Songs that Always Make Me Happy

Carrie Underwood Before He Cheats

Cake Rock and Roll Lifestyle

Beyonce Single Ladies

Dar Williams Iowa

This is an odd mix but they never fail.  Use wisely.  To readers of another generation, sorry about this post.

Rebirth

Is it just me, or is it amazing that Mr.Travolta made a comeback in his career?  I’m not even posting a photo of that classic film LOOK WHO’S TALKING.

Then we have the mysterious case of Justin Timberlake.  Did anyone see that coming with him being the ‘it guy?’  He was such a joke Mr. Boy Band singer.  Now he’s funny and cute and sings good or something?  Not my kind of music so I’m not entirely clear, but this is what I hear.

In my next incarnation I wonder who I should be.  Supermodel?  Plumber?

Nothin’

I honestly have no thoughts today.  Not in a bad way, just nothing strikes me as interesting.  Grocery shopping, Todd home for some president’s birthday that no one else celebrates, Owen crying in his bed, step aerobics and kick boxing, some laundry.  Can’t imagine why I have nothing exciting to share.

Happy

Although he looks a little crazy here, Owen has been happy the last few days.  Not around nap time, but in general.  It is lovely.  He crawls quickly everywhere and is full of conversation.  He is also developing a throaty laugh when Cole does ridiculous things or when he is tickled.

Now that the child is one I was hoping the bike helmet would fit him so that we could venture out.  But it doesn’t stay on at all.  We’ll have to wait till March when I can buy one more suited to his tiny head.  For the record, I think the red eyes here reflect the slight evil that lurks inside Owen so I am not going to correct them.

Updates

Owen cried for 2 hours and 45 minutes, then fell asleep.  For half an hour.  But still, he did it.  Big sigh of relief.  My limit was going to be 3 hours.  Today of course Todd let him fall asleep in his arms and just held him. I am withholding many curses.

My Only Eat at Local Restaurants pledge has been defeated by my friend Kate.  We went out last night, fun, but at Chili’s which is her favorite place.  I feel like a little bit less of a person.  We ate lunch at a little crepes place run by a French Yuman today though–delicious salmon and potato and lemon in a buckwheat crepe for me.  It made up for the weakness a little bit.

The Soda Cut Back pledge is not going well.  I deal with stress by drinking (at least not vodka).  Owen got sick on January 1 and I returned to old habits.  I am going to have to start over again.  Sigh.

I was tempted to cheat on the Not Buying Things pledge, then felt like a heel.  Cheating yourself?  That is low.  I really want to buy some new gym shoes though.  I haven’t done it, or anything like unto it, yet.  I may have to confess later.

It is a grand Saturday at our house.  Todd doesn’t work Monday so we are just having fun with our day.  Farm stand this morning with broccoli just picked from a field half a mile away, along with foods I like.  Crepes.  Boys wrestling on the floor.  Campfire in the desert slated for tonight if the rain holds off.  I’m feeling good, content, and pleased with my existence.  What more could a girl want?

Help. Please.

Wednesday Owen crawled off my bed during his nap, landing painfully on the concrete floor.  I knew it was going to happen sooner or later but it is the only place he will nap so I put those thoughts out of my head.  He’s fine.

But, now he has to nap in the crib.  Yesterday I gave him his bottle, he dropped to sleep, and I put him in.  Then he cried for two hours.  I went in every thirty minutes to comfort him, but then I couldn’t take it any more.  It was a long afternoon.  He slept for a few minutes in the car but that was it for the whole day.

Today he is in his bed, screaming again.  I don’t really know what to do.  Should I let him stay there all day till he actually goes to sleep?  Should I give up and hold him for the next ten years?  I really am struggling so I could use some advice.

More About Money

Talk of the Nation on NPR was about a 21 day fast from using plastic–even a debit card.  It was interesting, because it is true that a card is totally fake and less painful than spending ‘real’ money.  I might never buy a plane ticket if I had to pay for it in a pile of $1 bills.  The guest finance lady, Michelle Singletary, is someone I like and find to be wise.  So take a listen if you want.

I am not buying: stamps, new gym shoes which I need, a peach tree to replace the orange one we cut down in the front yard.

Famous

My alter identity, Eleana, made it into the newspaper today!  I was brave and talked at the council meeting even though I had bad hair.  As such, I will not direct anyone to the video of the event.

Other ways in which I am great: lots of exercise, mostly because of peer pressure.  I guess whatever it takes.  I have been doing classes every day at the gym which is about 700 times harder than working out on my own.  My muscles hurt almost all the time but in a good way.

Inspiration

This makes me sounds like a terrible person, but oh well.

I really hate inspiration thought posters.  The classroom I use at night is filled with special thoughts…”Help someone else: you’ll both climb higher.”  This is with a picture of climbing a mountain.  I think to myself, no you might fall and die.  Another, done in womanly calligraphy and muted colors, framed even, says: “Life isn’t about weathering the storm but about learning to dance in the rain.”  Technically I agree with this sentiment but it is somehow revoltingly trite when put on a poster.

On the flip side, there is a movement afoot to remove a wall in my neighborhood and make a street open to much more traffic.  And I am inspired enough to go to the city council meeting tonight.  I’m sure that I will leave annoyed at most of my fellow citizens and burned out on humanity, but I will make an effort.  So maybe I have a tiny shred of soul left after all.

Things I’m Not Buying

(Or even shopping for, looking at, and waiting a month)

• new oven
• tickets to see Foreigner in Yuma
• haircut/color
• matching clothes for the boys for Easter

I don’t like how often I think about looking around for a product, or how I would like to buy something.  Too often.