Dive of Oblivion

Hmmm... thought provoking lyrics depending on your situation?



How's It Gonna Be
~ Third Eye Blind

I'm only pretty sure that I can't take anymore
Before you take a swing
I wonder what are we fighting for
When I say out loud
I wanna get out of this
I wonder is there anything
I'm gonna miss

I wonder how it's gonna to be
When you don't know me
How's it gonna be
When you're sure I'm not there
How's it gonna be
When there's no one there to talk to
Between you and me
Cause I don't care
How's it gonna be
How's it gonna be

Where we used to laugh
There's a shouting match
Sharp as a thumbnail scratch
A silence I can't ignore
Like the hammock by the doorway we spent time in
tha swings empty
Don't see lightning like last fall
When it was always about to hit me

I wonder how's it gonna be
When it goes down
How's it gonna be
When you're not around
How's it gonna be
When you found out there was nothing
Between you and me
Cause I don't care
How's it gonna be

How's it gonna be
When you don't know me anymore
And how's it gonn be?

Want to get myself back in again
The soft dive of oblivion
I want to taste the salt of your skin
The soft dive of oblivion... oblivion
How's it going to be
When you don't know me anymore
How's it going to be
How's it going to be

How's it going to be

Master & Captain

“I am the Master of my Fate .... I am the Captain of my Soul...”

-Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela in Invictus

These are very powerful words to live by and certainly, applicable in every aspect of one's life -- from our daily conflicts to make conscious choices between right and wrong or through the ebb and flow of the cycles of life. Those words and the powerful message they contain reflect the freedom of choice each of us has. More often than not, we have little control over the circumstances we face, but we certainly can control our reaction to those circumstances.

I understand this realization isn't novel or ground breaking. It's mean more as a simple reminder to ME that regardless of what I face, the response is within me. I can chose to show grace under fire, tranquility alongside adversity or absolute fury. I guess this quote was just one of those empowering a-ha! messages that struck a cord within me. A powerful string of words and important reminder to CHOOSE MY ATTITUDE!

Pleasure

Fortune Cookie

The pleasure of what we enjoy

is lost by wanting more.

Billie Jean

Once upon a time, I posted about a fantastically, un-traditional opening to a wedding ceremony where the wedding party got their groove on as they made their way up the aisle to the alter. I am excited to report that as it turns out, the frolicking, boisterous nuptials took place in my hometown of St. Paul, MN. GO US! "Us" being normally boring, ol', crusty, stoic Midwesterners! We can be creative and fun -- if a bit wacky.

I digress...

Today's posting is about dancers at the opposite end of the age spectrum as our favorite wedding party dancers. Today we celebrate some humorous and good natured senior citizens (euphemism for wacky, dancing, 70+ year old gray-hairs!) I think viewing this video has cured my "gerontophobia" and given me some hope that perhaps I don't have to turn into a stodgy, decrepit, crusty old person. I hope I have half this much energy and sense of humor at 70+. I pray I am known for being spunky, feisty, lively...



http://www.urlesque.com/2010/02/01/old-people-dance-billie-jean/?icid=mainhtmlws-main-ndl5link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.urlesque.com%2F2010%2F02%2F01%2Fold-people-dance-billie-jean%2F

Doritos

This is positively my favorite commercial that ran during the Super Bowl. I LOVE this kid!

Kid Speak

I love the adorable way that children mispronounce words. Below are some of the funny-child-speak terms that my children use.

Gobbles = goggles (as in fashionable swimming eye wear)

Mote = television remote

Mazageene = magazine

Pack pack = backpack (for older siblings attending school)

Eyegoobles = eye glasses

Poon = spoon

Loof = Duluth (the nordic city in Northern MN)

Defined

UrbanDictionary.com is great amusement if you have the sense of humor similar to a teenage boy. Urban Dictionary touts itself as "the dictionary you wrote. Define your world!"

Evasive mumbling: Mumbling the answer to a question in hopes that the questioner won't hear or understand the answer that may get you in trouble.

Hyphenated: A woman who is married.

Redneck: May or may not have an education. Stereotyped way too often. Its an attitude and style. Often an adopted way of life. Care free, cut and dry, roughneck attitude/qualities. Ain't afraid to kick someones arse over the smallest things. Loves Nascar. Articles of clothing include t-shirts sporting beer or cigarette slogans, old, dirty jeans, work boots, cut off flannel shirts, anything camouflage.

