"What'd You Just Say?"

We've all get them. Songs that we've been singing wrong for days, months, and sometimes even years and have been blissfully unaware until someone turns to you and says "what'd you just say?"

Last week, I struck CD gold when I found a Kenny Loggins' Greatest Hits CD at an estate sale for a dollar. All it took for me to decide that thing was coming home with me was to see that it contained one of my favorite Loggins' song Return to Pooh Corner. Done and done. A dollar well spent.

As I drove home from work whilst rocking out to the best of, I began to realize that I knew almost every song on that CD, BUT I was not 100% certain that I was actually singing the correct words after all this time. I love Kenny, but when you really stop and listen to his music you quickly realize that he is a hard man to understand.

Case in point, Footloose. After investigating further, it is apparent that for twenty years, I have been singing the wrong words. What the hay, man? Luckily my version of the classic is not TOO terribly far off from the true lyrics, but close doesn't cut it. Could've fooled me.

Who knew that he was not actually singing the following lines (my lyric fails in bold):

• Been working so hard, I'm punching my card. Hey girl, for what, Oh, tell me what a guy.
• Tonight I gotta cut loose, footloose. Kick off your Sunday shoes...Loose, so loose, everybody cut footloose

There's more, but I've song shamed myself enough for one day.

A few of my other favorite lyric blunders are below for your personal enjoyment.

Hubs:
Song- Joe Diffie by Jason Aldean
Hubs' Lyrics- "Jump with me, Jump with me"
Actual Lyrics: "Joe Diffie, Joe Diffie"

My mom:
Song- Dream Lover by Mariah Carey
Mom's lyrics- Cause I wanna sheparara with you
Actual lyrics- Cause I wanna share forever with you
*When asked what a "sheparara" was, she had no clue, but the fact that it is not an actual word had never caused her to even think twice about it.

Friend Lyza:
Song- Intergalactic by The Beastie Boys
Lyza's lyrics- Intergalactic, come together, come together
Actual lyrics- Intergalactic planetary, planetary

Your truly:
Song- Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
My lyrics- Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm ready to rock you, ready to rock you
Actual lyrics- Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive

What songs have you butchered in your car or the shower? Come on...I know you've got em!

The Great Vaccinate Debate

If I log onto social media and see one more Super Bowl "bad call" or a "why I choose to not vaccinate my child" post, I may lose it, people. Like, for real lose it. Those horses are not only dead, but have been beaten to a bloody pulp. Let's all move on to more important topics like the stupid groundhog named Phil who saw his shadow yet no one seems to care. I bet if good ole Phil chose to vaccinate his fur babies, that junk would be ALL over Facebook.

And because I am not a doctor, nor do I work for the CDC, I shall refrain from chiming in to the hateful vaccination banter on social media. I'm tired of seeing too many friendships bruised or backhanded posts on the topic to last me a lifetime. We get it. We all have an opinion and we all believe our opinions to be the best thing since sliced bread, but that does not mean that we need to constantly post articles that tell the other side of the debate that they're idiots.

Whether you choose to vaccinate or not, we can still be friends. I promise. I shall not call you an idiot and our kids can play together. At least until the measles make their way to Rockford and then we'll play it by ear (just kidding). But in all seriousness, let's all take a deep breath and look at the true reason that we feel so strongly about our decisions, both pro and no shots. For me, my decision to vaccinate comes from medical missionary work where I've seen first hand the results of very preventable diseases causing a child serious illness. Those parents would snatch up a vaccine in a heartbeat if they could to protect their children. I also know that 99% of those children were breastfed babies, as they do not have the access that we do to formula, and their immune system was not enough to protect those precious kiddos. Therefore, I feel as though it is my responsibility to protect my child for their sake and for the sake of mothers around the world who wish they had access to the preventative medicines that so many here take for granted.

What I also know is that decision is mine and the Hubs alone. I do not wish to debate it with it anyone on a social media platform, nor am I willing to unfriend anyone who disagrees with me or vice versa. We're each entitled to our own opinions. That's what makes our country so great and so frustrating all at the same time.

So, there, can we all move on and focus on more important things like the upcoming Waitangi Day this Friday in New Zealand and that I've started sprinkling cinnamon and one drop of vanilla extract in my coffee for the past two days and it's delicious? Earth shattering? Nope. But I dare someone to call me an idiot over it. I dare you.

