Oh my, what a great question. As a former PreK teacher, you can imagine how much we stressed process not product for just about everything, especially art. I was definitely one of those "color outside the lines* teachers, and nothing bugged me more than the teachers who felt that a sky can be only blue.
But I have to admit, it is much harder to take my own advice when I do my scrapbooking, either paper or digi. I get an idea in my head and sometimes struggle with my inability to get it down exactly as I see it. That is when my perfectionism comes into o ruin what could be a lovely, albeit imperfect LO.
The LO's that I tend to love the most are the ones I put my heart into, instead of my critical eye.
So it the process as important? You betcha. Many times I find the happiness of reliving a memory, or the new perspective I have gain from looking at an event just as much a reward as a good LO.
Is an appealing LO also important? Sure thing, as long as I remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what my heart thinks is beautiful and fulfilling to me is more important than nagging voice of criticism that will someday learn to shut up.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
My fur babies!!!
Pets pets pets!
As a child, I was not allowed to have pets. I had two goldfish, Orange Juice and Orange Soda, for a while. I had won them at a carnival, but they weren't really the kind of pet I wanted. My parents weren't "pet" people. They didn't like the mess or responsibility.
Right after we closed on our condo, my soon to be hubby and I adopted a sweet black and white kitten, Ziggy (real name, Danzig). He was our first "baby." 10 months later, he surprised my when he brought home a matching kitten whom we names PJ (real name Pearl Jam). After a few rough weeks getting used to each other, they become brothers. Their fur matched so well that when they slept on the bed, you couldn't tell where one ended and the other began.
Almost a year later, a cat was dumped at a shelter and we ended up rescuing him.(This tends to be a theme with us.) He came with the name Zeus and he sure lived up to that name. We soon moved out of our condo, which had a two cat only rule (we figured Ziggy and Peej looked so much alike, that as long as they weren't in the window at the same time, no one would ever notice....shhhhh). In no time, in our own house, a friend of mine took in a stray cat, who looked a bit chubby. That chub turned out to be a litter of kittens. There was a calico that no one else had claimed, so as soon as she was weaned from her mom, we named her Scarlett O'Hara, after my favorite book and movie, and brought her home.
At the same time, a little grey and white tabby started showing up around my home. He looked to be only a few months old. He broke my heart as he played outside my window with rocks. Hubby has a really soft heart and started feeding him. And yes, we ended up bringing him inside to stay, right after we took him to the vet for shots and gave him a good bath. Since his fur was grey and white stripes, and he even had a little grey mustache, he *had* to be named Rhett Butler. The tow of them, Scarlett and Rhett were hysterical to watch together.
So in case you are counting, we are up to 5 cats. That was when we ended up with a dog! My baby girl was my birthday present 11 years ago. Hubby loves Harley Davidson's so that is what we named her. She is the bestestestest sweetest baby ever.
A year later, we somehow ended up with another cat- hubby went to the shelter-- baaaad move!-- and came home with a grey sweetie that we named Elvis. He eneded up sooooo huge that we called him the "Old Elvis."
Over the years we have lost many of our pets, but they are still in our hearts. We have since added another two cats, a black guy named Merlin and a black and white tuxedo, named Floyd. His real name is Pink Floyd, but since he is a maniac we call him Hurricane Floyd after a hurricane that hit NJ in 97.
Rounding out our furry family we now have two rats who belong to my son. They are Scabbers and Chewie. I really wanted DS to call them Scabbers and Petigrew, but well, they don't belong to me.
As for non-furry pets, we have a bunch of goldfish, and an albino frog named Al. As in Albino.
My baby-girl, Harley is one of my best friends. And sadly, she is getting old. She has had two malignant tumors removed, and is now in her third bout of cancer. This time is was a highly Methodist kind, and I just found another lump in her throat. I have to say, I don't know what I am going to do without my girl.
And this is where I have to stop writing, b/c is I go on.... I'll be in tears.
Scents and Scentsability
Blog about a scent that reminds you of childhood, or just one with strong emotional connection.
