Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it is marchin' across your face...**

I looked at myself this morning and I realized that all the things happening in my life are marching over my face. I am wrinkled, have bags under my eyes, cellulite that won't quit, a belly that frightens small children and age spots instead of freckles.  My chicken neck and double chin make me physically cringe. I am sad about this. I realize we all age but I didn't think that turning forty in October meant I actually, physically turned forty. What happened to my smooth skin? My young hands?

My life is full of obstacles these days: constant driving, working with little to no results, growing children who seem to constantly act like teenagers. I smile, but do I do it enough? Should I? Does that cause more wrinkles?

I don't mind being older, but I truly don't want to look it. Getting back in our house won't make me look younger. Spending less time in the car won't take away the bags and extremely alarming crows feet. Selling a million dollar contract to a large corporation won't make the thing hanging under my neck suddenly disapper.

I am older. I have never been the prettiest in the room, so it's not like all of the sudden I was the beauty queen or supermodel and now I am the dowdy old woman who never gets a 2nd glance. It depresses me and makes me think about lifting this, suctioning that and implanting those. Will I do any of these? Of course not. My husband wouldn't allow it, even if we could afford it. My father would have a coronary on the spot. My mother, oh the look I would get if I even mentioned such procedures in a serious way. My sister, well my sister would probably see if we could get a two for one deal, but it still would never happen.

I am the way I am. What do I do to change this? I don't know. Dr. Google only knows what to sell me not how to change me.

I can start exercising more. Ok, I will start doing this.
I can eat better, and not late at night. Ok I will start doing this.
I can wear more sunscreen. Ok, I will start doing this.
I can stop stressing out about everything and start enjoying life more. Ok, I will start doing this.

WHEN WE GET BACK IN OUR HOUSE, I WILL START DOING ALL OF THIS! Jeff and I have spent a lot of time talking about how our return to our HOME will be a rebirth of sorts. It will essentially be a new home. We will be essentially new people. We will be happier and healthier.

We are all excited about getting home. I am not sure anyone is more excited than me. The new me is ready to emerge from the darkness.

happymommy

** The title of this post is from the great Truvy (Dolly Parton) in Steel Magnolias. It is one of my favorite movies of all time.  I could not find the quote on YouTube, so I am sharing you two others. Both apply to me. Not just today, just most days! Enjoy!

On empty...

Today, I am on empty. No words, no energy and no motivation. Maybe it is the four and a half hours I spent in the car attempting to run errands, but instead stalled in traffic. Maybe it is the heat.

Today, I am on empty. Tomorrow, I hope to be full.

happymommy

On a blog vacation...

Sorry folks, blog is closed for a while.  Those of you loyal readers (hi mom!) are sad, I know, but I just don't have the mental bandwith to blog these days.  So very much going on personally, and I seem to spend a massive amount of time driving. 

I promise to be back.  When, I don't know.  But check back every once in a blue moon and I will be here.

happymommy

1st World Problems...

I talk about 1st World Problems a lot on happymommy.  We have a few; house renovation, living in the city while we wait and other silly type issues.  They are our problems, but we have it so much better than many.  In fact, we have it better than most.  Don't think for one minute that I don't appreciate this more than words.  Family, friends and life that is almost 99% wonderful.  I am swimming in appreciation and love and thanks.

This being said, I find this video hysterical.  My friend, let's call him Av (hey there AV!) sent this to me and I laughed out loud for a bit.  Shared it with my Father-in-law and he didn't laugh out loud but once (Hey there FIL!).  It puts a funny twist on the silliness that is priviledge.

happymommy

**Please know how I get this is beyond ridiculous, but it is funny. Ridiculous but funny!

What I can live without...

I can live without,

Sadness, snow, sickness and pain.

What I can't live without is...

Love, life and laughter.

happymommy

A friend...

I write often about my family and my friends.  I have so few people who read this blog on a regular basis, that this really is just my journal:  a tribute to daily life and all that it entails.  I have more grammar errors and write too often in the passive tense.  I don't really care, because really, I gave up over a year ago making this blog something more than it is.  I am not going to "brand" my happymommy or try to make money off my blog.  Hat's off to those who can do this, but I don't have the social media prowess to make my space online a moneymaker.  And I am fine with this.

More often than not, I post pictures of our activities and talk about the struggles of daily life.  My constant whining about not having enough time, or being tired and often sick seem to be the underlining motto of here.

Saturday, I had a huge epiphany of sorts.  I am cutting myself some slack.  Work is going to be what it is.  My family, as always, needs to come first.  Being stressed out about not making enough sales calls, or setting enough meetings need to go by the wayside while my kids are out of school for the next few weeks.  I will work, but I won't let it be the end all be all.  I am in a unique place, and I will embrace this place, not kick myself to the point of ruining our days and my children's summer.  I am already happier and able to relax more.  All the while, I am selling more and gaining the trust of current clients.  It is an exciting time.

One of my friends, a close one as of late, hasn't had the luxury of being in a place of relaxation, or even ease.  I know she is an avid reader of my silly little space on the internet.  I want to share this with her and let her know, she will make a great decision.  It will be the right one, not matter what it is, for her children, husband, family and future.

Sometimes it is important to remember to share love and respect with those who impact your life, care about you and show that by just being a good friend. 

To all my friends, I heart you and respect you and am proud to have you in my life!

We did stuff....

These past weeks have been so busy.  A really different type of busy.

We went to Lake Tahoe for a Hockey Tournament.  It was a success!  Jeff and his teammates on the Donuts won the entire weekend of hockey!  For them, it was a success.  For the hockey wives, moms to nine children under the age of six staying in a house, it was a little stressful.  A great experience that will not be repeated.  I may have even had a slight heart episode.  But I didn't, I just pinched a nerve.  :)

I had the priviledge of spending an evening with my mom and sister for our every other month book club.  This time we read Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls, which was simply wonderful, weird and thought evoking.  We ate at Incanto, and the chef, Chris Cosentino, whom is a celebrity chef but so much more was there.  I was in heaven. 

I was accussed of attemping to tweet and text too much, but there was a star in the area.  The food was simply wonderful and the atmosphere was wonderful.  I can't say enough about this restaurant!

Lilly graduated from kindergarten.  There wasn't really a ceremony, just a park day and a hug.

James decided to embrace our temporary neighborhood...

We bought James goggles...

For the pool....

Um, for the pool...

Not for the restaurant, son.  For the pool....

Not for the Haight Street Fair, James.  For the pool...

Oh wait...

You fit right in at the fair.  No worries...