Words

Recently I have started making a list of words that I find beautiful.  Yes, I have an actual list of words and I add too it whenever I hear a word that strikes me.  It is one of the joys of having Evernote on my phone and a penchant for list making.  I can make meaningless lists whenever I want! 

Aren't you lucky, because I am going to share some of my favorite words with you.  I can tell you can't wait. Be sure to say or at least think them out loud because they are my favorite due to the way they sound and roll off the tongue. 

Adulation

Alfalfa

Flummoxed

Contiguous

Moxie 
Pugnacious
Encyclopedia
Calendar
Eclectic
Cerulean 

What are some of your favorite words? Don't be shy, I know you have a favorite.  Please share.

Also, if you don't use Evernote I highly recommend it.  This is just my opinion because I love a good list, and I am in no way affiliated with or compensated by Evernote for saying this.  Evernote is just a lovely little tool to enable my CDO* and it is right at my fingertips everywhere I go.  Yay!

*"CDO is just like OCD except in alphabetical order the way it should be!"

Girlyfight

Today I am posting as a contributor over on Girlyfight about working toward a goal and finding a dream in the process.  Please take a moment to check it out and maybe leave a comment.  (hint. hint.)

Also, if you are so inclined, check out Girlyfight's weekly prompt for a little creative motivation and support from a wonderful group of women. 

Bits-and-Pieces

1.  I saw a little finch hopping around in the grass while on my lunch hour today.  He reminded me of these four finches we had at pets when I was younger.  My mom let my brother and I keep the cage in our shared bedroom.  I don't recall how old my brother was but I think he was probably about 4 and that would mean I was about 9.  We still had not named them yet and one of the birds didn't fancy my little brother poking his grubby finger in the cage and would peck at him.  So my brother decided he should be named "Pecker." My mom quickly vetoed that idea and if I recall correctly the four finches were names after the Ghostbusters instead.  Weird how odd memories gets stirred up like that.

2.  September is the month of surgery in my little world.  My dad is currently recovering from hernia surgery from yesterday, and my husband is due for shoulder surgery on the 30th.  I guess that means that October will be the month of healing around these parts as well. 

3.  Last week we consolidated our credit card debits and will have them paid off in five years!  This is one of the biggest items on my Life List and I am happy to say that we are finally making a very large leap in progress to this goal.  Ultimately in five years we will have our cars and credit card debit paid off, hopefully leaving room for us to buy a camper so we can go camping anytime we want! 

4.  Tonight my shows start back up again and I am excited to have something to look forward to each week.  Again this year the only two shows that I really want to watch are on two different networks on the same day and time slot! Go figure.  So I will either watch Glee and watch NCIS online later or watch NCIS and watch Glee online later.  Either way I am happy to see them both back on the air again.  There are so many other shows out there that look good but I am determined to limit myself so that I don't end up wasting valuable time watching TV that I could use for sewing.

5.  I remember tales of what my parents first dog would do while they were away at work.  They talked of the dread coming home knowing they would find some new mess made by the dog.  I'm getting a little taste of that myself these days.  Now that Mason and Eddie have fully bonded as brothers they have started getting into trouble together.  Today I came home to find they managed to get a package of hotdog buns, rip it open and eat 4 1/2 of the remaining buns.  They were kind enough to leave me half a bun on the living room floor, you know, so they didn't seem too greedy.  Those little shits!  Good thing they are really cute and snugly or they would be pug-sausage!

Weekend Review

This past weekend, I did pretty much nothing.  I didn't go out. We didn't do anything special at home.  I didn't even take one single picture.  I read a little and took Ian to the park to play once.  Other than that...nothing.

(At this point you are probably wondering how I can do a weekend review when I did nothing at all.  That's OK, I would probably be wondering too if I was in your shoes.) 

This weekend of doing nothing reminded me of something...something important.  We all really need a true break once in a while.  A time to do nothing and have it be OK. 

There were lots of things I probably could have, or even should have, done this weekend, but because my allergies were making me feel crappy I decided to just rest.  The sky didn't come crashing down because my house didn't get clean, or because I didn't do all the dishes.  Life didn't end when I didn't sew a new item for my Etsy shop.  My friends are still my friends even though I hid inside instead of going out with them. 

All was well, and so was I because I took the time to rest and feel better.

I think that do nothing weekends need to happen more often. 

