Confessions of a Multi-Tasker

Pack your bags -

2009-11-19T12:23:00.000-08:00

i'm moving.

Good bye Blogger.

Hello Word Press...

I hope you'll follow me there.

http://multitaskerconfessions.wordpress.com/

I'm making it a point to blog EVERY day.

writing is a good thing for me. and i hope my writing is a good thing for you too...

Eat Pray Love

2009-11-16T00:58:00.000-08:00

I'm reading Eat Pray Love.

I'm lovinig Eat Pray Love.

I'm being moved by Eat Pray Love.

Because I'm discovering me by reading it.

In an aha-moment last night, through a passage

early on in the book - I realized that I too needed

to send God a little petition. I've been praying - hard.

I've been dancing around what I wanted because I didn't think

it was right to be so upfront. God will give us what he thinks is right.

But, now... I wanted to offer up a petition to what we want. BAD.

I petitioned for my husband.

I petitioned for God to open up the opportunity my husband wants to bad

for his most recent interview.

I petitioned, and signed my name. And your name. And every name I could think of.

I signed, and tucked it in my night stand. I hope my petition works. I am making myself believe that my petition will work. Because it's alright to ask God for the specifics. Especially after 13 months. Because it's sitting on top of my bible in my nightstand. And because it came straight from my heart - my plea.

I reminded my self, in the first 100 pages of this book of what I love and what I seek.

Why don't I do yoga anymore?

I love it. I love the balance I feel when it's all said an done.

I love the stretch I feel and the inner whispers I hear when I'm deep inside my own head.

I love the hush of hearing my breath from the inside.

I love the calm. Even if it's just 4 minutes of calm.

I need to start over with yoga. begin my practice again. Balance my mind and soul and body.

Some people run. And run 26.2 miles...and well, in being honest with myself. I don't run - and I'm not comfortable running. But Yoga, I do. I can. And it's the kind of burn I love, a deep, dark stretch that wakes your body up. Yoga is my 26.2.

I need to reconnect with God. I need to learn more about what I believe. I need to expand what I believe and be one with what ever it is that makes me believe. Because I do believe. But sometimes I forget how important it is to remember believing. I need to reconnect with believing and being. Not in a going to church every Sunday kind of way - or a bible babbling kind of way. But to reconnect to my relationships with my God. As a Catholic, we don't have spiritual teachers - which I'm interested in. I'm interested in the spiritual level of religion. I want a spiritual teacher who will offer assistance in my rediscovery. I want to put my brain to work focusing on being a stronger, more rounded person.

I need to recenter my life. Reorganize what I do and how I do it. To regain a belief and focus all that new positive energy on what really matters in life. Because sometimes that grudge and gunk of life builds up and clogs important pipes...the sludge of the past year has weighed heavy on my heart and mind and body (no doubt, my husband's as well).

My petition to God isn't just about a new start in a new career for my husband. Its a new start for me. Once this weight is lifted and we being moving forward. My fresh start will begin, officially.

getting motivated

2009-11-12T10:56:00.000-08:00

i must workout.

i must workout because i'm not comfortable in my skin.

i'm not fat - actually, i'm just healthy. still under the "national" average

in jean size for the US.

but, the me i see isn't me.

there is plenty of time for me to workout. to squeeze it in.

since i'm not much of a going to the gym girl - i can work out

in the basement, or with the wii, or just taking off outside.

but by the end of the day - when it's all said and done ... and the babies are tucked in

the last thing i want to do is bundle up to go run...alone. or pop in a dvd to do some 30-day shred.

i don't want to eat special k for breakfast lunch and dinner. or count every calorie and point.

i like to eat. i like good food (healthy food)...and putting numbers to it just ruins the experience of eating good food.

but in order to eat like you like...you have to not make the excuses. and i'm still making the excuses.

a year or so ago, i was taking a zumba class - lovin' a zumba class. then i was teaching a cardio class - lovin' teaching a cardio class... then it ended and i stopped b/c it wasn't conveinent or fun to work out alone. walking just doesn't do it for me. working out with a neighbor was low on the priority list and what had all the good intentions (3x a week for our end goal of running a 5K, like really running....not just fast walking)... but that stopped b/c her schedule and my schedule are different. and one day of not doing it turns into a week of it not happening turns into ...what? huh? 5K?

i just need to motivate.

i just need to loose 15 pounds. or so.

my ob/gyn (who is also a friend) gave me this great article about fitness...and about the modern "f" word (Fat). I remember reading it right after the birth of Ms. Sassafrass. It was from runnersworld.com and was written by Kristin Armstrong. I've kept this piece folded up in my planner...b/c it is inspiring.

a few weeks ago - i took on a contract job with a digital imaging company to help them catalog their photos from the detroit free press marathon. it was inspiring to see all the different people running...in a marathon. many of them were your typical runners - young, fit, lookin' like they run wherever they go... but there were many older adults, mothers, fathers, grandmas...and they were running. 26.2 miles running... and they were inspiring.

my friend C. just ran a marathon... and she's the mother of 4 (school age kiddos), and has job, and all the housewife duties I have... yet, she ran a marathon... she found time to run a marathon...and i look at her an am inspired.

because she did it... because they did it... because maybe someday... I can do it. (ok, no marathon dreams here for me... but maybe a good ol' 5K).

b/c someday, that motivation is going to come. and i'm going to tuck it under my arm and run with it.

In the meantime... what's your fitness plan? how do you squeeze in the time? What works for you? And how do you keep the plan in motion? What kind of will-power and self-control and self-determination do you have and how did you get it?!

art imitating life... true that!

2009-09-17T18:35:00.001-07:00

i've waited for this day. the day when i could use my early childhood psychology knowledge and put it to work to find out what my children thought of our family life. i'm proud to report... that i'm raising one amazingly awesome son.

he drew this (among many) drawing(s) today. daddy, mommy, lil mama, and himself wearing a baseball hat. and i'm happy to see that daddy and i are about the same height (looks like we're fair-sharing the responsibilities in this joint), and we're holding hands (love, love, love) and master d is giving mommy and daddy a hug (even more amazingly inspiring love).

it's one of those moments in mommyhood, where i'm feeling a little pat on the back for a job well done.

this little boy is living a pretty happy life... and that, my friends - is what it's ALL about... being happy, and hugs.

xo

(take note that my son has noticed i have a thing for red dresses...)

the tale of a preschooler

2009-09-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

ready to go!

Master D liked the first day of preschool.

here's what they did in Mrs. Queenie's class, according to Master D.

"we ate chocolate pudding. we played with blue play dough. I made a bead bracelet."

that's what you do in preschool.

eat chocolate pudding.

play with blue play dough.

make beautiful bead bracelets.

check out that awesome bracelet!

this is the preschool i wanted him in. this is the preschool i hounded weekly to make sure they got the paperwork - got the registration fee - got the message - got the hint... and they did. and i love'em for that! it's a beautiful faith based preschool in the 'bury.

that morning - we ate a healthy breakfast, took our vitamins, dressed in the new back to school outfit, he was excited, we entered the building, and i went to hang the backpack, showing him where it would be...and before I could turn around, he was in the classroom, playing with the trains, playing with the numbers. on his way. without me. and well, if he wasn't going to cry... I let out a sob as I hung his book bag on his peg. took one last peek into the classroom and left.the bookbag. hung with care.

and with that, my baby boy started his journey into the wonderful world of education yesterday.
as i wrote in his journal, i time traveled backwards, 3...2....1 years ago.

a year ago on sept 6 we were coming home from our first family vacation to HHI. my favorite time ever. it's my new happy place. it's the place i hope to go next year with the family and friends. dig my toes deep in to the sand and recall that "this time last year, Master D was spending his first day in preschool..."

two years ago, we went to the Akron Zoo. i snapped Daddy's favorite picture of all times. We caught him feeding the dog about 20 dog biscuits... he patted the dog on the head and said "good doggie". we laughed at the simplicity of the task. and the happiness we felt because of him.

three years ago, he was rolling around the house, hosting his first playdates and chowing down on rice cereal and sweet potatoes and pear juice. he was making the big move from pumpkin bucket to the big boy car seat.

four years ago, the hubs and i were a month out, officially in the t-minus stage, of finalizing plans for our wedding.

but yesterday. we hugged and kissed and he went to school. alone. and i got in the car. and drove away. alone.

it makes me so proud. to see him in school. to know that he loves it. to be the mom of a preschooler. to be his mom.

mom...did you hear about microsoft 7 campaigning during cw's vampire diaries and letting social media do the rest, interesting...interesting....

and today. his second day of preschool. it was red day. and he wore his red polo shirt and brand new red croc-o-diles (crocs). he wanted to read the newspaper on our way to school. it wasn't the newspaper. it was my latest advertising age. once at school, he hid under the table and put together a puzzle. it broke my heart to leave. but i knew he'd be okay and be out from under the table probably before i was out of the parking lot. I asked him what he did today. and he said,

i ate green grapes. bugs are mean.(?) i drew an crescent and an astronaut and colored the apple, the stop sign and the barn red. Ladybugs and strawberries are red. i'm expecting mensa's call any day now...

i'm sure there will be good days... and bad days. there will be days he doesn't want to go to school. there will be days i don't want to put on my pretty-momma clothes and go to school. but there will be days when everything clicks, and we are packed and ready to go. ready for a fun day. and sooner than later... his first day of preschool will turn into his first day of college. and i'll weep because, 15 years ago... 10 years ago... 5 years ago... he was my little preschooler...and i was his proud mom.

my mom is great...my mom is cool...but it's time for me to go to school (~Sid the Science Kid)

The Truth about Cats and Dogs

2009-08-28T05:08:00.000-07:00

way back when we were newlyweds. before babies. before suburban life. we had pets. I'm not a pet person. i had a guinea pig growning up. (gretzky - yes, wayne gretzky....we are a hockey family)...and she was the best pet ever ... we had her forever...she died after like 10 years of having her (i don't even think they are suppose to live that long)... I don't do pets. or at least I thought I didn't do pets - i don't like the hair, the smell, the tedious chores that surround having pets like litterboxes and de-pooping yards... but, this is a true story about our pets. i figured i write a lot about life and kids and what's up... but why not take a trip down memory lane... maybe throw in a couple cute pictures here and there... and tell you the truth about cats and dogs...

vladi.
the most gentle, wonderful american bulldog. E V E R.
so sweet, so kind, so fun. he was all muscle.
he looked fierce - but that was about it.
looks are nothing. he was a 5 pound lap dog in a 100 pound dog's body (and mind).
we figured that living in the "ghet-to" and having Vlad was a win-win for us.
the neighbors were terrified (like jumping in trees at the bus stop terrified {true story})
and i would joke with the hubs that it would take nothing for someone to just break into our house, give our dog a few snackies and have their way with our goods.
he was a wonderful dog. the hubs would rough house, tossing him around antagonizing him to no end. and yet, Vlad wouldn't nip, he wouldn't bite. He was.... THE. BEST. DOG. EVER.... and that's saying a lot... I'm not a dog person.

misu.
i brought her home on a lunch break while working at "the worst advertising agency ever". she was the runt. (i have a thing for the runts) she wanted nothing to do with me, and this should have been my first warning of "the things to come". we had to leave for the weekend. so i left her with lots of food, lots of water, and lots of toys and lots of views of the outside world (which is good b/c we lived next to an empty lot that was chock full of birds - good cat tv, i guess). i think that's when she started truly hating me. i rescue her from some run down farm in the middle of nowhere, and she decides to hate me on day 4. our relationship went downhill from there... and really, she's the cat that made me give up on ever wanting another cat again (i have a tragic cat story from my childhood - that left me telling my mom i'd be a crazy cat lady when i grew up... misu changed that story... jodi was the best cat ever... sent away b/c my sister was allergic and the cat attacked her any chance possible, came home from school (2nd grade) - cat is gone - mom says she went to live on a farm... whatever that means....i'm still a bit bitter)
She was... NOWHERE NEAR THE BEST PET EVER. She was a horrible cat. H O R R I F I C. but cute. that was her saving grace. The sad thing is - I don't even remember who we gave her to. We had to give her away.
When we brought home our first baby, Master D, she proceeded to spray EVERYTHING in our formal dining room. Then she proceeded to spray every toy we had laying out for Master D. She hated us and it was obvious.
Bygones, cat... bygones.

The sad thing is that Vladi went to live with my MIL while I was pregnant with Lil Mama. He was too much for me to handle, on my own, with a toddler, on a snowy winter day in "the A-K-Rowdy" (Akron,OH). It was temporary... and that has more truth behind it than possible.

For Misu, she was just bad. Bad, Bad Cat. The relationship didn't work out. Be gone. Relationship over.

For Vladi. I feel constantly guilty about the outcome of his life. Right before we moved from the ghet-to to the 'bury. we had to put him to sleep. I have my own theories on what went wrong... but I keep those to myself b/c they're theories on a Good Dog, Gone Bad. and theories mean nothing. He was a sweet dog, who lovingly welcomed our firstborn into his house, and let that wiggly little new person pull his tail, cry out loud, and reek havoc in his peaceful pre-baby world. Master D still has a picture in his room of "his puppy" - it's one of my favorite pictures ever. And he lets me know that that is "his puppy" ... which i don't even know how he remembers him...but okay, i believe him. Maybe I'll post it if I can located it - or scan it... it's a tear jerker, a heartbreaker.
Vladi bit a family member (an adult) and induced stitches....on the neck. Not.Good.
I don't agree with putting completely healthy animals to sleep - but when they bite... and bite like that...and are a breed like Vladi...you have to. I couldn't live with myself if we gave him away and he bit a child - big dog, little kid...not a pretty outcome. Obviously, good dogs who are healthy don't just go for the jugular one day and resume their happy dog mystique the next. something snapped. some synapse missed a connection...i.just.don't.know.

it was a tough decision. one i still have a hard time with. one that makes me bawl like a baby when watching marley and me.

but vladi was the dog that changed it for me and misu was the cat that changed it for me.

and that's the truth about (this) cat and (that) dog....

simple sunday

2009-08-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

1. laying around until noon in our jammies. toys stream from the toy room in to the tv room, strewn about the first floor. we cheered on tiger. we found a new favorite in Ryo Ishikawa. and you just don't tire of hearing "aw, man..... he missed it" after every tee-off or "he got it in...now he gets a trophy!" (wouldn't it be nice if we all got a trophy!?)

2. we teach master d the art of dipping fries in a frosty. his first frosty. he proclaims " i love frosty's. i love fries. i love frosty fries." dear son... me too.... me.too!

3. dinner is served. i pretend to be a waitress. they order the same thing. macaroni and cheese, fruit salad and green beans (which they want, but won't eat). for drinks...a cow juice with chocolate and 2009 apple juice (great year, ma'am). the hubs laughs at my antics. i know there's no tip from *this* table!

4. not only am i a great "chef-er"(according to master d's review of my mad food prep skills)... i'm a great golfer too... because i show master d my golf swing in the kitchen. we may not have a pantry...but we have the room for a perfect swing, with the complete follow through! i still got it...4 years since the links... but i still got it...

5. lil mama spends the afternoon running chaotic in a diaper. crazy curls pinned back with multiple clippies purchased from this week's farmers market. she's happy. we read the tiny tadpole and at the end she is excited because he's a frog. she says things this weekend like "wake up"..."bless you"... and "mike wyzowski"

sunday funday has a whole new meaning...

My son, the letter U...

2009-08-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

our conversation this afternoon in our home office, while lil'mama slept (by sleep, I mean gibber gabber for 45 minutes, drink 2 bottles, ask for pretties, rock out to a little baby einstein, then nap)...

M: Master D...what do you want to be when you grow up...

D: The letter U (demonstrates the letter U with the vacuum cleaner hose from the mock-black&decker vacuum)

M: Well, sir... that's interesting... What does the letter U do in his job?

D: Hangs out in alphabet soup....

Ohhh... he's a smart one... and he's going to make one FABULOUS letter U, someday...

smoked out...

2009-08-09T19:41:00.001-07:00

beautiful saturday morning... town's square...jam packed with beautiful home-growns and handmades...

some other MOMS and i were volunteering/manning our booth to raise money for this little guy. (whoot whoot! $140. raised this weekend!!! see you all next weekend!) we talked about the beautiful produce... mid-sentence....conversation haults...

as the second hand smoke wafts through the air...

constantly...for the rest of the morning...

now, i really don't care if people smoke or not - it's their business...

but when they are smokin' , right over the produce I may purchase... um, no thanks...
defeats the purpose...

I'm hoping that this is something we can fix. it just takes away from the draw of what a farmer's market stands for... I'm fully aware that it's an outdoor arena, where smoking bans don't exist...but I'm sure there's something about it that isn't allowed... something sanitary or whatnot... even if it isn't a law, shouldn't it be in the vendor notes that it's not advised...or that a smoking area should/could be set up for when they need their nic-fix?

doesn't it seem a little...um...ironic? hypocritical?both?...

selling the best quality of produce (local,organic) but then huffin' and puffin' away...

I go to the Farmer's Market to be healthy, buy healthy...

not to get smoked...

pre-schooler spelling bees and bobbler's weather reports...

2009-07-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

sometimes life offers you the simpliest tidbits of joy... a good hug from a loved one, a special coupon for your favorite goodie, a call from a friend you haven't talked to in for-ev-er... or a sweet spelling bee from your 3 year old son.

we're huge fans of super why...and well, pbs in general. and why not - i spent my childhood loving reading rainbow, and sesame street and mr. rogers... and i love it still, because my kids love it - and learn from it, and for the most part, I can handle Caillou's voice over Dora's any day!

this morning, while watching super why - Master D turned to me and said, S-O-U-P... soup.

And it made me smile... a big smile.

Because he loves words and letters and learning... and he spells words like SOUP. And says words like scrumptious (in the right context and all)...

Lil' Momma impressed this morning too... with the windows all open, letting in the fresh, rain-filled air, she turned, looked out the window and said - "it's raining."

a regular Al Roker she is!

Baby Genius... seriously.

and it's tidbits of everyday life like that that reel me in - hook, line, sinker to this motherhood gig. It's not about grand gifts or the milestone moments... it's about what happens on grey and rainy days on your average,everyday mid-week that makes you realize the simpliest pleasures are by far the greatest.

getting closer to fine...

2009-07-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud

was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~Anaïs Nin

How do you define yourself?

Were you the athlete? The caretaker? The listener?

The most popular? The most artistic?

What about being that middle of the road person.

A little of this, a little of that...

but never enough for a title or a label?

Is it really important to have that title?

or that label?

Does that label define you?

I'm a mom - that's a label, but not really the end-all-be-all label I want to define me...

because although I'm trying to define myself I don't want to "just be MOM" - because being a good mom is important, but so is being a good person, a good friend, etc.

I'm a wife - that's a title. But I'm more than that. More than friend, daughter, sister...

When you are trying to discover yourself...where do you start. What do you do?

Do you just start by listing all the things you like? dislike?

Do you take inventory on the brands you like? The books you read? the music you listen to?

Or is it something more?

Is it having a heart-to-heart with a girlfriend? or a sister?

Is it them telling you what role you represent in the world?

This all comes from remembering who I was before kids - what my dreams and passions and choices were all about, to being a new wife, then a pregnant woman, then a nursing mom, then pregnant again and nursing again... and now, 4 years later... I vaugly remember that person.

