Resolution Report Card

A favorite of mine, Crafty Chica, did this on her blog. Now, you all know I love my resolutions - love thinking about what I'd like to change about myself, the sense of optimism I have at the beginning of a new year. Two years ago I wrote a long-ass "I suck" treatise on what I needed to change about myself. Last year I was a little more realistic - not saying I improved the self-esteem any, but dwelling on my own shortcomings is not a happy way to start a year, so they were short and sweet. Here is how I did this year:

1. Get a job. Make money. Buy less.

B+. I got a job, and made some money, although I did not really buy any less, in fact I probably bought more as I needed some clothes for work. I am also looking for another job right now, as this one was always temporary, it just stayed temporary for longer than I thought. I would like to keep the resolution as it stands - definitely buy less - but also add in "make a large dent in the credit card debt."

2. Exercize more. Eat less. Weigh less. (bring down the cholesterol.)

F. F-, because I didn't even get my cholesterol checked. I did start doing Zumba more often, and I will continue that, because I love it. This resolution stays, and I'm going to quadruple my efforts on it. I had some problems with my leg this year, and I've found that if I bring down the weight it hurts less. This is something I have full control over, and I need to take that control.

3. Take time to be creative each day.

C for effort, D for results. I enjoy it and it makes me happy, so I'll keep it on, and add "use my brain and be happy."

4. Blow something up.

F. Didn't get to it. Probably taking this one off, as it seems to have lost its importance this year.

This is probably the worst report card I've ever gotten. But isn't that the way I've performed the past few years? But that's ok. I'm refocused. I'm ready to face down my own inner demons. I'm ready for a solid year of self-improvement.

But first...an evening of debauchery.

Ok, maybe not debauchery. It's hard to debauch when one is spending the evening snacking and playing games with one's kids and mom. Pathetic, you say? Perhaps to all you party animals out there, but I'm looking forward to my little family New Year celebration.

Later this weekend I have some pictures to post, but for now, have a safe and happy New Year!

Thank*ful Thursday - Holiday version

1. Saw a decent movie with my stud the other night - Serenity, based on the Firefly series. Now I want to watch the series.

2. Got a huge new pile of books from the library today. Let the vacation reading commence!

3. Woke up uber-early to finish my shopping this morning before work. Didn't find the gift I was looking for, but did get all the makings for Christmas dinner, and for fudgy gifts.

4. FOUND the present!

5. Finished all my wrapping today...and I have tomorrow off to drink coffee, read...oh, and clean.

6. A cuddle with my kiddles before bed.

7. My mama is out of the hospital. Yep, we had to take her in Sunday night - she was having chest pains she thought might be a pulled muscle, but she wasn't sure, and we just don't mess with chest pains. The experience, while familiar, was not comfortable - they were in the ER from 11PM to 8AM before they finally put her in a room. She didn't actually get to see a doctor until 8PM! The good news, though, is that she did not have another heart attack, and while they may have detected a leak in a valve of some sort, it is something they can test after the holidays, and apparently, may be treatable by medication. So, keeping fingers crossed.

Here is our favorite Swedish winter guy - the Tomten. I love that he has a goat.

Some fun recent stuff

We did some ice skating recently. Few falls happened. Here are some pictures:

Today the temperature was below 20. This is the first time since I've lived here that it has gotten this cold this early. This is winter as I know it - cold and nasty. That doesn't mean I like it.

I had a very bizarre job interview on Friday. I waited 2 hours to talk to someone for 15 minutes. It was a very interesting job, but the fact that they forgot about me probably does not bode well for my chances. I really think that while I would certainly do that job justice, the guy was looking for someone younger and more willing to jump at his command.

I got my hair cut on Saturday. I had them cut 6" off. I am loving it. They also waxed my eyebrows. That was my first time - I was a waxing virgin. Totally worth it - I love the look.

Why on earth am I listening to Bill O'Reilly?

My husband has asked me to try making turtle candies. He loves them, and I've never made caramel from scratch. So I've decided to take my happily empty Saturday, buy a bottle of wine, and work on caramel-making. And maybe some baking. I haven't done any baking this year, a fact that embarrasses me. I always bake this time of year. And I have not made many of my gifts this year.

I started a new knitting project yesterday. The Girl asked for a scarf of her own. I made myself stop after casting on 25, which will make an actual scarf, rather than a massive, 3 skein wrap. And I'm attempting to stripe it, which is quite the endeavor for me. I'll have to find a YouTube to teach me to purl next - the husband called me a one-trick pony since I can only make one thing.

Well, it's time to burrow under a blanket with a hot chocolate and a book. Have a happy wintery evening.

A most excellent weekend

First of all, I want to address my cousin's comment about feeling up the gnome. I snickered with delight. You are humorous. Now get your resourceful ass on the case, please.

Anyway, this was an excellent weekend. Friday night included hot chocolate, very light reading, and much snuggling. Saturday the kids played in the first snow of the year:

Then I took the kiddles off to my mom's, and the guy and I went to our first holiday party of the year. And a fabulous party it was - everyone new and liked everyone, nobody standing awkwardly off to the side, there was plenty of alcohol and karoake! I sang two excellent female power anthems - "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "You Oughtta Know." I'm pretty sure the women of the party scared several of the men with our spirited Alanis sing-a-long.

Today included some crafty goodness with my sweet friend, A, and a yummy lunch. I also finally gave up the meanest mommy award and we put up the tree. I am a very easy going tree person - the ornaments are clumped together, and I will likely leave them that way:

followed by Boggle and hot cocoa and Simpsons. A very nice way to top off the weekend.

Friday Fill-ins, and some other stuff.

I enjoy the occasional Friday Fill-in.

1. The best thing about a birthday celebration is...um duh. Presents.

2. I cannot avoid, so I try to embrace...the passage of time.

3. I went shopping recently and the most interesting thing I bought was...sadly, cat food. I have holiday gifts to buy, so I'm holding off on the extras.

4. Boggle is no child's game in this house, my friends.

5. And as for this weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chilling a bit more before bed, tomorrow my plans include putting up the tree and the first, and best, holiday party of the season, and Sunday, I want to lunch and get crafty with my good friend, A! Hooray!

Also, since I'm horribly inconsistant with blog updates, I should add that the boy got his braces off a few weeks ago!

Now, I'm off to scour the blogosphere for some interesting handmade gift ideas, as well as a felt gnome project I know I saw somewhere....

Thank*ful...Monday?

It has been a busy weekend, and I did not get a chance to post a thankful list for last Thursday, which is terrible, considering it was Thanksgiving. So, here, in all its belated glory:

1. Neosporin: Last night I was helping my brother move some stuff to his car, and my Finnegan cat got out. Being a kitty of the night, he disappeared in the dark. I saw him dart across the porch. Bending over to grab him, I ran full-tilt and head-first into the gate latch. It was pretty nasty - hurt like a mother, and bled everywhere. I slowed the bleeding and iced it for an hour, then took some ibuprofen and washed the matted blood out of my hair, thinking that was fine. Today, it continued to slowly bleed, so when I went to the doc (first case of bronchitis in a long while) I asked him if I needed stitches. After exclaiming "ewww," he said nobody could stitch it as there was a chunk missing. To which I responded, "ewww." Anyway, it's sore, but I'll live. And hopefully, the Neosporin will keep it from getting infected.

