Posts
The title is misleading. This isnt so much about me finding my passion as it is about me nurturing passion found.
A few days ago, Gracie watched some Ice Skating highlights, and proudly announced she wants to go to the Olympics as an Ice Skater. Now that I think of it, I think it was Johnny Weirs' black and pink ensemble that caught her attention. "Awwww, how cute", I thought and started asking her all sorts of what-if style questions about her future role as an Olympian. We played "make believe ice skater" for a while before bed and she made me promise to sign her up for lessons. I thought this would be perfect scheduling, since Ruby has been begging me for like a year to also sign her up for ice skating lessons. I started reveling in the idea of them having lessons on the same day, and how much time would be saved not shuffling them around to different activities. Both girls have been talking nonstop about it for days. Every Wednesday they ask to go to "cheap-skate" night at the local rink.I usually come up with some crappy excuse not to go. My excuses are over.
Today we went down to the rink with some friends, and for the first time I realized, this isn't just and activity. This is something they LOVE to do.And they're pretty good at it. Have you ever witnessed your kids be fearless? Its amazing. Its a perfect moment. As Mothers (and Fathers too), we strive to raise self sustaining, GOOD and DECENT humans. And to be there in a moment where your kids are passionate and free is just amazing. I had that blessed moment today, and it made me think; maybe I am raising and Olympic athlete. All those kids had were passion, determination and a parent who saw those two things and nurtured it. Do I have what it takes to be a devoted, run-me-all-over-town Ice skater mom? I don't know. I am looking forward to finding out.
Maybe this is about discovering my passion after all.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
slacking
Its Friday night, and i'm about four long blinks from being asleep for the night (at 9:45). The two things keeping me awake are my usual 10:30 date with Derek via yahoo messenger, and the need to get some blog time in.
I'm hoping to tackle some military spouse issues very soon, but until i get down to a routine, my sweet readers will have to survive on little anecdotes of my crazy days.
I have come to the conclusion that I am raising a Diva. No, not Patience, my 16 year old. Gracie, our baby, turned 6 on Wednesday. I started the day a little melancholy, thinking this was the last 6th birthday we were going to celebrate in the Foster household. But as the morning progressed, that lament turned into relief, as Gracie proceeded to let everyone know it was her "special" day and basically we were all to bow to her majesty. She scolded my dad for not buying her a gift (he did, in fact get her a gift), while waiting for daddy to log onto yahoo after breakfast, she yelled at the computer that he was "wasting her morning" and that she couldn't and SHOULDN'T have to wait to open her gifts. When he finally did log on, she opened Pates presents with a "wow, thanks, a book" spoken in her best sarcastic. When I picked her and Ruby up from school, I used the drive up line, rather than the park and pick-up routine, and was promptly met with "What took you so long?". I explained that I had been running around all afternoon for HER "special" day, and i wasn't wearing a rain jacket, therefore i chose not to wait out in the rain. I also had to tell her that I had trouble setting up her brand new leapster, so she would have to wait until after dinner to play. The waterworks started. THe howls of discontent began and the dissatisfaction with my ability to do erupted. The birthday girl ended up spending the afternoon of her "special" day sitting on her bed in her room, having some quiet time to reflect on her piss poor attitude.
Part of me secretly wished she might sail off and become the queen of the wild things. As it is, you can never stay upset with a dramatic 6 year old for long.I gave her a reprieve after about 40 minutes, so we could enjoy the best birthday corned beef ever, and continued to cater to our little attitude adjusted princess the rest of the evening, ending the night with few rounds on the leapster, and a tag book in bed. And as she snuggled up to me, I did kinda wish, just for a second, I could freeze that moment and keep her my baby just a little bit longer.
I'm hoping to tackle some military spouse issues very soon, but until i get down to a routine, my sweet readers will have to survive on little anecdotes of my crazy days.
I have come to the conclusion that I am raising a Diva. No, not Patience, my 16 year old. Gracie, our baby, turned 6 on Wednesday. I started the day a little melancholy, thinking this was the last 6th birthday we were going to celebrate in the Foster household. But as the morning progressed, that lament turned into relief, as Gracie proceeded to let everyone know it was her "special" day and basically we were all to bow to her majesty. She scolded my dad for not buying her a gift (he did, in fact get her a gift), while waiting for daddy to log onto yahoo after breakfast, she yelled at the computer that he was "wasting her morning" and that she couldn't and SHOULDN'T have to wait to open her gifts. When he finally did log on, she opened Pates presents with a "wow, thanks, a book" spoken in her best sarcastic. When I picked her and Ruby up from school, I used the drive up line, rather than the park and pick-up routine, and was promptly met with "What took you so long?". I explained that I had been running around all afternoon for HER "special" day, and i wasn't wearing a rain jacket, therefore i chose not to wait out in the rain. I also had to tell her that I had trouble setting up her brand new leapster, so she would have to wait until after dinner to play. The waterworks started. THe howls of discontent began and the dissatisfaction with my ability to do erupted. The birthday girl ended up spending the afternoon of her "special" day sitting on her bed in her room, having some quiet time to reflect on her piss poor attitude.