I've emerged feeling like an empty shell of who I was. Which is both a good and bad thing.

Bad because, come'on? Empty.Shell? Eek!

Good because - yay! Empty! Shell!

Tabala Rasa right?

But how do you make that decision to know who and what and why and all that jazz about you?

The styles I liked seem silly.

The music is obnoxious.

The friendships from then just don't "fit" the same way.
I am having a difficult time defining what makes me, me.
The clients I had and were passionate about have left me jaded and bitter.

I feel like I have bigger, better ideas, but that I should just hold off on them

becuase the original ideas never panned out the right way.
The house we bought 18 months ago feels like just a house - not a home, the way our

100 year old house did.

things just don't feel like they fit. i feel like my daughter clomping around the

kitchen in my shoes.

clomp...clomp...clomp...

The characteristics I've fallen in to, don't feel right.
They feel loose, and clumsy and not like the me, I think I am.

What happened to that person?

Who is this person?

married.30. 2 kids.

i'm more than that, right?

being here in the 'bury...i feel like i'm trying to fit in and make friends... i feel like they're all based around "the kids" and "the family" and "the subdivision"... but what about the friendships that are about "the friend"? or are friendships about "the friend" a thing of my past? now that i'm that married, 30 somthing momma...does that mean i'll never again have that giggly girlfriend to connect with?

i remember thinking that getting older would make dealing with things like this easier... but, really being 10 was the easiest thing ever!

it just seems like the right time to relearn and redevelop
who I really am.
It's time to start defining myself.*

(*though guidance from friends is welcome! and if you've been here, done that - HELP!)

why I care about Jon + Kate + 8

2009-06-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

"oh no, not you too" said my mom as I began the gosselin gossip plaguing people my age.
...yes... me too...

my sister-in-law asks me for the latest...

...my girlfriends and i talk about jon and kate on a first name basis - like they're part of our circle, their kids playmates to ours...

and i started to wonder why - why do i have a vested interest in this family of 10? who are they from the random stranger neighbors at the end of my street? i don't "know" them. Kate and I once exchanged a line of emails about potentially appearing at a home show I worked for...

the why - is because for the past 3+ years, since my son was a newborn...come monday night, i'd snuggled up to the tv, with a nursing baby, a bottle of water and a blanket to watch this amazing family of 10... here i was with one. feeling overwhelmed and like i had no idea what i was doing...hormones making me hate my husband and love my husband all in the same breath... and some how i could relate to kate. i could relate to her frustrations and the daily grind of being a mom, but i also could relate to the the joy and love she had for her family... and as my son grew and my daughter joined us, and we packed up a house and moved from the ghetto to the village... i still related to their family chock full of potty training and time outs and frustrations and celebrations. because even though kate tongue lashes jon at any chance she gets, and jon acts more like at 20-something frat boy than a dad, and that kate asks and recieves trips and tucks and gymboree shopping sprees...they are a family - with little ones, who have become friends.

i'm sad that the upcoming monday show is some grand announcement...no doubt what we've all been expecting - a separation, a divorce, the end of a show. but, it's reality tv, and in real life - situation like this happen all the time - divorce, illness, death, unemployment, LIFE. it just happens... the good and the bad.

I wish they'd show Jon and Kate going to counciling together, trying to make it work, trying to piece back together what reality tv no doubt tore apart. but i guess that's what happens when you put fame and fortune and freebies before family. the material things become more important than what it was that started the whole journey.

I can't say NO to a dino.

2009-06-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

I admit - I have a hard time saying 'no'. To anything... but even more, I have a hard time saying 'no' to my son. But in this instance, I can hardly think of some devil's advocate way that it will come back to bite me. And if it does, so what - it was for a book... for the love of a book...

Master D has his momma's love for books. While meandering the wide aisle of Home Goods/TJMaxx/Marshalls, my son MUST flip through the books they offer. To me, some of the most clever books I've even seen...and obviously, the target market agrees...are purchased from those stores.

Yesterday's venture for kid's full sheets (ugh...another post, another day) led us to my three favorite stores (see above) to seek out the sheets... which also led me to oooohing and aaaahing over ever fun little find in every aisle. I'd rather win a Home Goods Shopping Spree than a new car or a shopping spree to a posh boutique any day!

Dear Son, had his typical book collection piling up from the inside of the cart basket which also included a croquet set (weapons of mass destruction), paint set and a pots and pans set he thinks "sissy would like". Lil Momma, sat perched in the cart surrounded by her shelf finds - A stuffed snake, a pink cat in a pink leopard fur coat and two towels with pink sailboats on them. And a "teteee tootoo" (pretty tutu) (on clearance none the less!)

As we attempt to put away the finds, nicely and neatly on the appropriate shelves, Master D spots IT. The book he can not live without. DINO IQ (by Smart Kids)... how can I say no?

A science geek after my own heart. I was in geology society...I filp through the book and flip a look back to my sweet boy.

He says - "please mommy it's the best book ever."

SERIOUSLY? best. book. ever. manners and all...

And for $5.99... ok. Sold.

The book has glow in the dark skeletal remains of a dinosaur, a board game and pieces WAY too small for kids (freaks me out ... FREAKS.ME.OUT) and a book of dinosaur facts and pictures and tidbits, that kept me occupied during nap time for a good hour... gosh, i love geology and earth science...

My attempt without the directions, of putting together a dinosaur...

after finding the directions, you'll notice that that head plate isn't in fact a head plate - it's a hip bone... whatever...

and, I couldn't say no. because I know that my son has a love of books, of reading and of learning... and one day - he'll be 12 or 13 or 17 and might be "too cool for school" and my heart will break. Because now, he can't get enough - I can't fill him enough with stories, about golf, about dinosaurs, about disney characters and about the world around him. And it feeds my heart to buy him a book or two and to hear that it's the best book ever... because I believe every read book is the best book ever. Sillily (word?) I feel like if I didn't buy him that book, that I'd be diminishing that twinkle of book love. of learning love. that resides in him.

He's not crazy about any characters on tv, we've so far avoided the superhero phase that our friends are all in, he's not all about firetrucks (until he's sitting in one!)...unless of course we've just read about it. And I'm happy about that. I'm pleased that my son loves flipping pages, be it a my first golf book, or one of my cookbooks or one of daddy's lawncare/housecare books. at 3 years old, he can tell us stories, he can explain the pictures and recite the words verbatum from books we've read. And although I know it's not "reading" per se... it's loving the written word and seeking happiness in stories and learning.

what more could a mom ask for?

Well, except for where I can take a class on how to say these freakishly long dinosaur names? because... jeesh... I'm a science geek... but, all those -sauruses and -olophuses....i get a loose tounge and can't spit out a sensible dino name. And really you can only call dinos- Long Necks, T Rex and Triceratops for so long!

the deal maker..

2009-06-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

while running my errands this morning, and listening to the only decent station i've found on the columbus radio (97.9) i was sucked in to their conversation about the moment when you just knew that the person you were with was your person. "the deal maker" they called it.

i spent all day considering, reminising, remembering about when that moment was with the hubs. our relationship is amazingly wonderful - we have great memories - we've had tons of fun together - so it was hard for me to pinpoint *that* exact 'ah-ha' moment... and reflecting on watching our wedding video the other day - i do have to say that the vows we made to each other are the promises we live by every day of our lives.

but then it hit me - and it's not one of those "he opened the door for me" or brought me my favorite flowers kind of thought...but it's a thought that hits my heart and makes it tremble with pure, raw emotion that still brings me to tears.

Around college graduation, the hubs broke up with me. I was devestate. horrified. disgusted. and in all honesty - i didn't understand it... we were broken up for a month. and it was during that time in my life that I realized that I needed him more than anything. I felt lost and alone and sad. I was scared and lonely and all I wanted was to go with the plan we set in place before graduation...with him...together. moving forward.

i still to this day have nightmares about it - because my hubs makes my life a happier place. and although in typical day to day fashion - it's hard to remember the moment when you truly fell head over heels for your person.

i longed for him - not in that sappy teenage movie kind of way - i went on a date or two, kissed a random frog... and none of it felt right. until one day i picked up the phone to dial his number and when i picked it up - he was already on the phone.

and that my friends is fate (or a really freaky bout of conincidence!) - he was sick with some flu bug and my heart ached. it was valentines day. i missed him and wanted to take care of him - even through the hurt and the tears he'd caused... but above all - I forgave him because looking back it was a scary place to be - moving forward after graduation - not wanting to be responsible for anyone beyond yourself. and it was in that moment, sitting on his bed with sprite and popsicles and chicken noodle soup that I realized I never wanted to spend a moment apart ever again.

...that's the deal maker...

the weekend where i was the only child...

2009-06-02T19:13:00.000-07:00

i spent the past weekend back home in good ol' neo {northeast ohio}... minus the hubs and the babes. it was lovely. it was relaxing {kind of}...it was a wake up call that i'm not a single parent and that the hubs is just as capable as me in keepin' the cubs alive!

we're at like t-minus 20-some days until my sis and her hubs-to-be say their i dos. whoopie! so i took the weekend to help mom and dad set up for the party {since you know... it's like what i do in real life}, which ended up being a beautifully prepared party on an amazingly perfect {minus the wind} neo day.

we set up, prepared beautiful food, and for the first time in my life - I was an adult only child. i've never "lived" at home alone with just good ol' moms and dads. and... i think i missed out on some perks to that.... mom and i went shopping and dad and i "chef cooked" in the kitchen - chopping and dicing and comparing notes on michael ruhlman and the local slew of amazing chefs neo has to offer (jonathon sawyer - john kolar - rocco whalen and of course, michael symon)... and it also included a dinner out to a restaurant... a real, grown up restaurant with ethnic food beyond the burgers and pizza variety... we went to Sweet Mangos in Strongsville and it was lovely - wonderful - amazing... and i'm already planning my next visit with friends. if you haven't been there... go...now, fast. run...

i ate appetizers... i ate a warm dinner {pad thai minus shrimp, plus chicken} and a big ol' lovely glass of riesling... i went to bed early ... and slept soundly... and i missed my children and husband so much. but i also enjoyed my time to talk to others and celebrate my sister's big day.

and now, i'm home and i feel like i can't catch up with home. it's a tough bridge to cross - being megan and being mom/wife. which is causing great strife in my life right now - trying to fulfill the roles of Matron of Honor and as Momma... and coordinating the day between my roles.

slowly the house is coming back to order... the laundry still needs to be folded and dishes need to be emptied from the washer and reloaded from the sink. our a/c has decided to fritz out on us - and the dishwasher is leaving this sandy grit on everything {which i don't understand because i wash my dishes and let the dishwasher sanitize'em}...

there's something to be said about going home, and being the kid again. leaving all the adult-biz to adults.

though all the stressors of adulthood, wifehood and parenthood - melt quickly away with the hugs of your babes who have missed you something fierce. and a husband who can't wait to have you in his arms.

simply wonderful...

2009-05-29T18:56:00.001-07:00

~i scream...for ice cream

summer in our household is marked by dinner followed by dessert.

dessert meaning ice cream cones. and kroger has a wonderful sale on edy's brand.

and i'm a sucker for their yogurts.

simple = absolutely wonderful.

tonight's dessert - cake cones topped with edy's mint chocolate chip yogurt sprinkled with primary colored mini-race cars... hand-picked by Master D at Freeman's Farm Market on our last Mommy and Me trip. (sidenote: he appreciates food the way I do...what a blessing!)

Mid-lick Master D looks up and says, as Darius Rucker's newest song hums in the background,

"mom - i...love...this...ice...cream...so...much..."

it was sincere and heart-felt and beautiful.

he's such an appreciative child. he's so kind and sweet and, amazing.

and Darius' sweet voice, mellow and colorful, fills our kitchen ...

...It won’t be like this for long/One day soon that little girl is gonna be/All grown up and gone/Yeah, this phase is gonna fly by/So, he's tryin’ to hold on/‘Cause it won’t be like this for long/It won’t be like this for long...

and he's right.

... and the tears well up in my eyes...and i look around and realize that i'm truly so lucky...no matter what. the moments around the kitchen table - all sunkissed and bellies full, giggling and humming along to our dinner music...they won't be like this for long...

for the love of shoes...

2009-05-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

i think we may be in trouble!

lil momma needs some shoes. considering that overnight (yes...overnight) her feet grew a whole size, leaving her with nothing but slippers, crocs and some black patent leather mary janes. none of which were totally appropriate for today's gorgeous outfit (a beautiful green and white gingham dress with matching bloomers and a little green shrug).

we had a chick-a-dee morning - just momma and lil momma - we did the MOMS club thing and then headed out for a speedy shoe shopping spree. we hit up target for our recon mission to seek out little white leather sandals for my sisters wedding (t minus 30 days!) at the end of the month. target, had nothing... (yes, I said it...target.had.nothing.)

we headed to kohls. again, nothing (I wanted all white, all leather shoes...not brown soles with white top... ALL White - fresh and clean).

feeling all was lost as we were approaching our time limit (i knew daddy would be calling soon), we headed to payless...tried and true, payless)... and it was seriously like i opened up the gates of heaven. lil momma was in awe. actually, shock and awe is more like it.

see, she loves shoes. (is there a girl out there who doesn't?!) loves them so much that when she gets up in the am - she must have shoes on.or at least in hand. tonight, she wanted her pink and purple shaggy slippers on. the girl is obsessed. with her shoes, with my shoes, with daddy's shoes, with master d's shoes. with shoes of all makes and models.

walking into payless...she stopped. right there in the doorway and her jaw dropped. and in her sweet little baby talk... she said " ohhhhh mommma....tete shoooes" (for those of you who don't speak fluent baby-ese...i'll translate - "oh mommy, pretty shoes!") Then, like a bat out of hell... she was off.

The best part of it is that we had the whole place to ourselves. Within 3 minutes, I had THE shoes for the wedding in my hands. Within 3 minutes, Lil Momma was sized for shoes and had already chosen 10 pairs that she MUST try on.

She plopped down in front of me with an armful of random sizes and colors, some lefts, some rights, some "momma" shoes (kinda cute, on sale, coral colored heels...hmmmm, she may be on to something!)... and we proceeded to try on ever single pair.

Because, moments like this don't happen that often. moments like this are fleeting. moments like this are going to get me through her teenage years when she's slamming the door and screaming that she hates me (aka...what my mom calls revenge to how i was as a teenager... to that, i say "whatever" and roll my eyes... I have NO clue what she's talking about...)

We spent 30 minutes there for shoes i had picked out in 3 minutes. all because a girl loves her shoes...

When we got home, I told the hubs about the joy she had (and in the joy i witnessed) and his response was:

"oh, man. I'm in trouble, aren't I?"

This is the same man who instituted the "new in, old out" shoe rule after moving me in to our first apartment together...all 6 rubbermaid totes full of random, multi-style, multi-season shoes...

yep, he's in trouble! Thank goodness, i haven't introduced her to the good stuff yet...

Lord, help us all!

(*side note: I don't believe in raising a ditzy, princess of a daughter. lil mamma will NOT be that way...but, having fun as girls, looking at shoes and shopping is just as much fun in our house as digging for worms and playing in the yard. it's all about being well-rounded...because really shoes don't make the world go round... it's the feet in those shoes, and the brain in that head, that make the world go round!)

Walkin'Walkin'Walkin'

2009-05-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends and Family -

I'm writing you again to remind you that our family will be walking in Sunbury's Relay for Life on Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6. We're really excited to be participating and that we're raising money to fund research. Please donate! $1....$5....$10.....$100... whatever you can... every penny makes a difference! Cancer has touched all of our lives in one way or another. And Cancer will continue to touch our lives until enough money is raised to fund the necessary reserach to end this horrible disease! You can make your (secure, tax-deductible) donation online by visiting: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09National?px=10017042&pg=personal&fr_id=16549

We'll be walking on Team Matthew. We've been so blessed with the friendship that we have with Jen and Jeremie and their kids, Matthew and Darren. This is the least we can do to support the cause that has effected our little buddy, Matthew! As an update to Matthew's fight - Jen and Jeremie and Matthew made a visit to the Brain Tumor Clinic at Rainbow Babies & Children's hospital on Wednesday to see what their options were for next steps...on Friday (tomorrow) Matthew will have another MRI to see (hopefully) that the cancer is not growing (and more hopefully... gone). Please keep them in your thoughts! You can read more about the family and Matthew's journey here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/matthewbarr

To those of you who have already donated, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Thank you so much in advance!
All our love,
The Everitt's!

Premonition...

2009-05-26T16:03:00.000-07:00

Hallelujah by: Harry Teague

http://www.harryteague.com/artwork1.html

i had a premonition today. it was good. so good it took my breath away and made me think that i was meant to have that premonition. it was like fresh air hitting your face. renewing your spirit and your mind and your faith...it was "cute pair of shoes on sale" good.

so i'm not sure when we should know - or even what the details are- but in my mind, it was a much needed explosion of happiness and love and excitement... but in the 7 months we've been dealing with the big ol' scarlet U... I know that it's coming. you can't work THIS hard for THAT long and not have it come down the pipeline eventually... and like I've been saying, somethings gotta happen. B/c something ALWAYS happens... eventually.

starting over...

2009-04-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

They say Spring is a time of re-birth. When what was old is made new again...life has a new sense and a new purpose and a new direction.

there have been a few changes in our lives - and some things have stayed the same... we're continuing to hold on and hold out hope for the day when we can make decisions like normal people... oh, hey let's plant a garden... okay... instead of hey, let's plant a garden but only if you get a job and only if it's here in Cbus and only if...

We're ready to be able to "just" know and to "just" decide. We're also ready to not be together 24/7, to get back to a routine. I love him - but, ya know... ;)

i've started teaching a fitness class this morning - it was a great opportunity to commit myself to something and to get fit in the process. i've met some really awesome people through my friend Christy's dance studio and the Zumba classes she teaches, and now, I'm part of the team and it's exciting and fun and really makes me feel good...I'm hoping to add on an additional class. It's a little money maker and who can't agree that working out isn't good for the soul?

i was also nominated for MOMS club president. after going back and forth and back and forth and back and forth... my good friend Amy D. had some VERY wise words of advice and I've accepted the nomination... I'm hoping to take the position (if I'm voted in) and really bring "the sisterhood" together.

Potty training kicked into hyper drive over the last week. Master D is doing an amazing job and we've only had 3 "true" accidents over the course of a week... we're amazed at how quickly it all happened... but he's doing great! and We're proud proud potty training parents!" (Lil' Mama is next - like 18 months old next)

Lil'Mama is talking up a storm... car - grandma - papa - ball - dylan... it's very sweet. she's a sassy little critter... I think we are going to have our hands full with the two of them! But - we're so blessed by them... we're so lucky with such wonderfully fun children (what mom doesn't think her kids are the good the world is in need of?)

The Hubs is still job hunting - we're convinced it's not too far off. Things are starting to stir up again.

And I'm just keeping busy... but it's Spring, and that's just what you do.

The Universe vs. The Everitts

2009-04-07T06:06:00.000-07:00

Seriously... we're deflated.
And we're not "deflated" kinds of people.
We like happiness, and fun, and all those good things.

