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Archive for October, 2011

Heart Break and Hairspray

October 31, 2011

The smell of hairspray is thick in the air from the Halloween get-ups. Oh, the pictures I will have…my girl picked a humdinger this year.

I’m not sure I’ve ever been happier to see a Monday.

Good things happened in the weekend, but it was a busy one. OK, not just busy~ it was a hard one.

Good things:

Greyley’s school play performances were finally here~ Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Indigo and I went to all three. Greyley did an excellent job. She played a couple parts~ Hayseed in Henry the X and another character who accidentally shoots herself with her bow and arrow and has to die a slow death. The joke in the play is that they’re students in detention who put on plays and so the acting is rough and everything that can go wrong with the props, does. At first, it was awkward~ not sure what is supposed to happen and what is on purpose, but each performance was better and better. By the 3rd show, Indigo was informing people, “That’s part of the play…” As usual, everyone in the audience was laughing at HIM, because he laughs SO HARD. Oh my, there was this drum scene…he lost it.

Church was good yesterday. Our pastor is talking about the 5 Keys to Starting Over/Moving Forward. They’re really practical, useful keys based on Scripture and yesterday, specifically the book of Ruth. It is really timely for me and I’m excited to put these steps to use. I’ll probably be writing more about this at some point…

Hard things:

Nate was out of town. We missed him terribly and will be so happy to pick him up this afternoon.

I’m stressed about a work deadline. UGH. Makes my stomach drop to think of all I have to do. I kept thinking I’d make progress over the weekend and that didn’t get close to happening until last night. Whew.

I had a meltdown about my daughter’s room. I told her if she wanted to live, she better get her act together and CLEAN HER ROOM. I’m scared of me, I don’t know why she isn’t. Well, she is for about a minute and then something distracts her and she’s forgotten…remember that spacey thing? It’s a good thing I can relate, is all I have to say about that.

Indigo had a really bad asthma attack on Saturday afternoon. I saw it coming, but didn’t expect it to get that bad. A lot of times, what is really asthma coming on looks like hyper and yes, even obnoxious behavior. I know this and still, somehow, it manages to catch me off guard. He cried later just thinking about it and said he thought he was having a heart attack. This is enough to send me on a downward spiral. He breaks my heart. I HATE seeing my children sick. It’s just the most awful thing imaginable.

Greyley had a migraine and right as we were leaving for her play’s cast party, she was throwing up. She wanted to go SO badly that she got up and was trying to still go~ that girl, she is such a trooper. She breaks my heart. I had to be the heavy and say, NO.

So, basically, my heart was in tatters. How is that for dramatic. And isn’t it funny how I just turned that into being all about me. Sigh. This mothering job is hard. Every human emotion possible is hovering, waiting to be played out, at all times. Some days, it’s just too much to feel it all and I am thankful when the day comes to an end…when I can sleep and wake to a new day.

~ Deep Breath ~

We all slept well. I’ve got a cup of Peet’s in me and working on the 2nd. Things are already looking up.

Posted in Family, Halloween, Kids, Mama Musings, October 2011 | 10 Comments »

Things NOT To Do Regarding Lisbeth Salander

October 28, 2011

So lately I’ve been reading these books…

I’m almost done with this one…

And then I watched this…

AND this…

Even though I hadn’t quite finished this…

And here’s what I’m taking away from this experience…

Things You Should NOT Do While Reading/Watching The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Series:

* First of all, and this is of utmost importance, do NOT tell anyone you’re reading/watching The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Series. They’ll think you’re an awful person and will be a little frightened of you.

* Do NOT walk in your closet at 6:30 AM, while it’s still dark outside. Your little boy will be standing on the other side of the door when you come out and it will make you jump SKY HIGH.

* Do NOT read said series while your husband is out of town. Actually, we could just have that be the only point on this topic and it would be enough.

* Do NOT watch the movies before bed. You’ll fall asleep because it’s in subtitles, but wake up at all the scary parts and not be able to sleep the rest of the night after the 3rd or 4th waking.

* Do NOT be tempted to chop your hair in erratic, uneven pieces. You don’t have a face like Lisbeth Salander and I’m not sure she even does. OK, yes, she totally does.

