Breathe in, Breathe out, Move on...

Ok, so I can't stand it anymore! If I don't say something I am going to EXPLODE!!!! 

I beg you, please do not read further if you do not t-r-u-l-y love me.

When I say t-r-u-l-y I mean through the thick and thin, good times and bad, agree or disagree. I don't want to disappoint, disgrace, or upset our relationship. What I have to say must be said if I'm going to get any rest tonight. So here goes...

This everybody get's a trophy philosophy that we have adopted in American society is ridiculous.

What is so wrong with failing?

Why is it so bad to be disappointed?

Why does it need to be fixed if everyone isn't happy? 

What's wrong with working harder next time?

What's wrong with congratulating the winner and moving on with life?

I have had many disappointments in my life... Many of them I brought on myself...Many of them happened by chance. I am a better person for all the disappointments I have come through. Most recently, I lost a very sweet friend to cancer at age 29. TWENTY-NINE!!! My momma can't fix that; my daddy can't make it right. I have to take the time to hurt and heal through this.

Everybody DOESN'T get a trophy!

This country started with such valorous beginnings. Some folks took a chance, put their necks on the line, experienced defeat, learned and reevaluated, and became victorious. I hate to break it to you people, BUT there has to be a loser. It's the name of the game. 

I thought that my viewpoint was warped because I don't have kids. Then, I realized I do have kids...I have 46 babies that I love to the ends of the Earth. I have a niece and nephews that I would do anything for to see them happy. I have a Godson that I love as my own. I do have kids, and I realize that they must learn through disappointment. They must fail to succeed.

THE ONLY WAY OUT IS THROUGH!

WHAT DOESN'T KILL US MAKES US STRONGER!

PUT YOUR BIG GIRL PANTIES ON AND DEAL WITH IT!

If kids don't learn to cope with disappointment and failure now, how are they going to make it in the real world later?

Much Love,

Casey Raine

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

OKAY...no wonder America is a fat nation. This whole working, working out, cooking dinner, eating dinner, getting ready for tomorrow, and trying to stay up for American Idol is a J-O-K-E! How do people do it?

I'm not going to quit, but I really can't believe how structured my day has to be. I had to stop and get sour cream and cereal (no I'm not eating them together), and I was stressed about making it home to workout in time before my sugar crashed.

It's been a crazy week. Thank goodness it was a short one. I have been so busy at work this week, that I have to wait till the end of the day to figure out what I haven't done yet.

What are this weekend's big plans?...Itemizing tax deductions. Hot huh? I'm really depressed that they took away the $800 married deduction. BUT I'll get over it, whatever's better for the national deficit right?

Gonna lead you into the glorious weekend with one of my favorite grooves. I know he looks scary, but he sure can R-O-C-K...

Much Love,
Casey Raine

Better late than never...right?

I know it has been for-ev-er (from one of my favorites The Sandlot) since I wrote last. I've been trying to use the first two weeks in 2012 to get into a routine. I have been trying to accomplish some musts within my day...a devotion in the morning and exercising in the afternoon. It has been good so far. I have exercised everyday (intentional rest days not included:) except one. That was the Sunday before the kids came back to school and I was a bit panicked. I always get nervous when we go back after a long break, like I forgot how to teach or something. The week has been good...my kids have been very responsive this week.

Blessings all around...God has brought my family and friends through some scary times the past few weeks. My cousin has a cyst/growth on her pancreas and has been in serious pain lately. She was sent to a top-notch oncologist in New Orleans. After a test on Thursday the cyst is a blood-filled cyst and not cancerous. They said no surgery at this time, hoping it will go down in the next few months. Praise God! Eric and I have to pay estimated taxes each quarter. God provided a way for us to pay them without dipping into our savings. Praise God! My teaching partner's fence was struck by lightning this week, and the fire stopped just before her house at the GAS METER with no explosion! Praise God!

I was going to be very productive this weekend and work on my soon-to-be dining room. BUUUUT, it is teacher appreciation day at the Tennessee Aquarium in downtown Chattanooga. Eric and I can get in free; so we're GOING. I'm real excited and trying not to stress about getting home before the football games start at 4. I know you are laughing, but this football thing is serious! Tebow has got to win, and I love me some Who Dat? Saints. 


So tomorrow we will tackle the soon-to-be dining room. I'll take some before, during, and after pics to show the progress. It's gonna be great!

Gonna leave you with a song that's been carrying me through the week...

Much Love,
Casey Raine