Leave Mother Nature alone...

When most people find out that I live in Maine, the typical response is: "Oh, it is so beautiful!" I've been to Acadia, numerous state parks and the coast and I absolutely love looking at Nature.

I just don't really enjoy being an active participant. In all of my experiences where I've tried to get in touch with some of the smaller natural wonders of the world, hardly any were inspiring enough for me to want to dig deeper into becoming the rugged outdoors type of gal.

Jon was a boy scout as a kid and supposedly camped out a bunch of times. He has fond memories of his times in the wilderness--even camping out once in the winter time--and no, he's not an Inuit, although the word idiot does come to mind--I mean, really, sleeping outside in the snow ON PURPOSE?? I, on the other hand, got booted out of the girl scouts. I guess you have to go to meetings to be considered an active member. Geesh, such strict rules.

The last time I spent a night outdoors involved being blindfolded, tossed in the back of a pickup truck with a group of college friends and taken to the middle of nowhere so that I could recite a Shakespearean monologue with a stylish wardrobe of Reddi Whip to set the mood. Don't ask, theater people are a quirky bunch. When dawn broke, I said, "Wow, that's amazing. Get me the hell home." I stumbled back into my house around 7:30 am, my parents were amazed that I lasted the night, and that whipped cream could smell so rank.

Today, I took a trip to Hermit's Island on Casco Bay with my daughter and her 80+ classmates. After an unexpected hike to and from our "work site", climbing over kelp and stepping on innumerable sea creatures, and trying to navigate through so-called paths of thick brush to find a place for 8 year olds to use a bathroom, I can say with certainty that my opinion of studying nature up close and personal just isn't something that is all that appealing to me. We were at the ocean...why not just kick back, walk on the sand so that I could feel it in between my toes and enjoy the sounds of the surf and of kids laughing? Instead, when my kid and another waded into the water, I hear teachers yelling at them for stepping a toe into the ocean. In other words, "Hey, it's ok to rip sea creatures out of their homes to study them, but don't enjoy the environment!!" But, safety first, always. Of course, climbing on rock cliffs covered with wet seaweed when the tide is out is really an exercise in caution. The kids had a good time, and that's all that matters.

But, all is not lost. I did learn a few things about nature today:
1. Rockweed pops when you step on it or squeeze it. Sort of like nature's version of rock acne or bubble wrap.
2. Crabs seem to have problems keeping their legs on. There was some sort of massive crab leg dismemberment event even before the screaming kids arrived for the day. But, never fear, they grow back after a few months.
3. Sticktights have two meanings: they are the little creatures that cling onto rocks and other beach items for dear life. I also learned that I plan on sticking tight to places where I can enjoy nature from a distance and have the privilege of knowing there is running water and a toilet just down the hall...

Some may call me a snob, but I call myself clean.

Monday Mishmosh and interactive blogs

edited because somehow I lost the gift of writing English coherently...

I'm shocked it's not June, yet, because May has zoomed by like a major league pitcher looking to bean me in the head. Seriously, there's just a lot of stuff going on here. So, in a vain attempt to be hip as well as get everyone caught up, here's what I like to call a mishmosh: which is basically a bunch of things I throw together and hope turn out halfway decent. If you're ever over at my house for dinner, I make a great Mexican MishMosh, btw.

**Cailyn's communion and confirmation were beautiful! The ceremony was great and fortunately, the families got along well enough that Fr. Claude didn't have to do a 2 for 1 ceremony: communion/confirmation in the morning with a nice little funeral to wrap up the afternoon.

**Next to the newly constructed teeter-totter that my in-laws literally dropped off in a big box full of pieces (a great way to spend a mother's day afternoon, btw, if any of you people are looking for ideas for next year....) I have the beginnings of a makeshift ark. In the past 3 weeks, we've had maybe 2 days of total sunshine. It's been surreal. The teeter totter has come in handy, though, because it's attracted a bunch of kids to our backyard. I'm hoping once I get the ark built, I can conveniently shove a few of them in there and sail them away to start life anew after the deluge stops for a while.

**Daily golden mothering moment #1: just as Cailyn wakes up this morning, I realize with horror, that the "tooth fairy" forgot to come. Oh, Good Lord. Fortunately, she didn't flip out. We just sat on the bed and I"m like, "Uhhhh". After that brilliant bit of conversation, Cailyn bails me out and says, "I'll just put it under my pillow again tonight." She goes off on her merry way to get breakfast and I'm left sitting there feeling like a schmuck.

**Daily golden mothering moment #2: Erin wakes up this morning and comes down the stairs in hysterics. Apparently, she got up, called for me and I didn't answer. That's because I was downstairs working out (*don't fall on the floor anyone*). I didn't hear here over my gasping breaths for air, I guess. So, she comes downstairs, sobbing. "I thought you left me!," she cries. God, I love Mondays.

**Yes, I'm still plugging away on weight watchers and lost almost 2 pounds last week, bringing me to 24.8. Feeling good enough to do something crazy--like, you know, exercise

**With West Wing now over, tv is pretty much a senseless wasteland. My Sunday night fix is gone as is a show that was a part of my life for 7 years. How am I supposed to replace that? Sitting and sulking in front of the history channel, discovery channel or something stimulating like that.

**Heidi, Matt and the girls are coming to visit this week! It's been about 10 months since I've seen her and I can't wait!

**Work has come to a standstill again, which is fine because things at home have been so nuts. A couple of the opportunities I mentioned in earlier posts fell through. Rejection and/or unprofessionalism sucks.

