Day 90

Going to college right out of high school was exciting. The independance, the beer, making new friends, beer, staying up all night on a weeknight, and- did I mention the beer?

Going  back to college 15 years later was just plain scary. No beer now- just a full time job, kids, a husband, and a house to take care of. Yikes! Was I even going to remember how to write a paper? And how the hell do you research a subject on the Internet? I still had a word processor in college for goodness sake!

But, somehow, I did it. And to be honest, once I got past the first couple of classes I realized I was actually more prepared for college now than I ever was at 18. As an adult, I was more disciplined about studying and homework, and even planned ahead every once in a while. I was also a whole lot more motivated- knowing my family was counting on me to finish and that it could help advance my career was a great advantage. And admittedly, I did drink less beer the second time around as well- that may have helped...

Today, registration opened for our local community college's summer quarter. How do I know that? Because my husband is going back to college. After more than 20 years in the fire service, he will be able to retire in less than 10 years but will still be young enough to need/want to do something else. We talked through all sorts of "second careers" ( including "stage performer" which was quickly ruled out...) and finally settled on substitute teaching. So, today he makes his first steps toward finishing his Associates Degree and moving on to a Bachelor's in order to eventually have his weekends, holidays, and summers off work :).

Today's picture signifies the guts it takes to start or restart college as an adult. So many of my friends and co-workers have taken this path, and I am proud of each and every one of you- but especially my non stage-performer husband.

Day 89

Having lived in suburban Ohio most of my life, looking out the window and seeing wildlife is not necessarily a rare occurance. We always have robins and sparrows, as well as an occasional cardinal, squirrels, and groundhogs. There's always a cat roaming around as well, since the lady down the street leaves them outside to breed constantly...

But every once in a while a less common animal shows up. We've had a hawk land in our front yard, and a couple deer as wel. Luckily, I haven't found any snakes yet. A possum gave my old bassett hound the fright of his life once, and I'm scared to death that one day my 175-lb Mastiff will meet a skunk- God help me if my husband is at work that day.

While cleaning the kitchen this morning, the dogs suddenly went on alert and started barking at the back door. Looking out and expecting a neighborhood cat, I was suprised to see two mallard ducks- one male and one female. Of course, ducks are everywhere in my town but I have literally never seen one in our neighborhood, let alone our backyard.

I watched them for a good while, and found myself amused with their exploration of foreign land. They were obviously a couple, and as I watched them stroll along the back of the yard I discovered what they were up to.

They were looking for a place to call home. Most likely to lay eggs. And it was uncanny how much I could similate their behavior to many human male/female interactions. It was like watching a man and woman go shopping- whether for shoes, or furniture, or a new home. The male looked like many of the forlorned men I have seen at the mall walking behind their woman or sitting in a chair while she peruses. Mr. Mallard lingered nehind the missus as well, looking bored and in general not paying much attention. Meanwhile, the female literally poked around in every nook and cranny of the back yard- I swear she even squatted in a few places like she was testing an area for appropriate egg-laying properties. She would look back at him every once and a while, getting a non-commital shrug from the male before moving on to the next area (ok, maybe that last part was a little projected, but it could have been a shrug instead of a wing movement...)

The more I watched, the more I was intrigued and silenty hoped they really would pick a place in our yard to start their family. But alas, they finally moved on to the next yard. They probably saw one of the Mastiff's "piles" out there and figured there were large, dangerous wild animals nearby...

I know the quality of today's picture is not that great, but it was just too cute of a story not to share. I watched a You-Tube video yesterday of an elephant literally painting a picture of an elephant. And today I watched a duck couple look for a home together. Maybe we are all more similar to each other than we think- Lord knows my 10-year old can smell like a pig sometimes! :) 

Day 88

My parents are the king and queen of projects. Big projects, little projects- they've done them all. They are one of the few married couples out there that actually can put a piece of furniture together- or build a kitchen- without threat of divorce or loss of certain body parts.

My mom is newer to the game of projects, having been with my step-dad for about 15 years now. But as I have listened to him tell stories over the years- he has been "piddling" with this or that since his teenage years.

And not just for his own entertainment. He is one of those guys who you can call out of the blue and count on to bring his tool belt over whenever you need help with something. I can't tell you how many times I've gone over to their house to hear that he's out somewhere helping one of his buddies with their own projects. 

A few weeks ago I mentioned to my parents that I had bought some tomato seeds that I was going to try and plant. Next thing I know, we were talking about a joint project that involved growing mats and lights- because of course they already have stuff in the basement somewhere from when they tried their seed project once in the past...

So sure enough, this past Tuesday we planted herbs and vegetables in their basement and crossed our fingers. Today- only 4 days later- we are getting some sprouts. Therefore- my stepdad immediately went into project mode, because our babies needed light on a rainy/snowy/sleety day like today!

An hour later, using nothing but leftover materials from previous projects, we had built a support for 2 grow lights, shedding light on a gloomy day.

But while I was holding a piece of wood in place as he drilled it in place, I couldn't help but smile. He may not have come into my life until after I was an adult- but he has never failed to support me- whether it's been holding my hand as I puked my guts out during labor...or making a grow light stand.

Today's pic celebrates projects- big or small- and a stepdaughters thankfulness to have her stepdad by her side.

Day 87

This time of year, many days tend to be cold and damp. The kind of weather that just chills you to the bone, in a different way from wintertime coldness. It's the time of year for hot soups, reading books huddled under fuzzy blankets, and hot showers. 

Yes, hot showers. I love 'em. The hotter the better. I look like a sunburned sunbather and the bathroom looks like a sauna when I get out. My skin is dry and my fingers are wrinkly- but by God I'm warm. 

Some people like to travel because they get to see new places and try new things. One of the best parts of traveling in my mind is that hotels have almost an endless supply of hot water. At my house, I have to strategically plan my shower around my husband and son- plus the dishwasher and washing machine!

Tonight was one of those nights I was chilly. Of course, I had just taken the 10-year old for ice cream in flip flops, so I'm sure that didn't help. But when he asked me if he could take his shower in the morning instead of tonight, I gladly conceded- knowing that I could now get in and use up all the hot water guilt-free. Mother if the Year? Nope- but I was too cold to feel bad about it.

Today's pic celebrates that "ahhh" feeling when the first spray of hot water hits a cold, tired body. 

Day 86

IBeing a nurse in a hospital for 14 years or so, I have worked with a lot of women throughout my career. Therefore, I have seen a lot of pregnancies over the years.

My husband will make comments when we are out shopping and I pick up something cute on sale-"Whi's that for?" he'll ask. "One of the girls at work is pregnant." He just kind of rolls his eyes and says, "when are they not?" 

And it's true. Most nursing units, especially larger ones, have at least one woman pregnant or on maternity leave at any given time. Last year my unit had to have special staff meetings just to figure out how we were going to staff the unit because we had between 2 and 6 new moms that were ging to be off around the same time! 

