Dirty Update

For those that care: Diamonds is no longer Dirty's. As I drove by today on my way to work, a new sign caught my eye... Ol' Skool. It's still a bar, and it's probably still dirty, so I guess we should consider ourselves lucky (or something).

Ready, Set, Goal!

I thought it was important that I set a few goals for myself as far as running is concerned. Just a couple of days ago, I informed BigCat that I would be running a 5k as soon as I could do my 'mile to the 3rd' loop in 30 minutes (I'm at about 42 minutes right now, that's a big jump!). Turns out after clocking my route, it's actually closer to 3.5 miles, this must be close to a 5k?? I guess I need to do a bit more research. I'm hoping to have this accomplished sometime next spring, or maybe run the Anoka race with my favorite brother.

On that note, I ran a mile straight at the gym yesterday. I always thought if I worked this hard, the weight would just fall off. Not quite the case, but I'm hoping it's happening even if in slow motion. However, just accomplishing running a mile (which I don't believe I've ever done... even in elementary school I'd walk some of it) feels pretty darn good.

On a Mission

When life starts to feel a little crazy, as it always does this time of year, I find myself needing to do something to ground myself. This weekend was our last one at home for the summer, giving me the opportunity to do many things (i.e. walking, car washing, dog bathing, bird bathing, bird playing, elliptical, grocery run, visiting, bird tending, breakfast out...). One of which was cleaning out my closet. Not only did I organize it a bit, I also tried on all of my many jeans and rejuvenated the selection. I don't understand how one person can have so many pair of jeans, and not one favorite. I'm on a mission! Anyone out there have a fave? I loved Silver for quite sometime, but with a new body shape comes a new jean shape. There's nothing like a great pair of jeans.

Now that I have an organized closet, I feel a bit more stable in real life. It's funny how that works. I can hardly wait for the many upcoming events... especially SIL's wedding weekend. So excited!!

Sun~n~Sand

The Bird and I went to the beach today with our friends Heather and Hunter. We had such a great time! We went for a little stroll, ate lunch, played and swam. As soon as we got in the water, The Bird had company... little Allie was 4, or 3, but she thought 4, and took a liking to him right away. She tooled around with The Bird in tow and they both had a great time. Turns out she really likes babies, and thought he was so cute, and The Bird really likes little girls, so it worked out well for everyone involved. So cute. Already the older women are after him!

It was a perfect day: beautiful weather, good company and lots of smiles. He fell fast asleep on the way home and is peacefully napping now. I love it all.

I so wish I could upload the pictures...

3 Years...

ago today, we moved into our shanty in Z-town. Still, no grass. Hopefully by year 4...

Thoughts of a Walk

On this beautiful Sunday morning, I was pleasantly surprised to have a plethora of good company with me in a subtle manner on my 'Mile to the 3rd' walk.

I traveled a different path than usual, giving me much to enjoy. Passing the sheep I was hoping to find the farmer out so I could introduce myself and get a dialogue going. No luck there. I glanced at the farm and all its equipment and am reminded of Grandpa T, who's business after retiring as a farmer was fixing other's tractors. Now J-Bird's grandpa, AKA DIL, is always fixin' up a tractor of his own too.

The next road is a forested, hilly one with very few houses. I always manage to freak myself out when it's so quiet and without masses. However, within a minute of thinking like this, two dragonflies appeared. Distinct, beautiful, almost mystical, dragonflies. It was Amy and Grandma, there to let me know it was safe and to enjoy the beauty without fear. So I did.

This in turn prompted me to remove my headphones and appreciate nature, listening intently to the many sounds. My mom once wrote to me to always love and take pleasure in nature, I didn't completely understand it at the time, but I do now.

Originally I was going to turn around and follow my path back home. As I trotted towards the stop sign, I decided I would travel a large "block" with our house pretty near the center. I contemplated what this walk might be called considering it's much larger than a block, maybe 3 miles or so... hence the title "Mile to the 3rd".

An excited dog here, a speeding car there, a few things brought me back to civilization every now and then.

The last road is my often traveled trek. Hiking up the hill, a sudden mass of black birds came up out of the field, leaving me en route to the wire they were fast perching. So much squawking!! A mass that large had me a bit worried and thinking about Auntie J who has always had a thing after The Birds. I have not seen the movie but that got my imagination going in a hurry!

This is one of my very favorite ways to start a day. Now on with it!

Nothingness

Is it possible to think about nothing?? Last night as I lay in bed, trying to fall fast asleep after getting home late (helped SIL with some wedding favors... good fun!), I tried to force myself to think of n.o.t.h.i.n.g. Of course that is when I started to ponder whether this was even a possibility. Once I decided that this didn't seem even remotely achievable (although BigCat has claimed on many occassions that he's thinking about "nothing"), I tried to focus on the here and now... laying in bed, listening to the AC, snuggled with a snoring hubby and pup, why would I want to be anywhere else? However, my mind always travels elsewhere... make a pedi appointment, directions to that restaurant, order this, do that, what a great idea! I found myself with eyes wide open under my trusty sleep mask, without hardly noticing because it was still so dark. I almost got up to blog, relieve myself of the many thoughts, when I realized staring at a bright screen probably wouldn't help the sleep overcome the ideas. This morning, I remember so little of what seemed endlessly important last night after midnight. I finally drifted (after a good hour or so), but not before thinking about what I might have for lunch today.

