Flexing

DISCLAIMER:  I am not really as full of myself as the following might sound.  Well, I might be, a little.  Shoot!  But this is what you get instead of my blanket advice that I wanted to subject EVERYONE to, which, in reality, I will probably write about at some time or another anyway, because it is really good advice.  But really, I am not a bossy snob. I promise.

And now, on with the show...

I have a very unique skill.  

Well, maybe it isn't unique, but it is very useful.

Well, maybe it isn't useful, but I'm glad that I have it.

I give great pep-talks.  

Need a little go-get-'em-tiger?  I'm your gal.  

Need a healthy dose of buck-up-cowgirl?  You know who to call.

But here is the problem.  

I don't interact with people who need my cheering every day.  I think that was one of the best perks of working in an office.  So many chances to step up on my soap box and send my fledgling words of inspiration into the air.

Okay, I admit.  I call it a pep-talk, as if it is cheering someone on.  But sometimes it is just bossing. 

I really like bossing.

Long ago 

my mom told me 

that if I ever started a business 

I should call it, 

"Let Me Boss You."

I think that is why Life Coaching

appeals to me so much.

People who WANT to be bossed.

The angles are singing.

It really would be the perfect job for me.

Unfortunately Jack isn't old enough for me to boss effectively.  And my husband is pretty awesome without me interfering, so neither of my boys require me to flex my advice giving muscles.  

GUYS!!!

I need a good bossing/pep-talking/advice giving workout.  

So, let's start, "Dear Fancy."

Need advice? Ask away! 

I won't even charge you!!  Now that is a DEAL!

For a limited time only, Fancy is open for business.  You send me your question, and I will respond with a personalized and, if you wish, private solution to your dilemma.  What could be better?!  

But wait.

It does get better!

Oh sorry, it doesn't. 

Free advice is as good as it gets.  

So ask away dear children.  Ask away.  

I Can Do That

I made them.

They are good.

I won't make them again.

It took ALL DAY.  As in EIGHT-PLUS hours.

I'm still tired from it.

BUT, I feel very proud for having accomplished it.  Especially considering my track record with other baked goods.

I'm also feeling smug for being in the midst of a two-baby day (meaning that I have Dane all day, which is A LOT of work) and having gotten in a shower and now stealing a moment to brag about my accomplishment.  I ROCK!  

Also,

I had a mini-realization this morning in the shower.  My life as a mom is not glamourous.  Before 9:00 this morning I had already been spit on, peed on, had slimy banana in my arm hair, changed a poopy diaper, been pinched, and done a ridiculous dance to please a 17 and 8 month old.

The fact that motherhood is not glamourous was not the revelation.  It was the fact that I expected it to be.  

A lightbulb went on for me.  

So much of my discouragement, frustration, sadness or anger comes from unmet expectations. Many, many times I don't even realize that I hold those conceptions of what my life will, or should, be like.  Once I see them, then I can work on adjusting to a more realistic appreciation for what my life is, rather than what it might be. 

I aspire to glamour.  In my hair, my fashion choices, in my home, in the way people perceive me.  But it is just another endless chase.  

A few entries ago I mentioned a sort of fantasy book series that I had enjoyed.  The tales blend fairy-folk and other mythical creatures into the world as we know it (cheesy, I know, but guys, I love that kind of stuff).  The author describes the fae as "wearing their glamour."  The idea is that they don't want people to see what they really look like, so the create an image to portray to the world.  

That is what I use glamour for too.  I want to hid behind an image that says "I've got it together."  But sometimes, I just don't. Okay, sometimes I DO have it together, but I've already done my bragging for this entry... 

I want to use glamour to hide fatigue, discouragement, indecision, boredom, and a myriad of other hard emotions that seem taboo.

What I want more, NEED more, than glamour is satisfaction.  Fruitfulness in the things that bless God's heart: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control.  

