Sunday, January 31, 2010

Moving on...

I guess it's come down to not being able to recognize anything.

I haven't wanted to give up, you seem to be doing fine.
But life is hard, so I'll mourn what we had and draw the line.

You are so lost and I so found.
Good luck baby sister...
what you are looking for is in a pile on the ground.


This came to me in the middle of the night last night. Relationships are meant to be learning experiences, but the stress of this one is reason to turn and walk away.
________________________________________________
I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
Alfred Lord Tennyson

Monday, January 18, 2010

Playmate

We sing around the house and to the kids a fair amount. For the most part it's a nice indication of my mood. Poor little darling know mommy is approachable when she bursts into song. I mostly sing made up lyrics to well-known tunes. But every now and then I make a sincere attempt to teach them an actual song.
My sweet little girls are starting to show interest in playing hand games...I considered teaching them, the song "Found a Peanut." Remember that one? It's quite obnoxious.
Anyway, I remembered the song "Oh Playmate"

Come out and play with me
And bring your dollies three
Climb up my apple tree

Slide down my rainbow
Into my cellar door
And we'll be jolly friends
Forever more, more, more.

We have been practicing in the bath tub almost nightly.

Last night Fara belted out, "slide down my reindeer.."

I am in love.

Two year olds...

So it's true. I suspected as much when Wyeth decided nearly over-night that he is actually fond of quite a few foods he had been snubbing for months...two olds just don't eat.
We are witnessing this trend again as Ella starts to eat more and more and Fara, less and less.
Someone once told me to look at the child's diet over the course of a week, instead of a day. You will find their diets are fairly balanced. Personally, I have never been concered enough to take a closer look, but I know all of my children have gone days and upon days surviving on a mere handful of cracker crumbs.
That's how two year olds roll. Demon code frowns on the consumption of full meals.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Critical Eye

The new get healthful journey I am on, has opened my eyes to a couple of things. Our dining room table sits in front of a huge mirror. How is it that I have managed to stuff my face in the presence of that mirror without noticing how I look sitting there?

See here is an example of me sitting in my chair. If I look to the list I can clearly get a full body imagine.

My point being, I think I have been able to turn a blind-eye to how I look on a daily basis. When I get ready to leave my house I focus almost exclusively on my face and hair. Of course there is an extremely brief once over before, I leave the bedroom. Even then I am using a soft focus eye.

The part of all this that strikes me the most, is it's my critical eye that leads me to stuffing my face in the first place. (I am drawing lines in my head that may be hard to follow here, but I am having a total ah-ha moment.)

Appeartantly a large part of working out, is looking in the mirror. I swear I have looked in the mirror more in the last week, than I did in the entire year of 2009. And as I pick-up those weights, prepare my stance and gaze into the mirror, all I feel is shock. Can that really be me looking back? That person is so sloppy and out of shape. When did that happen. Then comes the gentle reminder to myself, that the critical eye isn't neccessary. The changes are coming.

So, let's consider this the "BEFORE" picture ->


It's a bit painful...but pure motivation.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

A new baby...

There has been talk of a new baby around here for years...but Ella never says much. Who can blame her? We are all recovering from the rate at which I was having babies a few years back.

Tonight she climbed on my bed for stories, and she said, "I guess I am ready for a new baby now Mama. Where will we send Fara, though?"

And here I was thinking she didn't want another sibling, when she just didn't want to give up the one she's got.

Monday, January 4, 2010

2010...here we go, here we go...here we go agian.

I kinda like doin' memes. They are interesting to look back on.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?


Let's see. Nothing springs to mind. Oh, I crossed the pond. And I gave a toast at a wedding reception. Both for Toddly and wonderful experiences.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?


I didn't. I could make a bunch of excuses about it, but...do you really care? I wanted to exercise more and lose weight. Blah, blah, blah! Of course I made new ones. I always do.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


My new friends Tammie, Vicki, Katie and Emilie all had babies. Babies have a way of bonding women.

4. Did anyone close to you die?


No.

5. What countries did you visit?


France for my bro's wedding. Again, it was great.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Patience. Muchly more. I need with the kiddos, Mr. Workin' AND even myself.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Valentine's Weekend we went to Vegas with Jill and Dave. Fabulous trip.

In May Beth graduated from law school.

Week of Memorial Day Sara and the kids came for a visit from Mississippi. It never seems long enough.

In June Ella had a Princess Kitty 3rd birthday. Just a week later Wyeth celebrated his 5th birthday with a Star Wars party. I even made an indestructible Death Star pinata.

July was rough.

August my baby turned two. How can that be? It seems like yesterday, she was a tiny squeaky thing. Wyeth started kindergarten. Ella started Tiny Tots.

