Anticipation...

I can't wait for this...

and this...

and of course, these...

delivered right to your table, hot and fresh out of the oven. EVERY time.

Oooh and I'm gonna need some soft pretzel sticks too-with cheese dip. YUM.

RELAX! Get To It!

Frankie was right...and Sheena, I want that shirt. Maybe I should start my own Good Mail list.
About 10 months out of the year you can find me wearing slippers around my house. I purchase a fresh, new pair every fall, and by January they are trashed (yes, I wear them outside to get my mail, gather firewood, push my kids on the swing set, etc). So Aaron buys me a new pair for Valentine's Day. That pair usually wears out sometime in early summer, and by June, they are so gross I throw them away, leaving myself slipper-less the remaining months of summer. This is fine, since it is too hot for slippers in the summer anyway. One year, Emily bought me a pair of flip flop slippers so my feet wouldn't get hot. Those were fantastic, and I wore them out, too...but there's just something about a fresh new pair of pink fuzzy slippers that makes me feel like ignoring dishes and taking a nap. I often tend to get into "go-go-go" swings and forget to take time to sit, relax, and do nothing productive. It just doesn't count if you "schedule" sitting and reading on your "to do list". Especially if you "plan" to read scriptures or a parenting book.
This year my slippers were trashed by May, due to an encounter with some nasty subfloor/30 year old toilet wax residue that I don't want to talk about. There's just no coming back from that. (who washes slippers? not me.) But you can't just run out and buy fuzzy pink slippers in late spring, so I've been left slipper-less ALL SUMMER. It's probably the real reason I'm getting so much done on my house. I'm just not as lazy without them on my feet.

In fact, toward the end of my pregnancy with Quincy I was supposed to be on bed rest. I found that to be impossible with a 2 year old running around. One particular day, I was serving in the Cub Scouts (another post, another time...could be summed up with one word-horrible) and helped seven 9 year old boys build toolboxes and carried Reese (who refused to be put down-I don't blame her...seven 9 year olds running around with hammers is pretty scary, even for an adult) around the whole time. I had about 3 other things that HAD to be done that day, a kid that needed her soggy pants changed, and 5 people on visiting teaching route to visit over the next 2 days. My phone rang and I was asked to take someone dinner that night. The night before I had been so stressed out that I'd passed out while organizing a closet in the spare bedroom. (luckily, I'd been sitting on the floor, so I wasn't hurt at all...I just woke up very confused) At that moment, all I could think was, "who's going to make ME dinner?" I got us both some take out, dropped everything else on my list, and bought myself my first pair of hot pink slippers. I promised myself that if I was tired, I would put them on...and if I had them on I would say, "no" to anyone who asked me to do anything for them that I didn't want to do. It worked like a charm and I quit having problems with preterm labor.
I said, "No" to having "Yes-Disease". I still really enjoy serving others, but I don't let it take over my life like it used to. I've tried really hard, this year, to balance the different parts of my life better, and I think I'm finally getting the hang of it.
Tomorrow, I'm leaving for a weekend away with some gal pals. We're going to Time Out For Women, and taking a little Time Out, ourselves. 2 nights in a hotel with 3 fun friends and no kids, no diapers, no cooking, no laundry, NO REMODELING, no bills, no responsibilities. I really DO love what I do every day, and I consider myself VERY blessed that I get to do what I love. But even those who love their job need a little time off. This weekend, I'm cashing in my vacation time, eating OUT and sleeping IN.

In anticipation, I went on a search for a new pair of slippers...worried that it might not be "slipper season" yet. Imagine my excitement when I found these babies tonight!
Just in time for my relaxing weekend, too! They are already packed, along with my other road trip essentials:

mint chocolate pirouettes

cheeze-its

music (including a CD one of the young women at church made for my trip-cute, huh?)

jammies -because even though we're friends, they probably won't appreciate me
sleepin' in my chonies like I do at home.

Maps to every Culvers and Max & Erma's along our way

new journal-for all the great talks at Time Out...plus my old one is almost full

running shoes-because even though it's vacation, I'm still on a program...and Amy and Melinda kicking my trash for distance right now. Maybe the treadmill at the hotel will lie to me and help me out a little in the mileage dept.

or maybe I'll skip the run and sleep instead.

What are YOUR road trip essentials? and ...What do YOU need to RELAX?

Sorry if that song is stuck in your head. If I had one of those (super-annoying-when-they- turn on-by-themselves to a song you can't stand, and restart the same song EVERY time you visit the site) playlist thingies, you'd be listening to Frankie Goes to Hollywood right now.

If You Give A Quincy Cheese...

"I want cheese, Mommy."

I hear this sentence about 30 times a day. If someone opens the frig...Quincy comes running.

"I want cheese, I want cheese, I want cheese." (as fast as she can)

She can hoover a cheese stick before you've even made it over to the trash can to throw away the wrapper.

And then she asks for more.

"I want cheese, Mommy"

"Quincy, do you want some applesauce?"

"I want cheese."

"baby you just had some cheese. How about some applesauce?"

