Time

Ahh,yes.  Time.  Time is pretty much the essence of our lives.  It controls our lives.  How old we are.  When we eat dinner.  When we go to school, or church.  Or pick up the dry cleaning.  Our lives our ruled my the time master himself.  We have been known to waste time.  Gain time.  Lose time.  We are on time.  We are pushed for time.  Tick, tock.  Tick, tock.

We spend our time doing so many things.  Watching, eating, smelling, laughing, spending, breathing, sitting, growing, smiling, crying, reading.  And then we have to say things like, "It's nap time."  Or, "It's time for our conference call."  (Ever see the old dunkin' dounts commercials, "It's time to make the doughnuts!")

Really, the important thing to do with this thing that is controlling us, is to grab onto it and maximize what we have with it.  Ultimately, you need to spend time doing what you love to do.  Unfortunately, I think only the retired get to take advantage of that.  We all spend time doing things we don't want to do: cleaning, paying bills, running, whatever it may be.

So, when you find yourself in a situation where you enjoy what it is in that moment, bask in the glory of it, and hold on to it for as long as you can.  That is just one moment in time longer that you get to remember and remember it well.

Some of you may know that lately around here has been much of a roller coaster ride.  But last night, I was trying to get Sadie out of the tub.  She was just shy of a prune, and the water was completely drained.  (Some of that is due to the fact that it was on the floor, but nonetheless, the tub was water-less.)  Completely out of nowhere, she laughs.  And it's not the face cheesy kind of smile laugh that you are forced to give when you are asked for your photo and you don't want your picture taken.  It was a whole hearted laugh.  Truly one of the greatest sounds in the world.  And in my mind, exactly what the doctor ordered.  Even in this moment, I have no idea what was so funny, but it doesn't matter.  She had us all laughing hysterically and wrapped up in her world for a few moments, and that was a glorious moment in time.

So, whatever you spend your time doing, make sure you get to do what you love, and make the most of what you got.  It also helps to laugh at who knows what. 


Ahh....the things my children make me do....like laugh hysterically until tears run down my face. 

Music

I had the rare opportunity of getting to listen to the music I want in the car on Saturday.  No, I wasn't by myself, but had to passed out babies in the back seat.  I'm not sure if I should admit how ecstatic I really was to partake on this rare opportunity.  I have listened to Wheels On The Bus, and every Disney song under the sea, no pun intended, and find myself singing these songs when I am trying to go to sleep at night.  Or cleaning the house.  However, while I was getting carried away with excitement of wondering what I would get to hear, all I heard were commercials. For 45 minutes.  Between 5 stations.  Are you kidding me?  Savannah, what is up with this radio business?

Granted, I do need to tell you that the last time I was faithfully able to listen to the radio whenever I wanted was 3 years ago.  That sounds sad, doesn't it?  And in that time, I do remember complaining about the commercials, but this is ridiculous.

The good news is, that when I finally pulled into my driveway, I got to hear song number two, and it was the same that was on three years ago, so I guess I'm not missing out on as much as I thought.  Either that, or we are back to complaining about Savannah radio again. 

Next time, I'm bringing my ipod. 

Ahh....the things my children make me do..... like listen to "A Whole New World" over....and over..and over!

Dentist

Ahh, yes, the dentist.  That lovely man, or woman, who gets paid to stick metal objects in your mouth, cause you pain, and tell you to do it again in 6 months.

I am drawn yet again to Bill Cosby.  He does a wonderful rendition that I am not even going to try to imitate because I won't do it justice.  However, according to Bill, his anticts start out by telling you that the dentist tells you never to stick sharp objects in your mouth, and proceeds to poke you with a sharp hook.  Then, he asks you questions with his big hands in your mouth that you have no way of answering intelligently.  Still, the dentist pretends to know what you are talking about and finishes what he is doing.  He then proceeds to ask you how you are feeling, after the large novicane injection, and acts surprised when you tell him that you have drool coming out of your mouth, let alone you can't feel the entire side of  your face, yet you are still asked these silly questions.  Then, asking him to rinse seems like the most daunting task yet.  It really his hilarious, and suggest you check it out on youtube or something of the like.  Really is worth the listen, even if you have listened to it 1 or 100 times.  You will chuckle.

I had the pleasure of visiting my dentist twice this week.  Yes, twice.  And let me tell something to you, I never had cavities until I was pregnant.  (Thanks, girls!)  So yes, I was subjected to the small talk.  I am sure that when they attend dental school training, they are given assignments of how to make small talk, but your job is to clean my teeth, not tell me the color you are thinking about painting the walls of your bathroom.  I mean, really?  Do they tell you these things to distract you, or them?  Are they trying to make your time go faster or theirs? 

I do have to give props to my dentist.  In the 10+ years I have been his patient, I have had a few cavities noticed by him in the past few years, and they have all been a pleasant experience.  Not like it is something I am hoping for at my next visit or anything, but it isn't as long and drawn out as dear Bill recites.


Ahh....the things my children make me so.  Like get cavities.  Ben and Jerry's cake batter ice cream sounds good for dinner tonight!