2. Sleepytime tea. Makes me feel better during this occasional bouts of bronchitis.

3. My local library, and the piles of books I checked out this weekend. Happy reading time ahead.

4. A lovely Thanksgiving. It was a chaotic, crowded madhouse, but so lovely. My dad and his wife came down from Chicago, my sister, her husband, and stepson came over, as well as my mom and brother. I cooked a massive amount of food, which all turned out pretty freaking good, if I do say so myself. We spent the rest of the weekend catching up and chilling. It was a weekend of family and happy.

5. And finally and wonderfully...my brother got a job! He is now an attorney in central Illinois. It was quick - he got the job last week and started today. We are so happy and proud, but we already miss him. So Yay! for him!

This picture was taken during the Girl's birthday in 2006. Cheerful, no?

Look What I Did!

It's Done!


1 year and 4 months after I started it, The Scarf That Swallowed My Cats is finished, and ready to wear - as modeled by my cold-fairing brother here.
It was a great way to keep my hands busy - when I remembered to pick it up. My cats love laying on it, as evidenced by the many cat hairs that bespeckle my blanket - I mean, scarf.



The holes are actually not where I dropped stitches, at least, not all of them. Most are a result of a combination of cat love, weak yarn, and my pulling too hard as I knit. Now I need to learn a different stitch, besides knit. But aren't the colors pretty?

And yes, it is mammoth, but I'm a big girl. I need a big scarf.

Ditching the Bucket List

Anyone who knows me, or who has been reading this blog for any length of time knows I love a good list. I enjoy writing out each task ahead of me (because, often enough, writing it down is the only way it gets done.) I especially love ticking off each task as I finish - what a sense of accomplishment. But, conversely, anytime I have items on my list that are not crossed out - and my very large daily to-do list generally has several items incomplete - I feel a sinking sense of failure. Not the way I want to live my life.

Last night I was, yet again, trying to make my way through "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle. It has been on my to-read list for years - I'm told it will help me out along my spiritual journey, which is still very much a part of me.

I am just not getting into it.

There is a lot going on right now. I'm working on getting a new job. My sister's wedding is next week. I am waaaaay overextended, volunteer-wise. I am concerned about my own health - not because I feel particularly bad, but because I am going on 14 years with this extra weight, and it is not helping me out. Our insurance plan is changing, and not for the better. The credit card debt has grown, rather than shrunk. My house is a regular mess! And there is all the good, parenting, wifey-type stuff we all deal with. Honestly, reading a book I really don't care about is not high on my list of priorities. So, I think to myself last night, I'll go through my to-read list and get rid of all the books I think I should read, but don't really want to. That will happily clear up some time and make me a bit happier.

But what about the rest of the lists? I usually try to take 5 minutes each day to read an entry from Leo Babauta's blog, Zen Habits. I, personally, find his blog to be helpful in a calming, let it go and chill out, kind of way, (even if I find his writing personality to be kind of self-righteous. Sorry, Leo. He's probably not that way in real life. And honestly, maybe he deserves to be - he has a buttload of kids, he moved here from another country, quit smoking, started running, wrote a few books...he's accomplished quite a lot.) Anyway, one of the things they talk about at Zen Habits is cutting down the to-do list to just a few, most important tasks so it's manageable. A lot of simplicity gurus tout that, but this is the one I read. Anyway, I decided that I'm going to take that advice to heart, not only with my daily to-do lists, but with my Before I'm 40 Bucket list - that list is supposed to be all about fun, and it has become a, "oh no, I'm halfway there, and I've accomplished 3 items" stress. So here we go:

1. Travel outside the country - crossing out. I would like to travel, anywhere, but I will be just as happy traveling around the U.S. And if I get to go somewhere else...hey. It's just cake.
2. Figure out what I'm going to be when I grow up - crossing out. I'm a woman, a mom, a wife. Right now, I just need a job. I don't know, maybe I'm just not a career kind of gal. Maybe I'll write my first novel. Who knows - I don't, and I'm not going to stress about it.
3. Number 2 is related to number 7 or 8 which is "finish degree." And that just isn't going to happen. Because my kids get to go to college first. It is possible I won't ever get to go back, which doesn't mean I won't continue to learn. It will just have to be in a non-classroom environment. And I can live with that.
4. Which leads me to "learn to speak another language, fluently." I think I'll keep that one. It's something to "learn", and I've always loved languages. Quite frankly, I have a good start on Spanish - I should just keep going.
5. Reach healthy weight and stay there. I'm amending this one to, "establish regular exercize and healthy eating habits." The weight loss with follow, and I need to focus on my health, plus provide a good role model for my kids, which is why this one is, in part, staying.
6. Pay off the credit card debt and save something. This one is also staying - in fact, the healthy habits and credit card debt ones are the ones I will be working on first and foremost for the immediate future. That debt needs to go so we can send our kids to college, travel, retire someday...and let's face it. My pimpin' blue van is not going to last forever.
7. I'm getting rid of "read Brothers Karamazov." I may still read it, but it won't be soon.

The rest is traveling - and I'm condensing it. I will replace my old list with my new one, and add one more - chill out and be happy.
Are you finding your lists stress you out? Have you examined your goals recently? Maybe they need a bit of tweaking?

The big stuff.

I have a lot of rambling to do, but this post is just to catch up on some major goings on, if you will:

The horrible mom that I am, I did not even announce my sweet girl's birthday. 8 years ago last Thursday, very very excrutiatingly early in the morning, following the Angels' World Series win, My Girl Child joined our family. In a hurry. A big hurry.

We had a bbq dinner with friends that night, followed the next night by 9 squealing, giggling, pajama-clad girls. Good times.

And last night was Halloween, one of my very favorite holidays (after all the ones at which I receive presents, of course.) We trick-or-treated with great joy (and many layers - it was chilly.) And laughed at the idiotic, scantily clad, shivering teenage girls. "ooh, look how sexy I am...but brr, let me hold this jacket in such a way as to not warm myself at all, but still display my stupidly bare shoulders..." Sorry. They just looked so dumb.

My children, on the other hand, were just...bizarre.

She is obvious, he is supposed to be a NASA engineer. Apparently they run around wearing NASA visors all the time. They had an excellent time, even if everyone thought the girl was a boy and kept calling her "Buddy." I was Cyndi Lauper, but not one person guessed it. Maybe I should have been singing.

Pumpkins!

Yesterday was the day.

An Excellent day for carving pumpkins.

Spooky...guess which one is mine. Yeah, I don't carve any better than the kids.

My brother, on the other hand, carves a wicked jack-o-lantern.

I made these tonight...a little salty, but they smell divine.

I love this time of year!

