Today is my birthday and so far it's been an amazing day. I got up before everyone else to get ready for work. Craig is off this week so no daycare for the boys. Adam did not want to get up this morning so we let him sleep for a bit. I got a kiss from Craig when he woke up. A sleepy, nuk-in-the-mouth grin from Adam when Craig got him up, and big birthday hugs and kisses from Alex. Alex also informed me that I'm not very young, but that's okay.
By noon I had heard from my three book club friends. And an email from one of my oldest friends... one I've known since I was five. I had more than eighty posts on my facebook page.
I got a birthday card and birthday brownies at work. YUM! I didn't have to cook dinner tonight, my boys made me a cake, I got lots of hugs and snuggles tonight... and the phone was ringing off the hook.
I'm truly feeling loved! Thanks everyone!
(p.s. THREE DAYS TO CHARLESTON!!! WOO HOO!!)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Seriously random thoughts
- I never in my life imagined I would be in the minority as a mom who works full time outside the home.
This is NOT to start the whole mom's at home vs. mom's at work debate. All mom's work. And being a stay-at-home mom IS a full time job. I fully believe that and support that. I also know that some mom's who stay home ALSO work from home. A dear friend of mine teaches online and scores essays.
I'm just continually amazed at the number of mom's I encounter who are able to stay home with their kids. I wish I could. It's just not financially viable... and believe me, I've done the math! Just met a bunch of mom's from Alex's new school next year. They all stay home. They seemed shocked that I had two kids and worked full time. Not in a judgmental way. In a truly amazed "How do you do it?" way. I have the same amazement. "How do YOU do it?"
- I hate the word ROBUST.
It makes me feel violent. I honestly want to punch someone/something when I hear it used. I have a new manager who says it at least twice a day. I want to buy him a thesaurus.
- Much as I don't want to admit it... I'm turning into one of those "I don't have time to blog" bloggers lately.
I just can't keep up. Writing, reading, or commenting. I'm trying to read, catch up and leave a comment when I can. But if this is the best I can do, so be it. I'm not out for fame and fortune. I'm fully aware that I'm not going to be "discovered" as the fresh new voice in writing so someone can make crappy books out of my blog and even crappier blog-to-big screen movies. It's not gonna happen. The sooner most bloggers accept that the better. Write for yourself.
- Speaking of writing... I got an email from my old University this week talking about their Summer Writer's Workshops. -Sigh- Someday.
- I hate it when you realize that you' think you're better friends with someone than you actually are.
That's been happening to me a lot lately. It hurts. It makes me feel insecure and lonely. It just generally sucks.
- I am NOT doing a good job with running.
I want to run at least one or two 5Ks this year, but my training is seriously lacking. I mean, how can I get into good running condition when I barely average 1 run a week. I'm just so tired all the time. Getting up at oh-dark-hundred to put in three miles just doesn't seem attractive right now. Not to mention all the rain we've been having. I've got the goal of running Race for the Cure at the end of September. I'd like to find another one to run before then.
- Crocheting and reading are also luxuries I haven't had much time for.
- Alex has got to be one of the coolest kids I know.
He's sweet. Sensitive. Caring. Dotes on his baby brother. Isn't half bad at T-Ball. Is passionate about Legos and Star Wars. Is a decent singer. I'm glad we're pals.
- Adam's personality is starting to come out.
He has found his voice and isn't afraid to make a little noise. His expressions and the way he emphasizes his noises with his arms and fists just cracks me up!
- My brain is already on vacation in Charleston, S.C.
Hopefully it will send me a postcard with some good travel tips.
This is NOT to start the whole mom's at home vs. mom's at work debate. All mom's work. And being a stay-at-home mom IS a full time job. I fully believe that and support that. I also know that some mom's who stay home ALSO work from home. A dear friend of mine teaches online and scores essays.
I'm just continually amazed at the number of mom's I encounter who are able to stay home with their kids. I wish I could. It's just not financially viable... and believe me, I've done the math! Just met a bunch of mom's from Alex's new school next year. They all stay home. They seemed shocked that I had two kids and worked full time. Not in a judgmental way. In a truly amazed "How do you do it?" way. I have the same amazement. "How do YOU do it?"
- I hate the word ROBUST.
It makes me feel violent. I honestly want to punch someone/something when I hear it used. I have a new manager who says it at least twice a day. I want to buy him a thesaurus.
- Much as I don't want to admit it... I'm turning into one of those "I don't have time to blog" bloggers lately.
I just can't keep up. Writing, reading, or commenting. I'm trying to read, catch up and leave a comment when I can. But if this is the best I can do, so be it. I'm not out for fame and fortune. I'm fully aware that I'm not going to be "discovered" as the fresh new voice in writing so someone can make crappy books out of my blog and even crappier blog-to-big screen movies. It's not gonna happen. The sooner most bloggers accept that the better. Write for yourself.