But it doesn't seem to phase us. We rearrange and make do- because chances are someone did it for us when we had our kid(s). And we take care of our moms-to-be on the unit, helping to turn their patients and making sure they get to eat enough during their 12-hour shift. Today I helped a preggo nurse get her patient out of a chair. We had to wrap his leg with an ace wrap while he was standing up and she had the wrap in her hand. "So...", I said. "Do you really wanna bend down and do that or do you want me to?" She sighed and handed it over...

But oh do I love my nurse-mommies. They come to work for their 12-hour shifts all the way through their 9 months, pulling their weight no differently than the rest of us. I love rubbing their bellies and feeling the magic of life move inside. I love watching the ones go thru their first pregnancy and bloom into mothers, bringing in and posting pics of little fingers and toes and telling stories of sleepless nights and sore nipples.

Today's pic is of a nurse I work with and today was her last day as a nurse for awhile. The next time she's in the hospital she will be on the patient side of things. As you can see, her little boy is just about ready to meet the world-and the crazy lady his mommy works with that always rubbed her belly.

Day 85

Call me Jack. Cuz I have planted a whole lotta seeds! 

I got the vegetable gardening bug last summer after planting my very first raised bed garden. I had great success and was  suprised at how much I enjoyed the whole process.

This year, I decided to try to grow some things from seed instead of just buying plants that are already established. So, I now have 5 different types of tomatoes, peppers, and all sorts of herbs in dirt, waiting to show the world the wonder of what can come from such a tiny seed.

And boy were those seeds tiny! It's truly amazing that a whole plant comes from something so minute. I had to concentrate super- hard so that I wouldn't drop any of them!

I will never take tomatoes at the grocery for granted again. They just don't automatically appear full-grown. I planted these mostly for fun and enjoyment- I can't imagine relying on the results of my labor for basic food on the table. I am so lucky not to have ever had to struggle or work so hard in order to have a full belly.

Today's pic represents the magic of planting a seed and watching it grow!

Day 84

Every parent hopes that their child finds something that they love to do. Over the last few years, I have watched my friend's children engross themselves in football or baseball, Minecraft or computer games, wrestling, and even art. And although my 10-year old has shown a general interest in many things, we just hadn't found "the one". I told my husband that he will probably be like I was when I was younger- good at a lot of things, but great at nothing.

We've tried to introduce him to lots of arenas, hoping to find something that he would really get excited about. He's played all the classics- football (both tackle and flag), soccer (fail), basketball, and baseball. Again- does ok, but doesn't have a lot of motivation to practice on his own to get better. We took him to triathalons last summer, thinking maybe a sport that was self-motivated instead of a team sport would grab his interest. He did well, but when I ask him if he wants to do it again this summer he hedges. He's done Boy Scouts, and we went to a 4-H information meeting- no inspiration. I've taken him to the art musems, Boonshoft, as well as Victoria Theatre and Schuster. We've offered music lessons, karate, bowling, and swim teams. "Nah"...

And then, all of a sudden, it clicked for him. Now, he has played basketball for 4 winters now, and had great coaches all the way through. But for some reason, this was the year that all of a sudden he just can't get enough of it. The only down side is he started to really get motivated at the end of the season...

He's watching Sports Center and ESPN basketball games- college and professional. He asked for basketball shoes instead of "regular" tennis shoes when his old ones finally gave out. And most importantly- he constantly wants to play. Morning, afternoon, and evening. I have had to be trained not to park the car close to the house when I come home, as it impedes his playing space. He plays at school at recess, and at his after-school program. He comes home and shoots by himself or with his dad. Even the cold weather hasn't stopped him- as you can see from today's pic that has snow flying around in the backround.

I stopped and watched him today for a little bit. I hadn't seen him shoot in a while, and was seriously suprised at how much better he's gotten. Even the guy who was fertilizing my neighbors' yard stopped and told him he was shooting awesome, noting his left-handedness.

So, hopefully he has found something to be passionate about. Because I feel like that is so important, especially in a young person. I still want him to do other things and play other sports, but if basketball is his muse I am in full support. And with the doctor predicting him to wind up somewhere between 6'4 and 6'`10" he has great potential to not only love it, but be really good at it.

But who knows, next week it may be fishing. Or designing tennis shoes. And that's ok, because as a parent it's my job to support him, not pressure him, no matter which path he wanders down. Today's picture represents the importance of having something to be passionate about, and a parent's thrill when their child finds something that makes them happy.

Day 83

I am cursed with being perpetually cold. Especially my hands and feet. I've woken my husband up from a dead sleep just by slipping into bed and putting my feet up against him.

So this past Christmas, my husband filled my stocking with...well, stockings. Thick, soft socks in every color. They have become known as "Mom's comfy socks". Some people stash romance novels or....other things...in their bedside table.  I stash comfy socks.

I wear socks to bed in the summer- especially if the air conditioning is on. I wear socks AND slippers in the winter around the house. And even though I made damn sure my toenails were painted before leaving the house to give birth, I wound up wearing socks the whole time. Those stirrups are cold!!

So Tonight, as I settle in with the family
to watch The Hunger Games, I look at my socks and am thankful for a husband who buys me gifts that fit who I am and what I really need. Who needs flowers, or perfume, or lingerie? You just get cold in it...

Day 82

There's a lot of buzz right now about "Whole Foods" and "eating raw". With the coming of Spring, many people look to change their eating habits in fear of having to leave the house with less than three layers of clothes on. Some turn to stricter weight loss programs such as Weight Watchers or Nutrisystem. Others try medications, hoping a pill will help them lose those stubborn 10 pounds.The most uncomfortable ones that I have seen involve "cleansing"...no thanks.

I understand all of this, and have been tempted myself to go down one path or the other. I have swallowed a few Hydroxycut in my time (which promptly made me feel like my heart was gonna explode out of my chest!) , but in the end, I just don't have enough discipline around food to be successful at any of the above.

 Because I love food. More correctly, I love to eat food. Luckily, I like almost all types of food- both healthy and unhealthy. I tell people all the time that my main motivator for exercise is the fact that it allows me to be more liberal with what I eat- because I just don't have a lot of willpower. If there is a bag of Oreos in the pantry, I will eat it-plain and simple. The whole bag. In one sitting. It's true- I've done it.

I have resigned myself to the fact that I will never be "skinny". In fact, I don't want to be skinny. I want to be healthy and strong- two terms that don't necessarily line up behind the words "skinny" or "thin". I know that I will never have a bikini body, but I have the heart rate and blood pressure of a 20-year old and a cholesterol that will keep me far away from the cardiologists I work with every day.

