The New Normal

There was a sleepover at my house last night.  Monday is sort of like Friday because no one has anything to do on Tuesdays except laundry and catch up.  So we set up the cot in Cocopugs' bedroom and CB gladly slept with her sister.  After tucking them in I heard snippets of their conversations and Coco telling her sister she was tired, stop talking!  This morning I woke up to them singing a good morning song to each other and then running in to wake me up.  It was pretty sweet...

My children and I are sitting at the kitchen table, working, each one of us.  CB is creating a newspaper complete with comic pages, news stories, and pictures.  Cocopugs keeps drawing pictures of stuff, so she's designated to the classifieds.  (I currently have a picture of a car with 6 wheels of different colors and a polka dot exterior.  If Only it could be true!!)  

I have a stack of work to be done, new files to add to my computer, bills to take care of, and emails to write and get sent off.  I have been so focused on CB and family this last week that everything else has sort of fallen aside.  Isn't it funny how things can just be let go without any real lasting consequences?  I had taken care of most things before her surgery, anticipated the time off, but now I feel compelled to finish everything, get moving on life again.  And I CAN"T WAIT UNTIL SPRING!!!  Everytime the sun shines lately, I just get happier...

Relationships, Part II and other assorted oddities

UPDATES:

1. I do suck at some relationships. With my husband, I don't mind being confrontational and apparently have been so recently to the point he told me I was mean and obnoxious. What? I'm not perfect? Don't tell the kids!!! So I'm adjusting my attitude and am going for sweet and tough. Kind of like overcooked BBQ ribs. The way to his heart is through his (illusionary) stomach.

2. CB is home and doing great from her recent stay at the hospital. She is a bit slow, a bit grumpy and tired, and getting a bit more love from her mama- I have been doting on her because she is just a little peanut! (And I love her with a renewed sense of purpose)

3. Cocopugs keeps asking when her 'osplittle' toys are coming. Why doesn't she get presents? Don't we love her? She is really so funny, cute and sweet with her little bob and curls.

4. I have been playing with my new macbook- it's neat. I like it. I am tackling the router and transfer of files this afternoon, so we'll see how much I like it then.

5. CB has a loose tooth. What's the going rate for a first tooth?

Relationships

Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
I can still hear my grandfathers quiet voice telling me this advice when I was in high school and moaning about the latest boy crush. It seemed really simple- no subtext, no agenda, no manipulations. Just be clear.
I was masterful at predicting (and maneuvering) events to go the way I wanted them to, all with a smooth tongue of vagueness, and overall selfish conversation. After causing a lot of heartache, I decided that Grampa's advice should be heeded and used. So I changed my bad self- and have come to the startling conclusion that: Relationships are hard. Effective communication makes them easier.
Here are my observations about good relationships:

• Honest Feelings. Not brutal, not confrontational. I may not react to something right away mostly because I need time to process information. But I will always find a way to be honest about how I feel when it really counts.
• I genuinely care about what other people are doing, and try to keep myself out of the conversation until I am asked. Here's why: I know me. If I start in about me, I will just continue to talk about me and what I am doing until the cows come home. And that's not a relationship! That's me blathering on about me. Who wants that?!?! Now, I do have a great set of friends I call on when something is bothering me. That's what girlfriends are for!
• Everyone likes to be accepted. (Like Christina is an affirming shopper...$300 vacuum? Oh Yeah!) It's not like I am a cheerleader, I just look for the positive things and go for them. If I disagree with someone, I am careful to disagree with their idea, not their personality. I love the variety of people I know and cherish because of this ability.
• I like to ask questions. I really want to know why, who, when, and what. I'm a reporter with no newspaper or writing skills.

I know this is cheesy and dumb, but I really like all the people I know- I am lucky to have such neat people in my life.

Any ideas on what makes your good relationships good?

Back to me...

So I tried out the new format for the new year. Wasn't making me nearly as happy. I like paper, and this looks like parchment.

I want to know how Ms Christina over there at Latte in Hand gets her fancy pants fabric page. I am not so crafty with the blog.

But I am so cold and tired in the basement I have to go upstairs and go to bed. Here are a couple of holiday photos to keep you company while I rest...

Things I am Thankful for...

Ok, who cares about me, how about the things I am thankful for...

1. Hot Chocolate
2. Cheeky kisses, huggles, nosey nosers, gentle hands, and cold ears
3. 3T polka dot nightgowns
4. Lavender baby wash
5. Preschooler naps
6. Nice conversations and discussions with my parents
7. Sisters/ Mom weekends away
8. Concerts
9. Clean laundry, washed floors, vacuumed carpets
10. Giada, Jamie and Nigella on Saturday mornings
11. My sensitive, tough, intelligent and sweet siblings.
12. My friends, their complications and mine
13. Patrick Michael
14. Chopin Mazurkas, Bach Cantatas, Schubert Leider, Brahms Requiem
15. Black and White photography
16. Learning new music, even ABBA
17. Mastering old music
18. Wild dreams, crazy life. There is a big difference.
19. Creamy lobster bisque, chicken and mushroom stuffed pastry, chocolate torte
20. Positive balances, tax refunds, having way more than enough
21. Water coloring
22. Writing blog entries
23. The Holy Spirit whose presence blesses my life daily
24. The discipline of work- I love my vocation.
25. Ummm... LIFE!! It's a gift