6.30.2009
I'm Just Saying...
It's 68 degrees outside, overcast with a chance of rain. I wonder if Mother Nature forgot that it's nearly July?
File this under: "I'm really glad there are only two of them"
Children are never dull. In defense of that statement, I offer the following:
On Sunday evening, after a deafening burst of quiet emanated from our upstairs bathroom, Diva Husband found The Manimal STANDING on the bathroom counter unscrewing the light bulbs.
Shortly thereafter, I went to inspect another rumble of too much quiet and found the same child sitting IN the powder room sink playing in the water trying to "wash" the willow branches that are in a vase on the counter.
Last night, in a fit of motherly frustration, I told him that if he didn't eat his chicken, he wouldn't get a treat. IMMEDIATELY after finishing his chicken, he announced "I ate all my dinner! Now I get a treat!" I got the ice cream out of the freezer and he said "Yay! Ice cream! Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!"
The Manimal loves to play upstairs in his room, and was doing so. We could hear him singing to himself and talking to the trains. This went on for some time, until the doorbell rang. There he stood, clad only in his undershorts and a grin. He'd apparently slipped out the garage door and taken a bike ride up the street. I'm considering installing an invisible fence...
Lest you think The Manimal is the only entertaining one of my two...
Sweet Son #1, after being the main entree on the mosquitos' evening buffet, came in and pitifully asked "Can't we move to a place where there aren't any bugs?"
Logic is clearly not a strong suit among the nearly-nine set. When we were gathering items for our garage sale last weekend, he decided he would pack up and sell some of his beloved Legos.Which was all well and good until he announced he would use the money from the sale of said Legos to, you guessed it, buy more Legos.
A budding man of the world, while getting his hair cut on Sunday, I heard the hairstylist ask SS#1 if he would be practicing any schoolwork this summer (seriously, what kind of question is that?!). I quietly thanked my lucky stars that he didn't just snort in laughter, and then he responded "No, I don't think I'll have enough time, because I'll be travelling a lot this summer."He'll be with the Diva Grandparents and Diva Godparents for most of July, then will indeed take a little car trip down to Tennessee at the end of the month. But "traveling a lot"? I guess it's all in your perspective.
On Sunday evening, after a deafening burst of quiet emanated from our upstairs bathroom, Diva Husband found The Manimal STANDING on the bathroom counter unscrewing the light bulbs.
Shortly thereafter, I went to inspect another rumble of too much quiet and found the same child sitting IN the powder room sink playing in the water trying to "wash" the willow branches that are in a vase on the counter.
Last night, in a fit of motherly frustration, I told him that if he didn't eat his chicken, he wouldn't get a treat. IMMEDIATELY after finishing his chicken, he announced "I ate all my dinner! Now I get a treat!" I got the ice cream out of the freezer and he said "Yay! Ice cream! Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!"
The Manimal loves to play upstairs in his room, and was doing so. We could hear him singing to himself and talking to the trains. This went on for some time, until the doorbell rang. There he stood, clad only in his undershorts and a grin. He'd apparently slipped out the garage door and taken a bike ride up the street. I'm considering installing an invisible fence...
Lest you think The Manimal is the only entertaining one of my two...
Sweet Son #1, after being the main entree on the mosquitos' evening buffet, came in and pitifully asked "Can't we move to a place where there aren't any bugs?"
Logic is clearly not a strong suit among the nearly-nine set. When we were gathering items for our garage sale last weekend, he decided he would pack up and sell some of his beloved Legos.Which was all well and good until he announced he would use the money from the sale of said Legos to, you guessed it, buy more Legos.
A budding man of the world, while getting his hair cut on Sunday, I heard the hairstylist ask SS#1 if he would be practicing any schoolwork this summer (seriously, what kind of question is that?!). I quietly thanked my lucky stars that he didn't just snort in laughter, and then he responded "No, I don't think I'll have enough time, because I'll be travelling a lot this summer."He'll be with the Diva Grandparents and Diva Godparents for most of July, then will indeed take a little car trip down to Tennessee at the end of the month. But "traveling a lot"? I guess it's all in your perspective.
6.29.2009
Sanity Giveaway!
No, I'm not giving away my sanity. It's long gone, but I find I can make do when I take a little break.
However, I've discovered in the blogging world, there is collateral damage to taking a mental vacation. When bloggers go away, so do readers! And while I do primarily write for me, I do enjoy reading comments and knowing that there are folks out there who are part of my little bloggy world.
So I'm back (as is my sanity, for the moment), and to celebrate, I'm doing a little giveaway!
The first blog I ever read was The QC Report. Quinn is a talented actress whom I can remember watching on "Family", and she has managed to avoid the problems that plague most "former child actors". She's a talented, funny writer with a family that consists of Daughter, Consort, and a rotating door menagerie.
