Funky Town

My heart was heavy yesterday. It was one of those days when I just can't seem to get myself out of a funk, mostly because I'm preoccupied with how I got in the funk in the first place.

I'm one of those people that worries way too much about what other people think. And although I've repeatedly tried to get over this, it just doesn't seem to be in my nature. It kills me to think that someone might not like me, or might think that I am unkind or anything like unto it. I OBSESS over it. (Ask my husband...he'll probably roll his eyes like, "Do you even KNOW this woman? OF COURSE.") I just hate thinking that I am the cause for someone else's discomfort or hurt feelings.

So I was pretty much locked in my brain most of yesterday worrying about a situation of this sort and thinking about how it really bugs me that this stuff really bugs me. (Sounds like fun, huh.) Especially in this particular situation where it seems like there really isn't anything I can do about it. No matter what I say, I don't think it will change anything.

UGH.

I hate that pit of despair feeling that seems to make your whole body depressed. It felt like my whole evening was in slow motion. (p.s. Folding laundry in slow motion is a drag.)

My children did little to encourage the funk to lift. Usually, they are pretty good at cheering me up (especially the baby!), but I guess they didn't get the memo that mommy needed happy kids. (It doesn't help that at least half the house has been sick with something for at least the last, oh...six weeks? And that we're still struggling through it.) The girls did alright, but they seemed extra prone to sibling squabbles and WHINING. (Mom's biggest pet peeve. Yay.)

Liam was cranky all evening. Those stubborn teeth refuse to give the poor thing a break. I could not do anything to make him happy for longer than 10 minutes. I had planned on finishing one of my big (secret) projects that has been taking all of my spare time for the last month, but alas, it was not to be. He wanted me to try to hold him all night while he tried to wiggle away. We ended up vegging on the couch during the "debate" because I just COULD NOT TAKE ANY MORE. At least that numbed my senses for a little while. (Is it bad that watching those two speak makes me so uncomfortable that I have to get up and leave the room every few minutes? I am physically incapable of watching either one of them for extended periods of time.)

So yeah...my night was a BLAST. I still haven't gotten the funk to lift completely, but at least it is a little better due to my Amazing (!!!!) Mom and Sis-in-Law. They gave me some good ideas for the birthday party. Now I can finally get an e-mail out since I finally have an idea what we're going to do (e-mails count as invitations, shut up).

Sorry for being such a downer. Hope I didn't offend anyone. Or hurt any feelings...

Here we go again...


We'll have to talk about my phobia of parties later. I'm sure it will come up again soon.

Guinea Pigs

My parents were the unwitting subjects of one of my culinary experiments last night. I had called them on Sunday to see if they wanted to come over for dinner. But my sister Lori beat me to the punch (Curses!) so we had to take a raincheck until last night.

Wonderful people that they are, they consented to try a new recipe I came up with, but that might have more to do with the fact that their kitchen is currently being torn up (to install new tile!) and they can't get to their appliances to make their own food. Either that or the irresistible pull of grandchildren, take your pick.

While Grandma and I chatted and cooked, the girls dragged Grandpa around the house and up to their room. Apparently they told him all kinds of stories about the planets like how Mercury and Venus ran away to get married. How sordid! (They have been a little obsessed with planets lately. Kenna even had her own "Planet Day" a few weeks ago where we were only allowed to do planet related things all day. We didn't get to go to the "Plantearian" like she wanted, but we did watch our Planet documentary DVDs and she drew planet pictures ALL DAY.) Poor Grandpa.

We had won tons made with ground turkey, baked instead of fried. They turned out pretty well if I do say so myself. There are a few minor tweaks that I will make to the recipe (thanks for the suggestions mom!) but I will definitely make them again. It was a good change from the normal routine, and Alyssa scarfed them down (it's a major accomplishment to get her to eat anything these days).

After dinner, the girls insisted on Grandma and Grandpa staying long enough to watch a movie. We picked one of the Wallace and Grommit shorts, during which Kenna acted as a play-by-play announcer and built-in laugh track. (Her giggle is so contagious!) By the time it was over, it was getting late and Grandma and Grandpa had to go. We were sad for them to leave (i.e. the girls SOBBED as they watched them drive away) but happy to have them come over.

I'm so glad that we live close. The girls ADORE them and I miss them so much when they are away.

Besides...who else would have agreed to be my guinea pigs?

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday to:

the most supportive friend

the best cheerleader

a great motivational speaker

the definition of selflessness

patience embodied

McKenna's best friend in the whole world

and

the best mom we could have ever asked for.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

Fountain of all Knowledge

I found it. The fountain of all knowledge. No, it's not the internet, silly. It's my MOM.

Can I just tell you that my mother is the most amazing woman on the planet? She's like my own personal, walking reference library. I can ask her anything and she springs to my rescue.

As in, yesterday morning:

"Mom, we want to plant a garden. Tell me everything you know."

I'm not sure if she told me everything she knows (well, because she knows A LOT) but man, with what she told me I could have my own farm.

I am seriously floored with the amount of knowledge this woman has in her head.

That and she's so amazingly generous with it.

As in, yesterday afternoon:

"I'm here to look at your garden."

That's right. She came over to my house to give me a personal consultation. How amazing is she!
She also gifted me with some stellar advice on putting together my quilt. I do not know what I would do without her.