Many people state that it is too expensive to eat healthy. And I agree- it can be. But when I go to the grocery and look around, I can see why people struggle. Junk food, processed food- it's everywhere. Screaming at you from the endcaps or with flashy "sale" signs to lure you into purchasing them. And we do. I am a self-admitting grocery cart snoop- I like to look at other people's grocery carts to see what they have in them. And most of us have junk that our bodies just don't need. Pop, mac and cheese, chips- even pretzels- are not necessary my friends.

Believe it or not- by focusing only on healthy, necessary foods, I bought 2 weeks of groceries for about $15 under my usual budget. And that was even with all my fruits and veggies being organic- something I don't always do. I spent some time before going to the store looking at both what I had already and reviewing recipes. I also took coupons, which shaved a few dollars off. But overall- by cutting out the junk, I was able to save my thighs from the after-effects of Oreo slaughter and actually spent less money!

Today I rounded out my shopping with a trip to Earth Fare. My husband and I are self-proclaimed foodies, and we look at it as an adventure. There are still plenty of places to trip up a diet there- I myself had to put back the bucket of organic chocolate covered cherries that I had placed in the cart. But overall, there are lots of options here to be both healthy and earth-friendly. We bought things that we can't find at our local store too easily- Goji berries (antioxidant), Maca powder (for energy), dried vegetables to eat instead of chips, steel-cut oats (help lower your cholesterol better than regular oats), and wild caught fish. Sounds crazy, but I swear we use all those things as part of a regular diet that most people wouldn't blink at.

So start small if you need to. Put the Pop-Tarts back on the shelf (OMG have you ever looked at the label?!) and grab oatmeal instead. Mix in fresh or frozen fruit with either agave syrup or stevia. Need something you can take with you? Get out the blender- it's not just for margaritas. A scoop of protein powder, natural peanut butter, unsweetened almond mild, a banana, and a handful of ice equals a protein shake that tastes like dessert on the go. I swear little changes like this will do amazing things for you!

Ok, ok I'm done. I'm no fanatic trying to push stuff on people. Like I said, if there were Oreos in my pantry right now I would be eating them. I just love seeing the poeple I care about take care of themselves though- I guess it's the nurse in me. So go ahead- make one change this week, and stick with it for a little bit before taking the next step. Before you know it, I'll be running into you at Earth Fare in the Goji Berry aisle :).

Day 81

Tonight was a lovely night, full of memories and stories of "the good ole' days". Being a nurse is a huge part of what and who I am, and I got to spend the evening with three nurses who are largely responsible for who I am professionally. 

One was the nurse who precepted me 15 years ago when I was a new grad. Another was the nurse that precepted me when I transitioned to critical care. And the other was a mentor, peer, and friend for 10 years until she retired. 

Two of them are retired now, and it's been at least a year since I've seen them. But the bond we share does not acknowledge timelines and we fell into rhythm seamlessly as though we had just worked a shift together last week.

Looking back to the beginning of my career, I cannot stress how lucky I was to be surrounded by amazing nurses that I was able to look up to. They took me under their wings and showed me the right way to do things. Not the easy way- the right way. Every time. They are the kind of nurses I would want taking care of me and my family.

Everyone should have a mentor, nurse or not. Someone to look up to and strive to be like one day. Someone who supports you and teaches you, holds you accountable and encourages you at the same time. I can only hope I can touch others in some way similar to how they helped me. 

So, if you don't have a mentor- find one. Or more importantly- be one. 

Day 80

I bought a car today. Not just any car either- my car. Yup- I bought the same car I have been driving the last few years on a lease.

Bor-ing.

I know. But I just have never been able to get excited about cars. I could really care less what I drive. As long as it has a CD player and cruise control, I am a happy girl. I have had top of the line vehicles in the past, and they can be nice- but in the end there are just more gadgets to break and the leather seats are cold in the winter and hot in the summer. I grew up driving a stick shift, so automatic or manual doesn't bother me either. I've had sun roofs, but truthfully hardly used them- they messed up my hair...

So today I am happy to say I am the proud owner of a base model Honda Accord. It gets great gas mileage, has a CD player for me to play my Nora Roberts audio books, and the cloth seats stay the same temperature no matter the weather outside. Not to mention the car payment is much less than those cars with the gadgets that just break...

Happy Friday- hope you get out for a drive this weekend, no matter what kind of car it's in :).

Day 79

Today is International Happiness Day. Yup. Created by The United Nations of all people. It "recognizes the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives".

Geez. That's quite an explanation for something so simple.

The United nations website also  invites us to "observe the International Day of Happiness in an appropriate manner, including through education and pulic awareness-raising activities".

Geez. I had beer and pizza for dinner. That made me happy- can't that count?

I think it should. In fact, I declare that on International Happiness Day, you should do something that makes you happy- but also do something that makes someone else happy. I realize that today is almost over, but I'm sure noone would mind if we extended our celebration one more day... Need help? Here are some suggestions:

1. Sleep in 15 more minutes.
2. Tell someone they look nice today.
3. Take a moment outside and tilt your head up to the sun.
4. Send a quick card or note to someone through the mail- the old-school mail- just because.
5. Eat dessert first.
6. Buy the person behind you in line at the coffee shop their coffee.
7. Watch your favorite movie.
8. Leave a coin on the ground for someone else to find :)
9. Take 2 minutes to close your eyes and just breathe. As long as you don't do this while driving...
10. Open a door for someone, smile, and tell them to have a nice day.

I think those are all "appropriate". Maybe if we all did something like these on a more regular basis, we wouldn't have to have an International Happiness Day- it would seem irrelevant and redundant.

Happy Happy Day everyone!

Day 78

Have you ever heard anyone talk about how if they don't workout regularly they get grumpy? I have excercised pretty regularly all my life and have always thought of excercise as a chore- something I have to do to stay healthy and balance my romance with food. If  missed a day or two (ok- or three or four), I can't recall every being grumpy about it, except for the fact that it was twice the torture once I went back.

Until lately.

As many people of you know, over the last year or so I have changed how I work out. Endurance was never my focus- I was more of a weight-training girl who did some cardio here and there to even things out. But what started out as neccesary has bloomed into a part of my life that I wish I would have found earlier.

When the 10-year old started playing football, practices were 5 nights a week, at the opposite end of town from where we live. Parents were supposed to stay on-site during practice, and I didn't have time to drop him off, go to the gym, and get back on time to pick him up. So, I compromised and started running on the track at the football field.

At first I literally couldn't jog around one lap without major distress. But every day I made myself go a little farther, and I completed my first 5K at the end of football season. I had never ran or walked in any kind of "race", and was almost stupid-happy at the end of it, even though my name was far from the top of the list of finishers.

And so it begun. I don't even know how I got it into my head that I wanted to complete a triathalon, but I spent the winter in the gym at work, continuing to run but adding the bike to my workouts. I also tackled the pool- another huge hurdle that started out much like my running...