* Do NOT let the grouches overtake you when you aren’t able to read the books as often as you like. There are kids to raise, people. Things to do, people to see, work…all that, etc.

* Do NOT let the grouches overtake you when you ARE able to read the books for a solid stretch. Only Lisbeth can get away with that attitude. Don’t you even dare try to pull that off.

* Do NOT start wanting to take a computer hacking course at the local junior college. I’m pretty sure that would not be good.

* Do NOT pick now to stop using a nightlight.

* Do NOT go anywhere near matches. Just don’t. Trust me.

* Same with gasoline. See above.

* Do NOT assume the glass breaking outside in the middle of the night is a scary man/convict. Or maybe now is a really good time to call 911. No, Do NOT call 911. Lisbeth would NEVER do that.

* Do NOT go into despair that after the 3rd book there will be no more.

I did not expect to like these books. I’m still not exactly sure why I do. They are extremely dark. But every now and then (perhaps it’s the season?), I am up for a good scare and a little intrigue. The author wrote the stories so well that you’re ~~almost~~ willing to put up with all the horrific awfulness.

Rest in peace, Stieg Larsson. I really wish you’d been here to see all the love for your stories.

Excuse me, I have to get back to this…

So I can finally read THIS…

This is where I hear it gets REALLY good. I might have a whole new list of Do NOTS after that one!

Posted in Books, Movies, October 2011 | 8 Comments »

Flying With the Fairies

October 26, 2011

It’s been a hectic time over here. My daughter is in her school play and there have been rehearsals galore, late nights and lots of homework to catch up on after practice. I will be glad when the last performance is done on Saturday! I’ve missed my girl!

In all the hustle bustle, I start wishing for a quiet retreat…I love cute little spaces so much that I devoted a Pinterest page to it~ Dream Writing Spaces. I haven’t gone on Pinterest very often, but when I do, I’m instantly inspired by all the gorgeous photographs. Pretty places inspire me and the treehouses and spectacular little cabins I’ve pinned especially speak to me.

Maybe I should take over Greyley’s playhouse…I can only stand up all the way in the very center of the tiny thing, but…who needs to stand when you’re writing? Hmm…that’s a thought.

Excuse me while I take a stroll down memory lane…

Sniff. OK. Thanks for indulging me. I do miss that little 6 year old girl. But I sure love my 13 year old girl too.

Back to the house. The best part is the inside. My friend, Patricia, painted fairies in there…it’s adorable.

It’s official. I’ve decided. If you can’t find me, I’ll be with the fairies.

Posted in House, Kids, October 2011, Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

A-P-P-L-E

October 24, 2011

We had another moment of warmth over the last few days. It was excellent timing~ the kids were off school on Thursday and Friday and were able to be OUTSIDE a lot. There’s something about this sunny, crisp weather. It’s intoxicating. Friday was the perfect day to go to the apple orchard…so we did!

It wasn’t exactly planned~ we were out to lunch and got a call from our friends, Jonathan and Anna, asking if we wanted to meet at the apple orchard. I was bummed to not have my camera, but this new phone works in a pinch.

While we were taking Greyley’s jacket to the car, we ran into our good friends, the Lynn family! Maiya lived in San Jose for a while when she was a little girl, too, so we go way back. Her family moved back to Minnesota this year. It was a nice surprise.

Indigo REALLY wanted a caramel apple and against our better judgment, we bought him one. He has so many loose teeth, I knew teeth might start flying…but no…he just couldn’t eat it. He tried to bite, but there were too many loose ones. So he just licked the whole thing. That beautiful caramel apple didn’t get one bite!

Greyley fell in love with this beauty.

We hopped on the truck to go pick apples and pumpkins. The hay ride stopped every few minutes and we got off just about every time and then the driver would say, “You might want to wait until the NEXT patch…” It became comical after the 3rd time.

Maiya took this fun picture. The only problem is that she’s not in it!

Indigo, Caleb, Micah, Ethan, Noah, Mark, Nate, me, Greyley, Anna & Jonathan

We are enjoying the apples! They’re extra tart and I can’t stay out of them!

