Any Given Sunday

I am home from church today.

I feel like a rebel.

Partially because going to church is such a part of my routine, something I don't question or have to make any decisions about, something I do, prettying up my little family and heading off each and every Sunday.

And partially because I'm enjoying it. The being home part.

Eeek!

Don't get me wrong; I love going to church on Sunday. I love the example is sets for our kids. I love the things that they are learning. I love seeing friends and neighbors. I love that, despite wrestling an often squirmy Austin and excusing the girls to the bathroom for the 5th time in an hour, I get something out of going. A new way of thinking about something, a new thought I'm unfamiliar with, a way of seeing things that hadn't occurred to me before. And that's what keeps us going. Whatever belief system you have, be it LDS or Quaker (hi Mel!) you believe what you believe because it helps you. Teaches you. Inspires you.

But an occasional Sunday at home is good too. A day snuggled close to my two littlest ones who are both battling ear infections is just as spiritual. Being still with my kids and remembering that my most important job is to hold them close and help them feel better is as sacred as any church service.

And I'm thankful for both kinds of Sundays.

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A Rare Day At Home

For the 6 of you still reading, sorry for my absence. We were out of town last weekend for the funeral of Brad's grandma and arrived back home to a week chock full of things to do, including Scout banquets, music class x 2, Relay Meetings 1, 2 & 3, a jean party, baby shower and going away party, all before Saturday morning. In the middle of so much chaos, it's hard for me to keep my noggin' on straight, but I'm doing my best.

Here's what I've learned:

*Happy Mail is the best kind of mail to get, ever. Before we left, I ran to the mailbox hoping to find my first little treasure from April at Funky Vintage Kitchen. I was not disappointed. Tucked inside my sweet little package was a ring that I've pretty much been wearing ever since. Sweet, simple, and the perfect shade of green to gear me up for Spring. I love thoughtful people. Thoughtful people who do nice things just because. And for people they don't even know. Thanks again to Dandee for hooking me up with the mother of all giveaways and April for her beautiful little treasures. You need to check out her shop and pick up some Spring for yourself.

This, but beautifully green

*Funerals are sad, plain and simple but there sure is a lot of love there. Grandma Betty (or Grandma Buddy as Spence aptly named her) passed away after an incredibly full life of traveling the world and reaching out to those in need. She was a bit cranky in the years that I knew her (read: a lot cranky) when Alzheimer's and dementia had robbed her of any niceties she once had, but for sweet Grandpa Jim, all of that is forgotten and all that remains is him knowing that his partner of 67 years is gone. His hugs were tighter, his words more sincere and his sadness palpable. My heart hurts for him.

*Climbing up Multonomah Falls is harder than it seems, especially with three little ones in tow. Brad, Matt and I decided to make the climb with Sienna, Austin and Sims and while it was beautiful , my calves are still barking a bit.

*Busy is as busy does. Shocking, I'm sure, to see that I am overbooked and feeling scrambled but this is what I've decided: the busy of my life right now is what's making my life my life, and if it weren't for the busy, I wouldn't be being me at all. I know a time will come when I'll be looking for things to fill my days and so for now, I need to sit back and enjoy the crazy I've created. I'm lucky to be able to go and see and do and help and instead of fighting it, I'm going to embrace it. There are so many other worse things to be than busy.

*New! York! is 38 days away. I haven't learned anything about that. I'm just really excited. Still looking for a great shoe that will allow me to walk my hiney off without looking like little-girl-in-big-city. Thoughts?

*Sienna is home sick today which is forcing me to be still. I'm sorry for her little body that is racked with yuckiness but thankful for a day at home in my sweats. My busy has allowed my normal routine to get away from me and I'm anxious to catch up.

*My commitment to daily exercise is paying off, not so much in poundage but in feeling strong and seeing parts change shape. I feel good. Healthy and able. Time to put the bike on the rollers and go for a spin.

Happy Wednesday!

Because I Have To

I am sad today.

Sad because bad things happen to really amazing people and try as I might, I don't understand it. I know it's not my place to, that there is a plan that I know only very little of and that I should learn from the happenings of life around me.

