kate's. Sally writes amazing, uplifting pieces, I think all female bloggers should have her on their reading list.

Running Behind

I have not been able to post a blog on here lately, I have not even been able to read my blogger roll for the last 3 days. Ahhhhhhhh I miss reading all your lovey words and commenting.

But so much is happening, I am getting custody of my siblings, so busy doing passports, court stuff, getting house ready ie setting up the bedrooms, buying a deep freezer to fill it up since they are 12,10 and 9 and I shall be using way more food than what my husband and I do now. Then getting them put on his orders and in the miltary deers system, then getting them to the east coast, to then get a Space A flight overseas. Now I have not done all of that, so will still be busy, then It is a waiting game for the court to go through. It will be a simpler process due to that my mom said yes...so we are not fighting here.

It is supposed to only be a year, but I will do it until she gets her crap together. I am very proud of her for making this choice for the kids, admitting she is failing as a parent had to be tough.=( But I am so glad she did, It will be hard for Ryon and I, big change in our lifestyle but sooooo worth it, I love them all so deeply I am not sure where the love even begins. To be able to postively affect them is going to be one of the best feelings.

Sooo I will be absent for awhile, not sure how long, I will try to catch up on reading the blogs, but i already fell behind this week on my school work too.

I hope you are all doing great, will miss you while I am gone.


Big Internet Hugs
Bridgette

A picture of a picture

Just wanted to post a picture of a picture I took while in Paris for the day...... well if you can call her a picture=)

As well as 20 things I am thinking today.....

1. I wish the weather would be the way it was yesterday evening all the time here

2. I hope the kids are having fun on their trip

3. I really am un sure how I will handle the no shopping ban in July

4. I can not believe that in 21 days I will be 27

5. I miss days sitting at the Barnes and Noble with my girls

6. I really want to get my nose pierced again

7. I am aching for a live concert to go to

8. I think everyone should follow the blogs I do, cause these ladies are amazing

9.I want to make grilled salmon for dinner

10. I wish my husband could take off everyday with me

11. I wish I could save every stray I find

12. I wish I could win the lottery and pay for all my loved ones to live well

13. I need to get back my mojo for the gym and keep loosing weight

14. With all these plane crashes in Europe these last 12 months, even I am a bit hesitant to fly

15. I want to do a girls trip

16. I am so excited to go camping

17. I am going to be going blondish in less than 2 weeks, I will miss the red

18. On july 4th I will have been with my man for 7 years

19. My random thoughts are quite boring

20. This post is lame but atleast it is a post...=)

Okay so I wanted to post some thoughts and 20 sounded good, then It was like my brain stopped wanting to think towards the end. I wish you fellow bloggers a joyus Tuesday.

Love

~Bridgette~

I agree with Cosmo

The July issue of Cosmo, under the Love and Lust section posted love lyrics that say it all....I loved the ones they choose. I am not posting all 13. Just the ones that I feel apply to my life, things I have been through. I have not written on here lately, so sorry for that. I have been on a shoe craze and paying more attention to my other blog. Which will not be having any new shoes posted for all of July since I am on a shopping ban to save some mula.However I still hope to get a pair since July is my birthday month. I also have found waaaay to many blogs I like to read, you need to check out my blog roll. These people all post things that change your life. That is not an me exaggrating either. Everything from breath taking photos, poems, DIY TIPS, great fashion tips, feel better about your body, shop on a budget....man..I love my fellow bloggers. Hence the 2hrs a day I spend reading them.=)

Okay on with my Lyrics


" I'm a movement by myself, but I am force when we're together"

" You can't just say I love you, You have to LIVE I love you"--my favorite

"Who do you love, me or the thought of me"?

Another Give-A-Way

People are loving the give a way theme this Late Spring. Go check out this lovely blog here. She is giving away a lovely bag, and as you know I love shoes and purses....maybe I should be buried with my collection? No?=) So I hope you are having a happy Sunday and make sure you go check it out. If you comment, blog and tweet about it you get extra entries.

~Bridgette~

Do YOU like free stuff?

Hey y'all quick post before I hit the shower and then go snuggle up to my main squeeze and read a book before bed. This lovely gem of a gal over here at Things a Boutigue Owner Sees is giving away one of her lovely necklaces. So I figured....why not? Plus if you have not already seen her out in the fashion land of this blogspot land then go check her out. She has an adorable place and awesome fashion sense. I have only been following her for about a month but I am hooked.

Thanks, have a great Weds...HUMP DAY!!!!

~Bridgette~

Timeless

i am looking

over and under

all over for you

i am desperate for more of you

i can not get what I need to get done

Not without you

Can i have just a little more?

Why do some waste so much of you

Others never have enough

Why is short for the ones who deserve more?

To long for those who don't?

Just please give me more Time

8 Things

So the lovely, talent Georgia tagged me, well everyone, in her blog. So I figured why not do it. It is where you have to post 8 things, and she added 8 pictures at the end of it. So I shall do that as well.

here's how "8 things" works:
1.mention the person that tagged you.
2.complete the lists of 8's.
3.tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends.
4.go tell them you tagged them!

