No, wait! That's not what I said!

Wasn't I just saying last night that I'm a champ at talking?

Tonight I went to a cycling class and noticed a familiar gal across the room. I knew her when we were teenagers. I thought maybe she saw me at some point during the leg-crumbling hour of pedaling to hell, so when it ended I approached her and said hi. I had to say my name since I could tell she didn't instantly recognize me. She seemed happy/surprised to see me. She mentioned that my darker hair threw her off. Yeah, I get that a lot.  ;)  I thought she looked particularly youthful, so I kindly remarked, "You don't look like you've aged a bit!" She looked absolutely flattered as she recapped my comment. "I look like I've aged a bit?!"   *gasp*   Me: No!!!! No!!!!! You DON'T look like you've aged, hahahahhhhahhhhaaaaahaha!!!
It was hard to recover from that moment of duncy enunciation. My mealy-mouthed delivery sure put an unexpected damper an otherwise nice compliment. I felt like a total goober.

This is why most of the time I purposefully slink out of view when I spy anyone I know in public, especially if it has been a very long time since we last met. Just yesterday morning I saw someone I knew in a parking lot as I was putting gas in the car, and part of me really wanted to run over and say something. But fearing my probable awkwardness, I didn't dare approach. My one valid excuse-- the person appeared to be on the phone and I didn't want to interrupt.

Arrrgh! I get so nervous and self-conscious when I'm met with the prospect of a new conversation. I'm sick of it! I hope this upcoming class will cure me of my big ol' debilitating vocal infirmity.

Wish me luck!

Dazzling Chats

By the time the clock says 8:30 PM on February 20th, if all goes as outlined, I will be a new person.

I'm taking a one-night, two-hour community education crash course:

"Become a Dazzling Conversationalist"

 I have the utmost confidence in my forthcoming success. Anyone who has ever talked to me knows that I *typically* fall more (by more I mean all the way) into the Awkward Conversationalist category. This . . . is evidently . . . all . . . about . . . to change.

I've seen this class offered in the past and simply snickered at its title; partly curious, but mostly afraid it would be too "student participation-y" for a timid kid like me.

I asked Maria if she'd take the class with me, but she will conveniently be in Arizona visiting her sister at that time. Tsk! The nerve!  So I put my "Facebook feelers" out, asking who wanted to attend this life-altering evening with me. I linked my friends to the astounding course description, hoping someone would care to join me. Shockingly enough, there were no takers, although I did get about 8 unexplained "likes". 

 This is how the instructor (I'm assuming it was him) believes the class will go:

"You will master the latest skills for easy and comfortable social/business conversation. Be the center of attention in any conversation.
You will learn guaranteed secrets to speak with superiors, subordinates, family and friends - learn to read their body language. Be at ease and converse easily and interestingly with anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Have at your disposal 20 fascinating, humorous ad-libs and 300 one-liners. You will learn to use over 100 toasts, quotes and introductions.
Become an expert at thinking fast in any conversation - confidence will soar."

The first few statements sound like they were extracted from fortune cookies. =)

So many tantalizing promises!

I wonder if he'll make everyone sign a disclaimer...

So anyway, I, Shy Shannon, am going to this scary class all by myself. I'm making myself do it, as kind of a double challenge. Most conversation for me is at least partially unnerving, but it's way worse when it's with someone I don't know.  GOO!  What have I gotten myself into?! 

J/K. I've so got this covered. That's not to say I'd turn away some like-minded, determined pal who wants to come along...  ;)  (There are still openings!)

Cute Stuff

 

So I meant to share these Ollie pics back when they were pertinent, but I forgot! It's not so bad to go back a few months once in a while to visit what went on then, is it?

 

Here he is on his second day of preschool. I'm not like most of the other moms on the planet who remember to take milestone photos on the appropriate day, but a day late is better than not at all, right?! 

 

I got him this groovy new backpack for $6. Sometimes it pays to procrastinate. If I'd bought it a few weeks earlier it probs would have cost double that. I'm so good. Sometimes.