Part of me secretly wished she might sail off and become the queen of the wild things. As it is, you can never stay upset with a dramatic 6 year old for long.I gave her a reprieve after about 40 minutes, so we could enjoy the best birthday corned beef ever, and continued to cater to our little attitude adjusted princess the rest of the evening, ending the night with few rounds on the leapster, and a tag book in bed. And as she snuggled up to me, I did kinda wish, just for a second, I could freeze that moment and keep her my baby just a little bit longer.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
the deployment bed
I figured since my blog name is the Manic MILITARY wife, I should write about something military-esque. I mean, it just makes sense, right?
While on the phone with Derek this afternoon, we broached on a subject that I find so comical, yet I can really only commiserate with my other military spouse friends, because the humor is lost on those who have their loved one next to them each night. Try and follow along.
Derek has had trouble sleeping lately, which I find so hard to believe because when at home, he is usually snoring before I've gotten myself comfortable. So, aside from rude building mates and random maintenance,he really just misses being home. I on the other hand, am just the opposite. I have been sleeping like a freakin' rock. Dead to the world until my alarm goes off, most nights barely noticing one of the kids climbing in to the empty space reserved usually as "Derek's side". But it wasn't always like this, and so is the evolution of the deployment bed.
Deployment Uno - When Derek first deployed, the first time, we had spent only a few days apart EVER in our marriage. Weird right? So when he first left, I couldn't sleep to save my life. Which was unfortunate, because I was working, had an infant, a toddler and a tween. Sleep wasn't something i could afford to miss out on. It took me quite a while before I was able to get into a bedtime routine for myself. That first deployment, I read the ENTIRE Left Behind Series.That's how much i didn't
sleep. I guess I didn't move much, either, because all I had to do in the morning to make my bed, was smooth MY side. Derek's side was virtually untouched. It took about 12 seconds to pull the comforter up to the pillows, fold back and tuck. I didn't move from my safe corner of the bed. Ever.
Deployment Deux - this deployment came a little sooner than we would have liked (i guess all do)as we had barely spent 7 months living together (2 moves to make it happen)and were just getting back into the routine of co-habitating. We had only lived here in Washington a few months, and although we lived on post, it was still a transition. I didn't really know anyone, and while i felt safer, bedtime was still hard. I literally didn't go back to my room until I was about to fall asleep. this, though, was a 15 month deployment, and although I wasn't keen on sleeping alone, I developed a soft spot for the middle of the bed. Making the bed got a little more involved, but it wasn't that bad. After all, I was starting to realize how everyone else in the house enjoyed my bed.
Deployment this one - I am ALL OVER this mutha . Like, for real. I wake up with the blankets crooked, pillows on the floor. It's a crazy mess. And when the kids climb in it's worse! I sleep hard and sound. And i enjoy my space. If the kids are in here and even THINK of crossing over to "my side", it's on.I'm not nice about it, either. I sleep spread out, scrunched to the footboard, diagonal, you name it. In the morning, it takes a good 5 full minutes to get the bed in organized fashion.
So, while I am counting down the minutes until I get to lay next to my hubby again, I think I might be a little nervous about my ability to share my beautifully comfortable space. This Queen size bed is starting to seem a little snug, now that I'm imagining another adult taking up space. Hmmm... Maybe I can claim some of "Derek's side" without him noticing?
While on the phone with Derek this afternoon, we broached on a subject that I find so comical, yet I can really only commiserate with my other military spouse friends, because the humor is lost on those who have their loved one next to them each night. Try and follow along.
Derek has had trouble sleeping lately, which I find so hard to believe because when at home, he is usually snoring before I've gotten myself comfortable. So, aside from rude building mates and random maintenance,he really just misses being home. I on the other hand, am just the opposite. I have been sleeping like a freakin' rock. Dead to the world until my alarm goes off, most nights barely noticing one of the kids climbing in to the empty space reserved usually as "Derek's side". But it wasn't always like this, and so is the evolution of the deployment bed.
