2011

We're three months in.


I can't believe it has gone so quickly.


Before I know it my Pookie is going to be walking up to me, asking for the car keys - and $20 - and throwing his dad a high five on his way out the door.


Ah! Tear. Sad face.


Alright, I'll calm down. We're still a few (many) years away from that scenario.


And while we're in 2011 I have some resolutions.


Goals if you will. Things I'd like to accomplish and master, learn and experience.


I've compiled a list - it has pretty colors and lots of fonts - my ADD brain needs these to stay focused.

It's about time I check up on myself. How am I doing?

Success:I started a new blog, committed to a 5K (or two) with a good friend - first run is next weekend, sent my niece a birthday card, completed craft projects in both Jan. and Feb., gave myself a manicure, and introduced yellow squash and zuchinni into our meals.

Fail: Epic fail on the dating - boo, negative on the Beth Moore study - I NEED to make this a reality in my life, and volunteering - what's that? I also have a few lbs. to lose from that adorable boy of mine - but I'm working on it. Be afraid little calories, be very afraid.

Ok, clearly, I have some work to do. I'm not a fan of failure. We are not friends.

I'll get my rear in gear and give you an update next quarter. You'll still be here, right?

Let's Make a Deal

I would totally win that game.

Not because I'm particularly good at deciding behind which door lies the best prize.

But because I am a mom.

And mom's have stuff in their purses.

Random stuff.

Necessary stuff.

Lots and lots of stuff.

Case in point.

My purse.


Within lies (not an exhaustive list...just a sampling):

One baby sock - just one

Bulletin from a church service several weeks (months) past

Clothes pin

Bracelet

Mittens - mine and baby's

Headband

MN Wild Season Parking pass - clearly not mine!

Weird styrofoam ball with flower pins pushed into it - aquired when I was the personal attendant at a wedding

And then there's the makeup bag - which isn't even IN the purse, because it doesn't fit.

I probably don't NEED all this stuff.

But what if I do...and it's not in there?

What if there's a flower emergency and I don't have a ball full of pins??

I would never forgive myself.

Nope, I think it all has to stay.

In fact, I'm thinking of getting a bigger purse.

Maybe the kind with wheels.

Those are still purses, right?

I'm BACK!

There has been baking.

And frosting.

And swirling.

And drizzling.

And sprinkling.

And then there were these.

And they are beautiful.

And unbelievably delicious.

Mini peanut butter cupcakes topped with a luscious, decadent peanut butter cream frosting, drizzled with caramel and salted peanuts.

Pure bliss.

I miss these guys.

And their cousins, Peanut Butter Oreo, S'more, and Chocolate Rasperry.

I need them to make a reappearance in my life...in my kitchen.

Anyone want to babysit a 5 month old cutie patootie so his momma can bake cucpakes?

He's really cute. And we'll throw in the dog for good measure. :)

I Can Live Without

My morning begins with coffee. At least one cup.

Just about every day.

At least, the good days start this way.

And most week's involve take-out or eating out.

And sometimes there's a movie thrown in for good measure.

Frequently I take for granted that ALL of these things are luxuries, not necessities.

Admittedly, I've even seen them as entitlements. Because I'm worth it.

Something I cringe to admit.

But I've been challenged.

And I do love a good challenge.

And it's for an amazing cause.

It's for kids. And clean water. And lives saved through a small sacrifice on my part.

I can Live Without for six months...so others can Live.

The monthly breakdown looks like this:

April: Coffee (soda, bottled water, unnecessary drinks of any kind)

May: Lunch (eat out? Brown bag it!)

June: Entertainment (movies, etc)

July: Pampering Services (hair color, massages, nails)

August: Shopping

September: Dining Out

So, for the next six months I will add up what I would have normally spent on each of these luxuries, and instead donate that amount to help build and maintain water wells in Liberia, Africa

I've been looking for a way to do something bigger than me. Here it is. BIG.