With Spring Comes Change

I am putting it on the record that the snow is done here.
I can't take another snow storm.

Old dreary Winter Patty is going into summer hibernation and warm, Peppy Patty is back.  (Does Peppy Patty sound better than Patty Peppy?  Try it.  Peppy Patty.  Patty Peppy.  Are you thinking about Pepe le Pew now?)

I'm a Leo.
And, generally, I think all that horoscope, Saturn being the house of Moons during the transition of the stars-  is zodiac malarky...

Therefore, the fact that I check on my daily horoscope is kept mostly under my hat.
But since we're on the topic:

You and a friend could come up with the same words at the same time, which might be a little disconcerting for both of you. 

Wait.  Were you going to say that?  Right now?  No WAY!  That was a little disconcerting.

Still, this increased intuition is likely to help your understanding of those close to you more than you ever expected. Make the most of it, and remember what you learn.

Thanks www.horoscope.com I do feel an increase in my intuition.  It's telling me to get back on topic.


The sun rejuvenates me.
Maybe because I'm a Leo.  Maybe because I'm human. 

The sun shining has caused this Leo to shake out her mane and do some Spring Things.

1.  Gardening class at a local Nursery last Saturday.  Awesome.  I learned that pruning is an art not a science.  It can take years to master.  But I went lopper ker-AZY when I got home.  And I asked for a chainsaw for Mother's Day.  You don't normally thinking pruning and chainsaw together.  But you haven't seen my back yard/orchard. 

2.  Took a walk with Kolerooski and Jo Bob Millionaire.  We live on a busier street.  But after a careful (and stressful) crossing into safer pastures, we toured the neighborhood.  Just walked up and down streets.  Saw tulips and daffodils popping up.  Saw a few blue blooms on some flowers... not crocuses... but obviously an early bloomer.  Kole called every mailbox "cute."  Which, at first, was cute.  But then after the 75th mailbox I was like, "What's cute about that one?  It's all rusty."  I must of burst his bubble because he switched to cute rocks instead.

3.  Cleaned out under the sink.  I hate it under there.  It's dark.  Stuff misses the garbage can and just rots there.  There have been carrot peels there for at least 45 days. There's no organization.  There's probably spiders.  And I just... beghhh.  Yuck.  But something about that sun shining through the kitchen windows!  Opened it up! Donned my rubber gloves!  And presto.  Cleaned.  5 minutes too.  What CAN'T I do?!

4.  This is the big one.  Applied for school.  I quit school 5 years ago.  I've tried sugar coating it all this time with things like I'm just taking a break and I had to put Ken through school and I got pregnant and then there were babies and excuses, excuses, excuses!  I applied to The University of Utah.  Tomorrow I have an appointment with a counselor to get my classes lined up.  If I can get in.  I am really hoping I get in. 

The sunny weather has got me thinking I probably will. 

What about you?  Anything Spring in your future?

This Will Cheer You Up

I'm A Go-Getter

I've been thinking about the goals I set 52 days ago.  (26 days until Spring, 171 days until my 29th birthday (the age I've been waiting to be my whole life), 306 days until Christmas.)  It's seem like the year started a long time ago.  Winter blows.
I set the normal goals I always set for myself: workout, save money, make a schedule for the kids, fix my bed everyday.  And then as a couple weeks passed I got to thinking that I made really boring goals.  Which would follow suit for my boring life.  And sad sad woe is me.
And then, towards the end of January, I switched Goal Gears.  And I made fun ones.  Things that I really wanted to do.

A sampling, mon chere?

1.  Order something new, that I've never tried, when we go out to eat.
I love going out to dinner and I always order the same thing.  Name a restaurant and I'll tell you what I always get.  Outback?  Did someone say Outback?  House salad with Tangy Ranch 86 the maters.  Tassie Buffalo Wings with blue cheese sauce and don't forget the Blooming Onion.  Uhhhh.  Garcia's.  Tampico stuffed chicken.  Coke. With lime.  Olive Garden.  Come on.  EASY!  Soup, Salad, a Breadsticks.  Zuppa Toscana soup.  And if the menu is overwhelming I cruise for Chicken Strips (and mashed potatoes) or Country Fried Steak.  I always get the same things.  But this year?  2013?  No repeats.  All new things.  Even new restaurants.  That's mostly because I married a man who is firmly against chain restaurant dining.  Unless its breakfast on Saturday and then you'll find us at The Village Inn.  It's a fun goal.  One that's fun to keep.
2.  Take a Continuing Education class.
Not some Institute Religion Class from BYU.  I've still got a chip on my shoulder about my whole experience there.  But I wanted to do something to meet new people and enhance myself. (You didn't there WAS room to improve, did you?) So!  My 3 options are Toastmasters, Master Gardener, and Pottery.  And, I say "options"... but let's be real here... I'm doing all three.  I looked into some pottery classes and they are all full but I called and am Numero Uno on the roster for summer at the Red Kiln.  Before weeks end I'm going to get info on the other two.  Toastmasters would be great for my inability to small talk. Personal example and personal example. And Master Gardener? I mean, yes, yes, yes!  That is me!  I just need that 3 pack of floral gloves from Costco and a big garden hat.  (Hint: 171 days until my birthday....there's two perfect gifts right there.  Ken?  Are you reading this?)
3.  Talk to Strangers.
Not scary strangers... but like the check-out people at the grocery store, the local librarian, people I don't know at church.  My Mom and father in law are really good at this.  In totally different ways.  My father in law knows all the workers, by name, at his local Albertson's.  And they all know him.  And my Mom will talk to people while she's waiting in line at the bank, or store, or post office.  She's friendly without being obnoxious.  Like, she'll tell a kid with crazy hair that it looks really good and ask where he goes to get it cut.  I was in Walmart and the woman in front of me had a beautifully tied scarf.  I asked her how she tied it and she showed me!  My own personal demonstration, right at Walmart.  It takes a little bravery- but people (so far) are very accepting.  ONE TRIBE YA'LL.(clap) Oh OHH OHH (clap) Oh OHH OHH One Tribe Ya'll!
one planet, one race it's all one blood, don't care about your face the color of your eye or the tone of your skin don't care where you are, don't care where you been Wha? Wha? Wha? One Tri One tri One tribe ya'll.

