Thank God for hotel points!

I think Hubby calculated that between our house hunting trips and the August trip to Memphis, we've used 9 free hotel nights.  So I am currently very grateful for his travel, though lately Bear has commented about how much she misses him when he is away for work.  Our future home base is en route by detour from where we spent Christmas, and we stopped in to view 3 homes today.  Each kiddo is sleeping with a parent because it just works better than way when we're in hotels.  I completely forgot to pack our swimsuits, but I did get to take a quick trip to the superstore by myself, and Bear and I split some hot chocolate from the lobby.  Those count as vacation moments, right?  Since Buddy got carsick about 35 minutes up the road from our first house to view, the kiddos got to help daddy do laundry.  I also got to show Bear where we get ice in the hotel since our fridge does not have any. :)  (The hot chocolate needed help cooling down to drinkable warm chocolate.)  This is not the first house hunting trip we've taken, just the first I have announced publicly.

The chaos is about to set in.  When we are here, near the mountains and lakes, we are increasingly excited about the next phase and ready to find a place to settle.  When we get to our current hometown, I know the reality of leaving some wonderful new friends will set in.  Along with the need-for-meds-inducing-anxiety that may accompany moving.  I will also be reserving waffle fry boxes from my favorite restaurant. (Some of our friends were able to get them for us for our last move.  Last week, I talked to one of our favorite staff members and she said we could ask management to hold some for us here, too.  Whew.)

When it's all said and done, I hope Bear remembers the fun things like hot cocoa making in her jammies and robe, exploring different houses, and our other adventures in preparation for yet another big change.

"When I'm not in control"

I was reading a friend's note on her FB page, and as she relayed what's been going on in her life and her family lately, she mentioned a list of verses with this heading.  And then it hit me, maybe part of why my blog has been silent is precisely this.  I find that ironic.  I am not a control-freak, under most circumstances.   However, there is one pretty big question in my mind, followed by several related questions, that I've been waiting to have answered.  It's monopolized my thoughts for several months now, making it really hard for me to feel settled.  Not only that, I am not really looking for advice on how to deal with it, because, quite frankly I do not want to be patronized, and that's how advice comes off at times.  (I'm sure I've been guilty of offering patronizing advice to others, unintentionally, of course.) Just a few moments ago, as my cotton-ball stuffed mind (I have a cold) processed my friend's update... I really, really, really do not like being in control of this particular aspect in my life.  My blog is "my space" that I like to feel like I can control (oh, the irony of feeling in control of a social networking site).  What aspect?  Well, that's not really something I can post right now.  If you know me well, chances are you can figure it out, expecially those of you who received the specific prayer request in the mail. (Did I just spell the "e" word like that?  I blame the cold.)  Let's just call it "direction."  Is that vague enough for you?

The point is, I am not in control.  God is.  In spite of my best attempts at protecting my children, there is always the risk of the bee sting, or the toddler running toward another swinging child at the park just as I turned around to listen to the other sibling. (Thank God for other parents nearby.)  Maybe I've been a bit more preoccupied with my lack of control than I thought.  I guess that makes me an "uncontrol freak."

I'm up far too early (or late, depending on your time zone/perspective).  While I would like to blame my current health, a cold which was shared by my wonderfully loving children, I'm sure it has more to do with the fact that I need to be still and know who is God.  To trust that we've been praying for something(s), and the answer(s) will come in God's time.  To not be so consumed by the unknown that I fail to truly live in the moment He has given.

Bear's recap of the day to Daddy:

"We had rockamoley and chips and cheese and Mommy lost her temperature."

Nothin' like a little perspective at days' end.  She also went on to tell him that I apologized for losing my "temperature," and as I tucked her in tonight (for the 2nd time), we prayed that she would be more cooperative and Mommy would be more patient.  And sealed our agreement with a "deal."