Blizzard Bowl 2015

On Friday I was just thinking how this winter has been fairly mild and how grateful I have been for a break from the horrendous weather we've been hit with over the last two years. That was until just 27 short hours later. And WHAM, enter 11 inches of snow in a 24 hour period. That's what I get for thinking when I'm not used to it.

Although the snowfall was quite beautiful, it definitely put a damper on our weekend plans. Especially our Super Bowl plans with friends. It's one thing to trek out into a blizzard yourself, but it's a totally different ball game (see what I did there...ball game...football...Super Bowl....anyway) to take your 5 month old on the roads. And although you may drive slow and cautiously, you just never know how others might drive following a game of that nature. Drunk drivers and blizzards do not mix well, so we kept our precious cargo at home.

What started out as a light flurry on Saturday night around 8pm, led to snow banks taller than our dog. And by snow banks, I mean, 11 inch tall snow everywhere you looked. There were no banks. Just snow. I couldn't tell where our front steps were when trying to take poor Pig outside which was a fun guessing game.

And drifts? Goodness gracious, we had snow drifts up to my thighs. I know this because in a moment of stir craziness, I decided to trek out to the backyard for some photos. Sometimes you just have to throw on your boots and play in the snow, ya know.

Next year will be fun with Nash being old enough to truly experience the white, fluffy stuff, but for his first blizzard experience, it pretty much looked like this:

 

My how Super Bowl parties have changed!

Thankfully, I had a little taste of Charleston to make up for missing yummy Super Bowl food at our friend's house. Westbrook's White Thai and Pamletto Cheese that we picked up to bring

home from our recent trip.

 

 

 

 

Knee high snow makes for a great workout as you trek through the yard.

 

 

 

Snow drifts on the deck accumulating by 11am.

Even in a blizzard, the river looks so pretty and peaceful.

I text my dad a picture of our deck and he asked for something to be used to give it perspective. How's that for perspective? And just so we're all looking at the same thing, the bottom of the wine bottle is level with the deck floor. Wowzas.

My favorite part about this image are the various layers of snow.

It almost looks like layers of white fabric stacked on top of each other.

 



 

 

Our corner of the frozen tundra that we call home. Brrrr.

Stay warm and safe, y'all!

Farewell, Bravermans

 

Goodbyes are never easy. In fact, 99% of the time they pretty much suck. Unless of course you're storming away from a manager at Goodwill after a 3 minute debate on why an end table does not fall under their 50% off ALL furniture sale when an end table is, in fact, furniture. When you finally give in, roll your eyes and tell him "peace out, man" as you spin on your heels and walk away in a huff, that goodbye does not suck. Or at least that's what I've heard. Ya know, from a friend. I would never...

Any way...

Last night we said goodbye to one of the greatest TV families of all time (and, yes, I'm equipped to defend that declaration). My heart was anxious, heavy and discontented. In all honesty, 3/4's of the finale fell a tad bit flat for me. Not because the storyline was poor or the acting less than stellar, but because I just know in my heart that there is still so much life left in every character and story line. I'm not ready to say goodbye. I'm not ready to let go of the journey that they've allowed me to go on week after week. They're family to me, and you just don't say goodbye to family.

As I drifted off to dream last night, I tried to rationalize why my heart was so heavy. After all, it's just a TV show. The stories aren't real. The characters are not actual people. The beloved Braverman house with the big, outdoor dining table underneath the string lights isn't even a place that we can visit in the flesh. Why is a TV show's ending able to create a true, physiological response in my body? Long story short, it's because everything about the Bravermans was real.

What Parenthood did right, and darn near perfect, is that the story lines, the people, and even the homes and props, were real. Everything about that show screamed authenticity. Their love lives were messy, their kids had challenges, and when they all got together as one large family, they were loud and talked over each other to the point of being overwhelming and almost annoying at times. I don't know about you, but our families DO operate in the loud, overwhelming and even annoying manner that the show so perfectly captured. It wouldn't have been real without all of those details that make families teeter between splendid and dysfunctional on any given day.