But I don't really care about any of that today. I just want to be sad.

Yesterday brought me the news of not one but TWO deaths of truly lovely people to the evils of cancer. They both left their loved ones on Valentine's Day. With their adoring spouses and children huddled in close, they said goodbye. They fought valiantly, one for the past several years and the other for the past few months, and both fell to the destruction of cancer.

It pisses me off.

And makes me unbelievably sad.

And here's the thing; as you probably know, last year I headed up my own team for our local Relay For Life, a 15 hour event that raises money, celebrates survivors and honors victims. I chose to participate at the time because I realized how lucky I was that cancer hadn't come too close to home for me yet. I knew lots of people who had battled and survived and lots who had battled and lost, but my inner circle had so far remained untouched.

But cancer is winning. And it's creeping closer to me everyday.

I am captaining another team for this year's Relay and have been asked by the local chapter, along with my good friend Tracy, to co-chair the team development part of the event. We are in charge of recruiting new teams and spreading the word about this most important event. I've been to local businesses. I've talked with corporate sponsors. I even have my own business card.

But I haven't asked my friends to join me. I haven't sent out my letter requesting donations. I haven't done the very thing I've been asked to do.

I loved last year's Relay. I walked, with the exception of a 45 minute snooze break, for 13 hours. I covered 24 miles. I had blisters on my big toes and aches in my legs but I felt fantastic. My little team of SAHM's raised just over $2000.00 by bake-saleing and garage-saleing our hearts out. And I felt immense pride in watching those survivors and caregivers walk and walk with all of us cheering them on, reminding them that their fight didn't go unnoticed.

I think I've been hesitant to bring it up because I don't want anyone to feel obligated to join me. I don't want those on my team last year to feel like "oh crud, I guess I better do it again this year." I don't want it to be the elephant in the room every time I show up.

But I'm over that. Because you should join me. You should dust of your walking shoes, email your family and friends for donations and do every single thing you can to raise money and support this cause. Because like it or not, cancer is coming. Right at you and your loved ones. And it's time to put that beast to bed.

To join my team, The Betty Boobs, go here.

To start your own team, go here.

To make a donation to my team, go here.

For Jim.

For Letty.

For my uncle Fred, who is still fighting and thankfully winning.

For your beloved, your children, your parents, siblings, family and friends.

Because while sitting and watching others used to be enough, it's not anymore. Cancer is the big schoolyard bully of our generation that needs to be put in it's place. No more. No more diagnosis. No more lost lives. No more heartache. We can do this. I know we can. Please join me.

Worth Setting The Alarm Even Earlier For

I've come to notice that there are two schools of thought regarding Valentine's Day. On one side, you've got your die-hards, The Lovers. Those who love everything about February 14th and spend hours making special Valentines, planning special meals and going out of their way to turn an ordinary day into something extraordinary.

And then there are the others, The Haters, if you will. They turn their back on the over-commercialized, silly, ridiculous excuse to spend-money-and-eat-chocolate-holiday that celebrates an overweight cherub flying around shooting arrows at everyone.

I understand both sides.

I think spending $65 on a dozen roses is insane.

I think cheap chocolatiers who overprice their nasty chocolate to unaware husbands are lame.

I think the card industry charging upwards of $5 for a folded piece of card stock is ridiculous, especially considering that the intended would much rather receive a few heartfelt words scribbled on a napkin.

But.

I think it's VITAL to show your beloved how important they are to you.

I think there aren't many lessons better learned than for children to see their parents love and value one another.

I think nothing makes a child feel better than to know they are loved, fully and wholly, and that if a pile of Hershey's Kisses in the middle of February helps them know that, then so be it.

I think celebrating the everyday is the stuff that makes a happy childhood and builds memories that my kids will remember for a lifetime.

And so while I refuse to buy into the things that the world tells me I need to make my Valentine's Day special, I will spend my day planning surprises and doing a little something extra to let me special ones know how much they mean to me. I will go to classroom parties, decorate my table and make something above and beyond for dinner. I will hug them each again and again and whisper softly how much I love them. I will celebrate Valentine's Day and every other opportunity I have to open my heart and pour out my love to them.