 Parenting brings out the best and the worst in me. (I'm sure it does for everyone.)  Those who don't know me well might never guess that I have a temper.  I am the one with the history of breaking out in tears at work when overstressed, I  typically avoid confrontation.  With family, well, it's another story.  The guard is down, and my dark side shines through.  Sometimes glaringly.

While Buddy naps, I've been trying to have Bear do a little school time in her workbooks.  Writing letters, coloring, practice with shapes, counting, etc.... She has the attention span of a 4 year old, and well, I am not used to that. Even my former high school students focused, listened, and followed directions better.  Sometimes. The thought has crossed my mind that it was easier to teach the 5 and 6 year olds at the tutoring center than it is to teach my own daughter, and I wonder why.  But then I remind myself that she is already ahead of where some of them were (matching initial consonant sounds in words), and she still has a year before she goes to Kindergarten.  And I'm also more confident in my decision to go ahead and put her in a 3 day a week pre-k program at one of the local churches.  

it's a simon and garfunkel moment


Okay, maybe just the first 2 lines of the lyrics, 4 perhaps.  But I LOVE the melody to the song Sounds of Silence.

And with that, I've forgotten what I was going to post about.  Oh, yes, sounds...

After visiting several churches in the area over the past few months, we think we've decided on one to stick with for now.  It's been tricky.  But the more we have visited, the more our desires have become clear.
Christ-centered theology.  Hearing the trite, over-used phrase, "God wants to bless your socks off," or a variation thereof in many larger denominationally affiliated affiliated churches has made me gag.  When did they become cousins to the pink-haired TV-preachers or MLM conference speakers? (Ok, well assuming the pastors of these churches and the individuals mentioned here are Believers, I guess they would be cousins.) Now, don't get me wrong, I do believe God loves me. John 3:16, duh.  But is blessing my socks off his primary purpose?    How about Micah 6:8?  The Beatitudes? 

I post in hopes that I don't hurt anyone's feelings, because most of the churches we've found have been very friendly and the people seem to love Jesus very much.  It's been nice to feel that most places we visited, we have been welcomed and our kids have been loved well.  If Nashville was the buckle of the Bible belt, I think we're at one of the holes in the leather. We found a few of churches with good Bible teaching, but TERRIBLE music.  Either too rock-concertish and not worshipful at all or too simplistic and also not worshipful in the opposite extreme.  Both extremes can be hokey, period, and distract from the teaching of God's word.  We love contemporary worship songs and classic hymns, all with theological depth.  We also love the use of various instruments to assist in making a joyful noise to the Lord.  Not trite choruses sung repetitiously over and over and over and over.  Nor do we particularly care for 1930's genre "gospel hymns" that are not really singing the Gospel message at all, but some kind of moral code.

A solid children's ministry  is also a must... preferrably with some kind of childrens church during the worship service.  And finally, the service times had to fit.  We discovered that Sunday morning is best for us with hubby's schedule.  Early rising during the week makes Sunday evenings HARD to do for our primary worship service. 

So, yeah, it's been hard , but after visiting around a 15 mile radius, I think we're ready to stick with one to see if that's where God wants us to plug in and serve. When Bear was dismissed from the service to go to their Preschool Praise class, I was thrilled when her teacher recognized her.  It had been at least 2 months since our last visit.  The music was not really close to what we were used to in Nashville, but it was good, God-centered, and heartfelt.  The Pastor used a Psalm to teach how David made clear choices toward godliness when he could have sought his own agenda.... in essence, he could have killed Saul, but decided to wait for God to accomplish His will in His time.
 

