It's Complicated

Ever since I  had Ava, I have been on a mental mission to recreate for her, the type of childhood I had.  But really, I think I was subconsciously trying to uncomplicate my life and use the peaceful memories to comfort myself through the hormonal and emotional changes over the last year.  I have thought more about my past than any year prior in my life.  I think of sleeping at night with the windows open and the summer breeze coming in and making everything smell good. I think of Saturday's where my family would stay home and work in the yard or do things around the house. I think of dinner being served before the sun went down and we all sat at the table. I think of playing with rocks, twigs, flowers, and even wild onions.  Those things have shaped me as a person and played a major role into why I love landscaping so much.  But the great thing about it all was it was soooo UNcomplicated.  It was my Norman Rockwell circa 1985. Now it is a treat to not have to go anywhere, to not have anything to do.  Is it because I am an adult now, or do things really seem so much more complicated than it was 29 years ago?  Our society is obsessed with making money and buying more/better things.  I agree that ambition is good and moving up is good but is it worth working tirelessly and missing weekends where you could be chasing lightening bugs to go to this practice, or do this work so you are not so bombarded on Monday?  Also, how much STUFF do we really need?  I bet we could all fit what we really need into a 1200 sf house.  More things = more things to take care of or have to be replaced when broken.  Im starting to see that Less is More is a great mantra.  I went out and bought the CUTEST pink and brown cupcake ceramic ware for Ava's birthday party.  Loved it!  Got it home and thought, where the hell am I going to store this??  So, I took it back.  I know it would chip and  I would have to shove it somewhere just to keep it and it really would cause more headache than anything else.  But it matched her theme!!  Maybe I should have been tending to my garden, prepping it for spring and getting a dose of Vitamin D and fresh air instead of wandering around Kohls because I had a coupon.  This is what this American Lady REALLY thinks!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day :)  It is nice to have a day to remind us to stop and tell those who we love how much they mean to us!  I think Valentine's Day goes beyond your spouse or significant other, it is for friends and family too!  Looking forward to today for old traditions (Love Potion #31 Baskin Robbins Ice Cream with Nichole) and starting new ones with Ava.  Since it is so nice outside, her and I are going to have a picnic today at the park and then go pick out a cookie for Lily, and pick up tonight's fare at Fresh Market.  The best Valentines are those that are surprises.  Today, I awoke to have a gorgeous bouquet of Lilies, Roses, and even Curly Willow!  But even more than the fact it has my favorite flowers, it was that it was a surprise and thought ahead of time!  Just like when I was young, one of my favorite Valentine's memories was waking up Valentine's Day to having a red heart balloon tied to the end of my bed.  I felt so special.  I hope your day brings you a surprise and that feeling of being special!!  Love to you all!

I am a Liar

I hate lying.  I really do.  Today I was approached in the Walmart parking lot by a large, older, black man.  The first words out of his mouth were "Excuse me Ms".  Already, I felt more open to what he had to say because he had the decency to call me "Ms."  He then proceeded to tell me that he was not a begger or a pan handler but that if I had happened to overhear his conversation as he was walking my way, he was currently on unemployment.  However, he did not fill his form out correctly to get his check this week and now his check can not be processed until Monday.  On top of that, he only had three checks left for unemployment.  He then asked if there was any money I could spare to help him buy groceries to get through the weekend.  I immediately went on the defense and gave my generic answer of I dont have any cash although I knew I had a little bit.  I immediately felt bad for him and I felt even worse for lying because I have seen what the stress of unemployment can do to people.  Then I was mad I was even put in that position!  He didnt seem rude.  I was slightly annoyed by the fact that I was in the process of extracting sleeping Ava from the car and figuring out how to get her into the buggy without waking her up. Not to mention that when the car stops, I have a small window in which to work before Ava wakes up.  But why did I lie to him?  I am trained as a white female, and especially now as a mother to get out of those situations as quickly as possible because you read so many emails of Lord knows what happening and you don't want to become one of them.  I still feel bad for him though.  How can we still have people who need the basics to survive such as food?  Are people so caught up in themselves that they cant take time to volunteer or donate to those less fortunate than us?  I then saw him as I was loading up the car and he was crossing the street to the gas station.  If he were still in the parking lot, I would have without a doubt given him some of the food I purchased.  Help doesnt just come from friends and family.  It comes from a society of human beings helping each other through life.  Maybe next time Ill take the extra effort to help someone.  After all, countless doors have been opened, and other acts of kindness have been bestowed upon me since I had a baby.  Maybe now is my turn to repay the favor.  This is what this American lady REALLY thinks!

Floor Play

Instead of Food for Thought, it really should be Words for Thought, eh?  Let me ask you a question, when is the last time you sat on the floor?  Not to play with your dogs or take care of a child, but just did your work or sorted things on the floor?  I found myself sitting on the floor in one of my spare (craft) rooms and it made me feel very child-like.  Why do we exile ourselves to hard wooden chairs?  It immediately took me back to playing Barbies on the blue shag carpet in my sisters old bedroom (I think I have the carpet right, I was a wee thing).  I have found several comforting moments sitting on the floor, flipping through albums, remembering childhood memories, and going through yearbooks!  If you are on the floor you can't fall. Definately good therapy!  This is what this American Lady REALLY thinks :)

Valentine's Day Party

Off to attend Ava's Valentine's Day party at her daycare.  We really start 'em young with the whole manners and dressing up for parties deal in the South.  How much does an 11 month old get out of a Valentines Day party?  I think Ill shoot  her in the butt with an arrow so she can learn about Cupid :)

Let's Get Real!

Welcome to my little world of thoughts.  I have always been the person to say the "I can't believe she actually said that out loud" things.  We all go through life, thinking random thoughts to ourself but when did it become so taboo to say those things outloud?  Let's get real.  Let's put our thoughts and emotions on the table.  We ask ourselves why we don't have deep meaningful relationships?  Hello!  It is because we don't ever say what is really on our mind! We are so scared of rejection or being made fun of, our relationships in life skid by on day to day conversation and "how was your day?"  This is what this American Lady REALLY thinks.