Uh oh.

Definitely a rambling bit of whatnot here - I feel the need to empty out the rubbish bins in my brain - so watch out for banana peels.

I was perusing a bit over at MagpieGirl today. I haven't been there in awhile, so I was reading back pretty far, allowing myself a little blog OD, if you will. She posted an "8things" post in September about "Warning Signs that I am Not Standing in My Own Power" that really resonated with me - essentially because I get those "warning signs" myself. When I am becoming too focused on one part of my life, to the detriment to the rest, I have my own "warning signs" that I am teetering on the edge of a sort of personal "engine failure." Maybe I'm just a bit nuts (nobody is disputing that,) but maybe some of these may sound familiar:

1. I become obsessive - maybe it's blabbing on and on about dietary habits or money or some personal quirk that annoys me - I can't think about anything else clearly which leads to:
2. A distinct sense of "muddled-ness." All forms of intelligent speech leave, I can't write. I honestly cannot see my path clearly. Important tasks get thrown by the wayside because I. Don't. Remember. These are the big gaps during which I do not, cannot blog.
3. A seriously pissy mood. I hate that my brother and husband call me pissy - rhymes with Missy, bad childhood memories. But that is exactly how I feel. When I catch myself snapping at my kids, constantly, that is a blatant sign that I am neglecting some important part of myself.
4. Apathy - "I don't care" "whatever".
5. Constant state of anxiety - my chest feels heavy, I can't get enough oxygen. More exhaustion than normal.

This has been happening lately, more than it should. I keep meaning to map out a routine, some way to not only complete all the tasks I need to complete in a day to keep things running smoothly, but also to compartmentalize the various volunteer tasks into an hour or two a week, fit in family time, and also a little time to work out and read. In addition, I've been neglecting two very important parts of my psyche - my creative self and my spiritual self. I feel these are the two parts of Me that have been throwing me off so much lately - I have made some things for my sister's wedding and for work, but I haven't taken any time to be creative for my sake - my camera remains nestled and unused in it's case, my desk is a mess and just keeps collecting dusty piles. I haven't done any yoga or meditation in so long I've forgotten what it means to "quiet my mind", and forget about God. Haven't given that search a passing thought in more than a year. But my spirituality has always been so important to me, even in the unformed, lump of clay-like state that it has been in these past few years.

I have to wonder, why am I having so much trouble organizing my time and mind-space? Most people work outside the home and manage to live their lives without going crazy. I don't expect I'm going to find "balance" perse - that is, I think, an overrated concept. I imagine certain times certain different aspects of my life will thrive at the expense of others. I guess I'm just looking for ways to "de-muddle" my brain. I'm definitely open to suggestions...

I've been skipping around a bit today and have found some lovely things to share:

1. This room. I would love to have a room like this, for our family to read and create and play. It's so bright and cheerful and full of books. Of course, only two of us actually seem to have any desire to create, but reading is something we can all share. Anyway, very lovely, and it makes me happy.

2. I would like very much to change out my living room a bit - not a ton, (although I crave a new couch,) but I would like to move the shelving unit I keep my books and things on up to my bedroom, and put a desk and two bookshelves against that wall. Giving myself and the kids another space to work, and to clear the mail and volunteer stuff off the kitchen table. I love these, but I also have looked at Target and found coordinating desk and shelves that are really lovely. This is the desk, and the shelves go with, and they are the right size - really love. With all the additional volunteer work I do, plus the kid's school and sports and activity stuff...it would be good to have a place to organize everything. Mayhaps gift cards will be accumulated for Christmas...

3. The Girl's birthday is coming up. She asked for books, clothes, a peacock or peachick, and an I-Pad. I have no freaking idea what I'm going to get her, but peacocks are really noisy; I'm pretty sure there is some kind of law prohibiting owning one. And the I-Pad just made me laugh.

4. Love this!
5. Probably time to get the Halloween stuff out.

Because I need to post so I can keep on posting...

Things I did today:




1. Ate way too much for lunch and felt crappy and full after.


2. Read some more of The Historian.


3. Wrote my thank you note following yesterday's interview - crossing my fingers, folks.


4. Answered a lot of calls, helped a few patients, cleaned up a database, wrote some letters, completed some volunteer tasks, entered a few tshirt orders, answered questions about the upcoming Making Strides walk (October 17 at Yeatman's Cove, folks.)


5. Took a wicked Zumba class and shook my groove thang.

I took this pic a while ago, but owls are cool, so I'm sharing. Also, I left my camera at A's house following my sister's bridal shower, so I can share anything new. And the shower went well, thanks for asking...

Trying to move past the icebergs

I had kind of a major psychological breakthrough this morning. A little early for a major breakthrough, I understand, but it happened. I was reading October's Self magazine (bathroom reading, where all major breakthroughs should occur.) I was reading an article about a woman's search for happiness and what was holding her back. A therapist told her to identify her "core beliefs." When she spoke of "core beliefs", however, she wasn't speaking of faith, or religious upbringing, or even moral and ethical values. She called them "iceberg beliefs" because they reach deep down to the core, and shape every decision you make, whether you realize it or not.

As I read this I started thinking about my own "iceberg beliefs." I realized I have three that shape every decision I make:

"I can't handle that" - There have been challenges I have avoided because I assumed I could not rise to the occasion, and failure would be humiliating. Secondly, and more importantly, I never finished college, which has haunted me the past 15 years. I have put off trying for jobs or voicing opinions because I assumed my lack of education would make me an unlikely authority on anything. I dream of going back and finishing my degree, but my kids get to go first, that is just the way it goes. And, as a result, I continue to think just slightly less of myself for not finishing, for not having that piece of paper saying I'm an educated, intelligent person. Yes, logically I realize, a person can be intelligent without being educated, but the two or inexorably linked in my own head, and that little core truth, coupled with the constant questioning "am I up to the challenge? Probably not" continues to shape my decisions.

"They don't want you around." Oh, I know where this one comes from. My own beloved grandmother had horrible self-esteem and paranoia, and she lovingly passed them down to me, along with a love for Scrabble and all things Swedish. As a result, I am an extrovert in a shy person's body, making me uncomfortable meeting new people, even as I crave contact. My discomfort presents itself in weird ways - I speak louder and faster, laugh inappropriately, and come across as quite the dork.

"People only like you if you can do something for them." I really think this is a common one. There is a reason people, especially women, I think, stretch themselves way too thin. This is one I'm going to have to face down and conquer quickly, though, as I am desperately trying to find a new job, and it is unlikely the hours will be as accommodating as this one. I volunteer a lot, and while part of me is doing it because I really want to do something for other people, part of me simply does not want to let anyone down. And I'll have to, sooner or later, if I don't want to go insane.

Of course, realizing these beliefs are there and doing something about moving past them are two different things. But I can only imagine seeing these icebergs gives me a chance to maneuver around them, instead of side-swiping them and ripping giant gashes in my hull...or allowing them to influence my life unduly. And, as GI Joe always said, "knowing IS half the battle."

a few technical difficulties.

