Wednesday, October 28, 2009
the name is random for a reason
Douchebag: still the greatest word in the English vocabulary.
I have been answering my phone with the greeting "Word up!" I can't seem to stop. I really want to stop.
At Walmart today I was doing our restocking shopping. Basically I wait until we run out of everything then face the cess pool of Walmart or Sam's. Today I saw "Sport" Tampons. I had to buy them. What makes a tampon a sport tampon? I asked myself all day, and when I got home I cracked one out only to find that it's just a tampon in a green shell. Let down. Now I have an open tampon and it just seems gross to save it until it's needed so out it went. Waste of money.
We watch Curb Your Enthusiasm. We have discussed how similar I can be to Larry David. It's funny when it's on tv, not real life. I'm really trying to get over some of my neurotic, in my head stuff.
We're car shopping right now. I went to the dealership and berated the salesman and couldn't make myself stop. It's some weird defense mechanism... I know they're all trying to stick it to us so I default to crazy bitch auto-pilot.
Saw a kid pick his nose and eat it. Reflex reaction: threw a magazine in front of my face and gasped AHHH! His mother saw me and was more alarmed by my reaction than the germ filled mucus in his mouth. Priorities.
Halloween is around the corner and I'm excited. Both kids understand and are so very anxious to get their trick-or-treat on! I'm almost ready to post some pics of my homemade costume creations.
I have been answering my phone with the greeting "Word up!" I can't seem to stop. I really want to stop.
At Walmart today I was doing our restocking shopping. Basically I wait until we run out of everything then face the cess pool of Walmart or Sam's. Today I saw "Sport" Tampons. I had to buy them. What makes a tampon a sport tampon? I asked myself all day, and when I got home I cracked one out only to find that it's just a tampon in a green shell. Let down. Now I have an open tampon and it just seems gross to save it until it's needed so out it went. Waste of money.
We watch Curb Your Enthusiasm. We have discussed how similar I can be to Larry David. It's funny when it's on tv, not real life. I'm really trying to get over some of my neurotic, in my head stuff.
We're car shopping right now. I went to the dealership and berated the salesman and couldn't make myself stop. It's some weird defense mechanism... I know they're all trying to stick it to us so I default to crazy bitch auto-pilot.
Saw a kid pick his nose and eat it. Reflex reaction: threw a magazine in front of my face and gasped AHHH! His mother saw me and was more alarmed by my reaction than the germ filled mucus in his mouth. Priorities.
Halloween is around the corner and I'm excited. Both kids understand and are so very anxious to get their trick-or-treat on! I'm almost ready to post some pics of my homemade costume creations.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Go SMU!
I like college football, I'm not a diehard fan but I like the whole festive nature of it. I like the sounds and the way 8 minutes of playing actually takes 30 minutes. I like the tailgate food and beer. It feels like a little vacation to sit around and watch something that's so slow yet so fast.
I grew up in Tennessee, so by default I always cheer for the Vols. I think it's some unwritten rule that if you're raised there you have to secretly hope they win. So then I went to SMU for college. Remember the awesome National Championship team they had? The dynasty? Death penalty put an end to that and we became a school with a champion swim team. It was a great college experience. It was a bit effing expensive, though not for me (Scholarship!). It was a beautiful campus, no doubt. J. Crew even did photo shoots there. But the one thing we lacked was morale. No one went to the football games. No one sported the team flag or team colors. No spirit. Our cheerleaders were even somber.
Which leads to now... I really wish I could get more excited about my alma mater. On Cam's birthday this year, SMU came to town and played UAB. AND WON. And are now #1 in their crappy conference. I was feeling good about this.
Then at the drug store the other day in my SMU t-shirt, an older man asked me if SMU had a football team now because of the death penalty. I told him yes, then in a moment of pride I said "And they even beat UAB this year!"
His reply was "Who is UAB?"
Damnit. I thought we were making strides.
I grew up in Tennessee, so by default I always cheer for the Vols. I think it's some unwritten rule that if you're raised there you have to secretly hope they win. So then I went to SMU for college. Remember the awesome National Championship team they had? The dynasty? Death penalty put an end to that and we became a school with a champion swim team. It was a great college experience. It was a bit effing expensive, though not for me (Scholarship!). It was a beautiful campus, no doubt. J. Crew even did photo shoots there. But the one thing we lacked was morale. No one went to the football games. No one sported the team flag or team colors. No spirit. Our cheerleaders were even somber.
