It's amazing what stepping out of the whirlwind of work can do. It took over two weeks for me (Eric) to decompress from my trip to the surface and not get the bends.
There were some therapeutic moments that helped make everything better:
- Walking on the beach with Meg and Stella.
- Cooking dinner with Marian.
- Playing a round of bridge with the ladies at Figure 8.
- Just "bumming" around downtown Wilmington.
- Eating crabcakes, shrimp, Indochine (a Wilmington Thai restaurant), and other great stuff.
- Amstel Light and Sarinac Variety Pack. Nice blend!
- Reading back issues of Inc. Magazine. This is a lot more fun than you'd think.
- Sunrises and good coffee (yes, I'm drinking -some- coffee again, for anyone who has followed that bit of saga).
- Driving through Huntsville at midnight. Oddly satisfying.
- Samuel Smith Oatmeal Porter with my brother, Wade.
- A walk around the old neighborhood with my sister, Katy, and her husband, Chris.
- Going to church with my dad and seeing an old friend.
Through it all was the woman of my dreams. I think I would enjoy a vacation to Hades so long as Marian could be with me.
It was quite warm on this trip, but not THAT bad.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Traveling with the Kids
What's up strangers! This post is perfect for us because we have been traveling a lot the last month - one of my many excuses as to why I haven't blogged. This idea stems from my girl Erin's Mama Monday blog series. And if you go to her site, scroll down to the post that precedes her Mama Monday post to check out two beautiful pics of our girls. OK, traveling...
1) The last two trips we've taken (Wilmington and Alabama) we've put the girls to bed in the car and driven at night. Why didn't we think of this before? I think I feared the worst - getting them all off their schedule, them not going to bed when we finally arrived, etc. Let me tell you, it's the way to go. The worst part is US getting tired, but they both zonked out pretty well considering they're not in their comfy beds. And for this heat-hating mama, it was a lot cooler too.
2) I let Stella pack a toy box (canvas storage thing) full of stuff for she and Meg and it goes between them in the backseat. Tons of books, flash cards, her favorite stuffed animals, whatever will fit in there she can take. She can reach it and she's content with everything in there b/c she packed it herself.
3) Snacks. Granola bars, raisins, yogurt pretzels, fruit, juice boxes, water bottles, etc. The usual with maybe a few treats tossed in.
4) Tons of stops. If you do have to go during the day, you just have to be flexible. When we came back from Wilmington to the mountains, we stopped at a mall with a huge play area and food court where she could move. We stayed for two freaking hours. Of course I was ready to pull my hair out but it did make for a better second leg. That said, our nightime trip to the beach took about 7 hours. When we returned in the daytime, it took about 10. Somebody shoot me.
5) DVD player. We take it but don't bring it out unless we really need it. Out of the 30 plus hours we've spent in the car in the last few weeks, Stella watched one movie the whole time. The Aristocats - her favorite - and I must say I love it too. Anyway, she usually does pretty well but we certainly are not above using it when it will really make the trip more bearable.
Really, Stella for the most part is a kid who just loves to go places. We've had some great times over the past month together as a family just road trippin it. But I'm glad to be home.
Soon, pics from our beach trip and more updates...tired but happy around here.
Bye!
1) The last two trips we've taken (Wilmington and Alabama) we've put the girls to bed in the car and driven at night. Why didn't we think of this before? I think I feared the worst - getting them all off their schedule, them not going to bed when we finally arrived, etc. Let me tell you, it's the way to go. The worst part is US getting tired, but they both zonked out pretty well considering they're not in their comfy beds. And for this heat-hating mama, it was a lot cooler too.
2) I let Stella pack a toy box (canvas storage thing) full of stuff for she and Meg and it goes between them in the backseat. Tons of books, flash cards, her favorite stuffed animals, whatever will fit in there she can take. She can reach it and she's content with everything in there b/c she packed it herself.
3) Snacks. Granola bars, raisins, yogurt pretzels, fruit, juice boxes, water bottles, etc. The usual with maybe a few treats tossed in.
