Sunday Sweetness to Beat the Monday Madness

It’s Monday. I’m not a big fan of Mondays, but I always find a way to manage and muddle through it. And today, I have something sweet to think about when I start feeling the Monday blues…

Last night, the hubby, the baby and I went shopping at Kohl’s. I was excited that I found a pair of Dockers pants (on clearance for eleven dollars), a gorgeous pale green sweater (also on clearance, for seven dollars) and a pretty Chaps skirt (you guessed it—also on clearance, for I think eighteen dollars). The little one got a pair of flannel pajamas decorated with The Wiggles car and the hubby got a hilarious t-shirt and a dressy gray sweater. It was a fun shopping trip.

Afterward, we went out for dinner, which is a rare treat for us. We got cozy in a booth at Applebee’s and while we were eating, for just a moment, it was like time had stopped. My little girl didn’t want to sit in her booster seat, so she was curled on her daddy’s lap, happily munching on fries. She only gets fries when we go out—which is maybe about every other month—so she was delighted beyond belief. I handed her half of my cheese quesadilla, and as I sat looking at her, one fist grasping a fry and the other clutching the quesadilla, her big brown eyes turned up at me and she sang out, “I love you, mommy!” Her tiny feet were banging as she kicked the underneath of the table and the smile that beamed from her little round face lit up the restaurant.

Other restaurant patrons couldn’t help but hear her declaration and there were faint murmurs of “Awwww,” “How sweet,” and “She’s so cute!” For the briefest of moments, a lump formed in my throat and unbidden tears sprang into my eyes. It was a perfect moment and despite the Sunday night hubbub of the restaurant, all I saw was my daughter and my husband. But for a twist of fate and the hand of God, this perfect child may not have ever existed. No more than dust particles in this universe, two people managed to come together and create a being totally separate and completely part of each. I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever be able to explain to her the wonder and amazement that comes with bringing a child into the world.

I don’t remember the rest of the meal. I don’t remember the drive home. I was awash in the glow of my own happiness. My own contentment. What a beautiful way to start the week.

How are a monkey, a cow, and a zebra going to build a rocket ship?!

Da Bears.

After 21 years....
We're back at the Super Bowl!

It Went Down Like Titanic

When I bought new furniture in 2004, I knew it wouldn't last long. I mean, it was a floor sample from a furniture store that was going out of business. The furniture has survived a move (in nasty, freezing rain), my huge pregnant behind, and now, a squealing, happy twenty month old jumping on it. Today, its slow death started.

The munchkin is sick so we're at home today, just chilling out, and she was laying on the couch curled up under a blanket. She lifted a corner of her blanket and said, "Mommy, under blankie, please?" So, I snuggled up next to her and held her in my arms while we watched Sesame Street--specifically, Elmo's World, when he explores what it's like to go to the doctor. (A very fitting episode, by the way, since we have an appointment with the pediatrician later today.)

Anyway, it was just about time for lunch, so I disentangled myself from her and proceeded to sit up. That's when it happened. As I shifted my weight, I heard this low, agonizing groan coming from somewhere underneath me. It was not my stomach and I don't have gas, so I knew it wasn't coming from me. I felt a sudden shift and knew I needed to get up in a hurry. I couldn't move fast enough, and I ended up sinking down into the sofa a few inches. I suddenly remembered what it was like to fall into a toilet (minus the wet butt). I sat there for a minute, arms flailing, trying to get up.

And my daughter? Well, she watched me struggle, then threw her own arms up in the air and waved them about, loudly declaring, "Mommy, no dance."

Hmmm. She thought that was dancing? Good thing a spring from the couch didn't poke through into my rear end. That would have some interesting dancing.

Ahem. Happy New Year?

Survey says...

In 2006, I gained the ability to play pinochle.

I lost my black sweater at the St. Louis zoo, but some kind soul returned it to the lost and found. Thank Goodness!

I stopped waiting.

I started planning.

I was hugely satisfied by the finished fireplace.

And frustrated by the process of getting to the finished fireplace.

I am so embarrassed that I cannot cook better.

Once again, I did get to travel.

Once again, I did not finish the scrapbooks/photo albums.

The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is, ironically, seven pounds.

The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is my increased worry.

I loved spending time reading, writing, traveling, gardening, loving, mothering...