But this morning - the mood has changed.
And the exhaustion is setting in BIG TIME.
"The" Position at "The" Company has been... are you ready for this...
HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD.

.Frustrating.

People don't know unless they've been there, or are there.
The job market is horrible. It's disgusting. And demoralizing.
It's not what we spent 4 years in college for. And all this
to take a lesser position somewhere? All this after we moved here
for WHAT?!?! THIS?!?! Unemployment?!

Yes, thank you for sending the opportunity you saw or heard of.
Thank you for thinking of us.
But... the truth behind it - is that the Hubs will apply for that position and
will end up being one of thousands who apply. Maybe he'll be lucky
and get and interview - and more than likely (the way things have been going)
he'll get down to a finalist position and then they'll put the job on hold. Or give the position to
someone with 2 years Marketing experience.

Thank you for calling to check up about the status of the hunt...
but, please - if you haven't heard anything from us about it...
it's because we haven't heard anything from them.
And it's getting hard to continuously think about it - becuase if you're not asking me
about it, then we're thinking about it. It's all-consuming.
And believe me, when we do hear something about it -
We'll scream it from the roof tops... or, quietly tell you
that someone else got it. I promise.

This recession and unemployment have left us drained.
And Older.
And I guess, wiser, eventually.
How many birthdays, and anniversaries and whatnot are we going to have to fore-go?
What happens "after" we've exhausted the assistance?
Then what?!

We want to celebrate. We want to move on and be "normal".
We want to stop wondering what if, when's it going to happen, or what else can we do.
We want to stop wondering what it is that we've done to upset the world so badly that
nothing is going our way.
It's hard to continue to be strong, and believe and pray.
Especially when you don't hear anything, or get the news you were hoping for.
It's hard to plan for a future when you don't know if you'll be in Columbus, or Akron or
Michigan or DC or... or where ever.

I'm sad.
I'm tired of being sad.
And I'm tired of the economy being what it is.
I'm tired of blogging about "this"... but everyone deserves an outlet.

Put Up Your Dukes...

2009-04-06T19:14:00.001-07:00

I joke that the kiddos are out to kill me - with their typical 3 and 1 yr old demands, their constant "being" and the way they know how to work off each other so that I have just enough time to (a) get started on a work project (b) pop open a soda (c) unzip my pants for a Mommy potty break...then freak the freak out - biting, screaming, screeching...they do it all.
Above all, they're great kids. Amazingly well-behaved (for the most part...).
They are easy-going, silly, self-entertaining and creative. For that I love their assasination attempts on me. Because for the most part - they behave.
We even had a meal out (with Grandma and Grandpa in Mansfield) where two lovely "mature" women commented on how wonderfully behaved BOTH children were and how (and I quote) " wonderful it was to share lunch with our family"... Yep, I'm one proud momma hen! That same day - we rode the Merry-Go-Round (in Mansfield, fun!fun!) and sat (un-tempted, un-bribed) with the Easter Bunny on our own accord (miracles DO happen)...
But today.... ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, today... I shutter... because I am now sporting a lovely, wonderful, gleeming - SHINER.
Yes.
I've never been in a fight. I've never been hit. I've never.
But today- My son just about knocked me out. Matter of fact - he may have because I saw stars. Big Fire-cracker-y stars. And then I got all wooozy. And then I had to hang up the phone because I was going to cry - BIG.UGLY.CRY. and I did - big bawling cry...a cry that brought my husband out of the home office into the living room to care for his injured love.

Master D, in an excited fit thanks to Warehouse Mouse and an Imagination Emergency,Head Butted me. Hard.
Stars, Fuzziness, Swirling... Tears.
It hurt so bad that I had to lay on the couch for a half hour before I could focus. Ice pack, Tears, and sweet "make-up" kisses...
The poor little guy felt so bad - he gave me a thousand kisses...
But... kisses or not - I still think its a conspiracy to take me out. And something tells me Lil'Mama is in on it too...

A Recession Revolation...

2009-03-21T21:20:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've written.
Life gets complicated. Duh!

With the job market being what it is - we're going on month 5 of the big ol' Scarlet U. And it's frustrating, and annoying and hard to not take it personally (like the karma police have your number or something). it's hard to remember that you aren't the only family in crisis. It's hard to believe and then face rejection. Time after Time after Time. It wears on you. It wears on every ounce of you.

But, aside from the frustration of having your husband around 24/7 and crimpin your style... I've learned to appreciate the benefits.
I've learned to appreciate that the things we thought we couldn't live without - are in fact things that we CAN live without.

That the bling and the gadgets and the gizmos and the new trendy over-priced clothes and shoes and accessories and the fancy-smancy dinners out are all replaceable, with something better. Something that cost less and means more.

As frustrating as this "time" has been - I know that my husband is right there - to lend a hand with the kids, to offer some advice on my workload, to take a time out with to goof around with the kids and to take a walk at 4 pm. I know that THE PLAN is going to happen, soon. I feel it in my bones. and most of all I feel it in my heart. I know we're getting ready for the up-swing.

We've learned to lead a simpler life - and really, hasn't our world gotten a little "veruca salt" when it comes to wants. I mean really... do you NEEEEEEED an oompa loompa and a squirrel!? no. not really.
We've lived simpler before - in college and when we first were living in our old home and when we had Master D. And they are some of my best memories...

If you were to ask my husband about our favorite thing about dating in college - he'd tell you about Macaroni and Cheese (and hopefully he'd end it there... b/c it gets to be a little TMI after that point.)We'd come home from class - make Mac N Cheese and PBJ (his specialities - my cooking downfalls) and lounge until the next class. We'd do homework, talk, enjoy each other's company. We had nothing. Neither of us had jobs b/c of the course loads we were taking and the activities we were involved with and the unpaid internships we were working. But, we had fun.
And those were the times. My favorite times with him. They've defined us - and they continue to define us to this day.

Or the times we spent Friday nights with a cheap bottle of wine and some Nattie Lights on the front porch of our old home. Watching the freaks and crazy neighbors and cracked out weirdos for entertainment. Even better when the cops joined in and provided us endless opportunities and some very late nights of watching our neighborhood in action. Good times. truly - they were good times.

Or when our first baby happened and our entertainment was microwave popcorn and netflicks.
And the opportunity to go out revolved around the trade I had with a restaurant that was a client of mine. I was working for that dinner - but it wasn't coming out of our pockets. And they were some of the best memories for us as new parents. Time together, alone. paid for.

And now - money is tight - again - the budget is more of a strict guideline than a budget. We have very little leftover... and whatever is leftover quickly gets used up on a little something special for the kids - something that will make us all happy - like a mid-week trip for ice cream where Master D sings us sweet songs about Wall-E and Little Mama (formerly known as Miss Sassafrass) claps and dances along from her booster chair - entertaining not only us but the people around us. We're not going out to dinner - we're not buying new clothes - we're not planning a beach vacation or buying a blackberry cell phone or buying new cars. And really - none of that matters when everything else is stripped away.

Aside from the blessings of a simplified family life - I've had the opportunity to "trade" services with my friends. I've lost 10 pounds in a zumba class i adore - all while helping promote the business of someone who is a wonderful mother and wife and friend, the kind of friend everyone deserves and I've seen the strength of someone I am inspired by while her son battles cancer - she never complains, she keeps her humor. She's helped me through this time more than she even knows. I've learned so much from her and her family and in return I am helping her plan events to benefit cancer research, which makes me feel good. I've been blessed with the support and love of my parents and grandparents and my sister and my momma friends who are there to listen and cheer me up and cheer us on. These are all things that money could never have given me the opportunity to "see" at true face value. they are priceless. I've found hidden blessings in staying home to bake homemade cookies with my son to cheer up the family and our neighbors and to go surfing on the living room couch cushions, and building tents and having picnics in the living room. Instead of running out to drop money at target, I'm making up craft projects with my son and snuggling with my daughter under our "fleecy." I'm building my own company up - with two clients I can honestly say I am honored to work with. The blessing of this unemployment has opened my eyes to being faithful and believing that there is a reason for everything - and a plan outside of our own. In due time. In due time.
And, above all to realize that I am NOT the general manager of the universe... (this is my husband's favorite reminder to me when I start freaking out and breaking down ... hoping the world just comes to a screeching halt so I can get off and wait until the nausea stops)

What matters most is that for 5 months, my husband has gotten to stop and play with the kids - and see things first hand instead of through my vivid descriptions at dinner. What matters is that the two of us have time to talk about things when they happen, not 5 hours from when they happen. What matters most is that both of us get to hear the compliments about how wonderful, adorable, well-behaved our beautiful children are. What matters is that dinner time involves all of us together at the same table, at the same time. And compromising about loading and unloading the dishwasher and folding and swapping out the laundry. We're in it together - every last detail of "IT". And what matters is that our family is together and healthy, and that we are looking forward to being able to celebrate the good news (soon!?!?!) and look back and learn: that in life, when you have the least ... you truly have the most.

Happy Birthday Master D!

2009-02-25T20:12:00.001-08:00

Dear Master D -Happy 3rd Birthday! Today is a beautiful day... you are 3! You are big! You aren't a baby anymore - and that is the hardest part of the day for me... turning one is a big deal - turing two is a big deal... but for some reason, three is sending me on an emotional roller coaster. I'm holding back tears the best I can.i'm a mess - i'm happy for you, i'm sad for me....because i never want my baby boy to be a big boy. (can you stay little forever, please?!) i wanted to feel you placed in my arms for the first time again - to sneak in to your room before i go to bed to kiss you and retuck you in - i want to forever cuddle you into a little ball and smother you with kisses, i want to smell the top of your sweet head after you wake up all sticky and sweaty from being too snuggly all night long, i want to hold your little hand, locking fingers. i want to forever smell your little hands after you've washed them with happy hippo soap and inhale your sweet fresh breath from your Little Bear toothpaste. I want you to forever fit in my arms. i want to forever fold little t-shirts and underwears, cute jammies with your favorite characters on them. i want you to always love your bugga and nugga. i want to forever hear your cute little guy voice singing the opening song from Wall*e or the Woody's Roundup song... i want to forever dance with you in the living room and build tents. to forever read toot & puddle over and over and to read llama llama before we say our goodnight prayers. I don't ever want to stop talking to you about the world ... i want to forever learn through you, and teach you in the process. i want to always talk about the shapes of the world. i forever want you to know you are loved, that you make our world a great place and that you can do anything you set your heart to. i will always believe in you.This past year, you've grown so much...you've gone from a baby to a toddler to an almost pre-schooler (if only we could get that potty training worked out!)... this coming year you'll grow even more - you'll do even more and you'll get bigger. and smarter... and some day, all those things i wish you will always do with eventually fall to the wayside and be replaced with big boy things... then bigger boy things ... then grown-up boy things......i'm just hoping that you'll still fit in my arms.

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

You make me happy - when skies are grey!

On the eve of 3...

2009-02-25T19:22:00.000-08:00

dear master d....
tonight is the eve of your 3. and it's a rough night for me - i can't help but walk around the house in a daze as i pick up scattered toys and pieces parts of our daily lives...remembering what it was like before Little Einsteins and Wall*e and Cars and Buzz and Woody... before Geo Trax sprawling the floor where my dream Pottery Barn dining room table and hutch should be...before gerber fruit snacks and sippy cups... before booster seats and boy socks and little underwears with disney buddies on the booty.Before stepping on the stealth cheerios and potty chairs as a permant fixture to our kitchen...
Tonight, 3 years ago, at this very moment, Daddy and I wandered our big ol' century home with vladi right behind, making sure every last detail was in place, that the bags were packed the right way, that I was comfortable and ready for you. i was scared, and excited and wondering what changes were fast approaching...
Little did we know all that you would bring to our lives. Was life, life before you? it may have been - but our life is so much more now that we share it with you.
You were such a good baby - perfect nurser, perfect sleeper, so smart, so funny, so cute... as you grew you were such a good toddler... you slept in a big boy bed with no problems. you loved healthy food. you make us laugh, you sing great songs and you say hilarious things. you have grown in to such a big little man. Now, even as we're leaving behind the terrible twos (really, terrible? noooooo....) and entering the terrible threes (eh, maybe after today's episode that will forever more be known as the Ash Wednesday Meltdown...) i look forward to watching you grow...
3 years ago, I would have never imagined the changes someone so little brings.
you are my sunshine and tomorrow, we'll celebrate 3 with a mommy and master d day... pictures (please cooperate!), birthday sundae with two spoons at coldstone ice cream, a trip to the disney store and lots of hugs and kisses.
3 years ago today, daddy and i celebrated the eve of your official due date (thanks for being punctual) with a day of country cruising and a lunch at Yours Truly for chili cheese fries (the best thing to eat with contractions and labor and delivery.... probably not!)...
and before the sun rose on tomorrow - we fell in love... with you.

Just like 3rd grade: Book Report

2009-02-19T05:52:00.001-08:00

i love reading.

i love reading to my kids.

i seriously could read to them every moment of every day...oh wait, I do do that!

i love it enough to admit to it.

i'd rather read piles and piles of children's and young adult literature than some hot new oprah picked book about all the sad things in life...

i like pictures, and fun words, and snuggling with a little one to share the love of

a good book...

i love children's books and have inspirations to somehow, someway, someday get the series of 3 books (...and counting...) i've written, published.

working with my new client, a local children's author who writes beautiful natural wildlife stories, has really helped me understand the children's book publishing framework to a whole new level...and have an even greater appreciation for the children's books out there and the author's who write'em!

{i'll be writing about his book(s) too on this site becuase they are beautiful stories with beautiful illustrations...who knows I may even give away a book or two... since i do have 'connections'}

plus, i've had the opportunity to do some really cool things with him, and meet some really cool people (and animals) in the process!

Master D is my reader. the boy loves a good book... even more, he loves a good book read by momma (and who can blame the boy!?)... our latest

favorite book, and the featured book for this book report is:

Master D scoped out that i had 'llama llama mad at mama' out and decided it was time to read...

Llama Llama mad at mama

by Anna Dewdney

The story in 100 words or less (just like a 3rd grade book report minus the line drawing of my interpretation of the story...):

This little llama is off to a day of shopping with his momma, instead of doing what he wants - playing with all his toys (hmm... this sounds familiar)... While at Shop-a-Rama (or as my son calls it...Target....hey pick your vice, mine just happens to fall in the yuppie catagories of Target, Home Depot and Starbucks) little Llama loses it - two year old temper style...(again...familiar?!) Momma Llama, like any good momma, handles the situation and all is well in the world of Shop-a-Rama admist "cheezie puffs and oatie crunch... It's a must read...It's a perfect bedtime book - being quick and easy and with great pictures. Plus it doesnt' help that Dewdney uses the phrase "Llama Drama"... that just gets me!

We give it 5 stars. We Love Llamas who shop at Shop-A-Rama and we L.O.V.E. Anna Dewdney... matter of fact, Master D's birthday is next week (3...already?! prepare yourself for the puddle of mushy memories I'll be next week) and we're requesting gifts of Anna Dewdney books....

(other books include:
Llama llama misses momma - to be released on March 19, 2009

Llama llama red pajama

Grumpy Gloria

and

Nobunny's Perfect)

{gee's oh man - even her website is stinkin' cute: www.annadewdney.com}

Run - to your bookstore of choice, or your website of choice or your library of choice, and pick up Anna's books... then snuggle up to your little reader and enjoy a book that will have both of you laughing. yes, it's that good! you may even read it WITHOUT a kid on your lap. seriously.

and - the added bonus, while Krogering yesterday after the haircut from hell - Master D and I had our own Llama Llama and Mama shopping experience, and i used the book to calm the situation... who knew i'd eventually get parenting advice from a Mama Llama?!

It's nice to have a children's book both the parent and child can enjoy!

The #1 reason I'm a germaphobe...

2009-02-17T18:08:00.000-08:00

i loathe sickness.

i loathe the wimpering and whining in the middle of the night - when you don't know what hurts, what's the problem and what the solution is...it's the lowest of lows as a mother... just not knowing.

the not knowing where this bug came from.

i go over - and over and over it in my head.

we came home from open gym - i sanitized him, I santized me, i stripped him to nothin' but a diaper - i discarded all but my tshirt and 'roos in the washer and ran like a banchee up the stairs to get some new clothes...

miss sassafrass was sound asleep for the next 3 hours... how - where - why?

that has to be the origin of this funk.

miss sassafrass started the day off yesterday with some boogs.

clear, slimy - she's teething (1yr molars, Lord help me!) - it goes hand in hand.

by post-nap, there was the raspy, barky cough.

by 8 am this morning - it was all disgust coming out of her sweet little button nose.

with master d - it was the constant getting up from bedtime last night @ 7 pm, every 2-3 hours... like he's a newborn. cryin' out for me. wanting baby vicks (love that stuff...loveeee it) "magic rub" and to have me rub his back. he falls asleep - i shuffle back to my snoring hubs all tucked in and warm, only to be beckoned at 1:55 am, 3:35 am, 5-something am, 7:10 am... for the same ritual and routine.

that my friends is the true reason why I HATE (with a passion) all things playdate.

I would if I could, send out emails annoucing playdates - "if your kid is sneezy, sniffy, slimy or scummy - keep'em at home...with thier germies... sharing's nice - but not all the time"

that my friends is the true reason why I have a gallon jug of hand sanitizer perched atop my kitchen peninsula.

that my friends is why my children will NEVER know the inside of a McDonalds/Burger King indoor germ-infested playland.

that my friends is why my kids will NEVER have a birthday OR go to a birthday at a Chuckie Cheese or the like.

that my friends is the reason why I may just hold off on preschool until Master D is 22 years old - Miss Sassafrass isn't going until she's 25.

I hate germs. I hate sickness. I have nights spent wearing the carpet thin with trips back and forth to the "sick ward".

The visit to the dr's today left me angry and calling to place a complaint for the dr. we saw today (not our lovely dr.Y), tomorrow... and left me with a prescription for Amox. for Miss Sassafrass who's sporting not only the Flu de jour.... but the ear infection.

Master D is most definately right around the corner... looks like it's going to be a fun week...

though - we're keeping our germs to ourselves... because we're cool like that.

She really is Tu*Tu much

2009-02-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

i'm a crafty girl.

i like artsy fartsy stuff.

i'm the kind of person who goes to a craft fair

and says - $10 for THAT... I can make it for less and it'll be cuter...

and recently i've really fallen in love/borderline become obsessed with all things Etsy.

i love homemade/handmade things of good quality.

i love that someone enjoys their "craft" enough to

make cute things for other people who enjoy

it just as much. i love knowing that there is the possiblity that i may be one of a small number to own such a wonderful hand made piece - and that it is truly unique.

may be some day i'll get my creative mojo in order and open my own

etsy shop... and maybe someday you'll shop my etsy shop!?

well - my best friend's daughter's birthdays are coming up - and

i want to do something different, and unique and fun for them.

so - i've decide they need tutus. big-fluffy-stand out-tutus.

and well, since i've never made one before - i use my own daughter as

a guinea pig / model.

and the results:

wonderful!

...and yes, she's swirling and twirling.

the girl knows to work it!

Customer Service...a thing of the past!?

