But sometimes her wires are crossed
It’s been a long time since I’ve participated with Lotus’s Weekly Winners – mostly because life gets busy – and with summer I’ve had moments where I’ve felt uninspired – like I wasn’t always taking the kind of fun shots I like to take. Sigh. Anyway, here’s a small peek at my week.
Hi y'all.
1. Every Friday, I take my girls out for donuts on the way to school. It is a tradition we started over a year ago – it’s not our healthiest tradition, but, I find that I don’t even mind fueling their day with sugar one day a week. Sometimes in life we need those certainties, and once a week it’s FINE. BUT, tomorrow, Donut Day is even MORE official – tomorrow, June 3 is National Donut Day. Yes. So, you should virtually join us in celebrating by kick-starting your day tomorrow with a donut (The ONLY kind of donut I like is a glazed sour cream donut – in general, I find donuts to be kind of icky).
2. I’mma talk about the weather again. WHOOHOO for some spring weather today. It’s breezy – I’m wearing jeans and a long sleeve t and it is absolutely perfect. Y’all know, I’m not one for weather extremes. I give a big two thumbs DOWN to snow and to sweltering 90+ degree temps. When I can turn off the heat, the air conditioning and just open up a window and breathe in fresh air? Yeah, baby, that’s what I’m talkin’ about. Perfect. (Also, much much cheaper for the utility bill.)
3. Yesterday, I went to my neighbor’s house to chat – Pumpkin wanted to go say hi and frankly we needed to get out of the house. We stood in her driveway chatting for awhile before going into her garage. Her garage is amazing – filled with doodads, knicknacks and whoosywhatsits — she saves everything. I’m particularly in love with these jars.
4. Last night’s book club meeting resulted in me not really able to explain why I hadn’t enjoyed last month’t book (“The Postmistress” by Sarah Blake). I described it as tedious, but I think the story is one that could have been interesting… had it been told by a better writer. This month we’ll be reading Kathryn Stockett’s The Help
, er, or…the other ladies will be. I read it not too long ago, and while I really enjoyed the book, it’s just too soon to re-read.
5. A week from today, Pumpkin will be done with school. A week from tomorrow, The Princess will be. The summer looms large and empty in front of us. What will we do? Admittedly, this is the first summer I haven’t had been totally tied to my computer (seeing as how I’m still unemployed and all), but, also, I am without that paycheck (minor details). I think of the adventures we could go on, and then remember, huh, yeah. Um. Maybe we should try to do things a little bit more frugal-like (there go my dreams of water parks everyday).
6. Speaking of summer – do you travel? Do you actually take a summer vacation? This is the first year in a long time that we’ll actually venture outward – going to California for the first time in FAR TOO LONG. I don’t really know how to vacation. I hate that about myself.
7. I am about to venture into the world of diabetic baking – my mom, a recently diagnosed diabetic, needs a birthday cake. I found a recipe for an angel food cake that subs Splenda for regular ol’ granulated sugar. Now, I don’t have a problem with food with Splenda in it – though I know some people do, but I’m a little iffy on baking with it. Have you tried it? What do I need to know? Is this cake going to be gross?
8. My favorite app these days is the free Nike Training Club app – I know I’ve mentioned it before. When you don’t have a gym membership and you’ve got kids in the house, it’s nice to be able to do a full body workout with just a few pieces of equipment. Yesterday, I did a strength workout that had me doing squats and dead lifts. Today? I am FEELING IT. Muscle fatigue is the best. Really. Yes, I mean it.
9. I hate lunch. I have long ago decided that lunch is stupid because the last thing I feel like doing in the middle of the day (or, okay…pretty much EVER) is cook yet ANOTHER meal. While I’m a fan of REAL FOOD and not eating overly processed stuff, I picked up some vegetarian black bean burger things the other day. I’m not sure why – I’m not a vegetarian, I don’t even really eat burgers, and frankly? When I have made black bean burgers, they are WAY better than this. But…these are okay. I haven’t looked at the ingredient list (because surely I can’t pronounce half of the things on the list), but… I don’t care. A girl needs lunch, apparently. And a girl who doesn’t like to cook sometimes has fake lunch.
10. Another week of not buying much new music. I did pick up a few songs from the soundtrack to the musical Wicked. Not sure why, and I haven’t listened to them yet.
This is the first time I’ve actually entered an I Heart Faces challenge, though I always mean to and then realize too late that I missed the deadline. Queen of missing the boat, that’s me. But this week’s challenge is flowers and I LOVE TAKING PICTURES OF FLOWERS.
