Speechless...

almost.
This morning was lovely. It started earlier than I had wanted it to (but that's a 2 1/2 year old for ya!). We started the day with some delicious pancakes, and headed outside to play some more t-ball (if interested, I'll totally post the pics when we get home!).
Lunch was some yummy chicken salad (from the left over chicken BBQ-ed the night before)...and then it was nap time. Really, the day was amazing. Sunny with a nice breeze to keep you feeling comfortable.
After nap time, we (meaning my uncle and I) decided to take little man out in the row boat for his first Island Lake experience. We were armed in life jackets, my camera and two oars. The only deterrent SHOULD HAVE been the 20 mph wind...but who are we kidding?
Our Goal: to paddle out to the sand bar (which is directly across the lake, and slightly to the south of our cabin).
Mission Sand Bar To Feed The Sunfish was going alright, considering the oars kept falling out of their holders....We made it to JUST past the island (which is slightly north or our cabin) when the white-capped waves from the 20+mph winds kicked our small dingy headed north....fast.
I kept thinking someone would stop and see if we were alright....and that never happened.
Maybe we ended up on the shore, about a 1/4 mile from our cabin. Maybe my uncle fell over in the water. Maybe I also ended up in the water slowly walking the boat (containing my uncle and little man) back to our cabin...trudging through mucky weeds and fighting the strong winds. Maybe we ended up being blocked by a ginormous tree that was laying a good 40 feet into the lake....Maybe I ended up sitting on said tree, holding the boat little man was in while my uncle was walking to our neighbors house. Maybe a pontoon FULL OF PEOPLE drove past me sitting on said tree holding the boat containing my little man...and DID NOT STOP OR SEE IF WE WERE ALRIGHT...and maybe that was the point of my small/short mental breakdown.
Long story short, my uncle was able to get our neighbors boat to tow us to safety. For a moment, I was a bit concerned...but we made it home, and have a crazy story to tell in the process.

My uncle has owned this cabin for over 20 years...I spent many summers up here...we both should have known better than to go out on the lake without a motor...The good thing is we all made it home safe...It was quite the adventure!

**Note: The picture is not quite to scale...but it was the best I could do!! hehehe

A Sweet Surprise

We made it up north. I am ecstatic! I was lucky enough to be able to drive...which shortened our car ride by about a MUCH NEEDED half hour.
Little man was an absolute champ. He slept for about 45 minutes, and took about and hour to wake up and process that we were still in the car.
About two and a half hours into the trip, little man shouted "i need go potty real bad mom!" (he was wearing a pull-up...cuz I'm smart like that!). He whined and whined for the next ten minutes (which felt like an hour!!) until we got to the tasty restaurant. I walked him straight into the potty, and his pull-up was miraculously dry! PLUS he went potty in the toilet. Life is sweet!!
Long story short: We made it!! I couldn't be more ready to get to bed so I'm rested for a fun day tomorrow :)

Going to my Happy Place.

Do you have any fun plans for your holiday weekend?

I decided (last minute of course) to head up North to my Uncle's cabin for the first time in over two years. This will be the first "cabin" experience for little man. I am excited for him, but also nervous. I think my apprehension comes from fearing he won't like it up there. I'm just being a worry wart...afterall, he would be crazy NOT to love it!

The ride is about 3.5 hours, and there may or may not be heavy traffic. This will also be the longest amount of time spent in a carseat...keep your fingers crossed for a successful trip! I told his daycare about his long car ride, and asked that they NOT put him down for a nap (seeing as we are leaving in the middle of his normal nap time). This will either be the best request, or wind up being my worst nightmare...WISH ME LUCK!

I'll hopefully have fun pictures to post after the weekend :)

Uh-Hmmm..

Dear Smokers,

I'm not hating on you right now. Yes, it's your right to smoke. I'll admit, if I'm in an EXTREMELY rebellious mood, I'll pretend to be one of you, and cough my way through a cancer stick cigarette (honestly though, that may happen only once a year....really)

I won't lie to ya. Since MN passed their anti-smoking in public establishments law, I've been at ease when going out in public. I know smoking your heater gives you a nicotine buzz (I will never share in with you), it makes my eyes water, my nose itch, and my clothes stink.

