A Day at the Farm

Move over HGTV

So I’ve got a new hobby. Everything about my new hobby is completely and utterly against my personality. If I were to pick hobbies in line with my personality (of which I’ve already picked…the hobbies, that is…not my personality…that was innate), I would go the sporty athletic route and play softball (oh yeah, I do….with men…hmmmm) and I would play some musical instruments to be cool (oh yeah, I do…the guitar and djembe…whoops, must’ve missed the flute and clarinet day in 6th grade band), and then I’d throw in a little graphic design (not the really cool techie stuff…just an occasional brochure or t-shirt) to round out my crafty side. But I’m expanding now (well, yeah, I have gained a few pounds but people come on, I’ve had 2 kids!). I’m venturing into the hobby of decorating. Or maybe the hobby of people giving me ideas on how to decorate and then I get real excited and do what they say and then freak out because I don’t know what else to do and then must have them over to give me their second idea.

The reason decorating is completely and utterly against my personality is because it requires creativity (which I have, just pent up in some different arenas of my being)…but decorating creativity is different. #1…it’s girly. Of this, I am not. #2…there’s a tweed bit of perfectionism involved. Of this, I am not AT ALL. I am a dreamer. I am not a thinker. Thankfully I married one to balance me out. I love big picture. But don’t ask me to get you to that big picture because that would require details. And details get on my nerves.

That’s why I’m a spray painter. That’s why the thought of making a “picture arrangement” on my wall scares me to death. That’s why I haven’t taken up sewing…yet…lots of little tiny needlework when I would rather use glue or tape. I must quell this fear.

And that, good people, is why I’m venturing into this new world. With a little coaching, I may just place an “accent piece” in it’s proper place (notice: my vocabulary is already being strengthened by this new hobby…see below for further details).

Decorating Lesson #1: In the world of decorating, you must use the words “piece” and “space” a lot while waving your hands around in a flapping motion to interpret what your mouth can’t articulate.

Thursdays

Thursdays have always held some sort of significance for me. Growing up, it was The Cosby's that entertained me each Thursday night. And of course, in the summertime, I could stay up late and watch Moonlighting. Once in high school, my friend Karen and I would get together each Thursday and get DQ blizzards and watch The Real World at my house. Every Thursday in college for about 2 years I would go to the Taco Stand downtown in between classes. I ordered the same thing every week and read The Flagpole magazine. That was the only place I have ever been a regular. I knew I was "in" when, as I would walk in the door, I would hear the waitress say "Chicken enchilada, spinach dip, chips & a coke" to the cooks in the back. That was MY order and she would smile at me and say "Take a seat Suzanne". Oh yes. The Taco Stand...where everybody knows your name. It was also a Thursday that Doc told us to go home, eat supper, watch Survivor and meet back at the hospital to begin induction for baby #1. It was a Thursday that I went into labor only hours before a scheduled delivery of baby #2 (which came on Friday morning).

Now, Thursdays hold a different meaning. Staff meeting days. My employees and I get up early, dress in our business-casual attire and hold staff meeting following breakfast. We review our week thus far: playdates, new songs, new games, memorized Bible verses, lessons learned, etc. We tackle the duty of making lists - office supplies needed (diapers, rice cereal, replacement sippy cups, etc.), office rules, goals, as well as our vision for the company. Then we discuss our upcoming plans for the weekend: what we want to do and how we will carry it out. It usually involves the beach which requires a good deal of planning so we begin the delegation process. All hands on deck if you will.

It was a good meeting today. After reviewing the budget, it looks like our company is going to make it. We'll take the minutes to the CEO for further review.

Living in the Now

For most of my life, I have always wondered what was around the corner...what was next in line for my life. In high school, I always wondered what college would be like. In college, I wondered what the "real world" would be like. In my first real world job as a camp director, I wondered how long I would stay at that job and which job(s) would follow. And, of course, I always wondered when marriage and kids would come and what that would be like.

