The Prediction of Snowy Weather in St. Louis...Let the Chaos Continue

It's Monday, cloudy, cold and we are all gearing up for a very snowy forecast starting this evening into tomorrow morning. Why is it that in St. Louis, everyone freaks out when it's supposed to snow? By freaking out I mean run to the grocery store and stock up as like we would be snowed in for days on end and not be able to function as normal for weeks. I, just like most, do not enjoy driving in the wintry stuff, but it's part of living here. It can't only snow on holidays and weekends. That is pretty obvious to most. Furthermore, we barely even get any snow really and the majority of the time it is too hard to predict and we end up with more than expected or barely a dusting. I'm not blaming the meteorologists, I don't know what it takes to be one, but I never put too much into what they predict and neither should everyone really. I'll prepare for it, but I'm most certain, Mark, Mia, the dogs and I will all survive for a few days if we end up with several feet of snow and are officially "snowed in." I'm not going to hold my breath though, I can't imagine that ever being the case here, but I may be proven wrong at some time in my lifetime. When I lived in Kansas City, we experienced a nasty snow and ice storm that did pretty much shut the city down for a day or two, but that has been the worst I have seen in my 32 years. Plus I was teaching then and had the wonderful enjoyment of snow days. I don't have that luxury anymore. I may delay the start of my day tomorrow, but if I can open my front door and my garage, I can get out. Why is it that St. Louisans panic when we get these types of forecasts? I've never understood the chaos that ensues when we receive this type of news. Relax everybody, we'll all be just fine. Take a breath, grab a mug of hot cocoa, build a fire (assuming you have a fireplace), grab a blanket and enjoy your evening. There is nothing more beautiful than waking to a snowy wonder, so embrace it for it's beauty, not how it will make for a more difficult morning commute.

Wordless Wednesday (ok, maybe it's Thursday)

I FINALLY spent some time with my new camera last night and meant to share these last night, alllllllthough I stayed up way to late on a school night, so I am sharing them on Wordless Thursday instead. I hope you enjoy as much as I do. I picked some of my favorites:

Our house after the Christmas Eve snow:

Mia and her cousin Lindsay:Mia's mohawk after her first ponytail:Momma and Mia:Her Royal Cuteness:My adorable nieces:Jefferson:Lucy:

Resolve

In my first post of the new year, I want to focus on my most important resolution. I have a few resolutions in 2011, but this one is the most important. It's the year of Me! I really vow to make a valid effort towards securing what is best for me in my career. Without going into too much detail, I enjoy what I do for a living, but I feel that I am being held back and I'm not so sure it will get better. No one else can put me on the right path, I need to focus on getting myself there. I feel like I am a pretty good wife and a pretty good Mom, but I feel like I don't have a very firm grasp on my life professionally. I am just so up and down with it. There are days that I feel pretty good, but the majority of the time I catch myself once again getting frustrated. I enjoy the flexibility and independence that I have, especially as a full time working parent, but I get frustrated with the lack of consistency with most anything in my work life. I compare a lot - why is he/she more deserving - what am I missing - what am I not doing? I know I am a good employee and an asset to my company. Is it me or is it someone or something else? I play that battle game often and I really shouldn't. So here's to a year of focusing on what is best for me and making sure that I am happy. This is my one shot and my one life, so it's up to me to make it great!! Happy New Year! I wish you a very happy, prosperous and rewarding 2011!

