Puppy qualities that almost make up for stepping in dog doo
Because I recently went off my rocker, we just became the proud adoptive parents of a six-week-old Corgi-beagle mix we've named Bonnie. (That's Bonnie with my kid, Ethan, in the pic). Who could say no to that face? I mean Bonnie's, of course.To reassure myself (or perhaps reinforce my delusions), I've decided to list the wonderful qualities of Puppyhood that make up for the...well, the poop.
Snuggles. At this age, Bonnie's energy comes in 20 to 30 minute bursts. I let her run around the yard with our older dog, Cody, and the two-year-old boy. They wear each other out, which means I get loads of snuggles all round.
Flopsiness/Romping.The ears, the tail, the unintentional somersaults.
Paws, Too Big for Body. Never before have cankles been so cute.
Puppy smell. Okay, this one is conditional. She smelled great until she ran under Cody the Dog's pee stream in the yard the other day. Which reminds me, I need puppy shampoo.
Are you all for the pups? Or maybe you're smitten with kittens?
Posted by Erin of The Fierce Beagle
Lessons I Never Quite Learn
1. Unless someone is offering kind, constructive criticism that genuinely seeks to help you improve, random opinions about you/your person/your style/your dreams DO NOT MATTER. Seriously, let's all participate in a giant group EFF YOU to those who feel the need to put you down or otherwise try to destroy your happiness. Sheesh, though, if I still don't feel like a kid in high school sometimes. Blerg.
2. Sometimes silence is an appropriate (and the best!) response. I often have a hard time keeping my mouth shut, but sometimes it really is better not to say anything at all. Just STFU. I've found that you can often seem more wise and put together if you can just let it go (whatever "it" is). (I can rarely ever let it go, and then there I am, looking like an idiot and needing to talk even more just to redeem myself!)
3. Don't go to the grocery store hungry. Um, yeah. Cookies are yummy, especially when you're starving.
What about you? Do you ever feel like there's something you just can't "get"?
Posted by The Naked Redhead
Things That Say "Love" More Than A Cheesy Hallmark Card
The other day, I called my amazing ex-boyfriend in an absolute tizzy. "Honey," I told him, "I'm writing a story and I need to figure out why the girl loves the protagonist. But I just realized that I don't know why people love each other or how they show it and YOU NEED TO TELL ME RIGHT NOW." While I don't recall the answer he gave, it occurs to me now that love is taking phone calls like that one, just for starters. Based on my field research, love is also:
Hating all the same movies. You can be positive and supportive with anyone else in the world, but sometimes you just need your fellow old man muppet.
Making you peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with more jelly than you could ever, in good conscience, put on for yourself. They're love-calories -- they totally don't count! Besides, even if your thighs have a little jiggle, at least there'll be someone gazing at them with urgent desire.
Sharing your childhood. Most people would rather be water-boarded than have to listen yet again to the song your dad used to sing you while you brushed your teeth. One person not only wants to hear it, but will sing it with you every night.
Remembering to order your burgers with no lettuce, double pickles, tomato on the side. Seriously, dude, you eat like a freak.
Not saying anything about the goatee. One blessed day you'll realize how truly heinous it looks all by yourself.
Eating your vegan palak paneer. Paneer means cheese. How can you make that vegan?!
Also, judging by this list, apparently love is at least 50% food. Sounds about right to me. Forget the grand cinematic gestures and epic monologues -- what is love to you guys?
Posted by TKOG of Not That Kind Of Girl.
Five Things I Learned by Moving House
Photo Credit - I only wear about 25% of my wardrobe on a semi-regular basis, and I really need to get rid of some of the old stuff that doesn't fit me anymore!
- The amount of organisations that have my details on file and need to know when they change is ridiculous!
- Electric ovens take a lot of getting used to when you've been using gas for the last five years.
- However it's surprising how quickly one can get used to having to climb two flights of stairs to get to one's front door.
- Having the bathroom on the same floor as the bedroom makes a *huge* difference in the morning!
Stuff That Makes Me Feel Better When I'm Grumpy
1. Carbs...really, really starchy ones--Really, is there anything more soothing for a grumptastic mood than a big, steaming bowl of mac and cheese? Or creamy pasta? No, I think not.
2. A massage--The Boyfriend is good at these, but sometimes, I'll throw in the cash to let a professional at this stupid neck of mine. How can you be grumpy when someone is literally smoothing your stress away? That's right...YOU CAN'T.