Deployment Uno - When Derek first deployed, the first time, we had spent only a few days apart EVER in our marriage. Weird right? So when he first left, I couldn't sleep to save my life. Which was unfortunate, because I was working, had an infant, a toddler and a tween. Sleep wasn't something i could afford to miss out on. It took me quite a while before I was able to get into a bedtime routine for myself. That first deployment, I read the ENTIRE Left Behind Series.That's how much i didn't
sleep. I guess I didn't move much, either, because all I had to do in the morning to make my bed, was smooth MY side. Derek's side was virtually untouched. It took about 12 seconds to pull the comforter up to the pillows, fold back and tuck. I didn't move from my safe corner of the bed. Ever.
Deployment Deux - this deployment came a little sooner than we would have liked (i guess all do)as we had barely spent 7 months living together (2 moves to make it happen)and were just getting back into the routine of co-habitating. We had only lived here in Washington a few months, and although we lived on post, it was still a transition. I didn't really know anyone, and while i felt safer, bedtime was still hard. I literally didn't go back to my room until I was about to fall asleep. this, though, was a 15 month deployment, and although I wasn't keen on sleeping alone, I developed a soft spot for the middle of the bed. Making the bed got a little more involved, but it wasn't that bad. After all, I was starting to realize how everyone else in the house enjoyed my bed.
Deployment this one - I am ALL OVER this mutha . Like, for real. I wake up with the blankets crooked, pillows on the floor. It's a crazy mess. And when the kids climb in it's worse! I sleep hard and sound. And i enjoy my space. If the kids are in here and even THINK of crossing over to "my side", it's on.I'm not nice about it, either. I sleep spread out, scrunched to the footboard, diagonal, you name it. In the morning, it takes a good 5 full minutes to get the bed in organized fashion.
So, while I am counting down the minutes until I get to lay next to my hubby again, I think I might be a little nervous about my ability to share my beautifully comfortable space. This Queen size bed is starting to seem a little snug, now that I'm imagining another adult taking up space. Hmmm... Maybe I can claim some of "Derek's side" without him noticing?
Monday, February 22, 2010
this thing called CrossFit.
When Derek was home for R&R in November, he coerced me into a few days of Crossfit "training". **For those of you who haven't heard of this cult like training, go to crossfit.com and spend an hour navigating the site.**
Crossfit-ing with Derek was nuts. First, because i am a horrible student when he is the teacher, and secondly, because I was a tubby out-of-shape biatch, and crossfit is unforgiving. After only ONE day I had to hover to pee, I had to Frankenstein-walk all my stairs,I needed help lifting my arms. I also fell in love with this training. It felt good. I felt good. When the soreness went away,I was left with strength and stamina.
I realized first off, that I COULD do this, if I just got off my padded ass and DID it. So after Derek left, and I got up enough nerve, I joined the local Crossfit Gym here in town. It's intimidating to walk into one of these gyms. People grunt, and lift and sweat, and ALL seem sooooo "in shape". But the awesome thing about crossfit is that it can be modified to ANY level of fitness. For example, there is a 60 -something year old woman in my 10am class and she can box jump, run 800 meters and clean and jerk 45#. Can you? I cant. Not yet anyways, but this woman INSPIRES me to push myself. She's not skinny, she not trendy and shes not someone I would think of as a "crossfitter" if i saw her on the street. Bringing me kinda to the point of my whole story anyway.
I had taken a bit of a haitus- a two week semi-break- if you will. I have some sort of strange injury that has proven frustrating to figure out, and it has made lifting near impossible. So Today was my first day back to the routine. And I KILLED it. Now, I am doing a totally modified WOD(Workout of the Day), my push-ups are girl style, I do jumping pull-ups and I haven't rx'd(prescribed weight for skill)on weight yet ever. But today i DID push myself to do better.And in doing so, I also pushed a friend who is doing this with me. I THOUGHT I had set up a 15# bar with ten exra pounds, totaling 25#, but in actuality, I put in ten pound weights, totaling 35#. Now, sure, 35 pounds may seem easy peasy, but clean that shit up to your sternum, and jerk it out above your head, TWO TIMES, then do 22 push-ups, and 10 26# Kettlebell swings, and do it all again OVER AND OVER FOR 13 MINUTES. I got 5 rounds +2 clean and jerks done. For me this was a huge accomplishment, especially with my weird injury, and having taken the time off. It was also awesome to see my friend do so well, on only her 4th WOD.
