It is Friday and I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker for her 5-minute prompt. Ready, set and off we go…


Start

I thought I found my rhythm. I thought I was going to be alone and ready to make a life-change/move out of my comfort zone. Then I met my husband and my rhythm changed from a single woman to a couple. Putting another’s needs before my own. We added a dog to our little house and life was good.

Eons later, just after I found my couple rhythm we got married. You would think that nothing would have changed from live-in couple to spouse. But it does. All of a sudden I was thinking long-term and making plans. Just as we found that rhythm Allie was born.

Holy crap there is nothing like adding a newborn to completely make you lose your rhythm. I floundered for a while. Not really understanding the whole wife/mother/worker role. It was difficult, I didn’t bond right away with Allie because I was so nervous I was going to screw up. But I didn’t screw up too badly (she survived). I found my best rhythm when she was a toddler. When she was no longer breakable and I could understand her needs. There is nothing like vocabulary to settle your rhythm. No longer wondering what the heck does this thing want? (Yes, I called her a thing)

We were nicely in our groove with dog, child and spouse. A new job and college degree for me. Motoring on for half a decade without any real issues. We built a house, had to establish a new routine for preschool / work /mom / spouse. Then unexpectedly there was Boo.

Holy crap, I thought one child was hard to get use to? Having two was a wake-up call. Add a child with unexpected health issues to the mix and our rhythm of the family was completely evolved. But we found our rhythm in those early months. Allie learned how to prevent Boo from choking. We freaked people out at parties with our laid-back attitude to Boo’s vomiting. Just wear a towel if you want to hold her we would say. As Boo stabilized and we were no longer on alert, our rhythm changed yet again. I also got a lot more sleep, which probably helped.

Then the dog died and a part of my husband’s rhythm was lost. Then we added a puppy and holy crap what was I thinking.

But through it all we’ve maintained our groove of our family. I may not be able to dance or sing (according to the thing) but we have managed to all survive this experience we call life. We may not always be in sync but we are all following the same tune.

Although I admit to being a tad nervous of whatever is lurking around the corner to put me off my rhythm again!

STOP

I have gone to quite a few concerts in my life.  Really, in my 30’s before that and sadly after, I was not much of a concert goer. In my teens/20’s it just wasn’t something I did a lot of. Now in my 40’s the cost of a babysitter combined with tickets? Forgetaboutit.

As a teen, I only went to two. One was Van Halen without David Lee Roth (disappointment) but my first ever concert was…

Really, pink sweater?

A few weeks later he was able to get tickets and off we went to my first Buffett experience. If you have never experienced a New England Tailgate, think of the craziest bunch of people who may or may not be clothed. Add alcohol, sand, blow-up pools, brownies that may or may not be legal and a zillion barbeques, with a splash of sun. This is how we go to concerts up here (and Patriots games). Oh there were also inflatable sharks on every 3^rd car, because why wouldn’t you bring pool floats to a parking lot? A completely different experience than Mannilow that is for sure!

” />

Two of my best-blogging buddies , Kristi and Joy, are co-hosting a hop this weekend thought up by the Considerings. It is probably the easiest one you will participate in all week. Being thankful. Come up with 10, just 10, things you are thankful for this week.
Read more
Follow my blog with Bloglovin 


1. I am thankful for cupcakes. Just the picture of a cupcake can make Boo squeal with delight!

2. I am thankful for Boo’s aides and teachers who took her on a field trip where they got to see her dance to the Toe Jam Puppet band.

3. I am thankful for everyone’s openness to learning about Zachary and spreading the word for his safety.

4. I am thankful for the kind words of encouragement on this blog when I have a bad day and appreciate when you laugh at my wine aerobics.

5. I am thankful that Rich Rumple is back and making me wonder about God on a toilet. I just hope he doesn’t end up in hell for it.

6. I am thankful for girls night out with my PTA friends.

7. I am thankful for the joy Allie brings me with her view on life, even if it is at my expense.

8. I am thankful that I read so many posts this week about body image. It made me realize the negative dialogue going on in my own head and out of my mouth. More importantly they made it stop.

9. I am thankful that last night was Allie’s ice cream social so I didn’t have to cook dinner.

10. I am thankful that my husband finally gave the dog a bath so he no longer smells. The dog that is. No I did not just accuse my husband of smelling. It’s Father’s Day after all.


What are you thankful for this week? Hop on over to 10 Things I am Thankful and share away!

Two of my best-blogging buddies , Kristi and Joy, are co-hosting a hop this weekend thought up by the Considerings. It is probably the easiest one you will participate in all week. Being thankful. Come up with 10, just 10, things you are thankful for this week.

