Be. Here. Now.

Sleep Baby Sleep

2011-11-17T06:49:00.001-08:00

Mama got no sleep. Apparently little man has a bug and it causes him to wake every thirty minutes without fail for the last two nights. My plan to dress well and visit my Grandma, who is poking around in her closet for vintage duds just for me. That may or may not happen. I may or may not have on my Uggs.
After I suck down some coffee, I'll try to post the things I really wanted to. Like, a post about some exciting changes coming my way... cryptic, right??? Happy Thursday, folks!

KC Half Marathon 2011

2011-11-11T14:35:00.001-08:00

I highly recommend this race, folks! It's one of the hilliest in the country and the scenery is beautiful. This was my second time to run this race, and it runs through several distinctly different areas of the city. This is Eric and I after we finished. Eric is my husbands best friend, and my running buddy a lot of the time. We get along great (you really need to in order to spend almost two hours running together, plus warm-up and winding back to your car).
The weather was a perfect chilly 45 degrees at the start and around 55 by the end. We finished the day out with a big fat meal with my family and an afternoon nap. I love days like these. I hope I have the ability to run until I am old and grey. I might already be grey...I am the oldest woman in my family to not be completely grey.... I am only 32 people!!! But I digress.
Hope the weekend treats everyone well!

Chipped nails and Ponytails.

2011-11-07T18:54:00.001-08:00

I need to hold myself accountable!
I have been in sweats for a week straight... and my husband was only gone two nights this week.
Today I got out of the sweats and put on real clothes.... okay, I put on stretch pants and a cardigan, but hey! NOT SWEATS!!!! I will be documenting this to link up with The Pleated Poppy (What I Wore Wednesday) in order to keep the sweats in the running clothes drawer.
Owen says he is really happy about this.
My husband is even happier.
Have a great weekend; it's supposed to be lovely weather here, and we are going to the city for the weekend to hang out with my mom in a hotel and swim and shop. Should be fun!

Fall :)

2011-11-07T17:59:00.000-08:00

p.s. that turkey just ate a cupcake, see? : )

DAY FOUR OR SOMETHING

2011-11-07T09:20:00.000-08:00

Iwanttoscreamintoapillowbecausethebabywon'tsleepandIcan'tdoanychoresandhaveabreakandthehouseisamessandchariswetthebedagainanditsgoingtorainalldaysogoingforaRUNwon'thappenandjoelwon'tbehomeuntiltomorrownight.

sigh.

Happy Monday. I am SO sure my day could be worse.

sigh.

I am thankful for neglect o saucers at this very moment. I am taking the dog out for a minute. With the window open, shining right on O of course.

DAY TWO

2011-11-06T07:32:00.000-08:00

Less than an hour after we put her to bed, everything was soaked. No biggie.

DAY TWO WILL BEGIN TONIGHT.

It's CHIEFS day in our house, so the hubster is busy making eggs and toast and preparing to sit on his bum all day and watch football. I really hope we beat Miami, as they haven't won a game yet. Surely we won't be the one team they beat. The sanity in my house totally depends on this. And baby naps and limited sugar for Charis.

I had a great weekend with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. We went to the Women of Faith conference. When I finally got home last night, Charis and Mom (she was helping Joel with Charis) and I had a glo stick dance off to the Lemonade Mouth cd. Seriously, why don't people dance in the dark with glo sticks EVERY DAY??? It was definitely an awesome way to welcome me back home.

I was also met with a wee bit o' joking about being at a churchy-type event for two days. It's crazy how beliefs are different from person to person. I also got some mild criticism from those I dearly love. I won't go into much detail about my beliefs at the moment; I'm not comfortable enough to spew it all out right now. Let's just say, I love peace and good will.
Happy SUNDAY folks!

2011-11-05T20:11:00.000-07:00

Tonight we are doing DAY ONE of no dipes for Charis for the night. That's right, you read some of our business up in here!

We've tried many times. It has worked once or twice, but she wears the diapers. She wears em. and pees in em. Eh, we get a lot of flack from some family, and some others don't care. More importantly, we don't really care so much. Mostly we moan when we have to change a sheet, but I figure she won't go to a sleepover until she stops, so it's really up to her. I don't think sleepovers start for a couple of years.
Anyhoo. Preparing for taking turns with the hubs getting up and checking on/ waking her.

DAY ONE BEGINS.

Look at me! Over here, Look at me!

