On my mind...It's still winter.

• I don't even really have the energy to write because we are bracing for more snow and I feel as though I should be under my covers hibernating.
• It's still winter here, even though the calendar says spring. 
• Our computer is about ready to die.
• No one is surprised; it is a dinosaur and we got it used at least 7 years ago.
• Someone is annoyed.  And feeling cheap and not wanting to expend the finances that it will take to get a new one.
• I have dumped everything onto our external hard drive, but it's not hooked up to Uriah's computer, so I don't have access to pictures.
• I've been using Uriah's but by the time he gets home in the evening, I'd rather hang out with him than write. 
• My feet are cold.
• I have been reading like a crazy person, so many good books are out right now or are about to come out.
• My Amazon wish list is giant.
• I'm still navigating e-readers through our library.  It is an asinine system to search for books and I find myself annoyed and frustrated when I do it.  There has to be an easier way.
• I've been watching some questionable Netflix shows lately.  The kind that do not stimulate the mind but hook you anyway? 
• We are only a few episodes into the new season of House of Cards (also on Netflix, not questionable at all).  We are trying to spread the season out as we watched the first season in about 2 weeks. 
• I'm ready to start going to antique stores and flea markets and junk shows. 
• I have an absurd amount of furniture in the cottage just waiting to be painted this spring.
• I've also been sifting and sorting through some of the boxes that we haven't looked at since we moved.
• I realize that we moved almost two years ago.  Boxes just full of surprises, I tell you!
• Finn's favorite game to play is hide and seek. 
• I jumped out and scared him one time when I was hiding and he was seeking and it was so funny.  Seriously, he did this little dance jump and some jazz hands and he might have almost tinkled a little. Now he has to remind me every day not to scare him. I feel kind of bad about that, actually.
• But it hasn't stopped him from wanting to play hide and seek one trillion times a day.
• And just so you know, there are only so many places to hide in this house.
• Abby's play is almost ready to perform.
• To hear her talk about it the whole thing is a master flop and no one knows their cues and someone will have to stand off stage and feed everyone their lines for the entirety of the performance.
• She is such a drama queen.
• We have a baby sitter for Finn for 2 nights (extravagant) and I think Uriah and I are going to go out on a dinner date before we go to the show (also extravagant).
• Family galore is coming into town to see her big theater debut.  I can't wait.  I miss my mom. And my Dad.  And my sister.  And my brother.  And my aunties.  And Ady. 
• I'm trying to adjust my diet because I'm caught in a rut.  It is not good.  Not good at all.
• I've been webMD-ing myself and I can assure you, I have a multitude of ailments.
• Do not diagnose yourself using webMD unless you want to entertain the though that you might be susceptible to the Ebola virus, mad-cow disease, H1N1 and the Bird Flu, malfunctioning organs and acne.
• It's time to make dinner and I've already put Finn in his jammies so this night can just roll right along in a smooth manner.
• You know...the faster to bed, the quicker we can wake up and shovel another foot of snow.

• I don't even really have the energy to write because we are bracing for more snow and I feel as though I should be under my covers hibernating.
• It's still winter here, even though the calendar says spring. 
• Our computer is about ready to die.
• No one is surprised; it is a dinosaur and we got it used at least 7 years ago.
• Someone is annoyed.  And feeling cheap and not wanting to expend the finances that it will take to get a new one.
• I have dumped everything onto our external hard drive, but it's not hooked up to Uriah's computer, so I don't have access to pictures.
• I've been using Uriah's but by the time he gets home in the evening, I'd rather hang out with him than write. 
• My feet are cold.
• I have been reading like a crazy person, so many good books are out right now or are about to come out.
• My Amazon wish list is giant.
• I'm still navigating e-readers through our library.  It is an asinine system to search for books and I find myself annoyed and frustrated when I do it.  There has to be an easier way.
• I've been watching some questionable Netflix shows lately.  The kind that do not stimulate the mind but hook you anyway? 
• We are only a few episodes into the new season of House of Cards (also on Netflix, not questionable at all).  We are trying to spread the season out as we watched the first season in about 2 weeks. 
• I'm ready to start going to antique stores and flea markets and junk shows. 
• I have an absurd amount of furniture in the cottage just waiting to be painted this spring.
• I've also been sifting and sorting through some of the boxes that we haven't looked at since we moved.
• I realize that we moved almost two years ago.  Boxes just full of surprises, I tell you!
• Finn's favorite game to play is hide and seek. 
• I jumped out and scared him one time when I was hiding and he was seeking and it was so funny.  Seriously, he did this little dance jump and some jazz hands and he might have almost tinkled a little. Now he has to remind me every day not to scare him. I feel kind of bad about that, actually.
• But it hasn't stopped him from wanting to play hide and seek one trillion times a day.
• And just so you know, there are only so many places to hide in this house.
• Abby's play is almost ready to perform.
• To hear her talk about it the whole thing is a master flop and no one knows their cues and someone will have to stand off stage and feed everyone their lines for the entirety of the performance.
• She is such a drama queen.
• We have a baby sitter for Finn for 2 nights (extravagant) and I think Uriah and I are going to go out on a dinner date before we go to the show (also extravagant).
• Family galore is coming into town to see her big theater debut.  I can't wait.  I miss my mom. And my Dad.  And my sister.  And my brother.  And my aunties.  And Ady. 
• I'm trying to adjust my diet because I'm caught in a rut.  It is not good.  Not good at all.
• I've been webMD-ing myself and I can assure you, I have a multitude of ailments.
• Do not diagnose yourself using webMD unless you want to entertain the though that you might be susceptible to the Ebola virus, mad-cow disease, H1N1 and the Bird Flu, malfunctioning organs and acne.
• It's time to make dinner and I've already put Finn in his jammies so this night can just roll right along in a smooth manner.
• You know...the faster to bed, the quicker we can wake up and shovel another foot of snow.

on being healthy: one week down.

So.
Healthy.
I put it out there into the great wide interwebs last week, so I figured I'd better do something about it.  Baby steps to the elevator, right?  Right.

Here's what I did last week: not a lot.  Well, that's not true, I did clean the dust and grime and disgusting build up off of the tops of my cabinets in the kitchen.  I almost tossed my cookies it was so gross.  And I used the swiffer to get rid of the cobwebs on my kitchen ceiling (genius idea of my husband).  Do you ever clean something and afterwards think, "Holy shit, I was living in that!"  Yeah, that's pretty much how I felt late Saturday afternoon after I had spent pretty much the entire day knee deep in kitchen funk.

As far as healthy things go, though, I did implement 3 small things that will get us started on this healthy road (and by us I mean me, but my family gets to be promoted to healthy status vicariously through me).

First, I started tracking with MyFitnessPal again.  Helps to know what's going in my mouth.  And I've been using my kitchen scale.  I am always so surprised by what an ounce of cheese actually looks like (hint: it is a lot smaller than I think, but with an apple, I can stretch it as a good snack.  It goes well with wine, but I'm trying to be very stingy with my hooch consumption.  Something about empty calories, blah, blah, blah.).

Second, I brought back The Fruit Bowl.  It's just a huge bowl of cut-up fruit that I leave in the refrigerator; we pull it out for all  meals and it's a go-to snack spot after school for Abby.  I use whatever's on sale or seasonal, so this week's bowl is grapes, pears, oranges, and cantaloupe. It changes week to week. I've learned that bananas are not good to have cut up in the bowl, but I can pull one off the bunch and add it as we need it. Also, berries tend to get soft and mushy fast, so I also don't leave those in the bowl; we cut them up as we go when we have them (it's January in Minnesota - buying berries is not economical). I sometimes get annoyed that we go to the store for fresh fruit every couple of days, but then I remind myself that we're going to the store for fresh fruit.  There could be bigger problems to have.  Today I let Finn portion out his fruit for lunch and I had to put some back because three-quarters of his plate was fruit. Even I will admit that was a little excessive, but I'm glad he likes it, and he ate it all, so fruit bowl for the win.

Finally, I've implemented After Lunch Rest Time.  For everyone.  No computer.  No phones.  No Facebook or Pinterest or Etsy.  Only books for 30 minutes.  I actually really look forward to it...Finn sits at one end of the couch with his stack of books and I sit at the other with my book for 30 solid minutes (sometimes 45, not gonna lie - I stretch rest time).  We share a blanket between us and after the rest time is over, he picks a couple of books and I read out loud to him.  To be honest, rest time can last an hour here, but I think we were both struggling by the end of the day without a little re-charge.

Okay, that's it.  That's all I've done.  It doesn't feel like a lot, but I think these few small changes are a good start.

Oh, and I put this on my refrigerator as a reminder because I get distracted easily:

So.
Healthy.
I put it out there into the great wide interwebs last week, so I figured I'd better do something about it.  Baby steps to the elevator, right?  Right.

Here's what I did last week: not a lot.  Well, that's not true, I did clean the dust and grime and disgusting build up off of the tops of my cabinets in the kitchen.  I almost tossed my cookies it was so gross.  And I used the swiffer to get rid of the cobwebs on my kitchen ceiling (genius idea of my husband).  Do you ever clean something and afterwards think, "Holy shit, I was living in that!"  Yeah, that's pretty much how I felt late Saturday afternoon after I had spent pretty much the entire day knee deep in kitchen funk.

As far as healthy things go, though, I did implement 3 small things that will get us started on this healthy road (and by us I mean me, but my family gets to be promoted to healthy status vicariously through me).

First, I started tracking with MyFitnessPal again.  Helps to know what's going in my mouth.  And I've been using my kitchen scale.  I am always so surprised by what an ounce of cheese actually looks like (hint: it is a lot smaller than I think, but with an apple, I can stretch it as a good snack.  It goes well with wine, but I'm trying to be very stingy with my hooch consumption.  Something about empty calories, blah, blah, blah.).

Second, I brought back The Fruit Bowl.  It's just a huge bowl of cut-up fruit that I leave in the refrigerator; we pull it out for all  meals and it's a go-to snack spot after school for Abby.  I use whatever's on sale or seasonal, so this week's bowl is grapes, pears, oranges, and cantaloupe. It changes week to week. I've learned that bananas are not good to have cut up in the bowl, but I can pull one off the bunch and add it as we need it. Also, berries tend to get soft and mushy fast, so I also don't leave those in the bowl; we cut them up as we go when we have them (it's January in Minnesota - buying berries is not economical). I sometimes get annoyed that we go to the store for fresh fruit every couple of days, but then I remind myself that we're going to the store for fresh fruit.  There could be bigger problems to have.  Today I let Finn portion out his fruit for lunch and I had to put some back because three-quarters of his plate was fruit. Even I will admit that was a little excessive, but I'm glad he likes it, and he ate it all, so fruit bowl for the win.