"I want Chee-EESE" (in two syllables now. She leans forward and speaks slowly...like I didn't understand her before. It's hysterical)

"Quin-CY. you. just. ate. your. cheese. do. you. want. applesauce?"

"Applesauce? ...uuuuuuh... hmmm....

...no."

Then she turns and runs off into the other room, but not without pursing her lips and giving me a look that clearly says "you idiot. Can't you tell the difference between applesauce and cheese?"

Usually within 5 minutes someone walks into the kitchen and we begin the process over again.
"...hey. Hey Mommy? I want cheese."

I'm Thankful For My Ears

Inspired by Quin's nursery lesson, I thought I'd make a little gratitude list of my own. I don't do this nearly enough, and encourage anyone else who wants to participate to create and post a list of their own. Some are big, life changing things, and some are silly, but they are all things I am thankful for, this morning. Here we go:

Things I am thankful for:

Color. As much as I love black and white, what kind of world would it be without hot pink or orange?

Aaron's new job.

Digiorno Cheese Stuffed Crust frozen pizza. A must have on the weekend at the Willy's.

the Pink Care Bear that Reese currently takes to bed.

Quincy's squishy booty...gotta squeeze those cheeks at least once a day. Poor kid is going to grow up with so many issues.

Hot Fuss and Sams Town. The Killers are a recent discovery for me (thank you Rock Band, Kasey, and Dan for getting me hooked) and I am LOVING some new tunes.

Pulled pork and cobbler from Smokin' Joes.

Great friends you know who you are.

Gilmore Girls season 7 for giving me a great excuse to hang with great friends

Primary Workers. What a wonderful service you provide each week! May you be blessed for all you do.

I'm thankful for my Swivel Sweeper (thank you Lynda, and thank you infomercials).

Reese's Deep Thoughts. That girl makes me laugh.

Waverly Essence Onyx fabric. It's everywhere in my home and I love it.

My calling. I have learned a lot through serving the Young Women this year, and it feels good to know I am actually making a difference in some of their lives.

I'm thankful that my girls are friends. I hope it lasts.

Preschool.

Aaron's great sense of humor. It's quirky and dry, but I totally get it.

That's what she said.

(Did I mention Aaron's sense of humor? I think it's starting to rub off on me.

That's wh...ok I'm going to stop. This blog is supposed to be PG.

a great afternoon nap.

The great gals I visit teach. I don't think they read my blog, but they are great.

Bath n Body Works Flowering Herb lotion. It smells like ME.

The glass container I just bought to hold my laundry detergent. It was really cheap, and it makes me happy to do laundry. (thanks for the idea, HolleeAnn...you are SO creative!)

Healthy kids.
Maria's Chips and Salsa

I'm thankful for where I live. It is beautiful.

Baby wipes. Honestly, what would we do without them?

I'm thankful for Lists. I organize my too-many-thoughts with To Do Lists, To Buy Lists, To Call Lists, To Go Lists, To Change Lists. And when I travel...definitely a To Eat List.

The scriptures. It's been a year since I (finally) got my act together and started reading every day. It made good days better, and bad days manageable. During the past 365 days, I found Inspiration to mend a relationship, Peace during a very difficult situation, and Courage to not care so much about what everyone thinks or says about me.

Colgate Luminous Toothpaste. It's been discontinued, but I have 4 tubes of it left and I am thankful for that every time I brush.

I'm thankful for my Rocket Dog shoes...even though they're falling apart, my feel have never been happier.

Thank you, Flylady.net

I'm thankful for good health and energy to play with my kids.

Reese's little piggies.

visitors! My parents are coming in a few weeks. We LOVE company!

running. It's a love/hate thing. But I'm thankful for the endorphine rush that goes from working out. I'm also thankful for Amy, Mark, and Melinda (siblings) for helping me "get going". Amy I am so proud of you for all the changes you're making (she ran 10K in an hour...puts my 5K to shame shame) especially in Hollister, with all that good food around. You're a hero.

my paper towel holder...trust me, it's REALLY cute.

Ok, I could go on and on...and maybe I will in future posts.

What are YOU thankful for today?

That Aint No Etch-A-Sketch

Why do I dress my kids better than I dress myself?

While we're on the topic of clothes...I am going to burn the clothes I wore the last 3 weeks to church. Why do people keep asking me if I am pregnant? Are my clothes THAT unflattering? Do I appear bloated and uncomfortable? Fatter? Truth be known, on Friday, I actually wore a pair of jeans that I bought in high school, to work on the bathroom in, so there. Maybe it's because almost everyone in my ward is pregnant, people are just trying to match names and faces and get their stories strait. I should give people the benefit of the doubt... but it is just happening so often that I'm getting a complex about my wardrobe...and my life in general, because Things tend to get pretty ugly around here when the meg-o gets preggo.
Are these nosy people asking everyone, or just me? If just me, why? Have you seem me throwing up lately? Is my house really, really dirty? Do I say really really mean things? (well meaner than usual, anyway). Am I having anxiety attacks when people stand too close to me? Do I think you smell bad? Can I name where you ate most recently? (actually, I can usually do that last one when I'm not pregnant, too. The gift of a super-human sense of smell...not the greatest blessing). I don't recall doing any of these things lately, sooo....this (see below) seems appropriate.
And necessary for the sake of my self esteem, and my church clothes.

