The Perfect Saturday

Isn't the perfect weekend something every good American yearns for? Realistically I don't find myself thinking, "Gee, that was the perfect weekend" after every weekend, or even after most. Maybe it's because Monday sometimes springs up out of nowhere and surprises me. Maybe it's because I'm simply not paying attention. Maybe this is just all on my mind because last weekend was no where near perfection. I had a fever, the chills, the inability to swallow without grimacing...but enough about that.

No matter what, though, this weekend I was thinking about having the perfect weekend. What is the perfect weekend, you may be asking. Well, I think it can mean different things at different times and to different people. For me, right now, though, I'm looking for a balance between having fun and feeling productive, and between time with family, for myself, and with my husband. Overall, I'd like to crawl into bed Sunday night content. I don't want to feel totally exhausted or have leftover energy that could have been used doing something earlier. I'm not asking for elation, but simple joys and memories that bring a smile to my face.

So, with all that in mind...I thought I'd share that we're off to a good start. I know Saturday isn't over with yet, and I hope I'm not jumping the gun, but thus far...it's been a great Saturday! The kids and I traversed to the zoo. We visited every animal that we didn't have to pay extra to see. I love that they get such enjoyment out of watching the animals do there thing. And, as always, we saw animals close up that we usually see from a distance. Some were active that are usually lazy. We got to talk to zoo volunteers and keepers and learn new facts or details. It was a really nice way to spend the day.

The kids all napped on the way home and I drove the long way. I enjoy taking the back roads when there's no hurry. It really only adds a few minutes, but I get to see the subtleties of life rather than highway signs zipping past. There were families in their lawns playing, mowing, and working. I saw a woman sitting on her front porch reading, a few trucks with umbrellas out selling boiled peanuts, and lots of garage and yard sales. Saturday, at its best.

Now that I've been home for a short time I've had the chance to start some laundry and make some preparations for dinner. And, of course, I've got the chance to be online. The day is going well. I feel content. Positive motivation will hopefully carry us on through Sunday, where the plans are for a little alone time, some productivity, and more time in the kitchen.

So, in the paraphrased words of Trace Adkins...here's hoping that one of those days leads to one of those nights that leads to one of those days. He was talking about some other kind of contentment (and I'm not counting that out) but the sentiment is the same...practiced perfection.

Miss Me?

I don't even know when my last post was...I know, I should keep better track. Honestly, I usually do and try to post something at least every few days. But I've been out of commission for a while. Let me catch you up on the last week, though.

Friday we went to a friend's house. We had a great time and it was nice for the kids to play with friends. It really was a nice change of pace.

Saturday Scott and Jace went to a truck race a few hours away. It was very exciting, I hear. They met up with "a bunch of guys who drive Ford trucks and Dada knew them all!" Jace was very impressed. "They even provided us with some chips to bring home." Yes, he said provided. Anyway, these were guys that Scott regularly talks with online on the truck sites. I'm so glad he got a chance to hang out for a day, with the guys, with Jace, and not being productive! He needs that break every so often...you know, once or twice a year!

While they were gone Gracie, Tyler and I were supposed to have a girl's day. Yes, I know that Tyler's a boy. Really the day was about Gracie and I, but Tyler would be around to provide entertainment! However, I woke up with a sore throat and quickly acquired a fever. The kids gave me a break in the morning and luckily, with lunch, started to feel better. So, while Tyler was napping I painted Gracie's nails, trimmed her hair, and cut and dyed my own hair. The good news is, Gracie had fun! The bad news is that I wasn't really feeling better...just gearing up for feeling a lot worse.

By Sunday night I was blowing my nose, spitting, and not eating or drinking...anything to NOT swallow. My throat felt like it might be swollen to the point of sides touching each other. I saw the doctor Monday morning. I didn't have H1N1, which was the diagnosis everyone was ready to give me. The tests showed strep. Just strep...ug. So, I'm on drugs and feeling better.

It hasn't been all up hill, though. Tuesday morning I had no voice. When I first woke I could whisper. Gracie whispered back at me. Jace loved that I used hand motions while trying to get them ready for school. Tyler just got mad at me. "Mama! MaMa!" I felt so bad that I couldn't respond to him. But eventually my voice can back.

Yesterday I felt so much better. At the end of the day my throat was a little sore from a day of talking, but so much better. I did take one of the meds that was prescribed at dinner time last night. It had codeine in it. I'd taken it the two previous nights and hadn't had any issues. Last night I had some sort of strange trip and felt rather odd for a few hours...Tyler totally had four eyes when he climbed on my lap for something. Not such a great feeling. So, no more of that for me! I'll stick with Motrin and Tylenol, thank you very much!

So, health wise, I think we're back on track. Woo Hoo!

So, keep your eyes peeled...I'll hopefully be posting something more exciting in a day or two. I know...you're on the edge of your seat! I will leave you with something to think about though...did you know that October starts next week? Yeah, I know! Go get ready, and I'll catch ya here again later! Peace out.

...I don't know...maybe I'm still being effected by last night's bad trip???

What Could Have Been...

Every so often I find my mind wandering back to the days of a younger, cooler me and wondering what if...???

What if I'd taken more interest in playing my flute and gone to band camp? At the time I didn't know there was such a place, but in the past few years I've heard it could have been quite the fun summer experience.

What if one of my art teachers hadn't "lost" my favorite piece of artwork right before the Letchworth Central Arts Festival? Maybe I would have stuck with art classes and realized my interest in fashion design. I know a few high school classmates who wouldn't be laughing at my clothes if I were making money selling my styles! Actually, they might still laugh, but I probably wouldn't feel so bad about it.