Finally, I've implemented After Lunch Rest Time.  For everyone.  No computer.  No phones.  No Facebook or Pinterest or Etsy.  Only books for 30 minutes.  I actually really look forward to it...Finn sits at one end of the couch with his stack of books and I sit at the other with my book for 30 solid minutes (sometimes 45, not gonna lie - I stretch rest time).  We share a blanket between us and after the rest time is over, he picks a couple of books and I read out loud to him.  To be honest, rest time can last an hour here, but I think we were both struggling by the end of the day without a little re-charge.

Okay, that's it.  That's all I've done.  It doesn't feel like a lot, but I think these few small changes are a good start.

Oh, and I put this on my refrigerator as a reminder because I get distracted easily:

On my mind:

I cleaned the fish tank today.  It was disgusting.  Almost as disgusting as my wedding ring, which I also cleaned today after suffering a minor heart attack because Finn hid it - or rather, he "buried a treasure" yesterday while we were making Christmas cookies and I didn't realize it was missing until this morning when I went to put it on and it was in neither of the places I usually keep it when I take it off.  Luckily I found it, but not before standing on the edge of a very imminent panic attack, complete with sweaty palms, racing heart and spots in front of my eyes.  Back to the fish tank.  I think this is exactly why we do not have a dog. Dogs require a lot more work than a bath every couple of weeks and feeding them when you happen to remember.  I happen to remember to feed the fish about twice a week.  And still he does not die.

I've been doing a 5-day health/fitness challenge - not very long, but it's about accountability and getting back on track, two things that I've desperately needed lately.  Today is Day 4 and I feel pretty good.  I've been to the gym 3 days in a row, as my screaming calves will attest to, and I've been drinking so much water I've been considering new paint colors for both bathrooms in our house due to the insane number of times I'm in there daily.  I haven't peed this much since I was pregnant with Finn.  But I feel less "snacky," which is pretty awesome because Snacks is my middle name.

I need to work on giving my son a larger variety of lunch options.  That's not true, actually, I give him plenty of options, he just veto's everything in favor of pb&j.  Every single day for lunch.  And usually his request for dinner, too, but I abstain.  Pb&j is a lunch item only.  Today he was forced to have pb&honey having consumed the last of the jelly yesterday and Lord, how he suffered.  He ate it, but he was not happy about it. I checked Pinterest for some toddler-friendly lunch options.  I have some ideas for tomorrow's lunch and I guess that's what matters. I try not to force him to eat everything on his plate, but I do require he tries everything.  So far it hasn't blown up in my face and I feel like he eats until he's full and that's good enough for me.

Abby starts her Christmas break after school today and she doesn't go back to school until January 6th. Once again we'll be going through some growing pains as we work out a new daily "normal."  When I say "we," I mostly mean Abby and me.  She's going to want to "sleep-in and hang out with her friends" because "she's on break" and I still need to come up with some chores and things for her to do because - seriously? - no one is sloughing off during a 17-day break. Things can get cleaned and organized (like closets and her room, which doesn't even look like I stepped foot in it a couple of weeks ago).  I continue to be blow away by how smelly and scatter-brained 14 year old girls can be.

I have 3 different kinds of Christmas cookie dough in the refrigerator right now.  Yesterday, as Finn and I were making some more sugar cookies (piggies that double as grizzly bears and westie dogs - all present and accounted for at the birth of Christ, I guess) I kept wondering why I only make these particular cookies at Christmas time.  Does it make them more special?  I suppose so, but would they be less special if, say, I made them in June?  Does their "once a year" status mean that I have a free-pass to snack on all of them?  That's where my brain has been in the past, and why I made the dough to begin with - because it's Christmas, and at Christmas I make chocolate drops and gingerbread men and Russian tea cakes - but now I'm staring at the dough and thinking of all the cookies they're going to make and wondering just who is going to eat all of those cookies?!  I think I will make them and put them in the freezer and we will have some Christmas in June this year.

We have a Christmas tree up, but have yet to decorate it.  Uriah's been busy and working late.  Finn's been up early and subsequently going to bed early, so we haven't all been awake and at home at the same time.  It looks sparkly and it smells good and if we don't get any decorations on it this year, I guess that will have to be good enough for me.  I've been moving our little elf around the house each night.  It's fun for Finn to look for him and the first thing he says when he snuggles into bed with us each morning is: "Let's go find where Reginald is this morning!"  It's usually about 6:30, numbers I don't really recognize as an actual time.  We wait about a half an hour before getting up, but no one is asleep.

It's nearly dinner time and I have been looking forward to dinner all day - I got some salmon at the grocery store this morning after I went to the gym (it seems so healthy to say that, but truly, I was on the treadmill thinking about Christmas cookies and I decided I needed something really healthy for dinner tonight to balance those sweet thoughts).  I'm going to roast some veggies to go with it - Brussel's sprouts, sweet potatoes and grapes.  Finn lost his skittle's for a minute (the witching hour before dinner) so instead of losing my own mind, I redirected him and we counted potato chunks and Brussel's sprouts.  I had to remind myself to use phrases like: take one away, add two more, how many total.  It's the only "preschool" stuff we did today, but there was snuggling and playing his current favorite game: dark in the tent (wrap a blanket around us - the tent - and then turn on and off the flashlight) and he sang most of the words to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, so I'm considering it a successful learning day. Abby's asked to stay the night at a friend's house after I already had everything ready to go into the oven, so I guess we'll have salmon and veggies for lunch tomorrow, too.

I cleaned the fish tank today.  It was disgusting.  Almost as disgusting as my wedding ring, which I also cleaned today after suffering a minor heart attack because Finn hid it - or rather, he "buried a treasure" yesterday while we were making Christmas cookies and I didn't realize it was missing until this morning when I went to put it on and it was in neither of the places I usually keep it when I take it off.  Luckily I found it, but not before standing on the edge of a very imminent panic attack, complete with sweaty palms, racing heart and spots in front of my eyes.  Back to the fish tank.  I think this is exactly why we do not have a dog. Dogs require a lot more work than a bath every couple of weeks and feeding them when you happen to remember.  I happen to remember to feed the fish about twice a week.  And still he does not die.

I've been doing a 5-day health/fitness challenge - not very long, but it's about accountability and getting back on track, two things that I've desperately needed lately.  Today is Day 4 and I feel pretty good.  I've been to the gym 3 days in a row, as my screaming calves will attest to, and I've been drinking so much water I've been considering new paint colors for both bathrooms in our house due to the insane number of times I'm in there daily.  I haven't peed this much since I was pregnant with Finn.  But I feel less "snacky," which is pretty awesome because Snacks is my middle name.

I need to work on giving my son a larger variety of lunch options.  That's not true, actually, I give him plenty of options, he just veto's everything in favor of pb&j.  Every single day for lunch.  And usually his request for dinner, too, but I abstain.  Pb&j is a lunch item only.  Today he was forced to have pb&honey having consumed the last of the jelly yesterday and Lord, how he suffered.  He ate it, but he was not happy about it. I checked Pinterest for some toddler-friendly lunch options.  I have some ideas for tomorrow's lunch and I guess that's what matters. I try not to force him to eat everything on his plate, but I do require he tries everything.  So far it hasn't blown up in my face and I feel like he eats until he's full and that's good enough for me.

Abby starts her Christmas break after school today and she doesn't go back to school until January 6th. Once again we'll be going through some growing pains as we work out a new daily "normal."  When I say "we," I mostly mean Abby and me.  She's going to want to "sleep-in and hang out with her friends" because "she's on break" and I still need to come up with some chores and things for her to do because - seriously? - no one is sloughing off during a 17-day break. Things can get cleaned and organized (like closets and her room, which doesn't even look like I stepped foot in it a couple of weeks ago).  I continue to be blow away by how smelly and scatter-brained 14 year old girls can be.

I have 3 different kinds of Christmas cookie dough in the refrigerator right now.  Yesterday, as Finn and I were making some more sugar cookies (piggies that double as grizzly bears and westie dogs - all present and accounted for at the birth of Christ, I guess) I kept wondering why I only make these particular cookies at Christmas time.  Does it make them more special?  I suppose so, but would they be less special if, say, I made them in June?  Does their "once a year" status mean that I have a free-pass to snack on all of them?  That's where my brain has been in the past, and why I made the dough to begin with - because it's Christmas, and at Christmas I make chocolate drops and gingerbread men and Russian tea cakes - but now I'm staring at the dough and thinking of all the cookies they're going to make and wondering just who is going to eat all of those cookies?!  I think I will make them and put them in the freezer and we will have some Christmas in June this year.

We have a Christmas tree up, but have yet to decorate it.  Uriah's been busy and working late.  Finn's been up early and subsequently going to bed early, so we haven't all been awake and at home at the same time.  It looks sparkly and it smells good and if we don't get any decorations on it this year, I guess that will have to be good enough for me.  I've been moving our little elf around the house each night.  It's fun for Finn to look for him and the first thing he says when he snuggles into bed with us each morning is: "Let's go find where Reginald is this morning!"  It's usually about 6:30, numbers I don't really recognize as an actual time.  We wait about a half an hour before getting up, but no one is asleep.

It's nearly dinner time and I have been looking forward to dinner all day - I got some salmon at the grocery store this morning after I went to the gym (it seems so healthy to say that, but truly, I was on the treadmill thinking about Christmas cookies and I decided I needed something really healthy for dinner tonight to balance those sweet thoughts).  I'm going to roast some veggies to go with it - Brussel's sprouts, sweet potatoes and grapes.  Finn lost his skittle's for a minute (the witching hour before dinner) so instead of losing my own mind, I redirected him and we counted potato chunks and Brussel's sprouts.  I had to remind myself to use phrases like: take one away, add two more, how many total.  It's the only "preschool" stuff we did today, but there was snuggling and playing his current favorite game: dark in the tent (wrap a blanket around us - the tent - and then turn on and off the flashlight) and he sang most of the words to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, so I'm considering it a successful learning day. Abby's asked to stay the night at a friend's house after I already had everything ready to go into the oven, so I guess we'll have salmon and veggies for lunch tomorrow, too.

On my mind today: Gardens and rain and furniture.

It is rainy and foggy and a little bit chilly today.  Good for growing grass and flowers, I suppose.  I have already cleaned my kitchen (mostly, anyway.  I still have the floors to do.  I always run out of steam  by the floors and wish I could leave them for a merry house elf to finish.), I've started on the bathroom, stripped the beds and made a pot of chicken noodle soup.  Day, accomplished, I'd say.  But probably not since I still have to finish the bathroom and the kitchen floors and re-make the beds.

