She's leaving me!!!

    My little sister is moving 10 hours away from me....and I'm miserable over it. I wish she would stay with me. I know that things are going to be alot better for her when she moves....but still...I'm so sad. I can't call her and ask her if she wants to do lunch...or go grocery shopping....or just a visit for no reason....That's all I have to say about this right now.

What Chaos can do to a perfectly Great Day!!!

     I got up around 7a.m. as usual...with my baby Riley...She's usually the first up every morning so I made her oatmeal with honey and flax seed and some mashed up banannas. I usually run my 2.2 miles around 10a.m. but my sister and I were hosting a Summer Brunch  at 2p.m. so I decided to go running early. My niece has been staying with me since school let out (about 3 1/2 weeks) and she had been running every day with me. I woke her up and we did our run. When I got back...I jumped in the shower and got dressed. A couple girlfriends of mine were coming over around 10 to help me get everything ready for my Brunch.
    After my friends arrived things started getting done. We set up 1 big table in our backyard to put all the food and drinks on. Anne, one of my Besties, brought over some really cute table cloths to put over the tables we had borrowed from the fire dept. We set up 2 smaller tables with chairs all around for everyone to sit around. We had invited 23 people....not including children. We filled over 400 water balloons for all the kids to play with and set out sidewalk chalk and crayons and coloring books.
    Well, around 1:00p.m. I started brunch. I had already made the dough for the biscuits earlier in the day and I had cut the biscuits out with a glass. I had everything planned and ready to go...but.....Murphy's Law...huh? I hear my friend say, "Erica, I think one of the babies needs their diaper changed." About that time..I smelled it....as did everyone else too. I found the culprit...my 3 yr.old Autistic son, Micah.Actually...I smelled him before I saw him, but when I saw him, I nearly flipped. He was covered with poop...Head to Toe!! I grabbed him and took him to the bathroom, where I stripped him and gave him a bath. After, I dried and dressed him...then took him into the playroom. When I returned to the kitchen to finish up, my niece, Audrey comes in and says that there is poop all over the kitchen chairs and table. I go into the dining room and sure enough there is poop all over the top of the table and on 2 of my chairs. I had to have my friends take over in the kitchen while I cleaned crap up all over the dining room. It was ground into the carpet...and n all the crevices of my chairs. It took me a good 20 minutes to clean it all up...When I finished...I had to return to the kitchen and finish brunch.
    I had partially frozen OJ,Coke, and Mtn.Dew for the drinks. The last thing I had to do was make the chocolate gravy and regular sausage gravy....so I finished up with that  and just about that time the last of our guests arrived. 17 of the 23 guests showed up....but with all the kids...we ended up with 36 mouths to feed. Even though it was alot of work...we had a blast and Alicia and I have decided to start an annual Summer Brunch. We're gonna do it every year around the first day of summer. This year the first day of summer starts June 21st...We had it 1 day early because of conflicting schedules and Micah's Occupational therapy.

    On a more somber note....After our brunch was over.....there wasn't too many "friends" that stayed to help clean up...Haha. Actually, the same people that came over early to help set up....stayed to clean up...so, I can't complain...My niece helped out too....so I had about 5 people helping me clean up, and that was more than enough. I know I say it alot, but I really do have some of the greatest friends ever, and I thank God for them every night...without them, my kids wouldn't have much of an extended family. These people treat us like we've always been a part of their families. They never forget my kids birthdays, X-mas,Easter, school and sports functions, etc. They are good people...much better than the family I come from. ie: Most of my DNA family haven't even met my last 2 children. God made sure that I wouldn't do without and he has sent me the greatest family possible!! Every day is a GREAT day when I'm with my family!!  I love you all....and sissy...I'm so glad that you and I are close again....maybe even closer than we ever have been. I have sooooooooooooo much to be thankful for!!

Tribute to a Wonderful Father!!