I am an aromatherapist so anything that has to do with "smelly stuff" is always really fun for me. Research that has been done with the brain and memories shows that the sense of smell is the strongest in the ability to evoke memory. However, you don't need a research study to tell you that. How many times have we gotten a whiff of something and it immediately brings us back to a memory of years gone by? Or sometimes I will smell something and it will drive me crazy until I finally figure out what the connection is. A few years ago, I was shampooing my hair and the scent of the shampoo was from my childhood- but the brand was from this time frame! I finally figured out what it smelled like. Clairol Herbal Essense Shampoo. It was green, dark forest green, in a flattened cylinder shape, like a 3d upside down U.
Some others scents that really bring me back in time are:
I am an aromatherapist so anything that has to do with "smelly stuff" is always really fun for me. Research that has been done with the brain and memories shows that the sense of smell is the strongest in the ability to evoke memory. However, you don't need a research study to tell you that. How many times have we gotten a whiff of something and it immediately brings us back to a memory of years gone by? Or sometimes I will smell something and it will drive me crazy until I finally figure out what the connection is. A few years ago, I was shampooing my hair and the scent of the shampoo was from my childhood- but the brand was from this time frame! I finally figured out what it smelled like. Clairol Herbal Essense Shampoo. It was green, dark forest green, in a flattened cylinder shape, like a 3d upside down U.
Some others scents that really bring me back in time are:
- Youth Dew, My grandma's perfume
- Garlic, oregano from my mom's gravy (spaghetti sauce)
- Old Spice (Dad)
- Love's Baby Soft
- Coppertone!
- The Ocean
- Dial Soap
- Burnt Popcorn -- remember Jiffy pop? On the stove? No matter how you cook it, burnt popcorn always smells like that.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Favorite Vacation
Even though this really has nothing to so with the summer, my memories of this particular vacation is especially heartwarming for me.
To give a bit of background, hubby and I are "Disney People." I grew up loving Disney Movies and had always dreamed of going to Disney World. When I first met hubby, I found out he liked Disney too. In fact, the night I feel in love with him, he was wearing a Mickey T shirt. I knew any guy who liked Mickey that much had to be a good person. Even though the shirt will never fit him again, neither of us will throw it out.
When we were married a little over a year, we took a trip to Disney, my first, his 3rd or 4th. I was blown away by the magic. And even though we didn't have kids yet, we had decided that we wouldn't take them until they were walking and out of diapers.
When I was pregnant with my son (who just turned 10 yesterday!!!!) it was a no brainer, he was going to have a Disney Nursery. Not Baby Mickey but real Mickey. One of my favorite characters of Mickey was him as the Sorcerer's Apprentice, so I decoupaged a stool, a coat rack, switch plates with that, hung pictures of Mickey on the walls and so on.
Then after he is born, he has no choice but to be a Disney Kid. Most of his clothes had Mickey on them, he had tons of Mickey toys. At around 11-12 months old, one of his first "words" was Gee-Gee (Mickey). I knew there was no way in the world we were going to wait *years* for him and his future sibling to be out of diapers. No way!
So right after his 1st birthday, we booked a trip to Disney. We invited the grandparents to join us, and my in-laws took us up on that. The theme was the 25th anniversary Celebration and the logo on everything was Mickey as the Sorcerer's Apprentice. It was perfect!
The most amazing part of the trip was on our first day there. We had just walked into Magic Kingdom and the 3:00 parade was coming down Main Street. Scott, dressed in a Mickey Mouse outfit, was sitting up on his dad's shoulders, And there was a giant Sorcerer's Apprentice on the float, waving to all of the kids lined up. Scott was yelling out "GEE-GEEEE!" and blowing him kisses. I literally got completely choked up at that. The rest of our time there, he loved visiting with all of the character's but Mickey has always held a special place in his heart. And that memory will always hold a very special place in mine.
To give a bit of background, hubby and I are "Disney People." I grew up loving Disney Movies and had always dreamed of going to Disney World. When I first met hubby, I found out he liked Disney too. In fact, the night I feel in love with him, he was wearing a Mickey T shirt. I knew any guy who liked Mickey that much had to be a good person. Even though the shirt will never fit him again, neither of us will throw it out.
