the road and the radio

I love how sometimes the radio knows just the right song to play. The other day driving home from a late day at work, I landed on this random radio station that had the most random of songs: *NSYNC's Bye Bye Bye! Immediately I was transported to a Saturday night in 2000 dancing that ridiculous dance with Molly in front of my new boyfriend at Toons in K-ville.


And for those 2.5 minutes, I laughed and danced like a fool.. knowing only one person was watching and laughing along.

friendship

I learned a lot about the importance of girlfriends when my dad passed away (today is his birthday by the way - happy birthday Dad!) My mom had an amazing support system there for her after he was gone. I saw another friend's mom not have that same support and right then and there I promised myself I would always try my best to hang on to my True Friends by making an effort to spend time with them, help whenever possible, etc.

Recently I had a friend dump me and I'm not exactly sure why. Did I give the wrong advice or just too much advice? I was just trying to help. I don't care if you take my advice as long as you're happy. Did I wear her out by leaning on her too much? I just needed a friend. Did I buy the wrong kind of wine or tip poorly when I bought her dinner? The invoice is in the mail.

Truth is, it doesn't really matter now. I know I tried my best to be a good friend. And a True Friend recently told me that it doesn't matter if I wore her out with my own troubles or gave too much advice because that's what True Friends do.

I am thankful that I still have a great group of girlfriends. I hope that we can hang on to each other through all the good times and crappy times and come out better and stronger for all that we've been through together.

what is love?

I got the idea off of a friend's facebook page to ask Ethan "what is love" using the five senses. Of course her son said love "looks like mommy" so I was hoping for the best. Here are my sweetie's answers:


Love sounds like a computer
Love tastes like ice cream
Love looks like a teapot
Love feels like a tickle
Love smells like chicken nuggets and toots


He said "toots" first, so I made him say something else and he said "chicken nuggets AND toots!" Oh well! A computer and a teapot were within sight, but I thought tickle was a good one.


We had a great Valentine's Day dinner: beef tenderloin with a garlic parsley butter (turned out sooo good), asparagus with a basalmic butter sauce, baked potato with butter (notice a theme?), and cupcakes topped with strawberries for dessert.

Happy Valentine's Day!

crêpes + swimsuits = eek!

After dining on some fabulous crêpes at Bunny's baby shower, I thought since i was child-free it sounded like a great idea to go try on swimsuits. Oh man. They only make two types of suits these days: pre-teen and grandma. I know I am just about the most popular size and body shape, yet swimwear designers insist on the idea that if you're at the pool you must be thin as a rail and have no boobies. Or you're there with your grandkids.

I did manage to find what I call my Marilyn Monroe suit and another polka dot one with a little skirt. They both lean towards the grandma end of the spectrum, but at least you can't see all the crêpe-induced pudge.

Why am I putting myself through this swimsuit torture in February? I'm glad you asked. I get to take them for a test run in Cancun in a few weeks! [stopping to do my happy dance] Warm sun, sand and frozen fruity drinks here we come. Winter can suck it.

forced decisions

People say they believe in destiny, but when Destiny forces her hand, why does everyone always try to fight it? Because we're control freaks! But guess what - sometimes we're so scared to make the wrong decision we don't make any decision at all. That's where Destiny has to step in. I think forced decisions can be hidden blessings. They make you to move forward when one or more parties is stalled out. Next time you feel trapped and there is only one way out, go ahead and take it whether or not you like it at the time. It's Destiny showing you the way.

back in the swing

So after mmft's passing and then the holidays, I let myself enjoy food for a while. But now it's time to buckle back down. Luke's new job is starting a Biggest Loser competition, so it'll be good to have him in the game as well. That makes such a huge difference! I'm going to focus on losing 10 pounds by my birthday - May 18.

Speaking of stubborn Tauruses, my freaking Yahoo horoscope messes with my head. We were so very close to booking a vacation when my horoscope said to save my money because something big was about to happen. Usually I don't take it very seriously but for some reason this time I did. And guess what - the next day Luke lost his job. Totally freaked me out. Now I have to check my horoscope before deciding where to go for dinner, who to talk to that day, and if I should even get out of bed. Ok not really, but you get the picture. It's amazing how quickly something your obsessed about doing (like taking a vacay) is suddenly not important at all when the bottom drops out of your funds. The good news is that I didn't book the vacation and Luke did find a new job - one that will hopefully be even better.

All in all, 2010 is off to a good start. I just wish it would warm up a little.

my christmas monster

Ethan had his first winter program with his Early Preschool class. I was such a nervous stage mom. I didn't know if he'd clam up, but he was so good singing and doing all the hand motions. They sang a Rudolph variation, Five Little Christmas Trees, Oh Santa Claus (to the tune of "O Christmas Tree") and the whole school did We Wish You a Merry Christmas. During Oh Santa Claus the boys were swaying so much they nearly bonked heads! Then daddy got a wave and a big "Hi Daddy" followed by a "Hi Mommy" from the boy next to him. They were so darn cute (especially the one in blue).



We made cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. He's really great with the cookie cutter, but let me do most of the decorating. Although he gets credit for the red nose on the gingerbread man.



Christmas morning was perfect. Grammy stayed over (and ended up staying for lunch with Grandma and Granddad Cox thanks to all the snow). What did Ethan ask Santa for? A pogo stick! I blame Mickey Mouse. I think he saw it listed as a Mouseketool. But guess what - he loves it!



The first school day of the year Ethan started in the Preschool class! I can't believe my baby is getting so big. I tell him all the time that even when he's as big as daddy he'll still be my baby.