Virtual Coffee

Hello, all!!! Isn't it a lovely (but, holy crap, so windy!!) day?

Let's drink some virtual coffee and chit chat about our week!

Well, spring break is here for Ebeth. She has 2 full weeks off and so far has spent them building forts with Julia, frolicking outside and asking to help out in the kitchen. Oh, and laying around reading. I love that kid.

We've been working on how to interact more positively with Julia lately. You see, my children are polar opposites. They have different needs and likes and wants and sometimes this makes it hard for them to interact together. The 5.5 year age difference doesn't always help either. Julia likes to show Elisabeth she wants her attention by trying to tackle her or by grabbing what is in Elisabeth's hand and running away with it or by following Ebeth around making obnoxious noises. Elisabeth's reaction to all of this is freak the eff out and panic or whine or yell "Stop it, Julia" until my ears bleed. Julia likes big hugs and lots of touching. Elisabeth is like me and prefers the hugging and touching be done on her own terms. All of these opposites makes for a lot of sibling bickering.

So, I sat down with Elisabeth yesterday and brainstormed (this would be after I lost my shit and did some screaming and asking of the children to leave my eyesight until I could calm down). We talked about how when Julia is being pesty, a lot of the time she just wants some attention. We discussed how to handle Julia's need to play rough and our tone of voice when Julia starts getting annoying. It's a topic we talk about a lot, but hopefully this time it'll help with the yelling. (Please let it help with the yelling...)

Sigh...parenting.

So, this giant tumbleweed came by to visit us this weekend.
Evan was so happy to see it.
Spring is very windy around here and besides lovely visits from massive tumbleweeds, it kind of makes it hard to play outside. Julia really wanted to blow bubbles yesterday, but since it was hard for her to stand up straight without the wind trying to knock her down, we may have to wait a few days for that outside toy.

Well, we have lots of plans for today. A trip to the Y and the post office and some playing that needs our attention. Thanks for stopping by and we'll see you soon!!!

Evan's parents will be here Saturday and the girls are counting down the days. They have both decided that a zoo visit is a must and who am I to argue? :)

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

It is Scavenger Hunt Sunday!

Let's see what I found this week:

1. CAMERA PHONE

2. CAMERA
3. SHOES

4. CHAIR

5. IMPERFECTION

Go check out other people's finds at Ashley's Ramblings and Photos and I'll see you next week!

Born to Run.

My lovely friend, Paige, loaned me this book--Born to Run by Christopher McDougall--when I told her about some of my health goals for this year. Paige is a runner (she's run a marathon!) and she knows full well that I am not, but she told me that this book is very inspiring and after reading it, I just might want to give running a chance.

I started this book last night before bed. I am almost done with it as I type this.

I also jog/walked today.

Paige was absolutely right. I don't know if you have ever read this book, but if you have not please please please find it and read it immediately. Even if you have no plans whatsoever of running, this book is an amazing read. McDougall tells about his search for a tribe in Mexico's Copper Canyon that has been elusive to outsiders for generations now, but are very well known for being the best endurance runners ever. McDougall tells his story and that of many well known runners (well, I assume they are well known because I actually know nothing about running, so this is all new to me) and how they came to be the super athletes that they are today.

I am completely captivated by this book and am going to peer pressure others to read it as well just for the story of the Tarahumara Indians of Copper Canyon, Mexico alone. It is fascinating!

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go finish my book and then plan on running a little more tomorrow.

Emotions.

Today, there was snow on the ground when I woke up. Not something I was expecting to see.

But, as my friend Kim pointed out to me, despite the snow, it smelled like spring.

It did. I huffed the smell as deeply as I could. I lovelovelove the smell of spring.

Then, I decided maybe I shouldn't complain about the snow because after this spring, I'm not sure when I will see snow again because in a little more than 4 months we'll be moving to Texas. And Texas, I hear, doesn't usually get snow. Especially in San Antonio.
Then I got to thinking about how they won't have mountains in Texas either. Ugh. I will miss mountains. Who knew I needed them so much? Or that I'd fall in love with them so completely.
And besides the mountains, we have a lovely life here with wonderful people and a routine we love. Plus, I know my way around town! I like the library district and the Y. I have a fantastic book club. I have friends that I love and know me so well that sometimes we don't even need words to communicate. They can just raise an eyebrow and I know they're thinking that I may be a bigger nerd than they originally thought, but they still love me. They'll just mock me for a while before reminding me that they still love me despite my dorkiness. Oh, and there are also the mountains. Have I mentioned them yet?
So many thoughts run through my mind when I think about moving to Texas. And I know I'm going to cry like a baby when we move. I've already warned Evan. Elisabeth was relieved when I said that because she said she knows she's going to cry too. And that's ok. It's ok to prepare ourselves for how sad we will be when we move because this place will have been home for over two years when we move. We're happy here.
But, there is a lot waiting for us in Texas. My sister Terra is waiting patiently for us to move. She is so excited to see her nieces on a regular basis in a way she hasn't been able to in 6 years. There are new libraries for us to visit, new parks and trails for us to explore. New schools, restaurants, stores, museums, and YMCAs to visit.