When we were married a little over a year, we took a trip to Disney, my first, his 3rd or 4th. I was blown away by the magic. And even though we didn't have kids yet, we had decided that we wouldn't take them until they were walking and out of diapers.
When I was pregnant with my son (who just turned 10 yesterday!!!!) it was a no brainer, he was going to have a Disney Nursery. Not Baby Mickey but real Mickey. One of my favorite characters of Mickey was him as the Sorcerer's Apprentice, so I decoupaged a stool, a coat rack, switch plates with that, hung pictures of Mickey on the walls and so on.
Then after he is born, he has no choice but to be a Disney Kid. Most of his clothes had Mickey on them, he had tons of Mickey toys. At around 11-12 months old, one of his first "words" was Gee-Gee (Mickey). I knew there was no way in the world we were going to wait *years* for him and his future sibling to be out of diapers. No way!
So right after his 1st birthday, we booked a trip to Disney. We invited the grandparents to join us, and my in-laws took us up on that. The theme was the 25th anniversary Celebration and the logo on everything was Mickey as the Sorcerer's Apprentice. It was perfect!
The most amazing part of the trip was on our first day there. We had just walked into Magic Kingdom and the 3:00 parade was coming down Main Street. Scott, dressed in a Mickey Mouse outfit, was sitting up on his dad's shoulders, And there was a giant Sorcerer's Apprentice on the float, waving to all of the kids lined up. Scott was yelling out "GEE-GEEEE!" and blowing him kisses. I literally got completely choked up at that. The rest of our time there, he loved visiting with all of the character's but Mickey has always held a special place in his heart. And that memory will always hold a very special place in mine.
Friday, May 19, 2006
A trip down memory lane
What aspect of play do you miss most about childhood?
When I first typed the title, it said "I trip down memory lane." Freudian slip, would you say?
I like that as a title better than "A Trip."
My memories of my childhood tend to be hazy, with occasional huge chunks missing. I'll blame it on my mom who always threw the few photos she took in a big ol' box. (JK mom, just some scrapbooker humor!).
What I think I miss most about childhood, in not a thing, but that elusive and intangible feeling of FREEDOM. That glorious feeling of total unselfconsciousness. That feeling of no worries and no concept of the future as an adult sees it. The future hold all possibilities. As a child, I wanted to be a queen who rescued animals and never had to see one sick or die. And why not? Money, war, taxes.... it was as if they were in a whole different universe. I ate what I wanted and never worried if it would make me fat or give me cancer some day.
I loved being able to run or spin in circles and not care what other people thought. I loved having imaginary friends and superpowers , and *gasp* no one thought I was crazy! I loved not having anything to do, but stare up at the clouds on a warm summer day. The summer would seem to last forever because there was no schedule, no to-do list that kept me from simply being.
Innocence. That is what I miss.
When I first typed the title, it said "I trip down memory lane." Freudian slip, would you say?
I like that as a title better than "A Trip."
My memories of my childhood tend to be hazy, with occasional huge chunks missing. I'll blame it on my mom who always threw the few photos she took in a big ol' box. (JK mom, just some scrapbooker humor!).
What I think I miss most about childhood, in not a thing, but that elusive and intangible feeling of FREEDOM. That glorious feeling of total unselfconsciousness. That feeling of no worries and no concept of the future as an adult sees it. The future hold all possibilities. As a child, I wanted to be a queen who rescued animals and never had to see one sick or die. And why not? Money, war, taxes.... it was as if they were in a whole different universe. I ate what I wanted and never worried if it would make me fat or give me cancer some day.
I loved being able to run or spin in circles and not care what other people thought. I loved having imaginary friends and superpowers , and *gasp* no one thought I was crazy! I loved not having anything to do, but stare up at the clouds on a warm summer day. The summer would seem to last forever because there was no schedule, no to-do list that kept me from simply being.
Innocence. That is what I miss.
Favorite Words
This is a tough prompt.
On the one hand , I could make it easy for myself and say words like love, children, summer vacation. On the other hand, I feel that Meg has a lot more that she wants us to get at with this prompt. So I am sitting here with only one cup of coffee in my thinking about what words I like.
I like silly made up words. Like schootchy. As in having a scootchy kid who won't sit still.
