This is the week in which I have to write about my butt in leggings, and also about female arousal products. Intriguing, right? You would think I’d be embarrassed, but I don’t embarrass easily. I think after living with four siblings and a mom who used to wear rainbow Converse and overalls to pick me up at school will do that to a girl. My mom used to wear rainbow Converse and overalls to school WHEN she was opening and re-parking my car after I had locked the keys in the car. With the engine running. While taking up three parking spots. I’m a class act sometimes, and other times, I’m a bigger buffoon than you.
This is also the last week I have before our longish Florida trip, so I will be checking in here and there, but mostly I’ll be facing my legit roller coaster phobia, and wearing a swimsuit in public. I think I just don’t care anymore. After the day or days I’ve had recently. After the weeks. There’s no point in doing anything but letting go. So what’s on my mind? I can answer that in a Currently post! I’m long overdue for one anyway. Next time you see me, it might be my butt. Or female arousal.
(Pretty much, Des. Pretty much.)
Reading: “After You” By Jojo Moyes. It’s the sequel to “Me Before You.” It’s due back in two days but I’m only a few chapters in. I’ve been told it’s not that great, but I’m certainly enjoying being in Louisa’s head again. It’s familiar and exciting.
Planning: Our vacation! It’s still evolving, even though it’s only five days away. It’s going to be something else entirely and you know I’ll be on Facebook, Instagram and eventually, the blog. We’re still figuring out which room or suite to stay in at our Disney resort. Then there’s what to eat, how to get Harry Potter wands, how to see the best fireworks, how tall the kids are and how many rides they can go on.. assuming they both want to go on rides. We don’t yet know if Des is more like me. Scarlet will go on anything. Then there are people to see within Florida, how many swimsuits to pack, if I can clear the DVR off before then, how to leave things with the cat, and.. and.. well that’s enough but there’s more, of course.
Stressing: I still stress about the things I stress about – bills, flights, when the next job is going to come in, roller coasters, my health, and many more things, but it’s different now. I’ve seen the alternative. I’ve seen a worst case scenario and what it could look like if all of this were to collapse, and the fear made everything else seem small. And there’s also a freedom there. It’s like I’m ready to start REALLY living the way I thought I was headed.. but I really wasn’t. Rock bottom. Sky high. Call it what you will. It’s all just things to be conquered. There’s such a higher, always. I could fly, if I really wanted. I do.
Wishing: For the health and happiness of my entire family, and that we continue to grow. Together.
Feeling: A little nervous, a lot excited, a little intimidated, a lot hopeful, a little congested, a lot still sleepy, a little overwhelmed, and a lot ambitious. I am feeling a big Monday morning – but it’s right before vacation – mix of feelings.
Listening: “Old Love” by Eric Clapton. I like the live versions.
Thinking: Of all I have to do this morning, before I can get in a long walk with Athena. Then of all I have to do this afternoon, before the kids come home. Then of all I have to do this week, before we take flight. In more ways than one, I hope.
Loving: Warm memories of the family weekend we had together. I didn’t work at all on Saturday. On Sunday I “only” had a morning photoshoot (adorable kids) and a blog post to write, but then I took the kids to the movies. I spent $34 on a terrible movie, only to have to carry three coats, two waters, two popcorns, M&Ms, cheese powder for Scarlet’s popcorn, and a rice krispie treat into the theater. Only for Des to yell “I have to poop!” several times in the theater, even though he didn’t. Only for Des to climb onto my lap and dig into my bladder for most of the movie. I’d do it again. Also a wonderful, wonderful Saturday and amazing snuggles with ALL members of the family. That includes the pets. I’m also loving organic frozen meals.
Wearing: A blue Fair Isle sweater that Scarlet picked out for me, and skinny jeans. Socks with cameras on them. Scarlet really wanted to pick out my clothes today, and I agreed, and she first jokingly picked out a willowy sundress. I said to Cassidy, “She’s really funny!” That is absolutely something I’d do to be funny. Wishing that I really could wear a sundress today.