2011-11-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hey, guys, I'm versatile! Really, someone out there in the universe thought of me today and that made the day start out beeeautiful. TB, over at year31. She is super witty, funny, sweet, and VERSATILE. Really, she won an award for it! And in the blog world, that's like a golden oscar or something.
So, I sat and stewed about writing something really important, because some of you may have come via TB and I don't want to disappoint. Back when I started this blog, I had grand ideas about style, green living, parenting, cooking, decorating.... but my life keeps getting in the way of me writing about my life. HA! I am amazed at how some of you do it! Maybe I watch too much tv or something. Maybe it's cause I have a five month old and a five year old. Maybe I am lazy. Maybe I wear my uggs way too much when I don't leave the house, thus all my energies are being sucked into those sweet, soft, luscious wool fibers and being redistributed into the universe. I dunno. Anyhoo.

Let's do the ten things about me:

1. When I was a little girl, my Dad would take my sister and I on road-trips to places like New Orleans, Tennessee, and St. Louis. As a result, I know how to change a tire, make a car tent, throw up on the highway, and belt out more Gloria Estefan and Beach Boys than any one else in the world.

2. I love to dress up. I have TONS of nice clothing, just waiting for the day when Owen is bigger and his food stays down longer. I have tons of heels, for when I get that big job in corporate office with the important to-do list. That may never happen and that's ok. I still have the shoes.

3. I got "best dancer" and" most musical" in my high school class. I have been singing and dancing since I was three, and this has often resulted in most embarassing moments for my little girl, especially when my sister is in town and we belt out something like ABBA.

4. I love Abba.

5. When my son was born this May, the nurse wrote his name down as Owen Lucd Fortin. It was supposed to be Luca, a nod to my husband's rich Italian ancestry, and you cannot imagine how hard it has been to get it changed. He is five months old and we are still waiting. Yay for weird Italian names and busy nurses.

6. I cloth diaper my kiddos.

7. I have always wanted to be a judge on the Supreme Court. I imagine myself to be fair, neutral, and peaceful. I may or may not be any of theses things.Please don't burst my bubble today, tho. A girl can still dream!

8. I have always made fun of people who wear UGGS, until I put my poor little foot into one and felt that buttery soft fur against my tired, runner's feet.

9. I am running out of ideas.

10. I LOVE to run. I have run a marathon and four half marathons, along with several 10k, 5k, and trail runs. The trail run was the most fun, but I am most proud of my very first half marathon. The full was just gray on top!

So, there are ten things about me. I realize this post got long quick. Sorry. I am a run-on kinda girl, with a run-on mind and I just don't put the brakes on sometimes. Hope you are enjoying this blustery day with someone you love. Or like, too. O and I are camped out in the bedroom, listening to the first real wintery wind sweeping by the house. Happy November! Come back by sometime and see what's up in our world. thanks again Year 31!
To see the fabulous lady who gifted this award ( I sound so grown up and bloggy lol!) click here

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When I grow up

2011-11-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

How cute are little cousin play dates? (I am completely aware this was no play date for the boys; rather a play date for my sister and I) I imagine them together, sixty years or so from now, staring out a window or sitting on a front porch with some iced tea, chatting it up about their childhood. I hope they enjoy many moments together before then.

Lazy and Cozy

2011-11-02T07:59:00.000-07:00

Warning: Tucking your feet into cozy fur-lined UGGS first thing in the morning tends to take away all motivation and energy.

Do not attempt if you have chores and stuff.

However, if it's a lazy day, feel free to indulge. Happy Wednesday.
P.S. I really really want to post some outfits I have been putting together (on non-ugg days, of course) but I feel super silly doing so. Any encouragement for me? Anyone?

Little O

2011-11-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

Prettiest girl I know

2011-10-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

Photos courtesy of Marie Photography, Sedalia. I think the dirty feet are my favorite part.

Tea towels are in!

2011-10-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

By the numbers: it takes 544,000 trees to feed Americans' paper towel habit each year; throw in disposable paper napkins, and that number tops 1 million
according to the National Resources Defense Council.

Just in case you were wondering :)

No new news, but no bad news.

2011-10-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's already been two weeks since I posted last... sorry if you were stepping in to see something fabulous (hahahahahaha :) ... but hey! It's been a busy two weeks, for sure; the race, pumpkin patch, family reunions, pto book fairs... you know. family and school stuff. I actually have a few minutes alone, with O asleep in the swing, and C almost home from school. This "riding the bus" thing rules! At first I was feeling all guilty, choosing not to drop her off at school so that Owen and I wouldn't have to leave the house twice a day (sometimes now we never leave the house), and sacrificing that time with Charis. But really, she is fine. FINE! sniffle, sniffle... any hoo...

