Getting all my Ducks in a Row: 2011-05-29

Monday, June 6, 2011

100 Things About Me - Part 3

I am loving this post series. It's so much fun to think about and share all of the little things that make up the larger picture of who you are. If you missed the first 20 - you can go back and read them here and here.

30. I have a thing for jugglers, magicians - basically anyone who can amaze or mystify me.

31. I've always wanted to learn to dance. Hubby even agreed to take dance classes with me last year but I chickened out because I worried how I about how I would look doing the salsa or the tango. I blame Dancing with the Stars for this dream.

32. I appreciate and love my family, but I am greedy with the time that I take to just be alone. This month I will take this to a whole new level by taking my very first trip sans family. I will be traveling to Minneapolis for Box Top University on June 16th. I'm giddy and terrified all at the same time. Keeping the thought that I will get to visit the Mall of America is helping me keep up my courage.

33. While I am a country girl at heart and listen to it constantly - if there was a contest that you had to sing along to every country music song - I would rock that. But there is a special place in my heart for 90's music. Thankfully Hubby and I are from the same growing up decade and he shares my love all those one hit wonders and great drinking songs.

34. Coke Zero has won my heart. I can't tell the difference between it and Diet Coke - but I continue to choose it instead. What the heck are they putting in this stuff?

35. I really want a nook but don't think that I can give up books. I love them old or new. I love to get lost in them and share them. I have the kindle app - but the iPhone is not exactly large enough for reading for joy.

36. I want all the things that I always wanted as a child for my kids. I am working on making my dreams into a reality. I adore my busy life. As much as I might complain on twitter about all of the things that my kids are into - I am thankful that we are able to provide and contribute to the people that they will become. Sports/Camps I believe are a part of that. The sad part is I struggle to teach them exactly how great they have it. I want them to know and appreciate just how lucky they are.

37. I love my kids. I do. I mean I really really do - but once bedtime comes and goes without a sleepy eye in the house...I turn into Monster Mom. I might be known to yell. I might be known to shed a few tears in anger. Come On - just go to sleep already. Bedtime is not my strong suit.

38. Each day I battle with laziness and sometimes crankiness. I wish that I was born with a happy disposition but I was not. Most mornings I paste the smile on my face and keep it there until it's natural enough that I forget that I am trying to be happy - and am just happy.

39. I can't live without my Iphone. Before it - I had a free phone. You know the one they give you when you sign 2 years of your life away. It made calls and pretty sure I could have texted with it, but I didn't. I used it for making phone calls. But then Hubby got an Iphone. I made fun of him thinking there is no need for a computer/phone that you can carry in your pocket. Until I used it. I was hooked from the very first app. Now? My Iphone has taken over my life. It's got everything on it - phone, internet, ipod, FB/twitter, calender, calculator, GPS and camera. The only bad part? With 2 Iphones in the house...we can be sitting right next to each other but miles apart. Along with all the apps it should come with a time limit or human detector. Could you image if it shut off when you came with a foot of your Hubby?

40. Fill in the blank___________. I would love to know something about each and everyone of you. What you love or don't. What you can live with or can't. What you would like to change or don't.

Friday, June 3, 2011

3 Things I'm Loving Lately

1. Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop

Each week Gussy is sending out prompts of inspiration. This week's: Handmade. This is my very first afghan. I learned to crochet last year from my Aunts and Grandma. Each time I pick up my crochet hook I feel very connected not only to them but to generations of women who took care of their families by making the things that they need.

While I can't sew or darn - this I can do.

Sign up for the newsletter on Gussy's blog to join in the fun - or just to be inspired to share, grow and love all things uplifting.

2. Instagram and first pool day of the year!

3. New found reality shows.

Hubby and I recently discovered the likes of Pawn Stars, Jail, Hard Core Pawn, Operation Repo and Repo Games. Want to know where we are on any given night? Watching people be crazy. Just last night I watched a construction worked use a heavy piece of machinery to demolish his car in lieu of letting it get repo'd. I'm telling you between these shows and The Real Housewives of New York - I've got crazy human behavior TV covered.

What are you loving lately?

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Take the Time to Say Goodbye

I don't remember how old I was or who gave me the carnation to place on my Papa's casket but I do remember the guilt that I carried with me as I walked up to say goodbye to someone who was already gone. The tears were a mix of fear, empathy for my family, loss of a loved one and the deepest regret that I have to date experienced. I didn't say goodbye.

I can clearly remember my chance. I made a conscious decision to waste it. We were in the hospital that my Grandma had been living in as my Papa went from bad to worse. How bad I didn't fully grasp. It seemed to last so long - that I thought it would be never ending. I didn't see hope at the end of the tunnel. Just more of the same. More visits to the hospital and less of the ways that things used to be.

It was almost time to leave and I can still see myself standing there as I was asked...do you want to go back in and say goodbye. I did but I didn't want to go back into that room - it was scary. There were so many machines and not enough love to save his life.

No, I already did. This was said with the arrogance of youth. Of one who did not know the value of life yet. That in a heartbeat your life can change. That death is permanent.

I've carried that lie around with me since. I didn't. I didn't say goodbye. I didn't say I love you one last time. I squelched my chance to. Out of fear, out of childish, selfish fear. If I could have back that moment - I would. I would happily run in and say goodbye. I would whisper into his ear - I love you.

But I can't.

What I can do is live my life knowing the value of taking the time to say goodbye. I do it on a daily basis. I can hug and kiss my kids each day knowing the value of life - that this might be my last chance. I can do it with my husband - taking the time to show him that I know, love and appreciate him - knowing that life is not guaranteed.

To celebrate Emerson's 208th birthday, The Domino Project is republishing a work of art that's especially relevant today. Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson urges readers to trust their intuition rather than conforming to the will of the majority. In conjunction - there will also be daily prompts from an original thinking or doer on RalphWaldoEmerson.me. You can blog, journal or create something on each of the 30 days but do share it. You can use the hashtag #trust30.

Today's prompt:

We are afraid of truth, afraid of fortune, afraid of death, and afraid of each other. Our age yields no great and perfect persons. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
You just discovered you have fifteen minutes to live.
1. Set a timer for fifteen minutes.
2. Write the story that has to be written.
(Author: Gwen Bell)

Thanks to my involvement with bzzagent I am sent free samples, coupons and information in exchange for spreading my opinion through word of mouth. I was not compensated in any way. All opinion expressed is mine and mine alone.

Photo Credit