Hoping: No one gets sick before Saturday! Well, Des is already sick. No one else! Hoping we can get everything packed and organized as a team. Hoping I can check everything off of my extremely long laundry list of things to do before our flight. Hoping for warm weather (there) and snowy weather (here) for all you snow lovers. Hoping for smooth days together and less irritation and more peanut butter cup ice cream. Hoping I won’t miss Athena and Penny too much. Hoping that new X-Files will give me the tingle it used to give me. Hoping that all of your many dreams come true. To you and you and you. And you!
I just know that you’re going to have lots of fun and I can’t wait to see the photos. Stop stressing and just let go. This year I’ve decided to do less stressing and just enjoy life. Stop caring about what people think about me and maybe even wearing that willowy sundress on a cold winter day. 🙂 Have fun in Florida!
The problem with the sundress is that I’m so darn cold! That said, I love the freedom when you shine so brightly that you really don’t care at all what people think.
I hope no one gets sick before or during your big vacation either! I wish we were going, but since everyone in my family is sick right now I am glad it is not this week we are going anywhere. Looking forward to the posts you have in the hopper this week. That all sounds fun!
Oh no – it’s not fair that you’re all sick! I’m hoping the warm(er) temperatures in Florida dry us out. It’s cold there now but supposed to be 81 when we go. Wheeeeeeeee!
Wishing you all continued (and better for Des) health so you can throw throw yourselves into this grand adventure. I hope you have lots of sunshine and ice cream. By the way, I have locked the keys in my car TWICE. Once when it was running, and once while sitting at the pump at a busy gas station on my lunch break. Oops. (I’m not known for having it all together.)
Heh, I’m not known for having it all together either. When I fall, I do it spectacularly. It’s like.. a gift.
I cannot believe your trip is almost here and seriously you are going to have so much fun. cannot wait to hear all about it and definitely hope this week goes quickly so you can get there already. Oh and let me know what you think of After You as I read it a few months ago and dying to know your thoughts especially after I know your reaction from the first one in this series.
Oh my, yes. I had nightmares! I remember that well. It totally destroyed me. And here I am, picking up the pieces and trying again! Ugh.
I JUST finished “After You!”! It was due on Friday so I scrambled to finish it Thursday, but I will still late to returning it. I’m also late finishing “Big Magic.” I’ve learned my lesson: don’t get two 2-week books at the same time when you’re still finishing other books, or at least check when your books are due when you check them out! 😉
I hope you have a FANTASTIC trip, which I know you will. Enjoy the warm weather and getting away from the New England winter for a bit!
That’s funny because I checked out three books from the library (THREE.. for a trip with two kids to Disney – what was I thinking?) and I had to make sure they were all three week rentals. Otherwise I will be in big trouble!
I want to read “Big Magic.” Next.
What a great post, Tamara. I feel the ups and downs, too. Oh, I’m so excited for your trip you would think I was going with you LOL. You’ll pack a sundress or two! You’ll look fabulous in your bathing suit! enjoy and try not to sweat the small stuff (cause it’s all small—or so they say). Great photos!
That sure is what they say, and it helps to hear!
I wish you could come! I’m sure I’ll be posting on good old Facebook as much as I normally do. I just can’t wait!!!
I always love these memes because the details help the reader know exactly how you are feeling. I empathize with your fear of rollercoasters and general anxiety about everything. Here’s hoping your trip is fantastic. Remember that most of what we worry about never comes true. At least that is what I tell myself when I start imagining worst-case scenarios. xo
I love that! I absolutely will think of it that way. It’s strange with the roller coaster thing. I know they’re safe but it’s like I get scared of that out of control feeling and that it will never end. Even though the coasters are usually only 1-2 minutes. Which is like nothing! A drop of time.
I’m curious to how this will all play out.
I remember hoping that no one would get sick as we approached vacation. And someone always did. In fact, it was usually the same someone. One time when we were jetting off early in the morning to a beach vacation, I spent the night before washing sheets from a coughing-turned-into-throwing-up fest. My husband realized he needed some scrip refill and went out to the 24 hour pharmacy and I remember thinking, “And some people are just sleeping… weird!”
