ToT: When Life's in the Crapper...

TOPIC:
List 30 things that you take for granted that you have gratitude for-you can elaborate as much or as little on each item.


So I know the topic says "List..." which is usually right up my alley, but I have some things to get off my chest first.

I haven't been blogging lately because it seems way too trivial.  Trivial in the sense that my focus has needed to be elsewhere. 

Dudes...my friends' lives are in the crapper. 

I don't really want to elaborate because I don't want to, you know, air all of my friends' dirty laundry on my blog.  That just ain't kosher.

Numerous divorces.  Custody battles.  Financial struggles.  Medical problems.  Medical problems of my friends' close family members.  Lost jobs.  Lots of tears.  Lots of stress.  And LOTS of me sitting around trying to figure out how to help.

The truth is that short of just being a good listening ear, giver of sound advice, shoulder to cry on, sounding board to vent to or an outstanding drinking buddy, I can't help.  And...it's killing me.

I blame it on my motherly instinct.  It is well known that I don't really like...people.  I like CERTAIN people.  And when someone becomes a CERTAIN person, they then have to deal with all this crazy I have up in my brain.  And when any or all of those CERTAIN people are hurting, I just want to take away the hurt.  Just take it for myself.  Just as I want to take away all Jayna's hurt.  I would've gladly gone under the knife for eye surgery for her.  I'd gladly go across the monkey bars for her since she is having such a hard time with it.  I'd GLADLY take away the pain of those CERTAIN people if it put a smile on their faces and a little hope into their hearts.

Unfortunately, it just doesn't work that way.  We are shaped by our experiences.  Our experiences teach us how to act, how to live, how to survive.  And I can't survive for these people.  They must continue to be functioning members of society on their own.  But it still hurts my heart to see them go through these things.

And as I sit and watch my friends lives go down the crapper and the world crumble around me, I have MUCH to be grateful for:

1. I have the greatest husband that ever lived:  supportive, loving, a GREAT father to Jayna, a good provider, and my bestest friend for all eternity.  Although I've recently seen other outstanding husbands in action lately (read: Mark), I still attest that Chris is just the best person that I could've ever teamed up with.  That's what we are, you know.  A team.  To us, that's what a marriage is.  Sure, we disagree.  We get mad.  And then we communicate.  And then we hug.  And then we make fun of each other.  That's how we do.
2. I am somehow managing to help raise the kindest, most polite child ever.  She regularly uses her manners and also compliments me atleast one time a day on something or another.  "Mommy, you look pretty today."  That can very well be the difference between a totally shitty day and an okay day.  I just love her. 
3. I know that, whatever the situation, I can count on my family.  I have some of the best parents there are and I know that I can always count on them.  I am also very grateful that I can now call Chris' parents my family.  They love me and support me in all that I do.  It's nice to know that there is always someone out there who'll have your back come hail or high water.  It's just a great feeling.
4. My job.  Good grief...I've never been more grateful to have a job, no less one that is flexible, pays well and provides me with health insurance.  With so many people suffering from un- or under-employment, I am so very thankful to be employed.
5. My friends.  They are, and have been in the past, my lifelines.  They bring me back to reality when I'm being dramatic.  They help lift me up when I'm down.  The make me smile, make me think and help me work through my issues.  I don't know what I'd do without you all.
6. Wine.  I'm really thankful for wine. :)
7. The ability to provide opportunities for Jayna.  Whether it is being able to afford these things or simply taking the time to do things with her, I'm grateful that Chris and I are dedicated to this.
8. Rain.  Never before have I spent so many days wishing it would just rain.  I feel for the farmers whose crops have suffered because of the drought.  Hopefully the mild fall weather will save atleast some of them.
9. Technology.  I wouldn't have the ability to communicate with some people without all of the ways we have today.  I am grateful that I can email, Facebook, text and/or call all of the people I care about near or far.
10. Oliver.  He is the comic relief in my life.  He is also very annoying at times, what with his weird catlike behavior.  Nonetheless, he makes me laugh and gives me snuggles when I need them.
11. Shelter.  Yes, shelter.  I've spent countless hours HATING my house.  It's too small.  Too cramped.  Not in the school district I want.  I don't have a pantry.  Or a master bath.  Or a laundry room.  But here's the thing, y'all:  I HAVE A HOUSE.  A house that I can afford that isn't in a bad neighborhood.  And I am thankful that I don't have to live in my car.
12. Peanut butter.  I love me some peanut butter.
13. Freedom.  Plain and simple. 
14. Painting.  Painting provides an outlet for me that I never knew.  Scrapbooking didn't do it.  Candlemaking didn't do it.  The numerous other hobbies I had didn't do it.  But painting doesn't serve any other purpose than me putting paint to canvas.  I'm not preserving memories or making something useful in the sense that it has a higher purpose.  It is art for art's sake.  And I love it.  Now to find more time to do it.
15. Jayna's preschool.  We chose her preschool based on 3 factors:  it is close to our house (less than a mile), it was in our price range and when we met the 2 women who owned it, I loved them.  That's...it.  We didn't choose it based on academics (they opened 2 months before Jayna started, so we had no idea).  We didn't choose it based on how many kids went there (7 at first).  And we didn't choose it based on popularity (again, just opened).  And despite a few minor setbacks/flaws that have been worked out, it has turned out to be a perfect fit for Jayna.  She is learning at a rate that I didn't think was possible and a large part of that is due to her teachers.  I love them and so does Jayna.
16. A kid who sleeps through the night 99.9% of the time.  Jayna woke me up at 1am because she was having a dream that she thought was real life.  And it has screwed up my whole day.
17. Quick dry nail polish.  Hey...YOU try polishing 10 wiggly fingers and 10 wiggly toes and THEN tell me it won't make your gratitude list.
18. The nice people at CVS.  $35 refund that I didn't think I was going to get?  Yes please!!  Thanks, nice pharmacy lady. :)
19. Lunch hour.  It's fast approaching and I will take full advantage of it today.
20. Weekends.  How else would I have time to sleep in?
21. Zyrtec.  It has pretty much saved my life this summer.
22. My health.  I am very lucky to be so healthy.  I do have some things to work on (exercising more), but all in all, I'm doing well. 
23. Smores.  Man, that's a gooood dessert.
24. Mexican Monday.  Even though it isn't Monday.  Dude, I must be hungry.
25. Sunshine.  I don't always think about it, but I am in a much better mood if the sun is shining.  It can be 10 degrees, but if the sun is shining, the day is better.  I am grateful for all that vitamin D.
26. My doctor.  She must be the most caring doctor there ever was.  She's helped me through so many things it isn't even funny.  She even helped me come to terms with running the Mini last year.  She's an OB/GYN, but I still go to her for everything.  She's the most helpful doctor I've ever had.
27. Our decision to cut the Cable Television Cord.  It has freed up more time and money than we ever though possible.  And we don't even miss it.  Except for baseball games and Monday Night Football. :)
28. The food on my table.  I complain ALL THE TIME about the price of groceries.  But guess what?  I can still afford them.  And sadly enough, that puts me ahead of many Americans.  I am grateful that I am able to provide food for our family.
29. The harmonica.  It's brought so much joy to my life.  I never knew I could do it.  But with Chris' support and prodding, I began and I'm actually pretty good at it. :)
30. Air conditioning.  It was so freakin' hot this summer that we really would've missed it had it not been around.  Some of the houses in my neighborhood don't have central air.  I feel for those of you who don't have it.  I know it isn't a necessity, but it sure is nice.

Writing out all of that really puts things into perspective.  I urge you all to think about what you're grateful for.

What are you all thankful for?  Now use those links to the right!!

ToT: Living Life or Too Busy?

TOPIC:
Read this article:  The Busy Trap.  Are you guilty? Do you have many self-imposed obligations making you too busy to enjoy life? And if you have kids, what about your kids? Do they have activities that keep them busy? Are you okay with being too busy or would you like to let go of some of those self-imposed tasks?


Go ahead...go read it.  You aren't too busy to read about being busy.  Trust me.

I do, however, think it speaks volumes that my entry regarding being "crazy busy" is over a week late.