2009-02-08T05:03:00.000-08:00

I'm really amazed at the lack of customer service.
Really people who have jobs... if you are SO miserable
doing what you were hired to do (ie: answer a guest's questions, help them find what they are looking for, just generally be pleasant) - quit and let someone else who needs a job do it!

also - would the hubs and i be considered ULTRA-CRAZY
if we opened up a pizza place in our little village?
you know - something unlike the crap we currently have?
say - with high chairs, clean floors, decent 'za and customer service!?

hmm... it's a thought. it's a thought. and everyone LOVES pizza...

I'd like to thank the academy...

2009-02-04T19:00:00.000-08:00

I recieved my first bloggity-blog awards today... yay!

First and foremost - thank fellow momma blogger - Jennifer of It's a Beauty Filled Life.

This is my very first bloggy award and I am so honored!

Because sometimes I feel like I'm just writing for myself ;). It's nice to know I'm not! And it's even nicer to have such nice people (like you, JENNIFER!) reading!

According to the rules, I must list five reasons why life is grand

and pass it on to five people.

With that said, here we gooooo...

In no particular order, my life is grand because of:

1. I have two absolutely wonderfully beautiful children, Master D and Miss Sassafrass, who fill my gloomiest of days with the brightest of sunshine. and make the most wonderful days sparkle even brighter...They are both such wonderful additions to the human race... and I'm humbled by the blessings that they bring to my life. How did I get soooo lucky?!

2. For The Hubs. We've been on one helluva roller coaster lately...and sometimes things aren't so peachy...and other times, they're fabulous... but I know that no matter what twisty turny upside down adventure is next - He'll be there, by my side. And, the best part is when out of the blue he'll say something that makes me know that no matter what -

It's True, True Love.

3. My family. I have the best family in the whole wide world. I'm pretty luck to have what I have... parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles and cousins who I am so close with and who are so supportive and loving. I could ramble on and on about their glory - but I'll save that for some other time - simply, they are awesome.

4. Getting by - It's far from a life of luxury right now our house. Times are rough and the budget is tighter than tight - but through it all, I'm happy to say we're ok. That we'll be okay and that I've really realized that being materialistic is something I'm glad I'm not.

It's amazing what you REALLY don't need! We have each other and that's enough...and "although we're not rich in money - we're rich in love".

5. Letting Loose and being silly. Nothing is better than being silly with your kids. Screaming and laughing and flopping all around, dancing like a goof ball and pulling out moves you'd never try in public - it puts life in perspective. It's the true meaning of unconditional love - no matter how goofy and dumb you act, your children think you are the best thing in the world. I feel so lucky to own my own PR business and be the person who is celebrating lifes little mysteries with my kids. Nothing is better... and Being serious and constantly full of thoughts and plans and to-do lists is tiresome...well, life's just too short for all that.

And now, I will be honoring the following 5 chicks with this award.

They are:

Mandy from Perfect Plaid Pumps

Christy from The Yano Bunch and Moving4Health

Angie from The Arthur Clan

OHMommy from Classy Chaos

Amelia from Chef's Widow

Cheers Girlies!

~and Congrats~

Pay it forward!

eyeball update

2009-02-02T18:00:00.000-08:00

Miss Sassafrass is good to go - eyes are in perfect health... the most wonderful

ped. eye-doctor says "she'll outgrow" the narrow tear duct... no surgery needed.

She was a perfect babe today - so stinkin' cute. didn't fuss at all - although it was a dr. visit - it was still nice to have time with just one kiddo!

makes you realize how wonderful each kid is!

thanks for your thoughts + prayers!

This Valentine's day - get SugarDaddy's

2009-02-02T17:38:00.000-08:00

my lovely friends over at SugarDaddy's just sent me this wonderful discount

{just in time for a certain Feb 14 holiday}

to share with you all...

It's a great gift for husbands - It's a great gift for wives - it's a great gift for boyfriends/girlfriends/moms/dads..... ANYONE. Buy it for yourself - you are worth it!

but it's an especially wonderful gift for friends named Megan who {HEART} Sugardaddy's Delish Brownies - don't make me choose one... I can't and I won't... and I won't share'em either!

I like to horde these brownies and eat them in the dark - all alone.

;) kidding...

but if you need suggestions on what to buy... I'll share those!

but - here's the code - Go. Buy. Enjoy!

I mean who doesn't need a SugarDaddy('s) in these times?!

TAKE 10% off ANY order (doesn't include shipping).

Now through March 31.

Use VIP CODE: 10ex033109

Eye-spy...

2009-02-01T18:51:00.000-08:00

i'm taking miss sassafrass to an eye-specialist tomorrow.
bright and early.
for a 2-hour appointment {sohelpmeGod}...
at her 12 mo. check-up - i mentioned to our ped. that her left eye seems to water... frequently.
and so - we're off to a specialist.
blocked tear duct? lawdsy - i hope not. i've heard about the surgery they do (because master d had a blocked duct as a babe and i did EVERYTHING in my power to unblock that duct to avoid the surgery - and i'll do it again!) plus - i'd need a valium or vicoden or something to make me loop-ee if my kid's ever had surgery...
honestly, i don't think there's anything to worry about - because i don't really think it's a blocked duct or anything like that - my eyes water all the time - i'm fine... {really, i am}...
but - God forbid something should be wrong - i'd beat myself up over not taking her.
if anything - it's going to give the 2 of us time away from the boys - and time to make a stop for some crafty-supplies and a trip to tar-jet since they're all in the same area.

just say a little prayer that i'm right.... i'll update after the appointment.

Nationwide- not on our side..

2009-02-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

booo.
another potential job-op hang-up.
the hubs did 5 interview with Nationwide over the past 3 weeks... we waited, we were patient, then after the follow-up email he got 'the' news...news we've heard time and time again... news we've gotten for almost half of the job's he's been the final candidate for ... the position is on hold.

what?!?!?!

ugh... sooo annoying. i mean a situation like that only makes me think that Nationwide's (and other previous potential employers the hubs had interviewed with) internal communication is backwards - why would you interview the final 2 candidates only to tell them a week later that they're restructuring the marketing department... why would you post a position, interview for the position, then put it on hold? i just am at a loss... i mean i know it happens - but THIS many times?!

new outlook: it wasn't the right position. it wasn't a good position. it probably was a position that lacked any communication with a team - which when you've been in *that* position - stinks!

THE job is out there for the hubs - any company would be lucky to have him - and i'm hoping, through a turn of some positive events through my bff and her hubs at the end of last week that there's a position bubbling in the near future. it's a step down in title (and probably in pay) but a TON of potential and a TON of room for growth and a TON of possibilites with this up-and-coming industry. plus - it's a position back up in NEO. (fingers crossed - they hired my bff's hubs the same day they interviewed him... ooooohhhh... that would be WONDERFUL!)

Heat Wave

2009-02-01T18:25:00.000-08:00

yesterday was 5-degrees.
today was 40-degrees.

and that my friends is the beauty of Ohio.
weather that changes on a daily basis (or minute-by-minute, in some cases).

today, i opened the windows up and let out that mid-winter-stink, i cleaned out the car and re-adjusted both car seats (because it's warm enough to be outside for longer than 2.5 seconds!) and cleaned the oven (which, until this weekend, i didn't know was a self-cleaning oven and that it could be cleaned...hmmm...who'da'thunk!).

the hubs even got in on the action - he scraped the ice off the sidewalks and drive, has been doing laundry all day, washing dishes and putting them away and vaccumming the baseboards in the hall, foyer and kitchen (ewww. crumbs.)

the best part of the day - aside from all the sunshine-filled, fresh air - was when i was out cleaning the car, and a neighbor had Bob Marley's greatest hits blarring. there was something so humorous about that! but sooooo wonderful!

i'm actually looking forward to another good spring thaw and another good spring cleaning - i'm hoping my parents will take the kids for a weekend and then the hubs and i can really get the house in tip-top shape.

but, as usual in the buckeye state, a winter-warm up will be followed by another winter-blast coming in on tuesday with a high of 15-degrees on wednesday. booooooo!

Worth the {3 year} Wait...

2009-01-25T20:41:00.000-08:00

i love new recipes. i love new recipes in my inbox right before i head out on friday night for grocceries... it's all very inspiring. especially since making the perfect potato soup has been the bane of my exisitance for the past 3 winters... it all ended today, my friends, it all ended today...

this recipe came from eat better america. i have no clue how i signed up for it - but i'm glad i'm on the mailing list. coupons AND an amazing recipe... thankyouverymuch.

so, make this for your mother-in-law...make it for your hubs ... make it for yourself and scarf it down without anyone knowing you made it... whatever makes you happy... It's "SOUPER" easy and really good too...plus, it's the perfect weather to wear your comfies and snuggle up to a big ol' bowl of this chowder.

And... it's healthy for you... according to the Nutrional Information - 1 serving (1 1/4 cup) has 71% less fat, 69% less saturated fat and 50% more fiber than the original recipe and it's chocked full of really healthy choices. The fat is reduced and the fiber is increased due to the broccoli (going green is always good!)...

Here's the recipe:

3 years to master {but worth the wait} Cheesy Potato Chowder

Ingredients:
6 medium red potatoes (2 lb), unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 carton (32 oz) Progresso® reduced-sodium chicken broth (4 cups)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 bag (12 oz) Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers™ frozen broccoli cuts
1/3 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 cup 2% milk
8 oz brick 2% milk reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (2 cups)*
1/2 cup natural sour cream

4 medium green onions, chopped (1/4 cup)

*that's a whole lotta flour over there - take about a cup of that away... 'someone' wasn't paying attention and ended up making a HUGE doughball and had to re-do the milk-flour part of the recipe...

In 5-quart Dutch oven (or whatever you like to cook your soup in), place potatoes; add just enough water to cover.

Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are very tender. Drain.

Reserve 1 cup potatoes; return remaining potatoes to saucepan.

In small bowl, mash reserved potatoes; return to saucepan.

Stir in broth

Stir in salt and pepper. Heat to boiling.

Add broccoli. Return to boiling;

* Note to self - instead of buying the packaged broccoli - you should have used the huge branch of broccoli you have leftover from last night's reserve for the crudite tray... (though - the broccoli and cheese green giant "steamer" was pretty darn tasty...)Looks like we're making a quiche with the leftover "fresh" broccoli...

Cook uncovered 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat to medium.

In small bowl with wire whisk, stir flour into milk until well mixed.

Add milk mixture to potato mixture, stirring constantly. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens and boils.

Stir in cheese until melted and smooth.

Stir in sour cream and green onions;

Cook until thoroughly heated.

*or until you hear "splunk, splunk, plop" and realize that your distraction was longer than anticipated...and rush over to the stove to stop the mess before it requires 2 hours of stove cleaning.

Serve, eat, enjoy!

*It took EVERYTHING i had not to load this up with extra cheese on top, bacon and a big ol' scoop of more sour cream... talk about will power. it's okay though - because it didn't need it. seriously. it's perfect just the way it is!

a confession...

2009-01-23T21:33:00.000-08:00

my friday nights rock.
not "rock" like they use to in college - or pre-babies... but "rock" as in tossin' on a baseball cap, and comfy jeans and heading to the grocery for some serious stockin' up.

now - i've posted it before, i love my brand new kroger. i love it for the prices, i love it for the new-ness, i love it for people like the manager Joy and the lesbian couple i see every friday night, i love it for the "manager's specials" on everything from organics to produce to fun-doodads.

tonight rocked even harder because i stocked up on wine. which always makes me happy (oh wait - there's someone knocking on my door - must be my friend C. because she can smell a bottle of the red stuff from like a mile away!).

i'll admit - it's a little lame to get *this* excited about a friday evening. but, when you stock up and have the chance to re-organize your cupboards and freezer and fridge.... it's like i'm a whole new me. - you should see me when i have the opportunity to go to my beloved trader joe's or freeman's farm market or whole foods... in.sane!

i left at 8:30pm and got home at 10:30pm. I had my coupons (saved $20 this time around - whoot!) and my "new recipes of the week" (food posts to come this week) in hand and i shopped...

now, grocery shopping for me just doesn't mean buying-bringing home-and stocking the cupboards. i scour everything and re-organize. i wipe things down and toss things out.

the best part - produce.

i love to julienne, brunoise, chop and cube.

i love the smell of fresh cut celery, recently segemented ruby red grapefruit...

i think i should have been a prep chef (hey, it's never too late!)

then, i like to go all jeff lewis on my fridge and make sure labels are facing out.

but in the end - it's BEAU-TI-FUL!

See..

so organized. so tidy.

now, although my fridge is organized and tidy - it's still a crappy side-by-side fridge with absolutely a lack of any adequate space on either side of this horrible design concept. i'm anxiously awaiting a new fridge (and pantry - since this house came with no food storage areas, i've had to get VERY creative)

and yes, i'll come do your grocery shopping for you...

(however, a sour note to ruin my trip to kroger... when i was loading my SUV... i noticed a 5 inch CRACK on my tailgate...that wasn't there when i parked the car. i'm half tempted to call and see if i can't sneak a peak at the security cameras -- oh well, the fact that i purchased the Burts Bees Shampoo and Conditioner mentioned in my last post make me feel a little bit better...)

2009-01-22T20:47:00.000-08:00

Just as a follow up to my previous post regarding my good friend J. and her son, Matthew-- he is still in Children's Hospital and is scheduled to begin radiation therapy tomorrow. They received GREAT news today in that the bone aspiration was CLEAN, meaning it has not spread to his marrow...PRAISE GOD! Please continue to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Also, even if you have never met Matthew or his family, I would like to ask that you take a moment to send him a free card using the Children's website below. All you do is click on the link, create the card, write your message and the card is delivered to them within 24 hours. These cards only take a minute to create and mean so much to the family. Let's all work on filling his room with these cards so that after he returns tomorrow from his treatment a stack of cards showing support are waiting for him, from strangers, friends, neighbors, whoever!!! http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/gd/applications/greetingcardpro/choosedesign.cfm His Room Number is: J5-5316

Thanks!

some of my favorite things...

2009-01-22T19:15:00.000-08:00

i've been doing A LOT of window shopping lately... my "wants" list is growing and growing. but once "soon" happens and we're back to life... i'm going shopping...

it's not even that i'm splurging and going nuts on expensive crap... i just like little luxuries - i'm no snob. :) and truly - isn't it the smaller things in life that make it all better?

Philosophy's Cinnamon Hot Dots Body Wash $16 - perfect for a quick, easy valentine's day present... {hint.hint}

Burts Bees Very Volumizing Pomegranate & Soy Shampoo $8 and Burts Bees Very Volumizing Pomegranate & Soy Conditioner $8 - i will always love BB - so fresh and clean and simple.

Melissa J. Leonard - local artist and business owner... i'll take one of everything she has in her cute establishment in Powell. Including the heaven "scent" cupcakes from Pink Moon Cupcakes - but mostly, for her photography and specifically for her photo called "Queen Anne" for the memories it conjures up in me... $25 for the print (obviously, I want it matted and framed for my Master Bathroom)

Talking about sweet treats... My neighbor told me about SugarDaddys. and about a week or so ago I stopped in and fell in love. With the owners, with the idea, with the delish brownies (this was all pre-Special K suicide mission...). I'll take one of each! They make adorable gift ideas or a pefectly sweet treat to make your day happy. If you live around the village... you MUST stop by and have a taste, and while you are there - pick me up an American Beauty and some Pocket Change.

Bloomsbury Loft - Let's see... what don't I want from here!? Mainly, I fell in love with the vintage tablecloths, the aprons, the dandelion candle in vintage glasswear, the amy butler fabric (she's making an appearance here on Feb12 from 6-8pm), and the picture of the poppy flowers (the inspiration for my new office). I even got a few really cool ideas for holiday decorating with some doo-dads I have hanging out around the house... here's to craftiness!

I'm not quite sure where to find this - but I really want a tunic/mini-dress with black leggings and some cute boots. It just seems like the best outfit for carting kids around AND looking cute... (suggestions?!) Fellow ohio momma - OHMOMMY wore something similar to what I'm envisioning in this video.

i must have this. the birthday fairy failed to deliver... but that's ok - there was no note saying i wouldn't get it...soon. plus, the hubs wants it too (with the BOSE docking station)... so, there's a good chance that it's in our near future. plus- i have a serious cd library building up on my laptop - just waiting for a new home.

I really like things that are local - I like to support local and promote local... are there places where you live that draw you in and suck every dime out of the bottom of your purse? supporting local artists and businesses makes me feel good - because these people have raw talent. in my mind they're offering pieces of themselves...and there is something really neat about knowing the creator of the things you covet. (i'm hoping that someday i get to meet Burt. and well, the philosophy body wash is just one big ol' blatent reminder to the hubs that valentine's day is fast approaching - shop early...don't do it feb.13. and well, it doesn't hurt to remind too about the ipod classic.)

what are your favorite locals "things"? Come on - get all Julie Andrew's on me... tell me your "Favorite (local) things" ...and while you are at it - check out my favorite things because I guarantee you'll add them to your list with one glance...

Getting my groove back OR why my thighs are killing me OR Why I came home one sweaty hot momma...

2009-01-22T18:58:00.000-08:00

my thighs are killing me.

my hips are screaming.

my abs (located somewhere under there) are warbbling.

i've never sweat like i did tonight.

seriously.

and it was goooooooooooooood.

and it was fun.

and it made me realize i need new work out clothes that are

more sweat resistant and comfortable. (soon, soon, soon)

one of my best friends here in the village is C.

she is an amazing person - all around. i could go on and on about her... believe me!

we get along perfectly - probably because we both believe that a good ol' glass of wine makes everything "all better". well, that and we're both capricorns

(her= 12/29 me= 12/30).

she's the reason i came home one sweaty momma tonight.

she (along with another village friend, A.) opened a dance studio on the square. it's so cute and really doing awesome (yay girls - so proud of both of you!).

she's offering zumba classes... which are so much fun, and such a good time.

because, the harder you work out and the more silly you look - the better your work out... the more calories you burn... and we all look pretty darn nut-so on tuesday and thursday nights so something must be working!

now, way back when - pre-babies... i was a mover and a shaker.

i had moves. i had grooves. i could get free drinks by shimming and shaking.

god given talent...you know... but, well...

today, i realized that... not so much anymore.

i'm actually kind of clumsy and all dancing like a .... wait for it... wait for it...

A MOM.

i might as well go to a dance floor and do that "mom dance" where i clap my hands and step from side to side and am off like a beat or two the entire song.

(ok... it's not that bad...but it could be -which is why i'm determined to never.miss.a.zumba.class)

i keep telling myself that maybe the rhythm will re-surface.

maybe, like a machine, just need a little oil and re-adjusting.

you know work on shimming and shashaying and booty groovin'

until i'm a well-oiled machine... dancin' machine.

(i know C. is reading this and probably in tears laughing at me)

i'm just glad i'm not the only momma in there with

dance issues... sooner or later, i'm going to get my groove back.

watch out stella... watch out.

groundhog day...

