pictures to prove it

Dear Mom,

I know it's hard to think of me as pregnant cos we live so far apart, so this post is to assure you that your newest grandson is growing rapidly. He moves with such abrupt jabs that I often think he is about to shoot out of my stomach and fall onto the floor. So I instinctively get ready to catch him. Unlike before, this one actually feels like an alien flopping around in there. I wonder if that means he will be interested in science.

As for the big brother, he pretty much spends the whole day hanging on me while begging for pretzels.

Vance is off the list.

I am so excited when I am at the park and I see two brothers hanging out, throwing sand at each other or eating their picnic lunch with their mom. They have their boy clothes on, baseball hats, and sometimes their bikes and helmuts with flames on the side. I love that I get to have 2 boys. I can't help but smile inside and out when I see the family we are about to become.

I don't love the brain freeze for boy names I am having.

Every time I pass a baby aisle for clothes or bedding, I immediately pick out what I think would be suitable for Violet Amelia. I have to stop my hand from reaching out to put it into the cart. Oh yeah, I get to have a boy again just like I wanted! My mind won't shift away from this obsession I have for my girl name and into reality. I see the boys growing up together, but the poor little brother just doesn't have a blasted name!

Maybe I will add that to my monthly To Do list for June.

How To

I recently read a list of things someone wants to accomplish before they die, being in a band was on his list. I thought I would take this morning to outline what I think are the steps he could take to get into a band.

p.s. I never said anything about this band actually being great or famous, but that isn't part of his goal.

****

1) Choose an instrument you are in love with (this will only work if it's something you have always wanted to play and have much passion for it).

2) Purchase instrument (these steps may seem obvious, but it's funny how easy the rest of it comes after this is accomplished). Craig's List is a good source for used, in addition to ebay or Guitar Center (see posted ads, talk to people there). Take time to really evaluate what you can/ want to spend in the event you really suck and hate it- this will be key for your search.

3) Find a teacher. A friend, a stranger from craig's list or again, someone from Guitar Center might be able to hook you up with a connection. Local community colleges or community centers might be a good source for basic lessons, as well. There are also great free sources on YouTube or videos you can get from music stores. Sounds lame, but one of my drum instructors told me these are useful sources to assist with learning technique.

4) Be honest with your skill- you are a beginner. Figure out what kind of time you can allow to practice and make a schedule. The amount of practice time will determine how quickly you get better.

5) Playing with other musicians is the only way you will learn how to play with other musicians. Right before you feel brave enough, seek out other musicians to play with that are open to a beginner. If you have a hard time finding other people to join, consider putting the band together yourself! There have to be people at or above your skill level that are looking for the same thing. Again, Craig's List is a good source. I would avoid people that are not at or above your skill level. This could mean opening your search to other towns a little bit of a driving distance away.

5.1) Be aware of your musical influences, the kind of style and sound that appeals to you. Have a list ready to share of bands that inspire you. While being in a country band or metal band would still allow you to learn and grow, you might not enjoy doing it as much as your desired sound. Be selective with who you are spending this hobby time with. Know the personalities you blend well with (i.e. no druggies, please) and available time you have to get together and play (how many times a week, for how long?). This will take time to find, but it will be worth it so be patient. You may also need to be prepared to fork our a little money for a rehearsal space. We only paid $15 each for a 3 hour spot once a week. The guys paid more for storage space to keep their amps on-site.

6) Continue to seek music to play- learn songs you love. This will help you develop a rolodex of styles to blend together until you eventually develop your own.

secrets

Frank,
I am graduating from eighth grade this year. My best friend and I are going
to separate high schools. Over the past few months, I have felt our relationship
growing more and more distant as we both make new friends. Her birthday is this
Sunday. I've decided that, instead of mailing in my secrets, I am going to put
them all in a book and give it to her as a gift.

I read this on the post secret website today and it made me tear up. It's so interesting that at every age of my life I have made dear friends that never leave my heart. Most of them live somewhere far away from me and many I have lost contact with for over a decade, but I will always remember each of them forever. It makes me sad to know that none of them know how important to me they were and that I still think about them from time to time and hope they are happy. Each of them deserves a book of my secrets.

exactly

the home and location and space and yard and paint color and scent and length of grass and roof tiles were found perfectly in place for a home to snatch up this afternoon at 4:30 pm.

that is.......until i read the details once again on the house that would be mine. the price changed by $450 a month. what the $%^~@&?

after weeks and hours checking craig's list and on the phone with agents the only thing I want to do is call the agent so I can scream into her ear EFF!

apron

The only apron I have ever owned was a gift from my sister. She sent me a cute denim one with her kids' painted hand prints all over it. I regret to inform her it has been lost in the shuffle of all the moving we have done over the years. I know it's here somewhere, just have no idea what shelf or storage bin it was tucked into.