Of course, I'm like any other woman out there, and I care about the scale. Why is it such a frienemy?? I have seen no WEIGHT loss whatsoever. But I have seen an increase in strength, stamina and my desire to WANT to go. Even when my knees are screaming, and I'm so sore I cant take my own sports bra off. I LOVE CrossFit. There, I said it. And I hope you, sweet reader, get to experience a kick ass WOD in the near future. Push yourself just out of your comfort zone, because once you do, its amazing how great you'll feel.
Crossfit-ing with Derek was nuts. First, because i am a horrible student when he is the teacher, and secondly, because I was a tubby out-of-shape biatch, and crossfit is unforgiving. After only ONE day I had to hover to pee, I had to Frankenstein-walk all my stairs,I needed help lifting my arms. I also fell in love with this training. It felt good. I felt good. When the soreness went away,I was left with strength and stamina.
I realized first off, that I COULD do this, if I just got off my padded ass and DID it. So after Derek left, and I got up enough nerve, I joined the local Crossfit Gym here in town. It's intimidating to walk into one of these gyms. People grunt, and lift and sweat, and ALL seem sooooo "in shape". But the awesome thing about crossfit is that it can be modified to ANY level of fitness. For example, there is a 60 -something year old woman in my 10am class and she can box jump, run 800 meters and clean and jerk 45#. Can you? I cant. Not yet anyways, but this woman INSPIRES me to push myself. She's not skinny, she not trendy and shes not someone I would think of as a "crossfitter" if i saw her on the street. Bringing me kinda to the point of my whole story anyway.
I had taken a bit of a haitus- a two week semi-break- if you will. I have some sort of strange injury that has proven frustrating to figure out, and it has made lifting near impossible. So Today was my first day back to the routine. And I KILLED it. Now, I am doing a totally modified WOD(Workout of the Day), my push-ups are girl style, I do jumping pull-ups and I haven't rx'd(prescribed weight for skill)on weight yet ever. But today i DID push myself to do better.And in doing so, I also pushed a friend who is doing this with me. I THOUGHT I had set up a 15# bar with ten exra pounds, totaling 25#, but in actuality, I put in ten pound weights, totaling 35#. Now, sure, 35 pounds may seem easy peasy, but clean that shit up to your sternum, and jerk it out above your head, TWO TIMES, then do 22 push-ups, and 10 26# Kettlebell swings, and do it all again OVER AND OVER FOR 13 MINUTES. I got 5 rounds +2 clean and jerks done. For me this was a huge accomplishment, especially with my weird injury, and having taken the time off. It was also awesome to see my friend do so well, on only her 4th WOD.
Of course, I'm like any other woman out there, and I care about the scale. Why is it such a frienemy?? I have seen no WEIGHT loss whatsoever. But I have seen an increase in strength, stamina and my desire to WANT to go. Even when my knees are screaming, and I'm so sore I cant take my own sports bra off. I LOVE CrossFit. There, I said it. And I hope you, sweet reader, get to experience a kick ass WOD in the near future. Push yourself just out of your comfort zone, because once you do, its amazing how great you'll feel.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
random ramblings
This post brought to you by a vodka tonic or two, so if this gets sketchy, you know why.
Today was another beautiful fantastic day in Washington State. I know some of you out-of-staters don't believe me, but its true, and i have pictures to prove it! Since this February treat of awesome weather is rare, I decided to make the most of it.
9:30 am -Me and my younger two girls met my friend and her kiddo at the 5K mud run site and walked the trail. The kids did all the obstacles we came across, and i became painfully aware of two things A.) I'm waaay out of shape for a 5K mudrun, and 2.) my kids need to be outside more.
This also brings me to a side note. My 5k is scheduled for around the same time as my husbands homecoming. I would like some opinions on the couth-ness ( yes I made that up) of showing up at said homecoming dripping with sweat, mud, and pride for completing my second 5k, this time sans Derek. Sure to some this may sound ridiculous. It probably is. But for you kindred Milspouses of mine, how often do we bend due to our spouses career. Our lives really do revolve around them, regardless of deployment. I think as wives, we often put our needs on the back-burner, because we've been told to "suck it up". But "sucking it up" and giving up our dreams/goals/wants are two different things. And I think I have finally come to realize that if I don't grab that thing I am after, no one is going to do it for me. And not only that, but this is MY LIFE too. And I need to be happy just as much as I need to make my family happy. So would I rather be at the 5k, or welcomeing my husband home with a hug and a kiss? I want both. So, I hope he likes muddy sweaty hugs <3.
1:ish pm - Took our beloved basset Hope to the dog park. Everyone in the free world had the same idea. There were also 4 cop cars in the parking lot. Was there a puppy rumble, I wonder. I know they weren't there to police the scoop your poop policy, as i witnessed many a pooch doing their thing as owners pretended not to see it. Come on people, common courtesy. NO ONE enjoys picking up poo, but stepping in it is even worse.
