Tropical Storm Debby

I know it's been ages since my last post - a little over TWO months - but just as soon as this storm passes, I'll be sure to update y'all in a little (large) post about the haps at Fort Sawyer.

This week, my family over in the Tampa Bay area got LOADED with heavy rainfall, tornadoes and flooding. Please keep them in mind. In the mean time, I hope all of you are staying dry and comfortable. Debby is taking her ol' sweet time, but is heading straight for Saint Augustine nonetheless.

Let's hope she moves along quickly - I'm expecting a shipment of very precious (and cute!) cargo form Fort Mccoy, Wisconsin on Friday! (Ahem, Papa!) Yay!

Happy Earth Day

I hope that each and every one of you had a green-filled, nature-loving, tree-hugging Earth Day yesterday, because (as you can probably tell) we sure did!

I read Kiri a book about Nature, took her for a stroll around our neighborhood to identify different species of plants, trees and flowers and even picked up some more greenery for our tiny apartment. Also, we made a completely “green” meal (salad with sprouts and mushrooms, yum!) and left our oven bee today.

All in all, though it was just a tiny dent in this world’s carbon footprint, I am pretty satisfied with effort to help out!

Endless Highways

Because sometimes it's just necessary to get away; and to remember what things matter most. 

I'll get back to posting soon enough. But for now, I'll just sit back + love being in love.

Dear April

Dear April,

Though we just met, I can already tell you’re going to be a month full of changes. Some good, some bad; but nevertheless, I feel them coming. This past month started out great, but ended like a train wreck. What I once considered stability, crumbled beneath my feet, leaving behind cracks in the surface that The Grand Canyon would be jealous of. I can’t tell you the level of disappointment I’m feeling, in people and in places. Though I’m not quite ready to divulge into details about why the third month and I decided to end things on bad terms, and I probably never will, just know that it was enough to send this newly-tough mama into a whirlwind of emotions and made me take a closer look into what I want to do with my life. Because anything/anyone/any place that doesn’t realize that I’m a mama FIRST, should be dislocated from my life without hesitation. End of story.

All in all, this year has been great. I haven’t a single complaint (besides this one) so far and I’m optimistic that things’ll only get better from here. March, I bid you adieu and plan to sweep any recollection of the last four days under the rug. But I do promise one thing, I won’t let it bring me down. I’m going to put my big girl shoes on and remind you who is in charge here.

Oh, sweet fourth month of the year, while you’re bringing sunny days, chirping birds and flowers galore, please remember one thing. Take it easy on me. I’ve been knocked down, pushed back and dragged through the shit pile of life. All I ask is that you treat me fairly. I don’t mind working hard or trying new things, but I do expect to get rewarded for the things I do right. Because I am worth it.

Yours truly,

A

Fresh Air

 

Because sometimes it just takes getting up and out of the house to make you feel better. Maybe not 100%, but good enough to remember that sickness doesn't last forever. But that smile you get from seeing the sun set over the lake in your back yard - the one that shines ever so perfectly on your daughter's face at just the right moment - will. 