Finn has been napping all afternoon.  Literally since right after lunch - and we ate lunch before the noon bells rang because he was starving and losing his wee toddler mind.  Growth spurt, I suppose, but maybe Uriah and I wore him out yesterday with all of our furniture shopping.  We have been trying to find a set of bunk beds, either to split apart and put one in each of the kid's rooms or just leave together in Finn's room.  Furniture shopping is not our forte and we had to take a snack break half-way through.  I may have lost my own mind over the insane number of handicap parking spaces in downtown Duluth - as in: every single meter had a handicap sticker on it.  Turns out, what look like handicap signs are really just notices that handicap parking stickers have a certain amount of time to park at the meter - maybe free of charge? - and everyone else can park there, too?  I don't know, I'm guessing.  All I know is after about 3 circles of two different blocks, I finally made Uriah back up into an empty space, I shoved our quarters into one of the damned meters with the white handicap sticker and we walked another block to the furniture store.  We did not get a parking ticket and I apologized twenty times to Uriah for the harsh words I spoke out of hunger.  All that to say we did not purchase anything yesterday.  6 furniture stores and not one purchase.  But, at least we have an idea of what we might want.  I guess.  Or we just wasted an afternoon watching Finn climb the bunk bed ladders and pretend he was a fireman.

So, while Finn naps his Saturday away, I'm ignoring the kitchen floors that are screaming to be swept, and I'm playing with my garden pictures instead.  I inherited the most beautiful gardens with this house last summer and I'm just trying to keep them alive.  And trying to figure out what's planted in them.  Green is shooting up everywhere, along with some red leafy things and some purples and yellows, and the lilac and hydrangea bushes are budding, and the lily of the valley are going to be everywhere very soon.  I could look at those gardens all day long and constantly find something new bursting up through the soil...as long as I can keep the bunnies and the deer away, that is.

It is rainy and foggy and a little bit chilly today.  Good for growing grass and flowers, I suppose.  I have already cleaned my kitchen (mostly, anyway.  I still have the floors to do.  I always run out of steam  by the floors and wish I could leave them for a merry house elf to finish.), I've started on the bathroom, stripped the beds and made a pot of chicken noodle soup.  Day, accomplished, I'd say.  But probably not since I still have to finish the bathroom and the kitchen floors and re-make the beds.

Finn has been napping all afternoon.  Literally since right after lunch - and we ate lunch before the noon bells rang because he was starving and losing his wee toddler mind.  Growth spurt, I suppose, but maybe Uriah and I wore him out yesterday with all of our furniture shopping.  We have been trying to find a set of bunk beds, either to split apart and put one in each of the kid's rooms or just leave together in Finn's room.  Furniture shopping is not our forte and we had to take a snack break half-way through.  I may have lost my own mind over the insane number of handicap parking spaces in downtown Duluth - as in: every single meter had a handicap sticker on it.  Turns out, what look like handicap signs are really just notices that handicap parking stickers have a certain amount of time to park at the meter - maybe free of charge? - and everyone else can park there, too?  I don't know, I'm guessing.  All I know is after about 3 circles of two different blocks, I finally made Uriah back up into an empty space, I shoved our quarters into one of the damned meters with the white handicap sticker and we walked another block to the furniture store.  We did not get a parking ticket and I apologized twenty times to Uriah for the harsh words I spoke out of hunger.  All that to say we did not purchase anything yesterday.  6 furniture stores and not one purchase.  But, at least we have an idea of what we might want.  I guess.  Or we just wasted an afternoon watching Finn climb the bunk bed ladders and pretend he was a fireman.

So, while Finn naps his Saturday away, I'm ignoring the kitchen floors that are screaming to be swept, and I'm playing with my garden pictures instead.  I inherited the most beautiful gardens with this house last summer and I'm just trying to keep them alive.  And trying to figure out what's planted in them.  Green is shooting up everywhere, along with some red leafy things and some purples and yellows, and the lilac and hydrangea bushes are budding, and the lily of the valley are going to be everywhere very soon.  I could look at those gardens all day long and constantly find something new bursting up through the soil...as long as I can keep the bunnies and the deer away, that is.

On my mind today:

 I wish I had more for you...

But the truth is, this elongated winter that we are experiencing is truly taking a toll on my motivation, my cheery words and my ability to get things done in a timely manner.  Add to that the fact that I spent the past 6 weeks working temporarily in my hometown (well, 5 weeks really, there was a week break in there for a spring break trip to Kansas City) and this "spring that wasn't" has been exhausting.

So, to catch you (and me) up, here is where it's at - list style (my favorite):

• Abby had a school dance, wherein she asked a boy to go with her.  It was big news in this house.
• My mom bought her a dress and she wore heels (which she said were very uncomfortable, but that didn't stop her from wearing them).
• I think it's safe to say she had a really good time.
• I worked half a week for 5 weeks, 4 hours from home.
• Finn and I bunked in with my parents - which was awesome.  
• We left Uriah and Abby behind - which was not so awesome.
• Abby had a list each week before I left of chores to accomplish, Uriah's work schedule, dinner menu, etc.  She did an awesome job of staying on top of what she had to get done.
• She was so excited for me to leave - I think she had glamorous ideas of what it was going to mean for her (making dinner, taking care of the house, being a bit independent - the girl reads a lot and I think she imagined something much bigger than it turned out to be).
• It didn't take long for her to start wishing for me to be back home to stay.  I guess it's nice to know I'm needed and useful, even if it is just to make dinner and empty the dishwasher nightly.
• Finn went to daycare - and loved it (most days).  Some days he required a little extra nudge up the driveway.
• I had anxiety attacks for a week (or maybe more) about how he would do listening to someone else and would he miss me and would he play nice and share and would he be okay in a house with a dog (he did not like dogs - they made him uncomfortable, now he's pretty much a fan).  I should have known he'd be fine.
• The first day he could hardly wait to leave me.  The second day took some convincing.  The third day he cried.  And then he got used to the schedule.  A little clingy some mornings, couldn't get away from me fast enough others.  
• Grandma and Grandpa took turns picking him up in the afternoon.
• I am so grateful to have had them to help out with pick-ups and I know that they really loved the special one-on-one time they had with Finn before I got home.
• I also love living at home - my sheets smelled like my childhood.  I could totally be that girl who lives at home forever.

• Our trip to Kansas City fell at about the halfway point of my temporary job.
• It was a nice break and we'd been looking forward to it all winter.
• It snowed while we were in Kansas City and it did not feel like spring break at all.  I did not wear my flip-flops once.
• We learned that this is a trip that cannot be done in one shot (10 hours is too long for any of us to be in the car).  We stayed overnight half-way both going down and coming back up.  We will always do that.
• I made the small humans goody bags for the trip - little treats/things to do to break up the time spent in the car.  It was a decent first attempt; our next trip will have some changes.  Uriah was seriously sad I didn't make him one.
• The kids got some extra cousin-play time with all of their cousins.  
• I got some extra snuggle time with the baby.  So did Uriah...he held that baby more than I did!  
• The grandparents got to spoil the kids.
• Uriah and I got to have a morning to sneak back to our old neighborhood.
• Due to the snow, my plans to hit up the Kansas City Zoo were waylaid (maybe a trip this summer is in order, although I'm quite sure it would be just me and the two small humans).
• We went to Cabela's on our way through southern Minnesota instead, because it's like the zoo, except all of the animals are dead and stuffed and never, ever move.  Finn loved it.
• I finished out my working stint last week and was sad to leave it, just as I really seemed to be getting into my groove and balancing work and life.
• I am happy to not have the 4 hour commute twice a week, though.  My car is happy about that, too.
• I've been waiting for spring and in the meantime eschewing all forms of spring cleaning (well, I did do one closet yesterday and put away most of the winter stuff.  And then it snowed 3 inches last night.  Can't a girl get a break?!).
• I am anxious to get back into a really good walking routine.  I will even walk through puddles if I have to (and I can assure you, with the plethora of snow we have, melting will take some time and I will have to walk through puddles).
• Luckily Mother's Day usually means a new pair of shoes for me.  After some soggy, soggy walks, I will need them in a month or so.
• The weather forecast is for 60s next week...given the spring we've had, though, I will have to see it to believe it!

 I wish I had more for you...

But the truth is, this elongated winter that we are experiencing is truly taking a toll on my motivation, my cheery words and my ability to get things done in a timely manner.  Add to that the fact that I spent the past 6 weeks working temporarily in my hometown (well, 5 weeks really, there was a week break in there for a spring break trip to Kansas City) and this "spring that wasn't" has been exhausting.

So, to catch you (and me) up, here is where it's at - list style (my favorite):

• Abby had a school dance, wherein she asked a boy to go with her.  It was big news in this house.
• My mom bought her a dress and she wore heels (which she said were very uncomfortable, but that didn't stop her from wearing them).
• I think it's safe to say she had a really good time.
• I worked half a week for 5 weeks, 4 hours from home.
• Finn and I bunked in with my parents - which was awesome.  
• We left Uriah and Abby behind - which was not so awesome.
• Abby had a list each week before I left of chores to accomplish, Uriah's work schedule, dinner menu, etc.  She did an awesome job of staying on top of what she had to get done.
• She was so excited for me to leave - I think she had glamorous ideas of what it was going to mean for her (making dinner, taking care of the house, being a bit independent - the girl reads a lot and I think she imagined something much bigger than it turned out to be).
• It didn't take long for her to start wishing for me to be back home to stay.  I guess it's nice to know I'm needed and useful, even if it is just to make dinner and empty the dishwasher nightly.
• Finn went to daycare - and loved it (most days).  Some days he required a little extra nudge up the driveway.
• I had anxiety attacks for a week (or maybe more) about how he would do listening to someone else and would he miss me and would he play nice and share and would he be okay in a house with a dog (he did not like dogs - they made him uncomfortable, now he's pretty much a fan).  I should have known he'd be fine.
• The first day he could hardly wait to leave me.  The second day took some convincing.  The third day he cried.  And then he got used to the schedule.  A little clingy some mornings, couldn't get away from me fast enough others.  
• Grandma and Grandpa took turns picking him up in the afternoon.
• I am so grateful to have had them to help out with pick-ups and I know that they really loved the special one-on-one time they had with Finn before I got home.
• I also love living at home - my sheets smelled like my childhood.  I could totally be that girl who lives at home forever.

