Husband bashing.

Last week, my girls and I met for book club to review The Memory of Running by McLarty. (I can't remember his first name). The book was OK, not the best one we've read, that would be The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Book club usually consists of an hour and 45 minutes of chatter and 15 minutes of actually talking about books. It's great. Of the six of us, four of us are moms. The oldest child int he group is 7. Suffice it to say, reading doesn't really get done unless there's a reason, hence why Amy started the book club in the first place. (Sidenote: Amy has yet to finish a single book we've read, including the one she reccomended.)

In any case, invariably our conversation always veers to our husbands. Before I go where I'm going I will say that I absolutely adore Honey. He is my favorite person in all the world. Nonetheless, he's a guy. Guys, like ladies, have their own unique flaws. Most of these flaws drive us wives crazy. Totally insane. Like when they ask us if the dishwasher is clean or dirty. Argh! Or when one of my friend's husband asks where anything in the house is, even thought they've lived there for two years! Argh! Last week at book club, we spent a lot of time bashing our husbands for their flaws. Which apparently is something that husbands don't do. Really, have you ever seen a bunch of guys around a water cooler, bitching about their wives? Nope, doesn't happen. But we got it out of our systems and then talked about books. On the drive home, and in bed that night, I regretted my bashing. Like I said before, I adore Honey. He doesn't deserve it, and I don't think it's fair to him when in all reality he's a damn good husband and father and we have a fairly equal partnership. So I'm going to stop. From now on, when the convo turns to "Can you believe what my [insert expletive here] husband did?" I will not partake. And you know what? As a result, I've communicated to Honey what I need from him more. How can he stop doing what drives me crazy if he doens't know it drives me crazy?

I think all wives should think about doing the same. It's my challenge to you all.

And for the record: I usually have no clue if the diswasher is clean or dirty.

What can I say, it's summer?

I think I should just start bulleting my blog so that I can actually post more often. Nah, that's not as fun. But...I am vowing now to say that I am going to stop apologizing to my lack of blog updates. I have a life, I have a job, and a husband, and a daughter, so that means the blog is way down the list of priorities. But's it's something that's important to me, so I'll try. But I won't apologize.

Cue U2.

It's a beautiful day!

That's all I have in my head right now.

It is another gorgeous day here in CT and I fully intend to enjoy it. No more computer for me today. I think Lovey has a trip to the park in her future.

Peace out homies.

Are you there blogosphere, it's me, Cora?

I am automatically in love with anyone who caught my reference to Judy Blume. Wasn't she just the best for all us girls who grew up in the 80s? An adult who actually got it? I digress.

To say it's been awhile is an understatement. And an inrony given my last post was about being deep in the motherhood. Ok, everyone has goals, doesn't mean we always meet them. But I try. And now that school is out, I'll try again. But I make no promises. That would just be setting myself up for failure.

I know I have one subscriber out there that isn't my husband. I actually have no idea who you are, but if you'd identify yourself (and accept my apology for my absence) I'd be grateful. It might actually help me write more if I knew I had an "audience". Oops, I digressed again. I'm always doing that.

There's been a lot going on around these parts lately. Most importantly the clan gave up gluten. Huh? Say what? Back in April I got diagnosed with a gluten allergy and we all decided to give it up. The results? I was drug free in allergy season for the first time in 15 years. I have more energy, no ecexema, and an undying craving for all things chocolate chip cookie. Honey's adult acne is gone, and Lovey's itch till she bled ecexema is gone. I repeat, gone. After a week of not eating gluten. So clearly we were all unknowingly putting something in our bodies that didn't make us feel very good. Being gluten free has been challenging and much more expensive, but also totally worth it. One of my many summer goals is to start another blog all about this experience and complete with recipes and product reviews. (I know, my one reader thinks I'm crazy. "She can barely keep up with one, now she's gonna have two?) But I try, I just make no promises. Look for a link to the new one later this week.

