Blah, Blahditty, Blah

I have nothing to say today. I want to freeze this moment in time. because it is truly rare that I find myself at a loss for words. So let's just do the random thing and see where my thoughts take us, shall we?

- I can actually find myself crying for someone else's baby when I hear about moms who practice "crying it out" in the extreme sense. On particular days, I almost shake and weep. Seriously. And if it's an online sharing of this sort of thing and I choose to respond, it takes all I have to withhold my anger. Because I see it from the baby's perspective. I lived it from the mom's. I know how demanding these little people are. But I have this innate sense of what life looks like from the baby's point of view... and it can be terrifying and heartbreaking.

- Given how emotional I can get over people doing versions of "cry it out," you can imagine that I do NOT follow news stories about missing, kidnapped, abused, killed... children, babies. I can't. If the news comes on and there is anything about a baby found on the highway, falling out of a window, shaken, burned, or any other "newsworthy" atrocity, the news source gets turned off. I can't bear it. The sharing of personal experience, personal stories- that I can deal with because I fell like there is growth and healing in sharing. But the "news" aspect of those stories... the vultures all over the "Tot Mom" case... heck, even the crap with the "Octomom..." And again, my reaction is because I see things from the perspective of the child, not because I have sympathy for the mom.

- If I made the news in a story related to parenting, I wonder what nickname the media would give me?

- I spent all of last week busting my ass at work and now I have no motivation to get anything done. And I have at least 2 things I should really get done today. Have to get done today. And have no interest in focusing on those tasks. at. all.

- Carrie Underwood must be hugely thankful for American Idol. Folks can knock that show all they want. But AI has turned out some serious talent! Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken... and this season has a handful of seriously talented young people that I think will go far (especially if they don't win the show).

- I feel really old when I say that the people competing on AI are "young people." I remember turning 24 and being upset because I'd aged out of applying to be The Real World...

- I'm hooked on a soap opera again. It started... in high school or college. Got strong in college. Fell back a little and then got back into it. I don't go so far as recording it... but if I miss a big day, I will look for it on SOAP that night. One Life to Live. I've been an All My Children fan before but OLTL has me hooked right now.

- And while I've never ever been a Guiding Light fan, I am sad to see it go away. That's an amazing history. 72 years. Started as a radio show before TV even existed!

- I can't say this in other places but this is my blog and I can say whatever I want. In certain circles, I have to maintain a certain decorum. But my blog... I guess I'm inspired by Alix of CASA HICE. My blog, my business, I can say what I want. Right? So let me vent a moment. And I'm not going to say this in the context of community theatre and how making a commitment and sticking to it is of the utmost importance and I'm not going to talk about the weight of a person's reputation and the disappointment when a person fails miserably in living up to even an iota of that reputation and I'm not going to give a lot of details about the miserable and pathetic failings on what should have been a moderately simple project for someone who is supposed to be vastly talented and experienced in this area. Not gonna. Instead, I'm gonna say... DON'T PISS OFF OR HURT MY FRIENDS. My friend has been uber-stressed and it all relates to ONE person not doing their job, not fulfilling their promises, not even making up for it when they swear they are going to "prove themselves." And when my friend is stressed, I have a lot less fun with said friend. So see- it's really all about ME.

You know... I sure end up with a lot to say when I think I have nothing to say.

It's All Just Too Much: A Moment of Enlightenment

Bear with me as I make my way through a jumble of messiness. First order of business. The faux-fish have been named! I kept playing around with the suggestions but one fit so perfectly and I just kept coming back to it. So thank you JACKIE for naming my magnetic friends- Bert and Ernie!! The blue and yellow one is Bert, the red and orange one is Ernie. Second order of business. I want to give you people GIFTS. So far, Mim is in for our international spot. And our domestic participants are Alix, Isabella, and maybe Amy... so if you want something from me... better click over to that post and sign up. 1 North American opportunity is still there... maybe 2 (Amy- you out there?). To be honest, if you don't really want to do the same deal on your blog, it's fine with me. Maybe you don't have a blog. But if you are one of my loyal readers... I'd sure like a chance to reach out to you! Third order of business. Sometimes work is majorly stressful and SUCKS. And other people are stressed and making BAD choices and it is causing ME stress and I am SO OVER IT! Fourth order of business. Busy-ness can be a good thing. But in small amounts. My Teagan is showing signs that we've pushed too hard, too fast. Too much going on. Between turning 4, joining choir, singing in church with the choir, going to Sleeping Beauty's Ball at the Children's Museum, hearing about us visiting schools, going to visit a school, having friends in from out of town and doing dance class, museum, swimming, eating out, friends over to play, riding a bike... it's TOO MUCH. Turning 4 isn't a magical switch that changes everything. So we are slowing waaaaaaay down and getting back to basics, back to being at home, back to just having fun and chilling out. Gotta cut back on all the running around. So no choir this week. And it's an off week next week because of Holy Week. There will still be some weekend excitement- Jeff is out of town this weekend, the next weekend is Easter. But we are going to focus on staying home. And will add choir back in, hopefully, after Easter. Once our evenings have quieted again. And we are back to smooth bedtimes, good choices, eased off on the whining... and back to feelin' groovy!

