Perfect timing

Well, folks, we made it. And weatherwise we had perfect timing! When I left Strawberry Music Festival after working on Thursday (I have a job up there so I get in for free, so I have been going up on Wednesday night by myself, sleeping in my car, working Thursday morning, coming home, working my real job at home, and going back up Saturday for a couple of festivals. Got that? I think I really am crazy).
So, back to it. When I left Thursday to come home, it was sunny and beautiful. Then, it rained/snowed/hailed all day Friday and Saturday morning. When I returned with Josephine Saturday afternoon it was cold and overcast, but the rain was through. Sunday was beautiful! Today was even better. Good job, me.
Josephine got to run and play, swim in the lake, play in the creek, dance, eat Popsicles, make new friends. All of the things that keep me coming back to Strawberry (even though the music line up is not so much most of the time). It is fun to see her enjoy herself as much as I did as a kid.
We had a magical moment at the lake (after she pooped in the grass. She is so ready to be done with diapers) after she was done swimming where I lay in the grass as she lay her head on my stomach, and we lounged quietly in the sun, watching people. It was lovely and peaceful, and I’ll treasure the moment forever.
And so we are back and unpacked. Laundry is going, and we have taken our Strawberry baths. We will now begin relaxing! Summer has begun!

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I didn’t take many pictures because I forgot my real camera, so this is it. Photo of Josephine and me by Kristy Weiss, Facebook stolen :)

Because I like to suffer..,

I am taking Josephine camping at the Strawberry Music Festival with me and it is supposed to be cold and rain tomorrow. Also, I have been offered a free camp by myself and Taylor will stay home with Josephine pass, and I’m choosing not to take it. I must be crazy.
I wrote this poem (in five minutes) all about it:

I hope it gets sunny
I’ll feel like a dummy
If tomorrow it starts to snow

I hope for my child
The weather stays mild
Or Taylor will say “Told you so”

I may come home soaked
It’s the truth, it’s no joke
I may just be out of my mind

But however it goes
If it’s sunny or snows
It’s gonna be Strawberry time!

Wish me luck, folks!

Monday morning thoughts

Fact: when I drive by a pasture of miniature horses I pretend I’m a giant.

Fact: I am typing this from a Walmart parking lot at 6:10 am while working up the courage to go in. I am picking up a little present for a stressed out deserving colleague. Walmart before 7 am scares me, but it’s the only place open right now. Also, there are two tweakers yelling at each other. Stay classy, Modesto.

Fact: I maybe slept 12 hours total since Friday. Three of those hours happened last night. I am beat. Bring it on, Monday. Bring it on. I’m feeling scrappy.
***UPDATE***
Walmart is actually mildly peaceful at 6:15 am, other than the employees yelling around at each other about how they are out of propane and need to go to Target to pick stuff up. And I found this card genre that I didn’t know existed. Too bad ALL the cards were gone. It’s rough out there, folks.

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Thoughts

This morning, while getting ready, the name Angela Merkel popped into my head. I knew I’d heard it on NPR, but had no idea who it was. Then I got in my car to leave. The radio was on and tuned to NPR and the very first story talked a little about Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor. Spoooooky!
Oh, and here was my sunrise.

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Happy Mother’s Day

I am lucky to have a big pool of amazing mothers who have helped me since I became a mother 2 and a half years ago. They include friends, family members, bloggers and people that I just observe from afar because I like their “style”. Thank you to all of you. I have no idea how to raise a child, but with the information and encouragement I’ve gleaned from all of my co-mama’s, I’m learning.

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I’m very lucky to have this person to live my life with. She is beautiful, smart, freaking hilarious, and so very determined. I love you Josephine. You are my light. My bright spot. My love. I’m a lucky mama!

Goings ons

What has been happening in my oh so exciting life, you ask? Well, let me tell you:
Last week while in the back pasture digging thistles in the never-ending thistle apocalypse, I lost grip on my shovel and it sprung back and smashed me in the jaw. Ugh. I had to check for broken teeth it got me so hard. Inexplicably, I have no bruise to show for it. Only a little swelling, but it totally blends in with my chins, so I doubt anyone will notice.

That same afternoon, in the far back of that same pasture I decided to pull out some stray blackberry starts (I love having the big bramble back there, but would love to keep it there, and not let it spread). All good and fine, except I was wearing a tank top an I cut the heck out of my arms and stomach (how my stomach? I am not sure). One of my colleagues suggested my antics be filmed. America’s Funniest Home Videos, perhaps?

It would have been hilarious, I’m sure, to see me yell on Tuesday night as I pulled my hip sitting down on the floor to clean up kid toys. Seriously, friends, I could hardly walk, and I’m still hobbling around. Sheesh. That life insurance policy idea is looking better and better.

In other news: I shattered my iPhone glass. Like, completely destroyed it. Luckily, Taylor is amazing and had an extra part and replaced the glass. I have some grey spots around the bottom of the screen. All in all not a total loss, but since I do all my blogging on my phone, it’s a slight inconvenience. Just slight.

Also, we added a new member to our bustling little family. Everyone, meet Ricky

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We adopted him from the shelter and he’s a pretty good boy. He was someones baby dog, so it’s been an adjustment to life outside, but he seems to be adjusting alright. Now if he’d only learn his name and come in from the pasture when called, we’d be in business. Of course, he has a lot to live up to, since Buddy is the golden child. He lived up to his reputation on Saturday afternoon by killing and eating a baby possum (whose mother just might have been the sneaky pete who was under our house for a week).
*DISCLAIMER ~ graphic dead possum pic*

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That’s a good boy!

So, lots of clumsiness and a new dog. That’s that.
I’ll leave you with a picture that was a dream realized.
I had some friends and kids over last weekend and they played and played and played. It was a dream come true. Me, having wine with some friends while our kids played. Ooooooh, so nice. I am really loving spring out here!

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And finally, a big congratulations to some lovely friends who gave birth to a perfect little boy this week. It’s baby season here in Oakdale! This was the first of five babies due in the next couple of months. Baby spring fever, here I come! Particularly since my “baby” is actually a giant two and a half year old with a mean case of the “Mama can I’s”. I mean, just look at her. A baby no more.

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(this is her irrigating outfit, by the way)

Oh, ok. Maybe kind of a baby still

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Until I fall again….(which should be later tonight by my calculations) ;)

Lazy Picture Post: Too Busy for Blogging

Busy, busy, busy, busy, sick kid, thistles, busy, busy, busy, gym, busy, work, busy, going a little nuts and in need of a vacation, busy. Yep. That pretty much sums it up. Time to kick it into gear. I’ve been neglecting my 30 while 30 list, and November is going to come quick. My resolution: cross at least one thing off my list this weekend. So much to do, so much to do.
Please excuse the crappy picture quality. I’m too busy to fix any crap pictures in photoshop. I’m sure you understand.

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I bought her these pajamas when she was newborn and never thought she’d be big enough to fit them. Sigh.

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Beautiful roses, dirty windows.

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