Wednesday Night Wine Tasting

Several weeks ago I received an invite from a friend about a wine tasting party. The invite contained many of my favorite things; wine yes, chocolate yes, cheese absolutely! and dinner served afterwards, yes and double yes. My first obstacle was that the pilot was not going to be home so I would have to find someone to watch our son. I decided not to take any chances and hired a real babysitter. He is 8 now and never really had a babysitter since I'm usually home or have friends he can stay with. He was very excited about having a babysitter. Next step, dress to impress. Now you have to understand I wear yoga clothes everyday and my fanciest outfit is usually jeans and a sweater. I don't even think I dress up this much for the pilot. But it's wine tasting with women, it sounded fancy and I wanted to look nicer than usual. I put on my dark jeans, black top, cute banana republic jacket, and new jewelry. I did my make up and made sure the curls were looking extra curly.  Now I'm thinking to myself I don't get out very much. Anyway, the party did not disappoint, I learned some new things about wine and had a great time. Did you know if you lick a lemon before you drink wine it completely changes the taste of the wine?? Crazy, I know. Although I think if you were to lick a lemon before eating anything it would change the taste, right?? Also if you pair the wine with the right foods it taste even better! I have to admit that I had a grudge against red wine since a Fray concert in 2012 but after trying several tonight I may be able to drink it again. Oh Hello red wine its been so long, maybe we can be friends again. But I must take baby steps because as I learned at the concert, too much of a good thing isn't such a good thing.
To be honest I was having such a good time I didn't want to leave but the babysitter had to be paid and it was a school night. When I got home she told me for the first hour and half I was gone they just talked. My son asked her at one point "So, do you live around here". Then he told her he believed in Santa and the Tooth Fairy but wasn't so sure about the easter bunny. His argument was how did his parents know where the eggs were if the easter bunny hid them. He has a pretty good argument.
If you ever find yourself invited to a home wine tasting party, just say yes! And I did sign up for the wine club but I am truly looking forward to getting 2 bottles of wine a month in the mail. What a nice surprise that will be.....

Letter to Jimmy Kimmel

Dear Jimmy,
Several weeks ago I watched the best episode of The Bachelor I've ever seen. What made it the best was you. You planned the perfect date for this couple, sending them to Costco with your grocery list was brilliant. Everybody needs enough ketchup to fill up a hot tub, you nailed it. I appreciated the "amazing" jar you presented to all the girls. I thought for sure it would be the "journey" jar, since I'm positive that word is said at least a dozen times if not more per episode. By the way what did you do with all those dollars the girls put in the jar? During the date you dared to ask the tough questions. Really every date on this show needs you, no one wants to ask tough questions. Like "Hey how do you like making out with 20 girls? or Does anybody really want to live on a farm in Iowa with no outside contacts?" I wanted to mention I have a hot tub in my backyard. You are welcome to eat wings in my hot tub anytime. Speaking of which the hubby and I would love to have you as a third wheel on a date anytime. After 20 years of marriage I'm sure you'd have some tough questions we could answer. Thank you for making a ridiculous show more entertaining to watch. I had a permanent  smile/laugh on my face when you were on screen.

Sincerely,

Jody

January mini goals

Last year we sat down as a family and made goals for each month for the entire year. It was fun but the way I work is I like to figure out what I'm going to do on a daily basis. So this year we decided to set goals for each month. If something doesn't work we can make new ones for the next month. Here is what we have so far:

1. 2 meals a week from a cookbook we own (1 made by me, 1 made by the pilot)
2. Game night with music (no phones or distractions)
3. Yoga together one night
4. Daddy and son time
5. Wahoo's Fish Taco on Thursdays (kids eat free on this night)

My son was very excited about planning this with us. Especially the going out to eat on Thursdays. We were successful this week. Sunday night we played Skipbo and Jenga. I did a yoga flow for my son on Wednesday, last night we ate at Wahoo's, and tonight Daddy & son are working on a truck model together.
I wanted to share this to possibly inspire something new you'd like to to do. Either alone or with your family. Mini-goals are easy and attainable. You could also make financial, health, or exercise goals one month at a time. Even easier, make them one week at a time.
These are fun goals for us and I look forward to the new ones we will set in February.