To love and be loved? Nothing better.

This video made it's way into Brad's stocking at Christmas. I love this man to pieces.

In Case You're Wondering...

-Getting six kids out of the house by 8 in the morning so you can go run the Market at your kid's school while watching all six of those kids is not the best way to start a Friday

-After working out like a dog for weeks and weeks on end, I'm happy (NOT) to report that I have lost .4 lbs. Brad has lost 8 in the same amount of time. I'm thrilled for him, but somebody kill me now

-I got a new calling last night and while I'm trying to be super excited about it, truth be told, I am not. I'll get there, just not today

-My house is hammered but I am so booked up today that it will just have to remain in it's state of yucky nastiness

-I have to make a triple batch of a recipe I did a trial run on the other day, which did not turn out as well as I'd hope, sometime today and hope it turns out better

-It's Friday. It's all going to get better, right?

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The Perfect Scene When A Friend Drops By

Yesterday found me surrounded by four little ones wearing bathing suits dancing to Mamma Mia. I'm not even making that up. Mamma Mia is something of a religion in our house as all my kids LOVE the songs, either sung by ABBA or belted out by Meryl and gang. I'm sure some of you find it highly inappropriate that I've allowed all my kids to watch that movie, time and time again if truth be told, but as I've said before, I'd rather my kids be exposed to slight sexual overtures than mean men with uzzies, as they will eventually have sex (hopefully!) and will not run around as mean men with uzzies (hopefully not!)

Anyway.

What made it all even funnier is that the girls in the group dressed up the boy in the group as they didn't want him to be left out, except that instead of grabbing one of his bathing suits, they convinced him into an old leotard of Sienna's. It. Was. Classic. Austin could not have been happier and the girls were feeling quite smug.

So there. I let my kids watch porn and have a cross-dressing son.

Come on guys! That's funny.

Obviously, I don't, not really, but I let them love the things that I love and for now, Mamma Mia is at the top of that list. We dance all over the house and sing at the tops of our lungs and laugh far more than most households, I'm convinced of it.

I'm also convinced that my second career choice, right after hosting my own cooking show, would be to have been an extra in the filming of Mamma Mia. That scence at the end, when everyone is dancing and the water bursts through? Gives me chills every. single. time. I could seriously explode from joy overload at the point in the movie. Everyone dancing, singing, having the time of their lives (dirty bit!) in GREECE for Pete's sake, is almost too much for me. And people ask me if I'm Greek ALL THE TIME (I think it's the nose) so I totally could have been convincing. I mean, other than the fact that I can't sing for the life of me, I would have been a shoe in. Love it. Every single thing about it.

And have you seen the live show? My mom and I saw it on Broadway almost 8 years ago and I'm sort of itching to see it again when we go in April. It was fantastic, everybody up in the aisles, rockin' out to ABBA. If only I were made of money.

And who should drop by in the middle of all this mayhem? Marilyn, fresh off a hike (go girl go!) to deliver me some posters for her upcoming concert. She laughed at all the goings on and probably secretly patted herself on the back for not ever using me as a babysitter for her kids. And speaking of her concert, have you bought your tickets yet? You know you want to go, it's going to be amazing, so take 2 minutes RIGHT NOW! and hop over to snag your tickets. And tell every single person you know. Seriously, do. Right now. GO!

I'm at school today so I'll post the pictures of my dancing, swim-suit wearing, singing kiddos later. They are awesome. As are my kids. And Mamma Mia.

And not men with uzzies.

Guaranteed Happy Mail

Yesterday was the most Mondayish Monday I've had in a long time. I subbed at my kid's school, and I never sub on Mondays. It was crazy, I felt rushed from the moment my feet hit the floor and the kids in third grade were wild.

I blame it on the Superbowl.

And I raced home after school with plans to make two simultaneous dinners (one yummy and fatty for the kids and one bland and boring for me and the Rizz) while throwing together some treats because we had some friends coming for FHE.