• Our trip to Kansas City fell at about the halfway point of my temporary job.
• It was a nice break and we'd been looking forward to it all winter.
• It snowed while we were in Kansas City and it did not feel like spring break at all.  I did not wear my flip-flops once.
• We learned that this is a trip that cannot be done in one shot (10 hours is too long for any of us to be in the car).  We stayed overnight half-way both going down and coming back up.  We will always do that.
• I made the small humans goody bags for the trip - little treats/things to do to break up the time spent in the car.  It was a decent first attempt; our next trip will have some changes.  Uriah was seriously sad I didn't make him one.
• The kids got some extra cousin-play time with all of their cousins.  
• I got some extra snuggle time with the baby.  So did Uriah...he held that baby more than I did!  
• The grandparents got to spoil the kids.
• Uriah and I got to have a morning to sneak back to our old neighborhood.
• Due to the snow, my plans to hit up the Kansas City Zoo were waylaid (maybe a trip this summer is in order, although I'm quite sure it would be just me and the two small humans).
• We went to Cabela's on our way through southern Minnesota instead, because it's like the zoo, except all of the animals are dead and stuffed and never, ever move.  Finn loved it.
• I finished out my working stint last week and was sad to leave it, just as I really seemed to be getting into my groove and balancing work and life.
• I am happy to not have the 4 hour commute twice a week, though.  My car is happy about that, too.
• I've been waiting for spring and in the meantime eschewing all forms of spring cleaning (well, I did do one closet yesterday and put away most of the winter stuff.  And then it snowed 3 inches last night.  Can't a girl get a break?!).
• I am anxious to get back into a really good walking routine.  I will even walk through puddles if I have to (and I can assure you, with the plethora of snow we have, melting will take some time and I will have to walk through puddles).
• Luckily Mother's Day usually means a new pair of shoes for me.  After some soggy, soggy walks, I will need them in a month or so.
• The weather forecast is for 60s next week...given the spring we've had, though, I will have to see it to believe it!

Spring is in the air (or I may be delusional, either way...)

• I love being outside when it feels like spring.
• 34 degrees feels like spring to me these days.
• I did not wear a jacket.  Or a hat.  I made my kids, though, proving once again my solid parenting skillz.
• Finn and I went for a run/walk this afternoon.  
• Happy trails, I tell you, happy trails...even if it was sort of wet and sloppy.

• Finn originally picked this hat out for Baby Jac.
• I failed to look at the size.  It said 3 years and up.
• Jac'll get it as a hand-me-down in a few years, I guess.  In the meantime, we're putting it to good use.

• Contrary to what this picture might imply, Abby had nothing to do with the building of the snowman yesterday.  
• She was shoveling out a million feet of snow at the end of our sidewalk because I told her she could no longer walk through the snow pile. 
• She was not happy about it.
• I was willing to wait for spring for the snow to melt.  It was a lot of snow - I wasn't going to shovel it.

•  Finn named the snowman "Cat the Snowman."
• At least the kid has an imagination. 
• The coal eyes look like aviator sunglasses, so I would have gone for something like Goose or Maverick, but that's just me.
• Abby wondered - out loud - if I should be wasting Uriah's charcoal on a snowman.  
• We haven't grilled for months - and probably won't until at least next month, so I think he'll be okay with the loss of two pieces.

• The squirrels ate the carrot nose sometime last night.
• Finn was a little disappointed this morning when he saw.
• He even had to tell Abby when she got home about the squirrels who ate his snowman's nose.  He was very vocal in his disappointment.

• In her defense, she did tell Finn never to eat the yellow snow.
• Unfortunately, now I think he's just going to be on the look-out for yellow snow.

• I love being outside when it feels like spring.
• 34 degrees feels like spring to me these days.
• I did not wear a jacket.  Or a hat.  I made my kids, though, proving once again my solid parenting skillz.
• Finn and I went for a run/walk this afternoon.  
• Happy trails, I tell you, happy trails...even if it was sort of wet and sloppy.

• Finn originally picked this hat out for Baby Jac.
• I failed to look at the size.  It said 3 years and up.
• Jac'll get it as a hand-me-down in a few years, I guess.  In the meantime, we're putting it to good use.

• Contrary to what this picture might imply, Abby had nothing to do with the building of the snowman yesterday.  
• She was shoveling out a million feet of snow at the end of our sidewalk because I told her she could no longer walk through the snow pile. 
• She was not happy about it.
• I was willing to wait for spring for the snow to melt.  It was a lot of snow - I wasn't going to shovel it.

•  Finn named the snowman "Cat the Snowman."
• At least the kid has an imagination. 
• The coal eyes look like aviator sunglasses, so I would have gone for something like Goose or Maverick, but that's just me.
• Abby wondered - out loud - if I should be wasting Uriah's charcoal on a snowman.  
• We haven't grilled for months - and probably won't until at least next month, so I think he'll be okay with the loss of two pieces.

• The squirrels ate the carrot nose sometime last night.
• Finn was a little disappointed this morning when he saw.
• He even had to tell Abby when she got home about the squirrels who ate his snowman's nose.  He was very vocal in his disappointment.

• In her defense, she did tell Finn never to eat the yellow snow.
• Unfortunately, now I think he's just going to be on the look-out for yellow snow.

Let's play catch up via Instagram, shall we?

This is what it looks like here:

Lots of snow.  Lots of cold.  Very, very cold.  Lots of grey.

Lots of clouds.  Lots of wind. Lots of shoveling. Lots of cold.

I love Minnesota.

Because of the lots of cold and lots of snow, 

we've been able to do this a few times:

Uriah got me a hiking back pack for Christmas to lug Finn around in.

I love it.  We only slipped once.  No one was injured.

As soon as it get's a little warmer - you know, 15 degrees sounds reasonable these days,

I told him we'd hike at Gooseberry and look at the frozen waterfalls.

We had our first successful outing yesterday in big boy undies,

and a semi-successful outing this morning.

We're getting there.  My confidence is growing.

My purse is growing, too.

It feels like a small suitcase with the change of pants, undies, and socks added to it.

I made a mini-cake over the weekend - two little 6-inch rounds.

Chocolate Chip Cake with Butterscotch Filling.

It satisfied my need to be creative and the small human's my sweet tooth.

Plus, such a tiny cake means very little in the way of leftovers.

To balance the cake, we eat lots of fruit.

It's keeping us all regular.

Finn has been requesting the yellow cup for his milk.

He looks like a little British tea drinker.

If only I could teach him to hold out his little finger.

I used to have this pink blanket on my couch so that I could snuggle up at night 

when it really gets cold in this old, radiator-heated house.  

Now it's in the back seat of my car so that Finn can snuggle up 

whenever we are forced to leave our old, radiator-heated house.

I don't mess around with frostbite and hypothermia warnings.

Evidently, when the temperature hits -24 degrees without the wind chill, pipes freeze.

Found that out this week.  Good times.  Good lessons.

A brief interlude of wishing we were back in Kansas City 

while I was sloshing around in cold, water-soggy socks

and trouble shooting with Uriah on the phone.

Finn took that moment to relieve himself.  In his pants.  In the worst way.

It was nothing a nap (for Finn) and a bath (for me) couldn't fix.

Except that we have a porcelain bath tub that never really stays warm. 

And an unheated bathroom.

Imagine that.

This is what it looks like here:

Lots of snow.  Lots of cold.  Very, very cold.  Lots of grey.

Lots of clouds.  Lots of wind. Lots of shoveling. Lots of cold.

I love Minnesota.

Because of the lots of cold and lots of snow, 

we've been able to do this a few times:

Uriah got me a hiking back pack for Christmas to lug Finn around in.

I love it.  We only slipped once.  No one was injured.

As soon as it get's a little warmer - you know, 15 degrees sounds reasonable these days,

I told him we'd hike at Gooseberry and look at the frozen waterfalls.

We had our first successful outing yesterday in big boy undies,

and a semi-successful outing this morning.

We're getting there.  My confidence is growing.

My purse is growing, too.

It feels like a small suitcase with the change of pants, undies, and socks added to it.

I made a mini-cake over the weekend - two little 6-inch rounds.

Chocolate Chip Cake with Butterscotch Filling.

It satisfied my need to be creative and the small human's my sweet tooth.

Plus, such a tiny cake means very little in the way of leftovers.

To balance the cake, we eat lots of fruit.

It's keeping us all regular.

Finn has been requesting the yellow cup for his milk.

He looks like a little British tea drinker.

If only I could teach him to hold out his little finger.

I used to have this pink blanket on my couch so that I could snuggle up at night 

when it really gets cold in this old, radiator-heated house.  

Now it's in the back seat of my car so that Finn can snuggle up 

whenever we are forced to leave our old, radiator-heated house.

I don't mess around with frostbite and hypothermia warnings.

Evidently, when the temperature hits -24 degrees without the wind chill, pipes freeze.

Found that out this week.  Good times.  Good lessons.

A brief interlude of wishing we were back in Kansas City 

while I was sloshing around in cold, water-soggy socks

and trouble shooting with Uriah on the phone.

Finn took that moment to relieve himself.  In his pants.  In the worst way.

It was nothing a nap (for Finn) and a bath (for me) couldn't fix.

Except that we have a porcelain bath tub that never really stays warm. 

And an unheated bathroom.

Imagine that.

I am trying.

I had great plans for the new year...you know, now that we're all of 7 days into it and I've done nothing on my list of resolutions. I wanted to start this year off with a new direction, to get up earlier and enjoy some quiet me-time before the rest of the world wakes up. That always sounds so nice to me, but I struggle with the actual getting up part. I want to write more, oh, to write more. But I feel more exhausted than ever, and I feel like I'm having to cheer-lead myself through the day with a set of soggy pom-poms (although I noticed this evening that finally, finally the sun seemed to be out a little bit longer before sinking into the earth in a blaze of pink and orange).

What is it about winter that leaves me feeling like I'm neglecting me? And in turn, I feel like I'm neglecting everyone around me (no need to call social services, Finn is fine; I feed him three times a day and he's well on his way to being potty-trained, in fact. Abby's very self-involved these days, so since there haven't been any major or minor melt-downs recently, I'm going to assume she's good). I just want to wear warm mittens and stay under my covers and read very long, very involved novels while drinking tea and eating tons of cookies. The mittens seem counter-productive to staying under the covers and turning pages in a book, but they're cozy, so I'll go with it.

Anyway, all this to say that I will try to be better at visiting this little blog of mine.  And doing some writing while I'm here.

I had great plans for the new year...you know, now that we're all of 7 days into it and I've done nothing on my list of resolutions. I wanted to start this year off with a new direction, to get up earlier and enjoy some quiet me-time before the rest of the world wakes up. That always sounds so nice to me, but I struggle with the actual getting up part. I want to write more, oh, to write more. But I feel more exhausted than ever, and I feel like I'm having to cheer-lead myself through the day with a set of soggy pom-poms (although I noticed this evening that finally, finally the sun seemed to be out a little bit longer before sinking into the earth in a blaze of pink and orange).

