I'm a copy cat!

See Ginny's post http://benandginnyhill.blogspot.com/2010/11/stream-of-consciousness-nov.html here's my version.

So, after November sucked total butt, I'm happy its December.

My tree is up, and brightly lit (with white lights, I won) I can't thank my Mom enough for getting us kids an ornament each year, saving them in boxes, and giving them to us when we moved out for good. I so love putting them on the tree!!


I love Christmas, I just finished wrapping the presents that I have bought so far (the one good thing about station coverage...)

Fireman Al has been working ridiculous hours. Over 100 hours a week since the week before Thanksgiving, with NO sign of letting up! He's lucky I'm pretty independent, I haven't said much to him about it. I do wish he was home more.

The dogs are CONVINCED that there is something living in the heater, and they spend all day watching for this creature to come out.. Its really just the heat coming on and off.

I can't wait for 2011.. It HAS to be better year for people I love.. its been a year full of loss for too many people I know.

5 years this month, since Uncle Den and Nana passed on. Feb is 5 years for Gram. I love them.

Tim comes home from Hawaii tomorrow! I miss him, and love having him home!! He's only staying at my house until Heather comes in, but its still nice. :)

taking a break

I'm taking a break from the blog challenge. Even though I really wanted to stick with it, I just can't for now.

FF and I got some very bad news involving people we love so very much. We are hurting for them, and with them.
I can't bring myself to blog about simple things when there is so much devastation right now.

I want so desperately to give them some of my peace, which is difficult because I am struggling to find it right now.

Life is precious, beautiful, and uncertain.

Blog Challenge Day 13

My Goals:

I want to finish school, I want to get a job I am happy in. Something that helps people in some way. I'm not really interested in the paycheck (though that does help and I'm sure not going to work for free) I want to look forward to going to work each day, or at least most days. I can thank FF for that. He would do his job for free if he didn't need the money. It's who he is.

I'd like to raise a family. One way or another I will :) I'm looking forward to this, a lot!

I want to get to Hawaii. I WILL get to Hawaii!!

I want to figure out what to eat, I'm starving...

Blog Challenge Day 12.

What I believe:

Hmm this is a broad statement. What do I believe in regards to what?

Religion? I believe you should believe what you want, as long as its not harming anyone and helps you lead a more fufilling life.. go for it! I do my own thing. I don't go to church regularly or anything but I feel like I'm a good person.

Life? Umm I believe there are lots of people who suck at it! I try to be happy in it, look to the brighter side of life. It's really NOT worth it to be down in the dumps all the time.

Blog Challenge Day 11

My favorite TV shows:

Teen Mom is my favorite! I'm sad that its over for the season. The first episode of 16 and pregnant failed to fill that void.

Say Yes to the Dress. Sometimes FF watches with me and complains that anybody would spend that much on a stupid dress.

Intervention and Hoarders:
Intervention reminds me of my FAVORITE before and after slide show. Faces of Meth:
http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/kswb-pg-faces-of-meth,0,5080659.photogallery

I watch the news each morning while I get ready for work, and I watch the first 10 minutes of the Today Show.

Otherwise I just see what's on when I actually have the time to sit down. Usually I go to a movie channel and keep a movie on for background noise though :)

Blog Challenge Day 10

Something I am scared of:

Umm pretty much anything with more than 4 legs!

I'm not posting a picture, that would require me to look up things I am afraid of!

I don't really like snakes either. I know there are people in this world who like these things. So, as long as they are in cages, tanks, whatever I'm ok. It's more if I see them out in the world. Free, free to bite me. Or swallow me whole.

Alligators scare me, now that I think of things swallowing me whole.. I'll just run in zig zags. That's my plan.

Oh and Coyotes getting brave and trying to hurt my dogs (even though the yard is fenced now) my plan for that is to throw chairs at them.. obviously I will totally miss MY dogs.

Another dog getting hit by a car. I couldn't handle it. It would send me over the edge. I check the door several times before I feel like its ok to leave, and I look back as I'm driving away..

Umm that's just a few, and that kind of turned into a mini stream of consciousness post too.

Blog Challenge Day 9

A picture of my friends:

How can I even do this challenge justice? There's not just a single picture with everyone in it.

