Christmas Time Birthdays

I just read another bloggers take on Holiday bdays and I agree completely. Her blog is very similar to how I deal with My middle daughters Birthday of December 26th. Oh yes, the day after Christmas! I attached a link to her site below.

We celebrate her birthday, pink and pretty every year but it tough and were typically exhausted for the party. This year we decided to have a special party in late January with a bunch of girls from school for her 4th Bday. Regardless, its her Birthday on the 26th so we have a plan and a cake! Were making a barbie cake from scratch and well celebrate with our family like nothing else matters.

Even crazier is that the home we purchased about a year ago was owned by a woman and two men. The woman passed away just two weeks prior to our close date of this house. Luckily the other two owners had suvivorship deed and we were able to transfer title. Her birthday, December 26th. Some say wierd I say it was meant to be.

One thing I have learned about Birthdays this time of year is you need to plan in July for gifts, never use Christmas paper, and never serve leftovers!

http://www.ehow.com/how_4684287_celebrate-holiday-birthday.html

http://www.lifeasmom.com/2009/12/birthdays-at-christmas-time.html

Who is on your team

I am OBSESEED with the show the Biggest Loser. It is not only about losing weight, it is about becoming your best person possible, pushing yourself beyond personal limitations, and creating life change. Dont get me wrong...my favorite thing to do during that show is eat but I still LOVE it and look forward to my next workout or creating my next goal.

Almost everyone has an excuse as to why they cant eat right, exercise, spend quality time with love ones, go to church, the list goes on and on and on. The point of that show is encourage people to create personal goals, stick to plan, and reflect along the way. Reflection is mandatory to be sure you are on track and your skeletons dont interefere along the way.

I have worked at this from age 10, really merely as part of a team effort, and it has meshed into all parts of my current life. I inherited an incredible passion for fitness and desire to succeed. Success in any area takes determination, determination, deterimation. And of course someone that believes or pushed you to that success.

I enjoy exercise for my mind, the motivation I have for the day, and the inspiration to be a better person. I grew up training on a chamipionship team. My coaches believed in us, we believe in us and as a result we won and were the best. It is more difficult to stay active an adult because we dont have these team systems in place that keep us focused and motivated.

Recently I have friends going through tough times and they are finding their own form of teams, teams of nutrition group, new jobs, new passions. I can tell you that I was the happiest when I belonged to a group or team. Through career my teams were always the best and that comrodary is what kept me going.

I find it important my kids participate in team oriented activities for exactly that reason. When they succeed and someone believes in their abilities they have the capability to go beyond human limitations. These experiennces bleed into their drive and future goals.

Being part of a team translates into all parts of our lives other than fitness.

Go join a team...create goals for 2010. Ugh...thats easier said than done.

A painted lady in a charming community

A man in a headband? According to Sydney...

Some things my kids say, or any kids really, just crack me up. I wish I had the time to write them as they arrive daily.

This topic continues to be a source of entertainment in our house from Sydney, our middle daughter. Sydney is extremely mild mannered, other than the typical 3 year old day to day issues that can arise on occasion. For her, those typical occasions seem to come farther than for our other two girls. Perhaps she is slightly mature for her years, nah probably not, I'm pretty positive its just her nature.

Last week I wrote about that horse show we went to but I forgot to mention a funny conversation we had. I was helping her get into her riding gear, her black boots and black pants, cowgirl hat. She started crying and in her exact words said, "I cant wear this, I look like a man in this outfit". Tears streaming down her face I was trying hard not to laugh and thought yea right Syd, a man with gorgeous eye lashes, fabulous golden curls, pouty lips and a pink shirt. She quickly got over that when I reminded her that most men don't wear bright hair bows. I wanted to say pink shirts but her dad loves his pink dress shirts.

Moving forward to this week somehow this man topic came up again. I keep art books around the house from my studies in college and exhibitions I attend. I wish I had more time to sit down to read and talk about the work with my family. Like most families reading typically consists of homework and so unfortunately the books are never touched and make great coffee table decor.