What is it about winter that leaves me feeling like I'm neglecting me? And in turn, I feel like I'm neglecting everyone around me (no need to call social services, Finn is fine; I feed him three times a day and he's well on his way to being potty-trained, in fact. Abby's very self-involved these days, so since there haven't been any major or minor melt-downs recently, I'm going to assume she's good). I just want to wear warm mittens and stay under my covers and read very long, very involved novels while drinking tea and eating tons of cookies. The mittens seem counter-productive to staying under the covers and turning pages in a book, but they're cozy, so I'll go with it.

Anyway, all this to say that I will try to be better at visiting this little blog of mine.  And doing some writing while I'm here.

On my mind today...

• I made cider doughnuts for my small humans last weekend - small circles and hearts of appley goodness on a chilly Friday morning.  
• They were tasty and a bit reminiscent of fall in Kansas City - a place where temperatures still get downright warm in the afternoons and the sun shines more than it doesn't.
• Will-power became my middle name, but I managed.  One tasty doughnut dipped in hot coffee got me through the morning.  Finn, on the other hand, was a sticky-cinnamon-sugary mess, and he kept trying to sneak more little doughnut holes when I wasn't looking.
• You can go here to make them if you'd like, but I forewarn, the dough is really sticky and not that easy to work with.  I added extra flour to mine.  Regardless, I'll probably still make them again.
• We walked by the lake this morning and Finn yelled: "Want to RUN!"  Apparently he likes a quicker jaunt on these chilly mornings.  I obliged.
• The waves were high and loud on the break wall, so I kept him in his stroller and we passed the time counting the dogs we saw on the trail.
• Our bathtub faucet is leaking.  Downside: I think we need to call a plumber.  Silver lining: I've been using the extra water to give my houseplants a drink.
• I've decided to suck it up and drive into the Big City once a week for an actual WW meeting - and I'm going to stay for the whole thing, not just weigh in.
• Finn will need lots of books and coloring crayons to get through.
• Maybe I can bribe him with hot chocolate if he's a good boy...or a trip to Target.
• Abby's almost done with volleyball, I think she has one more home game.  My goal is to bring the camera and get some pictures.  I haven't yet this year.  Slacking, I know.
• I planted my tulips and hyacinth bulbs last week.  I check daily to make sure the squirrels haven't dug them up and eaten them. 
• This week, Finn and I are doing this turkey art project.  I just need to get some new paints...last week we painted fall trees with leaves that are hot pink, purple and blue.  I think they're hippy trees, but that was all I had for paints.  Luckily we have to go into the Big City anyway, so I guess a stop at Michael's Craft is in order!
• And then it will be time to work on raking our leaves.  But today it's supposed to rain, so I think I'll curl up with my book instead.

{I Should be Folding Laundry | You Capture: Shapes}
{And then she {snapped} | Show Off Your Shot}

• I made cider doughnuts for my small humans last weekend - small circles and hearts of appley goodness on a chilly Friday morning.  
• They were tasty and a bit reminiscent of fall in Kansas City - a place where temperatures still get downright warm in the afternoons and the sun shines more than it doesn't.
• Will-power became my middle name, but I managed.  One tasty doughnut dipped in hot coffee got me through the morning.  Finn, on the other hand, was a sticky-cinnamon-sugary mess, and he kept trying to sneak more little doughnut holes when I wasn't looking.
• You can go here to make them if you'd like, but I forewarn, the dough is really sticky and not that easy to work with.  I added extra flour to mine.  Regardless, I'll probably still make them again.
• We walked by the lake this morning and Finn yelled: "Want to RUN!"  Apparently he likes a quicker jaunt on these chilly mornings.  I obliged.
• The waves were high and loud on the break wall, so I kept him in his stroller and we passed the time counting the dogs we saw on the trail.
• Our bathtub faucet is leaking.  Downside: I think we need to call a plumber.  Silver lining: I've been using the extra water to give my houseplants a drink.
• I've decided to suck it up and drive into the Big City once a week for an actual WW meeting - and I'm going to stay for the whole thing, not just weigh in.
• Finn will need lots of books and coloring crayons to get through.
• Maybe I can bribe him with hot chocolate if he's a good boy...or a trip to Target.
• Abby's almost done with volleyball, I think she has one more home game.  My goal is to bring the camera and get some pictures.  I haven't yet this year.  Slacking, I know.
• I planted my tulips and hyacinth bulbs last week.  I check daily to make sure the squirrels haven't dug them up and eaten them. 
• This week, Finn and I are doing this turkey art project.  I just need to get some new paints...last week we painted fall trees with leaves that are hot pink, purple and blue.  I think they're hippy trees, but that was all I had for paints.  Luckily we have to go into the Big City anyway, so I guess a stop at Michael's Craft is in order!
• And then it will be time to work on raking our leaves.  But today it's supposed to rain, so I think I'll curl up with my book instead.

{I Should be Folding Laundry | You Capture: Shapes}
{And then she {snapped} | Show Off Your Shot}

On my mind...Good-bye, Summer.

•  Autumn is here.  And maybe winter.
• There was snow in the forecast for this week.  I shuddered a little bit!
• Luckily the ground is too warm for anything to stick, should some raindrops decide to turn to snow.
• I am on a soup kick.
• I made chicken stock and beef stock last week and shoved them into the freezer to be easily accessible as I plow through my list of soups to make.
• I've got a plan to loose weight this fall - it includes lots of veggie-heavy soups for lunch and lighter versions of my old favorites for dinner.
• Fall is when I typically fall off the wagon....pumpkin/apple/pecan pie and hearty hot dish (casseroles are for Southern folks.) and thick stews seem to float at the top of my menu ideas.
• It's like I'm a bear preparing to hibernate and I must bulk up!
• Finn and I have been trying to counter that sedentary feeling with some bike rides and walks.  
• They happen more in the middle of the day now, it's too chilly in the morning and too dark after dinner.
• It won't get much better when we turn the clocks back in November.
• I foresee a yoga class in my immediate future...if I can nail my husband down for just one evening to myself.
• Abby still dresses the complete opposite of the weather.
• I have no doubt that if it rains/sleets/spits snow this week, she will be wearing her flip-flops.
• I'm still trying to get used to this 4 day school week. 
• Fridays throw me off and I'm trying to ensure she has time for homework and still gets through some chores (since she's busy with volleyball/homework during the week I don't push the chores in the evening.).
• Finn has been sorting his seldom used toys for Baby Cousin (and by Finn, I mean me.).
• He did tell me that he'd share his cars and trucks, though.
• Planning a baby shower is fun...I've never done it before.  
• Turns out I have lots of ideas.  And when I say I, what I really mean is: Pinterest has a lot of really good ideas!
• There were two babies in church yesterday and it was all I could do not to ask their mamas if I could smell their wee new car smell.
• I'll (im)patiently wait until December, I guess.  And then I'll head south as fast as my lead foot will take me.
• After this baby shower business, I will put my energies into planning Sarah's wedding...she knew what she was getting into when she asked, after all!
• Things that I'm looking forward to: ECFE starting in a couple of weeks, our anniversary get-away, my birthday (obviously!) and a birthday get-away for me only, Finn's Halloween costume (something to rival last years!), Uriah making a Turducken for Thanksgiving, raking leaves, carving pumpkins.
• As much as I'm a little nervous for winter up here in the big, bad wilderness (because I do not drive in inclement weather, or even in the hint of inclement weather), I do love fall.  It's my most favorite season.

Would you believe I took these on Finn's 2nd birthday in July?  I don't think I've even blogged about his awesome party and how much fun he had.  I am behind...way, way behind!  But it was a crazy summer and I am so glad it's fall now so that I can catch up (yeah, right!).

•  Autumn is here.  And maybe winter.
• There was snow in the forecast for this week.  I shuddered a little bit!
• Luckily the ground is too warm for anything to stick, should some raindrops decide to turn to snow.
• I am on a soup kick.
• I made chicken stock and beef stock last week and shoved them into the freezer to be easily accessible as I plow through my list of soups to make.
• I've got a plan to loose weight this fall - it includes lots of veggie-heavy soups for lunch and lighter versions of my old favorites for dinner.
• Fall is when I typically fall off the wagon....pumpkin/apple/pecan pie and hearty hot dish (casseroles are for Southern folks.) and thick stews seem to float at the top of my menu ideas.
• It's like I'm a bear preparing to hibernate and I must bulk up!
• Finn and I have been trying to counter that sedentary feeling with some bike rides and walks.  
• They happen more in the middle of the day now, it's too chilly in the morning and too dark after dinner.
• It won't get much better when we turn the clocks back in November.
• I foresee a yoga class in my immediate future...if I can nail my husband down for just one evening to myself.
• Abby still dresses the complete opposite of the weather.
• I have no doubt that if it rains/sleets/spits snow this week, she will be wearing her flip-flops.
• I'm still trying to get used to this 4 day school week. 
• Fridays throw me off and I'm trying to ensure she has time for homework and still gets through some chores (since she's busy with volleyball/homework during the week I don't push the chores in the evening.).
• Finn has been sorting his seldom used toys for Baby Cousin (and by Finn, I mean me.).
• He did tell me that he'd share his cars and trucks, though.
• Planning a baby shower is fun...I've never done it before.  
• Turns out I have lots of ideas.  And when I say I, what I really mean is: Pinterest has a lot of really good ideas!
• There were two babies in church yesterday and it was all I could do not to ask their mamas if I could smell their wee new car smell.
• I'll (im)patiently wait until December, I guess.  And then I'll head south as fast as my lead foot will take me.
• After this baby shower business, I will put my energies into planning Sarah's wedding...she knew what she was getting into when she asked, after all!
• Things that I'm looking forward to: ECFE starting in a couple of weeks, our anniversary get-away, my birthday (obviously!) and a birthday get-away for me only, Finn's Halloween costume (something to rival last years!), Uriah making a Turducken for Thanksgiving, raking leaves, carving pumpkins.
• As much as I'm a little nervous for winter up here in the big, bad wilderness (because I do not drive in inclement weather, or even in the hint of inclement weather), I do love fall.  It's my most favorite season.

Would you believe I took these on Finn's 2nd birthday in July?  I don't think I've even blogged about his awesome party and how much fun he had.  I am behind...way, way behind!  But it was a crazy summer and I am so glad it's fall now so that I can catch up (yeah, right!).

Life.