I'm really such a blessed person in this aspect. People come and go out of my life, just like anybody elses. Each person in my life (past, and present) has taught me a lesson. May it be good or bad.

I have friends who get me, we laugh, we learn, we have fun.

So I hope this represents my friends.

(I really feel guilty, I know I've left people out. I'm sorry, I love you. And I don't like this challenge day!)

CATCH UP TIME!!!

I meant to schedule my blogs, but then I got lazy and decided a little rest wouldn't kill me.

So here's day 5, 6, 7, and 8!

Day 5: My siblings..

Shannon and her husband Tim, along with their son are pictured top left. Tim and his wife Heather are top right. Tim and Bud are middle left, Rich and Heidi are middle right. Kenny and Rich are bottom left, and Jared with his daughter is bottom right.

I also pictured their spouses because they are siblings too.

AND I pictured Jared, Bud, and Kenny because they fit into our expanded family, too!

I grew up in a crazy house, filled with love (most of the time) I'm lucky for it.

Day 6: A picture of something that makes me happy..

My babies. I love this picture because they are having so much fun! This weather isn't far off. I can't express how excited I am to watch them run for hours around the backyard which wasn't fenced last year, but is this year!



Day 7: May favorite movies..

Easy!
In no particular order they are:

Dirty Dancing
Pretty Woman
Pride and Prejudice (with Keira Knightly)
Marie Antionette (with Kirsten Dunst)
The Secret Life of Bees
The Blind Side
Teen Witch
The Worst Witch

The last 2 are childhood favorites I haven't seen in ages.. and I think I'll go on amazon and see if I can buy them!



Day 8: A place I've traveled to..

I've been plenty of places. I've traveled through the US. I've gone to the Caribbean and Mexico.
My favorite vacation was to the Atlantis Resort with my FF. Its the ONLY vacation I have convinced him to take thus far. (minus our annual trip to CT to see Dave Matthews, which is 2 days and doesn't count)
I got an entire week with him, free of the fire dept pager, free of schedules, free of our daily stressors. It was so much fun to lay on the beach, snorkel, go out to eat at nice restaurants, and sleep in!
I'm currently working on Hawaii, I've almost got him! That will up the pager free time to 2 weeks :)

Sadly, I can't find the disc with all the pictures on it from then. Or I'd post one!



Ahhhhh All caught up!
Scheduling my next post now!

Blog Challenge Day 4

My Parents:

For me, its my parent. My Mom. She's what I've got, but I'm happy with her :)

She is one of my best friends. Over the past 6 years I have grown to love her and respect her more than I thought I ever would. We've been through a lot as a family, her and I had to really help each other. I'm so happy to say we've been able to dust ourselves off and come out on the better side of life!

My Mom is a fun loving kind of lady who LOVES a good dirty joke.

She doesn't sugar coat much in life, it is what it is. You can keep your bull crap because she doesn't need it! (A lesson/trait I am taking from her :))

She is pretty much the crazy dog lady. She has 4 of them, they are all mental and she thinks they are funny.

She just adores her grand babies, and she's earned the right to laugh instead of punish when they do things like say bad words, or get into something they shouldn't.

She comes to my house almost every Saturday after work to eat her lunch. I am so grateful for these little visits, I notice on the weeks we don't have them. I will miss those someday.

She has the most generous heart, she has taught me to be giving of my home and possessions. Growing up we always had different friends of my brothers or I living at the house. It was never a question for her, a kid needed a place to stay, well she wasn't going to be the one to turn them down. We had a 3 bedroom ranch with something like 10 people living there at one point.

I find myself sounding JUST like her (groan) I am turning into my mother. There are some things I vow NEVER to do.

• Like say embarrassing things WAY TOO LOUD. She does this to me all.the.time.
• She tucks her shirts into her underwear, to me this is a tell tale sign you are getting old (Al does it sometimes, too) I NEVER will.
• She wears crocs (fake ones) that are a few sizes too big. On purpose.
• If she spills something on her shirt she will use a sponge and water to get it out, which would be fine except she manages to soak at least 8-10 inches too much of shirt. Then she will leave the house.