The writers weren't afraid to tackle the real stuff, the hard stuff, and the taboo stuff. In six season we experienced love, loss, anger, cancer, drinking, drugs, sex, abortion, drunk driving, birth, and even death. It was the stuff that lives are made of and they made no apologies for that. The conversations between parents and children were real, raw and genuine. They were conversations that we've all had, in our own homes, and we could empathize. The sibling rivalries were believable with words spoken in both a love and an anger that only a brother or sister relationship can harness. The love behind their eyes made you forget that they were actors. We were invited in to celebrate their highest of highest and to cry with them during their darkest of lows. Show me an episode of Parenthood that doesn't threaten a tear to fall and I'll show you...nothing. Because that just doesn't exist.

And you know what the best part of their beautiful and messy lives were? The fact that they ALWAYS had each other. Always. They could be incredibly angry with one another, but when the chips were down, so came down the pettiness that can accumulate in a family if you're not mindful of it. They were the Bravermans and they were a team. And I, myself, loved the fact that their last scene  took place on a baseball field. They were going to celebrate life with their teammates and they were going to have a dang good time doing it. And if you're an Parenthood addict like me, you may recall that the very first episode took place on a baseball field. Maybe even the same one. Fitting and perfectly tied together.

When you're family, there will be countless starts and stops. Hundreds of curveballs and home runs. Millions of things to celebrate and to rally around for one another. And no matter where life takes you, as long as you can get back to that mound, where it all started, and stand arm in arm with your teammates, you've already won the game.

Thank you, Bravermans, for giving us our weekly fix of laughter, tears and then more laughter. For tackling the hard stuff, the not so pretty stuff and the beautiful stuff. And for sharing your lives with us. For those of us who fell in love with each one of you, we're all hoping that somehow, some way, we're all just a little bit Braverman. Even long after the show has wrapped.

All Good Things

...must come to an end. Which I think is absolute crap, to be honest. Why can't all good things never end? Just my humble opinion.

Tonight a small sliver of my heart will forever be laid to rest. Tonight, my favorite TV family will say goodbye to all of their beloved followers and I am just beside myself. Yes, my friends, Parenthood is drawing to a much too soon close tonight. For, like ever.

I have a pit in my stomach and am nervous to see if the rumors are true with one of my Bravermans passing away. Say it ain't so, Zeke? Say it ain't so, Sarah? No seriously, it better not be so. I shall need counseling if they kill off Zeke tonight.

So until tomorrow, this is about as creative as my in-mourning mind can scrap up. It's just too much.

Check back in tomorrow as I say goodbye to my wannabe family, the amazing Bravermans. They just don't make 'em any better than that.

Fast Food Free in 2015

During a recent trip that required airport travel, the Hubs and I found ourselves looking for healthy lunch options in the O'Hare airport amongst the temptations of a quick, grab and go meal from the fast food options surrounding our gate. Both of us were successful and chose wraps and salads over delicious fries and burgers, but it got the ball rolling for a conversation thrown out by the Hubs on the return leg of our trip.

"I want to go fast food free this year" declared the Hubs.

"Hmmm. Interesting" I said. "How would that work?"

"I just won't eat fast food. I'll still eat at Subway or something similar where I can get a healthier, non-fried sandwich, but no fast food" he shared.

Hmmm. Still interesting and slightly intrigued.

"Okay. That sounds kind of fun. "Fast food free in 2015 kind of rhymes. I'll do it too!" I declared.

"You're going to give up Chick-Fil-A?" questioned the Hubs.

Hmmm. Yes. I mean, maybe. But is Chick-Fil-A really and truly fast food? They have fresh flowers on the tables so clearly that isn't fast food. Right?

"Well, I'll participate with the exception of Chick-Fil-A" I stated.

Hubs looks at me out of the corner of his eye as if to disqualify me from the "fast food free in 2015" club. Oh, okay, so now you're not only a member, but  you're also the President of this cool, kids club? I see. Clearly I missed the elections.

With utter confidence I proclaim "Yep. I'm in but I can do Chick-Fil-A once a month. And also Beef-A-Roo too.  I need those cheddar fries in my life. And Moe's when we see one since they have fresh, healthy options. And maybe like one McGriddle every 6 months, But I'm totally in! Fast food free in 2015! Completely. With a few tweaks on the rules."

Hmmm. Interesting. That's not really what I had in mind shown the Hub's face.

Hindsight, it appears my membership into the Free in 2015 club was short lived. Like 2.5 minutes short lived. But I seriously considered it for, I don't know, maybe 1.75 minutes out of those 2.5. That has to count for something, right??? I swear I could feel my cholesterol levels drop dramatically for those 2.5 minutes.

