1. The way Hayden says "uh-oh" right after she throws or drops something (more often throws). That little face is so cute and sweet, and it makes me want to laugh everytime, even though I can't let her see.
2. The sun is out this morning, and I didn't have to wear a coat to work!
3. Daylight Savings Time - loving the longer evenings!
4. Getting to spend a wonderful weekend with friends, family and good food.
5. Getting to watch Hayden play with her Poppie yesterday.
6. How easily Hayden goes to bed at night, and how wonderfully she sleeps now!
7. Hayden's love of books and reading.
8. My new low-maintenance haircut.
9. Hobbies that make me happy. Right now, I'm hooked (no pun intended) on crocheting. Next week will be scrappin' time again!
10. My dear, wonderful Husband, whom I love unconditionally and trust unequivocally. At a time when we are witnessing the devestation that crumbling relationships can wreak on our friends' families, I am grateful for the rock our marriage is built on, and for the relationship we both work hard to maintain. For our child's sake. For our sake.
Have a wonderful Monday, everyone! I hope you can find 10 things to be grateful for this beautiful morning. May God bless you and keep you all!
Showing posts with label 10 things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 10 things. Show all posts
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Say what?
Hayden is now saying "Buh Bye" and "Uh Oh" (which often comes out sounding like a little foghorn - "errhhh aaaahhhhrroo", but I know what she means) at will, and by "at will", I mean pretty much never. Hayden's MO is to learn a new skill, trick or word, repeat it frequently and with fervor for several days until she masters it, then to discard it like an old sock and refuse to illustrate her talents except under much duress and after much pleading and cajoling from us. Much like she will as a teenager, I'm sure. Back to the point of my story (yes, there was one, thank you very much!), now that she's easing into the world of the spoken word, it has me thinking back to some of the early and favorite phrases used in our house as I grew up. Many of these have become classics, epic punchlines that only need to be stated at the opportune moment to reduce our entire family to breathless laughter. Those sorts of memories and inside stories and jokes are what binds a family together. It's what makes us look absolutely crazy to outsiders, but lets anyone who understands the meaning behind the words know that they are a part of a larger whole. They are, for better or worse, a member of this ramshakle team.
Now, while many of you will have no idea why some of these things are funny (and, I have to admit, after this many years, I still don't get why some of them are funny, they just are), I'm going to share our top 10 greatest phrases of all time.
10. "Cheesecake boat's a comin', better hurry on down" - Dad or Grace
(This is sung in a very deep voice, and inevitably has Grace and Dad crying from laughter. Apparently there was this comedian this one time, on this show who had a song about cheesecake or something, and I don't know, I guess you had to be there, but it's pretty funny anyway. Just smile and nod)
9. "Somebody gonna hav'ta 'coot over!" - Grace, age 2ish
(Announced loudly to the rest of the family one night on a camping trip, as we were all settling down to sleep in the back of our camper-top truck bed. Apparently even being the tiniest family member didn't make getting squashed against the wheel welll acceptable for Gracie.)
8. "Everybody's different. I'm different, you're different, we're all different" - Bonnie, age 5 or 6
(My parents had a group of students from the college over to watch a movie (the old reel style projector with the screen at the front of the room) and I apparently decided to give a very matter-of-fact little lesson to the crowd about what makes us all unique as we were waiting for the movie to roll)
7. "Candy, Candy,CANDY!" -Mom
(This was said by mom as she would lunge at you, like a crazed candy monster. Ususally after Halloween when she was 'after' your candy. Always sent Grace and I running to protect our stashes!)
(This quote is from only the greatest movie EVER - the Princess Bride. Quoting that movie is an integral part of being in my family. We love them all - "Have fun storming the castle!", and "I do not think that means what you think it means", and "Twue Love")
And last, but by NO MEANS least,
1. "Wanna see sompin?" - Dan, age 3ish
(My brother's infamous saying, discovered years later in the annals of our family videotape, which he asked the 'audience' while filming his "stories" (nursery rhymes and songs) alone in the den one day. And apparently, after getting confirmation that his imaginary audience did, in fact, want to "see sompin", he, with great flourish, dropped trou. No, he's not a stripper now, why do you ask?)