3. Cleaning--Yeah, I'm one of THOSE weird ones. A picked up, clean-smelling space always does wonders for my mood. Like, I feel like if I can eat off my super-spotless toilet seat, maybe not all is wrong with the world.
4. Finishing a long over-due project--I was supposed to file those bills months ago, and I sure don't want to do it NOW when I hate the world, but somehow, getting a little project like that done makes me think that maybe I don't hate the world so much after all.
5. A nap--I posted on Twitter the other day that men think about sex every seven seconds, but I think about naps. And it's (mostly) true! I'm a girl that needs her sleep, so even just a little twenty minuter can do wonders for my mood.
What about you? How do you get over a grumpy mood?
Posted by The Naked Redhead
Books I Read In High School From Which I’ve Apparently Taken The Wrong Life Lessons
As anyone who's taken even one university-level literature course knows, you can basically argue for any interpretation of a novel -- especially if you bandy about words like "teleology" and "anagnorisis". As a recovering lit major, I'll admit that sometimes I think it's fun to deliberately misinterpret or under-interpret enduring works of American Lit. Sure, we all know literature hold a mirror to society, but why can't it be a fun house mirror?
Here are a couple of shallow (but valid!) lessons I've drawn from the immortal classics:
The Great Gatsby: As I learned from Jay Gatsby: American Hero: if you’re crazy in love with a woman for ages, stalk her pants off and throw a few kickass parties, you’ll TOTALLY GET HER IN THE END. Also, don’t ever lend your car to anybody.
The Scarlet Letter: New Englanders are some uptight beezies, so don’t waste your energy doing good works about the community to repent for your transgressions. They’ll never forgive you anyway; might as well do a few more clergymen.
War and Peace: Tolstoy was a pedantic old jerkface. Also … something about masons…?
Catcher In The Rye: Angsting over women – be they nice girls or mega-hos – is a total life-suck. Discover the joys of masturbation and you’ll avoid the fuss and muss of ending up in a mental institution.
1984: Holy frig, a rat can eat a human baby. That just can’t be right.
For the record, I hold that these are pretty good lessons. Some of them better than the authors intended. (Yeah, I’m looking at you, Hawthorne.) What trivial life lessons have you taken from the classics?
Posted by TKOG from Not That Kind Of Girl.
Reasons I’m Totally Excited To Move In With My Boyfriend*
Leigh lives in Asheville, North Carolina, where she blogs at Full Gastronomic Tilt, works for a non-profit, and is finishing her MPA. She likes asparagus and dark chocolate, though not together. After living alone for nearly 6 years (the vast majority of my awesome 20s), I’m taking the plunge and getting a new place with my boyfriend of 4 months. Fast? Almost certainly. But we work together in ways I previously thought impossible. (He thinks my morning breath is cute?!? Ok, that’s definitely the honeymoon phase talking.) As a formerly rabid fan of doin’ my own thing and a newly-stamped convert to giggly coupledom, I present to you:
Reasons I’m Totally Excited To Move In With My Boyfriend*
1. Somebody else can cook dinner
I love to cook. But after a string of 14-hour days and a thesis paper looming, it will be a wonderful relief to come home, bleary-eyed and barely coherent, and find something hot and nourishing waiting. Even better - the nights I come home, he takes one look at me and says, “Y’know, let’s go out instead.”
2. Splitting the chores
I hate taking the trash out and doing the dishes. As an adult living alone, I resigned myself to those chores, knowing it was all part of growing up. If I didn’t do them, who would? Now, there’s an answer to that question. Amazingly, boyfriend offered to do the dishes ALL the time if I agreed to do the laundry. Done and done….sucker.
3. On-tap snuggles, encouragement, validation, etc.
Who doesn’t love snuggles? Fun to give, fun to receive, and guaranteed to make a bad day better. When I doubt myself or hesitate in making a decision, he’ll be there to tell me to go for it. And when I’m having an ”I feel fat/ugly/whiny” day and nothing looks right, he’ll still tell me I’m beautiful…or tell me, “Get over it.”
4. Discovering our rituals
I have my Ways I Like Things from years of living alone, and he his. How will they work together? Who feeds the cat? Who takes the first shower? Will we make time for each other in the morning, at night, or both? Will we go out to brunch every Sunday or take turns cooking and read to each other? Endless possibilities.