Last summer I completed two triathalons. Both were "mini" triathalons, but I still had that stupid-happy feeling at the end. I decided that this summer I would do three triathalons, two of which will be "sprint" distance. The Sprint is twice as far/long as what I did last summer, so I started looking for some resources to help me figure out the best way to train.

I found websites, and several books. But my favorite is Your Best Triathalon. Why, you ask? Because it has lists. And charts. Training grids that tell me what I should be doing and how to do it. My inner OCD freak (ok ok maybe it's more of an outer OCD freak) loves the pattern of triathalon training, and therefore now I truly do look forward to my workouts. Now don't get me wrong or be fooled too much by the cover of the book- I wouldn't say I do "Advanced" training or am a "serious" triathlete, but the general idea this coach uses to train is one I really like.

And I get grumpy if I miss them for more than a day. Which was the case the last few days as we have been busy at work and I wasn't willing to sacrifice time with my family to go to the gym. But tonight I got to be on the bike for 47 minutes, and although I am not stupid-happy, I am not grumpy.

So I think the trick to staying in shape is finding something that motivates you and makes you stupid-happy. Maybe it's Crossfit and watching muscles you didn't know you even had start to emerge. Maybe it's Zumba, letting the music whisk you away for 30 minutes and feel a little sexy. Or maybe it's training for your first triathalon. Don't do what I did for so many years and let it be a chore- in the end you will in better shape and yes, hopefully stupid-happy.

Day 77

As many people do when Spring approaches, I started some spring cleaning this past weekend. The rules? If it hasn't been worn or used in the last year- it goes.

It never ceases to amaze me how much stuff accumulates, especially clothes. I pulled shirts out of the bottom of a drawer I had completely forgotten I owned. Other shirts or pants had been worn, but I wasn't in love with them- and then there are always that pair of jeans that I keep, convincing myself that they will fit next year...

I pulled out 10 socks that didn't have their mate- how does that happen?! And I also found some treasures I had hidden long ago- Mother's Day cards from the kids, an anniversary card from my husband, and boobie pasties I had bought but never had the guts to wear.

Sooner than later, I had 2 trash bags full of clothes. Now what? Why, I took them to Goodwill of course. I have always loved Goodwill-both to donate and shop. What a win-win situation. Donate clothes or house goods that someone else needs. Or go inside and shop where the proceeds go to those in need. I can't begin to tell you how many treasures I have found while perusing the racks and shelves at my local Goodwill. There is something secretly enjoyable when I get a compliment on a sweater or shirt that I got for $2...

So clean our those closets ladies and gentlemen, and visit your local Goodwill. As long as you come home with less than you left with its a success! 

Day 76

Most week nights I get home after my husband and son have eaten dinner. And most week nights, when I open the refrigerator door, there are leftovers waiting for me. Tonight I came home and found something purple and yellow in the fridge. I honestly thought it was a tropical fruit of some sort at first. Cautiously, I asked my husband what it was. He replied it was a sweet potato. 

Now, I'm no bobby Flay, but I am not an idiot in the kitchen nor am I new to out-of-the-ordinary food being

in my kitchen. But a purple and yellow sweet potato? Never heard of it. I was immediately suspicious...

Turns out, it was an Asian sweet potato. Or at least that's what he told me. And it was delicious- the same satisfying sweetness of a traditional sweet potato but with a smoother texture and lighter overall taste. 

We have always been a family that isn't afraid to step out of the box when it comes to food. I have my limits, of course- no bugs or monkey brains for me- but in general we are willing to at least try most things new to our palate. This theory doesn't always work out of course- we have ordered pizza last-minute more than once, but many times it's worth the "risk".

Tonight's picture represents trying something new and not judging a book by its cover. Go ahead- try something new. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Day 75

As I have mentioned before, I am fortunate to have been blessed with thick, full hair. I grew up in the 80's and early 90's, so you can only imagine what I could do with a bottle of hairspray and a hair dryer.  By high school though, I had a more tame style that was straight and all one length and bangs that covered my (also mentioned before) fuzzy eyebrows. 

I stayed in a hair rut for many years, until about 8 years ago when I ran into an old high school friend who told me I didn't look any different than I did in high school. I know she meant it as a compliment, but I went home that night and looked hard in the mirror- she was right, I didn't look any different. Same Old Same Old. 

It was time for a change. 

So I asked around at work if anyone knew a good hair stylist in my hometown and I was directed toward a salon that I had honestly never heard of. I didn't usually get my hair cut at a salon, and the lady I used to go to had moved too far away for me to justify the connection. So I took a chance and made a random appointment.

And there, fate led me to Jena. Young and hip in high heels and a super-modern haircut, I have to admit I was nervous at first. Could this gorgeous young woman with multi-colored hair understand my need for something different yet not too over-the-top? Taking a chance, I put my long, straight, boring hair in her hands- and I've been her biggest fan ever since.

Finding a stylist that is both talented and knows/understands you is every woman's hope. And when you do find it, you are more loyal to them than anyone or anywhere else you spend your money. Because there is nothing better than a good haircut. And nothing worse than a bad one. A good stylist is all that stands between you and 6-8 weeks of compliments or hat wearing.

And what is it about that bond between woman and stylist? I mean- look at Steel Magnolias and the other multitudes of movies that revolve around beauty salons or barber shops. That chair is like a therapist's couch sometimes- we tell them everything. I have sometimes wondered if part of their training is learning how to listen to us ramble and interact. I'm sure many of them could make a living on blackmail...

My grandfather taught me as young girl to always treat the people who help you with the utmost respect, because chances are that people who do things for others many times don't get the respect (or pay) they deserve- that may be your employees, your car mechanic, your waitress/waitor, or yes, your hair stylist. I have  always tried to live this way, and have found that not only is it the right thing to do- many times it works in your favor. The next time you need a project done at work,a car fixed in a hurry, or emergency hair coloring, chances are they will bend more for you to make it happen than someone else who treated them as just a paid employee. Treat them well, Pay them well, tip them well- 

they deserve it, and chances are some other jerk didn't appreciate their hard work.

I went to see Jena today. She's still young and gorgeous with way cuter hair than me, but there's no more nerves about whether or not I'll come out of there with a haircut 20 years younger than me. She always asks me, "what are we doing today?" and I love that I can just say, " Whatever you think. I trust you". All that's left is to enjoy the head massage, girl talk, and trashy magazines while I sit under the dryer.

Today's pic represents the bounce in your step and confidence boost gotten from a fresh haircut, and celebrates the bond between woman and stylist- you are the best Jena!

Day 74

Ah... Spring. The time of year when birds start to chirp, daffodils and tulips start to sprout from their bulbs, and dog poop reigns over all in the backyard.