1. I took the kids to Barnes & Noble last week. After much hemming and hawing (and an epic shower of tears) in the store, The Princess opted for two books on cake and cupcake decoration. And so this week, she made a cake. Yesterday, the dog jumped on the counter and proceeded to eat half the cake. Thankfully, there was no chocolate in the cake and I talked to the vet who told me to watch for “GI upset” — but the darn dog didn’t seem upset at all. Not even a little bloated (NO FAIR! I’d have bloated if I ate half a cake). My upset kiddo decided, “Okay. Guess I need to make another one.” So she did. Yep. I have a baker.
2. Though the weather in Michigan has been sporadic and we have had snow as recently as this Monday, I have been getting kind of tired on Pumpkin’s insistence on wearing her snowboots every day and everywhere. I’d tell her to wear her regular shoes. She’d whine. So… I hid the boots. I know, in the overall scheme of things, it’s not a huge deal but those boots have been through a lot and are looking kind of rough. They had to go.
3. This month’s book club selection is “Water for Elephants”. I’ve read it before, but loved it – which was why I didn’t mind the prospect of re-reading it…however… I’ve dropped the ball. I’ve been so busy lately that when I am reading, I want to read something NEW, not something I’ve already read – no matter how great it is. Here’s hoping next month’s selection is something different.
4. This week marks 21 years that I have lived in Michigan. Whee. Thanks, mom, for moving me to the land of never-ending winters. Eternally grateful I am. (Not so much)
5. Been spending a lot of time with the camera lately – in the past few weeks, I’ve done a few portrait sessions – and both have been such tremendously different experiences. Probably the most fun was photographing a two-year-old. I had FORGOTTEN just how high energy toddlers can be – I certainly got my workout chasing that little guy. On the contrary, when photographing a baby’s six-month shots last weekend, it wasn’t so much running around, it was clicking quickly before she tired of the experience. Every shoot is a different experience, and I’m really happy with the opportunities I’ve had and the photographs I’ve taken.
6. Tuesday evening, a friend was in town and she and I were able to catch up over dinner. We ended up talking so long the restaurant emptied around us. I ended up driving home in a tremendous rain storm – one that I might have avoided had I left the restaurant an hour earlier, but you know what? Sometimes you just need to sit down over dinner with people and talk and catch up and listen and just…chill out. It was super fun. Except the driving home part.
7. Guitar lesson today, we are keeping on with the Jack Johnson marathon with “Better Together”. Hey, Jack? You are wicked cute – but ix-nay on all the bar chords. I walked out of lesson pretty smiley and with this song stuck in my head.
8. Easter is this weekend. How do you celebrate, and more importantly are you Pro-Peep? Do you prefer the Cadbury egg? I have to say, I find Easter candy pretty disappointing in general.
9. There’s been a lot of new music in my ear but the most recent is Ingrid Michaelson’s “Parachute”. I love Ingrid.
10. It has been a crazy week with crazy deadlines and I feel like I’ve been barely hanging on. I’m getting things done. In some cases, it’s been a miracle. Ready for this week to be over. O – V – E – R.
1. As I type this, I’m on day three of antibiotics for a sinus infection that makes my head feel like it’s caving in. I have a pretty high pain threshold, but this? It’s misery. I am waiting for the medicine to kick in while trying to alleviate symptoms with Advil Cold & Sinus. Not working.
2. I actually started getting sick over the weekend while I was in Chicago. I had been looking forward to the trip for so long, to feel unwell at times while I was there was a bummer. I’m glad that the misery didn’t REALLY hit until I got home… because I love Chicago and I love to be happy while I’m there.
3. As a result of feeling rotten (are you detecting a theme, here?), my guitar lesson went HORRIBLY today. I could not get things together for the life of me. I finally told my teacher, “I hear what you’re doing, I understand what you’re saying, I just cannot do it right now.” It was a horrible feeling – this utter inability to figure out what I was doing and how to fix it. Anyway, still working on Jack Johnson’s “Banana Pancakes”.
4. As I type this, a lot of my favorite people are en route to New Orleans for a conference. Nope, not me. I’m bummed, but hope they have fun. I hope that their missing me doesn’t get in the way of enjoying themselves. *wink*
5. Martha Stewart has never had any reason to fear for her livelihood or fear that I would somehow take over her throne as domestic extraordinaire. Witness, a massive pile of laundry needing to be folded and the dishwasher I’m avoiding emptying. I can wash clothes all day – but folding it? UGH. Likewise, I don’t mind loading the dishwasher (Though frankly, I would prefer if the family helped out a little more in this arena) – but man, I really HATE to empty it.
