Motherhood...

After my daughter was born, my mother came out to stay with us. As first time parents, we were naturally a little overwhelmed and afraid of this tiny infant. She was a fussy baby and basically only slept when in her swing or lying on someone's chest. Many, many nights, that someone was my mom. I would come downstairs bleary eyed to nurse, and there my mom would be, semi-reclined on the end of the couch with Molly on her chest. I chided her, telling her that Molly needed to learn how to sleep in her crib...but she insisted that husband and I needed sleep and not to worry about it.

In my younger days, I was all exasperated sighs and attitude toward my mom. She was HOPELESSLY old-fashioned and clearly did not understand me or what it meant to be a kid. I am ashamed at how I treated her, because what is clear is that she knows oh-so-well how to love unconditionally and perfectly. The proof is in her four children, 12 grandchildren, and 56 years of marriage.

This picture was taken at my childhood home, the first time Molly traveled to see the rest of my family. As you can see, Grandma's heart is where she lives. She still does. And so do I.

Inspired? Try this.

O.M.G.

WTF? Gas prices at $3.75 a gallon?!?! My apologies to those of you living in the $4.00+ per gallon areas, but in my neighborhood, it's just not right. I can only be damn grateful that I don't drive 30 miles each way to work anymore, but husband and I do both drive quite a bit as part of our jobs. Suckass. Hmm. I wonder why government won't do anything about this? Must be because SOMEONE has an interest in the oil industry and the profit margins. And it ain't me.

100 Things. Yes, I know it's a cop-out.

1. I became a mom in 2005.
2. My daughter was fussy for the first 5 months of her life.
3. I haven’t decided if I’m going to have another kid.
4. I am still amazed at how awesome my kid is.
5. She looks like me.
6. Poor child.
7. I’m a WOHM and need to be.
8. I’m a better mommy when I get out of the house.
9. I will be married 10 years this summer.
10. My mom was 39 and dad was 42 when I was born.
11. My siblings were 19, 14, and 10.
12. I am currently 35.
13. I was a surprise baby.
14. I’m a control freak.
15. I’m shy around new people.
16. Some people may mistake that for snobbery.
17. But I can be snobbish.
18. I HATE spiders.
19. I was a band geek.
20. And a choir geek.
21. I was a music major for 2 years.
22. I have a Master’s Degree.
23. My husband and I met online.
24. Not through a dating site, through an AOL Twentysomething chat room.
25. I love to read.
26. I read ANYWHERE I can.
27. I need a hobby besides working.
28. I don’t drink coffee.
29. I have a particular affinity for Cherry Coke Zero.
30. I still have childhood friends.
31. I have a dry, sometimes raunchy sense of humor.
32. I think poop and fart jokes are funny.
33. I have 3 cats.
34. My name is more commonly used for boys.
35. I get a lot of crap for that.
36. I love 80s music.
37. I also love 80s movies.
38. I covet miniature things.
39. I (we) moved across my state last August.
40. I (we) still own 2 houses. It sucks.
41. I can wiggle my ears.
42. If my husband and I are going somewhere together, I MUST drive.
43. My dream job? Dolphin trainer.
44. I love doing the TV Guide crosswords.
45. I want to see the Northern Lights.
46. I like to rollerblade.
47. I live 15 miles from Lake Michigan.
48. I wear a size 9.5 or 10 shoe.
49. Mmmm…new shoes.
50. I taught 4th grade for a year.
51. In a charter school.
52. It wasn’t the best year of my life.
53. I see a therapist every other week.
54. My dad has esophageal cancer.
55. He’s doing pretty well right now.
56. I was a daddy’s girl. Still am, a little.
57. I am half Dutch, half German.
58. I want to practice yoga on a regular basis.
59. I’ve had acupuncture and loved it.
60. I’m going to try gardening this year.
61. I don’t have an especially green thumb.
62. My first car was a powder blue 1979 Chrysler LeBaron.
63. It was my father’s “drive to work” car.
64. My first “all mine” car was a 1986 Pontiac Grand Am.
65. I would love to learn how to play the cello.
66. I can play the tenor and bass recorders.
67. I started piano lessons when I was 5.
68. I taught myself to read at age 2 ½ (according to my family).
69. I am an excellent speller.
70. I have lots of pet peeves:
71. Bad grammar;
72. Bad teeth;
73. Chipped nail polish.
74. I don’t wear nail polish.
75. I would be a really bad hand model.
76. I can’t stand feet.
77. Thinking about things having to do with feet makes bile rise in my throat.
78. I love museums.
79. Especially Natural History museums.
80. I am attracted to dark haired, dark eyed men.
81. My husband is neither.
82. He realizes this.
83. Actually, my husband is bald.
84. I get overwhelmed easily.
85. I am generally cheap.
86. But I love to shop.
87. I love a good outlet mall.
88. I miss living in Ann Arbor.
89. I don’t miss the traffic in Southeast Michigan.
90. I miss being close to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
91. I love cereal.
92. I have it for lunch or dinner sometimes.
93. I don’t put sugar on my non-sugar cereal.
94. I didn’t like peanut butter as a kid.
95. I like it now, but with apples or bananas, not on sandwiches.
96. I will also eat it on toaster waffles.
97. I can’t wear contact lenses.
98. I don’t like things touching my eyes, including my own fingers.
99. I am starting to get into antique things a little.
100. I can’t believe I finished!