Now, while many of you will have no idea why some of these things are funny (and, I have to admit, after this many years, I still don't get why some of them are funny, they just are), I'm going to share our top 10 greatest phrases of all time.
10. "Cheesecake boat's a comin', better hurry on down" - Dad or Grace
(This is sung in a very deep voice, and inevitably has Grace and Dad crying from laughter. Apparently there was this comedian this one time, on this show who had a song about cheesecake or something, and I don't know, I guess you had to be there, but it's pretty funny anyway. Just smile and nod)
9. "Somebody gonna hav'ta 'coot over!" - Grace, age 2ish
(Announced loudly to the rest of the family one night on a camping trip, as we were all settling down to sleep in the back of our camper-top truck bed. Apparently even being the tiniest family member didn't make getting squashed against the wheel welll acceptable for Gracie.)
8. "Everybody's different. I'm different, you're different, we're all different" - Bonnie, age 5 or 6
(My parents had a group of students from the college over to watch a movie (the old reel style projector with the screen at the front of the room) and I apparently decided to give a very matter-of-fact little lesson to the crowd about what makes us all unique as we were waiting for the movie to roll)
7. "Candy, Candy,CANDY!" -Mom
(This was said by mom as she would lunge at you, like a crazed candy monster. Ususally after Halloween when she was 'after' your candy. Always sent Grace and I running to protect our stashes!)
6. "House of Insanity" -Any of us
(standard greeting when you call the house. So true. So, so true.)
5. "How's your Helper?" - Mom or Dad
(It means, how's your dinner. Quoted from Family Vacation - the brother in law was so broke, they didn't have Hamburger, just Helper. Cracked us up, apparently. Still does.)
4. "CHAMP! The Wonder Dog!" - Dad
(Refers to our late, great husky mix, Champ. Ususally when he did something especially profound like lay down, or sniff his own butt. He was a Wonder Dog!)
3. "Flaps down." or "Flaps up", also goes along with "And we're OFF! Like a herd of turtles!" - All of us
(Flaps up and down, while referring to airplane wings, equals arm rests in our mini van. Mom or Dad would call "Flaps down?", and we'd slap the arm rests down and confirm back - "Flaps down!" And inevitably, after umpteen runs back in the house for this or that, or for a last minute potty break, we'd be OFF! Like a herd of very slow turtles to whatever great adventure lay in store.)
2. "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." - ALL of us(This quote is from only the greatest movie EVER - the Princess Bride. Quoting that movie is an integral part of being in my family. We love them all - "Have fun storming the castle!", and "I do not think that means what you think it means", and "Twue Love")
And last, but by NO MEANS least,
1. "Wanna see sompin?" - Dan, age 3ish
(My brother's infamous saying, discovered years later in the annals of our family videotape, which he asked the 'audience' while filming his "stories" (nursery rhymes and songs) alone in the den one day. And apparently, after getting confirmation that his imaginary audience did, in fact, want to "see sompin", he, with great flourish, dropped trou. No, he's not a stripper now, why do you ask?)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
10 Things I did last week
1. Drove a 12-person van down the Strip in Vegas.
2. Drank a half-liter of beer at the Hofbrauhaus (and ate a ginormous Wienerschnitzel!)
3. Dressed in both my scrubbiest garb and my finest work outfits - for the same event.
4. Watched two nearly-naked women slide down an inflatable slide into a pool inside the convention center. (Monster Energy Drink booth - those things are out of hand)
