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May 29, 2008

I should not be on the road

Maybe I am a really bad driver. Maybe I should just let Joel drive everywhere. Maybe be a Stay-At-Home-Mom that stays at home is a good idea. Because I had a car accident last month that totaled my beloved Prev. Today, sheesh, I didn't have an accident. I cut someone off. Totally on accident and I checked my mirrors and everything. It was just one of those "Oh, crap! My blind spot!" moments. Am I alone in this experience? Do the rest of you guys not have these accidental highway no-no's? Well, the person I cut off obviously was not happy with me and was not just going to give me the finger and drive away. They got in front of me and slowed down to 40mph. Whatever, I know, if that makes you feel better, go ahead. Then I got off at the wrong exit because I was flustered and not thinking. They cut over too and drove very slowly down the off ramp. Then, they stopped. Dead stopped in the middle of the off ramp! Cars went whizzing by their little Nissan Sentra. I sat in the car going, "No! This is not a good idea!" I know I was wrong, and I did cut them off. I really didn't mean to! They got out and confronted me. I rolled my window down a half inch. I locked my doors. Many F-bombs were dropped by the people I had wronged. The grandma in the sweater vest was particularly strange using that colorful language. I wasn't even thinking about what I had done to them because we were in jeopardy of getting smooshed by the eleven hundred other folks getting off the highway! "I know! I'm very sorry! I didn't mean to! But please! We have to move our cars! This is not smart AT ALL!" I abandoned all sense of actually feeling bad for these people because obviously their anger had completely overcome their sense of reason. When the dude went back to his car (I think he realized that the next shiny white Caddy could take off the doors that he had left open. Both sides, were open. Yeah.) The grandma said that I shouldn't be on the road. Maybe she's right. I remember that last time I was pregnant I came face to face with road rage for the first time. Then she said she was going to get my plates. That's when I left. I'm not sticking around for that. I'm sure the police are going to be glad to know that you blocked one of the busiest exits in East Brainerd to chew out a fellow driver. The funny thing is, our bike rack is a permanent installment on the back of our car. We have no where else to put it and we use it at least twice a week. You can't read the numbers with that rack on! Especially when the car isn't sticking around!
But it was a moment that I was not proud of. I was very bothered when I realized I cut them off. And the circumstances that they chose to confront me just made me distracted from my wrong doing. It makes me think that it's not easier to drive places to be entertained. And it makes me realize that I am powerless against my wrongs. Waiting on someone else's forgiveness is painful and humbling. It makes me realize that some people cannot handle anger, or being wronged. They can only react in one way. I hope that I remember to react in a way that reflects Jesus. I don't think I did that today, I wasn't sensitive but I wasn't insulting. I said I was sorry a buncha times. But I did not make those people my focus. And they should have been my focus.
I had to calm Josiah down, he was all worked up over the experience. I had to explain why the man was so mad. I had to find a place to pull over and talk to the kids and keep my hands from shaking.
A lot of hub-bub for something that I can't change.

community | By katiek | 5:05 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

May 27, 2008

I want to go somewhere else

I am so wanting to go somewhere. I shouldn't, gas is insanely expensive. But I want to just be somewhere, not in my house. I don't want to stare at my unvacuumed carpet, my asymetrical bushes and the need for mulch underneath, the chalked up front porch and the footprints that lead inside, and my horribly crazy office! I just want to escape. Self medicate with eating out, buying fancy groceries and finding great deals. It would help if I got to go somewhere beautiful too. I have 62 days before the beach. Before the beach I have a week that I will be widowed to the Ragbrai across Iowa bike trip. After the beach I will have to hit the ground running getting school ready for me and for my kindergartener.

I need a trip now. Just a couple days. So when I get back I will WANT to vacuum, and organize my closets. I need to want to make a new piece of art for Art.a.ma.jig. I slowly am gaining some energy, spending yesterday at the pool was very very nice (thanks Greens). Maybe I just need to spend time that encapsulates the relaxing beauty that is right around me. And a trip to the ATL.