Uriah has been working like a mad-man for the past few weeks due to some work-related crap issues.  He leaves in the morning and he usually doesn't come home until the kids are in bed.  The past few days have been especially hard on Finn - I can tell that he misses his dad.  In the evening if a car drives by, he looks at me with his hopeful eyes and says, "Dad home?  Dad home?" and I tell him that Dad will be home when he opens his eyes in the morning.  Saturday Finn was acting like a rotten child - he didn't want to do anything except stand right next to me or have me hold him (which is a bit impossible when there's laundry to be done and groceries to put away and dinner to make and the lad weighs a lot!).  He didn't want to play with anything that I suggested (not even with the play-dough dog, which is his most favorite!).  I finally asked him if he missed his daddy and he nodded his little tear-stained face yes and then gave me a tight squeeze.  It broke my mama heart.  So I had Uriah call Finn when he had a free minute to talk to him on speaker.  I can't say that the evening got much better, but at least it didn't get much worse.

Our life feels very chaotic and one-sided right now.  We seem to be ships passing in the night and I find myself day-dreaming about not making dinner and maybe going on a date.  I'll be happy when Uriah's back to his "regular" schedule (although the summer season starts here this weekend, so I might be deluding myself into thinking we'll have a relatively normal schedule at any time before Labor Day!).  In the meantime, Abby's last day of 7th grade is on Friday (stay tuned for the annual Last Day of School photo!) and then we start our summer reading list (which I secretly cannot wait for!).  I've got a garage sale this weekend and I'm gearing up to go through the totes and totes of Finn's baby clothes tomorrow, which is causing me to hyperventilate a little bit.  I have very mixed feelings about it, to say the least...

Happy Monday, friends!  See you around here later this week!

***
Would you like to see more pictures of life?  Head over to I Should be Folding Laundry for life aplenty.  It's Monday, so that means it's also Show off Your Shot over at And then she {snapped}.

Uriah has been working like a mad-man for the past few weeks due to some work-related crap issues.  He leaves in the morning and he usually doesn't come home until the kids are in bed.  The past few days have been especially hard on Finn - I can tell that he misses his dad.  In the evening if a car drives by, he looks at me with his hopeful eyes and says, "Dad home?  Dad home?" and I tell him that Dad will be home when he opens his eyes in the morning.  Saturday Finn was acting like a rotten child - he didn't want to do anything except stand right next to me or have me hold him (which is a bit impossible when there's laundry to be done and groceries to put away and dinner to make and the lad weighs a lot!).  He didn't want to play with anything that I suggested (not even with the play-dough dog, which is his most favorite!).  I finally asked him if he missed his daddy and he nodded his little tear-stained face yes and then gave me a tight squeeze.  It broke my mama heart.  So I had Uriah call Finn when he had a free minute to talk to him on speaker.  I can't say that the evening got much better, but at least it didn't get much worse.

Our life feels very chaotic and one-sided right now.  We seem to be ships passing in the night and I find myself day-dreaming about not making dinner and maybe going on a date.  I'll be happy when Uriah's back to his "regular" schedule (although the summer season starts here this weekend, so I might be deluding myself into thinking we'll have a relatively normal schedule at any time before Labor Day!).  In the meantime, Abby's last day of 7th grade is on Friday (stay tuned for the annual Last Day of School photo!) and then we start our summer reading list (which I secretly cannot wait for!).  I've got a garage sale this weekend and I'm gearing up to go through the totes and totes of Finn's baby clothes tomorrow, which is causing me to hyperventilate a little bit.  I have very mixed feelings about it, to say the least...

Happy Monday, friends!  See you around here later this week!

***
Would you like to see more pictures of life?  Head over to I Should be Folding Laundry for life aplenty.  It's Monday, so that means it's also Show off Your Shot over at And then she {snapped}.

On my mind today...

• Too rainy for a walk outside today.
• I love the smell of the library.
• Finn's witching hour is back - and it's hours, as in plural, this time.
• Midnight to 3 am.  
• Does he think we're in college again?  
• Because about 2 am, I was ready for a drink.
• I feel like going to sleep at 7pm, just to make it though these middle of the night meltdowns.
• Uriah brought me flowers over the weekend.
• I think they were pity flowers because I was taking care of rambunctious Finn while feeling like crap.
• Sarah says flowers are flowers and I'm lucky to have a husband who brings them occasionally.
• When did the littlest sister get to be so smart?
• Abby came home sick this week.
• Good thing Uriah was off because I don't do adult-sized illness.  
• Not even my own.
• I have windows open today.  
• And the heat off.
• It smells good in here, if a little brisk.
• I will abolish all forms of germs even if I have to shiver a bit to get the job done.
• Been thinking about grilled chicken all. day. long. 
• Uriah's going to be gone this weekend - I guess that means I'm it.
• Still trying to figure out my new lens.
• Best Valentine's present I have ever gotten in my whole life.
• Coupon from DSW came...I guess I can get new running shoes...
• I'm reading Bristol Palin's book.  
• It was the first one I grabbed while trying to corral Finn at the library.
• He likes to smile at the library ladies.  And also the little girl who wanted his puzzle.
• Abby has a show choir concert this week.  
• I hope it's like a live version of Glee.

Thankfuls:

26. Husbands who tag team

27. Melty snow and the promise of spring.

28. Walking outside.

29. Rosemary & mint shampoo in the morning.

30. Clean sheets.

31. The smell of books.

• Too rainy for a walk outside today.
• I love the smell of the library.
• Finn's witching hour is back - and it's hours, as in plural, this time.
• Midnight to 3 am.  
• Does he think we're in college again?  
• Because about 2 am, I was ready for a drink.
• I feel like going to sleep at 7pm, just to make it though these middle of the night meltdowns.
• Uriah brought me flowers over the weekend.
• I think they were pity flowers because I was taking care of rambunctious Finn while feeling like crap.
• Sarah says flowers are flowers and I'm lucky to have a husband who brings them occasionally.
• When did the littlest sister get to be so smart?
• Abby came home sick this week.
• Good thing Uriah was off because I don't do adult-sized illness.  
• Not even my own.
• I have windows open today.  
• And the heat off.
• It smells good in here, if a little brisk.
• I will abolish all forms of germs even if I have to shiver a bit to get the job done.
• Been thinking about grilled chicken all. day. long. 
• Uriah's going to be gone this weekend - I guess that means I'm it.
• Still trying to figure out my new lens.
• Best Valentine's present I have ever gotten in my whole life.
• Coupon from DSW came...I guess I can get new running shoes...
• I'm reading Bristol Palin's book.  
• It was the first one I grabbed while trying to corral Finn at the library.
• He likes to smile at the library ladies.  And also the little girl who wanted his puzzle.
• Abby has a show choir concert this week.  
• I hope it's like a live version of Glee.

Thankfuls:

26. Husbands who tag team

27. Melty snow and the promise of spring.

28. Walking outside.

29. Rosemary & mint shampoo in the morning.

30. Clean sheets.

31. The smell of books.

On my mind today...

• We moved here so that I could take a walk at 5:00 on a Monday evening, down a snowy trail, like it's the most natural thing in the world.
• We moved here so that I could feel snowflakes melt on my heated cheeks as I pulled a 25+ pound boy in a sled behind me.
• We moved here so that I could breath in deeply the good and breath out forcefully the icky.
• We moved here to start fresh.

• We moved here so that my back could go out and my eyes could truly see what I was becoming and where I was headed.
• We moved here for changes inside and out.
• We moved here for bike trails and walking trails and sledding trails.
• We moved here for summer swimming lakes and winter ice fishing lakes.
• We moved here 31 pounds ago and we are not looking back.

• We moved here so that I could stop and push Finn down a hill for the first time in his bitty boy life.
• We moved here so that I could hear him squeal with delight.
• We moved here so that I could run up and down that hill no less than half a dozen times just to hear his laughter echo on the quiet evening.
• We moved here so that I could have the time: time to walk down the trail, time to talk to my son as we slipped along, time hear those squeals.  And time to appreciate it all.



• We moved here so that I could take a walk at 5:00 on a Monday evening, down a snowy trail, like it's the most natural thing in the world.
• We moved here so that I could feel snowflakes melt on my heated cheeks as I pulled a 25+ pound boy in a sled behind me.
• We moved here so that I could breath in deeply the good and breath out forcefully the icky.
• We moved here to start fresh.

• We moved here so that my back could go out and my eyes could truly see what I was becoming and where I was headed.
• We moved here for changes inside and out.
• We moved here for bike trails and walking trails and sledding trails.
• We moved here for summer swimming lakes and winter ice fishing lakes.
• We moved here 31 pounds ago and we are not looking back.

• We moved here so that I could stop and push Finn down a hill for the first time in his bitty boy life.
• We moved here so that I could hear him squeal with delight.
• We moved here so that I could run up and down that hill no less than half a dozen times just to hear his laughter echo on the quiet evening.
• We moved here so that I could have the time: time to walk down the trail, time to talk to my son as we slipped along, time hear those squeals.  And time to appreciate it all.



On my mind...

• It feels like Missouri in Iowa.
• It has been raining and almost all of the snow is gone.  
• I'm pretty sure the ice on the lakes is nearly nothing, too.
• I haven't seen the sun for days and days and days.
• I need to take some pictures for Christmas cards. 
• But who wants to take holiday card pictures in the sopping wet outsides?
• Not it.
• I'm sure you probably already have your cards signed, stamped and mailed.
• Good for you.
• I am not in the holiday spirit.
• I have birthday pictures from over the weekend to edit.
• Abby looks pale and sick in all of them.
• Oh, that's right...because she was pale and sick in all of them.
• I took Finn for a walk outside this week.  Outside.  In December.  In Iowa.
• Did I mention that almost all of our snow is gone?
• I feel like making a list of holiday things that I need to get done would be a joke.
• The list would take me until Christmas to write.
• I haven't wrapped one present.
• I'm tired of being crabby.  And cranky.  And annoyed at the world in general.
• I have to take Finn back to the dentist on Friday.
• I'm very nervous.  Very, very nervous.  I love his toothy smile.
• I'm going  to try to do some Christmas shopping.  Maybe.  If I'm in the mood.
• I don't think I'm going to be in the mood.
• We don't even have a Christmas tree up...and I'm not sure I want to go to the trouble.
• Why does it seem as though we put so much stress on ourselves during the holidays?
• Oh, that's just me?  
• Y'all are walking in a winter wonderland out there?  
• Sprinkling tinsel out of your fingertips?
• Lucky you.

Image from Don't Call Me Betty.