Why did I spend even two minutes arguing? I don't argue well.

I should have spent more time outside.

I regret buying so many gift cards for Christmas. I want to be more creative next year.

I will never regret buying the faceplate for the fireplace even though with that money I could have bought two months worth of groceries. Two. Months.

I daydreamed way too much.

I didn't write enough.

Cleaning drove me crazy.

Was the house project process crazier than ever last year? or was it me?

The most relaxing place I went was Washington, D.C., then St. Louis.

I feel so eager for travel when I write that down.

Why did I go to the mall the Friday before Christmas? It was insane!

The best thing I did for someone else was pray.

The best thing I did for myself was pray (St. Anthony always answers).

The best thing someone did for me was pray. And let me out of the locked cemetery, even though she was a bit grumpy about it and her son was the one who opened the gate. I did NOT feel like climbing over the wall that afternoon.

The one thing I'd like to do again, but do it better, is novel writing.

Smelly Sausage

Just so you know, this is gross...

So, the little munchkin was happy as could be yesterday...until 11:57pm when she woke up with a bed full of barf. I learned that it is impossible to console a vomit-covered toddler, especially when she is grabbing chunks of the stuff and hurling it across the room. Nasty. Smelly. Absolutely awful. And oddly hilarious, too. Apparently, I wasn't moving fast enough to get her cleaned up, so she decided to lend a helping hand. Lovely. Nothing like regurgitated breakfast sausage in the face to add some pep to your step. Oh yeah...the breakfast sausage...turns out she takes after little cousin Abe. Only she wants breakfast sausage for dinner, not for breakfast.

It's been a long day. Since midnight, the washer and dryer have been running almost non-stop, mostly because the kiddo was pretty much puking non-stop. At one point, every spare towel in the house had been used. I think nine loads of laundry were completed so far. And the day's not done yet...

The good news in all of this? The hubby is going to steam-clean the carpets. And he's considering the benefits of hard-surface flooring throughout the house.

Omens

Do you believe in them?

I saw something today that has me very worried about tomorrow. When I'm up and about again, maybe I'll finish my survey for 2006.

Nope...still not Antonio Banderas...

  (The last time I did this survey, I made it a point to inform you that I was not Antonio Banderas, so I figured I better remind you that I'm still not a year later. Go figure). This is the ORIGINAL version of the Survey, not the highly edited version you guys have posted so far. I go back ole skool, a'ight?


  In 2006, I gained some friends who are as crazy as I am, and therefore love me for who I truly am.

  I lost too much time.

  I stopped measuring my accomplishments by those of others.

  I started a puzzle that I never finished.

  I was hugely satisfied by my experience in the Senator's office, and all the friends I made while working there.

  And frustrated by my inability to communicate sometimes.

  I am so embarrassed that I saw "The Borat Movie" with my boss.

  Once again, I drove myself crazy for no good reason.

  Once again, I did not find true love.

  The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is the way I dress.

  The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is I don't think I'm responsible for other people's mistakes.

  I loved spending time alone, but also with my Sisters and my friends.

  Why did I spend even two minutes hating Lauren?

  I should have spent more time figuring out what I think and believe instead of listening to what other people tried to tell me to think and believe.

  I regret buying that puzzle, but don't worry, I'll get over it.

  I will never regret buying those red shoes even though with that money I could have bought two weeks worth of groceries. Ouch.

  I frowned way too much.

  I didn't love enough.

  My hair drove me crazy.

  Was my social life crazier than ever last year? Or was it me?

  The most relaxing place I went was home. (I would have said Hyde Park, NY, but there was just too much drama while I was there. Otherwise, it was gorgeous and would have taken this spot).

  I feel so happy when I write that down.

  Why did I go to the old playground in November?

  The best thing I did for someone else was give them a second chance.

  The best thing I did for myself was give myself a second chance.

  The best thing someone did for me was boost my confidence and make me feel like I could do anything, go anywhere, and be anyone.

  The one thing I'd like to do again, but do it better, is tell my friends and Sisters how much I love them, and how important the role they play in my life really is.

My Survey

In 2006, I gained knowledge that a bad attitude stands in the way of a lot of things…

I lost hope for a while, but I’ve gotten it back!

I stopped associating with and talking to people to piss me off.

