Island Girl

My father used to believe that he was musically inclined. He tried to play the guitar for a very long time. He actually taught himself by buying a book for beginners. He used to practice in his every spare time way into the middle of the night until his fingers got blisters. I did not know what he wanted to prove. We did not say anything to him because even if he was not very good at playing the guitar, the sound that came from the instrument was really soothing. There is something about guitar strings that make a sound that comes out of it almost nostalgic. At least to me. He did not get to buy his own guitar even if he had been looking at martin guitars for a while. He borrowed a guitar from a friend who was good enough to lend it to him. He kept that perseverance for a long time and then he just quit. No explanations given, he just dropped the hobby and that was when I thought I will give it a try too. I was actually paying attention to what he was doing, asking questions because I was really interested. It ended abruptly and there was nothing I was able to do about it. I only have memories of those days and this unfulfilled dream of learning to play the guitar.

I have heard of this game from my friends on Facebook. I did not really pay attention to it because I thought I was over playing games on that site. Until last week when I got bored and decided to check it out then consequently gave it a try. I love it! I have played several games with friends and some random opponents. I won some games, I lost a lot. Lol. The husband said I am crazy because every little free time I get I sit down in my computer to play Words with Friends. It is patterned from Scrabble which I like because I have always been fascinated with that game. It is true that I lose most of the time but then it is a learning game and the more I play the more I learn new words to tuck away in my mind for future use. Even the little man is picking up on it. I had my computer on and had to get up to do something, when I got back he was clapping his hands in glee saying he made a word and he scored. The magic word? WE. Lol. I know he will improve like he did with reading and using the computer and I am proud of what he did although it did not help my chance of winning the game. I will have to teach him the mechanics of the game so he will learn more. He is already interested so it should not be too hard for either of us. Who knows he might even help me win my games. Anything to help improve my winning statistic.

One of my friends, at one time, bought gowns and dresses online and anywhere she finds them that are affordable. She thought she might start a business of renting prom dresses in their town. It was not a bad idea either because high school kids do need clothes to wear and if somebody got them to rent where they do not have to go far then the better. She scoured online and stores for prom dress sale on off seasons to get the dresses cheaper than normal. But then she stopped just when she had enough clothes to rent. She decided to work and she just did not have time to mess with her planned business anymore. She still has the dresses because I have seen them being worn by her friends on of their friends’ wedding a year ago but I guess they are just hanging in her closet. I have not asked but maybe she does have a plan for the dresses. Who knows she might start her business one day when she has everything under control.

One of the two television shows I watch every week is Grey’s Anatomy. I have only started watching the show last year through Netflix and I was glad that I did because I really like it. I learn some medical terms and the drama is good enough for me. It helps that the characters look good either on their medical scrubs or even in regular clothes. So I have been watching it and have watched all episodes (save for last night’s episode). I cannot wait to watch it online later today. The husband asked me why I watch nonsense shows and I told him because I enjoy nonsense, lol. I would rather watch fiction than documentaries or the news. It makes me help escape from reality and it is good to do from time to time. I will be looking for new shows to watch though so I can enjoy my free time the way I want.

The little man asked to play with his tablet the other day but when I checked the device, it was dead. No spark of life at all. I checked on mine thinking I will let him use it while I charged his tablet but it, too, was dead. Even the husband’s was drained. I had to hunt down the chargers to start charging the devices but found out that two usb cables did not work. So I had three tablets with dead batteries and only one charger to use. I know that will not do at all especially with an impatient little boy wanting to get hold of his tablet which he was not allowed to use for weeks because of attitude problem. So I hunted around some more and found the charger to my smartphone. I tried the ends, found out it fit, then used it to attach to the tablet’s usb charger which worked like a charm. I had all three tablets charged and working in a matter of hours which made everyone happy. I am glad that my phone’s charger worked when used on the tablets but I know I have to buy a new usb cable for the devices. That way we will have spares just in case something does not work anymore. Part of the reason the cables did not work is because the little man handles them without any care at all, just like any other five year old out there. I have made up my mind to do this task by myself to avoid problems or replacements. It wouldn’t hurt either if manufacturers make their products sturdier so it will last a little longer.

It has been well over a week since I went back to the juice diet. Like last time, I still did not do the juice-only diet. I ate and am eating vegetables and a little bit of meat here and there but I already am feeling a difference. The weighing scale is telling me I have lost a couple pounds which probably just water weight but still a reason for me to celebrate and continue with what I started. I can see some differences on my appearance when I look at myself in the mirror which makes me happy. And proud. Hell, I am 31 with two kids (I gave birth almost a year ago) and I am already nearing my (second) pre-pregnancy weight. I should be proud, right? I do have to work on my tummy area though because it is a bit round still. If you have been pregnant I know you will understand what I am saying. I will have to check online what I can do to get that area firm (if I can) but I have to follow something that is not very hard to do because I don’t do good at working out. I am too lazy to follow through and is afraid to do anything strenuous because of my operation. I know it has been almost a year since my c-section but I always try to play it safe so as not to be sorry in the long run. So, a week has passed and I am looking for another week or maybe more to do this diet. I don’t really like the juice much anymore but I have chosen this path to being healthy so I will endeavor to continue this and see what happens. Wish me luck.

Around September, the husband and I started on a juice diet. He stayed on it for 15 days before going back to eating fruits and vegetables and some healthy fare. He has lost over 30 lbs and his weight has been stable no matter how much he eats. I only did 5 days of straight juice then I started incorporating vegetables and some fish and a little meat but still lost 10 lbs in the course of two months. A few weeks ago, I have stopped the juice (even with the husband’s pleas not to), went back to eating mostly meat and sure enough when I stepped on the scale I gained 3 of that 10 lbs back. It is awful. I feel awful for letting myself go that route again. I guess I got over confident that I lost a lot of weight in a short time that I did not follow through. I even stopped walking in the treadmill altogether. I am ashamed of myself for what I did. I should not have stopped juicing because I did not really have a valid reason than being lazy. And so now I have decided to do it again. The husband said to do it 15 days then if I lose more weight I can slow it down but to make sure I will watch what I eat. He said I have to be careful anyway because I eat a lot, more than most people do. People around me has been wondering what I do with the food I eat because they said that if they eat as much as I do then they will really be obese. I hope it will not happen with me though. I love food and I eat a lot but I have been doing this since forever. Maybe my metabolism is slowing down with age so I do have to be careful from now on. I still want to loose a little weight then will try to maintain it this time. I hope.

Christmas last year, the husband’s older son got in a car wreck. He was drunk driving and totaled his car that was given to him as a birthday gift from us. He went to the hospital with his sister where the doctor made him to choose between a couple of alcohol rehab treatment centers so he can sober up. He was committed for about a week before he was released to his mother as his guardian. It was a very stressful and emotional Christmas for us but most especially to the husband who was so relieved that nothing bad happened to his son. But even with the feeling of relief came what ifs and more questions about why the younger man did what he did and what caused it. To say it was an emotional roller coaster is an understatement. It was really bad for everybody that they have decided to stop thinking and talking about it. But that decision did not stop the husband to call his son on Christmas eve to ask about the well-being of the younger man and to check what he was doing. He said that sometimes it is better to remind his son that he was given a chance to straighten up so he better do because he might not be lucky next time. We hope that he is doing well. We do see him from time to time when he visits but we do not know much about what is going on because he has a problem telling the truth most of the time. I am sure his mother will call and tell the husband if something is amiss though. He is working a good job now and seems to be enjoying his life. Let’s hope he stays that way for a long time.