• It feels like Missouri in Iowa.
• It has been raining and almost all of the snow is gone.  
• I'm pretty sure the ice on the lakes is nearly nothing, too.
• I haven't seen the sun for days and days and days.
• I need to take some pictures for Christmas cards. 
• But who wants to take holiday card pictures in the sopping wet outsides?
• Not it.
• I'm sure you probably already have your cards signed, stamped and mailed.
• Good for you.
• I am not in the holiday spirit.
• I have birthday pictures from over the weekend to edit.
• Abby looks pale and sick in all of them.
• Oh, that's right...because she was pale and sick in all of them.
• I took Finn for a walk outside this week.  Outside.  In December.  In Iowa.
• Did I mention that almost all of our snow is gone?
• I feel like making a list of holiday things that I need to get done would be a joke.
• The list would take me until Christmas to write.
• I haven't wrapped one present.
• I'm tired of being crabby.  And cranky.  And annoyed at the world in general.
• I have to take Finn back to the dentist on Friday.
• I'm very nervous.  Very, very nervous.  I love his toothy smile.
• I'm going  to try to do some Christmas shopping.  Maybe.  If I'm in the mood.
• I don't think I'm going to be in the mood.
• We don't even have a Christmas tree up...and I'm not sure I want to go to the trouble.
• Why does it seem as though we put so much stress on ourselves during the holidays?
• Oh, that's just me?  
• Y'all are walking in a winter wonderland out there?  
• Sprinkling tinsel out of your fingertips?
• Lucky you.

Image from Don't Call Me Betty.

On my mind...naps.

{Finn & Uncle Dan | 04.24.11}

• I sometimes miss taking an afternoon nap.  But I do get a lot done when Finn take his.
• This picture makes me laugh.
• I love that Daniel's idea of taking care of the baby was a co-nap.  
• And that Finn's practically dangling off the side of the bed.
• I miss my brother.
• I can hear the wind blowing outside.  
• It's about to get cold.
• Uriah put our Christmas lights up wrong.  And he hasn't fixed them yet.
• We look like the Griswold's...lots of lights and none of them light up.
• I can't wait to make Christmas cookies.
• If it snows tomorrow, like it's supposed to, I'm bundling my kids up and taking them outside.
• Now that my boy can shake his head and tell me "No," I'm getting nostalgic for the baby that he was.
• Of all of the things I did to prepare for Finn coming, making his bedtime blanket was my favorite.
• Abby doesn't have any baby teeth left in her mouth.
• She'll be 12 next week.
• That means she's only 12 months away from being a teenager.
• Please pass the gin.
• I can't believe how much of an attitude Finn has been getting lately.  Especially if he doesn't get his way.
• But his hugs and kisses are sugar sweet.
• I don't have winter boots. 
• My feet still have not shrunk back to their pre-baby size.  I have little hope that they ever will.
• Finn has learned to dance.  In a circle.  Until he falls down
• Abby's choir concert this week included red sparkly bow ties and belts, songs with dance moves, kazoos, and 12 year old boys with changing voices.
• It was so awesome Finn crapped his pants.  Literally.
• I'm on the second book in the Hunger Games series.
• I'm not sure if Abby will be watching the movie when it comes out.
• What to get her for her birthday...
• She's having a birthday party next weekend.  I'm already mentally preparing myself.
• I'm going to impose Family Nap Time after that sleep-over.  I feel as though no one will get much sleep.
• I just hope they don't freeze someone's bra.
• The game Girl Talk was awesome.  Remember the little red zit stickers?  I wonder if they still make that game...
• In lieu of a nap, I'm going to bed.

{Finn & Uncle Dan | 04.24.11}

• I sometimes miss taking an afternoon nap.  But I do get a lot done when Finn take his.
• This picture makes me laugh.
• I love that Daniel's idea of taking care of the baby was a co-nap.  
• And that Finn's practically dangling off the side of the bed.
• I miss my brother.
• I can hear the wind blowing outside.  
• It's about to get cold.
• Uriah put our Christmas lights up wrong.  And he hasn't fixed them yet.
• We look like the Griswold's...lots of lights and none of them light up.
• I can't wait to make Christmas cookies.
• If it snows tomorrow, like it's supposed to, I'm bundling my kids up and taking them outside.
• Now that my boy can shake his head and tell me "No," I'm getting nostalgic for the baby that he was.
• Of all of the things I did to prepare for Finn coming, making his bedtime blanket was my favorite.
• Abby doesn't have any baby teeth left in her mouth.
• She'll be 12 next week.
• That means she's only 12 months away from being a teenager.
• Please pass the gin.
• I can't believe how much of an attitude Finn has been getting lately.  Especially if he doesn't get his way.
• But his hugs and kisses are sugar sweet.
• I don't have winter boots. 
• My feet still have not shrunk back to their pre-baby size.  I have little hope that they ever will.
• Finn has learned to dance.  In a circle.  Until he falls down
• Abby's choir concert this week included red sparkly bow ties and belts, songs with dance moves, kazoos, and 12 year old boys with changing voices.
• It was so awesome Finn crapped his pants.  Literally.
• I'm on the second book in the Hunger Games series.
• I'm not sure if Abby will be watching the movie when it comes out.
• What to get her for her birthday...
• She's having a birthday party next weekend.  I'm already mentally preparing myself.
• I'm going to impose Family Nap Time after that sleep-over.  I feel as though no one will get much sleep.
• I just hope they don't freeze someone's bra.
• The game Girl Talk was awesome.  Remember the little red zit stickers?  I wonder if they still make that game...
• In lieu of a nap, I'm going to bed.

On my mind today...

 

• The tree in our front yard has finally turned yellow.
• Now all of the leaves are going to fall off.  Onto the yard that I've already raked. Because I thought that tree was going to keep it's green leaves for. ev. er.
• Can you believe Halloween is next week?  I'm kind of excited to have trick-or-treaters to our house.
• We've never had that before because we've always been at Uriah's mom's.
• She gets trick-or-treaters but it's not the same as having kids knock on your own door.
• I need to finish Finn's costume.
• He gets to wear it to school on Monday for a Halloween party.  
• His first Halloween party!!

• Abby came home from school sick yesterday morning.  She was sleeping when Finn and I got home.
• I think she gave it to Uriah because he woke up sick last night.
• I think he gave it to me, because I woke up not feeling very good this morning.
• Families kind of suck in that way.
• I hope I don't give it to Finn...he's already snotty and has a slight cough.  

• We have pumpkins to carve this week.  
• 3 big fat ones.  Well, 2 big fat ones and a fat baby one.
• I'm going to roast the pumpkin seeds.
• I've been getting carving ideas online, but I think I imagine myself more artistic than I really am.
• Last week, Uriah and I made seafood lasagna.  It was my idea, but Uriah made it happen.
• I told him we make a great team: I'm the idea person and he's the executioner.
• I really meant executor.

• I ran on the treadmill after work yesterday and I got the most awful cramp in my calf last night.
• The kind that makes you limp after it's over because the muscle is still so sore.
• I might have almost cried, it hurt so bad.
• If Uriah wouldn't have been there to help, I probably would have called 911. 
• I don't do pain very well, as evidenced by the epidural I got when I was 6 months pregnant.  Just kidding, but I thought about getting it then.  You know, to be prepared.
• I'm going to do some weight training today - just arms and abs.  No lunges.  My calf still hurts.
• Tomorrow, I guess I'll take it a little easier on the treadmill...

 

• The tree in our front yard has finally turned yellow.
• Now all of the leaves are going to fall off.  Onto the yard that I've already raked. Because I thought that tree was going to keep it's green leaves for. ev. er.
• Can you believe Halloween is next week?  I'm kind of excited to have trick-or-treaters to our house.
• We've never had that before because we've always been at Uriah's mom's.
• She gets trick-or-treaters but it's not the same as having kids knock on your own door.
• I need to finish Finn's costume.
• He gets to wear it to school on Monday for a Halloween party.  
• His first Halloween party!!

• Abby came home from school sick yesterday morning.  She was sleeping when Finn and I got home.
• I think she gave it to Uriah because he woke up sick last night.
• I think he gave it to me, because I woke up not feeling very good this morning.
• Families kind of suck in that way.
• I hope I don't give it to Finn...he's already snotty and has a slight cough.  

• We have pumpkins to carve this week.  
• 3 big fat ones.  Well, 2 big fat ones and a fat baby one.
• I'm going to roast the pumpkin seeds.
• I've been getting carving ideas online, but I think I imagine myself more artistic than I really am.
• Last week, Uriah and I made seafood lasagna.  It was my idea, but Uriah made it happen.
• I told him we make a great team: I'm the idea person and he's the executioner.
• I really meant executor.

• I ran on the treadmill after work yesterday and I got the most awful cramp in my calf last night.
• The kind that makes you limp after it's over because the muscle is still so sore.
• I might have almost cried, it hurt so bad.
• If Uriah wouldn't have been there to help, I probably would have called 911. 
• I don't do pain very well, as evidenced by the epidural I got when I was 6 months pregnant.  Just kidding, but I thought about getting it then.  You know, to be prepared.
• I'm going to do some weight training today - just arms and abs.  No lunges.  My calf still hurts.
• Tomorrow, I guess I'll take it a little easier on the treadmill...

On my (sugar-deprived) mind...

{Find them here:1, 2, 3. 4}

{Find them here:1, 2, 3. 4}

On my (and aching) mind...

• I got an email from Daniel's Ady. He is officially in Kuwait.
• I bet he's hot. I will endeavor to not complain about the heat anymore.
• Abby asked me where Kuwait was.
• I think we need a map. Or a globe. Or both. And one of those pen's that has a red laser so I can point to places on my map and globe.
• Geography was not my strongest subject.
• Neither was math. Or Social Studies. Or gym. Or choir. Or art. Or French. Or history.
• I did okay in Home Ec, though. And English.
• It's a wonder I made it into college. Must have been my killer essay.
• I've let my son run amuck today.
• He got his one year shots, so I felt he deserved to be able to pull every single piece of tupperware out of my cabinets and spread them helter-skelter throughout the kitchen, dining room and living room.
• They need to be packed anyway.
• We Hefters - we're nothing if not nomadic.
• My head hurts.  I think it's stress.
• I don't really have it in me to play the clean-up game right now, although I should before I break an ankle on that yellow dump truck.
• We are having re-heated enchiladas for dinner.
• I made them a couple of weeks ago and froze them. Days like today call for quick and dirty meals.  I should freeze things more often.
• Do you have any good make-ahead and freeze meals?  Share your recipes, please.
• As far as sisters-in-law go, I guess I got the lion's share. 
• I hope that Ady comes for a visit soon...and Sars, too.
• My mom and my Emily are coming this weekend.
• I am going to put them to work unpacking.  It's good they know this already or they'd be awfully surprised when they got here.
• I haven't seen Emily since the beginning of  May when we left the big, bad city. 
• Holy crap, that's a long time.
• I need to send Daniel a package.  I wish I could put some Iowa corn in it.
• It would probably be popcorn by the time he got it.
• There really is corn everywhere here.  In the fields, in the stores, and being hustled on every single street corner.
• Finn just tried to eat a bug off the floor.  Must be dinner time for the baby.