One more added to the list of "things I started but didn't complete"

If you are my friend on that virtual social-networking world that has replaced my blogging addiction, you figured that out.  If you happened to stop by here and noticed the absence of posts, you probably suspected as much.  Maybe next year....
 *****
I have a confession.  Nothing major.... in spite of my ability to sometimes ramble incessantly, I just can't be too transparent on here these days.   I became a fan of something that I thought was another of those silly, cool little quips because it made me laugh.  "Hair in my coffee."  It turns out that I became a "fan" of a blog I had never read.  Well, as soon as those little updates popped up on my status menu, I realized my error.  And I clicked. And read. And now I really am a fan.   The author of the blog is also posting chapters from her novel.  I like it.  A lot.  Better than "The Blind Side," my current read on my nightstand (no I have not seen the movie yet).  Two totally different books, btw, not fair to compare really.  My favorite part of "TBS" is flashbacks from our time in Memphis.  And for the record, I have a really hard time visualizing Sandra Bullock as the Mom, so she must have done an excellent job and deserved the Academy award...  the Mom in the book really comes across as much more "East Memphis" than I ever thought I would see Sandra play. 

Kristin's story is totally different than the one which Sandra plays.  (I like TBS so "well" that I can't even remember the poor Mom's name fight now!)  Her main character is someone I could imagine having cut my hair (except I'll probably never have that done on a set).  Very likeable and relatable, IMO.  Anyway, I need not compare these two works, because they are totally different stories.  But let's just say I think I will like the movie better than The Blind Side book for the simple fact I'm not big on all the football explanations.  They're like reading a technical manual, albeit a well-written one. (Anyone want my copy when I finish it, with that stellar recommendation?)
*****
Hubby's home again.  Thank God.  In a couple of weeks, we'll venture up to his former homeland to visit Great Gram.  I hope Buddy doesn't bite her or break any of her limbs by trying to climb on her.  We passed our local organic farm (where we just bought some flowers for our balcony 2 days ago) on the way back from the library today, and she saw the calves and said she wants to get a cow someday.  I told her to take that up with her Dad, and she can see some in a few weeks when we visit Great Gram.
*****
I think I'm going to go over on my broadband Prozac this month, even though I only have 2 days left.  Yep, you read that right.  My internet access in limited by Verizon.  We set up this account in the moving transition, and the contract is not up yet.  At one point we really only used about 1/2 the data allowance per month.  Then reality hit after we moved.  I truly am addicted to aspects of the internet. Oh well, we'll take it out of Hubby's per diem.

A little "encouragement" from the guys in the band...








Ok, I must admit I took a couple of ibuprofen for a headache yesterday.... the coffee beans did not occur to me.  I could make my own chocolate covered coffee beans if I melted some chocolate chips... hmmmm.

 Slightly less frugalness...

We're getting cable.  Finally.  Not the whole shi-bang, but everything we need.  We've been surviving on the 4-6 channels that we can get with our digital antenna... ha.

When I told Bear we're going to get Disney and Nickelodeon, she jumped into my arms, gave me a kiss, and yelled, "yay!  I'm so excited!"

I'll just be glad to watch the rest of the Olympics.... we don't currently get the coverage.  That's what happens when the government decides to impose "technological improvements" on society.... you don't get the improvement part unless you pay, big time.

My son's tantrum will not break me.  I just wish I could figure out WHY he's screaming uncontrollably....

I never did figure out why, but he stopped.  And no, I did not resort to making a cup of coffee.

an afternoon truffle break

Ok, so at this rate my dozen truffles will be gone before Sunday, the actual Valentine's Day.  I just stuck Buddy in his crib for his nap... he thinks I'm kidding.  I helped Bear build her comforter tent in the living room.  I finished folding AND put away my clean clothes, leaving one basket of the kids' clothes, one dryer load of sheets, and another miscellaneous load in the washer to go until Mt. Downy is scaled for the day.  And of course, I indulged in another truffle. 

This is the time of day where I want a nap.  I often take one.  But today I am determined to check things off my to-do list, no matter how mundane they may be.  So as Buddy jabbers in toddlerese from down the hall, Bear crunches on some leftover Nerds from Halloween right next to me, and the dryer finishes up this round, I take a bite.

Yum.  Must be Kelly's Coffee. It looks darker than the other one pictured in the brochure with a coffee bean on top.   It's amazing how the smallest little bit of chocolate can provide a rich "pick me up" on a bleak mid-winter day... along with the shortest phone conversation with a friend in between laundry piles and toddler tantrums.