I also think it is hilarious that we're writing about this topic in one of our "self-imposed obligations."  Blogging is fun, but it is definitely self-imposed for me.  It isn't my job and it isn't necessarily my livelihood.  But I like to do it and I WANT to do it, so I've made the once a week obligation.  And I have failed at it many times.

But that's okay.  If I'm not failing at atleast SOMETHING, I'm not learning anything.  There is a lesson in every experience I have. The lesson here is that if I am going to make obligations for myself, I should probably make sure I can keep up with them. 

Or...and here's the hard part....NOT MAKE SAID OBLIGATIONS.

Interestingly enough, my entry isn't late because I have been "crazy busy."  It's late because I've been making a living AND making a life.  Work and play.  That's what we do.

I've let go of many things.  I've stopped snapping 3 bajillion photos a day in the name of "preserving memories."  I've stopped making plans for every single solitary free second of my life.  I've stopped blogging religiously.  And I am much less of a Facebooker these days, although I'm still there. 

I just need to live.  To experience things.  And DO things.

And I am.

The thing about my family (Chris, Jayna and I) being busy is that we're having the time of our freaking lives while we're being busy!!  We're going to festivals and the zoo and baseball games and museums and seeing our friends and eating ice cream at the park and going on vacation and going to our friends' birthday parties and all sorts of fun things.  All self-imposed?  Yep.  All totally outstanding?  HELL yes.

We had a family gathering with my side of the family a few weeks ago.  My uncle extended an invitation for Chris, Jayna and I to visit him anytime we want.  I said to him, "Well, now that August is almost over, we should be less busy with things."  He looked straight at me and said, "You've been married for 10 years and since then I've never known you to be NOT busy."

He's right.

I LOVE to be busy. 

To tell the truth, I probably have some sort of ADD problem.  I can't sit still.  If I have to sit still for a long period of time, I get fidgety and I bite my nails.  I shake my leg.  I tap on things.  I just can't sit still (I'm shaking my leg RIGHTNOW).  I like for my hands to be busy and my mind to be engaged.  And those things lead to...busy.

As far as obligations, that's something I have to work on.  I have a difficult time saying no to people.  I love to see my friends even if it means I'm not giving myself any downtime.  I like to help people out.  And I LOVE to provide new and exciting experiences for Jayna.  I have a hard time passing things up to just sit at home.

This does seem to take some of the spontaneity out of life.  It is rare that someone can call me on Thursday and ask me to do something on Friday night.  Chances are I've already planned something. 

I do not, however, make too many obligations for Jayna.  She has ONE activity:  tumbling.  If she decides when she's a little older that she wants to do more things, we'll talk.  But I want her to have time to focus on things.  I don't want her to feel like she has to fill up her time just to be filling it up.  Obligations will come as she ages.  To me, it is important to just let her be a kid.

Jayna LOVES to stay home and play.  We try very hard to provide almost one full day of every weekend for her to do that (while we keep busy with home/art projects or chores).  She's a kid who needs downtime and alone time.  She likes to go in her room, close the door and let her imagination run wild.  ALL BY HERSELF.  We'd never do ANYTHING to screw with that.  I never want her to think we were responsible for stifling her imagination or creativity in any way, shape or form. 

So...have we fallen victim to the Busy Trap?  I don't know.  We definitely live a full life.  We could probably use more downtime.  But we definitely just don't want to sit around and watch television all day.

Now go check out the links to the right for the other ladies' opinions. Or...are you too busy? :)

ToT: I was 16 once.

Topic:
Write a letter to your 16-year-old self. Reflect on the life you had at 16, what you would change and what you did right.


Dear D@16:

That's the code name I've given to you so I don't have to type out "Danielle at 16 years old" everytime I refer to you.  I'm writing to you from the future because I just got a new flux capacitor.  That future just happens to be double your age...the year 2012.  And in that 16 extra years?  Wow.  That's all I got.

You don't have it so bad, you know.  You have a job and that is GREAT.  Get used to that.  Jobs don't go away.  And eventually one job will turn into a career.  Eventually.  And you won't even really see it coming.

The money you make from your job now just buys you stupid junk.  Remember your pre-ordered from Blockbuster Video VHS copy of Jerry Maquire?  Yeah...that kind of stupid junk.  What you don't know is that 1. Blockbuster Video doesn't exist anymore. 2. VHS cassettes don't exist anymore (excepting at yard sales where the current market value is around 5 for a buck). 3.  TOM CRUISE IS A LUNATIC.  (And on that note, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!?  There are WAY better celebrities to be obsessed with.)

Eventually, in about 4 years actually, your money from your job (at Mr. D's) will go to what we'll call essential things.  You know...the ROOF over your head.  The FOOD you eat.  The ELECTRICITY that allows you to cook the food and watch the moderately priced cable television package you can afford.  And trust me on this one:  in 16 more years, "moderately priced cable television package" will be an oxymoron.

Having a job is something you're doing RIGHT.  Keep the work ethic.  You'll need it.  Trust me.  Also?  Your education.  That's another giant thing you're doing RIGHT.  Keep your nose to the grindstone and don't give up. 

It isn't so bad...the journey on which you will embark.  You'll meet the man of your...dreams...I guess?  I say it that way because you already know him.  But right now the 2 of you don't even give each other the time of day.  He's the weirdo in the giant pants with the chains and you're the goody-2-shoes who never breaks the rules.  Well, atleast never breaks the rules and gets caught. :)

So you'll meet him, get a dog who changes your life forever, get another dog who changes your life forever, lose 2 dogs who changed your life forever and then get another one who is a crazy animal who eventually becomes a dog who changes your life forever.

And somewhere in there?  You'll do 2 things you said you'd never do.  You'll get married.  And you'll have a baby.

Oh how things change.  Compared to who you are in 2012, you as D@16 are a very close-minded person.  You already seem to be set in your ways about things and are very unforgiving and harsh.  NEWSFLASH:  that doesn't get you very far in life.  Especially in human relationships. 

So get over yourself.  Seriously.  Grow the F#&*@ up!!!  You're 16! 

You have done and will do several more things WRONG.  It's called life.  Some are pretty rough lessons, but you'll have support all the way through it.  Family, friends, your spouse, your pets and your child. 

If I had to list your biggest weakness, D@16, I'd say that it is your inability to forgive and/or your fear of changing your mind about things.  It's ABSOLUTELY OKAY to change your mind.  It's okay to forgive people for doing who-even-remembers-what.  Some of your bestest friends in the future will be those you've forgiven and those who've forgiven you.  Forgiveness is a strong force.  Use the force, D@16.  Use it. (You don't know how hilarious that is because you don't like Star Wars.  You won't like that for almost 10 more years.  Another weakness...)

Your biggest strength is your thirst for knowledge.  You'll still have that in 2012.  You'll have it to an even greater degree, though, because you'll be learning new things yourself and you'll be teaching a 4-year-old new things too. 

And the one thing I want to say to you and make sure you know is this:   90% of the bullshit that is important to you RIGHTNOWINYOURTINYLIFE will mean absolutely nothing in 2012.  Hell, most of it you won't even remember.  All those "friends?"  Well, when you reach the ripe old age of 32, you'll KNOW who your friends are.  No questions about it.  And you won't care about the people who aren't.  Those issues you're having?  They don't even compare to some of the ones you'll have in a few years.  Enjoy it.  Enjoy being young.

Hang in there, D@16.  It will be a wild ride.  Valleys and mountains.  Some of those valleys will be dark and deep.  But those giant mountains will more than make up for it.  Remember, a lesson learned the hard way is one that stays with ya.

And I don't say it enough, but I love you.  You're a great person and I'll always have your back.

Love,
D@32

ToT: I'm No Paula Deen

TOPIC:Write about your favorite recipe.  It can be something you make or your mom, grandma, best friend, aunt or whoever makes.  Tell us why you like it and share the recipe along with a photo if you have it.

I mean that I'm no Paula Deen in many ways.  I have this joke in my head that if, in some alternate world, I could choose an extra set of grandparents, it would be Paula Deen and William Shatner. 