My Mind

•  I’m thinking of starting a collection jar, so that I can raise money to put Kiri in the private Montessori School up the road from my house. It’s a fabulous school in an A+ district with the best teachers in the area. Only downside – its $6500 per year! Even with our FOUR incomes, I still cannot afford $500+ per month. Even though I believe that it’s entirely worth it! I was thinking also about trying to qualify for a loan, to put Kiri through Pre-K and Kindergarten and then just put her in the free Public Montessori School come first grade, (they prefer applicants with prior Montessori learning experience!)  but with over $20,000 in car loans plus Bop’s $5000 in school loans and thensome, it might be particularly hard to obtain at this point. Kicking and screaming, I am! But I will find a way to make it work! I promise.
• I think I’m becoming WAY too addicted to coffee. I absolutely cannot get out of bed without drinking an entire cup. Then I can peel myself out of bed, drinking another cup on the way to the bathroom. Then, on my way out the door, I fill my travel mug with another two cups. That’s FOUR cups in the morning alone! I know I’m taking in too much caffeine because my pee is dark, I’m unbelievably exhausted by 3pm and my hair has started to feel like straw! Also, I should probably be drinking more water.
• I need to start working out and doing yoga again! I seriously tell myself the same thing every day, but never actually go through with it! It’s just that (like I said above) come 3pm, I’m so tired and just want to eat and relax. But I need to do it! Maybe wake up a little earlier in the morning, meditate and do 15 or 20 minutes of yoga - drink a cup of tea and listen to some music? Then go for a walk after I get home from work. Kiri would love getting out of the house; plus there’s just something about being outside around nature that really relaxes you and instantly bumps up your energy level at the same time. Then I can finish the day of with either 30 minutes of hard cardio (on our busy days or early mornings!) or an hour long circuit (arms, legs and cardio!)
• I’d like to point out the fact that I am OBSESSED with Morningstar & Boca products. Since becoming vegetarian, I have had to try new products and become a little more open minded and I’m so glad I have! My favorites are the tomato bruschetta burger and California turkey burger! Super yum!
• Though we love our apartment to pieces, Bop and I were thinking about upgrading to a single family home when our lease is up in August. I’d love to have a little more privacy, plus room for a playground in the backyard. It stinks having to walk down a flight of stairs just to be able to feel the fresh beachy air. Also, I’d appreciate not having my downstairs neighbors knock on the roof every time  I run my dishwasher! I just hate that the rental market in Saint Augustine is so competitive. A lot of owners/landlords are more interested in vacation renting their homes, as opposed to leasing them. We may, if we do decide to move, have to leave the core of Saint Augustine and I don’t really think I want to do that. We’ll see though.
• Truth be told, I kind of miss my inverted bob. Since summer is really starting to show, it’s getting hotter and more humid here and its wreaking havoc on my hair. It’s too thick for 80-90 degrees! I’m thinking of chopping my locks off, though nowhere near as short as they were in 2009. I’m considering trying a longer version, past the nape of the neck with some layers. Just to snip off some of the hideous dead ends I’ve come to have. Thoughts?
•  Can I just mention how ridiculously excited I am about going back to Cape Cod this summer? OH. MY. GOD. I haven’t visited my family and friends in five years, so I think we’re a little over due. Plus, I’m sure they’d love to finally meet my husband and daughter! {Even though Bop will not be able to join me this summer because of his Army duties! But he will be able to spend two weeks at Christmas time! Yay!} I can’t wait to collect seashells, visit Martha’s Vineyard, take Kiri to the Woods Hole Aquarium and ride beach cruisers and find horseshoe crabs on Menahaunt Beach, just like I did when I was a kid! That, along with boat riding, camping and going to the Barnstable County Fair? WHAT COULD BE BETTER? Those will be the best two weeks of the year – hands down!

I realize this post has been all over the place, but you know, that’s just how my mind has been lately! How have all of you wonderful readers been over the past few weeks? Hopefully as wonderful as ever!

Take care.

Oh, you know

• Though I lived in Jacksonville when I was twelve years old, I never really was able to take full advantage of what the city has to offer. Actually, to be honest, I was under the impression it was rather lousy. Much to my surprise, with a little research and a lot of here-say, it's actually become one of my favorite places to be.

• I've been quite addicted to my Happy Cow app lately. I downloaded it a couple of weeks ago to help find some vegan/vegetarian friendly stores and eateries in the Metro area and my jaw dropped when I noticed how many places there were. I mean, don't get me wrong, Saint Augustine has some pretty swanky vegan, vegetarian and gluten free cafes, (aside from the usual Crispers and Panera Bread),  but they're all pretty pricey. Bop and I were actually talking about going to the Present Moment Cafe in the art district, but again, it's a little on the wallet-tightening side. And it's not quite up to parent + child speed. Hence why the search began. 

• Kiri has officially started gymnastics. Her first class is tomorrow morning at 9am and I am freaking out. My baby is growing up and it's so hard not to just hog her for myself. But this is what she needs; what she's been asking for. And as her Mama, I have to support her. So, let the tumbling begin. 

I apologize for the tiny bit of randomness. I feel as though it's been SO long since I've blogged regularly, so I'm just a-writin' as it comes to me. Happiest of Tuesdays, all.