- Speaking of writing... I got an email from my old University this week talking about their Summer Writer's Workshops. -Sigh- Someday.
- I hate it when you realize that you' think you're better friends with someone than you actually are.
That's been happening to me a lot lately. It hurts. It makes me feel insecure and lonely. It just generally sucks.
- I am NOT doing a good job with running.
I want to run at least one or two 5Ks this year, but my training is seriously lacking. I mean, how can I get into good running condition when I barely average 1 run a week. I'm just so tired all the time. Getting up at oh-dark-hundred to put in three miles just doesn't seem attractive right now. Not to mention all the rain we've been having. I've got the goal of running Race for the Cure at the end of September. I'd like to find another one to run before then.
- Crocheting and reading are also luxuries I haven't had much time for.
- Alex has got to be one of the coolest kids I know.
He's sweet. Sensitive. Caring. Dotes on his baby brother. Isn't half bad at T-Ball. Is passionate about Legos and Star Wars. Is a decent singer. I'm glad we're pals.
- Adam's personality is starting to come out.
He has found his voice and isn't afraid to make a little noise. His expressions and the way he emphasizes his noises with his arms and fists just cracks me up!
- My brain is already on vacation in Charleston, S.C.
Hopefully it will send me a postcard with some good travel tips.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Cool Contest... Even Cooler that my friends group could win!
Vote for my friends' theater group on Facebook! The Top 200 organizations can win $20,000 or more!
I'm trying to help some friends of mine win a grant for their theater company. They are located in Chicago and they do really fun, quirky shows. They did a live-action version of Scooby Doo two years before the movie hit theaters. Karate Kid the Musical, Evil Dead the Musical, and Cubicle - an Office Space Musical are just a few of the shows they have staged over the past 10 years. Chase bank is running a contest on Facebook to give small non-profits a shot at some big time money. The contest wraps up in 4 days. If you could take the time to read their story below, click on the link, and vote for them, it would mean a lot! All it takes is a couple of clicks and you could help them win more than $20,000! They need as many votes as possible to break into the top 200.
Their company is called New Millenium Theatre and it's located in Chicago. Check it out!
Click on this link to vote for them.
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/364230107-new-millennium-theatre-company?src=charity-details-wall-post-self
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Happy Birthday Alex!
My big boy celebrated his golden birthday this year... turning 5 on July 5th! I can't believe Alex is 5. I can't believe how much like me he is... from his love of books, Legos, Star Wars and stuffed animals to his flair for the dramatic and tendency toward temper tantrums. I love this kid so much!
This year we went with a baseball cake (kind of hard to top last year's R2-D2 cake, but I tried!) which was really fun to make. I may have to invest in one of these ball-shaped cake pans. I got a lot of great ideas while making the baseball. And I'm sure once I make a couple, decorating will be a lot easier.
This was just one of the many fun, super cool presents he got. It was a very Star Wars / Iron Man / Toy Story Birthday!
This weekend we'll do the friend party... he's taking two friends to see Toy Story 3. FUN!
This year we went with a baseball cake (kind of hard to top last year's R2-D2 cake, but I tried!) which was really fun to make. I may have to invest in one of these ball-shaped cake pans. I got a lot of great ideas while making the baseball. And I'm sure once I make a couple, decorating will be a lot easier.
This was just one of the many fun, super cool presents he got. It was a very Star Wars / Iron Man / Toy Story Birthday!
This weekend we'll do the friend party... he's taking two friends to see Toy Story 3. FUN!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
This is what I'm thinking about right now...
Hurricane Alex.
I live with Hurricane Alex, but there's an actual Hurricane named Alex swirling around right now.
Yes, hurricanes are horrible, dangerous storms. No, my Hurricane Alex is not horrible and dangerous.
I wish I still worked in TV news, if only to have one of my graphic designer buddies Photoshop Alex into the eye of the hurricane... and possibly make an animation out of it. At the very least, I would make a poster for his room!
-sigh-
I miss my TV toys.
Anyone out there willing to do me a Photoshop favor????
I live with Hurricane Alex, but there's an actual Hurricane named Alex swirling around right now.
Yes, hurricanes are horrible, dangerous storms. No, my Hurricane Alex is not horrible and dangerous.
I wish I still worked in TV news, if only to have one of my graphic designer buddies Photoshop Alex into the eye of the hurricane... and possibly make an animation out of it. At the very least, I would make a poster for his room!
-sigh-
I miss my TV toys.
Anyone out there willing to do me a Photoshop favor????