three ws in a pod...

Happy Halloween, Y'all!

2009-11-02T21:13:00.002-05:00

Sorry to be a little delayed with the Halloween post. Naturally, Lydia woke up with a fever yesterday morning, and we've all been a little out of it. Combine that with Mini coming down with H1N1, Massey feeling crummy, and lots of work, and, well...it's fun.

Anyway, we had a fab Halloween at our new house. Literally all night I kept saying to Massey, "I'm so glad we live here!" We started the (wet) day at the Market. There was supposed to be a costume contest to be judged by yours truly, but because the rain kept people away, and we were best dressed :), it ended up that the high schoolers just painted faces, and we handed out prizes to everyone.

That afternoon while Lydia napped, the skies cleared, and it actually turned into a balmy, 80 degree, humid day. It was actually kind of icky to be honest...although it did mean that I didn't have to make the tough mom call and make Lyd wear a turtleneck...or a jacket.

After Lyd woke up, we all went down the block for a pre-trick-or-treat party in the neighbors' front yard. It was so much fun, and so great to load Lydia up with real food. That, and our neighbors had Chik-fila do the food. Holy chicken nuggets, was it good!

Trick-or-treating was also great. We went to all of our neighbors houses, saw our (new) friends, and had a lot of fun. Everytime we would come to a house, we'd try and prompt Lydia to say, "Trick or Treat!" Well, instead of complying, of course she said, "I be Cinderella!" Cute. At least she always said, "Thank You," though!

Promptly at 7pm, Lydia asked where Pinkie was, to which I responded, "in bed." So, Lydia asked to go to bed. A. Mazing.

After she went to bed, Massey and I went across the street and handed out candy with our across the street neighbors(duh)...and by handed out candy, I really mean, ate white chili and drank beer. Same thing, right?

All in all it was great. Perfect, actually. Minus all of the germs that are floating around our house now--but those are totally worth it compared to the fun we had!

You know you're a homeowner when...

2009-10-29T17:00:00.000-04:00

...you forgo a new pair of (beautiful) heels...
Above: Boden. Adorable.

Above: Christian Louboutin. Drop dead gorgeous. Definitely a lifetime goal of mine:0)

...for switch plates for your new dining room.

See you later, alligator!

2009-10-29T14:11:00.002-04:00

This is all we've seen of Lyd lately...her on the move!

In this particular picture, though, she was trying on her Cinderella leotard (which was adorable, btw), and wouldn't let us snap her picture for love or money.

Sorry to have been a stranger this week, but with Halloween this weekend, I've got costumes coming out of my ears! Massey has relented and is going to dress up with us, so I'll be sure to reveal our costumes soon (we're going to look ridiculous).

I've also (foolishly) planned a major shindig at my house for the near future...

...which means I'm also up to my ears in paint, paint, paint. Yes, painting furniture saves money that I would have spent on new furniture, but lordy me, it is time consuming!

And the trim. Don't get me started on the trim.

It will look fabulous, though. I can promise you that. Pictures will be here shortly, of course.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to take 1/2 day off so that I can keep painting, painting, painting. Ugh.

My brain is done. Game over.

Too much cold medicine...

2009-10-23T12:43:00.002-04:00

...can make a girl rather loopy!

I had a dream...

...about "Party in the USA" by good ol' Miley...

...we were bff.

Clearly, I am delusional.

Instant filter

2009-10-20T17:00:00.001-04:00

One of the aspects of my job that I have come to most appreciate over the course of the last year has been its ability to instantly filter anyone I meet.

I'm sure some of you are thinking, "What is she talking about?!"

But bear with me.

Imagine you're sitting at a bar trying to enjoy your cocktail/wine/coke/beer/whatever, and someone tries to strike up a conversation. Said conversation gets to the point of, "so, what do you do?" and lo and behold, we have hit the crossroads of our conversation.

Because honestly, some folks just don't know how to react when I/Whitney/we respond with, "Oh, we work for a church. I'm the children's minister, and she's the youth minister."

Yay for awkward pauses.

People either cease and desist from our conversation, or stick around to hear more. Now, I'm not saying that I use this line of conversation to establish your personal religious feelings or insert religious mumbojumbo here. Instead, I use it as a gauge of your openness...and mine. Are you simply curious, or are you judgmental? Can we be friends? Or will you perpetually be afraid that I am judging you? Because chances are good that I'm not.

I also have realized that having this sort of conversation on an at least weekly basis has forced me to reaffirm my reasons for working in the church and contemplating ordination daily. Every time someone asks a question about the Episcopal faith, or my church specifically, I have to answer...and because I'm not one for silly answers, I usually put quite a bit of thought into them.

For example, one that I frequently get is, "well, why are you an Episcopalian?"

I've got this one nailed at this point.

I am an Episcopalian because as a whole, we are not static people. We recognize, affirm, and rejoice in the knowledge that our spiritual journey and relationship with God and each other is never over. It doesn't matter where you are in your life, or where you are in your religious curiosity, you are welcome to the table. For dialogue. For education. Even for communion.

As a result of this potentially perceived ambiguity, some people have complained that Episcopalians just aren't set enough in their ways.

Are you serious?

That's the best part! Something that is progressive, fluid, and inclusive--now that's a religion with whom I can affiliate.

Now, I realize that I might be sounding...preachy...or like an infommercial. Please know that isn't my intention. Instead I'm trying to express gratitude for conversations that push, and stretch me past my boundaries. I'm also tremendously grateful to the people that do stick around. Because honestly, when I first started working at St. Stephen's, nine times out of ten I would respond to the question of my profession with, "I work for a non-profit." Not a lie. But certainly not the truth. But then I came to realize that most people do stick around. I was assuming (incorrectly) that they would judge me...and so I began our conversation closed off to the potential. And then I remembered the bit about not being static. About how we are all welcome. So I changed my approach. And thank goodness for it! Because without the people, or the conversations, well, I'd be a pretty dull, concrete person.

You know you're old when...

2009-10-20T09:03:00.001-04:00

...you listen to NPR daily...
...even during pledge period...
...and pick your music du jour from listening to Fresh Air.

If you're curious, said music du jour (courtesy of yesterday afternoon's NPR) is Slavic Soul Party. I tried to embed a YouTube video of them, but clearly I am inept.

Anyway, you should check it out. Definitely not music for taking a chill pill, but definitely fun.

And speaking of being old...

Happy Birthday to my favorite bartender! You're for sure old, old, old now!
I bet you didn't think I'd actually remember...or include it on my blog. I was trying to think of some super sweet code word for you to slip into convo so I'd know if you'd actually seen it...but I'm not that super sweet, so I've got nothin'. See you Sunday!

No voting required...

2009-10-19T17:00:00.000-04:00

...on our Halloween costumes.

Because Massey refuses to dress up.

Looks like it's up to me to pull out a W in the supersweetfamilycostume department...

Thanks be to...

2009-10-19T13:08:00.003-04:00

Target.

If it were not for Target, I would have to wash my clothes by hand.

Hahahaha.

Back story: On Friday night I wanted to tackle some serious laundry (and yes, I was excited about it). I go to switch the loads and turn on the dryer.

Click. Nothing (are you $#^!!^*@ me?!).

Click. Still nothing.

No dryer.

are you kidding me?!

My brain starts racing...

Pro: great excuse to run to Marshall's and snag those fab 7s that are "on sale."

Con: I could already hear Massey laughing at me for suggesting that buying $100 jeans is a "deal." Additionally, Lydia has no clean panties, and pretty soon I won't either. I also really need to have clean jeans so that I can pass them off as acceptable grown-up attire.

Massey was a dear and went out to his mother's house and did laundry while I watched a movie and stayed home--someone had to hold down the fort...

But now it's Monday, and we still have no dryer.

I can't handle the thought of manhandling Lyd's dirty...unmentionables, and so I'm not going to. Because I just bought 17 more pair.

Let's hope it doesn't get to that before we have a dryer!

Class Pictures

2009-10-16T09:22:00.003-04:00

This morning when I dropped off Miss Priss, I also got the pleasure of picking up her class picture proofs! And while I hate to be a braggart, these are pretty darn cute (if I do say so myself). The hardest part will be not buying the company out of ink and paper!

Sorry they're a little blurry--I guess that's what happens when you illegally copy them off of the internet...hehe.

In other news, the potty training is almost completely nailed...as far as "pee potty" is concerned (Lydia's terminology, not mine). The "poo potty" on the other hand is a little...well...let's just say there was a floater in the bathtub last night. G-ROSS.

But who cares? Not I! This weekend Massey and I might as well be the coolest kids on the block. We have a social calendar this weekend that rivals the president...minus the stress of oh, being president.

Have a fab weekend, y'all!

Aunt Krispie...and other things

2009-10-13T14:29:00.003-04:00

It's Tuesday.

It feels like Monday.

Silly Mondays off...

That being said, I want to show my face, but not ramble forever. Here goes...

1. Aunt Krispie and her beautiful daughter, Snap came on Sunday! We had fun:0) Snap even managed to sleep (through the night) at my house. Thank goodness!
2. Aunt Krispie and I managed to relive being non-mothers. Read: we went to my fav bar for my fav wine deal with my fav bartender. Can you tell it was my fav part of the weekend? Because it was.
3. We went to the Folk Festival on Friday night and Saturday. This is a close runner up for my favs of the weekend. Great music, good beer, good fun.
4. Jamie and Mary Frances are coming to Richmond this weekend!! I have been dreaming about this day for...a long time. Regardless of my inability to photograph my own daughter these days, I will, without a doubt, be photographing this momentous occasion. It's like our very own BlogHer conference...without the conferences...or the hoards of people...
5. I went to bed at 8:30pm last night. It was amazing. Oh, how I love being a little old lady.

That's all I've got for the time being.

Lyd's potty training? Let's just say I should buy stock in two things:
-panties
-clorox wipes.

YES!

All I want for Christmas...

2009-10-07T11:02:00.002-04:00

...is a micro pig!

It's Potty Time!

2009-10-07T10:13:00.002-04:00

On Monday afternoon when I showed up to pick up Miss Thing from school, her teacher, Miss Ashley, proudly told me that Lydia had not used her diaper (for pee) a single time that day.

Yay!

But what now? (Reason #5,001 why I love Lyd's school: they tell me what to do...and hold my hand while I'm doing it. And potty train my kid. Yes! I have no shame admitting this either. None.)

NOW we're in cold turkey land. No diapers (except at night). Only pull-ups (in the car--I can't handle an accident in the car), and panties.

Yesterday was day #1.

It went FABULOUSLY well...

...until we got home.

Girlfriend just will not go potty at home. Will not. Refuses. Lies. Asks for a pull-up. No amount of ice cream, candy corn, stickers, or love will coax a potty break from her at home. Pee outside on the patio? Sure. In the potty? Hahahahahaha.

So this morning when we arrived at school, we were making the switch from a pull-up to panties, and she tells me point blank that she has to go potty.

are you serious?! we hadn't been in the door for longer then a minute, and now she decides that she can go?

I think it's the mini potties.

So what's a Mom to do? Other then install a real, porcelain mini potty, of course?
(Please note this is in no way a rhetorical question. In fact, it is the opposite of a rhetorical question.)

Breathe.

2009-10-05T13:31:00.004-04:00

In the middle of all of the high stress, busy, busy, busy of our lives, Massey and I have had a phenomenal realization.

We haven't really had time to process that we bought a house, and so last week when our thoughts started going down that path late into the night, we didn't stop them.

And here's what we realized: this house is the first time in our collective life that anything, any one factor, has been even remotely nailed down. Yes, things will break, there will be projects galore, but the fact that we have a family home for an indefinite amount of time? That won't change.

For the last four years, we have been living strictly in survivor mode. When we met, I had just been through life trauma (to put it lightly), and so we were in survivor mode. The next year when we officially moved in together, there were more Debbie Downers and busy bodies in our life then there were cheerleaders. We were in survivor mode. Then there was a pregnancy. And a wedding. All before the end of my junior year. Survivor mode. A summer apart. A pregnancy apart for an internship in DC. Survivor mode. A semester off, daycare, and graduation (for us both). Survivor mode. A failed housing contract, a rocky start to a new job, 80 hours (at least) a week on the job, a one year old, and renting from my bosses. Survivor mode.

How we made it, we have no idea. Purely by the grace of God.

No wonder we've been snipping at each other. No wonder we've had frosty patches. No wonder we've both pondered life in painful ways.

Sometimes you fight so much to survive, that you start forgetting where your heart is. It's easier to put a wall around all of the essentials then to maintain grace and openness in relationships.

Realizing this has been a breath of fresh air--and a simultaneous breath of thanksgiving and gratitude.

Thanksgiving for the family who supports us.

The daughter who loves us.

The God who cares deeply for us.

And above all, a gratitude for the gift of marriage. Without the...commitment of marriage, or the boundaries, borders, etc. of marriage, how many times would we have flown to the exit sign rather then to our various corners to sulk? How many times over would we have said, "enough is enough"? How many times would we have picked ourselves over our family? How many times would we have decided that simply love was not enough, and that by golly you're driving me freaking out of my mind crazy (too many to count)? But marriage? That lifelong commitment? Right now that seems to be enough.

March 10, 2007

So now is our chance to breathe. We still have just as many balls in the air, and we are still merely trying to survive, but we're doing it together--from our core foundation. Our family's nerve center. Our home.

Lydie's TWO!

2009-10-05T12:49:00.007-04:00

Holy mackerel, has it been hoppin' over in my neck of the woods! Since I last posted almost a month ago, we've been from one extreme to the next.

For a quick round-up:
9/11 closed on the NEW HOUSE
9/12 moved into the NEW HOUSE
9/13 Rally Day at church; aka kick-off activities fair
9/25 Lydia turned TWO! Yay! We had a birthday weekend--no major party, but lots of friends and family dropping by periodically. We woke her up in the morning by rolling in her new bike and singing "Happy Birthday" followed by pancakes and a few birthday prizes. The lovely picture above is a self-portrait we took in the afternoon...it was the best I could manage.
9/25 pm I decide that for my birthing day present I'm going to start painting the dining room. It's STILL not done. That trim is going to be the death of me! By the way, it looks waaaay cooler in real life then it does in that picture.
9/26 I go to the funeral for an old church mentor at my home parish. It is amazing and inspiring.
9/27 The birthday weekend is still going on.

Lydia and her friend, William. On our pack porch:)

10/01 Two year doctor appointment. 36 3/4 inches tall and 29 lbs, 8 oz. That puts her in the 97% for height, 90% for weight. And this is why it baffles me to hear friends tell me that their child actually wears the size age they are... (3m when they're 4 months old, 9m when they're 9 months old, etc)...because that has simply never been part of my reality...
10/03 Family wedding reception. Absolutely beautiful. So joyful.
10/04 Church.
10/05 Lydia wakes up at 3:29am and does.not.go.back.to.sleep. She's silent for 20-30 minutes, and then says something chipper like, "hi, mommy!" or, "what doing, mommy?" Mommy wants to die.

And that, my friends, is where I am today. About to pass out at my desk...or OD on headache meds.

Go me!

Oink, Oink

2009-09-09T08:47:00.002-04:00

The swine flu's come to town.

Woo hoo.

Massey's down. Thank god his mother a. used to be a nurse and b. is in Richmond. Massey is kind of a pitiful sick person, and honestly my only goal now is to keep Lyd and I swine free.

Have I mentioned we're moving?

On Friday/Saturday.

Let's give a big round of applause to the crazy lady in Richmond!

(and the crowd goes wild....)

p.s. not exactly how I was planning on debuting our "we're moving and bought a house" news....oops. It's amazing what a $h*t storm or ickiness will do to a person's sense of decorum...

Imaginary?

2009-09-02T09:46:00.003-04:00

We're pretty sure Lydia has an imaginary friend who only hangs out in Lyd's room. They don't creepily play together, but she prays for her every night, and offhandedly mentions her a little too much.

Her name is MiMi.

This morning she was hanging out in Lyd's rocking chair.

Fun.

Big Kid

2009-08-28T11:33:00.001-04:00

Me: "Lydia, are you a big kid now?" referring to anything from successfully going potty to sleeping in her big kid bed

Lydia: "No, Mommy. I little big kid."