Which leads to now... I really wish I could get more excited about my alma mater. On Cam's birthday this year, SMU came to town and played UAB. AND WON. And are now #1 in their crappy conference. I was feeling good about this.
Then at the drug store the other day in my SMU t-shirt, an older man asked me if SMU had a football team now because of the death penalty. I told him yes, then in a moment of pride I said "And they even beat UAB this year!"
His reply was "Who is UAB?"
Damnit. I thought we were making strides.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to the best man on Earth!
We met 13 years ago in our freshman year of college. We lived 3 or 4 doors away in a coed dorm with group bathrooms, yuck. He had long hair, soccer-boy legs, and I described him as "ethnic." I saw him and said "He will be mine." He was funny and brilliant. BRILLIANT, the smartest person I know. He is logical and makes good choices (ME!). He spoils us in so many ways. He is adventurous in the important ways but safe in the right ways. He has enriched so many parts of me. He is a father of epic proportions. He sacrifices and never says a word.
We met 13 years ago in our freshman year of college. We lived 3 or 4 doors away in a coed dorm with group bathrooms, yuck. He had long hair, soccer-boy legs, and I described him as "ethnic." I saw him and said "He will be mine." He was funny and brilliant. BRILLIANT, the smartest person I know. He is logical and makes good choices (ME!). He spoils us in so many ways. He is adventurous in the important ways but safe in the right ways. He has enriched so many parts of me. He is a father of epic proportions. He sacrifices and never says a word.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Gratitude OUT!
Now that the gratitude challenge is over I guess I can go back to my crotchety, bitchy, old self.
:) Just kidding. Whores.
:) Just kidding. Whores.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Gratitude's Happy Ending
What has this challenge meant to me?
Well let's start by stating that I am constantly surprised and depressed by the sad state of humanity. There is so much wrong in the world that it becomes unbearable. It is easy to focus on the wrongs because they outnumber the rights. This challenge made me change my focus. It was a struggle and I still see so much of the bad parts of people, but now I hear a little voice saying 'Stop and look at the good.' And I'm grateful for that. Even if some people are just awful, it's nice to remind yourself that some aren't. Some people are inherently good. Some people do think about others. Some people exemplify what it means to be human.
Another thing I've realized is that belief systems are only as meaningful as the people who hold them. A lot of people would jump to the conclusion that because I don't have religion, I can't possibly be a good person or know right from wrong. I used to feel like those people were just hateful people. I used to feel anger towards them. But the challenge made me stop and think about them and try to see them in a better light. Now I understand a little better that they are a product of their belief system, and they(like me) are trying to be good, they are following their belief system's rules. Maybe if I'm a part of their environment they will stop and think, and maybe even find some opening to allow other beliefs or lack thereof as still being moral. So I have to be patient, and I have to be proud of what I am, and stand up for it because I don't want people to continue believing that it's okay to think this way about other people. I see myself now as a tiny part of something that may one day mean a great deal. And that? means a lot to me. It's a way to make the world a better place and to hope that my kids will find the world a little bit more tolerant and loving when they grow up.
Well let's start by stating that I am constantly surprised and depressed by the sad state of humanity. There is so much wrong in the world that it becomes unbearable. It is easy to focus on the wrongs because they outnumber the rights. This challenge made me change my focus. It was a struggle and I still see so much of the bad parts of people, but now I hear a little voice saying 'Stop and look at the good.' And I'm grateful for that. Even if some people are just awful, it's nice to remind yourself that some aren't. Some people are inherently good. Some people do think about others. Some people exemplify what it means to be human.
Another thing I've realized is that belief systems are only as meaningful as the people who hold them. A lot of people would jump to the conclusion that because I don't have religion, I can't possibly be a good person or know right from wrong. I used to feel like those people were just hateful people. I used to feel anger towards them. But the challenge made me stop and think about them and try to see them in a better light. Now I understand a little better that they are a product of their belief system, and they(like me) are trying to be good, they are following their belief system's rules. Maybe if I'm a part of their environment they will stop and think, and maybe even find some opening to allow other beliefs or lack thereof as still being moral. So I have to be patient, and I have to be proud of what I am, and stand up for it because I don't want people to continue believing that it's okay to think this way about other people. I see myself now as a tiny part of something that may one day mean a great deal. And that? means a lot to me. It's a way to make the world a better place and to hope that my kids will find the world a little bit more tolerant and loving when they grow up.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Day 18
For the past three days, you have focused on appreciating what makes you unique. Write about all the things that make you so lovable. Take a moment to appreciate your personal style, talents and charm.