That's right. Dog poop. Lots of dog poop. Like, 4 months of dog poop. And I have a dog that weighs 175 pounds...

Luckily, I also have a 10-year old who is anxious to earn cash to support his shoe habit. So when his Dad offered him $5 per week if he cleaned up dog poop every weekend, he jumped on the chance. Of course, he didn't realize what he was getting into. Literally.

My husband took him out back and showed him how to use the minature shovel we keep for this job. I was on my way out of the house to the gym when I looked back and saw the father mentoring his son on how best to maneuver around the yard to ensure he was capturing all of the winter's leftovers.

When I got back from the gym, I asked him how the poop-scooping went. "It sucked, Mom. It was no fun, let me tell you". "Well," I replied, "They are called 'chores', not 'fun-filled activities'". I told him it was a great lesson on how sometimes there are things and responsibilites in life that have to be done even when it stinks. Again, literally.

Later, as I was editing the pic for my blog, I realized that I happened to capture more than a father-son moment. Ironically, our small dog is squatting to add to the 10-year old's responsibilities at the same time he is shoveling another pile of shit. What a great life lesson, huh?

Today's pic represents the importance that our children learn responsibility and that both "chores" and shoveling shit are just a part of life that we all have to learn to get through.

Day 73

A couple of years ago, my step-son married his high school sweetheart. There were fun-loving bets made that afternoon on how long before they had a child, and I have to admit that there was a part of me that selfishly was not ready to think about being a grandparent. My "goal" was to not be a grandma before the age of 40- like I had anything to do with whether or not that worked out...

But over the last year, the notion has started to grow on me. And now that I can officially announce that being a grandparent has become a reality, I can hardly contain my excitement. That's right- I'm going to be a grandma! Well, a step-grandma, but that still undoubtedly gives me bragging, buying, and general spoiling rights of some sort!

I've spent the last week smiling at babies in public, undoubtedly causing concern from a parent or two who wonders why the strange lady is staring at their child. I've already started to buy diapers, and am itching to find out whether it's a boy or a girl so that I can start buying the cute little outfits that are everywhere.

But there are some things that I am still just not ready for. Like those "Best Grandma Ever" sweatshirts and coffee mugs. Or really even the term "Grandma". I need something jazzier than that- like "Nana" or "Noonie". And maybe instead of the above-mentioned sweatshirt I will get a tank top that just has the acronym "GILF" in sparkles on it....or not.

So a huge congratulations to my step-son and his wife. The miracle of life and our ability to actually grow a human inside of us never ceases to amaze me. Today's picture represents the beginning of a new generation and the joy of knowing your child is gettng ready to start his own family.

Day 72

I got to be a Mom today. I know, I know, technically I am a Mom every day. But the older your children get, the less it seems some times that they need you for the day-to-day stuff. First they learn to go to the bathroom on the toilet, eliminating the need for you to change their diaper (Ok,  I must admit, that is one thing I don't necessarily miss). But the list grows shorter every year, from needing a hand to hold when they walk, to needing you in the pool with them while they swim in the kiddie pool. They learn to wash themselves, feed themselves, clean their own ears out, and go to the bus stop without a parent (beacuse Lord forbid someone sees you kissing them goodbye or waving as they drive away...).

Again, there is a large part of me that is happy my youngest has gained so much independance. Cuz let's face it- wiping a 10-year old's butt after he poops would be awkward.

But every once in awhile, a mother yearns to just be a Mom. A friend of mine gave me a book when I got pregnant called "I'll Love You Forever". In the book, the mother goes to her son's room every night while he is asleep until he is a man and sings "I'll Love You Forever" to him. She even sneaks into his adult home at night and sings to him, signifying the love of a mother doesn't falter just becuase her child is grown. In the end, the son sings the song to her while she lies dying in her own bed, then goes home to sing the song to his newborn son while he sleeps in his crib. Whenever I get home from work or play after my son has gone to sleep, I think of that book and make sure to kiss my sleeping son's cheek before going to bed.

Today, I had the opportunity to play Mom. The 10-year old came home from school yesterday complaining of a headache. The lovely Ohio weather is playing it's "60/30" games lately, and I figured it was a sinus headache and would pass. But he was still complaining about it when he woke up, eventually getting teary-eyed- a sign that he truly didn't feel good. He hasn't missed a day of school all year, so I told him he could stay home if he wanted and go back to bed. He put on a stoic face and said he'd be fine- they were watching The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe at school today and he didn't want to miss it. But just as he was getting ready to leave for the bus, he finally gave in and said he wanted to stay home.

Mom to the rescue. I gave him some Tylenol, a Benadryl, and tucked him back into his bed, kissing his forehead and running my hands soothingly through his hair (a rare treat, as he usually balks at this kind of attention). He fell almost immediately asleep, another sign that he didn't feel well, and didn't stir for another 2 hours.

This was the first time he had ever taken Benadryl, and I must admit that I giggled a little at his groggy eyes and staggering walk when he woke up. If a 10-year old could look drunk, that's what he looked like. I set him up on the couch with blankets, pillows, and a glass of cold water, being sure to tuck in the blanket.

After another couple of hours, he was starting to sober up and said that although his head still hurt, it was much better than before. We decided to make a special trip to Chik-Filet, one of his favorite lunch spots, so he could get out of the house for a little bit. Once home, he took some more Advil and a nap, we watched an absolutely horrible movie together, then I fixed him my family's traditional sick-day comfort food- a grilled cheese sandwich.

After dinner, I told him that I had rented The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe on my Ipad for him so that he didn't feel left out at school tomorrow, and he could watch it in my bed. That earned me a hug and proclamation of being the best Mom in the world- two gifts more priceless than anything.

Today's pic represents the fact that being a parent doesn't stop once children are able to mostly fend for themselves. And aside from wiping poop- I am totally ok with that.

Day 71

Today I wore "street clothes" to work. For those of you who do not wear a uniform to work everyday, the term "street clothes" does not refer to miniskirts, peep toe heels, and tube tops. Instead, it is a term used to signify wearing an outfit other than the traditional scrubs to work.

One of the many things that I love about nursing is that I get to wear tennis shoes, a ponytail, and a uniform that is basically pajamas every day. I don't have to worry about figuring out what I'm going to wear tomorrow- only that I have clean underwear and sweatsocks.

But about once a week, I do get the urge to break out of the mold. And I do like to have an excuse for buying something other than yoga pants, workout clothes, and jeans. So I tend to pick one day during the week to wear my "street clothes" to work.

It's funny how many people will stop and look twice, at first not realizing it's me. Yup- same person, just cuter shoes and a little more eye makeup today. I kind of feel like Sandra Bullock in the movie "Miss Congeniality" where she walks out of the hangar after being all dolled up and people stare at her transformation from unnoticeable cop to knockout runway model. I still do the same job, scrubs or not, although I do try and time my non-scrub days when I think it's not going to be as busy on the unit. But those who have worked with me know that I'm as comfortable doing CPR in my Nine West pumps as I am in my sneakers. Today, in my street clothes, I attended meetings and sat with a patient and his family who is having open heart surgery tomorrow. But I also pulled chest tubes and passed meds.

