Project The Who

Did someone get excited for a second thinking I was going to talk about legendary band The Who’?

I thought it would be more fun to tell you that the toddler in our home has been super into eating and drinking like a dog. I guess that is because the ‘siblings’ he is around the most are the furry ones.

In the past couple of days he has added to his repertoire of fun tricks and now says “wash, wash, wash the face” as he licks his hands and rubs his face. Pretty sure this mannerism came from our cat. Did I mention we have a cat too?

If you are counting that means: 2 adult children (18&20), 2 baby boys (23 1/2 mos and 6 mos), 2 Saint Bernards and a cat.

So, acting like a dog or cat adds up.

If you do your own math, and evaluate your top peeps (or animals I guess..) would you be pleased to discover that your mannerisms and actions have taken on their actions and mannerisms?

I hope to err on the side of spending time with quality people who rub off in me in a good way. I would hate to discover that somehow I have unintentionally become someone less than who I am supposed to be.

P.s. I love Jesus & endeavour ultimately to be more like Him.

Project Out the window & up the nose

The English language… or any language for that matter has escaped me. I am in a sleep shortage. We have a 6 mo old visitor who had yet to sleep through the night. I no longer communicate with actual words but have reverted to gesticulations, head nods and sound effects. If you think you hear a parrot squawk… chances are it’s me…

Little mister is fast approaching 2 years old and his extensive vocabulary is astonishing. That said, he randomly strings together words in a sentence and looks intensely into your eyes willing you to understand. “Up the nose”, “out the window”, and “I make a poopy” are current favs.

I love his fervour and passion as he endeavours to use language to make his needs known.

We could all learn a thing or two from him about the importance of what we say and how we say it:

A) choose your words carefully

B) make eye contact

C) make sure you are understood. If not, repeat a&b

Project John Stamos

In Uncle Jesse’s words… “have mercy!” (Full House fans — you’re welcome.)

There comes a time when we have to wave the white flag and surrender. We have to surrender to the fact that we just can’t do it all.

We are currently dabbling at having some hired help for cleaning so that we can focus in on family and not get bogged down (and crabby) about other tasks that just shouldn’t matter in this season of our lives.

Case in point, I wouldn’t be able to write or shower quite frankly if not for this seeming indulgence.

As the mom of two bigs and two little littles, I know how quickly time passes and I don’t want to miss a thing.

HAVE MERCY!!

Project “Hey, by the way… we ate your lasagna.”

We all know what they say about good intentions….

We have moments of brilliance and generosity when we just want to do good and be helpful to others. We carefully plan, and sometimes even execute a charitable act. Other times, the good thought just festers in our brain and never sees the light of day.

Sometimes, I think we are just expecting too much of ourselves in that moment. Other times, we are just being plain selfish with our time and resources. And there are also moments when we don’t even have the capacity within us to care well for ourselves and our own families. Sometimes, we are the ones in need of the helping hand.

I don’t know that I really have a point in this blog post. I may just be alleviating a guilty conscience. Mom, Dad… we ate your lasagna… you know the one I made for you to be helpful? Yes, we ate it. Not only did we eat it… but I even burnt it a little so it was super gross. Now you know.

P.S. To all the fellow do – gooders and do gooder wanna be’s out there… go ye therefore and do good unto others… and yo’self!

Project psssst…

I didn’t even know the word ‘dry shampoo’ when a can of ‘psssst’ found its way into my bathroom cabinet. Perhaps it was a slight misstep in name as it conjures up images of muppets in trench coats asking if I want to buy the letter ‘b’. Nevertheless it is a brand name that is still in my mind over 20 years later.

I think we all make slight missteps in how we brand ourselves in this world where self-promotion through social media allows us to manipulate perception through posts and pics of our very best days.

I am not defined by my depression. It is not my brand. It is just part of my journey. I get to hone in on what really matters in my life because my body throws up cues and warning signals when I misstep. I think rather than an attitude of woe is me perhaps that is a reason to be thankful.

