To be continued…

November…lows of 30 degrees tonight…what is happening?  We need warm sunshine to spend lazy afternoons at the tree farm visiting with the pumpkins!!! 

Today I pulled on jeans, a long sleeve shirt, socks and closed-toe shoes.  I grabbed a sweater just in case.  I used that sweater.  I can’t seem to get warm today…just cold, sun goes down and it’s colder…tonight will be the coldest yet.  Ugh! 

On the up side, cold weather equals the calling of the kitchen.  Tomorrow my menu includes french toast for breakfast, a new cookie recipe and then creamy chicken and wild rice in the crock pot for dinner.  Please pray for me that my pilates schedule stays intact over the next few months that I bond with my kitchen!  kthx!  

I have always been a summer girl.  You see, growing up on the coast I found myself to be soulfully connected to the salt water, sand and sun.  As a Carolina Girl, heat equates to balmy, salty air that makes my hair extra curly and my mood to match.  I have always said, “I would rather it be 90 degrees outside than 40 any day!”  And I meant it with all my heart.  This year I found myself feeling tired and agitated with the heat.  This year I found myself, quietly saying only to myself, that I will be glad when it starts to cool off.  I found myself mid-September making homemade Halloween decorations.  October, you are impinging on my soul and one of the things that I have taken to be part of who I am in my core.  October with your celebration of child, husband, father and several other beloved family members.  October with your shameless pumpkins and good smelling candles.  October with your flirtatious fall festivals, Boo at the Zoo, Halloween and candy corn.  As a mother, grown adult with a manageable bed time and coupon clipping…how am I to withstand the courting.  It’s as if I’ve gone all adulterous on my summer months this year.  It’s as if I have fallen in love with fall and don’t know how to go back to my first true love.  Oh the horror!  Which fits right in with the festivities this week.  What am I to do?

Boo at the Zoo – Riverbanks!  What fun!!

Pumpkin Carving – Oh My!

Again with the HORROR of it all!

And next comes the Turkey…I’m hopeless at this point!

Yesterday we came home to presents in the mail from Granny Donna and Gramma Cindy.  Andi was adorned in tiara, matching Dora earrings and rings watching me put her new polka-knot sheets in the washing machine.  Today we served up homemade carrot cupcakes to a whole gaggle of three year olds at Andi’s daycare.  Back home we were welcomed by cards from more friends and family along with various sparkly, bobbles.

So three years later we have a lot to be thankful for, a lot of fun memories to look back on and lots of celebrating to do!  Andi is really digging this whole birthday thing!

But since I last posted (which I believe was in July) we’ve been up to a lot.  I think the same thing happened last summer – towards the end we got more and more busy outside and the blogging came to a halt.  I see a pattern…do you?  Maybe I need to note this on my blogging relapse prevention plan.  Only if you work with me will you think that’s remotely funny…had to go there, another apology…

Anyway, we have been busy but nothing terribly out of the normal for the family.  Zoo trips on a REGULAR basis are a standard here, we’ve made it to the beach, spent time doing house-owner stuff like adding flag poles and staining the fence (ok, Justin did both of those things!) and overall time with the kiddo and pets.  Oh the pets…I know completely what it means to have a love/hate relationship and all three of them for different reasons.  Honestly there is nothing like the love, affection and attention of a pet.  It’s without judgement for what you look like, what you ate today or how you disciplined the kid after spilling yogurt on the carpet.  True unconditional love.  However, I believe one of our cats has an antisocial/borderline/narcissistic personality disorder all combined…but only with me as she purrs and snuggles with Justin.  One cat is as needy as a baby, inching closer and closer to you during the night until I wake up with a large, overweight, fur-infested personal heater on the side of my head.  And then one dog…oh the one dog.  The one that digs, chews, runs, chases – but only things and places that I wish she wouldn’t.  And despite the complaining, throwing off of the beds, yelling child-friendly slurs at 7:15 in the morning there’s that pet love.  Hence love/hate. 

Speaking of the kid.  She is fantastic.  Seriously.  We are officially POTTY TRAINED!  Woo Hoo!  I don’t know who gets the silver ribbon award me or her, but I don’t care because I haven’t changed a diaper in quite a while now and am a-ok with that!  She has started dance class and oh my heart is singing with leotards, pink tights, ballet shoes and let’s not leave out the sacred tutu!  After a small, and by small I really mean immensely humiliating, meltdown we had yesterday over mom forgetting the tutu we will never leave for dance class without a tutu again.  Thank goodness the heaven-sent angels at daycare who witnessed this incident were able to think faster than I was and pulled out a horrible hot-pink/leopard print tulle combo skirt that stopped the horror-filled shrieking of my toddler.  I was speechless – both at her for such a reaction but also for myself at clearly not recognizing the importance and significance that the tutu held to my daughter.  It will be known as the “tutu incident.” 

