As I conclude this week's study on posts of yore, I thought I'd share some of the drafts that didn't make the cut as re-posts of their own. They didn't make the cute because well, they were titles and nothing else. Apparently I thought that the title along would be able to inspire me no matter when I got back to it.
How'd that work out for me, you ask?
Not so well.
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Minimal Maintenance - That could literally be about anything. I vaguely remember that the idea was actually really good, but since I wrote myself no notes as to what that idea was....we'll never know if it was good or not.
Did you? - Did I what? I have no idea. Maybe did you vote??? Possibilities are endless.
Google-ite! - Now this one I do remember what I was going to write about but I have since incorporated it into an upcoming, to-be-published, scheduled post (that may or may not ever get posted, beacause, hello! have you been reading the posts this week?).
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There were more but I've already deleted them and we are well aware of my memory performance, so let's just leave it at three for today. Mkay!?
BTW...tomorrow's my birthday just in case you were wondering!
Original post date was to have been two years ago today. Hmm... What I'm NOT doing today, two years later...
Being pregnant
Having pity party about baby showers
Whining about my upcoming birthday
Getting a pedicure
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Today and tomorrow are supposed to be a day of doing household projects in preparation for this little karate kid in my belly. I told The Music Man yesterday that I'm loosing that nesting feeling and delayed 2nd trimester energy fast. I am becoming more and more uncomfortable and my feet are beginning to swell just a bit. There is still so much to do, and I'm afraid that my motivation has peaked and is now waning. I've moved from nesting to desperately wanting to finally hold this baby in my arms, not my belly.
So, this is what's on the agenda for the weekend:
Rearrange the kids' bedroom to make room for baby.
Clean out the bathroom closet and cupboards to make room for all the stuff currently residing on the changing table.
Dig out remaining baby gear from the shed and figure out what is still usable and what needs to be replaced.
Make a master list of everything else that needs to be bought before we are ready for baby.
Name this baby.
It might not sound like much to you, but it is so overwhelming to me, especially given the fact that The Music Man is in the basement on the phone with the IRS and has been for the past hour with no sign of hanging up anytime soon. In addition I've been watching A Baby Story and it's making me sad. I'm so ready to be the one delivering and bring my baby home.
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(WARNING: What follows can only be described as a full blown pity party. I'm sorry to do this to you, but this is my blog and my journal of sorts. Besides I'm very pregnant and emotional so I need your pity and support. Ok, here goes...)
On another semi-related note, I'm a little bummed out. Call me crazy, but why are there no baby showers given for second babies? It just seems like no one feels the need to celebrate this second baby's upcoming arrival or the fact that I am miraculously pregnant after two miscarriages. This may sound selfish, but I just don't get it. This time around I am far from any family, which is making this harder yet.
Don't get me wrong, my friends here are excited about this baby, but it's just not the same as having my family close. There are so many times when I have wanted to work on something for the baby with my mom or sisters, but can't because they're hundreds of miles away. I miss them and the excitement they have over this little addition to our big family.
And, oh my goodness, so many of my girlfriends here read this blog and I don't want anyone to think I'm fishing for a baby shower. That's not why I'm writing this. Maybe it's just because it's rainy outside today which is making me a little down and out.
And, I need a pedicure.
AND I'm turning 30 on Thursday and it will most likely be a day like every other, butit's a huge deal for me!
Why, oh why, is my family scattered all over so far away from me. I need them here!!!
Originally scheduled for posting on September 28, 2008...
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I love my DVR. There is no greater invention than the DVR.* I have decided that there is no reason why I shouldn't live out the remainder of my days watching recorded television. It has given my family freedom like we have not know a part from life with Jesus! No longer are ruled by tv. Your favorite shows on at 8, but your meeting goes till 815? No worries! It'll be on The List. The kids won't go to bed and it's causing you to miss The Office season premiere? Fuhgettaboutit! It's on The List! You want to see the re-runs of The Real Housewives of the OC, but The Rachel Zoe Project is on at the same time? The List will have them both! What entertaining bliss this little device offers!
I don't watch live television any more, unless it's the morning news. I can't do it, I tell you. The commercials are enough to send anyone to the looney bin. They're so obnoxious! And don't even get me started on shows like The Biggest Loser! I love it, but I hate, HATE, THE GAME. If you watch this show, you know just what I mean. So a two-hour show of nothing but DRAMA, only takes about 35 minutes of my time. I just fast forward through all the commercials and pointless interviews about who said what about so-and-so. Beautiful.
I thought that perhaps I would take post about the different shows I watch from time to time. The other night my post was written while I was watching Project Runway from the week before. (That post is the one below this piece of golden blogging.)
Today, we're going to discuss my new love, The Rachel Zoe Project. Ahhh...cheesy reality shows about quasi-famous people and their drama-filled, ratings-choreographed daily lives. Waste of valuable time or useful tool for greater appreciation of my own beautiful life void of drama?