5. Ate 3 Hewbrew National Hotdogs, 3 Cheeseburgers, one of the best steaks of my life and some macaroni to die for.
6. Celebrated my boss' birthday at one of our favorite restaurants - Del Frisco's (see: latter part of #5).
7. Flew on a 4-hour plane ride with a 10 month old baby. Twice. And survived.
8. Became even further indebted to my mom, who made the trip with us to watch said 10 month old.
9. Took Hayden to her first trip to the Hofbrauhaus
10. Left Hayden's crib at the airport -once, but attempted the feat twice. (Thanks, Mom!)
2. Drank a half-liter of beer at the Hofbrauhaus (and ate a ginormous Wienerschnitzel!)
3. Dressed in both my scrubbiest garb and my finest work outfits - for the same event.
4. Watched two nearly-naked women slide down an inflatable slide into a pool inside the convention center. (Monster Energy Drink booth - those things are out of hand)
5. Ate 3 Hewbrew National Hotdogs, 3 Cheeseburgers, one of the best steaks of my life and some macaroni to die for.
6. Celebrated my boss' birthday at one of our favorite restaurants - Del Frisco's (see: latter part of #5).
7. Flew on a 4-hour plane ride with a 10 month old baby. Twice. And survived.
8. Became even further indebted to my mom, who made the trip with us to watch said 10 month old.
9. Took Hayden to her first trip to the Hofbrauhaus
10. Left Hayden's crib at the airport -once, but attempted the feat twice. (Thanks, Mom!)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
10 great things about being a new mom
- That wonderful, new-baby smell.
- Getting to play dress up with your live doll!
- Seeing the world through her eyes. I hope I remember to keep that perspective this time around - innocent, unafraid, excited.
- Having someone love you unconditionally, and better yet, loving them back.
- Watching her eat new foods for the first time. Every experience is brand new.
- You have a great excuse to wear pjs and ponytails as often as you want.
- It's perfectly acceptable that your house is less than spotless.
- Pictures, oh the pictures! Scrapping fodder for years to come!
- Sleeping in on Saturdays with the whole family in bed, cuddled together.
- Catching up on all your Dr. Seuss reading.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
10 things I love to do with free time
With a new baby, free time is a precious commodity, so more often than not these days, I just get to daydream about what I'd do with some free time. There really could be two lists here - the things I love to do in my free time, and the things I should be doing in my free time. I don't even want to think about the second list, so I'll focus on the first!
1. Play tennis, especially with my mom. We have a good time with that, and she keeps challenging me. I swear, the woman can beat me with a diet Dr. Pepper in one hand, and her racket and a cigarette in the other, wearing flip flops! Talk about a challenge (for me)!
2. Read. In a hammock. Under a great big tree. With a box of chocolates and a cool drink. With lots of pillows around (in case I fall asleep and roll off the hammock. I am seriously sleep deprived these days, you know, and reading usually puts me to sleep).
3. Scrapbook. I can't wait to have some time to chronicle this new stage of our lives, and cut and paste and arrange and ink and scribble. I love that.
4. Bake. Not for work, not for someone else, but just for me. I love to try new recipes and concoctions, and I love creating something with my own two hands.
5. Play in the garden. Now granted, it needs to be a not-too-hot day, with some shade and a big cool drink nearby, but I love playing in the dirt and planting stuff.
6. Hang out with my family. I don't get to see them all nearly enough these days, and just getting to hang out with them, doing something or doing nothing is pretty darn fun.
7. Take Hayden on a walk. She just loves the outdoors, and I love seeing it all through her eyes. I can't wait to get a stroller so we can go cruising around more (and my poor arms don't get so tired!).
8. Go swimming. As much as I loathe the thoughts of parading this poor body around in a swimsuit these days, I really love the pool. I love floating or swimming, and just hanging out. I really enjoy bringing Hayden, too. I hope she loves the water as much as I do one day.
9. Throw a party. I love my friends, and just love having them to my home. I love big parties, small intimate parties, impromptu gatherings and big themed events. I just love having people into our home. I hope we can make more time for that this year.
10. Play with my doggies. The poor fellas have kinda gotten a raw deal lately, with the move and the baby and what not, but I hope we can start making more time for them soon. They're all sweethearts, and now Hayden's getting big enough to be around them more.
1. Play tennis, especially with my mom. We have a good time with that, and she keeps challenging me. I swear, the woman can beat me with a diet Dr. Pepper in one hand, and her racket and a cigarette in the other, wearing flip flops! Talk about a challenge (for me)!
2. Read. In a hammock. Under a great big tree. With a box of chocolates and a cool drink. With lots of pillows around (in case I fall asleep and roll off the hammock. I am seriously sleep deprived these days, you know, and reading usually puts me to sleep).
3. Scrapbook. I can't wait to have some time to chronicle this new stage of our lives, and cut and paste and arrange and ink and scribble. I love that.
4. Bake. Not for work, not for someone else, but just for me. I love to try new recipes and concoctions, and I love creating something with my own two hands.
5. Play in the garden. Now granted, it needs to be a not-too-hot day, with some shade and a big cool drink nearby, but I love playing in the dirt and planting stuff.