5. Hosting parties together
I have long been the type of girl who dreams about hosting kick-ass theme parties, and marvel at my friends’ talent for it. Yet pulling off a party solo is a difficult task reserved for Martha Stewart and her clone army. Luckily, he’s just as excited and even more creative. Halloween masquerade, anyone?
6. Simplicity
In preparation for moving, I’ve had to take a long, hard look at everything I own and consider it carefully. Four boxes of books already donated to Goodwill. One more box is my goal before packing the rest. Nearly 6 years of acquiring stuff…three weeks to decide what stays and what goes. Art of minimalism, indeed. Unfortunately, with us both being avid cooks and him a techno-geek, the kitchen continues to expand. Champagne, white, AND red wine glasses? A must. Waffle maker, electric juicer, KitchenAid stand mixer, microwave, burr coffee grinder? These are the bare necessities, darling.
*Your mileage may vary. Above examples not guaranteed in all relationships. For comparison shopping purposes only. Showroom model boyfriend packed with options, not for sale.
Do you live with your partner? What are the upsides of sharing a space?
Reasons I’m Totally Excited To Move In With My Boyfriend*
1. Somebody else can cook dinner
I love to cook. But after a string of 14-hour days and a thesis paper looming, it will be a wonderful relief to come home, bleary-eyed and barely coherent, and find something hot and nourishing waiting. Even better - the nights I come home, he takes one look at me and says, “Y’know, let’s go out instead.”
2. Splitting the chores
I hate taking the trash out and doing the dishes. As an adult living alone, I resigned myself to those chores, knowing it was all part of growing up. If I didn’t do them, who would? Now, there’s an answer to that question. Amazingly, boyfriend offered to do the dishes ALL the time if I agreed to do the laundry. Done and done….sucker.
3. On-tap snuggles, encouragement, validation, etc.
Who doesn’t love snuggles? Fun to give, fun to receive, and guaranteed to make a bad day better. When I doubt myself or hesitate in making a decision, he’ll be there to tell me to go for it. And when I’m having an ”I feel fat/ugly/whiny” day and nothing looks right, he’ll still tell me I’m beautiful…or tell me, “Get over it.”
4. Discovering our rituals
I have my Ways I Like Things from years of living alone, and he his. How will they work together? Who feeds the cat? Who takes the first shower? Will we make time for each other in the morning, at night, or both? Will we go out to brunch every Sunday or take turns cooking and read to each other? Endless possibilities.
5. Hosting parties together
I have long been the type of girl who dreams about hosting kick-ass theme parties, and marvel at my friends’ talent for it. Yet pulling off a party solo is a difficult task reserved for Martha Stewart and her clone army. Luckily, he’s just as excited and even more creative. Halloween masquerade, anyone?
6. Simplicity
In preparation for moving, I’ve had to take a long, hard look at everything I own and consider it carefully. Four boxes of books already donated to Goodwill. One more box is my goal before packing the rest. Nearly 6 years of acquiring stuff…three weeks to decide what stays and what goes. Art of minimalism, indeed. Unfortunately, with us both being avid cooks and him a techno-geek, the kitchen continues to expand. Champagne, white, AND red wine glasses? A must. Waffle maker, electric juicer, KitchenAid stand mixer, microwave, burr coffee grinder? These are the bare necessities, darling.
*Your mileage may vary. Above examples not guaranteed in all relationships. For comparison shopping purposes only. Showroom model boyfriend packed with options, not for sale.
Do you live with your partner? What are the upsides of sharing a space?
This Just In: Exposes I should have written
Who doesn't love fake news? I mean, The Onion? Jon Stewart's and Steven Colbert's tongue-in-cheek take on actual news? Being married to a police officer, I've alleviated some of the stress by writing some otherwise overlooked News Articles on my blog starring Officer Mike Honcho, Noah's chosen pseudonym. (Click here and here and here for a sampling.) The best part: They're all true (factually, at least). But there are still a number of exposes I have in the works, but haven't gotten around to writing. Here are the headlines, and the real stories behind them:
Sinister Maintenance Crew Paints Over Dormitory Problem. After graduation, Noah and I worked on our university's paint crew for the summer. I seriously considered calling the newspaper about how awful some of those dorms were. I witnessed atrocities.
Yellow Jackets Launch Jihad in Local Backyard. Apparently these insects build their nests in the ground. Woe to any humans standing near a curious dog near a yellow jacket hole.