4) Tons of stops. If you do have to go during the day, you just have to be flexible. When we came back from Wilmington to the mountains, we stopped at a mall with a huge play area and food court where she could move. We stayed for two freaking hours. Of course I was ready to pull my hair out but it did make for a better second leg. That said, our nightime trip to the beach took about 7 hours. When we returned in the daytime, it took about 10. Somebody shoot me.
5) DVD player. We take it but don't bring it out unless we really need it. Out of the 30 plus hours we've spent in the car in the last few weeks, Stella watched one movie the whole time. The Aristocats - her favorite - and I must say I love it too. Anyway, she usually does pretty well but we certainly are not above using it when it will really make the trip more bearable.
Really, Stella for the most part is a kid who just loves to go places. We've had some great times over the past month together as a family just road trippin it. But I'm glad to be home.
Soon, pics from our beach trip and more updates...tired but happy around here.
Bye!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Ten Months Old!
Meggles turned 10 months old on Tuesday. And here she is!
Also, go check out my friend Angela's blog. She's got a great contest going on, so go see what it's all about.
Life is good here...Eric's off to Chicago tomorrow to attend his friend Jason's wedding. Jason was a groomsman in our wedding, and he and his partner Ed are having a commitment ceremony on Saturday. So Eric's gonna head up there to film and be a part of such a special occasion.
The girls and I will just hang around this weekend and prepare for Daddy's return on Father's Day. His gift - a requested dinner of beer, shrimp po boys, and strawberry pie. Seriously, yum.
I'm tired, it's late but I did want to post a few new photos of our little love, Miss Meg.
Have a great Father's Day weekend!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Ten on Wednesday
Hi long lost readers of this lame blog. Life's been busy and I've been lazy, hence no posts for a while. But I'm back, people, I'm back. At least for tonight.
1. We've realized that Stella is allergic to sunscreen, or at least every kind that we've tried. For the longest time we thought she had fifth's disease (also known as slapped-cheek disease), a viral infection in which the face literally looks like it's had the crap slapped out of it. Basically, say 4-5 hours after we apply sunscreen, her cheeks, nose and forehead, and sometimes chest and arms, turn very red, almost purple, and they are hot and itchy. It's totally gone within 24 hours. Weird, huh? Any suggestions out there for sunscreens that may not do this to my kid?
2. We had to cancel our trip to Eric's folks house, which also meant cancelling our photo shoot with Erin, b/c aforementioned child had a nasty cold that lasted way too long. Don't even get me started on how disappointed I was, I mean still am.
3. Business is up a little around here which means family morale is too. Check out this link to learn about what Eric's been swamped with lately.
4. I am so stoked about my new diaper bag. I have had the same one since Stella was born and that ratty thing was filthy, had holes in it and other repulsive substances floating throughout its interior. And this one looks a lot cooler too.
5. I cannot seem to get motivated to knock things off my long-standing list. Things like backing up my photos onto disks. Getting a Goodwill pile together. Etc, etc, etc. There's so much other things have to happen in a given day that those things get put to the wayside. I need a pep talk.
6. Meg has two teeth now. She loves to eat, clap, squeal, give slobbery kisses, reach for everything she shouldn't, and of course play with her big sis. Oh, and she's still needy as hell and doesn't like me to walk away from her for a second.
7. Our CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) program started up a few weeks ago. This is the 3rd year we've done it and are loving it just as much this year. Basic idea is in exchange for us purchasing a share of the farm, we get a box of fresh produce, grown locally, once a week at the local market. Our farmers are from Hot Springs, NC - they left their corporate America computer programming jobs to buy a farm in the mountains and have never looked back. Read about them here. I love stuff like this.
8. I'm back on Weight Watchers hard core after taking a break for a good month. Why Lord did I do that? Now five pounds heavier than I was 3 weeks ago, I'm re-committing myself to it. My goal was to be at my highschool weight by Meg's first birthday, August 10th. I think I can come close. I know that I can, actually, it just takes discipline. I know this program works for me b/c I've done it before...