6. Hang out with my family. I don't get to see them all nearly enough these days, and just getting to hang out with them, doing something or doing nothing is pretty darn fun.
7. Take Hayden on a walk. She just loves the outdoors, and I love seeing it all through her eyes. I can't wait to get a stroller so we can go cruising around more (and my poor arms don't get so tired!).
8. Go swimming. As much as I loathe the thoughts of parading this poor body around in a swimsuit these days, I really love the pool. I love floating or swimming, and just hanging out. I really enjoy bringing Hayden, too. I hope she loves the water as much as I do one day.
9. Throw a party. I love my friends, and just love having them to my home. I love big parties, small intimate parties, impromptu gatherings and big themed events. I just love having people into our home. I hope we can make more time for that this year.
10. Play with my doggies. The poor fellas have kinda gotten a raw deal lately, with the move and the baby and what not, but I hope we can start making more time for them soon. They're all sweethearts, and now Hayden's getting big enough to be around them more.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Ten Things I love about my husband
I'm starting a new sort of post today... a 10 things post. Every once in awhile I think we all need to remind ourselves of the reasons we do something, or enjoy someone's company, or are happy, or...well, you get the idea. So from time to time, I am going to pen down my top 10 reasons, or maybe just the first 10 reasons I think of, as a little 'sticky note' for my heart for a particular subject.
Today, I thought it would be great to start with my husband, my companion and mate, and 10 of the many (many, many, many) reasons I love him. I encourage you to do the same for your spouse - here, in my comments, or on your own blog, or just on a piece of notebook paper left somewhere they may just happen to notice it (IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR PILLOW). Because what good is loving all these great things about a person if you don't tell them?
So, in no particular order, here are 10 things I love about my husband:
1. His laugh. So cliche, but so true. Few things sound as good to me as when he laughs.
2. His musical abilities. Ever wonder why girls go ga-ga over bands? There is something so attractive to me about a man that can play a musical instrument. And despite the insanity around how our piano got into the house, I love to come home now and hear him serenading us.
3. What a great dad he is. Last night, he gave Hayden her breathing treatment, then curled up with her to read some books before bedtime, and I swear I just oozed into a big puddle on the floor. Is there anything so endearing as a great big man and his wee little baby girl wrapped up together reading "...SIX slippery fish! One! Two! Three! Four..."
4. How in tune to me he is. He knows when I'm happy, mad, sad, stressed, bored, whatever, and he is always so wonderful at sharing the great times with me and helping me through the bad.
5. His passion around antiques, particularly cars. The man loves cars. I seriously never worry about him cheating on me, because he already has a mistress that keeps him way more interested than any woman could - those old rusty skeletons, which are transformed in his mind and his hands back to the magnificent engineering marvels they were in their heyday. We had many a serious discussion about those rambling wrecks before he would get serious about marriage - he needed me to understand just how much of an obsession they were for him. Gladly, it's a hobby we both enjoy, and we really look forward to rolling down the road with Hayden in tow one of these days.
6. How comfortable he is in his own skin. He has this great attitude of "here I am, take me or leave me", and really doesn't worry whether other people like him or not. He is who he is. I wish I could be more like that.
7. His family. They really are great. I love my in-laws so much, and love being right next door to them. How could I not love the two people that created this amazing man? They've truly taken me in as one of their own. On the flip side, I also love how well he gets along with my family, who have claimed him as well. Seriously, sometimes I have to pry him and my dad apart when they get to singing and picking together.
8. His dreams. He loves to dream big, as do I, and we have fun planning our goals and adventures together. Granted, sometimes it's a wee bit overwhelming (look at the yard we have to work on now!), but I love that he has aspirations and ambitions.
9. His willingness to try almost anything. once. He was one of the pickiest adult eaters I'd ever met, but the man never hesitates to try something new, and I think that will set a great example for Hayden as she begins trying new things. He's also willing to do about anything I rope him into, at least one time. He and I took ballroom dancing classes when we were first dating - and the fact that he agreed -wholeheartedly, I might add - is a fact that still amazes me.
