I'm Excited that You're Excited

Remember long ago when I wrote of my estranged friend?? I honestly don't recall how far I ever made it with that story... but, for now we're picking up in the present. Tonight I went to a party at her house, but only after much debate. I was slightly anxious as I would be reunited with some members of her family. Some that I haven't seen in almost a decade but knew well growing up. Like family. I'm glad I went. The atmosphere was right for this type of meeting and it was really good to see them. Lots of hugs all around.

When I came home - which was about an hour later than anticipated being I had planned a quick escape prior to going - BigCat was fast asleep. He did, however, rise to the occasion (what? my coming home isn't an occasion?) long enough to hear my excitement... about cleaning products. See, it wasn't just a party, it was a Norwex "party". I could hardly contain myself when I was given a sample of this environmentally friendly, good for your health laundry detergent and two "rags" to try on my way out. For the first time in... well, let me see... forever, I was incredibly eager to clean. So much so that I tried one rag on the windshield of my car before leaving the party and a different on a few spots on the carpet walking into my house. Awesome.

I just don't get why BigCat wasn't excited about the rags too! But, I was really glad that he sleepily claimed to be excited about my excitement. :-)

Vacay and Away

Vacay has come and gone, faster than any year prior. The weather didn't necessarily cooperate, leaving much beach time to be desired. Not going to lie, I felt a little robbed on my way home, going against the Fourth of July vacationers who were just beginning their holiday weekend filled with glorious weather.

Not to be mistaken, the week was still filled with goodness, just not a lot of the sun-lovin' kind. Most importantly, it was full of QT with family, and friends as good as family. Bubba went tubing for the first time...start 'em young... that's how we roll (I was on skis with Papa Jimbo at 3)! Not that you can tell from the pics, but Bubba enjoyed the experience; he was very serious about it, soaking it all in *wink*, and wanting more. Hopefully next year will give us more days to test the water.

Lots of fun was to be had before vacay, too. A few pics to get all caught up!

Long Lowdown

Where has the time gone? The good news is that the faster it goes now, the sooner vacation gets here. As you can see (since it's in blaring white!) I have added a countdown to my most coveted time of year. Lake Edward vacation. It's what gets me through so much of the rest of the year, and thankfully, as life gets busier and more stressful it seems the R&R of that week comes around again that much faster.

Oh, where to begin... With the little guy. He's cutting his eye teeth, but has been a complete champ. He's starting to talk quite a bit more, although still on his terms. He LOVES being outside and makes a loud fuss every.single.time.we.go.in. Whether we're leaving daycare or coming in from a bike ride, he's mad. Real mad. I like to refer to Bubba as 'strong-willed'.

BigCat is getting all geared-up for Mother's Day, uh, I mean, opening fishing this weekend. It looks like the weather will be nice, and better yet, dry. I consider the latter to be quite important although some may say that's when the fish bite.

School continues to go very well (not gonna brag, but I got an 'A' in my first class). Of course there are days when I'm stressed, but overall I am enjoying the challenge and the learning. So, I figure I must make some time to kickback and relax!Like a Twins game filled with Dome dogs and jumbo pretzels (last Saturday), a wedding and the play Legally Blonde (this coming weekend). Thankfully, both my hubby and family help to make these outings possible. Thank you!! :-)

In our down-time (ha ha), we're just watching our sod turn green, looking forward to having a real yard for the first time in 4 years! It's a very exciting time.

Better Than Flowers

That's what I told BigCat tonight. After getting home from a dinner date with two very old friends (including the once-estranged gal), I was pleasantly surprised by the smell of Lysol and Windex in our bathroom. It.was.clean. Right now, in my life of busy, this just might be better than flowers. Thank you, BigCat, thank you.

Bubba Firsts

About a week and a half ago, around 9:30 pm, I was just starting homework when we heard Bubba cry. Normally I wouldn't even blink an eye at a squawk during the night, but immediately I knew something was wrong. To make a long story short - we experienced Bubba's first, and hopefully only, 'night terror'. We have found this explanation to be similar to what happened in those 8 or so minutes (plus a few panicked phone calls to Bubba's grandparents and doctor). Neither BigCat nor I had experienced a scare like this before. We're thankful it wasn't something more serious.

And in the life of a 19-month-old boy, there are many 'firsts' happening all of the time:
He left our friends' with this forehead gouge after a brief encounter with their fireplace bricks. It was my first freak-out due to a Bubba injury (we've been fortunate... or maybe this is just the beginning??!). The two ladies I was with are both experienced with boys of their own; their counsel was priceless. I know it doesn't look too bad here, but I think he looks pretty bad!


And his first official hair cut (I cut his duck tail months ago). Thanks Grandma R. And thanks to this yummy sucker! Overall it went well. He's more little boy and less baby all of the time.


Lastly, an update on Bubba's parents. BigCat is back to about 85% after the double-ear-infection. I had a relatively pointless appointment with my specialist this week. We concluded I am half-way better and that we'll be "half is glass full" kind of people. He and I will visit again in a couple of months, unless there are changes in my status between now and then.

Although school is keeping me up way too late on weeknights, soaking up every spare minute I have and causing a decent amount of stress, I am enjoying it. I am happy with the forum and am satisfied with every experience thus far. In fact, after week one I have a solid 'A' and great feedback from my instructor. It feels good! :-)

Dear Blog,

Please don't feel as though I am avoiding you... see I've been busy. Ironically enough, busy tends to make for more stories to tell, but it also means much less time to share them.

