In full bloom.

Today this boy and I walked to preschool (okay so it's only like one block away) We passed the apple orchard at the end of our street, ooed and ahhed at the new blossoms, laughed when we tried to climb them ("fat mom in a little treeee")...and then an animated bluebird landed on my shoulder. 

(that last part was a lie) 

When Sheamus was born Adam and I separately got the impression that he would always look after his momma (that's me). Not in an annoying popped collar mommas boy way, but rather a quiet protector. I think this suits him, and actually i think he will bring a confident assurance to many others besides me. It occurred to me last night that he is starting to grow out of wearing his costumes. Not completely. but those days are becoming few and far between. Someone please tell me there are days ahead as sweet as the ones I have now with this 5 year old munch. Is it possible for him to grow up and not turn all teen angsty and cynical? I can take the pimples and dirty bathrooms, but that classic Sheamus sweetness is a trait I will grieve if its ever lost completely. No pressure Sheamus ;) Since i'm his mom, ill probably always see it anyway. As for now...i think we will play dress up, cause Zip-a-dee-do-dah...today he is still five.

team Boo ♥'s you

David Bowie supports ch ch changes.

Things I won't do in 2011:

-give myself a schedule (i hate looming obligations)

-remember birthdays (creates unintentional favoritism)

-stop eating dessert (cause that is a sick joke)

-stress about having a clean house (but when i do, i always wear this exact outfit...)

[via italian vanity fair]

my theme for 2011?...my year of "absorbtion and practice" Translation: give patience to the skills i want to learn. No starting a business talk or getting ahead of myself. No quitting cause i'm unoriginal on the spot. No feeling overwhelmed cause I didn't start it all ten years ago. Not letting my embarrassment (of my output) deter my future efforts. I am dedicating myself to learning to learn and letting myself be inspired. blahbitty blah...more cheesy stuff...amen.

here are a few less vague goals:

-give my hair a pulse again (it's time.)

-get some certifiable skills (as in college classes)

-get a big girl camera and not be afraid to learn how to use it (i've done everything short of selling my plasma to save up)

-run 1000 miles (this number keeps going down)

-read 5 books (this makes me sound like a retard, i know.)

-make a quilt for each of my kids (cause it's a sentiment i know they will love)

-only buy things that i L.O.V.E. (food, clothes, shoes, toys, etc)

practice. practice. practice. practice. practice. practice. practice. practice. practice. practice. practice. practice. practice. practice. practice. practice. practice......

Happy New Year Friends!!

team Boo ♥'s you

lets get physical.

Some of you have wondered how I can stand to run on the treadmill for such far runs. the short answer?...the people watching.

I love the diversity at the gym. There's the middle aged men I'm praying won't get on the machine next to me (as their BO is most likely to burn my eyes). The Chatty Kathys on tandem machines...how do they have SO much to say? Their lives must be very exciting...the scandals! (i'm just jealous they have a friend) Then there are the sweet old folks that work out in jean shorts and fanny packs, so cute you could just put 'em in your pocket. 

But my absolute faves are the "My-ipod-Makes-Me-Invisible" ladies:

-We have the J-Lo-Stair-dancing-Mamacita: complete with side kicks, dips and twists (in her defense, she has the booty to pull it off)

-The Tammy-Faye-Motivational-Listener: tons of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane make up, a giant perma grin and makes an occasional shout out of "YES!" or, on a good day, an "I am capable!"

-And the newest to this club is the lady i recently saw lying on the ab rolling machine. Before she began, i watched in delight as she spread her arms out wide (as if conducting an orchestra) waved them around a bit and then drove it home with a few fist clenches (for added drama)...then casually went on to strengthen her core. I imagined she was listening to Celine Dion...so, the fist pumps made sense.

I'm sure you are expecting me to call them a bunch of nut jobs, and based on my first reactions to their public displays, you'd be right. But actually, i'll tell you why I cherish these ladies so much: I truly adore their lack of inhibition. You may or may not be surprised to know that i am actually pretty retarded on the spot. It makes for really awkward pictures, missed opportunities to make memories with my loved ones or meet new peeps. I have a family photo shoot coming up on friday with Steoffrey and i can already feel my elbows and knee caps fusing together...my face has prematurely started to contort into various drunkface positions (caught between a split decision to make a cute or silly expression)...

exhibit A:

Like those at the gym, i wanna not care who is watching me and the judgements they may or may not be passing. Who cares right? I realize judgements are a way of life. It is one way we gauge how we will behave, the people we want to be, and the environment we want to experience. The tricky part is avoiding getting carried away with this. My goal is to (after i stop giggling) avoid assuming those ladies were crazies, and instead applaud their right to go with what they are feeling. And also avoid judging myself too harshly. The truth is I'm gonna look like an idiot sometimes, but if im gonna do it, i gotta do it all the way...or not at all. Otherwise all i'll be left with is a rigid sense of self (aka: a stick up my butt) and a couple of fugly pictures. 


But...you'll probably still never catch me salsa dancing solo on a stair stepper in the middle of a gym, because seeeriously.

;)
team Boo ♥'s you


p.s. I get so annoyed at blogs that are novels...when did i get so long winded and "thinky"?? If my blog were an outfit right now it would be Michael Scott in an unintentional woman's pants suit. I'm ready to be legwarmers again.

all you need is love.

Most of us, if not all, can relate to the love hate relationship with the blogging world. The unique people (love) the fakeness (hate) the talent and inspiration (love) then feeling like a lame-o (hate) the great stories (love) the rude comments (hate) the hours of entertainment (love) how much time I can waste on the computer (hate) making connections (love) feeling plain or inadequate (hate) the creativity (LOVE) the "competition" (hate) the opportunities to learn (love).


The slipperiest slope of all for me though is the "wanting." Wanting the stuff I don't need, wanting to be somewhere I'm not. Wanting to be a little more stylish, beautiful, wittier, more interesting, talented or whatever. What I really want is to be happy to LOVE and grow. I truly do find so much inspiration daily of ways to find and create the joy in my life through the people in the blog world.  It is a tough balance to not get carried away with "missing out" on the things I wish I were or had. 


Today Megan took the words right out of my mouth. It is no secret I have a huge crush on her beautiful Anne of Green Gables meets Pippy Long Stocking soul (thanks robin for helping me find that marriage). Sorry Megan, but i have to gush...you are just so fantastic. And i mean that in the most encouraging way.  So uninhibited and playful and not afraid to show vulnerability. Her admirable initiative and humble approach to life puts her at the tippy top of the blogs that inspire me. Not to mention she is a clever little amateur filmmaker. Just look at this video she made in an attempt to defy her feelings of wanting....and totally nailing it!


In the end, i mostly just love to blog. even when i hate it, i love it. And I want to help you appreciate and love the simple things in life just like megan does for me...for that is what this blog is supposed to be all about: LOVE! Albeit unconventional or awkward at times (like, not the deep mushy gooshy kind). Its definitely sprinkled with lots of teasing and sarcasm (okay, so i get a little carried away with that, but how can i not? Life is funny.) Its about loving my family, remembering to love myself, spreading the love of motherhood, and learning to love moments more than things.

team boo ♥'s you

chola envy

Some of you may recall my post a while back about my desire for a bi-racial child.

Guys here is the sole reason i need a half Latino baby....

any takers?  Addie?? (you're mexican right?)  ;)

I'm just saying, if I'm gonna take the plunge and introduce another poo-fest, i'm gonna do it right.