So there you have it, friends, my public proclamation to be "Fast food free in 2015 with the exception of nuggets, waffle fries, Moe's tacos, cheddar fries and two lonely McGriddles."

This is going to be a great and completely healthy year! I can already feel it.

Warrior Momma

Today I'd like to introduce you to one of the strongest girls I know. Blog friends meet Karie. Karie meet my blog friends. I think you're all going to really like each other.

Karie came into my life almost a decade ago and as soon as she moved in with us, even as a perfect stranger, I knew she was going to be someone I'd love to know. As single twenty something's and roommates, Karie and our roommate, Karen had so many great days and nights hanging out, being silly and laughing til it hurt, and growing in our faith journeys together. Sometimes people come into your life so unexpectedly, but so perfectly timed that you know it was just meant to be. That's how it was with Karie.

This past summer, I was so fortunate to have Karie make the trek from Columbia, SC to Charleston for my baby shower and was thrilled to see her husband and two sweet boys as well. When they left Charleston to move to Columbia a few years back, Karie hadn't yet had their youngest son, Weston, so it was awesome to see her as a mom of two. And a great mom she was. Her youngest son ate with a passion for food that was unprecedented and was something I could totally get behind. With marinara sauce ALL over his cute face, Karie just laughed and shrugged it off. There was no concern for whether it'd get on his clothes or if he was making a mess. She rolled with it and whether or not she knew anyone was paying attention, I made a mental note over my Mellow Mushroom pizza to be a little more like Karie and a little less the OCD person that I can be if I'm not careful. If my son eats with the passion of a full contact sport, well then that's something to celebrate and encourage!

This past July, Karie's world changed dramatically and unexpectedly. On July 3rd, their eldest son, Walker suffered from a seizure that was completely out of the blue. And then a second one happened. And a third. And now sometimes 1-2 every day. The impact of the seizures have changed the way Walker can move around, communicate and even eat. You don't have to have a medical degree to know that can be a game changer and nothing short of terrifying. Over the last seven months, Karie and her husband, Andy, have been in and out of different hospitals trying to get to the bottom of what is causing such devastating seizures. Although I do not want to put words into their mouths, I can only imagine that their hearts are consumed with fear, uncertainty, and a million questions that just don't seem to have easy answers.

The reason that I share Karie's story with you today is not to focus on the seizures themselves, but how she has handled them. She is a warrior momma. And she is an inspiration.

As your world changes, you have two choices. You can either curl up in a ball and refuse to change with it or you can pick yourself and power through the best way that you can. Karie embodies the latter. I know this journey is BEYOND scary and frustrating and heartbreaking, but what I also know is that I've become in awe of my friend's faith and stamina. Her eyes are on the Lord even when it probably feels like the walls are closing in around them. She reads and studies and champions for Walker when he's not getting the care he needs. She's constantly moving forward when some of us would probably still be standing there on July 3rd with our head in our hands. She's strong. She's a champion. She's a fighter. She's a believer. She's a beautiful mom and she's my friend. I hope I'm half the warrior momma that she is.

I had the opportunity to see them last week on my trip to Charleston and it felt so good to finally be able to hug her after following their journey from a 1,000 miles away. I told myself I would not cry as I walked in to the restaurant where I'd see them. I wanted to be strong for her, and for the most part I was. I did slip and a few tears crept out, but that's okay. Hopefully she knew that those tears were simply because my heart hurts for what they've been through, and that she knows that when she hurts, we all hurt with her regardless of distance and time. We've got her back both in life and in prayer.

Keep fighting, Karie. And keep fighting, Walker. You're going to get there, I just know it. And you have hundreds of prayer warriors behind you cheering you on. #WalkerStrong

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To read more about Walker's journey, you can check out my previous Walker post http://saltwaterandsnowstorms.blogspot.com/2014/07/walking-with-walker.html

If you'd like to follow Walker's journey and join them in praying for his strength and healing, please visit his Caring Bridge at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/walkerphillips/journal/view/id/54c0ea9bca16b47f3818b1d2

This family is beautiful (and hilarious), both inside and out.

 



Nash meeting Karie, Weston and Walker. Love this girl.

