Monday, May 30, 2011

Brighter and Better

My hubby loves me.  He really loves me!

After a little whining and “wearing him down”, I finally got my ugly, paneled dining room painted!  He was not excited about using his day off to paint, but he’s a good sport!  As much as he originally fought me on it, even he has to admit It looks much better!  There are still curtains to hang, a new rug to purchase, and dining chairs to reupholster.  Those pictures will come later.

BEFORE:005
006007

AFTER:
020
021024

Thursday, May 26, 2011

“The Meltdown”

I’m pretty sure there is a huge, invisible vice squeezing my head.  In fact, I believe it’s been on there for about a week now.  What makes it even worse is that someone or something is t-w-i-s-t-i-n-g  it tighter and tighter each day!  It’s getting to the point where I am getting a bit . . . should I say . . . irritable

Which might explain the fact that I had a bit of a meltdown this past Saturday.  It started out as a pretty good day.  Hubby and I got up and went garage sale-ing, got some great bargains (6 pairs of jeans, 6 pairs of shorts, and about 10 shirts for Todd – all for about $20!), and enjoyed our morning together.  Next thing I know, just as he was heading out the door to go help a friend, I’m blubbering like an idiot about how stressed I am at work, how tired I am of housework and laundry, and how much I hate our house!  I know it was the headache that triggered this sudden release of emotion, but my hubby was completely blind-sided by it!  When someone like me -- who is calm, cool, even-keeled -- suddenly falls apart, it takes everyone by surprise!  Including me! 
vice

Actually, a meltdown like this happens once or twice a year.  It can be triggered by just about anything, and I never really know when it’s going to hit.  It can be about anything or nothing at all; because, in actuality, it’s about everything that’ I’ve saved up throughout the year.  Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t hold grudges or “bottle up my emotions”.  I’m not worrying and fretting inside, while putting on a brave face to the world.  I really am a very easy-going kinda gal!  But every 6 – 12 months, I need an “emotional cleansing”!  And it can strike at any moment.

By the way, to set the record straight, I don’t hate our house.  It is, as I’ve mentioned before, a “fixer-upper”, but it’s comfortable, livable, and just the right size.  The yard, the woods, the pears and blueberries are awesome!  I love the privacy and quietness of our setting.  I love my kitchen.  Thanks to the amazing handiwork of my sweet hubby, there’s ample cupboard space, the floors are beautifully tiled, there’s nice new countertops, it’s a bright green color (my fave) – so we’re good there.  Our straight-from-the-50’s PeptoBismol pink bathroom is hideous, but functional.  The bedrooms are small, but who really needs that much room?  All the windows need to be replaced (especially the front window in the living room that has a cardboard panel where one of the panes broke out).  But, all in all, I know these things will be addressed eventually and I can live with things in the mean time. 

However, what I really can’t stand one moment longer – and didn’t even realize until “the meltdown” – is the fact that I’m surrounded by brown!  I like brown.  It’s a pretty color – one of my favorites to wear.  But, hardwood floors, wooden dining room table,  brown leather recliners, tan/brown couch, and (the kicker) dark brown paneled walls!  Blachhh!!  I need paint, brightness, a little color, a little style!!  My husband, of course, loves the paneling.  If I hear, “That’s good-quality paneling!  They don’t make it like that anymore!” one more time, I think I’m going to have a meltdown!!!  
---Wait a minute.  I already did.  And I think I got his attention.  We’re coming up on Memorial Day weekend and are planning to go to Home Depot and get some paint to cover that brown, ridiculous, ugly, good-quality paneling! 

So, what have we learned here?  Not sure about you, but I’ve learned that these unexpected bursts of emotion can be useful!  And, more importantly, I’ve learned that my hubby loves me!  He doesn’t like when I’m unhappy.  All I need to do is tell him what I want.  He’ll do whatever he can to make me feel better.  He’s a good man!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Worth a thousand words . . .

So, a picture a day is harder than you’d think!  You have to really be looking and paying attention to get a shot that’s even close to interesting – but, it was a lot of fun!  I encourage you to give it a try sometime.  It definitely forces you to take notice of the world around you! 

Click on the photos below to see my shots for the week:

 

1 - Sunday

2 - Monday

3 - Tuesday

4 - Wednesday

5 - Thursday

6 - Friday

7 - Saturday

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

A Photo Experiment

I've recently been totally captivated by a blog I came across called "Everyday Photos".  It's a beautiful photo diary of a young photographer mom of three little girls.  She has determined to post one picture a day for an entire year.  It could be a photo of her adorable little girl taking a nap, or a snapshot of a cardinal she saw sitting in the road, or even a beautiful flower.  She's very talented and I find it inspirational!  Whether the picture is beautiful, shocking, or melancholy, it draws me in. 
collage of us

So, I've decided to do my own version of this for a week, starting this past Sunday.  Obviously, this will not compare to her blog!  Her pictures are beautiful and professional, skillfully capturing moments in her family's life that she'll treasure forever.  My expectation is quite different.  I just want to snap one pic a day of something that inspires me or surprises me that particular day.  Maybe something I see while driving to work that I snap quickly with my camera phone; or something that makes me laugh, like my dogs playing in the back yard.  We live in a beautiful world - God has created a masterpiece.  I'm just going to try to capture it in my unique perspective for one week.  Should be fun!! 
 
Stay tuned.  I'll post the pics on Saturday.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Rah! Rah! Sis-boom-bah!!

I’ve never considered myself “cheerleader material”.  As a shy kid, I was too self-conscious to get in front of a crowd of people and recite perky little chants while jumping and flipping around.  I think I’d rather poke myself in the eye!  However, like most young girls, I was fascinated by the pretty, outgoing, popular cheerleaders.  Their lives seemed so glamorous!  They were always having fun, laughing and flirting with the boys.

