The Question and the Answers

 The Question: Are you going to work out this morning?

The Quick Answer:  Probably not.  I have too much to do.  

The Full Answer:  The facts are, I have PMS, and my sports bra is dirty, and I could really use new sneakers so my toes don't get crunched.  I'm sick of my exercise dvds, and I'm planning to go to spin class on Sunday morning so that should be enough cardio for this week.  I have been idle for so long it is hard to get back into it again, and it's wonderful to just have one child at home for a few glorious hours this gorgeous Fall morning in the Middle, and I already ate breakfast and I worry that I'll get a cramp.  Oh and the cool weather is perfect for throwing open the windows and baking some bread.

Plus, she is so happy playing by herself and I really could get some writing and book promotion done, and she would be just as happy watching another episode of Dora so I could go meditate for an hour and she would never notice.

And there's the list.  I have so many things to do this morning.  I could really jam through them because I have only one girl at home this morning while her sisters are at school.  Laundry, the giant weeds under the bird feeder (it is such a lovely morning to be outside), the dishes in the sink from yesterday, emails, dancing school registration, a last trip to Target for preschool supplies, Costco list, editing my pictures from the Train concert, scheduling the dentist, the mammogram, the haircut...paying the bills, posting the furniture on craigslist, giving the dog a bath, rotating the closets... 

The Real Answer:  The only thing that keeps me from working out.  Is me.  The only thing that keeps me from doing any thing.  Is me.

Big Step

Just look at the size of the step she has to take to get on that bus.  It's almost like she needs a hand to grab from the sister who leaped up just ahead of her.  Or maybe a boost from Mom standing just out of the picture.  That final reach with her leading foot, up on her pink sparkly toes in the back.  Climbing into the mystery of the school bus that will carry her to the great big hallways full of friends and classrooms full of new experiences.

Her sister knows about those things.  She knows a lot of things and she is more than happy to tell you about them.  She has been passing down information about school for two years now and my MiddleBit has been taking it all in.  Reaching out for more and more details as her first day of school approached.

I know about those things too.  I am so excited for her to go and do them.  I was thrilled for her to go out the door this morning and up into that bus.  I didn't push her out, she didn't need much encouragement.  What I gave was more of a boost.  From just outside the picture.

Today was her turn to take her first ride on the big bus.  Just look at the size of that first step.

It's huge.

And she made it.

On Board

This...

is a Train ticket.

It was a trip!  But I have just 2 minutes left in today and so much more to say. 

So I'll leave it at that. 

For now.

I Am Doomed

"Why are you doomed Minnie?"
"Because first I boomed and now I'm doomed."
"Huh?"
"Boomed comes first and then doomed.  B and then D mom.  See Mom?  Dontcha see how that works?"


Yes, dear.  I see. And I am the one who is doomed.

Huddle Up

Ace Right, z-Dig, x-Shallow. Go!
Wing Right, 31 Red, Dive. Go!
Split right, x-Drag, y-Comet, z-Streak, Rollout. Go!

All fancy football ways to tell a person where they need to be.

I'm tired.
I can't remember the last time we did this.
I miss you.

Also fancy ways to tell a person where they need to be.  The trick is to learn the plays and make sure you are listening to which one is called.

Which Came First?

Does a picture ever remind you of something funny and completely random?

I am always looking for a clean good joke that I can tell in mixed company without getting myself into trouble.  My children's ears are not so little anymore and they WILL repeat everything they hear so I have to be very careful these days.

This one fits the bill in every area...love!



A chicken and an egg were snuggled next to each other in bed late at night.  The chicken, with a very frustrated look on it's face, laid very still, with its wings crossed over its breasts angrily.  The egg, nearly falling asleep, and smoking a cigarette turned to look over at the chicken and simply said,

"Guess we answered that question didn't we?"

I Can Bearly Stand It ...

It's this nagging tug in the back of my mind.

It's an uncomfortable little bit of guilt that I can't shake.

The longer I let it sit there the bigger it grows.  The worse it gets.  The scarier it seems.

I haven't posted on this blog in nearly 6 weeks.  Sorry.  I made a promise to myself, and unofficially to my readers, even before I had any, that I was never going to post just for the sake of posting.  If I didn't have something worthy to share, or a piece that was well written enough to be "out there" then I would just skip it.  I am intensely grateful for the fact that any of you read what I have to say.  I have a tremendous amount of respect for the time it takes you to come to theMiddleBit and read my words.  And I am not going to waste your time with junk.

Thank you for taking the time.  I am embarking on a bit of a photo journey during the month of September to guide my writing.  Part exercise, part really seeing what is right in front of me, part sharing with you.  What you will find here everyday for the next 30 is a picture of something that happened that week and the words that flowed out as a result.

Just when you can barely stand it any longer.  That thing right behind you.  When you get out in front of it and go back to acting like yourself again it's amazing what happens.

It's not nagging at me anymore.

I'm finished feeling guilty. 

It is big. 

It could be worse. 

And it's often scary.

But this time, it's behind 3 inches of safety glass.