Then there are the words that sound weird to you , like "hamper." Say that to yourself. It will always sound odd and make you laugh.
Ok, here is my first one.
Beauty. This word has so many meanings. Most people take beauty at face value (no pun intended!) but I like to think of the myriad meaning of thus word. I think of the beauty of the sunset. The beauty of a child being born (which obviously has no "classic beauty" involved haha!). The beauty in a wrinkled wizened face. The beauty of a hug. Or of gut-busting laughter. The scribble on my wall, made by my then 2 year old son in bright blue crayon, who told me it said "I love you mommy."
I challenge you to look deep into that word and see it for what it is. It is not the person of the week on People Magazine. It is everything but.
(Yikes! Looking at the time and I have to go wake the kids for school.- I will hopefully be able to add more!
On the one hand , I could make it easy for myself and say words like love, children, summer vacation. On the other hand, I feel that Meg has a lot more that she wants us to get at with this prompt. So I am sitting here with only one cup of coffee in my thinking about what words I like.
I like silly made up words. Like schootchy. As in having a scootchy kid who won't sit still.
Then there are the words that sound weird to you , like "hamper." Say that to yourself. It will always sound odd and make you laugh.
Ok, here is my first one.
Beauty. This word has so many meanings. Most people take beauty at face value (no pun intended!) but I like to think of the myriad meaning of thus word. I think of the beauty of the sunset. The beauty of a child being born (which obviously has no "classic beauty" involved haha!). The beauty in a wrinkled wizened face. The beauty of a hug. Or of gut-busting laughter. The scribble on my wall, made by my then 2 year old son in bright blue crayon, who told me it said "I love you mommy."
I challenge you to look deep into that word and see it for what it is. It is not the person of the week on People Magazine. It is everything but.
(Yikes! Looking at the time and I have to go wake the kids for school.- I will hopefully be able to add more!
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Comfort foods????
Today's prompt is to write about a favorite comfort food.
Well, well, well. That sure is a loaded topic for me. The quick answer is "it depends." It depends on what I need comfort for. Am I feeling sorry for myself? Angry? Hormonal? Or am I happy and wanting to pamper myself with food?
The easiest one to answer is if I am hormonal. Give me chocolate covered pretzels. The sweetness, the saltiness, the smooth chocolate and the satisfying crunch of the pretzel makes them the *perfect* hormone therapy.
If I am angry... well that is easier to answer than to do. When I am angry or upset, I prefer air. As in nothing. I won't eat at all. This can be a bit dangerous for me, a recovering anorexic. In order to shut down uncomfortable emotions, I won't eat. The denial of hunger pangs is just as satiating to me as eating a plate full of cookies may be to someone else.
If I am feeling sorry for myself and a bit melancholy, I like the comfort foods of childhood. Homemade baked macaroni or cheese and crackers. I guess they make me feel like my mom is there with me, making me feel like everything is really going to be ok.
The one that is the nicest to think about is when I am happy and want to pamper myself a bit. This is the time when my family goes out to dinner and there is good feelings, joy and contentment. That is when I like something rich and decadent. Shrimp scampi or fettucini alfredo. Garlic bread. And perhaps even dessert.
Well, well, well. That sure is a loaded topic for me. The quick answer is "it depends." It depends on what I need comfort for. Am I feeling sorry for myself? Angry? Hormonal? Or am I happy and wanting to pamper myself with food?
The easiest one to answer is if I am hormonal. Give me chocolate covered pretzels. The sweetness, the saltiness, the smooth chocolate and the satisfying crunch of the pretzel makes them the *perfect* hormone therapy.
If I am angry... well that is easier to answer than to do. When I am angry or upset, I prefer air. As in nothing. I won't eat at all. This can be a bit dangerous for me, a recovering anorexic. In order to shut down uncomfortable emotions, I won't eat. The denial of hunger pangs is just as satiating to me as eating a plate full of cookies may be to someone else.
If I am feeling sorry for myself and a bit melancholy, I like the comfort foods of childhood. Homemade baked macaroni or cheese and crackers. I guess they make me feel like my mom is there with me, making me feel like everything is really going to be ok.