I'm level headed and strong. I can stand up for what's right. I grow as a person all the time. I question others and myself constantly, as a way of improving who I am. I'm never stagnant, never the same person I was the day before. I reflect and work at who I am. I am funny, though mostly in inappropriate ways. I am open-minded and will never impose my beliefs on you. I try to be unselfish. I don't make the same mistake twice. I am not insecure. I am confident and comfortable. I learn quickly. I can teach really well, even the 'unteachable.' (That term is so unacceptable.) I try to make people feel valued, because even if I think they're wrong, I can still see their value. I want everyone around me to feel better for having been around me. I want to have a lasting effect. My charm... well, maybe me charm is that I don't know what my charm is. ?
I'm level headed and strong. I can stand up for what's right. I grow as a person all the time. I question others and myself constantly, as a way of improving who I am. I'm never stagnant, never the same person I was the day before. I reflect and work at who I am. I am funny, though mostly in inappropriate ways. I am open-minded and will never impose my beliefs on you. I try to be unselfish. I don't make the same mistake twice. I am not insecure. I am confident and comfortable. I learn quickly. I can teach really well, even the 'unteachable.' (That term is so unacceptable.) I try to make people feel valued, because even if I think they're wrong, I can still see their value. I want everyone around me to feel better for having been around me. I want to have a lasting effect. My charm... well, maybe me charm is that I don't know what my charm is. ?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Days 16 & 17
Stand in front of the mirror for five minutes and focus on at least five things that you love about yourself. Write them down in your journal.
Ummm, kind of weird. This one is done in private.
Write about something you feel grateful for in your life today. We're going to the Pumpkin Patch today, and the kids are so excited. We're going with people we love. I'm grateful that almost all of my grateful posts revolve around the people in my life.
Ummm, kind of weird. This one is done in private.
Write about something you feel grateful for in your life today. We're going to the Pumpkin Patch today, and the kids are so excited. We're going with people we love. I'm grateful that almost all of my grateful posts revolve around the people in my life.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Day 14
It’s been two weeks since you started The Gratitude Challenge. Write about how The Challenge has changed your perspective thus far.
Well it's mostly about being positive rather than negative. And about me having more patience and being less uptight. I look at the world in a negative way most of the time. Sadly, I think it's the most realistic way. People are inherently selfish and that's just human nature. But I have been able to focus more on the good things people do. There may be less 'goods' than 'bads' but it's all about where you aim your energy. I'm letting things roll off my back that normally would've irritated me.
Well it's mostly about being positive rather than negative. And about me having more patience and being less uptight. I look at the world in a negative way most of the time. Sadly, I think it's the most realistic way. People are inherently selfish and that's just human nature. But I have been able to focus more on the good things people do. There may be less 'goods' than 'bads' but it's all about where you aim your energy. I'm letting things roll off my back that normally would've irritated me.
Day 15
Take the time to focus on yourself. Appreciate and give thanks for your unique personality, skills and talents.
I could go on and on about myself all day. :) But I won't bore anyone. I'll just leave it at this: I'm a good person who tries to be good even when no one is looking.
I could go on and on about myself all day. :) But I won't bore anyone. I'll just leave it at this: I'm a good person who tries to be good even when no one is looking.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Days 11-13
**My days are out of order**
Day 11: Pick one of your five senses to focus on each day. Take note of how many gifts come to you via that single port of entry. Write about this experience.
Sight, what would I do without it? Seeing my children smile, watching them run and play, it's simply the best sight in the world. At bedtime, while I rock them and read them books, they frequently look up into my eyes and there are no words for those moments. There are no sounds, it's just complete silence and the meaning I find in it is far beyond anything I could ever explain.
Day 12: Today, make the effort to live life with a positive outlook. Restrain from criticizing the people around you. Dare to see the glass half full. Listen more than you speak. Give freely of yourself. Practice kindness at every opportunity.
Day 13: Pick three friends or family members you see regularly. View their actions and gestures through a positive lens, assuming their goodness and witnessing their best intentions.
12 and 13 blended together for me. I seem to criticize people a lot, but I also view that as a reality--- people do stupid things and I have a really hard time finding the positive sunny side of stupidity. To be totally honest, I failed at Day 12, I'm working on it though. Day 13 I've done well with. I'm trying to see the goodness in everyone. I still see the issues and the problems, but I'm trying to focus on the good.
Day 11: Pick one of your five senses to focus on each day. Take note of how many gifts come to you via that single port of entry. Write about this experience.