Deep Into Motherhood

Before I start my story I have a confession to make. My story won't make sense unless I confess. I am a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers. I actually worked for WW for about 9 months. Although I am not currently at my goal weight, I will say that the program works. I've seen so many people (myself included) find success through the WW program.

Alright, now onto my story.

The phrase "deep into motherhood" was said by my wonderful WW leader, Cindy F., on her last day as leader. She was sharing that when she became a WW leader she was deep into motherhood and needed an outlet-desperately. WW became her source of outlet, her circle of friends, her support system. Her words jumped out at me like a skydiver jumping out of a plane. I was "deep into motherhood". As hard as I tried, I couldn't shake the fact that I put my kid, my husband, my house, and my job, before myself. It was starting to drive me insane. Cindy saying that was like a wake up call. I had just started working for CAbi at that point and although I didn't see it as an outlet for my mommy-deepness, it quickly became so. CAbi has helped and so has making myself more of a priority. I've gone out with friends more, I've left Lovie home with Honey more, I ever joined a book club. Which also forces me to read. Something I did pre-kid but largely abandoned post-kid.

Getting out of the depths of motherhood is why I so enjoyed reading the book Lift, by Kelly Corrigan. I stumbled across it about a month ago when I had a rare morning to myself while my Toyota was getting the recall fix [isn't that just a story for anohter time]. I meandered around Borders like I was single and childless (translation: heaven) and found the book. Kelly Corrigan is a cancer survivor and mother of two. She is well-known for her website www.circusofcancer.com. I picked up the book because I liked the first page, which is always my test of a book.

Believe me when I tell you if you are a mother, run, don't walk to get this book. It spoke to me on so many levels. It was funny, it was heartfelt, it was truth. Any mother could've written this book about their own experiences, and I'm so glad Kelly did. The best part is it was obviously written by someone who knows that moms have no time on their hands because it's only 80ish pages long. Check it out and let me know what you think.

All the ladies in the club put your hands up!

Honey has been trying to teach Lovey to do a fist pump since she was old enough to stand up on her own two feet. Well folks, this week, she got it! He asked her for the usual high five which she happily granted and then he asked her to pound it. She put her little hand into what could only loosely be called a fist and touched Honey's fist. All with a big smile. Clearly one of Honey's proudest Daddy moments.

My proud Mommy moment came shortly thereafter. Honey spontaneously said to Lovey, "Raise your hand if you're beautiful!" and both of Lovey's arms shot up into the air. It was so wonderful I could've cried. Now this is a daily routine: high five, fist pump, and raise your hand if you're beautiful. I wonder if Honey knows that he is giving our daughter something so few women have, pride and self-worth, in this small little gimmic. I plan to enjoy every minute of it, and raise my hand every chance I get. Who's with me?

Spring Healing.

As March draws to a close, I have been thinking back on the month and realizing that a lot of it has been about healing and repair. Not cleaning and repair as is typical. (Yeah, I need to do that, too.)

March is Honey's birthday month, and also his mom's birthday month. Their birthdays are actually 2 days apart. This has made celebrating his birthday the last two years a bit difficult. March also signifies the start of spring. Coincidentally, Honey's mom was born on the first day of spring. Which begs the question: Is that why she has always loved flowers? It's a chicken/egg thing I guess. The start of spring makes me miss her. Even though like most mother in-laws she had her moments, she was still a generous, out-going, effervescent person who had an amazing gift of bringing people together. Perhaps that's why the Friends of Elizabeth Park dedicated a plaque in her honor last May that coincidentally was put in place quietly a few weeks ago. (Did I mention that I believe fully that in life there are no coincidences and that everything happens for a reason?) Honey has some pictures on his blog if you're interested in taking a look.

Thank you Donna for bringing your beautiful boy into the world and sharing your youthful exuberance and love of the outdoors with him so he could share it with me. We love you and miss you.