Nicholas Has Got Me Sparked

Well, today was my first day back to work in a week. It was a much needed time off. This morning as I was getting ready that "first day of school" knot was tightening in my stomach. I so did not want to go back. It's not that I don't enjoy my job because I do. There just has to be something else out there for me.

Routine is something I definitely need in my life to function and work does provide that but it's not my dream job and I don't find happiness in it. I've always enjoyed writing but I've mostly put my thoughts and emotions into song, so this time around I'm going to attempt to write a book. Non-fiction. Romance. Comedy. You would read it, right?

It might end up living inside one of my MANY notebooks I keep around but if I don't give it a go then I will be sitting here 10 years from now wondering if I could have been the next Nicholas Sparks or J.K. Rowling. It's a long shot dream, I know, but how else am I going to get my apartment at One West 72nd St at Central Park West in New York City.

New Kids on the Blog!

"It was a hot summer afternoon. We just finished our lunches of pizza and ramen noodles. The only thing left to do to finish this meal was to break out the lil' drumstick ice cream cones and celebrate the weeks events ahead of us. With our cones in the air we made a toast and vowed to have a wonderful week full of excitement and adventure!"

This week my house will be occupied by the wonderful and one of a kind Patty children, Aubrey (10) and Connor (8). (My niece and nephew) Some of you may know that for several years I took care of Aubrey and Connor so they could avoid daycare. We have spent many summers together and made many memories that I hope they will remember when they get older. I asked Connor the other day if he had any memories of me picking him up everyday after school when he was four and hanging out at my cousin Kaycee and my apartment and he looked at me and said "no". It just about broke my heart:( Aubrey, on the other hand, can remember it all. Including the time we let them say their favorite curse word at the kitchen table and they promised us they wouldn't tell. Guess what? They told! No more curse words after that :)

Now, I would like to introduce to you miss Aubrey Caroline Patty as she tackles the blogging world. Ladies and Gentlemen, please help me welcome Miss A.C.P.....

Hello bloggers I'm Aubrey Caroline one great summer memory I had with April and Kaycee is going with them to the pool every Tuesday every summer and going to the movies every Thursday and taking care of Sofia during the summer. Another summer memory I remember is cleaning April's and Kaycee's DVD's and movies.I also remember dancing to my favorite songs on CD's and the radio.I remember watching kid songs and Sandlot and Sandlot2 every day we also took naps in Kaycee's and April's bed boy it was funny kicking Kaycee and April in the back when they slept.We took sofia on walks around the building everyday.The last thing I remember is never wanting to go home because being there with them was the most fun I had in my entire life.well that's all I have to say. Thanks for having me..Aubrey Caroline patty....

And there it is folks, the first blog for A.C.P :)

BABY TALK

"So, when are you having a baby?"

"You're not getting any younger?"

"I need a baby to hold, have one!"

These words keep flying through my head like underwear at a New Kids on the Block concert. (I've seen it happen.) It's really got me thinking that maybe it's time for the Rowell's to have a new addition. I've made it a point in my married years (2 1/2 to be exact) that I don't want to bring a child into the marriage or into the world just because it's expected. It's usually the pattern, you get married and then you bust out some kids. (Please don't start hating, I don't think that pattern is wrong it's just not what I chose to do.) It's a HUGE responsibility to raise a child. I mean, this human being is with you for life!

My sister-in-law is expecting her first baby in October and I'm so excited for her! How fun is it to go shopping and plan showers and decorate rooms, pick out names and just preparing yourself for everything in your life to change with that first cry in the delivery room. So amazing!