Just the other day Sydney brings me a book and says, "why is this man wearing a headband"? I start laughing and say, "that's Frida Kahlo and she is s a female artist". She says, "Ok....you know men don't wear headbands right?". I had that mini conversation about how everyone looks different....you know the drill. In her mind it was not how silly this person appeared but rather the point that men really don't wear headbands.

I guess the next time I put on my black pants, boots and coat (which seems to be my winter uniform) perhaps I should reflect and add a splash of color... like a headband. God forbid, Im not getting any younger, and I certainly dont want to look like a man to Sydney poo. To Frida, you dont look like a man at all. The eyebrows probably just threw her off.

Sticks for a day

As Ive mentioned before, I love urban living, its close proximity to the core, and the diversity. Ive never felt connected living in suburbia although I grew up comfortably there until I went away to college. I think its a fabulous place to raise a family. My father in law owns a farm near Georgetown OH which I enjoy visiting. Rural living is far, completely out of the way but and relaxing. My kids really enjoy the 100 acres, horses, cats, dogs, goats, peaceful pastures, and hayrides when we visit. 

So Grandma Mary asked if Sydney would participate in a lead line 6 and under horse show. I drove Sydney to the Brown County fair for the show which was adorable and I was so proud of her. Afterwards we browsed other events including a cow showing contest. Im sorry but this is the first time I have ever heard of such a thing. These poor cows are shown bursting with fat utters full of milk. The milk dripping as they are pulled along with a rope around their neck in a line. I kept having a flashback to my nursing days, especially the first days home from the hospital when the milk comes...you know what I mean. I swear it looked like their eyeballs would pop out of their head if the leader pulled any harder. Ouch.

Getting back to Mary she did such a great job leading Sydney and getting her prepared for the show. She gave up her coolest ribbon so Sydney would have something to remember the day with. They only gave ribbons to the top few and please help me understand what child event doesnt give ribbons to every participant under six? Anyway...Mary you rock.

On the 2 hour ride back I wanted to stop at least one yard sale. Im a sucker for flea markets, and others garbage. This was a true experience. Some of the crap people are trying to sell were so useless and dilapidated. Others at the yard sale had no shirts on smoking and shopping...hmmmm yum. "Summer" teeth...sum are her sum are there...you know what Im talking about. There are yard sales worse than that in urban world I promise but it was a just comical.

So whats my point here on this topic? I have no idea...just wanted to chat about my rural farm fair experience and I was happy to get back to the hood that I reside. Well I dont really live in the hood, in fact, I think its the most beautiful historic neighborhood in Cincinnati. I guess to someone living in a rural area it would be the hood. 

Yea Syddy Girl you cowgirl...for a day!  

The Grass on the Other Side

I'm at the time in my life where many of my friends have families with young or grown children. Many are experiencing the turmoil of separation and divorce. There are often circumstances that create the necessity for this change, like it or not. Mutually agreed upon or individually created. 

My divorced "cougar" gang is embarking on a new journey. These are the one I admired for their relationships and family life. I'm not saying I don't admire them now, I'm just saying from the outside they looked perfect before the divorce. Those couples and families that I often compared my marriage with during arguments with hubby.

Don't get me wrong, I respect and support my friends decisions and will be there till the end. Quite frankly its none of my business so I merely listen, and encourage. I don't point fingers or judge. I'm here when they need me and just request to come along from time to time to play.

When a relationship ends, whether divorce or even a youthful breakup, its time to make change. Change of career, hair, goals, shoes, whatever! However, before you break up I would advise you to go out to a bar on a Friday night and take a look around. This is what scares me the most, its getting older and starting over. Obviously a bad bar is not the best place to pick up a new friend but you never know. And if its a bar you must try some new ones from time to time.