Local Officer Goes Above, Beyond to Save Wayward Cat. Our house has several large oaks out back, and when we first moved in one of the cats climbed a tree whose lowest branch was about 30 feet from the ground. Noah rescued her with the aid of several neighbors, a ladder, and a shoddy ad-hoc ladder of boards and nails hammered into the trunk.
Authorities Indict Toddler for Dropping Trou at Inopportune Moment. Ethan is potty training. I've found that the best way to get him to use the potty is to let him go around in his birthday suit. But more than once he's requested to pee in the bushes outside my parents' house.
Local Garden Snake Accused of Earthworm Impersonation. The whole story was chronicled here, but really could have been fake-news style. A household classic.
So, got any good headlines to share?
Posted by Erin at The Fierce Beagle.
Family Sayings that Make Sense to Say in Conversation but No One Else Gets
1. "Buttons on your underwear"--When I was younger, pictures of Mickey Mouse in those red shorts really disturbed me. I could not figure out why a mouse was wearing boxer shorts with yellow buttons on them. So, my mom and I would say as a joke, "Mickey Mouse, buttons on your underwear" as the "so there" in a silly argument. It stuck. At least, it stuck in our family.
2. "Toot"--My mom HATES the word "fart", so "toot" took its place. You can use "toot" in all forms: toot, tooted, tooting, etc., just as long as you don't say "fart".
3. "WHO HAS THE REMOTE!??!"--As a Baptist minister, my dad has always been careful about what he watches on television or in movies...to the extreme. It was not uncommon for us all to be watching some show and for my dad to walk in the room at the precise moment a couple's clothes began to fly off. He'd IMMEDIATELY freak out and yell, "WHO HAS THE REMOTE!?!?" as if we'd all been watching smutty porn. So now, any time he freaks out about anything (hot pans on the counter, leaks in the ceiling, someone making milkshakes out of his favorite ice cream (yes, really)), we all roll our eyes and yell, "WHO HAS THE REMOTE?!?!" WE think it's funny, even if he doesn't.
What are your family sayings?
Reasons I Really Couldn't Be Any More Thrilled To Live Alone
Last year, The Ex and I rented a breathtaking jewel of a house with a few of his friends -- all clever guys living on Silicon Valley salaries. The benefits? I was the mistress of a renovated 1920s mansion, all on a non-profit salary. The drawbacks? My mansion-mates left a few things to be desired. Like empty sinks and non-moldy recycling bins. A few more reasons living alone in a shoebox is the best of all worlds:
Wearing nothing but yellow dishwashing gloves. Oh don't give me that -- you do it too. Although you probably remember to close your blinds first. Whoops.
Finally pursuing your career as a Queen cover band. I'm burning through the skiiiiiiiiiiiies YEAH! Two hundred degrees, that's why they call me Mr. FahrenHEEEEIIIIIIT!
You can leave the light on when you have nightmares. What?! Sometimes the pre-credits sequences of House are really, really scary!
Finally pursuing your career as a Queen cover band. I'm burning through the skiiiiiiiiiiiies YEAH! Two hundred degrees, that's why they call me Mr. FahrenHEEEEIIIIIIT!
You can leave the light on when you have nightmares. What?! Sometimes the pre-credits sequences of House are really, really scary!
Nobody judges you for making sad single-girl dinners. I like cooking and I like food, but you know what I really like? Checking my Google Reader and watching three episodes of 30 Rock while nobody laughs at me for eating mashed black beans on toast for the fourth night in a row.
Witty repartee with the person you love the most. Talking to yourself -- non-stop! -- is fine. It's when you start having inside jokes with yourself that it might be time to start getting out more.
But, uh, having inside jokes with your Roomba is TOTALLY OKAY. Do you guys love living alone, or do you go crazy without someone to share your space with? Tell ex-roommate horror stories in the comments section!
Posted by TKOG from Not That Kind Of Girl
6 Ways To Get Through A Tough Time
Vicki works in the non-profit sector, and is a wannabe blogger, a reluctant consumer, a long-distance champion sleeper, a music junkie and a television zombie. She blogs at The Queen of Small Adventures.It's almost springtime and for those of us whose life circumstances do not exactly match the sunny and bright forecast, here are a few suggestions to help you work your way through the hard times.
1. Engage your support system
when things get rough, call on those who can support you- your mom or significant other can support you physically with a hug, your BFF with a good cry or even your kid sister for a good angry vent.
