Synonyms: come to a climax, come to a crescendo, peak, climax, come to the end with, etc.
.-.-.-.-.
Why are you rushing,
Constantly brushing,
Important people off.
Slow down!
Life won’t pass you by,
It’s not just about finding a guy.
Enjoy the sights,
Enjoy the heights!
Growing up will come real quick.
Should have been patient.
Those guys were just a few some,
If you waited he could have come.
Now at thirty-two,
Your dreams have come true!
He is perfect.
At twenty-two,
You found your crescendo,
Finally taking life slow.
.-.-.-.-.
My advice to my teenage self would have been to slow down. Unless you are one of the few lucky ones, most people don’t find love at fifteen.
And if I had been patient, I might have met him at fifteen. We were in the same sport and at same sporting events. We lived close enough. I would drop my brother off at our cousin’s house, and it was just down the block from him. He worked right around the corner from where I grew up.
But by the grace of God I didn’t miss him, by being impatient. I just met him later in life. Meeting him was at the peak of life. Now I’m enjoying the lowering decent into my adult life. Of kids and adventures.
Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.
Three different pairs of shoes came to mind.
First: My black combat boots.
Those shoes were throughout my teenage years. I wore them everywhere. They were so comfy. They laced up, but had a zipper. They went mid shin. Oh! I loved those shoes. They made me feel confident.
They took me to several different places. They took me to trivia nights. I was always so nervous to go to trivia. I’m not a social butterfly, but I wanted to try and work on my social skills. Those boots went with me.
I wanted to go to a Ball. (Yes. Think princess) but I had to stand before a panel of judges and say why I thought I should be selected as a Pasadena princess. I wore those combat boots. I looked cute, but compared to the other girls around me I looked tough. Haha! To help end your curiosity, I was not selected. But I still got to go to the ball, just because I tried. Getting ready was more fun than actually being there. That was too much socializing for me.
I wore those boots when I had coach banquets. They helped me walk into a situation I did not want to be in. Public speaking. Terrible. But my shoes were cute.
The shoes finally died. I really do miss that shoe. Maybe I’ll get another pair one day. But I got those from Nordstrom rack. They were on sale for $50. Normally $180. I can’t afford shoes like that anymore.
Second: My wedge sandle heels.
I love these heels. They are the most comfortable high heeled shoe I own. The straps are a light tan color. The wedge is light brown. They are quite tall. About three inches. So I’m taller than my husband when I wear them.
But I feel so pretty and fancy when I wear those shoes. My posture is also perfect when I wear heels.
Fun story. My mom and I got the same shoes at the same time. I tried them on and said they were so comfy, that my mom found a pair, rusty orange straps, and she thought they were super comfy too. So we got them together. I don’t think she has them anymore. But I do!
They are currently in storage. But occasionally I wish I had them currently. Some outfits would just pop a bit more with those shoes. My confidence would be back. I’m not one, but some women can wear the heels and deal with their toddlers. I can’t. My toddler is super fast and sneaky. Heels would just make it that much harder.
So as long as my feet stop growing with having babies, I’ll wear them again. At some point.
But they have taken me to dances, family weddings, dates (with hubby), all events where I felt the most fancy, just because I could dance the night away in those shoes. (without any pain!)
Third: My black short snow boots.
Its silly. But I’ve had those boots for so many different milestones in my adult life. I had them as my first daughter grew up. I wore them 95% of my pregnancy with my son. Also with my newest daughter.
I hiked trails, our old property, sledding, snowman, snowball fights, etc. And the boots still live on today. Merrel footwear is awesome! Expensive!! Buy them on sale, but they last for several years. Instead of buying a pair of shoes every two months for $12, it makes more sense to spend the price tag and not buy shoes for several years. (Not a sales pitch, just like the shoes!!) I like to use things until they are falling apart. And even then I still keep them sometimes. My husband usually has to throw them away, because I can’t seem to part with them.
But yeah. Those black boots are my favorite! But there is no snow…so they are too in storage. I can’t wait to have a closet big enough to have everything out! And me and my daughters can have a fashion show in mommy’s closet.
I’m excited for that day. I really want an extra closet in the house. And I’ll put all of the clothes I’ve been hanging onto. And for chores my daughter will get tickets. The tickets will allow them to wear clothes from that closet. But not to keep.
Just a way for them to “shop” without actually spending their money. Instead it’s hard work “buying” them.
I don’t know if that will be a thing, maybe they will just raid my closet like I used to do to my mom and sisters. (With permission) but good memories.
I think my most used shoes right now are my slippers. I wear them everyday, for almost 80% of my day. They are old, flat, and uncomfortable, but free. I like free.
