Ski-for-All Free-for-All

Another winter bucket list item complete! Today, we went cross country skiing, and IT.WAS.AWESOME. How have I not been doing this every winter of my life?! And while I can't say much for my coordination level, we made it through the afternoon without a single casualty. Well... unless you count wet tushes, but in our defense, the skis really weren't made to go down that hill!

We decided to forgo the traditional trail skiing and venture out into the fields behind my house. By 'fields' I mean one field and several people's property, none of whom we knew. But, in keeping with typical Vermont winter etiquette (which seems to mean that anyone and everyone's yards are a snowmobiling free-for-all) no one seemed to mind. :)

I wish I didn't have to return my rented skis tomorrow, because I would love to go again (gosh darn that whole having to work thing!) Not that they would notice if I kept them an extra day. Only in small town Vermont would a store go by the honor system and just tell you to pay when you bring them back!

Kipling had it right...

We can check 'Take my daughter sledding' off my winter bucket list. If today had a 'Like' button, it would be checked. Happy Monday all ;-)

Freezin' for a Reason!

Mission accomplished. The Plunge is officially over for another year, and I think this one was the most fun by far. Good friends, good times and for a good cause! When we ran out of the building I was quite surprised to hear someone yell "Go Lindsey!!!!!" from the bleachers. Thank you mystery yeller! I have no idea who you are, but it made my day!

Taking the Plunge

The time has come once again, to take the plunge. The Penguin Plunge that is! Bestie and I have made a yearly tradition (with the exception of the year we were both el preggo) of jumping into the icy waters of Lake Memphremagog. Not only do we voluntarily freeze our bajingos off, we pay to do it! While it is clear I am not a fan of the cold, this event is worth every penny. And in all honesty, it's so quick and such a rush you barely feel the cold!

So anyway, tomorrow is the day, and we were fortunate enough this year to have several other friends in tow! When the final numbers are tallied, our team, 'Fight Like a Girl!' will have raised over $900! It isn't too late to donate still! You can give (securly I mught add) via my fundraising website at First Giving. All procedes go to the Vermont Special Olympics!

Thanks all:)

10 Things I Did Not Expect From Motherhood

I did not expect...
1. ...that so many conversations with other adults would revolve around poop.
2. ...to have to wrestle a one year old into a diaper... and lose.
3. ...to find the unexpected at every turn. Like waking up to a certain cutie-patootie sticking cereal in my ear ;-)
4. ...that finding a good babysitter would be akin to the search for the Holy Grail.
5. ...that becoming parents would create a deeper love and admiration for my husband.
6. ...that I would breastfeed with such unabashed immodesty anywhere, anytime {Well, that's what they're for!!}
7. ...that I would have songs from 'Nick Jr.' memorized and stuck in my head 24/7... or that my husband and I would find ourselves randomly bursting into Laurie Berkner Band lyrics {"I don't wanna gooo slow I gooo fast! I'm a rabbit I hop and I jump and I dash!"} Yeah.. that's just about enough of that...
8. ...words like 'tushie,' and 'feetsies' would slip so seamlessly into my everyday vernacular.
9. ... that prepping for a 15 minute trip to the store can be a 2 hour process.
10. ...that s single tiny smile at the end of the day would have healing powers stronger than anything else known to man.

This Valentine's Day, in Lieu of Chocolates...

Dear Cupid,
For Valentine's Day this year, I would like to forgo the traditional fare of chocolate bon-bons (my thighs can do without, thanks). No need for a fancy dinner out or roses by the dozen. These are wonderful, it's true, but my darling husband continually shows his love for me in ways that will not wilt after a week. Having learned long ago that romance does not have to come wrapped in Hallmark paper, I am A-okay with skipping the schmaltzy to-do this time.

This year, dear Cupid, there is *one* thing my heart desires and I can't deny it any longer... I long for it...lust after it...I..must...have...it!

I.want.a.nap.

Yup, a nap.

And it must be at least three hours of uninterrupted, noise free, blissfully cozy S-L-E-E-P, hmmkay?

Thank you for your cooperation.

xoxo
Linds

PS I also wouldn't mind a [magically] calorie-free, carb-free, fat-free, butter-smothered lobster, but I'll take just the nap if this is too tall of an order.

Under the Weather in This Beautiful Weather...

So here's an update on my Winter '10 Bucket List. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero! No progress! :( And not for lack of desire to do some of these activities either! I spent all of this week on call for work (meaning I can't really go anywhere) and have been sick for about 3 days. I am still raaawther under the weather which is unfortunate because the weather is gorgeous! I would love to put the baby in her Bjorn carrier, grab my camera and go out and enjoy the SUNSHINE we finally have!

Perhaps tomorrow before the Superbowl if I am no longer "docking lyge this" (talking like this).

In the mean time, I am spending time with my beautiful bébé girl (who is napping sweetly as I type) and hunting for low-fat, low-carb, high-protein recipes for the hubbster and I. Any suggestions?

An Open Letter to Nick Jr.

From:
Mom in Vermont
Arctic Tundra Road
Middle of Nowhereville, VT

To:
Nickelodeon Jr. (alias ‘Nick Jr.’, alias ‘Noggin TV’)
c/o Moose A. Moose
Viacom International Inc.
Los Angeles, CA

To Whom It May Concern:

Let me begin by stating that whether or not we like your programming has never been called into question. We love it! Our daughter wiggles, giggles and dances along with your cute and catchy songs. Her eyes light up at the very mention of the words “Fresh Beat Band” and I give you props for your learning-based programming.

However, I take issue with you stating "42 degrees, that's pretty cold!" Um... ya okay...maybe in SoCal sweetie. To us New Englanders (and I'm sure mommies in the Midwest will wholeheartedly agree) anything above 30 degrees is quite the unseasonable heatwave this time of year. Flip-flop weather even! I have to insist that you pull the plug on such questionable propaganda, or I shall be forced to take matters into my own hands! [And by "matters" I mean forcing you to spend a weekend in Northern Vermont, where in February, the weather is considered enjoyably balmy if it *miraculously* rises above zero.]

While I have your attention, I have some questions. First of all, HTH does Tuck get from a free standing tank in the middle of the classroom to the sink in every episode? And, um...what the dealie with 'Yo Gabba Gabba'? No seriously...W..T..F.

XOXO