She's crazy, probably certifiable, but God I love her! I'm so thankful she's my Mom.

Blog Challenge Day 3

Day 3: Your First Love.



Hahaha umm gee thanks, blog challenge! Do I HAVE to talk about this??



Just kidding. My first love and I dated in HS and we are still friends. When he went off to college we went our separate ways. He's a great guy, we have some great memories, but we both had to grow up!



He was the first boy to make me feel beautiful, like I was something special. So I'll always be grateful for that!

Blog Challenge Day 2

Day 2: The meaning behind your blog name.

This is easy! Liz Oz. Last post I mentioned how FF tells me I look at the world through rose colored glasses. Well, he also tells me I live in my own world. In a loving way of course. I do, I have no time for too much drama, mean things, and miserable people. Liz Oz is my own little world, I'm an optimist through and through. That's not to say I don't have my bad times, we all do. FF isn't as optimistic about the world and life as I am, so usually I'll just brush off his pessimism with "well that's how it goes in Liz Oz!"

Naturally a blog written by me, would be a peek into my world!

--until tomorrow!

A blogging challenge?

One of the blogs I follow is participating in a "30 Day Challenge" a blog a day, for 30 days (duhh) this is perfect for me because I need direction on what to write about! So here goes!

Day 1: Introduction, recent picture, and 15 fun facts.

Hello, my name is Liz. See below for more info on me!

(this is the most recent picture I have! Ginny and I at a concert :))

1. I work full time and go to school part time. Between those and keeping a life, I don't have much free time.

2. I live with a hard working firefighter. He works more than I do!! Which is probably why we work :)

3. I have a "boo-boo finger" my brother shut my right hand in a door when I was 3 and the top of the ring finger was severed. My quick thinking Nana packed it in ice and they sewed the top back on! It works fine, feels the same, just looks different..

4. I have 2 dogs who are seriously the cutest! Max and Kallie!

5. My Mom is one of my best friends, who would have thought? She's so fun, and a good person.

6. I couldn't tell my left from my right until I was at least 16. Don't ask how I made it that far in life!

7. Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love the decorations, the tree, the food, the atmosphere of the season!

8. I hate house work. I try to only do it 1 day a week. This gets FF annoyed with me. He's a neat freak.

9. I feel like I'm at a wardrobe crossroads in my life. At 28 I am no longer young enough to wear a lot of the looks I like, and certainly not old enough to wear elastic waisted pants and holiday themed sweaters!

10. My nephew was born at 12 ounces, 9 inches. He's such a joy to be around. He amazes me with all the milestones he has reached, and with his love for life!

11. My car hit 100,000 miles today, my heart started racing.

12. I look at the world through rose colored glasses (at least that's what FF tells me)

13. When I was little I wanted to be the next Queen Elizabeth. I was convinced that Prince William would somehow meet me, it would be love at first sight, and we would have a fairytale romance. Really, I wanted a crown and pretty dresses. I'm happy for him and Kate Middleton, but I've got Al so I win.

14. I am one of the middle children out of 4. I have 2 older brothers and a little sister. My brothers both live in far away lands (Florida and Hawaii) but me and my sister stuck around.

15. I'm hoping to stick with this blog challenge. I have a hard time with this stuff... Maybe it will get me in the habit of blogging more!

--Until tomorrow!

36 things

A good friend told me I should do a list of 36 things I love about Al for his birthday. She had done this for her husband on his 30th.


I have been so busy I haven't sat down to actually type them out! (let alone blog about ANYTHING, hopefully that will change soon!) There's so much more than these 36 things. I love my life with him, and I'm so thankful for everything he does.

1.He gave me a Thank You card on our first date. In advance, for a good time.

2. He calls me Lady Love because I am too old for the label "Girlfriend"

3. He bought me Molly, Max, and Kallie.

4. He is the most unselfish person I know.

5. He works harder than anybody I know.

6. He is such a softy at heart.

7. He wears turn out gear :)

8. He makes me laugh almost everyday. I belly laugh constantly!

9. He drives a manly pick up truck AND a hot little sports car.

10. He LOVES to dance!

11. He has NEVER tried to hold me back, from anything. Ever.

12. He puts up with my fun little antics, and even joins in sometimes!

13.He built me a garden, shelves in my closet, and a craft room.