10. That I can trust and rely on him to be there, no matter what. We both went into our marriage as if there were no option for failure. It made us very cautious going into our union, but it truly makes our lives so much better knowing that we can be ourselves - imperfect, messy, broken, flaws and all - without sending the other one running for the hills. Or maybe they run to the hills, but it's just for a break, and then they come back and help pick up the pieces. Someone said that if you treat your marriage as if divorce is not an option, it makes all your decisions, arguments, issues and challenges so much easier to figure out. He and I are a team. We're in this together, for better or worse, so we both try to treat each other with respect and love and honor, and we work together to get through issues and problems, and search together for a middle ground rather than focusing on the differences and faults. Not to say that our marriage is perfect, but you know what? Because we work at it, and commit and re-commit to it, and take time for one another, it's damn close to perfect.
Happy Tuesday! I love you, Chris!
Today, I thought it would be great to start with my husband, my companion and mate, and 10 of the many (many, many, many) reasons I love him. I encourage you to do the same for your spouse - here, in my comments, or on your own blog, or just on a piece of notebook paper left somewhere they may just happen to notice it (IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR PILLOW). Because what good is loving all these great things about a person if you don't tell them?
So, in no particular order, here are 10 things I love about my husband:
1. His laugh. So cliche, but so true. Few things sound as good to me as when he laughs.
2. His musical abilities. Ever wonder why girls go ga-ga over bands? There is something so attractive to me about a man that can play a musical instrument. And despite the insanity around how our piano got into the house, I love to come home now and hear him serenading us.
3. What a great dad he is. Last night, he gave Hayden her breathing treatment, then curled up with her to read some books before bedtime, and I swear I just oozed into a big puddle on the floor. Is there anything so endearing as a great big man and his wee little baby girl wrapped up together reading "...SIX slippery fish! One! Two! Three! Four..."
4. How in tune to me he is. He knows when I'm happy, mad, sad, stressed, bored, whatever, and he is always so wonderful at sharing the great times with me and helping me through the bad.
5. His passion around antiques, particularly cars. The man loves cars. I seriously never worry about him cheating on me, because he already has a mistress that keeps him way more interested than any woman could - those old rusty skeletons, which are transformed in his mind and his hands back to the magnificent engineering marvels they were in their heyday. We had many a serious discussion about those rambling wrecks before he would get serious about marriage - he needed me to understand just how much of an obsession they were for him. Gladly, it's a hobby we both enjoy, and we really look forward to rolling down the road with Hayden in tow one of these days.
6. How comfortable he is in his own skin. He has this great attitude of "here I am, take me or leave me", and really doesn't worry whether other people like him or not. He is who he is. I wish I could be more like that.
7. His family. They really are great. I love my in-laws so much, and love being right next door to them. How could I not love the two people that created this amazing man? They've truly taken me in as one of their own. On the flip side, I also love how well he gets along with my family, who have claimed him as well. Seriously, sometimes I have to pry him and my dad apart when they get to singing and picking together.
8. His dreams. He loves to dream big, as do I, and we have fun planning our goals and adventures together. Granted, sometimes it's a wee bit overwhelming (look at the yard we have to work on now!), but I love that he has aspirations and ambitions.
9. His willingness to try almost anything. once. He was one of the pickiest adult eaters I'd ever met, but the man never hesitates to try something new, and I think that will set a great example for Hayden as she begins trying new things. He's also willing to do about anything I rope him into, at least one time. He and I took ballroom dancing classes when we were first dating - and the fact that he agreed -wholeheartedly, I might add - is a fact that still amazes me.
10. That I can trust and rely on him to be there, no matter what. We both went into our marriage as if there were no option for failure. It made us very cautious going into our union, but it truly makes our lives so much better knowing that we can be ourselves - imperfect, messy, broken, flaws and all - without sending the other one running for the hills. Or maybe they run to the hills, but it's just for a break, and then they come back and help pick up the pieces. Someone said that if you treat your marriage as if divorce is not an option, it makes all your decisions, arguments, issues and challenges so much easier to figure out. He and I are a team. We're in this together, for better or worse, so we both try to treat each other with respect and love and honor, and we work together to get through issues and problems, and search together for a middle ground rather than focusing on the differences and faults. Not to say that our marriage is perfect, but you know what? Because we work at it, and commit and re-commit to it, and take time for one another, it's damn close to perfect.
Happy Tuesday! I love you, Chris!
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