Cheers to those of you that were slapped with the reality without a choice. You fighters and I'm right there with you to move on. For the rest of you thinking about separation...go to church and ask for some spiritual guidance, call your parents or your older kids, and run like a maniac to clear your head. The grass is not any better on the other side. In fact, it looks better from a distance but its a no different up close. I pray I dont have to find out. 

Ok, its happy hour. Dont forget to take a cab when you go to the bars to play!

Go with the Flow...or not?

Today I decided to see if my youngest could just "go with the flow" on her nap schedule. The conclusion is that it was not a good idea. This "go with the flow" kind of day turned into an display of craziness and tantrums.  My typical 4 hour a day napper got about one hour when I finally put her in bed at 3pm. All because I wanted her to go along to her sisters dance class and save some money on a babysitter. The conclusion, which I believe most parents would agree, sleep begets sleep. 

So now I wonder why we are not all aloud a daily nap. This world would function better if we all had a late day nap. Rather than us throwing ourselves to the late afternoon vending machine we could go get our nap. Better for the figure, the wallet, the mind, blah, blah, blah. I used to think I could go without enough sleep but I swear its impossible. People need more sleep in this society.

Im tired just thinking about it. The bottom line is that today sucked and I wont be doing that again! Night night. 

The Bus

Ive always been a huge fan of public transportation. Saving money on gas, the environment, the list goes on. 

However, until this week, I had never considered putting my daughter on a school bus. Perhaps it was because I lived 1 mile from preschool and our schedules were manageable. 

Today was different, Skylar would ride the bus home from school. I sent her to school with a "first student bus" postcard and told her to double check the number for her afternoon bus. Did I mention she just turned 7 in September? She said, "great...see you later...bye bye". 

I was nervous she would forget that she was taking the bus or maybe they would forget she was on the bus. I know it sounds silly but there is a first for everything. 

The bus pulled up to my front door at the exact time I would have pulled in my driveway tugging along 3 screaming kids in need of an afternoon snack. Skylar jumped out and we met her with a smile! Wow....why did we wait so long. 

Three cheers to the bus driver! And thank you for delivering my oldest baby right to my front door. See you tomorrow!

7369 Victoria Falls, Cincinnati, OH | What a deal

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Pictures coming soon....this is a deal! 

I know I love urban living but this is prime and easy suburban living! 2 minutes from Kings Island...a second from Sharon Garden Nursery (you know from my latest posts how I feel about that...great!), right off I-71. Brand New, lived in for a few months....this townhome cannot be built with these finishes for this price (208,000)! 

Weeds

I admit...I have an obsession with killing weeds. I spray, round up, stomp, tear, blah....We had enough a month ago to start a thistle farm. I believe I am getting somewhere but they still pop up here and there. I find myself googling weed types, slowly driving by weedy lawns, checking out roadside overgrowth... just to be sure I know what Im controlling. They drive me nuts and I am trying to win.

Check out my attached photos.....my daughter Shay is shown in a few of them. Some might say the hair resembles a weed? In fact, I believe a dandelion! I say that my obsession is also love. Oh that little Shay, she is into everything, I can keep her out, she is determined beyond belief. I try to control, to organize, and Ive learned to let her move freely on her path. This is how she and I both find happiness in our day.  

So...neighbors, friends...Im sorry to say....next year we will have a full grown thistle farm and I will be proud of it. Unless of course you know a reasonable landscaper that will work with us. Im a great manager but I lack the time to create the scape outdoors. By the way...my sweet dandelion is screaming as I write. bye bye!

smores

The Herr recipe for smores is three types of chocolate (cookies and cream, dark chocolate, and almond Hershey), layered with a large marshmallow, surrounded by honey graham. No need to pile each on top of one another.....lay horizontally across the graham cracker. Roasted fire pit smores are great but when you don't have time to roast outdoors the microwave is pretty darn close. When roasting with open fire and kiddies around please note that their needs to be a head smore roaster and supervision at all times. Enjoy!