For some reason I started posting this long, happy post here, and I was super-pleased with it, and all of a sudden, it changed and I was posting to the Girl Scout blog, and what I was posting was not appropriate. Bad, Blogspot.

So, as I was saying...yesterday was kind of rotten, and I will share as soon as things are solidified, but for now, just know it was rotten. But I'm in a good mood today, and feeling the love:

I love my early mornings. Not the waking, waking sucks. But taking my coffee onto the porch, and inhaling the damp, cool, loveliness before anyone else wakes up...is fantastic.

I love having lunch with a favorite friend. We had yummy Chinese next door and unloaded all the recent news...we aren't phone friends, so these lunches and crafty get togethers are the only times we really chat. Perfect lunch hour.

I'm loving this blog I've newly discovered - Pancakes and French Fries. She is so cute and funny, and I love reading her blog.

I love finding just the right thing for a person who is going through the most traumatic experience of her life. Today I found the right, most perfect wig for a patient, and I answered all her questions, and she was so happy when she left, she hugged me. I love those hugs.

So, there is a something happy in the rotten-ness today.

Feeling a bit chatty.

I woke up feeling bizarre - really spacey, fuzzy, kind of tense and sick. Realized I had skipped yesterday's mental meds - that's what I get for waking up a bit too late for breakfast, and having to run out to soccer game-new tires-posterboard pickup-etc...I've also been rather frazzled - it's been crazy! I'm starting back full time at work, which is a good thing, but also reason for a major schedule upheaval, since I never even got into a decent routine before. I have to, have to find a way to fit in exercize - I'm feeling rotten, and I know this will help. I finally finished going over annual reports for MOMS Club, which was kind of a big job, and will be bigger next year, since I've learned I will be coordinating for two new chapters soon. Our first Market day of the year is this Wednesday, I was receiving e-mail after e-mail about making calls and pushing the sale because we were so close to reaching a goal. And we need help with the sale and nobody is responding to help. Which is...frustrating. This week is busy - Girl Scouts, golf, soccer, baseball, Marketday, work...and I am the matron of honor (goddess of the universe) of my baby sister's wedding, and I am really stressing about it, which is silly - I mean, I already got married. But I want to help out and do a good job...and the shower is coming up way soon. Ugh.

Of course, today was actually quite lovely - I checked out a store I've been wanting to see, The Christmas Tree Store, which I assumed sold all Christmas stuff. It doesn't. And I went to Staples and Barnes and Noble (I started The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo the other day, which is really good, but I have to return it to the library along with several others, and I figured I like it enough, so I bought it and the next one. Hooray for paperback!) And I went to David's Bridal, just to look around, and I think I found the dress I want for the wedding, which is good, since it is in 2 months. So, go productive me.

My brother keeps calling me pissy. The more he says that, the more I want to punch him.

I took a picture I enjoy last week - here, you enjoy it, now.

I've been having the most bizarre dreams lately. A very interesting recent one involved me watching the Emperor from Star Wars fighting the Jedi while I sat on the ground wrapped in his black wool cloak-thingy. I kept rooting for the Jedi, and after the Emperor won, he grabbed his cloak away from me and said, "thanks a lot." So Luke Skywalker gave me his. Apparently I was cold. Then I got up and went back to the all night crop I was at. Which is, apparently, where the dream got boring, according to my Boy, who was enjoying my retelling up to that point.

In response to Chris Moore's blog criticism...

1. Not of my blog, perse, but of those bloggers who post lists and call them blog entries.
2. Is it lazy? Perhaps.
3. But I like making lists.
4. And I like making them here.
5. So there.

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

thank*full Thursdays

Such a gratifying response to last week's post - and focusing on that which we are grateful for is healthy. So this week I am thank*full for:

1. Some good news at work. I don't know whether I can share yet, so I'll just say, I am pleased, and will share more next week.

2. A 4 day weekend. I love my job, but I'm pretty excited about lovely unstructured-ness.

3. My husband is home! He was in Argentina for work. Generally, I admit, I love his business trips since he doesn't travel much. I get the bed to myself, make the food he doesn't like, when I feel like it...but this time he was so far away. I was a little nervous, and I'm glad to have him home.

4. Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser mop. Yes, I am thankful for a mop. I get this nasty black buildup under the table from the bottoms of my chairs (and yes, I have cleaned the bottoms of the chairs) and this mop cleans it, no scrubbing necessary. A lovely thing. What I'm not so thankful for is that the mop is only sold at the Target around here. I went to 3 different stores looking for the heads until I finally found them today. I look forward to mopping tomorrow. Good times.

5. We finished the whole "Six Feet Under" series last night. Wow, those last few episodes were seriously depressing. I sobbed during the 3rd to last. Then I had to watch the last two, so I was up after 2AM. It was definitely worth watching, although I have to agree with my friend S that the first few seasons were much better than the rest. Interestingly, I found myself alternately despising each of the main characters at varying times. It was odd actually wanting to spend the time to find out what happened to these people I despised. The acting was pretty freaking amazing by all, but Michael C. Hall was Brilliant. It is going to be odd watching him play the very definitely straight Dexter this fall. Can't wait for Dexter...

A Book Quiz

Lifted from Yoga-grrl who borrowed it from Brewsandbooks. Because I love a list, a quiz, a meme.



1. Favorite childhood book? Little Women, The Little Princess, Baby Island, the Little House series.

2. What are you reading right now? The Good Omen by Neil Gaimen and Terry Pratchett and Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood (on audiobook)

3. What books do you have on request at the library? The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, the latest Frankenstein book by Dean Koontz

4. Bad book habit? Occasionally spending too much money on a book and then not reading it. Sooner or later I will.

5. What do you currently have checked out from the library? Read question #2, plus the newest Jane Green and the newest James Patterson