The one that is the nicest to think about is when I am happy and want to pamper myself a bit. This is the time when my family goes out to dinner and there is good feelings, joy and contentment. That is when I like something rich and decadent. Shrimp scampi or fettucini alfredo. Garlic bread. And perhaps even dessert.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Mother's Day Gifts
Well, first off, I had a very nice Mother's Day. Last year was a really bad one -- for me and my family. Hubby was still quite.....ill... for lack of a better word. I didn't get a card, a gift, nothing from the kids....no special treatment. So this year, just the fact that he was "aware" that it was Mother's Day was a huge plus.
And yes, I got cards from him and my kids. And they also went out shopping and picked up an ipod for me. I am so excited- Now I don't have to keep borrowing his when I am working. And this has *my* music and podcasts on it. But needless to say he didn't really need to spend that much $$. However, I have learned to not complain. Better to have a nice day and an extra credit card bill than not have the day recognized at all.
So now that I sound like a greedy b****- I have to say one of the best parts of the day was getting to spend it with my new extended family. My brother's fiancee's family had us up for a local brunch, then we went back to their house for cake and coffee. The families are blending so nicely and I am so thrilled that my brother found a great person to spend his life with.
So my kids were happy, hubby was good about spending the day with the new family and my hubby recognized how much I need him to let me know he cares. That was what made it a happy mother's day.
And yes, I got cards from him and my kids. And they also went out shopping and picked up an ipod for me. I am so excited- Now I don't have to keep borrowing his when I am working. And this has *my* music and podcasts on it. But needless to say he didn't really need to spend that much $$. However, I have learned to not complain. Better to have a nice day and an extra credit card bill than not have the day recognized at all.
So now that I sound like a greedy b****- I have to say one of the best parts of the day was getting to spend it with my new extended family. My brother's fiancee's family had us up for a local brunch, then we went back to their house for cake and coffee. The families are blending so nicely and I am so thrilled that my brother found a great person to spend his life with.
So my kids were happy, hubby was good about spending the day with the new family and my hubby recognized how much I need him to let me know he cares. That was what made it a happy mother's day.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Playing hookey!
If I could take tomorrow off of work, I'd...
Even though I am technically a SAHM, I work with a friend who owns a house cleaning business one or two days a week. Additionally, I am my mother in law's "personal assistant" and either clean for her, work on her accounting, pattern testing etc for her quilt business. So yeah... I am the SAHM that is always working for other people, outside of her home. LOL
The bad news for today is that my friend is very sick with walking pneumonia. The good news is that I don't have to work today. Since I didn't have anything else scheduled for the day, I am going to get some of my own housework done, then I am going to play with a new program my mother in law wants to be learn for fabric design- a kaleidoscope pattern maker. It should be fun!
Even though I am technically a SAHM, I work with a friend who owns a house cleaning business one or two days a week. Additionally, I am my mother in law's "personal assistant" and either clean for her, work on her accounting, pattern testing etc for her quilt business. So yeah... I am the SAHM that is always working for other people, outside of her home. LOL
The bad news for today is that my friend is very sick with walking pneumonia. The good news is that I don't have to work today. Since I didn't have anything else scheduled for the day, I am going to get some of my own housework done, then I am going to play with a new program my mother in law wants to be learn for fabric design- a kaleidoscope pattern maker. It should be fun!
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Coloring my World
What colors are you drawn to? Which ones depress you? Are there any that you love but don't surround yourself with or wear? Why?
Since I was little I have been drawn to the same basic color families over and over. Blues, green and purples. At various times, I am drawn to different shades, tints, and tones of those basic colors. Right now, I am wearing a teal and sage green shirt, one of my favorites. My bedroom is decorated is a soothing grey and lavender. My business logo is one of teals, pinks, and purples. Any of those colors, and a touch of silver and I am happy, whether it be in decorating, clothing, accessories or designing a craft project.
I think that this connects to me because these are "fluid" and non- obtrusive colors. Soft, serene, yet a touch funky. Like those colors, I am pretty shy, but a bit wacky and outgoing when you get to know me.