The second blog I ever read was May December, and I was hooked at first read. While Melissa and I certainly travel in different circles, she is down-to-earth, and like the socialite hostess she is, graciously opens her virtual home to thousands of readers every day. She loves her husband and loves to cook, and their fur child Monty is "the bees knees". Melissa is the epitome of a classic preppy and has made me want to visit NYC (and a whole host of other travel destinations!).
Melissa's preppy, socialite lifestyle is what has inspired my "Back to Blogging" giveaway. Recently, she did her own giveaway for a copy of "Mating Rituals of the North American WASP", a book I'd actually just finished reading. Melissa captured the gist of the story so well:
"Here's the short version: A mismatched pair end up married after a wild night in Vegas. She's a bubbly and outgoing store owner from Manhattan, he's an aloof and introverted writer from an old line Connecticut WASP family. Realizing they're completely ill-suited to one another, they try to have their marriage annulled. The matriarch of the WASPy family intervenes, a deal is made, and you'll have to read the book to find out the rest..."
Melissa's giveaway is over, but if you'd like another shot, you're in the right place. Simply leave a comment here telling me one of your favorite summer reads, and you're entered! :) The contest ends at 11:59 pm on Friday, July 3rd, and on Saturday, July 4th, one random commenter will win a copy of the book!
However, I've discovered in the blogging world, there is collateral damage to taking a mental vacation. When bloggers go away, so do readers! And while I do primarily write for me, I do enjoy reading comments and knowing that there are folks out there who are part of my little bloggy world.
So I'm back (as is my sanity, for the moment), and to celebrate, I'm doing a little giveaway!
The first blog I ever read was The QC Report. Quinn is a talented actress whom I can remember watching on "Family", and she has managed to avoid the problems that plague most "former child actors". She's a talented, funny writer with a family that consists of Daughter, Consort, and a rotating door menagerie.
The second blog I ever read was May December, and I was hooked at first read. While Melissa and I certainly travel in different circles, she is down-to-earth, and like the socialite hostess she is, graciously opens her virtual home to thousands of readers every day. She loves her husband and loves to cook, and their fur child Monty is "the bees knees". Melissa is the epitome of a classic preppy and has made me want to visit NYC (and a whole host of other travel destinations!).
Melissa's preppy, socialite lifestyle is what has inspired my "Back to Blogging" giveaway. Recently, she did her own giveaway for a copy of "Mating Rituals of the North American WASP", a book I'd actually just finished reading. Melissa captured the gist of the story so well:
"Here's the short version: A mismatched pair end up married after a wild night in Vegas. She's a bubbly and outgoing store owner from Manhattan, he's an aloof and introverted writer from an old line Connecticut WASP family. Realizing they're completely ill-suited to one another, they try to have their marriage annulled. The matriarch of the WASPy family intervenes, a deal is made, and you'll have to read the book to find out the rest..."
Melissa's giveaway is over, but if you'd like another shot, you're in the right place. Simply leave a comment here telling me one of your favorite summer reads, and you're entered! :) The contest ends at 11:59 pm on Friday, July 3rd, and on Saturday, July 4th, one random commenter will win a copy of the book!
6.17.2009
6.14.2009
Wallet Giveaway
I always like to support home businesses and my blogging friend Becky found a cool business and is doing a giveaway for a great handmade wallet. Looks like a great organizational tool and the creator is a stay-at-home mom!
Go check out Becky's giveaway!
Go check out Becky's giveaway!
6.12.2009
Life Lessons
Last month, the boys and I, along with Diva Nana took a trip up to the North Woods of Wisconsin (aka "God's Country") to see the Queen Mum (my Grams). She's nearly 88 years old, but she still lives in an apartment by herself. She has aches and pains to be sure, but for the most part, she's sharp as a tack, and an active, independent woman. She's seen so much in her life and has taught her family (4 children, 9 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren) lessons beyond measure.
I love spending time with her, and once (or occasionally twice) a year is not enough. I'm thrilled, though, that my boys will know their great-grandma, and remember her, just as I remember mine (I come from a long line of long-living women).
I found this over on Becky's blog, and I had to share it. What lessons have YOU learned?
Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
I love spending time with her, and once (or occasionally twice) a year is not enough. I'm thrilled, though, that my boys will know their great-grandma, and remember her, just as I remember mine (I come from a long line of long-living women).
I found this over on Becky's blog, and I had to share it. What lessons have YOU learned?
Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
6.11.2009
The Four Seasons
I'm a learner. I generally like to know the whys and wherefores of things. I make lists and files to help me stay organized when accomplishing tasks. I love doing logic problems in those puzzle books. Pro/Con lists to help me make decisions? Yeppers.
Get the idea?
So when I awoke this morning, June 11th, to a forecast of a balmy 67 degrees here in the not-so-sunny-somewhat-Windy City area, I needed a plan to wrap my brain around this question...
I know this, because here I sit, at the computer, wearing jeans and a fleece. In June.
Get the idea?
So when I awoke this morning, June 11th, to a forecast of a balmy 67 degrees here in the not-so-sunny-somewhat-Windy City area, I needed a plan to wrap my brain around this question...