Thank goodness!

Coincidence?

2009-08-27T12:00:00.000-04:00

When I started working at St. Stephen's, I...believed in God, but I didn't really live my belief.

Not that I do now, but the thought definitely crosses my mind more often then not these days.

That being said, my boss has a tendency of saying, "There is not such thing as a coincidence. It is the Holy Spirit at work in your life." She's a priest, so I tend to trust her on that one. I also truly have felt it in my life since living into my faith.

Even my blogging relationships have changed. I've made new "friends" who have bizarre, coincidental ties to my life. A family minister? Really? All because I won a giveaway? A Richmond native? Really? All because I love her work? Learning and growing from other women and their lives isn't a coincidence. Hearing exactly what I need to hear isn't a coincidence.

Which leads me to this post by the lovely Allegra.

Read it. Enjoy it. Take from it what you will.

I think that sometimes we(women/mothers/wives) get so caught up in...hoarding that we forget what the other side is...letting go.

And yet, how can I forget this? I, the woman who cries at college commercials because I can't imagine her leaving. I, who cries at "dancing with her dad on her wedding day" commercials because I can't imagine letting go.

How can I forget?

I am the master's servant and it is only through giving away my talents that I will receive more. I can't let myself bury my talents in the dirt and keep them hidden. And isn't that really what a tense relationship is? One wrought with dirt?

So the question is, how do I learn to hold loosely and give freely?

How can I forget...or rather, how can I remember.

Old School

2009-08-27T10:05:00.003-04:00

This week's prompts make me nothing short of crazy nostalgic.

And because I don't really want to talk about my past crushes, I've never broken a bone, I haven't been able to find time to be crafty this summer, and Massey won't let me have a pet, I'm going to list the 5 Best Things About Going Back to School. Because let's be honest. I wish I was going back to school. Totally.

1. New outfit! I always got a new outfit for the first day back to school. Even in college. Even after having Lydia. My favorite was one that my godmother, Dabney, bought for me. It was super special because it was from Limited Too. Holy Cow. It was a purple and lime green plaid, pleated skirt with a purple sweater/shirt that can only be described as...fluffy. Like, soft AstroTurf...if that's possible. I wore SOCKS (yuck) with my boat shoes that I'd tied crazy style. I felt like the bees knees. I also sweat to death in that damn shirt. But I looked good doing it.

2. New notebooks! I still love having a reason to pick out a new notebook. I mean, one of the highlights of going to my conference earlier this summer was definitely getting to buy a notebook and new pens.

3. Writing on the first page of a clean notebook. Don't laugh. I love it. I like to color code my days/lectures too. Don't hate.

4. Syllabus day! At least in College...the first week is, well, a big, fat joke. You meet your professors, make sure you have your books, and then peace out. 90 minutes goes by incredibly quickly when you're only there for 15! There were also always great "welcome" back...festivities during the first week back. Not that I'd know anything about that...

5. Learning. Have I mentioned I went to W&M? And Massey and I are both huge nerds?? We were also a Public Policy and Government major respectively, so conversations got pretty intense. It was also awesome because we could discuss our classes and learn more...we frequently were known to voluntarily read each others readings. Poor Lyd. We're probably destin to read her readins with her just for conversations sake. But truly I love a good discussion, and I love learning. I even love writing a paper because it menas I get to research and learn more. I also love that moment mid-paper when you know you've really hit a homerun and you've thought of something out of this world. Usually this happens at o'dark thirty after consumming entirely too much caffeine...and procrastinating.

Bedtime Prayers

2009-08-25T12:45:00.003-04:00

Guide us waking, oh Lord
and Guard us sleeping.
That awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep we may rest in peace.
Amen.

This is the prayer that Lydia and I say together every night before bedtime. I know I've written about it before, but that doesn't mean I can't give it another shot, right?

Now that we say it every night, I have to admit that I find myself thinking about it myself a lot. Especially guide and guard.

And because I am a nerd and I like...easy things to remember, for the last few nights I've been thinking about the following:

God...
Guides
Guards
Gives
Grants
...is Good.

Monday....FUNday?

2009-08-24T10:03:00.003-04:00

I think not.

I was just being hopeful.

The "To-Do" list today is out of this world. It includes, but certainly isn't limited to the following:
WORK
Meal Plan
Grocery List
Grocery SHOP
Dinner
Ship Ebay package (thank god something is finally leaving my house!)
Take Lyd's clothes to Once Upon a Child (consignment shop)
Laundry
Have a Cocktail pleaseandthankyou

We had a fab weekend that I'll (hopefully) be able to tell y'all about soon. We...
...went to dinner with Papa and Kaye-Kaye
...went to the Market (and we're already talking about going next Saturday)
...went to see Papa and Kaye-Kaye's new house in town (they moved in this weekend)
...went on a date (thanks be to Gigi and DooDoo--y'all are my personal heroes--seriously)
...went to church
...went to see something extra special
...went to dinner with Papa and Kaye-Kaye
...finished the weekend with ice cream

What is "Happy?"

2009-08-19T22:40:00.004-04:00

Mama Kat's assignment this week was one that took me a little bit of time to think about. I waffled between not having a "spark," and feeling kind of...mamby-pamby about the whole thing.

And then I started thinking about the the second prompt:

Things I have learned from my toddler.

While I know the list could be long, really there's only one big lesson that's standing out in my mind tonight.

Lydia has taught me how to identify happy. When she is completely filled with joy, or sees someone else clearly in a moment of happiness, she will unabashedly say something like, "market happy." While the grammer might be a little...off, the thought behind it is so completely pure and true.

The market makes Lydia happy. It is a happy place. It makes people happy.

Sometimes she'll even say, "Mommy/Daddy happy."

Now that is something to hear.

Because yes, she makes me happy. But more importantly, sometimes it's important as a parent to hear your child say that you make them happy.

I think the best part about Lydia's simplistic sentences and thought processes is that I now have a tendency to hear her voice in my head. Does this make me happy? Am I making it (whatever that might be) happy? And I don't me in a unicorns and butterflies kind of happy--or even a "holy crap I just found the deal of the century at TJs" happy. I mean real, let yourself go happiness.

This afternoon we had a new (to Richmond and St. Stephen's) young couple come to chat and take a tour (they're expecting their first baby girl September 12!). Our newcomer guru was nice enough to ask me to give them the nursery/sunday school/palmer hall guided tour.

And it made me happy. As in, "church happy."

I think that's because sometimes it isn't until you start talking about something that you realize how important it is to you...and how amazing it is. Seeing the connections and the community that we've found at St. Stephen's come alive in my words. Watching as they saw what I see every single Sunday. I actually got a little teary eyed talking about one of our Sunday School programs for toddlers (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, btw). I know that sounds silly, but it was so...true...in the....truest(?) sense.

"Mommy happy."

Meal Plan Pro Con Con Pro

2009-08-18T22:05:00.004-04:00

Sorority girl style, clearly.

Recently Massey and I decided that we wanted to try a lot harder to eat dinner together as a family, in the dining room, every single night. So here I go. A review, of sorts. It's been three weeks...

Pro

We all get to eat together. It's really nice. We chat, listen to a little music (Lydia gets to pick--right now it's "pirate" music from Pirates of the Carribean). We use our plates, cloth napkins, etc.

Con

I'm not sure you've ever experienced the joy of trying to get an almost two year old to eat her dinner. Especially if you've somehow managed to make dinner even 5 minutes later then expected. Or if all she wants for dinner is ice cream. Not that I blame her, but as the mom, I can't really let that fly every day:0) We frequently have to spend a little qt in timeout or have no dessert. Bummer. But, a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do.

Con

It's exhausting. It's exhausting to try and be creative (don't forget I'm allergice to half of the planet: beef, pork, shrimp, crab, squid, onion, garlic, rosemary, tomato, strawberry, blueberry, canteloupe, soy, peanuts). It's exhausting to cook after I've finally gotten Lydia home in all of her post-school glory. Her attitude is just so variable and hit-or-miss. It's exhausting to somehow manage to get her into the grocery cart and make it all the way through the store without a major "catastrophe."

Pro

I get to cook again! I know that might sound silly to some, but it really excites me. Pre-allergies I used to loooooove cooking and experimenting. Honestly, I rarely used a recipe, and nothing was every the same twice. For example, tonight we had spaghetti and meatballs. Now, old school style, I couldn't eat most Italian--beef, onion, garlic, and tomatoes. New school, I looooved every bite. I made a red sauce by pureeing a jar and a half of roasted red peppers, and a half of a block of fat free cream cheese. Throw in a little salt, pepper, and tumeric--and shazaam! Then I replaced the beef with turkey and it was fab. I've realized that when recreating a classic, you (read: I) can't go into it assuming that it will taste, look, or even smell the same. They're just not comparable.

The DECISION

I say it like that because if Meal Plans were rushing my (former) sorority, we'd pro con con pro them and then vote.

Let the voting begin!

Massey's vote: "Yes. I like knowing what we're going to eat. I like trying new things. I like that it helps us budget. I like the fact that you're cooking again. I feel it helped us get out of our food rut. I like that it's increased the diversity of the foods Lydia's eating."

Lydia's vote: "Ice cream!"

Mommy's vote: "Hopefully it'll get easier the longer we do it! But the pros definitely outweight the cons right now."

Running on "E"

2009-08-18T16:16:00.002-04:00

As in anxietE (aren't I just too clever for words? I ask myself this question every day).

I'm trying to be witty and stress-relieving, but really all I'm being is cracked out. Awesome. Points in my column!

Things I'd like to blog about but don't have time to mention:
-this week's gospel discussion at staff meeting
-using a meal plan
-"allowance"--grown-up style
-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-chaaaaanges that are right around the corner
-my fav etsy store du jour (for Lyd, not me:0))
-the design item after which I am lusting...that Massey obvi hates
-our kick-butt weekend and my kick-butt tan--I never get one!

Love. Hugs. etc.

P.S. if you live anywhere near me and you'd like to share a glass of wine, please invite me. If you do, I'll tell you why....now doesn't that sound like a barrel of fun (or wine)!

This Week's Assignment:

2009-08-13T09:49:00.005-04:00

...has so many great prompts that I just couldn't decide. So I'm going to try tackling a few. Bear with me...this might get lengthy...

Your trip to the ER...spill it.
Lydia was 14 (ish) days old. She'd already been discharged from the hospital, and then readmitted (all within 24 hours) for jaundice. Big. Bad. Jaundice.

We'd just been discharge from our most recent (read:second) stay in the hospital, and Massey and I were just done. Ready to be home. Ready to enjoy Lydia, rather then staying in a constant fit of worry. Ready to be done with the drama (because believe you me, there was major (as in I'll probably never forget it) drama).

Anyway...when we were discharged, our pediatrician told us what warning signs to watch for that would mean she needed to come to the ER because her levels were more then likely creeping towards the scary number 20. Limp. Unresponsive. "Floppy." Papery skin.

8:30pm. All of the above. So we headed to the ER. I wanted to kick the $&?! out of this jaundice and tell it who was boss. Total Mama Bear.

The ER was freezing. We had Lydia wrapped in every blanket we had, plus out coats/sweatshirts.

11:30pm. Someone finally comes to take her blood. Now, Massey and I know exactly what they need to do: prick her heel, take some blood, and send us up to the family floor to go under the lights...again. Does anyone listen to us?? No. Instead they decide to fill an entire vile. Babies don't have big veins. In case that wasn't obvious. So what did they do? Prick her everywhere to get her blood.

I had to leave the room to go cry in the hallway. My boobs were leaking everywhere, my daughter was screaming, I wanted to kick someone in the shins, and I was miserable. Exhausted. The epitome of overwhelmed new mom.

We were finally admitted and stayed another 24 hours.

It was by far the worst experience. Of. My. Life. I would give birth sans an epidural 100 times just to be able to "undo" that.

Describe one of your 'God Moments'.
I've always felt a special...call from God. We've always been relatively close, and I've always known that there was something more out there for me.

When I was 12 or so, I even decided that hands down I was going to be a priest. And then I realized that "priest" was not something people usually mentioned when we were all asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

So I tabled it.

Went to college. Majored in Government (my other love). Got married. Had Lydia.

From the moment that they placed Lydia on my chest, I knew she was something special--and that she made me more special.

When Lydia was baptized--that's when I truly had my (most recent and directive) God moment. In our tradition, the priest leads the parents and godparents through a series of questions, to which we all respond, "I will, with God's help." After responding to these questions and answering a gauntlet of questions (the same for every baptism--don't forget, we're high church Episcopalians--so we loooove us some liturgy!), the priest turns to the congregation and asks the following:

"Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support Lydia in her life in Christ?"

To which the entire congregation responds,

"WE WILL."

Now, Lydia was baptized in the church I grew up in. Everyone there had at some point been a cheerleader, helper, parent, leader for me. I have always felt most securely me in that church. So hearing and seeing all of those people who have always loved me and always wanted what is best for me commit themselves to supporting my daughter? Now that was amazing. That made my heart fill, and my eyes overflow with joy, love, and the knowledge that I had to pursue ministry. I had no other options.

Why is your kid in time out?
My kid's perfect:0) She's never in timeout.

Hahahahahaha.

Being disrespectful. Not listening. Not using her manners. Biting. Scratching. Hitting, etc. Normal kid stuff. Most recently, she went to timeout for throwing her dinner on the floor because she thought she was done and deserved icecream. I'll let y'all guess if she got said icecream...

Happy Birthday, GiGi!

2009-08-12T15:14:00.006-04:00

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I know you're going to be oh, so pleased when you see the picture I picked to accompany this post, but hey, too bad:0)

In all honesty, this picture so reminds me of you...and me...and Lydia. That is for sure my "go to" pose. And let's be honest--we all hope we look that fab at your young age!

I know it's kind of late in the day to be posting a birthday...post, but honestly, Mom, I've kind of had a hard time figuring out to say. I mean, we've been through a lot.

This morning I was brainstorming (in the shower, of course), and I got to thinking; we're going to be friends way longer then you were the one making the rules when I was younger. Even though I'm done with the "kid" phase of my life (I hear you laughing...you know what I mean), that doesn't mean we're even close to being done with the "us" part of life.

There are going to be a lot more mornings that I start the day with a phone call to you (after dropping Lydia off, of course).

A lot more outfits that will need your approval before they can be debuted for the world.

A lot more meals to be shared. Shopping trips to be had. And memories to be made.

And that excites me. It makes me glad that we're in a place in our lives where we can be so close and share so much. It reminds me of the day Massey and I told the grandparents we were having a girl. Everyone was so excited (afterall, it's been ages since a girl has made an appearance on Mass's side) and talking over each other when Durwood (aka DooDoo) pulled me aside and said, "I am so glad that you're having a girl. I only hope that you and your daughter will be as close as your mom and her daughter."

Me too.

Speaking of daughters, Mom, seeing you and Lydia melts my heart everytime. You two really have something. It reminds me so much of spending time with Granny (Mom's mom, fyi) and Wally. And when I see Granny in Lydia, it just makes me grateful to have come from such a strong line of women...and to see that Lydia will always (like it or not) have a reminder of that.

A couple weeks ago when Whitney and I took Lydia to the river, Lydia asked me to sing her a song before bed. So, thinking of you, I sang "Twinkle, Twinkle." You used to sing that to me every night when I was little. I actually started getting teary in the middle of it. You'll be proud to know that it is now a bedtime necessity that we sing "Twinkle, Twinkle" together before bed.

I love you, Mom.

Happy Birthday! Lyd's been warming up her singing voice all week--we can't wait to see you tonight!

Weekend at a glance

2009-08-10T15:14:00.004-04:00

This weekend was, well, crazy...to say the least.

It started on Friday night.

You see, earlier in the week, Lydia had so sweetly informed me that she was, in fact, not interested at all in sleeping in her crib.

Great. So I went a bought a bed rail for the daybed we've had in her room since birth.

She was excited, we were teary eyed--it was exciting for us all.

Until Mommy had to leave the room...

...she cried...

...and cried...

...and cried.