The A to Z of Me

I saw this meme on Liz's blog and it tickled my fancy so I thought I would give it a go.

A. Age: 33
B. Bed size: King.
C. Chore that you hate: Washing dishes, it isn't so much the actual washing them but more the getting started that I hate.  Also, cleaning up after the dogs is gross and I hate dealing with their waste.
D. Dogs: Make great snuggles buddies, at least my two dogs do!  (In spite of their messes, see above.)
E. Essential start to your day: Brushing my teeth. I loathe the feeling of morning mouth.
F. Favorite color: amber yellow (for now anyway)
G. Gold or Silver: Gold, it just looks better on my skin tone.
H. Height: 5’5″
I. Instruments you play: I don't really play any instruments.
J. Job title: Sr. Specialist / Telecommunications Representative
K. Kids: I have one miracle, Ian!  I would love to have another child but my gut tells me we were really lucky to have him and to not expect him to have a younger sibling.  Maybe one day we can afford to adopt another baby.  
L. Live: Mid-Michigan
M. Mother’s name: Shirley
N. Nicknames: Lin, Minda, Mom, Mama, wife (Chris is the only one to call me wife, obviously.)
O. Overnight hospital stays: Only when I gave birth to Ian, and almost one time when I have super sick while pregnant but they let me go home in the middle of the night.
P. Pet peeves: People who say "I seen..." and "axe" instead of "ask." Also, when people put trash down next to the trash can but not actually IN the trash can. 
Q. Quote from a movie: “Just keep swimming" - Finding Nemo
R. Right or left handed: Righty.
S. Siblings: I have an older sister and a younger brother.
U. Underwear: I like the term underwear better than panties.
V. Vegetable you hate: Onions! They are yucky slimy things.
W. What makes you run late: Life in general. There is so much I have to do to get the family out the door in the mornings and prep the dogs for the day that I am usually rushing around even when I get up extra early.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: More than I could possibly recall but a few instances are: I broke my right big toe, the bone at the tip  broke clean in half when I tripped trying to keep Ian from rolling off the bed.  I have also had multiple x-rays related to sinus issues, and kidney stones.  I cut up my left hand when the glass broke on our backdoor one winter.  It cut the tendons in my thumb and index finger in addition to many stitches. 
Y. Yummy food that you make: Jumbo Meatballs, they are the size of your fish and filled with cheese. 
Z. Zoo animal: Giraffes are my favorite.  There is a zoo in Battle Creek Michigan that I want to go to some day, because they let you feed giraffes.  That would be amazing!

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I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about me; if you play along link up in the comments so I can learn the ABC’s of you!

Weekend Review

We had a really lovely weekend. My parents came to stay Friday night and stayed until Saturday evening.  They got to spend some good quality time with Ian.  Chris worked hard on clearing away all the brush from when we trimmed the trees, and then helped our friend Dan do the same.  While the guys worked, I watched Isabelle and my folks got to hang out and witness Ian spending a day with his friend. 

I worked on making some fall leaf garlands for my living room windows to dress things up for fall.  I was so excited to be able to pull my pumpkin collection back out for the season. 




My dad is so very indulgent of Ian.  Ian wanted him to wear the cowboy hat, and so he did for quite a while, until Ian wanted it back.  Note how it is covered in dog fur and is getting all ragged.  It is one well worn and well loved little hat. 




While Isabelle was over I brought out the tent and tunnel for them to play with because it is a favorite.  They sure to enjoy chasing each other around and through the tunnel. 




Ian put on a show for us all with his tumbling skills, throwing himself across the room and doing backwards somersaults off the couch. 




On Sunday Dan and Chantel had us over for a yummy dinner of Mexican lasagna, and then Chantel watched Ian for a while so Chris and I could go do some uninterrupted work around the house.  I worked on painting Ian's bedroom door, that Chris cut off so it will shut properly.  Chris worked on getting the old snow blower up and running.  We traded the old snow blower for a mattress set so we wanted to get it in tiptop shape before delivering it to its new owners, Dan and Chantel.  Ian got to play and have craft time with Isabelle.  They decorated door hangers for their bedrooms.  Ian hung his in the living room while he is without a door.  Hopefully I will finish painting it tonight!

