Reunited and it Feels So Good

A few months ago, I put on my favorite earrings before work in the morning - a sweet little pair of white gold hoops that Husband and Lucy gave me for my birthday 2 years ago.

Later that day, I was getting in my car to go to a meeting, looked in the rearview mirror, and noticed that one of those sweet little earrings was gone.

I did a quick comb through my car - nothing. At risk of being late for my meeting, I ran back into the building and looked all over my office, hoping to find it. Nothing. When I returned from my meeting, I checked everywhere I'd been in the building - hallways, conference rooms, different floors, the cafe downstairs. Nothing.

I held out hope that perhaps it had fallen off even before I made it to work, so I searched everywhere when I got home. You guessed it - nothing.

Even months later, I still held out hope of it turning up somewhere, but it wasn't looking good. Husband must've also been feeling skeptical, because he got me another pair to celebrate a promotion I got back in April (combined with an advance Mother's Day gift). They were nice and I wear them often...but they aren't the same.

Today I was having some trouble with the cords that run through the hole in my desk down to the outlet on the floor. I tugged on them a bit, but then had to get down on my hands and knees under my desk to free them up.

What do you think I saw?

One sweet little white gold hoop!

I know I looked there before. Maybe it was lodged in the tangle of cords. It's a miracle it didn't get vacuumed up in all these months.

Whatever the reason, I couldn't be happier! Happy Friday the 13th, and Happy (early) Birthday to Me!

Summer, Summer, Summer...

"...turns me upside down..." (Magic, The Cars, 1984)

So here we are, past "mid" July, practically staring down the barrel of August…with the undeniable feeling that we are on the back slope of summer. I know this time of year I feel an urgency to cram all that I can into the remaining days and weeks.

As I was putting together this blog and lamenting the things we HAVEN'T done yet; I went through the photos and thought - hey, we've done plenty! And it occurred to me that the best summer moments are not always "planned," like these:

Finding a mud puddle, and getting washed with a garden hose.

Getting an unexpected shoulder ride.

Eating ice cream on the deck.

Feeding ducklings.

Bouncing and sliding!

Picking flowers at Grandma's house.

Once again, a valuable lesson comes through the eyes of a two-year-old.

Ladies Weekend

Last weekend I had the pleasure of being invited to a ladies weekend at Grandview Lodge in Nisswa, MN. It's only about 2 1/2 hours north of "The Cities," and yet felt like a step into another world. I can't remember another time I have been away for a whole weekend since Lucy was born.

What a beautiful place. It was like walking around in a snow globe. The main lodge is a historic building, and I was charmed from the moment I walked in. The guest cabins are amazing, and we got quite a deal through a special winter weekend package.

Oh, and did I mention there is a spa on the premises? Glacial Waters Spa is an Aveda spa, and I spent almost the whole day Saturday there. I had my first facial and after a few minutes of, "OK, I'm paying a lady to rub stuff on my face..." it was actually very relaxing - I even fell asleep for a little bit! My skin felt amazing afterward, too. It's too bad I can't afford all the products in that 8-step process to beautiful glowing skin! After the facial I was able to sit in the Relaxation Room and finish a book, and then headed into my 60-minute deep tissue massage. Just writing that now makes my back ache for another one! It's a crazy feeling getting up from the massage table...I call it a "massage hangover." Your hair is all messed up, you've got marks on your face from laying face down on the table, and you're groggy from being so relaxed. I was able to take a shower and relax for a bit more before heading back to the cabin to rejoin my group.

Another thing I was able to do on this weekend retreat was go out. Not that I never go out, but in this case I didn't have to drive myself anywhere, and I didn't have to worry about having to wake up at 6AM and put on my mommy hat. We drank beer out of pitchers at a townie bar and danced to a bunch of new music we didn't know, and cleared the floor of anyone but us when we requested tunes from the early '90s. We felt a little old at times but we also felt mighty awesome. It could've been the 3.2 beer but I'm sure it was more about some ladies cutting loose!

All in all this weekend reminded me that I'm a much better mom, wife, co-worker when I give myself a break. Even in packing for the weekend I realized I haven't bought myself any new clothes in a long time, and I don't have any good clothes that aren't for work or aren't for knocking around the house chasing around a toddler and doing laundry. And that reminded me that I work and I'm a mom, but there's also a little bit of me in between the two. That woman needs some time too.

I'll be heading back next year. :)

I'm Not the Only One

Last weekend I was in Bed, Bath and Beyond looking for some things for the house. While amidst the window treatments, I overheard this:

Wife: "So what do you think about these drapes? I think they would probably work in the livingroom."

Husband: "Looks fine."

Wife: "Do you think they're too long? I guess we could try them and if they don't work we can just return them."

Husband: "Yep."

Wife: "Do you think the color is too dark?"

Husband: "I don't care."

Wife: "I'm asking for your opinion!"

Husband: "I don't have an opinion!"

While it was slightly uncomfortable to hear this going on 5 feet away from me, I walked away oddly comforted that I'm not the only one who's had this conversation.

You Want A What?

Brandon: Hey Jess, do you have a minus screwdriver in here?

Me: A what?

Brandon: You know, one of those screwdrivers that has a minus instead of a plus.

It took me a moment, but I got it. And it makes perfect sense. Why call it flathead or Phillips when this way is so much simpler?