Enjoy your Thursday! Just finished making my tortillas. Hubby wants Chicken Tortilla Soup tonight!!
What is something others do that sparks your admiration?
Soldiers coming home. That’s what I thought of when I read the prompt. Strangely, soldiers coming home to surprise their loved ones have been in my short videos lately. Those videos always make me cry; I always tear up.
I’ve never had this experience. No one in my family went into the military. Which I know was a huge bummer to my brothers. But became of eyes, asthma, etc it was not an option for them. (they have new passions now.)
But I admire all the military. That they do the hardest job. They leave their loved ones to protect us and our loved ones.
So I continue to watch the solider coming home videos. Even though I’m always in need of tissues. Because it is a reminder that what they are doing is worth admiring.
So admire them, thank them, care for them. They deserve it. You are free because they protect.
What’s the first impression you want to give people?
People just get the shield I throw up in social situations.
My first impression is not by my design. I am still socially uncomfortable. I’m not awkward I’ve come to find out, I’m uncomfortable.
So as much as I want to give a great first impression, I usually am quiet, alone, and terrified.
I probably look angry or annoyed to others. That my resting face was glaring and now it’s scared.
So yes I would love my first impression to be confident, or togetherness, or calmness. But instead it’s my shield of I’m uncomfortable and I don’t want to be here. Haha!
But having kids has really helped me. I can’t have my shield up when I’m with my kids. So if my kids are with me, I am less terrified and more focused on them with a hint of acknowledgement that people are there too.
So as much I love quiet alone time at home, in social gatherings I need my kids around. Because through the years I’ve gone back to being quiet with grown ups.
I don’t know how to be around people. I haven’t needed to living up north. But going to church last Sunday was a huge wake up call, that all the hard work I did before is gone. I started to have an anxiety attack again. But I was able to trick my brain into still functioning because I was holding my baby girl. I could give her 100% of my focus.
So…I guess what I’m saying from this is don’t be discouraged if you are someone who is socially awkward or like me, uncomfortable. You will evenly find something that helps you. For me it is my kids. I know for others it has been a pet, topics, food, etc. maybe all you need is something tangible to touch to keep you grounded in gatherings. Mine before was doodling. I would be drawing in a corner somewhere. This is still my go to if my kids are not around. But mostly it’s because I love to draw. But try different things. I hope and pray that all challenged social people find the niche. Also I pray that confident social people go easy on us. It takes more then just throwing us into social situations to make us be immersed in people. But to us, we are drowning in anxiety if you do this.
So for both sides. Be patient. It can get better with hard work.
Also. Sometimes people’s first impressions are not the truth. That’s it’s just their shield that protects them. So don’t write someone off after the first meeting. That it can take a few for them to show you their true first impression.
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?
When it is a well deserved lazy day I enjoy it throughly. I just lay around and rest. Because I deserve it. I do so much in a day that I deserve a down day every two weeks; sometimes only once a month.
But the days where I have to be lazy…where my kid is sick, where it’s raining or snowing, where I didn’t get enough sleep; I feel like a slacker. That I’m not doing enough.
Like yesterday morning, all from scratch, I made 4 batches breakfast potatoes, eggs & sausages, waffles, strawberry jam, strawberry paste, bread, froze the avocados…and I still felt lazy to make PB&Js for lunch. And I again felt lazy when we had leftovers for dinner.
I just can’t seem to make my days easy. Because when I do, I feel like I’m not doing enough.
But it seems like emptier days are heading my way. Now with an hour of open time, I’m going to do craft projects with my kiddos. Or science projects. Or reading books. Etc. I’m finding the good. Not that I will have an hour of free time for myself. But that I’m going to use it on my kids in a new way.
What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind?
This is not true. Not all baby clothes are keepers.
Buttons… I despise buttons on the back of clothes for infants and toddlers. Snaps, good. Pull overs, good. Zippers….not infants but yes for toddlers. Buttons…nope.
Boys button up shirts are fine. But who decided that buttons as the clasps on infant clothes was a good idea. Did that person ever try to button clothes on an infant? Probably not.
I don’t mind buttons as decorative on the back, but it better be snaps underneath.
I used to like all clothes. When I just had my first daughter it was fine. I had time for the buttons. Now being on third child, there’s no time for buttons. Haha!
It’s a simple thing, to most. But to me it’s definitely a big thing. Haha!
I need to make a change. I hurt. I hurt everywhere. I’m only in my thirties, and I feel like I’m well into my forties. I need to do more.