Finally, I scooped her up and brought her downstairs to be with Massey and I while we watched a (kid appropriate) movie. While she dozed, I hissed at Massey, "go put down the rail and get her crib ready with her 'friends!'" After I finally was able to move her back into her room, she passed out hard and slept until 9:15 the next morning (!?!).

After the Market, we headed over to see our old next door neighbor's new house (hence the "old"). The girls have missed each other so much, and so it was wonderful to get them together. They played, we chatted, and all ate lunch together.

They also happen to have this incredibly amazing outdoor toy. I was in. love. This thing is a kitchen sink (I know, I know--you're saying, "ho hum, welcome to the world, Ab")--that works. It is so, so, cool. Lyd and C had a blast splashing together and "doing dishes" (I've started her early...).

Anyway, after lunch it was clearly time to head home so that Lyd could take a nap. I was fearful--I'm not going to lie.

She went down--in her big kid bed--like a champ. She was amazing.

And that night. You know where she slept? In her big kid bed. She wandered into our room Sunday morning at 7:15am just looking to crawl into bed with us. Can't mess with 7:15!

What a big girl!

P.S. Today she starts potty training at school...I can't wait for her report!

I won!

2009-08-07T11:29:00.004-04:00

Yay!

This day was kind of...arduous...to say the least, so imagine my complete surprise when I read that I'd won the adorable chalk tags that Grace made (find yours here).

I can already see where they're going to go...it's going to be simply fab. And don't worry--I'll be sure to show them off in all of their being used glory soon!

Now that I've won two giveaways, I'm thinking I should think about having my own, mini giveaway....although somehow I doubt there would be any takers for all of the junk we're currently uncovering at record speed... :0)

I'm afraid of...

2009-08-05T21:33:00.003-04:00

I've always been afraid of the dark. My whole life. For example, if I went to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I would have to run back and leap into bed before the toilet had finished flushing. And when I say leaping, I mean leaping. As in catapult myself...just to make sure that nothing would grab my ankles on the way to my bed.

Ridiculous, I know.

I'm also afraid of heights. Terrified. Big bridges make me incredibly anxious.

Again, ridiculous.

The list continues:

Doctor's/knowing something's wrong. Let's just say it took me 2 years to go back to the girl doctor after having Lydia. I had no good reason. None. Whatsoever. The dentist? Don't get me started--don't even get me started. Or my allergies. Why haven't I been to see another doctor? No idea. God forbid they could actually fix my allergies...

Messing up. Lydia. My hair. My life. My color choices in decorating. You name it. From the overly important (see: life), to the stupid and mundane (see: hair).

I could go on, but it's actually making me crazy anxious just listing these things.

Ugh. I'm so not a fan of this week's assignment.

Time to go be productive, I suppose. Maybe that will get rid of this crazy anxiety...

Tip of the Day

2009-08-04T11:52:00.002-04:00

Well, really of the summer. We all know it's rare that I stumble across something worthy of being dubbed a "tip."

A few weekends ago we were at the River, and Lydia finally realized that bug bites itch. Needless to say, she was distraught. Beyond belief. Kisses didn't help, snuggles didn't help, even stinky Pinkie didn't help. What's a Mommy to do?

No benadryl in sight.

No hydrocortisone cream.

No anti-anything.

BUT, my friends, there was a small tube of Colgate original toothpaste--the white kind.

My wheels start turning...

...it works on zits...
...it smells good...
...it isn't toxic...

...maybe it'll at least work as a placebo!

Wouldn't you know, it legit works. I've even started using it myself. Minty fresh and itch free?! What more could you want??

That, and Lydia now has something new to love..."ceeeam" Everything needs ceeeam. Bug bites, boo-boos, everything.

On the plus side though, she does understand that she cannot eat this ceeeam. As good as it smells, and as tempting as it is, there can be no tasting of the ceeeam. This is so that if she every is adopted by an anti-itch having family, she will not die. Phew.

Giveaway!

2009-08-03T14:53:00.004-04:00

Alright, so y'all know how I'm a sucker for a fab giveaway, right?

Well, it just so happens that I have a chance to snap up a wonderful goodie made by the delightful Grace (check out her Etsy shop, Coastline, too). I randomly stumbled across Grace a month or so back, and was shocked to discover that she was married in my hometown. As in, where I live now. Good gravy. She's now out in beautiful land being incredibly chic (read: enviably chic), but who cares. She actually knows where I live (but not in a creepster kind of way).

Anyway, they're having a giveaway over at Full House, and I want to win:0)

I looooove the chalkboard tags.

And the pillow.

And it all. I actually have already placed them somewhere super special (and currently super secret:0)). Yes.

Show me the burlap!

Flashback

2009-08-03T11:51:00.006-04:00

...to last weekend (not the one we just had).

Papa and Kaye-Kaye were in town, and so we decided to head to the River for the day after (of course) scoping out the Farmer's Market in our backyard. Miss Lyd really lucked out and walked away with not one, not two, but five adorable jumpers that a friend from high school makes.

Anyway, after we got to the River, Lydia, of course decided it was time for a nap. Which clearly meant that it was time for Gigi and I to take Kaye-Kaye out into the wonderful world of "downtown" Deltaville. I won't lie, I'd kind of been eyeing a pair of duck boots for the fall from the local hardware store, aka the "mall at Hurd's", and was hoping that a certain Gigi would think that a certain daughter of hers deserved a prize.

Clearly, I did.

Behold, my new fall shoes (they're Sperry's, by the way):
Lydia also lucked out (yet again) when we went to one of my fav conseignment stores in the area--a like new pink little tikes vanity, and a "bike"! She's now in hog heaven. That little vanity is always packed with her latest treasures...not to mention a stray bow-bow or two!

After our shopping adventure, we all headed to the pool/beach at the Club for an afternoon of fun in the sun! Lydia did so well--she even let us hang out in the pool together (a miracle after her rather unsuccessful swim lessons...).

The next morning we all had breakfast, Lydia napped, and then we headed home...but not before first stopping at the Animal Farm! Now, let me explain. Lydia loves this animal farm. Lives for it. Talks about it. Begs for it. Even prays for it during our nightly prayers ("God Bless Animal Farm!").

Sunday, she was in hog heaven. Literally.

We were casually meandering around taking in the sites, when all of a sudden, the farm manager asked us if we'd like to feed one of the baby pigs.

!?

OF COURSE WE WANT TO FEED A BABY PIG!

So all of us tromped in to see the baby pig...who was adorable, by the way. I was just shocked to see that the farm manager was feeding her out of a bottle. Like, a baby bottle. I don't know what I expected, but just not a baby bottle.

Anyway, Lydia was a little shy/anxious about feeding the pig solo, so obviously that meant that in actuality I was the feeder of the pig.

Good thing I can squat freakishly low. Massey always says I'm like a Great Dane lap dog. I digress.

Lydia and Mommy feeding the baby pig.

Mommy having a go at it.

Very curious about this piggy...

House Hunting

2009-07-30T15:42:00.004-04:00

Take 5,234.

And boy, am I ready for it to be done!

Tonight Massey and I are scoping out one of our particularly favorite neighborhoods. While we've scoured pretty much everywhere within a certain radius of the things that matter to us (places to walk, farmers market(s), work, public transport, good schools, etc), we always come back to this neighborhood.

Everything else somehow just feels like settling.

Great school. Two little shopping areas within walking distance. Eco-conscious neighbors. Adorable houses. Young families.

For inspiration I had to peek at Anthropologie this afternoon.

Behold! Abigail's inspiration board (du jour)!

Clockwise: melon handle, fab chair, 3 tiered trinket holder, owl juicer (I think I was inspired by yesterday's Caillou. Rough.), weigher (?), egg timer--for cookies and Lydia's time out..., red butter dish, ABC hooks, mustard couch, spices jars, organic looking mirror, porcelin egg crate--for my jewels a la YHL, and finally, memory for Lyd--she always deserves/needs/I cave in a prize!

Cross your fingers (and toes, and legs, arms, braid your hair, etc.) that this evening's houses at least put the spark back into the house hunt!

7 Most Favorite Summer Items

2009-07-30T09:00:00.001-04:00

...from Mama Kat, obvi.

1. Sunglasses. I always loose them--or Lydia breaks them. But they are a necessity. Currently I have two pairs.

2. Rainbows. They are my essential flip flop...except when they get wet because then they dye your feet brown. Not cool. This year I'm also working my metallic gold (but not brassy) gladiators I picked up at Wal Mart...for $10. I am amazing.

3. Hair spray. I don't care what kind, as long as it's aerosol. Living in the South, hair can frizz...in major ways. Thank god for hairspray!

4. Bare Minerals. Again, humidity + liquid make-up does not = cuteness

5. Bathing suit & a cover-up. Preferably a cover-up that I can wear sans a bathing suit. I hate being wet and wearing a cover-up to go shopping/driving. So usually I pull a deck change...aka gracefully remove my bikini under my cover-up before leaving the pool/river/beach.

6. The Rivah. Self-explanatory. Having our river house in my life is one of the best parts of my life. Hands down.

7. Outdoor living. This includes, but is certainly not limited to: beer in cozies, cold, cold, cold pinot, a grill, citronella, and good friends.

More to Love

2009-07-29T11:26:00.002-04:00

Usually I try very hard not to get sucked into reality love shows. Somehow they just end up leaving with an icky feeling. That, and I can't stand watching awkward things happen on TV. Someone's about to make a fool of themselves and we can all see it coming a mile away? I can't watch.

Anyway, so it was very surprising to me when after watching the newest Hell's Kitchen on Fox, Massey and I got sucked into Fox's brand new show, "More to Love." Basically, there's the bachelor, Luke, who isn't exactly...svelte. The opening bit starts with "The average reality TV star is a size 2. The average American woman is a size 14-16." Great. I get it. Real reality show for "real" people.

It was actually pretty...hard to watch. You see these women so nervous and so clearly emotionally upset because of the way they've been treated up until this point. You see how much effort they've put into their appearance. You hear Luke tell them that he's letting down his wall, so he hopes they'll be willing to put down theirs.

And then he eliminates five almost immediately.

I understand, really, I do. It's just somehow it's infinitely harder to watch him eliminate these women then it is to watch someone eliminate gorgeous women. For the gorgeous girls, you know that those shows are just a blip on their romance map. But for these women, or at least for some of them, they have clearly put all of their eggs in this basket.

So it's hard to watch.

Will I keep watching? Probably. Because I want to see if it continues to be "different." Or if it really ends up being exactly the same as any other reality dating show with just a different cast of characters.

But will it be hard to watch? Absolutely. As someone who's struggled with her body and her weight so much, it's difficult to see these women in varying places of self-acceptance. It's also hard for me not to envy those women who are bigger then me, and yet seem so much happier with themselves. That's not an easy thought to process.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted. It definitely sparked an interesting conversation at bedtime in our house, so I'm sure it'll spark another interesting one next week too.

Much Needed Vacation!

2009-07-24T15:01:00.000-04:00

After the 24/7 rigmarole of VBS, Whitney and I definitely needed a vacation--and Massey was definitely craving a break after his crazy, semi-single parent week.

So, after church on Sunday (Which was a-mazing, by the way. Check out David's killer sermon here--it should be up soon) Whitney, Lydia and I loaded up and headed to Deltaville for a few days.

All I have to say is that Lydia has her Gigi wrapped around her little finger. The first thing out of Lyd's mouth when we arrived wasn't "hi" or "yay!" or anything like that. Nope. It was, "Icecream, Gigi? Icecream?" Needless to say, my mom complied. However, keep in mind that never in a million years would this have ever happened when I was little. Ever. I guess that's why she's the grandmother...

After a non-existent nap, we headed down to the beach for a little sand time. In case you didn't know, I have never really...loved sand. I've never been the type to sit in the sand and let it get everywhere...if you know what I mean. Nope, it's just not for me. Swim? Sure. Lay out (for half a second)? You bet. Get sand in every nook and cranny? I think not.

Thank goodness for Aunt Whitney.

She would roll in sand if need be. She used to put it in her sandwiches at the beach for the extra texture. I'm not kidding. So when Lydia asked her to "Sit, mini. Sit, amini." She was more than happy to oblige. Now, don't get me wrong, I eventually always man up and at least sit on the hardpacked sand. I'm not that much of a weenie, and I certainly don't want Miss Lyd to be a weenie...I was just glad that Whitney, the anti-weenie was there too.

After beach time, we headed back to the house for crazy play time. With coasters.

Now that is a look of pure joy!

In fact, Lydia and Whitney were so busy playing, that this is frequently all I saw--Lydia leading "Mini" to god knows where to do who knows what.

The last little bit I'll leave you with is the following video. Recently Lydia has become enthralled with singing her ABCs...like, to the point that I perpetually have the ABCs running through my head. It's fun. She got a little distracted and moved on with her life, but it's still pretty darn cute. If I do say so myself!

Loooooong Hiatus

2009-07-23T11:20:00.003-04:00

Phew! Who knew 22 days could fly by so quickly!

VBS has come and gone.

I've been on a mini-vacation with Lyd and Aunt Whitney.

The new program year/beginning of school is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

Deep breaths.

So, now I'm playing catch-up.

Where to begin? VBS.

This year our theme was "Catch the Spirit" (this year's Mennonite curriculum, if you're curious). It was all about the Holy Spirit and the early church--to the extent that during the skits every day, I was the Holy Spirit. I think the kids really got a lot out of it. We had 96 kids there this week--definitely a St. Stephen's record, and gobs of amazingly helpful volunteers. Each child was in a country group--of which there were ten. Each country was somewhere that either St. Stephen's personally has a presence, or the Episcopal/Anglican church on a whole has a presence.

Every day each group went to two different classes in addition to snack and journal time. It was awesome. Like, amazing. I think some of my favorite classes were Feasting (aka cooking) where they made a recipe from their country--in fact, each snack was made from one of the countries' recipes, Healing where they learned all about the art of healing prayer and a few ways to do it themselves, Moving where they learned how to express God's presence and their joy at his love through movement, and Gathering where they used a world map to recognize that they are part of something much, much bigger than just Richmond.

Another really neat aspect was Friday. Because we'd been focusing so heavily on world mission, I thought it would also be important to incorporate local mission as well--the old, think globally, act locally, adage. So in order to do that, we had a toilet paper drive for Freedom House, a local homeless shelter in Richmond, and a food drive for our own food pantry. On Friday during our gathering time, we had a lovely woman from Freedom House come a give all of us a presentation on what it means to be homeless, and how the toilet paper would be used. She was amazing. The kids were more quiet and respectful then then they had been almost the entire week. During our closing time, we also had one of the spearheads for our food pantry speak--again, another meaningful experience.

I also have to say that on a personal level I really enjoyed working with so many people whom I've only really known through their kids. And now I feel like I know them as people--people I really enjoy spending time with.

It was also my year anniversary at St. Stephen's. I started working here last year during VBS solely as a volunteer...and this year I was in charge of it. What a difference a year makes. In hindsight, I hardly even recognize the person I was when I first began. I have grown and changed so much in every imaginable way. And now I can't even imagine my life without my St. Stephen's family in it:0)

Wednesday's Assignment: I'll be happy when...

2009-07-01T22:01:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I realize that simply filling in a blank is supposed to be uber easy, and not at all time consuming.

Haha.

How can I not take this chance to over-analyze and take waaaay too much time?

So, here it goes, by category, mind you.

I'll be happy when...

...VBS starts. After the ball's already rolling, there isn't much more planning or fretting I can do! Enter shameless infomercial a la the late, great Billy Mays: But WAIT, there's more! If you're in my area and you're looking for something to do with your kids the week of July 13-17 from 9-12, registration is still open until tomorrow!

...we find the house. I think this one speaks for itself.

...I don't have to watch Elmo poop or pee in the potty anymore. We watched Elmo's potty training dvd yesterday afternoon, and I still can't get the "Accidents Happen" song out of my head. Talk about awkward.

...I no longer look like a make-up disaster (read: black-eye)...or a major crick in my neck. I'm sick of looking quizzical with my head tilt.

Thanks for this week's prompts, Kat!

What's black and blue ...

2009-06-29T10:01:00.003-04:00

...and hurts like hell?

Why, that would be my face. Well, more specifically, my left eye.

By the way I'd like to take a moment and let it sink in just how close of a close-up I had to take for this picture...I digress.

