Wild, Wild West

One.

One year ago today I plunged (head first!) into the world of blogging.  I wasn't sure how to start, what to "talk" about, or even why I wanted to do this, but after a year of sharing my stories, my thoughts, and my life in this blogosphere, I am so glad I took that leap and really glad you all have joined me.  I've recently taken pause with worries of the internet's safety.  My technological ineptness is painfully obvious as I tackle how to proceed.  However, I have found a vehicle through which to share a piece of me and leave a mark.  I've been able to chronicle my journey and tell stories about my family, my past, even my day-to-day goings on that will be a journal to look back on long after I have forgotten.  I had big plans to do a remembrance post of some sort, highlight some of my favorite posts or moments from the last year.  But instead I'll just say thank you.  Thank you for coming by and reading and not judging as I share my thoughts in this unconventional manner.  I'm so glad you came!

Arizona Bound

Today my sister and I are on a

headed to 

 (Arizona!)

Our cousin is getting

and we couldn't pass up this opportunity to head out West!  I'll do my best to post while we're gone but I'm not promising anything as it will be dependent upon the reliability of our

options!  In the meantime, I hope everyone is safe and happy and I'll write soon!

Pause

I'm taking pause at the moment due to some recent blog posts (here and here) that I've read from some of my favorite bloggers.  According to these two, their photos are being hacked,  stolen, or in one case, her identity is being used entirely by someone who is not her.  This has me a bit spooked and wondering if I, too, should be taking some new precautions to protect my family.  Granted these two incidents are both related to Flickr it seems, which I am not using, but it's still good reason to re-evaluate.  Not sure how to proceed but it has definitely left me speechless.

10 on 10 : April 2010

Finally, I remembered to participate on the 10th of the month!  It seems the last few months I have completely forgotten 10 on 10.  I haven't even realized it was the 10th of the month until I was already at work (without my camera!) or the day was practically over!  So today I did my best to capture my day through pictures:  One picture an hour for ten hours.  Enjoy!

Flashback Friday...April 2006

I thought I'd join back in on this Flashback Friday wave in an effort to pull out some old photos of me and the boys...it's fun to see them a few months or a year ago and see how much they've changed!  A friend of mine was in my office at work looking at old photos of Nathaniel the other day and was saying how funny it was to see him so little.  She said "the face looks like Nate's but I keep thinking, who is that little baby?"

Flashback Fridays are a popular blogging theme.  Heidi does them over at Starts at Eight (she's my personal inspiration in this, and many other things!)  I've seen them here and there's a whole list of them here and here, too.  I used to do a version of them but have since gotten away from it for whatever reason(s).  It's definitely not a new idea, but it's a fun one.  What better excuse to dig through old photos and relive some old memories before I forget them all!

Nathaniel, Easter 2006

 

So I decided to start this week flashing back to this time (April) in 2006.  I was on maternity leave with a brand new baby at home (Nathaniel, of course!) and my life had very recently changed drastically (for the better!!).  There was something to be said about those early days of Motherhood.  I was exhausted, no doubt.  I remember feeling a little bit like I was in a fog for the first few weeks (months?).  But I was on an adrenaline high of some sort, too.  I trudged through my days feeding and burping, changing diapers and rocking to sleep.  Lather.  Rinse.  Repeat.  (Although that gives the illusion that I showered with some regularity but let me tell you...that was a novelty all its own!)

Nathaniel, 4 weeks old (even then with his beloved Boo Bankie)

 

I loved not having to go to work for the first time since I had started working at 16.  I stayed up late staring at this new creature that I had created, watching him sleep, making sure he was breathing.  I spent early mornings and middle of the night feedings watching VH-1 videos (it was music!) and would drift off to sleep snuggling the most precious thing I've ever been blessed with!  I cried a lot.  I stressed out a lot.  It was hectic with visitors and chaotic with trying to figure it all out.  But I loved it!

No one could have ever have prepared me then for how tremendously different life would be with a little one in it.  They could have told me all day long that it's hard work and that it has its rewards, but it is nothing compared to how challenging, difficult, and gratifying this job of Mom has turned out to be!