Happy Monday! Skip around the house on one foot…try it!

Posted in Fall, Family, Friends, October 2011 | 4 Comments »

Dreams and Feet

October 21, 2011

When I get up in the morning, my feet feel as though they’ve walked all night long. They ache and groan with each step I take and I wonder what I did all night to make them feel that way.

Either it’s just going to be this way since I wrecked them last January or maybe, in fact, I DO walk all night.

My dreams certainly make me feel rugged sometimes. I have a hard time snapping out of them. Dreams are very real to me.

I wish I could outline my dream selection for the night and watch them like a movie reel in my head. It would be much better than the multitude of scary dreams I have where I’m always chasing a bad guy or running for my life…hello, aching feet.

I’d much rather be walking the sandy beaches of Hawaii and stepping on hard shells and getting caught in seaweed on the bottom of the ocean floor…

Walking on the North Shore and collecting my favorite rocks…

Climbing a mountain and letting dirt get all between my toes…

Gripping a surf board in high waves and giving that a go…

It seems I am lying in bed, sleeping, with nothing to show for these feet and that my head will just have to do the walking.

But maybe, just maybe…there really is something to these dreams.

Posted in Dreams, October 2011 | 8 Comments »

Lovair Vs. Miss Middle of the Road Cuisinart

October 19, 2011

Early morning good-byes…

I love people that can come into your life and make it better each and every time they’re around. People that you can be completely yourself around even if it’s been almost a year since you’ve been together…Staci is that person for me and my family and we’re grateful for her.

I always have to give her kudos too, because without her I never would have thought to start a blog.

Peet’s coffee is a strong theme in our time together…she brings it fresh from her local shop in California and Mmmm, it is my favorite. Speaking of Peet’s…I’m having some right now as I type this…

We had some adventures with the Peet’s this weekend. My new coffeepot~ can I just say I am reminded on a regular basis that she is no Melitta? You know, my Lovair? (Go ahead and take a minute to read these posts if you needed further proof that I’m loony.) Anyway, now we’ve tried to move on from Melitta and even Cheap White…to Miss Middle of the Road Cuisinart. I’ve been so nonplussed by her that I haven’t even come up with a good nickname. Yes, she’s kind of pretty, but so are bumblebees.

Staci brought some delightful Peet’s and since the last time she was here I’ve added Middle of the Road Cuisinart. Staci has been here through the Melitta years AND the Cheap White, so she didn’t realize Miss Middle of the Road was here and that the Miss grinds beans…so Staci brought it ground this time~ very finely ground~ upon assurance it would be fine. Well, I was so excited about this, I promptly placed those heaping tablespoonfuls into the grinder like I usually do with the beans and let her go at it. Well, dear Miss M of the R didn’t know what to do with that~ I was supposed to put them in the filter. So all that came out was clear water. No problem, Staci switched them over to the filter and added a few more scoops…the next thing we knew, the countertop was overflowing with coffee that looked like a thick dark chocolate river.

We finally got it worked out, although I was lamenting the waste of good Peet’s, sniff. We enjoyed a RICH brew that morning that was delicious.

A couple of days later when I had my Monday morning coffee lovelies over, I heaped those spoonfuls in again, forgetting that Staci said to do 4 scoops (2 Tbsp each) instead of 8. When she came into the kitchen, there was the dark chocolate river again, working its magic on my floor and counter tops.

Again, I was not so sad about the mess, but that 8~ EIGHT HEAPING SCOOPS (16 tablespoons)~ of Peet’s was wasted. Moan.

She’s looking at me now…Miss M of R…in a slightly mocking way, judging me for my over-indulgence. Oh, how I miss Melitta. And Staci. (Not in that order, of course.)

Posted in Addiction, Coffee Love, Friends, October 2011 | 6 Comments »

Quick Visits, Forever Memories

October 17, 2011

My friend, Staci, from California, has been visiting over the weekend. It’s been a while since she’s been here and as always, the time goes by way too fast. I had to snap myself out of the dread of her leaving before she had even been in town a minute.