1. My husband. I know, corny. But this week not only did he work overtime he made sure the house was stocked with wine. Oh he also stayed up until 12:20 AM with me to watch the Bruins game after my nephews and brother-in-laws went to bed and left me all alone to watch the game.

2. Everyone who is walking and/or donated to Boo’s Brigade. We are walking this Sunday in the NSTAR Walk for Children’s Hospital. So far we have raised almost $4,500 for the Hospital that saved Boo’s life. All of my friends and family will be glad when the weekend is over and I stop asking them to participate.

3. Dana for agreeing to take Abby in during her teenage years where she will learn not to dress like a hooker. Oh and she will serve us beautiful drinks in her new kitchen. If you haven’t checked out her blog you are missing a great part of your day. She has awards to prove it.

4. The Boston Bruins. I cannot believe how well they are playing, but they bring me such joy. And not because this is the only time of year my nephews text me 100 times a day. I hope they bring me joy tonight. I would be even more thankful.

5. The Our Land Series. A world where empathy and wonder reign. I just wish I had empathy for the jerk who made my friend Kerry sad.

6. That Boo has a fantastic aide that will be chaperoning her on a field trip next week. I just wish it didn’t make me feel like the most horrible mom in the world for not taking the time off of work.

7. The friend’s daughter who stopped by this week to pick something up and spent a half hour doing Allie’s homework with her so I wouldn’t be tortured,  have to make her cry do it for her.

8. Gelato. Yes, gelato. I hide it is the freezer from the children and husband. I was going to say wine but you already knew that, right?

9. My crafty sister-in-law who did not trust me with the T-shirts for this weekend’s walk. I didn’t even have to beg that hard for her to take over.

10. All of you who read this blog and leave such heartwarming, supportive and positive comments. I know, sappy again. But if I am really being thankful I have to thank those who make this life easier.

Your hosts

A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, A Woman’s Place, Bringing the Sunshine, Considerings, Finding Ninee, i can say mama, Shoved to Them, Steps into Parenthood, The Wakefield Doctrine

 

So what are you thankful for, just one thing, this week? 

 

It is Friday and that means I take 5 minutes to write, just write, with a one word prompt from Lisa Jo Baker. Ready, set and start.

Fall

I fall in love a little more each day. First love is easy, but to stay in love is tough. There is laundry, diapers and life getting in the way of love. There is work, stress and a million things that I put over falling in love with my family.

I love them all quite differently.

I love my husband for his sense of humor, his steadfastness and even the things that drive me crazy. Like when he thinks he knows it all. Eighteen years later I still don’t know what trick he might pull on me. I love my husband for the security he provides and for the love he shows our daughters. The hunter who expected to be taking his sons fishing and target shooting has been seen (not photographed) playing Barbies and tea parties.

I love my Allie for her take on life. Her utter honesty, the way she sees the fairies in the yard. The fact that I love her in spite of her ability to make my ears bleed with her never-ending stories. I love Allie for her imagination. When she takes two hours setting up the scenario before she starts playing with her dolls and horses.

I love my Boo for the way she hugs. This morning she woke up at the butt crack of dawn. As we laid back in bed, her arm snuck around my neck as she settled in. My heart broke and I fell a little more in love with this child of joy. I love Boo’s belly laugh, how she puts her entire body into the expression of happiness. I love how Boo’s hug can make some one’s day. How she screeches her joy. I love how Boo says AYAAAYYYYYAAAAA as she calms herself to sleep.


Falling in love is simple. Staying in love is work. Being able to fall in love a little more each day with my family makes staying in love easier.

END.

Boo has the most terrific aides at school. All of them, quite honestly, are the best of the best. She has transitioned to as new staff come on board. She has not had one bad aide yet.

Today she is missing one of them though. Syd has been out of school for almost a month. She is one of the nicest, funniest and caring people we know. She recently told me that reading the blog makes her day since she cannot see her kids every day.

So, Syd this is for you!

Here is wishing Syd a speedy recovery and get well sooner rather than later. Your Boo needs you 🙂

Oh and this once again proves I am not crafty, right? But I am still going to ask you to vote for me. It is super easy. All you have to do is hit the link below and then click “like” with Facebook.  If you have already “liked” me, thanks. Sadly, you can only like me once.

http://www.babble.com/mom/a-letter-to-new-special-moms/

I hate yard work. Not hate as in wow I really would rather sit with a book kind of hate. But H-A-T-E yard work. If I had my way I would have either woods or a concrete yard. Since when they were putting in our septic they took our woods I have a yard.