Bloggin' and The Bird

For a variety of reasons, I've decided to change the name of my blog. However, I was looking for some help. I'm not always the best with descriptive words, especially when it comes to myself, but have a few ideas:

1) Mama's Boys and Me - A recent development in our household is that Peanut has become a mama's boy. I love it! I know at times BigCat feels a little bad because even he doesn't cut it, however, BigCat himself is a MB and he knows it. So, they're my mama's boys!

2) The Bird's Nest - Update: From here forward, 'Peanut' is 'The Bird'. BigCat is quite the nicknamer, and one of the most used is 'J-Bird'. Where that comes from, I haven't a clue. In conversation, we often refer to him as The Bird. It's stuck. And, well, this his world now, and BigCat and I are livin' in it! Note: BigCat came up with this blog name.

3) Spoken Soft and Strong: Spoken Soft but Strong?? I'm not sure where I'm going with this one. I like all the S's (ahem, my first and maiden name got me hooked), maybe it describes me, it has a ring to it???

I don't know. I want it to be a good one, something that will work for a while, not a whole lot of identifying info, etc. Any thoughts out there?

Novel Grieving

It's always a difficult time, finishing a book and moving on with life. The characters have become my friends, or enemies depending on the story, and I miss them. I recently finished The Time Traveler's Wife... so very good! I will miss Clare and Henry. There is some reassurance in knowing that Henry is out there in time somewhere.

Now onto a book in which I should get to know myself more, instead of fictional characters... A New Earth. I started last night and used my highlighter/post-it pen within the first couple pages. I'm gonna dig deep with this one!

Testing

Oh no!

Just yesterday I found out that if everything goes as planned, someday we will have a road running right through our backyard. This seems like bad news on its own, however, I think it gets worse. That will mean that we have 4, count them 4, roads around our house. Our own little morsel of property in the middle of pavement. It also appears as though they'd take out the only mature trees we have, the line in the back. Take a look: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/6-N4if . Not good. What to do.

Round 3

I know, it's a bit of an overload. However, when I actually get the opportunity to post, I have to go all out! These pics are just from Tuesday, as recent as it gets folks!

Round 2

Headbutting girls is not the way to win points!
First boating experience, all bundled
Peanut and his best friend, Hunter, on the boat
Look mom, no hands!
This is the only way we drink from our sippy cup these days

Nekkid babe

Circle Me, Bert

Finally, a glimpse of my sign

Round 1

1st time on a big ol' slide!

1st lake experience, he sure liked it!

So many fun cousins (2nd) to play with!

If I had more hours today...

I would:

clean house
finish book
wash car
fertilize baby shrubs and trees
organize
go for lake walk
balance checkbook
transplant flowers

But, I don't! I'm okay with knowing that everything will wait patiently for my next spare moment. Pea is fast asleep, and how am I spending my time?? Bloggin'!! It's kind of sad how addicted I am to the Internet. Speaking of which, I do plan to get a new computer in the near future, maybe August, and start a mad career of picture sharing! And as a little cliff-hanger... I'll be posting some pics later today (hopefully) since a disc is waiting for me at Target. For now, off to do some of the things that are in the time allotment, like laundry. It's all better than a day at the office.

Friendship Obit

We had been friends for so long, from the day we were born. Not just us, but our families too, until you went and did us wrong. After 7 years, you are refusing to leave the outskirts of my life. Why do you continue to include my parents in things (i.e. your second wedding when it was your decisions at the first that started the dilapidation)? Why do you continue to send holiday cards? I just don't get it. We are estranged, because of you.

I need to close this chapter of my life. I am not willing to spend any more of my time on you... no dreams, thoughts, anger, sadness. Nothing. Please, just go.

Vacation Nation

An ' I loved' list about LE vacation 2008:

Family
Good Friends
Sunshine
Naps
Hold 'Em (even if I am purely a donor)
Wake boarding
Reading (only 1/4 of one book)
Floating
Peanut's QT with Gma, Gpa and Uncle K
Lots of cute kiddies
Drinks
Fishing
Uh-oh
Cheek squeezing
Laughing
Light chatting
Deep convos
Jimisms (gotta love Jimbo)
Bean bag tourney (even if it meant taking out my entire family)
Waving bye-bye
No make-up
Good eating
New LE gang members
Nothingness
Lightening bugs
Hats
Saturday night social hour
Michael Jordan ring
Babysitters (especially that Jo Jo)
Fish fry
Cold beer

I am attempting to continue my summer love... I brought my chair, towel, hat and book to the deck today and soaked up about 10 minutes of rays. I'm hoping to make the transition back to real life as easy as possible.