Go to the High
Go to Trader Joe's
Go to the A-Z Thrift Store
Go to Value Villiage
Go to Zyka
Go to IKEA
Go to a Hawks game- I know basketball season is over, but it's still something I miss.
Ride the Silver Comet Trail
Go to YDFM
Go to Laurel Park

I don't miss much, but sometimes those options are hard to not have anymore.

community | By katiek | 10:04 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

May 22, 2008

Holly Hobby comes to visit

There has been a special measure of cuteness in our house lately. And no, it's not my semi-pooching belly. It seems we have Holly Hobby living with us! Although she seems to answer only to Bo Peep, which that's almost as cute. Especially when she carries around a giant flower bent in the shape of a crook and Josiah is on all fours going "BAAAA".

Bo Peep gets comfy on the couch with a cheese sandwich


And a little bit more comfy...


Then down-right improper!
She rounded off her evening by dancing on the coffee table with a harmonica playing Power Ranger.

family | By katiek | 8:45 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

May 19, 2008

Toyota Previa: Best Machine Ever Built

I was weeping with laughter while watching this video. Just to warn you, there's some rough language in the first 3 seconds, after that it's smooth sailing. And I do mean smooth. Bow to the Previa, you know you want to.

community | By katiek | 9:45 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

It's great being a Mama

Life has slowed down quite a bit. It feels good to couch and not feel guilty. Except dishes and meal planning never seem to go away. I've had some rather idyllic parenting experiences this past week. These memories are the things that make me remember why doing all the menial tasks everyday for these little boogers is worth it. Having one car, I asked my dad to take Josiah to the New City Pre-K this past Wednesday. It was great because I was able to stay in my jammies until 11am and cuddle with my sniffly daughter. Eden had a bit of a temp and we cuddled on the couch. I actually got to sleep through Curious George and Clifford! I haven't done that since Josiah was like 18 months old! I'm not the napping kind, but pregnancy requires it. Then Saturday morning Joel got up super early for a bike ride through the Battlefield with Joshie Green and friends. Eden woke up before 7, but Josiah slept in til 7:30. Eden was absorbed with all her new presents from Friday nights party so I was able to snooze a bit longer. In non-typical Josiah fashion, he climbed into bed with me quietly. No jumping or pouncing! Then after a little while he asked me if I would read his new Peter Pan book to him. We laid in bed until almost 9 reading! How wonderful! Josiah has always loved reading with me, but first thing in the morning that's crazy!

This weekend we went to Glen Falls, not once but twice! We went Saturday and the weather was gorgeous. The walk was easy on all of us, and once we got the the rocks, we had a great time climbing around. We ate out lunch that Joel packed (my man rocks) and explored. My kids loved the little cave and Josiah wanted to make it our new home and "hibernate". On Sunday, all Josiah was talking about was going back to the waterfall. Even though it was supposed to rain, and it did sprinkle on us a little, we enjoyed another day there. This time we got a little wetter. It's been years since I'd been down there, but it's definately a great substitute when your Nature Center membership has run out. I'm sure Joel plans to bring the kids out there to swim when it gets warmer.

mommy time | By katiek | 9:58 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

May 15, 2008

Nine

1999 Prague
2000 England, with my in-laws
2001 Daytona Beach, white Russians and a BAD case of sun poisoning!
2002 Norway
2003 Nice dinner at home with Josiah in the bouncy seat
2004 St Augustine
2005 Eden is a week old
2006 getting ready for a trip to LA
2007 bought and sold a house, had awesome Indian food in Marietta

I don't know what we have planned for this year. We'll definately go out for dinner. It's interesting seeing what we've done year after year, and it's encouraging to see that as the kids arrived we still did things that were special. God has been so good to us. The year's that go by it just gets better.

I cannot tell you how thankful I am for Joel. He's the man for me. He challenges me, humbles me, and he gives me better experiences than I would have ever given or planned for myself. He is easy to please, yet he always keeps me on my toes to strive to be a better companion. He loves his children and gives them just what they need too. I am excited to see him getting closer to his goals as far as his career and his personal desires. I love that he is a manly man. I know that sounds goofy, but I am appreciating as each year goes by, that his desires in life are different than mine and that's wonderful. He's a man, and his identity makes our balance work nicely. His responses, his observations, his logic, his desire to get out and DO, it's wonderful. He's Josiah's best example.
I pray that God will bring us new adventures, especially spiritually, these next years of our marriage. I feel God has shown us a lot of grace in many other areas, and to concentrate on what God is doing in these days of catastrophe, changes in leadership, slow economy, etc. is something our partnership seeks. We are very excited about our new little one and who they will be. It's been a wonderful journey. Let's bring on year 10!