So instead of lamenting the fact that my life is messy, figuratively and literally, why not delight in the sweetness of what it is right now?  Today.  

Well, my time is up.  Messy babies are calling me to pull them from cribs and feed them and pour love into their day.  I can do that.  I can do it gracefully and honestly.  I can do that with no pretense and no need for a show.  And I will.

Here I come babies.  It is going to be a lovely day.

Oh the Wonder of it All

Here are the highlights of my weekend:

Jack

• Being followed by a crawling baby into every room that I go.
  
• Discovering that Jack snuck into the bathroom, overturned the garbage can, and was exploring the contents with his mouth. 
  
• Listening to the new, constant stream of syllables that come from my baby.  He even is practicing his "ma" sound!
• Bringing Jack into our bed in the morning for family cuddle time.
• Having raspberries blown on my shoulder and cheek as Jack snuggled in our bed in the morning.

Andy

• Went out on Sunday morning and did the grocery shopping.
• Came home from above shopping with a delicious Starbucks beverage, just the way I like it.
• Remembered to buy organic, even the eggnog!  Even though he could care less.
• MADE ME BREAKFAST!!
• AND DID THE DISHES!
• And folded about 8 loads of laundry.
• And fed Jack dinner and dressed him while I got ready for church.
• And declared that he will not watch any more Seahawks games this season because they are so terrible.

OTHER

• Getting a manicure and massage with my mother-in-law.
• Having the best deli sandwich I've had in a long time... turkey, avacado, facon (fake-bacon... you know that non-meat, supposed to be bacon stuff) and grilled red onions.  Yum!  
• Ordering Christmas cards - I'm so on the ball this year!

It was a great weekend.  Now, on to the week!  

A successful party

I'm trying to ignore the scattered glasses and plates that cover every available surface in my living space.  It is impossible.  They are everywhere!  EVERYWHERE!

Just a few short hours ago my house was clean and I had a beautiful spread of appetizers and sparkling drinks adorning my dining room table.  No more.  In the wake of a bride to be and her entourage there is just chaos.  And me to tame it.  

I'm not very good at house chaos.  I just don't care enough.  On the list of all the things that could vie for my attention each day, a clean house is just not near enough to the top to make the cut.  

That is probably why I really don't enjoy the prep for parties.  I hate noticing all the dust and mystery fuzz that has made its home in the corners of my house.  In my normal, everyday life I just ignore it, but a few days before guests are due to arrive, suddenly my abode appears filthy.  Filthy!  As in, "I really let my innocent child scoot around on this floor?"

However, I do enjoy celebrating, and to be 100% truthful, I sometimes like to show off.  Gasp.  Yes, it is true.  Since my stellar spread has been devoured and my party drinks have been drunk and all that is left is for me to dive into the aftermath, let's just pause and review the few moments of gastronomic glory that I had a hand in creating.

Recipes available on request *wink*

The Drinks

At the groom's request, this was a Mocktail party (I wanted to do fun drinks, he asked for them sans-alcohol).  And boy were the bevies good!  

A virgin mojito, a hibiscus spritzer, a sweet blend of peach nectar and sparkling cider (the crowd fav) and sparkling ginger lemonade.  

Tasty Bites

Crusty bread topped with honey goat cheese, seasoned nuts, bruschetta, baked ravioli, and my personal pride and joy, finger salads: 

Yes, you are actually looking at bit-sized pieces of lettuce lovingly wrapped around a cucumber spear and shaved carrots, tied with a sliver of green onion and drizzled with sesame ginger dressing. Yes.  That is what you are seeing.

I'll let your eye linger on the beautiful salads for one moment longer...

Okay, now I must bid farewell to this reminiscing and set in on the job before me.  I at least want to look like I've been working while Andy has been away.  And since I'm pretty sure it is only girls who read this I feel safe in confessing that I'll be cleaning in my underwear... just to make sure he doesn't notice the mess first.  *smile*  It's great being a girl.