Anyway, back to Rachel Zoe (Zoh, not Zo-ey).... Isn't she pretty? She's fashion. She's blonde. She's bi-coastal. She's just plain fun to watch!
For those of you who are thinking, "Huh? Who is Rachel Zoe?" This is what Bravo has to say...
The Rachel Zoe Project is a docu-drama that follows celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe and her trusted inner circle -- husband Rodger and fashion team, Taylor and Brad -- as they endeavor to take Zoe's business to the next level. In the series, the perfectly styled, go-to force among "it" starlets, fashion houses, beauty firms, and magazine editors will give viewers a fly on the wall look at how she juggles constant deadlines, fashion shows, and celebrity clients.
This last week the team was in NYC for fashion week and Brad and Taylor
*Ok, so maybe there are inventions greater than the DVR. The wheel--that was a pretty good one. Sliced bread--that was another smart idea. Oh and that whole electricity thing worked out ok, too.
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As you can see I never got past gushing about Rachel Zoe. Rightfully so! She's worth an entire post! Someday I will do a post about what's on my dvr because I think it would cathartic to let the world know about all my tv watching habits.
You're on pins and needles waiting for that post aren't you!?
So I happened to be looking through some old post-drafts that I started and never finished. This is one from 2007. It's been 3 years in the making and I know once you read it, you will know why it has taken me this long to finish.
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cume-cumbers - cucumbers
frig-er-aver - refrigerator
ever you say so - Whatever you say
pop-pa-scle - popsicle (although she says it correctly now)
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That's it folks...That's all I had in the draft and that's all you get today.
Sometimes three years allows one to realize how much can be said in just a few words.
It's not always necessary to go on and on about a matter. This can speak for itself if left to it.
I learned that it's not always better to give a long description to a post. You get it. You're smart people. That's why we get along.
So I won't go on and tell you that this was going to be a cute and witty post about how my girl (then almost three years old) says different words.
I also won't tell you about how she went on to say eleventeen and no matter what I refused to tell her that it wasn't a real number. Gosh darn it, eleventeen is still my favorite number. It's right up there with cume-cumbers!
I originally started this post on January 11, 2008. I was about 4-5 months pregnant with my boy...
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Thought you might like to know that my son is kicking me like crazy right now.
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I have no idea where I was headed with this post. It looks more like a text message or tweet than a blog post. But who can possibly know the mind of me.
From time to time, the Music Man will send me links to things that he finds on the internet. I've talked about it before. Sometimes it's a really thought provoking article or a funny anecdote on life. Other times it's pictures that make him laugh, like this one that he sent me this morning....
I started this last year...It's fun to read from year to year!
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
HOMESCHOOLED MY FIVE YEAR OLD!!!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
It's really easy to keep your New Year's Resolutions when you don't make any! For next year, I have just one: to water my plants more often, like maybe even regularly so that my plants have a chance to live beyond the brink of death!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My SIL gave birth to my newest nephew, Isaac David. Gorgeous little man, isn't he?!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My husband's granddad, Paw.
5. What countries did you visit?
Again no overseas travel for me this year...but not for the year to come!!!
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A stronger, deeper faith...It's not that I didn't have a strong or deep faith this last year, it's just that I want a strongER faith and I want to go deepER with my Lord than I ever have before.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
My Baby's 1st Birthday...
Summer Vacay/General Council It started in Savannah, GA...
Then we headed to St. Augustine, FL to see the Ralls!
Then finally to Orlando with the Romines for General Council!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
HOMESCHOOLING KINDERGARTEN...may not seem like much "bee-kas" it's Kindergarten but it was a huge deal for our family and for me.
9. What was your biggest failure?
The Great Snuggie Debacle of 2009
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
There was the whole RSV thing back in February when Natalie got so sick she could barely stand up for days. Jackson was sick then too. Oh and did I mention we had flown to WI for the weekend. Yeah, that was nice. She sat on the platform while Scott preached on Sunday morning and didn't move a muscle...the whole time!
But we did have Pastor dedicate Jackson like he did Natalie years earlier. (He married us, too...awwww.)
To see my family enough or even at all. Major regret of 2009.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I really, really liked Julie and Julia, but that may be because I went to see it with a great friend of mine and was without children for 3 whole hours!!!
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31 and had planned to go to the Cherry Blossom Festival with friends, but for the 2nd year in a row, the plans fell through at the last minute. SO instead my friends through an impromptu, but AWESOME birthday party for me. I laughed harder that night than I think I laughed all year. I had a serious case of the giggles. My DebbeyDew... Suzie... Sandy...It was while this picture was taken that I got the giggles that lasted the rest of the night! We played some game that had to do with music and I WAS AWFUL!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
To be 100% debt free.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Casual Chic Mommy minus the whole I-haven't-showered-for-3-days-and-I'm-still-in-my-pajamas-when-I-take-my-girl-to-ballet thing that a lot of stay at home mommies sport.