Oh, and let’s not forget that in a matter of TWO weeks that my small child will be THREE years old!  Three years seem both so long ago and just like yesterday.  Watching her walk, talk, dance, reason, play, laugh and joke makes me think that she’s older than she is but then watching her sleep soundly in her still small bed makes me feel that she’s still a baby.  We are not completely sure what our plans are for the birthday celebration but I’m almost certain that it will involve the zoo if we stay in town. 

As for me, work has been crazy and I’ve been crazy right along with it.  With more clients and more issues than are always able to be handled in one day, it makes the days seem to run together and not in a good beach vacation margarita buzz kind of way.  I have had many days lately where I’ve struggled to find my center, my balance and my sanity.  It’s a constant effort to stay focused and calm but along with the never-ending effort are days when I get an unplanned visit from an old client that tells me she has been 76 days clean and is proud of herself.  This high school misfit with ongoing problems at home and school but is still clean…and smiling…and proud.  That is cool.  That helps things slow down and for me to remember that just because a lot of the time I don’t get to see the results that they are out there happening.  So I’m still working on ironing out the kinks in my work schedule and work load but I see light at the end of the tunnel and have managed to find time and space for some decent meditation and prayer at the end of the day, which is kind of like taking the day and wrapping it up in pretty paper and ribbon and then looking back at whatever is was that I managed to do right that day, big or small, and feel content.  I just need to find ways to carry that feeling with me throughout the day.  Work in progress, right?

So, all in all things are good.  Things are moving forward and despite struggles and obstacles along the way, we are a happy family of three.  Healthy, Happy, Together, Blessed – bring on the struggles then. 

Until next time…and hopefully sooner than later this time!     

I think it should really be called “parent training.” 

Training in patience.  Training in creativity.  Training in building confidence.  Training in reward systems.  Training in laundry and bathroom disinfection.  You get the point. 

As exhausting as it sometimes is, it is also rewarding and a definite sign of my baby turning into a small child.  “I’m a big girl!  Mama, are you happy?”  I’m all smiles. 

Updates…

Kitchen has been busy…

Newest most favorite cookies…several batches later…

Whole Wheat Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Preheat oven 375.  Grind 1 1/4 cup oats in food processor into powder/flour.  Mix in 1 cup WW flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda.  Cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 sugar; beat in 1 egg and 1/2 tsp vanilla.  Stir in dry ingredients to combine.  Stir in 1 cup dark chocolate chips.  Bake 12 minutes.  Eat.  Say yum-o! 

This was my newest breakfast concoction a few mornings ago. 

It’s cinnamon oatmeal a big spoonful of all-natural peanut butter, a small spoonful of all-natural (no sugar added!) strawberry preserves, 1/2 banana.  It was way, way yummy and really filling.  I was good until I ate lunch at noon, which doesn’t happen often.  I will definitely have to give credit to the idea of toppings to my oatmeal to KERF (www.katheats.com).  Great blog about good food.  She had incredibly yummy ideas about breakfast.  Good change to the norm.  I heart her blog.

We went to Wilmington for J&J wedding at Fort Fisher.  We had a great weekend.  Good to spend some time in the sand and salt.  Good visit with the family.   

A-Bear and Uncle Steve in the big waves.  One of my top 5 pics from that trip! 

This past weekend was July 4…fun, fun!  Weekend in review…

A trip towards the west on Saturday included dinner at Shealy’s in Batesburg.  I didn’t take any pictures.  Mostly because I was too excited and focused on eating.  GREAT BBQ!  And I’m a NC girl…no mustard on my BBQ plate!  This is really good…fried chicken…mmmm….

We went a little further to the west and found the Big-Mo Drive In! 

It was really fun.  Andi had a great time.  We watched Toy Story 3, A-Bear stayed up the whole time even though the movie didn’t start until it was dark a little after 9:00.  We ate popcorn, candy and snuggled in blankets and pillows in the back of the car.  It felt comfy and classic and just a good-for-your-family type of evening.  We will return. 

This is Andi blowing bubbles before the movie started.  This went on for at least 30 minutes…gotta love a good bubble blowing session!

We hit up the pool.  We love the pool.  Andi loves to swim.  Andi loves her “graf.”  She really means her raft but I have a hard time correcting her she’s so cute! 

She’s my kid…def enjoys a good soak in the sun! 

And of course there were fireworks, which I’m not 100% sure that Andi really liked, although she talked a lot about them the next day.  She kept saying they were too loud, which they were but she was also really tired by that time.  She really enjoyed the sparklers a bit earlier though.  Fire in the hand of my kiddo – not my favorite part of the day…

Weekend is over.  We were back to work today.  We are content and happy.  Bet they don’t have a class to teach that!  Happy Summer!!

Just in case you were wondering, I haven’t given up on my green efforts.  In fact they are stronger than ever and I’m continuing to learn everyday how to live more and more conscientious and kind to Mama-Earth!  With that said, I know I slacked on my green tips and honestly I don’t have an explanation but I do have a new thought to share…hopefully not the only one of the year. 