9. I found a freaking 12 pack of Saranac Pale Ale for $5.99 today at our local nasty discount mart. Why did I find that on the day I re-committed myself to my diet? I didn't drink any today, though Eric drank two, that jerk.
10. Here are some new photos of our baby girl. Almost 10 months old. She is so loved around here.
Look, she's reaching out for you to hold her. I told you she wants to be held all the time. She's even reaching out to cyberspace for some lovin.
OK, I'm getting delirious and less funny as I type. Goodnight everyone!
1. We've realized that Stella is allergic to sunscreen, or at least every kind that we've tried. For the longest time we thought she had fifth's disease (also known as slapped-cheek disease), a viral infection in which the face literally looks like it's had the crap slapped out of it. Basically, say 4-5 hours after we apply sunscreen, her cheeks, nose and forehead, and sometimes chest and arms, turn very red, almost purple, and they are hot and itchy. It's totally gone within 24 hours. Weird, huh? Any suggestions out there for sunscreens that may not do this to my kid?
2. We had to cancel our trip to Eric's folks house, which also meant cancelling our photo shoot with Erin, b/c aforementioned child had a nasty cold that lasted way too long. Don't even get me started on how disappointed I was, I mean still am.
3. Business is up a little around here which means family morale is too. Check out this link to learn about what Eric's been swamped with lately.
4. I am so stoked about my new diaper bag. I have had the same one since Stella was born and that ratty thing was filthy, had holes in it and other repulsive substances floating throughout its interior. And this one looks a lot cooler too.
5. I cannot seem to get motivated to knock things off my long-standing list. Things like backing up my photos onto disks. Getting a Goodwill pile together. Etc, etc, etc. There's so much other things have to happen in a given day that those things get put to the wayside. I need a pep talk.
6. Meg has two teeth now. She loves to eat, clap, squeal, give slobbery kisses, reach for everything she shouldn't, and of course play with her big sis. Oh, and she's still needy as hell and doesn't like me to walk away from her for a second.
7. Our CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) program started up a few weeks ago. This is the 3rd year we've done it and are loving it just as much this year. Basic idea is in exchange for us purchasing a share of the farm, we get a box of fresh produce, grown locally, once a week at the local market. Our farmers are from Hot Springs, NC - they left their corporate America computer programming jobs to buy a farm in the mountains and have never looked back. Read about them here. I love stuff like this.
8. I'm back on Weight Watchers hard core after taking a break for a good month. Why Lord did I do that? Now five pounds heavier than I was 3 weeks ago, I'm re-committing myself to it. My goal was to be at my highschool weight by Meg's first birthday, August 10th. I think I can come close. I know that I can, actually, it just takes discipline. I know this program works for me b/c I've done it before...
9. I found a freaking 12 pack of Saranac Pale Ale for $5.99 today at our local nasty discount mart. Why did I find that on the day I re-committed myself to my diet? I didn't drink any today, though Eric drank two, that jerk.
10. Here are some new photos of our baby girl. Almost 10 months old. She is so loved around here.
Look, she's reaching out for you to hold her. I told you she wants to be held all the time. She's even reaching out to cyberspace for some lovin.
OK, I'm getting delirious and less funny as I type. Goodnight everyone!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Jessica Alba Stares at Me
Every now and then there's a SPAM subject line that cracks me up. Is it possible that someone can be a stalker while being simultaneously paranoid that the stalkee is stalking right back? "Jessica, stop staring at me! Go get your own star obsession!"
What if stars hired paparazzi to photograph the paparazzi, following them in their personal lives and making them living hells? Why not?
Marian, it's okay to blog about how crummy you feel.
Fortunately, while Marian was blogging I was at Eaglenest Entertainment about a mile away filming Percy Sledge. Percy is from Leighton, Alabama, about 12 miles from where I grew up in Florence. He gave a great concert, and I highly recommend you take the leap and hear him tonight (Saturday). He's great! We were able to talk a little bit after the show and he told me that his boyhood home (and his grandmother's) burned down recently, stymieing his plans to create a museum to his music.