As one of five kids, I’m no stranger to this! We mostly went away in the summer, though, so it wasn’t the usual lineup of colds and flus. Nope, it was more like a UTI or an ear infection or pink eye.
Or a dangerous sunburn, believe it or not! That was not me..
I wish you luck with your family vacation preparations this week, Tamara! I’ll be hoping and praying and crossing my fingers all during this week that your long awaited trip will be one to remember, and I enjoyed watching this live Clapton clip!
I thought you might enjoy the link! Clapton live is amazing.
I’m looking forward to our vacation, and also with being able to share it will all of you!
My kids have been wanting to see Road Chip. I need to take them before it leaves the theater. You are a brave mama, I never take my kiddos to the movie by myself. Because I just don’t have enough hands to handle it all.
I hope everyone stays well and Des gets better. So you guys can enjoy your vacation.
My husband took them to see that, I believe! He said it wasn’t very good! haha. Well, that’s to be expected.
On Friday night, I took THREE kids to the movies. That was not fun at all.
La Florida, the land of flowers as the Spanish named it, waits for y’all! We actually had snow on Saturday morning, but I never saw it. Next week looks like the weather will be great for you! I’ve liked Lake Buena Vista at Disneyworld. It’s not in the park and it’s free. It still has lots to see and do. It’s always been fun to rent a little speed boat there! Winter Park is an area in Orlando that is interesting also with shops, art, museums, restaurants, etc. The area has a small town feel even though it’s a part of Orlando. You can see the locals there 🙂
Our friends are there right now and they’re freezing! And they live here, so it must be cold by Florida standards and tourist standards! You’re right, though. It looks awesome for when we’re there.
We’ll be in Orlando first and then St. Augustine. I don’t expect St. Augustine to be very warm! Last year it wasn’t! I loved it, though.
Vilano Beach just north of St Augustine is a great beach and the Reef restaurant there is a good place that’s right on the beach.
The Conch House in St Augustine is another fun restaurant.
Thanks for the tip! Last year we ate at Harry’s Bar & Grille which was downtown. Very fun to eat outside in January! That’s a big deal for us!
We also got takeout from Mango Mango’s and it was DELICIOUS.
The Conch House has outside individual table gazebo seating, and it’s on the inter-coastal waterway just across the Bridge of Lions from the city! You can look up either of the places online.
I seem to recall breakfast at The Conch, and boy was it awesome.
Thanks for the reminder!
I got the overdue notice in my inbox yesterday for a book I haven’t even started. 🙁 I just hate when all the books do not have the same turn in date.
Fingers crossed that everyone stays healthy this week and while you are away! I hope you have a lovely trip.
We stayed at the Contemporary Resort when we went to Disney World, the location is perfect!
XOXO
I checked out two Liane Moriarty books THREE times and didn’t crack them at all. I’ve had to pay late fees for them too. At this point, I should just buy them!
The Contemporary is nice! The monorail goes through it, right? I always think how convenient that seems.
I love your currently posts and I’m TOTALLY due to write one myself as well.
What lovely pictures.
I hope Des gets better soon – and that no one else gets sick. My oldest woke up this morning – sick with a sore throat and cough *please don’t make it be strep, please don’t make it be strep*.
Wishing you a lovely week and some fabulous adventures ahead.
xoxo
I look forward to your Currently post! Oddly, I saw three today, which seems high. We must all have it on our minds!
I hope your daughter feels well. Strep can be really, really annoying!
I know you are going to have a great time on your trip! I can’t wait to follow along and vacation vicariously through you!
I wish you could REALLY come with us!
Me too! TRULY! I just need to convince Adam that we need to move to Northampton, LOL!
That can’t be too hard! Tell him there are very nice people here. And lots of land. And some moose and ice cream.
I hope you all have a fabulous time at Disney! As you know from our FB convo, I would love to go back and actually mentioned it to hubby over the weekend – he just rolled this eyes and said (Do you know how many cool places we could go with the money it would cost to go to Disney again?” Ugh! Anyway, I recently finished After You. LOVED Me Before You, but this one was just so-so. And, I found the ending very disappointing – I think she is leaving it open for another sequel maybe?? But, I wanted closure.
