The awesomest....

Nick played his first basketball game last night he almost bounced from one side of the court to the other because he was so excited. I'm not sure we have a future NBA player on our hands, but I think he will really enjoy playing this summer.

So I have a Nick story for you. Unfortunately it is not first hand because it was told to my mum while I was in Texas last week. But, it goes something like this...

Nick: Wanna see the awesomest kid in my class? (he had his yearbook)

Nana: I thought you were the awesomest kid in your class.

Nick: No, I'm the second awesomest. This is Riley, he's the first awesomest.

Silly boy.

This picture was taken a couple weeks ago in the church parking lot. He was amazed at this giant truck so Jeff took a picture for him.

He stepped on a bee today and was stung on the foot. He's pretty excited to tell that story, although he has a hard time remembering which foot when he wants to show it to you. Summer fun.

I heart words...

Today I was reading an issue of “Chief Marketer” (I know, sophisticated reading for a girl who usually sticks to People, Glamour, and Country Living) when I stumbled upon a word I have never heard or seen before. The word was “kerfuffle” and the sentence read something like “Consumer kerfuffle aside, online merchants…” Kerfuffle? Hmmm…had this been 10 years ago I would have pulled out my trusty dictionary to look that puppy up. But instead, I Googled “Merriam Webster” and quickly found my answer…

Main Entry: ker·fuf·fle
Pronunciation: \kər-ˈfə-fəl\
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of carfuffle, from Scots car- (probably from Scottish Gaelic cearr wrong, awkward) + fuffle to become disheveled
Date: 1946
chiefly British : disturbance, fuss

No wonder I was so drawn to the word…it is “chiefly British” and I LOVE all things “chiefly British.” Chiefly British cars, chiefly British accents, chiefly British movies, chiefly British books, chiefly British Hugh Grant. Okay, maybe not chiefly British oil companies…but, you get the point.

I had so much fun sharing my new word that I decided I will learn (or at least skim) a new word every day. I have signed up for the “word a day” online and so each morning a shiny new word will be waiting in my inbox. Don’t worry…if I find a good one I will share.

The week of my birthday I made a list (I love a list) of 32 things to do before I turn 33. I have kept the list to myself until now. Today I got an email from my good friend Karen and she had made her own list (a bit deeper than mine however.) So, I thought why not put my list out into the world...maybe I'll be more apt to work towards completing it. Here it is in all its randomness...


1. Lose 20 pounds (original I know)

2. Exercise more (see #1)

3. Learn about plants, flowers, grass…go green’ish

4. Spend a whole day with just my Mum

5. Spend more time with friends at home

6. Do something for the church (outside of regular stuff I already do)

7. Read at least 3 legitimate classic literature books (less chic lit)

8. Teach kids how to do laundry

9. Get a physical

10. Read at least 3 work related books

11. Take the kids to do something charitable

12. Clean/organize the garage for Jeff

13. Start recycling

14. Plan a Princess Bride party

15. Take a golf lesson

16. Learn to cook fish

17. Organize the “cat room”

18. Make photo books from past trips

19. Finish Nick’s quilt I started

20. Plan ahead for Christmas gifts

21. Learn how to reupholster a chair

22. Learn how to make spaghetti carbonara

23. Update my Linkedin account

24. See a movie with Jeff where lots of things get blown up

25. Organize the laundry room

26. Paint a picture with Caroline

27. Help Nick write a book

28. Take Jeremy on a date

29. Go to the beach

30. Plan a better morning routine

31. Take the kids bowling

32. Host a summertime party for the neighborhood kids

A little bit of crazy...

This time of year I always start having the craziest of thoughts. A thought so crazy, so absurd, so odd and not like me at all.

I think of all the positive things…the time off, the time off, on and did I mention the time of off. If I were to take the plunge and do this crazy and wild thing I would right now be preparing for nine weeks of freedom and fun.

That’s right…I am talking about teaching. Every summer it seems that everyone is off but me. I hate it!