You see, I am a klutz. As in completely and utterly. It pairs nicely with awkward, let me tell you.

And awkward is exactly how I felt yesterday walking around with Massey and Lydia...especially once I realized that I was sketchily avoiding making eye contact with anyone that passed us. Stellar.

And just for clarification, allow me to tell you just exactly how I managed to pull off this amazing feat of klutziness (and major pain, let me tell you).

Back Story:

Massey, Lydia and I drove up to Northern Virginia after hitting up the Market on Saturday morning. We decided it was about time for us to meet the lovely Miss Snap and her parents, Aunt Krispie and Uncle Rice. Well, upon arrival, it became clear to me that what Rice and Krispie needed wasn't us hovering and making a fuss, but a date. So, I stayed with Miss Snap, Massey and Lyd headed to my godparents house (also Gigi and DooDoo's dear friends) for the night, and Rice and Krispie went out to dinner and ice cream.

Fast forward a few hours.

I'm sleeping in the basement. A haven of darkness and coolness. I hear Miss Snap wake up, and so I go upstairs to see if Krispie needs anything. I keep her company for a bit, fetch her water, etc. Then I decide to give them some space and head back down to my dark cave.

I didn't know where the light switches were and figured that since I'd been functioning in the dark for the last hour or so, I could definitely make it back into bed safe and sound. I knew that I had to turn left after I passed the wall.

I forgot there was a bathroom downstairs. The door was open.

So I passed a wall, felt air, and turned.

Right into the door frame of the bathroom.

Let's just say I crawled back into bed, waited until I could breath again, and felt my eye. It already felt like I had a tumah (this must be said a la Arnold, fyi) trying to eat my eyelid. Enter the icepack. Which I slept with all night.

Ugh.

So now I'm rocking the slightly swollen, very blue eyelid pretty hard. I think my favorite part is the SUPER eyebrow arch that the swelling is causing. And by "favorite" I clearly mean "most painful part ever that makes makeup application almost impossible and makes me look very startled at all times."

Thank goodness for bare minerals. I'd say I did an okay job at the cover up...

Again, I'd like us all to take a moment to recognize just how close-up y'all are...especially for first thing in the morning. If there was a soundtrack, it would sound something like this: "Mooooooooooommmmmy, moooooommmmmy. ElmoTV. ElmoTV. 'Nacks? 'Nacks? Sit, Mommy. Sit, Mommy. Mommy, sit. Silly Mommy!"

Happy Birthday, Kaye-Kaye!

2009-06-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday, Kaye-Kaye!

We hope you have a wonderful time today celebrating--we just wish we could be there with you :0)

You are such a wonderful grandmother to Miss Lydia--she is so lucky to have someone as attentive and involved as you are in her life. In fact, all three of us are pretty darn lucky.

I mean, just think. If there wasn't a Kaye-Kaye, there wouldn't be a Massey, and there wouldn't me a Lyd. That makes you pretty darn important in my book if for no other reason then I love Lyd and Massey pretty much more than anything else :0)

I've had a great time getting to know each other and figure this whole "so-I-guess-we're-related-now-for-keeps" thing, and I know that we will only get closer with time.

Lots of love,
Massey, Abigail, and Lydia

The way you make me feel...

2009-06-25T21:03:00.004-04:00

...is kind of bummed that MJ died today.

Silly, I know. He kind of spazzed out and went nuts in his old age.

But before I could read tabloids, I just knew that I loooooved me some MJ. In fact, I had an entire tap dance recital made up entirely of MJ songs.

Pro: Lyd will only know him for the music and (hopefully) not for his high sketch factor.

Con: Who am I kidding? Of course she'll know about his sketchiness.

Additionally, I'm sad about Farrah.

I have been known to rock the feathered look pretty hardcore. I wish I had a copy of my 7th grade picture...I remember working on my "look" with that curling iron forever. In fact, just thinking about it makes me want to grow my hair out long again. Sigh.

Shrine Mont

2009-06-23T22:07:00.005-04:00

This weekend the three of us headed up to Shrine Mont (in Orkney Springs, VA) for St. Stephen's Parish Retreat. I was responsible for the children's programming, and so I took Massey and Lydie up with me to a. keep me company and b. make sure I didn't work too hard :0)

Anyway, it was so exciting for me to take the two of them up there because I feel like so much of my...growing up and spiritual development (can you tell I just I still have the conference on my mind?) happened on the Mountain.

I'd say one of the highlights was the food. As you probably know, us Episcopalians are well known for our love of liturgy and tradition. It's like the joke goes, "How many Episcopalians does it take to change a lightbulb?" "CHANGE?! What change?!"(we're trying to work on it, though:0)). What you probably didn't know though is that we also loooooove our other traditions...like the Shrine Mont menu.

Friday nights are barbeque, slaw, and apple crisp with frosting (my fav part, obvi). Saturday nights are roast beef with killer beans, rice and butt buns with apple butter. Sunday lunch is fried chicken--the kind that makes you (me) want to eat your (my) body weight of it (3 drumsticks)--and chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting and vanilla ice cream.

Anyway, unfortunately for us, but fortunately for our legs, Lydia hated being in her baby backpack. Like, with a deep burning passion.
That meant that we didn't get a chance to hike North Mountain...or even to the cross. Thankfully, I'm pretty confident this wasn't Lydia's only trip up to Shrine Mont.

We did, however, get to take advantage of the pool. All I have to say is that Lydia is one lucky chick that she gets to enjoy all of the wonders of the "new" pool (I say "new" because that pool will be "new" until I'm 105. Remember? We're Episcopalians). The shallow end starts out like a beach, which is just so perfect for Miss Lyd. We even let her get away without wearing her "special jacket" the whole time.

And yes, I realize that y'all probably would have gotten the idea after only one action shot of Lyd in the pool...I just couldn't help it :0)

Overall I'd say the weekend was definitely a huge success for us Whorleys...even if it did require that I pack literally everything but the kitchen sink. We ate delicious food, got to know some parishoners in an entirely different, and incredibly fun way (Apples to Apples, anyone?), mastered the art of having Lyd sleep in a different "room" (aka the bathroom--don't judge. Sleeping in the same room as an almost 2 year old does NOT = fun), and got to spend time together as a family.

Oh, and I get to use the label "firsts" again for the first time in a long time...which is actually a nice reminder that while it sometimes feels like Lydia's all grown up, she's really still my little girl.

It's the small things :0)

Back in Action

2009-06-18T21:47:00.004-04:00

I'm back!

After a marathon of traveling yesterday afternoon.

Let's see...

...I learned so much at the conference that my thoughts are scattered like...whoa. So this will be discombobulated, but hopefully it'll do!

Things I learned:

-I'm a big girl. A big, independent girl. I am completely capable of putting on my big girl panties all while kicking butt and taking names (hah!).
-I definitely do not miss living in a dorm. Hall living blows.
-I love to learn. Flat out, I just love it...and I'd missed it so much. I took so many notes, thought so many thoughts, and met so many intelligent people.
-Denomination is really just secondary--the only thing that truly matters is a love of children, ministry, and God.
-I am so glad that I am so new to children's ministry. There is so much fascinating literature out there, and so many incredibly stimulating studies out there--and I get to be part of something new!
-There is nothing in this world quite like being reunited with your child after being apart for a loooong time. And I have to say, she seemed like such a big girl! I literally felt like was picking up a grown up this afternoon!

While I wish I could stick around longer, we're actually headed to Shrine Mont this weekend for our parish retreat. Anyway, I've got like 12 hours to unpack from Chicago and repack (for two) for this upcoming weekend.

I'm also distracted by "16 and Pregnant" on MTV. Don't hate.

See You on the Flip Side...

2009-06-13T22:37:00.008-04:00

...aka when I'm back in town.

who knew I'd have SUCH a hard time with this.

It's 4ish days, Abigail. Put on your big girl panties.

You'll learn so much, and meet so many people. It'll be great!

(and thank God for a single room in case you need to boo-hoo a little...)

But honestly--who wouldn't miss Miss Priss?

Lydia and I September 25, 2007

Lydia and I June 6, 2009

And who could forget Mr. Hottie?

Massey and I

December 30, 2005
I was a bridesmaid in a very...interesting wedding and made him escort me...
...it was our second date!
P.S. we look so young!

Massey and Lydia

June 6, 2009
This should definitely be a picture of the two of us, but honestly, who really has a ton of current couple pictures?? Certainly not us...just a lot of me and Lyd, or Mass and Lyd...
And really, y'all should remember the random picture I included last week.

Alright, I've been sentimental enough for now.

Wish me luck on my first "business trip"!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Krispie!

2009-06-13T07:46:00.006-04:00

*Edited to Add: I have no idea what's going on in my font department. I'd fix it asap, but honestly our home computer struggles with just simple use:0) So bear with me until I can get to work and fix it:0)

Happy Birthday, Aunt Krispie! I'm sorry I couldn't find a recent picture of us, but who's kidding--we both look FAB in this one, so why mess with a good thing :0)

What a difference a year makes! This time last year we were bidding each other farewell, and heading off to different cities in the name of becoming grown-ups (well, at least our husbands becoming grown-ups:0)).

And here we are today. We don't talk enough. We sure as HECK don't see each other enough. And we've both grown and changed without the other one right next to us.

BUT, we still love each other.

Through the talking spells, and the notsomuchtalking spells, I know you are there for me--just as I hope you know I am so there for you.

You know, I hope you know that there is a real reason that you are "Aunt Krispie" and "Uncle Rice" to Lyd. It's kind of the blessing of being two onlys (Massey's one too...)--you get to pick your relatives--at least your siblings. And while I hear that having a real sister is unbeatable, having you in my life, Krispie, isn't a far stretch from unbeatable--in fact, I'd say it's pretty darn next to the best thing. Don't forget that:0)

And now you're a mommy too! And to an adorable baby girl, at that! I hope you know how happy I am for you:0)

I will always remember when you sent me the first picture of Snap* and I showed it to Lyd while simultaneously telling her she had a new baby cousin.

She said, "My baby! My baby!," tried to grab Snap out of the phone(picture text), and then gave the picture of Snap a big kiss.

Looks like Lyd already knows she's going to be the queen of the pack :0)

So Happy Birthday, Krispie!

I love you dearly. Miss you dearly, and can't wait to see you! As SOON as I get back into Richmond steadily, you can bet your bottom that I'll be there quick as can be!

Lots and lots of love,
Ab

*I've nicknamed Krispie's baby Snap because I've been teaching Lydia to call Aunt Krispie, Krispie (can you believe that isn't her real name?!), and her husband Uncle Rice...so that I can write "The RiceKrispies" on their mail. So it only makes sense that Snap be their child's nickname--now we just have to wait a few years for Crackle and Pop!

I would like these...

2009-06-12T14:42:00.005-04:00

...very much.

If you would like to (kindly) buy them for me, you can do so here. Or you could get me these:

Not surprisingly it's been one of those days. One of those days where window shopping is the only thing that seems to make me happy. Ugh.

My to do list is major. Not. Even. Kidding.

And I'm fried. At my wits end. As in, I almost spontaneously combusted in the car after chewing Massey out this morning. For being sweet and arranging for us to have a date.

Seriously, Ab?

I think I need new shoes.

This Week's Assignment:

2009-06-11T11:07:00.004-04:00

The prompts: in bold (from the lovely Kat)

1.) Describe something someone has done to make you feel special.

A few weeks ago I was really frazzled because my very first program year was about to end at work. I was excited, surprised, and nervous to get it all wrapped up in a pretty bow.

Massey remembered. Knew I was on the fritz.

Bought me the earrings I'd envied at the Farmer's Market (while I wasn't looking) and gave them to me later.

He's not the most spontaneous duck, so I was SO SURPRISED and felt SO SPECIAL to him:0)

2.)Name your current addiction...we can get through this together.

Queso from Moe's. Lots of it. Preferably on a ruprict (nachos). I could bathe in queso, and that would be okay--not nasty.

Coke Zero. LOVE IT.

3.) What have you been busy doing that's keeping you from updating your blog? How hard is it for you to get back into the swing of blogging when you take time off?

Well, I'm back from an almost six month hiatus. Why did I stop? The googleability + not feeling like I was in such a fab place in my life.

It's majorly hard to get back into the swing of things. I've missed entire pregnancies of bloggy friends...and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Bear with me. I'm slowly but surely coming back.

4.) Write a letter.

Dear Lydia,

On Sunday morning I will board a jet plane and head to Chicago for a Conference. My first every work trip.

And I'm so darn nervous, Lyd.

Sure, I've left you with Ganny and Doobee overnight. I've also worked really hard to balance work and mommydom because honestly, I need both. I need you, and I need my work and ministry.

So I'm torn. I'm so excited about meeting new people in my field, learning new things, and being independent (do you know I've haven't travelled by myself since I was like 11?), Lordy me am I going to miss you!

Which is why I gave you my locket from when I was a little girl to wear. So you'll always have a bit of Mommy with you.

I love you, baby girl. Be good.

Love,
Mommy

5.) Where would you like to be?

On vacation.

Thankfully, I've now gotten it in my head that we are going on vacation. And by the way, me + Massey = we...just so that we're clear.

Mass and I have never taken a vacation just the two of us--it's always been us + a set of parents, us + Lydia, us + friends. Now, we've always had fun, but for the love of all things important, we need a break!

So this December 26th- January 2nd I will be gone(grandparents, mark your calendars! You'll be splitting Lydie Duty). At a beach. In the tropics. Drinking a cocktail (or two) with my husband. And I am so excited!

Yes, I'll miss you, Miss Lyd. I'll call, boo-hoo, etc. But you'll be a big girl by then.

And heck, I'll be practicing next week:0)

My Prize!

2009-06-10T15:49:00.004-04:00

As y'all probably remember, I won a prize last week from Beth and her etsy shop, Lillian Ray.

So imagine my surprise when this showed up in my box this afternoon! Keep in mind that Beth wasn't this sloppy in her wrapping--I was just too darn excited to take pictures during the unwrapping, and so I lamely tried to recreate it. Emphasis on the lamely.

I love it! Like, a lot. As in, itdoesn'tmatchmyoutfitbuti'mwearingitanyway, cute (good luck reading that, by the way:0)).

Busy Saturday!

2009-06-06T22:13:00.007-04:00

We kicked off the weekend this morning by hitting up St. Stephen's Farmer's Market. If you haven't stopped by yet, you're absolutely missing out because it is always incredibly fab. This week we snagged an oregano plant, a tabasco plant, iced coffee (Blanchard's is the best!), and a limeade for Lyd. I also majorly lusted after this painting by Susannah Raine-Haddad. I even already have a spot picked out for it...(more on that later:0)).

After thoroughly enjoying the Market, we hung out, played, gardened, and napped until it was time to gussy ourselves up for JRA's Annual Lawn Part at Westover Plantation (which I mentioned here).

All I have to say is that Westover is absolutely stunning! The setting is so unbelievable. In fact, as we were driving up to the house, all I could say to Massey was, "it's places like this that make me so proud to be a Virginian."

However, aside from the beauty of the plantation, we also managed to have a wonderful time. They even had a Children's Tent set up with "special" food (read: hotdogs, chips, lemonade, etc), arts and crafts, games, and a "fossil dig" that Lyd just could not get enough of. And by fossil dig I clearly mean a tupperware container with "bones" glued to the bottom and covered in sand...with paint brushes to uncover the buried fossils.

We even managed to bid on (and win) something during the silent auction. When we walked into the tent, Lydia immediately spotted a basket with a couple of stuffed animals in it--most specifically, a bear. So of course, from then on all Lydia could do was run around saying, "my beers! my beers! my beers!" Let's just say we got a lot of funny looks...

Thankfully, in order to get said basket of amazingness for Miss Lyd, all we had to do was bid on a family membership to Maymont. Have I ever mentioned how much I love Maymont? Or how much Lyd loved her first trip to Maymont? A lot, and a lot.

We also managed to take some incredible pictures, which I just had to include below. Enjoy!

Mommy and Lydie.

Walking.

Lydia discovered buckets and decided they needed to be rearranged.
Big buckets. Little girl.

Again, corralling her buckets.

Calling in the big guns...aka Daddy.