The point of having our kids young, was so that we could enjoy them more. But I have no extra energy in a day; not even to go on a one hour walk at night. Key word: Walk! Not even strenuous. But I have no energy to accomplish that. I need to say it’s an hour walk, but about 30min in my son is tired and “needs” to be carried back. He’s about thirty pounds…so I’m usually dead when we get back to the house.
My night doesn’t end there; I have showers, bedtime, story time, baby feeding time, then I get to go to sleep. But do I? No. By then I’ve missed my window of being tired and I have to wait until the next window opens.
So back to changing. My husband feels the same. He wants to start exercising. He’s in his thirties too. He shouldn’t be hurting so much either.
So we are starting things. I’m going to try and cook differently. Not severely. But less carbs and more vegetables. Not the kids, they need carbs.
The husband wants to start a military month workout. I’m all for this plan. Haha!
But I want to swim occasionally. Try for three times a week. Swimming is the best exercise for me. It works my whole body. It will also help loosen my back muscles.
But something needs to change. This is usually when we make these decisions. At the end of the year. But we are hoping to try for our last kid this time next year; so I want to loose sixteen pounds before trying again. That’s not a crazy amount.
My doctor told me I was a little overweight at my last appointment; that if I lost sixteen to twenty pounds my BMI would be back to perfect. But when my doc told me that I was ten pounds heavier and I already lost that.
So my #1 priority is to change things. Like even this blog. I wrote a post instead of mindlessly playing my game, I decided to write instead. Make a change!
I am not really a brand type person. I’ve never cared about brands on clothes. If it fits, and it’s comfortable that’s what I’m buying. Which actually works the best for me because most brands are designed for smaller women. Like 5ft 3” to 5ft 6”. Add 5” and you’ve got me. So their dresses are shirts. Their pants are capris. Their shorts are…scandalous.
So instead I’ve always loved handmie downs. I love them! Free clothes! It’s gotten to the point though that I have to give handmie downs to my sister and not vice versa.
But I love shopping at thrift stores, Ross, Burlington coat factory. Any store where you have to dig for your pieces. Because then you really are picking them hints you like initially off the rack. Then you try it on, and decide again, “is this me?”
I used to take ten things into the dressing room and buy all ten things. Spending about $300 without blinking. My mom told me I had to stop. There was only so many clothes I could wear in a lifetime. $100 limit. So then before marriage I would take ten things in and maybe only buy 3-4 depending on prices. I actually was that person that did the calculations before buying, including tax. Making sure I didn’t go over the limit. Which is why I loved thrift stores. I could get ten things and still be under budget.
And now with kids I think differently. Also the thrift store I go to is a pay what you can. At least $1 an item. Which is awesome!! Because there was a while there that we had no extra money. And I was able to still get nice things for about $5 every few months.
I guess the only brand store I’ve gone into and spent the shiny penny recently was called Lilyful. The name was so pretty and their clothes were pretty too. But I still only shopped in the clearance section. Because I got a beautiful dress for $50. Originally $150…!
But I’ve gone back a few times. But always I go straight to the clearance. But now they are only online. Which I won’t be doing, because that means less clearance items and no trying on. And I have to try things on. Since I’m not a normal size ever.
But I do know other brands. Like Merell shoes. My husband likes them. Milwaukee tools. Again my husband loves. And Ram. My husband loves his truck. Haha!
First. I am a visual and somewhat audible learner. Meaning. If I hear something two to three times I can remember the words. Like songs. I can listen to a song a few times and then I know the song by heart. Even the songs I want to forget, but those are still in there.
But it has to be to music. My husband can tell me something everyday and I can’t remember. But only with music can I memorize.
My daughter is the same way.
Second. Even without the learning aspect, I’ve always loved music. At one point I wanted to learn singing. I love singing, but a lack of confidence has always stopped me. But singing to songs has always been something I love.
Third. Music calms my children. Strangely enough. It can be complete chaos; and I turn on some tunes and they settle. My daughter still dances in her seat, but all three kiddos are happy at once.
I also enjoy watching them dance to songs. Or make up the lyrics to songs. Some songs have been changed for life.
Like we played “Another On Bites The Dust” and my daughter said “biting dust is gross, and they are going to be sick if they do that. They should maybe clean their house to stop eating dust.” Haha!
But for me the music keeps the chaos in check. And if there is always noise my youngest can sleep through anything. When it is too quiet is when she will wake up unhappy.
Fourth. Also I like finding new songs. My husband just found some new music. It was recommended by his friend. I really like it. Especially since it’s Bible verses. Since it’s to music I will be able to memorize them.
Heal Me Oh Lord (Psalm 6) by Highway to Zion
Starts off slow but then it builds. This is the kind of music my kiddos are liking at the moment. Also my youngest will instantly fall asleep.
emily2jane 