So Long, Farewell

I’ve moved. Find me here, please.

http://herglamorouslife.blogspot.com/

While it’s on my mind…

During the course of my day, I have a million random thoughts that I want to share or write down and keep for posterity – mostly involving my monkey children. My OCD keeps me from doing this most of the time because I feel like if I can’t make an interesting, pulitzer prize winning essay out of it than it’s not worth it. I read this book once about bloggers and how we need to be aware of what we write. That we should try to have a point of view and be complete. Have direction and think like a writer. In fact, the name of the book is called “No One Cares What You Had For Lunch“. And while it’s a GREAT book for getting blog ideas and I actually recommend it, I just don’t have time right now to find a cohesive point of view. Few things in my life are truly cohesive and I feel like I’m missing some opportunities to share some cute things because I want my writing to be beautiful.

All that being said, I just wanted to write down a couple of really cute things my children say. Here are the examples:

Little monkey’s favorite restaurant? “Cracker Berry”

Big Brother’s favorite place to play video games? “Chucky Cheez-its”

If something happened in the past – a week ago, a year ago, two hours ago…Little monkey will say it happened “last night”. “When I was a baby last night, I slept in a baby crib.”

Both of their favorite places to grab Happy Meals? “Old McDonalds”

I know that information is not going to make or break your day, but it’s important to me. And it’s my blog.

Also, just in case you’re wondering….

I had a grilled chicken gyro with honey mustard and a Coke. Yum. 🙂

Dang, this blog is dusty!

It’s possible that I’ll soon be coming out of blog hibernation. With school starting and the baby coming in 10 weeks….wait. What? Yes, ten weeks. With the baby coming in 70ish days, I feel the need to blog. Because you know, that’s what moms do, right? We blog. We blog about our children, our hobbies, our frustrations, our victories, the latest and greatest cleaning product and our meal plans for the week.

Wow, I’m boring. Stay tuned.

An update for the masses (or all three of you)

It’s been two months since I’ve written, which isn’t a big surprise. I read a lot of blogs, but can’t seem to find time to actually sit down and concentrate on grown-up words for more than five minutes at a time. I am truly amazed at the mothers who blog regularly and successfully. AND home school. What’s that about? I love time management tips as much as the next mama, but that’s just plain talent.

Ahem.

So, what’s new with me? Well, let’s see. The boys are about to start summer vacation (pray for me), the big brother is about to start swim team (pray for me), and little brother is still 2 1/2 (pray for me…a lot). Oh, and this other little thing -of no great importance really, but probably worth mentioning. I’m kind of 13 weeks pregnant.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. No, seriously.

Three exact days after my last entry was the day my REALLY adorable niece was baptized. We went down for the service and a little southern barbeque lunch afterward, where I proceeded to partake of every single item. I looked at my plate after I sat down and said to Sugar Daddy, “I hope you’ll eat what I don’t finish, because OBVIOUSLY I have taken more than I can actually eat. I think it was about five minutes later when, noticing that I had finished the ENTIRE plate of food, that I said, “What the hell? I’m actually still hungry! What is wrong with me? I haven’t eaten like this since I was”…yeah…pregnant.

I really didn’t think about it until later that afternoon. I was in a dressing room, trying on clothes when I looked at my face in the mirror. For there, in that unbelievably unflattering, greenish/yellowish tinted dressing room light, I noted the absence of a visitor that I had grown accustomed to seeing exactly once a month. The big Bertha-sized ZITOLA that is usually smack in the middle of my chin wasn’t there. Nor did it feel like it was about to appear. That was the red flag. Well that, and my behavior at the barbeque lunch that we can just compare to a good old fashioned pig slopping.

I tore into a Walgreens, bought the stick, and Jeff Gordoned my way home.

And there, in the downstairs bathroom, within milli-seconds of washing my hands, were the two lines.

Holy Mother of All Things Insane.

Upstairs, Brian had just come in from putting the boys down for the night. He looked like hell, I have to say. My little sweethearts had apparently been in a mood and been a little harder to handle than normal.

“Those are your children,” he said to me with his head on the back of the couch and his eyes closed.

“Well,” I said in the sugariest voice I could find, “they’re good kids, you know.”

“Not tonight, they’re not,” he groaned.

“Oh…try to find something positive about it all,” I said in my candy cane voice.

Quickly sitting up, Sugar Daddy looked at me intently with that crinkle between his nose and just held his stare for a few seconds

“Oh my God, you’re pregnant.”

The cheery sunshine tone in my voice just totally tipped him off that something was definitely up with me.

So, here I am – 13 weeks, 2 days. I really should have started blogging about it a long time ago. It’s fun to journal your pregnancy – plus nothing is funnier than a pregnant Margie. Just don’t expect the sunshine voice to come out anytime soon. 🙂

Pretty Woman

Old Lady at Opera: Did you like the opera, dear?
Vivian: It was so good, I almost peed my pants!
Edward Lewis: She said she liked it better than Pirates of Penzance.

