Sleepovers and Girly Time

My sisters, mom and I have always loved sleepovers. Jammies, snacks, girly movies and just good ole' time together. Ever since I can remember we have done this and I just love it. Even some afternoons when we were younger and all still under one roof, we would just all climb in bed and watch movies. My poor dad, a house full of women (Mom + 3 girls), except the dogs, they've always been male. We don't have them as often as we used to of course, but we try. Like tonight, my mom and youngest sister are coming over for dinner, a glass of wine or two and girly time. Mark is out for the night at the Ozzy Ozbourne concert (snicker, giggle...oh and PS Slash is the opening act and he cancelled so now it's just Ozzy so I'm sure at his ripe "young" age the concert will be all of an hour and he probably won't move from one spot). Anywhooooo.....I'm really looking forward to the relaxing night at home with no plans for the weekend (zero, zilch, nada, I'm not expected anywhere at any certain time the whole.entire.weekend!!), so much in fact, I may put my jammies on as soon as I walk through the door (after I recognize my husband and child of course)! My poor hubby though, I don't think he really gets the whole sleepover thing, but he's a guy so I don't really expect him to. He's not from an affectionate family and I'm not sure they spent that much time together really. Sad, but I'm not one to judge. My situation growing up was different and that is what makes us all unique. This is also what makes Mark and I such great partners. We create a good mesh when we combine our thoughts on growing up and our childhood. I really truly feel that Mia (or maybe our children some day if day care ever becomes affordable) will be raised very well, independent and strong. Back to my point...When I tell him about sleepovers he just kind of gives me this look like we are really weird. That's ok...I heart weird. I get excited about knowing my Mom and sister are coming over and we're just going to hang out, relax, eat, maybe fall asleep on the couch, you know the super exciting Friday night stuff. I just hope my lil' angel baby (squishy, squishy, cuteness that she is...yep, weird) Mia enjoys it just as much as I do and when she's 32 she can look back on all of the good memories we've shared and look forward to the many still to come. Even more so, I hope she looks forward to sharing the traditions with her children. I come from a family of traditions and my husband does not. I'm trying to rub off on him a little bit, so hopefully it's working! Enjoy your weekend!

Thoughts O' Random

Just a few random thoughts on this kinda sunny, freezing cold Thursday: 1. I really love getting my car washed. It's right up there with the feeling I get when my house is clean, just with way less work. 2. Speaking of washing, Mia really needs a bath. I should probably do that tonight. 3. Also speaking of washing (last one, promise) I was so excited when our new house had a nice big soaking tub in my bathroom. I haven't taken many baths, but I have taken a few. Sunday morning (when I was home alone, no hubby, no baby, freakishly quiet) I decided to induldge. After a night out with the hubby and maybe one too many vodka cocktails I thought it would be a good way to start. Only problem, I can't fill it up all the way - not enough hot water. What is the freakin' point of taking a bath if your whole body is not soaking? I get freezing almost immediately and it ends up not being as relaxing as expected. 4. I've never quite understood why big trucks (tractor trailers, especially those with two trailers) freak me out so badly. My heart stops and my palms start sweating whenever I or anyone else passes one and it's way worse when I am not behind the wheel (otherwise known as not in control). My dear hubby thinks it's funny and teases me when he's driving. He'll ride right next to them just to watch me sweat and right before I go into a panic attack he'll drive past. NOT NICE! 5. Drivers are really annoying me lately. Having to commute to and from work every single day (sigh) I am really beginning to really, really dislike bad drivers. And it keeps getting worse. Now I am by no means perfect, but I try to not be one of "those." I tell myself to chill out and some days I'm good, but others I am so easily annoyed. Primarily the left lane drivers who are convinced they can drive at grandma speed. At least the speed limit people, that is all I ask, otherwise move over and let us go by. Christmas Eve (Happy Holidays to you too lady) some lady flipped me the bird not 5 minutes into my commute. She was a raging loony and I promise I did nothing wrong (of course I didn't, never do). I visualized a chasing her, is that bad? (Thanks Dad! - haha!!). 6. I really want to paint an accent wall in our master bedroom...and I want it to be striped and red. I've been working on this one for a while. Not sure it will ever happen, but it's part of my overall vision. Had to keep the bedset simple for my hubby, so I'm working with gray, black and white. Very sleek, but I need color. I'm a color person. Stripes are hard and time consuming. Plus our ceiling is vaulted so I question if it will look weird. Maybe I should just do it red and no stripes. We'll see....spring project #501. 6. Last but not least, my assistant is out today so I am holding down this fort of an office all by my lonesome. We have a bell up front that people ring when they come into the office and no one is at the front desk (i.e. Myrrah's desk). As with most days, I'm enjoying my lunch and typing away. If it goes off one more time... Happy Thursday!

