Sunday, September 30, 2012

Summer of Yes

Sometime around May, I started feeling fairly stagnant.  This happens to me every once and a while.  And when it does, I seem to go in 12 directions at once.  I want to buy a house one day.  A new car the next.  Then I'm going back to school.  Or planning trips around the world.  But everything I think of seems like a rash decision to make.  I can't decide which direction to go in.  So I end up doing nothing besides a lot of late night online shopping.  (Mom always knows when I fall into one of these funks because boxes and packages magically appear at our doorstep.  Wyatt loves this.  My bank account; not so much.)  So, when it happened again this year (with the help of my therapist) I came up with a different plan.

I like to call it the "Summer of Yes".  The premise was to say Yes to every opportunity that came our way.  Whether it sounded silly, or boring, or uncomfortable, or something I wouldn't normally do.  Just say Yes.  To all the little things and see what fun, engaging, new and exciting places Wyatt and I could find ourselves in.  Obviously, I tried not to say Yes to things that would get me arrested or give me the clap but I tried to get right to the edge.  Here are some of the things we said Yes to:

A walk around Shu Swamp with some older members of my congregation.  Specifically a group called the Winter Weezers.  We were the youngest by decades. When they got lost, Wyatt lead them to safety.  There are only like two trails.  It was hysterical.

Yes, it was a hot pink limo!
I went on a singles wine tour with Jen and 2 other girls.  There was one guy amongst about 35 girls. We had a blast.

I said Yes to finally getting my teeth fixed.  This was HUGE for me.  I have been wanted to get them fixed since college but could never find the time or justify the money.  Finally, I decided that if I had actually said yes when I first wanted to it would have been done already and not still lingering stubbornly on my to-do-list.  So I shopped around for orthodontists.  And pitted them against one another.  And negotiated the shit out of them.  And finally found something slightly above reasonable.  Progress.

I said yes to an ex-boyfriend that I probably shouldn't have BUT I did get to go to my first country concert that was absolutely amazing.  My therapist would want me to point out that the entire experience taught me some things about myself.  There is no regret, just learning for next time. So it guess its still a positive.
Before
After

I finally refinished a dresser that has been down in my basement for three years.  It came out really nice.  Everyone in the family is fighting for it already.  I actually impressed myself on this one.

I took Wyatt and I to California on a whim.  It was an amazing trip and I am so glad we did it.

I have been carving out extra time in my life for my friends. This has meant a random night out with Brianne and Jessica during a monsoon (because when's a better time to drive to a bar!)  Going to Newsies on Broadway with Rebecca then saying Yes to too much wine afterwards meaning mid-week city sleepover.  Agreeing to elope with some cute guy - then thinking better of it in the morning.  (Pretty sure that was the right choice. About 50/50.) Getting 10:30pm calls to go out, changing out of my PJ's and staying out until 3am.  Meeting Lizzy at Walls way too much.  Actually pulling an all-nighter in Long Beach and not getting home until 1pm the next day (it took me a week to recover from that!) And plenty of times celebrating Mike and Joanna's new house. (You got cable!  Sure, I'll bring beer!)  It has resulted in a lot of hungover mornings and babysitting nights for my mom but its been a shit load of fun.

I signed up for yoga at the library.  10 classes for $25.  Seriously people, what's to think about?  It was my first time doing group exercise.  I was nervous.  Then I noticed the median age is about 63.  During stretching, I try not to show off.

I bought a groupon for horseback riding lessons.  Haven't cashed in on that one yet but I am very much looking forward to going this fall.

And I think the biggest one:  Nana asked if Wyatt and I would like to move into her house.  There was a resounding YES!!  Wyatt and I will be less then 5 miles from my parents and Nana and Grandpa will stay in my old room when they visit from Florida.  Its bittersweet because we won't see them as much.  But Wyatt and I are so excited (and ready) for our own place.  We just started doing some renovations. I don't want to give much away because I want Nana and Grandpa to be surprised when they come home for Christmas but there will be plenty of before/after pictures when we're done.  When I asked Wyatt today what he wanted to do after school he said, "Mom, let's go work on our house."