2. Get a mentor
if you are afflicted with more long-term issues that can't simply be solved with a hug (if only they all could be), consider calling on that acquaintance who've you always been in awe of for their business savvy or that awesome couple at church who seem to have this relationship thing down and see if they'd be open to going for coffee sometime.
3. Be kind to yourself
when things are just straight-up overwhelming, remember to be kind to yourself- rather than beating yourself up for needing to excuse yourself to the ladies room for a good afternoon cry, just go cry. and then take yourself out for ice cream later. I find myself taking a lot of hot baths (very soothing) or drinking alone, that is enjoying a bottle of wine by myself at home on a Friday night to relax from the week, rather than feeling like I have to go out and be appropriately social.
4. Forgive and be forgiven
If you feel you've been wronged somehow- at work or in relationship or whatever, remember that it takes a great deal of emotional energy to stay angry or hold a grudge. And honestly, its probably better to let it go than to let it fester. I recently had to do this in regard to a work situation, and although it was difficult to let go of being 'right' in that instance, apologizing for my bad attitude has greatly cleared the air and makes going to work much more pleasant.
5. Get to work.
No matter the bad situation: debt a mile high? a shitty work situation? cheating boyfriend? expensive car repair? make a plan as to how to solve it and then stick to that plan. Debt? figure out if you need to spend less or earn more to dig yourself out. Need a new job? update your resume and start shopping it! buy shiny new business cards! join a networking group! And, if you can't figure out how to fix it, call on that support system or your new mentor to lend some insight or assistance.
6. Remember that this too, shall pass.
1. Engage your support system
when things get rough, call on those who can support you- your mom or significant other can support you physically with a hug, your BFF with a good cry or even your kid sister for a good angry vent.
2. Get a mentor
if you are afflicted with more long-term issues that can't simply be solved with a hug (if only they all could be), consider calling on that acquaintance who've you always been in awe of for their business savvy or that awesome couple at church who seem to have this relationship thing down and see if they'd be open to going for coffee sometime.
3. Be kind to yourself
when things are just straight-up overwhelming, remember to be kind to yourself- rather than beating yourself up for needing to excuse yourself to the ladies room for a good afternoon cry, just go cry. and then take yourself out for ice cream later. I find myself taking a lot of hot baths (very soothing) or drinking alone, that is enjoying a bottle of wine by myself at home on a Friday night to relax from the week, rather than feeling like I have to go out and be appropriately social.
4. Forgive and be forgiven
If you feel you've been wronged somehow- at work or in relationship or whatever, remember that it takes a great deal of emotional energy to stay angry or hold a grudge. And honestly, its probably better to let it go than to let it fester. I recently had to do this in regard to a work situation, and although it was difficult to let go of being 'right' in that instance, apologizing for my bad attitude has greatly cleared the air and makes going to work much more pleasant.
5. Get to work.
No matter the bad situation: debt a mile high? a shitty work situation? cheating boyfriend? expensive car repair? make a plan as to how to solve it and then stick to that plan. Debt? figure out if you need to spend less or earn more to dig yourself out. Need a new job? update your resume and start shopping it! buy shiny new business cards! join a networking group! And, if you can't figure out how to fix it, call on that support system or your new mentor to lend some insight or assistance.
6. Remember that this too, shall pass.
The Greatest Feelings In The World
Photo CreditThey say the best things in life are free. With that in mind, this list is about those moments that feel absolutely great, and cost absolutely nothing!
- Feeling the warm sun on my face on the first really spring-like day after a long cold and dreary winter.
- Reading something that really moves and / or inspires me.
- That moment when something I've been working on and stressing about for ages is finally completed and handed in / posted / implemented.
- Getting a great mark and / or high praise for my work.
- Helping someone out and seeing them happier for it.
- Being in the company of someone I love / people I feel really comfortable with.
- Having a really good hair day!
What makes you feel on top of the world?
Things I never thought I'd do before having a kid
My son, Ethan, is two. We're starting That Great Adventure...potty training. Yesterday I realized he's incited me to do several things I wouldn't have thought I would do pre-kids.
Outdoor potty breaks. I'm not against copping a squat when the occasion is appropriate, but consenting to a toddler peeing off the back porch? Didn't see that one coming.
Bribery and extortion. I consider myself an upstanding citizen, but when you've just spent the last 20 minutes trying to get someone else to put on pants, less-than-favorable methods come into play.
Middle-name calling. In lieu of shouting or having a nervous breakdown in the middle of JC Penney while Ethan squealed while weaving in and out of clothing racks, I resorted to a stern "Ethan Lucas," hissed with ferocity.