2009-01-22T18:40:00.001-08:00

since october, life in our household has been a little like the movie groundhog day. same thing day in and day out... with a few exceptions - we're pretty predictable. and quite honestly, it's getting to be a little - bothersome. boring. dull. pick your word. doesn't help that we're on week 2 of the special k diet - so breakfast, snack one, lunch, snack two are all the same for the past 2 weeks... it's a little boring, and i'm glad that you shouldn't do it for more than 2 weeks... i might have to claim insanity.

we're still waiting on news about the hubs job here - got word from the final neo job and while it's not bad, it's starting all over with the process again for the hubs. it's this constant waiting and waiting and trying to stay busy. stay positive. stay afloat. make ends meet. there are other jobs in the loop - but they are positions that are getting pretty darn dire. but you gotta do what you gotta do.

i miss life. i miss having "spare change" to pick up something i like here or there. i miss going out to dinner a couple times a month. i miss moving forward.

i miss missing my husband while he's working. i miss the routine the kids and i use to have. and although it's nice to have 2 extra adult hands around - this time has been anything but nice. it's been nerve-wracking. stressful. and above all exhausting - emotionally, physically and spiritually.

we're stressed. we're in a rut. and it just seems like the day happens over and over and over again.

now, it would be lovely to have the hubs be ok with taking a day off from job scouring...maybe take a little day trip to a museum, visit the indoor exhibits at the zoo. i don't know - do something fun. do something besides talk about jobs. and reading into the meanings behind emails and statements made during interivews. do something besides worry about money and health care and mortgages and grocceries and this that and the other...but i do admire his persistance. and he's had a ton of interviews, and most of those interviews (let's ballpark at about 80%) have come down to the wire - between the hubs and person B. obviously, since i'm not celebrating from my roof top... you can figure out who's getting the jobs.

i keep telling myself - today's the day. tonight's the night. it's this week. it's gonna happen soon... and any time i feel like i'm talking myself down from the cliff... i start the mantra all over again... and again. and again. it's not that my hubs isn't the right one - it's that the company is the wrong one. every.day.over.and.over.and.over (between asking if a certain master d needs to go pee and repeating no. get down. stop that. come here. listen please. all day long)

it's gonna happen soon. anytime now. today. tomorrow. soon. soon. soon.

soon.

Change will come...

2009-01-20T10:44:00.000-08:00

Congratulations!

May change come...and may it be good.

To be honest- I didn't vote for Barack. Because I was scared

of the lack of experience he had. I liked him, I thought he'd be

good... but in the times we're facing now, I was scared. Maybe next time around I said...

so I voted the other way - Not because I'm a Republican, Not because I'm a Democratic...

I voted because of experience.

Right or Wrong, Good or Bad, today it doesn't matter really...

(so please don't contest it here - use your own space for that!)
Barack Obama is #44.

I'm not a politcial person. I'm not one to bicker back and forth about who's right and who's wrong - because that's silly... my beliefs will always be mine - and yours will always be yours. I have always thought it's so hard (especially for me) to have such firm beliefs on issues one way or another - I guess I've always just believe that there are two sides to every story...and what's good for me, might be bad for you, or vice versa.

i have always just thought let's just agree to disagree and live on. You fight your battles and I'll fight mine and somewhere along the lines, we'll all meet in the middle.

And that's what it's all about.

I hope the promises of change come true...because above all - I want a better world for my children, and my family, and my friends, and all "man"-kind.

It's not about black or white or yellow or red or brown or blue with pink spots.

It's about being kind, compassionate patriots for our young country.

I'm not happy with the people who have bad-mouthed Bush in these last couple days of his Presidency. I think that it's low, and unkind and totally against everything that Obama would be about. Like Bush said in his speech - we may have not agreed with his decisions - but that we agreed with his willingness to make those decisions.

I don't judge, especially the President because, it's a job I'd never want to do!

But, none the less - hurrah!

I'm looking forward to the next 4 years, to the promised changed and hopefully a better tomorrow for the USA.

I'm looking forward to watching the Baby Obamas grow up in the White House and to watch Michelle as she graces the role of First Lady.

So, congrats President Obama - today is a great day for our past and for our present.

Surprise...Surprise!!!

2009-01-19T18:55:00.000-08:00

Plain and Simple.

my sister rocks.

long story short - she surprised me on sunday afternoon with a visit...
and she watched the kiddos so the hubs and i could run errands

(home depot, target, verizon and home goods...kinda lame-o)
then once the kids were snug in bed - we played tiger woods golf

(i am not good at this, and should give up any chance of becoming a pro- golfer)
laughed at the hubs for the most hilarious golf swing ev-ah!
and went to bed.

the biggest surprise was yet to come...
sunday morning we got up and got ready and headed out

for starbucks (have you tried their new tea lattes? yum!

i highly recommend the london fog with 3 packets of raw sugar)

...sang STAY by Lisa Loab (my favorite song of all times) in the car, at the top of our lungs...just like old times ...and then...

spent the afternoon at the day spa relaxing, getting pedis and massages.

my sister knows me - and she's soooo sweet!

what a sweet surprise for my 30th b-day!

(i've already decided we're doing the same thing for her birthday in September!)

the spa associates were so sweet and caring and kind and friendly. I highly recommend them (Nicci Debro Spa) and can't wait to go back (again...and again...and again!)

and my toes are just too cute. and my muscles are all nice and relaxed. and i smelled like egyptian geranium and spanish sage all day (yum!)

and just like sisters, we picked the total opposite nail colors...

she's an earthy girl...

and picked "Simply Impatient"

which TOTALLY is her!

I'm a little more creative

and i like fun toes in the white and boring winter...

(i like to trick my toes into thinking they're headed for a beach somewhere...)

and I picked "Jamaican Out"

One, because I absolutely LOVE Jamaica

Two, because just say it outloud... it just makes you want to giggle!

Jamaican Out - Makin' Out... hahhahhaha... it just makes you "be happy!"

And today was all about being happy...

and being happy with my sis, is just about the best day ever! we talked about everything - but mostly we talked wedding plans...
bachelorette party plans and honeymoon plans...

see... she knows just what to talk about to make me happy too...all things weddings... and vacations...and parties...

i'm one lucky chick with one great sis!

(well, except for that time way back when she stabbed me in the leg with a pencil over a pair of shoes... and well, the pencil tip is still there... that's another story...)

(thanks sis... my back and toes say thank you too! Let's do it again - Soon!!!)

perspective

2009-01-16T20:42:00.000-08:00

from time to time there is something that smacks me upside the head and makes me realize that there is a reason for everything.

it's really hard sometimes to put your life in perspective and realize that there is a purpose and a plan beyond what you want to happen. or what you think you deserve, don't deserve, expect... whatever. because - sometimes the thing you don't want, is what you need the most in some weird way.

sooner or later a job is going to come along - and the hubs will take it. because he has to. because he had his dream job - and sometimes, what you dream about - isn't really an ideal "dream"... sometimes what you think is great, and wonderful and perfect - really isn't. everything happens for a reason - and i'm anxious to see where this road leads us.

it's amazing how the two of us have come together during this time. it's amazing at how when you are at a low point, you have two paths to choose from - the one where you muddle through holding hands together or the one where you are opposite charged magnets, repelling each other. we've had our good moments, and we've had moments that are not so pretty... but we'll make it through. we'll push on. because we're hopefully and we both know that sooner or later, it's going to happen... and when it does, it will be good. it will be great, and we'll know that no matter what low we hit...

at least we're hitting it together. and we're holding hands while we do it.

and, as horrible as this tribulation is in our life is - it's not the worst

thing ever. there are much worse battles we could be fighting.

and that's when i realize i married an amazing man.

i married a man who i plan on being with forever.

a man who plans on stickin' with me just as long.

and i plan on being through the ups and downs of life

with him. because no matter how glum and gloomy

today is - i know with him, tomorrow will always be better.

sometimes life just shows you a bit of perspective in the

oddest of places, like when you are scrubbing a toilet or doing the dishes.

but a bit of perspective is always good.

.always.

it's just the kinda day for a big ol' bowl of soup...

2009-01-15T10:15:00.000-08:00

...this is the view from our window today...

...brrrrrrrrrr...

so, when it's that cold out - and i'm here, with babes who are snug as bugs, i turn into a super culinary genius and dive into making homemade ravioli meatball soup.

the "original" recipe comes from some random momma magazine i just got in the mail - but i don't like weepy celery in my soup and, blech, green beans are NOT made for any soup of mine!

i had to resist the urge to put potatoes in - the deciding factor to my anti-potato soup, was the fact that I put an entire bag of 4-cheese ravioli's in... and potatoes on top of that would just be just totally wrong and totally "F.A."

so here's the step-by-step approach to making my

"sNOw-way I'm going outside today" soup...

ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey breast

1 tablespoon Italian-seasoned bread crumbs

1/8 teaspoon rosemary

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon salt
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 can (14.5oz) Italian-seasoned diced tomatoes

1 can (8oz) no-salt added tomato sauce

1 cup frozen corn

1 cup frozen peas

1 cup diced carrots

1 package frozen mini chese ravioli

OK - LET'S GET STARTED!

1. heat the oven to 400-degrees
(i'd show you pictures of me doing all this prep-work... but i loathe my 2x2 kitchen...so i'll let you pretend that i'm cooking in a state of the art gourmet kitchen - hey a girl can dream, right?!)

(let's just say this is my kitchen, you know - for you visual people out there)

2. line a baking pan w/ aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray

3. combine turkey, bread crumbs, rosemary, pepper and salt.

4. make 48 mini-meatballs (who knew this was the most difficult part?!)

5.bake the meatballs for 12 minutes, or until nice and brown. take'em out and let'em rest.

6. in saucepan (like mine... oooh..la.la.le creuset!), combine broth, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and the trinity of veggies (of your choosing, really).
(and for the record - i loathe electric stoves - with the deepest passion know to woman!)

7. boil, then reduce heat

8. cover and simmer for 5 minutes

9. stir in (frozen) ravioli

10. cook, covered for 5 more minutes

11. add meatballs (if you are the hubs - you'll eat'em right off the cookie sheet)
...VOILA...

....serve tonight for dinner... (tonight's dinner! yummmm!)

Enjoy and discuss the weather...

all this soup needs now is a nice hunk of crusty, crunchy bread...

...but it's cold out... and getting crusty, crunchy bread would require

a trip OUTSIDE. where it's cold.

maybe the hubs will pick up some on his way home from his INTERVIEW!!

(it's part of the 2nd interview process @ a local company - keep your fingers crossed!)

Enjoy the snowy day.... from inside!

***update- husband picks delciously fabulous crusty sourdough loaf - big kudos to him... big kudos to me for not eating the whole loaf! he also had a great interview... it's now down to him and one other person - you know what to do!***

just another thing to do in a Level 1 snow emergency...

2009-01-15T07:02:00.000-08:00

...kids in bed, cold (bitterly cold, actually), and bored after my nightly wii-fit routine...

...this is what i do...

i've been saving the little "buttons" for something special since they are all hand-painted.

and i figured this would be a good use for them (I've had them for 3 years... it's time...).

and i handmade the pillow packs (or as my friend A. calls 'em McDonald Apple Pie packs - and that's why i love her!) and tie'd'em all up with a simple, but pretty shiny ribbon.

(bad pic, i know... it's from my cell...)

and now, the decision needs to be who gets them.

when it's snowing, and the kids are sleeping, and you are bored...

2009-01-14T12:02:00.000-08:00

...this is what you do....

make your really boring client notebooks into something super-de-duper cute. problem is... now i don't want to write in them!

the other problem is... is i want to make more of them so i have notebooks for every purpose. yes...these are the confessions of a multi-tasker.

this is what they looked like before i started them... (for those who asked!)

super simple, super cheap and a perfect way to make your desk look nice! hey- if you've gotta work - why not have it work for you?! I think I'm going to head back out to Tar-jet to pick up another 3-pack (or more) and make some more of these cute notebooks - for everything I'm working on and for cutesy valentine gifts for my friends and neighbors... I mean who COULDN'T use a notebook?!

Please pray...

2009-01-13T09:44:00.000-08:00

please pray for my friend J. and her son M.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/matthewbarr

you can never have too many prayers!

yet another update...

2009-01-13T05:04:00.000-08:00

...better news than the "malarkey" i blogged late last week...

the hubs has 2 interview set up for the next two days.

company 1 is an association

company 2 is a nice big ol' c.bus company and these are the 2nd (and hopefully the final) round o' interviews.

as for me - i have two SIGNED clients and i'm getting back in the swing o'things.

(not sure why everything is ol' or o' today... it just feels right and i'm ok with that!)

I've also started the Special K 2-week challenge. hmm... we'll see about that... I mean a cup of cereal and a piece of fruit is hardly a breakfast. can I have coffee? Can I have orange juice... or do i just eat Special K for meal 1, and meal 2 and then two snacks of special k? hmm... that's a whole lotta Special K. I may get grouchy... forgive me now!

Have a good day... and keep the hubs in your prayers!

xo

you know you're doing something right...

2009-01-13T04:52:00.000-08:00

the hubs needed to make a stop at an old co-workers last night... so we bathed and pj-ed both kids, warmed up their sippy cups of milk and trekked out.... well, and i needed to find a store where i could pick up steno notepads, special k diet goodies (we'll see about the "goodies" part in about 3 days) and baby orajel toothpaste ... hence, walmart (groan!).

we knew we were pressing our luck with miss sassafrass...anything past 7:30 pm and it's holy guacamole in our back seat.

we were fast approaching that breaking point.

the hubs and i, for some random reason decided that *tonight* would be the night to take the cheshire road route...a route we've only heard about and never taken...

MISTAKE. yeh...mistake with ALL CAPITAL LETTERS!

about 10 minutes from home, while we're lost somewhere between here and there in the middle of a little neighborhood who knows where... Miss Sassafrass lets it all out... and well... that's that at this point - the milk cup is empty, the snackies are done, the dvd playing in the backseat is not entertaining... and it's 7:50...

i'm trying my best, all contorted backwards in the suv to try to comfort the little miss - and well, i'm trying is all i can say!

then...a defining moment - when all my worry of "doing it right" as a parent is demolished... because Master D reaches over (in attempts to pet sissy and comfort her) and in his most sweetest, most wonderfulness, most adorable moment says....

"it's gonna be right sissy - we're gettin' you home soon.... don't cry sissy, don't cry"....

my heart melts... because Master D is my sweet, kind, sensative child and hearing those words and witnessing that gesture makes you know that... gosh, darn it... you are doing something right!

where does the time go?

2009-01-09T20:35:00.000-08:00

master d was up to something the other day... i don't remember exactly what he was up to ... but it was something where his back was to me.
and it was at that very mini-moment that i realized my itty bitty baby boy... was turning into a person. a real, live, boy. he's so independent and smart and funny and kind and every wonderful thing a person could possess. when did that all happen and what was i doing? it's like one day you are nursing them to sleep in the hospital on their first day and the next you are dealing with a mister man...

i look at miss sassafrass and everyday she gets sweeter and cuter and more edible. (ohhhh.... those cheekers get me!) and i relize she's 1. and will be 2... and it won't be that long before she's doing something and i realize that babies aren't living in my house anymore. she's starting to understand things and if i say "can you get momma that duckie" she says "quack,quack,quack" and goes to get the duck. she communicates and points and laughs and tags along with master d.

wasn't it just yesterday i was holding her on her very first day? wasn't it just the day before yesterday that i took a pregnacy test and realized that i was pregnant...again?
and then i start to think back to the early days of the hubs and i. and it blows my mind that i was 21 when we met.
we were young. and stupid. and fun. and crazy

and in love. lovelovelovelove.
we're still in love. probably more than we were way back then.but the crazy and fun turned into responsiblities and questions and dealings and all those things that come with being in the real world. and to being parents. and, being responsible... and real. and in charge of something more than just you and the 12 pack of nattie light you're carrying to the kegger at the "hot" frat party of the weekend or and in charge of more than just deciding on what bar would be the bar of the night. i love what i have...but what i wouldn't give to go back -just for a fleeting moment...

go back to day one with the hubs...
standing under the student center archway at KSU, talking, flirting...

not knowing what would be...

go back to holding a baby boy in my arms...

to holding a baby girl in my arms....

the potential each of those moments inspires me...and makes me appreciate the fleeting moments I'm living as I breathe.

where does the time go?

GOJO and NOJO(b)

2009-01-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

Update....short and brief b/c my heart hurts...

The job at GoJo is a no go. They claim that the hubs was great...amazing...wonderful...talented... but that they hired someone

with a "better understanding of marketing framework"

ok - venting for a moment...

The term "marketing framework" doesn't even exisit... it's totally a made up gojo term. so... how is someone from OUTSIDE the company suppose to understand the inside lingo?

Whatever... He's better than GoJo any way, any day...

the right job is out there... back to the drawing board (or job search engine)

Keep our family in your prayers and thoughts... every little bit helps!

your one stop shop for the village family's job update...

2009-01-05T18:27:00.000-08:00

time to get it off my chest.

i'm tired of people asking if the hubs has heard anything yet.

no.

he hasn't.

b/c it's been like 2 weeks of holidays and that means people in the real-world are busy, working, or taking time off to do last minute holiday shopping or cooking or whatever... but typically, they aren't in their cubbys at work, checkin' their inboxes and hiring peeps.

and....

believe me - when he does... i'm climbing to the top of our house and screaming it to the world. well, if it's good news (which, using the teachings of the secret, it will be). which will also be a big deal for me considering i'm petrified to death of heights.

so, if you were thinking about asking. here's the details.

Job 1 - Canton job - not doing anything until after the holiday. not a technical "freeze" on the position but it's in a holding pattern until 2009 makes it's debut.

Job 2 - Akron job - feelin' good about it. thinkin' positive. gots lots of ju-ju and mo-jo workin' for him in the position. he's calling tomorrow to follow up. here's hoping!

Job 3 - Columbus job - no word. following up tomorrow re: 2nd interview.

However, the hubs does have an interview in C.bus tomorrow AM.

And in doing all the "secret" techniques and thinking positive...

the best part is there are 4 jobs I've just listed...

and none of them have rejected him...

that's a good thing...

b/c it means he's still in the running...

for america's next top model...

ok - just kidding...

but he's still a contender...

and i really like to believe that my hubs is just too good to pass up.

{i married the fellow, right?!}

if a company does... then maybe there's something really wrong

with that company.

on my job front -

i've signed one client, a children's author, who actually is an alum from my high school... in like 1960. he's really a neat guy and i'm excited about all the cool things i'm working on for him. considering that i can learn a lot from him on the publishing front for children's books. and he writes about animals which i think is very neat - i'm hoping that some of his Cbus Zoo connections work out so that i get to meet some of the cool people associated with the Cbus Zoo (because it is one of my top 5 favorite places in Cbus!).

i've sent the letter of agreement contract to my new "big" client and i'm really excited about working with them. it's a great atmosphere and the people are really down-to-earth and wonderful. so, here's hoping and praying that that goes well too!

my friend, just surprised me and said she and her hubs are planning a golf tourney... which are one of my favorite kinds of events to plan... so, i'm hoping i have the chance to help out... plus it's for a great cause VERY close to her heart (and mine too :} )

my other gal pal hasn't gotten back to me to set up a time to chit chat about her new business venture... and i'm really hoping that i get to work on it with her - because i love her and really want her to succeed!

the village opportunity is neither here nor there ... i'm calling tomorrow on it. i'm really hoping it pans out be it for the whole village square thing or just the one boutique.

i also just found this A-DOR-ABLE "bakery" in the Cbus area that i would love to assist w/ their pr and marketing... sent an email and hoping for a call back.

hmm... looks like my goal of 5 clients may happen way before i thought it would!

yay!

so - No - the hubs hasn't heard anything back - he's just waiting out the first day back from vacation, where inboxes are overflowing and the peeps are getting their groove back after vegging and travelling and eating waaaaaaaaayyyyy too much!