Little did I know that one of the most important jobs of a wife and mom is being a cheerleader.  A husband counts on a wife to support him, encourage him, and cheer him on.  Over the last 20-some years, I’ve cheered my husband into taking jobs, quitting jobs, opening a business, closing a business, buying a house, and renovating a house.  When a decision needs to be made, we discuss it, we make a decision, and I start cheering.  Kids, of course, need Mom to be a cheerleader, too.  It starts with shouts of joy when your little one takes his first step or learns how to use the potty, and continues to adulthood, when they’re making decisions about college, marriage, buying a home, etc.  Never underestimate the power of a cheering woman!
thumbs up
Every once in awhile, I find myself a little weary of being the cheerleader.  Don’t get me wrong, I love to support my hubby and kids.  I want to be the one that they can always count on to be in their corner.  However, it can be an emotional rollercoaster at times!  Today, I find myself surrounded by doom and gloom.  We seem to have a “perfect storm” of emotion – hubby, son and daughter are all needing some cheer today.  It's hard to deal with them all at once!  So, tonight I find myself weary of the negativity.  My even-keel, “go with the flow”, “take it in stride”, “keep it cool” personality has reached it’s limit for this 24-hour period.  I’m tired of being positive and encouraging.  More than likely, they’ll be back to their happy selves tomorrow, after a good night’s rest. 

So, I say, “Go to bed.  Wake up in the morning to a new, sunshiny day.  We’ll tackle all this tomorrow.”  Which, in actuality, is a little bit “cheerleader-ish” when I think about it.  Almost makes me want to break out in song, “The sun’ll come out tomorrow!  Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun!” 

So . . . I guess I am cheerleader material.

Monday, May 9, 2011

All MY Children

I heard this week that, after 41 years on the air, ABC has canceled their soap opera, All My Children.  I’ve never watched it, but I’m sure there are many women (and men?) that have invested time and energy into the characters and stories over the years and will be sorry to see it go.  Not being a soap opera fan – the only thing that comes to mind when I hear “All My Children”  is all MY children.
 
We’ve had a lot of kids come through our house in the last 20-some years.  Some came in and out of our lives in a flash, then were easily forgotten.  Others wormed their way into our hearts and home and became a part of our lives forever.  Some call us Mr. and Mrs. Granger, some call us Todd and Mary, and those special few call us Mom and Dad – or some variation of those terms, like Pop, Ma, or my newest and favorite nickname, Momma G. 
 
Of course, the most famous of our “adopted” kids is Nicole – she is now considered one of our own; but there have also been several others at different times over the years.  First were Jacquelyn and Spencer – we met their folks in pregnancy class and had our first babies together, then a couple years later, we were both pregnant again.  We spent lots of time together those first five years before moving to Florida and drifting apart.  Then, of course, there were the school friends that came over to play Barbies or Nintendo, swim in the pool, or spend the night on the weekends.  Some of these kids remain friends today:  Hollie, Cari, Justin, Kristen, Lindsey . . . and some we haven’t seen in years.  Now that our kids are technically adults, we don’t acquire many “adoptees” anymore.  But, occasionally one comes along – like my son’s roommate, Austin.  He even bought me a Mother’s Day gift this year and is responsible for my new moniker, “Momma G”.  Of course, the fact that we usually provide him a home-cooked meal when he comes over might contribute to his affection for us! ;)    

cass and spence 3nick and jacq
nick and budscas and carinicole and hollie
subapaintspenceguysthe girls

kristi
Next, come those that will legally join our family.  So far, that’s just Kristi – our future daughter-in-law, but there will be sons-in-law coming eventually.  We adore Kristi.  She’s a great addition to the family . . . and will be a terrific mommy to our grandkids some day!  Of course, along with grandkids come their life-long friends who will become our “adopted” grandkids!  It’s an evolving family – and we welcome them all! 
 
My motto when it comes to family?  -- The bigger, the better! 
 

Friday, May 6, 2011

Mother’s Day

This Sunday is Mother’s Day.  I love, love, love being a mother!  I was MADE for it!  To date, it’s the best thing I’ve done with my life.   I was blessed with perfect, beautiful babies and was given an amazing opportunity to teach them how to walk, talk, count, share toys, respect authority, contribute to society, communicate and share their lives with others.  That’s a huge responsibility – but I love every minute of it!  And, I’ve done a great job, if I do say so myself!  (Could I be a bit biased?)  My kids are smart, funny, caring, responsible adults, who make the world a better place – at least my world! 


As much as I love being a mom, Mother’s Day is bittersweet for me.  My mom was amazing – and I miss her everyday; but Mother’s Day makes me miss her even more.  It causes me to look back 054and think of sweet memories with her.  I remember as a preschooler, we would play the “rhyme game” when traveling in the car.  “What rhymes with tree?”  Then we would list every possible word we could think of that rhymed.  I remember she would sometimes sit in a chair and let me brush and style her hair.  As a high schooler, we’d go clothes shopping, play games or go for walks together.  We especially loved walking in the winter on a snowy night.  After I got married and had my son, Nick, we would pack up the playpen and various baby paraphernalia and spend the day at the beach.  My mom amazed me.  She not only kept the house, cooked the meals, did the laundry,  managed a household, and performed her duties as the preacher’s wife, but she gardened, canned and still found time to have fun.  She was an amazing example and I strive every day to be like her. 


To all those mothers out there, enjoy your day - celebrating you and everything you do for your family!  And remember the amazing mother you had and thank her if you can!