Children: The walking and breathing ad for safe sex.

Text-hole: Someone who texts on their cellphone in really inappropriate places, like movie theatres, concerts, plays, restaurants or while driving.

Stress: The confusing feeling caused when one's mind overrides the body’s natural desire to choke the living sh*t out of some text-hole that desperately needs it.

Jaded

I feel like my next comment will put me in the "Bad Mommy" column and most definitely in the "Awful Wife" column, but I can't help myself. I dislike Valentine's Day. I dislike it with a passion. It's just an overly commericalized, materialized holiday. Why should couples show each other EVERY DAY how much they love and appreciate and adore each other?

For me, historically, Valentine's Day is an over-rated, over-anticipated day to get my hopes up for some romantic, thoughtful and special display of my partners affection for my superb awesome-ness. However, that just isn't happening. Ev-er! Not in my world. It's isn't happening now, for the past several years, in the foreseeable future, or even in the beginning of our relationship. I knew full well that I was marrying a highly UNromantic man. I recognized that sweet prose and love letters wasn't his cup of tea and I accepted that.

Yet, in my jaded heart, does that make me less disappointed when each year I try my hardest to NOT have expectations for this hideous "holiday" that tries to pump up an annual display of love to suffice for the next 11 months, 51 weeks, 364 days of the year?

It truly isn't about a gift or extravagant display of undying love. I would be much happier with a brief, hand-written note; a few couple coupons for hugs; a nag-free cleaning of the kitchen; organizing a babysitter for the wee ones and then a home cooked meal with just the two of us... even a FREE e-card.

SIGH! It is what it is.

Here's an interesting article about Boycotting Valentine's Day.

Catch Up

Today is the first day in a while that I don't have a million things to do.

Actually, it would be more accurate to say that I am simply NOT going to work on the million things I have to do. I realize, however, that I am severely behind in many areas of my life. So today I'm playing "catch up"...

Pay It Forward Again

My very favoritest organization to volunteer with, Chemo Angels, is struggling to find enough "Angels" to meet the demand of their program. Chemo Angels is a fabulous, heart-felt program dedicated to supporting people with cancer. In addition to providing helpful information and cancer related resources to patients, Chemo Angels matches patients who are going through the difficult time of chemotherapy with "Angels". The function of these Angels is - through little notes, cards and occasional small gifts - to bring a bit of cheer and encouragement to their patient (called an Angels "buddy").

Over the past few years, I have volunteered with Chemo Angels on and off and been assigned to two separate buddies (patients). Sending notes to my buddy has been an extremely gratifying, inspiring, encouraging, rewarding and humbling experience. I cannot express how deeply the involvement with such a worthy organization has affected me in a positive way.

I strongly encourage you to learn more about Chemo Angels and see if it would be a good volunteering match for you. It truly takes very little bit of your time and money, but it has a MASSIVE impact on the life some important, deserving people. I would love to answer any questions you may have about my experiences as an Angel.

To learn more about how you can help Chemo Angels, or if you are able to make any type of financial donation, please visit their website at http://www.chemoangels.net/.

Saints Won

Mitch & Erin threw a fabulous Super Bowl party and I was lucky enough to have fantastic in-laws who agreed to take the littlest ones overnight so Husband and I could attend the Super Bowl party with E. We had a great time with truly phenomenally, delish food and hysterical bouts of laughter with friends.

The game was so-so and the commercials weren't so specatcular -- with the exception of the Doritos commerical with the single mom, whose son slaps the date-to-be. That was hilarious!

Go New Orleans Saints!!!

Snowy Cuteness

No theme for today's posting. I just like these pictures of the precious children in their winter gear.

Belong

Love this song, but it's slightly disturbing that my nine-year old does too. Thanks to the same Auntie, nine-year old daughter walks around singing this song. I guess this just shows that I don't think I am ready for my children to grow up... but I HAVE NO CONTROL!!!

Highly disturbing for a control freak like me. SIGH!



You Belong to Me
~ Taylor Swift

You're on the phone with your girlfriend, She's upset
She's going off about something that you said
She doesnt get your humour like I do

I'm in the room, its a typical Tuesday night
I'm listening to the kind of music she doesnt like
And she'll never know your story like I do

But she wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts
She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming bout the day when you wake up and find
That what you're lookin for has been here the whole time

If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along so why can't you see?
You belong with me
You belong with me

Walkin the streets with you in your worn out jeans
I cant help thinking this is how it ought to be
Laughing on the park bench thinkin to myself
Hey isnt this easy?