Red, oranges and bright yellows. To me they are like raucous music. They clash and make me on edge. My mother loves to decorate with red, as does my best friend. I don't feel comfortable in those rooms very much. I guess that is because red is a vibrant, outgoing color. Red, along with yellows and oranges, seems to shout "Look at me!" which is one of the last things I would ever say.
It is interesting since I have read a bit on color therapy and gem stone therapy where you use colors and gems to help with emotional issues. The colors and gems vibrate at different frequencies and you tend to be attracted tot he ones you need, psychologically, the most. I like keeping an eye on how I react to different colors over time. A few years ago, I was feeling very solid, stable and grounded. I adored green. I wanted everything to be in shades of green. To me, green is a very earthy, feet in the grass, connect with Mother Earth-y type of color.
Right now, I am mostly drawn to plums and lavender These are more healing, spiritual and calming colors, which is really exactly what I need.
Since I was little I have been drawn to the same basic color families over and over. Blues, green and purples. At various times, I am drawn to different shades, tints, and tones of those basic colors. Right now, I am wearing a teal and sage green shirt, one of my favorites. My bedroom is decorated is a soothing grey and lavender. My business logo is one of teals, pinks, and purples. Any of those colors, and a touch of silver and I am happy, whether it be in decorating, clothing, accessories or designing a craft project.
I think that this connects to me because these are "fluid" and non- obtrusive colors. Soft, serene, yet a touch funky. Like those colors, I am pretty shy, but a bit wacky and outgoing when you get to know me.
Red, oranges and bright yellows. To me they are like raucous music. They clash and make me on edge. My mother loves to decorate with red, as does my best friend. I don't feel comfortable in those rooms very much. I guess that is because red is a vibrant, outgoing color. Red, along with yellows and oranges, seems to shout "Look at me!" which is one of the last things I would ever say.
It is interesting since I have read a bit on color therapy and gem stone therapy where you use colors and gems to help with emotional issues. The colors and gems vibrate at different frequencies and you tend to be attracted tot he ones you need, psychologically, the most. I like keeping an eye on how I react to different colors over time. A few years ago, I was feeling very solid, stable and grounded. I adored green. I wanted everything to be in shades of green. To me, green is a very earthy, feet in the grass, connect with Mother Earth-y type of color.
Right now, I am mostly drawn to plums and lavender These are more healing, spiritual and calming colors, which is really exactly what I need.
Optimism vs. Thankful
Optimism seems to be in short supply over here some days. Optimism and hope kinda go hand in hand. Over the last two years, every time I have been hopeful, hope has been dashed.
It is hard to keep going through that and still be optimistic.
So instead of writing about things I am optimistic about, I am going to write about things I am thankful for.
I am so thankful for the sun that is shining. The sun provides me with warmth and strength. It signals to be that - perhaps- better days will come, just as it is signals that harshness of the winter is over, and the spring brings new opportunities with it.
I am thankful, each and every day for my kids. They too, are like the sun, full of energy and warmth. They bring me joy and love each and every day.
I am thankful for my mom, who is always there for me. Like the sun rises after a long, dark night, she is my constant and steadying force. She gives me strength, love and lots of room to grow.
I am thankful for me. I am grateful that when I feel empty and lost, there is always that spark that rekindles me, keeps me going and reminds me how strong I am.
It is hard to keep going through that and still be optimistic.
So instead of writing about things I am optimistic about, I am going to write about things I am thankful for.
I am so thankful for the sun that is shining. The sun provides me with warmth and strength. It signals to be that - perhaps- better days will come, just as it is signals that harshness of the winter is over, and the spring brings new opportunities with it.
I am thankful, each and every day for my kids. They too, are like the sun, full of energy and warmth. They bring me joy and love each and every day.
I am thankful for my mom, who is always there for me. Like the sun rises after a long, dark night, she is my constant and steadying force. She gives me strength, love and lots of room to grow.
I am thankful for me. I am grateful that when I feel empty and lost, there is always that spark that rekindles me, keeps me going and reminds me how strong I am.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
I am just Not funny
I am absolutely no good for telling jokes. Can't say a funny story or think of a pun to save my life. But somehow, I am married to one of the funniest men on earth, and have two of the funniest kids I have ever met.