When most people think of the word "nurse", they conjour up thoughts of someone with a stehoscope around their neck and scrubs on. But the truth is there are many nurses out there who wear street clothes every day, and who have jobs that are just as vital to the medical field and nursing profession. I am blessed to have a job that dips into both worlds, allowing me the comfort of tennis shoes most days and the vanity of dressing up a little once in a while. Because did I mention that I like to shop?

Tomorrow it's back to my blues. And happily, because I can't stand to iron more than once a week! And the truth is, the biggest reason I chose to wear street clothes today was because I didn't have any scrubs clean...

Today's picture represents breaking from the mold and the secret, small bit of vanity that we all should allow ourselves when we dress up a little more than usual.

Day 70

How do I get myself to slog through something I don't want to do? Well, I bribe myself of course. Today was a perfect example. For every portion of a project I got through, I rewarded myself with an M&M. Sounds silly, but don't knock it till you try it.

But once I get through the next portion of the project and look down at all of the colorful candies in front of me, how do I choose which one to eat first?

Well, by the color of the rainbow of course. I eat all of the red ones first, then move to orange, yellow, etc. This seemed perfectly natural to me until I mentioned it to a friend at work and she looked at me like I had a mental disorder. Like maybe OCD.

Oh well. I know I can't be the only one out there with nuances like that. My step-daughter never liked one part of her food touching another part on her plate, and she alway ate all of one portion before moving on to the next. She started with whatever she liked the least (usually the vegetable), ate all of it, then progressed to the meat, and so on. I have seen people sort out their M&Ms by color on the counter (I don't sort BTW. I just eat in rainbow order from however they fall out of the bag), and I know others who don't put salad dressing on their salad, choosing instead to dip eah bite into a small bowl of dressing on the side. So I'm not the crazy one, or at least I'm not the only crazy one.

Right?

Today's picture represents rewarding yourself for plodding through those necessary tasks in life that you'd rather not do. Go ahead- eat an M&M. Just don't eat the blue one before the orange.

Day 69

You know what they say- you covet what you do not have. If you are short, you want to be taller. If you are blonde, you dream of being a redhead. And in my case- I wish for something larger than a "B+" while more endowed women that I know swear it isn't all it's cracked up to be (for the record I have a hard time believing you).

But although I may fit into sports bras better than Victoria's Secret, I do have one thing that others wish they had more of.

Hair.

 Yup- I admit I am blessed with thick, healthy hair. On top of that, I have a hairdresser that helps me keep up my reputation of lustrous locks by knowing just how to color and layer it to perfection.

Here's the problem. I may have thick, beautiful hair on my head, but holy smokes my head isn't the only place that it grows....All my life I have battled arm hair, 5 o'clock shadow on my legs and armpits, and most of all- fuzzy eyebrows.

Brooke Shields would be jealous of these babies, let me tell ya. Between my light complexion and dark hair, I am constantly chasing stray follicles. And the hair grows so long I have to actually use scissors on them from time to time. I mean seriously- what woman do you know that uses scissors on her eyebrows?! Well, aside from me now I guess. It's just ridiculous.

Some of my friends have tried to get me to have them waxed, but I'm too chicken. My skin blisters and reddens from bandaids or tape- I can't imagine what it would do with wax. All I can think about is that scene from "What a Woman Wants" with Mel Gibson where he decides to wax his legs. So, I doggedly pluck and groom, and yes, trim several times a week in order to not look like an Italian mobster. And in the end, I do at least like how it looks.

I guess it could be worse- at least I don't have to draw my eyebrows on (there are some scary ones out there). I could have hairy ears, or have to pluck my nose hairs. Ouch.

Today's picture represents being ok with who you are- even though I still dream of a C-cup once in awhile :).

Day 68

Genetics never cease to amaze me. Whether it's the similar shape of a father and son's head, or the laugh of a child that makes you jolt because it sounds exactly like their mother's laugh- the miracle of how chromosones get passed from generation to generation has always interested me.

In school, I can remember studying Xs and Ys. Unfortunately, science at the molecular level has always been my weak area (just ask my college microbiology teacher. Of course, you'd have to ask both of them, seeing as how I flunked it the first time...). I can clearly recall being especially frustrated when studying genetics, because I really wanted to understand it- but to no avail. Instead, my own genetic line steered me towards excelling in other areas.

My own son has most definitely inherited traits from my husband and I, both in physical looks and personality. There are times when I can look at him and say, "Wow, he got that from me!" And of course, there are times when I also say, "Crap. Poor kid. He got that from me...". But there is one similarity between he and I that I believe will be a bonding point throughout our lifetime-

We love shoes.

Now don't get me wrong, we each like gender-appropriate shoes- he isn't shopping at Nine West helping me pick out my next pair of pumps (they are my favorite for pumps!). But he does scope Dick's Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, Zappos, Amazon, and even EBay on a regular basis, keeping up with what styles are new and plotting for his next pair. Did you know that athletic shoes have names?! Not only that, they can be identified by what year they were made- much like cars. For example, the shoe that is called "Air Max" has a basic style that gets tweaked every year, allowing them to call them Air Max 2013 versus Air Max 2014. We will be out at the mall, and he will lean over and whisper to me what shoes the guy in line next to us is wearing. About a year ago, I was admiring a pair of pumps one of the VPs at work was wearing- I told her I liked them and said, "Anne Klein, right?". She looked oddly at me- I just shrugged, dipped my head, and walked away...

Unfortunately, my child grows like a weed and is hell on shoes. On top of that, at 10 years old he has already outgrown kid sizes (another genetic trait...). Therefore, his shoe purchases must be few and far between, and usually from the sale rack. Beacuse even knowing he wears them literally every day, paying $100 or more for a pair of shoes just seems crazy to me.

Today all three of us went to one of the nearby outlet malls. Our mission? New shoes for the 10-year old. We started at Converse, where both father and son tried on "old school" Chuck Taylors. Deciding against the canvas look, we moved next door into the world of Nike.

The shoe section in the Nike store is in the back, with all of the clothes toward the front. I swear that kid headed straight for the back like  two lovers run to each other after being apart- it was almost comical.

Basketball is the 10-year old's passion at the moment, and he was able to find a pair of basketball shoes that he absolutely loved, in his school colors, for much less than $100. When I told him that he could get them, his eyes lit up just like mine did when I found my Cole Haan boots on the clearance rack for less than $100.

The good news is that he played outside in his new shoes for several hours after we got home, proclaiming them to be the best shoes ever. The bad news is that he has informed me we have to buy him some new socks, as most of his don't match the colors of his new kicks. Yup- genetics is a funny thing....