    I have not just a great Dad....but a cool Dad! Ok, maybe not so cool when I was a kid....but as a grown up...I see my Dad a little differently. I can actually tell him things I would have never told him when I was 10. I really like that!
    My Dad came into my life when I was about 3. He adopted me when I was about 6....and gave me a sister too. I have to say that I can't think of a single time that my Father has treated me second best to his biological daughter. He decided that when he adopted me that I would not just legally become his daughter....but rather I BECAME his daughter 100%. I see alot of men nowadays adopting their wives children from a previous marriage...and not because they truly love these kids...but because they are a "package deal" so to speak. It's sad! I was blessed to get a real Dad....and I wouldn't dream of ever calling him anything else besides Dad. Bruce doesn't naturally trip off my tongue for some reason. By the way, Bruce is his name.
    My Dad has had his fair share of bad times...yet he always seems to emerge with a smile. I love this man with all my heart...and am soooo blessed to have him. He doesn't live very close to me....so I can't run to him with all my problems....but I hope to one day bridge the distance a little. If I ever have to take care of my Dad...I'll move him in with me. I would be honored to take care of him. He took care of me and he didn't have to. I recently found out that my Dad actually paid off my biological Father to get me. I met my biological father a couple times....and I guess he forgot to mention that. I often wonder how he spent that money.... I wonder if my Dad thinks it was the best money he ever spent? I'm betting that he does...because that's the kind of guy he is.
    Happy Fathers Day Dad!!  I love you so much and I hope that you know you have been a huge inspiration to me....with everything that you have overcome. You could be sitting there collecting disability doing nothing much....but you still get up every day and go to work.....Good for you dad...and you deserve a happy and peaceful retirement, which I hope you will get one day when it's your time.
    I will always stand beside you no matter what....and if there is anything that I can ever do for you....I will do it. You're the greatest Dad and I hope you know how much you are loved by me..... I Love You!!!!  Below is a recent picture of me and my Dad...Bruce O. Meyers

                                                          Your Daughter...Erica Meyers Goodin

Droopy Diapers and Soured Milk: What is going on with my daughter?

Droopy Diapers and Soured Milk: What is going on with my daughter?: " I LOVE LOVE LOVE my baby girl....but if I were to be really and brutally honest with myself....I would have to admit that she runs my li..."

What is going on with my daughter?

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE my baby girl....but if I were to be really and brutally honest with myself....I would have to admit that she runs my life...not the other way around. I can't go pee without her tagging along. When I go out for my daily jog, whether it be with my niece or my friends, she throws her best tantrum possible. When she sees me putting on my joggiing outfit...she has actually went to the trouble of hiding my tennis shoes. Luckily, for me, I have a few pair of running shoes. By the time I get back to her...she has cried a river and has a completely red face and swollen lips. I feel so guilty. Everyone tells me that I deserve a break from her and that I need these running breaks...but I'm not so sure about that. I honestly feel like I'm traumatizing my girl. I've even resorted to taking her with me in the evenin in the worldg. She loves it when I take her running. I put her in her stroller and instead of running my usual 2.2 miles down 770... I opt for the 1.7 miles around the Amy North subdivision. I don't really enjoy that run as much since pushing her slows me down considerably.

    What is a mother to do? I don't want her to think that there is anything in this world more important to me than her and her brothers. I also don't want to end up in the psych ward from a nervous breakdown...which is where any mother will end up if she doesn't spend time outside of her home without her children. For the Love of God....I take my daughter to Salon 23 when I have my hair done.. I've got to start taking better care of my social life. I've got some of the greatest friends anyone could ever hope to have! I don't mean just friends that remember my birthday...I mean friends that not only remember my birthday...but that throw me birthday parties...and remember my kids birthdays'...and remember the anniversary of my 9 yr.old sons death..and his birthday too. Since my son passed away.....Every year on his birthday my girls get together and come to my house bearing food and candy. They don't let me cook and they kind of take over my family and let me go to the cemetary to visit. I Love these girls...I went to high school with just one of these girls. The others I met through working....and one is the ex girlfriend of my brother in law. I can't even begin to express how blessed I feel to have these girls in my life. Thank you Lord for my Family and Friends...without them....I wouldn't know what to do!!

Droopy Diapers and Soured Milk: The Bond between Sisters!!

Droopy Diapers and Soured Milk: The Bond between Sisters!!: "If you have a sister, as I do, then you know that the bond cannot be broken very easily. I love my sister, and although we have had our fair..."

The Bond between Sisters!!