8 Things I wish I could do:

1. I wish I could fluently speak, read, and write 5 lanuages besides my own.

2. I would love to be able to belly dance.

3. I woud also love to be able to ballroom dance.(what can I say I loooove to dance people who know me would agree)

4. I just wish that I could put my thoughts on paper like some people can, so basically write better.

5. I really would love to be able to play an instrument and do it well.( I tried in 6th grade flute was not for me)

6. I wish that I could sing as well as the joy it brings me. ( I sing all the time, the release it gives me)

7. I wish that I could understand my mother

8. I wish that I could be in more than one place at a time, to be with all my loved ones.

8 Things I look forward to:

1. Being done with school and teaching/helping children

2. Being a wonderful mother

3. Having my friends come vist me over here and see all these great places

4. Traveling more, especially our trip to Germany in June, Camping in France in July, London in August and Scotland in October

5. Making that trip back to Utah to see my gram(bad health so need to get there pronto)

6. Loosing this weight, being me again, well physically.

7. Having my house decorated just the way I want it to be

8.A nice sunny couple of days, I hope. Especially after this rain

8 Shows I watch:

1.Friends(I love it over and over again)

2.Smallville(always a superman gal)

3.Senifeild(my hubby and my mom got me hooked)

4. Ghost Whisperer(just got started, now all of these shows are on DVD since do not have regular cable over here yet. We are lookinh into Sky which is through Great Britian)

5.Sex in the City(I just want to live in NYC for 1yr)

6.Tudors(i love history and add a bit of yummy Jonathan Rhys Meyers done deal)

7.Dexter(sick show, goes with that I wanted to be a crimnal pyschologist)

8.All the the others, when I am not reading(which is all the time. We make up our own tv programming watching new shoes on DVD together)

8 Things I did Yesterday

1. Got up

2. Finshed the 3rd book in my new series

3. Started the 4th book in my series

4. PLayed with the dogs

5. Watched a Ryon do some garden work

6. Had dinner

7. Called my mother in law

8 Talked to my girl Lil Bridget in Texas.

8 Random Photos I love

Just soome random photos I pulled out a folder, I do not really ever have anything to post them with. Most of these are from Alaska, my goregous home state.

Now I only have 8 people that follow me on here....soooo ALL 8 of you are tagged! Please do it, it shall be fun!!!

Simple Words

I got a little raw and deep yesterday. I apologize to my fellow bloggers for that DUMP of emotional baggage. I feel much better today though, the sun is shinning, I have a few good talks to clear my head. I am trying to just move foward, be simple do simple things, get my many list accomplished, to not be upset at myself when I do not accomplish everything on my many lists. =) I found a quote, and it fits me today. I want to keep it for the rest of the week.

CHERISH YESTERDAY
DREAM TOMMOROW
LIVE TODAY!!!!!!


That is my goal. Breathe in and breathe out.

I also need to get this psych homework done. Plus my 50 things to do by 50!! I have read the bucket lists, the 100 things to do before you die, 30 before 30. Which I pondered on doing. However with that only 3yrs away I do not want to feel rushed. I am going to take my time in doing my own list. 50 before 50. I challenge you ALL who read this to do that. Let us know that there is always time to achieve stuff. Besides I notice when you think about what you want to do, you remember what you have done and that just makes you realize how much you have lived, loved, enjoyed.

Hugs and Blessings to You ALL

~Bridgette~

Hope

~Though hope is frail~

~It's hard to kill~

I always have hope for you.

that you will do what it takes.

be the way you should be

to earn that title

what title?

Mom.

I know you are more than a mom.

i try to look at your choices from a woman's point

just even a human

I CANT UNDERSTAND

How many times can you go down this path?

How many of your children do you need to tell you with their tears it is hurting them?

how many people need to try to tell you how to fix it before you learn it is broken?

you would think with as many times as you have stood at this point you would know how to prevent it, how to fix it, how to see it coming,

why?

why?

you are killing their childhood, their faith in you, their innocence.

Did my stories of my point of view of the past do nothing?

I just know, we know

you can be so much more, I ALWAYS HOPE that you will see your potential through my eyes

that of a successful woman

an adult

a mother

a sister

your eldest daughter

even though you have let me down, the kids down, I still have that one thing

that thing you can not kill with the insanity of the same actions every year

every decade

every generation you are putting through the current issues you're facing

what is it?

MY HOPE

Crafty?

So I follow this blog by this wonderful lady named Joy, if you want to check out her site go here. I am just one of hundreds of followers that she has. Well seeing how easy she makes it look I figured hey I am going to start doing stuff like that. Sooo I went to the thrift store called Grandma's Attic and found some great things. Add a lil tape, some spray paint. VOILA!!

So what do you think for the first ever spray painting-fixing up project I did?




HAHAHA that was just during the process, here are the before and afters~
First lesson, TAPING IS KEY, I did get some spray on the glass but I can get them off. I sprayed the other one white and did not like it so that is why there is only two here. I am now going to spray them crimson or cherry red. I paid 10 bucks for all 3 of them. I saw the little ones at IKEA a couple of weeks ago for 7 EUROS a piece. Add the black spray paint I got them about 75% cheaper. THAT is something to smile about.