Interesting. You’re the second person to say that about After You!
And I do get it about David. We’ve grumbled through that conversation a few times. Ultimately, we were gifted a full Florida vacation two years ago. Then last year we received plane tickets as a holiday gift and couldn’t resist also visiting Orlando.
This year, we paid for most of it ourselves and we’re experiencing sticker shock.
I asked if next year we could go to Italy or something!
Your vacation excitement is fueling my vacation excitement! We’ve been snowed in, and I’ve been trip planning. Yours is the first blog I’ve visited in three days. It’s like the whole world pauses during a snowstorm.
I’m still ready to trade it in for mouse ears though!
I hear that! About a week or two ago, I had some personal problems and my sister’s baby shower and my Bloglovin feed got up to… like 200 unread. I wanted to mark all as unread but I love you all too much.
So I understand how easy it is to get behind, although snow days are great excuses.
I love vacation excitement all around!
I think I misunderstood your comment on my blog. I thought you were already in Florida. Well I hope Des gets better before you leave. I swear airborne is a miracle worker so the rest of you should start drinking/taking it. I love the currently post idea. I just read Lisa’s from The Golden Spoons. I never heard of a currently post before that.
There are a few different formats for the Currently posts – and I can’t remember where I found mine! Lisa did a different prompt. They are fun!
And yes, Florida is happening this weekend. This week is a scramble to get things done(ish).
I’ve never heard of a ‘Currently post’, but I do admit it makes perfect sense and is totally beautiful and you. I can relate to many things, but at this point most to THINKING – it is basically how I fly these days – sigh. I also just read your Life Coach blog – that is a good one, too. You really did that with them? I have been thinking of getting a ‘personal coach’ or whatever you call them…
Yup, I really did it! It was a very interesting experience for me. I’ll do it again too!
As for Currently posts, they’ve been making their way through the blog world for years now. It’s nice to catch one! What’s odd is that there were three yesterday. It’s like we were all thinking the same thing.
I hope Des feels better soon! I am so happy that you and the family are going Disney World trip. I always love your photos from those trips. Stay healthy and try not to stress. It will come together for you all and rock that bathing suit!
I’m definitely popping the Zinc! I’m also feeling mostly ok. I’ve been decent enough with my anxiety throughout the last few months. Let’s hope I can keep it like this!
I was just talking to mom today about taking my future kid(s) to Disney and living in the magic….So pumped for you!
If we’re really lucky, we can find a way to do it with Marisa and kid(s) and Mitch too! All of us!
Have a great vacation. I’m jealous! I can’t wait to go back.
And I have a roller coaster phobia too. Did you see the picture of me screaming on the Seven Dwarves Mine Train? You’d have thought it was a gigantic drop or something from the way I was carrying on…
Yup, yup. That’s the one I have to do! This family is adamant about it. I’m glad it’s nothing truly scary like Space Mountain. And at least the Mine Train has those cool and slow pockets of going through the mines and getting your stomach back.
Right..?? Right???
Hooray for Disney and Harry Potter! Hope you are able to relax on your vacation and that everyone is healthy and able to enjoy it 🙂
Thanks! I won’t be blogging and I’ll only be moderately on Facebook, so there’s that! I can’t wait for Scarlet to get her own Hermione wand!
There’s just something about the week before a great vacation. The anticipation of something great to come, coupled with the dreaded to do list that never seems to end. I know you will have an amazing time, and I can’t wait to read all about it.
You’ll even get to read more about last year because I’m setting up posts for when I’m gone that have unseen photos from last year’s trip!
I’m all up in arms with stress, but some of it is good stress.
Still wear converse and overalls. Still got tingles fr
X files!
All of that is PERFECT!
Have a fantastic trip, Tamara! I love your no-shame attitude 🙂 And yes, fingers crossed no one gets sick before a vacation, especially the kids. That’s got to be the worst because there’s no way to plan for it! Although on our last SF trip, I got sick but somehow managed to still enjoy it overall!