Cutie.

I'm not embarrassed to say it: I think this is an absolutely beautiful picture of my daughter--and I even took it (I'm so not the photographer in the fam)!

Just for the heck of it. My cute husband :0) And yes, he's wearing pink pants...and he made them look good :0)

Happy Day

2009-06-05T23:13:00.004-04:00

Today has been one of those happy days.

It started out ho-hum (I was at work and it was POURING), and finished with a (potential) bang.

A prize.

A blessing for one.

A proposal for another.

And so much potential!

Thanks be to God! *

*Ordinarily I try not to be too heavy on the God talk. But today I just can't help it! I was recently taking a class, and another woman in the class would periodically say, "Thanks be to God." At first I thought she was a tad...hokey, but then it started growing on me. As an Episcopalian, we regularly say "Thanks be to God " after the prompt of, "The word of the Lord," so maybe that's why I kind of dig it...it's a familiar phrase to roll around in my mouth. Anyway, I don't mean to offend--instead, I simply mean to express pure, unadulterated joy and excitement for all the gifts of this day.

Yay! I won!

2009-06-05T12:18:00.003-04:00

...and I never win things (although when I said this to my mom, she responded with, "yes you do. you won me"thanks, mom:0))!

I'm so excited that Christan picked me to win the fab necklace by Beth that I mentioned here.

I will def be posting a pic to model it after it arrives:0)

Until then, I'll be waiting with baited breath.

Thanks, y'all!

Pee.

2009-06-04T11:39:00.001-04:00

I literally almost peed myself reading about Allergra's mishap today.

That is all.

For your enjoyment:0)

My Assignment: I Chose to Accept

2009-06-04T10:00:00.000-04:00

Every Wednesday night/Thursday, Kat over at Mama's Losin' It posts an assignment for her fellow bloggers with a variety of different prompts.

Usually I'm too intimidated or overwhelmed to do it, but today I thought I'd give it a shot.

Which prompt to choose...which prompt to choose...

Number 3. Describe a memorable gift. Why was it important to you?

So I've thought. And thought. And thought.

And finally I've landed on it.

The picture album my mom and Dur gave me for my most recent birthday. So simple, and yet so special for so many reasons.

First of all, in an age of digital cameras, and the ability to take a million pictures in order to find the picture, it's...refreshing to have the real deal. To realize that each picture was really just a lucky shot--a special moment captured on film.

Secondly, this picture album only has pictures of me in it. From cover to cover. From birth until now. And I appreciate that so much. You see, one of the first things I noticed about Massey and his family is that they have taken a lot of pictures--professional looking ones, at that--throughout Massey's life. Sometimes I honestly wanted to throw-up from all of the pictures of Massey that are everywhere (in the nicest way possible, Kaye--I promise). I think a lot of the...throw-up feelings comes from the fact that my family has never been much for staged photos--or really a ton of photos in general--that's just not who we are. So honestly a lot of it is probably some bizarre jealousy.

Anyway, back to the point.

Between all of the Massey pictures that are everywhere, and hearing ad nausea for the first (almost) 2 years of Lydia's life that, "she looks exactly like Massey!," can really start to wear on a girl.

But it's not true! Flipping back through the pages of my life, I see a picture here and there that really shows me Lyd...and me...all at the same time. I see a sly little grin here, and a playful little spark of creativity there that light up my world.

I also see picture of me with family and old friends that make me smile...and some that even make me cry. Like picture of me with my maternal grandparents. And then I see pictures of Granny holding me that are so similar to pictures of my mom (aka Granny) holding my daughter, and it makes me get more than a little teary-eyed, and have more than a few goosebumps.

I guess ultimately I love the picture album because it reminds me of who I am, where I come from, and all of the people who have helped me get to where I am today.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

2009-06-02T21:20:00.003-04:00

This past summer I took a class titled, "Intro to Entrepreneurship"...or some crazy thing like that. Since then (and really before), I haven't been able to shake it.

My desire to be a business owner, that is.

Sometimes my mind feels like it's going to overflow with ideas that swirl around like little kids with streamers trailing behind them.

It's a blessing and a curse.

Creativity, that is.

In my job, it's great. Need a new art project for Sunday School? You got it. How about a way to tie Science into the Easter story? Sure. In fact, my job is probably the first time my creativity has been considered a major plus, and something on which I rely very, very heavily.

Growing up I was always the "well rounded one," aka the one who wasn't AWESOME at any one thing, but way pretty darn good at a few things. That was never something I put on the "pro" side of my life columns. In fact, I used to fight it so strongly in the hopes that one day I would excel in just one thing--I always thought it would make life so much easier to like just one thing rather than all things.

No luck yet.

And I don't even want that anymore.

I just want to know when my flighty little mind will settle enough to do it. To take the plunge, and become my own small business owner.

I blame my parents, of course.

Deb has owned her own business on and off and is probably the most creative person I know.

Dur has always owned his own business, and honestly, I don't know how he does it sometimes.

Even my dad and step-mother work for themselves.

So clearly, it's in my blood.

And now that I'm back to blogging, I seem to have morphed away from exclusively reading fellow "mommy bloggers" (I mean that in the nicest way possible--I still consider myself one too), to reading a lot more design blogs, and blogs written by artists/small business owners.

Take This Young House. They are so cool (and they're from Richmond!), and so creative that other people look to them for guidance (and by "other people", I really mean me).

Or Grace Happens. Who knew that burlap could be so dang beautiful? And if you check out her Etsy store and line (Coastline), it's all amazing stuff too!

Or take Beth. She made this:
As in, made it with her own hands. So simple, and so beautiful.

Anyway, I'm completely and utterly rambling. Like, not even trying to connect the dots.

But someday, I'm sure the dots will connect, and I'll find it. I'll find my small business somewhere...

For now, it's all about trying to tackle "Mount Washmore" in the basement. Mass has set a moratorium on all else until the laundry pile is GONE. He's right. If we don't quash the beast, we'll be moving dirty laundry--regardless of when said "move" occurs!

Fab Giveaway!

2009-06-02T10:19:00.005-04:00

So, this weekend Massey and I are going to the James River Association's Annual Westover Lawn Party (obvi at Westover in Charles City). It's in the middle of the afternoon, so it's sure to be a hot one!

That being said, I (naturally) have been thinking about what to wear.

And then I stumbled across this amazing beauty:

Now, how pretty is that! If I can wear a big a** hat on a regular basis with this dress,
I feel quite confident that I can rock this A-MAZING little hair friend.

So please, y'all. Please, please, please check out LoBoheme's etsy shop. While you're at it, check out Frenchie and Flea (one of my newest, and most fav-est (?) finds).

Yay! I even have an idea of what I'd wear with my new hair...accessory!

Picture Post

2009-06-01T23:17:00.003-04:00

In honor of finally having discovered the secret hiding location of our camera cord (in its "house." where it belongs. of course), I've decided to throw some random, recent-ish pictures at y'all (although really, almost everything's recent when you haven't blogged since last October!)

Mother's Day 2009.

We had a cookout with the neighbors. Little C had so much fun..

...that Lydia couldn't handle that I was taking her picture, so obvi she sabotaged it!

Lydia enjoying her angel food cake on Mother's Day. I can't believe it was my second Mother's Day! Lydia even remembered and picked out exactly what I wanted--with a little help from Daddy :0)

Memorial Day, 2009.
Lydia's first trip on Ganny's prize "Aqua Belva." She loved it!

Lydia playing at the Rivah. Trash clearly makes a fun toy...as opposed to the actual, legit beach toys we have...

Marathon Weekend

2009-06-01T22:49:00.003-04:00

This past Friday I kicked off the marathon weekend by taking control.

And by taking control, I mean I decided it was time to actually take the day off. I went to work (as per my usual--even on a Friday, aka my "day off"), saw that no one in my department was in, that none of my "critical" emails were waiting for me, and that really there was no good reason for me to be there.

So I left...

...after an hour and a half.

Instead of staying and making work for myself that I knew would be there on Monday too, I went and picked up Lydia. She was beyond confused, but I'm pretty sure that she caught on as soon as we got home and she saw that Kaye-Kaye and Papa were there :0)

We went and surprised Kaye-Kaye at C's house where she was helping them pack, had lunch with Papa and Kaye-Kaye, napped, and played with Papa while Kaye-Kaye and I ran errands and went shopping.

Saturday morning we woke up and went to the Farmer's Market. Lyd was completely and utterly fascinated by the headband/key fob/leash/jewelry vendor. I can't tell you how many times I had to tell her that she didn't need a leash or a collar because she wasn't a puppy. Too cute.

Saturday afternoon we loaded up Papa and Kaye-Kaye's minivan (shhhh--don't tell--but it was majorly convenient in an "iwouldneverbecaughtowningonebutwillborrowtheirsanyday" kind of way) and hit the road for a family wedding.

Did I mention we did all of this on a 30 minute nap?

Or that my right bicep is literally sore after carrying Lydie for literally 48 hours straight (I'm not an ambi-hipper)?

Regardless, it was nice to see family, and who doesn't love a wedding?

Sunday was the Bishop's visit at church (I let Mass and Lyd cash in a "get out of church free" card), followed by housework, open houses, frozen yogurt at Verry Berry (to which I am now completely addicted), and finally a cookout with friends.

Phew.

I'm pooped just thinking about it!

In other news, we found the camera cord! Hip, hip, hooorrrayyy!

Sick as a DOG

2009-05-26T11:35:00.002-04:00

I don't know when I last missed work because I was sick. Usually I have to miss it because Lyd is sick.

Ugh.

The worst part is, I got sick virtually moments after we arrived at the Rivah--and have stayed that way ever sense. Now, that doesn't mean I didn't man up and do fun things, because I did. But it does mean that I currently hate my life. If I could rip out my throat and put it down the dish disposal, that would be fab.

Let's just hope I'm better ASAP--can't miss the ol' family wedding this weekend...or Aunt Krispie and Uncle Rice's new baby girl (as soon as she gets here...)!

P.S. I totally did manage to snap some presh pics this weekend...I just also have somehow managed to misplace our transfer cord...go me!

Sentences

2009-05-21T10:44:00.003-04:00

Never in a million years would I have ever thought that three words strung together could make me so happy.

I'm not talking about "I love you"...although I like those words too.

No, instead I'm talking about Miss Lyd and her recent explosion of mini-sentences.

This morning while I was getting out of the shower, all I could hear over and over was Lyd running around downstairs saying, "I like it! I like it! I like it!" about her bouncey ball (which to be honest is pretty sweet).

Then, when she came upstairs with Massey after breakfast, she looked at me and said, "I bounce it! I bounce it! I bounce it!" and started throwing her ball and chasing after it like a maniac.

FINALLY, while she was getting dressed for school (and by she, I really mean ME wrestling her to the ground and shoving a dress over her head), when I asked her to go pick out her shoes for the day (her reward for being so cooperative--yes, the aforementioned behavior is actually good behavior in the getting-dressed-for-school department) she looked at me and said, "I big girl. I good girl. I get shoes."

Can you believe it?!

I still can't. What a big girl! She'll be 20 months this Monday, and I just can't believe it! Pretty soon I'll be counting in years, not months (!?!). When you find out your pregnant, you worry about being able to be a mother. Now, I'm worried about if I can handle the responsibility of shepherding my small person safely through the next bunch of hurdles...some days I'm really not sure that I can.

Hi. My name is Abigail, and I am in denial with a capital D.

Shameless Product Promotion...

2009-05-18T16:04:00.002-04:00

Ordinarily I would't do this...BUT this stuff is so amazing, that I just can't help it.

What is it, you ask?

Behold, God's gift to eyelashes:

I've been wanting to try Maybelline's Lash Stiletto mascara for a while now, but just got around to it this past weekend.

It's amazing.

No clumping, no goopiness, just pure amazing.

All of a sudden I go from tired puppy, to awake princess. Can't ask for more than that! Even Whitney who never wears mascara proclaimed its greatness when we both came to work wearing our new mascara.

I've been a traditional Covergirl mascara (you know, the pink and green tube) kind of girl, and I've dabbled in Rimmel (YUCK), but I will never dabble again! I've found my bff for life:0)

You know you're old when...

2009-05-17T08:27:00.003-04:00

So, on Friday afternoon as I was getting ready for our Club 45 extravaganza outside, I realized, much to my chagrin that I had NO idea where my legit, I wear them every day sunglasses were.

Which could only mean one thing.

Glasses from our recent 80s skating party.
I had no choice. I know they're supposedly "cool" this spring, but let's be honest, they are too cool for me to rock on a regular, in real life, basis.

Insert the following conversation with one of my 5th graders while we were watching people play croquet.

5th Grader: putting on sunglasses Are these yours?

Ab: Yea. I actually lost my real sunglasses, so I had to wear these. I got them for the 80s skating party the youth group had a few weeks ago.

5th Grader: looking at me like I'm stupid Why did you get these? They're not 80s...they're so 2009.

Awesome.

I am officially an old lady.

Club 45 and 5th Grade Lock-In

2009-05-16T21:01:00.003-04:00

When I first started working at St. Stephen's, it was with the idea that I would spend a year in the Children's Department, and then head over to the Youth Department in order to figure out where I felt like I "fit."

Well, I was here for...2 weeks, max, and I'd already decided that come hell or high water, I wasn't going to leave the Children's Department. Can't beat it...at least not in my book :0)

Anyway, so one of my biggest treats is getting to "train" the kids what youth group will be like when they're finally in the youth group (6th grade). So, in order to do that, we have Club 45 for our fourth and fifth graders once a month. Honestly, I love it. I love planning the elaborate activities and scavenger hunts, and I love hanging out with the kids and learning more about them. But more than all of that, I loooove watching them morph from a random group of kids to a group. They're rock solid. And that's awesome to witness.

In the beginning of the year, I had to plan every single minute of the hour and a half because they couldn't entertain themselves for even a moment. Now, I actually schedule "chillax" time so that they can hang out and entertain themselves--how cool!

Well, yesterday was the very last official Club 45 of the year. Of course I'll do some spontaneous activities this summer to introduce the rising fourth graders, but really we're moving to a much more lax schedule over here.

So in honor of our fifth graders who will be leaving me in the Children's Department *sniff* and heading over to the Youth Department with Whitney, we hostessed our First Annual 5th Grade Lock-In! It was fabulous. We had a small group, but they were great. We had fun, played games, made crafts, ate waaaaaaay too much ice cream, and even had a special liturgy in the Big Church...in our pajamas:0)

I honestly can't believe that my first year is wrapping up so soon.

I was helping Whitney do the presentation pages for her gifts for her graduating seniors, and actually got teary eyed thinking about how many high school graduations are in my future for all of the wonderful kids I get the privelage of watching grow up.

P.S. The above picture is of Whitney and I at the last Summer themed Club 45...aren't we cute:0)

A Boy and His Bike

2009-05-08T09:32:00.002-04:00

This morning while I was driving Lyd to school I saw the sweetest thing--I mean, I literally almost had to pull over it was so touching.

Imagine it:

Driving down the street, getting close to an elementary school.

Seeing an SUV with its hazard lights on driving really slowly incredibly close to the sidewalk.

Looking over to the sidewalk to see a young boy on his bike with his helmet and backpack on peddling furiously to get to school on time.

Seeing the dad with the windows rolled down shouting encouragement to his son.

Makes your heart melt:0)

Happy Friday, y'all!

Yay, or Nay?

2009-05-06T14:37:00.004-04:00

So, a couple months ago, I stumbled upon this little gem which I IMMEDIATELY fell head over heels in love with. I showed it to Whitney...

She laughed at me so hard that I was worried about her chair upholstery. She also informed me that she'd be more than happy to MAKE me one with all of the yarn upstairs in the resource room. Nice.

So I gave up on my dreams of a warm, luscious necklush.

Until I happened upon this blog. Fluffy actually has one. As in owns it. And wears it. And gets lots of compliments on it!

That could be me! Getting compliments! And not having to worry about a chilly neck!

Am I nuts?

PS I like this (above) color for the spring, but there's also a great "brick" one that I also like for the winter...and a kelly green one I was totally lusting after. Clearly I just need to become a neck model :0)

Lyd's Best Friend...

