what i know for sure: working mom edition

 

What I know for sure now that I am working.

 

I feel guilty.  A lot.

And behind.

And tired.

 

My house isn't even close to clean.

It is tidy.

But not clean.

This bothers me.

 

The commute isn't all that bad.

Thank goodness for spotify.

Loving Turning Page right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYzM6vSmb1A

 

Fireplaces should be at all work places.

I mean, seriously, how cozy is this?

 

 

Having a husband who can brush her hair and get her to school looking respectable helps.

A lot.

 

I have a new found respect for all the moms that did this before me.

And even more for the ones who do it alone.

 

It is fun to get all gussied up every day.

I'm not gonna lie.

 

It's a good change.

Needed.

 

Yep.

It's what I know for sure.

 

 

 

 

 

 



dear 16 year old tia

Dear 16 year old Tia,

 

You don't know me yet, but you will, sooner than you think.

 

I am you.

All grown up.

 

I thought I would write you this little note to tell you a few things.

Cause, you know, I've been there.

And I know all about your hopes and dreams.

And I know how unsure of yourself you are.

 

Ok.

Where shall we start?

 

Let's begin with the easy stuff:

 

Stop double cuffing your t-shirts.

 

You look like a dork.

 

Study more.

 

You are way too social.

I know you are doing fine is school.

But seriously, put forth a little more effort.

Who knows where it might take you.

 

For the love, wear sunscreen.

 

My 35 year old self just discovered an age spot on my hands.

Not cool.

So lather up, buttercup.

 

Learn to walk in high heels.

 

Just trust me on this one.

 

Ok, onto tougher subjects:

 

Be nicer to your friends.

 

I know you think you are, but you don't spend near enough time with them.

I know you are a solitary sort, but trust me, girlfriends are important.

I have the best ever now, so trust me on this one.

 

Grow a pair, sister.

 

Seriously.

You are such a baby!

Do all the things you want to do, but are so afraid you are going to fail at.

Go out for the cross country team.

Ask that cute boy out.

Wear the sweater you like, even though a certain friend called it hideous.

Party.  Just once.  Have a beer for crying out loud.  Because of you I can barely tolerate it today.

Study Literature and Writing in college.

Or Business.

Or Library Science.

 

You won't do this one, but I thought it was worth a shot.

I know you don't know what you want to do, but don't pick Health Science.

It will get you nowhere.

 

Now for the most important stuff:

 

When Chris asks you to dance, DO IT.

 

It will be the single best decision you ever make in your whole life.

I know you just got your heart broken for the first time.

I know it just about the last thing you want to do,

but do it.

I mean it.

This is serious.

You will fall in love so hard with him, your head will spin.

And he will make you happy at 16.

And 24.

And 35.

And he will give you a beautiful daughter.

 

Leave Parker.

 

I know it is your home.

I know the thought of leaving is terrifying.

But it is the second most important decision you will ever make.

And trust me, you need this.

Everything will be fine.

People won't forget you.

And you have no idea the joy that awaits you in the world.

There are people out there waiting to love you and show you things you will never learn if you stay.

 

Spend time with your mother.

 

As much as you possibly can.

Hug her all the time and tell her you love her.

When she wants to teach you how to make dumplings, stop rolling your eyes and pay attention.

When she asks you to take a walk, get off your butt and go.

When she wants to teach you to sew, learn.

Don't talk back.

Help her clean the house.

Ask all the embarrasing questions.

You don't have as much time with her as you thing you do.

Make every single second count.

You will miss her someday.

Even though it doesn't seem like it now.

 

So there.

I guess that is about it.

I know I sound all old and stodgy.

I can't help it.

I am 35.

Ancient in your eyes.

 

Do all the things I mentioned and you will have no regrets.

Well, not many, anyway.

 

I love you.

Take care of yourself.

 

Tia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



the last few weeks in a nutshell

 I swore my new job wouldn't stop me from blogging.

 

Then I started working.

 

Wow.

 

Where does the time go?

 

Anyhoo,  here's what's been happening the last few weeks.

 

We swung.

(see above)

 

We crafted.

 We breakfasted.

 We got Pocohantas's autograph.

 We hayrode.

 We met these geesy girls.

 We rolled down hills.

 We had surgery.

 We recovered.

 We caught up on homework.

 We watched Jeff (hunk!) Probst.

 We took our pictures before school.

And there is the last few weeks in a nutshell.

 

 

Some notes:

 

Ellie had a phylomatrixoma on her chest.

Sounds scary.

It's not.

It was basically a big ol' ball of calcified hair follicle cells that became a painful bump on her chest.

 

We went in.

We went under.

I had a heart attack waiting for her to get out of surgery.

She came out.

She is fine.

And mad as a hornet that she can't do the monkey bars for 6 weeks.

Seriously.

It's like it never happened.

Never any pain, really.

God is good.

 

As for survivor...

I am pulling for Blair and the sex therapist.

and maybe Kent.

and maybe the cool girl with short blond hair.

 

How bout that?

I mentioned God and a sex therapist in the same post.

Random.

 

I just realized that last paragraph sounded so corny.

But I am too punch drunk tired to care.

So what you read is what you get.

hoosier kitty

Hoosier

Sept 2000 - Sept 2012

 

She wasn't a lover.

She was enormous.

She shed like crazy.

People were scared of her.

 

But she was my very first baby.

And I loved her fiercely.

 

I got her in Virginia.

I had her before I had even been there for 2 weeks.

 

I was lonely.

She was my first Virginia friend.

And for that I will be ever grateful.

 

You will be missed Hoosier kitty.

 



this weekend in photos and a special announcement

We had a jam packed weekend.

So we fueled up with some pancakes.

 We sent Paige some pictures of the books we wanted for Christmas.

 Cause she always gets us books.

 We cuddled with our boy.

 We celebrated a 50th birthday.

 We drew a turtle.

 We took a bike ride.

 We were in an egg race.

(Came in third.)

 And we celebrated this little girls first birthday.

It was a good weekend for all of those things.

 

But mostly it was a good weekend because I became an aunt!

 

Emerson Quinn was born on Friday night.

 

 

I personally think she is the cutest, sweetest, niece ever born in the whole wide world.

And we adore her already.

 

Welcome to the world little girl.

i don't even know what to title this one

Went home this weekend.

 

 

Have I mentioned I love Linda's front porch?

 

 

These horses are seriously less a block away from my childhood home.

In town.

Is that even allowed?

And if it is, where the heck were they when all I thought about was horses?

Seriously??

 

I could go on and on about all that is troubling me lately.

And there is A LOT.

But I don't think I will.

I am not in a pity party kind of mood.

 

 

Instead I will just tell you about how sexy my husband is looking.

Holy shit balls.

(and yes, it is swear worthy.  I don't like to swear on here, but sometimes it is just necessary.)

He is a fine speciman.

Lost all kinds of weight.

The bonus to this, besides being all swoonworthy, is that I have inadvertantly been along for the ride.

All of a sudden, we are both all healthy and stuff.

It's a good place to be.

 

We met baby Henry this weekend.

My cousin Lori and her partner Dawn adopted him.

He is half white/half black.

And GORGEOUS.

I am not sure I have ever met a cuter kid.

What is it about mixing the races that makes such cute babies?

Bout time we added some color to this family!

 

Welcome Henry!

And, as a ps, I found out my neighbor growing up reads my blog.

I don't think of grown neighbor men when I write a lot of these posts.

Like writing about skinny dipping or other embarrasing or female things...

 

Hi Clyde!

Hope you are feeling better!