If you have a sister, as I do, then you know that the bond cannot be broken very easily. I love my sister, and although we have had our fair share of disputes and disagreements...I could never turn my back on her. I'm there for her and always will be. She aggravates me to no end...but here I still am....and here I will always be. The picture above is of our family....minus the kids. The two beauties to the right of the pic are of me and my sister. She has the white t-shirt on, I have the gray. The a**hole across from her is an idiot named Mike who she is currently dating. I am posting this publicly because I want to warn other women that he will soon be single and to WATCH OUT for him. He likes to bully the women he dates...and doesn't mind one bit to live off of other people...me included. I detest this man with a passion I have never known...and I'm sorry Alicia....but he isn't a good looking man. He's quite ugly actually. The meal we are eating, coincidentally, was paid for by my Father...I left the tip. Naturally....he left with a stomach full. He doesn't 'ALLOW' my sister to spend any alone time with me at all. We have to lie and sneak around...which I hate!!!! I told my sister yesterday that our grocery shopping trip was the last straw! He did not need to join us....but he did...and he followed us around from one aisle to the next. I completely ignored him...and I found out today that he took that out on my sister too.

    I am so completely devastated by this man's behavior towards my little sister. It kills me to see her so sad all of the time. Alicia and I "snuck" out this morning and went and hung out. I had a heart to heart with her and begged her to please come and stay with me...and I think I got through to her. She is supposed to come and stay with me tonight. I can only pray that she really does. I want so bad to hurt this man...or No, he's not a man...he's a little boy.  he's mommy's little baby boy who tries to act like a big bad man!!! It's funny almost.

    So, anyway, To all the single women out there...look out!!!  Stay away from this boy!!!!

   

Looking and Feeling Younger by Protecting our Telomeres!!!

Read the article I have attatched to the right to get a brief education on what telomeres are....and you'll understand what I'm talking about.
    Relaxing? It's actually harder to do than you think. Just because your body isn't in motion...does not mean it is relaxing. We have to find ways to cut our stress and one of those ways is to relax. Meditation...many people think it's a farce and way over rated. It works!!! I'm a true believer in Yoga which uses meditation as a foundation. Please give it a try....and don't expect to be a pro after one or two tries. For your own well being...really put some effort into learning how to meditate. It's a major part of my life now!!!
    Now, I realize that salads aren't on everyone's fave food lists...and I, too, didn't have them on my top ten...but there are literally sooo many ways to boost the flavor of salads in all kinds of healthy ways. I don't use salad dressing at all. I do, however, use a touch of extra virgin Olive oil. I add toasted pecans, berries, different kinds of fruit like kiwi and mango. I'm not a huge fan of beets...but after doing a little research on them...I had to add them to my salads. I cut them up very fine...and I actually like the flavor they add.
     I always...every single day, take a multi vitamin!! I have read so many proven studies on the benefits of a multi vitamin and I take one before I go to bed every night!!
    This article pumps the benefit of casual motion. Well, most of us with children don't have to worry about casual motion...cause we get more than just a casual work-out...right Ladies?
    Alot to do and think about? No, not really. If you care about yourself and family and want to live to your full potential....heed this advice!! You won't get any better advice than what I am giving you now!!

I Have Found the Greatest Body Scrub in the World!! Read on.....It costs about $.40

I literally happened upon this article on homemade body scrubs and tried it for the hell of it...I couldn't believe how soft my skin was....and it was just as soft the next night when I got back in the shower.....Not only that...but 4 days later and 4 showers later...It was STILL just as soft!! Please if you take any of my advice...Please try this one....You WILL thank me!!!!

Where Can We Get More Energy Girls? I did a little research for us....Read on....

This is true!! Taking a nap does make me feel more energized...I tried drinking a cup of coffee just before I took my nap..and when I woke up...Believe it or not...I did feel significantly more energized than I usually do. I love testing out these studies myself. I always go in with the mind set that it's not going to work...and most of the time...I am pleasantly surprised!!! It feels empowering to find new ways to get energized. I love it...Maybe now I can lay off the speed!! J/K!  I do NOT use speed!! I better not hear any rumors floating around about me doing speed either. Did you hear me oh wonderful family members that love to make up things about people that aren't true? Go suck an egg and find something productive to do with your life!!

I believe that my sister and I both are stronger psychologically and emotionally than our friends and family, who had,for the most part, a trouble free childhood.Should I thank my Mom and Dad for being irresponsible and immature? Well, No. Of course Not. But, trying to look to the positive....I have to agree with this article. I am definitely more able than most to deal with traumatic events. I've had more than my fair share of tragedy. They say God never gives you more than you can handle....I suppose I can handle more than most....Believe it. What do you think? I'd be very interested in others' opinions!!