365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 232

October 20th, 2012

Happy Smelly Feet

Move a couch to the middle of the room

and see what happens.

(Missing Lil David's feet)

365 Random Days of Team Zybko 

Day #231

October 19th, 2012

REI
Ridiculously Expensive Items
I Could Have Lived In This Store

The entrance to this outdoor wonderland store was beautiful and totally natural.  Overgrown just right. The pond seemed to beg us to take a minute in the sunshine to skip a few rocks. Yep, according to Drexel this was a good choice. We move on and began the trip with a climb up the 3 story rock wall. A relaxing hour was spent encouraging the little ones as they moved their tiny feet purposefully and slowly to the top. 
( All except the one in the pink tu tu) 
Moving on to the retail area I immediately get happy chills down my back as we weave in and out of well built canoes and roomy tents. Imagining all the awesome adventures we could have with this cool gear gave me a, 
I definitely don't get out enough kinda thrill. Then I checked out a pair of gloves needed in this type of climate mid January to remain a dry, cozy, outdoor enthusiast. Then it hit me. We won't be here in 3 months. Duh. Plus the sticker shock of this one item also reminded me I was out of my financial league. Big time. No worries, it won't hurt to dream a bit and be what the sales people call a looky lou. 
We spotted where we belonged, the clearance bin. Providing much free entertainment until we noticed a sign reminding customers to use an indoor voice.
Whoops.
We didn't bring any of those with us from South Carolina.
Taking this as a clue we exit stage left.   

 

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day #230

October 17th, 2012

D Y L A N as in BOB DYLAN

Who would be excited about standing at the corner of 7th Street and DuPont in a small city in Northern Minnesota?

Me Me Me! Yes, pick me.

I would be excited!

Whoo hoo!

Never ever ever in all the hours I spent listening to Bob Dylan as a teenager could I dream up I would one day be standing in the front yard of his childhood home. Oh, I had heard of Hibbing, MN way back in 1989, well actually it was more like just a town printed on  page 14. Somewhere in chapter one as I eagerly read the famous, off beat musicians biography instead of studying my college books.

Many hours of that decade were spent flipping over my favorite home made tape of Blood on the Tracks. 

The water resistant rubber buttons on my yellow Sony Sport Walkman could have worked on auto pilot.  

At one point I knew every single nonsensical word and story ever sung by my favorite raspy, harmonica playing, folk icon.

I sat my monkey on a log and ordered him to do the dog.

He shook his head and wagged his tail and went and did the cat instead. He's a weird monkey. Really funky.  

Good stuff for sure. Not for everyone I know. Ya either totally dig Bob Dylan or you seriously don't. Baby Daddy equates listening to his songs somewhere between nails on the chalk board and popping a balloon an inch from ones face. I respect his opinion. I simply listen while plugged up or wait til he isn't around.

It hasn't hurt our relationship any.

The name Dylan exploded with popularity in the 90's and still hangs around on the top lists in some parts. When Dylan was given his name I stiffly ignored the "other" possible spellings of this trendy name. As far as I was concerned there is only one way it should be written. The Bob Dylan way. Over the years I became more and more snotty about it. Ironically moving a mere 30 minutes from a small town in South Carolina named Dillon.

Ugh.

Um, how do you spell that Ma'am?

  Asks the 18 year old clerk.

Like Bob Dylan of course.

{Blank stare}

You know who Bob Dylan is right?

{Blank stare}

Um. OK. Never mind. It's D Y L A N 

Ugh.  

I mean HELLO.....doesn't every dedicated loving mother name their children after a doped up drunk rock stars.       

365 Days of Random Team Zybko

Day # 229

October 14th, 2012

Keep Your Eye Upon The Donut

As you travel through life brother

Whatever be your goal

Keep Your Upon the Donut

And not upon the hole

I can't recall where the kids and I read this a few weeks ago but loved it right away. They drew a picture and taped the saying to the front of the fridge for easy,

 future reference.

In order to keep the blog real with real pictures I had to, had to, had to buy a few donuts for the authentic process. You get me right? All in the name of art people.

 I do what I can.

Well that was yesterday. Browsing through the pictures is now. I'm a bit frustrated as they didn't exactly turn out the way I envisioned. Bummer. Naturally, the donuts have already been eaten with a tall glass of chilled skim milk. 0% fat, just for the taste of it.

So, here is the problem. Do I go out, buy more donuts, retake pictures and consume like a pig before anyone in the condo even

 realizes I am gone?

 Yes no yes no yes no

No, I will take the advice and point of this little poem. I will be happy with the slightly off images and the donuts I already ate like a pig, 12 hours earlier.  

As you travel through life brother

Whatever be your goal

Keep Your Upon the Donut

And not upon the hole

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 228

October 14th, 2012

Despite My Appearance

 I Feel Pretty

Like most of us I'm thankful on a daily basis about a ton of blessings in my life. Some blessings don't change from the sunrise all the way to bedtime.

Happy

 To see a new day 

Being a mom

Six little ducklings 

Baby daddy

Health

Family

Friends

Sunshine

 Money in checking to eat

Clean clothes

Strong Coffee

Matching socks

Full tank of gas

The smell of new shoes

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hair clips for impulsive bang decisions

High lighter gel sharpies

Colorful Sprinkles

Whoops....OK

I admit my mind wandered off the important stuff pretty fast.

Seriously though, in this new season I am super appreciative of how God so lovingly hand picked the five of us from the heat of South Cackalacky and plunked us down in the middle of beautiful Northern Minnesota. It took me a while to shake off the shock of it all and get it but sometimes I am a super

s...l...o...w learner. That's for a different post. I could write for a week about how this soccer mom often puts on blinders and is stubborn as an ox. Wait, or is it strong as an ox? Oh yea, it's a mule or something.

