Tuesday Toot - let your freak flag fly!

I am proud that I haven't nagged my partner about removing his shoes from the living room. There are now three pairs; there were four a little earlier today. I'm not counting or anything. I don't understand why taking the shoes upstairs is so challenging, but in the grand scheme of life it really doesn't matter. Sure they have been there for several days. But really, only a weirdo would obsess about it. At least now we don't have a coffee table to cover with crap. That used to be a bone of contention between us.

And you know what? I keep my shoes piled by the back door. Usually only two pairs at a time, but there have been three to four.

So what's your weirdo obsession that your partner doesn't understand?

What am I proud of this week?

Well today I got lost on my way to meet a friend for a walk (we are training for the Breast Cancer 3 Day). I wasn't going to an unfamiliar place and it wasn't like I had bad directions. I was going via the highway when I saw a bunch of traffic backed up ahead, so I got off and ventured via an alternate state route. Well, wouldn't you know there was a detour and I got turned all around in a town I have been in a thousand times, but rarely driving and not much since I've been an adult. I tried the map, but only had a map with little detail, so it was no use to me. I tried calling my mom, but she wasn't home. I refused to call my partner because he would have teased me, but would have helped. I wasn't quite desperate enough for that. So I kept driving in what I believed was the right direction and eventually found my way to a road I know. I made it to meet my friend, but about 45 minutes late. Luckily, she had been delayed by some roadkill clean up. We loaded the kiddies in the strollers and walked for about 45 minutes in the heat and blazing sun.

So what am I proud of? I'm proud that I kept going and didn't give up. A few times I thought of turning around and going home (but honestly wouldn't have known how to get there either). But I didn't turn around. I thought about suggesting we just head for lunch at the mall, but we walked. And we got to see this show of friendship between two little people we love.

Winter Gift Giving Holiday in July!

I am working on some fun giveaways and contests for July. So far I have these prizes collected:

• One year subscription to Brain, Child magazine (my favorite magazine)
• Thomas the Tank Engine DVD: Engines and Escapades
• Breaking the Limit: One woman's motorcycle journey through North America by Karen Larsen
• Shape Your Self by Martina Navratilova (autographed)

I am proud that I have taken the initiative to promote this blog and find some cool prizes (I think anyway). I will be posting the details of how to win in the next few days. There will be some fun contests that involve thinking, laughing and connecting with other women. I can't wait.

My Tuesday Toot

In honor of the Tuesday Toot, I'm singing my own praises. I actually followed through on the desire/need to go back to work and get my own dreams back into motion. For me, the inherently shy and often lazy one, this is a feat. I have thousands of good ideas (some all in one day), but I don't often actually set the goal and take the steps to make it come to fruition.

So here's to me for being the engineer of my own train (I have watched too much Thomas as of late). I am excited to be heading back to work in a couple of months (as you may have read). I am very proud of myself for doing what I want and is best for my whole family.

What are you proud of?