Am I losing it?

I could have sworn I posted about my stroller options way back when I was planning for Buddy's arrival.
Maybe I just posted all that to FB.

Anyway, I ended up getting the joovy caboose ultralight.  And just when I thought Bear would be too old and uninterested in riding, yesterday's trip to the post office proved me wrong.  I had a reusable grocery sack full of things to mail.  The line inside ended up being fairly short, only 10 minutes or so, but that short wait was helped by the stroller's presence.  You know that time of day where they are ALMOST but not quite ready for a nap?  (Well, if you are lucky and have kids that nap.)  Well, it was about 1:30 p.m., and in spite of her firm opposition, BEAR NEEDED to take a nap.  Lucky for her, I had things to do.  Anyway, handy little lime green stroller did the job.  Bear in back on the bench seat, Buddy up front with his sippy cup.  I have to say, the harness with shoulder straps is just what he needs.  He would be climbing out of just a lap belt.  Bear did not nap, but she rested in her seat and observed those around us.

Anyway, if you are interested, here's the summary of my take on the stroller:
Pros:
Lightweight...
Easy to set up/fold (but NOT one-handed)
Handles well (Remind me to post about the stroller-jacking if you don't know the story and want to read it)
Slim depth when folded- Groceries fit on top when in the back of my older highlander
Carseat adapter worked fine (although the little strap-on thingy was kind of annoying- but it would be hard to accomodate every brand single infant carrier's snap-in needs)
Both kids seem comfortable
Parent organizer works GREAT for 2 cups, a wallet, fruit snacks, etc... and the cups or bottles STAY PUT
Umbrella is HUGE, covers both kids
Pockets in back of front seat serve as holders for older child's "treasures."

Cons:
Not one-handed... gotta have kiddos buckled in before you fold it up.
Might be too big in smaller vehicles, but what double stroller will fit.
Storage space is very small if you carry a big bag, and older child must get off bench seat to access. My solution- she helps carry shopping bags.  Big purse stays on my shoulder.

There you have it.  Bottom line-  If you are looking for a "truck" that carries everything under the kitchen sink, this won't work.  But if you want something fairly maneuverable that carries your kids will, including a 4 year old and newborn +, the joovy caboose ultralight will do the job.  Extra bonus- a friend recognized me in the parking lot as I buckled the kids in because she remembered our stroller when she saw it.  (It's somewhat unique.)

Really?

So, I just got an e-mail which could result in an opportunity to review a pretty neat gadget.  It appears to be legit;  I'm going to call the sender tomorrow to try to verify.  I'm a bit wary... I mean, solicitations just make me a bit nervous in this era of rampant identity theft, etc.  So, I sent a e-mail response asking her to prove it's a legit request. Oh, I also sent an e-mail to the customer service of the company asking if they can verify her employment.  Although it is a large company, and odds are I might not get a CSR who will be able to dig to that extent. My lack of overwhelmingly huge blog stats could possibly kill this opportunity.  I don't know how to tell how many unique visits my blog gets daily, and could not find it anywhere in my profile/account settings.

The cool part (to me) is that they said they got my blog address because it was nominated for the Mommy Blogger Awards.  Really?  My blog?  Me?  I mean, I feel like I've been pretty stagnant and boring lately.  So whoever may have made that nomination... thanks!  Even if it was, oh, say a year or two ago before my FB addiction almost replaced the blogging one.

Which leads me to ask... who's still here?  I see 8 followers in my little gadget in the sidebar.  (Thanks for revealing yourselves, BTW.)  I am not really the most savvy blogger... I removed my pride (and depression)-inducing counter ages ago.

Anyway, just the idea that maybe I could have a reason to revive my blog is kind of exciting.

Still waiting for inspiration for the ultimate blog post or theme idea....