Overall, I think my experiment has worked out pretty well.  I am planning on extending my Summer of Yes into a Lifetime of Yes.  I think what the whole thing taught me was I tend to nix an idea before I have really thought it through.  Everyone does.  I can't do that because I have work, or its too late, or I'm too tired.  Yes, but.... throw it out.  Its garbage.  Say Yes, people.  Trust me.  Its been a fucking great summer.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Sailboating

Our trip to the Dominican got canceled when Lizzy got hospitalized for a bout of enflamed intestines (whatever the hell that means).  Lizzy was in a lot of pain for days.  Probably something one shouldn't have in a third world country.  We are planning on rescheduling our trip; I'm not sure when.  Needless to say, we were all pretty bummed.  It was a the right choice to stay home.  But we were all depressed.  In an effort of cheer us up, I called my friend Eric who just started his own sailing company; Narwal Yacht Charters.  He was generous to fit us in so last minute and we look a lovely sail around Manhattan at sunset.  The pictures really say it all:


Seriously!  Could this be anymore beautiful?!  I don't this view could ever get old.


My little sailor with his Gammy.  I thought Wyatt was going to get seasick even though he has been on boats before.  At one point he turned very green and asked to go in the cabin.  I distracted him and he was back to his joyous self in no time.


I love this picture.  Love, love.



The official old man of the sea.  He has salt water in his veins.


Eric let me take the boat for a spin.  I miss sailing so much!  I am so grateful for the wonderful memories with my family, to Eric for showing us an excellent day, and for the spirit of vacation that lives on his boat.  It wasn't the Dominican but it wasn't half bad either.

Monday, September 10, 2012

55 Months

Wy,

Another summer gone.  Another school year started.  It all started so quickly this year.  School, soccer, story time.  I feel like I am still stuck in February.  You have asked to take piano lessons too.  Maybe in the winter.  I'm not sure you know what a piano is but you do like to make up songs so I think it is a good choice to get you musically involved now.  I think you were ready for school.  You seemed to be getting a little bored of staying home with me.  Never bored with playing Legos.  Just bored staying home.  Maybe it is just the lack of kids.  The first day back was an orientation day so I got to stay with you.  You turned to me and said, "You can go now I'm fine." I responded, "Well Bud, thats not how today works.  Tomorrow I'll stay home."  You looked exasperated when you said, "I have more fun when you're not here."  I'd rather have that then a clinger.

We went on a date the other night.  I asked you if we could go out to dinner just the two of us.  You said it was ok, but only if we got pancakes.  So, we got pancakes.  Then we took a walk through the park and to the playground.  You held my hand the entire time.  When you asked why people hold hands on dates, I told you that it is a way to show how much you like the other person.  You said "Well, I love you a whole lot.  Should we hold both hands?" So we held both hands.  Then we walked to get ice cream.  When we got home you said, "Mom, do you know what comes next on a date? A sleepover!"  I'm not quite sure where you learned that from.  But I told you that you were right and we had a sleepover in Momma's big bed for the night.  It was the best date that I have been on in a long time.

Pa took you to your first fall soccer game since Gammy and I had to work.  Of course, you ended up scoring a goal.  Pa said that you were on the other side of the field and the coach threw the ball back into play right by you.  Pa starting screaming for you to get the ball and you finally did.  Running it to the goal.  It was the first thing you told me when I saw you.  "Mom!! The ball went right into the goal.  I got a goal!"  You were so proud.  It is the best thing watching that proud smile go ear to ear.

You have moved on a little from Super Heros, although you still want a Super Hero room.  Pa DVR'd Star Wars (I think the last one from the 60's) for you and that is your new love.  I thought you would be scared but you tell me it is only a pretend movie.  I find the lightsabering (you call it a Light Saver.  Its kind of adorable) a little concerning but you don't seem to be doing it in school.  I don't play these games with you.  I didn't even realize the extent of what you play or how you play until I was home with you and Pa.  I wondered into the living room to find this:
The poor quality is due to my uncontrollable laughter.  I had no idea that you were actually battling!  But of course, I had to join in on a few occasions.  Usually when I do, it ends up being you and Pa battling me.  You and Pa are best friends.

You have been very carefree with your "I love you's" lately.  I'll be making lunch and you will call me into the den just to tell me you love me.  Or when we are driving in the car.  On our lobster night you said "this is the life for me!"  On a beach day at Jen's you proclaimed "this is the best day ever!"  I wish that I could have half of your enthusiasm.  Your innocence. Your extreme love for everyone and everything.  Watching you fills me almost to bursting.  Your joy is infectious.

I will always love you.  Everyday.
Momma

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Its Raining, Its Pouring...


Don't worry with pants or anything.  Grab your boots.  Its raining.