I know.  Perfect idea ever, right?!? 

So, I'm no Paula Deen in the sense that I can't just whip up gourmet southern food on a whim.  I didn't build my life from practically nothing and become famous.  And I don't put butter in everything.  Because, as y'all know, butter is a food group to Grandma Paula.

And while I'm no Paula Deen, I can absolutely hold my own in a kitchen.  That wasn't always the case (ahem, mom...salty mashed potatoes and macaroni soup), but I can whip up a mean meal at this point in my life.  At one point in time, I just had to actually fake it until made it.

I remember very vividly when Chris and I lived in our first apartment together.  Chris' dad and stepmom were coming to stay with us for a couple of days.  I could NOT cook at this point in my life.  My skills stopped at meal helpers and ramen noodles.  I decided that since they weren't crazy about us living together that I'd go all Susie Homemaker on their asses and bake cinnamon muffins (obviously, the kind you just mix with water and put in a pan).  I didn't really care if anyone ATE them, I just wanted it to smell like good food when they got there. 

Well, our oven was broken.  The thermostat was out.  And within 4 minutes my cinnamon muffins were charcoal on the outside and soupy muffin mix on the inside. 

I'm pretty sure that solidified Chris' dad's opinion of me. 

After we got our oven fixed, it then became a challenge.  I began cooking things.  Like, real things.  And by the time we were married for a year or two, no one was going hungry.  I even had recipes that my family would request I bring to family events!  That was unheard of back in the day.

I'm going to share a couple of recipes.  I got both of these recipes from the intertubes and I'll direct y'all to them as I go.

Recipe #1:  Pioneer Woman's Drip Beef
I first made drip beef for the Super Bowl in 2010.  And I've been making it ever since.

It really is just that good.

Photo courtesy of The Pioneer Woman

Of the 2 recipes that she lists, I make the Italian Drip Beef.  I use my crockpot on low for 10 hours.  And then I make 2 slight changes:  I use 1.5 tablespoons of Italian seasoning and 1.5 tablespoons of Italian dressing seasoning mix.  And then I just leave out the extra salt.

This recipe is a crowd pleaser.  I've never fed it to anyone who didn't like it.  And it makes enough to serve a decent amount of people.  I'd say atleast 6 if the people are super hungry.  Probably more like 8-10 if you have other things to eat too.


Recipe #2:  Homemade Buttercream Icing
I came across this recipe around the time my brother did his vow renewal.  That was over a year ago and I haven't bought buttercream icing since.  It's so easy to make using the little shortcuts (like not sifting the powdered sugar) and once you make it a few times, you can ALMOST do it without measuring.  I love the fact that I can manipulate the texture for adding color or flavor.  It's very versatile and if you fancy yourself a baker, you NEED to start making your own buttercream.  If you don't trust any other words I say, trust those.  MAKE YOUR OWN BUTTERCREAM.

That is buttercream on those cupcakes.  The cupcakes are boxed mix, but the icing?  Well, the icing makes you forget about the actual cake.

You can freeze buttercream.  You can eat it out of the bowl.  You can flavor it vanilla or with cinnamon (as I did for my brother's vow renewal), you can make it whatever color you want.  And it's delicious.

Here are some tips:
*Use salted REAL butter.  Don't attempt to use margarine.  Trust me.  Just...trust me.
*Don't worry about sifting the powdered sugar.  You can adjust the texture by adding powdered sugar or milk at the end.
*Use the shortening as she has in the recipe.  This really does help the icing stand up to hotter temps.  It won't melt if you're having an outdoor party.
*Be prepared to gain half a pound when you make it.


What are your favorite recipes?  I love to cook and I'm always excited to try new things.  Now go along with me and read about the other ToT ladies' favorite recipes!  Links are to the right!

Together on Tuesday: The Best Things in Life are Free

But you can give them to the birds and the bees...

TOPIC:
"How do you manage money?  Do you have a budget?  Do you do this as a family or is one person responsible for the budgeting?  If needed, how could you improve your budgeting skills?"


First of all, let me say that I chose this topic and it's really forced me to look at things...how much money we make, how much we REALLY spend, where we could improve, etc.  In fact, that's part of what I've been doing the past 2 days...hence why my blog post is a day late. 

Right now as it stands, we employ the Dave Ramsey method for budgeting.  (If you don't know who he is and you need help with debt and money management, GO IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY and check out his book The Total Money Makeover.  It will change the way you look at money forever.  I suppose you could BUY the book too, but that doesn't really help your budget, now does it?)  Do we run a tight ship?  Well...it depends.  Right now we do not.  And that could change.  Actually, that MUST change.

While I love a good routine and like that I have a steady job that keeps me busy the same days every week and allows me to have weekends off, things tend to get boring and stagnant with a routine.  I get up everyday at the same time, cook the same 7 or 8 meals on a rotating schedule, do the same activities, etc.  It gets...boring.  And while that appears at first glance to have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with money, I'm about to connect the two.  In a strange way, but they'll be connected.

When it comes to money, I tend to be pretty "fly by the seat of my pants."  Don't get me wrong here...the bills get paid.  The college fund gets...well, funded.  The savings account gets it's share. 

Or does it?  It gets A share.  But probably not the share it deserves.

It gets what I BUDGET it to get.  And that is up to me.  So why aren't I throwing ALL THE MONEY I CAN INTO THAT SAVINGS?  I mean, we only want to move into a bigger house, buy a better car and go on some vacations.  And all those things take money.

But it isn't **fun** to save money.  It's **fun** to go out to dinner.  It's **fun** to buy Goodwill furniture and refinish and repurpose it.  It's **fun** to build a garden.  And it's **fun** to buy my kid new things. 

There, I admitted it.  I hope you're all happy.

If I had to make a list of monetary priorities RIGHTNOWTHISMINUTE, saving money would probably be somewhere near the bottom.  And that, my friends, is NOT cool.

After 6 months of Dave's methods, you start to get a feel for how things need to go even if you don't stick to it every day of every week.  For example, I know that I am only allowed to eat lunch during the weekdays at a restaurant ONE day.  And I know that I'm only allowed to eat at a restaurant on the weekends ONE time.  I know that if there isn't cash in the envelope, then you wait until next week.  I know that if I want to buy beer at the grocery, I have to wait until the end of the trip to see if there is money left. 

And most of all, I know the value of EVERY penny we earn.  I know.  And yet it's still very difficult to control the impulse to do **fun** things. 

And even though I KNOW all of those things, since I've strayed so far away from the envelopes and the monthly/weekly budget forms, I've just simply put it out of my mind.  Not cool.  Soooo not cool.

So...I suppose I'll have to change my definition of **fun.**

Jayna is just as happy with going to a park as she is to Chuck E. Cheese.  She'd be even more happy with visiting friends and playing at their houses or having them come to our house.  And I've come to learn that those pesky "last 5 pounds" come off quicker if I forego restaurants all together.  Those are both things that are feasible, logical and easy to understand in my brain. 

I am the money manager at our house.  I am a firm believer in Dave Ramsey's methods and I suggest him to someone atleast once a month.  It is a practical budgeting system that will allow you to see a change in your debt:income ratio in a matter of just one year.  One year IS NOT A LONG TIME.  Wasn't it just January last month??  See, time flies...and this year is almost already half over.

Chris is involved in our budgeting also.  He helps me control my urge to spend.  Most of what we spend money on is projects.  Furniture, garden, swingset, home improvements.  It seems that when I do a project that I can justify it to myself because I'm going to get something as an end result.  I've gotta stop thinking like that.  Chris has put a firm hold on projects until we pay off some things.  And he'll force me to stick to it.  He's a mean, mean man, folks!!  I mean, just look at him!!

If that isn't the face of meanness, I don't know what is!!!

(This is actually my ploy to get a picture in here that I LOVE.)

He's right, though.  He is absolutely right.  That kid up there in that cutest little skirt with that cutest straight hair wants to go to Disney World before she starts school next year.  And we have GOT to make that happen.

How could I improve my budgeting skills?  I COULD GET A GIANT FAT RAISE!!!

But seriously...I just need to spend less on needless things and put as much money as I can find into savings.  It's just that simple. 