Project Short Leash

I have been learning a lot lately about baby steps and short leashes (not short buses.)

Nothing is built in a day. Not a business. Not a habit. Certainly not a home (I don’t care what reality tv says on the matter!)

Right now, my life is fairly rhythmic. It is almost easy to manage a short leash…. almost…..except when life goes barrelling after…. a squirrel??

My habits get challenged daily. Because of this, I have built in some non-negotiables. I learned the idea of ‘decision fatigue’ lately (Crystal Thompson @flourishintoyou.com)

When something just ‘is’ then we don’t have to even worry our pretty little heads about the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ of the thing. I don’t have to ask myself whether or not I am going to wear a shirt today, or feed the baby, or flush the toilet (you’re welcome!) These are non-negotiable.

Season changes and life changes bring the risk of mood changes; but when we are equipped with non-negotiables then our bottom line won’t leave us in the bottom of a deep dark hole.

I am curious… what are some of your non-negotiables? I would love to hear your comments!

Project Bicycle

I have an earworm. A Queen earworm. This is concerning because I am terrible at song lyrics. (if you have the Bicycle Race song in your head now… I hope your rendition is better than mine.)

We go on occasional family bike rides. Here are a few things I have learned.

Wear a helmet. They look cool.
Don’t be afraid to break bike laws. (sidewalks are my jam!)
Make sure your bike has a basket and a bell. (see # 1 ie. coolness)
Do NOT wear clothing with bulky seams in your undercarriage. (I can visualize my family cringing as I type this… #worthit)
Do NOT mouth breathe. You will eat a bug.
Do NOT nose breathe. You will snort a bug.

Getting outside right now is my everything. Outside+depression= happy, happy, joy, joy. Try it. You’ll see.

Also, THIS. (you’re welcome)

Project Lipstick

So it turns out it is national lipstick day! Who knew? So I slapped on some lipstick. Why not?

For me lipstick is synonymous with girl power. This may have something to do with:

A) I am a Mary Kay cosmetics rep and Mary Kay the woman and the company are all about girl power!

B) I fully believe in the idea of giving yourself a little pick me up with something as simple as applying a touch of makeup.

Can we take this idea a little further? What if lipstick could represent the idea of caring for the here and now? Embracing the situation we are in and putting our best foot/face/effort forward?

If we are always looking ahead, then we will miss the extravagant gift of the here and now. If we are saving our best selves for the future then I am afraid we will be sadly disappointed.

I promise that if you fail to appreciate the now you will never be happy in the days ahead. Food for thought. Now go thee therefore and apply some lipstick!

Project sink or swim

I think sometimes I try to make life feel too safe, too predictable. Control freak anyone??

Let’s say for example I was a young Saint Bernard … and let’s imagine for a second that there was a flock of geese… and a body of water…. and a fun friend to accompany me… I didn’t know I was designed to swim until I dove in and just did it. Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Some things are just plain worth the risk. Knowing people… worth the risk. Trying something new … worth the risk. Being myself… worth the risk.

So get out there people! Get out there like your flock of geese is just waiting for you!

P.S. today’s post is brought to you courtesy of disgustingly smelly community retention ponds, geese, the number 4 and the letter f … just because.

Project Tantrum

I may be writing this post from under my bed sheets. When adulthood comes a knocking; my inner child may or may not throw a hissy fit.

The reality is, I am an adult and as such have adult responsibilities. I am not talking about the day in and day out things of life but the sucky adult stuff like … I don’t know… applying for extended health care coverage or making RRSP contributions. Barf!

These are the things that make my anxiety levels skyrocket and my decision making ability goes ‘byeeeeee!!’ Then, because depression is a liar… my self worth comes under fire. It is a vicious cycle.

It is very easy to revert back to a tween in my coping … or lack thereof. To quote Chris Evans aka Captain America “I don’t wike it.”