I don't have my pictures of the race yet, but when I do I will be sure to write about it. It was great! I'll post our pumpkin patch and family reunion stuff sometime this weekend. Tomorrow we are shopping for Charis' xmas gifts, and going to my Grandma's for October birthdays (which I am still not sure if I know who those are, lol. But free food! ). Other than that... time at home! No cities to drive to, no overnights away. Time at home :). Starting with girls' night tonight, with Care Bear (aka Carius Bearius, Sis, Biggie smalls... Charis...). We are going to see a play at the university here in town, called Ribbit. I think it is a Frog Prince themed piece, so that should be ~~tolerable~~ fun. Here's a pic (or four) to enjoy! Have a great Friday folks!

Hello Friday!

2011-10-14T07:34:00.001-07:00

Hello hello! I just plugged my phone into my computer and downloaded (uploaded?) 1700 pictures. About half are Charis' shots, of random things like salt and pepper shakers. But I like to believe she has an eye for that stuff, so you know... I keep them. It's Friday! YAAYY!! This afternoon Charis gets out of school early, and Dad is going to take her to the farm for the night. Owen and I are going to head to the city after that, and we are picking up Eric, our race packets, and eating dinner with the siblings-in-law (dan and rhonda).and then staying on the Plaza with my mom. Whew.. tired already!

So.

enjoy a few pictures and have a great weekend! :)

little and me

Boys

Four legs

Birthday spoon

Pesto lunch

Birthday company

miniature Battle of Lexington

history lessons

Grandpa

afternoon delights

fashion is what you make it :)

Cookie Recipe

2011-10-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies

recipe very slightly adapted from The Cooking Photographer

Ingredients

1 cup softened butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 box (7.4 oz) Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink mix -not sugar free- all 10 packets (I found this in my grocery store near the hot chocolate mixes.)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 cups all purpose flour

1 bag Kraft Caramels (14 oz)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line cookie sheets with parchment. (You really need the parchment!)
In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon.
With your mixer (or an energetic spoon) cream together butter, sugar, salt and all 10 packages of apple cider drink mix powder, until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix well.
Gradually add flour mixture to butter/egg mixture. Mix until just combined.
Refrigerate for about an hour. (If you're really impatient you don't have to do this, but it makes it so much easier to work with.)
When you are ready to bake, unwrap your caramels.
Scoop out cookie dough ball about the size of a walnut. (I used a rounded cookie scoop-full. My scoop holds about a Tablespoon.)
Flatten the ball of dough slightly in the palm of your hand. Press the unwrapped caramel into the center of your dough and seal the dough around it, covering it completely. Place on parchment covered cookie sheets 2 inches apart.
Bake 12-14 minutes, or until very lightly browned around the edges. Please don't over-bake! Once the cookies are done, slide the parchment off of the baking sheet right out onto the counter. Allow cookies to partially cool on the parchment. When cookies are cool enough to be firm but still slightly warm, carefully twist off of parchment and allow to finish cooling upside down (either on the parchment or on a rack.) If you forget about them and they cool too much and stick to your parchment, put them into the freezer for a few minutes and they'll pop right off.
Yield: about 4 dozen, depending on how large you make your cookies (or how many caramels have been snitched out of your bag before you begin.) Store in an airtight container.
Next up, pumpkin cookies. I will have to wait until after the race Saturday to post these, so I can make it through the race... Happy Thursday folks!

2011-10-12T14:43:00.000-07:00

The new glasses, in a horribly unflattering pic. And the little man, of course! He has my ears :/

Make these NOW!!!

2011-10-12T13:30:00.001-07:00

Guys and dolls, drop whatever you are doing and go make those cookies now! They were delicious. Still trying to figure out how to post my own pics without complete technological overhaul here. Stand by.

2011-10-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

Well hello, Wednesday! Today I am making Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings, which makes me think of my lovely friend Teri. Hi T! She makes good REAL Chicken and Dumplings. Really good. But the real recipe for today is this. Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies. YUM O! I cannot wait to pop these in the oven, and eat them over a steaming mug of tea, as suggested. Here is a pic:
courtesy of the Cooking Photographer.

I am currently pretending it isn't almost 80 degrees and sunny; that will make the cookies and Dumplings taste better, won't it?
I got new glasses today.... first time in ... embarrassing to admit.... SIX years! When I can get my phone to work (or find my camera charger (I'm a MESS) ) I will post more pictures. Dying to post more pictures.

Three days till race time! My plans are all finalized with the running buddy, Eric. Babysitting figured out. Lunch plans figured out (most important part). List made. Going to pack tomorrow... only thing not done? Physical fitness, ha! Lest you think I am encouraging racing without preparation... I promise I will be very moderate in pace and listen to and love my body. It can do amazing things, so I will take care of it. I remember thinking having a baby is better than marathoning... that was before baby O and no meds. I think they are about equal now :)And this is only a half, so I think I am good. Ramble ramble, those cookies won't bake themselves... here we go!

