"I'M READY!"

My bags are nearly packed & my to-do list is nearly complete ~ I am sneaking peeks at many Sonoma winery websites and doing my best to come up with a "not too planned out but planned out enough to not be sitting around" itinerary. Though we're anxious about leaving the boys, we're trying our best to ignore our fluttery tummy nerves and simply focus on the positive. Andy and Elliott had some well-deserved bonding time at the Twins game Wednesday night (even though the Twinkies lost!) and we're going to spoil our children this evening with a family date night to eat pizza and see "Open Season".

A few friends of ours suggested we watch "Sideways" before heading out to Sonoma. We watched it last weekend (both to our dismay, I think...) Sorry if you're a fan. I'm sure under any other circumstance, I wouldn't have minded seeing a movie about two very disturbed men in Wine Country (or a overweight naked man running at painfully high speeds).

When you don't vacation very often, one finds that excitement can be found in even the simplest of things. For instance, I'm excited about reading People magazine on the plane; I'm excited to rest my head on Andy's shoulder during the flight to catch a few winks; I'm excited to ask a stranger to take our picture and last but certainly not least, I'm excited for room service!

Arrivederci!

Pleasing... good or bad?

People pleasing. Is it really a bad trait to have. I always refer to Elliott (and Andy, for that matter) as people pleasers. I am too. We're a family full of them, with the exception of my little man. Either he hasn't learned the behavior yet or he'll simply never be bitten by this bug.

All of my life, I have felt some sort of natural pressure to go the extra mile for day-to-day people, whether they be family or strangers. As a child, I would not only go out of my way for a friend, but for her mother too. I was always told that I was polite (much like I now hear about Elliott), and would sit around and think up ways to make somebody feel special. When I was 8, I founded the "Winner's Club" solely because my friend was being snubbed by a popular girl. Later on, if a girlfriend was dumped or heart-broken, I would drop everything and designate a special day devoted entirely for her. And now as an adult I still try for this (whether the person seems to care that I'm around or not!) Whether it's a cashier at the grocery store or a childhood friend, I want them feel they're worth the fuss.

You might have a bright and shining image of my somewhat egotistical self-impressions, but let me assure you it's no indication that I always go about it properly or consistently. I have found ways to lay it on too thick, and let's just face it - that's gotta be annoying... and I have dropped the ball mid-court, being a frilly optimist one moment, and a cynical sarcastic tool the next. I try to limit both of these scenarios, but can't say I've eliminated either.

And now that you've heard the up's and down's of my "character", let me enlighten you as to why it is a crummy trait to have...

I expect it back.

I don't live in the stone age (or in the East, for that matter!) People around me have manners and are very pleasant but there are oh-so-many hours wasted wondering what I've done to upset a person who hasn't reciprocated my gesture or shown appreciation. Why do I need this? I've never really considered myself high maintenance (well, I guess nobody ever does...) but why on Earth have I become the person who needs a constant pat on the back?

Simple recognition for a species such as myself can be as important as water. Without the knowledge that my gesture has been recognized, I allow it to dwell in both my conscious and subconscious. And if you're thinking I'm kinda pathetic (which I can handle, because this handicap does not involve thin skin) please note that this doesn't just mean I'm dwelling on one such instance. Because of my many daily interactions, there are thousands of opportunities for me to fret.

She didn't wave back. Hmmm... do you think she saw me? Maybe she didn't recognize me. Maybe she hates me...

His tone seemed a little sharp. Hmmm... - were the kids bothering him? Was he distracted? Maybe he hates me...

She hasn't called me back. Hmmm... maybe she's out of town. Maybe things are busy. Maybe she hates me...

That lady in line just sighed at me. Hmmm... maybe she's tired. Maybe she's in a hury. Maybe she hates me...

(It's sick, people!) I actually had a dream the other night regarding one of my over-dramatized situations. I need help. I've never really considered myself an over-sensitive person, and believe it or not, I still don't think of myself as one. I think this is something not related to being too sensitive (though my husband might disagree...)

Again, I need help. Somebody either needs to reassure me that this isn't all that abnormal or suggest a good therapist.

We attended a family wedding on Friday night, which as Elliott would say, was 'kid friendly'. It was so much fun to get all dressed up with the boys and have a night on the town, so to speak. Here's my dashing date... 

... and my little guy? Where on Earth did he get his dancing genes?! From the moment the music started to the moment his little body gave out, he was on that dance floor. And yes... I believe he's swing dancing in this shot! 

I PULLED IT OFF! Andy celebrated his 30th birthday this past week. We began with a smallish family gathering at the house on Labor Day - but what he didn't know was that I had every intention of ringing in his 30th in the traditional style of a Saturday night bash complete with buffalo wings, many friends and, of course, a little hopps... This is the picture taken of my 'old man' when he first showed up.

I had plenty of big & toothy grin pictures of Noah on his first day of preschool, but I think this one speaks volumes. As he enters the doors of education, he leaves behind a proud and sniffling mommy. What a big boy. 

And here's my proud 2nd grader coming home from his first day of school! It's nice to know that even though they venture out, they still come back happy to see us!