The Packing Begins

I think this about sums up what's going on around here.  

Yes, despite the fact that we have 34 days until we can actually begin moving, I am packing every day.  Just a few boxes here and there, but I'm doing it. 

Part of me looks around and thinks "We have plenty of time, why start now?".  And the other part looks around and thinks "The more you do now, the less you have to do later.".  

The shed is done, the garage mostly organized, the basement nearly all stored & staged. 

These are small areas, minor parts in the orchestra of bubble wrap and boxes.  

But they have become the starting point for our next journey.  

If I'm not packing, I'm thinking about The House.  Well, both houses actually.  

I wrote out what I hope will be our last rent check - possibly ever.  And it was the most satisfying experience I've had in months.  I can't wait to say good-bye to the smelly basement, the 3 feet of kitchen counter space, the sticky front door, the lack of A/C.  It won't be hard to turn our backs on this place (but of course, the people are another matter). 

I spend long minutes staring at tiny online pictures of The House.  

I ponder.  

I wonder.

I worry.         

I should have looked in the fridge. 

I should have flushed the toilets.  

I should have measured the garage.  

I should have looked in the kitchen cabinets.

I should, I should, I should.....

What I should do is stop worrying. 

Because I know it will be OK. 

We know the house is sturdy and strong.

The roof is new. 

The lights all work. 

The street is quiet. 

So instead, I wonder how much primer it will take to cover the bright orange bathroom. 

How much new carpet is going to cost (and really, is the extra padding worth it?).

I spend long hours staring at paint chips. Shuffling, combining, picking through the color wheel. 

Beachy?

Bright?

Accent wall?

Light & modern?

Dark & cozy?

Giving myself internal pep talks.  

Realizing it won't - it CAN'T - all get done as soon as we move in. 

And most of all, just looking forward. 

Nowhere to Go, Nothing to Say

My husband asked me today why I haven't posted lately.

My response:  "I don't know.  I just don't have much to say.  And I'm sure nobody wants to hear me talk about how much I'm looking forward to getting out of here and on to Ohio."

To be clear:  I will miss the people, but not the place.  More on that later.

And really, I'm trying to live in the now.  Every day that we wake up to cool breezes and sunny skies feels like a gift.  Summer is NOT my season, but this weather makes every day a joy.  I've been trying my best to embrace summer, and enjoy the little moments.  The kids are staying up late and sleeping in.  We play and dance and take walks and ride bikes and eat popsicles.  We splash and run and kick and jump.  Sometimes we shop and paint nails and pile on the bed to read stories.  So raise your glass to all the good that summer can bring.  Because so far, I am enjoying every minute of it.

Summer Resolutions

Summer, I am not a fan of you.  I know you know, but I just wanted to make sure we're on the same page. I don't like your heat, your humidity, your blazing sun.  I don't like that your favorite gifts are burned skin, frizzled hair, and beads of sweat.

But Summer, I am willing to do my part to make things better.

Instead of lazing around the house all day, we're going to get up each morning & work on our chores and workbook pages.  We're going to plan something different to look forward to each week - a picnic, a playdate, an outing to the splashpad, an indoor playplace, a trip to the movies - something to get us out of the heat into the fun. I signed up Big Sis for a daycamp at a local elementary school, so she'll have crafts and playtime in the afternoons.  We're going to take walks and snap pictures and eat popsicles and splash in the tiny blowup pool in the backyard.

So Summer, what are you going to do for me?

My Favorite Things

Inspired by a friend's blog, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite things with you.

2Do App for iPhone 

I make my daily to-do list, keep random shopping lists, and generally stay on top of things all thanks to this app.  Super easy to use!

Nike Free

I picked these up last Fall, hoping they would be good for indoor cross-training.  They are OK for workouts (I have hard to fit feet), but I have been pleasantly surprised to find that I LOVE them for travel.  They are incredibly lightweight & very comfortable. 

