Carlee, Dustin and Hayden

Super-Cute Family Photos
Shot at the Rod and Gun Park in Eau Claire.

Laugh

Flowchart

Dear Sirs and Madams-

Please see chart below. Once steps have been completed, I can address your problem. Until then, suck it up.

All the Best,

Lindsey

http://www.typcut.com/

Mutterings

1. Trick Bikes: Effective in jumping, spinning and flying. Ineffective mode of transportation. I giggle every time I pass a teen riding his tiny bicycle down our rural streets. The nearest curb to jump off of is miles away, let alone the nearest half-pipe. As they pedal furiously down the street, knees knocking into their chin, I wonder where they are headed. Sacrificing their "cool" factor for a nice mountain bike would be much more efficient...

2. Power Tools: I had my first positive experience with a drill today. It was fantastic. Now I just hope that the people who buy the house never want to remove those curtain rods since the screws are stripped beyond what any screwdriver could grab. And I hope Allen doesn't open his tool box anytime soon since the Philips bit is now a nice, smooth cylinder. But I shed no blood, therefore a good day.

Lessons

Another list of lessons I have learned...this one from my meager life experience as a mom...and other related child observations.

1. Bananas make you not poop.

2. Prunes make you poop.

3. Babies are slippery when they are wet but they will come up sputtering.

4. Many things "build character."

5. No matter how little you have in the checking account, there is always enough for that cute outfit he HAD to have.

6. I love my kid. I don't have to love yours.

7. Prunes smell the same going in as they do coming out.

8. My fear of dirt and stains didn't magically go away with childbirth, but I am trying to get better.

9. They really do grow up too fast.

10. Sometimes you can't make life perfect. Just turn up the radio and keep driving.

11. Dad's try really hard but, no matter what, Mom's will have to direct.

That's all I've got so far...hey, it's only been a few months!

Jive

hipsterglossary
Originally uploaded by Vince Outlaw

I have always been intrigued by slang. Perhaps it is because I have been instructed and lectured on proper English the majority of my life. Or perhaps it is because I grew up in a town of 100 in Northern Wisconsin and the words coming out of my mouth just sounded foolish. I grew up in the era of "Rad," "Fresh," and "A'it" but could not bring myself to actually say the words. I would practice in private but in public, it was back to being proper.

This example of 1970s jive talk represents my alter ego. The one that desperately wanted to be cool but couldn't bring herself to act on it. She still lives in there and is coaxed out on occasion with the aid of Tequila, but for the majority of her days she lives quietly, secretly enjoying her words.

Fresh.

Enough?

My three nephews came to visit yesterday. They were on their way back home to Arizona after spending a few weeks with Grandma and Grandpa. They are two, four and nine.

My husband and I took them to the local water park...It was a blast but I kept asking myself "Is this enough?" Two years ago my sister-in-law told me I didn't spend enough time with her kids at Thanksgiving. That I was punishing them for my own inabilities to have children. I haven't talked to her much since, but I still wonder if she would approve. I really don't care if she does or not, but I can't get her comments out of my mind.

I didn't grow up with an aunt or uncle that took interest in their nieces or nephews...so I really don't know how to be one. Especially when they live half way across the country, or half way across the earth.

I do try my best and wonder why it isn't good enough. I regret not being able to enjoy the moment because of her words. I don't need to prove anything to anyone as I am doing the best that I know how, but her rumblings still filter through my head.

Trying to address the situation has gotten no where, as emails go unanswered. What more can I do? I guess my earlier lesson of "Sometimes friends are more family than family." holds true. It is unfortunate that things had to come to this but I will enjoy the moments I have and ignore the rumblings...ugh.

Carrots

This is what carrots and a 4-month-old look like:

Notice the smock the poor child is in. I have tried many times to get past my fear of stains but have yet to master the skill. I had to resist sewing a washable cover to cover the washable cover of the high chair. It wasn't easy and I still have to talk myself out of it every day after dinner.

As a kid I cried when I got dirty. I am trying my best to not make my child neurotic like me but it is hard to do when you are chasing them around with a rag ready to wipe their face at the first sign of drool.

Is there a support group for this sort of thing?

Olé

In response to the Taco John's-Taco Bell debate that we find ourselves in oh-so-often, I usually don't have much to contribute. Where I grew up, Taco John's was all that was offered and I fondly remember Taco Tuesday's when Mom would come home from work with a Six Pack and a Pound for dinner. Those were great nights.

Now that I live in an area where both establishments are near by and one is just as inconvenient to get to as the other, I find myself going to neither. But, given the choice, Taco John's will always win. It's not even a question.

I have only been to Taco Bell once. It's not that I don't like their food; it's that they don't have a potato. I understand that the Potato Olé that Taco John's offers is not, even though given a pseudo-Mexican name, intrinsically Mexican, but I am from the Midwest and I do love my potatoes. (And, as long as we're being honest, neither Taco John's nor Taco Bell are truly Mexican in their offerings. No surprise there.) I find it hard to eat a fast food taco without a potato. The potato is why I eat fast food. I don't crave the burgers, the tacos or the breakfast sandwiches, but pair them with a fried potato and you've got me.

Taco John's, I've got your back, even though it seems like it's us against the rest of the world and their Taco Bell obsession. I will never forget our Taco Tuesday's.

Sharing

Check out Cathe Hoden's blog, Just Something I Made, for great inspiration and ideas. She is an crafter-blogger who creates great pieces for every day. http://justsomethingimade.blogspot.com/

Cahte is a graphic desinger and a great thinker. I love all of the stuff she makes. And she shares! What's possibly better? I especailly enjoyed the antique couch she purchased and, after realizing it didn't go with her decor, ripped apart for the fabric. Great idea...I will never thift shop the same!