• I got an email from Daniel's Ady. He is officially in Kuwait.
• I bet he's hot. I will endeavor to not complain about the heat anymore.
• Abby asked me where Kuwait was.
• I think we need a map. Or a globe. Or both. And one of those pen's that has a red laser so I can point to places on my map and globe.
• Geography was not my strongest subject.
• Neither was math. Or Social Studies. Or gym. Or choir. Or art. Or French. Or history.
• I did okay in Home Ec, though. And English.
• It's a wonder I made it into college. Must have been my killer essay.
• I've let my son run amuck today.
• He got his one year shots, so I felt he deserved to be able to pull every single piece of tupperware out of my cabinets and spread them helter-skelter throughout the kitchen, dining room and living room.
• They need to be packed anyway.
• We Hefters - we're nothing if not nomadic.
• My head hurts.  I think it's stress.
• I don't really have it in me to play the clean-up game right now, although I should before I break an ankle on that yellow dump truck.
• We are having re-heated enchiladas for dinner.
• I made them a couple of weeks ago and froze them. Days like today call for quick and dirty meals.  I should freeze things more often.
• Do you have any good make-ahead and freeze meals?  Share your recipes, please.
• As far as sisters-in-law go, I guess I got the lion's share. 
• I hope that Ady comes for a visit soon...and Sars, too.
• My mom and my Emily are coming this weekend.
• I am going to put them to work unpacking.  It's good they know this already or they'd be awfully surprised when they got here.
• I haven't seen Emily since the beginning of  May when we left the big, bad city. 
• Holy crap, that's a long time.
• I need to send Daniel a package.  I wish I could put some Iowa corn in it.
• It would probably be popcorn by the time he got it.
• There really is corn everywhere here.  In the fields, in the stores, and being hustled on every single street corner.
• Finn just tried to eat a bug off the floor.  Must be dinner time for the baby.

On my mind this Thursday morning...

{Slough near Spirit Lake | 6.28.11}

• I've been a week at my Mom's.  I'm home now.
• There is laundry to do.  So much laundry.
• I have a grocery list a mile long.
• Finn popped his 5th tooth last night.
• I guess that would explain his stellar attitude for the last half of our drive home.
• I realized yesterday that I do not have an aptitude for making up songs and entertaining my best boy when he's uncomfortable.
• I'm still not sure if it was the tooth or my singing that caused his crying.
• Uriah's family is coming in to town next weekend for Finn's birthday.  I am not prepared...hence the grocery shopping that needs to be done.  And some cleaning.  And a little bit of yard work.  And the list that needs to be made so I can get everything done.
• He will be 1 year old one week from today.  One whole year already.
• I am equal parts amazed and sad.
• My flowers are blooming nicely - Uriah clearly remembered to water them for me!
• Sometimes doing the right thing is the hardest thing and the thing that we least want to do.
• Have you seen the movie America's Sweethearts with Julia Robers and Catherine Zeta Jones and John Cusack?
• In the beginning of the movie, John Cusack's character is in a frou-frou rehab center for celebrities and he keeps repeating the phrase, "Serenity now...serenity now." That's what I think of when I look at this picture.
• CZJones is so pretty.  I would love to have her hair.  But not her husband.
• Finn is trying to pull the leaves off of my house plants. 
• He wiggles all of the time and can't decide if he wants to be on my lap reading stories or on the floor causing mischief.
• Usually he opts for mischief.
• And when we're at my mom's house, that mischief includes chasing Kitty Todd around.
• If Kitty Todd lives through Daniel's deployment, I will be surprised.  I think Finn gave her 4 heart attacks over the weekend.
• I'm working on a couple of strawberry posts...hopefully I will have something by this weekend.
• Talking about strawberries makes me want some more strawberry shortcake.
• I walked 20 miles last week, so in my mind, I can justify a little sweet snack every now and then.
• Uriah likes to remind me "not to undo what I have done."
• I do need to go back to the strawberry patch and pick a bunch more, though!
• But first I will go for a very long walk.
• I have Finn cow's milk for the first time last week.  He seemed to do okay with it...in a take it or leave it kind of attitude.
• I have to take him outside now, to do some playing and general wearing out so he takes a nap.
• If it's a good morning nap, I might be able to get started on cleaning my car.  It is gross.
• First I should sweep the floor though, since Finn likes to eat everything off of it!  That is more gross than my car.

{Slough near Spirit Lake | 6.28.11}

• I've been a week at my Mom's.  I'm home now.
• There is laundry to do.  So much laundry.
• I have a grocery list a mile long.
• Finn popped his 5th tooth last night.
• I guess that would explain his stellar attitude for the last half of our drive home.
• I realized yesterday that I do not have an aptitude for making up songs and entertaining my best boy when he's uncomfortable.
• I'm still not sure if it was the tooth or my singing that caused his crying.
• Uriah's family is coming in to town next weekend for Finn's birthday.  I am not prepared...hence the grocery shopping that needs to be done.  And some cleaning.  And a little bit of yard work.  And the list that needs to be made so I can get everything done.
• He will be 1 year old one week from today.  One whole year already.
• I am equal parts amazed and sad.
• My flowers are blooming nicely - Uriah clearly remembered to water them for me!
• Sometimes doing the right thing is the hardest thing and the thing that we least want to do.
• Have you seen the movie America's Sweethearts with Julia Robers and Catherine Zeta Jones and John Cusack?
• In the beginning of the movie, John Cusack's character is in a frou-frou rehab center for celebrities and he keeps repeating the phrase, "Serenity now...serenity now." That's what I think of when I look at this picture.
• CZJones is so pretty.  I would love to have her hair.  But not her husband.
• Finn is trying to pull the leaves off of my house plants. 
• He wiggles all of the time and can't decide if he wants to be on my lap reading stories or on the floor causing mischief.
• Usually he opts for mischief.
• And when we're at my mom's house, that mischief includes chasing Kitty Todd around.
• If Kitty Todd lives through Daniel's deployment, I will be surprised.  I think Finn gave her 4 heart attacks over the weekend.
• I'm working on a couple of strawberry posts...hopefully I will have something by this weekend.
• Talking about strawberries makes me want some more strawberry shortcake.
• I walked 20 miles last week, so in my mind, I can justify a little sweet snack every now and then.
• Uriah likes to remind me "not to undo what I have done."
• I do need to go back to the strawberry patch and pick a bunch more, though!
• But first I will go for a very long walk.
• I have Finn cow's milk for the first time last week.  He seemed to do okay with it...in a take it or leave it kind of attitude.
• I have to take him outside now, to do some playing and general wearing out so he takes a nap.
• If it's a good morning nap, I might be able to get started on cleaning my car.  It is gross.
• First I should sweep the floor though, since Finn likes to eat everything off of it!  That is more gross than my car.

On my mind...in Iowa.

• Wow.  Moving is a mean (insert naughty word here).
• Babies can really put a damper on the sailor talk.
• I'm trying to cook with a gas range.  I don't have it down yet.
• I have a two loads of laundry to fold.
• I don't want to.  I'll fluff them in the dryer tomorrow.
• It's what Martha Stewart would do.  (Maybe.  In an alternate universe.)
• I'm waiting for Uriah to get home.  It seems like the wifely thing to do.
• I wish he'd hurry up.
• I met someone famous last week...I love famous encounters.
• I did not meet someone famous in Iowa.  Famous people don't generally come here.  They go to Minnesota.
• There are a lot of boxes in my dining room.  A lot.  And they still need to be unpacked.
• I wish I could wiggle my nose and an Unpacking Fairy would appear and do it for me.
• Do you have any idea how stupendous it was to sleep in my own bed last night?  Amazing.
• Abby started school today.  Praise the Lord and pass the gin. 
• I don't think I was going to be able to handle one more day of, "I'm bored...I should be learning something.  I should be in school!"
• She printed off math worksheets that she downloaded from the internet.  Seriously.
• I thought most kids liked an impromput 2 week vacation from school.
• I just realized that my kid is not "most kids."
• I'm just kidding...I didn't just realize that.  I've known it for awhile.
• We have a grocery store that feels exactly like the grocery store that I worked at in high school. 
• It even smelled the same...like fresh bread and deli meat and gossip. 
• What do you think of my house?  I L-O-V-E it (that is way better than "hearting" something).
• I wanted to share a picture yesterday, but I waited and took that picture today after Uriah mowed the lawn. 
• I don't think I'm going to be able to wait for Uriah...too sleepy.
• Hopefully more pictures later this week...

• Wow.  Moving is a mean (insert naughty word here).
• Babies can really put a damper on the sailor talk.
• I'm trying to cook with a gas range.  I don't have it down yet.
• I have a two loads of laundry to fold.
• I don't want to.  I'll fluff them in the dryer tomorrow.
• It's what Martha Stewart would do.  (Maybe.  In an alternate universe.)
• I'm waiting for Uriah to get home.  It seems like the wifely thing to do.
• I wish he'd hurry up.
• I met someone famous last week...I love famous encounters.
• I did not meet someone famous in Iowa.  Famous people don't generally come here.  They go to Minnesota.
• There are a lot of boxes in my dining room.  A lot.  And they still need to be unpacked.
• I wish I could wiggle my nose and an Unpacking Fairy would appear and do it for me.
• Do you have any idea how stupendous it was to sleep in my own bed last night?  Amazing.
• Abby started school today.  Praise the Lord and pass the gin. 
• I don't think I was going to be able to handle one more day of, "I'm bored...I should be learning something.  I should be in school!"
• She printed off math worksheets that she downloaded from the internet.  Seriously.
• I thought most kids liked an impromput 2 week vacation from school.
• I just realized that my kid is not "most kids."
• I'm just kidding...I didn't just realize that.  I've known it for awhile.
• We have a grocery store that feels exactly like the grocery store that I worked at in high school. 
• It even smelled the same...like fresh bread and deli meat and gossip. 
• What do you think of my house?  I L-O-V-E it (that is way better than "hearting" something).
• I wanted to share a picture yesterday, but I waited and took that picture today after Uriah mowed the lawn. 
• I don't think I'm going to be able to wait for Uriah...too sleepy.
• Hopefully more pictures later this week...