I miss the sun-bleached hair and tan cheeks. I think he looks like such a cutie here all set for school.

These pics also make me miss warm weather and its blessed greenness. Our trampoline has taken on the identity of a giant, white pie crust the last few weeks. By the time I decide what kind of filling to whip up for it (hmmm... fruit or cream?!) the snow will likely all be gone.

On that note, only 3-4 months until spring flowers! I planted a bunch more bulbs in the fall that should be waking up when winter goes away. =)


On a completely random note, here's a little something I recently "treated" myself to. How these things end up on the discount table is beyond me! ;)

It's an adorable shower cap, but I think it'll be doubling as a sweet swim cap come summer. I'm such a trend-setter, and surely this year will be no different.

Hey, I just Googled 'shower caps'. Ha, I accidentally just typed 'shower capes'-- is there such a thing? If not, maybe there should be. I bet there are plenty of people who absolutely detest a wet back in the shower!
Anyway, when I started looking through the online shower cap options, I found these treasures:










So cute! And look what else. This swim cap (below) is just my style. Can you just see me wandering around in this at the local swimming holes this summer?  Added bonus -- it doubles as a high-class clown wig. Is there a movie about a high-class clown? If so, I bet it's really good.

Welp, that's enough cuteness for one night.

Happy Day!!!

They Might Be Giants are coming on June 9th to the Egyptian Theatre!  I've been waiting and hoping for a "giant" miracle ever since I read that they were "adding more cities soon!" to their previously announced tour dates.

It was a week or so before Christmas when I saw that they were stopping in SLC, so I figured there was a fair chance they'd include Boise. I may have left an encouraging comment or two on their Facebook updates to let them know how much they're adored here... =)  I like to think I played a pivotal part in their decision to come this way. In fact, I feel like pivoting right now to illustrate my excitement.

If SLC had been the closest available concert, I was more than prepared to take a small road trip to be there. Heck, if "circumstances" allowed, I'd attend their show in SLC the first night and follow them to the Boise show the next. I love them!

I squealed when I saw our city on the list today. Did you hear me?  Part of me was afraid they would skip us this time since it won't even been two years by then since their last show here. It must be that they didn't want to disappoint me.

No matter why they're coming, YAY! It's something fun to look forward to after a long, freakishly cold winter.

=)

Hidden Camera

Here's a sample of what goes on at our house on a typical evening. Cora was filming a "charming" sibling conversation when I unwittingly walked on camera. Skip to the last bit for a few remarkable dance moves by yours truly.




Too bad she cut me off so soon. I was just getting warmed up. ;)

New Year's

New Year's Eve was pretty fun. We stayed home, but two of Ryan's sisters and their families, along with Ryan's niece and her family, came over to our house for pizza, snacks, and games. Jackie's husband made the pizza dough again. =)  We played Skip-Bo, Bananagrams, and Apples to Apples. Sorry, no pictures. You'll just have to take my word for it that it happened.

I always look forward to New Year's Day since everything's half-price at Dairy Queen. I dragged the whole family there in time to wait 20 minutes for the doors to open. =)  We had a schedule to keep. At noon we pushed our way through the crowd and ordered up some hot eats and cool treats. And I talked Ryan into letting me get a cake log for $7. Actually, the lines were not bad at all. At least not while we were there.

 Jane and Ryan (and Cora is next to Jane) waiting for their delicious meals. I didn't take any pics of the food. I got too wrapped up in the consuming of it to be bothered with documenting it.

After our lunch, we headed to the aquarium to use the season pass we bought for Christmas (during their half-price sale! What a sweet deal). Ryan and the girls hadn't been there yet, so I was excited for them to finally see what Ollie and I had been raving about.

 

I love the underwater "flowers"! So stinking cute. Speaking of "stink", I wonder how their fragrance compares to "above water" flowers ... hmmmmmm, I bet we'd be surprised. Just kidding-- I bet they totally reek.

Here's a funky eel.

And more colorful "flower" clusters! Cora was laughing at me for paying more attention to these than all the fascinating creatures surrounding them.