6. Do you have an e-reader? no

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once? generally I read one, and listen to one in the car.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? They really haven't, other than I occasionally write about what I read now.
9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?) The most recent Scarpetta books - they just aren't very exciting anymore.
10. Favorite book you've read this year? I really loved Physick Book of Deliverance Dane and Blackbird House. The Gates by John Connolly was great.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone? If someone I trust recommends it, or it's a book club book, so maybe a few times a year.
12. What is your reading comfort zone? Definitely fiction - preferably good female characters and fun plot, but I'm not terribly picky.
13. Can you read on the bus? Not that I take the bus often, but I have terrible motion sickness, so I doubt I'd do well.
14. Favorite place to read? My chaise lounge on the back porch.
15. What is your policy on book-lending? Sure.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books? Yes, but never someone else's book
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books? Only if I am really inspired to do so - I wrote in the margins of Eat, Pray, Love.
18. Not even with text books? I did, yes.
19. What is your favorite language to read in? English - I'm not fluent enough in anything else. I have, however, read Cat in the Hat to the Girl in Spanish.
20. What makes you love a book? Characters I love, thoughtful plot, beautiful language.
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book? See above. Or, if a book really makes me think.
22. Favorite genre? Fiction. Most kinds of fiction.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?) biographies or other non-fiction
24. Favorite biography? heehee. Probably The Glass Castle
25. Have you ever read a self-help book? I've read some spiritual self-help and some parenting books.
26. Favorite cookbook? Any of Molly Katzen's. I love to read her recipes like stories.
27. Most inspirational book you've read this year (fiction or nonfiction?) Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
28. Favorite reading snack? popcorn or raisinettes. Movie snacks.
29. Name an instance in which hype ruined your reading experience? Twilight. I did not like the books nearly as much as I thought I would
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book? I rarely read the critiques.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? I doubt the authors are reading my reviews, so I don't worry much. If I knew the author, maybe.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, what language would you choose? Italian.
33. Most intimidating book you've ever read? Anna Karenina
34. Most intimidating book you're too nervous to begin? Foucault's Pendulum
35. Favorite poet? Mary Oliver
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time? 5 or 6, maybe?
37. How often have you returned a book to the library unread? On occasion, if I haven't had time, of just didn't feel inspired.
38. Favorite fictional character? Jo March, from Little Women. She was wild and strong.
39. Favorite fictional villain? Probably Voldemort from Harry Potter. He was one nasty SOB.
40. Books I'm most likely to bring on vacation? light, girly fiction.
41. The longest I've gone without reading? Um, how long have you gone without breathing?
42. Name a book you could/would not finish. As I Lay Dying, by Faulkner. Ugh.
43. What distracts you easily when you're reading? My children.
44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel. This one's easy. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. Honestly (and I hate to admit it), the movie was better than the book - almost identical, but more aesthetically pleasing.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation. Most of Stephen King's. Except The Green Mile, which wasn't too bad.
46. The most money you've ever spent in a bookstore at any one time. A lot.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it? Most of the time I just read the synopses on the back.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through? Really poor grammar, or characters I really hate.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized? In so much as I need to find them, I suppose.
50. Do you prefer to keep books, or give them away once you've finished? Depends on the book. I keep the ones I love.
51. Are there any books you've been avoiding? I've been wanting to read the Brothers Karamazov for years, and I have only read the first few chapters.
52. Name a book that made you angry. Catcher in the Rye. I know people loved that book, but I thought Holden Caulfield was a spoiled brat.
53. A book you didn't expect to like, but did? The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. That was a lovely book!
54. A book you expected to like but didn't? Twilight. I did, however, like the rest of the books in the series. I also didn't much care for Committed, by Elizabeth Gilbert, and I really thought I would.
55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading. Jennifer Crusie, Jane Green, other chicklit or romance.

Ooh, what fun.

thank*full Thursdays

It's time to re-establish this particular habit of mine. You can never focus too much on gratitude.


Today I am thankful for:

1. It may be rather boring but, gorgeous weather. It has been unbelievably lovely outside. Temps in the 70's and low 80's, low humidity, blue skies, ahhhhhh.
2. A job I love, for an organization I respect, with people I genuinely like. I am very lucky to be able to do this.
3. That said, I am thankful for having tomorrow off, and all to myself.
4. Because, my kids started school last week! I love school! Not just having the kids busy somewhere, but the routine, the learning, the happy productivity of school.
5. Reading the ChitChat and Advice sections of the small-town newspapers I read for work. I love all the bits of "news" (i.e. "John Doe and his family will be seeing Taylor Swift in concert this weekend. Have fun, Does.") and the weird problems people feel obligated to share with some woman they've never met. Reading these is my little afternoon treat.

What are you thankful for today?

Back to School!

I have posted so many times about my love for the first day of school. It is so much more "New Years" than January 1st to me. The Monkeybutt on his first day of 8th grade. He is holding his summer book project visual aide - a picture of the robots trying to unlock the planet Krikkit from the book, "Life, the Universe, and Everything" by Douglas Adams. I loved that series. He is also playing for the high school's JV golf team, hence the ugly orange shirt. But he looked nice.

Here's the Girl on her first day of 2nd grade. Isn't this the cutest picture? The outfit was adorable, but this was the best picture, so this is the one I'm posting. So far, she is loving school, but that is no surprise.

I took off the last week so I could spend some time with the kids before school started, and then some time without them. Unfortunately, I booked myself solid for the entire week. My mom and I drove up to Rabbit Hash, KY on Thursday, just to check it out. We both love history, and the idea of going into a General Store that had been there since the 1800's was very cool. Of course the place was really more a cross between a junk shop and a head shop than a General Store. But we did get to play fetch with the mayor:

This is Lucy Lou, the mayor of Rabbit Hash. She greeted us with a wag of the tail and a stick. She whined if I did not play with the stick. She was adorable. I would definitely vote for her. There was another dog who kept interfering with the stick fetching, and he was extremely friendly; coming up to lick my leg and bring me more sticks. I am pretty sure he was campaigning.

These sweet motorcycle-riding gentlemen were kind enough to let me take their picture. I loved the shot enough to want to share it. Aren't they handsome?

Anywho, Friday I had a yard sale which earned enough to pay for my dinner Friday night at Brio's with some friends. Yesterday was the first soccer game for the Girl and the first fall baseball game for the Boy. Busy busy busy, and tomorrow it's back to work for me!

It is, of course, time for my biannual list of resolutions, but I'll work on that later.

Oh, Mitch Albom, really?

I've mentioned before my inexplicable enjoyment of the Sunday morning program, "The Sports Reporters" on ESPN. Mitch Albom is one of the contributers on the program, and I enjoy his writing quite a bit, especially "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," which was a book club selection last year. This past week he referred to a young athlete as having "bounce backedness." Seriously, Mitch, I get you were talking off the cuff here, but really? You couldn't come up with something as simple as "resilience?" I mean, you've made your living with words for years.
It hurts. Right here (pounding on the chest.)

By the way, have you ever sat and listened to "Zero 7" in the dark? Very mellow.

"I'm goin' up. I ayam."

Wednesday night was one of the nights the Perseids was supposed to be visible, so I moved my chaise lounge out into the back yard and laid back to watch the sky for an hour around midnight. I didn't see any meteors for awhile, and my mind started to drift to my very favorite movie from my childhood, "Spacecamp." You know, starring Kate Capshaw, Lea Thompson, Tate Donovan, the chick that married John Travolta, Leaf (Joaquin) Phoenix. All actors who have done plenty since, but rarely starred in anything, with the noticeable difference of Joaquin, for whom I will always harbor a deep and abiding love, even if he is a terrible rapper. And he was a rather irritating little kid (Max) in SpaceCamp. Anyway, I adored that movie. The premise, assuming you've (tragically) never seen it, is a group of kids at SpaceCamp get the unprecedented chance to sit in the shuttle while they test the engines. Max says he wishes he could go to space, so his little robot friend initiates a "thermal curtain failure" (which apparently does not actually happen) so the shuttle has to launch. So you have five kids and one adult in space, in a shuttle that was not actually ready to launch, so they don't have radios, enough oxygen, etc., and they have to figure out how to get back. It was a true opportunity for growth, obviously.