It's The Little Things...a snail's pace

My good friend, Heidi, has issued a new challenge called "It's The Little Things Thursday" over on her blog, Starts at Eight...I love this idea because our world is too crazy and hectic and life has a way of carrying on without us if we don't take the time to slow down.  This is a great opportunity to stop and focus some (much needed!) attention on the little things that make a difference.  Too often these little things get brushed off, forgotten, or pushed aside for the bigger more demanding things in life.  So join with me as I take a little time each Thursday to highlight some little things that make a BIG difference!

Today is a rainy, dismal day here in Rochester.  After a week or more of gorgeous, unseasonably warm, sunny days, it's day two of this gray miserableness and I'm feeling it.  As I was trudging into work this morning after a short night of sleep, I saw this:

You're probably wondering why I would choose this as my little thing but watching this little guy make his way across the parking lot at a snail's pace (literally!) made me see the bigger picture.  We all have our journey to make.  For this little snail, his journey just to get across the parking lot was way more difficult (and would probably take a lot longer) than my measly day at work.  Yet, undeterred, he pressed on.  He was a welcome reminder about the world at large.  I guess I can't explain it very well, but seeing him lifted my spirits.  I hope to garner some of this little guy's motivation, determination, and spunk.  Despite how gray my day started, I will trudge along, just like my new friend, Spike.  (Is it weird that I just named him?  Never mind, don't answer that!)

For more revelations about the little things that keep us going and make this journey worth it, stop over and pay Heidi a visit.  Link up to her blog and take some inspiration and feel good spirit with you when you leave!

Wordless Wednesday - Grumpy McGrumperson

Simple Woman's Daybook...April 6, 2010

FOR TODAY...April 6, 2010

Outside my window...the sunny, unseasonably warm skies have gone gray.  They're calling for thunderstorms today which is ok by me...I love sitting in my garage and watching them roll through! 

I am thinking...about preparations for my big trip to Arizona next week!  I am leaving the boys at home and while I'm SUPER excited about making this trip with my sister, I am going to miss them and worry about them while I'm gone.  Not that they won't be in excellent hands (home with Daddy) but still...I can't help but worry!  I have a lot to do before next week though!  Laundry to catch up on, packing to get done, and so on.

I am thankful for...my sister!  She is going shopping with me this afternoon in search of a flattering dress for the wedding in AZ.  It's a big undertaking seeing as I have about 40-50 lbs to lose, so "flattering" is a hard concept!  I hate dress shopping but I want to be comfortable and not look like a house!  My sister has fantastic taste and style and helps alleviate some of the "shock" of trying on dress after dress that looks horrible.  She's good at eyeballing them and knowing if it's even worth trying.  I love my baby sister!

From the kitchen...my Keurig is brewing a fresh, hot cup of mint tea.  I love my Keurig!!

I am wearing...my usual fare.  Comfy pants, t-shirt.  I would live in them 24/7 if it were possible!

I am remembering...Nathaniel falling asleep while cuddling with me last night.  It was the highlight of my week!  He told me he wanted to "camp out" like we did last weekend so I told him he could come sit with me until his movie was over.  He snuggled up and before I knew it he was snoring in my lap!  Awww!  Seriously a moment to soak in! 

I am creating...to-do lists out the wazoo!  I have lists of things to pack for AZ, lists of things to accomplish for the house, list of projects I'm working on, etc.

I am going...dress shopping with my sister (see above)! 

I am hoping...to find the motivation and TIME to accomplish the MANY things looming over my head!

I am hearing...the world whipping by at an astonishing pace!

Pondering these words...I was venting to my father the other day about how Nathaniel has turned into a bratty 4-year-old in the last few weeks and I was THISCLOSE to not having the Easter bunny pay him a visit but couldn't figure out how to do that and NOT wind him up in therapy in 10 years.  My father said to me that "the Easter Bunny, like Santa Claus, HAS to come, but he doesn't always have to bring a lot"....Love these words!  So true!  I will be using this wisdom down the road, no doubt!

Around the house...There are projects going on everywhere.  We're trying to get the house de-cluttered, fixed up, and cleaned to put it back on the market and get out of the City.  Dave is replacing curtains, spackling cracks, and I'm supposed to find time to purge stuff, organize our mess and downsize to maximize our space.  It's a BIG project and I'm not doing very well with it so far!!

On my mind...my upcoming trip to AZ, several deadlines for work this month, trying to find the time to get the house ready to put it on the market.

