When Justin was about five he started asking me for a nickname. I noted that with a name like Justin it’d be a bit hard to come up with a nickname tied to his name. It was about that time that Jared really started to speak. To this day we don’t know if Jared was saying “Justin” or saying “brother” but he started to call Justin “Audie”. Justin has been our Audie ever since. I don’t think he’s ever been embarrassed by it either. Although now that I think about it there was the time when he was playing football on the football field as a sophomore in high school and I was busy on the sidelines screaming, “Go Audie Go!”
For some reason Jared often adds an “O” to the end of words…he calls Jeff “Daddy-O” and when called he often replies “Whatdi-O?” I have always been “Aunie-O” and Justin will forever be our “Audie-O”.
A few years ago my sister Beth came to visit. She has always been Beth or Aunt Beth; our family has never called her anything else. On this particular visit, Jared, being the comic that he so often is, looked at Beth with a straight face and said, “Well all right Betty!” to which she replied, “Well, okay then Jerry!” So now they are both known as Betty and Jerry (and very often he is called “Jerry-O”).
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Adventures in the Produce Aisle
I’ve never been a big fan of vegetables, or fruits for that matter. I was born allergic to most foods and as a result I’ve just never really developed a taste for fruits & vegetables. When I attempted to eat them at various times throughout my life (when I was pregnant for example) I have not been a fan. So fruits & vegetables have not been a big part of my life.
When the boys were growing up I insisted that Jeff never ask me to try things in front of them, as I didn’t want to say no and impress upon them my food hang-ups. Thankfully, Jared will pretty much eat anything; he’ll definitely try everything once and if he doesn’t like it (and there’s not much he doesn’t like) he’ll let us know. Justin, on the other hand, has definitely inherited my finickiness, and there’s no medical reason for him to be that way. About the time he reached his teens he made the decision to start eating better and he has really broadened his horizons in the past several years. Now, living on his own for the first time, he’s become a bit of a health nut – to the degree that he will – and it’s a very good thing. I’m thrilled that he is getting over his food hang-ups much younger than I have. It’s taken me this long to start coming around!
In the past year Jeff & I decided to make some dramatic dietary changes. We were never junk food junkies or horrible eaters, but I was not one to make vegetables at night with dinner. We ate a lot of pasta and bread, without focusing much on protein. Now we focus on protein and vegetables. As a result salad is a regular staple in our diet; it’s something we eat daily now. I feel like I live in the grocery store, or I should live there as I’m there often enough. I’ve never spent so much time in the produce section. I’ve definitely spent more time in the produce aisle in the past year than I ever have in my whole life. It’s really good and I’m really glad about it, it’s just different for me. I’m at the grocery store every two to three days buying a fresh head of lettuce, among other produce items. I feel like I should just move into the produce section!
When the boys were growing up I insisted that Jeff never ask me to try things in front of them, as I didn’t want to say no and impress upon them my food hang-ups. Thankfully, Jared will pretty much eat anything; he’ll definitely try everything once and if he doesn’t like it (and there’s not much he doesn’t like) he’ll let us know. Justin, on the other hand, has definitely inherited my finickiness, and there’s no medical reason for him to be that way. About the time he reached his teens he made the decision to start eating better and he has really broadened his horizons in the past several years. Now, living on his own for the first time, he’s become a bit of a health nut – to the degree that he will – and it’s a very good thing. I’m thrilled that he is getting over his food hang-ups much younger than I have. It’s taken me this long to start coming around!
In the past year Jeff & I decided to make some dramatic dietary changes. We were never junk food junkies or horrible eaters, but I was not one to make vegetables at night with dinner. We ate a lot of pasta and bread, without focusing much on protein. Now we focus on protein and vegetables. As a result salad is a regular staple in our diet; it’s something we eat daily now. I feel like I live in the grocery store, or I should live there as I’m there often enough. I’ve never spent so much time in the produce section. I’ve definitely spent more time in the produce aisle in the past year than I ever have in my whole life. It’s really good and I’m really glad about it, it’s just different for me. I’m at the grocery store every two to three days buying a fresh head of lettuce, among other produce items. I feel like I should just move into the produce section!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Home James…err, I mean Jeff!
The weather this winter has been extremely harsh, and I know most folks don’t believe me when I say that’s unusual for Great Falls. We’ve had many mild winters, so to have this much snow and ice and cold is unusual for us. We aren’t used to it anymore, or perhaps I should say I’m not used to it. This week has been a blessing in comparison to the past several weeks. We are in the high 30’s to low 40’s daily with some sun, compared to last week’s teen’s and clouds. Folks are back outside wearing shorts and t-shirts! It’s been a very nice, much needed break!