 



I Didn't Have Time

I didn't have time to piece together all the right outfits for my Charleston trip, but I didn't have time to care as the 63 degree breezes blew across my face and the sun shone down on my pasty, Illinois skin.

I didn't have time to get my eyebrows waxed, as I had promised myself for two weeks leading up to the trip. Luckily, I didn't have time to care as I looked around every room I was in at all of the smiling faces that I love over a 72 hour span.

I didn't have as much time as I'd like to spend in deep conversation with many of my friends on our visit, but I didn't wallow in it too much because it made me really want to be more intentional in connecting with them  via phone, email and text until we get those rare minutes of face to face time.

I didn't have time to see everything I would've loved to see in Charleston, but I didn't have time to care as we stood on the edge of the ocean as our son experienced the sand and the waves and salt water smell for the first time. Sometimes seeing one amazing thing trumps all of the other smalls things.

I didn't have time to be sad that our trip was only 3 days long, because I didn't have time to even look at a watch or calendar thanks to dinners and brunches and cookouts with 9 kids and church and palmetto trees.

I didn't have time to eat any fresh seafood, but I didn't mind all that much as I stuffed my face with Palmetto Cheese and fresh caramel apple pancakes and fried chicken biscuits.

I didn't have time to pout that by the time we got to church we had to sit in the lobby and watch the message on a TV screen, because the teaching was more powerful than where we were sitting.

I didn't have time to grab the lunch I would've liked as we boarded our flight home, but I didn't mind all that much because the Hubs and I made the best picnic we could out of one tiny sandwich, girl scout cookies from our friend's daughter and gummy bears from a thoughtful friend's birthday gift.

Although I didn't have time to stay as long as I wanted, I didn't mind all that much because I know I'll be back soon. I'll always go back. Again and again. And for THAT, my friends, I'll always have time.

Snapshot

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I shall let my phone do the "vacation recap" talking today...



Until next time, Charleston!

Thanks for the 63 degree weather!

In My 35th Year

In my 35th year, I've learned the following:

Moving is not fun and takes way longer than you'll ever think it will. Where did I get all of this stuff? Owning a shop is not as fun as one might think, but was worth learning over the course of six months. Trying your hand at a "dream job" may end up being not so dreamy, but you can close the doors you opened with a sense of pride for even opening them in the first place. Pregnancy weight gain happens slowly and then all at once. Looking back at your photos from when you're 8 months pregnant is a real eye opener. How was I that big? How did no one tell me I was that big? Thank you, everyone, for not telling me I was that big. Thanks for encouraging me to eat that donut or pizza or cookie instead. That was much more loving.

Your grandparents will begin to age and slow down no matter how much you wish it away and ignore it. It'll happen slowly and then all at once, yet again. Living in Illinois in the fall is beautiful and crisp and everything fall should be. Living through Illinois winters is for dummies and sickos and the like. Hot, apple cider donuts from Edwards NEVER go out of style. Law and order SVU is still my jam. Seeing Straight No Chaser for the third time (and the 4th in April thanks to my Bday present!) is just as much fun as the first. Those boys can dance and sign their way into your heart. $2 gigantic tubs of cheese balls are worth just that. Gross. Decaf coffee is just as good as the real deal after awhile. 

Watching your dog, who was once the only child, share the spotlight and love is hard. Watching your husband complete a 146 mile race is something you'll remember and respect for the rest of your life. Having your estimated timing become off for when that husband is "supposed" to run by you on mile 136 can stir up intense fear for his safety and well-being. Seeing him run by after running through every possible scenario of injury is like lifting a Mack truck off of your shoulders. Standing in the Texas heat for 12+ hours while pregnant is super fun, said no one ever. Watching a marathon in New York in 32 degree weather and 40 mph winds is also super fun, said no one ever. Watching your Hubs complete those challenges in the heat and cold is worth it. I'm still campaigning for Ironman Cabo or Fiji, though. It's really only fair.

Being one year closer to 40 is alarming. Being one year closer to 40 with a new home, a new son and a husband and family that love me make me a bit less scared to be one year closer to 40.

Cheers to my 36th year! Let's do this thing.

To take a quick walk down memory lane, visit my previous Bday recaps here:
http://saltwaterandsnowstorms.blogspot.com/2013/01/birthday-wisdom.html
http://saltwaterandsnowstorms.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-i-learned-in-my-31st-year.html