How do YOU manage money?  Do you have a budget or do you just pay the bills and save some and spend the rest? 

Now, use these links and go ahead and see how Michelle, Charlotte, Nancy and Sarah feel about money and budgeting!!

Together on Tuesday: Wherever I'm With You

**From now on, I will START my ToT entries with the topic.  This will take away any confusion as to what the topic actually IS since I seem to go on some long tangent and sometimes forget what I'm writing about.  And I'm sure you all forget too.**

TOPIC:
"The grass is always greener:  if by some twist of fate you had the option to move to some wonderful destination, would you take it-or would you stay where you live now?  What are some things you love about where you live?  What are some things you dislike, or some things that you wish we had in this area that would improve your quality of life?  If you would take the get out and leave option, what are your reasons for leaving?  Where would you go?  If you stay, why?"


I don't know one single person who lives in my home state that loves every aspect of it.  Not One.Single.Person.

That's saying something.  Why do we all just keep staying here?!?  There are millions of places that are more desirable.  There are MILLIONS.  I can think of 6 or 7 places just off the top of my head without even really thinking about it that I'd rather live.

But...I'd find things wrong with those places too.  And so would everyone else.

It's like having curly hair.  I HATED my curly hair for many many years.  I FINALLY learned to embrace it about 5 years ago.  I'm almost 32...so for 27 years, I struggled with what to do with my crazy hair.  And all the while straight-haired people all around me were saying things like, "I'd kill to have hair like yours!!"  and "People pay LOTS of money to chemically alter their hair to look like yours!"  and "You should embrace your curls!!"  Well, 12-year-old girls are mean, y'all.  And it's hard to embrace something that everyone makes fun of.  It's sort of like having braces or glasses.  They saw it as my weakness and they used it to their advantage. 

My point is that I have curly hair and everyone thinks THEY want curly hair too.  But if they had curly hair and had to deal with it the way that I and all the rest of my curly girls do, they'd think again.  It's always very easy to think you want something that you don't have...that is, until you actually have it.

And there is the flip side of that.  If I had straight hair, I'd probably be fascinated with curls.  Maybe.

So...everyone I know who lives here hates something or another.  I live in the Midwest where we experience all 4 seasons.  We have hot summers and cold winters.  We sometimes have droughts in August that are brutal.  And we sometimes have so much snow in the winter that it is difficult to even do everyday things like go to work and/or school. 

I personally love all the seasons.  I have my favorite things about every one of them.  I have a hard time with commitment, so having 4 changing seasons every year is good for me.  I LIKE change...when it isn't personal change. :)

What I love most of all about where I live is the people I live around.   A lot of my family is here.  A lot of Chris' family is here.  A great deal of our friends are here.  It's important to be surrounded by people you love.  That's MY opinion anyway. 

I dream of moving.  I dream of moving to Boulder, Colorado because of the movie Catch and Release.  But come on, that's just Hollywood making something look outstanding.  I dream of moving to Santa Monica, California because I once visited there and thought I was in heaven.  But we all know that being on vacation somewhere is MUCH different than living there and having a job and whatnot.  I'd love to move to London, but that would require way more effort than I'm willing to deal with now.

Boulder, CO.  Some of the movie took place in this little village.  Isn't it beautiful?

(courtesy of gadling.com)

This picture does NOT do justice to Santa Monica.  There is something about standing on a beach and looking at mountains that had me completely floored.

(courtesy of tripadvisor.org)

Big Ben.  Parliament.  (Catch that reference?)

(courtesy of europe-trips.eu)

Having a child has also changed all of this.  Jayna is attached to her Nanas.  They both live where we live now.  How could I ever justify changing that now that she's almost 4?  She's made friends here.  She loves her school and loves the places we visit around our city.  She gets to go sledding in the winter and go swimming in the summer.  She gets to learn all about how a seed becomes a plant in the spring.  She gets to learn how leaves lose chlorphyl in the fall.  And she LOVES all of that. 

I guess my answer is that I'd stay here.  I do hope that soon I'll have the funds and the flexibility to go visit more places.  I know that Jayna would love to see new places too.  I want her to know just how big her world is...that there are more places than just home.  But I also want her to know where home is and that home is really what and where you make it.  Surround yourself with people and things that you love and home can be just about anywhere.  "Home is wherever I'm with you."  ~Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

The one thing I do wish we had where we live is more diversity.  When I lived in Bloomington, there were so many cultures there that you had no choice but to learn about them.  It was fascinating to me!  There were events based around certain cultures, restaurants with almost every kind of cuisine and so many people to talk to and become friends with.  And everything was close together and/or within walking distance.  That seems slightly more difficult to do here.  I wish my big city was more aware and more dedicated to teaching diversity.

So, friends, what would YOU do?  Would you stay or would you go now? :)

Now go on over to read these lovely ladies' thoughts:

Michelle - After 9 and Some Weekends
Nancy - Purple Peaches
Charlotte - The Dog Days of Life
Sarah - Just Living Daily

Happy Tuesday, everyone!! :)

Together on Tuesday: Annual Tradition

I've always had to share my birthday with a huge event that happens close to where I live. 

My birthday isn't always on the same day as this event, but it's almost always during the weekend that I'd celebrate my birthday. 

Makes it hard to plan a party that people will actually COME to.

It's May here in my hometown.  Well, I suppose it's May EVERYWHERE.  But May is special where I live. 

It's the month of the Indy 500.

My birthday is ALWAYS, without a doubt, just days away from this race.  And it's also ALWAYS, without a doubt, right around Memorial Day weekend. 

Do you know how many people attend the Indy 500?  Yeah...like a jillion.  And probably 15 or so of those people are my friends.  Do you know how many people take Memorial Day weekend to go out of town and celebrate the impending summer by visiting lakes, pools, and amusement parks?  Yep...another jillion.  And probably 15 of those are my friends.  And since I only have 30 friends, that would make for a pretty boring birthday party. :)

And how many of you would be surprised to learn that this post is NOT about the Indy 500 OR Memorial Day weekend OR my birthday?

None?  Yeah...I didn't think so.

Today I'm linking up with Michelle at After 9 and Some Weekends, Charlotte at The Dog Days of Life, Nancy at Purple Peaches and Sarah at Just Living (YAY!!  Another new face!!) and we're talking about local events that have become part of our lives.  (Tish is having some technical difficulties and will be joining us soon.  Hang in there!)

Here is the topic in all of it's formality: 

"What local annual event in your current (or childhood) area has become engrained as part of who you are? What makes this event so special? What traditions do your family and/or friends have? What memories does the event bring back when you celebrate or attend each year? Have you ever had to miss the event and if so, how did that make you feel? If you have moved away, how far would you travel to come back each year? Is it important to you to pass this event onto your children and/or new comers to the area, or do you prefer to let them find or create their own traditions?"

This was a hard one for me.  I've done some soul searching though, and I've come up with some things.  (I guess not really soul searching.  More like memory searching which coincidentally is much more difficult than soul searching these days.)

When I was young, we went to the annual Circle of Lights in downtown Indy.  I hope to eventually carry on this tradition, but Jayna was just a bit too young in the past years.  Maybe this year or hopefully next we'll be able to take her and she'll withstand the cold and the crowd.

Anyhoo...many of the things that we do annually aren't events in our area.  We have created our own traditions and things.  We have an annual family zoo trip with my family.  We have an annual Indiana Beach trip with Chris' parents.  We try and have either Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve at our house every year.  If we have Christmas Eve, we make gingerbread houses.  We go to the pumpkin patch every year.  We have begun an annual trip to the Children's Museum before Christmas.  We do a lot of things yearly, but they are unfortunately not local events.

Last year's carousel ride at the Annual Indy Zoo trip.

(Look how little the kids look!!!  And that was only a year ago!!)

Annual Christmas Eve gingerbread houses in 2010.

Annual Children's Museum trip to "ride the yule slide."

This was 2011 with the Vidals.  Layla and Jayna have a great time together!

Jayna and Pappaw in 2010 at the Annual Indiana Beach trip.  Chris' parents have a house on a lake near Indiana  Beach, so it's an easy and fairly cheap trip, but Jayna has the time of her life!