So, I spent the next several years desperate to become an astronaut. Way past the time it is still acceptable to want to be an astronaut. I never got to go to SpaceCamp, either, and I had a friend who did get to go, and she wasn't nearly as obsessed as I was. I didn't get over the whole astronaut thing until I was a junior in high school, and I discovered my allergy and bronchitis problems and my less than stellar math grades would likely prevent me from ever going into space. It was a rather sad realization. The death of a dream, if you will.
Two years ago, I decided to screen one of my favorite movies of all time for my children. Wow, the dialogue in that movie really was awful. I always found Tate and Lea's characters to be rather irritating, but I loved Tish - she was all cool and smart and stuff. But even her dialogue sucked. And I kind of wanted to drop the robot in a bathtub. Goonies was much better. But that's a whole other post.
Anyway, I must have dozed off while I was out there watching the skies, because when I got up to go inside, it was almost 2AM. I stood up and watched for a few more minutes and finally saw one meteor - then I could go to bed.
Last night (or this morning) was supposed to be the best time for viewing - 2-4AM. I went out before bed and didn't see anything, and then I woke up around 4:30AM and went out - but I must have missed it, because I stood out there for awhile, and never saw anything. I was thoroughly bummed. Next year I will definitely have to make plans and set an alarm or something. I may have given up my astronaut dreams, but I still love to watch the skies.

Motivation comes in all forms and fashions.

I've been a member of Weight Watchers for 2 months now, and I've gained weight. The fault is entirely my own, of course - I haven't been tracking or attending meetings every week - but I do believe today may have changed things.

I go on my lunch break, which I kind of hate, as I am a big proponent of the lunch break. I love to chill with my book (and lunch, which I love.) But the WW place is close to my office and the timing fits. I keep skipping meetings since so many of the members would just sit there, sometimes nod - there was very little interaction, and I felt so little motivation. Of course, I just sat there, too. Well, today the leader asks us what sorts of goals we have that are not scale-related. One or two people mumbled answers, and finally I sucked it up and my goal for this week is to track everyday. No matter what. Write down everything I eat. You know, what you are supposed to do, and what I have not been doing the entire time I've been doing this. Which I also said. And everyone just opens up. Several different women mentioned their own problems with tracking, how they have overcome not wanting to do it - the ideas are flowing, there was interaction. And then the leader asks about what we are gaining from our progress (those who have experienced it), and then tells about a woman who said she had learned she was an emotional eater, and that her daughter was also an emotional eater, and she was learning to help both of them. Which inspires me even more. Because I eat from sheer boredom or exhaustion, and so does my daughter. If I can start to fix myself, maybe I can help the Girl so she never has to deal with these issues. At the end of the meeting everyone is chatting, wishing each other good luck, and actually looking forward to next week. How cool is that?

On another note, I am listening to a very cool album right now (as I write) called Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear. Sort of funky, psychedelic, hypnotic stuff. Worth a listen. One of their songs was used on some commercial, I think.

I really need to get the camera out and start documenting life a little better. But that will have to start tomorrow. Now I need to do a little cleaning and a lot of reading. I'm reading "A Dirty Job" by Chris Moore, about a man who wakes up one day to discover he has the job of Death. Have I ever waxed euphoric over the wonderfully hilarious Mr. Moore? So irreverent, so self-effacing, so tears running down my face, falling off my house, snortingly funny. My favorite so far has actually been "Fool", with "Lamb" coming in with a close second. If you don't take yourself too seriously, and enjoy unfailingly fun fiction, definitely give him a read.

I wanted to give you an image of Death to close with, so I typed "death" into Google images, and this is one of the first pictures that came up. It made me grin, so I decided to close with the Death Star, instead.

Have a fabulous, intergalactic evening.

10 places I need to visit

One of my bff's, A, is in Kuaui right now, which inspired me to contemplate some of those places I must go someday.

1. Hawaii. Of course. How could I not want to visit paradise.
2. Costa Rica. All of the tropical loveliness, none of the scary guerilla warfare.
3. Portland, OR. I have several bloggy friends who live there, and they've discribed a place I'd really like to visit.
4. Japan. I don't know enough about the country to know where, but it seems a cool place to visit.
5. Australia. See above.
6. Maine.
7. Sweden. My grandma was from Sweden, and I grew up hearing stories. If it weren't for the extended winter, it would so be my place.
8. Holland. I have cousins I'd really like to visit there.
9. Greece, Egypt, Italy - anywhere there are buildings over 1,000 years old.
10. Macchu Piccu. Mountains, ruins, and I can sort of speak the language. My husband and kids want to go here, too. If we had a family dream trip, this would probably be it.

The boy's room

He's been living with monster trucks for long enough. He asked for a room the orange of the Texas Longhorns. I did what I could.

We stripped the monster truck border, painted the room orange, and hung up bamboo blinds. He's pretty pleased with the results. Which is good, since it took me a freaking 3 coats to paint the freaking room.

It is orange, though.

It's been way too long

since one of my rambling, thinking by typing - kind of posts. So very much has been going on lately, so very much to think about. Work is still work, I enjoy my job, but still have to drag myself out of bed each morning. Baseball is over, hallelujah, at least for the time being, as it starts up again next month. Add to that Monkeybutt is trying out for the high school golf team, and the Girl will be playing soccer...I see lots of practices in my future. Speaking of the Monkey, he is going to 4H camp next week. He looks forward to this every summer. It is summer camp the way I remember it - canoing, swimming, hiking - outside stuff. While he's gone I intend to strip the monster truck wallpaper border he's hated since we moved in and paint the room. Orange. He wants an orange room. So last night we were going through clothes and books and getting rid of stuff, which made me realize I have been avoiding his room for way too long - a thick coat of dust covers everything. I'll dust it before I paint, I have to, but then he starts dusting darn it. No wonder his allergies are so bad. He has asked me to hang green bamboo shades at his window - the sun shines right on his bed in the morning. Haha - that's what he gets for sleeping past 6AM. Tonight I am going to Zumbathon - a friend of mine teaches it, and asked me to attend. 2 hours of Zumba and then sangria. Ole'! Of course I will be the fattest and least fit person there, so 2 hours should be...interesting. I do love the Zumba, though. Tomorrow we will be going to Stud's company picnic, Sunday will be scrapbooking and dinner with family, Monday is dropping off the boy to camp, meetings and lunch with a friend, plus painting, hopefully. Tuesday includes more painting, a cake tasting with my sister, and a Mom's Night Out. Oh, and one of my first friends from around here is moving away next week, so we have to try and figure out a time to party hearty and hale before she goes. Family reunion next week, too. Crazy summer...no lazy summer here. Ooh, and last night I was watching Law & Order: Criminal Intent with my brother, and the killer was one of those goofy goth-like guys - but then they showed him with the makeup and fake fangs off, and he was seriously yummy, check him out:

His name is Matt Burns and I'd like to go after him with a spoon, isn't he a cutey?

