Selfless

I have a new found respect for working mothers. I have taken for granted all of those precious minutes every morning that I take to get ready. Every hour to myself reading. Every bathroom trip and every quiet second to reflect. Tyler and I have been baby sitting his four cousins for the past five days. I have not and will not be taking any days off. So for now, I am a working mom. It's draining.

I actually look forward to going to work so I can have a few hours to think. But. When I'm at work, I just want to be back with the kids. We have 9 days to go. Never have I been more emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted in my life. The kids aren't even hard. It's probably more in my head than anything. Worrying about if they will make it to school on time, keeping their bellies full, their faces smiling and most of all, keeping them alive.

This experience has also shed some light on the man I though I knew...

We have been together 5 years. In this small window of time, I thought I really knew him. What makes him happy, mad, sad etc. There is always something to learn. From the very first day, I noticed a change in Tyler.

He is the happiest I have ever seen him.

When one child is crying, one child is yelling and the other two are making the Tazmanian Devil look like a little lamb, Tyler is smiling his perfect smile and laughing his contagious, squinty-eyed laugh.

I don't get it.

He should be stressed out, pulling his hair out, curled up in a corner. Stressed.

Not Tyler.

He always seems to find the perfect thing to say to help each and every situation. The kids love him and he loves them. It's hard NOT to notice.

I sit back and watch him be him.

My chambered heart bursts with love.

BIG NEWS

Please note that Saladsforlife will be out of comission in 3 days. You can now listen to my nonsensicals at

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loversandtreehugger.blogspot.com

Make the change or else. Nothing. Just do it.

Short Thoughts

Since having this new hair, or lack of, I have noticed some things.
When I get ready for the day, 5 times out of ten have to change outfits because that particular choice doesn't go with short hair. Like today. I started off wearing a sweater vest. A month ago it would have looked fine because the length of my hair made me look fun and carefree and that counteracted the business style of the vest. Now the short do' just adds to the business style and I can't look too professional cause than I just look uptight.

Second and biggest observation I have noticed is how every single man has reacted to my hair. I have been confronted by many men at work that decide it's their civic duty to tell me that they liked my long hair better...why? Why men, why?! All of a sudden they have an opinion?
How am I supposed to respond when they tell me this?

Thanks? I'll start growing out again? Sorry that I disappointed you?

It's just a phase I'm going through?

I just end up just getting mad because for a second I feel like I have to explain myself to them. I hate explaining my actions to people. So...naturally this gets me thinking. Why do men like long hair so much? This is my theory...
When men think of their ideal woman, they think of a young woman. Young woman are girls in high school. Most high school girls have long hair. High school girls are fun, spontaneous, and peppy. Woman, if they decide cut their hair, it's once they have a family and children. Things start to slow down in the fun, and spontaneous area.
long hair=young, peppy
short hair=old, boring
So now, when men tell me that they liked my hair better when it was long, I just get creeped out because what they're really thinking is, "Man, I really like high school girls."

Last observation. Having long hair doesn't mean it looks good on you. Woman get caught up in thinking that they have to have long hair to be pretty and feminine. Not the case. If you have the right style that frames and flatters your face, it will make you look better than long hair ever could. I think maybe woman have the same thought as men. They need to keep their long hair cause that's what they had in high school and that's when they looked their best.

People change! Your hair should too!

yes

Organic Girls is up. My article should be posted within this next week.

wooohoo!

Jode-Man

When some one tries to tell mom what to do, her famous phrases are:

"I'll decide" and "Don't tell ME"

Mom loves to sing and dance along with her trusty ipod. She often times sings to strangers. Most of the time it is while she is in the middle of a Coheed & Cambria or an Incubus song.... I'm surprised she hasn't been called into the bishop's office yet.

She loves to talk with her hands when she is describing things. Her favorite word to describe anything is 'very'.

(imagine sprinkle fingers)

"Very juicy" "Very Moist" "Very Delicate"

She once mooned the Mail Man just for a good laugh.

Mom detests love stories, sappy love movies and love books. She gags at the thought of watching people confess their love and kiss and cry all in one movie. Me and Meagan had to DRAG her into the movie 'My Sister's Keeper'. It really was a 20 minute power struggle. She gave in but of course, would not shed a tear. All she needs are a few explosions and some gun shots and she is a happy woman... I guess that means my love of Lifetime movies come from my grandma Medonich.

When mom cooks, she makes us ooooohh and aahhhh through the whole meal to show our satisfaction.

She won't put up with "Bad Signage" for garage sales. She also hates driving while we are garage sailing. I think all the turning and starting and stopping confuses her.

She will not be caught dead playing silly, fun group games like Charades and Pictionary.

She acts tough and untouchable but she is really just a very skinny, attractive Teddy Bear.

Mom we love you.

Love,

Coco and Meg

Beaut

Look how good I look. I promise this picture wasn't planned. I always look this good.

**Pictures courtesy of Meagan Henson and her iphone**
The true color is better represented in the first few pictures. Thanks for helping sister Meagan. Thank you Mom for talking me out of leaving the flower applique on the drawer despite Meag's best efforts. Thank you dad for letting us live at the shop and eating Zub's with us.

Paint Fumes

Yard sale. $25. Me likey.

Hi.

Finished product coming in due time. Or tomorrow.

p.s. can almonds go stale?

Surrender, no. Please?! FINE.

The plea has been plead. Tyler asked me to stop being so sarcastic all the time. Apparently it hurts his feelings. If I didn't love him so much I would call him a baby. But I won't.

This is like asking me to stop breathing or eating or watching Lifetime! Oh man. How does one change a way of thinking? A way of life?! *breathe Courtney*

If I don't have sarcasm, what do I have? I'll tell you.

Niceness and vulnerability. Hard pill to swallow.

I am now asking for your help. Please verbally slap me if you hear me saying anything even potentially sarcastic.

I REALLY REALLY NEED YOUR HELP!

p.s. my anti-sarcasm starts and ends with Tyler. I will still be the same cynical person here.