(keep us in your prayers... they'll be answered b/c we believe)

why i love my wii

2009-01-05T18:23:00.000-08:00

wii's are fun.
plain and simple.
it makes my husband smile.
which is good when our house is brimming with stress
due to a certain job situation.
it makes me smile.
it makes me skinny. okay - not just yet... but it will make me skinny if i keep it up... my wii fit board character told me so... not in so many words but... ya' know... whatever.

wii's get us up off our bottoms once the kids are in bed. at a time when typically it's so much easier to just veg. b/c darn it... 2 kids under 3 run you ragged.

so - that is why i love my wii... and why i want more movin & groovin' games for the wii... have any suggestions?

plus - its fun to make the little mii's. during miss sassafrass' nap today, master d and i made mii's for both the hubs and my families. oh yeah... and barack obama for a little fun.

the R-word

2009-01-01T18:08:00.000-08:00

i don't like the word resolutions.

because to me - you make resolutions for a few weeks, a few months even...

then they stop.. resolutions in my mind are meant to be broken!

so every nye i set 10 "goals" for myself.

some are huge while others are more for the humor than any actual effort...

this year's goals are pretty simple. i'll share b/c maybe if you catch me not doing one

of them - you'll kick my hiney and get me back on track... sometimes i stray...
1. be mighty fine in 2009

i would really like to lose 15 pounds by June (aka the sistah's wedding) ...this shouldn't be that hard since the hubs and i have started a diet based on calories and exercise. and... we got a wii & wii fit and i will start zumba sooner or later. buh-bye budungadonk ... hello bootylicious...
2. make time for date night once a month.
ok - humor me here... date night doesn't mean that we have to get all dressed up, make rezzies and go out. date night strickly means a night where said hubs and i unplug, de-stress and spend time together. be it out and about or in our own living room. this also means i need to land a babysitter that i 1.) trust 2.) can afford along with the cost of the "date" 3.) trust {did i say that already?}. this also means making an effort to do those things i use to do before a date to get ready - and it means the same for the hubs. it's so easy to loose that luv when you are pre-occupied
3. pray
i think prayer is important. and i want to make a serious effort to involve prayer in my life more than just at bedtime. i've always been so inspired by people who pray / meditate/ whatever when they need to release, are seeking support, etc. i want to appreciate my religion and become more active in the church. i also want to be better at praying - not just asking for something, but being thankful and feeling blessed for what the Lord provides me with. which also means that i need to make a more dedicated effort to head to church on the weekend, which is difficult (God knows, right?!) when you have to "ready" the whole kit-n-kaboodle. i'm gonna work on it.... so help me God!
4. write for ME at least once a week.
i love to write - i write this blog. i keep 2 individual journals for both babes. i write for my business/career....but i rarely take time to write for me. i have books of poetry from high school and college. i have every diary i've ever kept since i started in 2nd grade. i've written 3 children's books that i'm to chicken to get published (working on this...working on it). but it's been a long time since i wrote something beyond the blog or media release related... 2009 is the year to produce some "works". it upsets the hubs to see all my talent going un- used (working on this ... working on it!).
5. exercise.
zumba. wii. chasing 2 kids. seriously though... i want to be more "active"... taking walks... when weather permits, hiking in nice weather... not just alone but with my family. i'm not a very athletic person... but i inspire to be. i inspire to lose the tub-o-lard circling my waist. so help me wii... soooooo help me... i want my kids to love being active and outdoors. and that doesn't happen if i don't love being active and outdoors. plus - i even dvr'd biggest losers: couples because it seems like it might be inspirational for the hubs and i ... we're hardly *that* overweight... but if people who are more overweight than i can do it... then i need to be motivated to do it too!
6. gain 5 clients for my business by the start of 2010.
i'm off to a good start. so far i've contracted one (a children's author) and have 2 in the
works... one is HUGE-NOR-MOUS. and the other is an up-and-coming consumer game
company that has tons-o-potential. i'd love to work with my brother-in-law's practice and add them to my roster along with something food-related... maybe even an event or two. on a business note - i'd also like to learn photoshop / illustrator etc. to add the graphic element to my offerings... we'll see... we'll see! i also want to make more of an effort to pitch myself to businesses and organizations. which means i need a little bit of a re-vamp because i'm not 100% happy with the logo, colors etc. and when you aren't happy with those - it's really hard to commit to letterhead, website design and business cards... which are all parts of getting new business...
7. pay it forward.
I want to make a whole-hearted effort in my life to give. give kindness, give gifts, give sweet words, give friendship, give to those who need... etc. everyday i'm going to try to give in one way or another - big or small...
8. shut'yur mouth.
Simply said - I sometimes have a very un-lady like mouth. eek! I hate it. But, I'm a
passionate person... sometimes words just spew like lava from Vesuvius from my mouth. and regret, my friends, is no-friend'o mine... so - deep breath in, deep breath out. swearing and cussing are no longer an option... plus - i'm smarter than cussing... i know lots of other adjectives that are more appropriate than all those 4-letter words.
9. realize that i am not the general manager of the universe.
I don't know it all. I don't want to do it all. and i don't want to worry about it all... I can't control it all - and i shouldn't get worked up when it just doesn't go my way. sometimes, most of the times actually, it's better to let "The Big Guy" worry about it. He knows what he's doing... and i'm just going to let him have his job back.
10. be positive.
like everyone - i have a little green-eyed monster that rears her ugly head when i get tired, when i get moody or when i just gosh-darn-feel-like bringing her out. it's not becoming. but - it's the God-honest truth...and i know i'm not alone in saying that i have this baggage... for me she rears her nastiness in negative, snippy, flaky-valley girl comments. ugh.goodness gracious... it's just not nice. i hate when i do it... and so now - in 2009 - when i feel that snippy snotty high school drama queen making her debut... i am going to BREATHE BREATHE BREATHE... and say something positive. When the hubs in breathing down my neck in my 2x2 kitchen - I'm going to BREATHE BREATHE BREATHE and give'em a kissaroo...

So that's that... hopefully I'll look back at this next year and be like --- yay for me! i did it.

here's hoping you all have good stick-to-it-niv-ness and turn those resolutions into goals for 2009.

Cheers!
Happy New Year!

xo

2008...

2008-12-31T15:01:00.000-08:00

this year i...

...started the new year in a new house, with a new baby
...left behind clients
...started anew in the village
...missed family
...missed friends
...made new friends
...nursed a baby
...inspired a toddler
...supported a husband
...took our first family vacation
...bloggity-blogg blogged
...got a piano
...took a 5 am exercise class
...chopped my hair off
...mourned said hair
...learned how powerful the words "i love you mommy" really are
...read the twilight saga in 4 days
...celebrated a 1st b-day
...celebrated a 2nd b-day
...celebrated a 30th b-day
...celebrated the hubs 31st b-day with a layoff
...assisted in a presentation for a potential job
...wished, prayed, hoped
...waited (and still waiting...) for word on jobs
...loved
...loved
...loved

it's been a good year.
here's to 2009 being even better!

In Master D's words.... Happy New Year Anybody!

Be Safe!

xo

30 is....

2008-12-30T20:23:00.000-08:00

30 is...

... feeling comfortable in your own skin...

...realizing you can do whatever you put your mind to...

...being surrounded by loving friends and family...
...knowing you deserve to be happy...

turning 30 is a celebration of the free-to-be-yourself decade!

my most favorite and most inspiringly strong village friend J. sent me the card i quoted above. she's so sweet!

and i can't think of a more perfect way to organize the thoughts i have for the next decade of my life.

it's those 4 items that are my working points for the changes i wish to see in my life. some will be easier, others will be a struggle. but each point will be the chance to be the better person, to be a smarter person and to be a happier person.

so... i'm 30 now.

i just caught my reflection in the window over the sink while i was doing the dishes and realized 'holy cow - that's me, and i'm 30...' and i shed a tear or two. b/c damn.... that's old (j/k)... seriously - because i'm 30. and that's a powerful thing for me. not that there really is any reason to be moved by a number. or by a date. but - 30 has always been the age where i figured i'd have it all together.

and well... yah.... we're still working on that... ;)

i started today off with a new hair cut - nothing too crazy... just a trim to look fresh and clean. being a hair virgin (never dyed my hair - never highlighted my hair...) i'm contemplating a few strategically placed highlights - but we'll see... then the SIL and i went out for a martini lunch at Molly Woos... where i had the most wonderful drink (bamboo stick martini - yum-o) and an even more fabulous on-the-house-birthday-dessert... spring roll bananas with peanut butter and vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, chocolate syrup and peanuts (i knew there was something good about turning 30!)

we shopped until we dropped and i used holiday money for a fabulously comfy outfit from the G-A-P... obviously the G-A-P knows that it's time to celebrate and they've re-released GRASS perfume spray in their stores just in time for my 30th b-day... it's my most favorite smell EV-AH and well... if you are still shopping for my b-day and need a quicky gift... Grass Spray from Gap. YAH! i will love you forever.

My mission was the above outfit and a pair of boots - but i'm too picky and couldn't find *exactly* my dream boot with the *dream* price - so, I think I'll forgo the husband's gift and use that $ towards the purchase of a wii (and wii fit, hopefully). which now means that i've become a tar-jet and tru stalker seeking out the wii.

i ended the day with grocery shopping - which, in my opinion is the best chore ever. the hubs and i have decided that the lbs need to come off - and so, i'm trying some new recipes, re-adjusting our staples and totally avoiding the center aisles and only purchased from the outside rim of the store

(where all the fresh items are located)...

30 has been good to me, so far.

i'm really looking forward to 30 +1 .... we're ringing in the new year on our living room floor in front of the fire with a bottle of wine and sushi... while the bebes dream sweet new year dreams.

i feel like i should have some profound statement for the end of today.

some words of wisdom that come with being "older and wiser"

but really i don't. and there is like 15 minutes left of my birthday... and i'm thinking there

really is a better way to celebrate that besides blogging about it ;)

it's good to be 30. it's good to have what i have.

30 isn't just a celebration for me - it's a celebration

of me and what i've done with my life in the past 30 years...

and quite honestly - i think i've been pretty successful...

and then there was 30...

2008-12-29T18:21:00.000-08:00

i remember when i was 10, thinking - i'm 20 years away from 30.

then at 15, i remember thinking - i'm half way to 30.

then at 20, it was 10 years....

to me - 30 always seemed so magical.

maybe it was because my 30th birthday falls on the 30th.

therefore, it's my golden birthday....and well, that just seems

like it might be worth something, say a big party, or an ipod

classic or a vacation to jamaica.

but - to me, as a 1o-year old, a 15-year old, a 20-year old... my 30 year old self was going to "be something".

my vision of my life was meeting mr.right in college (check), married by 25 (check) and baby one by 27 (check) and baby two somewhere between 27 and 30 (check).

and then there was 30.

30 to me seems like such a milestone in your life.

30 is like your opportunity to chalk up the past 30 years to being nieve, to being stupid, to making mistakes and learning from them. then the magic 30 comes along and it's your chance to set it straight, re-organize and proceed.

i still believe that.

i am really looking forward to re-discovering who I am.

i'm thinking about taking time tomorrow to sit down and write out a "game plan" for my life. what my goals are. what my dreams are. what i want to accomplish for me.

not the 'me' that's a mom - not the 'me' that's a wife or a sister or a daughter or a friend.

but the me that makes me happy and makes my life a good one.

the past 30 years have had their share of ups and downs

of tears and heartache and sadness

of laughter and love and happiness.

and i'm ready to take the lessons i've learn

and apply them to my future.

so - if you are 30, and can offer advice please do.

if you are younger than me - save the 'old' jokes and give me a little love.

i'm celebrating the day with a hair appointment at 9, lunch and shopping with

my sister in law (it's a big girl lunch... no babies allowed!!!) and then lots of

hugs and kisses from my bittybabies.

i really kicked off the eve with a visit for my 'annual' dr. appt.

and finishing up laundry, dishes, swapping out bed sheets and

a handful of finding nemo fruit snacks...

oh yeah... totally how everyone should celebrate their 30th!

i also decorated my kitchen for me.

it's a sad decorating job - but ya know...

it's 30. and that happens once.

cheers to 30!

may the next 30 be just as magical!

xo to me!

Hurry Up and WAIT!

2008-12-22T17:23:00.000-08:00

The Hubs had his 2nd interview for the company that is 1 mile from our old house.

This was the 5 hour interview.

He met with 4 of the executives, then had to give

the MOTHER of all presentations.

I am very proud of him for all his hardwork

on this presentation. I know I'm biased but - my hubs is one talented guy (and he's smart

too... because he married moi!)...

So now... we wait. WAIT.

The best part was that the "highest ranked" executive

he met with today also happens to know

my obgyn - the man who delivered both

babes and has become a family friend

(and was friends w/ my SIL pre-babes).

They're buds, pals... so a recommendation

from Dr. to Exc. is happening

(hopefully as I type b/c nothing would be

a better Christmas and Birthday present than

a job! And a job back in NEO would just

knock my socks off!)

Whoot!

I hate waiting. I'm not good at it! I'm not patient.

There... I said it!

Fingers crossed and prayers said - :)

somedays...

2008-12-18T17:29:00.000-08:00

~nice shiner Miss Bruiser...nice shiner!

somedays

i just don't feel

like i deserve

motherhood.

like i'm not good enough

at it.

or good enough for my babes.

somedays

i don't feel like

anything goes right...

that i do anything right...

that i missed a mom-memo

about how things should go.

somedays your baby girl

falls face first into a

ledge.

screams bloody murder

for 4 minutes.

has a goose-y egg that blows up

right before your eyes

and is left looking like

BRUISER

instead of Miss Sassafrass.

and then you are just happy that

someday

is today and not earlier last week

before her 1st birthday party.

or tuesday...as in 1st birthday picture day.

somedays you are thankful that

it's this someday and not that someday.

somedays you fall from

the same {stupid} ledge

into "mount everitt" of laundry

needing to be folded

and twist your ankle.

and just cry about it.

because it feels right.

somedays you just

feel like a nut

somedays you don't.

no one said

motherhood

was glamorous.

and glamorous - it is not!

the proof is that i'm wearing a

pair of yoga workout sweats circa

2001 and a fleece circa

pregnancy of 2006 and 2007 .

hotttttt.

on the eve of one

2008-12-15T19:05:00.000-08:00

"Edelweiss, edelweiss, every morning you greet me
small and white,clean and bright,you look happy to meet me
blossom of snow may you bloom and grow,bloom and grow forever
edelweiss, edelweiss, bless my sweet girl forever."

~nattie's good night song

~Dear Birthday Girl~

A year ago tonight I was big. and fat. and big. and very pregnant. and very uncomfortable.

But - beyond all of that - I was happy. And that's what matters the most. Happy.

I was happy because growing in me was you.

my little girl. the second child I always dreamed of.

I sub-conciously knew that someday I would have your brother and then have you. Because that's what I always wanted - a big brother for my little girl.

And then there was you.

From the moment we found out about you.

and that you're ETA was Christmas Day. I knew. I knew. You were my girl.

Only God would give me a girl so near my birthday.

Because, having a holiday birthday is rough.

But having you - having you to share a birthday month with - makes it all better.

You are my best birthday gift.

The day you arrived was cold. We drove from here to there.

sandwiched between a snow storm and an ice storm.

You wanted out. I wanted my doctor, who was stuck in a snow/ice storm.

I focused and at 4:12. 12 minutes after Dr. F arrived - you arrived.

perfect. pretty. mine.

You are my breath of fresh air. My dainty girl. My happy girl. My Girl.

The second day in the hospital it was just me and you.

The Boys were at Grandma and Grandpa's. And it was just us.

We snuggled. You nursed. I loved up on you something fierce.

I cried. Because you completed our family. Perfectly.

I cried...

Because God knew I needed you.

I cried....

Because God knew you were mine.

I cried...

Because God knew that I had a special spot in my heart

that could only be filled with the likes of you.

and I felt blessed.

and rewarded.

and unbelievably lucky that I had two beautiful kids.

dear little one, my wishes for you are simple,

they will forever be the same every year on your birthday.

Remember...

dream big.

love big.

be kind.

be real.

learn.love.dance.laugh.cry. read. believe.
know you are loved.

be proud of you.

value friends.

respect yourself.

Happy First Birthday Sweet Girl

xoxo

All my love

~mommy

Dear Birthday Fairy

2008-12-10T17:34:00.000-08:00

(in an email sent to specific friends & family members who just may be in the market for a certain someone's {cough*cough*me*} 30th birthday present... )

Dear Birthday Fairy -

These are cute...

just sayin'...
and i will only be 30 once.

and it is my golden birthday.

and they'd go cute with this coat

i'd like too..
it's cold in ohio.

really cold.
and i don't own a coat.

not a single coat.

seriously.

and you are only 30 once.

Love, Megan
{read like the girls on ANTM say "love, tyra"}

P.S. I'd also like a pair of Levi's Skinny Jeans and a variety of turtleneck

sweaters and cute vests from landsend.com

You can tell Santa if you see him.

remember... I'm only 30 once.
once.once.once.

rinse.lather.repeat.

2008-12-08T16:46:00.000-08:00

as a mom - do you ever feel like this is your day?

wake up - very early

take 1/2 a shower

(like only one leg gets shaved and conditioner never gets rinsed out)

diaper change

feed

unload dishwasher

diaper change

snack

pick up toys

load dishwasher

bring down 8 loads of laundry from yesterday

wash laundry

nap

half-way watch something dvr'd

feed

pick up toys

diaper change

dinner

dinner dishes

pick up toys

bathtime

fold laundry

rinse

lather

repeat

pick up toys

put laundry away

comfort

sooth

tuck yourself in

comfort, sooth - the minute you pull the covers up over your head

dream about patrick dempsy for 3.2 minutes

wake and repeat.

ok - just checking... because that's a lot like my days.

**good news though - looks like i may have 2 new clients on the horizon! yipee... we'll add that goodness into the mix! whooooooot whoooot! **

** more good news - the Hubs has a 2nd interview with the company 1.7 miles from the old home.

whoot! whoot! **

daily mantra from master d.

2008-12-08T05:24:00.000-08:00

sometimes kids say the most profound things.

something that makes you stop and say...

why,yes... little one, you are right, thank you for being the

adult in this situation...

...today's example...

Master D reminded me to

"just be patient mommy - just be patient"

and he's right.

there are so many things in life that i can't control - i can't push through faster to get the outcome or manuevre in my pr maverick-y ways to get it to happen (yah... i love using "maverick-y").

so - with potty training (we're working on it, so far... so good) and teething (lawdsy, help the chile. 4 teeth at once?!) and the job (soon...soon....soon) and well, just everything else in life -

just be patient mommy... be patient.

good advice, little punk. good advice!

we may not be rich with money - but we're rich in love...

