Blog Reading

Thirteen years ago I started writing a blog.

10 years ago I started printing them and creating books. When I stopped writing and 2017, I switched over to Instagram primarily and began publishing the books that I was creating in cyberspace.

Three separate times this weekend I have found my children finding the box, and scrolling through their lives. It was exactly what I hoped would happen all those years ago when the words started coming out of my mouth.

Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's not entirely as I had hoped, my wish was that Covid was gone by now and that we could I'll be back around my table. But that's just not the case and I'm so proud of the entire family for adjusting and adapting appropriately. I would rather have us all here next year then to rush something this year.

That being said, it certainly didn't feel exactly like the thanksgivings I'm used to. There's supposed to be cacophony. 

There is supposed to be mashed potatoes overflowing and mountains of gravy and lots of laughs and way too many dishes.

And magically with a snap of a finger, people drift back out with promises and longing for the next year.

Alas, it was just my parents this year. But the best part was the ability to make dinner for my cousin who is working his tail off keeping people healthy. The front line teams in the hospitals deserve so much love.

And we will have next year. And there will be more turkeys and more laughs. 

And yes, even more dishes. 

And I will rejoice and be glad. 

Memories that Leak

 There was a little meme the other day about tears....tears are just memories that leak down your cheek.

It was sweet.

And I thought of it this morning as my eyes began to leak.

Because I was cutting onions! But oh the memory that came back. I think I was pregnant with Alex. Mom, Dad, Hubs and I took a road trip to Lexington, KY to pick up a dresser that was my grandparents. It was destined for Goodwill, and I wasn't going to have that. So - off we went.

Others were there - my aunt and uncle, some cousins - and I was in charge of making something for dinner that had to do with cutting onions.

This is about the time where cooking shows on cable TV really took off. And as a nesting, pregnant lady, I watched a lot of them.

Ina Garten, you have my heart.

Anyway - I got to chopping onions. My uncle, one to offer thoughts and advice, came to share a tidbit he had seen on TV. Alas, it was the same tip I already knew, so I was on the case. And I remember thinking it was fun to know something already.

Probably rude of me to think that. I didn't say anything to him but "yes, thank you!"

But every time I cut an onion, I think of that moment and laugh.

Monday's Back

 ...Back again.

I asked it not to - but it returned.

And we hit the morning running with Bub's IEP meeting with his teacher and SpEd team to come up with the next iteration of ways to support our sweet boy as he preps for Middle School.

Say whaaaaa?

Middle School.

He's got acne at times, he's smelly at times. He eats me out of house and home.

But he's still my tender-hearted, sweet faced boy. The kid who owns the title of making me a mom.

For the first time in 10 years, he joined in our IEP meeting. He is interested in knowing why we're talking about him and what his benchmarks are. I commend him for being grown up about the situation. We felt that if he knew the why behind the reason he gets pulled out occasionally, he might be more apt to doing the work we're all asking of him. It's a hope at least. And he's willing to try.

I'll take it.

Sweet Bubba of mine.

A Good Laugh

 I won't be able to type it out with as much gusto as my daughter delivered it....

....but she found a small stash of wrapped presents in the basement.

To her credit, they aren't hidden, and they are wrapped and labeled. If she ran across them, I wouldn't mind and I wonder what she might do.

This morning, she came in to the room for a morning snuggle. Still a blessed, loved occurrence even if she's almost 10. We chat about things while she wakes up and often think about big things. Today's topic: do you want one large (expensive) Christmas gift that will cover your birthday and Christmas...because you're getting to that age where that's totally fine. Or, do you want to skip that- save up your own money and end up getting a few more things under the tree or by your cake.

You could see the wheels turning.

She still waffles about volume vs value. And this is totally expected. It's hard at that age.

Which is why I have been insanely careful to be purposeful about gifts, numbers, value, etc. All good learning lessons developed over time.

She couldn't make up her mind.

Which is probably half the reason I had some presents already wrapped. Just because you're going to get one big thing if you go that route doesn't mean that you won't get a few extra smaller things - and you've got loads of family who still want to help you check things off your list.

But when you can't see things, it's hard when you're 9.

Alas, on her own, about an hour after we chatted - she found the small pile. Just four each per kid - jammies, socks, hair ties, etc. Nothing glamorous, but still fun. Except one larger box. That's really heavy. It's a ginormous blow up llama to play on at Grandma's lake. It's 5 feet tall and the box weighs a good 4lbs. 

Up she comes.... I SEE PRESENTS!!! AND THERE'S A BIG ONE.

AND.

IT'S.

FOR.

MEEEEEE!

Loud and proud. I just laughed. I shrugged and said "we'll see!"

Trust me when I say we are going to get to the reason for the season, God's faithfulness through this crappy pandemic, giving to others, being grateful for what we have, etc. 

I've got a long list of bubblegum mindset skills to work on in the next 30ish days.

But today - when you find you're still getting a big, heavy box and your heart is full of joy. Go ahead and do the fist pump touchdown dance of joy.

Knock yourself out, kid.

What a Shower Will Do

My friend, WK, keeps sending me things, and I do the same for her. Random notes of encouragement that speak to us at any portion of the day. Yesterday's was a quick list of self-care options.

They all seemed quite obvious but it was more about giving yourself permission to do things… She will tell you that hers is to take a nap! Oddly enough, mine is to take a shower. Something about hot water and good music and being able to close the bathroom door on the world!

So I took the dog for a mile and a half walk this morning and decided to pop in the shower just to change the outlook on my day. I popped around to Justin Timberlake, even pulled out the curling iron for the first time in months.

Let me tell you, a little JT and some hot water does make the world a better place! I like it when my friends are onto something.

If you find me in the shower 27 times between now and December 1, don't be surprised! 

Planning Ahead

Covid doesn't let me plan for anything.

Nothing. Zip, zilch, zero...N.A.D.A.

And for the planner in me, that drives me nuts.

However, as Monty Python is always reminding me (always look on the bright side of life...sing with me now..) - I can find some sunshine in all the lemons of 2020.

Postal Service says Christmas packages might take longer this year? Plan ahead? Amazon shipping delays? Plan ahead?

THIS IS MY JAM!

So - I've spent the last week or so sorting out wish lists, snagging deals - and today, I wrapped some presents. Not all of them - but some. As next week Friday, we put the tree up - and I am a little giddy to torment my children for a full month by already having something for both of them under the tree.

And I'll get my two boxes off to their destinations. By using my eBay and PayPal account to pack, weigh and address at home - and then drop off at my local grocery story because they take packages, too.

Boom!

And I'll support some more small businesses this week for stocking stuffers...and and and.

Look at me, 2020 - I'm planning.

Take that!