The older I get, the more often I do things that I swore I'd never do and the more I see myself becoming a person that I vowed I'd never become. And I'm ok with that. In fact, I embrace it and am excited about where it will lead me.
Guess I'm officially a grown-up now, right?
6.30.2009
6.26.2009
random musings
Alright, I fully admit that I'm listening to Thriller as I type this thanks to About80s.com radio on iTunes. The song scared the BEJAYSUS out of me as a child, due in large part to Vincent Price's eerie cackling at the end, but it's oddly comforting on this Friday. Of course, I had the album in 1983, when I was all of 6 years old. I remember unwrapping it on Christmas morning, the strange juxtaposition of Michael and that tiger staring me in the face. I remember instantly wanting a pet tiger. Never got around to that.
One reporter on CNN last nite lamented "Did you honestly think we'd watch Michael get old? Can you imagine seeing him @ 80?" Well, no, but it's still a shock. I hope he finally finds some peace.
Ok, enough about that.
I've had some things on my mind all week, and aren't you lucky that you get to be on the receiving end?
A. If I thought 146 degrees with 300% humidity sounded like fun, I'd live in Mississippi. Or the Amazon. The heat has been unrelenting, and I'm ready for a cold front.
B. I'm not a fan of sunblock. There. I said it.
I hate slathering it all over my wiggle-worm of a toddler. I hate the greasy feeling on my hands. I hate that the spray sunblock leaves blotchy parts of burn on whitey skin (AKA Jeff) where the spray doesn't hit. I hate that I smell like it all day. It used to smell good, like a pina colada, but now that it's sunBLOCK as opposed to sunTAN LOTION, those good time smells are a distant memory.
Now, before you go calling DCFS on me, of course I put it on Emerson. I'm not willing to play roulette with her health to appease my petty grievances. But getting it on myself is more of a challenge. I am blessed with olive skin (thanks, Mom!), rarely burn, get a great tan, and am admittedly lazy about wearing it. But I'm trying to be better.
C. While we're on the topic of thinking that I'm a horrible mom, I have to get this off my chest...sometimes I get bored playing with Em. I know that someday in the not-so-distant-future, I'll miss having a girl who wants to spend time with me. I try to remind myself of that, I really do. But sometimes, I just don't want to build a tower. Or play house with her Little People. Or draw on the driveway with chalk. Sometimes, I'd rather curl up with a book (sans pictures, if you know what I mean) or surf the web or waste time on Facebook or just do nothing at all.
Sigh.
I know, I'm a horrible person for even thinking it. Sometimes I honestly think I'm too selfish to be a Mama. I know other people feel these things, but only the selfish ones actually say them out loud (or in print, as the case may be.)
D. So, if you've been reading the blog for a while, you know that I'm a runner (hee hee, I still have a hard time saying that with a straight face, even after 2 1/2 marathons...) Right now, I have no upcoming races on the schedule. I'm just running for me, with no specific training plan or goal in mind. For me, this is harder than training for a distance run...it's REAL easy to fall off the wagon and start skipping runs. But 2 things have happened this week that are keeping me on the road:
1. someone told me that my body is "athletic." In a list of 100 adjectives describing my physical self, that's about the 84th one that I would use. So this was pretty cool for me. Ok, you got me...it was my husband, but HONEST, in the 12 years I've known him, he's NEVER said this about my body.
2. This morning, I dropped down to a new "decade" on the scale...one I last saw on my way UP in college, oh, 12 years ago! I know it was due to sweating my arse off in the heat this week, but I'll take it!
E. I don't like the fantasy genre of books, movies, or television. I think it's the practical side of me, but I feel like it's a waste of time. I checked a book out of the library this week, thinking that it would be realistic fiction, and was so irked when it took a fantastic twist. I finished it, and it was a cute story, but UGH...keep it real, people!
Ok, I think that's all that has been on my mind of late. Thanks for rambling along with me!
Make it a great weekend~
a.
One reporter on CNN last nite lamented "Did you honestly think we'd watch Michael get old? Can you imagine seeing him @ 80?" Well, no, but it's still a shock. I hope he finally finds some peace.
Ok, enough about that.
I've had some things on my mind all week, and aren't you lucky that you get to be on the receiving end?
A. If I thought 146 degrees with 300% humidity sounded like fun, I'd live in Mississippi. Or the Amazon. The heat has been unrelenting, and I'm ready for a cold front.
B. I'm not a fan of sunblock. There. I said it.
I hate slathering it all over my wiggle-worm of a toddler. I hate the greasy feeling on my hands. I hate that the spray sunblock leaves blotchy parts of burn on whitey skin (AKA Jeff) where the spray doesn't hit. I hate that I smell like it all day. It used to smell good, like a pina colada, but now that it's sunBLOCK as opposed to sunTAN LOTION, those good time smells are a distant memory.