School officially started yesterday, however, I began on Sunday (one bonus of many with the flexibility of online education). For years I had been weary of taking online classes, claimed I wouldn't do it. However, with my life as it is - which is wonderful- it wouldn't be happening if I had to be away from home more than now, especially when driving a great distance. So far, so good. I'm enjoying the new challenge (an attitude that will certainly wane with time) and am very happy with the service, environment and ideas of my new school.

Health update: Virus-wise, Bubba and I are doing quite well. BigCat, however, went in yesterday with an ear infection. *phone rings, five minutes later...* BigCat now has a raging infection in.his.other.ear. Double.the.fun. SOD-wise, after a week or so long scare that my procedure may have done more harm than good, I am finally starting to feel better. Keep the prayers comin' though, it continues to be a daily nuisance, somehow, someway.

I will do my best to write again soon. Hope all is well until then.

Lovingly,
Sarah

Sarammary

Pronunciation: \ˈsā-rə-mə-rē\
1: covering the main points of Sarah's life expeditiously
2: coincidentally misinterpreted as Sarah Marie

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I've been at a loss for blogs lately, but not due to a mundane life on the couch. In the midst of my chaotic week, I attempted to write a couple of times, only to be left with scattered, disconnected sentences and an overwhelmed feeling from facing the many stories I wanted to share. Now, it's been long enough that I could never go into great detail about everything without boring any reader to sleep. Instead, I present a small slide show summary to recap. It's really the only reasonable way to get caught up, and it's important that I do so with the upcoming happenings.



Not pictured: A working BigCat (as of a week ago), Aegis Girls outing (always goes too fast), The Big T-Oh T-Party (our friend T, turned 30... get it? {birds chirping}), Superbowl sleep (I just didn't care), success with stress at work (being a little anxious prior seems to help with the task at hand).

No Compliment Intended

As long as I've known BigCat, he has been anti-computer. Didn't want anything to do with the "Internet machine". However, since the laptop joined our household a few months back, BigCat has found a new hobby... Now I can hardly get the thing away from him, and when I do, I feel pressure to get it back into his anxious hands.

Since his realization that computers are indeed good devices, the television rarely gets his full attention. Pre-computer, if the TV was on, I would have to beg, yell, wave, all to get his attention. And I don't mean his full attention, but just enough for him to comprehend I was talking.

Last night, I explained my astonishment to him... How he can tune into the tele like nothing, or anyone, else existed, and that even now with a favorite playing device on his lap he was still able to "watch" a show. He looked at me, smiled, nodded, and said thank you.

Mr. Mom

At first thought, and overall, a job loss in any family is a difficult time. Thus far, my conclusion is that the financing will be the hardest part. However, in our household, there are many pros that come with it as well:

- A clean and picked-up house, everyday
- Bonding for BigCat and the Bird, Momless
- Home cooked meals ready and waiting following my work days
- Tuesday night parties
- 3 days a week are ours, they do not belong to the employer
- Not writing a weekly check for someone else to care for the Bird
- I am only responsible for getting myself ready and to work on time in the a.m.
- BigCat realizing how much work running a household is, even without being paired with "work"
- More family QT, thanks to everything BigCat gets done during the day
And, last but not least:
-We are growing stronger as a family unit - it's either that or falling apart... and, well, the latter is not acceptable for us.

However, do not be mistaken, I hope that he's back to work sooner than later. But, as long as this is where we are in life, I am going to enjoy the positive effects of Mr. Mom.

Thanksgiving:

A day to give thanks or a day to be reminded of what to be thankful for?

For me, today, both. Not that I've ever forgotten the latter, but there are times it is shoved to the rear of my thoughts in lieu of self pity.

Last week we went from empathizing with the nation to sympathizing with it. Really, those two words confuse me, so suffice to say we are unexpectedly feeling the wrath of today's economy (so if you need a great carpenter...). On top of that, BigCat has a "raving ear infection" - yes, he even went to the clinic. Sans the delicious take-home meal from his loving auntie this Thanksgiving, BigCat would have completely missed out on all of the greatness of the day.


However, the Bird and I were fortunate enough to enjoy the best part of today... in the company of family. Going into the day, I sadly felt unsure of my thanks. I know deep down how absolutely blessed I am, but I sometimes still allow myself a funk. This year, Thanksgiving came at an impeccable time in my life... when a reminder of the safety, love, support and realness of family goes a long way. It clears the fog in my head, helps me to see life a little more clearly.

Thank you... to all of my family and friends. In all honesty, without you, I would be nothing!

Indisposed

There's decent reason I've been absent from blogland... all in our abode are sick. Who wants to read about a bunch of sickly?? Well, quit reading now if you don't because it's all I have.

The Bird ran a temp, of 102, as his nose became an ever-running fountain. Although he's a bit chirpier now, he's far from full flight. BigCat rarely admits he's ailing but this time around he's engulfed in meds... and a blanket. And me, well, same ol' story. Again, no diagnosis but some confidence from a specialist that we'd find the answer (soon, please!!!). Onward with tests. Fun, fun tests.

So, that's kind of where I've been... just hanging with docs and taking care of sick ones. Lots of QT for our little family, both last and this coming weekend. That should be good for us all.

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?

28

For a very brief moment in time (2 days to be exact) BigCat, Kalli and myself are all 28. The lil' pup turned 4 yesterday and BigCat hits 29 tomorrow.

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