Something you may not know about me is that I have recently become a HUGE fan of ukulele music. Traditional, non-traditional, uke-punk, you name it, I pretty much love it. (I think Amanda Palmer , for one, can be credited with really feeding this obsession. And IZ, for another.)
Anyway, amateur musician that I am (or used to be, anyhow) I've been jonesing for a uke of my own for a while. Of course, I've never felt entitled to spend the money on something so unnecessary for myself (even though a decent beginner uke is only about $50). I've made do, instead, with listening to lots of music, scouring you-tube and giving my poor piano some love while wishing she was someone else. Shameful!
But my husband, bless him, took matters into his own hands and surprised me yesterday with a ukulele of my own, out of the blue! Its not my birthday, our anniversary...anything! (Its pretty much the same model I linked to above.)
I love it so much! My playing is so rudimentary that its comical but you have to start somewhere, right? So far its much easier for my relatively small hands to get around on than my acoustic guitar is. And I love the pure, light sound a uke makes.
It has been really hard to put it down and do things like eat, brush my teeth, or sleep. I just want to play it all the time. Also, its the perfect Otto size so he can have some fun with it too.
Here, for your listening/viewing enjoyment, one of the best you-tube ukulele acts I've found so far: GUGUG performing some Ramones. Loooooooooove.
ETA: IF and when I can play an actual song to the point of minimal embarrassment, I just might put it out here for you guys. Maybe. :)
Sorry that last post was such a downer. They were thoughts that needed processing- worries that needed articulating. After writing about it and talking with friends, I'm in a much saner place regarding my son's possible debauchery in a decade or so. (I never said I wasn't kind of nuts :-) He's only 2, and I'm a good parent, dammit. It will all be ok. Right? Right.
Anyhow. Its been a horrible week. We found out a couple days ago that my little brother and his partner miscarried and lost their baby. She was 9 weeks along. The pregnancy itself was unexpected but we were all excited and already embracing this new little life. The miscarriage came at a terrible time (well, what time wouldn't be terrible): While they were in the middle of moving. So they are stuck in a hotel, a rental truck wracking up charges and she is in a lot of pain.
I feel so helpless sitting here, hundreds of miles away. They are having to go through their own hell right now and it sucks that I can't just make everything ok for my little brother. We've been in touch and I've let them know that we're "here for them" but what does that really mean when you're in Wyoming and they are elsewhere?
* * * * * * * * * * * * (Warning; This next section might be TMI for the squeamish)
In other news, not so serious news, we had an AWESOME experience of P.I.B. last night. What's that, you ask? Poop In the Bath! Whee!! I was sitting on the (closed, thanks) toilet last night chatting with my mom about the little brother stuff while Otto luxuriated in the bath tub. Suddenly he stood up, started crying and yelling "Poop in the bath, Mama! I'm sorry!"
Sigh.
After assuring Otto that is was OK and not to be sad-" it was just an accident!", I yelled for the Husband to come help and together we awkwardly held Otto up while pouring clean water over him. Then I fished the turds out with rubber gloves and sanitized the tub best I could.
We all got to bed a little late, so I slept in and skipped my work out.
It totally rocked! Yay parenting!!!
(I'm sure this happens to everyone else too. Feel free to share your own P.I.B. stories in the comments. Whee!!)
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lastly, some fun news that I feel kind of guilty about- I'm getting a Kindle!! I've wanted one for a long time and we are getting a big enough tax return that the Husband suggested I go for it. (Mainly because I think HE wants a new acoustic guitar and doesn't want to feel guilty about it, heh.) We're still going to have plenty to pay off some bills (we're still paying for my varicose vein surgery I had in September and for Otto's broken arm) and replenish our savings a bit.
Anyhow, I've been perusing the free download-able content at Amazon and am super stoked: Jane Austen, Lewis Carroll, Conan Doyle...lots of classics for free or cheap along with cheap bestsellers (9.99 on most)...but. Even though the Kindle is now $100 cheaper it still seems so expensive...it feels so indulgent to be spending that much on myself. Not totally in a bad way, I guess.
Also, I'm ordering a custom cover from Etsy (check out this shop!) which has been as fun as anything. I DEFINITELY need a cover because HELLO? Two-year old, puppy, tendency to drop things...And the proprietor of above shop is willing to do Velcro AND corner tabs for me, ensuring a very secure attachment of Kindle to cover. After much rumination, I chose the fabric below by Michael Miller for my cover and placed the order today. Squee!
So that, in a large nutshell is where I'm at. Grieving, cleaning up poop, (hopefully) regaining some sanity, and looking forward to ebooks. Its not all bad, but I'm ready for Spring in more ways than one.