November was the awesome girl's trip to Phoenix.

In December Fara had her hand surgery.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


Well, when I flew to France, I travelled alone. Which I have done in the past, but it was different due to the fact I was leaving the country. I am kinda amazed that is the only thing I can think of...eeeks. I need to step out of my box a bit more. Also, my hubby and I started marriage counseling. It was a long road to Wava's door, but working on the marriage has renewed a new hope in my soul.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Oh, boy. I am tempted to take the Bush or Palin approach and say I've never made a mistake, but we all know I would be fibbing. I suppose there is a difference between a failure and a mistake... I failed to be as accepting of things as I could be. I am a work in progress, not a failure.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

At the end of January, I fell on ice while intoxicated. I am fairly certain I cracked my tailbone. It was quite painful. My tushy still gets sore if I sit too long.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Oh, this is a tough one. I like to buy things. The question asks about something I bought, not a gift I received. I love my Kindle, but Mr. Work gave it to me.

For someone else: the playhouse that we got Fara for her birthday. It currently takes up a large part of my family room. The girls spend endless hours in it, so it's totally worth it.

For myself: my Uggs. Love them.



12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Wyeth. He is such a cool kid. He kind and patient with his sisters. He contemplates life, a total deep thinker.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?


This is a touchy one. I don't think I should be pointing fingers at other people. It takes a lot of people to make this world go 'round. Right and wrong, is too black and white.


14. Where did most of your money go?

Eesh, this one is embarrassing. Too much of our money went to convenience foods(ie. fast food, take-out food, and restaurants.) My laziness level in the kitchen must change.

15. What did you get really excited about?

Not to have you think going to France was the only thing I did all year...but really going to France was quite exciting. Mr. Workin' and I enjoyed a week in Paris after the wedding. 


16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

I gotta feelin' by the Black Eyed Peas.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:


- happier or sadder? Happier and more full of hope. I am working on some major parts of my life. My marriage is healing, and I am working on myself spiritually, mentally, and physically.

– thinner or fatter? Fatter, nuf said.

– richer or poorer? I feel richer. Money not being the primary measure, I have health, love, and countless blessings.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?


Reacting with kindness and an open mind. In all situations I would like to tamp down the black and white, judgemental shadow of myself. It is my desire to say no less often. It's all part of learning to "go with the flow".
Also, better self-care. 


19. What do you wish you’d done less of?


Being ugly, snappy, or judgemental instead of patient, calm, and loving toward those around me.

20. How did you spend Christmas?


With my parents, and family. It was a calm and peaceful holiday. We opened gifts for hours. The children all had adorable and priceless reactions this year.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?


Hmmmm, I am going to say I fell in love with my hubby all over again. I have always believed this(falling in and out of love with your partner)is a real part of marriage, but this is the first truly noticed shift for me.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

It's not so cool to admit, but I just love TV. My three favorite (bummed when the season is over): Big Love, True Blood, and Eastbound and Down.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?


Hate is an ugly word. We don't use it at our house.


24. What was the best book you read?


I love books, but there wasn't any particular one that stands out in my mind.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?


Ben Folds ~ University a Cappella. He is good, and it's so fun (for lack of a more exciting word) to listen to a cappella.

26. What did you want and get?


Marriage counseling. And a list of other things that proves I am a spoil wifey.

27. What did you want and not get?


To have the master bathroom remodeled. 2010 for sure!

28. What was your favorite film of this year?


There were several. I loved Inglourious Basterds, Sherlock Holmes, and Star Trek. Popcorn is sooooo yummy.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?


I ran around and got ready for my girl's trip to Scottsdale. I was a bit stressed, but was able to relax when I got there! I am 34. Crazy. I still feel 24ish.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?


Oh wow... I don't know??? I would prefer to look forward.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?


Me having a "personal fashion concept" for any year is a bit of a stretch. I guess for the most part I ignore the things I know will make me look taller and thinner and focus on blending in on some level.

32. What kept you sane?


My girl friends. Hillary wasn't kidding when she said, "It takes a village." I have some of the best girlfriends a chica could ask for.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?


Oh I don't know. Both Michelle and Barack Obama.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?


The return of Sarah Palin. It would be nice not to hear her name again. But on a side note, I would love to read her book. If someone has it, may I please borrow it?

35. Who did you miss?


I always miss my Granmarie. I just wonder what she would say about the times, and my babies.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

This is difficult, no one springs to mind. I have shifted around in some friendships, and I have seen some people in a new light.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Having lower expectations for a situation, isn't the same as lowering your life's standards. Does that make sense?

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by
~Good ol' Frank Sinatra