Presumptive Assumptions

Lastnight as I was driving home, I reached into my bag for my wallet. It was not in the place it should be. Some idle perusing revealed nothing. I worried that I had left it on my desk at work. In fact I convinced myself I was sure I had left it on my desk. Then I worried the cleaning guy or someone else might be tempted to swipe it. Given the impending house purchase, this would be a very bad time to lost my wallet.

I called my office mate and asked if he could look to see if it was there. As he was looking, I dug deeper into my bag, and voila! It was right there. I kicked myself for making the assumption and calling my co-worker before I took the time to really look.

Later that evening Husband and I went out for dinner. I paid our bill and stuck my wallet back in my coat pocket. Or did I? We got home and as we walked in the door, I reached into my pocket and it wasn't there. I got into the driver's side of Husband's vehicle and looked over in the passenger seat. Nothing there. I figured of course I left my wallet at the restaurant. I had forgotten the remaining pork chop that the waitress had packaged up for me, so it made sense that I would be so stupid as to leave my wallet there also. So I drove back to the restaurant (luckily within 5 minutes of our place) and guess what? They didn't have it. Hadn't seen it. A sickening feeling came over me...did someone take it? As I walked back to the car, mind racing, I need to call the bank, I need to call my credit card company, how is this going to affect my credit report? I thought I'd better take one last look in the Envoy. I opened the passenger door this time, and reached my hand down between the seat and the console, and once again, voila.

I am lucky, but I can't help but think the universe is trying to tell me something. Like "hang onto your money, girl," or maybe even "quit worrying so much about money, things will work out." But the message that came through loud and clear is that I NEED TO SLOW DOWN. Take a moment to think about what I'm doing. Have a little faith in myself.

Don't automatically assume the worst.

The Nothing Box

You've all heard the jokes about women's brains vs. men's brains...I don't think this video could be any more accurate. The amazing thing is, Husband agrees! (Thanks for sending, Marcey)

Say What?!

I woke up this morning with the song "Let's Get Physical" by Olivia Newton-John in my head. I have not heard this song recently, so it must have been triggered by something in a dream. And no, it was not that kind of dream. I think I would remember that.

Anyway, it got me thinking about how when you're young, the meaning of certain songs completely escapes you. You like a song because of the beat, the melody, whatever. You may have been singing every word as an 8-year-old, but had no idea what you were saying. Now listening as an adult, you're thinking "Whoa! Did my parents know I was listening to this?!"

Take "Let's Get Physical." It's about working out, right? I remember the video, with Olivia and all those sweaty fat guys in the gym, and the surprise! shocking! ending. But I'm pretty sure the song is not just about an afternoon on the treadmill.

Some other examples:

Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard

As a kid I wondered why on earth anyone would want sugar poured on them. Gross!

As an adult I realize the power of the metaphor.


Little Red Corvette - Prince

A guy singing about his car, sweet.

Car = girl; the oldest analogy around.


Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions

Yeah! This song rocks! Like a hurricane! Powerful rock!

Google those lyrics and you will be amazed. My mouth dropped. Shame on German hair bands!


Is this proof that our top-40 songs are inundated with sexual innuendo?

Or is it proof that people rarely pay attention to lyrics, and if you've got a good beat and a kick-ass chorus, you've got it made?

You be the judge.

Blast From the Past

Anyone watch the show "World Series of Pop Culture" on VH1? (I know some of you do). Tonight I recorded the first episode of the season on DVR, and am currently watching it. On one of the teams, I found a familiar face. MY BOYFRIEND WHEN I WAS 18 (freshman year of college). He looks a little different, but the name and the sense of humor match up. Too funny!

For those of you who knew him, go here, and under Check It Out, click "Meet the Teams on VSpot" and click on "Fat Guys in Little Coats" for a video clip. (Sorry there's not a more direct link). Some of you will get a real kick out of this, including you, Mom and Dad.

No Autographs, Please

So lastnight I had my local television debut. As part of a project I've been working on, I presented some information to a City Council, which was taped and will be on continuous loop at City Hall, and will replay on local access television. Did I mention this also happens to be the city I currently live in? Generally we consultants have the benefit of not living in the area where the local broadcast is televised, so we can live in blissful ignorance of our performance. But I can watch and critique myself. Yee-ha.

I had a bit of a rocky start. Im typically an adequate multi-tasker, but adjusting the mic (because it's always too short for me), remembering the words, moving the slides, not saying "um," deciding whether to look at the big screen or the computer screen in front of me, while still maintaining some semblance of eye contact with the 25 people staring at you (including your boss and client), is a bit daunting. Podiums have always been uncomfortable for me. I always feel weird behind there - don't know what to do with my HANDS, always feel like I'm bending down weird to reach the microphone. I'd feel better stepping out away from it, having my HANDS free and not having a barrier between me and the audience. But I pulled it together and did just fine in the end.

So do you notice a theme here? Ladies and Gentlemen, I am a Hand Talker. In casual conversation, my HANDS are moving like crazy. It's how I express myself I suppose. When I'm behind a podium I feel confined because I don't know what to do with my HANDS. Eureka! Note to self: get a lapel mic.

PS - I say local television debut, because seven years ago while visiting New York City, I had a 30-second interview air on MSNBC. National exposure, woo-hoo, I think a total of one person saw it. I had just gotten off the subway, having ridden the 7 train on my way to my first Mets game at Shea Stadium, and they wanted to ask some questions about John Rocker. I couldn't tell you what I said, but it was cool anyway.