I think what I'm trying to say is that I honestly feel ready to be a mother. I will be a great mother, I have no doubts, but if I think on it for too long, it gets scary yet so exciting. I'm not saying we are trying for a baby but I just cant stop thinking about the fact that I'm NOT getting any younger and if I were to get pregnant today, I would have the baby by the time I'm 30, which I know is not uncommon, but my child would be 10 when I'm 40. Which I think I heard Ricky Lake say the other day that 40 is the new 20 so I guess it will all work out :) I just find myself feeling like I'm missing something when I see my friends having babies and taking that next step in their life and marriage. For now I will enjoy doggie motherhood and start making a list of baby names ;)

Let Me Help You with the Quick and Dirty

As some of you may know my job requires a lot of sitting and working at the computer. I actually just passed my 10 year anniversary of working for St. John Medical Center. A life time right? I remember when I was in high school, working at a nursing home, and after my first year there I thought I was such a good employee for staying in the same job for so long. Let's see, that was about 12+ years ago. Where does the time go? Anyways, when you sit at a desk all day you must find ways to help the time go by faster so pretty much everyone in my building listens to music as they work. Well, I got a little bored with the music and started listening to movies on my portable DVD player. (For real, I only listened.) Recently I have introduced myself to Podcasts. The application I have on my iphone is Stitcher and I have come across some pretty interesting podcasts. One of my favorite groups is The Quick and Dirty Tips podcasts. I encourage you to check out their website. They give good tips from dog training to financial matters, from writing skills to legal advice. I've really enjoyed this discovery and I hope you will check it out and pass it on to your friends.

quickanddirtytips.com

April

25 Things You Don't Know About Me.....or, you might :)

1. I love to buy books but I rarely read them.

2. New York City is the best place I have ever been.

3. I love vintage pinup girls.

4. I love collecting recipes but I never make them.

5. The best gift I've ever received is the gift of salvation.

6. Lipgloss is my preferred lip coverage.

7. I love slow motion walking in movies.

8. Muppet Babies and Healthcliff are my two favorite childhood cartoons.

9. I subscribe to the following magazines: Good Housekeeping, Self, Glamour and Better Homes and Gardens.

10. Chocolate licorice is my favorite!!

11. For a brief time I considered acting.

12. I appreciate a good hair straightener.

13. Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Jennifer Lopez are the prettiest people in Hollywood.

14. Gray hair is starting to show up in my roots. I prefer to call it silver.

15. I have never ridden a horse.

16. Every time I watch Erin Brockovich I feel empowered.

17. When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher.

18. I wrote my first song when I was five.

19. I've had my picture taken with Jordan Knight.

20. Christmas is my favorite time of year.

21. My high school mascot was a Zebra.

22. I have sold 2 of my cd's on the internet.

23. I have an obsession with miniature and oversized objects. (I've had my eye on a pencil holder that looks like a large Bic pen cap on Fredflare.com, pretty cute website, check it out.)

24. I've been a Sunday school teacher.

25. The years I lived in Missouri are extremely important to me.

Be on the look out for Zach's 25 things.....

The 4th of July and a bottle of Acepromazine

Oh my goodness! My dog and the 4th of July do not mix. I have never really been a fan of the 4th of July. It's hot, sunny, sweaty, waste of money, and did I mention hot? Don't get me wrong, I love America and what the holiday represents, I just want to celebrate it in a different way. My perfect idea of the 4th of July is maybe some early morning shopping, a nice lunch followed up by some air conditioning and a good movie. Sounds fun huh? I will for sure be staying in this year. Phoebe has already been prescribed Acepromazine, a doggie sedative. She didn't get any last year and she spent the entire evening on our bed. (Her safe spot.) So, this year she has already been popping the pill. Tuesday night I was getting ready for bed and was taking my usual nightly shower. I had just lathered up some soap to begin washing my face when I heard the door open and a 61 pound boxer jumped into the shower with me. Zach was trying to get her out, she kept slipping, she was getting soaked. I was of no use because my eyes were full of soap and burning with every peek I was taking. Zach was laughing and trying to lift her up without falling in himself. It was cute but so out of the ordinary from her. She freaked out because people in my neighborhood are already setting off fireworks. As soon as I got out of the shower, she jumped in. She won't even do that when it's bath time. So for the last 2 nights she has been taking her pill and my poor little baby can barely walk after she takes it. And we only gave her half! We literally have to push her to get her outside to go to the bathroom. Zach pulls and I push as she crosses her front legs and lets them scoot in front of her. Its not something anyone should see. :) I will be glad when this is all over and we can go back to normal. I hope we have some pills left for New Year's Eve! :)

April