14. He bought me the most amazing bathtub!

15. He lets me keep his debit card for house stuff, and answers me when I ask why he wants it back! (I would give it to him regardless, its his!)

16. He has made me a better person, in every way.

17. He can fix everything, cars, house, people. EVERYTHING.

18. He buys presents for strangers kids at Christmas.

19. He does the dishes :)

20. He offered to do "date night" with my Mom and her friend.

21. He gives Max the yogurt containers when he's done with them.

22. He saved a baby bunny from my dogs. Floppy used to hop around our room and watch TV with us. RIP Flops.

23. He bought a new computer when I was in my first round of college, so I could do homework easier at his house.

24. He vacuums.

25. He always buys me the best concert tickets!

26. He loves DMB, too.

27. He is so giving of our home. He always lets my friends stay when they need a place to crash.

28. He bought me a PS3 and a Wii.

29. Did I mention he cracks me up??

30. He's a firefighter.

31. He surprised ME on HIS birthday.

32. He has a solid handshake, and feels the same way I do about people who don't.

33. He loves kids. And will be the best Dad someday!

34. He's afraid of lightning, I keep him safe during storms haha

35. He loves me.

36. He is my BEST friend!

(So that's it! Better late than never!)

Midnight Train to Georgia

Is my absolute FAVORITE song on my playlist...



It reminds me of Fireman Al and I. Its our theme song!



I'd rather live in his world, than live without him in mine.



This is so very true, and I find myself singing it and smiling..



Thanks Gladys Knight & the Pips!

because My Dear Ginny did it...

MONTHS ago.


I'm bored, and need to unwind. This will be fun!

• If I were a day of the week, I'd be Sunday - the day of rest :)
  

• If I were a time I'd be somewhere between 7 and 8am. The house is still quiet and I get my coffee in peace
  

• If I were a direction I would be South
  

• If I were a tree I'd be a Weeping Willow

• If I were a tool I'd be a level
  

• If I were a flower I'd be Lilly of the Valley

• If I were a musical instrument I'd be a Piano
  

• If I were a color I'd obviously be PINK!
  

• If I were a fruit I'd be a Mango!

• If I were an element I'd be water for sure

• If I were a food I'd be a Mango (see above)
  

• If I were a place I'd be Home
  

• If I were a fabric I'd be Snuggly Flannel
  

• If I were a scent I'd be Eau de Fleur by Kenzo

• If I were an object I would be an ipod

• If I were a song I'd be We've Got Tonight by Bob Seger
  

So there you have it! I think most of my many followers (I love all 4 of you haha) have done this. If you come across it and want to do it, go for it! It'll be fun!

Dog is God spelled backwards!

There are no words to explain how good it is to see my dogs after a hard, long day. They are so happy to see me, they ALWAYS shower me with kisses. Their excitement bubbles over to me, instantly putting me in a better mood. They truly take away my cares! On my worst days I find myself driving home thinking "I just need Max and Kallie kisses."

I am so thankful for them! (chewed stuff and all!)

Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

better late than never!

("the beginning" sometime in the summer of 2004)

Fireman Al had our 6th anniversary last week. I can't believe it's been 6 years. When I think about ALL that we have been through, good and bad, I am amazed.

There is so much I could put in this post (6 years worth of stuff!)

I think the things that stand out the most to me are the fact that he always makes me laugh. Every day. Sometimes its on purpose (like when he's trying to get out of trouble) sometimes its just by being him.

He is a small town boy, and always will be. Seriously, big cities make him sweat and get cranky.

He loves his job so much. It's not always easy, and I do most stuff alone. It is who he is though, he wouldn't be whole with out it. I fell in love with him, so that means I accept it. (plus, who doesn't love firemen??)

He has the biggest soft spot ever for our dogs. Kallie follows him around all day long, and he eats it up like ice cream cake. Max sleeps in the bed with him in the morning after I go to work. He built Molly a special shelf in the living room for her ashes, paw print, and collar. Though, that could be just so I would stop crying over her(<- another reason why I love him)

He is VERY loyal to the people he loves. I am thankful to be one!