2008-12-06T20:01:00.000-08:00

my family didn't have a lot of money when i was growing up. and especially after the divorce - things were tight - but it never mattered, because i was raised with that mantra "we may not be rich with money - but we'll always be rich with love". i always thought it was cheesy to say - but believed it, none-the-less.

my family always pulled through for each other - if winter coats weren't on the budget, well than grandma and grandpa picked up the tab. if times were tough, family members showed up on your doorstep with a grocery sack of food (including the "special treats" that typically get cut when money's tight). i believe i have one of the most generous families. and it's not in humoungous gestures of giving - it's in the small, thoughtful acts of giving that are meant to go unnoticed.

i have a memory - that takes place in tower city - bustling with holiday shoppers. tower city was "the" place to go before legacy, easton, crocker park etc... and we went to see santa, and the choreographed water fountain that danced along to holiday music. we went to oooh and aaaah over the holiday decorations ....we also went to see mr. jing-a-ling... which i'll post about in an upcoming blog post {because that too is a great holiday memory}.

it was a cold-cold-cold day near the lake, because i remember my mom bundling the three of us up after a lunch of micky d's - and telling us that at least we had gloves and hats to keep us warm when the weather was so cold! as she said this in walked a family similar to ours - 3 little kids and a mom. and then my mom did the most wonderful thing i ever remembered...

she bought their family lunch at mcdonalds.
a small gesture costing her no more than $10.
and it's that gesture that has been imprinted in my mind all these years...

no matter how tough it is for you - there is someone out there who has it worse. who doesn't have a family - who doesn't have gloves and warm coats - a house and a nice comfy bed with stuffed animals waiting to snuggle with.

and it was a lesson i learned early in my life. a lesson i've kept with me my whole life and a lesson that i am grateful for learning - because now i know the importance of family and love and giving to give. i am blessed to have a mother who is so compassionate and caring. she was a wonderful teacher (and still is) for me.

it's a lesson i've begun teaching my son at the tenderly sweet age of almost 3. a lesson i hope, as my sensative child, fills him with the joy and love and happiness that giving fills me with.

this christmas is tight for us - with the recent lay off due to workforce restructuring we've decided to cut back gifts - but it's not horrible, because we'll still have family members to celebrate with. we'll stuff ourselves silly when my dad (the best "chef" ever in my eyes) makes the most perfect meal ever for christmas eve and we'll be high off sugar from grandma's homemade cookies on christmas morning. there are people/families out there who will be alone, hungry and sad. there are people out there who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families, and i'm hoping that 2009 will be the year it happens for them.

flash forward to the present day - the village's MOMS group adopted a family for the holidays... she's 19. with a 3 yr old and a 3 mo. old. she just moved from a domestic violence shelter. the MOMS group donates money and then we collect things like gently used toys, clothes, books etc. to give as well. my heart breaks for her - she's young. she's trying. she doesn't want to slack - so she moves from the shelter into an apartment to get on her own two feet and raise her girls. i am impressed, and inspired and amazed at her determination - and again, it was a flashback to the "tower-city memory" - here's a woman very similar to me - a mom, with small kids. and i couldn't help but go back in time and remember the kind acts of my mother.

to me it was the perfect opportunity to pay it forward - to give and to teach giving to master d. we went through the toy room and the bookshelf and donated the toys and books we'd loved but outgrown. I gathered up some of my pre-pregnancy jeans and shirts (that lawdsy knows i won't be back in -- ever) and packaged up a care kit for the 19 year old mom. i put together a basket with master d of things for the baby - things that miss sassafrass out grew even before she ever wore them.

i wish i could have gone to kohls or target or macys and bought everything a family needs - new clothes, new shoes - coats, boots... books and toys ... all the things that children deserve. and wrapped them up perfectly for this woman who is trying to get out and get away from whatever evil was pursuing her and her beautifully innocent babes. (but i did enter a contest online to win some fab-u HP computer goodies - the catch being you get to share, in which case, i'm hoping to win and share with this momma). (you can enter on merlot mom, too)

but - this is where the lesson starts -
sharing. giving. caring.
this is what the holidays are about.
hopefully - this has inspired you - pay it forward - donate - blog about something good you've done.
go out and do something nice because of my post (then comment to let me know you did something nice, it'll make my day, then you'll have done 2 nice things!)...

it's all about karma people... all about karma!

a slip of the tounge...

2008-12-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

oh yeah... it happened today. officially.

master d repeated a not so nice comment using choice words

(namely the dreaded f-bomb)

{which, as a side note, is not something we sling around here in the village}

and, i'd like to note here - that it was not from my mouth.

which only leaves one mr.hubs as the potty-mouth-party named above.

loud and clear.

loud. and. clear.

i couldn't help but laugh so hard i cried...

and then, we ignored the whole thing... and made a mental note

DON'T SAY ANYTHING YOU DON'T WANT REPEATED.

there's something absolutely devestating to hear such horribly

ugly words roll off the tounge of your sweet little baby.

how do you measure a year in the life?

2008-12-01T08:22:00.000-08:00

525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear.

525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year?

it's been exactly one year to the date that we moved into the house in the village. 9 months pregnant and all. 22 month old in tow. boxes and boxes and boxes of kitchen goodies that don't fit in the new kitchen. it took us 4 hours to put the kitchen stuff away. the rest of the house was easy... it was that darn kitchen that got us. it was the contractions that I was sure would end me up in the hospital the day after we moved in here (thank goodness miss sassafrass gave me 2 weeks to "settle" before arriving!)

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee. In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

it's hard to believe we've seen 4 season here. we've had good times, and the not-so-good times. we've laughed and cried and loved and fought... because we're human - and married with 2 kids under 3... it's what we do. and we do it well!

In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life?

and it's hard to believe that right now, at this very moment the hubs is back up in NEO... 1.7 miles from our old (my beloved, old century home that we renovated when it was just us two) home for a 4 hour interview. does anyone else see irony in this? okay... good we're all on the same page here.

How about love?

Measure in love.

the house in the village is a beautiful, newly built house - safe in the folds of life in the village. neighbors, normal neighbors, all around us. suvs in the driveways - minivans fully loaded - amish-built playsets clutter the backyards.sidewalk chalk drawings welcome visitors. school buses pick up and drop off kids precisely enough that you can set your watch to it. {do people set watches anymore?!} perfectly manicured yards where neighbors spend saturday and sundays tending to weeds. holiday decorations twinkle and sparkle and spread holiday cheer - the day after halloween. it's a sweet, sweet place to raise your family, a sweet place to be a family. and... we have a new kroger. with really good sushi and whimsical whoopie pies.

Seasons of love.

it's the house where we brought home our bitty baby girl, introduced her to her big brother, celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, buckeye wins and school bond sucesses.

it's where my son slept in his big boy bed for the first time, and where miss sassafrass took her first steps. it's where i planted my first pumpkins and carved them for halloween.

525,600 minutes! 525,000 journeys to plan.

525,600 minutes - how can you measure the life of a woman or man?

it's the house we packed up and headed off from for our first official family vacation. it's where we lived for a week without electricity due to a hurricane... in Ohio.

In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried. In bridges he burned, or the way that she died.

it's the house where i've realized that being a mom is a hard job. being married is a hard job. but both are worth it - hundred thousand billion times worth it. it's where my husband was laid off from the job that brought us down here. where we figured it all out - TOGETHER. it's the house where we opened the doors to family and friends - to celebrate and share. it's the house where we learned to be thankful for us.

It’s time now to sing out, tho the story never ends let's celebrate remember a year in the life of friends.

so here's to whatever the future holds... be it a move to neo or 1,051,200 minutes of life in the village house.

Remember the love!

Measure in love.

cheers!

Seasons of love! Seasons of love.

i've got a lot to be thankful for...

2008-11-29T17:38:00.000-08:00

i feel a little behind, you know with the whole 'what i'm thankful for' blog...

but, better late than never, right?!

we've been a busy family. up to neo then back home to the c.bus, a day to tidy the house (read: shove all the toys from the dining/toy room in to the office and then set up the dining room table back in said dining room like it's been there all along) and shop for and prepare a fabulous saturday-after-turkey-day meal.

yah. busy. plus we have teeth coming in at full throttle -

those babies should be in by tuesday at the rate they're pushing!

but, i think it's important not only on thanksgiving to state what it is that makes you a thankful person... there is a lot in the world that can get'cha down - the hubs and i always make it a point before we close are eyes at night to mentally recognize what those things are. sometimes we share - other times, we just keep them to ourselves (mainly b/c we're half asleep anyway!)

so here it goes. i'm going to try to be a little "outside the box" with my list - since obviously it's right to be thankful for things like good healthy, loving families, roof over our head,

wonderful children etc. etc. and so on...

~so~

i'm thankful for the hubs - his dedication and determination to provide for our family is amazing. i admire him for his drive. i am amazed at how much he has to offer the world - as a person, as a husband and father and as a professional. i am also thankful that he kills the monster spiders in the basement and takes the trash out. he's also pretty 'handy manny' around the house and a good kisser... eh, i'll keep him!

i'm thankful for the kiddos - master d and miss sassafrass. i am so blessed by these two little critters than run the show here in our household. i'm thankful that i'm the witness to their discoveries, experiences and to their 'tumbleweed antics" that usually happen after dinner on a daily basis. i'm so proud of them of all the potential they have to be the who they're meant to be. i know that they're up to something good. i'm blessed with a boy and a girl and am excited about all the things i'll get to experience with each of them. i have a feeling it's going to get interesting!

i'm thankful for my parents and my grandparents for loving and caring for me. not only during the times that it was easy to...but, more importantly for the times when i wasn't so pleasant - oh, say from about 15 until 21. {give or take a few years}. i'm thankful for the love i feel when i'm around them and how my mom, once the babies are in bed, remembers that i am still her 'baby' and smoothers me in all that good-momma affection. and for my dad...who stepped up and took on 3 teenagers. the guy's a brave, brave man...and a great cook too! and for my grandma... who, recently said that it was important to make sure i had ice cream in my freezer so that i wouldn't have to do without... yep - that's where i get it from! oh, and my crappa (my grandpa) - who i still think is the most awesomely intellegent man IN THE WORLD.

(doesn't everyone always think they're pops is the smartest... well... mine really is!)

i'm thankful for my sister and brother - for keeping the secrets this long... now that 2 of the 3 of us have hit the "no-longer-living-under-my-roof" part of the threats from mom, it's getting fun to pull out the stories in front of mom and let her in on our secrets. good times... i am thankful for my sis for being my best friend and for always knowing what i need. be it a hug - a good laugh or a big ol' cuppa starbucks chai. i'm thankful for my baby brothers, one for giving my sis and i something to laugh about/at, two for thinking i'm the best research paper-author in the whole wide world and three for always being the comic relief i need when the world's on attack. everyone needs a little brother... {and thankful for jeremy, my sister's hubby to be, because my sister told me to be thankful for jeremy...oh yeah... and we talk food.}

i'm thankful for my extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, so on-so forth) - because family means the world to me. and i know i'm biased but i think i have a pretty fun family. though my cousins are younger by over 10 years - we still are close. each one of them is so amazing - be it athletically or acdemically or just because they are making the world a better place by just being who they are. i'm super lucky to have such a great bunch o' nuts in my family tree.

i'm thankful for my "in-law" side of the family - who scooped me up and loved me up the minute the hubs brought me home. i'm thankful for each detail they bring to the table, for the memories we have and the laughs we've shared (mostly at my expense). most of all i'm thankful because without them - i'd have me no hubs.

and he's a good thing. i'm thankful for my SIL's spinach dip (which i am munching on as i type) and the "suicide remix" cd she just made me, and for thinking i'm the person to know when it comes to all things 'pop culture' {thanks for making me feel so 'hip'}... for my BIL for being my jackson5 dance partner and for figuring out what the heck was up with my toe. for my nieces - who keep my eternal tween ever present, who love up on their cousins so much and who (i'd like to think) look up to me the same way i did my aunt. to my MIL for her gardening knowledge and for those tasty cookies she made last christmas from ina garten's cookbook. she appreciates desserts like i appreciates desserts.

i'm thankful for my pms mommas...because lawdsy. everyone needs some sanity...and a few drinks! who would have thunk it way back when at bhs that the motley crew of us would have ever been friends, husbands and babies later?! and now that the last round of babes are out in the world - who's up for some drinkin? seriously...email me and lets set up a date -we are LOOONNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG overdue!

i'm thankful for my amy - it's nice to have someone who's in the same boat. who sees the world like you see it and who is ready to take on all the demons and monsters along side of you. it's also fun to have someone who agrees with you - that it really is the small things in life that make the biggest difference. And for my jackie - because the girl can make me laugh with her stories, and cheer me up by knowing just what it's like - plus we lived together with 4 kids and 2 husbands for a week...and we stayed sane. that's gotta mean something - i'm just happy that we could share the hh experience together!

i could go on and on - because i'm a thankful person. i'm a lucky person to be loved by such amazingly wonderful, remarkably remarkable, beautifully beautiful people.

but... i do need to refill my leftover snack plate

oh... which reminds me - i'm thankful for the extra 10 pounds of baby weight i still have to loose - it's a nice excuse to keep snackin' on the yummy leftovers - i mean i'm going to have to work it off anyway...

momma needs a new pair'a shoes....

2008-11-19T18:29:00.000-08:00

momma needs some new shoes.

and not momma shoes.

something sexy. something fun, and black, with a touch'a fur

(faux fur peeps. faux fur)

something that's gonna shake up my wardrobe...
(eh, if you can call it a wardrobe... still waiting on
Clinton and Stacey... or my heart-throb, Tim Gunn

to come pull me from my despair)

momma needs some shoppin' shoes

(shoppin' shoes as in krogerin' shoes).

come one - you need shoes too...
or the chance to win shoes

(i mean... who doesn't want to win some shoes?)

(and hopefully you are a size 8 and will share with me if you win)

or - hey, if you win... my 30th b-day is on 12/30... and it's my

...Golden Birthday...

the birthday I've waited for my entire life

(ok - a little drama...)

and i am always forgotten...b/c christmas is like right there... and no one wants to hang out b/c new years eve is like right there too...

(ok - a little guilt)

and you could re-gift.

don't worry - i won't judge!

look how cute...

so come on - comment on Classy Chaos' shoe giveaway about investing in yourself (her investment = lookin' smokin' in her skinny jeans... yah!)

go here... Classy Chaos

and do what she says... she means business.

seriously.

oh- and talking about investments...

check this out...

the girl effect

big deal in the village...

2008-11-13T18:57:00.000-08:00

today was the day that i've waited for since we moved here...

big day.

big.exciting.day.
and folks - it's a doozy...

well, a doozy for our village. and it's kind of cute.

and endearing.

the buzz it's created here.

we got a kroger at the end of our street.

like a milla-minute away. like leave

the kids with daddy-o and go.go.gooooo.

get food - on.my.own.

.alone.

with time to think. read labels.
.plan.

and be one of *those* groccery shoppers

who walk about with their ipods.

yep - close groccery locale = me with an ipod and a list.

and a big, fat smile.

its a big deal in a small village.

i'm stoked.

i love food.

i love groccery shoppin'.

i love new products and goodies.

i love trying new products and talkin' about'em.

...now - you might wonder what miss sassafrass and

i purchased while we mingled with all of the village...

well, over the masses of all the village-ites and the lines

of lines of people waiting to check out...

we purchased (sneakily, in the pharmacy) -

1. freebie case of diet coke(like everyone in the village)
2. suave octopus detangler for master d's bedhead (lawdsy help us!)

and the reason i heart kroger

(besides the fact it's like *right.here.in.my.lap*)...

...my new love...

whimsical whoopie pies.

oh yes...tasty happiness.

with sprinkles.

cute.rainbow.sprinkles.

yeah!

the store was buzzing. the aisles were big and bright.

the food was perfectly lined up. organized.

the bottles and bins. the labels and lanes.

all perfect and pretty.

and that makes a me in the village a happy me in the village.

i can't wait to really shop the store.

b/c it's more than just a store.

it's a neighborhood meeting place.

where we'll run in to neighbors picking up pork chops.

and friends shopping for french bread.

and we'll talk about the neighborhood.

and our kids.

and the kroger specials.

and we'll say, see ya later.

and drive our milla-minute home.

it's all a good thing.

a nice thing.

a neighborly neighbor kinda thing.

yeah for that!

(oh yeah...and my belly hurts -

from the sugary deliciousness of a

whoopie pie at 10pm.

It's how i'm celebrating kroger...

don't judge!)

the morning after...

2008-11-05T05:44:00.000-08:00

for the most part my voting selections went as i wanted. school bond issue - passed. school levy - passed. casino - didn't pass... the list goes on and on. and although my vote varied from the results of this morning's new president elect - i'm not sad. i'm not mad. i'm just- just. i mean really, truly...i wasn't sure who i was really voting for until i hit vote and made it official. i've been flip-floppin' for weeks now. so - i guess, although i got all maverick-y and voted like a maverick, i was just a finger tip away from the popular vote. though i do vote that i use the word maverick-y more often, because it's really a fun word to say...

maverick-y.

i hope that the change he brings is good change. i hope that his plan helps my family and my friend's and their families. i hope that the experience he does have is enough to make a difference and i hope that in 4 years from now the change will be the change we needed to make our neighborhoods, communities, states and nation the great places they have to potential to be.

and in having a history teacher as a mom and brother - it is a great moment in time. it's the first time in our nation's history that our nation sees it fit to elect a non-white person as its president. and that's something that my grandparents never thought they'd have the chance to see - it's all very exciting!

here's hoping for positive change!
here's hoping for hope!

{and i'm very happy that the election commericals are over with!}

* I'm Megan and I approve this blog....

they're so sweet - i have a toothache!

2008-10-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

who needs sugary treats when you have kids as sweet as mine!

hope you all enjoyed your trick or treating!

life in the village versus life in the ghetto on halloween was so incredibly different!
we went through over 250 pieces of candy in less than ONE hour! It was insane!
i saw more hannah montanas and storm troopers than I think I ever needed to see.
along with more papa's drinkin' the frosty brew.

but now, the kids are tucked in bed,
with their teeth brushed and cozy jammies
replacing their cute costumes.

the monkey told us before bed that he wanted to be a dragon now.
too bad mister - remember that for next year!

...and now momma could use herself a little fermented grape brew!

cheers!

the hair crisis

2008-10-25T20:45:00.000-07:00

i hate my hair. with.a.passion.
throughout my life, people have always commented about how thick and beautiful my hair was - and now - according to me - it's a mini-mullet.
seriously. it is. there's no helpin' it! But that's what you get for not having a single soul to trust in your new home town. I look like a 40 year old soccer mom... or paul from wonder years...or the new gabrielle solice from desparate housewives. yes, oh yes... i have the frazzled-frumpy mom cut. lawdsy help me. lawdsssssy help me!
I've tried everything - from gels to mousse to pommade to extra-hold Rave hairspray to clips and headbands and bandanas and bobby pins... nothing works, nothing makes it cute. it's very - "redneck wedding". and i'm now realizing that maybe this is how britney spears felt... oh wait - she was on something and "in a manic frenzy"...
i'm taking a picture of my mini-mullet and keeping it in my wallet - so that once my hair grows out and it once again "compliment worthy"... i'll remember to NEVER CUT MY HAIR SHORT AGAIN!

ev.ah!

maybe i'll just go all ghetto and get some extensions.

you think i'm joking... I'm serious.

i'm as serious as shaving your head!