Finally, I wanted to mention a little update about my Etsy shop...I had my first two sales!  Now I need to work on some new products and advertising.  It is so exciting having a good reason to sew.  Last week I worked on a non-Etsy order to make curtains for Isabelle's bedroom.  I was happy with the way they turned out and decided to put on my list of things to go making some curtains my my room as well to brighten it up a little. 

I hope you all have a good week. 

Six Word Saturday

One decade: still feels like yesterday.

Being Ian

I thought I would give an update on a few little things that made me smile about Ian.

He repeats things from movies all the time.
"Oh Yeah!" from Despicable Me's "bad guy" Vector.
"MA Ma MAAA! Crunchy creamy cookie candy cupcake." vocal exercises used by Rango
"I have eyes that can see through lead" as sung by Metro Man from Megamind

Ian loves to sing, especially when he knows the words.  His favorite is Twinkle, Twinkle and he does in fact know most of the words.  Color me impressed...and melting.

Cowboy hats go with everything and should be worn for all occasions, including bedtime.  Also, you cannot watch the movie Rango without a cowboy hat on and a rocking recliner "horse" to ride.

While out on a daddy/son shopping trip Ian exclaimed as they passed a McDonalds, "Cookies. Chocolate milk. I need them."  He has been using the word "need" ever since for things he wants really badly.  For the record, yes he did get the cookie and chocolate milk he needed so badly.  Who can resist someone so cute?

Ian pretends to fart on me and thinks it is hilarious.

Ian has been helping with dinner now and then.  Chris likes to have Ian help him make potatoes and I always get him help to shuck the corn then we have it on the cob. Ian thinks shucking corn is the most fun and amazing task ever. I love seeing him gasp when he peels back the final layer that reveals the corn. It is like it surprises him every time.  The help is pretty much awesome too!

He love pumpkins but occasionally slips and calls them "penguins." I brought him one that is made of foam and is meant to be carved like a real pumpkin.  He filled it with little toy cars through the hole in the bottom that you put the flickering fake candle into.  I suppose it makes a clever little parking garage.

Ian will chant "open the door" until I unlatch the safety gate by our front entrance.  Then he will rush the front door and unlock and open it himself.  He looks so proud to be able to do such a big kid task himself.  Good thing for that gate still being a deterrent for him or I would have to add another deadbolt at the top of the door to keep Ian from slipping out whenever he felt like it.

I remember my mom telling me about how one of her favorite things about little kids is when they pat you.  Now I really know what she meant by that.  Ian will come up and just pat my shoulder, and you can just feel the love zapping through him to me with each little pat.  Sometimes when I get upset he will tell me "its ok Mom" and give me a few little pats.  Yes Ian, as along as you are with me everything is ok.

Last night it slipped me mind that Chris headed out for a walk.  Realizing he wasn't around I assumed he just went to the bathroom.  So when Ian asked after his dad, I told him he was probably in the potty.  Ian looked at me like I was losing it and said "no, he went for walk."  My kid is already smarter than I am. Send help.

You all know that you can get hugs and kisses, but what you may not know is there are times that you much both hug and kiss.  Ian calls those a "hugkiss."  When he drop him off at day care he always asks for a "hugkiss" and he will usually demand one from someone at day care for before leaving for the day.  He is so affectionate!  They actually are trying to train him at day care to kiss on the cheek because he insists on kissing everyone on the lips.  Hopefully he will be use to cheek kisses before the cold and flu stuff starts up this year.

Having a son makes my life so complete.  How did I live so long without all the sweet silliness above in my life? 

Six Word Saturday

I love me a long weekend!

(Apparently I also love improper grammar in the interest of meeting a six word limit.) 

Chop Chop

I have been growing my hair out for quite some time now.  However, I can't really remember why I decided to grow it out anymore, long hair just isn't working for me.  I kept hoping that I could style it in some fun way, like with braids or a nice twist for at work.  It never worked out and looked awful with all those little new growth hairs sticking out every which a way.

So yesterday I walked into the salon and when she asked me how to cut my hair I told her to make it look nice and that I see a lot of angled bobs I like so something like that would work in whatever length would look best for my head shape.  She was reluctant at first but got to chopping way after me assuring her I change my hair a lot and I'm not scared of chopping off lots of inches at once and she is the expert on hair not me.  

So yesterday I went from this (please disregard the horrible bathroom light and the fact that I still look like I am asleep):

To this:

I feel more like me than I have in months!  What was I waiting for?  Thank you nice hair lady for making my hair look nice again!