Archives for October 2007

So. Yes. ‘Tis true. Today is my birthday.

I’m now THIRTY EIGHT, my friends.

I am not sure how 38 is even remotely possible, especially considering that I am forever a young thang in my mind. In fact, earlier today I was referencing my age in an email, and I typed 28, and it took me a few seconds to realize no, that’s not right, no, YOU’RE OFF BY A DECADE, MA’AM.

I didn’t know if I was going to like turning 38, to be honest with you. My 37th birthday was a little rough for me because for whatever reason I always told myself that it was my cut-off for having another baby, so for the first half of 37 I felt like I had some sort of Major Biological Deadline looming.

And on top of that, I was surprised by how much I really disliked certain parts of getting a little older. I especially disliked the crater-size wrinkle in my forehead, and not even once did I look at the crater-sized wrinkle in my forehead and think, “Well, it’s a badge of honor; I’ve earned it!”

Instead, I looked at the crater-sized wrinkle in my forehead and thought, “I do not like you, crater-sized wrinkle. And if I were a Botox kind of girl, I’d take you out in a heartbeat. I might not be able to raise my eyebrows afterwards, but oh, I would TAKE YOU OUT.”

And while I’m at it, I’ll just go ahead and tell you that I also had some issues with gravity. Because gravity can be very, very unkind.

But about halfway through year 37, I hit a turning point. God started to open some completely unexpected doors, and after a few weeks of being scared to death about all the what ifs, I took a huge leap of faith and walked through them. The worry about my Major Biological Deadline gradually went away; I know that God knows if there’s another baby in our future, and right now, that’s enough.

And the wrinkles? Eh. I’ll just let the Hair Wizard make my hair blonder and sassier. Maybe people won’t notice the wrinkles as much if they’re BLINDED BY ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS.

I feel this is an excellent aging strategy.

So all that to say: the second half of 37 has been totally rockin’. Hands-down, it’s been the best time of my life so far. Even though D and I are in a little bit of a holding pattern right now as we wait on SOME STUFF RELATED TO SOME THINGS, I have never been more aware of God’s faithfulness and His provision. I have never been more certain that when He leads, I do not have to be afraid to follow.

That fires me up about 38.

And besides: LOOK! PRESENTS!

Okay, technically this wasn’t a birthday present. But it came in the mail yesterday, and you have NO IDEA how much I love this particular issue of Southern Living. There are tons of great recipes and fun decorating ideas, so I won’t just read this issue, I will STUDY it.

Internets, I would like to introduce you to my favorite shampoo in the whole wide world. I haven’t seen Mr. Aveda since I quit working full-time, but oh, we had a sweet reunion this afternoon. And I know you can’t tell, but it’s a big ole economy-sized bottle, and I’m thinking of building a special display case for it in our bathroom. Because it is a precious treasure.

Why headphones, you ask? For better podcasting, of course. And you have no idea how excited I was to get these. Which should pretty much confirm that I am as much of a geek as you have suspected.

Also: how well does my husband know me, y’all? I mean, an industrial-sized bottle of great shampoo AND fancy new headphones? It is no wonder that we are married.

Plus, you know, THIS:

OH YES MA’AM.

This is from Sister and Barry, and I’m here to tell you that a Steinmart(s) gift card is my love language. I’ll be using this little gem TOMORROW.

Finally:

HE TOOK A NAP! FOR TWO HOURS!

Even better: HE’S OURS!

Oh, I love our little family.

And so far, 38 and I are getting along just fine.

Three things:

Overwhelmed! is hosting her second annual Holiday Cooking, Blogger Style this Friday, October 5th. You can find all the details here.

Sprittibee is giving away a Kodak printer. Click here for more info.

And finally, Kathryn has a cautionary tale regarding a social networking site that invites you to share book recommendations with friends.

Happy Wednesday!

Earlier today I was on my way to pick up the little man from school, and in a fit of utter spontaneity I turned on the radio, something I hardly ever do because HELLO, THE IPOD IS MY BEST FRIEND.

And do you know what was playing on the radio?

Monk & Neagle!

On the radio!

Singing “The Twenty-First Time!”

On the radio!

I promise you that I smiled from ear to ear for at least a mile. I was so happy for the M&N boys that I had to call both D and Melanie to tell them all about it, and honestly, it all sort of felt like that moment in “Coal Miner’s Daughter” when Loretta Lynn hears her single on the radio for the first time.

Except that since I’m not in fact a member of Monk & Neagle, I wasn’t the one, you know, SINGING A SONG I WROTE.

And I also wasn’t eating a bologna sandwich.

(Certainly I recognize that the whole bologna sandwich reference probably doesn’t make any sense at all if you haven’t actually seen “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”)

(But still.)

Anyway, once I got to school I couldn’t wait to hear all about Alex’s day because this morning I had to send something that all the kids could smell, and I was just a little bit proud of myself for thinking to send some Gain-scented dryer sheets.

And just in case you’re feeling a little bit sorry for me because sending Gain-scented dryer sheets to school is the lamest idea you’ve ever heard, then I probably shouldn’t tell you that I came thisclose to sending a bottle of apple cider vinegar.

Because really, what could be a better hands-on tool to teach four year-olds about the sense of smell than the delightful aroma of some pungent, fermented cider?

It would’ve been such a fond memory for the youngsters, don’t you think?

But anyway, Alex had little to report about the dryer sheets (COFFEE BEANS! I SHOULD’VE SENT COFFEE BEANS! AND THIS JUST OCCURRED TO ME!), but he did have a LOT of details to share about a new game they played and also, he had a LOT of reasons why we did not need to run any errands after school.

His pleas fell on deaf ears, I’m sad to say.

We spent a couple of hours tackling a big chunk of my to-do list, and I’m happy to tell you that I came home with my most favoritest cleaning product in the whole wide world, and oh my word I know I have mentioned this product about nine different times, but if you have never treated yourself to the delightfulness that is Mrs. Meyer’s, please let me assure you that one spray bottle of her all-purpose cleaner will change your whole attitude about cleaning your kitchen because OH, THE LAVENDER FRESHNESS.

No kidding: it makes me want to clean my countertops with great compulsion.

I have the same disturbing level of emotion about this soap and this lotion, by the way.

However, I wouldn’t recommend using either of them on your kitchen countertops.

Seeing as how they might leave a bit of residue.

But in fairness, your countertops would smell fantastic.