Now, before you go calling DCFS on me, of course I put it on Emerson. I'm not willing to play roulette with her health to appease my petty grievances. But getting it on myself is more of a challenge. I am blessed with olive skin (thanks, Mom!), rarely burn, get a great tan, and am admittedly lazy about wearing it. But I'm trying to be better.
C. While we're on the topic of thinking that I'm a horrible mom, I have to get this off my chest...sometimes I get bored playing with Em. I know that someday in the not-so-distant-future, I'll miss having a girl who wants to spend time with me. I try to remind myself of that, I really do. But sometimes, I just don't want to build a tower. Or play house with her Little People. Or draw on the driveway with chalk. Sometimes, I'd rather curl up with a book (sans pictures, if you know what I mean) or surf the web or waste time on Facebook or just do nothing at all.
Sigh.
I know, I'm a horrible person for even thinking it. Sometimes I honestly think I'm too selfish to be a Mama. I know other people feel these things, but only the selfish ones actually say them out loud (or in print, as the case may be.)
D. So, if you've been reading the blog for a while, you know that I'm a runner (hee hee, I still have a hard time saying that with a straight face, even after 2 1/2 marathons...) Right now, I have no upcoming races on the schedule. I'm just running for me, with no specific training plan or goal in mind. For me, this is harder than training for a distance run...it's REAL easy to fall off the wagon and start skipping runs. But 2 things have happened this week that are keeping me on the road:
1. someone told me that my body is "athletic." In a list of 100 adjectives describing my physical self, that's about the 84th one that I would use. So this was pretty cool for me. Ok, you got me...it was my husband, but HONEST, in the 12 years I've known him, he's NEVER said this about my body.
2. This morning, I dropped down to a new "decade" on the scale...one I last saw on my way UP in college, oh, 12 years ago! I know it was due to sweating my arse off in the heat this week, but I'll take it!
E. I don't like the fantasy genre of books, movies, or television. I think it's the practical side of me, but I feel like it's a waste of time. I checked a book out of the library this week, thinking that it would be realistic fiction, and was so irked when it took a fantastic twist. I finished it, and it was a cute story, but UGH...keep it real, people!
Ok, I think that's all that has been on my mind of late. Thanks for rambling along with me!
Make it a great weekend~
a.
6.22.2009
it's the little things
Howdy all~ I just want to share a little snippet of our Father's Day celebration. The three of us spent about 1/2 hour working on a project yesterday morning that still has me smiling. When visiting friends on Saturday, I noticed a framed poster on their wall that they had inked their hand and footprints on. While I've seen it a zillion times before, it hit me that it was an awesome way to capture a moment in time. So yesterday morning, we painted our fingers and toes brown, stamped them on some blue poster board, framed it, and voila', instant cool. I wasn't sure that Emerson would be on board as she hates having dirty hands, but she wanted her hands and feet painted "just like Mama & Papa." And despite the fact that it was about 140 degrees with 300% humidity yesterday, the three of us had a nice time working together.
Here's the fruit of our labors...
The coolest part about this...June 21st is our wedding anniversary. So yesterday was REALLY about family for us. Celebrating the day we became a family and honoring the family we've become.
Here's the fruit of our labors...
As I said, it still makes me smile every time I walk past it. And Emerson has stopped half a dozen times in the hall to point out "Mama's foot, Papa's foot, Em's foot."
Pretty neat...
6.21.2009
6.16.2009
quote of the day
So I recently heard a quote that, at the time, didn't strike me one way or the other.
It goes "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans."
However, I've concocted a plan and thought I was on my way, until I was stopped in my tracks by reality. I was reminded about this quote and the fact that God is ultimately in control. Like it or not, we are just moving around here under His guidance, leadership, and love.
In the grand scheme of things, I find it reassuring that there is a Higher Power, that He loves me, and that things will all work out according to His plan. I need to keep this in mind when things don't go "my" way.
a.
It goes "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans."
However, I've concocted a plan and thought I was on my way, until I was stopped in my tracks by reality. I was reminded about this quote and the fact that God is ultimately in control. Like it or not, we are just moving around here under His guidance, leadership, and love.
In the grand scheme of things, I find it reassuring that there is a Higher Power, that He loves me, and that things will all work out according to His plan. I need to keep this in mind when things don't go "my" way.
a.
6.11.2009
whoops!
Um, duh! The whole point about the Project 365 update was to show some pictures. I got so caught up in tooting my own horn...
Jeff's first crop of the summer season is now being harvested...sweet, crispy lettuce, home-grown.
Em has "graduated" from her high chair to a booster seat. As you can see, she's quite proud of herself. I love the carefree expression on her face in this picture.
Digging in the sand with Grandma Girling on Memorial Day.
As the weather has gotten warmer, Jiko has spent MORE time under the covers. She's such an odd bird.
Emerson and her friend Greta eating lunch at a "westawant." Sometimes, I swear that my kid channels Elmer Fudd.
