Moody Q’s
February 6th, 2008
Why do I feel like crying right now?
Thinking about my many far-away friends—old ones, new ones, those who’ve just moved away and those whom I’ve not seen in years.
Why does the Lush bubble bar Annalie is using in her bath right now make me gag?
It smells sickly-sweet like the air-conditioning on the Trailways buses that I rode from Omaha to Houston and a round-trip from Omaha to California the summer I was eight years old. I spent several days on those buses with my mom and little brother, thanks to Cheerios offering free kids’ tickets in exchange for a certain number of proofs-of-purchase. At the time it was an adventure, but that smell has nauseated me ever since.
Why am I sitting here with a heating pad on my back?
I really don’t know. I slept in a funny position? I’ve been hefting a 35-pound child in and out of shopping carts and carseats for the past month? I bent over to pick up a sock? Who knows, with back pain.
Why I am suddenly playing Chutes and Ladders by myself, listening to Annalie wail as she clatters down the stairs?
Because I had the audacity to suggest that we play by the actual rules at least once. She refuses to believe that just because I go up a ladder on the first turn while she is stuck on a plain square doesn’t mean that I am winning. I want to show her that anyone can jump ahead or fall behind with the next spin, and that’s the whole reason the game is fun. But she refuses to let me.
Why did helping Annalie make a birthday card for a playgroup friend who moved away last year make me feel so much better?
Markers! Glue! Sparkly plastic jewels! Preschooler handwriting! CREATIVITY!
(As long as I’m on the subject, I’ve been meaning to blog this birthday card Annalie made for her friend Dylan last week. She still has to be coaxed a little, but look how good she’s getting at writing! This is all Annalie’s own handwriting—no tracing over letters I had written or connecting dots. She just looked at an example I wrote out for her and copied it. She drew the heart over on the right side, too! Look at what my super-duper, specially-gifted child hath wrought! I truly don’t mean to brag, but…I’m kind of amazed that my BABY is writing words. Plus I want to have a record of it.)
Do I have any idea how to end this post?
Not really. How about I show you a photo I took of Troy this morning, as he was heading out the door to work? I added this to the 30 tiny moments pool on Flickr. I think I do a pretty good job of capturing all of life’s moments—not just the big occasions—with my camera, but Kerflop’s post has stayed in my mind and I’ve been more consciously trying to grab my camera when something catches my eye. Like this:
or this:
Blessings abound. I just have to remember to look for them.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I like this post a lot. So exciting that Annalie is learning to write! And I think you do an amazing job of capturing everyday moments and emotions in your photos - I really love that about your flickr stream and now your blog - its something that I’ve been trying to do more of recently, too. You are right - there is so much to be happy about if we just look. My mom’s friend used to call it putting your “noticing glasses” on. :)
February 6th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I like how in the last photo of Annalie you can see the grout from the floor ‘through’ her foot. Very cool. As a woman of a man who also wears a military uniform, I have to say “nice”. Can’t wait to see what else you capture!!
February 6th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Oh wow. A man in uniform. I love it when my husband wears a uniform. He’s not in the military or anything, just has to wear a uniform at work. I love it.
Annalie is doing great in her printing!!
February 6th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
We all need reminders to look for our blessings from time to time.
February 6th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Having a bum day? Me too! Good to know that I am not the only one. I hope tomorrow is better for you.
February 6th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I’m sending you lots of hugs, but I know they probably aren’t needed after uniforms and dancing embraced you.
February 6th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Annalie is well on her way to following in her Momma’s footsteps with those cards. I love little kid’s writing, the energy you know it takes for them to write a card is such a wonderful gift.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:33 am
You are amazing! Living in the moment, picture by picture, love it!
February 7th, 2008 at 1:05 am
I’m pouting because I still can’t see any of Flickr’s photos. (It’s getting ridiculous. I wish they would fix it for the million of us suffering).
February 7th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Matching uniforms!! Give your sweetie extra hugs and kisses, since I can’t hug mine right now.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I love your photos :). And grabbing a photo at the opportune moment is what it is all about.
And moodiness, well, it’s February. So many people get moodie or the blues this time of year. I just find I don’t do anything fun in February. I was hoping to head downtown today, but the whack of snow that is falling, again, is keeping me home. Spring isn’t too far away!!
February 7th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Great post, Bethany!
Your cup runneth over :)
February 9th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I like this — maybe because the moodies always make me ask questions questions questions.
I know the far away friends blues — I was an army brat growing up. Not easy.