Yeah, yeah, all parents think their kids are funny. But mine make me laugh -- constantly. My guys have the wackiest sense of humor, like their dad. Little things that no one else finds humorous sends us into gales of laughter and typically just eggs the whole family on.
I wish I could think of something funny that they have done recently, but I can't. But I bet as soon as I walk away from he computer, little jokes and stories will flood back. And if they don't, we'll be sitting down to dinner soon, and I am sure we'll have something funny happen or be said.
One of the biggest reasons I fell for my hubby is that we share this off beat, weird sense of humor. And he makes me laugh. A lot. It is one of the biggest things I love about him. And one huge thing I love about my kids.
Yeah, yeah, all parents think their kids are funny. But mine make me laugh -- constantly. My guys have the wackiest sense of humor, like their dad. Little things that no one else finds humorous sends us into gales of laughter and typically just eggs the whole family on.
I wish I could think of something funny that they have done recently, but I can't. But I bet as soon as I walk away from he computer, little jokes and stories will flood back. And if they don't, we'll be sitting down to dinner soon, and I am sure we'll have something funny happen or be said.
One of the biggest reasons I fell for my hubby is that we share this off beat, weird sense of humor. And he makes me laugh. A lot. It is one of the biggest things I love about him. And one huge thing I love about my kids.
Accomplishments
Even though it is Sunday, almost dinner time, I want to do this Blog post. I tend to minimize any of my accomplishments. I don't lnow why, I just don't like to talk about *me* very much I guess.
But the other day, I friend passed a comment how the greatest gift you can give a child, is to love and respect your spouse. Even though my husband and I have had our share of disagreements and instability in the past two years, I feel that they greatest gift does not have to be a happy homelife. Now, before anyone takes that the wrong way, what I mean is that it was kind of crappy advice, IMO, to think that only the most loving families are giving their child a great gift.
I think that one of my best accomplishments is also one of the best gifts I can give my children- my unconditional love, the knowledge that even when life is hard that we all have the strength to stick it out.
My kids are good kids, solid good kids. Yeah, they screw up sometimes, but they know that even when they screw up, I am there. I might not like what they did, but I still love them anyway.
I give them the gift in the knowledge that life is not easy, marriage is not easy. But when you do love each other, you stick together even when things are bad. Of course, my kids are in no danger and my husbands loves them deeply, which is a gift he gives them.
So basically, my accomplishment is that even though we have been through hell as a family, they are secure, confident, mannerly, caring, and fun kids. In that, I am doing my job as a mom who will always do my best for my kids.
But the other day, I friend passed a comment how the greatest gift you can give a child, is to love and respect your spouse. Even though my husband and I have had our share of disagreements and instability in the past two years, I feel that they greatest gift does not have to be a happy homelife. Now, before anyone takes that the wrong way, what I mean is that it was kind of crappy advice, IMO, to think that only the most loving families are giving their child a great gift.
I think that one of my best accomplishments is also one of the best gifts I can give my children- my unconditional love, the knowledge that even when life is hard that we all have the strength to stick it out.
My kids are good kids, solid good kids. Yeah, they screw up sometimes, but they know that even when they screw up, I am there. I might not like what they did, but I still love them anyway.
I give them the gift in the knowledge that life is not easy, marriage is not easy. But when you do love each other, you stick together even when things are bad. Of course, my kids are in no danger and my husbands loves them deeply, which is a gift he gives them.
So basically, my accomplishment is that even though we have been through hell as a family, they are secure, confident, mannerly, caring, and fun kids. In that, I am doing my job as a mom who will always do my best for my kids.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
I must be ill.
Really and truly. Here I am giventhe opportunity tot vent, and I simply don't have the energy today. This migraine is sucking all life out of me.
So Iam simply going to have to say that I hate migraines. I am not even going to say it, just whisper it.
Maybe tomorrow I'll be ready to vent.
So Iam simply going to have to say that I hate migraines. I am not even going to say it, just whisper it.
Maybe tomorrow I'll be ready to vent.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Lost Time
Right now you should be doing ______ instead of being on the computer.