I remember my friend’s husband getting the FLU while they were visiting SF. That would be rough! I think it goes with the territory of family vacations sometimes. Oh well!
You’re so adorable. So are your kiddos. I hope you have a WONDERFUL trip!!! I am always amazed at how much you do. Seriously. You’re INCREDIBLE!!! Btw- I love your mom. That visual of her in the overalls and converse shoes cracks me UP!!
My mom is way cool. I’m glad I finally learned that!
I wish you all could come to Disney with me.
Take me with you! I’m so tired of the cold and snow.
Me too, and we haven’t even really gotten snow yet! Not at all!
Have a great trip. I’ll just be here, totally jealous of your skinny jeans and if you go on a roller coaster. Ha!
I bought a bikini top. What?! Crazy. I don’t even have any bottoms to go with it. I just liked the top. What is my life!!?? What am I even doing…
Well, that’s fun! Bikini bottoms are overrated. Now you can pair them with board shorts or a skirt or snow pants. The world is your oyster..
Definitely don’t sweat the small stuff, and focus on having fun and people watching! I have been working out for a couple of weeks and changed up my eating habits…I won’t even look at getting into a bathing suit for at least another 6 weeks. Too frightful!!! 🙂
I hear that!
I saw some of your healthy eating on Facebook. Looks delicious!
Ugh, I swear, when someone gets sick, EVERYONE gets sick. Even people who live in the Internet. Its crazy contagious. Have fun and hoping you guys stay well! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Generally we’re not all four sick at once. It’s like two and two or one and three or three and one. Then we all got hit with a three week cold in November. And not all at once. Staggered through like.. a gazillion weeks.
Horrible!
I hope you have a fantastic vacation! You deserve it! I didn’t really care for After You – it’s wasn’t bad, but not Me Before You:)!.
It’s certainly a slower read! I was long done with Me Before You. Now After You is due back to the library and I’m only 1/4 through.
Think I can read it on the plane on Saturday? I’m sitting next to Des. (that’s a joke. There’s no way I will)
Sometimes these ‘currently’ posts are just what’s needed. Love that Scarlet has the humor to pick out a sundress in the middle of winter. I really hope you can sit back and enjoy a few days before you leave…and that you have the best time ever on your trip!
I’m not sure I’ll relax at all before I leave, but certainly while I’m there! Well.. maybe not during the five days at WDW. But the beach house in St. Augustine? That’s my relax ticket!
I have a Jojo Moyes book hanging around here somewhere. I’m not sure which one though! I need to find it. Good luck with the final details and planning I know your trip will be nothing short of magical!
Hi Tamara, hope you have a fab holiday and the weather is perfectly warm (just as you would like it). I think Mums feel the strain before heading away on holiday, we have so much to think of in the present whilst trying to plan for the holiday, so you are bound to be feeling an array of emotions.
Sounds like Saturday was a hoot! It’s one thing being a pack horse and another being a pack horse that has to take a little one for a much publicized poop!
xx
Ahh it’s another big trip for you. Can be exhausting but also exciting. Somehow I’m in a simillar situation since we’re flying to our hometown next week and I have almost 7 years of stuff to pack. Don’t know how that’s gonna work.
Anyway, hope you have a smooth planning for your vacation. Enjoy!
I love organic frozen meals too!! Hope everyone stays healthy and you have a great time in Florida.
Dang. Was it good? I didn’t see it yet. Wait. Don’t tell me.
Hopefully you’re in sunny Florida right now.
I’m so incredibly excited to hear about all of your adventures this week, my sweet. From the photographs I’ve seen on FB it looks like you and the family are having the time of your lives. And I am with you on the roller coaster fear. It’s legit and I understand completely. That said, my brother’s gf totally coerced me into going on quite a few with her when I went to Disney in October and I’m so glad that she did. Even though I nearly peed my pants on a kiddie coaster, it was worth it. But I’m good for a while now 🙂
Also I’m like you–takes a lot to have me really embarrassed these days. I think that’s a good thing! XOXO