6. New music this week… It’s invaded pop radio, but I like it anyway. This is the clean version of Pink’s “Perfect”.
7. The Princess was given a speaking part in the school play and doesn’t want to do it. It was a one-line role and she will automatically be in the play as a chorus part anyway. I declined on her behalf. Part of me thinks, It’s one line. I should have encouraged her to do it, but part of me just wants to respect that she doesn’t want to do it and that’s fine.
8. I feel like I should be emptying the dishwasher right now. Ugh.
9. We had 80 degree weather Sunday here in Michigan. Just one day and then it vanished. Now, 80 is hotter than I want it to be, but I’d sure love if it’d hit 60, 70… and stay for awhile.
10. I had the opportunity to shoot two year portraits yesterday and lemme just say… I had forgotten just how BUSY toddlers are. I spent a great deal of time running after that little dude. In the end, I got several shots that I’m very proud of. He’s adorable and so I knew I’d get some good ones – but BOY. I WAS TIRED when I was done.
1. It’s kind of fun to have spent a week on spring break so far and have my daughters decide that they will either be best friends or they will be snarling at each other throwing ‘bows. Admittedly, when they fight? I really REALLY hate that. The “she said THIS” and “she PUSHED ME” moments make me want to cry. And then… five minutes later they’re BFFs again. It’s really…tiring.
2. Katie’s LOVE DROP may be over, but I am still really loving the group and what they’re doing. This month, they’re helping the Kahlen Family – and to help them out, they’ve opened up a store on Etsy with some cool donated art stuff to help them out. Love it. If you are interested in purchasing some cool stuff, check it out. If you are an artist and want to donate, check out this link.
3. Sometimes I make myself laugh. I have no real NEED for an iPad 2. I have gadgets that do everything that the iPad does and yet… I still lust after technology. Part of me thinks, I can get the OLD iPad for crazy cheap now… I should just do it. I’m just a goof ball. I should probably focus on replacing this laptop first.
4. SPEAKING OF THIS LAPTOP… I finally replaced the battery because it hasn’t been able to hold a charge in like… forever. I’d unplug it to move it from one room to another and in that time, it would just decide, “Nope, that was enough. I’m tired now.” and the computer would shut down. Pffffffft. Fine, fine, fine. Battery replaced. Ouch.
5. I was supposed to do a portrait session for my cousin’s kiddo today. Little dude just turned two, and true to toddler nature, on picture day he bumped into something and goose-egged his forehead. So, I have the afternoon free of photo sessions. Honestly though, I was looking forward to it. Maybe next week.
6. Over the weekend, one of my favorite music-maker-y people, Chris Mann, posted that he had a new song available on iTunes. “Beautiful Life” is classic Chris – his voice gives me goosebumps – the good goosebumps. I have found this song stuck in my head repeatedly over the past week. I love the melody, and this song already has an absurdly high number of plays in my iTunes. Check it out.
7. My kids make lists of songs for me to download and make mix CDs for them with. My most recent list from Pumpkin included several Lady Gaga songs (My library now includes “Born This Way” which makes me want to scream. I do. not. like.) and The Princess just requested some Justin Bieber. Oh so fun.
8. Spring break means no guitar lesson this week. Sad face. You’d think I would practice anyway. Well, then you’d be wrong.
9. Once Pumpkin’s antibiotics were done, her fever and cough immediately rebounded. Would be nice if the doctor had called me back today as promised. *SIGH* Guess I’ll cross my fingers and hope to get a call back tomorrow.
10. I have a cake cooling on the counter. It’s funny how you wouldn’t think cake could talk and yet there it is down there, calling my name so softly, “Sarah… Sarah… You don’t even need to add any icing. Just tear off a piece and tryyyyy meeeeeeeee….” What? Your cakes don’t talk to you?
“All I know is, if you don’t figure out this something, you’ll just stay ordinary, and it doesn’t matter if its a work of art or a taco, or a pair of socks! Just create something… new, and there it is, and its you, out in the world, out side of you and you can look at it, or hear it, or read it, or feel it… and you know a little more about… you. A little bit more than anyone else does… Does that make any sense at all?”
-Holly, PS I LOVE YOU
One of the things you should know about me is that I watch cheesy movies when I’m on the treadmill. Now that winter has decided to revist Michigan, I’m back on the treadmill instead of out in the glorious sun. Instead of breathing in fresh air, I’m breathing in basement while watching corny Hillary Swank movies on DVD.