Now, I know myself enough to know that teaching isn’t the answer…being independently wealthy is. Ha! I think that if I was with kids (big or little) all day I would not be able to muster up the energy to be nice to my own every night. And the truth is that with 9-12 weeks off I would probably lose my mind or end up adding a room to my house…neither a good idea.

So I guess I am not destined for summers. But, maybe I can squeeze in a few long weekends.

Kicked that goals butt...or did it kick mine.

In March, Jeff and I set out to redo the backyard after Joe commented that it looked like "a crime scene from a scary movie." We set the goal of completing it before Memorial Day and we did. To add even more fuel to the fire, I planned Tara's going away party for this weekend to ensure I'd have it done. I have spent every minute the last 9 days planning and working on this party so although it was fun I am glad to see it pass. We were able to spend time with family...Chris and Katy are in town. Mark and Stephanie were also here with their kiddos for four nights and it was a blast to have them.

The party was full of candlelight, yummy desserts, fresh flowers, mason jars, and laughing. There were a lot more teenage kiddos there than I thought there would be so the truth was it could have been hosted at CiCi's Pizza and it wouldn't have mattered to them. But, it was a great practice run for all of the summer fun we plan to have the next few months.

I have been chilling out this afternoon and have a plan for 100 days of summer organizing. Jeff just caught me making the list and it is further confirmation that I am nuts. More to come soon...in the meantime, enjoy the party pics.

The only person who likes change is...

The only person who like change is a wet baby. And me apparently.

I haven't blogged in a while and even though I am really not in the mood, I thought a few quick thoughts were in order...please excuse the randomness.

-Nick just lost his second tooth...his first one was last weekend and the tooth fairy had no change so he got $20. The big kids were outraged.

-Backyard is done'ish...wicked tired, my whole body hurts still, but it was worth it. Met Skip from Willing Workers who spent the day with us last week in the yard. He was a great help and seemed like a good guy who just needs to get going in the right direction.

-Work is work. Still good, but little things are bothering me and they didn't use to. Cynicism setting in? Leading cause of government employees turning into crap employees. Can't let that happen.

- Living room done. I love it. Bad timing. "I think I'm losing my mind this time, this time I'm losing my mind." Beautful.Color. Grandma'ish. Birds. Blue. Brown. Old.

-Company for the next 4 days...

-Tired of questions. Wish the "shift" key on my laptop wasn't broken....ugh.

-Tara leaving in two weeks. I'm sad and can't think about it without tearing up...oh no, It's happening now.

-Confused. Tired. Need to learn to rest. It is a joke in my house that I can't sit still...not funny anymore. Except for in my tub...my happy place.

-Have a idea. I love it! learning about something new. Passionate. Probably not a great idea, but I still love it.

-Craving different. Change. Different. Need to just be...all is well, really.

I think I may actually feel a little better. That was worth it.

Note to self...literally

If I ever discover a time machine here is the letter I would bring to "past me..."

Dear Self,

On Tuesday you will come up with a great idea to repaint your perfectly fine living room. You will convince Jeff to start this project...but know this...he will abandon you in the process. Starting Wednesday night you will spend every spare minute in this painting hell. In two to three hour increments you will complete not one, not two, but three coats of paint over a FIVE day period. But it doesn't stop there. All of the trim will look like ka-ka so you will then have to repaint all of the trim...twice. But you will discover that the joker who painted the trim before you used an oil based paint, so your enamel paint will chip...ah!!!

You will start out thinking that you will just start this living room redo with the paint and then leisurely finish it throughout the summer. What you failed to remember is that you are crazy...and you do nothing at a leisurely pace. Therefore, you will hurriedly start sewing curtains. repainting furniture, ordering new fabric, making pillows, and feverishly rearrange furniture...really? Is any of this necessary? No. Future self is here to tell you don't do it! Finish the other 4 projects you have started, wash some laundry, and take a freaking nap instead...dummy!

You've been warned,
C