Thursday, October 25, 2007

Living Your Childhood Dreams

I was going to write today about dieting, and how much it sucks, but this guy, Professor Randy Pausch, has a much more important message that I would love to pass on to you.

is a father of three children under the age of five and a professor at Carnigie Mellon University and when he found out he had only a few months to live due to pancreas cancer, he did one "final talk" at his university.

It is truly an inspirational video. I really have no words its effect was to strong. Please watch and I hope it does the same for you, as it did for me.

Randy Pausch

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Honey I don't care about gaining weight anymore

Yes. That is what I said to my husband on Saturday. His reply? "Then I'm getting a girlfriend." And he was serious! Actually I don't think he was, but I know I scared the hell out of him.

See I'm a smaller girl, not as small as I used to be, but I've had three kids, and according to everyone, "you look great for having three kids." Isn't that like telling someone they look great for losing an eye or something? But that is another post completely.

Lately I have been in a slump. Which I am sure everyone gets in. I'm 27, three kids, hubby of almost 10 years. Not bad at all. But I tell you, its easier to want to let yourself go, when you have all of this security around. Brian wouldn't really leave me. I do way to much for him. Plus, I think he loves me or something like that.

Lets start with all the reasons its easy to let yourself go.

Three kids is a good one. If I'm not helping them with their homework, I'm running them to dance, piano, choir, or youth group. I don't get off work until 5, and then its dinner, and then showers, and then bedtime. By the time I get them to bed its 8, and I lay down on the couch, watch Myth Busters with Brian and fall asleep.

The gym is intimidating. Have you ever noticed that the only people who go to the gym, don't really need to? I never seen on flabby body there. And let me tell you, I've got some flab. Plus I have no clue what I'm doing. I don't like to sweat in front of people, even though that's what you do at the gym. I don't like to have people watch me, and even though nobody is, I just got over going to the mall alone without feeling like people think I'm a loser.

Another good excuse, the gym is far away. Never mind that while the kids are in choir and youth group two nights a week, I am literally down the street from the gym. On those nights I drive right past the gym to Old Navy and Barnes and Nobles. I have gotten some killer deals on the bargain racks!

So what it really comes down to, is I don't care. It is far easier to makes excuses as to why I can't exercise, then to actually make the effort. Right? Okay maybe not.

I have made a promise to myself to make an effort to exercise, for myself, yes. I don't want to feel like that mom who doesn't care. But also so Brian doesn't have to stress about finding a girlfriend.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Did I just say that?

Did you ever have a moment where you were a little ashamed of yourself? Well mine came the other day.

My youngest, William who is 3, was playing with some trains in the living room. Brian was in the kitchen, and I was doing something in our room. Brian called me into the kitchen and told me to look at William. And there he is sitting on the floor, feeding a baby doll a bottle.

Now let me say that I have never played into the gender roles of girls not playing with trucks, and boys can't play house. But this scene kind of threw me off. I looked at him, and looked at the doll, then at my husband. Brian thought it was totally cute, and was talking to William about what he was doing.

I on the other hand freaked a little. And I cannot figure out why. Now I didn't go and grab the doll away, or tell him to stop. But the first thought that came to my mind was "what are you doing! Your a boy!" Then I stopped. Why shouldn't he play with dolls? Why did it bother me. Wasn't he preparing to be a good father? (Yes I know, looking way to far into the future) The fact that he was playing with this baby, and being loving, should have made me melt. It didn't, but I'm working on that.

See little girls can play with trucks, and play sports and that is cool. Makes them tough, shows that they are too girly, and can hang with the boys. So if its OK for girls do do boy things, why can't boys do girl things? Is the world so full of stereotypes that we are afraid what our boys might turn into if we allow them to play with girl things? I mean honestly what is the worst thing that can happen?

So while I was ashamed of myself for my minor freak out, it also made me think. Which is always a good thing.

Monday, October 08, 2007

October means Pumpkins

So today Brian and I took the kids on our annual Pumpkin Patch Trip. We have been going for about 8 years and love it. Last year we added a romp to the beach after the pumpkin patch and it is always an amazing time.



We started off by driving only Highway 1 through Half Moon Bay and took some pictures of one of my favorite Lighthouses.



Then it was off to the pumpkin patch where the kids enjoyed tumbling in the hay,






Searching for the perfect pumpkin







And riding the pony



Then after all of that fun, we went to our beach. Well it isn't our beach, but we go there a lot, and the last two years applied this beach to our pumpkin patch trip.


We hunt for rocks, which I keep in a glass jar in my bedroom. We search out shells, and sand crabs, sand dollars, sea anemones, star fish. All of it.



It was a perfect day.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

The Great Mofo Delurk 2007

OK people I was reading PoppyMom and she had this nifty (yes I said nifty) little square on her page.

The Great Mofo Delurk 2007

I have noticed that I get a lot more hits than comments. Hey I like comments! I like to feel all special, like someone is actually reading what I am writing. But I admit I'm as guilt as most of you when it comes to commenting. Sometimes I forget, and other times I just have nothing to say!

But I will work on it if you will. So lets do this. Comment away, even if it is totally random, let me hear you!

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Breast Cancer

October is breast cancer awareness month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women according to the American Cancer Society.


I have two family members who have battled this horrible cancer. One my much loved grandmother, who while passed the 5 year mark for surviving breast cancer, later succumbed to bone cancer. And my husbands aunt Rita. She is at year number 4 in remission, and doing wonderful.


I would like to encourage everyone, man or woman to do monthly breast exams. It can't hurt anything, and a lot of time in these cancers early detection is key.



You can also fund free mammograms to women how cannot afford to get this important test by clicking The Breast Cancer Site So please not only in October, but all year long, but Breast Cancer smart, and test yourself.