Any who.

I am tremendously grateful, more than ever in this cold season and I mean actual

season season not a spiritual kinda season,

 that Baby Daddy loves my guts and not my outward appearance.

 Example A below.....       

Even if I was a fancy schmancy girly girl I have yet to figure out how it

would work out here.

Fix your hair just right,

to put on a hat.

Get a manicure,

to cover hands up with gloves.

Latest lipstick,

to have it freeze and chip off.

Work on your figure at the gym,

to bundle it up.

Gorgeous pumps,

to slip and break your face.

(view from behind my hat)  

I laugh at myself for the way I look in public. No worries. At this point in my life I would rather do my best at fighting the elements than be in the running for Mrs. Minnesota. Although that bumper sticker on the van would totally rock, I am certainly not winning any beauty awards in our short stay here. Working on loving ones guts and seeing the inside. Looking like a female version of John Candy in my Good Will purchased man parka, Baby Daddy really has no choice. Furry pink camo hat? Bring it on. My over sized head has never been so warm and cozy in all it's days. The synthetic fur however does constrict my view quite a bit but that's OK. Kids aren't running off anytime soon. Just as afraid of the random wild animals lurking in the trees as I am, they stick pretty close to mama bear 100% of the time.

With a long week of school behind us we didn't let the grey skies and low temperatures get us down. Friday afternoon at our favorite park "in town" was a special treat.

Thin cotton L. L. Bean gloves simply do not cut it out here. North Face or Mountain Hardware is more of a fashion statement in SC than a true necessity. Not so much here, ya gotta have the gear to survive.

And to be a Southern Princess you may just have to sell out a tinsy bit.

I have gone with out buying shampoo for weeks to purchase these keep from complaining cheaters. Hand and and foot warmers are my new love and happiness while outdoors. Hey don't judge about the cleanliness of my hair, no one sees the grease, trust me.

My five year old stylist and self proclaimed fashion plate refused to put on her gloves and hat. Horrified with the way my non-guts parts looked,

she asked with a snarly sassy lip before getting out of the van

Mom, are you really going out in puck-lick like that?  

It's what's on the inside that counts speech seemed  to fall on cold deaf ears as her bare hands readjusted her miniature stylish glasses. Before long, as I  knew it was coming, she asks in a tiny shaky voice for my gloves. This ain't my first rodeo. Good news about a man jacket, pockets are lumberjack big like a good sized  purse with no strings attached. AMAZING really.  Extra hats, gloves, phone, chapstick, to-do lists, snacks, water bottle and keys ALL fit nicely. Important side note, remember not to put warmers in the same pocket as your lip balm. Lesson learned the hard way.             

I myself am still learning and in big time training about loving my guts alone. I like to look pretty on the outside, who doesn't? It's a tricky thing though to work on guts while ignoring shallow thoughts about grey hair and new wrinkles on my aging face.

 Truth is:

When I think outside my own little world

 I feel pretty.

When I love others like I want to be loved 

 I feel pretty.

When I do for others

 I feel pretty. 

When I read and memorize scripture

I feel pretty.

When I ignore disapproving stares

I feel pretty.

When I let my actions speak

I feel pretty.  

When I pray

 I feel pretty.

When I stop comparing myself to others

I feel pretty.

When I remember how much God loves me

      I feel pretty.      



365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day #227

October 12th, 2012

My Trusty TP

Hi, my name is Delaney. I am ten years old and I am really bored. My second favorite thing to do {behind soccer} in the whole entire world is.......to take pictures!!!!!That's why I decided to experiment with my mom's camera, a roll of trusty toilet paper, a blanket backdrop, and a few creative angles. This is my first ever solo photo shoot!!!!!I hope my peeps in Florence, South Cackalacky enjoy my first try at it!!!!!

Cannot wait to see y'all again!!!!!

=)

         



365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day #226

October 10, 2012

When Glow Sticks Explode

While lovingly stirring the water for some yummy home cooked instant potatoes, Delilah comes running from the bathroom like a bank robber fleeing a crime scene. Both hands generously stained with glow in the dark, green neon chemicals.

The new five year old is slightly panicked

 expressing a worried dramatic look.

Will it ever come off mommy?

I respond in a calm voice

I'm sure honey, I'm sure it will.

I advise her to simply wash with nice warm water and good smelling flowery Target soap.

I smile sweet on the outside, but secretly I wonder about her future and lucrative career as a hand model.

Dang, I guess it's on to plan "B".

Back to the school track and kindergarten books tomorrow.

Inside my big ole head my brain is swimming with concerns. 

Big questions come to mind.

What is this freaky stuff actually made out off?

 Did she put it near her mouth?

Will it come off the tile floor before we are charged?

AND the most important one of course....

Will I be able to get a picture of the newly decorated John? 

We all squish inside the small space and shut the door tight.

 For a proper show, no light is needed.

Whoa.....dude. COOL. This is totally awesome.

As my eyes dart quickly to every corner of the room I hear a tiny relieved voice whisper in the dark.  

She isn't mad, she isn't mad at all.

No way.

This was the most unique natural kid disaster I have seen this side of 40. 

On the toilet seat, towels, floor, cabinet doors and even the rolled up double ply had a somewhat beautiful, hazardous glow. I don't have a tripod and don't know enough about my camera to capture an award winning glow in the dark photo. That's OK, it's just for this soccer mom who had thought she had seen it all.

And for documentation purposes. After many years in the potty trenches, I was over the top elated it wasn't poop.

This time :)