He makes me want to be a better person.

He is, without a doubt, my best friend.

(October of 2009)

Happy Birthday Michael Gabriel!!

In small proportions we just beauties see,

And in short measures life may perfect be.

~Ben Jonson

May 26th is an important date to me for 2 reasons, its my anniversary with Fireman Al (which deserves its own post!) and in 2008 it also became my sweet nephew's birthday!

To say Gabe was born early, is an understatement. He was born weighing 12 ounces and was 9 inches long. This boy has overcome so many odds, and he loves his life! He was in the NICU for the better part of the first year of his life. While he has his set backs because of his beginnings, he is always smiling! My sister and her husband couldn't possibly have been prepared for this, but they have done an amazing job! We couldn't be more proud of them.

May, for so many reasons, forces me to look at the things in my life and appreciate all of them.

Here are some pictures of his journey, he really is a special boy.

Happy 2nd Birthday Buddy!!

Love, Auntie Liz

tell me what you want Maxy...

Let me start by saying in my house we go through dog treats like water. Fireman Al has no self control when it comes to giving dogs treats. He says "they look at me sad." The rule is supposed to be 1 big treat a day (like a busy bone or something) and milk bones, canine carry outs and such, the rest of the day. I decided to start hiding the treats from Al a few months back, as a means to save some money. I choose a different spot each week.

We taught Max "show me what you want" because he would come up to us with the cutest eager looks on his face, and we had no idea what he wanted. So now we say "Maxy, show me what you want!" that's exactly what he does. He runs to the door, his leash, the water dish, whatever.

On a few occasions Max was around when I pulled the treat for the day out of the hiding spot. Come to find out Max would go up to Al with his cutest little look. When Al says "show me what you want buddy" Max shows him my hiding spot, and gets rewarded with a treat! The first time I thought "clever little doggy." The second time I thought "Son of a B.. I have to start hiding them in my car!!!"

Reason #1,900,862 why I love that boy.

What do I want to be when I grow up?

I am going back to school!!!
So scary, but so needed.

If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have wasted time on 4 different majors

• Accounting
• Math
• Sociology
• History

We live and we learn, I can only go forward from here! I am going to take some pre-requisites then apply to some ultrasound programs. I am nervous and excited all at once!

And Hey, it looks pretty good to have a few degrees, right??

What's Your Sign, Baby?

What is a tacky pick up line has become one of my favorite questions!
These days, some of the usual excuses don't really cut it for me.
Why am I the way I am?
So I started looking to the stars... and numbers.

I am a Cancer, born June 27, 1982.
Cancer is a feminine sign, a water sign, and a cardinal sign. With Capricorn as it's polar sign.
I wasn't quite sure what this meant.
I figured out it meant ME.

I am very much a Cancer. I am moody, fiercely loyal, and home is where my heart is.
One of the things I always realized about myself was how I connected to others emotions. I have a tendency to put myself in other people's shoes. <-- One more Cancer quality, which helps with my great intuition. (yup, a perk) It is hard to become part of my life, but once you are you can never REALLY be free... (insert evil laugh there) Cancers are constantly feeling. Almost everything triggers an emotion or memory. This is so true of me. Emotions are my strength and my weakness.

I have a strong maternal instinct (go back to home is where my heart is) I need to be domestic. I am the mother hen in my circle of friends, and I like it! They see it as controlling, I see it as love!

Despite the bad things about Cancers (the moodiness, or the walls I put up naturally) I love being a Cancer. It's exactly who I am.


(So sorry Mom, the tattoo I got when I was 19 of the Cancer symbol? It stays!)

How Does My Garden Grow??

HAPPY SPRING!

Liz Oz

Every single person is "in their own little world"

Here is a small glimpse into mine

~

My heart belongs to

Maxy and Kallie

~

I am a "fire wife"

~

I love sunglasses

I am an optimist

~

I am a Red Sox Girl

~
The Patriots are equally as important!

~

I try to see the good in everyone

~

I love the Summer.

In my eyes it's a time to let loose and have some fun..

~

My friends mean the world to me..

and

Pink is by FAR my favorite color!