He also reminded me that when a man loves a woman, he lets her sleep in on a Saturday!
What if stars hired paparazzi to photograph the paparazzi, following them in their personal lives and making them living hells? Why not?
Marian, it's okay to blog about how crummy you feel.
Fortunately, while Marian was blogging I was at Eaglenest Entertainment about a mile away filming Percy Sledge. Percy is from Leighton, Alabama, about 12 miles from where I grew up in Florence. He gave a great concert, and I highly recommend you take the leap and hear him tonight (Saturday). He's great! We were able to talk a little bit after the show and he told me that his boyhood home (and his grandmother's) burned down recently, stymieing his plans to create a museum to his music.He also reminded me that when a man loves a woman, he lets her sleep in on a Saturday!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Fri. night blues
Am I Debbie Downer or what?
I'm feeling low for two, no three, reasons right now. The first is simply me being a baby because I don't feel so well. Scratchy throat, achy, and just so freaking exhausted. I mean, why am I so tired, seriously. Do I have chronic fatigue syndrome? Any hour of the day I could go lie down and just pass out. It may have to do with my 5:15 am waking baby, even though Eric usually gets up with her and distracts her until the first number on the clock is a six so he can bring her to me to nurse. Opening your eyes before six am is pure torture, isn't it?
It also has to do with the fact that I'm still nursing Meg, and I'm quite frankly kind of over it. I know that sounds so horrible mom, but the fact is at this point it's more of a routine than a real nutritional benefit for her. She loves people food and can drink from a cup pretty well. And for me, until I'm completely done with nursing, I don't truly feel back to myself again. I guess I'm just ready to feel normal again.
Second reason I'm down is that two of our best friends are moving. First are Jeff and Laura, who sold their house for CASH in two weeks and are leaving in a month to travel the world. I know, poor guys. We are so excited for them, maybe envious is more like it, but they've become good friends here, and we really hate to see them go.
Also, Tracy and Ben and their kids Noa and Eli are leaving in a month, and this one sucks too. We hang out with them a lot - our kids play together so well and the adults do too - so it's going to be very strange to not have them to call. I don't even want to think about it.
And then, the third and most significant reason that I'm feeling sad tonight is because we lost a friend a few days ago. He was 35 and our dentist, and he died in a motorcycle accident. We went to his funeral yesterday - he leaves behind a wife and four year old son...he was an awesome dentist and just so full of life, funny and fun too. I remember him having to leave quickly after cleaning Eric's teeth once b/c he had to get to a Beastie Boys concert. Of course that made me love him.
So there, what a great way to start off your weekend...seriously, I do hope everyone has a great holiday weekend! That's it from here...oh, go give a shout out to my best friend at her new blog site here.
Bye!
I'm feeling low for two, no three, reasons right now. The first is simply me being a baby because I don't feel so well. Scratchy throat, achy, and just so freaking exhausted. I mean, why am I so tired, seriously. Do I have chronic fatigue syndrome? Any hour of the day I could go lie down and just pass out. It may have to do with my 5:15 am waking baby, even though Eric usually gets up with her and distracts her until the first number on the clock is a six so he can bring her to me to nurse. Opening your eyes before six am is pure torture, isn't it?
It also has to do with the fact that I'm still nursing Meg, and I'm quite frankly kind of over it. I know that sounds so horrible mom, but the fact is at this point it's more of a routine than a real nutritional benefit for her. She loves people food and can drink from a cup pretty well. And for me, until I'm completely done with nursing, I don't truly feel back to myself again. I guess I'm just ready to feel normal again.
Second reason I'm down is that two of our best friends are moving. First are Jeff and Laura, who sold their house for CASH in two weeks and are leaving in a month to travel the world. I know, poor guys. We are so excited for them, maybe envious is more like it, but they've become good friends here, and we really hate to see them go.