This time last week the roads were sheets of ice. Cars were ice skating all over town and into each other. My little bug is not made for this. I’ve already told Jeff, as much as I LOVE my bug, in 5 to 10 years when I am car shopping again I will want a vehicle that is a little higher off the road IF we are still living in an area where snow is part of our lives. The other school of thought, and I really like this one, is that I have a summer car and a winter car – makes me dream about the days when I can become a snow bird and have a winter home and a summer home! Wishful thinking…
But last week, Jared and I are getting ready to head out for the day – me delivering him to school and myself to work. Jeff says, as always, “Drive safe!” To which I respond that he should be chauffeuring me to work and Jared to school. I reminded him that he is the reason that we live in Montana. (That’s not to say I don’t like it, but it sure works when the weather is crappy – I blame him!) I informed him that if I had my way I’d be living in sunny, 70+ degree Southern California and not driving on an ice rink. To which he responded that if we lived in So Cal he’d have a minimum one hour commute to work. So I gave him two choices, he can either chauffeur me six months out of the year OR he can commute a long distance to work. I really felt I had a sound argument, but he still wasn’t buying…so off to work I drove! I’m just hoping this fair weather holds out a little bit longer as the ice rink is finally starting to thaw!
This time last week the roads were sheets of ice. Cars were ice skating all over town and into each other. My little bug is not made for this. I’ve already told Jeff, as much as I LOVE my bug, in 5 to 10 years when I am car shopping again I will want a vehicle that is a little higher off the road IF we are still living in an area where snow is part of our lives. The other school of thought, and I really like this one, is that I have a summer car and a winter car – makes me dream about the days when I can become a snow bird and have a winter home and a summer home! Wishful thinking…
But last week, Jared and I are getting ready to head out for the day – me delivering him to school and myself to work. Jeff says, as always, “Drive safe!” To which I respond that he should be chauffeuring me to work and Jared to school. I reminded him that he is the reason that we live in Montana. (That’s not to say I don’t like it, but it sure works when the weather is crappy – I blame him!) I informed him that if I had my way I’d be living in sunny, 70+ degree Southern California and not driving on an ice rink. To which he responded that if we lived in So Cal he’d have a minimum one hour commute to work. So I gave him two choices, he can either chauffeur me six months out of the year OR he can commute a long distance to work. I really felt I had a sound argument, but he still wasn’t buying…so off to work I drove! I’m just hoping this fair weather holds out a little bit longer as the ice rink is finally starting to thaw!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Draggin'
I’ve written so many blog posts, in my mind, in recent weeks…I’ve decided that I just need to start writing and stop putting so much thought into it! Perhaps I should change the name of my blog to something like the ‘Ranting’s of a mad housewife’…here goes today’s rant…
I bought my brother-in-law a t-shirt for Christmas that had a picture of a man dragging a donkey on it; the caption notes…I went on a little hike, now I’m dragging my ass (or something to that effect). He is an avid hiker. I, on the other hand, am not…yet I’m seriously ‘dragging my ass’ today! So, what’s my excuse?!
I am not a morning person. Jeff bought me a magnet several years ago that sums it up very well, “Not a morning person doesn’t even begin to cover it!” That’s me! Coffee doesn’t help; I’ve never liked it, can’t even stand the smell of it. My morning cup of coffee is my shower, yet that hasn’t seemed to help get me moving this morning!
I slept like a rock last night so you’d think I’d be good to go, but that’s definitely not the case. Perhaps it was our weekend jaunt to Missoula. I took the day off work on Friday and we drove away with two packed vehicles, ready to move Justin into his first apartment. I slept well while there, so I’m still asking, what’s my excuse?!
I have none, but I’m just glad that today I have nothing to do but pick Jared up from school and go home! Tomorrow is another day…hopefully I will wake up raring to go! One can hope anyway…
I bought my brother-in-law a t-shirt for Christmas that had a picture of a man dragging a donkey on it; the caption notes…I went on a little hike, now I’m dragging my ass (or something to that effect). He is an avid hiker. I, on the other hand, am not…yet I’m seriously ‘dragging my ass’ today! So, what’s my excuse?!
I am not a morning person. Jeff bought me a magnet several years ago that sums it up very well, “Not a morning person doesn’t even begin to cover it!” That’s me! Coffee doesn’t help; I’ve never liked it, can’t even stand the smell of it. My morning cup of coffee is my shower, yet that hasn’t seemed to help get me moving this morning!