Jane and Cora at their best.
I think whoever painted this could have supplied Ariel with a bit more coverage. Sheesh.

Jelly fish are sooooo coooool.

Puffins havin' fun. I guess...

Lazy fish hitching a ride on the hammerhead's back. The shark appeared to be trying to get this flippin' freeloader to let go (based on the erratic way it was swimming and shimmying).

 

We had tons o' fun admiring all the creatures. I told Oliver we could go back anytime he wanted. I probably should have worded that differently. ;) It was one of those things that I kind of just blurted out. Of course he said he wanted to go "tomorrow". I was mean and didn't take him until a few days later, since he doesn't have preschool on Fridays. It's the perfect little afternoon outing for my little shark fanatic and me.

 

These octopus shots are from that Friday...

I hadn't seen it nearly as active the other few times we'd visited. I wonder what he (or she?) was trying to say. Maybe it just wanted to give someone a hug. Or it was gassy. Maybe we'll never know.

Welp, that's it for now.

Happy new year.

Christmas Day

Christmas was over quicker than I thought it would be, considering all the time and preparation it always takes.

 

Christmas Eve was spent with Ryan's side of the family, per tradition. They always have dinner and a gift exchange at his brother's house. It was a nice time as usual -- good food and good company. But I'm secretly always a little antsy to go home and get the kids to bed so Santa can swing by.

 

I have to say, this was the first time I've ever completed all my gift-wrapping by 3pm on Dec. 24. Usually it's not done until about 3am on Dec. 25.  o_o   I felt so accomplished! Unfortunately, I wasn't as punctual about my cookie decorating. I was still scrambling to slap frosting and sprinkles on the last few dozen baked holiday shapes as Christmas afternoon crept up.  

 

Christmas morning didn't turn out exactly as we'd hoped. Poor Cora began feeling ill at the Lytle family festivities and progressively got sicker after she went to bed. She asked if I'd sleep downstairs with her, so I did. I was up with her a few times. Nights when kids are sick always seem to go on forever. I'm just glad she's old enough now to spew in the right places. She only yakked a few times overnight, but the fever stuck with her for a few days. =( I was impressed that she didn't even complain about missing out on the thrill of Christmas.

 

Our kids have never been morning people, even on Christmas. This year they woke up after 8. =)  Oliver even took the time to get dressed before coming downstairs.

 

While the kids waited for us to be ready they looked through their "sockings", as Oliver calls them. Jane brought Cora's to her and helped her investigate. Soon we convened by the tree and opened all the presents in the blink of an eye.

 

Excuse the poor quality of the photos. I'm still using Cora's blur-tastic camera since mine broke. It certainly has taken some joy out of trying to digitally capture treasured moments. I usually give up on the idea of getting any good action shots before too long. I wish I would have at least taken some organized, motionless pictures of each kid with all their loot. Maybe next year.

 



This picture of Cora is so sad. It was all she could do to just sit there and open her presents. She tried to be pleasant about it, but wasn't fooling anyone.

No, wait-- this is the picture that makes me so sad. Not even the light saber snapped her out of her stupor. =/

This is my "I hope I like it..." face. I did!

Looks like I liked this one, too.

Ryan brought the last present down after Cora had returned to the couch. It was a brand spanking new Wii. Yeah, we're a little late, but who cares? The girls both had it on their list. It's been a really good purchase so far. It's fun for the whole family. I'm excited to have access to Netflix on it, too. Now I can watch shows while I blog. Who am I trying to kid? I don't get any writing done when there's a show on. I can't think of two things at once; that's impossible!
Ryan was randomly chosen to work at one of the 24-hour pharmacies from 2-7pm that day. Bummer! At least it wasn't Christmas morning. And it was originally supposed to be 12-7, but he called in to check and they said to wait because it wasn't too busy.
As he was getting ready to leave, I was getting stuff and cookies arranged to take to my parents' house. I didn't want Oliver and Jane (or me) to miss out on going to see my family, and we figured Cora could use some peace and quiet for a few hours (Jane and Ollie were causing a ruckus as usual) so I made sure she had everything she needed for a good nap, got our car loaded up and we left her all alone on Christmas Day. I can almost feel the Mother of the Year Award coming on... But really, she was fine with it. I made sure of it. I called her a few times to see if she needed anything, and we were only gone about 3 hours. Plus it's only a ten minute drive there.