The Awesomeness of My Parents

(Yes 2 posts today...I'm having a busy brain day and it needs to be released) With every life event there is a lesson to be learned. I feel very strongly in that. I've always known that my parents were great, but I think I really took that for granted. My parents are not just great, they are AWESOME! They would bend over backward for any of us. I have always been thankful for them, but I am even more thankful for them today than every before. They have raised three great girls who have all branched out and started their own chapters in the book of life. My Dad - where do I start with him...Did I mention he is awesome? I have always had a very special bond with my dad. I was the athlete and since my mom and dad had no boys, my dad and I spent a lot of time together. We are exactly 30 years apart in age and 2 years ago our family threw us a surprise 60/30 Birthday Party! It was great and I could never imagine celebrating with anyone else. He's stubborn and has a temper - I get that from him. He's clean and particular (I only like big paperclips, can't stand the small ones and am really particular about the paper I write on, the pens I use and highlighters...no comments please) - I get that from him. He likes popcorn, sugar and soda - I get that from him. He puts everyone else before him - I get that from him. I could go on and on. The thought of life without him is traumatizing to me, but I try not to think about it. He's a great Dad! My Mom - Growing up my Mom and I always got along, but have grown much much closer in my adult years. She has been a very strong sense of reason for me, especially as of late and I appreciate her even more for that. She loves to read books and magazines - I get that from her. She loves Target - I get that from her!!! She loves girly movies - I get that from her and love watching them with her. She's likes to make jewelry, loves CPK and Pizza Hut - I definitely get that from her. She's thoughtful - I hope to be like her. Growing up I can always remember my Mom's little notes. In my book bag, lunch, anywhere where she knew I would find them and they just brightened my day. I definitely get that from her. My husband gets little notes and cards from me all the time. I love to do it. It feels good to make someones day. The thought of life without my Mom is devastating, but I try not to think about that either. She's wonderful. Thanks Mom & Dad for setting such a great example of what it truly is to be a parent. If only every child were as lucky to have you as we are! I love you, The Middle One

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Family.drama.on.Christmas...yep, it's happening and unfortunately to my family. It's draining, emotional and heartwrenching. After much anger and devastation over the situation I am searching for the positive in all of this, as I feel no matter what you can find a positive out of most anything. Christmas should be an exciting time filled with family, laughter and gooooood food, amongst so many other things. I have always loved Christmas and all of the fun events leading up to it - christmas lights, Rudolph, Frosty, decorating the house, making gingerbreads and so much more! I still get excited when I go to bed on Christmas Eve and I'm 32. There is still a lot of excited Christmas morning child running through my blood. And I am so excited to be a Mom on Christmas morning. Each year it will get better and better. My husband, on the other hand, does not like Christmas. He is not a big fan of the holiday season and this is the first year I have truly understood why. I found a quote that is very fitting and sent it to my husband who is having the roughest time of all of us. “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.” I hope you find the Merry in your Christmas!

Da and Da and Santa

Mia's vocabulary is getting stronger and stronger each day. It's amazing to watch her learn. She can identify a lot of things around the house: clock, lamp, dog, TV, tree, light, fan, and so many more. She recognizes so many objects and ideas. Give Momma a huggie, she will and follow it with an awwww....., what does a cat say....eow.....Old MacDonald had a farm....eieiooo (we normally do that part together). But everything goes by the same name...da!...and I love it. All night long, it's da...da...da...da as she points to the object. Our poor dogs, who now get very little of our attention, will bark a lot and play with each other to entertain themselves and in an attempt to get our attention, a pet, a treat or something. I think we say No and yell at them more than we think because Mia has started mimicking us when it gets really loud (the dogs, not us LOL). She will stand there and point and shake her arm up and down and yell No or some other unidentified noise. It's too funny! On a separate note, tonight is Mia's first official picture with Santa. We're heading up to Chesterfield Mall after work. She'll be all ready with her Christmas outfit on (including tutu). I just hope she wants to sit on the Jolly Ole' Man's lap. We practiced at a Christmas party a few weeks back with her cousins and let's just say she was fine, but Santa almost dropped her. I think three kids on his lap was one too many. Anyway the picture should be sent to Ellen because it's hilarious! It would be a great addition to her Bad Santa photos - www.ellentv.com. Assuming we don't have to pay $100 to buy a copy of the picture and/or I can scan it, I will post it tonight or tomorrow. Happy Day Before Friday and The Last 5 Day Work Week For Two Weeks (but who's counting...)

Wordless Wednesday

I'm kind of feeling like this today...