32. What kept you sane?
My Jesus, I love thee...
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Beth Moore
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The H1N1 induced panic attacks of normal, sane human beings.
35. Who did you miss?
My parents and sister whom I haven't seen in many, many months and my brother and his family whom I haven't seen in YEARS!!!
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Technically I haven't officially met him, but it would definitely have to be Isaac David, my new nephew.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Letting go of tradition is liberating and makes room in your life for God to do new AND BETTER things!
LET GO...I know that's really two words, but it's one concept that sums up my year pretty well.
40. Hope for 2010.
To continue letting go and moving forward into what lies beyond what I see. To respect my husband more than ever and encourage him as he treads new water with the Lord. To continue training up my children to love and fear the Lord. To live a life full of 1st Century Faith.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.
24. What was the best book you read?
Just one???
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Agustana, Amos Lee
26. What did you want and get?
A perfectly healthy, beautiful baby and new living room furniture
27. What did you want and not get?
Pre-baby skinny
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Juno (not sure if it came out this year, but I saw it this year) The Music Man and I watched it the night Jackson was born. We cuddled together on my hospital bed with the tiny, squishy, bundle of pure bliss slept in our arms. It was by far the BEST night of 2008 and certainly the BEST movie to watch while laying in a hospital after giving birth.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Oh, I'm over. I won't resist the One I can't live without.
I'm over.
I don't know why you chose me,
Knowing I would be weak.
Just as I am torn apart,
You run to me with open arms and hold me.
Oh, I'm over living life in fear and doubt.
Oh, I'm over. I won't resist the One I can't live without.
And I know You love me even when it's hard to see.
I'll follow and chose to say I'm over.
You never said it would be easy,
But you promised that you'd stay.
You give me rest.
You will be here with me.
You'll never walk away.
I'm over.
Fighting.
Doubting.
Losing.
Drowning.
Running.
Fearing.
Oh, I'm over living life in fear and doubt.
Oh, I'm over. I won't resist the One I can't live without.
And I know You love me even when it's hard to see.
I'll follow and chose to say I'm over.
39. 2008 in one word.
Jackson
40. Hope for 2009.
To enjoy each day as it comes. To live life to its very fullest. To please my husband. To embrace the pure bliss that is being a mother. To be a better person.
I'm used to seeing severe weather alerts. Growing up in Wisconsin, the winter is full of them, but they usually involve feet of snow or ice headed our way. Even the spring and summer have their fair share of severe weather alerts and warnings. They mostly consist of thunderstorms with the occasional tornado watch.
Since moving to the East Coast, I have come to expect that little red bar when I look at my weather widget. We always have severe weather. Usually the alert is to inform us that we may be getting an inch of snow sometime in the next couple of days or that a lot of rain is coming. Their idea of severe weather is so different than what I was raised with.
Perfect example is today's severe weather alert, which is as follows...
I finally downloaded the pictures from my camera of the last month. We haven't been especially busy, but I've been documenting our lives moment by moment. Sooo... Here are some of the more random shots...
Random Scott and Natalie:
First golf lesson at Golf Galaxy...
Look at that grip!
Father/Daughter Baking...
Random self shots:
Ask my husband why this. He took it, along with one of my ch**t, my b*tt, and my eye. (Sorry... I had to edit per The Music Man.)
I will soon show you all the shots taken this day, but I'm giving you a sneak peak of how incredibly tired I was on this day... (Ugh! Look at those roots! I'm so ashamed!)
(I'm not mad. I promise.... Just exhausted!)
Random Closet Shots:
A few of my favorite outfits for the man-child, who is still nameless, I might add.
This is just too adorable!
I wore this when I was a baby, but I remember it most on a baby doll I had named Mary Lou or was it Amy?
I bought this the day we found out we were having a boy.
Round on the ends and high in the middle... Oh - Hi - Oh. (Really this isn't on my list of favorites, but I know it's at the top of my husband's, so it made this list of random shots.)
And because we live in Maryland, I just had to have this!
Here are a couple random belly-ish shots:
Cool, right?
I have tried my hardest to NOT wear maternity shirts if at all possible this pregnancy. They're just too mammoth. I feel so fat in them rather than pregnant. This shirt was on the clearance rounder in the Junior's section at Target. God bless the designers who decided long, full shirts are the latest style!
Oh my gosh! This makes me laugh so hard!!! I mean Weird Al is always a character (hello? Anyone remember Spatula City from UHF?). Watch out world! Donny Osmond is making a come back!
[Is this the third post of the day?]
Here is a teaser for tonight's season finale of The Office, the funniest show on tv.