Lies

Why is it so much easier to tell a lie than the truth?  And just when do you learn to lie?  Take my three year old for example.  You ask her a question, she gives you an answer.  Granted, sometimes it is a 3 year old answer, but it is always the truth.  At any given time, you can ask an adult a question, and you might not always get the truth.

It is because we are afraid of the truth?  Why?  Sometimes the truth hurts, but that shouldn't keep you from revealing it.  And with that being said, is it ever OK to tell a lie?  When?  Why?

Sure, I have been known to tell a lie or two in my life.  I lied to my parents when I was a teenager.  And I usually tell a lie about Christmas presents.  Does that count? 

The other day, Sadie told me I smelled funny.  Never in my life have I laughed as much as I do with my girls.  I can only hope that will continue when Eryn gets older and can have a conversation with her.  But as they say, "Out of the mouth of babes" usually comes the cold hard truth.  Why can't we, as adults, adapt to this same concept?  Is it because we are too consumed with what others might think of us?  What society will do?  That's crazy insane if  you ask me. You get this one shot at this thing called life.  You need to take control of it, and own it.  It is yours.


Ahhh.....the things my children make me do.  Guess I getter shower and use soap this time.  Thanks, Sadie!

Food

What is it about food?  Take goldfish for example.  I can make two little girls happy just by putting a bowl of those little fish in front of them.  Is it because they have smiles on their faces?  The groovy shape?  And how long will this simplicity last?  They really are the snack that smiles back.  And they really make my girls smile, too.  Watching them earlier devour a bowl together while I was trying to get work done.  Sadie would take one from the bowl, give it to Eryn, and then take three for herself.  "Look mommy, I'm sharing!!"

So let's talk about favorite foods or comfort foods.  Mashed potatoes are a common comfort food.  I love me some fried chicken.  There are all kinds of foods out there, fresh, frozen, fried, grilled, even raw.  Junk food like ice cream or oreo cookies.  Yum....is it dinner ready yet?

Sadie is pretty hooked on pirate booty.  People tend to look at her funny when she tells me, "Momma, I want some booty please."  I would recommend it.  It is located in your local grocers organic section.  I would consider it to be a flavored puffed corn.  We have tried the vegetable and cheese flavors. 

I enjoy food, and don't think I have never met anyone that doesn't.  I enjoy cooking it, baking it, and mostly eating it.  And is it just me, or do you crave the foods you aren't allowed to have?  Like popcorn before visiting the dentist.  And the first meal I want to have when I am done nursing Eryn - crablegs and an ice cold beer.  Of course, when you are on a diet, all of the things you aren't supposed to eat are calling your name.... but I think that is written law in the book of wills to see how strong you truely are.

We can't survive without food, no matter what they may tell you on survivor.  You can't tell me that the first person that saw a squid must have been absolutely famished to figure out how to eat all that mess.  Even some flowers are edible I am told. 

So, let's eat!


Ahh....the things my children make me do.... like eat cold food.  I will be glad when the day returns that I can eat a hot meal again.  (Hot meaning I won't have to cut everyones food before eating mine, hence always having a cold plate.  Unless of course we just have ice cream for dinner from now on.  Now there's an idea!)

Noah

I'm not sure where it is that you live, but last night, it rained pretty hard for a good while during the wee hours of the day.  As soon as I heard it, the story of Noah immediately came to mind.  I'm not as knowledgeable of my bibles stories as I should be, but the story of Noah is usually fresh in my mind, thanks to a great storyteller that I admire, Bill Cosby.

If you have ever heard Bill Cosby perform, I guarantee you will be entertained, and still be laughing when the show is over.  At any rate, the story of Noah goes something like this: Noah is approached by God, and is asked to build an ark, using specific size dimensions and making sure all animals of both sexes are aboard because God is going to make it rain for 40 days and 40 nights.  At first, according to Bill Cosby, Noah thinks he is on candid camera, and proceeds to ask a lot of questions, like what is a cubic, and who is going to clean up the mess down at the bottom of the ark.  Still, Noah does what God asks.  Upon completion, God approaches Noah again, and Noah once again starts to complain, stating that he has been ridiculed and made fun of by his neighbors, being called Tarzan, and he wasn't given instructions on assisting the birth of a new baby elephant.  Just as Noah starts to tell God that he has had enough, and he was letting all the animals out of the ark and moving to Florida, God lets the rain start coming down, and with a vengeance.

In the end, as they say in Disney, everyone lived happily ever after.  But looking back and Noah's story, I think that we have a lot in common, and can meet the everyday Noah every day.  It may not necessarily God asking us to do something, it may be our spouse, or parent, friend, neighbor, boss, or child.  And we may not want to do it, but know that it needs to be done.  I hate dusting, but it need to be done.  Although, if you come over to my house, you will notice it has been awhile since the "maid" has dusted. 

I think we all have been or know of a Noah in our lives.  Maybe even one day, God will call upon us like Noah.

Ahh....the things my children make me do. Today, it was waking up to laughter.  I can't think of a better sound in the world.  Thanks, Noah!