Roller coaster vs. Merry go round

Hi, I'm Laurie - First time blogger, long time reader.

Right now, the best me can best be described by a scene from the Steve Martin movie, Parenthood.

Steve’s wife has just revealed that she is pregnant with their fourth baby. He is freaking out. His grandmother interjects with a story about riding a roller coaster when she was little. What thrilled her was it’s ability to elicit excitement, fear, thrill, and sickness, all at the same time. Some of her friends just wanted to ride the merry go round. That just goes around...does nothing.

After a particularly topsy-turvy time in my life, a merry go round sounded great. But, if I wouldn’t have embraced the roller coaster, for one thing, I wouldn’t be at Willow, and that would be a shame.

So, when things aren’t going as smoothly as I like, I try to remember that you get more out of the roller coaster.

That's what I've got for now friends.

finally...I'm in too

Well yes is this if fabulous ...I have procrastinated at starting because (as I have said to some) I don't feel I have my best me now,but being the best "Mom"...However, at saying that I am attempting to do little Me things here and there without being negligent to my girls. This includes being a better wife because that has been on the back burner for a few years and I have known that it is one of the most important relationships in my life. So thanks Meliss, at making me look at myself a little harder...I haven't really wanted to and it's easier sometimes to focus my attention on others. So ..I am trying to eat a little better, take my vitamins almost daily, read a bit hear and there...oh I also gave up my stay at home mom, brain dead activity of watching General Hospital...what a waste of time but for awhile it was all I felt I could absorb ha ha...OK I have ignored Kinsey's crying for the past 20 minutes...guess she is not going back to sleep ...I love all of you inspirational ladies

I am jumping in....

Okay, I have been here at the blog a few times with the intention of writing and have felt that I have not had anything of interest to post. I really do love this idea! There are a couple of blogs that I read a few times a week and I find them super interesting and I don't even know the creator of the blogs personally. The idea of sharing your life with people that I love dearly is an exciting one. It is so hard to really connect with people on a regular basis due to busy schedules, this could be just the form that we all need to feel closer to each other. So, with that said....I am in.

Melissa, your weight loss journey has been inspiring. You look fantastic and I feel a beautiful glow coming from you. I have been struggling with the same thing and I should have posted earlier because for some reason I have totally been out of control with my efforts. Sort of like, I blow it one day so then I throw in the towel and say F*** it. I finally stopped my 3 week rampage and hope to be back on track. I feel so much better when I am not eating like crap and yet I sabotage myself?? Definitely NOT my best self....

Lis, I loved seeing a glimpse of your day. I loved the pacifier break, followed by the pumping break. Who were you listening to on your ipod? I want to download some new things to my ipod and always love knowing what moves other people. I was bummed that you are not coming up this weekend, but completely understand. We are going to have to come down real soon. I LOVE your backyard and imagine that at stressful moments, being out there could just carry your cares away.

Arielle, I have too become a bit obsessed with postsecret. I actually checked this past Sunday and was disappointed that they were having technical difficulties and were not posting until Monday. I am looking forward to seeing you when you get home for the summer. :)

I just realized that I should have separately posted those comments after their blog entries, next time.

Anyway, my best me. My life is in total limbo. We are constantly cleaning our house for people to come and see it, but no luck. I, ofcourse, have mixed feelings about our house selling. I want it to sell because we don't have a room for Maddie and she still sleeps in our room and we don't have the best set up for the kids to play outside, but I am not excited about what that means. I am scared to death to move and when I think about it, it feels very lonely. I have committed to John to give this my best shot and I will. But, I just don't know what my life is going to look like. I have been at Willow for 15 years now and have basically lived in this area my whole life. I guess my best me right now is that I am not fighting it anymore and trying to view it as an adventure.....tough at times. One of John's and my agreements is that we will have an extra room for guests. So you are all always welcome.

I also don't want to spend another summer unhappy with how I look in a bathing suit! I am really trying to get back on a healthy track. If anyone ever wants to workout, let me know. I am really not good at making time for that. Side note, John got me a treadmill for xmas....I have used it once.

Anyway, I feel like I am rambling now. I love that you started this, Meliss. Thank you. What a powerful group of women we are, I would really love for us to all jump in. I am off to pick up Kaitlyn from school. Love to you all. Have a great weekend.

I have a moment

Okay...she is sleeping and I have to say I have never blogged and really feel I don't have time for much computer stuff except organizing and archhiving pictures, answering email, and shopping so I don't have to do as many errands BUT my need to keep connected to my most incredibel friends lured ( you will all just have to deal with my horrible spellinga nd typing- I am not willing to go back and proof and I am not a great typer, I'd rather just get it all out in the little time I have hope that is okay) me to check out this thing you started Meliss. I am going to participate.

My Best right now is moment to moment and giving credit for small accomplishements. ive decided to stop focussing on what I need to improve in myself and all the "self/wife/mother help" books I need to read and focus on what I am doing well. Maybe I will neve rpick up another self help book again- now that would be liberating!!! gotta go put bak in the pacifier..okay back. So my best for this morning was that Stella and I got out and did a great walk and I listened to Joel Olsten on my ipod and was encouraged. I need to go do some pumping. Meliss- thanks for the reminder to this site and thanks for starting it.

Hi all-
If you have not checked out Post Secret, do it today at postsecret.com . It is serious, funny, touching, provocative, and more. You will like it because we are all "real" people dealing with real issues in honest ways (most of the time). Not to say we aren't making mistakes, I make plenty, that's for sure. Anyway...check it out today. By the way, I got my idea for a post secret. :)

I am anxiously awaiting your postings on being the best you or whatever you want to write about. My weight goals for the end of the year are quickly fleeting. The goal is adjusted at least twice a week when I wake up and realize another day went by and I was off the mark. I am holding steady with what I've lost so far, and I know that is something to celebrate too. Arielle, it's you and me and the gym when you get home, baby.

Come on friends... share your thoughts.