I started going to confession again. My soul is feeling better!

I was hugely satisfied by my decision to have my tonsils and adenoids removed. It turns out, I’m actually able to breathe through my nose!

And frustrated by the fact that I indulged in compulsive over-eating to get through emotionally difficult times and ended up gaining back the weight I worked so damn hard to lose.

I am so embarrassed that my daughter farts louder than her daddy.

Once again, I said and did some bad things for the simple fact that it made me feel better after I did them.

Once again, I did not finish my daughter’s photo album.

The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is my hair. Who knew I had all these fabulous waves??

The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is over-analyzing more than I did before. I didn’t think it was possible, but it is!

I loved spending time re-reading some of my favorite books—and working on writing one of my own!

Why did I spend even two minutes thinking that evil whores actually know they’re evil whores?

I should have spent more time taking care of my emotional needs.

I regret one big-ish lie that I told because I was mad.

I will never regret the big-ish lie that I told because I was mad. It's a contradiction, I know. I'm sorry and I'm not.

I focused on my weight way too much.

I didn't sleep or laugh enough.

I drove me crazy.

Was my job and the people I work with crazier than ever last year? Or was it me?

The most relaxing place I went was to that nifty little spa for a massage.

I feel so stupid when…stupid? What is this strange word?

Why did I spend even two seconds thinking that the evil whore was not an evil whore?

The best thing I did for someone else was tell that big-ish lie I mentioned above. It was the wrong thing to do for the right reasons.

The best thing I did for myself was to tell off a certain individual who has no idea what he’s talking about.

The best thing someone did for me was let me be pissy and administer beatings with feather pillows when I felt like I couldn’t take the chaos of my life for even one more second.

The one thing I'd like to do again, but do it better, is therapy. Not as the therapist, but as the client. I always say that everyone could use some therapy every now and then, and I’m no exception. It’s just that if I hadn’t been so resistant to some of it, I may have benefited a little bit more.

It's that time again!

Time to fill out that old survey we began with!

In 2006, I gained a more understanding and forgiveful mind. I realized that there are some things that I can’t change or control but life will go on; and I guess if it doesn’t kill you, it will at least make you more prepared for the next time.

I lost myself for a while… But don’t worry, because I refound myself, and it turned out okay in the end.

I stopped being friends with people who didn’t know a single thing about who I really am.

I started listening to that not-so-silly thing called my heart more than my head.

I was hugely satisfied by my ability to open up to people during the tough times. It wasn’t pretty, but it was something that I needed to do and I have had a lot of trust issues in the past, but I’m (slowly) overcoming them.

And frustrated by allowing myself to be mad/angry/sad/confused/lost for longer than I should have allowed myself.

I am so embarrassed that I collapsed at your doorstep that one very horrible night….

Once again, I called someone some not-nice names behind their back, and while they deserved them at the time, I should have been the bigger person.

Once again, I did not let someone know everything.

The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is I shrunk…. I’m tell you, it’s true!

The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is how I handle situations. I try to assess them (still too much at times) but I’m better at bringing the subject up.

I loved spending time resting my head on a certain individual’s shoulder.

Why did I spend even two minutes thinking that I could have changed your mind?

I should have spent more time out and about and causing crazy fun trouble.

I regret those times when I wanted to slash a certain individual’s name.

I will never regret drawing someone a picture even though I never gave it to them.

I sang and danced obnoxiously while driving way too much.

I didn't go out to eat enough.

YOU drove me crazy.

Was the drama crazier than ever last year? Or was it me?

The most relaxing place I went was that summer night at the park when we were on the swings.

I feel so stupid when I actually tell you what I’m thinking about.

Why did I start talking to that one person again? Because, let’s face it, it’s going to blow up in my face.. again.

The best thing I did for someone else was tell them I was happy for them… even though it was a lie.

The best thing I did for myself was let go of two ugly situations. Now I admit that if you were to bring either of those situations up, I could rant and rave, but I can now do so with a clear mind, because I’ve forgiven those people.

The best thing someone did for me was let me cry when he needed to cry just as much as I did.

The one thing I'd like to do again, but do it better, is homecoming. I mean, it was already a blast, and it couldn’t have gotten much better (though Mike could have been on me less and I would have been fine with that), but I would have tried to convince that one kid to come along with me.