So that's it for today. I should probably go back to work. Ick, what song is this? I love the Shins, but I'm not caring for this bizarre, calypso-sounding song. Must skip - The Smiths? Now I have regressed to middle school.

Have a fab weekend!

My gorgeous kids

I took this a few weeks ago. I think I'll frame this one, I really like it.

8 Things: Simply Summer

The *8 Things I simply MUST do this summer:

1. Smell like coconut-scented sunblock and swimming pool.
2. Drive with the windows open and the music turned up loud.
3. Take the kiddles and tent out camping - even if it's only in the backyard.
4. See my scrumptious niece turn 1(!) Spoil her rotten for a few days.
5. Pick blueberries
6. Take a nap on the back porch.
7. Stay up late talking and laughing with friends.
8. Snuggle with the girl on the lounge in back, watching the night sky.

And you? What will you be doing this summer?

Something Rachelle over at Magpie Girl does. I love a good list.

Things I Wish I Could Do...

Understand, I'm not whining about what other people can do and I can't. Simply, a "hey, I want to do that" kind of post. And maybe, sooner or later, I will...

I wish I could...

1. Make something (green) grow and flourish. I have what I like to call a brown thumb - I can make it grow...but then it dies. I generally do not get more than a few tomatoes, my carrots are always eaten by critters before I can pick them, and even my strawberries ended up dying. Apparently plants require Care.

2. Hang my clothes out to dry. I love the smell of line-dried clothing, and I love the energy efficiency of it, but alas, the kids have allergies and so do I. We do not need to purposefully drag those allergens in on our clothes and sheets. Oh, but the smell of a sun-warmed, breeze-dried sheet...

3. Hold a handstand. Due to lack of balance, strength, and guts. I'll work on that one soon.

4. Lose weight. Quickly. This is no more than a lament for the unfortunate weigh-in I had today. Ok, lament over.

5. Travel more. No cash, no time. That one, however, is not permanent. I will travel more as time goes on.

6. Get a new car. I love my pimpin' van, don't get me wrong, but the lack of A/C, the tricky driver's side window...I really want a new car. Alas, see reasons for item #5.

7. Readily access a well of creativity, and have the talent to act upon it. Yeah, well, I suppose, don't we all. This is another one of those somethings I believe I need to practice on. Perhaps if I keep writing, keep taking pictures, keep working at those little projects that make me happy, I will get better at them.

8. Strike a bit more of a balance - find those routines that help my days flow smoothly. It's been 4 months already. I need to get on track.

9. Tap dance and fence. Two things I've always wanted to do. Betty White still has fantastic legs - it's from all that tap dancing, I tell you.
(Ok, so it is really hard to find a picture of Betty White showing her legs, even from when she was younger. But you all remember that episode of Golden Girls when she is wearing the tights and tap dancing, right?)

10. I wish I could drink wine and enjoy it like a grown up. I've tried, I really have. I just don't like it. I like Riesling, and (the horrors) white zinfandel, and that's about it. I will still, however, go to wine tastings with my friends. I just enjoy the friends more than the wine.

There are a thousand more, but I don't want to whine about all the things I cannot, or do not do here. Especially when there are a few that, if certain people knew I couldn't do them and wanted to be able, they would force me to do them, or try, and I would cry and be scared...

I Love Fridays!

And...here we go!

1. I wish I didn't have to wake up before 6:58.
2. It was the reason, of course, I felt I needed a nap by 2PM.
3. Changing my self to suit other people is something I no longer feel the need to do.
4. I have another errand to run, then I'm sure I'll have to drive someone somewhere.
5. It's right in front of your face!...just go find it
6. What were once vices are...ok, they're probably still vices.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading and bed, tomorrow my plans include baseball and a visit from the father-in-law, and Sunday, I want to chill with the fam! (ok, and probably do something nice for Father's Day.)

I do love a good meme.

Sharing the love

Today was a good day, and I feel I should share some of those things that made it good, so maybe you can go make a good day for yourselves:

1. The Girl Child loved loved loved soccer camp this week. She came back smiling and wanting to show me what she learned every day.

2. Getting a not-so-irritating song stuck in my head. Generally my earworms are of the annoying sort, but today's was "Rollercoaster" as performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Could be much worse.

3. Had an awesome night hanging out with some of my girls last night. It kind of reminded me of a 7th grade slumber party with all the crying, but the crying was due to too much wine and warm feelings, not nastiness. It was a lovely evening.

4. Mid-afternoon thunderstorm. I LOVE a good thunderstorm.

5. McDonald's vanilla soft serve on a cone. My favorite hot weather treat. mmmmmm...I ate so many when I was pregnant with the Girl, I'm a little surprised she didn't come out with a little twist on top.

And now we embark upon another weekend. I WILL sleep past 6:30AM.

I love this picture. And every response I've heard has been something of the "she's a mini-you!" Poor child.

Yeah.

I haven't seen this commercial in awhile. So I decided to share it. A good number of you know why...

Happy 13th to my Boy

I'm two days late with this post, but it was necessary to get it in here. 13 years ago I received the best Mother's Day gift ever. He's not been the easiest kid to raise, and I can't imagine it will be getting easier any time soon, but it has definitely been one interesting ride. Love you bud.

Some thoughts on marriage

This is not a post on gay marriage (I'm pro), or the stability of the institution of marriage, or anything controversial at all. I am currently reading Elizabeth Gilbert's new book Commitment, and it got me thinking about my own marital situation, and I simply felt like expounding upon my thoughts for awhile.
My husband and I married young, quickly, and against a lot of people's advice. When I think about our situation, and compare our relationship to other's who married under similar circumstances, I realize...wow. We probably should have split up a long time ago. We were pregnant with kid #1, his parents were - unpleased. Mine weren't so thrilled either. He had just finished college, I hadn't even finished yet. We had little money, were only together for 3 months at the time we got engaged. Different backgrounds, different ideas about family and religion...you get the picture.
Here we are 13 years later. I've seen others divorce and remarry...and we stay strong. We fight, disagree about a lot, still have different ideas and opinions. And yet...
In her book, Gilbert, having endured a painful divorce, is in a position where she has to marry her lover, or lose him forever. She spends the next year exploring marriage as an institution, and learning as much as she can about why people marry, and how they stay together. I'm only 3 chapters in, so I can't tell you much more about the book, but it made me think...why, when so many others in our situation would have given up years ago, have my husband and I stayed together? What have I known all through these 13 years, that this 30-something year old, educated and well-traveled woman has not managed to learn?
And honestly, it did not take a lot of thought. The answer was pretty freaking easy. Because it isn't just love. You can love someone from the depths of your soul, and not be able to live with them. The answer is...adaptability. We have both been growing and changing as people. We have had two kids. Moved to another state. Dealt with financial ups and downs, as well as vastly different financial sensibilities. We've weathered these changes by adapting the ways we deal with each other and the situations. He tends to be rather arrogant, judgmental, and pig-headed. I tend to be flighty, irresponsible, and very messy. And we have certainly gone to bed mad. That whole "don't go to bed mad" is just dumb advice. There have been nights we would never have gotten any sleep...not to mention, sometimes sleeping on it is just the right medicine for the argument. See? Adapting.
Anyway, the point is...we've continued to learn, grow, and roll with the punches. We don't expect the other to read our respective minds, and we talk. A lot. And this couple, who was given 6 months from the onset by close friends and family, is happily working on their 14th year together.