Highlights of the weekend:

All four members of the Sabin fam spilled an entire drink at least once

Dancing in the cozy daisy~ “My mom did this dance one time and fell over…”

Indigo telling Nama about Staci~ “I usually get two gifts when she comes…she usually brings me something and then I also get HER.”

Indigo lost his third tooth.

Leisurely breakfasts, yummy lunch at Axel’s, catching up, sushi at Sakura, crowded in Kieran’s, hearing my brother sing his guts out, seeing all of Staci’s cute outfits (she has an awesome blog, but could rock a fashion blog too!), letting Phyllis, yes, it’s Phyllis, go (or trying to), Nama’s chili, Greyley singing…good times.

We have one more day, so I better get on this one and make it count.

Happy Monday! Dance a jig and sing off-key!

Posted in Friends, October 2011 | 6 Comments »

Rebirth

October 14, 2011

Do you remember Phillip?

Maybe this will jog your memory…

When Greyley first started this project at school, he was just a tiny 1/4 inch brown skinny worm. It has been astonishing to see his growth every single day. Oh, how far he has come…

Look at the magical transformation that took place in the night…

We actually won’t know until the wings harden and open up, if he is a Phillip or a Phyllis.

Either way, he sure is a beauty.

Posted in Animal Kingdom, Kids, October 2011 | 4 Comments »

Flakey, Flighty or Spacy

October 12, 2011

Let’s talk about these three words~ Flakey, Flighty and Spacy. They sound like some unpredictable dwarves, don’t they. I have heard them misused a bit lately and have had to defend myself even about these silly words, so I decided to look them up and see EXACTLY what they mean.

Flakey: To be unreliable, and/or absent-minded, flighty, fickle. Generally irresponsible.

Flighty: Fickle and irresponsible

Spacy: Eccentric; offbeat.

I thought Flighty had a gentler meaning than Flakey, but turns out it’s pretty much on par with Flakey. However, I have always been a defender of Spacy…because I am One. And while there are parts of Flakey I can relate to (Hello, Absent-Minded!), there are other meanings in there that I can’t particularly defend.

We were at lunch with friends a few months ago and one of them said, in a positive and bold voice, “All musicians are flakey.”

(Insert brakes screeching to a halt right HERE.)

Um, what?

Now, I might sound like I can be outspoken since I write on Ye Olde Blogge, but in real life, I keep pretty quiet most of the time. However…since my husband and I are both musicians and so are some of our dear friends, I couldn’t let this one slide. Also…there is nothing that can make my little responsible brain hurt any more than hearing we are unreliable and irresponsible.

I took a deep breath and said, “Not ALL musicians are flakey.” And eventually, “I think you’re misusing the word flakey and might mean spacy.”

This lead to a fun conversation. Truly. Yes, she really was misusing the word a bit, but she also meant exactly what she was saying. She didn’t necessarily mean that WE were irresponsible, but I think the general impression of musicians is still FLAKE in large, raging letters. (We’re fine, still good friends, no harm done.) Let me insert here that this post wasn’t really intended to be about musicians at all, just the words…but while we’re on the subject, yes, I know a lot of flakey musicians too. There are also flakey~ Insert Profession Here…

If we do keep musicians in the example, though, I know some of the hardest working musicians and to get where they’ve gotten in life, it hasn’t been through Flakiness or Flightiness.

Spacy, on the other hand…that’s another story.

Since that lunch, I keep hearing these words being misused and I think it is giving Spacy a bad name.

I’ve been told I was weird since junior high and that label has followed me around to this day. My daughter says people at school tell her she’s weird all the time too. The difference is, when I was a kid, I didn’t know what they meant and it hurt my feelings. With my daughter, she knows she’s different and she likes being that way. She loves her weird parents too and loves that we’re an unusual lot.

I do wish I wasn’t so spacy because I could get a lot more done…but here’s the good side of it:

I can imagine whole worlds inside my head. (Yes, I know that sounds crazy, but that’s where stories are made.)

I can visualize what I want things to look like~ pictures, the house, jewelry, etc.

I can cope when things are hard, by not letting it get in too deep…or by going to my imaginative place.

I can tune you out if I don’t like what you’re saying. Ha! Just kidding. Kind of. Call me a FLAKE and I’ll snap out of my SPACE.

I could go on and on about this subject, I think. The truth of the matter is that I probably have ADD or something and shouldn’t be such a Spokesperson for the Spacy, but it’s a label I don’t mind carrying. Let’s save Flakey and Flighty for people we don’t like.

Posted in Creativity, October 2011, Touchy Subjects, Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

Murder, Shopping and Mismatched Socks

October 10, 2011

I went and had too much fun this weekend.

I may or may not be dragging just a wee bit this morning.

Brace yourself for a rambling, subject-hopping post.

We had great times with all kinds of friends, delicious food, music, Rummikub, lots of laughs, long chats and late nights. This is what I would normally think of as the Dog Days of Summer, except…it isn’t. The weather continues to amaze and delight me. Maybe if I sing its praises enough, it will hang around for a LONG time. Please, no one say they wish for cold weather~ you know who you are, little stinkers~ it will be here soon enough! Let’s pretend summer is here to stay…or fall…whatever we’re calling this heavenly weather, I will KEEP IT!

I was concerned about lack of work when school started, but now I seem to have more than enough. There are a few fun projects in the works~ Jonathan and I are writing together again. We made a movie together last year and are working on a new screenplay together for an upcoming movie. I’m really excited about it and will tell you more about that as things progress. Cross your fingers and toes and send up some prayers and warm wishes that it will all go smoothly…and that it will all fall into place exactly as it should.

I’m also working on jewelry and artwork for 2 wonderful boutiques that are coming up in November~ The Wild Ruffle Pop-Up Shop in Prior Lake (Sat., Nov. 5th, 9AM-1PM) and Rachel’s Holiday Shopping Boutique in Minneapolis (Sat., Nov. 12th, 10AM-4PM). Click the links for more details. I hope you can come be part of these events! It’s going to be a blast and will be FULL of treasures! I can’t even believe all the amazing vendors that will be there. Cate, over at the Wild Ruffle, is regularly featuring the different artists that will be at the Pop-Up Shop and I cannot wait to meet all of them. Also, between now and the Pop-Up Shop, if you buy something from my shop and put in “Wild Ruffle” when you’re ordering, you will get 20% off!

On a completely different tangent, I believe my kids have magically sprouted into Tall Creatures over the last week. I promise, I’m not even making it up. We had to go shoe shopping in a big way~ with kids there really are times when they can truthfully say, “I have absolutely NOTHING TO WEAR!” Or at least not that they really should wear around other discerning humans. Last night I noticed that Greyley’s pajama bottoms are about 3 inches too short. She’s wearing my shoes and is just about to pass me up in height…any day now. She’s seriously looking like a legitimate ~~teenager~~ twenty year old right now.

For several years now, Greyley has worn mismatched socks…wayyyy before it was cool. It used to REALLY bug me when I did laundry and NONE of her socks matched. She’s convinced me of the beauty in it now…it makes sock sorting, or the lack thereof, a breeze. Now, they actually sell socks that way~none of them match, just blend~ oh wonder of wonders! You’d think she’d struck gold, she was so tickled by this find.

We have been inundated with fruit flies/gnats for the last two weeks. They are driving me mad, which led to a crazy murdering spree. Hundreds of gnat corpses have been “taken care of” and somehow more just keep on appearing. I’m a bit manic about it. If you’ve read Girly Muse for very long, you know I have a sickness about anything in mass quantity. It’s a sure way to send me over the edge, even if it’s something I like in singles. I would never like a gnat, single or otherwise, just so we’re clear. I’ve tried the raw apple cider vinegar trick and it kills about a dozen, but doesn’t seem to phase the other 50. Any suggestions? One just crawled over my computer screen, I kid you not. They’re tormenting me, the little wretches.

Well, now that your brain is fully addled for the day~ welcome to my world!~ I bid you, “Good day!” Have a happy Monday Funday and be silly no matter what. XO

Posted in Creativity, Fashion, Jewelry, Kids, Movies, October 2011, Shoe Love, Shopping, The Arts | 3 Comments »