Word Association: Echo

I decided that when my brain was stuck that I'd use the dictionary and play word association and see what it brings to mind. So today I 'dipped' into my dictionary, pointed to a word and read it (mind you the words are TINY and it took me a while to decipher what word I found). So the word is Echo and my mind went to the Italian word Ecco. For some reason, I hear my dad saying this. We lived in Italy for 2 years when I was in high school and beginning of college. I somehow think that my dad liked the word and used it often...but it has been over 20 years since I was there, so...memories do fade. This took me for the search of the spelling and definition of the Italian word which is Ecco meaning "here it is". Well, I like that word too, it makes me feel like its an accomplishment kind of word. I've been looking for my $100 and Ecco! I've lost my key (which I do often), Ecco! I lost my mind, Ecco!

High on a hill

At the bus stop today I had a song playing in my head. It got there on its own because I've not heard it recently. It is the song from Sound of Music...High on a hill was a lonely goater, yoda le, yoda le, yoda le hee hoo. That song, while sweet and simple, sounds kind of like a crazy lady song to be singing at the bus stop...especially when it was not preceded by any incident or viewing of the movie. I announced to the other bus stop people that if they saw me in my nightgown (well, I don't really wear nightgowns so it would be odd in and of itself) twirling around in the yard, that they might want to call the authorities. Those are my thoughts for the morning. I am feeling more 'whelmed' today, but challenges from yesterday remain the same. A shift in perspective, and one day closer to it all being done I guess.

Dear Diary...I'm overwhelmed

OK...I'm not 100% overwhelmed, but this week is snowballing into craziness on so many levels; PTSA this, PTSA that, 8 year old doctor appt, Budget Meeting, Tball practice, Newsletter meeting, Board Meeting, Gymnastics, Variety Show, finalize this, follow through on that. And, oh by the way it is rainy and cold, I went to bed at 3am and a mother of 3 is dying. That is where I am right now...but as usual, I forge forth with as positive an attitude as possible. Oh yeah, and my tummy hurts...wah!

By the way, here is an article on being whelmed...it puts a spin on this whole crazy mess.

Weird things are happening

I know I already posted today and I have been trying to stick to one a day, but this just happened and I had to tell. OK, so I've been thinking about my $100 lately because I took it out of my wallet recently when I went on a trip. I didn't want the burden of worrying about it. Well, the bill went from this bag to that for a while and at some point I'd forgotten about it and forgotten where it had ended up (don't tell my husband). Anyway, its been on my mind for the last few days and then today I was poking around on my blog reviewing things and came across my post about it. It put the $100 back on my radar of wanting to find it. Do you know what? I am wearing my PARKA because it is FREEZING and just as I saw and thought about that blog, I felt something in my inside pocket. I thought, could this actually be my $100 and IT WAS. It manifested itself out of 'mid air' essentially. Holy tomato I say! Anyway, just thought I'd share. I'm still focusing on channeling these powers in good ways...maybe I'd be a good circus act!?

I know I'm her mom but...

So Princess has always shown signs of being artsy fartsy and I've tried to honor that side of her. Sometimes I think I should really go for it and do it all...piano lessons, drama, choir, dance...but then that would require a significant investment, and oh by the way, she may not REALLY be that talented. Anyway, we've been reading the poems of Shel Silverstein and she's been inspired to write her own pieces of work. Yesterday she wrote 4 poems and the first was her most inspired, and her second was a hoot...so here they are:

My Dream

Once I had a dream
It was what I wanted
Over the mountain where I could see the sea
Where dolphins were my only friends
Though I felt sad, I was glad I had friends
Some day my dream will come true
And so, I hope to go over the mountain, I do.

City Girl

I’m a city girl
I said that I’m a city girl
I live now in the country
Where it is nice and quiet
But, I miss the city
Where I can go shopping
Oh, oh….I’m a city girl.

Note: Princess is the one with face to audience in the middle of the 3 girls that are closest to the front of the stage...does that make sense?

Gratitude X 10

1. My family
2. My friends
3. My life
4. No rain today (so far)
5. My gift of photography
6. Playing 20 questions and thumb wrestling in bed with my kids
7. Princess learning heart and soul on the piano and being so proud (but my brain hurts from hearing it for the 100th time)
8. All of the cute curious questions Monkey asks me (it reminds me that he is still my little boy)
9. Emails with my brother www.parisafghanistan.com
10. This creative outlet....happiness and sunshine (and moonshine too).

Picture from our Christmas card was taken by my sister-in-law!

Wrong side of the bed

How would YOU like to wake up to a child slapping you in the face, then kneeing you in the ribs, then elbowing you in the back? Sounds like an aggressive, good-for-nothing child, right? Well it is actually a sleeping boy in my bed who was invited in by daddy. Somehow, mommy's body is more fun to punch around than daddy's body. On top of that, it is fun to REALLY wake up to "Mommy, I accidentally went potty in the bed"....oh joy! That is how my morning began. It is hard not to grumble about my husband's choices because, while I'm not against kids in bed in the morning, I always tell them they must go wee wee before they can hop in. I would love to rewind the morning because our new(ish) bed will never be the same and it is hard for me to 'get over it'. But, I must and I will and things could be WAY WORSE in my life.

This morning my daughter railroaded me into playing Littlest Petshop. I'm not very good at "playing" (I'm always thinking of all the other things I could be getting done) but I decided that this is a moment that should be taken; it will go a long way. Well I'll be doggoned it if I didn't have a great time. We played school with the Petshop animals. We each alternated reading a poem from Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends (which we both LOVE) then we made each animal tell a story, sing as song, say a poem and on and on. I entertained my daughter with southern voices, British voices (if you could call it that), Valley-girl voices and singing Annie's Tomorrow at the top of my lungs. She sat and stared at me as I performed. I'd like to think it was in awe and admiration, but it could as easily been embarrassment and disgust. It made me feel good to have her see me "just going for it". I feel that the more she sees me (and her dad) being confident in anything (even if we aren't good at it), it'll be a positive influence. Our playing was a lovely little experience for both of us. Our "playdate" almost made up for the start of my morning.