Annual pumpkin patch trip from 2009.  Look how teeny Jaynie is!!

There is one local event that we have attended for 2 years now and plan on attending every year.  Our local Irish Fest is the most awesome festival there is.  There are many, many musical acts.  There are Irish dog demonstrations.  There are tons of bagpipe players.  There are demonstrations on how to stamp leather.  There are many Irish dancers.  There is more Irish food than you could ever eat in 3 days.  And, of course, there's Irish beer. :) 

And no...we aren't Irish.  I just thought I'd answer that burning question right away.

I LOVE it.  Jayna LOVES it.  And...well, Chris loves it too.  Jayna's favorite part is this:

These gals (AND GUYS!) can seriously and quite literally dance a jig!!  Fantastic!

Last year we even bought her a jingle skirt (that isn't at ALL Irish) so she could dance along with the Irish step dancers. 

Jayna dancing in her jingle skirt.

I don't have a favorite part.  I love it all.  The dancing, the kilts, the food, the heritage, the beer.  I love the vendors who sell their handmade goods and even the ones who rope me into buying a jingle skirt that is more Indian than it is Irish.  We plan on making this an annual event for many years to come.

I don't plan on moving, so I'm not sure I'd travel for this.  It is important to me to help teach Jayna about other cultures.  This festival is rich in Irish culture.  It's a learning experience as much as a fun time.  And I tell EVERYONE I KNOW about Irish Fest!!  Why wouldn't they want to know?!? :)

I'm already looking forward to it again this year.  September can't get here soon enough.  I even prepurchase our tickets.  I'm THAT into this thing.

So...what do YOU do in your community that has become tradition?  Have you made your own traditions?  What are they?  I'd love to hear them!!

Now go and use those links in the beginning of this post and read what Michelle, Charlotte, Nancy and Sarah have to say!!  And see you all next Tuesday!

Together on Tuesday:

Here we are again!!  It's Tuesday!!

This week we will (I think?) have 2 new bloggers.  Charlotte at The Dog Days of Life and Nancy at Purple Peaches will be joining us!  And, of course, Michelle at After 9 and Some Weekends will cover this too!

So...what did y'all have for breakfast?  I had a skinny green monster smoothie (minus the green today because I ran out of spinach).  It was tasty and it is now 11:20 am and I'm not famished. (Thanks, Laura, for forcing me to drink that shot glass of your smoothie!!)

I ask because it pertains to our topic today:  What do you do to be healthy?  Exercise?  Eat right?  What specifically makes your lifestyle healthy and/or unhealthy?  Would you like to change it?  How?

DIETS
Here's a shocker for everyone:  DIETS DON'T WORK.

Until recently, let's say within the past 5 years, I've not ever worried about my weight.  I've never worried about what I ate or how much of it.  I never really sat down and thought about what I put into my body.

And then I became...AN ADULT.  An adult with a child.  And then everything changed.

Of course it did.  Everything changes when you have a child.  If anyone ever tries to tell you any different.  Send them straight to me so I can smack them square upside the head.

But I digress.  Since I've gotten...we'll just say "older"...I DO in fact have to worry about what I put into my body.  And for various reasons.  Reason number one being that what I eat directly affects the size of my backside. 

No, seriously.  Something in my body chemistry changed.  Weight comes on sooner and easier and comes off later and harder.  It's just a fact of life.

Two years ago Chris and I went hardcore on the South Beach Diet.  It was the first diet that I did that actually worked.  And don't you dare say, "That's just like the Atkin's Diet!!!  OMGEEEEE, Danielle, are you trying to kill yourself??!  That diet is suuuper unhealthy!!!"

Because you would be wrong, my friend.

Yes, you cut carbs.  But not all of them.  And yes, you eat protein.  But not just bacon and steak.

The SB Diet taught me what it means to change my lifestyle.  After all, THAT'S what a GOOD diet does.  It teaches you how to turn a set of rules that works for you into a lifestyle that you are able and willing to adhere to for the rest of your...well, LIFE.

At this point in my life, I probably eat about 50% vegetables, 35% protein and 15% carbs.  I only eat good carbs, i.e. whole grains, beans and NO POTATOES.  (Shhh...I still have french fries about once a month.  And they are oh-so-good now that I don't eat them once or twice a week.)  I think that's a pretty good ratio.  Of the 50% vegetables, probably 3 or 4% is fruit.  I love me some vegetables though and I eat more different kinds of vegetables now than I ever have. 

What does all this mean in regards to our question of the week?  I do my best to keep my lifestyle healthy in terms of what I put into my body.

EXERCISE
I don't get nearly the exercise that I want to or should.  I do play with Jayna a LOT outside and I do keep busy.  I don't consider myself a couch potato, but I definitely don't belong in the "athlete" section either.  Truth be told, I'm still COMPLETELY TRAUMATIZED by my Mini experience that I've yet to actually try and run any sort of distance.  I've run a few times since last May, but I'm actually...scared.  Lots of memories come back that I'm not prepared to deal with yet. 

I don't really like to exercise.  I like to do activities that make me exercise without knowing.  I like to have dance parties in the living room.  Play "freezer tag" in the yard.  Help Jayna learn to ride her bike (TRUST ME...that's more exercise than it EVER should be).  Swim.  Do flips.  Do cartwheels (although I did one a few months ago and I think my pancreas is still in the wrong place).  I like to be ACTIVE.  I do not like to EXERCISE.

What does this mean?  I'd like to exercise more, but in FUN ways.  I'd also like to get to the gym about twice a week.  That's all I can commit to at this point in my life.

ALCOHOL
I probably drink too much in most peoples' eyes.  I drink beer probably twice a week, but I limit myself to a maximum of 3.  I drink wine almost everyday.  THERE.  I said it.  I have a glass of wine almost everyday.  I'm okay with that and that is pretty much all that matters.

I bring up the topic of alcohol because one of the main lifestyle changes I made when I started the SB Diet was to stop drinking beer.  For those of you who know me, you know this was a HUGE deal.  But after one month of not drinking beer, I noticed an enormous decrease around my midsection.  I lost my spare tire!!  So now I drink beer, just in greater moderation than before. 

HOBBIES vs. PARENT vs. WIFE
When I think of my health, I don't JUST think about my weight and my nutrition.  I think of my mental stability.  My emotions.  All that stuff that makes me "not crazy."  And all of those things are important to me.

It took me until Jayna was around 2 years old to finally find some sort of balance between being a parent and a spouse and a functioning member of the workforce and a housekeeper and a cook and a maid and a...and a...and a....  I could go on and on just as most of you can.  Balance is important to my health.  If I go for longer than 4 or 5 days without doing SOMETHING besides cooking and cleaning and giving baths and playing Barbies, I get a little irritable.  I need to do things.  I need to refinish furniture.  I need to paint on canvas.  I need to scrapbook.  I need to garden.  I need to be a PERSON.  With my OWN interests and feelings and thoughts.  Hence the blog. :)

I think these days I do a pretty good job of The Great Balancing Act.  I am not afraid to get a babysitter for Jayna.  I am not afraid to tell Chris that he needs to help me more.  I am not afraid to spend a little extra time on doing things for ME on occasion.  I lost the guilt long ago because it was doing me ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD.

And for all you moms out there who don't take time for yourselves?  You're nuts.  DO IT.  It is important for your mental health and the happiness of your children that you be happy. :)

Where does this fit in with the topic?  Well, I view health as a comprehensive effort.  I need to take care of every part of me to be healthy.  And I'm very proud that I do these things to that end.

CHANGE?  HOW?
Well, I do need to get more exercise.  I think that things are good in moderation.  I'm getting better at that.  Instead of a whole chocolate bar to satisfy a craving, I'll eat ONE Hershey kiss.  And it works for the craving.  Instead of a whole entree at a restaurant, Chris and I share.  Those entrees can feed atleast 2 people anyway!  My biggest challenge is beer.  I like good, dark and high-calorie beer.  And I'll continue to drink it...in moderation.

