Spring is Finally, Truly Arriving

It appears that the snow is disappearing once and for all (I know it's not quite May yet, so I'm taking a risk).

I am so looking forward to this summer - and I'm not normally one who relishes in the heat and ickiness of June through August -- but K's going to make sure we enjoy every warm day that he can play outside. He's taken on two new passions -- t-ball and soccer. Yes, at the age of two, he wants to Bend it Like Beckham and Jam it Like Jeter. Not to mention, we'll be layering on swimming lessons this summer (water fun for K and mommy - no doubt!). Of course, this does mean I will need to partake in the worst ritual known to woman-kind. I'll need to buy a new bathing suit. D kindly asked when I planned on going to this venture (I have until June) and I smiled and send that I think that kind of venture will require a solo-shopping trip.

And of course, with summer brings all the art fairs, festivities and trips to zoos that we could possibly ever want to enjoy ourselves with... so I'm looking forward to a chock-full summer :) my other big summer project is creating a DVD photo album --but I'm not loving this new adobe software I got, I think I might go back to the original Microsoft software we have on our computer. That's what you get when you try to be too fancy, I guess.

Okay, enough for my ramblings, I promise I'll be more cohesive in future musings!

Turning Thirty

Alas, today is the day that I enter a new decade. The sky is slightly gray with promise of rain. Is that indicative of what my thirties will be like? I hope not. I've always been looking forward to entering what I call true adulthood. The twenties seemed like a very long transitional phase - not really a young crazy college kid anymore, but not quite an adult.





Well, for anyone in suspense of my health ailment ... apparently, I'm also starting out my thirties with a new direction in clean and healthy eating. My digestive system is not getting thoroughly cleaned out enough, so I need to increase my fiber intake and just improve my overall healthy eating. It was sort of shocking that this was my diagnosis -- as I usually eat pretty high fiber meals, choosing whole grains over refined carbs, but I guess I just must take it with even greater zest now. So, as though it were fate -- I found a new magazine (I know, I'm taking a risk, because whenever I find a new magazine, it never seems to stay in publication for very long) called Clean Eating. (http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/).

Hopefully, by taking a more concerted approach to my food and exercise, I start feeling phenomenal (and looking phenomenal, too!) And what a great way to start the next decade of my life!

Me and Patrick Swayze

Since Monday, I've had this terrible pain in my upper right abdomen. It's come and gone, but always returns and is now starting to have a burning sensation - so I scheduled an appointment with my regular doctor - but then went to urgent care today. The diagnosis -- they don't know! So, I'm still stuck going to the doctor tomorrow. Of course, anyone who knows me knows I tend to think of the worst possible circumstances -- so right now -- and my sister is probably rolling out the ground if she's reading this -- but of course I'm convinced that I'm probably dying of pancreatic cancer or some terrible terrible disease. Of course, IM'ing my mother - she gives me her own medical diagnosis that it's probably scar tissue from when I had my gall bladder removed adhering my organs together! Lordy be, and you wonder where I get it?!

Why oh why - three days before a milestone birthday do I have to come down with some potentially horrific ailment? Well, my dear travelin' friends. I'll keep you updated. If I don't, then you know the worse has come true and I've run off to join Patrick Swayze and his support group.

Nothing Like Sweet Music

There's nothing like sweet music to get you tap ... tap ... tappin' your feet. I've been debating the great decision of whether or not to get an iPod - yes, it's hard to believe, but I have yet to actually own one. Now, I've bought one as a gift for my mother -- so it's not like I have an issue parting with the huge chunk of change that these small devices cost. I just am having issues justifying purchasing it for myself. I'm addicted to music, but since I've also lately become addicted to MPR and Talk Radio - I am way behind the times of music -- and I'm afraid I'd spend a small fortune on iTunes trying to catch up with all the great music I've probably left behind. It's trite -- this I realize, but I can't help myself.

The Independence of a Toddler

I've made a parental observation, that only time will tell me is accurate. I believe we are all born with a set amount of independence. Depending on how that independence is cultivate it can grow or it can fade away. Now when I say a set amount of independence, I don't mean that every human being is granted the same amount at birth -- it's just that you're given your quota at the beginning.

I think that my very independent toddler has unearthed this theory. If he knows he is capable of achieving a task, then by no means can you assist. If he's not sure, then you must absolutely let him try first. If he wants to carry the grocery bag up the stairs (even though it weighs at least half his body weight) I must let him at least thing he is doing it... fortunately the bag is big enough, he doesn't realize I'm carrying it from underneath.

The other night at dinner, enjoying what I call the fastest dinner imaginable (soup and bread) he wanted to demonstrate his vast culinary abilities. He proceeded to mash his bread in his soup bowl and then sprinkle it with his milk. Then, very enthusiastically I must say, he took his tiny toddler spoon and began to mix the concoction, screaming in delight "I cook mama, I cook!" The icing on the cake was that he then ate his new dinner with pride and joy because he had created it. If he grows up to be a great culinary celebrity, may he love his mama like they do!