I slept like a rock last night so you’d think I’d be good to go, but that’s definitely not the case. Perhaps it was our weekend jaunt to Missoula. I took the day off work on Friday and we drove away with two packed vehicles, ready to move Justin into his first apartment. I slept well while there, so I’m still asking, what’s my excuse?!
I have none, but I’m just glad that today I have nothing to do but pick Jared up from school and go home! Tomorrow is another day…hopefully I will wake up raring to go! One can hope anyway…
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Resolutions…or not!
It’s that time of year again, the time of year when folks start talking about their resolutions…and soon after are talking about how they’ve already broken those resolutions. The other reality is that everyone pretty much makes the same resolutions; lose weight, quit smoking, watch less TV, etc. There’s so rarely any uniqueness to them. Personally, I’ve never been much for making resolutions, as I know the reality is that they are rarely thought of, let alone kept, soon after the New Year begins.
And therein lies the problem, I think, with resolutions. Most folks state a resolution and think about it for about a week or two and quickly forget it. It is not something that they have truly committed to or take the time to make a habit out of. Experts tell us that it takes 21 days to create a habit. My non-scientific guess would be that most resolutions are forgotten by the 15th of January.
I found an interesting article on resolutions, kind of funny reading actually…resolutions one should never make:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/12/29/tf.new.years.resolutions/index.html?iref=obnetwork
So with this New Year I’ll once again stick with my resolution to NOT make any resolutions thank you very much! Oops, wonder what happens if I wind up breaking that resolution?!?!
And therein lies the problem, I think, with resolutions. Most folks state a resolution and think about it for about a week or two and quickly forget it. It is not something that they have truly committed to or take the time to make a habit out of. Experts tell us that it takes 21 days to create a habit. My non-scientific guess would be that most resolutions are forgotten by the 15th of January.
I found an interesting article on resolutions, kind of funny reading actually…resolutions one should never make:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/12/29/tf.new.years.resolutions/index.html?iref=obnetwork
So with this New Year I’ll once again stick with my resolution to NOT make any resolutions thank you very much! Oops, wonder what happens if I wind up breaking that resolution?!?!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Drink one up it’s an anniversary!
Here’s to anniversaries…as of yesterday, Jeff and I have officially been married 19 years. It’s been a great 19 years – we’ve been together for over 22 and it just seems like yesterday that we met, more evidence of time flying by. I’ve told him that he truly is my Prince Charming…corny I know, but seriously, I knew the moment I laid eyes on him across a crowded bar. He took a little longer to convince!
I’ve often said we are product of both of our parents…my dad was Navy. My mom was sitting in the officer’s club (insert “bar” here), with her parents no less. My Dad was dared by the young men he was with to go up and ask her to dance…which he did and soon they will reach the amazing milestone of 47 years married . Jeff’s folks met and were married within six weeks of meeting; they were married for over 52 years, something I'd like to aspire to! Well, I met Jeff in a bar…I picked him up to be more precise. He didn’t know what hit him that night! He and I met Thanksgiving weekend in 1988…Justin was born in October, 1989. I’ll let you do the math (that's that part that matches Jeff's folks, in case you didn't catch that reference). Needless to say the rest is history – our history…and it’s a great one, our history that is…our beautiful, sometimes challenging, always exciting adventure of life together.
He never ceases to amaze me at the support he has provided to our family, but more specifically to me, over the years; when I volunteer for things; when I tell him I’m giving everything up to go back to school; when we’ve had to drop everything for a sick child; when life has handed us lemons…we’ve always managed to make great lemonade together.
On December 28, 1991 I said "I do" to my best friend and our friendship just continues to get better with each passing year...so here’s to the next 20, 30 and 40+ years of our life together…
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| December 28, 1991 - Jeff & I with my family (Brother Ed, Dad, Mom, Sister Cathy) and Sarah our flower girl and Justin our ring bearer |
I’ve often said we are product of both of our parents…my dad was Navy. My mom was sitting in the officer’s club (insert “bar” here), with her parents no less. My Dad was dared by the young men he was with to go up and ask her to dance…which he did and soon they will reach the amazing milestone of 47 years married . Jeff’s folks met and were married within six weeks of meeting; they were married for over 52 years, something I'd like to aspire to! Well, I met Jeff in a bar…I picked him up to be more precise. He didn’t know what hit him that night! He and I met Thanksgiving weekend in 1988…Justin was born in October, 1989. I’ll let you do the math (that's that part that matches Jeff's folks, in case you didn't catch that reference). Needless to say the rest is history – our history…and it’s a great one, our history that is…our beautiful, sometimes challenging, always exciting adventure of life together.