And you've got a smile that could light up this whole town
I havent seen it in awhile, since she brought you down
You say you find I know you better than that
Hey, Whatcha doing with a girl like that?

She wears high heels, I wear sneakers
She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming bout the day when you wake up and find
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time

If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along so why can't you see?
You belong with me

Standin by, waiting at your back door
All this time how could you not know that?
You belong with me
You belong with me

Oh I remember you driving to my house in the middle of the night
I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're about to cry
I know your favorite songs and you tell me about your dreams
I think I know where you belong. I think I know it's with me.

Can't you see that I'm the one who understands you?
Been here all along so why can't you see?
You belong with me

Standing by or waiting at your back door
All this time how could you not know that
You belong with me
You belong with me

Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me
You belong with me

Sums It Up...

Impaled or Stabbed, Neither is Desirable!

I have a personal policy: Don't Get Stabbed. It's a good rule to live by, mostly because being impaled doesn't feel very good.

I've had only moderate success. I've mostly avoided ER trips and hospitalizations due to stabbing, but knives have met my fingers on too frequent an occasion in the kitchen and I sometimes have to go to the doctor and get a shot.

Like most people, I don't like shots. However, I get them, because I don't want to get diphtheria or measles or the flu. And so earlier this year I waived my Don't Get Stabbed rule to get a flu shot. Another thing that necessitated a Don't Get Stabbed waiver for a flu shot was my desire to not have an influenza-stricken toddler/preschooler. So if My Boy (three-year old son) ever ends up reading this -- remember: Boy, I GOT STABBED FOR YOU.

I'm now weighing the pros and cons of getting stabbed again, this time to prevent H1N1, known better as the Swine Flu even though you don't get it from pigs (though you can probably get it from lobbyists, so maybe that's what they're talking about). The Husband wants me to get shot. The Boy has already received his, so me getting shot only benefits myself. I see the declining Lobbyist Flu numbers and I'm not entirely sure I'm all that eager to waive my Don't Get Stabbed rule.

But there is another reason that I'm not eager to waive the rule, and that's due to the last time I got stabbed in the name of flu prevention.

I went with The Boy to get both of us flu shots. Until that trip, I had neglected to consider the idea that my son also has a Don't Get Stabbed Policy and, unfortunately, I had grown complacent. The Boy had, for the most part, avoided meltdowns. He's had one or two public meltdowns, but not for some time and I had figured to be long past that phase -- which at age three was a severely bad call on my part! Thank God for that, too, because about the only thing worse than being a parent of a child having a public meltdown is, well, getting stabbed. And only then it depends on what you're being stabbed with.

So I took The Boy to get a flu shot and used my default parental weaponry -- bribery. Be good getting a shot, I said, and you'll get a treat afterward.

"Okay!", said my sweetest little babe.

But then Shot Time came, and The Boy thought the better of it.

"Uh, Mommy-Dearest!," he said. "I'd rather not get a shot. I respectfully decline and shall forgo any promise of post-shot sweets." Or that's approximately what he said at age three when he WAILED at the TOP of his ever-loving lungs, "NO! NO! NO!!! DON'T HURT ME AGAIN!"

Only I wish he said this, and I wish he said it calmly. Or even with a moderate bit of stress. Instead, he proceeded to act like he was being sent to a torture chamber. He screamed. And then when he was done, he screamed again. He screamed in the lobby. He screamed in the office. He screamed as I pulled up his sleeve. He screamed as I had to hold him down so he could get the shot. He screamed afterward. And then he screamed when I informed him that he would not be the beneficiary of a post-shot treat, given that 15 straight minutes of screaming does not constitute "being good."

In the midst of this, I was looking around for any kind of ski mask that I could use to hide my identity. Absent that, I just shoved half my face into my shirt, lest somebody at clinic recognize me, point and shout, "HEY, LOOK AT THE REALLY, REALLY BAD PARENT WHO CAN'T CONTROL HIS CHILD!"

(By the way, people say, "control your child" as if there is some sort of magical fairy parenting dust that we can use in times of need to keep our uncontrollable children in line; if there IS some magical fairy parenting dust, by the way, please let me know, because I'd really like some.)