Today's picture represents the joy of a new pair of shoes, and the power of the chromosone.

Day 67

Have you ever walked into someone else's house and admired the decor, although you knew that if you owned the house you would decorate it completely different? Or looked at a piece of art and seen something totally different than another person may have seen?

Individuality, perception, and creativity are all wonderous parts of what makes us human. I got to participate in all three tonight. A group of about 20 women gathered in a small art studio to celebrate a friends' birthday, eat, drink, and paint. Some of us brought pictures that they wanted to simulate, others created their masterpieces completely by freehand. I chose to go between these two options, picking a copy of a picture that was available at the studio for those of us struggling to decide what to paint.

One of my friends and I took a liking to the same picture, and we both decided to use it as our inspiration. We sat at opposite sides of the table, and were both surprised at how although we each started by looking at the same picture- the results were quite different.

Today's pic represents individuality. There's nothing wrong with using a guide, but don't allow it to dictate exactly what you do and how you do it. Allow a little of your unique,personality to shine through- it will be more beautiful for it.

Day 66

A friend of mine is celebrating her birthday tomorrow night. This friend is very fond of things pink and/or sparkly, so I volunteered to bring Cosmos for all.

Now, I myself am a rum kinda girl. But I will make sacrifices for my BFFs of course. My mother makes a mean Cosmo, so I asked her for an ingredient list and stopped by the liquor store on my way home. I made sure to put away my work badge before going inside, but you could still tell that I had scubs on...what was funny was that there were literally 2 other women in scrubs in the liquor store as well!  I made my way to the cashier with my vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry juice, and limes. Oh- and a Rachel Ray magazine of course.

After getting home, feeding the 10-year old dinner, and playing with the dogs, I was faced with the dilemma of what to do with the rest of my evening. So, like any good friend, I decided that I should try out the Cosmo recipe for tomorrow night. After all- I would hate to serve something that wasn't fabulous to my friends, right? Right....

So it is now 6:27 PM on a Friday evening. I am in my pajamas (I did keep my bra and my tennis shoes on, so techincally I'm not totally in my pajamas. I know- it's a picture) and have a pink drink in a martini glass sitting next to me as I sit at the computer. I haven't decided whether to be thrilled that I have no other obligations other than relaxing and enjoying a quiet night with the 10-year old and my martini glass- or to be horrified that I am possibly turning into Maxine from the Hallmark cards. Oh well- at least I am comfy and safe in my own home with food in my belly (trail mix is food, right?) and an evening of movies with my family on the agenda.

Cheers!

Day 65

If you're on time....you're late.

It's my husband's favorite saying. He is early for everything. And as much as I love him, it's just plain annoying sometimes.

When we first started living together and would be going somewhere , we would decide on a time to leave- say 5:00. It took me awhile to figure out that "5:00" actually meant "4:45". I am not a late person in general, but I am not early either. I do like to be on time, but in my mind arriving early is a waste- I could have slept in 15 more minutes or cleaned the house a bit more before leaving.

Traditionally, I am finishing getting myself ready when he is chomping at the bit to leave. He paces back and forth in front of my bathroom, or even stands in the doorway looking at me. "You look fine- let's go!" he'll say. I just turn and look calmly at him- "I don't have any pants on". Or "Honey, I only have eyeliner on one eye"....

My husband's first two children are much like me- not really late, but not early. They both have many other achievements and accomplishments, but the reality is that when they are 5 minutes late my husband just shakes his head like he can't believe they have come from the same blood. The 10-year old has been brain washed though, and has even started to use Dad's "If you're on time you're late" slogan when we need to go to sports practices or other timed events. Lucky me.

Today we had the rare opportunity to have dinner with all four of our children. The oldest and his wife are home from Texas for a couple days, and we decided to meet at a local restaurant. My husband and I drove seperate, as I came straight from work. We were to meet at 5:00PM.

I walked into the restaurant at 4:55 and was astonshied to find my three adult children already sitting at a table, but no husband. Quickly glancing back out to the parking lot, I pulled out my phone and told them to hurry up and smile so I could get a picture of them and text it to their dad- "We're here at 4:55. Where are you? Oh- you must be running late".

He showed up a few minutes later, and I will admit we rather enjoyed razzing him quite a bit about his postponed entrance. He, of course, blamed the 10-year old. Sure honey.

Today's picture celebrates the fun of family nuances, and the rarer and rarer gift of having my whole family at the same table.

Day 64

Most YMCA's offer child care, and the one I go to is no different. When I go to workout in the afternoons, I see teachers leading kids back and forth from the pool and gym, or pushing babies around in those super-sized baby carriages.

Today, as I was in misery on the bike, I looked over and saw one of the teachers with a few older kids painting a mural on the glass. Tulips and daisies. And both the teacher and kids seemed to be having a great time. It immediately made me smile- a shot of color and brightness in the midst of misery and sweat.

So just when it seems that you can't go any farther, there is sweat in your eyes, and time is standing still- take a moment to look around and see the flowers :).

Day 63

Over the last 7-8 years, I have been called upon to teach several different types of classes at work. Sometimes the material is preset, such as Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support (ACLS). Other times my classes have stemmed from a need on the unit and it has been left to me to figure out how best to lay out the education.

I don't mind either way, but the latter at first was intimidating. I have had no formal training on Powerpoint, public speaking, or teaching for that matter. I struggled with how to find material that could be trusted, and how to lay it out so that people weren't asleep in 15 minutes.

If you were in one of my first classes- I deeply apologize. But over the years, I have learned tricks of the trade- such as how to insert Clip Art that keeps people engaged in the slide. I have graduated to using Google Images and You Tube, inserting links to my Powerpoint that then whisks us away to a video that demonstrates whatever point I was making. And a word of advice- Clip Art is definately "PG" compared to Google Images. You just don't know what's gonna pop up when you type a word into the Google Search bar....

I have learned that bringing food to share lessens the sting of a "mandatory" education requirement on a day off. And bringing candy to throw at people who participate in the lecture helps to keep them listening, not wanting to miss out on something I may ask later. I talk loudly,  and purposely talk about what is on the slide- not read word-for-word from it. I move around, make silly jokes and hand gestures, and tell real life stories to keep them from becoming disinterested. I try to break down what can be complex thoughts and processes into "layman's" terms, knowing that until you understand things at a very basic level, there is no room to grow to understand more complex things.

But all of that is no easy task. It takes a lot of time to build a class, and figure out how best to present material. Today I finished the last of three classes that I gave our staff on how to care for patients who have had open heart surgery. Each class was 4 hours long, and at the end I thought I woudl be relieved. Instead, I was a little giddy, and already thinking about how to tweek the class to make it better the next time. Of course, I could have just been giddy from eating the donuts I had brought to share....