2009-05-06T11:55:00.004-04:00

...in the real life sense (as in, not Pinkie the bunny or any of her other zillions of stuffed "friends") is probably Doobee.

She just loves to hang out with him. Honestly, I think knowing she was going to see Ganny and Doobee (who she actually is calling Doo Doo these days...much to Doobee's chagrin) is the only thing that got her the last little bit of the way to the rivah.

Because I work on Sundays (obvi), I left Lydia at the rivah on Saturday night, and Ganny and Doobee brought her back on Sunday afternoon. She had a ball.

Hopefully this means Lyd inherited D&D's "green thumb," and not my "make sure it's good and brown and dead thumb." Please note that Lyd is also rocking out her first pair of boat shoes, of course:0)

Smocking and Saints

2009-05-05T15:01:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago was our five year high school reunion. Now, to be honest, I was really nervous about going. Every now and then I still feel like the self-conscious pregnant girl. So while we were walking out the door to head to the cocktail party, I slicked on some hot red lipstick, threw back my shoulders, and held my head high.

And had a FABULOUS time.

Everyone looking all "grown"

It was great. Massey charmed the socks off of everyone, I developed a minor "I want to grow up and be her crush" on the hostess' mother, and went home with a glow:0)

I also learned of said hostess and her mother's new business venture, The Classic Baby and The Monogrammed Baby. Now, y'all had better head on over there and check them out.

Everything is to. die. for. I love the classic look of the smocked dresses. I also looooooove the simplicity of the pinafores. Let's be honest, I'm just a sucker for all things adorable. And the best part? Little boys don't need to feel left out! If anything, I felt left out for not having a little boy--some of those little jumpsuits are killer.

I'm also secretly (or maybe not so secretly) hoping that Lydia can model and/or we can get a "saints" discount:0) Regardless, I already have the perfect outfit in mind for them to create for Lydia's second birthday...in 4.5 months:0)

Happy Cinco de Mayo, y'all! Go grab a margarita!

The Best Day

2009-05-04T13:40:00.003-04:00

So one of my co-worker's (who I've actually known FOREVER) sent me this link because her daughter sent it to me (I've also known her FOREVER).

I cried. Like a baby. Thinking about my mom, and thinking about my baby girl.

Gotta love Taylor Swift.

Below are the lyrics.

Enjoy!

The Best Day
"I'm five years old, it's getting cold, I've got my big coat on
I hear your laugh and look up smiling at you, I run and run
Past the pumpkin patch and the tractor rides, look now, the sky is gold
I hug your legs and fall asleep on the way home

I don't know why all the trees change in the fall
But I know you're not scared of anything at all
Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away
But I know I had the best day with you today

I'm thirteen now and don't know how my friends could be so mean
I come home crying and you hold me tight and grab the keys
And we drive and drive until we found a town far enough away
And we talk and window shop 'til I've forgotten all their names

I don't know who I'm gonna talk to now at school
But I know I'm laughing on the car ride home with you
Don't know how long it's gonna take to feel okay
But I know I had the best day with you today

I have an excellent father, his strength is making me stronger
God smiles on my little brother, inside and out, he's better than I am
I grew up in a pretty house and I had space to run
And I had the best days with you

There is a video I found from back when I was three
You set up a paint set in the kitchen and you're talking to me
It's the age of princesses and pirate ships and the seven dwarfs
And Daddy's smart and you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world

And now I know why the all the trees change in the fall
I know you were on my side even when I was wrong
And I love you for giving me your eyes
For staying back and watching me shine
And I didn't know if you knew, so I'm takin' this chance to say
That I had the best day with you today"

Ugh...

2009-05-04T11:45:00.006-04:00

...I have GOT to get my hands on some motivation in a can--aka Coke Zero.

Until then, I thought I'd leave you with a few awesome finds:

Green Duck. Because honestly I would LOVE to go back to using paper products and Ziploc bags in my house. It would be lovely. I also think the founder is pretty awesome--and a great bowler:0)

StellaDot. If I could buy out the website, I would. I especially LOVE the Be in Love collection. I've been dropping hints to the Mother's Day fairy like crazy, but you never know with that fairy...

Lillie Bee. My cousin's wife, Whitney (follow?) is an entrepreneur, which I think is just awesome. Her kids are pretty adorable too.

Go Jane. This has been the best/worst find ever for me! Makes me such a fab "recessionista"! It's also bad because I can look at shoes like these and think, "huh. Maybe I should try them on...they could be cool..."
And then I snap out of it and think, "god lord, woman. WHAT would people say at church?! And WHAT are you smokin'?!" And then I see these, which obvi look one HECK of a lot better next to the above.
They come in a bunch of different colors, and honestly, who wouldn't love them?

Hi. My name is Ab. And I'm a shoe addict.

That feels better.

Happy Monday, y'all!

Our First Conversation...

2009-05-03T16:10:00.002-04:00

...on the phone, mind you.

Doobee: "say hi to Mama"

Lydia (in the background): "Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama..."

Lydia (into the phone): "Hi, Mama!"

Mama (aka me): "Hi, baby girl! Be good for Ganny and Doobee today!"

Lydia: "Okay"

Lydia (in the background): "Ow-seye? Ow-seye?" Translation: Outside

Clearly, Lyd had quickly moved on to her next activity, while I, on the other hand, was left sniffling on the other side of the phone.

What a big girl!

The Rivah

2009-05-02T17:29:00.004-04:00

This weekend is officially "Massey's Weekend" whitewater kayaking at a big festival with his bff, Josh and a bunch of other guys. Needless to say, when Massey asked if Lyd and I wanted to join him, I didn't have to think too hard about it...

What I did have to think hard about though was what to do with my weekend! But not really. I decided that this would be a fabulous time to introduce Aunt Whitney to the wonderful-ness of the Rivah (aka Deltaville). It was also my first trip of the season, so I was SO EXCITED! So, after packing enough for a lifetime (who knew a 19 month old needed so much STUFF!), we hit the road on Friday afternoon.

While I'd like to tell you that Lyd is just the best little traveler, etc, etc--I can't say that.
It would flat out be a bold faced lie.

We were about 30 minutes away from Deltaville when Lyd throws up a little bit. Fine. I have Whitney pull over at a gas station so we can clean up. Lyd and I walk in (and by walk I mean I walked and she rode) and start heading back to the water so she can clean out her mouth when all of a sudden I AM COVERED IN VOMIT. Twice. Pinkie and I are done. I rushed us into the bathroom and quickly stripped both of us and rinsed us down, praying that Whit would come in any minute. Thank god she did and quickly ran and grabbed us both something clean to put on.

One box of saltines and one sippy of water later we were finally at the river. Although, I'm pretty sure I gave some of the other drivers a pretty big scare--I managed to STILL smell like vom and knew we had to go to a nice party when we got there (read: no time for a complete re-do), so I pulled up my shirt and was airing myself out as we went down the road...in a nude bra. Awesome.

After we finally managed to get there Whitney and I hurried to beautify quick-style to make it to a dinner/dance outside at the Deltaville Maritime Museum. We all had a great time--Lydia even stayed up 'til 8 (HUGE considering she's normally out like a light by 7 at the latest)!

This morning while Lydia had a much needed morning nap I gave Whitney my personal tour de Deltaville...aka hitting every viable shop in town:0) After we got back and Lydia woke up, D&D, now know more commonly as Ganny and Durby/Dooobee, packed an amazing picnic lunch while Whitney, Lyd and I headed to the club to go play in the water and dig in the sand.

It was the perfect day. Warm, but with a soft breeze. Still water, and no one else around. Because it had been a little chilly on the creek side, Lyd wasn't exactly wearing a bathing suit when we got there, but she was wearing her "special jacket," which is what we call her pfd--just like we call her bike helmet her "special hat." Anyway, let's just say it didn't take long for Lydia to only be in her shirt and her "special jacket"...and nothing else. Thankfully I did manage to slather her bottom in sunscreen--and it did make for some pretty adorable pictures:0)

To Write List

2009-05-01T10:53:00.005-04:00

I feel like there's SO MUCH to catch up on--and so little time to do it! All I have to say is thank goodness for lists!

1. Job
2. House
3. Lydia
4. ME!
5. New people!
6. THE FUTURE (this is all caps because honestly it's pretty intimidating to think of...)

To get things rolling, I guess I'll start off with....number 5--New people! (I totally just had Whit randomly pick a number).

1. The Neighbors. First of all, we have the most wonderful neighbors. Conveniently, they are also a "church family" meaning that one of them also works with me at St. Stephen's. This is convenient because we see them a ton, and they generally understand the crazy, often unexplainable or comprehendable schedule of a churchworker. They also have a daughter--which lets be honest, is the best part. She's a few months older than Lyd, but they get along so well! In fact, sometimes I wonder how we got so lucky:0) It's only been recently, however, that they've really gotten good at playing--which might sound a little bizarre, I know. But until a few weeks ago they would really only play near each other, but not with each other. Well, all that has now changed. They play in the baby pool together, go down the slide together (well, Lyd really just watches in amazement as C. hurtles herself fearlessly down the slide), and have tea parties in our backyard together. Too cute. I just hope that they'll stay good friends for a long time. I know that sounds ridiculous, but hey, a mom can dream! It also helps that I really like the mom, aka Big C. She's wonderful. So calm, collected, and at ease with herself. Also, it's important to note that in the picture to the left, C is licking the salt off of the chips, handing them to Lyd, who is then eating them. What great friends!

2. Aunt Whitney. Never in a million years would I have ever imagined that my co-worker/office mate would go from being just a colleague to a family member when I started work almost a year ago. The day we had our first real conversation we were at Phil's, and we finally had our DTR (determining the relationships) a few weeks later at our now favorite restaurant, Banditos. In the span of about 6 weeks, Whitney went from "that other girl in the office," Whitney to "Aunt Whitney." I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through the first few months of work without her. Since she's been here a year longer than me she automatically knows more about St. Stephen's then me--translation: thank god that girl knows how to use the copier and folder (although I can handle it myself these days:0))! Anyway, I could ramble more, but long story short, having Aunt Whitney (aka An...nee in Lyd speak) has been a real gift.

3. All of the parishoners at St. Stephen's! Wow. What a wonderful group of people. I can honestly say that I have never felt such mutual love and respect from any group of people as I do from the parishoners at St. Stephen's. They have been so good not only to me, but to my entire family. I've also meet some amazing women who seem to genuinely value me as much as I value them. It's amazing. I have to say that I felt it incredibly intensely last Sunday while I was preaching in Palmer Hall. Yes, I said "preaching." I'm sure I'll discuss that later:0). Anyway, I was terrified. The joke before service was that you better not sit in the front row, or I might throw up on you! However, once I got started, I felt such positive feedback--it had to be the most amazing speaking experience I've ever had. I literally almost cried in the middle of my sermon--and not just because I was passionate about the topic.

4. Tridelta! Who would have thought...not me, that's for sure! And yet now I'm one of the members of the exec board for our local Tridelt alum! More on that later:0)

That's probably enough for now...until next time!

Oh, How I've Missed It!

2009-05-01T10:44:00.002-04:00

As some of you all may know (but probably only a very few of you...), St. Stephen's is about to start its very own FARMER'S MARKET (aka The Market at St. Stephen's). That being said, my co-worker/staff brains behind the Market asked me to pick out a few of my favorite recipes to share in the Market e-newsletter. Obviously, I immediately thought of my Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and awesome Cobbler recipes...which I only have easily accessible on my blog.

Which is why I'm back.

I couldn't visit and not write. It's just an impossibility.

And honestly, I've missed it tremendously. Y'all probably wouldn't even recognize Miss Lyd if you saw her now! For a while I completely gave up reading any blogs at all because reading them just made me feel so guilty about not keeping up with my own. And then I started reading just occassionally. And now I'm reading EVERY SECOND I CAN.

Anyway, so I'd like to say that I'm back (for real this time), but who knows. I'm hoping that with summer right around the corner, and some major life changes potentially on our horizon that I can really be back, but we'll see.

For now, I've included a recent picture of me and Lydia.

It's been a while...

2008-10-05T23:22:00.003-04:00

...and I've missed you all.

Unfortunately this is going to be short and sweet...a working mom's job is never done. That, and I'm feeling highly uninspired.

So, hopefully I've broken the seal, and I'll start showing my face around here a little more.

However, in the meantime I have a few shout-outs to my adoring public.

To AMM: For the love of God, if you want me to blog so badly, just invite me to lunch. I'm almost as amusing in real life as I am in blog world.

To the rest of you, I'm back!

P.S. Obviously Lydia is growing like a weed. She's walking, and trying to talk, and generally just a sweet, sweet handful. More on that later.

The Flobots - Rise Lyrics

2008-08-15T23:18:00.001-04:00

Stuck on Repeat

2008-08-15T22:22:00.001-04:00

This song is on repeat in my head right now.

I would say that it's driving me crazy--but that would be a lie. For some reason I like this song way more than I probably should.

What I don't like is the terrible funk that seems to be accompanying my everywhere this afternoon.

I keep trying to shake it, but to no avail.

Watermelon Festival

2008-08-12T16:27:00.005-04:00

Sunday afternoon after Lydie (& I) napped, we headed to Carytown with Aunt Shan for the Watermelon Festival. It was great fun, and Lydia was really a great sport.

Massey was also proud of me because I managed to only spend $1.00 on our watermelon--much better than my trip to the Farmer's Market the day before!

I'd say the highlights were listening to all of the music (and it's great when you're carrying a baby on your hip--all of a sudden you have free creative license to dance around while you're walking down the street--which I'm not surprisingly a huge fan of doing), eating delicious watermelon, checking out the baby consignment store (definitely going to have to spend more time there as a consignor!) and registering to vote in Richmond (I also may or may not have volunteered my time to a particular presidential candidate...).

We head back to Aunt Shan's (adorable) apartment around 5:00pm and finally got home around 5:30pm--hence my earlier comment about Lydia being a great sport. While it meant that she stayed up later than normal (she PASSED OUT in the car on the way home), we also got to spend good quality family time together before starting the week.

Below are a few more pictures from the day:

Aunt Shan & I enjoying some watermelon. Please note two things: 1. I am wearing the brown dress again (this time with a different necklace), and 2. Shan is wearing my hat. Let's just say I have a freakishly large head...

Lydia enjoying some watermelon. I swear, that girl could (and would) live off of watermelon if we let her!

Lydia being my hairstylist. And let me tell you, she did a fabulous job!

Catching a ride back to Aunt Shan's with Daddy.

IRL

2008-08-11T17:16:00.005-04:00

(aka In Real Life)

Saturday night was so fun! MF and P are in town for the week, and so the four of us went to dinner at LuLu's (we even got a babysitter!).

I was initially kind of nervous that maybe we wouldn't be able to make our blogosphere relationship translate into an IRL friendship. Turns out, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Not only did MF and I get along famously, but so did P and Mass. They even have the same birthday. Of course upon discovering that, MF and I immediately state, "well, we chose the same bridesmaids dresses" as though that were the same as a birthday (although, I still think it probably is...).

We had so, so much fun that Mass and I were actually kind of sad when it was over. Sad because they live nowhere near us, so our date night with them unfortunately can't become a regular occurrence. Anyway, I'm having a "blog fart," if you will. Enter pictures from the evening.

Our pre-dinner hors d'oeuvres. Two different kinds of stuffed pepperdews (thanks, Kaye!)--one Brie and one Blue--with olives. So easy, and yet so pretty.

MF and I waiting for our table. Please note the brown dress.

The four of us at dinner. In the future, please remind me to not tuck my hair behind my ears. They are big. That is all.

Veggies, Tarts, and More

2008-08-11T16:51:00.003-04:00

Saturday morning we woke up and decided that we should head out to the 17th Street Farmer's Market. After all, we used to LOVE going to the one in Williamsburg, and really miss going.

