Becoming a Grown Up

So, I'll be 32 in a few months. This seems sort of unreal to me. I don't feel a day over 25, though my gray hairs would suggest otherwise! My ten year high school reunion has come and gone (I didn't go...it's suggested that one waits until the 20th to see who has gone bald, gray, fat, etc) and I still remember high school like it was yesterday. I've finally decided it's time to be a grown up. Yes, I've been grown up for a while. I've been a mother since I was 19, the age when most kids are still saving up for a car and moving into an apartment with four friends and a futon. Now, four kids, three moves, and countless adventures later, I've decied it's time to settle down a bit. For me, this started with eating my first real, official salad last week. My friend Kelly turned me on to the Stonefire Grill southwestern tri tip salad, and I gobbled it up like it was chocolate. Can't believe what I've been missing out on all these years! Of course, my idea of a salad growing up was some Ceaser sloshed onto iceberg lettuce. Salads have come a long way, it seems, with even McDonalds joining the ranks. So it seems this step has thrust me into the grown up department. I've also been sampling wine, and discovered it's not as sour as I once believed it to be. I'm still no connosuier, but I could probably hold my own at a wine tasting and even pronounce a few different labels. Coffee. Can't forget coffee. I can thank my Arizona buddies for this new addiction. Three years ago, I couldn't stand the smell of brew. I drove by Starbucks and scratched my head, wondering what the fuss was all about. I started with Fraps, and graduated to lattes. Wow! I can see why people plunk down four bucks for a caffeine buzz! Now, of course, McDonalds has $1.99 iced coffees, which really are pretty good and seem to be the best deal in town. (If they're laden with 600 calories, I don't want to know!!!) Finally, I've gone through my wardrobe and decided it's time to ditch those Roxy shorts I've had since,well, since I can't remember. It's amazing that they've survived half a dozen moves and a 60 pound weight gain and loss (four times!) But, alas, I'm not 18 anymore, and despite countless trips to the gym and even a little nip and tuck, it's time for them to go. This doesn't mean I'm going to leap into the Mom jean catagory, by any means. I don't think I need to venture into elastic waists until at least my 60s. Anyhow, I've decided it's okay to still be a kid at heart, and be a grown up too. Life is too short to be serious all the time. Now, I'm off to make a salad and plop down with a glass of wine and watch some Sponge Bob.

A few of my faves

A few of my favorite things right now:
1. American Idol. No, I don't get tired of it. I used to wonder what all the hype was about, and now I get it. This season is better than ever. David Cook rocks, and that David Archusomething is really a cutie..if I were 16 I would have a crush on him too. Simon looks smashing in his white T shirts, but Paula looks a little strange...her fashion seems to worsen with every season.
2. Trident Tropical Twist Gum. I am addicted. A chain gum chewer, if you will. I blew through a pack today. 17 little pieces, gone. Beats smoking or shoving french fries down my mouth though.
3. My kids. They are cuter than ever at the ages they're at. We had a blast at the beach today. I love watching them having fun. I am jealous of their innocence. So sweet. I'm trying to enjoy every moment and slow down to watch their little faces light up. Now, if we could just that that little guy potty trained.....
4. Coupons. I'm obsessed with my coupons again. My kids are eating me out of house and home, and I'm getting scared. Hence the coupon cutting. If my kids have to dine on Totinos pizza rolls, Kellogs cereal and Pop Tarts for the next few years because they were on sale, so be it.
5. The Bachelor. For once, they managed to find a good looking, charming guy. Now, if they could just have found some less deranged women for the poor guy...
6. Noni juice. The stuff works like a charm. Google it and get the facts on this healthy juice that's one of the best kept health secrets. You can find it at health stores like Sprouts, Henrys, etc
7.Flip flops. We can't call them thongs anymore, becuase we might get confused (though I do like those too)
8. Garlic. Garlic bread, garlic sauce, you name it, I'll eat it. Good thing I have that Trident gum handy.
9. The new hit song "Great Heights". Very cool.
10. My computer, because it works again. Hallelujah.

I want to you know your favorite things right this moment!

Down Time

I had surgery two and a half weeks ago, and it's opened my eyes to the world of, um, laziness, humility, and a sentimental side I didn't quite knew I had. I've never watched so much TV in my entire life. I've already purchased some make up advertised on TV that I absolutely could not resist (okay, I was on "drugs" and there was a little pressure to buy in the next 12 minutes or the price would double...ahhh!) and have currently been engrossed in the VH1's Americas Next Top Modelthon (back to back cat fight episodes...what could be more entertaining??!) I also have a new appreciation for things I once took for granted. Sleeping on my stomach for one, and taking a nice hot bubble bath. I hate shaving my legs standing up...ugh! I've called everyone in my phone book, and many have graciously told me I should not make phone calls while on Valium. (Advice noted) I have Googled every possible thing there is to Google, from health foods I cannot pronounce to places I'll never visit but look awfully pretty online. I've also shed more tears than all my postpartum and PMS spells combined. What is that all about?!! I've cried over everything from a leaky sink to a cell phone commercial (and a little bit over poor Mollie Sue when she got the boot from my new BFF Tyra!) I've also experienced the Wal Mart handicap cart, which is really quite intimidating to manuever. I ended up pulling down an entire rack of panties and getting stuck on the shelf, thus causing me to call for help in the middle of the panty aisle of WM while passerbys snickered and looked the other way. Geez! The nerve! I'll make sure I always grab that jar of mayo off the top shelf for a fellow handi-carter next time they ask. I've also sent out all my Christmas thank you cards, something I havent done in the past, well, never. If it takes getting me laid up to be thoughtful, then so be it. At least Grandma will know I really appreciated the pogo stick she sent this year. Hopefully, one day soon I'll be better and get a chance to take a pogo or two. Having surgery is also a great excuse to get out of housework. While I cringe as I take in the mounting laundry piles around me and can hardly muster the energy to wipe the Saltine cracker crumbs off my sheets, I am rather liking saying "no" to mopping, dishes, and scrubbing toilets right now. Finally, and most importantly, I've had ample time to spend with God, who should always be the number one in my life but often, and sadly, takes a back seat when life gets busy. No more excuses for not doing my daily devotionals! Yes, I'm in pain, crabby, and starting to get a serious case of cabin fever, but I know this too shall pass and I'll one day look back on this teeny time in my life with fondness. Now, I'd better run a spell check and make sure this blog makes an ounce of sense before I send it off. Happy New Year, y'all! I hope yours was more exciting than mine! And if you happen to be a Top Model fan, let's chat. It really, really is a good show.