Looking back and looking forward

I have to say 2014 was a wonderful year for our family. We had fun adventures and enjoyed doing new things together. As a family we zip lined for the very first time in San Juan Puerto Rico. We drove 500 miles on the Pacific Coast Highway in California. We hiked at The Dupont State Forest park in North Carolina. I ran my first 10k in August. My son did his first triathlon. The pilot did his annual 100 mile bike ride as well as a sprint triathlon. The pilot and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. I'm incredibly thankful for this life of ours. I have to say our happiness is not just luck. We have been blessed and I thank God every day for this life we have.
This morning my son went to kids yoga. Before we left he had me try on a bracelet he made and told me he was giving it to his yoga teacher! Anytime he does something thoughtful he really makes my heart swell. I truly love that he is learning how to think of others before himself.
Even with all the adventures, my favorite moments are simple ones. A couple weeks ago the 3 of us were cuddling together watching a movie. Our little pug Mugsy was also laying on us, it felt like paradise.
Going into 2015 I'm excited to see what the New Year will bring. I finally feel grounded and have a sense of who I really am. Leaving work several years ago was the best decision I ever made. My environment was toxic and I was becoming somebody I didn't really like. Now I'm focused on my family and the life we have together. Encouraging my son to try new things and not to worry about failing but just trying. So in that same spirit I'm going to try something new as well. It doesn't start till May but I'm hoping this is a new career change for myself. I'll share more details when the time comes. The pilot has always wanted me to find something to do in life that I love and I think it has finally happened.
Just like last year we plan on sitting down together and making family goals. In March the pilot is running the New York 1/2 marathon and the plan is for my son and I to go to support the pilot. In April, when I turn 40, we are going out of the country to a place we've never been. In May I will start training for this new career.  Lots of positive things and if their are bumps along the way I know I have God and my family & friends for support.
Happy New Year friends and family, Hope its a great one!!!!!!!

9:30 am Church Service

I may have mentioned in the past I have an issue with parking and parking lots. Especially our church, any time I've tried to go at 9:30 am there is no parking. You have to park at the rec. center or school and they shuttle you to the church. Or you can park in the residential area near the church but its a good 5 minute walk. Since I know this about myself I like to go at 11 am, because I'd rather not go into church in a bad mood before I even get in the building. Why am I bringing this up you ask?? Well, the pilot told me last week he'd like to go to the 9:30 service. I thought I was prepared, I was ready at 9:15 and my son was ready as well. However the pilot was getting into the shower at 9:15 am, not the best way to start. We get in the car at 9:28, when we get there he drops us off. I try to take my son to class but they only have a special discipleship class for his age group, which of course he is not signed up. I have several different adults try to direct me but no one is able to find the right class. I'm agitated that we're late, I'm irritated they don't have a class for my son, so I grab his hand and walk quickly upstairs. I text the pilot and tell him I want to go home! Yes I'm crazy, but you have to understand I knew this was going to happen and the pilot wanted to go anyway. So he meets us and gives me his keys and says I can go home but he is staying. WHAT??? First of all I have my own set of keys so why give me yours and second of all, What? I couldn't leave with my son watching so we all went into the service. The pilot held my hand, and that made it a little better. I finally calmed down and ended up really enjoying the service. I'm very happy the pilot didn't listen to me and glad he can deal with my crazy side.
Fast forward to yesterday, I told the pilot I wanted to leave the house at 9:15 am for church. Guess what? We left at 9:12 am, got a parking spot, and all was right with the world. Their are grocery stores I won't go to because of there parking lots. This is an issue for me and I really wish I could get over it but I'm crazy. Do you have any irrational things that drive you crazy? I hope so, because I'd hate to think I was the only one....

