octolilly [through the years]

Yesterday was filled with such happy things! I caught up with a friend I haven’t spoken to in EIGHT years, I found some old children’s books I thought I’d lost (they are filled illustrations that have lost their copyright and I will be slathering them all over the web asap), I got a LOT of unpacking done in the office, and I took a hot shower for thirty minutes and blared Bon Iver while I thought through some frumpy-stuck-in-a-rut I’m feeling (it totally worked).

I also decided I’m going to do a new thing every day in August. And by “new thing,” I mean something I have never done. It’s rather hard to come up with thirty one things but here’s what I have so far:

Eat sushi, donate blood, watch the sunrise and sunset in the same day, get a pedicure, get a passport, get a massage, visit the Detroit Zoo, send a secret to Post Secret, find the Mice on Main in Greenville, SC (when we visit in Aug), and color an entire coloring book in one day.

I also want to ride in a small plane. We have a few friends here who have their private pilot’s license so hopefully I can bum a ride with one of them.

And, I’m incredibly interested in Trash the Dress. I tried on my wedding dress this afternoon and it was just plain hilarious.

I walked into the living room wearing it and Drew looked up from his pile of Legos and shouted, “WHAT DID YOU DO?” I told him it was my wedding dress and he asked, “are you getting married tonight?” I said, “no, I got married to Daddy a few years ago. I’m just trying this on.” He replied, “well, I’m really busy right now.”

The problem with doing Trash the Dress in August is that even though I’ve lost 13 lbs this year, I’m still horrifyingly 40 lbs heavier than when we got married in 2006. And I was plump then, too. I could only zip the dress up halfway – it was way too tight around my bust. DID I GAIN 40 POUNDS IN MY BOOBS? OH GOD. So, unless I can magically shed 40 lbs in about a month, trashing my wedding dress is not going on the list. Maybe later.

Outside my window the sun is starting to set and long shadows are spilling over the Tree Tunnel. I’d love to be sitting on the porch as I write this but it’s been in the 90’s all day and if I open that glass door I’ll probably fall over from the heat wave.

I am thinking about my friend Kerry. We had a quick catchup yesterday (VERY quick – I still need a long talk, m’dear) and I feel so happy thinking about visiting South Carolina this summer and spending time with her and her sweet family.

I am thankful for my little family. I’ve had some emotional angst the past month or two wherein I’ve wondered dramatically what I’m going to do with my life (yes, I’m thirty. Is this too early for a mid-life crisis?) but I’m finally calming down a bit. Yes, my days run together as a stay-at-home mom, but I’ve been experiencing peace lately as I fill the role of comforter, cook, and general Queen Bee. So, I’m very thankful to have my little family. I am blessed to be able to wrap my arms around them and I don’t want to take it for granted at all.

I am wearing a pair of jeans and a blue scoop-neck shirt that has three tiny holes in it. I love this shirt so much and even though I’ve ignored these holes for quite awhile now, I know in my heart that it’s destined for the Ratty Pile.

I am remembering that today is Jonathan and Tara’s shower for their little girl they’re bringing home in August. I really wish I could have been there. It looks like our South Carolina trip will end up being in August so hopefully everything will work out so we can meet their little girl on our visit.

I am going to tuck Drew in bed soon and then we’re going to watch a bit of Doctor Who and the first episode of Torchwood. This is Daniel’s first time seeing the “older” Doctor Who stuff and he’s never seen Torchwood. I’m really enjoying watching it all again.

I am currently reading nothing. 🙁 I have a stack of five books or so that I was given or purchased in the past month but we have all of our books stacked in the office (actually, most are still in boxes – just a few are stacked along the wall) until we get new bookcases. Our previous ones were falling apart so we decided not to bring them with us on this move. Hopefully we’ll get the ones we’re wanting from Ikea in the next month.

I am hoping we have a relaxing day tomorrow. Perhaps a game of Catan, the park, and nothing much more.

On my mind: Daniel unpacked his keyboards this evening and spent quite awhile playing. It echoed beautifully throughout the apartment and it felt like home. Drew sashayed into the dining room at one point (where I’m sitting and typing) and said, “I sure love when Daddy plays the piano!”

Noticing that: Drew finally gave in to our “we’re having a TV break this evening” and has abandoned his demands for Olivia. He’s sitting on the floor, building with Legos.

In the kitchen I am making hot peppermint tea because Drew has a sore throat (suddenly) and asked for “worm tea.” I think he means warm.

Around the house it feels spacious. That’s the best word to describe our apartment. We were so used to tight hallways and coziness (i.e. no space) that it feels like a hotel here at times. I think all three of us can stand shoulder to shoulder in the hallway now.

One of my favorite things currently is E-Mealz! I absolutely love using their grocery lists and its made our evening meal planning a breeze. Other than a Bacon and Cheese Strata that was too quiche-ish for my tastes, I’ve loved every single meal I’ve made.

From my photo archive:

This is from 2005! When Daniel and I got engaged, he moved from Baltimore, MD to South Carolina. He rented this tiny, adorable, and memorable cottage.

~

P.S. I have to give a nod to Bethany for the inspiration behind this post.

Three weeks ago today, we moved to a lovely little town community perched on a beautiful lake in Michigan. It feels touristy here at times. Reminiscent of Amelia Island, where we honeymooned. And then within ten minutes on the interstate, the big box stores take over and the nostalgia is gone.

But I’m falling in love with this area. And our home. We have a three bedroom apartment Really High in the Sky (as Drew says) and for the first few nights we just sat around sad-like thinking how did we put up with that other apartment for so long? THIS IS BLISS.

Drew has transitioned to this new place beautifully. Moving is certainly emotionally difficult for children and I fully expected tears, confusion, and some attitude problems for awhile but he has been rather impressive. He slept in his new bedroom (which is farther away from our room than he’s used to) the very first night and has taken to it all so well.

As I’ve unpacked and began the process of making this new place our cozy home, I’ve felt the itch to write. So, I’m here again at Octolilly!