Today's picture represents something it seems I was just kind of made to do- teach. I love to see the lightbulb come on above their head. I love knowing maybe I helped them understand something that will allow them to care for their patients better. I even love the process of building the class and using Google Images to find funny pictures that make people laugh. So a big thank you to those who have listened to me teach a class, mandatory or not. Because in all honesty you give me as much as I give you.

Day 62

I live in Ohio, where winters are long and cold. I am also a nurse, who washes and sanitzes her hands much more than the average person. So dry skin is not something new to me. I tolerate it easily enough, getting used to feeing itchy and looking down at my hands or legs and see the chalky-white film that covers me on a daily basis. I do apply lotion once a day, but in general resign myself to flakes and scratchiness until warmer weather arrives.

Except for my lips, that is.

I absolutely cannot stand for my lips to feel dry. It consumes me when I don't have it, and I have trouble concentrating on tasks- always thinking about how and when I can get to one of my tubes of lip lube. I keep them everywhere, in all shapes and sizes. I am a connosiour of lip gloss, having bought and tried many, and can advise you on what brands to spend your money on depending on what you are looking for. Looking for coverage only without color or shine? Old-fashioned Chapstick is the way to go, but stay away from the ones with sunscreen- they actually dry you out faster. Want a thin shiny gloss without color? Mary Kay and CrabTree and Evelyn have brands for you. And for the girly girl who like shine AND color- Maybelline and CoverGirl are your best options (Maybelline is a little thicker and tends to last longer though).

I have lip lube in just about every room of the house, in almost all of my purses, my workout bag, my car, and my office. I carry one in my pocket at all times. I recently bought a Michael Kors clutch, and wound up with the bigger (and more expensive...)one of two choices because the smaller one couldn't fit my phone AND my lip gloss inside...

So if you ever are looking for a gift for me, lip lube is a sure pleaser. Just don't get lipstick, for goodness sakes- it makes your lips feel dry and I haven't bought any of it for years!

Today's picture represents the pleasure and passion of soft, shiny, kissable lips- even though the rest of me may look like a snake.

Day 61

I grew up with a mother who knew how to bargain shop. She taught me that you don't have to pay full price for nice things- in fact, most of the time it's just silly to do so. But to truly be successful at this, you must have two things- patience and creativity.

Luckily, I inherited both from her. I am definately more patient than creative, for my sister definately got the bulk of artistic ability in our family. But I do have a relatively decent ability to use color and texture well- as long as it matches of course...

And oh my goodness- I love to shop.

Some of my fondest memories growing up were shopping at Gold Circle or TJMaxx with my mom. I quickly learned that shopping in stores like this alotted me a much bigger take-home purchase. My mom would tell me a certain dollar amount that I could spend- and it was off to the races. I loved the whole process of digging through racks and piecing outfits together, clapping my hands in excitement when I would find a pair of mustard yellow shoes for $5 that matched perfectly with a printed sweater I found on the clearance rack (true story, but don't worry it was about 1989. I don't have mustard yellow shoes anymore). We would each go our seperate ways to look for treasures, then reconvene after trying everything on, giving opinions on which outfits to purchase and which to put back for someone else to find. We would spend entire weekend days hunting and perusing, packing snacks in our purse to get us through the afternoon. I loved coming home and putting away my new clothes, already busily thinking about how I would work them into my (ahem) organized closet and drawers . New things always went to the front and top of the closet and drawers, as all outfits were rotated based on when they were last worn- a process I still practice to this day and realize is consistent with at least 2 seperate psychiatric diagnoses...

My husband's best friend is married to a lovely woman who is kind of my twin seperated at birth. We joke about how creepy it is that both our husbands and us are so alike. They lived in Florida for many years and on my first visit we clicked right away. She loved to bargan shop just like I do, and we would peruse the outlets and Gabriel Brothers all day together while our husbands played golf. They have since moved to West Virgina, and we still get together and shop whenever we can, although it is only a couple times a year.

Then, a few years ago, I found a dear friend who lives just down the street and is the only one aside from my girlfriend in West Virginia and my mother who loves to shop like I do. We can literally do it all day (and all night and all the next day if it's Black Friday) and be perfectly happy even if we don't find/buy a thing. Because I can't just buy something because I need it. I have to really like it as well. That's one of the reasons I have never caught on to online shopping for most things- I have to see and touch what I am buying.

Take towels for instance. We are nearing the end of a bathroom remodel, and we needed new towels. Now some may have just ran out to Kohls or Target and purchased the first ones that matched. I, however cannot do that (much to my poor husband's dismay). I had to go to several stores over the period of almost two weeks, taking pictures and buying washcloths to bring home and put on the counter to see if I like them enough to buy a set. I had a bunch of girlfriends over last night for Bunco and even put two washcloths out on the counter and made them all go back and tell me their vote...

So today, I hit the jackpot. Not only did I get a new set of towels and washcloths- I also found the perfect mirror for above the sink and a new duvet for our bed. All high quality purchases for less than half of what they cost at full price in department stores. Even my husband muttered something about the mirror costing half of what he was going to buy at Home Depot simply because it was made by the same company as the vanity we purchased.

I didn't mind doing laundry this afternoon, because my washer was full of new linens and clean underwear (I was running dangerously low on the latter). And I am thankful that my mom taught me how to use patience and creativity to my advantage in the world of mercantile!

Day 60

In my Ohio suburb today, it was mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 40's. After the weather we have had over the last few months, this felt like a true spring day. Being the first of March, the sunshine and warmer temperatures seemed blissful and appropriate,

But everyone in my neighborhood knows the truth- winter is not gone. In fact, we are supposed to get anywhere from 5 to 10 inches of snow and ice over the next 24-36 hours. Yeah. Happy Bleeping March.

Today I was supposed to both swim and run (according to my training chart/list...). But at the last moment I decided to skip the swim and take advantage of the warmer weather. I ran twice as long as I was going to originally, since I didn't hit the pool. And yes, I am still a little twitchy from altering the plan...

But as I ran around (and up and down and through and around again) the neighborhood, I could tell that I wasn't the only one trying to grasp onto these last few hours of Springiness. Cars were parked at the end of driveways (including mine) so kids could ride their bikes and shoot basketball. Dog owners were out in force, and I waved to many a fellow jogger on my journey. Yard work was being done, baseballs were being thrown in yards,

and garages were open and getting cleaned out. I got home from my run and the 10-year old was outside shooting hoops. We took our own dogs for a walk, allowing them to meander and sniff all they wanted.

So today's picture is of my backyard. I know it's nothing special, but you can see it much clearer since the sunshine inspired me to wash the glass doors! Tomorrow morning I am sure the view will be quite different, and I am happy that my family and others got a day of sunshine and fresh air before being cooped up again.