There was a point where I could write about anything and/or everything on here.  Right now, I'm just not feelin' it.  Perhaps it's because it's 5:23 a.m. and I would rather be asleep.  Or maybe, I just don't feel like being brutally honest with the blogosphere and need to write a good old-fashioned-paper-journal entry to process my thoughts.

It's been good having hubby home from training for the weekend.  This stint is much shorter, thank God.  And much less stressful for him.  I love having home.  The kiddos love their Daddy, and he obviously loves them.  It's nice to have someone who will share the hours of being used as playground equipment, and I must confess, sometimes I turn my Mommy self off and let him "handle it."  "It" could be anything from putting a dvd in the player to a tantrum to a diaper change, but it's just nice to have him back to do this part of who he is.  I don't know how military Moms and single Moms do it. 

So, I've had people ask and have been asking myself... what career would I have if I wanted to work in a monetarily paid position?  I don't know.  That bothers me.  I wish I could say it bothers me because I am so overwhelmed with joy where I am at that I would not ever want to be doing anything else.  Nope, I'm actually a bit in the-burnt-out-lost-myself-and-feel-like-I-do-nothing-well mode.  (That might have something to do with the lack of recent posts.)  Don't get me wrong.  I love my family.  But I am not Martha Stewart, June Cleaver, Carol Brady (who had a housekeeper, btw), Rachael Ray or anyone else.  I'm me, whoever and whatever that is.  I wouldn't go back to teaching without getting my Master's Degree, but I can't see myself going back to school anytime soon.  Customer Service?  Umm... so I like to think I was good at that, but I can't say I loved it.  Tutoring?  I miss my kids.  Even though I only had most of them for a short time, I miss their unique personalities, and I enjoyed the networking aspect of managing the center. Retail?  No, thank you.  BTDT.  Unless I got some really cool product along with my wages. And I don't mean samples that I had to buy (even at a discount) for my inventory or show, I mean genuinely free goods. 

I need to go back to sleep.  I actually feel like I might be able to right now. That is a good thing, unless of course one of the littles decides to wake up uncharacteristically early.  :)

Wandering back around...

A very popular networking site has pretty much replaced my blog for a while.  However, status updates are not exactly the same as an entire blog entry.  The just provide a glimpse, and that's about it.  A blog, for me, has been a bit of a journal in the past.  No, I haven't posted my most intimate thoughts here, but I have expanded on some of those glimpses.  Plus, there are certain things I really don't want everyone I know to read.  And I KNOW that not everyone I know reads this.  So right now I am in the process of figuring out what to post where.  I don't want all my FB friends and family to see my exercise log (or lack thereof).  If you are reading this, it means you have stuck around long enough to care (or not) about what I write here.  You obviously aren't going to judge me on my grammar (or lack thereof), my "outline" (or lack thereof- hence the blog title), my frequency (or infrequency), or my maturity (or immaturity).

So, my wandering for tonight....
Hubby's new job is going well.  He's learning a lot, challenged by what he does, and feels like it's a good fit.  Words can't express how proud and happy that makes me.

But... we have to get used to his travel.  For now, at least.  I really don't know which is harder... having him work midnights on the beat in an unsafe area of the city, or just having him away from us for a few days at a time. 

new year's stuff

fitness- day one
Attempted to exercise using wii fit.  Bear took her turn and then got mad when I took over for myself.  Buddy tried to climb on me and the balance board.  I think I got about 6 minutes of hula hoop in along with my body test.. but at least it said my Wii age=my real age!  Set up "My Fitness Trainer" game profile (age, weight, measurements, etc...) while kids ate a snack.  Did 30 minutes tonight.... tried the yoga on it... like the Wii fit yoga better... way better for telling novices like myself how to do the poses....  did 15 minute cardio workout and 15 minute core strength workout on the Fitness Trainer.  I like it overall... takes personal data and tries to give you an appropriate workout, also asks you how you felt about segments (too easy, made me sweat, too hard).  After the kids were in bed, of course.  Now to get hubby to set up a profile.  :)  I will definitely keep using the Fit for some activities, but the new addition to my limited repetoire raises my heart rate better.

time management- day two
I am completely opposed to over-structuring.  I am also indecisive and often get stuck trying to decide what task to tackle first.  I used a planner through college, somewhere along the way it got buried.  Plus, the Franklin Covey was just too bulky.. even the smaller one that I had.  Not to mention costly.