It was great. Different, but great. I guess we weren't expecting so many....booths that didn't sell produce...or anything edible. Which gets me to the "and more" part of this post's title. Obviously, I was responsible for the "and more." I bought a great dress. No, I can't wear it to work. And no, I can't wear it past the summer. But yes, it does look great on, and I love it. So much that you'll see it featured in not one, but TWO events from this weekend. Not only is it great looking, but I'm also lazy :0)

When we were getting ready to leave, I saw eggplant, and thought to myself, "hmmm...I wonder how you cook eggplant." Ask, and you shall receive. I got two great recipes from the woman who was in charge of the stand. Of course I'll be sure to let y'all know how they go. I'm going to try one tonight, I think. At the last stand we also got a mini-Sweet Potato Tart. It was to. Die. For. I loved it, and so did Lydia.

Anyway, below are some pictures Massey took while we were there. Lydia decided mid-tart that it was time for her to take off across the Market...hence the bib.

All I can say is that I hope she starts walking solo soon (but not really)--running around like that can really get to be a pain in the back (literally)!

Lydie's First Day of School

2008-08-11T16:43:00.003-04:00

Today was Lydia's first day of school in Richmond. I know, I know...she's done the whole "first day of school" thing before. But that was in Williamsburg. So clearly this is a new and different first.

It was all fine and dandy. Until I left. And she cried. So obviously I almost cried. And promptly picked her up as soon as possible.

I also obviously had to take a picture of her all ready for school and in her big girl seat, at that. It's ginormous (but more on that later).

Beach Bears

2008-08-05T22:50:00.005-04:00

Because I am slightly...over the top, when we were told to be creative about our final presentation in class, I of course jumped on it as an opportunity to make the cutest cupcakes I have seen in a loooooong time. I found the picture while randomly browsing blogs one day, and decided to file the idea away in case I ever got the chance to make them.

I simply made basic vanilla cupcakes (and when I say "I" made them, I mean Betty Crocker and Massey did...such a great guy), let them cool, and then went to work decorating them.

For the sandy beach I lightly frosted with vanilla frosting (again, from a can) and rolled the tops in graham cracker crumbs. For the half and half cupcakes, I frosted with blue, and then just rolled half the cupcake in crumbs. Keep in mind that the blue still shows through so I just sprinkled more on top for more coverage.

I also decorated my mini teddy grahams the night before so that their frosting/gel bathing suits would be hard and easier to work with when I was decorating with them. From there, I let my imagination go wild.

Hangin' out in the water(inner tube=life saver gummy). Please note the "surfer girl" in the background riding a wave. Yes, I did frost her back with a bikini.

Post-wipe out. I guess they're going to have to fight over who gets to use the surf board (aka cut up Fruit by the Foot)!

Beach bum laying out while a bikini bear relaxes in an inner tube. I also had some on their tummies with the inner tube around their middle (I cut life saves in half and stuck them on either side).

Love birds on the beach enjoying the shade. I just went to a party store and got drink umbrellas. All I had to do was snip down the middles so they weren't so gargantuan.

I made five plates like this--one for each table. That means I made 35 cupcakes--10 all sand, 15 half and half, and 10 all water. You can also see the "surfer girl" (and her back) a lot better in this picture. On one side of the plate we had tropical/beachy napkins, and on the other side we had our handouts which I made to be like invitations to the beach party. Adorable.

This was such a fun project--and so (relatively) easy! Then again, I pretty much live for being able to use my creativity!

Enjoy!

"Together We Rise"

2008-08-05T21:49:00.004-04:00

Saturday night Massey and I headed out to the National (FAB theater, btw) to see the Flobots concert. While I was a little hesitant and more than a little skeptical, I am so glad that I went. It was by far one of the greatest concerts I've ever been to.

Who(and what) are the Flobots? Glad you asked.

No, they are not robots on their period (haha, very funny...).

The best way to describe them (totally ripped off from some guy Mass overheard at the concert) is as a subversive (but not in a negative way) white rap group. And the word "rap" doesn't really do them justice. I mean, Massey's favorite band member was the VIOLIST. As is she played the VIOLA.

I'm not sure really how to explain the atmosphere and the concert itself. I guess the best way to describe it is by telling y'all a little bit about myself. I am not a clapper. I loathe clappers. Not in church. Not at concerts, never. I am also not a fist-pumper, hand waver, or otherwise get-involved-in-the-music-er. Occasionally we'll sing one of my favorite hymns at church and I'll do a little bounce/sway jig. But that is it.

I was clapping. I was hootin' and hollerin'. I fist-pumped with the music. I sang along. We did the hand/arm waving thing (although I'd be lying if I wasn't also simultaneously thinking about "Hey, Ho" and Kool-Aid...).

And then sometimes I just stood there. Arms folded, soaking in the lyrics. Basking in their charisma. It was intense.

After the show when the sound tech people were cleaning up, I recognized one of them as a family friend. Massey obviously yells above everyone else in the place, "HIS NAME HERE!" Being a good sport, he came over for hugs and to chat. When he asked what we thought, all I could think to say was, "It was awesome. I mean, like almost holy, awesome." I stand by that comment and only add that when I left I wanted to find the cure for HIV/AIDs, join the Peace Corps, make peace in Iraq and Afghanistan, rebuild the levys, and generally effect change and save the world.

And then I started thinking. How lucky am I that I have a daughter. I can effect change every day simply through what I teach her and demonstrate by example. There is no greater way for me to make this better than to strive to impact the next generation such that they are better. Isn't that what every parent wants? I mean, reading Quirky today, I certainly realized that my mistakes--sure, they were mistakes--but good gravy did I learn a lot from them. So while I won't pass on either a. the nitty gritty details of them to my children or b. the hope that they experience them themselves, I do hope that I can pass on what I learned from my mistakes, and the ability to learn and grow from their own.

Since I can't get YouTube to post to my blog for some bizarre reason, I'm going to instead hope that you go to YouTube to check it out yourself.

Saturday, a.k.a Migraine Day

2008-08-05T21:09:00.002-04:00

Ugh. Just typing the title of this post absolutely made me feel terrible. Like, instantly.

I woke up Saturday morning, and before I even OPENED MY EYES, I knew I was in for a doozie. I of course, being the good blogger that I am, was reminded of Mamalicious's recent headache debacle and prayed mine wouldn't be as bad.

And before any of y'all get your fingers wagging about how I probably was just feeling the night before, let me tell y'all it was so not that. Two cocktails over four hours does not a hurtin' Abby make.

Anyway, so thank goodness Massey was around to step up and win the father-of-the-year award because I was completely out of commission ALL DAY. Like, nauseated, light sensitive, had to sleep with a weighted pillow over my eyes, out of commission. It was terrible. Miserable. Rip my eyes out uncomfortable.

My only goal of the day was to hit the downward side of the terribleness of this migraine in time to a. take Lydie for her first sleepover at D&D's house and b. go to the concert later that night. All I have to say is THANK GOODNESS for Motrin. I began my love affair with it in the hospital after having Lydie, and have been a major fan ever sense. Although, I guess I shouldn't really be that surprised it worked--I would have been more surprised if taking them like candy (like 3 every 2ish hours) hadn't done something.

Anyway, so around 5pm we arrived at D&D's to drop of Lydia for her VERY FIRST sleepover. I was such a worried little mommy. I wrote out a schedule, packed a TON of stuff, and had a hard time leaving. I called in the morning to check in on her--fine. Perfect. Slept through the night, and was happy as a clam. While I should have been uber excited (Yes! We can do it in the future, too!), I was also kind of sad--you mean she didn't miss me at all?? Not even an itty bitty bit? All in all though I think it was a great experience that will most definitely be repeated (probably on a very regular basis).

The concert was also A-FREAKING-MAZING! But that'll get it's own post--it was too incredible to include here :0)

Too Old, Too Many Clothes, and Too Sober

2008-08-05T20:56:00.002-04:00

That's the best way to describe this past Friday night out with Shan. Now, don't get me wrong--we definitely had good fun (and even better, I was in bed by 11:30pm), but we definitely had fun because of the situation--not because of the places.

We started out the night at Sine(there's an accent mark over the "e"--accent ague, I think--just don't know how to do it) and quickly decided we were too young, and too...cool isn't the right word...but close enough. So after one drink each we were off to Richbrau. We figured that if we again were "too" something, we could at least (try to) play pool.

Y'all remember my bowling? Well, let's just say I'm not even half as good at pool as I am at bowling...so I'm pretty terrible. But at least I have fun, right?

Well, we ended up partnering up with the table next to us. It was all fine and dandy until one of the (married) guys says to me, "I mean, you're not even worth the investment of buying a drink." Awesome. I know I'm married, but at least I'm entertaining (in an awkward sort of way)--right??

Anyway, from there we went downstairs at the Tobacco Company because as I so eloquently put it, "I want[ed] to shake my booty." Let's just say Shan and I were those girls who were (can you guess??):

a. Wearing too many clothes (aka not "slutatious" enough)
b. Not drinking enough
c. Only attracting really huge creepos
d. Terribly awkward dancers
e. All of the above

If you guessed "e" you are so definitely right. Needless to say we had a good laugh at ourselves, and quickly left. I have to say that it wasn't even close to the previous two times Shan and I went out together--like not even on the same level. The last time we went out the awkward level was like a 15 on a scale of 1 to 10 whereas this past Friday was only maybe a 1.5. Although, I'm pretty sure that's a good thing. I'm not sure I can handle too many more 15's in my life...

All in all it was a fun night--next time we'll just plan a little better than just aimlessly wandering. Thank goodness Shan's great company, though! At least that means every night's a fun night:0).

De-Funkifying...

2008-08-04T07:27:00.003-04:00

...with an award!

So I woke up this morning ready to face this crazy, crazy week, and popped over to check out the Beehive. I'm casually perusing, when I discover I've won an award! How fun!

Now I'm supposed to pass the love on to five bloggy friends who make my day. So, without further ado, and in no particular order (except that I'm trying to spread the love):

Jenna because she made my day when I hopped on over and saw that I was on her blogroll! What a fun treat! Now I LOVE checking in to see how she and her hub are doing getting ready for Aidan (can you tell how I voted:0) ). It's like deja-vu--without having to actually be pregnant again! I could write an entire post about Jenna, but I'll save that for another day.

Quirky because even though I gave her old blog an award, her new one deserves one too. She and Mr. Talented are quite the pair! That, and she's too darn witty!

And I know I said I'd try and diversify, but I just LOVE MF. Can't get enough of her. Can't WAIT to see her soon!

Leanne because she just made one of the most difficult, and yet most brave decisions ever. I am always so impressed by her that even if she doesn't make me smile because I'm laughing, she definitely makes me smile because I am thinking.

And last, but certainly not least, Kat. Because clearly she needs some lovin' right now. Silly drama.

A Letter to Lois

2008-08-01T12:07:00.005-04:00

Krispie, Me (& Lydia), and Lois on our porch.

Dear Lois,

I still remember the first time I met you at one of the many events for the program's orientation two short years ago. I even remember what we were wearing (but really that shouldn't come as a surprise to you :0)). We weren't close to start (and yet you still saved our house from burning down...), but this past summer when I was pregnant with Lydia, you were A-MAZING.

Including me in supper club with all of the other people still in Williamsburg. Letting me "borrow" your husband when my trashcan would get too full and need taking out (pregnancy, or laziness--your pick!). You laughed at my attempts to mask my awkwardness and inability to control my bodily functions (*blush*) with humor. You listened when I complained about heartburn, feet in my ribs, and generally just wanting her out! You even oohed and aaahhed over each little step I took towards completing Lydia's nursery. And let's not forget, "Did I do a good job???"

You know when to give me space--you know when I need a call. I will never forget feeling like I'd indeed fallen off the planet into an abyss of babydom, and you called just to see how I was doing.

You've given me advice, you've laughed with (and at) me. Sometimes I think you're my older sister I never had, and sometimes I think you're just one of the greatest friends I've ever had. Either way (and probably a little bit of both), I love you, and I will miss having you close to me so much. Thank you, Lois. Thank you for hearing me as you pulled away when I couldn't even get the words, "I love you" out of my choked up throat. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with me and letting me be so a part of your life.

Whenever I see an infomercial, use my Bare Minerals (which I love, btw), make a casserole, drink sweet tea, or say, "my B"--I'll think of you.

Never forget that come hell or high water, I will be there no matter what. All you have to do is call, and I'll be there (I'll even grab Krispie on my way:0)).

I love you, Lois.

Krispie, Me and Lois before dinner.

Dance, Blog Monkey, Dance!

2008-08-01T11:48:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posting/commenting, etc as of late. I'm kind of in a funk, and I was waiting to be de-funkified.

While this doesn't mean I'm de-funkified, it does mean I'm making a go at it.

What easier way then with a re-cap of last weekend! Last weekend was officially our last weekend with the RiceKrispies and Lois&Clark. Saturday mid-morning/afternoon, the RiceKrispies and Lois&Clark arrived in Richmond so that the ladies could do a little shopping. And let me just tell you, shop we did! It was great fun--if not incredibly exhausting!

After we shopped, we met up with the hubsters (who went to see Dark Knight while we were shopping) and got all gussied up to go to Maggiano's for dinner (since they're WONDERFUL about being allergy conscious).

While it was great to see them (fourth weekend in a row, thankyouverymuch), it also incredibly bittersweet. All night as the evening was starting to wind down, I kept telling myself to keep it together, not to cry, etc. Let's just say I failed miserably. We walked them all to their cars, and I just lost it (much like I am about to right now). Krispie and Lois are two of my very dearest friends. We've been through so much together, and I don't know what I'll do without having them both nearby--or at least the weekends to look forward to. My mom used to always tell me that, "two's company, three's a crowd" and so I used to be hesitant that being part of trio just wouldn't work. Thank goodness I am so, so wrong.

More on God

2008-07-29T12:00:00.002-04:00

This morning at our staff meeting we closed with the following Psalm. It was poignant and struck me deeply. Keep in mind that Psalms were originally written as songs--which makes it especially meaningful to me as I personally feel most connected to Him through powerful music.

Psalm 62

1Only God can save me,
and I calmly wait for him.

2God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe
and the fortress
where I am secure.
3I feel like a shaky fence
or a sagging wall.
How long will all of you
attack and assault me?
4You want to bring me down
from my place of honor.
You love to tell lies,
and when your words are kind,
hatred hides in your heart.
5Only God gives inward peace,
and I depend on him.
6God alone is the mighty rock
that keeps me safe,
and he is the fortress
where I feel secure.
7God saves me and honors me.
He is that mighty rock
where I find safety.
8Trust God, my friends,
and always tell him
each one of your concerns.
God is our place of safety.
9We humans are only a breath;
none of us are truly great.
All of us together weigh less
than a puff of air.
10Don't trust in violence
or depend on dishonesty
or rely on great wealth.
11I heard God say two things:
"I am powerful,
12and I am very kind."
The Lord rewards each of us
according to what we do.

Amen.

Thoughts from the Shower

2008-07-28T12:00:00.001-04:00

I have to say that showering is by far one of my favorite activities. Yes, I like it because I like being clean (who doesn't?), but more importantly, I like it because it gives me a chance to really think. To be alone with only my thoughts and little else.

This morning my thoughts were especially meaningful to me and by the time my 10(ish) minutes were up, I felt ready to move on from my sermon to the hodge podge of bath and body products cluttering my shower to perhaps real, living, breathing people.

Yesterday morning in church I was hit so forcefully by something that I was grateful to be sitting down. I realized that I am a very close-minded person who tends to pass judgment on people entirely too soon. It's definitely not an easy, or enjoyable thing to realize, either. However, reading back on that sentence makes me also realize that I need to clarify--as much for myself as for you.

When I say that I am close-minded, I mean that sometimes I get so caught up in "me" and how I want or imagined something to be that I cannot accept or appreciate when perhaps it isn't. As a result I frequently find myself being surprised or baffled to recognize that my preconceived notions about someone/thing are completely wrong. And do you know what the worst part is? I've realized that because of this....short-coming, that I have this huge, unnecessary chip on my shoulder.

Well, thankfully I was willing to listen yesterday when the preacher got to preaching, because he certainly said exactly what I needed to hear to create my game plan for overcoming this personal flaw of mine.

This week's Gospel was from Matthew. Now, I'll be 100% honest. When we read and discussed it this week during our staff meeting, I simply could not get it. Could not. I kept wondering, "WHY did he sell everything to get it? What's the point??" Luckily for me, I think I might be starting to understand (at least a little bit).