The Body Shop Body Butter

Available in an array of fragrances, I have a special fondness for Mango, Cocoa Butter and Sweet Lemon.  In the winter, it gives me a reminder of summer.  In summer it keeps my skin hydrated and soft. I wait until they go on promo, then stock up.  

Clarisonic Classic

Being a poor student family, there is no money for indulgences like facials. With the Clarisonic, I can give myself a mini-facial at home.  It has absolutely changed the texture of my skin and reduced my pores.  

Orange Peeler

With Spring and Summer here, we're eating more of those beautiful Florida oranges.  This 25 cent gadget is so simple but makes peeling any citrus fruit a breeze.  

Sterilite Totes

I use these for tons of stuff - to store Christmas decorations, stash out of season clothing, and organize craft items.  Whenever they go on sale, I'll buy one or two more.  They stack perfectly, and fit nicely on our garage racks.  With moving day approaching, these are a huge help. 

Stila "Kitten" Eyeshadow

A perfect shimmery peach color, this wakes up tired Mommy eyes, and brightens my face.  I use it almost exclusively.  

T3 Flatiron

After going through several cheap flatirons, I invested in a good one.  Totally worth it.  This has streamlined my hair routine and after 3 years it's still going strong. 

Pinterest

Addictive.  Seriously addictive.  If you've ever wanted to stop bookmarking a million different pages, start using Pinterest.  You can "Pin" images into different "boards", creating your collection of whatever (nailpolish, recipes, light fixtures, vacation ideas, etc.).  You can look at what other people have pinned and comment on their images.  Access by invitation only.   

Havaianas

I'm not sure if it's the cool patterns and colors, the comfort (they don't rub, I swear!), or the sheer joy of putting on flipflops after a long winter of boots, but I am a Havaianas lover.  My faves are above (Slim style), and they make me happy every time I wear them.  

Essie Nailpolish: Clambake

Essie makes excellent nailpolish, and this color is one of my go-to's when the weather warms up.  The bright orange is flattering against tan (and not-so-tan) skin.  If you can't find this, Braziliant is new & similar. 

King-sized Down Pillows

I bought these years ago, and don't sleep well without them.  I can flatten it out, fluff it up, and always look forward to laying my head on it at night.  Plus, they make a fantastic pillow fort.  

Do you have a favorite thing? 

This Is How I Spend My Time

Because I am a lady of leisure, I spend much time on the interwebs.

Between eating bon-bons and lacquering my nails, of course.

And when I have had my fill of the 5 websites I stalk regularly (Facebook, Twitter, Google Mail, eBay, Blogger), I will often jump from page to page in pursuit of something to amuse me whilst I am being fed peeled grapes.

For one simply cannot peel a grape while one's nails are drying.

(Note: This is the real reason why I had children.  The oldest can peel a grape like nobody's business.)

Amusement often arrives in the form of entering various and sundry games of chance.

Pottery Barn is giving away a $10,000 room makeover?

Sign me up!

Self Magazine is offering to whisk me away on a $4,312 airfare-not-included tropical getaway?

Enter!

Bob's blog is passing out free bookmarks with a comment?

Comment sent!

(Perhaps the last one is an exaggeration.  A lady of leisure must also be discerning, and Bob's bookmarks were really quite sub-par.)

But I do love a giveaway (oh the hope!  the glory!), and when it involves a little something personalized, I am hooked.

Right now, the Preppy Poppy is offering the chance to win chance to win 5 monogrammed eco-friendly grocery totes!  As banal a task as food shopping can only be alleviated if one has a set of bespoke totes.  

Enter now for your chance to win (but, just so you know... they are all mine.)

What We've Been Up To

Lemonade Drinking

Hand Pie Eating

Backyard Swimming

BIKE RIDING!

This post is mostly to commemorate the fact that Big Sis is now a no-training-wheels bike riding girl.  

We found a bike in the appropriate size and it all clicked for her.  Within two days of testing it out, she was riding in circles around me.  We may have to find a bike trailer & a bike for me so that we can go on family rides.