My little mead planner is working out well so far.  :)  Enough room to jot down what I need to, not enough to be overwhelming.  And it's cheerfully cute.  It invites me to use it.  And the pic reminds me of relaxing, fun times with the family.

Intentional parenting-
Bear is gung ho about her Job Chart/Job Jar reward system that we are trying out.  While trying to set an example through my actions, I am also encouraging her to be more responsible. (That's part of what's behind my whole attempt at some organization and self-dicipline without legalism.  How can I expect her to be responsible if I am on Facebook all day when I should be spending quality time with her, her brother, getting SOMETHING, anything done, etc...)
She even asked to help me fold laundry today.  Sheets.  That was fun.  Oh, but she did fold a washcloth that had stuck to her clothes AND put it in the laundry pile in the living room.  During Buddy's nap time we played Chutes and Ladders, ending with going over the #'s 1-100, since they are on the game board.  Not sure if she really liked the game or not... maybe we should have gone with candyland.


Little by little....

sigh

I don't want to be Mrs. Negativity, but I am tired of hubby being away during the week. He's almost completed 1/4 of his training, so it is going by quickly. And I do have the better end of the deal... he got doused in pepper spray yesterday. But still, it's just hard. The kids know he is gone this time. I am making friends here, but last time I was surrounded by support, so literally. Neighbors, my parents within 40 minutes' drive, church family, long-time friends. I AM thankful that I don't have a new baby (or one on the way) to worry about. In fact, I've begun wondering if maybe two is enough. It is for now. We won't close that door permanently, so to speak, but instead of thinking about when we might want to try for a #3, I am zoning in on the two I've been blessed with. Or trying to.

We went to Kroger to buy ground coffee and more filters last night. Bear did not get into the car immediately as I had asked her too before I buckled Buddy in. She scared me half to death when I looked up and she was behind our car, a couple of feet into the aisle, oblivious to the car that had just passed. I yelled at her and tried to explain why it was not safe, and that she needed to obey and get into the car immediately when I open the door. (If you have kids, you can probably relate. Unless you are a super mom who manages to keep their kid on task all the time.) After I told her it would make me really sad if she got hurt badly, she said, "but you could have another baby." Huh? I responded by asking her if she would like another sibling. She thought for a moment and replied, "That would be wild and crazy."

She apparently knows that her Mommy is bordering on insane right now.

all's well that ends well

We received some of our first non-forwarded cards mailed to us at the new address. :) One was a "we'll miss you" card, that really made my day.

The flowers hubby ordered were delivered to the office just as he came home, so HE delivered them to me in person. Nevermind that the bouquet was similar only in shape to the one he had chosen off of 1-800-flowers.... the florist must be colorblind or not carry blues in stock or something. They are still very pretty, and the kids are thrilled that I'm sharing my happy birthday balloon with them.

We went out to supper as a family, stuffed ourselves, came home to hang out, and now the kids are fighting bedtime. Hubby has taken bedtime duty tonight.

almost home

the kids, tech mom and i finally pulled in from our long drive home from wisconsin. it turns out that hubby has some work assignments here in the "town" where we first met, so we'll be here for a couple of days at the least, perhaps until friday.

my head is spinning. i keep telling myself that i will stop typing without caps, but today is not the day. yes, i have a college degree. i know how to use punctuation, but for some reason i prefer the stream-of-consciousness-take-it-or-leave-it method of posting.