How do I make these things happen?  I just have to do it.  I just have to do it.  Actions speak louder.  So do it to it!!!


What do y'all do to be healthy?  Are there changes that you're trying to make to be healthier?  What are they?

Now pop on over to Michelle, Charlotte and Nancy and see what's up with them!!  If their entries aren't published yet, I'm sure they will be soon.  Check back often!!!

Together on Tuesday: Like an Addict

Today's topic was one that I posed and now I'm quite embarrassed by my answers.  Isn't it ironic...don't you think?

And it's Tuesday, y'all, so make sure you go on over and see what Michelle has to say when you're through here.

Today's question:

"How dependent are you on technology; i.e. cable television, internet, cell phones, etc?  Are you okay with your answer or do you want to become more/less dependent?"

Here goes y'all: 

Hello.  My name is Danielle and I'm addicted to technology.

The first step is admitting you have a problem.  But...is it a problem?

Here is a short list of things I do with technology on a regular basis:

• Shopping.  I do loads of shopping online.  I know where most of the free shipping deals are and I know that sometimes paying the shipping is still cheaper than buying from a store. 
• Research.  I research EVERYTHING I do.  Crochet.  Scrapbooking.  Gardening.  Parenting.  Things I buy.  Things I'm in the market for.  Houses.  Cars.  Everything.
• Social networking.  Of course.  This is a big one for me not because I love drama and having fake friends, but because it has connected me with so very many people that I wouldn't otherwise be connected with.  I love that part of it.  We can all keep up with one another's public lives on our own terms in our own time.  I do still talk to my friends and see them (although not as much as I'd like), but social networking is great for keeping us connected during those busy times in life where picking up the phone is difficult.
• Blogging.  I LOVE blogging.  I print my blogs out and make books out of them.  I have my entire pregnancy blog made into a book.  It's a great way to journal and preserve memories for yourself and your children.  And remember:  IT'S NEVER TOO LATE.  Who cares if no one reads?!?  I'll make you all a deal.  If you start a blog I'll diligently read it whenever you write.
• To process photos.  I use Picasa to edit and Snapfish/Walgreens to print.  I use Postal Pix to get my Instagram photos printed.

Those are probably the top 5.  There are a million more and that list could be a blog entry in and of itself. 

With all that being said, I still know how to do things without technology.  I know how to use a pay phone (or how to ask some unsuspecting kind stranger if I can use his cell phone..."I promise I won't call China."), I know how to do math on paper, I know how to write on paper and I still actually ENJOY that.  I KNOW how to do those things.  But, as it turns out, those things are very inconvenient compared to today's modern...um...conveniences.  (I think I just did that thing that is a no no where you use the word itself to define a word.  Oops.)


INTERNET - too dependent to EVER quit
I think my addiction to the internet happened when I started using it to research things.  This is a big one now because I am usually strapped for time.  Okay, probably not as strapped as I think, but strapped because I'd rather spend my time doing things I LIKE instead of going to 9 different stores looking for a piece of furniture.  I'd instead like to think of what I want, visit several furniture store websites, decide if they have what I'm looking for in my price range and THEN go visit 3 stores instead of 9.  I can research something small like this in around 30 minutes.  I'd spend triple that plus gas for the car if I were to visit all those stores.

This method not only saves me time, but it usually saves me money.  I have planted tomato and pepper plants in pots on my back patio for several years.  This year I decided that I wanted to plant a small in-the-ground vegetable garden.  Instead of going to Lowe's, buying a prefab raised garden bed, filling it with expensive soil only to do everything wrong and waste lots of money on wood and dirt and plants, I decided that I wanted to plant things, did research on the cheapest way to build it, the cheapest way to fill it with nutrient-rich soil, the best layout to utilize my small space and exactly how to plant things in there.  And now I've invested a total of $94.00 in a vegetable garden that will grow enough veggies until fall.  A decent prefab garden bed is about $75.00 alone.  That doesn't include soil to fill it or the plants.  I consider this a success.

So there you have it.  I am a research freak and I use the internet for about 98% of that research.  Without the internet, would I be able to exist and still research things?  You bet.  I know where the library is and I even know how to use it.  I know where to buy things and how to compare prices and methods "by hand."  I much prefer doing internet research, but I CAN do it the other way too.


CELL PHONE - more dependent than I should be
My huge addiction to cell phone technology happened a little over a year ago with my introduction to the iPhone.  I never thought I'd be able to do everything that I do on a computer with my phone.  And I can.  There are some amazing apps out there that allow me to do everything I do at my desktop/laptop computer on my iPhone.  I'll have carpal tunnel syndrome before you know it!!

We no longer have a landline phone.  Chris has an iPhone.  I have an iPhone.  That's it.  And don't give me that "But what if blah blah happens and you can't use your cell phone?" hooey.  Seriously people.  I could just as easily make the argument that something could happen to your landline phone and if you don't have a cell phone you're screwed.  Let's not have that back and forth.

I am way more accessible on a cell phone than I would be on a landline anyway.  What if my cell phone rings and I can't answer it?  That, my friends, is what voicemail is for. :)

Health risks?  What health risks?  I have as much chance of having a health problem from eating store bought vegetables treated with pesticide as I do with cell phone use.  I won't live my life that way.  Sorry.

I DO still adhere to general cell phone etiquette.  There aren't many things that piss me off more than someone trying to talk on a cell phone while they're checking out at a store.  If I talk on my phone at a store, I make sure that I'm not a "loud talker," I make sure I'm out of people's way, and I DON'T TALK WHILE I'M WITH A CASHIER.  Hell, I don't even talk on my cell phone while I'm at a U-Scan.  It's just rude in my opinion.  I also rarely talk on my phone at restaurants.  Sometimes a conversation can just wait.


CABLE TELEVISION - not dependent at all
As most of you probably know, we cut the cord on our cable about 3 months ago.  We do not pay a cable bill anymore.  That saves us a total of $86.31 per month.

I plan on writing an entire post tomorrow or Thursday dedicated to cable television and my quest to dump it.  It's a topic that is near and dear to my heart.  So, be prepared within the next couple of days to find out how you ALL can spend as little as $200.00 up front and as little as $8.00 per month to watch 95% of all the television you watch now.  Seriously.  I mean it.

Even though we aren't at all dependent on cable television, we use internet access and a wireless network to watch television programs.  It's a toss up, but my way saves us enough money per month to pay our car insurance.


Am I okay with all of this?  HELL YES.  I am okay with how dependent I am upon technology.  I still plan to teach Jayna "long hand."  She'll know how to use a real phone.  She'll know how to look things up in books.  She'll know how to do math without a calculator.  But it is important ESPECIALLY FOR HER that she learn about technology and how it can benefit and/or hurt her.  These things aren't going anywhere anytime soon and as we all know...if you can't beat 'em, you may as well join 'em. :)

We have an iPad and that is Jayna's main interaction with technology.  Don't let that fool you though.  She isn't JUST playing games on there.  She listens to music.  She looks at the pictures I take.  She has more education apps than she does playing apps.  She gets some honing of her fine motor skills and all the while we're getting her acquainted with the sort of technology that she'll need to be acquainted with.  These skills will be more important for her than they'll ever be for me.

Jayna "coloring" on the iPad.  She's better at it than I am. :)

How about you?  Are you dependent upon technology?  Too much?  Not enough?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Now, head on over to After 9 and Some Weekends to read about Michelle's habits!!

Together on Tuesday: Famous People? Hmm...

So, go figure.  The ONE week Michelle over at After 9 and Some Weekends gets her Tuesday post finished EARLY is the ONE week that I'm a day late.  I suppose that balances us out.  Or something.

In my defense, I DID write a follow-up to last Tuesday's post, so there's that.  Or something.

Anyhoo.

So this week's topic is an interview with a famous person.  I think this may have been a little too broad.

I am supposed to pick ONE famous person?  Of ANY kind?  Living or dead?  No constraints?  Yep.  Tooooo broad.

I'm not sure I can pick just one.  I have probably 10 people in mind and all for completely different reasons. 

Mike Lowell to get a good picture of what it's like to be a professional athlete for years and STILL manage to be a class act.  That man is perfect.  Seriously.

