Sunday, January 16, 2011

Sentimental on the slopes

I just got back from a weekend in Cincinnati, and we spent a couple of hours today at Perfect North.  I must be getting old, because such a simple activity has made me all sentimental inside.

First, I am amazed at how my oldest daughter did.  This was her second time on skis, and she only fell down twice while she was skiing with us.  I'm not sure how she did during her lesson, since I was shushing it up on a blue, but the teacher said they were able to work on stopping.  I assume that means she was able to go.  While riding the ski lift, my brother and I saw a father with his daughter in the moguls, and the little girl was putting her father to shame.  I had visions of our daughters doing jumps and snowboarding.  I'm not ready for them to grow up.

Second, I am amazed at all of the aches and pains I have developed.  My knees hurt while I was simply riding the ski lift.  Now, my neck and back are aching, and my IT bands are tight as a drum.  While skiing, I couldn't help but look at all of the different types of helmets, and was often thinking of Sonny Bono and Natasha Richardson.

All in all, I guess I just got a huge dose of my own mortality today.  Time to live life to the fullest.  And I am more than happy that my daughter just said, "Mom, I had a great time this weekend, but it sure is nice to be home."  I couldn't agree more.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Sick children

It's so hard to have a sick child, especially one who's miserable but not sick enough to go to the doctor.  Monica has been ill since last Saturday and I just can't get her healthy.  We talked abut taking her to the doc today, but of course she feels fine this morning.  Then this afternoon, it'll start up again.  Poor thing.

There are so many things that I didn't realize when I started trying to become a parent.  There's the lack of sleep, of course, but I knew that was coming.  I just didn't realize how long it would last.  And there's the expense, too.  I knew it was going to be expensive.  I want to give them the best of everything, without spoiling them.  Difficult at best.

But no one told me how much I would love my children, and how much that would hurt sometimes.  I'd rather be sick myself than watch my child suffer.  I'd vomit a thousand times over if it meant that my child could sleep through the night without cramping and pain.  And a fever?   Forget about it.  Burn me up, baby.

I could definitely do without the Barbie movies, though.  Think they'd notice if they all mysteriously "broke?"

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Taking the plunge

Howdy, folks.  I'm finally doing it.  I'm blogging!  Who knew I had all of this in me?

I worked really hard at revising yesterday.  My novel, CODE, is getting closer and closer to being as good as I can get it.  I'm waiting on some feedback on my synopsis and query letter, and then I'll be ready to go.  Here's hoping that someone else out there likes my work as much as I do!

As I sit here and watch my children watching Enchanted, several thoughts are swirling.  First, what am I doing allowing my children to watch Enchanted at 7:16 am?  What kind of mother am I?  Second, I love the movie Enchanted.  Maybe that's why I'm allowing the viewing-- I want to watch it as much as they do! Talk about inspired casting.  Amy Adams is fabulous, Susan Sarandon is wicked, and I even like the bit players like Grumpy and the Not Very Nice Man.  Third, how in the world did they keep her dress so white?  I've been to New York City.  There's no way the hem of that gown would be still pristine after any time in the subway.

Crisis of conscience averted-- they want to go downstairs to play in the playroom.  Time to get some coffee and get off of the computer.  We've got a two-hour delay before school starts, so it's time for some quality princess pretending.  I'll talk to you all tomorrow!

Cheers,
Nikki