Slow down

You move to fast

You've got to make

The morning last

Just

Kickin' down

the cobblestones

Lookin' for fun and

Feeling' groovy!

Be Back Soon...

Our days have been WAY over busy lately. And it is starting to show in Teagan's behavior- especially at bedtime. So we are scaling back for a few days. For a few weekends. There have been too many BIG changes and EXCITING things going on lately and it feels like we've been running at full tilt... Hopefully I'll have a chance to blog regularly this week from work but no promises! Life is very hectic these days! School update: T visited today and loved it so we paid our registration fee and held her spot! Also... still have 1 spot left for a FABU gift from me!! See the post below this one!!

Oops! My Bad!! Sorry, Candace Jean!

I owe you an Interview and I completely spaced it!! Candace Jean's blog is Steele (the day) and it's a great place to stop by and visit and get a little spiritual lift!! I will get questions to you VERY SOON! *** Bad night last night. Zach went down at 7:15. Easy Peasy. Teagan manipulated and cried and made excuses and even got out of bed once. Asleep by 8:30. 10:30, grown ups head to bed. Drift off to sleep just shy of 11... 11:00 Zach wakes up. Jeff brings him to me and we just sit and cuddle on my bed. He's back in his bed, sucking his thumb, cuddling his blankie around 11:15. Never asked to nurse. 11:30... there is a little boy standing by my bedside. Some cuddles and back to bed. 11:45... he's baaa-aaack! And this time, he doesn't want to be picked up. He runs out to the hallway... down the hall... throws open the unlatched gate and runs to freedom!! The living room!! He's then up until 1. I kept the lights off (save for the stove light that we keep on all night in the kitchen). No TV. He plays with a few toys and just enjoys wandering around in the dark. Gets his hands on the TV remote and runs for the kitchen. Total silence for a few minutes so I go to check- he's earnestly trying to turn on the oven with it. He's finally in bed again at 1. I crash in my bed and wake at 5:30 to start the day. I'm a little tired. He never nursed. *** You know you're a mom when... You go to get something out of your purse...

And find a little friend inside! Hi Ernie!!

Just Some Stuff

Interviews should be coming soon!! Questions have all been sent out. Sonja at Can You Keep A Secret already has hers done!! Keep your eyes peeled for: Mim @ Mim's Muddle Kristi @ The Mom Experience KPCL @ Better in Writing Joanie @ Joanie's Random Ramblings Flartus @ My 2 Sense *** I'm on Day 7 of The Love Dare. I've been keeping up with it and it's a nice journey so far. Some things have been really easy and some have been challenging. Either way, I've got a lot brewing about in my head over it. Things about love and choice and limits. *** The Mocha BK Joe Iced Coffee is one of the best. things. ever. It can make everything better. Seriously. Except your waistline. Because it's coffee and chocolate and... shake mix. Yep. Pound packer! A bazillion or so calories. But sometimes you just gotta. *** I CAN STILL WATCH TV!!! WAHOO! *** To clarify, I do not have a job that "allows" me to watch TV. But I do have an office. And a large desk. And my radio/tv/cd player sits next to my desk. Here- I'll just show you. The view from the doorway... Can you spot the TV? Nope! Cuz it's hidden by that GIANT monitor!

Getting a little closer- see it peeking out at you?

See? And now you can see where I do a good amount of my blogging, too!

Free Thinking Friday

I'm just going to take this end of the workday Friday moment to share random thoughts. Of no particular order or consequence. Listening to NPR makes me feel smarter. There is a white envelope on my desk with an invoice in it that I need to get processed. I want to make those Carmelita Bars this weekend. I got the mix at Costco and have yet to crack it open. Oats, chocolate, caramel. Yum. We're going to Conner Prairie tomorrow. I hope my kids find it fun and it isn't completely over their heads. The admission is free so it is a good chance to test it out. Dance class is really fun and I wish it wasn't just for 3 and 4 year olds. I love watching them run and jump and stretch but I have this huge desire to be in there with those little girls... I have no idea what this blog thing may or may not become. Just a place for my thoughts? A place that people may turn to for advice? Who knows! Earth Festival is this weekend. I have no idea why it's called "Earth" Festival because it is just a small town taken over with tents and tents of crafters, artists, yard salers, and food vendors. It's fun to walk around but I really don't get the whole "Earth" connection. It's not that easy being green. I never made popcorn today. Maybe I'll pop some up for the debate tonight. Maybe I'll blog during the debate. Not that anyone will be clinging to my every word here... I think it is time to go home.