The Weather Is Beautiful

Ever notice how the weather is the 'go-to' topic when you have nothing better to talk about? It is often the subject of small talk. The weather has been nice, in fact, spectacular in my opinion, but that isn't the root of my blog post.

Despite the cooler temps, windows open and breezes blowing, my mood has been a bit melancholy as of late. I caught Phil Luciano's column this morning about the loss of a friend. Luciano: A darkness behind the brightest of smiles - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com I thought it an interesting point where he questions, "what lurks behind the smiles and laughs we see in our loved ones every day? Are they real, a mask or something in between?"

Some days I wear my happy face because I deem it necessary to project positive thinking to our children and to others. I'm not saying I do it all the time. I'm sure if you asked our kids, they would tell you mommy can also do the 'scary monster face' really well. My point is, sometimes we hit ruts, a funk and we need to find a ladder, to be able to climb out of the hole of darkness.

Several news stories have brought me down in mood, a crisis with one of our vehicles, ongoing edginess with friends, crazy schedules my family is keeping lately and several family matters for which I have no control. I just wanted everyone to know the truth. I am not a 'perky peach of a mother' all the time. And I've come to realize, there are times in my life, my months, my days where I just have to get my leg on one rung of that ladder to step up and see a little light.

I went for a walk. I made a pot of coffee. I am sitting outside enjoying the morning of peace and quiet. And despite the crap in my life that I noted above, I am smiling on the inside because I know it will pass and life will work itself out.

"I took the good times, I take the bad times..."

"...I take you just the way you are."

I had a great Labor Day weekend, for the most part. Husband and kids were GREAT. We had wonderful friends over and I even got out and enjoyed a little 'me' time. Everyone relaxed and enjoyed each other, which is how a long weekend is supposed to be.

However, it ended abruptly due to some unforeseen, yet forthright honesty by a few persons in my life. I thought, perhaps naively, I'd never encountered a person, that I could not get along with, and at the bare minimum, agree to disagree. I was pretty proud of the fact, most of my friendships and relationships that had disengaged throughout my life, seemed to have been amicable in parting of the ways or for those which just grew apart, with no one to blame. I should be thankful. I've had disappointments and minor backstabbing in my life from persons I've trusted. Those persons doing the damage were obviously not of great importance in the grand scheme of my life, because I got over it relatively quick. I am not sharing major details of this weekend's events as I prefer to keep some dirty laundry on the laundry room floor of my home, but I will say, emotionally, it was a rough, eye-opening weekend.

The first song I thought of was 'The Stranger' by Billy Joel, because I felt blindsided and betrayed by the persons I thought I knew. However, as I continue on this journey of adulthood, I realize that there are people who just don't care for me. I rub them the wrong way, I've been a disappointment to them in some regard, or perhaps they just don't find a middle or common ground with me. I can accept that.

Instead of feeling like I am disappointment or I lack the qualities to be 'liked/loved' in those persons lives, I'm choosing to embrace the person I am to those who do love me, those that accept me for who I am. It is to those people that I say THANK YOU. Thank you for loving me just the way I am.

Moving forward.

GLORIOUS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC DAY!

THIS is my FALL!! When I step outside in my pajama attire (to let the dog out) and I am freezing 'something' off, it is MY kind of weather. It is going to be a good day. I opened up the windows and am purging the summer funk that has built up in this house. I'm cleaning house and actually enjoying it.

Busy day ahead that involves a lot of driving. I'm actually excited about this. Driving when your dash registers 102 degrees, is NOT my kind of driving weather. I don't care if the AC is set at 63, with all 4 front vents blowing on me (yes, I really do this), it is entirely too warm to be in a vehicle because at some point, you have to get out. So, today as I venture out to get an oil change, pick up my son from school, head to a late lunch with a friend and then to the movies tonight with my husband and the kiddos, I will be rolling down the highway with the windows wide open and the music at a level that won't wound ear drums, but might just let other vehicles at stoplights know that it's a 'Desire' kind of day! I never used to like the cd, but I found myself playing it over and over as I'd go out to shoot photos and now it's probably one of my favorites. It's good-groovin'-drivin' tune-age, but if you like 'BOB,' any of his music is good music, anytime.

Carpe diem.