WHERE IS SUMMER?
Signs that Summer has indeed arrived on the Third Coast:
Clearly, however, logic is out to lunch.
That coupled with the fact that, according to the calendar, Summer doesn't really arrive until June 21st leads me to conclude that logic is not only out to lunch, but may have moved out of the area entirely.
- Most schools are out of session.
- We've instituted our Summer Flex Time at work.
- We've had several beautiful 80 degree days.
- We've also had our share of summer thunderstorms.
- Colleges have begun their Summer 2009 terms.
- The ice cream truck circulates through our neighborhood every.single.evening.
- Local swimming pools are open for business.
- The calendar says it's June.
- Stores are stocked up on shorts, t-shirts and swim apparel.
- Sweet Son #1 has mowed the yard three times already.
- The local farmers' corn is 6" (or so) high.
- Our first summer conference group has come and gone and we're expecting our next wave tomorrow.
- New student orientation for the college class of (gasp) 2013 is taking place.
- Six Flags Great America is running some serious summer discounts.
- Ravinia has released their summer schedule.
- Folks are talking about Taste of Chicago.
- Local swimming pools are open for business, but are pretty much empty, due to rain and unseasonably low temperatures.
- OK, so perhaps we've had VERY few 80 degree days.
- SS#1 wanted to wear jeans all week to summer camp.
- Today SS#1 is wearing sweatpants and a fleece to summer camp.
- We're more likely to need an umbrella and jacket than sunscreen and sunglasses.
- The calendar says it's June 11th.
Clearly, however, logic is out to lunch.
That coupled with the fact that, according to the calendar, Summer doesn't really arrive until June 21st leads me to conclude that logic is not only out to lunch, but may have moved out of the area entirely.
I know this, because here I sit, at the computer, wearing jeans and a fleece. In June.
Almost Famous
Today I'm guest posting for my bloggy buddy, C. Beth. I'm so excited because she's awesome! C. Beth Blog is on my everyday "must read" list, and she has a second blog called "One Minute Writer". You'll love her style.
I'm pretty sure there's a third blog (C. Beth Reviews, or something like that) in there somewhere as well, but at the moment, I can't find the link.
In the meantime, check me out over there! And if you've found your way here from there, welcome!
I'm going now, because this post is starting to resemble a Dr. Seuss story!
I'm pretty sure there's a third blog (C. Beth Reviews, or something like that) in there somewhere as well, but at the moment, I can't find the link.
In the meantime, check me out over there! And if you've found your way here from there, welcome!
I'm going now, because this post is starting to resemble a Dr. Seuss story!
6.08.2009
Read All About It!
I am in love.
With a piece of technology.
And I want to win one.
So this post pains me a bit, because with every person who enters, my chances are significantly reduced.
But I'm a nice person.
So if you'd like a chance to win an iPod, go see my bloggy buddy C.Beth.
With a piece of technology.
And I want to win one.
So this post pains me a bit, because with every person who enters, my chances are significantly reduced.
But I'm a nice person.
So if you'd like a chance to win an iPod, go see my bloggy buddy C.Beth.
6.01.2009
Today is the First Day...
...of the rest of my life.
Yeah, yeah. I know it's trite, but that's really how I feel. Like I'm on the brink of something big.
Or something smaller.
Tonight I begin my first day of the 30 Day Shred. I paid $14.99 for Jillian Michaels to kick my butt for the next 30 days (and the 30 after that, and the 30 after that...). I'm bound and determined to stick with it.
And for some strange reason, I feel like this is gonna work. Like after all these years, something has finally clicked in my brain. Maybe it's got something to do with the fact that I'll be 40 in a little less than two months. Maybe it's got something to do with losing a seemingly healthy former student to a sudden heart attack. Maybe it's got something to do with having two young children and really wanting to be around to dance at their weddings and play with my future grandchildren.
Maybe I'm just really scared of Jillian Michaels.
I don't really know, but I'll keep you posted.
And I'll be sure to let you know exactly how shredded I feel tomorrow morning.
Yeah, yeah. I know it's trite, but that's really how I feel. Like I'm on the brink of something big.
Or something smaller.
Tonight I begin my first day of the 30 Day Shred. I paid $14.99 for Jillian Michaels to kick my butt for the next 30 days (and the 30 after that, and the 30 after that...). I'm bound and determined to stick with it.
And for some strange reason, I feel like this is gonna work. Like after all these years, something has finally clicked in my brain. Maybe it's got something to do with the fact that I'll be 40 in a little less than two months. Maybe it's got something to do with losing a seemingly healthy former student to a sudden heart attack. Maybe it's got something to do with having two young children and really wanting to be around to dance at their weddings and play with my future grandchildren.
Maybe I'm just really scared of Jillian Michaels.
I don't really know, but I'll keep you posted.
And I'll be sure to let you know exactly how shredded I feel tomorrow morning.
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