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!