So as you can see, my Don't Get Stabbed policy combines with my Avoid Public Meltdown's policy to make me really not want to get a flu shot. But I'll probably get one, because I love my family. (Got that Husband? I'll get stabbed and risk a child having a public meltdown for you!) And then the Lobbyist Flu will fade away and I'll get sick, anyway.

Buble!

Could Michael Buble possibly be any cuter than he already is?!?!?!?!?!!? I adore this man and would happily stalk him!



http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/clips/hamm-and-buble/1198004/

Many Colored Days

My fabulous 4-year old daughter and 3-year old son, with ever helpful assistance of my mother in law, made this gorgeous, stylish, highly sought after, designer "pencil box" for me. They surprised me with the cute box as I came home from work yesterday. Wasn't that so very sweet and kind?

I LOVE IT!

Love the bright colors and uniqueness. And let's not forget to mention the X's and O's (that I thought were for hugs and kisses but it turns out were for tic-tac-toes...) All very creative and useful.

I know that my pencil box will be coveted by many! My sisters and mom... They just may try to steal the precious box if I don't whisk it away to be safely stored in my cube farm at work. I bet all the mommy co-workers will be equally jealous.

In either case, have I mentioned that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT?!?

My New Mantra

Peace.

It doesn't mean to be in
a place where there is
no noise,
trouble, or
hard work.

It means to be in the midst
of those things and
still be calm in your heart.

~ Author Unknown

Yesterday

Yesterday was Groundhog's Day.

It appears that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) would like those who observe Groundhog's Day to use a MECHANICAL animal, instead of a real animal.

Hello?! Seriously?

I wasn't aware that the sweet, fat Groundhog was abused or violated when it poked it's head up from it's happy little hole in the ground to see if the sun was shining or not on the special day.

Really?!?!?!?!? I guess each individual needs to have our own personal mission in life and make sure that we explore our life calling, but calling for a MECHANICAL ANIMAL?

Sigh! Oh well...

Best Days

For the record, I am seriously thinking about SUSPENDING my baby sister's "Auntie" privileges. Thanks to her, my precious, adorable, little, petite FOUR YEAR OLD walks around my house singing "Best Days Of Your Life" by the skank Kellie Pickler -- who for the record, I am not a fan of!

AT ALL.

Did I mention that I don't think highly of Ms. Skank?



Best Days Of Your Life
~ Kellie Pickler

'Cus I'll be there, in the back of your mind
From the day we met 'til you were making me cry
And it's just too bad, you've already had the best days
The best days of your life

Ain't it a shame?
A shame that everytime you hear my name
Brought up in a casual conversation
You can't think ...straight

And ain't it sad?
You can forget about what we had
Take a look at her and do you like what you see?
Or do you wish it was me

CHORUS:
'Cus I'll be there, in the back of your mind
From the day we met to the very last night
And it's just too bad, you've already had the best days
The best days of you life

And does she know?
Know about the times you used to hold me
Wrapped me in your arms and how you told me
I'm the... the only one

I heard about
Yeah, someone told me once, when you were out
She went a little crazy ran her mouth about me
Ain't jealousy funny?

CHORUS
'Cus I'll be there, in the back of your mind
From the day we met to the very last night
And it's just too bad, you've already had the best days
The best days of you life

...with me was a fairytale love
I was head-over-heals 'til you threw away "us"
And it's just too bad you've, already had the best days
The best days of your life

I heard you're gonna get married
Have a nice little family
Live out my dreams with someone new

But, I've been told that a cheater
Is always a cheater
I've got my pride, and she's got you...

CHORUS
'Cus I'll be there, in the back of your mind
From the day we met 'til you were making me cry
And it's just too bad, you've already had the best days
The best days of your life...

Of your life
Oh, oh, yeah
You're gonna think of me
You're gonna think of me in your liiiiiiiiiiiife
Oh, oh, yeah
It's a shame, it's a shame...It's a shame

January in Minnesota

On Saturday, we went to the indoor park in Edina. It's always tons of fun (for the children) and I love that they are a bit independent and like to make new friends, so generally between my freaking out to make sure all of my children are accounted for and not stolen by Chester A. Molester and pretending to be a put-together, calm, good mommy, I try to relax and enjoy myself.

Oh! And on the side, I spend over 30 minutes trying to reunite frightened 6 year old boys with their un-attentative, 20-something babysitters...