Consider M&Ms and two strawberries a complete meal. Ethan's a pretty good eater. He's also an accomplished snacker. I've decided to make food a non-issue, since he tends to eat well in general. And by in general I mean over the course of a week.
What about you guys? Anything you refuse to do when you have kids? Anything you parents out there have done that you thought you wouldn't?
Posted by Erin of The Fierce Beagle
5 Items I'd Save in a Disaster
1. My animals--One of my cats would be super resourceful in the event of the earth cracking to bits. But the other two? Well, one would be swallowed up while waiting by his food bowl, while the other would cuddle close to the lava spewing from the ground because it's warmer there.
2. My old baby blanket--Yes, I still have it. It's kept away in a box with a few other childhood keepsakes, but I'd dig it out because a) it's really soft and warm and b) it could be used as clothing if necessary and c) I'll need something to calm me down after the earth is destroyed.
3. A pair of sensible shoes--If there's one thing you can count on when the world is blow to bits by itself, it's that there will definitely be uneven terrain. Cute spectator heels will not do in this situation.
4. My great-great-great Grandmother's pig cookie jar--What...it's been in the family for generations, and my grandmother gave it to me because she knew I'd take care of it. And, if I'm lucky, it'll actually have cookies in it, which I can sell at exorbitant prices or trade for other goods like socks to wear with my sensible shoes.
5. A notebook and pen--I'm pretty sure laptops and phones won't work, so I'd blog using paper and pen. One copy...and then my readers could pass it around. Links will take awhile to load...sorry.
What 5 items would you save in a disaster?
Posted by The Naked Redhead
Archetypal Friends That Life Is Too Short For
Whenever my wise mother is irritated with somebody, she looses on them one of her trademark brilliant aphorisms: "Life's too short and so are you!" Being only 5'7", I rarely have a chance to say this about anyone. If I did, though, here are the jerkfaces I'd be saying it to.
Favor Demander: The hang-out to favor-asking ratio can never dip below 4:1. Or else I’m going to ask you for one little favor, dude: stop calling me. Permanently.
Complain-Bragger: “Oh my god, life is so tough. Time Magazine called me and begged me to work for them, but I have to call my accountant and get my tax information and I just – sigh. It’s just so difficult to be me.” Yeah? It’s even more difficult to listen to you.
Emotional Vampire: Break-ups hurt, I know, I know, but my rule of thumb: during any given crisis, a friend gets exactly one teary, snotty breakdown per every two months we've been friends. Any more than that and we’ll need to start hanging out in fifty-minute increments. And I’m going to be charging for the privilege.
Slovenly Eater: This might be one of my personal pet peeves, but the way I see it, friendships are like religion: 82% food; 18% stuff you say while you’re waiting for the food parts. And, dude, if we can’t go out for a sandwich without you somehow spitting mayo up my nose? This just isn’t going to work out.
Communal Condescender: Look, we all have that friends (or those friends) who feel bad about themselves because their lives are non-stop messes – and, entre nous, we keep those friends around for exactly that reason. But that friend’s act loses its luster when her self-deprecation turns into you-deprecation. “Waaaaah, cute boys never look at girls like us. We’reso pathetic!” When that starts happening, time to RSVP no to your former friend’s pity party.
Jerkwad Writerly Type Who Makes Fun Of You On A Blog: Oh. Whoops.
In the spirit of spring cleaning, what type of friends do you toss out in order to save room for the good ones?
Posted by TKOG from Not That Kind Of Girl.
Things That I Could Never Put A Price On
Our guest poster is married, considers herself kind of ridiculous, and blogs at The Bees and Their Knees.
1. My dogs, Sake and Mollie.
They drive me insane sometimes, especially after a long day at work and they're crazy and running around and tripping over each other to tell me how their day was. But then I realize how happy they are. To see ME. That's something.
2. Hugs from my youngest brother.
He's 14 years younger than me. So he's almost 16. And wayyyy too cool for school. But for some crazy reason, he calls ME and comes to ME for advice. I will never, ever not be thankful for that. And when I get to visit him (my family lives a couple of hours away), I cherish the hugs that he still gives me. Because the hugs remind me of when he was younger and liked to cuddle. Now he's a good foot taller than me AND stronger. It makes for some awkward-but-still-awesome hugs.