One last thing. Can you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stop standing RIGHT OUTSIDE the public doors? I'm not trying to take anymore of your "rights" away..just sayin. It's no fun for me to walk outside if I'm barraged by your smoke. In fact, it makes me avoid going outside (specifically when I'm at work) altogether. So if you could be so kind to abide by my requests..that would be great. Then, I wouldn't have to move your desk to storage room B...in the basement...or hide your swingline.

Sincerely,
Miz

T-Shirt S.O.S.

A good friend of mine has decided to throw a themed party at her house for her 27th birthday.

The theme you ask? Crazy T-Shirts.

The last time I was at a "theme party" I felt completely out of place. I hadn't consulted the group....and, well...long story short, I just didn't have as much fun as I would've liked to have.

I really really really really really (yes, FIVE "reallies") need help coming up with a great T-shirt. If you have one you want to loan me? AWESOME! The tee can be homemade, new, used, etc. I don't mind buying one. I don't mind making one. I just don't know what path to take...and instead of making a decision on my own (since it didn't work out so well last time) I have decided to put my faith in you, the internet!

Any and all suggestions are welcome. I'm looking for awesome ideas, and can include (but is not limited to) witty sayings, symbols etc.

Pieces of Me...

This time of the month, I often find myself toiling over what I don't have. I had a severely intense "What I don't have" moment on my way home from work today. After a five minute hard ugly cry, I decided I needed to spend some time to remember what I actually have...the little things in life that I take for granted, but deserve my whole hearted appreciation.

I have a little man in my life who loves me. I know he has moments where he doesn't like me (just as I sometimes don't like him/his behavior choices) but he always loves me for me (and I ALWAYS love him). It's so special, amazing, beautiful and priceless.

I have an awesome job. It has been my strength and my center the past few months. It is a place I can go where I don't have to worry about scolding someone <::cough::little man::cough::>. It is a place that is equally as fulfilling, as it is challenging. I have found great people who are smart in the business world, and have strong moral roots planted.

I have a reliable car to drive (which is a luxury I take for granted ALL OF THE TIME!).

I have an extremely comfortable bed to sleep in at night. I (as well as the rest of you) am so thankful for this! (this mama gets VERY ugly without a good nights sleep)

I have parents who would give me the shirts off of their back if I asked them to. I know and appreciate our differences. No matter how much we disagree, they still manage to make me feel loved.

I always have food in my cupboard. I realize many people don't have this luxury in life. I don't have to stress about where my next meal comes from, all I have to do is open up the cupboard and 100% of the time I can make something to eat.

I am a part of a team that meets once every week to drink a few brews, play some softball and catch up on life. It is very rewarding to spend a night with this crowd..they have taught me more than I could put down in words.

All of these things are just snippets of what I have to be thankful for in life. Somethings are materialistic, this I know...but all are extremely important luxuries that I easily overlook. They are pieces which I tend to take for granted, but I never forget their existence. Some days it feels like life throws me curve balls. As long as I can keep reminding myself of the blessings in my life, I know I'll be able to hit the curve balls out of the park.

Fair Time

On Sunday, I ventured out the the MN State Fair. The weather was perfect, and although I meant to go at 1pm, I couldn't wait..and ended up walking through the gates at 11. It was just as I had remembered it to be. Crowds of interesting looking people swarming over a free show here, and some greasy food on a stick there. It was lovely.
The difference this year from years past, is I went alone. Of course I had little man with me, but I was lacking the company of an adult. The conversation, the extra stomach to share all of the fried food with. It was different. Not bad, but different (and a bit challenging when you're pushing a stroller without a cup holder, maneuvering two ears of roasted corn and a cup of soda...I wouldn't recommend it!).
The day was equally liberating and lonely. We were able to catch a few minutes of a dog show, and ride a couple of things in the kiddie park right off the bat. We divulged in some garlic fries, and guzzled down water.
We had great seats for the parade, and saw the U of M marching band preform...They're extremely entertaining! I think the highlight of the parade for little man was Santa Claus in a jeep...he was one of the only little ones around, and was shouting "HI SANTA!" repeatedly at the top of his lungs.
Towards the days end, we made it to a free stage where my coworkers band was preforming. They were awesomely entertaining! Little man thought so as well, and shared his "moves" with the crowd. He ran to the front of the audience and literally boogied his little toddler bum away. I was laughing to tears, and wish I owned a video camera so I could share it with the world!
It was a Fair of new experiences, a taste of the same yummy goodies, lots of laughs mixed with snippets of feeling overwhelmed. The Fair was just what I needed. I am glad I went, even though lacked an extra stomach.