Double Dose...Respect and Communication (and a lil' bit of juju)

It's very simple, to me anyway. There are two small, but rather large things that can make effective people and positive contributors to society. These two simple things can make the world a better place, but are they truly that simple? Why is it that so many people struggle with these two things? Where has respect gone? Why is this lacking in society? In my big girl job, I have the word Manager in my title, so I have to deal with a lot of BS and some days I feel like I'm babysitting, but it's part of the gig so whatever...moving on...I always end up reverting to the same exact comment every time there is an "issue." If we all just communicate and respect one another this (these) problems will go away and often never exist in the first place. Easier said than done right? Not really, but that is my oh so humble opinion anyway. 1. Think before you speak. You can avoid a lot of "uh-oh" moments if you do so and often people sound like a jumbley mess if they don't get their thoughts together before they open their mouths. 2. Don't act like you are better than anyone or ever talk down to ANYONE, ever (ahem...that is not effective, just demeaning, selfish and rude). We all work (or are working) to get where we are (or where we dream to be) and everyone started way down at the bottom in little peon, make the coffee land. 3. Share ideas and don't steal them. Don't take credit for others. That's bad juju. 4. Listen to others. I get so aggravated when I have to repeat myself. It is one of my biggest pet peeves, that I am guilty of myself. I will begin speaking (interrupting) to someone before they are finished. I get so worried I will forget what I am going to say that I just open up my yapper and fly away. So RUDE, but I'm working on it. Just glad I'm not the only one! 5. Benefit one another. And avoid bringing in negativity; it is not effective. Rid your life as best you can from people that do not benefit you. This is often difficult at work, but find your happy place or at least try. 6. Realize that accomplishments don't always require recognition. I agree that it is nice to receive a pat on the back every once in a while, a "good job" or a "nice work, "but we are all adults and you are supposed to be doing a job. You shouldn't be rewarded just for doing what you were hired to do. That is why you were hired and that is what is expected. 7. Be thankful you are employed. Realize that in the wake of the economic state that continues in this country (no political comments or blame games here please and thank you) there still remain many, many people that are unemployed. Don't take advantage of your position in this market. Embrace your skills and position and do your job. I'm going to say it...it's not always about the $$ (but please realize I do know that it holds a ton of weight; I just don't like it). 8. Realize there will always be bad people (refer back to Number 5). People who take your credit, take your spotlight, point out your observations as they were theirs and walk the earth like they were born better than you or anyone else. These people are unfortunate, as they have to validate themselves through putting others down. These are not good people, but they are in our lives to teach us very valuable lessons about honesty and trust, so embrace the learning opportunity instead of allowing it to make you angry. 9. Don't fabricate anything. Tell the truth and be honest. Most would appreciate you admitting to the error or the mistake, rather than lie or fluff about it. 10. Appreciate your co-workers and make the most out of your day. Very few people love to go into work each and everyday, but many of us don't have a choice as to whether we work or not. So embrace it for what it is and do your very best to contribute positively each and every day. You will be better for it and there will be a lot of people that thank you and that is the best reward after all. Remember and believe in the power of juju. It's strong and it will get ya!

Excitement and Joy in the Eyes of a Child

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!