Martha Stewart to ask her HOW IN THE HELL SHE KNOWS ALL THAT STUFF.  I mean, come on.  Even if you don't "like" the woman, you have to admit that what she does is impressive. 

Austin Kleon to get some good solid and TRUTHFUL advice on how to become an outstanding artist and get someone to NOTICE.

Jack White to get an idea of what a creative process really entails...and also how he juggles playing several instruments in several different formations of a band across many genres of music.  Amazing.

Kurt Vonnegut because I think he'd be incredibly inspirational regarding writing.  I would just ask him nonsense questions just to get his answers.  That man can't say something stupid.  It's all insightful and honest.  And hilarious.

Jennifer Garner so I could figure out how she was in the limelight for quite a few years and still kept her privacy and wits about her.  And I'd take some parenting advice from her also.

But after all of this, I think who I'd really choose is fictional.

I'd interview Walter White.  From Breaking Bad.

I'm sure you're all still tired of me talking about Breaking Bad from last week.  But I'm going to do it anyway.

I have chosen him because I think that while he is a celebrity character, he isn't far from real life people who "do what they gotta do."  I mean, we all have to survive one way or another and when it comes down to it, you never know what you'll do in a situation until you're SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. 

We can all speculate.  "No way!!  I'd never make meth to pay my hospital bills from my debilitating cancer that could potentially force my family to become homeless after I inevitably die anyway!!  Not a chance!!!"  But you really don't know what you'd do until you're experiencing something.

I'd ask him questions.  Oh boy, would I ask him questions.  Here are a few that come to mind:

• What do you think about moral fiber?  Does what you've done have any bearing on who you think you are as a moral being? 
• Do you take any responsibility for the fact that you are supplying people with a drug that will potentially end their lives or cause them to end the lives of others?  If yes, then how do you sleep at night?  If no, why not? 
• Do the secrets get more and more difficult to keep?  How do you cope with feeling alone all the time because you can't talk to many people?
• How do you view Jesse?  Like a son?  Like a business partner?  Like a moron?
• Do you believe that you're in so deep that you can't get out?  How would you get out?  How many human lives are expendable so you can live your life?
• Will you ever come clean to Walter Junior?  Do you think it's necessary or is it too big of a risk?

I could still go on forever. 

I found this topic to be the most intimidating.  That being said, I could also see this being a recurring topic that could be narrowed down a little (or a LOT) and be more effective and focused.

Now, go over to After 9 and Some Weekends and see who Michelle had a face-to-face with (hypothetically, of course).

Who would you want to have a chat with?  Anyone specific?  Alive?  Dead?  Why?

Together On Tuesday: Kid Free Vacay

Chris and I rarely leave Jayna for more than just an overnight at Nana's.  I can actually count on ONE hand the amount of times that we've left her anywhere for more than just one night. 

That being said, we don't mind leaving her.  Not anymore atleast.  It used to be a gigantic deal to go somewhere for a weekend, or heaven forbid, FOUR STRAIGHT DAYS (like when we went to Tennessee for Erik and Janette's wedding), but now we're just all, "HEY!!  You want us to come have adult time in a different state for 3 days?!?  SURE!!  Just let us find a place to board our kid!!"

We don't actually say that.  We ask one of the Nanas and they're usually happy to oblige.  And Jayna couldn't be happier to get away from us for more than just one night.  I mean she wouldn't really need us at all if she were taller and could drive.  True story right there, people.

So sometime in late February I got a text from my good friend Mark asking if we wanted to come to Louisville at the beginning of March and go to the Buffett concert with him and his lovely wife Charlotte.  Charlotte and I are a lot alike...you know, drinking, cursing lunatics with loose morals (love you, Charlotte!).  I love to hang out with the 2 of them and I was excited to get away from life for just one extra day.  We decided that we'd go down there on Friday morning and come home Sunday. 

It occurred to me about a week before we were scheduled to leave that we'd probably need something to do on Friday while Mark and Charlotte were being responsible adults and...um...working.  I went to Louisville's tourist website and was reminded that a little piece of something I love was made there.  LOUISVILLE SLUGGER BASEBALL BATS!!!!

Y'all, I was probably more excited about that part than I was anything else.  So we got to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory early Friday morning.  My agoraphobia got the best of me and I thought I was going to pass out for a minute, but I pulled myself together, sir, and pressed on.  I LOVED it.  I have pictures of some hilarious things...unfortunately, my photos aren't downloaded from my camera.  BUT...I have iPhone pics.  Probably more of those than camera pics.

Even if you don't LOVE baseball and only like it a little, I suggest you go on the tour of the factory.  It is fascinating to watch the different methods of how baseball bats are made, how they're branded and how they're stained.  It's really outstanding.  We even got to watch some old guy who is part of the family Louisville Slugger is owned by hand lathe a bat.  Simply fascinating.  It's a true art form.

The Louisville Science Center has a travelling exhibit right now called GUITAR:  The Instrument That Rocked The World.  So of course we had to go there.  It was a so-so exhibit.  I probably didn't enjoy it as much as Chris and/or Mark.  They play the instrument, I don't.  I did enjoy seeing all of the formations of a guitar from across the world and through time.  We saw one guitar made out of an armadillo shell!!

Overall, the Science Center is a great place for kids who like to do hands on things.  There is a ton of that sort of thing there.  We tried to encapsulate ourselves in a giant bubble (FAIL).  We made a piano play using pressure and hot air (SUCCESS...but I couldn't tell you how) and we built structures to see how sound they were under stresses such as shaking and quaking (FAIL).

We also did something extremely unexpected...we went, wait for it, SHOOTING.  As in I shot a gun.  TWO guns actually!  It was more fun than I ever imagined it would be.  I've always been terrified of guns.  This took a little of the fear away and taught me that learning about any subject/activity/etc. can take the edge off of the fear.  I still don't think I'll ever own a gun, but I'm a little more comfortable with gun safety and shooting them. 

And, of course we went to the concert!!  Jimmy was outstanding!! He sang so many older songs that it was like being at one of his concerts from when I was in my early 20's.  We had lots of fun there and drank toooo much cheap expensive beer, ifyaknowwhatimean.

Overall, the trip was a huge success.  We're busy people.  So are Mark and Charlotte.  And we always wish we could see them and hang out, but we rarely ever get to.  This was a great getaway for just 3 days and we did so much catching up...and drinking.  I even hugged a horse statue!! :)

I think most of all, it was just good to hang out with adults and do what we wanted when we wanted.  We also got our doggie fix as Mark and Charlotte have 2 dogs, Eli and Austin.  Eli is a tiny dog with a HUGE personality (and a complex) and Austin is a giant kid. :)  Louisville is a surprisingly fun city too.  There were many things to do that we didn't do.  The streets are lined with art that is sometimes overwhelming, but still outstanding.  There is a stretch of road that is closed off to traffic called Fourth Street Live.  It is a street lined with bars and restaurants.  Right up my alley!!  We spent some time there on Friday and then were back again on Saturday for the Buffett pre-party.  And if there was one thing that I'd forgotten it was BUFFETT FANS KNOW HOW TO PARTY.  Even if you don't like Jimmy Buffett his concerts and pre-parties are always a good time.

And without further adieu, here is a photo collage.  Y'all are sadly mistaken if you thought I was going to upload a million pictures singly.  Not.  Gonna.  Happen.  Although I really wish I had the one off of my actual camera of me pretending to bludgeon a wax figure of Derek Jeter with a Louisville Slugger. :)

It isn't until now that I've realized that I have a double in there.  Oh well...I like my Red Sox enough to deal with that!!

Pictures in order like you're reading a book from top left:



The Red Sox Pennant at the Slugger Museum, the giant bat out front of the Slugger Museum, Mike Lowell's signature on the Slugger Wall of Fame, a piece of art on the streets of Louisville entitled "The Raft," me holding a bat that Big Papi actually used in a game, Eli taking a nap while halfway standing, me looking hott in my eyes and ears :), my favorite guitar of all time...The Air Guitar, me dancing with Austin, Chris playing the Capri Sun guitar, Paul McCartney's bass, Chris shooting a 22, the Wall of Fame including Babe Ruth's signature, Chris holding Big Papi's bat, Charlotte putting herself in a bubble, all of us in the prism mirror thingy at the Science Center, me 2.5 sheets to the wind hugging a horse statue, Mark playing the Capri Sun guitar, me shooting an assault rifle (JOKE:  it's a 22...just with a scope, laser and light), the Red Sox pennant again.