RECYCLE (duh!) MORE (oh!)…

We have been recycling since we moved into Blue House but it occurred not too long after our recycling bin was delivered that we needed an extra.  I quickly caught on to reading labels and looking for all things to be recycled.  In honesty, our trash can is never full but our 2 recycling bins are typically brimming over.  Despite having to run down the occasional paper that has blown into the yard, I am always pleasantly pleased to see full recycling bins!  When you take the time and really consider what you are getting ready to throw into the trash can, I think you will be surprised at all of the little things that add up.  I know I was.  So I challenge you to not just recycle, but to recycle more.  Or better yet, reuse…but I guess that’s a completely different thought and don’t want to out-do myself today! 

Peace, Love, Green-ish! ~

A-Bear is fantastic.  I know I talk about my kid a lot but there’s just so much to talk about.  I have been more and more aware of how within the past few weeks her imagination and play have seemed to amaze me.  She sits and reads herself stories from books now.  She goes along with the pictures but makes up fabulous stories about good boys and girls and princesses and ballerinas.  She talks about the mommies and daddies of all the animals and all of them end happily.  Despite whatever I’m doing or however far behind I’m running, I find myself standing in the background listening and smiling and laughing to myself at my most clever and amazing child. 

Since we will be out-of-town tomorrow, we went ahead and did Father’s Day today.  About a week ago I picked out two books for Justin; one for him and one for him and Andi to read together.  I absent-mindedly told Andi what they were when she recognized a Target bag and asked what surprise was inside.  As soon as we pulled up in the driveway and Justin opens the car door to get her out, she yells, “Daddy, we got you a surprise.  A book in the bag!”  Very happy with herself.  Today we buy Justin an ice cream cake.  As soon as we get inside she says, “Daddy, it’s your birthday and we have cake!”  Ok, lesson learned that my kid is not a good secret holder.  To make up for it though, her cuteness reigns as we are sitting at the table eating cake and she looks at Justin and says, “Happy Birthday Daddy!”   

My next favorite habit of my near-perfect small one is this conversation that takes place almost every afternoon when I pick her up from school. 

“Mama, I have to go to Publix.” 

“No Andi, we don’t need anything from Publix.”

“Yes we do.  You need bread and I need a cookie.” 

Andi is a big fan of Publix.  She gets a “sparkly” cookie (sugar cookie) and a balloon every time we go as if it was just a natural part of any grocery shopping event. 

“Andi, you’re my best girl.”

“Mama, I’m your only girl.” 

Being a mother is magical. 

Updates…

I made REALLY, REALLY good whole wheat chocolate chip cookies one Sunday afternoon.  The trick was that I ground up oatmeal and added it to the flour.  So yummy.  On my to-do list for this weekend.  But so are muffins and zucchini bread so we’ll just have to see what happens. 

We went to Swansboro for Memorial Day Weekend.  Spent some time with the fam, some time out on the boat, ate some good food.  Overall – “a good time was had by all” which is a quote from my middle school principal.  So random, I know. 

Cousin Fun!

Fearless on the water!

Andi spent a week with my dad; AKA “Grandpa and Granma Cinny.”  She had a great time, they kept her busy every day and she had tons of stories to tell when she got home.  For example, she had new rhymes to say – “Gorgey Porgey” ranked on top, she swam in the creek where Granma Cinny ”threw me in the water and that wasn’t very nice, was it Mom?”  Oh that makes me laugh!  She went to Chucky Cheese which we just so happen not to have any where in the Lexington/Columbia area – which makes me wonder what great parenting technique I’m going to rely on when I can no longer lie to my kid? 

We have a lot going on and a lot coming up…here are some of the highlights that we are looking forward to…

Our first family picture next weekend!  Should we wear matching colors? 

Josh and Jess’ wedding in Wilmington! 

The Eubanks heading east! 

Possible trip south! 

And one more thing…summer is roaring in!  How can you tell, you might be asking!?  Aside from the sweltering, humid heat of the south, this is one clue!

The Best of Summer!

I tried out 2 new recipes today…

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Cookies and Fruit and Nut Bars…both were really easy and I don’t credit myself with either of the recipes but I can’t remember which blog I got which recipe from so I’ll have to do the credit thing later on in the week. 

The cookies were pretty good.  Tasty and chewy.  Chocolate and PB!  Next time I would probably flatten them and bake them until crisp because they are kind of dense but still really good.  The bars also needed to be cooked longer because right now they are really soft and chewy which makes them less bar-like than ideal.  Not an “eat and run” type bar.  But I’m excited that I got two new recipes out of the way and am putting all my new foods to work!  I have banned myself from 14 Carrot for this week…2 shopping trips and too much money last week! See, balance again! 

Oh and completely different topic but a def one to share is something called Sweet Tea Wine!  Thank you KG for introducing me to this sweet concoction of nectar; paired with some lemon and mint and oh, yes I’m talking sweet to the empty wine bottle on it’s way out the door and into the recycling bin.  Also slightly off balance…