We're excited and impatient and nervous and scared and just a whole jumble of emotions about this upcoming move.

All emotions that are a part of an adventure, which is what this all still is to us.

Virtual Coffee

Good morning!!

I'm still nursing my second cup of coffee, even though I made the coffee 3 hours ago. But, I've been doing laundry and paying bills and just catching up on my house/life/family that I haven't just sat down and enjoyed anything longer than a sip of coffee at a time. Good thing you came over to slow me down.

If we were really having coffee today, I'd tell you I'm skipping yoga today. I know, I feel kind of bad about it, but I have a lot to do this morning and something had to be skipped. We're still going to go so I can get some treadmill time in, but I will miss my yoga.
I've decided to give Elisabeth more kitchen chores when it's time to cook. She and Julia usually set the table, but I think it's time that Elisabeth learn more about how the cooking part works. I've decided to put her in charge of the side dishes at supper time. We eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, so it'll be mainly opening cans and warming things on the stove, but everyone has to start somewhere. Plus, she's really interested in cooking, so this'll give her a chance to feel like she's helped create a feast (as she likes to call meals where every dish is something she loves). I told her about my plan last night and she was very excited.

I'm sure if you were here drinking coffee with me, you'd hear Julia ask me if it's a swim lesson day. The girl who used to cry at the thought of having to go to swim lessons is now begging us daily to attend. It took her a month or so, but she's finally used to the idea of having her teacher point her out in class and talking to her and of having lots of people in the water with her. Her teacher has told Evan that Julia's great in the water, which we already knew. She's been in a pool since she was a month old. She loves going under water and blowing bubbles and whatnot. She just hated the formality of a class. Now? She's a natural student.


Tonight is book club and I'm excited. I recommended this book (Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin) and can't wait to see what people have to say about it. I loved it but I know not everyone will, which is why I love book club. I like seeing how so many people read the same exact words and yet have completely different takes on the book. It's fun and sometimes frustrating, but that can make it even more fun at times.

Ok. I have errands to run and miles to walk today. Plus, I think there might be a baby who needs some holding today. I'm always willing to hold a baby!!!

Thanks for stopping by. If you need another cup and some more chit chat, go and visit the lovely Amy at Lucky Number 13.

Pictureless.

So, I am waiting for more storage space to appear for me to be able to post more pictures on this blog. I have unsuccessfully tried to buy more storage twice. This is my third attempt. I am kind of perturbed. If you can help guide me at all, I'd appreciate it greatly.

I have been super twitchy without my blogging. I have pictures to share with you all!!! But, for now, you will just have to make due with my ramblings.

Working out thoughts:

-I get most concerned when the person on the treadmill beside me decides to run at a speed too quick for their running abilities. You know--that one person who's going waaaaay too fast and holding on the to sides of the treadmill as they try to stay upright while running? Yeah, I had one of those guys next to me today. I was nervous the entire time he was next to me.

-It makes me uncomfortable because I have to sit there and give myself a pep talk about how I will handle the situation when he falls face first into his treadmill. I need to brace myself for this occurrence (because it will happen!) and not freak out and fall off of my own treadmill or scream or try to instinctively catch this idiot who can not regulate a proper running speed. It's stress I don't need while losing the poundage.

-Why do some people insist on talking to the person they're running next to? First off, no one knows what you're huffing and puffing (which you deem to be words). Secondly, why do you think the person next to you is an any shape to hold a conversation? Can't you see how red his/her face is? They're just trying not to die, please don't rattle on about your dog's pooping habits. Also, if you have to yell to be heard, then a conversation at the Y while running on a treadmill is probably not the best place to be discussing whatever it is you need to discuss so badly.

-Someone tell me why boys where t-shirts that are torn from their shoulder to their waist? It obviously used to be a t-shirt. I understand you cut the sleeves off (sleeves can be cumbersome) but why did you tear off the piece of clothing that covers your torso? Why wear a shirt at all? And don't they sell tank top equivalents in the mens' department of sports stores? I don't understand! I try, but...I just don't understand.

Parenting thoughts:

-Why do I have to repeat myself so much? Do I speak a language unknown to my own children?

-Does every parent dream of the day that their kids will be fully independent and no longer leeches on their hips but then sob like a baby when they actually pronounce the word "banana" correctly or grow out of their clothes and into an almost junior size of clothing?

-If I create a kid pick-up similar to garbage pick-up, where you put your kid on the curb and a large truck comes and collects them and brings them back in a week better than when the child left, how many millions of dollars will I make?

Everyday thoughts:

-I don't like gum. Ew.

-I need to vacuum my car. And wash it. And reorganize the inside of it. And clean Julia's car seat. Maybe tomorrow. Probably not.

-I hate missing socks. I'm going to go and throw away every lonely sock as soon as I'm done blogging. They are taking over my life and I feel way too much pressure to find their other half. I'm not a flipping matchmaker! Give it up, lone socks!

I will try to post pictures soon. Hopefully.

10 on 10: March

Ten on Ten!

I'm sooooo late, but I had picture storage issues with blogger and now they're fixed so I can now show you my day! From last Thursday! Whoohoo!!!