 Joey loves dancing with me to that song.

4.  Look up.
I have a nice life in a nice world.  Look up and enjoy it.  Look up.  Look up at home, at the store, at the gas station, when you're taking a walk, shoveling snow, getting the mail.  Look up with your eyes, with your face with your heart.  Feel good.  Look up.

And just for some additional hoots, here's my goals from 1997.  I was 13.  I'm so glad my mom saved this stuff.

Please Notice:  I was going to run once a week but exercise daily. ??? Wert. I wish I could remember who Tiesha was.  I know one thing...She had long hair.  I like the little clock I put by my time frame for reading the Book of Mormon.  Always been uber creative.   I felt the need to have an emergency/Christmas fund when I was 13.  I guess if an emergency didn't crop up I would have Christmas money.
...and what about that very last goal.  Cross stitch.  You go super cool Patty!  Get involved!

Somedays are just good.

Today while I was effortlessly feeding and dressing the cubbies, I realized "I can do this!"  I said it in an upbeat and manifesto type voice.  (Yeah.  Out loud.  There was a 2 year old and a baby present... talking to yourself out loud is productive.  Not cray cray.)  It's taken just over 7 months but I am in the swing of having 2 kids.  My next thought was "I AM doing this!"  So much for can!  I'm there!  In it to win it, bay-bee!
And then I cocked my head and looked way out on the horizon and thought These two are alright.

Moms complain more about their jobs than any one else.  You never hear a receptionist, or a waitress, or an engineer, or the president go on and on and on and on about how much their job stinks and how much it wears them out.  But ask a mom and she will let you know exactly how bad she's got it.  And I am capital "G" guilty.  I think it might be because Mom's can't get fired.  But is that because they are the boss?  Or is it because the boss is 7 months old and can't speak?  Hmmm.  Are Moms employees or employers? For me?  It depends on the time of day.  First thing in the morning, I am very much the boss.  I make Koley call me Sarge.  Sometimes he cheats and just calls me Mom.  We are on a timed schedule.  Everything is chip chop "this" and scrub the decks "that" and mind your p's and q's.  But... when we roll to around 5:00 pm.  It's all pretty loosey goosey and the kids can have their way with the house.  And rules.  And snacks.  (Just kidding on the snack part, Ken!)  If the topic is "Complain About Your Kids" I might take a while to chime in... but when I do... prepare for a concerto.

This is wrong.

So!

Kole is so stinking tender hearted.  I yelled at him.  Bad!  Last week and he didn't even react.  He just said, "Oh mom.  You're upset.  Come get a snuggle."  I hope he learned that from me!  And he's been a member of The Clean Plate Club at dinner more nights than I have lately.  He was eating broccoli a couple nights ago and saw I hadn't really eaten much of mine and said, "Try it, Mom.  It's not so bad!  It's kinda... good!"  He loves our daily craft time.  I lucked out there.  He doesn't even care if the craft is dumb.  Or unplanned.  Today I got construction paper and drew on it with a glue stick then poured glitter on top.  Wow.  Was he impressed.  So easy to make him happy.  But my very favorite thing about Koley-Q is that he is my cheerleader.  If I am doing dishes he'll pop his head in and say, "You're a hard worker, Mom!"  If I'm putting the vacuum away he'll say, "WOW!  That's better!  Good job, Mom!"   He's just a gem.

And my little Joey.  2 days ago Joey figured out that he can roll as a form of transportation.  Not just for exercise.  And it seems he finally considers himself part of the clan.  Now, when I walk to my room to get the next load of laundry and Koley-Bubby is following me... Joey sets off with a determined roll.  He struggles around corners.  But bless his heart for wanting to be close.  Joey also is a good eater.  No.  Joey is an over-eater.  Which the pediatrician said is okay and will fade.  No signs of that yet.  He eats four jars of baby food any time he sits in his high chair.  And then he wants a couple graham crackers and a 9 oz. bottle to slam it all down.  Porker.  Joey loves to get his head rubbed.  And he loves it if you sniff around his ears like a dog would.  Can't say I remember how I figured that one out.  Joey's best traits:  patient and long-suffering.  Typical little brother stuff I think... and hope. 

They are good good boys.  They are a lot of work.  But today I see it as enjoyable.