I like the ME that I See

Over year ago I was still living in Florida, working my real estate job and living my life as a full time single mom to the rugrats, carrying on the long distance relationship with Mr. Man as we got reaquainted with each other all over again. We were together at least every other weekend for 18 months, he came to Florida most weekends, I traveled too. We loved meeting on Tybee Island for Honeymoon weekends!  

Halloween 2009 ~ I was in a wheelchair and they took turns pushing, I was still able to be a part of the Trick or Treat Fun!

During the week, the kids and I stayed busy as ever with a packed schedule. I kept us occupied and doing things together; We had library night weekly, BFF dinner night, Spaghetti night with the kids sometimes,  Mexican dinner night out most weeks and the monthly Art Walk down town as well as events going on at the beach, we were there if at all possible. I always tried to have as much FUN with the rugrats and their friends as possible. Mr. Man fit nicely into our family and spent time with my daughter one on one at the Pier fishing as well as taking the time to get to know my teenage son and ALL his friends.

  ME with my son May 2010 ( hard to get him to take a photo with mom any more)

There were many extra rugrats (teenagers) in our home; since my son was in 7th grade, he asked if a kid could stay with us for a bit because his mom lived in a hotel and his friend was riding a city bus to get to the school bus stop out side our apartments. I said yes and that began the consistent flow of kids that were in need for many years. Our house was always FULL of extra bodies but they were safe and that made me happy ~ The Ultimate  "Paying It Forward" that I could do! I miss my extra 'kids', I love them all and think about them, still worry about some.... and pray for them all (Another Blog subject entirely)

ME in 2001 ~ I've come a LONG way since his Middle School years!!!

As I prepared for Open house tonight for my daughter's 7th grade year, I looked in the mirror at an entirely different person from 1 year ago and way different from the woman I was 8 years ago as I took my son to Middle school.

I like the woman I see; wise beyond her years, compassionate and empathetic, more calm and relaxed about life, accepting of the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. Knowledge of self really opens your eyes to others, I think its like the quote I read once says...What we see in others is a direct reflection of ourselves, good and bad.

ME in November 2008 ~ I took this and framed it as a gift for MR. Man

What I see in others that I like, I can try to emulate because that is a reflection of who I want to be, if it is something I don't like , I realize its something I need to work on within myself. There is always room for improvement and as I mature, I will continually look for the good in others so I can learn from them.

ME with my Daughter March 2010 ~ We both celebrated Birthdays ~ she is now 12 =)

The lines in my face, the body that is now 40,  the stubborn white hair that I have to cover up, the aches and pains, the body parts that just don't work like they used to or stay the same, but nothing stays the same, change is inevitable!  I look at these photos and see how much the rugrats have grown in just the last 2 years. I am proud to be their Mom ~ they challenge me and encourage me without even being aware of the impact it has on my life, to have the privilege of giving them life still amazes me sometimes! 

I embrace it, it is challenging but necessary for us to evolve and grow so we can live to our full potential! 

ME with Mr. Man on Tybee Island for his 41st Birthday celebration!

I like the ME that I See  ~ 5 years ago I would not have imagined feeling this way!

It's another one of those miracles in my life.....I am Blessed!

Celebrating Life ~ ONE Year later...

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, I WAS GIVEN A NEW LEASE ON LIFE ~ GOD WAS NOT FINISHED WITH ME YET.... This was my first road trip, resuming our 'honeymoon' weekends, to see Frankie on Tybee Island (2nd weekend in January) ~ I was still not walking very well but the ICE COLD OCEAN WATER was very therapeutic

Driving to Charlotte to see my sweetheart late fall 2008~ I used the cruise control.... because I still had to wear the boot cast

Mom, Melanie & Frankie ~ My most excellent caregivers!! Mom was able to come & run the household ta I could not ~ It was a learning experience for us all, most of all I am happy that the kids got to know their Mee-Ma better ~ She is an amazing woman!

My mode of transportation ~ A far difference from my rockin' stilettos I wore every day!!!

My first outing after the accident ~ Frankie took me to the Pier @ Jacksonville Beach on Labor Day weekend ~ I was scared to get out of the house, I still had not had the surgery on my hand and the X-Fix was hard to camouflage and looked scary too ~ we even went to our favorite pizza joint, Happy Stefano's & he and a staff member carried me up the stairs in the wheelchair so we could listen to the band on Sunday afternoon ~ I was able to heal in many ways that day....

The room with a view is my bedroom, (This photo was taken from my window) I had not spent this much time in bed EVER, but I did for more than 2 months straight!! I am thankful more than ever for this peaceful place that we call home...

This is the X-FIX ~ It was painful but did the job ~ Savanna said it looked like something from 'NASA', she was not to far off...

This photo was taken 48 hours after the fall, My left eye socket was crushed, almost all of the bones in my left hand were dislocated and I blew out the bones in my right ankle on both sides. Guardian Angels saved me from dying that night...

There was a picture of humpty dumpty above my hospital bed, all of the doctors did an awesome job at SHANDS HOSPITAL putting me back together again...

My Wonderful Rugrats ~ Garrett & Savanna on the first day of school last year, it was not easy for either of them to have their only full time parent 'down and out' for 10 long weeks but we have managed very well and we work together as a team now more than ever!

I was bruised and broken but he loved me just the same! Frankie dropped everything in NC and came to stay with me until I was released from the hospital and settled in at home with everything I needed...I knew that he was a keeper and whatever hang up's I had about 'Happily Ever After' were quick to disappear after that!

It has been ONE year since I took my almost fatal fall last August 9. I was sitting on a 2nd story balcony railing at this historic hotel in St. Mary's GA. and lost my balance, I fell 25 feet to the pavement below and landed in between the car tire and the concrete curb. It is indeed a miracle that I am alive today & as sassy as ever! I am still healing and will be for a long time to come, but I am thankful that I have my foot attached to my body, and the pain I feel reminds me that I am still alive and very well thank you! :)

It was a real struggle at first, I have been very independent for most of my life and I could not do much of anything for myself for a few months. We take such mundane things as jumping out of bed, taking a shower, walking up and down stairs, cooking, cleaning, shaving my legs and driving ~ to mention just a few of the things I realized I was taking for granted every day ~ Speeding thru life with my stilettos on was what my life had amounted to over the past few years, plugging along, doing everything I could to take care of myself and my children independently of course! I was in a 'man hating' place for quite awhile too and for good reason. I had two failed marriages and knew what I DID NOT want in a man, I also knew that I was not going to make time for anyone unless that person could compliment my life, it had become a nuisance and more of a complication to date than anything and I had given up on the idea of sharing my life with someone...Then last May 20th I made a phone call that changed my life! You read my blog, you know the love story that follows and it is more amazing to me every day! It was not until the fall that I was willing to let him 'take care of me' ~ My mother was able to come and take care of the house, rugrats and me as I took the necessary time to heal, How lucky I was that family & friends came to my aid in my time of need. My injury was life changing in so many ways and the longer I am able to truly reflect on life, the more appreciative I am of the little things that I was just speeding past before...

My life was great before the fall, I was just in fast forward mode, not living in the present moment very much and I love doing just that as much as I can today and for as many days as I am blessed to be on this earth. I have always loved the beach & ocean; I love it now more than ever!! It is not only a peaceful soothing beautiful place, but also a place for physical therapy every time I go... I AM BLESSED!