But I couldn't make the cake I had planned because I was out of oil.

And I couldn't make the other cake I had planned because I was out of almond extract.

So I threw together some brownies and as I scraped them into the pan to bake, I took a lick off the spoon (best. decision. ever) and discovered I hadn't added the sugar. So my brownies would have been horrid. And I would have been mortified.

Because even when my life is crazy, usually because I haven't planned appropriately, I can still throw down some mean FHE treats. And handing out drivel to a family who hadn't been over before would have topped my day off and made my Tuesday achingly Tuesdayish.

Once the brownies were in the oven and the dishes from all the dinners were done, I snuck off to the computer for a minute. I checked my email and found this: an email from the lovely Dandee informing me that I had won her awesome giveaway, thanks to the generosity of April. Did you see how amazing it is? I will be the lucky recipient of some sweet little treasure from April for the next 6 months!

I know!

I'll tell you, the fates were on my side because I rarely win things and was in desperate need of something happy yesterday. And this is the happiest thing I can think of by far. Thanks Dandee for hosting something so great and thanks April for being so willing to share your amazing finds with me. I can hardly wait.

Go check out Dandee and April and make your Tuesday feel so much better.

And this is my 650th post. Can you believe that? I have no idea what I've been talking about for so long but it sure has been fun. Wonder what I'll come up with next!

Anyone With An In At Food Network?

A few years ago, my father was sitting at my kitchen counter watching me prepare dinner. "You know what would be the perfect job for you?" he teased. "Host of your own cooking show. Everyone I know would turn in to watch."

It was a silly comment made quickly but I have thought about it ever since. That would be the perfect job for me. Spending all day in beautifully designed kitchen, whipping and mixing and tasting, making my audience laugh and love the meal I've created. That would be heavenly for me. I love having people in our home, I love preparing food for people who appreciate it. I love the smells of ingredients sizzling and grilling and blending to perfection. I love everything about it. And along with food, I love people. How fun would it be to banter with people who laugh at my silliness and enjoy it all as much as I do? And then sit with them to eat something fabulous?

I could be the next Giada!

With less cleavage.

Isn't it funny how a small comment can make you think and think and think? He said it because he knows me well and wants what I want and maybe someday, I'll do it. Revamp this kitchen, create the island of my dreams and turn on the camera. That would be something.

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Thanks Pop. I'll see what I can do.

The Color Of February, At Least At My House

My table is done..ish. I'd still like to re-sand some edges and go over it all one more time but after feeding a family of 6 at the breakfast bar for several meals in a row, I put my paint away and got back to business. I should have taken a "be

fore" picture because then you would have been so much more impressed but let's just say, MY TABLE WAS HAMMERED. If you've bellied up to it in the past two years, you would have quietly noted to yourself "wow, this family destroyed this sucker." Because they did. With fork gouges and spills, dropped silverware and bangs and clangs from every dish we own. And to top it all off, we had a huge discolored blotch right smack dab in the middle, which no one has ever claimed and we still don't know what caused it. So to see it in all it's shiny black goodness, well, it's awesome.

We have re-instituted a place mat policy and the kids are loving their Valentine's place mats. I've been treating it a bit gingerly and am still unsure how to best clean it but other than that, I love it. I love the consistency, I love that all the dinks and dings are gone and I love that it no longer resembles a "before" project that we forgot to "after."

Speaking of black, I dyed my hair last night. By myself. I know, I know, why I do this remains a mystery except that my beloved hairdresser couldn't fit me in until March and that because said beloved hairdresser gives me such a slamming deal, I couldn't stomach paying full price anywhere else. And I am a dark haired girl at heart so really, it's not that big of a deal, right? The Rizz likes and it's growing on me and really, Goth Mom is the new thing, right? It's not actually black, but it's darker than it's been in years. Aren't you anxious to see it? I'll be doing viewings from 2-4 this afternoon.

Not really.

Anyway, I've got a bucket of chocolate chips begging to be turned into something sinful. Something Valenitiney. Don't you love this time of year?

Happy Wednesday!