I can't wait to do it again, but my liver needs a rest for now. :)


Now head on over to Michelle's blog and read about her vacay!! If it isn't there yet, it will be soon!

Together on Tuesday: Why We Blog

My friend Michelle and I began talking at the beginning of the year about blogging.  Just blogging in general.  About how we don't feel like we have enough time to do it, we don't have enough content to add or subjects to write about. 
My blog has become solely about my child and parenting...and surprisingly, I'm NOT okay with that.  I want to write about things that are important to ME.  Things that are interesting to ME.  Things that make ME think.  After all, I don't see Jayna sitting here typing away. :)

It all began when I read this blog entry.  That there is Michelle's blog.  Michelle is very talented in many things.  She and I share many of the same hobbies and ideas.  We have what I would call a similar parenting style.  We agree on lots of things, but we obviously have our disagreements too.  At first glance, that post just looks like a wrap up of the year and some pictures of Michelle's beautiful handmande Christmas gifts.  But read to the bottom.  It occurred to me that I felt the same way as she did about blogging.

So I sent her a message.  I told her I felt the same way.  Two heads are better than one...we all know that.  And I proposed that we could....COULD...MAYBE...do a blogging project together. 

I honestly didn't expect a response. 

Most people who read my blog read for the posts about Jayna.  And I'm totally cool with that.  I wouldn't write it if I didn't want y'all to read it.  But how would people feel if I began including a weekly post not necessarily about Jayna?  How would they feel about reading MY stories? 

I know that many people don't take blogging seriously.  Well, as serious as it can be.  I read some blogs that have made the authors millionaires.  Am I setting out to do that?  Nope. 

I know that many people just think this is a phase, a fad, a passing trend.  Okay.  Fine.  Then don't do it.

The thing is that I LOVE writing.  I LOVE to "put pen to paper."  I do still occasionally write short pieces on paper.  Maybe I can share some of those within this blogging project.  I want to write.  I want to share that with you all if you'll have me. 

As I said, I didn't expect a response.  But I got one.  And a good one!!  She was totally on board for a blogging project.

This is it.  Beginning today, Michelle and I will be posting about a different topic every Tuesday.  The posts will be very cleverly entitled "Together on Tuesday."  I know...we're geniuses. :)

Today's topic:  Why We Blog - 5 Questions

1.  Why did you start a blog?
*  I started a blog waaaaaaay back in 2007.  It was called Traffic In The Sky.  Here is the first entry.  You will all be happy to know that I do, in fact, wear Crocs, drink Starbucks, deal with Ebay and blog.  I'm a changed woman.  I started the blog because I wanted to write about things that were important to me.  ME.  Feelings and thoughts.  I did JUST that with Traffic In The Sky.  And I LOVED it.  I'm hoping I can carry over some of the old posts from there.  There is some great content there.  If you're ever bored, go over to Traffic In The Sky and entertain yourself. :)
2.  Why do you blog now?  Have your reasons for blogging changed from when you first started?
*  You bet your ass my reasons have changed!!!  When you have a child, everything changes.  I blog now mainly for preserving memories.  I don't do much scrapbooking anymore, but I still want Jayna to have access to all of the junk I can't remember later in my life.  The funny stories.  The sad stories.  The pictures.  I want her to know how things were when she was little.  And I think that at some point in her life, she'll appreciate what I've done to perserve memories in her name. 
3.  What do you ultimately want to gain from blogging?
*  Well...my HOPE would be that I would be such an awesome writer that someone would read my blog and ask me to write a book.  A girl can dream, right?  What I hope to gain is some self awareness.  I want to analyze what my noggin is thinking and put it into words.  And, of course, I want Jayna to have memories.
4.  Is blogging something that you consider important enough to commit to?
*  At this time, I consider it no more or no less important than any other hobby.  I would LOVE for me to feel like I need to blog to entertain people.  That's a tough struggle...knowing you don't have very many readers.  The mindset is "Why write if no one reads it?"  Well, I write because I WANT to.  That's just it.  I would love for this project to make me feel like blogging is more important.
5.  Do you want people to read your blog or do you consider your blog for yourself that other people just have access to?
*  I want people to read!!  If my stories put a smile on ONE face, I've done good.  I'm sure I've offended as many people as I've made smile, but I just don't have the energy to worry about that.  If just ONE mom reads my posts about breastfeeding and realizes that she's not alone and doesn't need to give up, I've done good.  If Jayna grows up and records memories of her own for herself and her family, I've done good. 


Final thoughts:
A question that I would have added to this is:  Would you encourage others to blog?  And the answer?  HELL YES.  I don't care if you don't think you have anything to say.  You DO.  Everyone has thoughts.  Everyone should record their memories.  You don't have to write entries this long.  They can be 3 sentences.  Start small.  I encourage everyone to write it down.  It's cathartic.

Linky:  Now go on over to Michelle's blog and read her entry Together On Tuesday.  It'll be entertaining.  Promise. :)

Five For Friday: Random Holiday Things

Hi everybody!!! 

I'm...a lazy procrastinator.

Everytime I say "Hi everybody!", I feel like I just HAVE to follow up with "I'm Dr. Nick."

Hey...I live my life for song lyrics and movie/television quotes.  I don't judge you, so watch it.

Anyhoo, today I went with "lazy procrastinator."  For obvious reasons.  I can't seem to get it together and take pictures and blog and upload to Facebook and such.  Just.  Can't.  Do it.

The one good thing that has come from my absence from the blog world and from photo-taking is that I am dead center of LIVING my life.  I'm here in the present.  I'm doing things with Jayna and with Chris and with my family and loving every minute of it.  It's so great to not feel obligated to stop and get a picture.  It's...liberating.  I think I said that in my last post, but it was so long ago that I can't really remember.

What I DO remember between my last blog post and this one is:

• I still have a love/hate relationship with Christmas music.  There are a few songs that I will always love, but far more that I will ALWAYS cringe upon hearing.  One of those is "I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus" by The Jackson Five.  I am a firm believer that that is one of the songs on the soundtrack in hell.
• We are going strong with our Elf on the Shelf, Finnegan, and Jayna is having a great time with it.  I'll write an entire post about it soon.  She is sort of skeptical about how he moves around and does things.  She said this morning, "Mommy, Finnegan is a toy...how does he move around?"  She's onto me!!!  Deny, deny, deny!!!
• I have stood up to my handmade/small business/homemade Christmas list very well.  Of course, some people you just can't give all handmade things to.  Like a 9-year-old boy.  He needs books and sports things and funny t-shirts.  And like a 3-year-old girl.  She needs princess things and Adele CDs and dresses (that don't cost me an arm and a leg).  I am making many things (baking, crocheting, crafting, etc.) and I've purchased many things from Etsy that are handmade and VERY AWESOME.  I'll have to share said gifts after the holidays.  I've also tried to be very thoughtful in my gifts instead of just buying things to be buying them.  The thing about making things?  I actually have to DO it and stop procrastinating.  It's only 16 days/2 weekends until Christmas.  YES...I DID just do that.
• We've begun tumbling and jazz dancing.  Jayna loves both and she is doing better in these than she did in the previous ballet and tap classes.  I think she's finally just caught on to what a dance routine and rhythm really are.  And tumbling?  She'll do flips and walk on a balance beam anyday!
• Next Friday we're going to The Children's Museum for our annual (okay, it's only the second year, but whatever) Yule Slide/Winter Wonderland visit.  Our friends Laura, Lee, Layla and the new addition, Levi are going with us also.  The girls will have fun again and the adults will like the slide better than the kids...again. :)

I will be posting some photos soon (you know, the few I take with my phone).

Are YOU done with your Christmas list?