In spite of the sick girl and the working dad, we still managed to have a pretty decent Christmas.

All thanks to me.

;)

Progress Report

I'm here to give a summary of the stuff I've been working on.

I said over a month ago that I would be sending at least one hand-written letter per week to some unsuspecting soul. I've done even more than that. For example, I mailed out 3 Shanonymous notes  last week. All the other weeks I've sent 1 or 2. It does the soul some good.

Let's see ... what else did I publicly agree to do?

Oh yes. Start a new personal journal. I've written about 4 entries so far. Sometimes it's tricky knowing where to start, but it's definitely faster than anything I share with others since I'm not sitting there fretting about what to say. It takes me FOREVER to write anything on my blog because I painstakingly pick and choose each word. Unless I'm feeling lazy. I'm just much more relaxed with my dear old diary. It feels more like a free-write, so I guess I lied in my last post when I said I was comfiest talking to my blog. At lease when I write a journal entry I'm not wondering who's going to read it and not leave a comment. =) That's a huge bonus right there.

The other reason I find it easier to fill a journal -- I don't think anybody's going to read it until I croak, and by then I probably (hopefully!) won't care what people think about what I had to say for my busy little existence. The way I write in it is truer to the way I really talk, so it'll be a more accurate account to let my descendants sort through when I'm a goner. Bottom line, I like to sit alone and jot my thoughts as they come without fear of judgment. It's good therapy. So I think I'll keep on keeping a journal.

I thought I'd give an update on my gym-going. Now that I have a membership I feel sort of obligated to go. The good news is, I like it. It makes me feel accomplished. Biggest accomplishment so far: I haven't tripped up the stairs on my way to a class. Yet.
That BODYPUMP (weights) class I mentioned in my aspiration post is now my go-to for a healthy helping of pain. I've attended it at least 10 times. One of the instructors says "2" like this: "teeeew!" Gotta love it.
I'm already starting to resemble Arnold Swarzenegger. Just kidding -- people have long mistaken me for him. Well, until they look at my legs. They still look like chalk sticks, in both color and dimension. I seriously have the whitest legs out of everyone in any of the classes I've attempted. I wanna beef up muh chicken legs one way or another. Of course that won't fix the skin tone issue, but I pretty much refuse to go the way of artificial tanning, so I may resort to slathering brown gravy on my lower legs before class. Not only will it add a pop of color to my pasty skin, I'll have a tasty, warm snack ready for after class. Wouldn't want to waste any of that good gravy.

I tried a cycling class last week. It was pretty tough, but I think it will help in the leg muscle dept., so I'm going to add it to the rotation. I'm aiming to do Bodypump at least 2 times a week and the cycling class whenever it's convenient.
I tried a step class a couple of weeks ago that I will never be stepping foot into again. It was a whole lotta complicated, too-fast maneuvers that really brought out the klutz in me. I spent most of the hour staring at the instructor's crazy feet (trying my best to make sense of her willy-nilly moves) fumbling around the step and cursing under my breath. I felt like I was in a math class.

My neighbor said she heard that success in fitness is 80% what you eat, 20% exercise. Well, that's a piece of cake since I already eat 80% of the food I see. ;)  Seriously, though, I don't know if I believe that. Some health nut must have calculated that.

Last thing for now. I previously mentioned that my late dad's wife had all the family pedigree charts stored in her attic. I emailed my uncle last month to see if he could possibly retrieve those records and make copies of them for us. He said that he now has them all, but hadn't opened the box yet to see what it contained. I was so glad to hear that he has them! That's one step closer to us (theoretically). We'll see how long it takes him to open the box and share the info with me... Maybe another email will give him the nudge he needs.