we had a good trip. parts were hard. it's never easy to watch a grandparent's age begin to catch up with her, but in the midst of her pain i was still amazed by how much better she is doing than some of her friends. having just a few of us there instead of the whole family was a change. we missed everyone who normally treks up there with us, yet it was the right arrangement to keep gramma from being so overwhelmed. of course, we didn't see everyone we would have liked to, but the connections made were wonderful. we even spent some time with one of hubby and caslon's friends from years back, who is also one of my newer blogging friends. it was so nice of her and her mom to host us for lunch on friday, and our kids also had fun getting to know eachother... except for some sharing issues. ;)

after 15 hours in the car/on the road, i'm not thinking very clearly. the kids are ecstatic to be reunited with their daddy, tackling him in the big red armchair and giggling with glee.

oh, and while some of our friends and relatives in the great cheese state have modern conveniences, gramma's valley does not have much tv, cell phone, or any internet access. she still thinks her original model electric wringer in the cellar is sufficient for doing the wash, and that shower head in the bathroom still doesn't work, so tub baths were had by all.

but, in spite of the inconveniences the week at gramma's was filled with love and that's what matters.

Tackle It Tuesday


I took a break yesterday. I did deliver a couple of orders from the bag show I had a while back, and the kids and I hit Publix to get food for supper. I made hubby broiled shrimp in lemon-butter, rice, and sauteed peppers, onion, and mushrooms with a bit of Worcestshire in them for his belated birthday homemade dinner. His parents treated us to Famous Dave's on his actual birthday.
Anyway, since it IS Tuesday, and since I happen to have things I need to do around here, I decided to make a list of things I need to do this week and share it.

To do this week:
Purple=Done
Yellow= In progress


(My list was interrupted by a tickle-tackle from my kids. Buddy conveniently fell while trying to stand up. When I went to help him, he and Bear tackled me.)

• schedule appts.
• clean bathrooms
• laundry- wash/dry/put away
• clean off top of dresser
• plant acidanthera bulbs
• wash floors
• clean out fridge
• change sheets
• wash doors
• wash windows
• sort/purge toys- give some away, decide which ones the kids actually use and organize them
• clean off desk
• organize inside and around desk
• empty/reload dishwasher
  

to be continued.....

sigh

I'm resigning myself to the fact that the lower half of my body may never be in the single digit sizes again. I just tried on my size 8 shorts, and there is no way they are going to fit this year. Anyone want them? So to goodwill or somewhere else they go. After being stretched by two babies, my hips/thighs say, "you've got to be dreaming."

Hubby's trying to get me motivated to purge/really tackle the house. I know I would feel good about accomplishing something... but I would rather play. Oh, wait, I'm supposed to be an adult here. ok, going to help hub...

Good morning!

I'm up early, no particular reason. Buddy has been asleep since 11:30 or so, and other than a few squeaks and rolls, no noise comes through his monitor. Hubby is home, so I can't blame insomnia on missing him for once.

I'm excited about my irises. They're going to be purple! :) A friend gave them to me last Spring, but it was too late for them to take root and bloom, so I've anticipated seeing which shade of our state's flower would turn up around our mailbox. I also can't wait to see my roses in bloom again. Each bush has at last 7 buds on it already! After all, it's the simple things in life.... (Just for kicks, you can fill in the blank in the comments to complete this thought for me.)

I think I'll be digging out my (failed) Finding Focus Project from a couple of years ago and modify it to get myself into organizational gear. I don't have a choice. I must.

A couple of people have wondered how the babywearing's gone. I have to confess, not as well as I'd like, but it's not a disaster, either. I've started slinging Buddy into Bear's gymnastics class... that infant carrier is too darn heavy with his 17-ish pounds, and I can't take the stroller up the steps to the observation area. I don't wear him many places, but the slings have come in handy. I keep one in the car at all times "just in case."

The Wii said I was 46 last night, after 3 days off. Oops. Weight-wise, I have about 7 more pounds to go to get to my "ideal" weight. The whole 5K thing hasn't happened yet... nor has the training. But I refuse to say it won't ever.