Not sure what's up with the Jesus rag on his head (1976 ?), but still a good song..

A $4 Date!

Well actually, I went by myself, so I only spent $2, but the time alone was much needed and the view, breathtaking and spectacular!

If you've never been to Tower Park in Peoria Heights, IL, put it on the to-do list! I have lived in this area for almost 39 years off and on and this was the first time I'd ever gone up in the tower. I want to say it was erected in 1970 (sign at the bottom as you get off the elevator) but I'd need to check that again. And there was a restorative overhaul in 2002 (also need to check again but found that on wiki).

If you are not into glass elevators that move at a snail's pace, this might not be the date for you. However, if you want to take your sweetie up (or a friend, family member..not sure if pets are allowed, doubtful), it is serene, peaceful and quiet except for the open air wind and romantic as the top of the Eiffel Tower, or so I imagine for this town of Peoria. I have not actually been to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but a place is what you make it and I made the most of it! I was at the top of the tower for over a half hour today snapping photographs and admiring the views. And the breezy wind up there was fantastic as todays temps were low 90s. The elevator actually stops 2 floors below the actual top of the tower. You climb to the top deck, which is totally open air, with a spiral staircase.


I'm not sure if there is a time limit up there (doubt it) and you'd have to check the hours they are open, but if someone needed an awesome date idea, I would suggest packing a small picnic bag with a blanket, a non-alcholic bottle of bubbly and 2 toasting glasses, grab lunch from a local venue and then undoing the date's blindfold, somewhere about 10 seconds after you hit the PH button on the elevator going to the top of the tower. Yeah..I thought it was pretty funny they had a PH button. I kept thinking..'woohoo'..I've never been in a Penthouse suite!

I'm really into finding treasures in this area. This isn't overly advertised, and it is definitely a place worth seeing from the top! And be sure to check out the woodpecker on the southwest side...but don't lean over the edge too far!

Well, It's Friday and I'm Not In the Fetal Position!

Cheers!

My walks have been good. I've SEEN the morning, the fog on the pond, all my neighbors leaving for school and work (ha ha suckers!..ok..sorry..but don't I get to be happy I stay at home?), cleared my head, made the dog happy by letting her sniff every unidentifiable pile of something, and still had the rest of my morning to myself. Did I mention I am working up to a jog? I think my feet, as well as the rest of my body, need to be slightly conditioned (cough...cough..) before attempting to actually go at a faster pace than a brisk walk. But, I'm still going.

Crunches suck. I'll rephrase that... Crunches SUCK. But, every time I feel it pull when I slowly lower myself back down, I know what I'm working toward and it feels GOOD!

Do you know what a nasal aspirator is? It's that blue little bulb/baster looking thing they send home after having a baby at the hospital. It is used to remove snot and other fun loogie-type-stringy-stuff from your newborn's nose so they can breathe. I wish they made one that would go inside my belly button and suck out what I've shoved down my mouth for the last 5 years. Sure would make the crunches not seem like I'm being suffocated by my breasts.

Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. Exercise is fun. (insert huffing and puffing here)

And This Is Why I'm Not Working...

Son is down for a nap..and all is quiet again. He was so cute today. He came running out of school, gave me a big hug, told me he got 'spotted' (they get a puppy paw print sticker..dalmation..spots..for good behavior) and asked if I could take him for a hot cocoa at Starbucks. So, I said, 'how about we get a chocolate milk w/ whipped cream instead of something hot because it's a nice day?' He agreed. So we went and I ordered a tall iced soy latte and he got chocolate milk. We sat and listened to jazz. He danced to the beat of the music and wiggled in his chair while he drank his milk. And we talked about his morning. Then we drove home and he talked more and I listened. And he requested pbj and carrot sticks for lunch. I surprised him w/ strawberries and a rice krispie treat when he was done. And he said, 'mommy, I love that you make my lunch.'


And THIS is why I am not working.

I Got Boobs and I'd Be Happy With A 4-Pack.

After doing crunches this morning, I know I have muscles. I could feel them tightening. There must be a six-pack hidden under there, right? I might only ever have a four-pack, if I ever could see it someday. I believe the other two-pack is hidden under what has transpired as motherhood boobage.

I'm thinking by Friday I may be in fetal position after my stomach says, WTF!!?!!