family | By katiek | 9:12 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

May 13, 2008

Rauschenburg

Robert Rauschenburg has died. What an influence this great artist had on me. His application of paint, his assembledges, his mystery. If you haven't had a chance to see some of his work, you really should go to your nearest MOMA and check it out.

| By katiek | 11:30 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Wow

Thanks for coming by the Clothesline Art Show, dudes. I am winding down from the weekends activities. I am very thankful for the sales, and that I warded off sickness all weekend with a little help from my friend...Subway. Yes I am embracing the joys of a pregnancy with the stereo type, PICKLES!

I finished my last day of class today, doesn't mean I'm done with HHL quite yet, I have projects to grade and a closet to clean. I also have this funny, testy problem of popularity! In the homeschool world, my class is ala carte, and they can take it as many times as they want! I was breathing a sigh of relief that I had a years lesson plans already done for next year, but now I might have several repeaters! I guess that's really cool, but I now hafta come up with new, fresh stuff. Tough to be loved.

fine art | By katiek | 12:06 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

May 8, 2008

My Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday my sweet Eden Berit! Today you are 3 years old. As I battle with morning sickness, I remember what a joy it was to carry you and bring you into the world. It was an ideal labor and delivery. And I can't be modest, Eden is such a beautiful girl. I love to brush her hair and marvel at how lovely it is. She's petite and cuddly, with gorgeous eyes and looks like a little cherub in the buff. These are some of my favorite photos of my girl.







We got her a simple baby doll with accessories for her birthday. Very applicable, she's been asking for her own baby ever since baby Birch Luce was born. She'll probably get confused when Mama doesn't use a bottle with the new baby, I"m sure she'll catch on.

I went for my first mid-wife appointment yesterday. I'm about on track with the little ticker on the sidebar. But I brought my chart so Laure could see that I'm not the normal girl, ovulating on day 14, and we concluded that although Dec 18th is my EDD, according to the day I ovulated we could be looking at a Christmas DAY baby!! So we'll see how the bun rises...

family | By katiek | 9:32 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

May 4, 2008

Starling Darling

Cooommme, come to the Clothesline Art Show and buuuuyyy me!

I have been feeling a bit better in the mornings. Mostly because I figured out a little bit what I want to eat. I want to eat french fries. Yep, no doubt about it. When I'm feeling gross around lunchtime, all I want is something hot, fatty and salty. Although I also found that Goddess dressing from Trader Joe's has an equal amount of satisfaction but not that immediate nausea turn off.

I'm slowly chipping away at my last Clothesline art pieces. I'd like to do one more plate. We'll see how that goes. I have prints to do and watercolor pods. It's all about balancing my energy.

fine art | By katiek | 8:29 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

May 2, 2008

This is never fun

I've had a whole week of yuck. Morning Sickness has defined itself pretty well for this mama. I'm sick until 11am. I haven't ralphed or anything it's just pretty miserable. I remember having all these problems before but man, what's getting me these days is the responsibilities I have now. The decreased energy level is making me kinda sad. I have art I want to make, a house that's FLITHY, and two wonderful kids that I'd love to entertain but I'm toast! I nap almost every afternoon, falling asleep to the disappointment that my bathrooms are collecting more and more grossness. I can only be thankful that this sickness means that this new bun is baking pretty well. The kids have been really nice. Saying things like, "Mama, are you feeling sick?" "I'll give your sick tummy a kiss" and "Is the baby all better?". Josiah is adorable, he leans down to my tummy and says, "I love you baby". I had no idea the kids would react so well and so often.

I am hoping I can enjoy the Clothesline Show. If I feel this bad every morning and exhausted every afternoon I might hafta curl up on Laura's comfy red couch and take a snooze. The company and the relaxation will be wonderful though. And even though I have other pieces I'd like to finish, I am thankful I have plenty to show at this point.

So thank you blogland for all your well-wishes and congratulations. I still can't believe this sweet face is going to be a big sister.

mommy time | By katiek | 9:36 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack