I saw this quote on pinterest the other day and had to share it. I can’t remember which very smart person once told me that if your always the hero in your own story, you aren’t reading it right, but this quote made me think of that. We all have a little distortion in our lenses.
On & Off the Needles: Absolutely nothing new. I just haven’t much felt like picking it up. I did ultimately decide against the stitch-a-long. It’s an adorable sampler but it isn’t a need and I have so many other projects I really should be focusing on so…
Watching: Chef (a movie on Netflix). There’s definitely language but it’s a cute movie. Game of Thrones – my interest started waning at this point in the books and the last two episodes have seemed rather slow for me. I’m not sure how I’m going to feel moving forward. Scandal. OH MY WORD. Nashville – just tie it up and be done already.
Reading: This is Where We Live by Janelle Brown (I didn’t dislike this book, but I didn’t like it either), Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Larson (I laughed audibly in a couple of places but I think there is some repeats from her blog.)
I can’t tell you enough how grateful I am to be done with Sunday’s celebratory lunch. It’s ridiculous but I always get a bit nervy when I’m having people over – even when those people are family and friends I’ve known forever.
In other news, soccer is starting. And it snowed today. I love April in the Midwest. We’ve had 80° temps and below freezing temps and I just cross my fingers and hope I’m sending our kids in the right clothing for the day. There have been plenty of days playing basketball in the driveway and riding bikes and puttering in the yard. We’ve also had a few days snuggled up under blankets watching movies or playing board games. Kids are magic when they are 7 and 5 and life has been simply good – like fresh baked bread warm from the oven and salted butter.
Now I’m going to go warm up my tea and read a bit before it’s time to pick up the kids. What are you looking forward to this week?
Edited to add: I just found this Rebel Wilson quotes as motivational posters. The one with body lotion/weighing herself. SO TRUE!!
For what it's worth, you're not alone in the nervousness with company department – I'm like this, too. It's easy to tell yourself to just relax and enjoy, but it's quite another thing to actually be able to do it! Things CAN get easier with time and experience, but for those feelings to go completely away? I'm not sure it's possible; I think that's pretty much like wishing you were another person entirely. (I'm finally at the point in my life where I'm able to be a bit easier on myself and to remember that we all have our good points and our bad points). I'm currently trying my best to try to stay calm about our impending visit – telling myself they're not coming to see the house, that there's simply no way I can get everything on my "list" done in time, and that that's ok, but still…jumpy nerves abound!
Also with you on spring in the Midwest. I can't imagine life without four distinct seasons! It's lovely to watch the plants and trees waking up and to still have those crisp days mixed in with the warmer 🙂
It really is too much like wishing I was another person but sometimes I don't understand how I can KNOW that it really isn't that big of a deal but still feel like the world will come to an end if there is a dust bunny in the corner or the rug isn't perfectly centered.
And aren't seasons the best? I could probably get by with one less month of winter weather but I think that's what makes spring so glorious.
It's so nice to catch up with what you're doing. I really liked Chef. Haven't been able to jump on the Thrones train. Loving Call the Midwife and so excited to see that season 2 of The Americans is now available on Amazon prime. And I'm really not much of a TV watcher.
More importantly, you are so right about 5 and 7. I hope you can eat these days up, savor all the good bites, and lick your fingers at the end of the day. I know it's not some magical wonderland–that there are times of frustration, boredom, tedium, and squabbles–but it also kind of is. I love my kids as they are today like nothing else, but sometimes I just ache with missing the people they used to be. Maybe that's part of what I love about your blog–living a little vicariously. 🙂
I know every phase has it's blessings and trials. We definitely have hard times but right now I seem to be in the magic window where I'm not needing to parent every second and they still really think I'm something special (and I know that won't always be the case.)
I'm mortified at the amount of television I watch now. I NEVER used to watch television (didn't even have one for 4 years) but after breaking my foot, I got sucked in and have watched more in the last year than in my whole life before combined. Call the Midwife is great – the BBC really does have amazing television – and I just love Chummy and Sister Evangelina. I can't seem to "binge" that show however so I'm still early on in season 3.
I didn't binge it, either. I don't have that kind of time, unless I'm sick. I love Chummy, too. I'm sad that she's not in the season airing currently. Actually, much of what I love is missing from the current season, which is almost turning into "Odd Disease of the Week." 🙁 And that is a magic window! I remember my mom telling me that the early elementary years were her favorite time of parenting, for just the reason you noted. Looking back, I'd say I agree.