What if I hadn't wanted to be my older sister quite so badly and gone out for the cheer leading team rather than the swim team? Granted, I didn't have the ideal body for either, but I might have had the passion for cheering! Scott says he wouldn't have married me if I'd been a cheerleader, but I'm not so sure. If he thought I was cute in a suit, he surely would have liked a little skirt, right?

I guess in the end we'll never know how my life would have been different had I followed some other dream, but it is fun to wonder about. Daydreaming has always been a hobby, one I like now and one I liked when I was cooler and younger!

The Little Things

Scott isn't known for being mushy, romantic, or even tactful. He has improved over the years, but I do still occasionally have to ask him to repeat something in a less offensive way. Thankfully, I know he'd never say anything to intentionally hurt me, and with that comforting knowledge I can make this request of him. He laughs and tries again. What a good sport, huh?

What Scott is good at, though, is the little things. He's wonderful at kissing my forehead while I'm entranced in my writing. He has been known to rub my back, for a brief moment, when I'm working in the kitchen. And sometimes he even reaches his foot out to touch me when we've retired to our own sides of the bed. He's a good egg, too. I'm gonna keep him.

Well, today, he said something that literally took my breath away and when I thought about it later, I got a little choked up. See, I have school loans that we'll be paying on as long as any mortgage. I am taking a writing course that he encouraged me to take called "Breaking into Print" and have yet to be published. And today, when I got a letter from the school I'm enrolled in for another course focused on writing for children he didn't say "forget it" or "are you kidding?" I read the letter and said, "This could be another area to consider, but I wonder how much more it'll cost..."

"Do they take the GI Bill?" was his response. (Back story: the GI Bill is a benefit that he receives for his military service but recently became transferable to dependants, like me.)

I didn't talk for a second. It may not sound like much, but what he was saying (or what I heard) was that he believes in me. He supports my dreams. He loves me.

He's not only a good sport and a good egg...he's a darn good catch and I'm so fortunate he caught me.

Communication

So, the kids were looking in the back of the car, where I'd put a bag for Good Will. The bag contained things the children would complain about if, they realized they no longer had them, but that they haven't missed in a month and, therefore, don't need those things. The bag is white and some items are distinguishable through its stretchiness. I was supposed to drop the bag off while they were in school today, but I didn't. So, there it sits in the back of the car. And the kids were looking in the back of the car.

Obviously I said, "Get out of the back of the car."

They got on their knees and looked closer, so I thought. "Get OUT of the back of the CAR!"

Jace actually started to climb, and I still didn't get it. "Jace! Get out of the car!"

"I am. You said to get out of the back." No hint of humor in his voice. I think he honestly thought I was yelling at him to exit the car via the trunk. I was not.

"So, I did. What I meant to say was, 'you don't need to bother yourself with what's in the back of the car. Get out your door and head inside.' K?"

"OK. Hey, is that my car?"

"Nope. Go inside."

What's In A Name?

I live in the South, currently. It's an interesting study in names. When we first moved in some neighbors stopped by to say hello. One gentleman introduced himself, "My name is James, not Jimmy...that's my brother. Still not sure why Mama did that?" I'm not kidding.

Then, when Jace started school he came home with friends called Little John and Big Red. These nicknames probably aren't all that unusual, but seem the perfect fit for Rural Georgia, don't they?

Last week, while I was waiting to pick Jace up from school I heard a mother say to her son, "Brutus! You git over here! Did I tell ya to go over yonder? No, sir. I'm you're mama, ain't I? You git over here and listen to your mama!" My windows were open and I had to concentrate so I didn't start laughing!

And then there's kid's names...I know a Jayden, Brayden, Hayden and Ayden. I have cousins named Marrissa, Terressa, and Tessa. Gracie's class has a Christian and Tristian, a Tiera and Talea, and a Passion.

Names can be so much fun. I really enjoy learning new ones and hearing the trends. And what is in a name? In Kindergarten I was Ann Marie and it didn't suit me. My family had always called my Annie and that was so much more my personality. So, in 1st grade Mom requested that they call me Annie. My classmates thought I was a new student!

Long Day Done

I just got home after a long day involving breakfast walks around WalMart and Kmart, a preschool parade, one of the more unorganized luncheons I've been to, and a nap in my car. Upon walking through the door I realized I hadn't peed all day and might want to do that...now. So, I did. Since my jean shorts were already around my ankles I chose to take them the rest of the way off and opted for an elastic waist band for the rest of the day. Once that decision was made it was clear that the too-small red tank top I'd donned in honor of Patriot's Day needed to be abandoned too. I got rid of my bra too. Why not? All of these disrobing decisions before I'd pulled my underwear up. But, as soon as I did that I decided to trade them in for a less sweaty pair.

You may be wondering if it was necessary to completely change everything. Let me assure you, I'm much more comfortable now, as long as no one comes to the door...that could be awkward. In my defense, though, it was hot today. Granted it was only 86, according to the thermometer on my car. (Should be noted that when I say "only" and "86" in the same sentence I'm breaking my own rules. Just last week when the news guy remarked that it was going to "only be in the 80's all week," I declared that "only" and "80's" shouldn't be used together.) But 86 was plenty hot today. All that parade watching, which was followed by time on the playground while they tried to organize three preschool classes, parents, and employees in a picnic format, left me sweaty, probably smelly, and sleepy.

So, now I'm in my AC ruled living room (set at 78, by the way), in fresh clothes, enjoying a movie with the kids. Aaahhhh...