Some pics from the last month:

This bottom one is from our Girl Scout tasting tea. The Girl is dressed in traditional Swedish clothing. They learned a lot - or so I tell myself.

Procrastinate, procrastinate

I have a very large and complex to-do list, and I don't feel like tackling it. I have made a decent dent in the laundry, cleaned out my car, and weeded the front garden beds. I have tried to load my phone (the website is down) and searched for last year's well-child visit records (will be calling the doc for new copies tomorrow.) I feel I have accomplished enough. I'm going outside to read now.

However, in honor of this loveliest of days, I leave you with this tidbit:

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."Buddha

I want that.

Check out this absolutely adorable necklace. I'm in love.
http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/custom-necklaces/whoo-do-you-love.html


Hopefully I can convince my family to get it for me for Mother's Day or something.

The kiddles are on Spring Break and Marc is on vacation. I'm the only one working this week. I'm a bit bummed - last year this time the kids and I would have been going to the zoo and enjoying the weather. Marc is doing all the cooking though...

I'm having problems blogging lately. Each time I sit down at my keyboard, I find myself dealing with what I have to deal with, and then wasting time on a mindless game. My thoughts are simply not allowing themselves to be organized in any fashion, so writing them down is difficult, if not impossible.

so here is a list of not so organized thoughts I have been entertaining as of late:

On my way to work today, I passed a hedge of forsythia, of which I am quite fond. Which is funny, because really, they are only pretty for a few weeks, and then they are rather...woody, like a bunch of sticks stuck into the ground. I planted two forsythia shrubs a few years ago, but I killed them pretty quickly. I am fond of them for two reasons: a. they are early bloomers, and a signal of the beginning of spring, and b. my grandmother had big forsythia shrubs in her side yard when I was growing up, and you all know how nostalgic I am about my grandmother. Anyway, yellow makes me smile.

I keep getting bizarre songs stuck in my head, and I'm not sure where they come from. Yesterday was "Patience" by Guns n Roses, the day before that was "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac, which I actually do quite like. My bizarrely clever cousin calls this phenomenon "earworm", I suppose because they get in there and wiggle about, and you can't get them out.

I'm still loving this job. I love the warm group of women in the office, the dedication of the staff, working with the patients, even the menial, day to day tasks. What I don't love is the fact that I have been computer-less 6 days out of the last 10. Making it difficult to do my job.

I have been taking pictures lately. I promised I wanted to try to take at least one photo a day, and I've succeeded more days than not. I find I feel a little more complete when I try to inject just a little creativity into each day.

At any rate, it is time to start working. If I don't get back on here this weekend (I have to do some major overhaul cleaning), have a lovely Easter weekend. I do love a good egg hunt.

Listening

Is there any piece of music that touches you so much it brings tears to your eyes just to listen? I am listening to Debussy's "Claire de Lune" played beautifully by Akito Kikakawa. The kind of music that makes me want to just rest my head back on the chair, close my eyes, and let it carry me away. What a gift, to evoke that sort of emotion.

Not getting it done.

I'm still having a bit of trouble achieving the goals I'm setting for myself. So I'm setting some new ones.

Go to bed with a clean kitchen.
Move 10 minutes a day.
Take at least one picture a day.

I'll post those pics at the end of the week.

Otherwise, life is going swimmingly. Work is great, I'm enjoying my job. I'm busy busy, but happy enough. And now the fam wants me to join them for some Simpsons-viewing. So, off I go.

I do more before 8...

My husband has been teasing me a bit about the fact that I don't leave until 7:50AM and he has to leave at 7:15. I also get up at 5:45, which he doesn't understand. So here is what I accomplish before I leave for work:

1. Shower
2. Dressed
3. hair and make-up
4. coffee and breakfast
5. unload dishwasher
6. Reload dishwasher
7. Wipe down counters
8. wipe floor
9. Fold and put away a load of laundry
10. Feed and give Bug insulin shot
11. Feed other cats
12. Get Girl up and dressed
13. Make Girl breakfast
14. Pick up living room
15. Pack Girl's lunch, get school stuff together.
16. Scrape my car (I have to park outside.)
17. Pack my own lunch.
18. Pack my gear
19. Get dinner stuff ready
20. Out the door and to work

Husband does:
1. shower
2. dress
3. drink some of the coffee I made
4. Out the door.

Yeah.

Hi!

Yikes, it's been a long time since I've blogged. I'm trying very hard to adapt to this whole working full time thing - it's amazing how inconvenient spending 8 hours at work really is.
But I am loving my job. I love the fact that I am working for an organization I can be proud of. I love the fact that I do so many different things, I will never be bored. I love that I get to work directly with patients every day. And I especially love that my coworkers have asked, more than once, how they made it before I came along. My family never says anything like that.
Of course, there are some downfalls. The house is not exactly sparkling on a daily basis. I still have all my volunteer responsibilities to attend to, which makes my days even shorter. I have to find time to exercize, badly.

So, as I posted on Facebook's "Organization for Bitches", I am working on these three goals for the month of March:

1. Adapt to my new schedule.
2. Find a good time to exercize - 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week to start.
3. Go to bed with a clean kitchen.

This should get me started.

30 Days of Beauty: 1-6

February is not my favorite month. I don't like the cold, the wet, the gray...it is the shortest month of the year, and it doesn't feel like it. Add to that, we've had record snowfall this year, and snow day after snow day. My children are not quiet on the best of days, but lock them in the house, together, for days at a time...Mama has a headache. A bad one.

So Erin over at Blue Bird Baby challenged her readers to find "30 Days of Beauty" - document photographically the beauty in winter. I've, as always, taken my own sweet time uploading my photos, so this post will show several of those moments of beauty.

Nothing like curling up with a good book on a cold day. I'm so glad my kids love to read as much as I do.

This is just not as much fun on the grass.

Taken the same day at the same park. It's just pretty.

Cream of chicken and wild rice soup with warm bread at Panera. Eaten with a friend near the fireplace. I love soup, but it just isn't the same during the summer.

We got over a foot of snow over the weekend, and then several more inches the past few days. Sunday it was all sunny and sparkly - I tried to capture the sparkles. It really was lovely.

Check out the pink cheeks. They were sledding and playing outside for 3 hours today. Which made for a lovely, quiet house. Don't be fooled by the Monkey's sour look - he just does that to irritate me when I'm taking pictures. He was in a particularly cheerful mood.


So there we are - 6 lovely winter images so far. I'll take more tomorrow. Have a lovely, warm, evening.