Dear four people at church who asked me if I am pregnant today (yes. Four. Just this Sunday),

ANSWER: No. I am not pregnant. I was too busy wrestling my girls to the ground to get them dressed that I ran out of time and didn't put make-up on today.
I'm just tired.
And apparently fat.
And maybe I don't like you very much.
Thanks for the confidence boost.

Cordially, Meg

Seriously. (For me anyway), this falls under the same category as telling someone they "Look tired"...why don't you just tell them they look like crap?
It's the same thing.

L is for Letter. D is for Doh!

A group of ladies from my ward invited me to join their rotating preschool group. It's like Joy School, but a little more relaxed, and only once a week for 3 hrs. Since Reese is in preschool only 2 days a week, this works out perfectly for us and I am excited to have any opportunity to teach again.
This week, at Jackson's house, Reese learned about the letter L. She came home with the CUTEST artwork (made from leaves), and a letter she'd made for grandma. When I picked her up, I was on my way to the library and the post office. We talked about how L is also for Library, picked out some books, ran to the car through the rain...and headed to the post office. It was POURING outside, so rather than get soaked getting everyone out of the car again, we drove up to the little blue mailboxes. She eagerly pulled a letter out of her Barbie backpack that said, "To Grandma" on the front, climbed up into the front seat of the van, and up into my lap. We fished a stamp out of my wallet, unrolled the window, and dropped the letter into the blue mailbox, and rolled the window back up as fast as we could. We still got soaked. Later, we called grandma to tell her a letter would be coming in the mail...and that was when I realized that we were so distracted by the rain that we didn't put an address on the letter! Some postal worker just fished a stamped letter out of the mailbox that just says "To Grandma" on the front! Of course, I didn't put a return address either, so we won't be getting it back. This raises so many questions...

What does the post office do with letters like this? Do they throw them away? I can not be the first frazzled mother to have done this. Where do they all go? Are they sitting in a bin labeled "Letters From People Who Are Too Stupid To Properly Address Their Mail" that sits in the back corner of the post office next to the "Letters For Santa" and "Letters To God" bins?

Do they stuff them in the empty mailboxes of the little old ladies, that come to the post office everyday, to ease their lonliness? (Do any of you remember being forced to watch that seminary video "The Mailbox" every year at Christmastime? It's the one about the really, really, old lady who's family never calls or writes to her? What's with those movies anyway? "Cipher in the Snow" about the little kid that gets bullied on the bus..."The Gift" about the little girl that donated blood to her brother then sits around thinking she is going to die?! So depressing! If i ever get called to be a seminary teacher, I'm bringing my video camera and having my students make their own, non-depressing videos.)

This IS a geriatric community, maybe there is a "grandma" that works at the post office and she assumes all those Letters To Grandma are for her. In fact, some of you might remember this post:
http://aaronandmeg.blogspot.com/2007/11/santa-shops-at-walmart.html

Well then, perhaps "Santa" works at the Post Office too.
I'll check that out and report back with a follow up post in December. My guess is that Reese's Letter To Grandma is lost somewhere behind that great big bin where the "Express Delivery" packages (you know, the ones that you're anxiously waiting for?) are held hostage for 2 weeks.

Someone who likes to do research (Kristen -you can even put it on the Research Blog. This is a very important issue for mothers, as all children write letters to Santa and Grandma....WHERE The HECK DO THEY ALL GO?!) please find out the post office policy and help me put this mystery to rest.

Look at Me, I'm Rambo!

Sometimes my family and friends ask me when I find the time to do home improvement projects, and still find time to take care of my two little ones. When I answer, "I don't sleep", they usually laugh uncomfortably and assume I am kidding.
I finished tiling the shower at 2am. Yay!

I woke Reese up at 2:10am and took her potty. A first, but after the previous day/night's experience, (see post below) I wasn't leaving room for another accident.

At 6am Reese came into our room SOAKING WET AGAIN.

How did this happen? She'd peed like a racehorse when I took her in the middle of the night. I understand that she just might not ready, or physically able to stay dry all night, but before the last 2 nights, she's been dry for about a week. Do I go back to pull-ups? Is she doing this on purpose?

Anyone have any advice?

Fortunately, Aaron was running later than usual, and was still home. He showered her and got her dressed while I cleaned up yet another soaked bed.

or maybe Reese dressed herself...

At least the shower is done! One more thing to check of my never-ending list. Kasey, come back! It is sooo much more fun working on projects with a friend to keep me company and laugh with.

Some evidence that we're not all work and no play...we decorated the walls before tiling over them.

I think I might leave this one up.

This was right after he gave me my present...which I was terrible at using.

This can hardly be considered an "action shot" because it doesn't capture me closing my eyes, turning my head to brace myself, and wincing before firing a 3 1/2 inch nail. It also doesn't show that it weighs like 30lbs.

I do promise to someday post pictures where I've actually showered, done something with my hair, gotten enough sleep to not have bags under my eyes, and put on clothes that are not covered in sweat or construction dust.