Jeff's first crop of the summer season is now being harvested...sweet, crispy lettuce, home-grown.Em has "graduated" from her high chair to a booster seat. As you can see, she's quite proud of herself. I love the carefree expression on her face in this picture.Digging in the sand with Grandma Girling on Memorial Day.As the weather has gotten warmer, Jiko has spent MORE time under the covers. She's such an odd bird.Emerson and her friend Greta eating lunch at a "westawant." Sometimes, I swear that my kid channels Elmer Fudd.
project 365 update
Remember Project 365? Well, I'm still at it, and although I was lazier than a sloth in the rainforest during May, I seem to have my energy {and enthusiasm!} back this month. As of about 4:45 today, I AM ALL CAUGHT UP!!!! Now, as many scrapbookers will tell you, "caught up" is the Lochness Monster of scrapping. We hear rumors of its existence, but none of us has ever seen it. So this is pretty exciting for me.
What's that? What's that you say? What about my family album?... Yeah, well, I'm not so caught up there. But I'm current to September of 2008, so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Oh, and as an aside, I'm typing this @ 5:05 pm while Emerson is napping! She refused the afternoon nap, but after a swim at the pool, she was getting unruly, so I did what any sanity-seeking mother would do. I put her down for a nap. The downside is that I'm sure she'll be up until 9 tonite, but it was a trade off.
TTFN~
What's that? What's that you say? What about my family album?... Yeah, well, I'm not so caught up there. But I'm current to September of 2008, so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Oh, and as an aside, I'm typing this @ 5:05 pm while Emerson is napping! She refused the afternoon nap, but after a swim at the pool, she was getting unruly, so I did what any sanity-seeking mother would do. I put her down for a nap. The downside is that I'm sure she'll be up until 9 tonite, but it was a trade off.
TTFN~
6.08.2009
wedding weekend in des moines
Hi all! We're back from a 4-day road trip to the Hawkeye state to visit friends and family and celebrate Jeff's cousin's wedding. Our little traveler was awesome on the LOOOOOONG car ride, and although she didn't sleep so much as one minute during the 10+ hours we spent in the car over the last few days, she's still a great little traveler. We are so fortunate that she loves to read and play with her animals. I have officially accepted that my child WILL NOT sleep in the car and will plan accordingly in the future.
Of course, we had to buy a Hawkeye ball to add to her collection.
Grandpa and Papa played a game of "Emerson catch."
Bree & Chris' wedding was in a beautiful old church, and then the reception was at our hotel, which was perfect for us. Emerson was SUCH a good girl...so well behaved during dinner, and so patient with the long meal. And when the music started, we couldn't get her off the dance floor! She's such a ham!
Her first Shirley Temple. She sucked it down and begged for more. Sounds like her Mama.
We stopped in Iowa City on Thursday afternoon and Emerson enjoyed her first taste of Whitey's and the Ped Mall. They have an AWESOME kids playground right in the middle of the Ped Mall (funny, I never really noticed that when I was in college!), so it was the perfect opportunity to stretch her legs and get some of the crazies out.
Of course, we had to buy a Hawkeye ball to add to her collection.We motored on to Waterloo to stay with our friends the Miehe's on Thursday night. Christa was my roommate for 3 years at Iowa, and we always have oodles of fun together. I love that our kids see each other several times a year and hope they will be lifelong friends just as we are.
Friday morning, we headed west to Des Moines where Emerson was SO EXCITED to get in the pool. Grandpa Girling was happy to hop in with Em & Jeff, and they had a great time splashing away.
Grandpa and Papa played a game of "Emerson catch."Then we were off to the rehearsal dinner, where Emerson ate more cookies and candy that she has ever had in her life. No wonder it took her over an hour to fall asleep back at the hotel. Can you say "sugar buzz?"
Bree & Chris' wedding was in a beautiful old church, and then the reception was at our hotel, which was perfect for us. Emerson was SUCH a good girl...so well behaved during dinner, and so patient with the long meal. And when the music started, we couldn't get her off the dance floor! She's such a ham! Her first Shirley Temple. She sucked it down and begged for more. Sounds like her Mama.After a long, nap-less drive home on Sunday, she crashed out on her Papa. He doesn't look like he minds too much, does he?
Hope you make it a good week.
a.
6.03.2009
a big, hairy deal
We at the Girling house had a momentous occasion last night...it was the first time that Emerson did not have ANY bottles. None in the morning, none at nap, none at bedtime. We've been hanging onto that bedtime bottle but decided that it was time to pull the plug. As usual, Jeff & I fretted about the best way to handle it, how Emerson would react, and if we were going to scar her for life. And as usual, she took it like a champ. We explained that she wouldn't be getting a bottle at bedtime, and that was the end of it. She didn't ask for it, didn't cry, nothing. Phew.
I guess that means that she was ready. So now, I'm off to reclaim my counter space where the bottle rack and sterilizer have been. But I'm wondering how to reclaim my baby girl????
I guess that means that she was ready. So now, I'm off to reclaim my counter space where the bottle rack and sterilizer have been. But I'm wondering how to reclaim my baby girl????
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