Okay, so it wasn’t technically the opera. And I’m technically not Julia Roberts. But, for me, last night came pretty close to being a movie moment.

There are a million and one ways to introduce Renee Fleming, but to put it succinctly, she is one of the most beloved and popular sopranos of modern day. Her accolades are too numerous to mention here and her biography too interesting for me to attempt to summarize, but of all the information one could glean, the most important is to know and be blessed to hear her beautiful voice.

Last night, she performed her only recital of the year at The Peace Center in Greenville – just Ms. Fleming accompanied by piano. Two friends and I were lucky enough to share a box (free upgrade for the asking, thank you very much) which added a little drama and special touch to an already outstanding billing.

Her first performances were selections from Handel – to include Dank sei, dir Herr (Thanks Be To Thee, Lord), during which I drew my first tears of the evening.

Her next piece was crazy avant garde (for lack of better description). Apparition, by American composer, George Crumb, was more intriguing and interesting (to me,) than beautiful. Mad props to the accompanist, Richard Bado, who spent the majority of his time elbow deep in the belly of the piano knocking on the sound board and strumming strings. From where I sat, I could see a little of the score, and thought it looked like one of my children had swiped it from backstage and had some fun with a black marker. She later remarked that George Crumb often used unusual layouts of musical notation – this piece was written in a circle. (??) Bizarre as it all sounds, Crumb should be admired for his exploration into the different and unknown and for looking at music from another perspective.

The first half of the program ended with popular folk songs, Shenendoah and The Water is Wide.

The second half was filled with beautiful and popular arias, such as Song to the Moon from Dvorak’s Rusalka – which her fans know as her signature piece. Possibly my favorite section was to follow with four selections from Richard Strauss, all written about different types of love.

Next up was my big rock star moment, as she sang O mio babbino caro from Puccini’s Gianni Schicci. I seriously felt like a little girl at a Hannah Montana show. It’s such a well known and popular aria, but to hear one of the greatest American sopranos of our time perform it – well – EEK!

She ended her regular program with the BEAUTIFUL and heartbreaking Vissi d’arte from Puccini’s Tosca.

After much applause, the audience making sure she felt our gratitude and admiration, Renee returned for two encores with three selections – Arlen’s Over the Rainbow (bringing more tears from yours truly), Gershwin’s Summertime from Porgy and Bess, and Lerner and Loewe’s I Could’ve Danced All Night from My Fair Lady – in which she invited the audience to sing along. My friend, Lyn leaned over to me and whispered in my ear, “See, now you can always say that you’ve sung with Renee Fleming.” Indeed, I have. Ha.

The last thing I’d like to note is how taken I was with her sincerity and grace. She took time to introduce her pieces and tell small, personal stories. She made everyone feel comfortable with what can be a very intimidating form of music. I feel amazingly blessed to have been able to see and hear her perform in such a pure, intimate way. I, for one will forever be inspired.

Julia Roberts should only be so lucky.

Training Day, IV

I so did not want to run today. My children sucked out every bit of energy I had – and by 6:00, all I wanted was Chick-fil-a and a beer.

BUT. I went anyway.

I mean, really – it’s GORGEOUS here. 80ish with a breeze. And you know what? It was actually a little bit easier today. Like an itty bitty bit better than on Sunday. I did, however, keep a hawk’s eye on my stopwatch during jogging segments, but what I noticed is that I wasn’t about to keel over before the halfway mark was up. Good news, right? Also I found that 20 minutes came MUCH more quickly than on Sunday. When I rounded the corner to my house, I felt like I could do a little more, but I held off. The article where I found this program says to truly take it slowly and follow the plan – if anything, spread it out longer. I’m hoping that on Thursday it will be even easier – especially because next week I have to kick it up to 90 seconds of jogging.

We’ll see about that.

I also attribute today’s easier workout to a) selecting fewer inclines and more flatlands (okay fine, ONE downhill) and b) a new playlist.

It seems I run better to more uplifting, inspiring type songs rather than intense songs with heavy beats. This Side by Nickel Creek, Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel, and Blue Sky by Patty Griffin were repeated.

I also like to throw in a couple of I want to have a lot of sex with you songs for good measure because hey – getting a better body out of this torture would NOT be a bad deal.

It’s all about the honesty.

Training Day, III

Out of love for you, fine readers, I would like to issue you the following public service announcement.

*Do not attempt to resume any type of training program after you have taken a three day break which involved one late evening of one, or two, or seven beers and concluded with a three hour drive home.*

I started a new training program today – I mean, I LOVE Krissie for pushing me and believing in me – and to be fair, she did say that I could do this at my own pace – so I am doing a program for the uber beginner.

