That was then....This is now

Going to hear a band 10 years ago....

Check my hair, check my lipstick, grab my id and some cash. Call up my friends and have them drive me to a smoky bar, hope I get carded so I can pull out my id and laugh at the door guy who thought I was too young to get in. Stand as close to the stage as possible. Dance and hold a beer while I try and decide if the singer is truly as deep and sensitive as his music makes him out to be. Stay until the bar closes and get ready to do it all again the next day.

Going to hear a band today....

Come inside from working in the yard all day. Jump in the shower and try to make my hair presentable. Convince my husband that we're not too tired to go. Run to the store to buy some earplugs for my 3 year old. Hop in the car with a spill proof cup and snacks and one very sleeping boy. Head downtown to an outdoor festival where kids are permitted and look for a close and cheap parking space. Get sleeping child out of car and carry 2 blocks to the stage. Make husband hold child while I purchase beer (without even considering having my id on me) so I don't look like a bad mom. Run into friends who are happy to see me outside of work and not a total witch. Listen to band and slightly sway to the music with child on hip. Think about how I was once cool. Once band is finished say goodbye and head to the carnival rides child has been wanting to ride since the moment we arrived. Arrive home after only being gone 2.5 hours including drive time.

Life has changed for sure but it's good. Ben did get to see his very first show which I was really excited about. I'm not sure he enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed my first concert at the ripe old age of 4 but he was tired and I was older. Regardless, I was happy to have him there as it made me feel a little bit cool again...for a mom that is. Plus, Andy and I thought the band was great. After hearing all about Bad Veins from my friend and listening to a demo cd I was excited to have the opportunity to hear them live. The fact that they were playing at the Taste of Cincinnati where I could bring Ben made it possible. Here's proof we were there...it's like playing Where's Waldo.

So, the moral of this adventure is that I am going to first, make sure that I find myself again and partake in those things that used to bring me joy, i.e. music. Also, I'm going to make sure that I include Ben in those things that I'm doing. I know that my love of music came from my mom. She took me to my first concert, always had music playing around the house and getting a record in the mail from Columbia House was like Christmas. I want that for Ben too...although I'm not so sure downloading from iTunes is as exciting as getting a record in the mail....but whatever. And finally, Andy has dreams of Ben being a professional baseball player...I hope he becomes a rock star.

A completed project

You may not know this but I am a fairly crafty person. I love to cross stitch, crochet, make holiday ornaments and a year and a half ago I even made two beginner baby quilts. In the hustle and bustle of daily life I have not not crafted in ages even though it is the one thing that completely relaxes me.

I'm back!

7 years ago my mother in law and I made a wreath using the dried flowers from my wedding bouquet. I love it...and while it's lost some of it's color it hangs in my dining room and every time I see it I think of the day Andy and I married. A couple of years ago a friend was getting married and I offered to do the same for her. I gave her the wreath but she never acknowledged it so I just assumed that it sucked and that mine meant so much to me because I made it myself.

This past October Andy and I went to our very close friends wedding in Charleston, S.C. We had such a great time and in the moment I said to the bride, "Do you want me to take your flowers home, dry them and make them into a wreath?" She said yes and immediately I regretted it because what if I destroyed her wedding flowers. Driving them back to Ohio was nerve racking enough but then actually having evidence of my friend's most memorable day in my hands, I was freaked.

Anyway, the flowers were left hanging in my mother in law's garage until last week. That's right 7 months. I'm quick huh. As the annual derby party was approaching I realized that I was going to see our friends and I needed to get it finished. I spent one hour with my mother in law and it was finished. I was pleased with the aesthetics but still nervous about the brides reaction.

No need to worry! I gave the wreath to her last night and she loved it. not only did she love it but our other friends who are getting married in September want one too.

So here's to crafting, I'm going to do it, I swear. Next project...the scrapbook for my mother in law's retirement...it was last June.