**Summer vacation will soon be here and I've been in planning mode for a week. More details on that soon.


Now to the "interactive blog" I mentioned in the title. I'm throwing out the request for any readers to post their burning questions about me and I'll answer them truthfully (well, as much as I can!) I'm borrowing (i.e. stealing) this idea from other blogs I read because I'm sure there are many things that all of you are just dying to know (read: My brain is so full of crap right now, trying to be creative is pointless!). So, ask and ye shall receive an answer in future blog posts!

Time to get on the phone and make some calls and get some stuff done around here--unforunately, I haven't invented something that will take care of my to-do list, yet. I suppose I should add that to the list, too.

Weigh In Thursday

Down another 3 this week for a total of 23 so far.

I'm only 9 lbs from my first 10%.

Thanks for all the encouragement and support everyone! It will be a long journey, but I'm going to enjoy the view along the way ;)

Will try to post more later! Off to take Erin to the puppet show/playdate!!

Aging Gracefully??

Monday morning, I picked up Erin from preschool. She runs to her mailbox and grabs a sheet of paper. "Here, Mommy, it's for you! For Mother's Day!" After reminding her that Mother's Day is almost a week away, she tells me she doesn't care and wants me to look at it NOW!

On a pink piece of paper is a little message of love for Moms, with blanks in various places for the kids to fill in (well, they tell the teachers and they fill it in).

Here's the loving message my youngest daughter gave me to celebrate Mother's Day:

"My Mom

My Mom is prettiest when...she gives me a hug
My Mom likes to make...cookies
My Mom always says..."I Love You" (phew, there could have been some other interesting answers there!)
My Mom is funny when she....makes me giggle

And...at the very top of the page--the highlight!!

My mom is ______years old to which my second born replies...46!!


WTF???

I go to drop her off this morning and run into her head teacher, Donna, and say "So, Erin thinks I'm 46, huh?" I did appear to be amused--I think. Donna replies, "Hey, you're one of the lucky ones. One of the kids said '80'! for his mom!"

They do say 40 is the new 30....and Jon says to look at the bright side: "You look fabulous for 46, babe!" This from the man that many think is YOUNGER than me (yes, I'm looking at you, Sue!! ;) ) Last I checked, being born in 1969 certainly qualifies as older than being born in 1971.

Still, I think I'll stick with Jon's statement. If I look like this young at 46, imagine what 60 will be!

That is, if the girls don't cause me to go totally grey and/or bald by then...

Alive and Kickin'

In case anyone wondered, I have not vanished into thin air, run away from home (they'd find me) or gone an extended vacation (as if!). The past few weeks have simply been busier than usual up here in Maine, and I haven't had the time (i.e. energy) to sit and blog. I have been keeping up with those on my 'roll, and have tried to comment as much as possible. For those I missed, I apologize. So, here I am, ready to give you all the Cliffs Notes version of what's going on in my life.

Kids: The school year is winding down for Cailyn and Erin. I should have some spring school pics to post soon. Already I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with two girls for the entire summer. It will be the first summer that we're spending together, entirely--no camp for Cailyn, no summer preschool for Erin. This is where my planning experience as a teacher will be come into use, I think. Cailyn wants to take piano lessons that her school's music teacher is offering. Stay tuned for more summer fun details!

Parties and Visitors: Cailyn's confirmation and communion is this weekend. All 4 grandparents are coming from out of town for the big event. So, I've been getting the house to a place where, well, I can show it off and say, "Check this out!" I'm not the best housekeeper in the world, but I must say the house is coming along nicely. Hell, I even planted some flowers!! Me!! We're having a nice party for Miss C--a cookout. Should be fun, even with so many members of the same family staying under the same roof ;)

Jon: My DH has been busy setting the new work week record for hours. The past 2 1/2 weeks, 13-15 hour days have been the norm. He's exhausted, I'm tired from being a de-facto single mom. He's put up with a lot from work, much of which I can't get into here at this point. Let's just say we'll both be glad when this stretch of insanity is over.

Me: In the midst of party planning, spring cleaning, and single parenthood I have somehow managed to make some positive changes in my life. Almost 6 weeks ago, I joined Weight Watchers--or, should I say rejoined. Don't ask me how many times it's been because I'm not sure I can count that high. Anyway, I joined the online program, so I don't have to worry about making meetings and weighing-in there. This meant that I ahd to breakdown and buy a scale. Not fun. But, after my health scare a few months ago, there was no denying that something needed to be done. My focus has been day to day, not losing a certain amount of weight by a particular date. While the number on the scale is important here, I think the biggest priority should be making healthier choices. Food isn't something anyone can give up cold turkey (like alcohol, cigarettes, drugs). It has to be handled daily. Little steps will get me where I need to be, eventually. Oh, so far, I've lost 20 lbs. I weigh in every Thursday and hope that this week will be another good one! This month, I'm part of a challenge that requires me to stay on program all 31 days. I can do this! 22 days to go! I'll keep people posted on my progress, but don't plan on making it a big deal here. No one wants to read about that stuff all the time! As for writing, I'm wrapping up an online class--which was so-so and have a few small assignments going, which is good considering the family situation. There is a potential for some big news soon, but I can't say anything for sure just yet. I'm in the middle of...negotiations...and that's the only hint I'm giving right now. This won't be a life-changing thing for my career, but it could be a big step.

Ok, I need to get some things done around here. I will try to be around more! I've missed writing and hopefully I'll have somethings that are a little more interesting to read!