Hermy the Elf is a Genius

I’m in a funk.

It started out first as wanting to rest after the holidays.

Well, that was three weeks ago, and I still don’t want to get off the couch. This cozy-let’s-drink-coffee-and-hot-cocoa-and-cuddle-and-watch-tv-all-day feeling has turned into I-think-my-brain-might-be-turning-into-oatmeal-and-not-the-hearty-old-fashioned-oats-kind-but-the-nutrion-depleted-instant –kind feeling.

And because winter’s cozy feeling is so cunning and sneaky, I can’t quite remember which came first: am I sad because I am not doing anything? Or am I not doing anything because I am sad.

I think I can say both.

The holidays and all their shenanigans totally sucked my will to live. So I think what started out as recovering from a rough couple of weeks has turned into a self-reflection marathon in which I have had to come to terms with a few things.

Relationships can be a bitch. They can be messy, difficult, and confusing. But when they start to be more frustrating than supportive . . . what do you do?

And why should I care if it’s not with the three people with whom I am legally bound (that kind of sounds like I may be talking about sister wives, but I am talking about Harrington and The Babes. Note to self: you may be too emotionally invested into Big Love).

And then I read this in Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Committed, in which she quotes psychologist Carol Gilligan, “Women’s sense of integrity seems to be entwined with an ethic of care, so that to see themselves as women is to see themselves in a relationship of connection.” Banks goes on to talk about how this “fierce instinct for entwinement” can cause women to “make bad choices” for the “greater good.”

Now the context of this passage is marriage, but I can totally apply it to my life and choices I have made in other relationships. I mean, who hasn’t put their self-worth aside or done something that they felt was in the complete opposite direction of their inner-compass in order to keep a relationship from derailing?

Me. Anyone else?

If so, then let’s all meet on the Island of Misfit Toys from the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer movie. Because Hermy the Elf? You know the one who dared to follow his own happiness? He speaks such sweet truth:

Why am I such a misfit?
I am not just a nit wit!
They can't fire me.
I QUIT!
We may be different from the rest
Who decides the test
Of what is really best?
We're a couple of misfits
We're a couple of misfits
What's the matter with misfits
That's where we fit in!

So screw this feeling of ickiness. I’m supposed to be on the Bringing the Happy Back World Tour Bus. And this is not OK.


So today I got my ass out of bed early and did yoga and even left the house to go to Target. And you know what? I feel better.

And then I found this status update that totally inspired me:

In life there's gonna be times when you're feeling low...and in your mind insecurities seem to take control..we start to look outside ourselves for acceptance and approval. We keep forgetting that the one thing we should know is...Don't be scared to fly alone..Find a path that is your own..love will open every door..Don't hold back and always know...All the answers you will unfold
Christina Aguilera

I rather be a misfit than a dead, heartless robot that goes about pins her happiness on others. That. Never. Works. Ever.

So what demons are you wrestling with today?


Tune in tomorrow where I have a light and fun post about a review I will be doing soon! Yea!

Feel Good Friday: When Life Gives You Snow, Make Snow Angels



Be sure to check out The Girl Next Door Grows Up for some Feel Good Friday Fun!


I have been sluggish and tired and kind of grumpy all week. I have come to the conclusion that it’s not the cold, snowy weather that makes me cranky. It’s having to *go* somewhere in the cold, snowy weather. I would be happy as could be if I could just hibernate on the couch and put off my To Do List until spring.

But I live in Michigan. Spring could come as late as May. And I just don’t think that would be any one’s best interest.

So instead, I shifted my focus. Yes, it snowed more. Yes, I could have stayed in the house. But on this special Thursday, I took this winter by the snow balls and showed it who was boss.

Oh, yes I did . . . when we eventually made it outside.

By the time I put each Babe in heavy clothes and snow pants and boots and heavy coats and hats and mittens and scarves, forty minutes had passed. FORTY MINUTES!!

But we did stay out for a whole twenty minutes. Here are the pictures to prove it:

Thomas does not like wearing hats and mittens. At all.
I’m not sure if you are able to gather that from the
expression on his face. I think he would rather stay
on the couch and watch his shows.
I’m not sure where gets that from.

“WTF! What are these things?
Get them off my hands now.
 I’m sure this is a form of torture.”

Thomas: “Who thinks that this a good time?
There is nothing fun wearing clothes that prohibit my movement
 and restrict my hands. Nothing, I tell you!”

Marie: “Seriously?! He’s ruining this sled ride.”

Me: “OK, Babes! Look this way! Yeaa! This is fun!
We are outside! Isn’t this awesome!”

Finally I let Marie do her thing. Then I proceeded to cave and let Thomas take off his hat and mittens.

Where can I pick up my Mother of the Year award for
letting my toddler play outside in the snow with no hat or mittens?

Marie loves the snow.

I mean, LOVES it!

So when life gave us another snow storm, I decided it was time to make some snow angles. I know it was a lot of hard work, and it was cold. But in the end, I felt really lucky. Lucky that I am able to have these fun, spontaneous moments with The Babes. Lucky that on some random Thursday, we were able to make some memories.

Not a bad way to spend Friday’s Eve, if you ask me.

How was your week? Were you able to find some spontaneity and fun in your week?

The Post That Snooki Inspired

It’s late. But it could be the after breakfast. Or even afternoon.

I. Want. To. Hibernate.

I have this big, fuzzy blanket that strongly suggests anything on the To Do List can wait until spring. My friend, who lives near Sault St. Marie, Michigan, said to me that I can’t hide from winter. I told him that there is a fine line between hibernating and hiding. He replied that I should be careful which side of the line I was on. I laughed.

But you know what? He was right. I would have been totally happy to snuggle up on the couch all afternoon and watch TV. And I have been for big chunks of the afternoon. And at night. And if I am lucky, while I drink my morning cup of coffee.

Am I hiding? Am I hibernating?

I think it’s both. It’s cold and snowy out, so of course I want to stay inside. But there is also a part of me that’s working through a few things that happened during the holiday, so I guess I do kind of want to hide out for a bit, too.

I am still working out. I am still eating better. I mean, I couldn’t totally check out and make these yummy dishes:

Roasted celery, carrots, and beets.
Here's a lesson learned: roasted celery is too stringy.

Roasted sweet potatos, butternut squash, and apples
with cinnamon

Vegetarian black bean chili - AWESOME!!

So yes, I am taking care of business, but I would rather not.

And I don’t even think I would be writing this post if I hadn’t seen Snooki on the Today Show promoting, not her show, but . . .wait for it . . . wait for it . . . HER NOVEL!

A novel, for Christ’s sake! If she can write a novel about a “gorilla juice head,” I can write a 300ish word post. Seriously!

I’m sure she’s a nice enough girl and all. I could see her promoting her slipper line or anything else to do with her look and lifestyle. But a novel?! Not even a memoir but a novel?!

And don’t even get me started how she dodged Matt’s questions about drinking. Ironically enough, while watching last week’s show, I posted on facebook that I thought Snooki would be the cast member most likely to become a patient of Dr. Drew on Celebrity Rehab.

Anyone else thinking the same thing?

(And I realize that I am contributing to the problem as to why this show is number one on MTV right now and the culture of rewarding bad behavior. It’s just so hard to look away).

Well, that’s all I got. Snooki’s book is probably better than this post. So sorry for that.


Well, anyone else hibernating and/or hiding? How can you tell which one?