Now as some of you may know, I am a creature whore. I love animals. I cant help but pet and rub and pick up most animal we come across. I pick up slugs on the Tolmie trail, I chase frog croaks at the marsh, and there is no dog safe from my need to love at the dog park. Today, there was a special treat for me, ( I pray Hope doesn't read this) FIVE different English bulldogs all came up to me and wanted MY attention!! Ahhhhh, it was a good day.
Sunday is supposed to be another fantastic day, Western Washingtonians! Get out there and enjoy it. People watch, eavesdrop on a conversation, take a walk with your kids. And if you have some free time, come down to Steilacoom and get a healthy dose of beauty.
I will end my unorganized ramblings with this Gracieism: whilst playing travel bingo
"I found a fire DE-hydrant!"
Today was another beautiful fantastic day in Washington State. I know some of you out-of-staters don't believe me, but its true, and i have pictures to prove it! Since this February treat of awesome weather is rare, I decided to make the most of it.
9:30 am -Me and my younger two girls met my friend and her kiddo at the 5K mud run site and walked the trail. The kids did all the obstacles we came across, and i became painfully aware of two things A.) I'm waaay out of shape for a 5K mudrun, and 2.) my kids need to be outside more.
This also brings me to a side note. My 5k is scheduled for around the same time as my husbands homecoming. I would like some opinions on the couth-ness ( yes I made that up) of showing up at said homecoming dripping with sweat, mud, and pride for completing my second 5k, this time sans Derek. Sure to some this may sound ridiculous. It probably is. But for you kindred Milspouses of mine, how often do we bend due to our spouses career. Our lives really do revolve around them, regardless of deployment. I think as wives, we often put our needs on the back-burner, because we've been told to "suck it up". But "sucking it up" and giving up our dreams/goals/wants are two different things. And I think I have finally come to realize that if I don't grab that thing I am after, no one is going to do it for me. And not only that, but this is MY LIFE too. And I need to be happy just as much as I need to make my family happy. So would I rather be at the 5k, or welcomeing my husband home with a hug and a kiss? I want both. So, I hope he likes muddy sweaty hugs <3.
1:ish pm - Took our beloved basset Hope to the dog park. Everyone in the free world had the same idea. There were also 4 cop cars in the parking lot. Was there a puppy rumble, I wonder. I know they weren't there to police the scoop your poop policy, as i witnessed many a pooch doing their thing as owners pretended not to see it. Come on people, common courtesy. NO ONE enjoys picking up poo, but stepping in it is even worse.
Now as some of you may know, I am a creature whore. I love animals. I cant help but pet and rub and pick up most animal we come across. I pick up slugs on the Tolmie trail, I chase frog croaks at the marsh, and there is no dog safe from my need to love at the dog park. Today, there was a special treat for me, ( I pray Hope doesn't read this) FIVE different English bulldogs all came up to me and wanted MY attention!! Ahhhhh, it was a good day.
Sunday is supposed to be another fantastic day, Western Washingtonians! Get out there and enjoy it. People watch, eavesdrop on a conversation, take a walk with your kids. And if you have some free time, come down to Steilacoom and get a healthy dose of beauty.
I will end my unorganized ramblings with this Gracieism: whilst playing travel bingo
"I found a fire DE-hydrant!"
Thursday, February 18, 2010
and so it begins...
I am what one might call a frustrated writer. Frustrated only because I lack the motivation and, to be blunt, balls, to actually submit my silly little stories for someone else to approve. Well, times they are a-changin' around here. I have been recently motivated by that thing that motivates us all: the all-mighty dollar, and to avoid going out into the adult working world (gasp)and leaving my life of leisure as a stay-at-homer (insert laugh track here) in the dust, it is time for me to grow a sack.
This is where you come in, oh sweet reader. Whether you are reading this under family obligation, or you stumbled onto my blog in search of free porn, I appreciate that you have read this far. I will try my hand at writing a kick-ass and belly-laugh worthy blog. It will hopefully give me the motivation to actually submit some work, work on writing and vent about all things life-ish. Stay tuned and come back often. My life is full of misadventures and kookiness.
This is where you come in, oh sweet reader. Whether you are reading this under family obligation, or you stumbled onto my blog in search of free porn, I appreciate that you have read this far. I will try my hand at writing a kick-ass and belly-laugh worthy blog. It will hopefully give me the motivation to actually submit some work, work on writing and vent about all things life-ish. Stay tuned and come back often. My life is full of misadventures and kookiness.
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