Fall run

2011-10-08T07:28:00.001-07:00

Done. And it was beautiful!

2011-10-08T04:37:00.000-07:00

I'm off to run twelve miles, folks. I wish I were kidding... but I'm not. I am probably too sleep deprived to do this well, but I've signed up for the KC half and I hafta do it. (hafta is too a word!). This is now my fourth half (I've done one full marathon). Baby O likes to keep me up at night still, so I'm a zombie in the early hours, meaning I haven't run NEAR enough for this race. But... I signed up just for fun and to motivate myself to lose the baby weight. Which I have, save a pound or so. I really was just looking for a few hours to myself. So, that's what I will remember when I am out there this morning... time to myself! Stay tuned for a Steppin out Saturday post, the first for me! Yaya! I have two hours to think about what I will wear....

Fall Yummies

2011-10-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gents, it's that time.... FALL! The most wonderfullest time of the year.... leaves changing, mums blooming, pumpkins , and fall harvest. The weather may be eighty degrees today, but my mind is full of fall. So. It's time to break out the fall yummies, as in pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies (the best!!!), caramel stuffed spiced cider cookies, and of course fresh apple cider. Today, we start with pumpkin bread. I found this recipe two years ago and it has quickly become a family favorite.
I don't know about your house, but in mine, I am the only one who consistently eats and enjoys breakfast. (Well, that's not quite true... Owen loves breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack, bedtime snack... but I digress). Joel and Charis seem to think they have done good if they hop over to the doughnut store and pick out some holes. You would think they whipped up a four course meal, seeing them and their holes, seriously. Anyhoo. In my quest to keep them full before lunch, I came across several bread recipes. I particularly like banana pumpkin bread, and pumpkin bread. So that is what we will start with today. Here is the recipe (courtesy allrecipes.com) :

2 cups fresh pumpkin (or one can)
4 eggs, beaten
1 c. oil
3.5 cups flour (use some whole wheat if you like!)
3 c. sugar ( I actually use one cup splenda, two cups sugar)
2 tbsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 c water
1.5 tsp salt
raisins or walnuts optional

Turn oven to 350. mix all dry ingredients, then add in wet and mix lightly. Pour into two 9x5 baking pans, and cook for one hour. If you run into a problem with the outsides cooking and the insides still gooey, do what I did and use three pans or one larger pan. you may need to adjust the cooking time, a toothpick in the center will tell you more than I can. Pull out and cool for ten minutes in dish, then flip over gently and cool completely. This stuff is the BOMB diggity, really! Anytime you have a three year old picky eater who asks when you are cooking it, you know it's the bee's knees.
Oh, and watch for my post on fresh pumpkin... it's super easy and tastes SO much better than canned. I think I was the only one in town who didn't flip out when the canned pumpkins were sparse last year, remember that? I did buy three cans for this year, just in case. Post pics of yours, mine is in the oven now!
What are your favorite fall recipes? Shall we do one each week this fall?

Let it go.

2011-10-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

Today, I volunteered at my daughter's school. She just started kindergarten, and I fought tooth and nail with my husband to keep her home for another year. He won. I thought she needed me another year. To make up for the time we lost while I was finishing my degree, to make up for the newborn months with little O.

But. She is thriving and growing well in school.

I worked in the library putting books away (remember your dewey decimals?) As I worked with Owen in his Ergo, I listened in as the librarian quizzed the kiddos on fiction and nonfiction, on the rules of the library, etc. Charis piped up with answers every time. I thought... "hey! I'm supposed to be the one to teach her! That's my job!" I got super jealous for a minute.

Then, I finished up my chores and came home with Little O. I thought for a while... and realized this was just exactly why I didn't plan on having kids in the first place.

You see... I always, always knew that if I were to have children, then I would tirelessly and endlessly aim to teach them, to show them, to prod them to learn everything, everywhere. And, I was scared I would never have the patience to keep it up, to the level I would expect for my own children. I just thought that meant I wasn't cut out for it.

Now, I think I have turned a corner, just now, in that little library with the kiddie shelves and the smell of books. I realize that I have to just let it go.

Let go of the perfectionism; of the destructive thoughts that tell me I am not good enough, or smart enough, or patient enough to be a good parent. I know that my best is good enough. I used to think good parents were superheros. Now, I think good parents are those that know when to push harder and encourage thier children, and know when to say they are not enough by themselves, and need the help that society can provide. I am thankful she has a wonderful teacher, and librarian, and coach, and art teacher. Now, I can let go just a little. Just a little, though. I still have some things to teach her.

Small things.

2011-10-02T20:23:00.001-07:00

How was your weekend, folks?

I'm not alone!

2011-09-30T11:30:00.001-07:00

Yay, I have a follower now! It's the small things, really.