Sight, what would I do without it? Seeing my children smile, watching them run and play, it's simply the best sight in the world. At bedtime, while I rock them and read them books, they frequently look up into my eyes and there are no words for those moments. There are no sounds, it's just complete silence and the meaning I find in it is far beyond anything I could ever explain.
Day 12: Today, make the effort to live life with a positive outlook. Restrain from criticizing the people around you. Dare to see the glass half full. Listen more than you speak. Give freely of yourself. Practice kindness at every opportunity.
Day 13: Pick three friends or family members you see regularly. View their actions and gestures through a positive lens, assuming their goodness and witnessing their best intentions.
12 and 13 blended together for me. I seem to criticize people a lot, but I also view that as a reality--- people do stupid things and I have a really hard time finding the positive sunny side of stupidity. To be totally honest, I failed at Day 12, I'm working on it though. Day 13 I've done well with. I'm trying to see the goodness in everyone. I still see the issues and the problems, but I'm trying to focus on the good.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Day 10 of 21
Seeing things through the eyes of a child...
Thinking about what the world looks like to my kids is overwhelming. Tonight, I fed them dinner and gave them a bath. I play a game in the tub where I scream "Waterfall!!" and then dump a bucket of water on them. They love it and screech like little monkeys when I do it. I watched them tonight and realized how their hearts must be beating so fast, filled with anticipation and excitement, and JOY. Then we came downstairs and it was time to cuddle and go to bed. But I looked at the world through their eyes and realized it's Friday night... and I popped some popcorn and it made them so happy.
So today, I'm grateful for the little things that are never little at all. The buckets of water, the popcorn... that's what it's all about. Those are the random tiny things my kids will remember, just like I remember from my childhood. I'm also grateful for having such a happy childhood, one that gives me the ability to recognize the happiness in my own kids' eyes.
Thinking about what the world looks like to my kids is overwhelming. Tonight, I fed them dinner and gave them a bath. I play a game in the tub where I scream "Waterfall!!" and then dump a bucket of water on them. They love it and screech like little monkeys when I do it. I watched them tonight and realized how their hearts must be beating so fast, filled with anticipation and excitement, and JOY. Then we came downstairs and it was time to cuddle and go to bed. But I looked at the world through their eyes and realized it's Friday night... and I popped some popcorn and it made them so happy.
So today, I'm grateful for the little things that are never little at all. The buckets of water, the popcorn... that's what it's all about. Those are the random tiny things my kids will remember, just like I remember from my childhood. I'm also grateful for having such a happy childhood, one that gives me the ability to recognize the happiness in my own kids' eyes.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Day 9 of 21
Enjoy the people around you. Take a moment to appreciate their unique talents, abilities and personalities.
I have I have! I built a scarecrow today with I'm a Mom?...! and it brought back great memories. We missed mommapeas incredibly... her absence was a reminder of just how much we're missing. It was this event last year that marked a new beginning, or maybe a turning point, for us (Have you seen our site??!!). A season changing is always so cleansing to me, and Fall is my favorite. Being in the same place and taking a little mental stock of where we are now and how we got there was perfect for appreciating my wonderful friends and their talents.
My kiddos, of course! I had a few days of reflection on my parenting and my lack of patience lately. I was getting upset over things that shouldn't matter. I started noticing the kids being in bad moods and I was feeling so negative, so I stopped. Simple as that. And we are all appreciating one another more than ever. My kids' personalities are cracking me up, they're learning so much and they're so brilliant.
And Husband will be home tonight and I plan to enjoy his abilities. Sorry, I can't resist a good sex joke.
I have I have! I built a scarecrow today with I'm a Mom?...! and it brought back great memories. We missed mommapeas incredibly... her absence was a reminder of just how much we're missing. It was this event last year that marked a new beginning, or maybe a turning point, for us (Have you seen our site??!!). A season changing is always so cleansing to me, and Fall is my favorite. Being in the same place and taking a little mental stock of where we are now and how we got there was perfect for appreciating my wonderful friends and their talents.
My kiddos, of course! I had a few days of reflection on my parenting and my lack of patience lately. I was getting upset over things that shouldn't matter. I started noticing the kids being in bad moods and I was feeling so negative, so I stopped. Simple as that. And we are all appreciating one another more than ever. My kids' personalities are cracking me up, they're learning so much and they're so brilliant.
And Husband will be home tonight and I plan to enjoy his abilities. Sorry, I can't resist a good sex joke.
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