I'll leave you with a favorite song of the moment:
With the arrival of the solstice, its official...the sun is on its way!!! I'm so looking forward to watching the return of the light- minute by minute. That's really what this season is about for me- remembering that even in the deepest, darkest winter, there is still light and even though the world seems dead, its alive and already preparing for Spring.
Now we're tackling the last work day before the break and looking forward to a Griswaldian Old Fashioned Family Xmas with the husband's parents and then a visit with my side of the family in a cabin in the Rockies complete with snowshoeing, board games and awkward moments among some siblings who haven't spoken in months. Yay!
Peace to you and yours and have a joyful holiday- whichever you choose to celebrate!!
Some observations, in no particular order or importance:
1. Microwave s'mores are sort of like nicotine gum - will satisfy a strong craving but are no where NEAR as good as the real thing.
2. I found myself looking in the mirror this morning wondering if instead of making feeble attempts to hide my dark circles with concealer, I should rather embrace them and start a whole new pale, dark-circled beauty trend. Sort of a 30-something mom meets heroin chic look?
3. WTF is up with the rule that says my hair/make-up/outfit that looks super cute in the bathroom mirror at home, looks shitty and half-assed in the mirror in the Ladies room at work? Seriously.
4. True Blood is completely, totally fucking ridiculous. And I still watch every week. "Sook-eh...Ah em Vampahr!" " Oh, Beel! Ah ken hear people's thowts! Eet sucks but ah'm so horny!" So awful, but so entertaining.
5. Why is the health care thing so contentious? Maybe I'm naive but what we have is OBVIOUSLY not working and yet people are digging their heels in, crying "socialism!" and generally being obstinate little shits about it. I don't know...I don't have any brilliant commentary...I just want Washington to work shit out so that people, ALL people have access to quality health care regardless of their financial status. My little brother having to declare bankruptcy because of his skiing accident is fucking ludicrous.
6. I can't stop listening to Bad Religion. Its the soundtrack of my summer. Especially this song.
Time for some pimpin', my friends. We all know I love lists and I figure its time for another My Favorite Things. I go through phases, like I'm sure most of us do...(except for my husband who has such fierce brand loyalty that it borders on some form of OCD) but right now, these are the things that are rocking my world, putting a bounce in my step (and hair) and keeping me slightly saner. Enjoy!**
1. Lush Ultimate Shine Solid Shampoo. I was dubious, at first, at the idea of a solid shampoo. I was addicted to my little coconut scented puddle of goop. But. I bit the bullet, found some of this stuff on Ebay (discounted, but new of course) and I don't think I'll ever look back. This shit IS the shit. Easy, lasts forever, no wasteful packaging, smells nice and my hair seems to lurve it big time. Win. Next, I think I want to try their solid Jungle Conditioner. I know! I'm so adventurous.
2. Puffs Plus Lotion with Vicks. OMFG, y'all. How can one of my favorite things be freaking tissues you ask? Because I've had a seriously heinous cold followed by hay fever these past weeks and THESE THINGS HAVE SAVED MY LIFE. They are so soft and something about the mentholish scent is so comforting...ahhhhh.
4. My Ipod Shuffle. Don't get me wrong. I love my Zune (I have an older version of the 120): its great for audio books, long car rides and was my VERY BEST FRIEND when I was pumping milk twice a day, but for running, and just throw-in-the-purse-ability, the shuffle is rockin' my world right now. In addition to the copious amounts of D (see #3), I'm also rockin' to: the new Green Day, the Hives, Screeching Weasel, and strangely enough, JT'sSexyback. SHUT UP! I JUST LIKE THAT SONG OKAY? ITS FUN TO RUN TO! I DON'T HAVE TO DEFEND MYSELF TO YOU! *blushes and clears throat.*
I'm looking for more high tempo, motivating guilty pleasure music to add, so if you have suggestions...I don't care how dorky it is, if its fun and good to work out to at 5:15 in the am.
5. The MayaWrap Sling We had kind of taken a break from babywearing much there for a while...the little dude is SO independent- he had been wanting to walk rather than be worn or carried, so I had gradually phased out even packing the sling on most short trips. We never seemed to use it. Recently, however, the good ol' sling has had a bit of a renaissance and we're both back into it for short trips to the store, walks to the park, etc. He doesn't stay in it the whole time, but asks for it often enough that its worked its way back into the mix. This is good as we are going to fly to TX in a week and it will be nice to wear him at the airport. Its so handy to just throw him in it and go, as opposed to having a bulky, unwieldy stroller with buckles etc. Viva la babysling!!
6. Warm weather and charcoal grilling. The in-laws gifted us with a new charcoal grill as an early anniversary present and when it hasn't been raining (and even when it has) we've been having a blast cooking good food and spending time out of doors. Yay summer. Finally.
How 'bout you? Any "stuff" rockin' it for you right now??
**I don't get paid for pimping any of this stuff. God, I'm a sucker.
