BlogMoms

I've added a new section (to left) re: cool blogging moms. I heard Melissa Summers was to be on the Today Show to talk to Meredith Viera about moms who, at occassional play dates, imbibe in a cocktail. Read any and all of these sources with the warning that you may have less respect for Meredith than ever.

Kitchen diaries

Tremendously funny.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me!

I love birthdays. Always have!

When I was a young child living in Michigan, my folks would take me and friends to the circus, which was always in town in Janaury. We moved from Grand Rapids to Fitchburg, Wisconsin, a week after my ninth birthday. My 3rd grade teacher (Mrs. Scripsema), who happened to have also been my 1st grade teacher, was the best teacher to have as a kid.

My most treasured kid-birthday gift was a huge homemade construction card/book with cards my classmates made for me. I still have both of these cards. They are priceless. (I won't go into detail about my least-treasured birthday, but it had to do with seeing an ex-boyfriend and his "Italian hussy".)

So for this birthday, besides going out last Saturday, I'm celebrating it by yoga practice today, swimming this afternoon, watching Maddy enjoy herself at dance class (that ballerina!), and having dinner delivered by good friends of ours tonight. Tomorrow, we're all going to a former SLISter's house (thanks, Michelle!) to introduce our families to each other. Friday, probably with Joe's mom. Saturday, out dancing with a girls-night-out! :)

I LOVE BIRTHDAYS!

LIfe

I feel energized! As I mentioned as the new year began a few short weeks ago, I'm consciously making the effort to do my body (and mind) good. In week 2:

• I've been able to rearrange my work schedule so that I work 8-2, Monday through Friday. I now have a few hours 2 days of a week to take a breath - do errands if needed - take a quick nap before I need to pick up Maddy at her Nana's. I now have 3 hours the other 3 days of the week to be able to WORK OUT at the YWCA - cardio, strength & swimming!
  

• I've signed up for 2 days of yoga Mondays and Wednesdays at work! They are offering it for free. Did I mention, though not working in a library right now, that I love my job and my place of employment? :D

• I am in a FIT CLUB at work - a team of 4. We're "The Leaner of the Pack". LOL We count points daily for things like doing 15 minutes of stress management, 7 hours of sleep the night before, 5 servings of fruits & vegetables, 50 oz. of water, etc.
  

• Organize an evening AWAY on Saturday for Joe and I. My folks are giving us a night at a nice posh hotel in Appleton for the evening as a belated anniversary present (Thanks, Mom & Dad), and Joe's folks are taking care of Madeline for the afternoon & evening (Thanks, Mom & Dad!). It's partially a birthday party for me and our friend Tom - our B'day is celebrated Wednesday (the 24th).
  

I am hopeful this weight can be shed.
I am hopeful my cholesterol will be lower when I get it checked in May.
I am hopeful the higher levels dopamine & serotonin will increase my mood.

Life is good!

Four

(taken from Erica @ Librarian Avengers)

FOUR JOBS YOU’VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE
Grants Specialist
Certified Nursing Assistant
Assistant Girl Scout Summer Camp Director
Web-Resources Research Librarian

FOUR MOVIES YOU WATCH OVER AND OVER
The Princess Bride
Star Wars (Episodes IV - VI)
Finding Nemo (kind of have to with Maddy)
Serenity

FOUR CITIES YOU’VE LIVED IN
Madison, WI
Ashland, WI
Skipton, North Yorkshire
Green Bay, WI

FOUR TV-SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH
Lost
Grey's Anatomy
Heroes
Brothers & Sisters

FOUR PLACES YOU’VE BEEN ON VACATION
Negril, Jamaica
Paris, France
Miami, Florida
Denver, Colorado

FOUR WEBSITES YOU VISIT OFTEN
BoingBoing
Treehugger
Librarian Avengers
Isthmus: The Daily Page

FOUR OF YOUR FAVOURITE FOODS
Wine
Broccoli
Grilled Chicken
Chocolate Chip Cookies

FOUR PLACES YOU’D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW
On the couch, with the cats, reading a good book.
On a beach somewhere warm, flag up to get another rum-drink
Scuba diving
Walking through the woods with Maddy & Joe

On being 3....

Maddy's accomplishments thus far in the first month since she turned 3:

• Started dance / movement class for toddlers. Of course her mom was much more worried about the whole affair than she was. She's having a blast!
  

• Been able to wear "BIG GIRL UNDERWEAR" during the day! (Whoppee!)

• Her ability at imaginative and associative play is amazing! ("Here is baby monster!" when we look for monsters at the Cabin & "Now I look like Dorothy!" when I put her hair in braids at the back of her head, patting the imaginary Toto in her pocket).

• She's accomplished the dubious accomplishment of having gotten her parents wrapped around her finger when it comes to bedtime. It's a war-zone when it gets to 8pm. Oh my. No matter what her poor parents do or try. Tonight we're trying music and hypnotize her to sleep. *cross fingers*

What's up with the snow?

Or lack of. In the 5-some years we've spent at the Cottage in Door County bringing in the New Year, this is the first that there is still open water on the Bay. No snow! How very rude!

oh yeah...

Did I happen to mention that I played my cello today? The first time since the fall in February. I didn't cry during - there was minimal pain, only stiffness from the lack of use. WOO HOO!

a new year

The Year of the Elbow is over. Long live the New Year.

Joe and I spent the evening with great friends, and brought in the new year the best way possible - via hot tub. :D Of course, it would have been better if it wasn't rainy or windy, but it was a lot of fun and very relaxing.

On the list of things I'd like to accomplish this year:

• For the first time in my life, I'm going to put fitness as a priority.
  

My cholesterol is way too high. I'd like to lose weight. I want Maddy to know how important fitness is and to set a good example. I'm going to join the YWCA, attend yoga classes, swim at least once a week. My elbow is doing well, and it feels fantastic being able to swim!

• Eat and help plan the family meals more efficiently / effectively.

We've been so amazingly busy trying to live day to day and by the end of the day, we usually stare into the refrigerator or the freezer or the cupboard, waiting for the dinner fairy to delight us with healthy, yummy cuisine. For some reason, that's not working.

• Work towards being able to plan a real vacation for sometime this year.

We haven't had a real, go-anywhere vacation in a long time and Maddy's never had a vacation. I don't count last February in Ohio to visit family - any trip when you end up in the emergency room does NOT count!

:) Happy New Years to you and yours! What's on your list?