Ok, so it is really 6am on the day after this was posted. But yesterday was a busy day and I didn't spend all that much time on the computer. or at least I don't think I did. What is it about the computer that steals time from me? It seems like I'll hop on for a minute and next I know a half hour has flown by.
Yesterday I was truly busy and by the time I was able to hop on the computer, it was "free time."
But many days, I would hate to add up all of the lost time.
Ok, so it is really 6am on the day after this was posted. But yesterday was a busy day and I didn't spend all that much time on the computer. or at least I don't think I did. What is it about the computer that steals time from me? It seems like I'll hop on for a minute and next I know a half hour has flown by.
Yesterday I was truly busy and by the time I was able to hop on the computer, it was "free time."
But many days, I would hate to add up all of the lost time.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Generations
Grandmother <- Daughter -> Grandaughter
Connections through the generations.
I have been blessed to have close relationships with my mother, her mother, and my daughter.
My Grandma has been deceased for 13 years, yet still is stil a part of our lives. My daughter, who at 7, never met my Grandma in person, has a strong connection with Grandma Finelli and loves to talk about her.
When I was a kid, I loved to visit with Grandma. My mom and I wouldgo down to her house, take her out, do a bit of shopping,then out to luch. It was always a special day, and my mom even let me take days off from school to go with her. I adore my Grandma, and think, to this day, she was an amazing, strong woman.
After my Grandma died, my mom and I would go out every so often, but we both worked full time, so that tradition faded away. Then after my son was born, Mom and I would take him out. We would do a bit of shopping (aka all of the errands that are hard to accomplish with a baby on your own) then grab some lunch.
Caitlyn was born, and we just added her into the picture. It seemed that suddenly, we went from having two meals, with the kids eating off our plates, to two adult meals, two kids meals, and then we *had* to have dessert!
Scott started school full days when he was 6 and Cait was 4. My poor mother missed him terribly, but we continued on without him. I have to admit, she always had to bring him back something special, so he didn't feel left out. But that sadness of missing him was nothing compared to how she felt when Caitlyn went to school full time as well. I think my mother lives for the days when they are off at school and the four of us can be together again.
Scott insists that he doesn't want to get married or have kids, so at this point, I have to wonder if the traditions will pass him by. In all fairness, he is only 9, soo there will be no pressure from Mom, until he is at least 25. LOL
Cait, on the other hand, already talks about the day that she will go out shopping and to lunch with her daughter, me, and my mom. I look forward to the day when we can continue the tradtions of generations.
Connections through the generations.
I have been blessed to have close relationships with my mother, her mother, and my daughter.
My Grandma has been deceased for 13 years, yet still is stil a part of our lives. My daughter, who at 7, never met my Grandma in person, has a strong connection with Grandma Finelli and loves to talk about her.
When I was a kid, I loved to visit with Grandma. My mom and I wouldgo down to her house, take her out, do a bit of shopping,then out to luch. It was always a special day, and my mom even let me take days off from school to go with her. I adore my Grandma, and think, to this day, she was an amazing, strong woman.
After my Grandma died, my mom and I would go out every so often, but we both worked full time, so that tradition faded away. Then after my son was born, Mom and I would take him out. We would do a bit of shopping (aka all of the errands that are hard to accomplish with a baby on your own) then grab some lunch.
Caitlyn was born, and we just added her into the picture. It seemed that suddenly, we went from having two meals, with the kids eating off our plates, to two adult meals, two kids meals, and then we *had* to have dessert!
Scott started school full days when he was 6 and Cait was 4. My poor mother missed him terribly, but we continued on without him. I have to admit, she always had to bring him back something special, so he didn't feel left out. But that sadness of missing him was nothing compared to how she felt when Caitlyn went to school full time as well. I think my mother lives for the days when they are off at school and the four of us can be together again.
Scott insists that he doesn't want to get married or have kids, so at this point, I have to wonder if the traditions will pass him by. In all fairness, he is only 9, soo there will be no pressure from Mom, until he is at least 25. LOL
Cait, on the other hand, already talks about the day that she will go out shopping and to lunch with her daughter, me, and my mom. I look forward to the day when we can continue the tradtions of generations.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