Also, Tracy and Ben and their kids Noa and Eli are leaving in a month, and this one sucks too. We hang out with them a lot - our kids play together so well and the adults do too - so it's going to be very strange to not have them to call. I don't even want to think about it.
And then, the third and most significant reason that I'm feeling sad tonight is because we lost a friend a few days ago. He was 35 and our dentist, and he died in a motorcycle accident. We went to his funeral yesterday - he leaves behind a wife and four year old son...he was an awesome dentist and just so full of life, funny and fun too. I remember him having to leave quickly after cleaning Eric's teeth once b/c he had to get to a Beastie Boys concert. Of course that made me love him.
So there, what a great way to start off your weekend...seriously, I do hope everyone has a great holiday weekend! That's it from here...oh, go give a shout out to my best friend at her new blog site here.
Bye!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
No excuses
I mean, I could think of some excuses for not blogging, but they wouldn't sound very believable...but somebody give me props for doing it now.
Life around here has been stressful lately, because our life and our business are really one in the same. Gosh there are so many great things about being your own boss - flexibility, not having to answer to anyone, satisfaction that all this hard work is a good investment. I believe that there are more plusses than minuses to this whole thing, for sure. The highs are really high.
Which in turns means the lows are really low. The economy is having a negative effect on every business out there. People just aren't spending money like they have been - us included - but that means that we're not doing as much work as we'd like. We have tons of prospects, just not too many that have actually signed on the dotted line.
This has been such a roller coaster for us. Since we came back from Peace Corps five years ago, we've yet to feel truly secure in our professions, and adding two kids to the mix doesn't exactly make things easier. That said, we're still surviving, and I am thankful for a husband that wants this to work so badly so we can have the quality of life that we want. Which is time together and with the girls, with a little money for the occasional Chick Fil-A sandwich that we crave on road trips.
Now kid updates: Stella is really asserting her independence lately, and she's become sort of sassy. This is not cute, people. Like when I say, "Stella, don't talk to me like that," she'll say, "Don't talk to ME like that." What do I do with this? Part of me wants to laugh and part of me wants to slap her. Of course I try not to do either.
Meg is 9 months old and screaming in her crib as I type this. Oh well. She has one tooth, smiles a lot, and has no interest whatsoever in crawling. She still likes to be held ALOT but has warmed up to strangers talking to her now.
We're headed to Eric's parents house in a few weeks for a visit and to have our family photographed by Erin. So excited about that!
OK, must tend to the needy hussy now. Hope all of you are well.
Life around here has been stressful lately, because our life and our business are really one in the same. Gosh there are so many great things about being your own boss - flexibility, not having to answer to anyone, satisfaction that all this hard work is a good investment. I believe that there are more plusses than minuses to this whole thing, for sure. The highs are really high.
Which in turns means the lows are really low. The economy is having a negative effect on every business out there. People just aren't spending money like they have been - us included - but that means that we're not doing as much work as we'd like. We have tons of prospects, just not too many that have actually signed on the dotted line.
This has been such a roller coaster for us. Since we came back from Peace Corps five years ago, we've yet to feel truly secure in our professions, and adding two kids to the mix doesn't exactly make things easier. That said, we're still surviving, and I am thankful for a husband that wants this to work so badly so we can have the quality of life that we want. Which is time together and with the girls, with a little money for the occasional Chick Fil-A sandwich that we crave on road trips.
Now kid updates: Stella is really asserting her independence lately, and she's become sort of sassy. This is not cute, people. Like when I say, "Stella, don't talk to me like that," she'll say, "Don't talk to ME like that." What do I do with this? Part of me wants to laugh and part of me wants to slap her. Of course I try not to do either.
Meg is 9 months old and screaming in her crib as I type this. Oh well. She has one tooth, smiles a lot, and has no interest whatsoever in crawling. She still likes to be held ALOT but has warmed up to strangers talking to her now.
We're headed to Eric's parents house in a few weeks for a visit and to have our family photographed by Erin. So excited about that!
OK, must tend to the needy hussy now. Hope all of you are well.
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