3. Finishing a run.
I'm in a training program (a couch-to-10-mile program, to give you an idea of how slow I am), and each week we increase, little by little, the amount of time that we run. Every time I finish a little more, I'm so, so grateful. Like, grateful and happy enough to make me cry. Because I'm never sure that I can finish it, and when I do, I'm SO proud of myself.
4. A good laugh.
I love laughing. I do it a lot. But you know those laughs that just bubble up inside of you and make your whole body feel alive and amazing? I LOVE those laughs.
5. Ice cream.
This is probably my favorite dessert ever. I usually go for plain chocolate, but do like stuff mixed in sometimes. But ice cream can fix a bad mood ANYDAY.
6. Last, but most definitely not least: my amazing husband.
He puts up with me, he listens to me, he tries hard ALL THE TIME. I'm incredibly blessed. (Oh, and he's the cause of most of my laughter, so we really do make a great match.)
What is priceless to you?
They drive me insane sometimes, especially after a long day at work and they're crazy and running around and tripping over each other to tell me how their day was. But then I realize how happy they are. To see ME. That's something.
2. Hugs from my youngest brother.
He's 14 years younger than me. So he's almost 16. And wayyyy too cool for school. But for some crazy reason, he calls ME and comes to ME for advice. I will never, ever not be thankful for that. And when I get to visit him (my family lives a couple of hours away), I cherish the hugs that he still gives me. Because the hugs remind me of when he was younger and liked to cuddle. Now he's a good foot taller than me AND stronger. It makes for some awkward-but-still-awesome hugs.
3. Finishing a run.
I'm in a training program (a couch-to-10-mile program, to give you an idea of how slow I am), and each week we increase, little by little, the amount of time that we run. Every time I finish a little more, I'm so, so grateful. Like, grateful and happy enough to make me cry. Because I'm never sure that I can finish it, and when I do, I'm SO proud of myself.
4. A good laugh.
I love laughing. I do it a lot. But you know those laughs that just bubble up inside of you and make your whole body feel alive and amazing? I LOVE those laughs.
5. Ice cream.
This is probably my favorite dessert ever. I usually go for plain chocolate, but do like stuff mixed in sometimes. But ice cream can fix a bad mood ANYDAY.
6. Last, but most definitely not least: my amazing husband.
He puts up with me, he listens to me, he tries hard ALL THE TIME. I'm incredibly blessed. (Oh, and he's the cause of most of my laughter, so we really do make a great match.)
What is priceless to you?
Not-so-alternative Alternative Remedies
Vaseline. Every time I pop open the lid of my off-brand petroleum jelly, I think of the dinosaurs and their sacrifice. But man does that stuff heal chapped lips! And super dry skin. And minor abrasions like paper cuts.
Benadryl. Yeah so this works for allergies, but after being given Benadryl by a nurse while I was in labor and nearly falling asleep between pushes, I realized this is an excellent remedy for sleeplessness.
Baking soda. Whenever any fabric smells funky or stale, which in a house of three animals and a toddler fabrics are wont to do, I sprinkle it with baking soda with full confidence that the stuff with soak up the stink.
Does it work? Questionable. Do I continue to believe? Yes.
Hot bubble baths. For all emotional troubles.
The Office on DVD. As a teenager I'd turn to Winona Ryder and Little Women for simultaneous entertainment and the occasional good cry. As an adult, The Office frequently provides both in smaller doses: Plenty of funny, and a few touching moments sprinkled in here and there. Little Women is still on standby when I have time.
What are your tried and true "alternative" remedies?
Lists I've Made in the Last Week (A List of Lists)
1. List of Things I'd Need at the Store--Boxes, packing tape, scrub brush, bleach.
2. List of Utilities to Cancel--Cable, electric, gas.
3. List of Things to Do, by day--Friday, Rent Truck. Saturday, Pick up Truck, Load Heavy Items. Sunday, Buy Primer and Paint Supplies.
4. List of Things that Turned up Missing, but Dammit, I Really Need to Find--TV Remote, Computer Cords, My Sanity.
5. List of Stuff in This Box That Didn't Go in Any Other Box--Sticky Notes, Sharpies, Odd Screws, Two Pair of Scissors, Cup of Pennies, Gum.
Have you moved lately? What are your moving musts?
Posted by The Naked Redhead
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
List Lovers Unite
Send an email to
listaddicts(at)gmail(dot)com to join the Secret Society of List Addicts
Subscribe
Posts
All Comments