Growing up I had a very vivid and wild imagination. Anyone who knew me could tell you many tales of my "jumping around." Which was simply something I did as a pastime when I was young; I would open a book and act out the pages. I did this even before I could read. Maybe it is why I have such a love for books to this very day, I am not quite sure? I also was known for spinning quite the tale. My neighbors on Monroe Street will always remember me as the girl with the lost puppy (which was of course fictional), but she was a Cocker Spaniel (just like Lady from Lady and the Tramp). I couldn't tell you her name, but I am sure my Mother would recall if you asked her.
I also had an imaginary friend for quite some time, John John. He was my sidekick day-in and day-out. We read books together, played outside, made forts, and rode big wheels. I think that I created him because I was constantly wanting to get dirty, and play outside. I wasn't really into Barbies the way my sister was.
So today as I am driving James to school, he informs me that he has a sister named Andy. I played along and proceeded to ask him questions about Andy, and I was stunned at the detail he put into creating this fictional sister. Her favorite color is purple, she is older then James, attends the same school and is in the Mouse House (Pre-K) room, she rides the bus to school, she likes to wear dresses, her hair and eyes are brown, and she tends to get nervous around people. Huh?!
I am not really sure if Andy will live to see the light of another day, but I was so amused and entertained by her that I will certainly inquire and see what tomorrow brings.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Don't Sweat The Small Stuff
The last few weeks have passed in a blur: parties, weddings, showers, play dates, not to mention work, and trying to maintain some balance in the household! Henry has been a mess; teething appears to be his Achilles heel. I always am asked by people if he ever cries; not usually unless he is hungry. However, as of late I can no longer make this claim. He wails and wails in the evening hours, Tylenol and Ibuprofen do nothing to help. Occasionally he decides to use me as a human teether. These teething woes have also complicated sleep at night; I really don't get much.
Yesterday I had a few early afternoon meetings in the Chicagoland area. The day was not off to a good start, when I realized I had overslept (must have turned off my alarm in a completely delirious state). Quickly rushed around to get myself ready, the children fed, and dinner in the crockpot. I arrived at my lunch meeting with a cool 10 minutes to spare. Lunch was delightful, and I had a lot of positive feedback from customers. I hopped in the car and punched in the destination of my next meeting on the GPS. The only problem came when my truck decided not to start. Got on the horn to call the sitter, James' school, and my next appointment to reschedule. Then called up a local repair shop and tow truck. The tow arrived almost 2 hours later, after I was told 30 minutes. The truck was an easy fix, new battery took care of my dilemma! $300 later I was on my way home, and feeling a bit sorry for myself.
As I sat stewing about the misfortunes of the day; I realized how lucky I was. Very recently one of my beloved professors, Dr. Chuck Tomkovick passed away. He had a short, but courageous battle with brain cancer. His passion for life was very contagious. He used to famously say, "If you see someone without a smile, give them yours." I owe a great deal to this man, as he helped me find my very first sales job out of school. I will never forget the afternoon I was sitting in his office talking about my career post-college, while he sat across from me bouncing his (then baby boy) Graham on his lap. Graham squealed in delight, and Chuck looked right at me and said just make sure you have this in your life also.....this is the really good stuff. He of course was referring to parenthood; the most important job you could ever have.
Even more recently, another friend from my UWEC days was delivered some truly tragic news. Her son (only 5 years of age) was diagnosed with Leukemia. My heart sunk as I read the news, and tried to even make sense of how this could happen to such a wonderful family. Luckily, she is an incredibly strong and faithful woman. However, tragedy like this could shake even the strongest of mothers to the core. I wish her entire family strength as they battle during the recovery of their son/brother.
Teething babies, broken down cars, missed meetings, endless To Do lists; all of it is really rather insignificant when you look at the big picture. After all, today is a gift which is why it is called the PRESENT. I will keep this in mind when I wake up with a screaming infant at 3 a.m. Life is precious and so very fragile.
Yesterday I had a few early afternoon meetings in the Chicagoland area. The day was not off to a good start, when I realized I had overslept (must have turned off my alarm in a completely delirious state). Quickly rushed around to get myself ready, the children fed, and dinner in the crockpot. I arrived at my lunch meeting with a cool 10 minutes to spare. Lunch was delightful, and I had a lot of positive feedback from customers. I hopped in the car and punched in the destination of my next meeting on the GPS. The only problem came when my truck decided not to start. Got on the horn to call the sitter, James' school, and my next appointment to reschedule. Then called up a local repair shop and tow truck. The tow arrived almost 2 hours later, after I was told 30 minutes. The truck was an easy fix, new battery took care of my dilemma! $300 later I was on my way home, and feeling a bit sorry for myself.
As I sat stewing about the misfortunes of the day; I realized how lucky I was. Very recently one of my beloved professors, Dr. Chuck Tomkovick passed away. He had a short, but courageous battle with brain cancer. His passion for life was very contagious. He used to famously say, "If you see someone without a smile, give them yours." I owe a great deal to this man, as he helped me find my very first sales job out of school. I will never forget the afternoon I was sitting in his office talking about my career post-college, while he sat across from me bouncing his (then baby boy) Graham on his lap. Graham squealed in delight, and Chuck looked right at me and said just make sure you have this in your life also.....this is the really good stuff. He of course was referring to parenthood; the most important job you could ever have.
Even more recently, another friend from my UWEC days was delivered some truly tragic news. Her son (only 5 years of age) was diagnosed with Leukemia. My heart sunk as I read the news, and tried to even make sense of how this could happen to such a wonderful family. Luckily, she is an incredibly strong and faithful woman. However, tragedy like this could shake even the strongest of mothers to the core. I wish her entire family strength as they battle during the recovery of their son/brother.
Teething babies, broken down cars, missed meetings, endless To Do lists; all of it is really rather insignificant when you look at the big picture. After all, today is a gift which is why it is called the PRESENT. I will keep this in mind when I wake up with a screaming infant at 3 a.m. Life is precious and so very fragile.
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