Just Living
Posted: April 29, 2010 at 9:03 amHello all of my wonderful readers! Today is kind of a bittersweet day. I was supposed to be heading up to Indiana today to spend the weekend visiting my good friend Mandy and have some fun together with our little families. But due to some circumstances beyond her control, we are having to postpone. I miss her, but would not have wanted to be there this weekend taking her away from things much more important right now. I guess it just means I get to look forward to and anticipate our time together a little longer. Nothing wrong with that. I always like having something to look forward to. 🙂
Speaking of which, remember how I mentioned in this post the importance of always having something to look forward to every day, no matter how small? That’s how I approached this week. I was just living my life, with simple things to look forward to and little moments to cherish.
1. Park time with Makenzie.
Don’t ask me why that child is scared to sit in the baby swings, but could stay on a “big kid” swing all day if I let her. We were at this park almost 45 minutes and she did nothing else. FYI, pushing a swing back and forth that long hurts your shoulder. Freaking out that she will let go and fall off the back so you hover over her will give you a headache.
2. Reading (and finishing) an amazing book.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Seriously, this book is fantastic. I can see why it has been raved about and is on bestsellers lists. It is easy and enjoyable to read, but provides so much insight and packs a powerful message. It is set in Mississippi during the 1960s when many changes were happening with Civil Rights. The story revolves between 3 main characters: a young white woman who wants to write a book sharing the perspectives of maids and 2 of the maids she interviews. The varying perspectives the book gives are so realistic and very eye-opening to what it must have been like to live in that era. I was appalled reading some of the actions. And while it is fiction, there is no doubt in my mind that this was the way people lived for a long time. And sadly, some still hold these opinions. It shows how far we’ve come, yet how far we still have to go to truly value and appreciate others no matter who they are and their backgrounds.
3. Some heavy cleaning.
I scrubbed the sinks, baths, anything I could get my hands on. I swept/mopped, did laundry, dishes, and many other tiny details. For the record: 1) the Magic Eraser is a housewife’s best friend. 2)I hate our kitchen tile and cannot wait until we redo our kitchen. Unfortunately, having a functioning upstairs was first on our list and where all our money & time went when starting the many renovations on our house. We hope to do the kitchen sometime before 2012. I think that’s what Peter said. It may be wishful thinking though. Until then, I will have to pretend the fugly 80’s tile is black granite.
4. Picnics with friends at another park.
M's Picnic Lunch
enjoying the sunshine
I just love beautiful days. Sunny and in the mid-upper 70s = perfection. Being able to share that time with my baby girl and a good friend = doublemint gum. Double the pleasure…double the fun. More swinging, sliding, walking. And eating up my current obsession of an avocado, pepperjack, spinach, turkey sandwich. With Newman’s Own Soy Crisps and a plum on the side.
5. Trying more of the Newman’s Own Goodies I was sent to review.
So I can actually get that review up sometime in the near future. I could just do the review now. In one word. Yum! And I still have so much left. My tummy is a happy camper to be able to have a little nibble of goods like theirs every day.
- What was your favorite thing to do on the playground growing up? Mine was the spinny wheel thing that you sit on and get spun around real fast by your mom, dad, or whoever. I don’t know what it’s called, but it was fun!
- What is your favorite food to pack for a picnic? Mine is always some sort of sandwich and fresh fruit!
Um, I love your kitchen sink… you don’t mind if I just hop over and borrow it right?
Ohh – I loved the spinny thing. We always called it the merry-go-round. Even though it’s not the high tech one that shows up in amusement parks, I think it still qualifies. I loved when I got braver and would sit underneath one of the rails near the outside of the circle, instead of staying right at the center.
Do you have 3 sinks in your kitchen? I am oh, so envious.
Aww hopefully you’ll be able to see your friend soon. I don’t know what it is about picnics and summer but watermelon is a must when I have picnics!
Sorry your trip got postponed, but it really is so fun to have something to look forward to. Totally agree!
I loved the Big Toy on the playground. The big wooden thing that you could climb on, not sure the technical name. And also tire swings. Those were sweet.
Lunch for me is usually leftovers.
I loved The Help, I thought it was wonderful! They are making it into a movie!
Hmm I don’t remember what I liked the most as a kid on playgrounds…I just remember running around the different play thingys a lot, haha. And on picnics…I like packing wraps, veggies/hummus, strawberries…and in a perfect world, wine 🙂
The swings! I love the swings! And I was a swing HOG once I got on I never got off! I probably wasn’t the most popular kid…haha!
Love the idea of at least finding one little thing to look forward to. Looks like you had lots of great moments with M this week. Oh I loved to swing! My hubs and I have been taking a picnic lunch to eat after our longer runs on the weekend and I’ve been packing wraps. Super portable.
AWWW you are such a great mommy!!! 🙂 🙂
LOVE picnics!! cut up fruit is GREAT and obviously PB and J’s 🙂
Whatever treat that is on the top left looks amazing!! Yummy!!
So glad you’re having a nice week and enjoying you life. Love the pics of M swinging!! She is so adorable!! 🙂
My favorite thing on the playground was most definitely the swings. Love that feeling!! And my favorite thing to eat on picnics are to make little tasting plates of cheese, hummus, crackers, chicken salad, fruit, and a little wine never hurt either! 😉
Thanks for the review of The Help, I am reading that next.
I loved the monkey bars and swings as a kid, but not I can’t even think about them without getting a bit motion sick.
I like a quinoa salad for a picnic, easy to make and they can be kept at room temp.
Hi Tina! Thank you so much for leaving such a sweet comment on my blog! I’m so excited to hear about your little girl and that you guys are trying for a second. I LOVE the name Makenzie, by the way! So cute…
I’m definitely going to bookmark your blog and start reading more! I agree that it’s really fun to get in touch with other fitness moms. 🙂 Thanks again!
I used to LOVE going down the slides! Or my brother and I would climb over the equipment instead of using it–my mom used to get so worried and mad! haha love you mama my bad 🙂
I really really want to read The Help. I just need some time and the actual book. 🙂 There is a long list of books ahead of it though.
I used to love the swings for sure. My most favorite thing at the park. And for a picnic I used to love chips with potato salad. But then I developed this weird aversion to mayo so I don’t eat potato salad anymore!
how do you have 3 sinks? i’m jealous! haha.
i loved the swings at the playground. i liked the idea of the tire swing but realistically it made me sick – too much circle action!
hermits, soy crisps and chocolate…omg those hermits are the end of me. i ate like 1/2 a bag throughout one day!
never know…maybe there was a reason you shouldn’t of gone! 🙂 Either way, good optimism! 🙂
1. Mine was the swings! 🙂 But I was the ‘only one’ who didn’t jump off out of all my friends (haha).
2. I agree…Sandwiches (now wraps are my fave) and fruit pack up great!
What a great post. It made me feel like I have so many small things to look forward to every day, and some big things down the road too!
Mine is a sandwich, too! Or just good bread and cheese and fruits.
Haha, my fave thing to do at the playground was to pick fight with other kids. I was a bad kid!
and I love your message here…to find simple things to look forward to! What a refreshing idea.
I loved The Help. Best book that I’ve read in a long time.
I used to like all the bar type things at the playground. I did some gymnastics (although not very well) when I was in elementary school and used to like to flip around on the bars.
I loved the tire swing! I’d probably still like it. When I take my niece and nephew to the park, I totally still swing on the swings!
I can’t remember the last time I had a picnic….but I’d probably choose something simple like a pb sammie.
Loved The Help!!such a great book.