A relationship with God is kind of an "all or nothing" commitment. It can't be on my human terms. Instead, I have to remember that I am not (and really cannot) casually allowing God to come into my life or use me as an instrument of His will when it's convenient for ME. Because our relationship? It's on His terms. It has to be. This is not my world that I'm allowing his to pop in one. No. Instead, this is His world that He has graciously allowed me to be a part of.

That being said, why is is that I can't let go of my control? I simply cannot seem to let God work in my life on His schedule. It seems that I am perpetually trying to ask Him to work on my schedule. For example, it's kind of ridiculous for me to expect IT to just magically appear in my life when I want it to (IT being happiness/understanding/fulfillment/the answers, etc).

It seems that something has to change. I can't keep putting that kind of standard on our relationship. If I do, of course I will be disappointed. Instead, I should be grateful for our relationship, and simply work constantly to reinforce and strengthen it. Not with unreasonable timetables or demands, but instead with trust, faith, and no more fear (I have a pretty strong tendency to fear the unknown...and just about everything else).

I must learn to give it to God. By that I mean that I must be willing to loosen my reigns of control in order to truly give it to Him. Because it is only in giving my fears, fervent prayers, and anxiety to Him that I will ever be free and at Peace.

Do you know how difficult of a concept this is for me? I, the girl who bought THREE calendars last week for her office--JUST TO HANG UP. And it was amazing. I color coded, and I was euphoric. I guess that now I am looking for that high, that euphoria from a higher source. From the recognition that I am free because I have fully committed.

***

Then my shower's over. The water is off, and I can hear Lydia crying to tell me that she simply does not want to nap this morning. That she is going to fight it tooth and nail. I remember my mile-long "To Do" list both at home, and at work. I remember that I simply have NOTHING to wear (obviously this isn't really true...).

And so a bit sorrowfully, I leave behind my bottle-parishioners with the hopes that my personal revelations won't get washed down the drain with the leftover bubbles. That maybe, just maybe, I can remember and and take to heart today's sermon in the shower.

Until tomorrow...it looks like it's back to reality.

Another Fab Ab Recipe

2008-07-28T08:01:00.002-04:00

Fab Ab's Grilled Tilapia
Serves 4

4 fillets of tilapia
1/2 squash, sliced
1/2 zucchini, sliced
1/2 yellow pepper, sliced into big chunks (at least bite-sized)
feta (of course) Massey got cracked pepper feta instead this time--and it actually worked out better than great
EVOO
sea salt
black pepper

After slicing and dicing, spread out 4 pieces of aluminum foil. Drizzle a bit of EVOO on the foil. Place fillets on EVOO puddles. Add as many (few) veggies as you want. Salt and pepper, a smidge of feta, another drizzle of EVOO, and shazaam (:0)). All that's left now is wrapping your packets, and putting them on the grill.

Don't forget--tilapia cooks REALLY quickly--so keep an eye on it at all times.

Serve immediately (I served mine over a bed of brown rice. As a side we had a spinach/romaine salad with craisins, mushrooms, and homemade dressing<--because obvi I can't eat regular dressing)

Enjoy!

Note to Self:

2008-07-26T11:30:00.002-04:00

In future, please do not forget that you are in fact very Google-able. Additionally please do not forget that 99.9% of the population either a. Googles everyone, b. "facebook" stalks everyone, or c. both. Finally, you live in a surprisingly small town. And don't you ever forget it!

For those of you who are going, "huh?" (and for those of you who are no doubt laughing your fool heads of as we speak), I'm just going to keep it that way. But for those of you in the laughing group, it's safe to come out of the commenting closet--I know you're out there...

It's What's For Dinner!

2008-07-24T22:04:00.004-04:00

Tonight I decided that we could actually be real people and eat real dinner...not just a sandwich when we felt like it, or some chippies. No, I was going to be a real wife and make a real dinner, darn it!

And so I did. And it was DELISH! Another Fab Ab recipe.

Keep in mind that of course I found this recipe off of the Whole Foods website and adapted the dickens out of it to accommodate my allergies...and the fact that I am not the biggest goat cheese fan.

Below is my adapted recipe. I also made risotto for the first time ever. It was also AMAZING. As Massey put it, it was creamy and el dente all at the same time. Can't ask for more than that from a recipe!

Fab Ab's Stuffed Chicken:
Serves 4 (I halved it for just the 2 of us)

1 tblsp EVOO
6 cups fresh washed spinach leaves
salt & pepper
1/2 c. roasted red pepper from a jar--chopped
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
2 boneless chicken breasts halved and pounded thin
4 oz. feta (for Massey's I used sliced pepperjack because he likes a little kick)
3 tblsp. olives

Heat EVOO in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a touch of salt & pepper to the oil while it's heating (if you're not allergic to garlic or onion, then that would be delish here too). Add spinach and saute for 1 minute and remove from heat to cool.

Preheat oven to 375.

In a small bowl, combine roasted red peppers, olives, and balsamic vinegar.

In the middle of chicken breasts layer spinach, cheese and pepper combo. Roll and connect them together using a toothpick (or piece of kabob stick if you're me :0)).

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 mins. Remove foil and brush with leftover oil from sauteing the spinach. Cook 10 more minutes until chicken is brown.

Enjoy!

Because I am the Greatest Bowler

2008-07-22T23:35:00.006-04:00

This is seriously how I bowl.

No joke.

There is an art to it.

Heels must be properly aligned. Ball must be properly hefted down the lane. Arms must be specifically wrapped for ultimate follow-through.

Did I mention I won the first game?

"R-E-D-H-E-T...."*

2008-07-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned earlier, this weekend we made the trek down to the Rivah to spend a relaxing weekend with the RiceKrispies and Clark and Lois. It was so nice because we don't have TV, internet, or even a land line at the Rivah. I know I used to sometimes hate it when I was little, but now it's probably one of my (many) favorite things about going.

So we arrived on Friday night and basically did nothing. I mean, if someone asked what we did, I would honestly probably say, "nothing." We sat on Trio and talked until it go too dark and too buggy and then sat in the living room laughing until finally I was a party pooper and decided I HAD to hit the hay if Lydie was going to get up at 6:30am.

Saturday we did a lot. The ladies woke up early and did the Tour de Rivah while Clark and Mass got out DurDink and Rice got out the kayak. When we got back, we all packed up lunch and headed to the pool (it was grossly hot). Mass and I were responsible for dinner, and it was FAB--if I do say so myself:0)

But really, let's be honest. Do you know what the best part of the weekend was?

Krispie, Rice, and Massey looking fierce.

While the ladies were out earlier in the day, we noticed that the local farm team was playing that night. So of course we suggested that perhaps the guys would like to go. However, rather than rushing through dinner and not actually seeing each other, Clark and Rice got the brilliant idea that we would all play! So after dinner we set up the bases, split up into teams, and had a ball! We were sweaty, dirty, and just gross in general but boy was it worth it! I haven't had so much legit fun in a long time.

Clark, Lois (because she's as good as a boy:0)) and me. We were going for fierce, but instead Clark just looks scared, Lois is laughing, and I look terrifying.

All in all it was a simply wonderful weekend--perfect to a T. I am so grateful that it was too--our last bit of together time before we say "so long" to Lois and Clark. Thank goodness we already have planned (read: talked about longingly) reunion 2k9 (July 4th in Madison!), 2k10 (Thanksgiving in Hawai'i!) and 2k11 (Rivah 2.0 with kids in tow!).

*At the end of the three inning game (which we sadly lost), we did cheers. The other team did "who do we appreciate," whereas we (read: I) tried to do "our team is what? Red Hot!" and ended up spelling Red Het. Lois, bless her heart, tried to back me up by spelling Red Heat. Either way, I was a goof--hence the title of this post.

Speechless

2008-07-21T22:13:00.003-04:00

Sometimes you stumble across something so powerful it takes your breath away.

That is how I feel about letters to catherine (thanks for having her on your blogroll, Hot Tub Lizzy).

I wept tonight reading her latest update.

Sometimes all it takes is reading someone else's pure, unadulterated unconditional love for their child to remember just how magical, amazing, and life-altering every moment of a mother's love-affair with her child truly is.

Super Quick...

2008-07-21T08:24:00.005-04:00

I know I just mentioned how busy I am, but I can't help but want to post a few pictures from last night.

After getting home from the Rivah, D&D had us over for an early (like, Early Bird Special, early) so that LC could be part of the fun. Mom even made me fried chicken from scratch since I can't eat regular (store-bought) fried chicken.

Well, part of our meal was corn on the cob. Lydie was showing a lot of interest in the corn, so I asked Mass to go cut some off of his cob. Well, wouldn't you know before he could get back with some de-cobified kernels, LC was munching on my corn on the cob! I think the best part was the sound effects--you could actually hear her biting down on the cob and chewing the corn!

Too funny!

Please note: the bite marks that you can see on the cob--those are from Lydie. At this point I had given up on eating my corn on the cob--except for the first picture (obvi). Have I mentioned that corn is by far my FAVORITE veggie??

Work, Work, Work

2008-07-20T20:09:00.002-04:00

Ah!

I am so torn.

As much as I would like to indulge in catching up on what's been going on this weekend (like the Wannabe MLI BlogHer Convention), I really must get some work done.

As much as I would love to post pictures from our weekend at the Rivah, I really must clean up this house!

And so hopefully I will be back....but I'm not holding my breath (for too long).

But before I leave, a list (a la AFRo).

To Do:

Bills, bills, bills. Oh what fun it is to be a grown-up.
Read for homework. Seriously? Homework? I thought I was done with that stuff!
Research Martha for a big presentation on Wednesday. At least it's Martha....
Clean! I don't want Babysitter #2 to fire us!
Laundry. It's obscene. Lydie's pj's tonight--nowhere near matching.
Realize I start work FOR REAL tomorrow--no more fun VBS. Hopefully those darn songs will leave my head soon...

I'm having a heart attack from the anxiety. I must leave and go put a lid on it...or at least slow it down. Wish me luck!

"How to Keep the Job" Lesson One

2008-07-19T11:22:00.000-04:00

**Please note: This post was written on Tuesday, July 15 at 11:30pm. However, because I am afraid that my (former) sitters read this blog and I can't get a new nanny until (hopefully) next week, I've used the delayed post option**

Lesson One: Coming Home to a Clean House = One Happy Mom

Therefore, coming home to a dirty house (especially after I spent precious time before work cleaning it), does not a happy mommy make. In fact, spending my lunch break/Lydie's nap on my HANDS and KNEES getting up food from the kitchen floor, is not acceptable. Loading the dishes (including your lunch dishes)--not cool. General mayhem--equally as "not cool."

But, you know, I can handle that. I can handle that perhaps your mom didn't give you the BEST piece of advice ever: Leave the house tidier than when you got there. If that means unloading/loading/starting the dishwasher, doing a few dishes you didn't mess-ify, or cleaning up "old" mess--it just gets you further.

What really started to irk me though was being able to follow your trail of mess up the stairs, and into Lydie's room. I am not your mother too, so I do not expect to clean up after you. Yes, I understand that some of the things (i.e. my super cute pink and green flats) in there are not hers--that's not what I'm talking about. I am talking about the throw from downstairs that you left upstairs, and the crazy discombobulation of the room in general.

And don't get me started on the nap....

....or the Popsicles...

But, you know, I was willing to forgive you (and when I say you, I mean y'all) all of those things....Until Mass went outside to put away the Bugaboo and discovered that YOU BROKE IT. The lock--it just doesn't lock anymore. And while you mentioned that y'all had been for a walk (and gotten "points" for it, too), you failed to mention that YOU BROKE IT. And call me my mother's daughter, but if there's one thing I hate more than just about anything else, it's sneakiness.

So hit the showers, sneaksters. Y'all are OFF THIS TEAM.

Easy Alfredo

2008-07-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

Used this super easy Alfredo recipe tonight, and I thought it turned out pretty darn well. I'm even thinking it would be a good substitute for traditional tomato sauce since there's no way that I'll even be able to give up my love affair with pizza!

Easy Alfredo
Serves 3 (just a guess...or 2 big servings)

1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 stick butter
1/2 block of fat free cream cheese
sea salt
black pepper
basil
dash of nutmeg This was my "secret" ingredient--LOVED it!
1/4 cup Parmesan We didn't have any, so I used a torn up slice of provolone, and a handful of feta (obvi)

Add all ingredients to a large saucepan. Allow to simmer until melted. Add immediately to warm pasta (otherwise it can make an Alfredo/pasta brick).

Enjoy!

I'm So Excited,

2008-07-17T22:01:00.004-04:00

and I Just Can't Hide It...

I've received my first bloggy award from StinkyJohnJones who I've only recently "met" and come to love. I mean, who else can get away with convincing their kids that the ice cream man is actually the yucky man??? I was awe-struck (too bad I like ice cream too much myself to actually be able to pull this off with LC...). Or, who else can capture a picture quite like this one (I laughed out loud when I saw this! Baby Boy #2 [in the far, far, future] better watch out!)?

Anyway, I wish I could say I worked hard for it (and if commenting is "hard" then heck, I definitely worked hard...), but to be honest, I didn't.

So here comes the best part. As a recipient of the Arte y Pico award, it is my "duty" to bestow this award on five other wonderful blogs. Here are the official rules:

You have to pick 5 blogs that you think deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.

Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given

her or him the award itself.

The award-winner and the one who has given the prize must show the link of the “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

And the winners are....

...drum roll please...

...in no particular order...

1. JV over at Quirky Mind of a Blonde. JV tells it like it is, and makes me want to know more about her with each post. She also has a super cute hub and dog. I'm proud to say that I actually know her IRL :0)

2. MF over at Erat Hora. MF is by far one of the best writers...the kind you aspire to be. She's also incredibly witty and honest about things I have yet to have the courage to mention. Again, a super cute hub and dog. I'm also proud to say that I actually know her IRL...although to be honest, I have to say that I've gotten to know her better via blogging then I thought possible (we're even going to see each other soon!).

3. AFRo over at AFRo. Because duh--I clearly have a girl crush on AFRo. 'nuff said (even though I'm pretty sure she's already gotten one...I can at least add to her collection).

4. Hot Tub Lizzy. She managed to find her way over her through AFRo, and even stuck around! She's also too funny! She's also spending some qt with her Mr. B, so I thought I'd show her some love while she's away (and having a FAB time, I hope!).

And last, but certainly not least...

5. Carrie at Big Happy Family. I found her blog through a friend (Nautichapman, if you must know), and have been a fan since day 1. She is a powerful writer and someone who has really opened my eyes to the world of adoption. I will readily admit that I was previously uninformed and uneducated but after reading Big Happy Family for more than six months (has it really been that long?!), I can say that I have not only learned a lot, but grown as well.

I could go on, and on and on...but I can't! Maybe I'll just invent my own award...

The FAB Ab Award!

I'll have to work on it...sounds a lot like an awards show for workout videos...and that is so not my style.

Thanks again, Val!

The Best Turkey Burgers--EVER!

2008-07-17T20:30:00.000-04:00

As most of y'all know, I'm allergic to just about everything edible ever. Therefore, I'm perpetually on the hunt for something delicious that I can actually eat. Currently this means that we have got way more turkey, tilapia and chicken in the freezer than we know what to do with.

Anyway, so a few weeks ago, I decided that since I couldn't use ketchup(tomatoes) or mustard("spices") anymore, I needed to invent some sort of tasty alternative to my favorite bacon-cheddar-barbecue-ranch burger (and perhaps more healthy?).

As a result I created this FANTASTIC burger. It is so moist, flavorful, and D-E-L-I-S-H!

Ab's FAB Turkey Burger

1/2 pound ground turkey (I obvi use the leanest possible)
Basil
Sea Salt
Pepper
1/3 cup FETA

In a small mixing bowl combine meat, basil, sea salt, and pepper. Mix well. Next, mix in feta. The more, the merrier. Press into patties, and throw them on the grill. The feta will keep it nice and moist--not to mention the delicious "feta nuggets" you'll find in the middle!

Enjoy!

I also usually use a black olive/feta/evoo salad dressing as a condiment substitute. I also think it would be great with thinly sliced cucumbers instead of lettuce. They'd add a great little "crunch."