It's 4:30p...

I am not the greatest person after 4:30p.  See here. 

Waking up at 6:00 in the morning and going throughout the day -- the tired rushes in around 4:00p (there's another period around 12 noon if I'm working my brain on the computer in the mornings).  When that tiredness rushes in...it's not pretty: impatience, low-tolerance, edginess.

The gabbing of the 6 year old doesn't seem so cheerful. 

The screams of the 22 month old is particularly sharp and almost unbearable. 

Strong, independent, childish opinions don't seem so admirable in the moment.


So I walk around -- trying to keep myself busy.  Goodness forbid if I sit.  The tiredness rushes in and the grouch comes out. 

I'm getting a little break from the kids in the moment.  They are elsewhere for the moment.  That helps.  However, I can't sit for long. 

I need to get up and move. 

Okay. 

Maybe I'll even get some coffee.  I try not to have too many cups in a day but I can't bring myself to do tea in the moment, so coffee it is. 

And onto the next project.

And maybe I'll take a couple of candids in between with the new camera. 

Unfortunately, the husband may be working late tonight so the hour and half before bedtime will be mine's alone. 

The toddler's pulling at me now. 

Sigh. 

Time to get moving. 

Time for that coffee now. 

Best Birthday Scoop Ever...

So today I turn forty-cough! That's just crazy because I don't feel a day over 29.  Truly.  Except when my kids have run me ragged and then I feel the opposite - yes, about 92.

However, it's turning out to be the best birthday ever...

Today I have the honor of being awarded The Best Scoop of the Week Award by my fellow Write On Edge writer, Stephanie over at The Scoop on Poop. Sweet!  She is an amazing writer,  blogger and stay at home mama of two who loves life and loves to laugh about it.  So definitely head on over to her place and pay her visit. 

And if  by chance is your first time here, welcome.  This blog, a continual work in progress, is representative of all aspects of me as a woman, a writer, a wife, a mother, and a city girl transplanted into an environment so unlike her roots that she has to blog about it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Flavor of the Month

She was the flavor of the month.  She knew it and didn't care.

It didn't matter that being Kyle Weston's girlfriends didn't last long.   She was his for the time being.

Kyle with the dark blue eyes and raven black wavy hair. His looks could be sinful or sweet depending on the smile he gave you.  Both smiles gave you butterflies.  Guaranteed.

Varsity quarterback and youngest son of the town's wealthiest family.  His sweet nature matched his looks but he couldn't commit.

His girlfriends came and went almost as fast as a revolving door.   However, the rich, aloof, well-mannered girls that were his type didn't mind.  Being on Kyle's arm meant everything.

Ruby.  Rich, strawberry blonde, she walked beside him down the hall, swaying prettily as he carried her designer backpack.

Her rosy lips smiled victorious as they walked by me while his beautiful full lips gave me a meaningful, sad smile.  Ruby chuckled.  She had caught his smile.  One of pity - she thought.

Me, Emma Lightfoot, with my rust colored skin and long, straight, dark hair - thick in its lushness.  My thin-rimmed glasses hid pretty expressive eyes.  Not pretty enough to be his flavor of any kind.  It didn't matter that I was smart and witty with a great sense of humor.

I was Native American and poor.  His family had their standards.


It was clear, though.

When he gazed at me from across the room at lunch later.

When I walked past his lunch table, and his hand reached out to caress mine softly.

When I walked to my old beat up white Ford pickup.  He had positioned himself within his little group of jock friends to face the parking lot.

I didn't look back but I knew he was watching me.

When I got in the driver's side and put my bag down, I sat for a moment and caressed the beautiful ring on my left ring finger.  It was made up of two strands of yellow gold intertwined and bordered on each side by a strand of white gold.

Kyle's flavors didn't get rings like this.

I looked up, out the driver's window and Kyle's eyes hit mine's.  Even when Ruby sauntered up to him and gave him a huge hug, his gaze remained locked to mine's.

It was very clear.

I was the true spice in Kyle's life.


This piece was inspired by a Red Writing Hood prompt from Write on Edge which asked that in four hundred words or less, write a piece based on the definition of the word "flavor". 

A New Year...A Guest Post

The holidays were so amazing.  We were able to travel back to California - a road trip, with my Mom in tow - and spend time with my husband's family, complete with my boys' great grandma.  We spent Christmas Eve eating fondue and on Christmas Day, there were presents galore for the boys.  A little anxiety on behalf of The Parents was thrown in because we weren't sure how the 4 year old would like his gift from Santa since it wasn't exactly what he asked for -- but he was happy all the same.

Now I'm back and starting off the New Year with a sweet bang.  Just.Be.Enough  is absolutely one of my favorite blogs and I have the honor to be guest posting there today.  It's a place where both men and women share stories that celebrate the individuality in all of us, and encourages that the individuality is enough.  

So come over and visit.  I share about parenting  - a topic that's close to my heart since I'm in the midst of it, trying to figure it all out.

A huge and special  thanks to Elena and the contributors at Just.Be.Enough for giving me this opportunity to share.


Hope your holidays were amazing, too.  Happy New Year and wishing you a good 2012!

Of course, when you get a free moment, hop over to Just.Be.Enough and check my story along with the other wonderful stories that are being shared.

You'll be amazed and encouraged, I promise you.