Now that I've hit all of those "milestones", I find myself no longer wondering much about the future. Of course, there are thoughts of adding another (or two!) little rugrats to the Akins clan, or what they'll be like when they get older, or when that day will come that Carter and I become millionaires (ha!)...but I really don't dwell on those futuristic things like I've done in the past. And it's not that I'm done hitting major milestones, it's just that I'm not looking for the big ones anymore. I've become very much a "today" person. My boy waves bye-bye for the first time...a perfect day. My girl asks me to snuggle with her so we can watch Meerkat Manor...a perfect day. My husband comes home from work gloating about how he loves his job (finally!! woohoo!!)...a perfect day. I can't even imagine life in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years. And if I did spend my time wondering about the future, I would miss out on so many todays.

Raising a Granola

To have grown up with my favorite meal being fish sticks and mac-n-cheese, and my favorite snack being Cheez-Its and sweet tea (by the gallons), it seems odd that I would produce a granola (although mac-n-cheese is still enjoyed weekly...mostly by me). I realized yesterday after a full day of making breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack or two that my girl is a tree-hugger. Here's her favorite menu:

Breakfast: Kashi Heart to Heart cereal topped with fresh blueberries AND strawberries with a side of whole-milk Lactaid

Lunch: Black bean quesadilla on a whole-wheat tortilla

Snack: Kashi TLC granola bar - Honey Almond Flax

Dinner: Baked Mahi Mahi, Cous Cous, Baby limas

I realize I'm the envy of most toddler's parents right now as I'm currently raising the perfect child(ren).

Note: Ok, there was that one exception that my girl ate an ENTIRE bag of Cheetos in one sitting. And that other time she ate 3 bags of "fruit" snacks because I didn't realize she'd had the first 2 bags. Oh and that one time she ate an entire bag of goldfish to bring an end to the incessant fussing in the car. And yes, that other time.........

Ok, so maybe I have a different definition of "perfect" parenting.

I have a feeling my boy is going to be more of a meat & potatoes kind of guy than a granola like his sister. Just a guess.

Turn the dark on!

Living with a 2 year old is not only interesting, but darn right hilarious. Here's a sample of recent conversations:

Me: "Can you turn the light on for me?"
LK: "Sure."
LK retrieves stool. Stands atop. Turns on light.
Me: "Thanks."
LK: "Now I'm going to turn the dark on."

Another...

LK: "Mommy, I need to go potty."
Panic sets in as I am unable at that instant to accompany.
Me: "Can you hold it for just a second?"
Bends down, places hands between legs, tinkles a wee bit.
LK: "Ok, I'm holding it."

And finally...

LK: "Wanna go on a trip?"
Me: "Sure."
LK: "Well get your purse and shoes and put your necklace on."
I oblige.
Me: "Where are we going on our trip?"
LK: "We're going to drink at the party!"
Milk and OJ leftover from supper, mind you.


I love my job.

Sunrises & Sunsets

I kept a journal every day of my engagement to Carter and gave it to him on our wedding day. It was titled "From Sunrise to Sunset" because our engagement happened while watching the sunrise over East Beach, and we were married at sunset almost 8 months later. We didn't plan it like that, but it's neat how it worked out...and it made for a sappy sweet title for my journal. :)

I had another sweet sunrise moment(s) in my life last week while on vacation in St.Augustine. My son decided sleep wasn't a priority and rose well before the sun each morning. Since our whole family shared a room, we all noticed his wakeful state. There was no where to go that wouldn't wake up the rest of the snoozed, so I threw on the Baby Bjorn and we left the condo...every morning...before Mr.Sun said it was time to arise. We hit the beach and the boy's arms & legs started going 90-to-nothing. He couldn't be more excited, not only to be awake, but to breathe the ocean air and watch the sunrise. Once my eyes focused, I started to enjoy myself as well. When else am I going to have these sweet moments with my boy, just the 2 of us?

We had talks. Just the 2 of us. I did most of the talking. He was a good listener. I talked to him about future girlfriends, and then that one special girl who was going to steal (I mean "take") him away from me to be his wife and how one day I'd try to like her (through gritted teeth). He thought that was funny; I could tell by the flailing arms & legs in the Bjorn.

I think this week is going to be one of those defining moments that I'll tell him about (I'm sure more than once) as he gets older. Especially those times when he's not being so sweet (which will probably never happen). I'll say "Son, you used to be sweet, and we had a moment at sunrise when you were 6 months old when we talked about your future and got your life figured out...so how bout stickin' to our plan?"

Sweet sunrise moments with the Boy. Now I need to spend a week catching the sunset with the Girl. At least I'll be awake for that one.