I hate the yard.

First there is grass. Okay, not grass. Weeds that are green and look like grass. Except when you mow and then you kick up dust and rocks. Oh and lets not forget the dandelions, that Allie swears are fairy flowers and please stop killing them MOM!

Why am I mowing, you ask? Because Hubs is on another triple and the grass weeds are high enough that I might need to borrow the neighbor’s goats over for dinner. I hear dandelions are good for goats.

Back to my point, yes I have a point. And yes, I have a neighbor with goats. As in plural. She also has sheep and a sheep dog that is afraid of the stairs and the sheep. But I digress.

My point is I hate, HATE, yard work. But there I was on the first hot day of Spring (or in New England summer that began after the last frost) mowing the weeds. Since it is a hot and humid 75 degrees I am wearing the least amount of clothes possible. Much to my neighbor’s dismay.

Why did I choose this day to mow the lawn what passes for our lawn? Because I live on a small road with perfect lawns. Well, perfect except for ours, and I was having a moment of lawn insecurity. Truthfully I have another neighbor, but her lawn is hidden behind the best sledding hill in the state. So I wasn’t feeling inferior there, but the other two?

Not a freaking weed on theirs!

I put the girls in front of the TV, well Boo with her IPAD that is only now used for Austin & Allie at home (she uses it for the real purposes at therapy and school I SWEAR) and did yard work. Freaking yard work.

One neighbor drives by, the one with the hidden yard, we wave and say hi. We chuckle over the fact that our husbands are always “working” so we get stuck with the manly-jobs. Then another neighbor stops and comments on how the beast from hell yard is coming along. Then she says: Don’t you just love yard work? I love being in the garden. She of the perfect lawn, garden and flower yard. If she wasn’t so freaking nice I might hate her. Instead I just envy her lawn.

Me? Nope, I would rather relax with a nice glass of wine.

Instead I am hot, sweaty, dirty, dear God is that a tick on me???? With snot hanging down my nose because hello pollen. Holy crap that was a spider crawling on my arm. Why do there have to be all these bugs? What was God thinking when he created the slug?

But I carried on. I put in the effort. Tried to make something out of weeds then just covered it in mulch. Mulch is good, right? This is what I ended up with: a mowed weed, I mean lawn and some replanted trees in a 2×2 area.

Yes, that is Bailey. The crazy now destructive toddler, no longer a puppy, who is defecating on all my hard work. I gave up at that point and took a shower with a glass of wine.

Yes, I took the glass of wine with me. Because I hate yard work.

Have you seen the very inappropriate, non-politically correct, 80’s movie I’m Gonna Git You Sucka? In that movie we learn a true hero brings his own theme music, he also wears platform shoes with goldfish in them.

Apologies, Friday’s favorite movies are still on my mind. they should probably do a list of the worst movies of all time

Just as any hero should bring his own theme music, so should a stalker. If I was stalking you this is what might be playing…

Rockwell’s Somebody’s watching me because, well I would be watching you.

Little Monsters’ Little Talks not only is that song kind of creepy it makes me think of Patrick Swayze in Ghost stalking Demi Moore. Since I want Demi’s hair and a side of Patrick back then wouldn’t be a bad thing, I would definitely stalk you with Little Talks.

Miranda Lambert’s Crazy Ex Girlfriend. You leave me, I stalk you. If that doesn’t work…I wouldn’t give it a second thought to being thrown in jail. Because to a hammer everything looks like a nail.

Skid Row’s 18 and Life because once I was arrested for any of the above that might be what I am looking at.


Stalker songs: You might think I am a stalker but you just don’t know how much you love me. A Twisted Mix-Tuesday brought to you by two lovely stalkers, Jen and Kristi. Be sure to visit them and share the twistedness.

Oh and when you go over to check them out you will see that I once again chose the wrong week to comment about. Yes, I am a blog-hop idiot.  So I posted about yard work instead. Then I contacted Kristi to tell her I wrote this awesome post but couldn’t use it. Especially since it was a topic from about 10 weeks ago.

But she gave me the blessing to post it anyway. Not so much a blessing but a demand. So here I am and now…


Now summer has officially arrived, I am going for a Twisted Lemonade.

Diane at On the Border recently gifted me with the Semper Fidelis Award.





Thank you so much, Diane. It means a lot to receive notice from another blogger. Especially one who can tell stories much more eloquently than I ever could!



Of course, there are rules.