So....I don't get to play the apron game, I waited too long to purchase and send a photo of my apron. I did find the one I should have ordered. But let's be honest here, in my home, take-out is becoming the dinner wave of the future with my appetite and energy diminishing.

In another state of mind I may order this darling apron from Etsy.

I mostly love it cos I could wear it with nothing under it on a night the kiddies are nestled in their beds so I can properly greet The Mister after a long day of work. THAT, my friends, is an important part of apron shopping.

administrative business

Once when I was working at the call center as a supervisor I got a new team. It was full of experienced reps that knew how to do their job well. I was baffled when I reviewed their stats to see how poorly they performed compared to other teams. I thought they were burned out or needed motivational tactics such as contests, etc. What it ultimately boiled down to was a lack of productivity goals. I met with each person and talked through the department expectation of their weekly stats and worked with them on realistic goals and tactics to help them achieve success. Each person had a plan, a goal to aim for each day when they came to work.

They rocked. They not only passed their goals, but they were excited and more alive each day. They cared more about the work they did. They took pride in the weekly productivity report and engaged in healthy competition with their peers.

Some days I reflect on my successes of the week and find a messy house, a bored child, few home cooked meals, and little to no personal time for me. I have been lacking my own productivity goals and excitement for each day.

This month will be better, I have some goals for all aspects of my job that might stretch a little beyond realistic, but it's feeling nice to put more control and structure into my life. It's nice to create a To Do list and check some things off. I think I need this order in my life more than I care to admit. Here is my list for the month of May, each will be jotted into spots within my weekly day planner so it's not so overwhelming and the time-sensitive ones are handled well .

****

dmv/ soc sec: legally change last name (I know, it's been 8 years)
network with headhunters in AZ to assist with Mike's job hunt (5+ contacts)
think about potty training
read scriptures at least every other day
dentist appointments for me and Zane
keep up blogs, all 3 of them
learn 2 new songs on my drums
house hunt/ decide if we will stay here or move to a new home
if above answer becomes move- start packing and disregard this list entirely
research next stage car seat for Z
send thoughtful package
send mother's day gifts
register Z for swim class and preschool
visit my 2 elderly friends Margie and Joann
weekend park days as family (at least 2)
magnify my calling as committee member (prep for activity this month)
FHE once a week
schedule a photography session with a family for June or July
get at least one new Cd
play cards with Mike at least one time a week
2 date nights (one for the temple)
budget/ financial planning weekly with Mike
create and follow meal plans
create and follow daily/ weekly cleaning schedule
try, try, try to not have typos when leaving comments on other blogs

chocolove

The chocolate portion of the bar is rich and dreamy. If you are looking for a toffee fix, stick with Skor or Heath (in that order).

Love the packaging.

such promise

Looking for a new place to live is such an arduous task. Why do I always think it is going to be fun, why is it I forget what a serious pain in the @ss it is?

It's sort of like trick-or-treating. You go from location to location and the front of the home gives you an idea of what you think you might - or hope- to get from the inside. Green grass, cute yellow paint, let's hope it's FULL SIZE candy bars served up in a pretty basket. Then you get a tootsie roll. Or a master bedroom that used to be an attic. With midget doors to midget closets and ceilings that do not permit you to exhale, they are so close to your face. Another bust.

*photo from craigslist

tin foil

I want to puke when people write on and on about how cute their spouse is and all the great and wonderful bla bla bla puke vomit bla boring bla. Yesterday I was one of those people and today, again, he is my topic of thought. So go ahead, start the dry heave.

In my family growing up we didn't really use tin foil, we were a saran wrap family. It's easier to see the leftovers that would eventually grow fur and get tossed, completely logical.

Mike's family, apparently, was different.

I worked the late shift at the call center while we were dating. One evening he told me to come over after work and he would have a picnic ready for us to enjoy at the nearby park. I imagined he was going to pick up subs or KFC (this is before celiac diagnosis). Turns out he cooked a hot meal all by himself. I arrived at his home just as he was arranging the food on the plates, complete with stuffed mushrooms on the side. Then out came the tin foil. He ripped off about 30 feet and began wrapping and wrapping and wrapping those plates as if we were going on a rocket ship. Cos tin foil totally belongs on a rocket ship.

After we got married, he must have done some of the grocery shopping as somehow we had tin foil. I was still working the late shift and got home after 9pm. My favorite nights were the ones when I opened the front door and saw him watching t.v. on the couch. Following his suggestion to check the oven, I cracked it open to find my cozy plate of food tucked nicely with 30 feet of tin foil wrapped all around it. Eating dinner was like a mini Christmas, it took me a good 5 minutes to get to the prize.

I smile every time I open the kitchen drawer to get a baggie and grin at the huge roll of tin foil we always seem to have.