He never ceases to amaze me at the support he has provided to our family, but more specifically to me, over the years; when I volunteer for things; when I tell him I’m giving everything up to go back to school; when we’ve had to drop everything for a sick child; when life has handed us lemons…we’ve always managed to make great lemonade together.
On December 28, 1991 I said "I do" to my best friend and our friendship just continues to get better with each passing year...so here’s to the next 20, 30 and 40+ years of our life together…
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
December
So where have I been? I started this thing and I’ve dropped it like a hot potato! It’s been a busy month, I can use that as my excuse…but I know it’s a lame one. I’ve been reading some other blogs, really good blogs I might add…and suddenly I am feeling pressure. Pressure to write well, pressure to take a ton of really awesome photos…I need to just GET OVER IT and do what I do and see what happens. Before I began this blog I had so many ideas but for the past few weeks I’ve been so busy most of those ideas have just gone out the window. I often think of great things in the shower – I need to invent something to write with or record with while showering, so when I have those great brainstorms in the shower they can be remembered because they are usually forgotten by the time I turn the water off.
So now I just keep asking myself, where did December go anyway? We all know that time flies when you’re having fun, but I have decided that it has nothing to do with having fun, it has everything to do with getting old! December came and went, more like the month of March for us here in Great Falls weather-wise – 15 inches of snow later! Unbelievable, no one new to town believes me when I tell them that this is unusual for us. We haven’t had a white Christmas in years. I keep telling Jeff if this continues I won’t have any hair left by March…warm weather I dream about you!
Christmas, wow…love love love it. I’ve always been a Christmas-aholic. Hmm, seems I’m a lot of ‘aholics’, maybe there’s a 12-step program for me, naw…I don’t want to be cured of my ‘aholic’ issues…I love books too much, I love Christmas too much, I love the Hallmark Channel in the month of December too much, far too many things in life I enjoy that aren’t bad for me – I refuse to give in, give up, go without! I’ve been reveling in this season so much I’ve forgotten everything else (obviously), I get lost in the magic.
Speaking of magic, my dear boy Jared, 19-year old that he is, still very much believes…and I am thrilled with it! It is so exciting to still have real magic happen in our house every Christmas. I pray he never ceases to believe…because I still very much do too!
I’m not usually one to make New Year’s resolutions, but for 2011 I resolve to be better about blogging. Random thoughts maybe, pictures maybe not (maybe occasionally), but blogging in some therapeutic fashion!
As I dance my way out of this year, the end of this first decade of the 2000’s and ring in the New Year, this new decade brings promise, excitement, and adventure…I look forward to it with anticipation, let the New Year begin!
So now I just keep asking myself, where did December go anyway? We all know that time flies when you’re having fun, but I have decided that it has nothing to do with having fun, it has everything to do with getting old! December came and went, more like the month of March for us here in Great Falls weather-wise – 15 inches of snow later! Unbelievable, no one new to town believes me when I tell them that this is unusual for us. We haven’t had a white Christmas in years. I keep telling Jeff if this continues I won’t have any hair left by March…warm weather I dream about you!
Christmas, wow…love love love it. I’ve always been a Christmas-aholic. Hmm, seems I’m a lot of ‘aholics’, maybe there’s a 12-step program for me, naw…I don’t want to be cured of my ‘aholic’ issues…I love books too much, I love Christmas too much, I love the Hallmark Channel in the month of December too much, far too many things in life I enjoy that aren’t bad for me – I refuse to give in, give up, go without! I’ve been reveling in this season so much I’ve forgotten everything else (obviously), I get lost in the magic.
Speaking of magic, my dear boy Jared, 19-year old that he is, still very much believes…and I am thrilled with it! It is so exciting to still have real magic happen in our house every Christmas. I pray he never ceases to believe…because I still very much do too!
I’m not usually one to make New Year’s resolutions, but for 2011 I resolve to be better about blogging. Random thoughts maybe, pictures maybe not (maybe occasionally), but blogging in some therapeutic fashion!
As I dance my way out of this year, the end of this first decade of the 2000’s and ring in the New Year, this new decade brings promise, excitement, and adventure…I look forward to it with anticipation, let the New Year begin!
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