For the first week, three times a week – five minute walk, then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes.

I am hear to tell you that it sounds a LOT easier than it actually is if you are truly a beginner at the running thing. I used my iPod’s stopwatch feature to time my intervals. I must have looked at that thing every 5 seconds during the 60 seconds of jogging part.

Also, the hills are out to get me. They timed it just right so that when my 60 seconds of jogging began, I was conveniently at the bottom of an incline. Bastards.

I am still on the hunt for the perfect workout playlist. If you know of any good songs that are set at a good jogging tempo, please send them my way. Also note the word jogging and remember that my 5’2″ stride does not equal that of the average adult.

So, the bad news is that what I thought would be an easy program actually kicked my ass.

The good news is that I did it anyway.

Training Day, II

Back from my second day of attempting to complete something resembling training.

So today it’s relatively cool for September in SC – 86 with a bunch of humidity. I cooked dinner for my family and ditched them to get the job done before the sun went down and the boys got in the bathtub.

I mean, I wouldn’t call it training. I would call it walking a lot and running a little bit. But if I’m going to remain positive (which I AM!) – I have to say that at LEAST I ran SOME. Because I gotta tell you, the running part was HARD. Also, I need to mention that running on the street is also HARD. Where the hell did all the hills come from in my neighborhood? I swear it was all flatlands yesterday. Geez.

I asked my high school friend and training partner, Beth, “Why is running SO MUCH harder than walking?” When I’m on the treadmill walking next to someone running I don’t FEEL like she’s kicking my ass, you know?

So, basically today I walked a little, ran a little, walked a lot, ran a little, walked a lot more, ran a little. And to be honest and revealing, when I say “ran a little”, what I mean is “ran for maybe 5 mailboxes when someone I knew was driving by or in the yard.”

Two more quick things to mention.

First, I wonder if I’m trying to run too fast. The music on my ipod is kind of cardio heavy. It’s hard to run at a slow pace to Vertigo and Just Push Play.

Second, I found myself really watching what I ate today. I’m not big junk food fan to begin with, but I do love me some Starbucks and Diet Coke. But today I really tried to pick things that would make my workout less sucky – lots of water – which I HATE (unless it has been used to create Starbucks or Diet Coke.)

Anyway, it’s possible that more good things could come out of this nutso goal of mine.

Training Day

My high school friend, Beth has agreed to join me in my pursuit of insanity. In classic Margie style, I’ve decided to take up hobby #376.

My Charlotte friend, Krissie believes in me so much that she has not only asked me to join her in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K in October, but has also written up a training schedule. So sweet.

I started the aforementioned training program today. Too bad I sucked it. I’m not giving up by any means, but it was a definite wake up call that I am ridiculously out of shape and also – running does not equal walking. I can walk hard for miles. Running, not so much.

I’ve decided to chronicle my training here. If for nothing else but to document my stupidity and also keep me writing about something. Enjoy my demise.

Today, I went to the gym due to the heat. I was on the treadmill for 25 minutes, one quarter of that was running. And if I wasn’t dizzy from not being used to keeping my balance on a treadmill while running, I was hard core sucking wind.

It’s weird too, because I walk a pretty fast pace and even though I’m breathing hard, I never feel winded or dizzy. I’m learning that running is a whole new ball game.

Tomorrow I’m going to try to run in the neighborhood and see if it’s any easier. I sure am going to miss that treadmill fan that’s RIGHT in my face, though. I love a good breeze while dying.

At least I bought the shoes. Now I need Beth’s fancy watch.

If you want to virtually train with me, Beth, and Krissie, let me know!

Hello, New House!

Home sweet home.  Well, Home sweet process.

I tell you what, it’s glamorous to think of moving into a new house.  The OCD in me gets all aflutter at the thought of a new beginning, a fresh start, a clean slate with no furniture to move before vacumming, bare walls, and gleaming baseboards.  That’s the fantasy. Well, take ten years of crap and try to move it in a weekend.  Ten years of unused wedding gifts, cheesy holiday decor, high school memorabilia for which you have no use, random linens, and (dusty) exercise equipment.

Multiply that by two children, 800 Happy Meal toys, and a few pieces of cruddy furniture that you just had to keep in case you needed to furnish that mountain home (???). Next, move all that junk into your nice, new garage and tell yourself that you’ll clean it out over a long weekend.  Then, remember that you are the parent of two monkeys who would love nothing more than to dive into your boxes of fragile keepsakes and dangerous power tools.

Add that to a summer of no school, no routine, no schedule and divide it by a bunch of sports camps, church programs, swim lessons, and family vacations. And there’s the reality.

Okay, but honestly – I love my new house.  Love, love, LOVE it.  And I know it’s a process.  At worst, it’s just another life lesson.  At best, it’s my family’s new home. And if I’m feeling down, I can always go look at those shiny baseboards. 🙂