Noticing that...this time of the year is always a crazy one.  I'm not sure if it's the Spring Fever thing but it seems March/April are always ridiculously busy for us!

One of my favorite things...weekends.  I LOVE weekends!  Busy ones, quiet ones, in between ones.  I just love not having to go to work and being able to wake up, enjoy a cup of coffee, watch my boys play, and NOT have to rush off anywhere right away.

A few plans for the rest of the week: dress shopping tonight, Walk 'N Talk with Heidi, laundry, packing, cleaning, and hopefully playing outside with the boys a lot more!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I love the dreamy look in Alex's eyes here...it makes me happy!  "Bo-Bo!"

Be sure to check out other entries at Simple Woman's Daybook!

A Walk In the Woods...

Yesterday Nathaniel was lucky enough to go on a walk in the woods with Geema on Easter Sunday.  So Alex and I tagged along...

My Mom is an incredibly smart lady and knows a lot of stuff about a LOT of stuff.  I love every second my boys are able to spend with my parents because I know they are learning rich tradition and some very important knowledge.  I am very grateful to have my parents to pass these things on to my family and keep these lessons and values alive!
 

Yesterday's nature walk consisted of a lesson in tracking deer.  Grandma taught Nate what to look for and where to look to find deer tracks.  She taught him how to tell what direction the deer is traveling in and how there are big deer and little deer (this time of the year).

Here Grandma is pointing out a deer crossing where the deer travel across the creek.  She showed Nathaniel some raccoon prints on the bank and even showed the boys where the worms make tracks in the creek bed.  So cool!

Just when I thought Nathaniel wasn't paying attention, he stopped and said "Here's one Grandma!" and when I asked him what direction he thought that deer was headed he stopped, looked, and pointed in the RIGHT direction!  Yeah, Geema!

Thanks, Mom, for being such a fantastic role model and wealth of information to me and my children!!  You will never understand how much I fully appreciate all that you have taught ME and all that you are sharing with my boys!  We are SO lucky to have you!

Let me know when the tadpoles are ready and we'll be over for a lesson in amphibious creatures!  :)

Dry spell

Blame it on the mentally exhausting weekend I've had dealing with my 4-year-old who seems to have turned into a snotty 7-year-old overnight.

It's also quite possible that spending the last 48-72 hours outdoors getting fresh air in this beautiful weather has wiped me out.

The fact that Nathaniel had me up for over three hours in the middle of the night and was STILL up before 7 AM definitely has me pooped for sure!

Or maybe it was the busy day we had celebrating Easter all day long that has my brain on quit mode.

And even more possible, perhaps the three four glasses of wine I had with my Mom at dinner have done me in.

Whatever the excuse, I have nothing remarkable to say tonight.  I did take a TON of fantastic pictures of the boys this weekend however and promise to share those very soon...There really are some cute ones (and LOTS of them!)

Either way, I promised myself I would get to bed early (for me) tonight so I am keeping that promise and making excuses for (another) lame post.  I promise to make up for it!  I hope everyone had a happy Easter with your families!

So, until later...I'm going to go do some of this :

...so tomorrow I have no excuse for being brain dead!

Happiness is...

weather warm enough to do lots of this:

The Heck YAYS

Seeing as "Hell's Angels" was already taken, I thought this crew of renegades deserved their own name.

Introducing the "Heck YAYS":

That would be the notorious motorcycle gang comprised of a Yousey, an Aman (not pictured), another Yousey, and a Smith. 

These guys are bad ass.  (Or at least they could have been in another time or place).

In all seriousness, though.  These four guys mean the world to me.  With warm temperatures and dry roads ahead of us, they will be out there on the roads intermingling with all you big trucks, SUV s, and 4-door Sedans.  So be careful!  Watch for them and show some respect!  Thanks!

Playing Catch-up

I'm playing catch-up over on my photo(s)-a-day blog tonight.  So I haven't really had a chance to put my "pen to paper" (as it were) here.

Regardless of that, today marks the start of a new month and a new NaBloPoMo goal.  Even though I missed a day of posting in March (due to my extended stay in NYC), making me a "miss" for my NaBloPoMo goal for last month, I still really enjoy the daily habit of writing and sharing here.  So, let's take another go, shall we?.  My Bloggoversary is coming up in a couple of weeks, so in honor of one whole year of blogging, I will keep up my daily posting!  Aren't you lucky?!?