** note: i went to the little hair salon on the square and got an ADORABLE cut!

it's cute and stylish and very anti-40 year old soccer mom with mom-jeans.

next up - a trip to old navy tomorrow for a bit of a quick fix to my wardrobe whoas!

...you are my best friend... and i Looooove you!

2008-10-23T08:06:00.000-07:00

is it really sad that if i hear Piano Concerto #21 by Mozart ,
i immediately sing the little einstien's rendition -
you are my best friend, and i loooooove you.

seriously, i do have classical music training and an appreciation for it as well.

i guess that's what happens when you become a mom!

oh well...
you are my best friend..... and I loooooooooove you!

Fruit - Flowers or Appliances? Celebrating 4!

2008-10-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

the night before Mr + Mrs!

it's hard to believe that 4 yrs ago tonight, i was on

the eve of being a blushing, beautiful bride.

it's hard to believe that 4 yrs ago tonight,

i could hardly sleep because of all the excitement

and anticipation of what October 23, 2004 held.

looking back, it seriously was a blink of an eye kind of experience. we were at the church-rehearsing, then back to my parents for dinner with the wedding party, then off to bed before "the" day of wedded bliss. and a morning of bellini's and pedis

and all things glamorous (oh, to return to such a relaxing, perfect morning!)

so much happens. like babies. like baby weight around your middle. like going to bed in flannel pj bottoms and one of your baby brother's thermal shirts instead of something "sexy-sexy". like loosing jobs and crying kids who are sick.sick.sick. and recessions and mortgage payments and moving away and well...

life just happens.

it's amazing. it's crazy.

it's what you do and how you handle it that really makes
your mark as a person.

and sometimes -

i feel like i've got it under control and the other times ...

well, sometimes you feel like a nut...sometimes you don't!

but, in the end -

what matters most on the eve of eves and anniversaries of anniversaries

is that the person i'm falling asleep next to, or crying to, or laughing with,

or trying to figure it all out with,

is that the person that pledged his

unconditional love through the ups-and-downs and

twisty-turns of life is with me when life just happens.

it's that the person who made those promises on the

4-yr old milestone of 10/23 is

my person...

forever and ever.

Mr+ Mrs. Forever and Ever...
Here's looking forward to Year 5's eve of eves where I'm gleefully packing a suitcase and dropping of the munchkins so that the hubs and I can get-away for a *romantic* getaway to celebrate Year 5 which could possibly, maybe, hopefully include a plane trip to cali where we dine at French Laundry... hint hint. (here's also hoping that by that time - I'm not pregnant (won't happen), not nursing (puh-lease) and am back into some sexy-sexy's (instead of the flannel Old Navy Jammie pants and my little brother's thermal shirt).

And maybe a gift

...of Wood or Silverware...

(huh...not sexy. not romantic)

CHEERS!

the recession hits home... our home.

2008-10-21T17:41:00.000-07:00

it's been a hard couple of days here in the house of everitt. thursday, I got a call from the hubs...it was "the" call - the J.O.B. had once again taken the ax to their job force and laid off another 10 people, and unfortunetly my husband's position was one of the positions axed. this had happened in april and 30 people were let go - so i guess it didn't surprise us too much when it happened. we just kind of shrugged our shoulders and agreed that "it is what it is" - and there's no time to pout and sulk about it -

seth came home and got right to work on contacting his contacts

and networking in a new search for another j-o-b.

i know that he's going to find one quickly, because i have faith in him and his intellegence and the asset he is to any company he works for.

Having that faith

doesn't solve it all though.

but it does make it easier to keep my chin up!

it's stressful to deal with all of this - to worry about making house payments and pay the bills and stock the fridge (more over for the kids than for me - i'm actually looking at this as a time to eat less, therefore lose these 10 -15 extra baby lbs. hanging around my waist).

And I've really emphasized 4 things, which i try to remind myself (and the hubs) each day...

1. We all have tragedy in our lives–no one escapes it.

2. so many blessings coming out of the tragedy.

3. We were meant to help each other amid tragedy, and

4. We can be in the middle of a tragedy and still be happy.

the weirdest thing is that pre-10/16, we knew that the job problem existed but never really gave it more than a passing thought - i mean who goes around being like "oh yah...we're getting laid off" ... or "oh boy - this recession really has hit home". we were living on a budget (like most people these days) and making ends meet and had a few dollars and some cents for fun stuff - but now, it's crazy because we're effected by this recession and knowing someone (well, how about being someone) who is affected by it is weird.

let's just say that this turn of events has made me reconsider my vote on Nov. 4.

Nothing is set in stone yet - but I'm reconsidering.

without getting to preach-y, bible-babble-y here... keep us (and all the other families in the same prediciment) in your prayers. every little bit helps...and like george michael says -

you gotta have faith (fa-faith fa-faith).

oh yah - and if you know of a Marketing Director position (or something similar)

give us a heads up... every little bit helps! Columbus or CLEVELAND (see something good might come from this - okay - guilty little push from me) - obviously staying in C.bus would be the best (hmpf - pout - kickin' dirt) because of the real estate market...but if the RIGHT JOB with the RIGHT PAY comes along and just happens to be in my beloved NEO...well, gosh darn it we may just move in with my parents!

And i just keep reminding myself that:

“There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.” -Washington Irving

something about it just makes me feel like

every little things gonna be alright!

Crisp Autumn Memories...

2008-10-14T04:58:00.000-07:00

I get nostalgic come this time of year - it's the childhood memories of the autumn - of raking the leaves in our backyard into the "world's largest pile" and then making a leaf maze leading up to it. It's playing "catch the leaf" with my sister - which we only did once or twice and for some reason, it's locked into my memory like it was a daily occurance. It's planning and replanning and planning the planning of the C*girls &A*girl's halloween costumes and the strategy meetings "in the circle" or on the "big, green box" for finding the most perfect, ultra-efficient trick-or-treat route around the neighborhood. It's the memory of being told not to take the shortcut through the woods that lead from Twain Circle to Thorpe Circle and K*,K*, J* (my sister) and I did b/c we figured we could get farther along the candy route with the addition of the shortcut. We scared the living be-jesus out of ourselves and we never did it again. It's the loving stitchery of my mom whipping up the halloween costumes and the family tradition of carving our pumpkins and then lighting the candles, turning off the lights and watching them glow. My mom was all about memories like I am (eh, memories, traditions... same dif). It's the First Day Of School pictures in front of the same tree from my kindergarten to senior year. It's the stink bug infestation (ewwww) and the apple dumplings / apple crisp my mom would make us (hey - I'm coming home this weekend... waddya say about making those for your daughter - you know they one who gave you two beautiful grandkids?!) I had a great childhood - and I hope that I give my children an equally memorable ride through these "little years".
Then I start getting nostalgic about homecomings. Typically we went stag - but my favorite homecoming was my senior year. I had an "offical" date with my boyfriend (at the time) and had picked the most PERFECT dress in a coffee color. In size zero. (ah, memories!) It was a great time, with my friends and with my date. Then comes the memories of going off to College in the fall - to Kent State where I met great friends and have a ton of great memories stockpiled. Like crazy halloween times where Seth and I and my sister and the C*family and our friend(and the mister's roommate) Mike (RIP) and all of Mike's pals went to downtown Kent for pure mayham... Oh, the scandlous outfits the girls and I wore... to have that shape back! to wear red leather pants and a cropped tank top...memories....memories. Or the memory of taking Nadine, my roommate from Germany to Cleveland to see the sites and snap pictures and go to an Indians game. It was so fun and such a great opportunity to really show off the city I love. (sorry New York, Chicago and San Fran... you just don't cut it compared to good ol' C-Town!)
But, there's also that crisp autumn air that takes you back to nowhere specific - it just renews you and makes you feel like you are remembering something special.
And now - to share one of my very favorite memories of all time. It's one that has been sneaking up on me lately more and more...not sure why, but it's a good memory and I welcome it!

My grandma and I are super close. She's considerably one of my best friends. We've always had this "connection" - we just "get" each other. We're artsy, we're bargain hunters and my Grandma has always made me feel so special - it's just a Grandma thing I guess. Maybe it's a grandma-first born thing. We talk EVERY day... sometimes two times a day. She knows I love funky costume jewelry and has given me my Great Aunt Katherine's collection a piece at a time. She was always so proud of my orchestra performances and newspaper experiences and always was clipping art/writing contests out of the Medina County Gazette for me to enter. She always just got me - and believed in me... (I guess you could say I really lucked out in the support system aspect of things - with a great grandma, great mom, great aunts and a great sis... lucky me!)

Maybe it wasn't one specific memory but a group of similar memories that adds up to this one I was spending the night at the grandparent's house... - I remember sleeping in my Grandma's bed (Grandpa always slept in the guest room b/c of his coughing) - Grandma brought me breakfast in bed (even now I think breakfast in bed is the ultimate special treat!) - hot chocolate and fresh, buttered Italian bread. YUM. As simple as it is, it's still one of my very favorite breakfast's in bed!

She served it to me on a really special tray and I remember the mug was a Boyton Mug with these little funny animals (actually the first punksee has a few children's book that features them, so I always come back to this memory when we read those specific books).

I felt so special and loved - I had my grandma's attention - 100% of it. And it was wonderful, and it still is wonderful - there are days, like yesterday where my grandma and I talk for an hour about nothing more than this, that and the other... and that conversation is just like the cup of hot chocolate and the toast - a memory that makes me feel so special!

a day off

2008-10-08T17:27:00.000-07:00

I had an unexpected day off from watching little lil' L-man today. And at 6:43am I decided that I had a few choices to make about the day.

A. we could stay home - and do the same old same old routine we do every Monday - Friday.

B. I could go to Target and JoAnn's and spend money that I don't have to spend.

C. I could pack up the kids, head up to Medina County for the "whirlwind surprise tour 2008"...

And I did C.

I love my hometown (mainly b/c I'm removed from my hometown...) and I haven't seen my grandparents or parents for well over a month and a half. Which, for me is WAY too long.

So, being ever so organized I packed a lunch for the punksees, loaded up the sippy cups and bottles and away we went.

It was so nice to surprise my family - and shake up my, typically boring, day.

I'm really looking forward to going home for the weekend next week - though, I was hoping to be able to run into more friends when I came home but it seems that October is a busy month for everyone!

cheeeeeeseeeee.

2008-10-07T04:28:00.000-07:00

Family picture - DONE!

And not a moment too soon... will you look at that picture, aside from my untamed bangs, Punksee 1 is smiling, the mister is smiling, Punksee 2 is smirking and Momma is smiling, and I hardly look like the messy momma train-wreck family photo day creates.

The anxiety for picture day starts at home - when I'm getting EVERYONE ready and ironing EVERYONE'S outfits all before I even step foot in the shower. I honestly got ready in 10 minutes. Showered, Dressed, Primped and out the door. And quite honestly it's the best I think I've looked post-babies...

5 shots into this Punksee 1 broke down (nothing new here) - and mister-mister, being a typical man, suggests that "that may be all we get" - UMMMM... NO. I just did not get EVERYONE ready for 5 pictures... sit down and smile...all of you. (I may have said that too).

Long story short - they took 72 pictures of us. We started out with two High School kid baby wranglers (who were horrible at wrangling) who only made Punksee 1 more upset - then there was the MOMMA moment, where I, for the first time in my mommyhood career, hauled Punksee 1's booty to the ladies room for a stern talking to - oh, yah... and I bribed him with M&Ms and Granola Bars, (whatever, you would have done the same thing!). After that, we did the "fall" shot and we had a new, WONDERFUL wrangler named Elizabeth - who took him aside, played hide and seek with him and got him laughing and smiling. Wonderful, Wonderful Elizabeth - I asked if she would come live with us.

So, Family picture day is done and there's a whole year before we have to do *that* again... looks like I should get planning!!!

hey...hey...you...you...

2008-10-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

i am in love.

very in love.

the best in love in the world. whole world in love.

i'm happy too.

beyond happy. happily happy.

you know why....

because of this:

guess i'm easy like sunday morning!

(now i need to go snuggle up on the hubs for givin' in and getting me what i wanted! yay! what a good, lovin' hubs... he knows the mantra - happy wife, happy life!)

be prepared for pictures out the ying-yang tomorrow! whew-whoooooooo!

brrrrrr.... and other news.

2008-10-02T04:17:00.000-07:00

oh folks, it's a cold one today. When I woke up this morning our thermostat read 64. That's chilly! So, it's Oct. 2 and we've officially turned on the heat (to 70). I've taught Dylan my favorite trick as a kid (who am I kidding...I still do it now!) - take a blanket, and snuggle up over the register.... so toasty and warm!

In other news - Today MAY very well be the day of the new camera. After work today, Seth suggested we take a run over to Best Buy / Circuit City to see what they have. Last night, on our outing to Target (it's been two months since I was last there... can you believe that?!) for humidifer filters and Lexmark Ink Cartridges, I fell in love with a Nikon D40... but realized it didn't have a video option and fell out of love with it (because LAWD knows I don't need to carry around a video camera, a digital camera and a diaper bag, and a purse AND two kids!).

So, here's hoping tonight I'm taking practice shots ...

Dylan is feeling better, and now, as luck would have it, Nattie seems a little out of sorts... She was up until 11:00 last night, crying and cranky. (Gas?!) and up again at 2 - in which she nursed and I had to let her cry it out (she was asleep in like 2 min). But, needless to say - I didn't make it to boot camp this morning. boooooooo for me.... I am now going to feel like a lard butt all day-(thank goodness for some easy to do at home exercises I've learned from Christy, maybe I'll do those during naptime.)

We're in the process of halloween costumes - who knew it would be so difficult to find exactly what I want for them. Though I think I've resolved Natalie's costume and am hoping to get Dylan's this weekend (along with some underwears AND a big boy potty!!!!!)

Have a great Thursday ... Friday is closer than Monday!! YAY!

it's our love-a-versary...

2008-10-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

Today, as sappy and lame is it really is to celebrate, is Seth and my "anniversary" from when he "officially" asked me if I was his girlfriend (or would be his girlfriend...2 kids will make you forget the "EXACT" wording of stuff like that). It's crazy to look back to when we first started dating - I liked him so much, and I'm pretty sure he "dug" me too. We've always had so much fun together - we know just how to make each other laugh, get mad, feel better and be a better person. Who could ask for anything more? And sure, there are times when we laugh at each other, get mad at each other and don't talk for a bit - but that's normal and healthy and expected.

We've done so much together - from hiking part of the AT in March (what was I thinking?) to renovating our 100+ yr old Akron Home to creating our beautiful family and life in Columbus... and a little of everything in between.

We're approaching our 4 year wedding anniversary (an everitt household holiday not to be forgotten, or else (10/23)) and when I do have a moment, to stop, and think... (few and far between now-a-days) I can't help but feel like the luckiest girl in the whole world. I have a husband who loves me - works hard to provide for our family - shares in the same virtues and morals and traditions I do - and has given me two of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, my Dylan and my Natalie. He cheers me on, Makes me think and pushes me always to be the best me I can be. He supports me when life gets rough and when I just need to let go and trust that someone else can handle it... he's there.

He's my best friend, my soul-supporter, my "lovah" and so much more. It's hard to believe that we went from this:

Iour very first picture together at a KSU football game

to this:

our beautful wedding day, october 23, 2004

to this:

our first family vacation together, HHI'08

Because LAWD knows there was a time and place during the early days that I questioned it! ha!

I'm such a lucky lady!

Worst.Weekend.To.Date

2008-09-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

let's just say spending the evening in the ER with your husband and 2 year old is not an ideal way to spend a Saturday night.

Dylan is fine - just a stomach flu... he's still irratible (he is 2 though!!) but he's eating the BRAT diet and drinking lots of fluids. Oh and he's a popscile-eating machine!

I'm stressed out and need a good week's worth of sleep to get back to functioning. But, I can already sense a busy week ahead of me - not to mention the 5k I have this weekend and the 2 days of bootcamp, bright and early. (10/02 update: not sure if the 5K is happening this weekend... I just booked an apt. for our family pictures at 11:45... and I missed boot camp this morning b/c of being up at all odd hours of the night with Natalie last night)

Here's praying for a speedy recovery for my little man - and a low-key week for his overwhelmed momma.

Nattie has a rash too - but we've deducted it's either from the Organic Turkey Gerber baby food that I just gave her (we're thinking it was the barley) or from the Aveeno bath soap (which also irriates the heck out of Dylan).

Prayers of all denominations accepted!

move over Gordon Ramsey....

2008-09-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

Dylan has always been my super eater - and I credit that to the homemade food I made for him so lovingly. He would eat it all - Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes, Acorn Squash, Butternut Squash, Green Beans, Peas, Kiwi, Apples, Grapes, Chicken, Steak, Fish... you name it. Just a few weeks ago he ate Collard Greens @ the Lady and Sons (in Savannah)...

And now, he's 2 1/2 and he's fast becoming the world's toughest food critic.

I'm dead set on not letting him become "one of those" kids that only eats preservative-filled foods like hot dogs and chicken nuggets and American single cheese. But I may be loosing this battle. I'm trying my hardest to replace the above crap-choices with better choices like Turkey Links and homemade chicken nuggets (oh, if you haven't had my Megan Chickee Nuggets, you don't know what you are missing!) - and cutting back on "juice" and snacks (which, thank God are still healthy choices per Dylan's decision) before meal time so that he'll eat what I make.

This can't go on forever - This "good food strike" won't get the best of me... and that little critic had better think twice about writing up my cooking in some toddler foodie magazine or sending it back to the kitchen for changes... b/c you know what happens when you complain at restaurants...

Oh yah... I'll spit in the food!

(I'm kidding - just kidding!)

(Update: Tonight's dinner, which just happens to be one of the family favorites, was once again, boycotted by our little gordon ramsey... We had my homemade Chicken Fingers and sides... I asked Dylan, when he pushed the plate away, glared down his nose and said "no. no thank you" if he'd like to dip. Because - hey, dipping is fun... he said no to ketchup, no to his favorite dressing (Asiago Cracked Peppercorn) and YES to Hershey's Chocolate Syrup... and do you know that that little stinker ate the entire chicken finger by dipping it in the pea size squeeze of chocolate I put on his plate... OH... and this good food boycott only comes at dinner time... suggestions and encouragement are welcome!)

up in the gym just workin' on my fitness

2008-09-23T06:49:00.000-07:00

Oh yes... I did it - Day one of the journey to the new, toned, 10 pounds lighter me.

My first official friend from the village started up a fitness class on Tues and Thurs mornings in this adorable dance studio (owned by my newest friend from the village) where I'll be assisting in the planning of princess and pirate parties (and all fun things in between) - We meet at 5:30am (oh yes, nice and early) and work it out. Bootcamp style.

I'm actually going to make myself a "sticker" chart and force myself to go, as the end result (aside from hopefully loosing the Natalie Weight around my middle and fitting in a size smaller dress for my sis's wedding in June) will be the new Hot Me Wardrobe I'm dreaming of to start off my 30th year with.

It's 2x a week until Dec. 11 - which means, I only have 10 weeks and 1 class to go! whoot!

It was invigorating - I feel wonderful - and I haven't produced sweat like that since I was in labor with Natalie!

Go me! Go me! Go me!