Well Said

As anyone who knows me knows, I am NOT a political person--but I have to say as we go into our 6th year of war, and I'm in between my children's birthdays and celebrating their glorious little lives, I will simply post this poem written by Shel Silverstein:

HUG O' WAR

I will not play at tug o' war
I'd rather play at hug o' war
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
and rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
and everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

A Busy Week and Another Year Older

Yes indeed--spring is springing and the busy times are coming. Both kids birthdays in March and April, and then the month of May that includes 4 birthdays and 3 Mother's Days which basically makes it like another Christmas around here.

First of all--Happy Birthday, Sullivan! It was actually March 12th, but today we braved it and had some of Sully's classmates in our house for a little party. It's so tough, we had soooo many friends we wanted to invite, but sadly we can't have them all. It was a great time, his friends are adorable and they were entertained by magician Brian Richards. He was definitely worth every penny, just a really nice guy--a great magician and great fun for the kids. He had us all laughing. What, you think I'm going to have all of those kids in my house and entertain them myself??! I'm not THAT brave!

The other day we all went to the public library to see Sullivan's art work on display. He was one of the chosen few selected to have his 'Self Portrait Collage' up on the for the next month, and we actually went to the 'art opening' to see it. He was so proud, and of course Mommy was too--but certainly not surprised. Both of my kids have amazing artistic talent!!

We also took part in our city's 'Unplugged' day, a day where everyone is supposed to shun their electronic devices and actually spend time with their families instead. I have to say that it's a little sad to me that this needs to be spelled out for people, but, there it is. Local restaurants had deals so cooking Mommies (and Daddies too, I suppose!) could be unplugged as well, so we took advantage of that with a meal out and then came back here to play family games. Yes, that is my husband happily playing a board game. He will try to tell you that he doesn't enjoy himself doing such a thing, but don't believe him. Just to make it easier on him we all endured listening to Adrian Belew. Why is it that he hates playing games, yet when he does he always wins??! No fair.I myself did manage to take some time off this week to smell the roses--okay not the roses (yet!) but at least the melting snow. We almost hit 50 degrees one day and I just had to enjoy it out on my deck. It will be so fun to enjoy the first spring in our new house! Connie was visiting for a couple of days, resting up from her trip to Italy before she drove back home.

And tonight, a relaxing dinner at Steph's to hang with her and meet some friends visiting. I have to say, after a house full of kids I can't think of anything better than to have my good friend Stephanie cook for for me.

Back In the Saddle...

...to get rid of the saddle. Bags, that is. Yesterday I re-signed myself up at the gym. I was going pretty regularly for over a year, but then I got into a walk/run faze, hit summer-time and thought--'who needs the gym'? Apparently, I do. I guess I'm just one of those people who will NOT work out out of doors unless the weather is perfect--and how often is that in Minnesota?! I am not like my hearty friend Steph, who gets out there and walks it pretty much rain or shine, icy patches on the street or no. One little slip on one of those patches and weee! There goes my back. So I guess the Ellipse machine and weights all in the confines of the athletic club is where it's at for me. And you know, I like it. I like having to get up and go somewhere, away from my house. I feel like I get a better workout on those machines than I do simply walking--or even running. I even missed the smell of the gym, I have to say. (well, most of the time. not when someone is working out next to me and they reek of B.O. Then the gym is not so pretty.) No, I don't plan on looking like scary macho Barbie here, but I do want to be feeling good and getting rid of that darn hibernation padding that creeps up around the middle this time of year.

So I started my day this morning with a bang, hittin' the gym once again. It was great until I almost passed out and/or puked from over-doing it. I got on the Ellipse for 30 minutes, then hit some weights and some floor stuff. I was amazed that I actually remembered how to work some of that stuff--and dismayed at how weak I am now. Man, it sure doesn't take long for you to lose your stamina and your brawn when you get off track. bummer. But! I know I'l get it back. But a note to self, and to the rest of you thinking about spring/summer and putting yourself back into exercise...go slow. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was a flat stomach. Luckily I was overall fine, but woowee, I sure hit that point where I was like, "I'm done!"

As much as I wanted to just lay down and go to sleep I needed to run out and get groceries this afternoon. I was pulling into a space and just as I was doing so, a car pulled up into it from the other side. I was grumbling and threw a dirty look at the person only to realize it was my dear friend Stephanie. ha! We had a good laugh about that one. Nothing like making grocery shopping more fun by having your peep there with you. We proceeded to stand in people's way at lunch-time at the salad bar, gabbing away--hey, we've had to skip some all-important coffee dates recently and had some serious dish to catch up on! Luckily we are squeezing in a coffee date in a couple of days so we can finish what we started by the olives. Never enough time to chat, my friends, never enough time.

And on that chatty note, I must run! The kids will be coming home from school soon and it's like Christmas every day to see what they brought home in their backpacks! :-) I will leave you with a lovely spring-like photo of my bulb pot I just HAD to buy. I highly recommend one of these to anyone living here in Minnesota at this time of year...bring on the spring!