Tonight, I was watching PS I LOVE YOU (she’s married to the Irish guy, he dies of cancer, and arranges for her to get letters from him at various times after he’s died. Say it with me, one two three: Awwwwwww!). It gets to the scene where she’s in Ireland, his mother hands her a letter from him and he’s recounting in this letter the first time they met. First of all, true to rom-coms, they totally meet cute as Holly somehow manages to get lost in some scenic national park in the Ireland countryside (happens to the best of us, Holly). And as they walked together, she goes on this ramble about her future and her life and gives the above quote about tacos and creating stuff.
And then I almost fell off the treadmill.
(No. Not really. Not this time, anyway.)
This afternoon, I spent thirty minutes in my guitar lesson – and that thirty minutes was easily one of the brightest spots of my day. This morning, I went out in the backyard with the dog and took pictures of the snow and the sunshine and the sparkle of winter (I hate it, but sometimes it’s pretty).
And every time I visit one of my hobbies, one of my passions, one of the creative endeavors that keeps me from going completely insane (in my decidedly UNCREATIVE job), I feel like that – that there’s a little piece of me out there – by reading my words, looking at my pictures, holding a guitar in my hands – I get to know a little more about myself, I get to find the things about myself that maybe set me apart, for a bit of time in an ordinary day, I can do something that makes me feel extraordinary.
It’s been awhile since I’ve participated in Lotus’s weekly winners – BUT I’M BACK. At least this week.
Here are some of my favorite shots from the week…
I don't love Valentines Day. But my coffee loves me. See? It says so.
She picked out her outfit the day before. Complete with accessories. Who IS this kid?
Feel the sun on my face, close my eyes and just breathe
Chillaxing on the bleachers. Swim mom mode.
1. Occasionally I get bit with a bout of insomnia and struggle to sleep or stay asleep. This happens particularly in hotels, but I’ve been home the past two nights – I’ve gotten roughly four hours of sleep each night and I’m used to about seven or so. I’m so miserably tired I can’t stand it (or myself).
2. For those of you who stopped by to read my post yesterday – the love letter to myself – thank you. I hope if you haven’t yet written one you will – please come back and let me know, so I can come read it. I know it’s not the easiest thing to do, to wax poetic about how awesome you are… but, but, but! You’re awesome. You can do it. I know you can.
3. In guitar lessons, I continue my post-Blissdom Mat Kearney love fest and am playing more of his stuff. Why? Well, because DUH, I love Mat Kearney’s music… but also because it happens to be relevant to things I’m learning and things I need to work on (including some chords that are more than a lil’ sloppy).
Me, Mat, Kat & Michelle Branch - Photo by Jana
4. Yesterday, in a need to shake up the monotony, I did a photo scavenger hunt around the house – asking people what I should take pictures of around my house. I kind of like the egg.
5. I got a note from The Princess’s school this week letting me know she was receiving a Character Award today. I love how the school doesn’t tell the kiddo prior – so she was surprised, not only to be getting an award, but to see me. That was fun.
6. Musically, I’m so far behind the curve and have been on a Ryan Adams kick lately. I love his lyrics – the way he writes is so stark and honest. {Ryan Adams – “Desire”}
7. I have the winter blahs. January is always rotten. February always gets a little bit worse. The cold, the bitter bitter cold. In spring, I am outside breathing fresh air, running, walking, seeing neighbors and faces. Winter feels so solitary. I hate it. Even traditionally warm climates are being hit with this cold YUCKY messy weather. Can’t seem to escape it anywhere this year. Bleh.
8. The SuperBowl – did you watch it? I didn’t. It’s not because I have some huge opposition to sports, but pro football has never really been my thing. In college, watching the SuperBowl used to be assigned homework – oh the joys of a Marketing major taking advertising courses. The only commercial I saw this year was Chrysler’s Eminem/Detroit commercial – and I loved it.
9. Pumpkin’s insistence on waking up early has been pretty consistent over the past five years – the day she was born, she came into the world just before 6 a.m. That she continues to wake at or near 6 daily is still mind boggling though. See also Item One and my insomnia.
10. Everyone in this house has a runny nose at the moment. I had to buy Advil Cold & Sinus last week and had to jump through hoops to purchase a small box from the pharmacy. I’m admittedly rationing them out now – heaven forbid I run out too soon and end up on some pharmaceutical watch list. Look, I’m a mom. I don’t even like to make macaroni and cheese, and I swear to you I won’t cook meth with my Advil. Isn’t that enough?