So if you check this post out Joy, thank you for inspiring me. For others I recomend you start looking at things that are a lil rusty, broken and ugly in a new light. I also have done a ladder bookshelf I was going to donate, some picture frames to go with my new "theme" in my dining room. They look fabolous and I feel like I have a new piece of furniture. I am on a roll and am not stopping anytime soon.

Sixth Photo Tag

So I was needing something to post today since I have been neglectful. I have been up to the top of my curly head in reading/homework for school. Now I am very aware of why I put it off to get it finished and get that degree. Maybe I should have stuck with banking??=)

So I happened to be reading a friends blog, Brie, and she tagged me. Well she tagged anyone who reads. You have to go to your sixth photo folder, and pick the sixth photo and then tag six people. Tooo many 6's for my comfort. As long as they are not near each other I will be okay.=)


So my picture is of my 21yr old goregous sister Alexandra. As you can tell she is into the partying.However she is a good girl and this is Halloween. I stole this pic off her myspace and then did some editing. =)

So the 6 people I tag are--Lisa, Georgia,Jen-Jen,and um...that is it cause I am lame. Anyone else who wants too. Write me back and let me know if you did it.

Foggy Today

I know I want to say something
But what?

I can just feel the words on the tip of my tongue
waiting to go out onto this blankness
longing to speak
ears waiting to hear

Foggy
that is how I am today


It has been a week since I posted and I had no clue what to write. It is funny that about 5 of the blogs I like to read are all saying the same thing. I had a great time in Dublin and I shall post some wonderful pictures soon of the Castle. Dulbin is not the green Ireland we all think of. But I will just have to go back again and again to capture that huh?

I hope you all had a great Week.. I will get back on the proper flow again soon.

Luv
B

A tribute

The lyrics from this James Blunt Song really fit what you want to say to friends when they go through diffcult times. It just always make me want to call all my friends let them hear it. I would sing it to them but I do not want to torture them. =) I limit singing to them to Happy Birthday Marilyn Monore style...over quickly. =)

I have a dear friend that is experiencing one of the most painful things a woman can go through. Having your heart broken by betrayal...this is just some of things I want to say to her. But not sure how to get it perfectly. I also give this to my friends that are just going through a rough time.

I love you, I am here for you, always open armed, open mind and listening ears.

Thank you for being someone I call friend.

What do you think?

Hey everyone, I decided to do another blog, one of my passion for shoes and possibly accessories. I started it last week but was not sure If I wanted to actually do it. But I am going to it will probally slack of on post in two weeks when I start school 4 days a week. But till then I will have fun with it. So for now I have a bit of a shoe crisis. So come on over to SHOE ADDICT AND PROUD OF EM"

Help me choose. Not going to post anything else this week or weekend. So y'all have a great weekend!!!


ps. I got the idea of a seperate blog for clothes,shoe whatever from Lisa. She talked about wanting to do a thrift store blog. I then was like hey I would love to shoe case my latest finds on shoes. Why not? So thanks Lisa.

And then there was light......

Because of the wide range of different lamp posts I have seen in the few places I have visted over here in Europe I choose to make a whole album of only them. I wanted to post some pictures on here but could not think of any that really got my heart in them. So I thought why not share a taste of my 4yr project?? So here are a few of my fav's so far in my European Light Journey..

This is one across the street from the Petite' Palace in Paris, France. We were walking to the Louve from the Eifel Tower. NEVER AGAIN. Tooo long in the shoes I wore. Of course I edited it just to mix it up a bit. Would that not be cool if you could make a camera do that? I do not think you can, correct me if you I am wrong.This one is from Amsterdamn, Netherlands. I took it while waiting in line for the Anne Frank house. I was going to make it black and white and just bring out the red. But I felt I should love the brass color and leave it be.

This is the 2nd way I edited the Amsterdamn Lamp. I mirrored the image, eroded the edges , made it sepia tones and added a lil of the red back to it. Which one do you think out of the two edited versions should go in my album??

This is another one from Paris, France. That same trip except this one was taken as we were walking across the main bridge in the dowtown area. I loved all the statues, the larger than life lamp posts(like this one)..even the gold was something I loved.

Any tips? Or any favs?

So I hope you all have had a good week so far. Mine has been Uber busy. I signed up for the biggest looser competition here on base. That way I have accountabilty. It has been an off and on diet, lifestyle change, work out yo-yo struggle for the last two years. I did not grow up big or in a big family. I was not big till I was 23. So this is B.S. I gotta take care of myself. THis current go around time has been around 2 months old. I do not want to talk myself out of it, I do not want to get lazy. This week I stepped it up about 20 notchs or so. =) 1- keeping an eating journal, 2-watching my calories and 3-working out everyday, 4-the competition just to help me stay focused. So wish me luck. As well we have 11 days till Dublin. AHAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! If you could not tell I am horrible excited about it.

Happy Blogging y'all!

Au Revior

~Bridgette~