1. Add the award logo to my blog (done, it took some work, but it’s done)

2. Thank the blogger who nominated/gifted me and link back to their blog. Done but again, thanks Diane oh and go check her out at On the Border!

3.  Nominate five bloggers whose loyalty and friendship you value and who you consider being part of your ‘wolf pack’.
 
4.  Post something special for each one of your nominees and dedicate it to them such as a quote, picture, poem, saying etc….something you think pertains to that person.
 
5.  Let your nominees know that they are nominated.

And drum roll, please…..

Semper Fidelis, in Latin, means “always faithful”. I count on the following ladies below who I not only faithfully read, but the ones I feel a connection. In addition, their blogs are what get me through the day. I can count on them for their honest opinions, support and friendship.

1. Kristi at Finding Ninee. Kristi is the first person who reached out on a personal level through the blogging world. She made me feel a part of this ‘wolf pack’. But not the type of wolf pack from the Hangover. I do not think she would leave me on top of the hotel roof. However I do think she would get me drunk and let me marry a stripper.

2. Joy at I can say Momma. Another compatriot in the world of an undiagnosed child. Where I feel frustration and snarky humor, Joy finds the beauty in every moment. What amazes me about my friendship with Joy is that when we take on a 5-minute challenge our brains usually have the same take on the word.

3. Dana @Kiss My List. When Allie is a teenager I am sending her to Dana’s house. Dana has the best stories. From kitchen remodeling to traveling to shopping. Oh and shoes. She did a whole vacation from the viewpoint of her shoes! More importantly she will never let Allie leave the house looking like a hooker.

4. Bron at Big Brother, Little Sister and the Baby. I want to be Bron when I mature. Notice I did NOT say grow up as I am a older than Bron. Where I make excuses of why I cannot do things, Bron lives life to the fullest. She doesn’t seem to fluster. She travels, does triathlons, is a mum to three great kids and still remembers to be a wife. Frankly I don’t know how she does it. Which is why I want to be her when I mature.

5. Rachel at Tao of Poop. Rachel is peace. Seriously, even her husband agrees. She is mom to Claire and it navigating the world of the two-year old. Not the easiest time when your child is still a baby but testing you in a bid for independence. Rachel sees the utter beauty in the moment. I tend to see the tantrums.

There are many, many more of you out there. But I had to limit the list to 5. Thanks, again, to Diane. Keep giving us your family stories, they are not only important they are inspiring!

I admit it, I am totally one for first impressions.  In random order here is what I tend to notice:

1. Their hair. Only because mine looks like this:



            When I really want it to look like this:

Okay, if I looked like Katie Holmes’ I would be super happy too.

2. If I am in “the” Wal-Mart I notice that people do not have my issues with self-esteem. They will leave the house wearing anything and sometimes not enough anythings.

3. Piercings, now don’t tell me I am all stuff. I used to have a belly piercing myself. Until I had Allie and two things happened. One, I didn’t want a toddler pulling it out and two, my belly is no near back into shape to show it off! I just don’t get how we went from the 80’s with two piercings in our ears to, well, this…

4. Their feet. Pre-children I wore the best shoes, had the prettiest pedicure. Now I am either in sneakers or flip flops. Nail polish might be on the toes but it might be hard to find. And no, I am not going to gross you out with feet pictures. The piercing picture was enough, don’t you think?

5. Their children. I am in awe of the families in Mass whose children sit so quietly in the pew. Mine? Boo is usually snorting or screaming “hi” at people. Allie is usually drawing, while laying across the pew so no one can see her. She does, however, stand and kneel when appropriate. I think the perfect families must use some witchcraft to make their kids behave.

6. Their hair. yes, it is so important to me I must count it twice.

7. Their ability to coordinate their outfits. I am usually a wrinkled mess that may probably not have been current this season. I know it is possible though to look like you stepped out of a Ralph Lauren Catalog. I have this great friend and she (and her daughters) are always perfectly dressed. Oh how I envy them. I want to leave the house looking like this…

and end up like this..

8. Their accent. You maybe thinking, how can their accent be the FIRST thing you notice about some one? I ask you to think of the last telemarketer or help-hot-line number you called. Enough said.

9. Their spouse. I always wonder how did she/he end up with him/her. Oh come on, you have wondered the same thing!

How on Earth did a TV reporter end up with the guy from the Federal Reserve? I bet it was E-harmony.

And last but not least (remember no particular order)…

10. That the woman on the airplane is reading 50 Shades of Grey in hardcover, without the jacket removed. Didn’t she realize that if it was on her Kindle no one would know that she is reading lady-porn?


This list of first impressions has been brought to you by the Good Life.