Research and Yoga pants

Its been a while since I've written a blog, but this morning after an incident I had to write. I signed up for ingather research and was selected to join a discussion on Woolite. I truly enjoy these experiences because I get first insight on what the next campaign that these companies are pursuing. I also get paid for 2 hours of my time which really is the best part. And I will probably use my hard earned research money to buy yoga clothing.
At the beginning of the discussion I did mention that I wash all of my workout gear in Woolite and I stated I'm a stay at home mom. So the group knew I did yoga and therefore wear yoga clothing. One participant stated she HATED that women wear yoga pants at Target or in public. Her question was "Did these women just workout or are they going to workout?" When she was done yammering I mentioned that I go to Target wearing my yoga pants. And I wanted to ask her why does she care?? I will say I mentioned pajamas in public was a little frustrating but I don't believe I used the word hate. That is a pretty strong word to use, its just yoga pants. I know our society as a whole has gone more casual but what somebody else is wearing is their choice. I wasn't aware that Target had a dress code. Next time I'll wear my heels & tiara.
I have my own opinions and the lines I try to not cross but I'm not hurting anyone. I also got the feeling that the same woman did not have much respect for stay at home moms. She mentioned she didn't want to see a mom in the ad because they just throw everything in the wash and don't care about what happens to their clothes. REALLY? Did you not just hear me say I'm a stay at home mom.  Wouldn't you think that stay at home moms care more about their clothes because they might be on a budget? Yes I'm sarcastic and I admit to that but there is a difference between being sarcastic and just being mean. No matter what you choose to do in life at least respect those around you and the choices they've made for their own life. It may not be what you would do but thats the great thing about America we have the freedom to choose.
In the end I got my check, cashed it, and I will never have to see this woman again. But I'm sure I will see someone like her again who is thinking the same thing. And you know what, Yes I did just workout and yes my butt looks great in my yoga pants!!!

What are my Spiritual Gifts???

Apparently waking up in time to make a 9:15 class at church is not one of my gifts. Last Sunday our church had a one time class that would answer what our spiritual gifts are and I really wanted to go. Until I woke up at 8:53 am and decided we'd stay home. Luckily my son doesn't judge me and say things like "So why aren't we going to church today?" Maybe he should. Later in the week he told me that his friend goes every week unlike us. Ouch. I explained to him that even though we don't go every week, it doesn't mean that we don't still have our faith or that we don't love Jesus. Save myself that time but will see how long that lasts.
The first thing that comes to mind for me is that I love to give. If I have something that I'm no longer using or that can be helpful to somebody else I give it away. I've given my clothes, jewelry, shoes, my son's clothes & shoes away. And no matter what God always provides for us. This is truly something I enjoy. The second is encouragement, I know I can be sarcastic but truth be told I've cut back on that. I've noticed the people I enjoy most are positive and encouraging people. Of course when they have a twist of sarcasm that also makes me happy.
Now how do I use those two things giving & encouraging? I don't know. I know how to do them in my day to day life but I feel like God wants to use me in a larger way. I really want him to just tell me what my gifts are and how to use them so I'm not wasting them. I had lunch with a friend yesterday and she said "I have a God given talent that I don't want to waste". Which really made me start thinking, what I'm I doing with what God gave me?
If only there was a class or book or something that would guide me? OH wait, there was last Sunday. I forgot to mention sometimes I'm lazy and I like to stay home. I'm working on that, last week I did a lot of things I wouldn't normally do. We went hiking several times and I rode on the back of my husband's motorcycle (even knowing that my hair would be crazy because of the helmet). If you know me I have hair issues. If not, just know wearing a helmet for me is a big deal. I'm trying to say yes and enjoy the place where we live. We are in a beautiful state and sometimes I forget how many places we can go that are just in our backyard.
Its time to hang out in the sun with D-boy and for now I'll just continue to ask God to show me how I can use my gifts for others.....