TV Free's the Way to Be

It's officially the first day of summer...a season I love more than life itself (which has always struck me as a strange phrase...I mean, without life- you wouldn't really get the chance to love something more, right?).

So in order to make the most of my very favorite season, I've decided to continue an unofficial tradition in the Bowden household- giving up TV. I didn't even realize that my periodic technology bans had become an annual event until a friend from work asked if I would be giving up TV again, because she wanted to try it, and needed an accountability partner. I hadn't thought about it much- but figured- why not? Last year's "blackout" occurred in August, a notoriously slow month for TV...but once I started thinking about it, I realized I could use some free time NOW...free time that as usual was getting eaten up subtly and quickly by the tube. So I hastily dubbed this year's event "TV Free Summer!" Vowing not only to turn of the telly in August- but to extend it through the entire summer season!!

But then...

Wikipedia got involved, where I learned that summer does indeed start June 21, but goes until...wait for it...September 23! I mean, I may have lofty goals, but I'm not a total masochist- I can't miss season premieres! So, I compromised the self-imposed sanctions, and have decided that I'll be TV free from now until Labor Day (the unofficial end to summer). And while we're making concessions- I should disclose that there will be several limited exceptions to the TV ban. (Hey- my game, my rules!) I will allow 2 shows to stay on my weekly viewing list- The Bachelorette (don't judge) and So You Think You Can Dance (obviously). Sure, that's probably "cheating" but in the grand scheme my goal isn't to be a stickler...it's to force myself into all the activities I love (or at least need) to do.

I've got books lined up, weekend trips planned, blog posts mentally drafted, and a slew of house projects that will no doubt keep me busy.

So what about you? Want to join in my quest to escape zombie land, and live it up this summer? I'll even grant you a guilty pleasure freebie show or two...

Father's Day Hopes

Today's message at church was of course tailored to Father's Day (which at our church means propping Harleys up on stage, and passing out beef jerky to the men!), inclusive of adorable videos of kids saying what they love about their dads. But they also had a video of adults talking about their fathers- answering the question "What positive traits of your father do you hope to pass to your children?" The responses were varied, showing there are infinite ways to be a great dad...and they got me thinking about what traits I've learned from my fathers (yep...you're jealous I have two aren't you?) that I hope to show my child.

To my Daddy:

I hope our baby has your wit (which I believe I was lucky enough to inherit a bit of), your impressive grasp of grammar, (including homophones and homonyms) and your long legs (ok...that's not really the point, but it's still a positive trait!) But beyond that, I grew up blessed to know that you loved me unconditionally...you always went out of your way to spend time with me, and form special traditions between just us. I'm sure playing barbie dream house, or learning to do "straddle-saults" weren't your favorite activities, but you always made me feel like I was your favorite, and that you wouldn't trade our time together for anything. I hope I can teach our child as effortlessly as you always seemed to, and show them that I am endlessly proud of everything they do. I pray we form a one of a kind relationship that they look back on as fondly as I do my days growing up with you. Oh, don't worry- I'll carry the Kraft Dinner torch with pride.

To my Vern:
I know that though our baby might not have your genes (or your Grandpa Skinny Jeans!) he or she will definitely follow in the footsteps you created. You constantly impress me with your ability to listen, really listen, whether it's just a silly story, or something I need advice with. Your caring heart is always visible- I don't know someone who has ever doubted how you feel about them (and if they ever did, one of your infamous Christmas cards would surely make it clear). But I also adore that beyond the seriousness of how well you love those around you, you're not afraid to roll around on the floor, cross your eyes, and just be a kid. I pray that our child gets some of your Mr. Fix it knowledge, your appreciation for Muppets, and your infectious spirit.

To my Dustin:

I can already picture you cuddling our child (I may have taught you a thing or two there), singing songs, making up voices, and generally just loving the stuffing out of our sweet little baby bundle. I hope our child gets even one-tenth of your giving nature, your heart for others, and your desire to do...You have such a desire to be a good husband, a good dad, and a good man, and I know you'll show our child how to give something your all, always aiming to do what's right, even when it's not always fun. I've never met someone who allows Jesus to shine through them as plainly as you are able to, and I can't wait to watch our child look into your eyes and see the love of their Heavenly Father though the devotion of their earthly father.

Happy Father's Day to all my men. I love each of you uniquely and dearly.

Southern Living

When I grow up I want to be Southern. Yeah, I know that’s not how it works, but I think that there’s a real possibility that I was born on the wrong side of the Mason- Dixon. Sure there’s a lot of scary stereotypes about rednecks and backwoods, but I still sometimes have the urge to jump cultures and join the “other side”. My reasons include:

• I’d get to say adorable things like “Bless her heart” and “Oh my word.”
• I’d get to enjoy my great food loves: Chilck-fil-a, Coca-cola, Mac&Cheese, Sonic and Tea (iced and sweet). These are things that you can get in the north, but the south really “gets”.
• Dustin could grow his hair long, get a side part, and wear an endless stream of candy colored polos with embroidered shorts.
• We’d have a wrap around porch, and a 100 year old tree in the front yard with a tire swing.
• My vocabulary would take a colorful turn- as I learned to incorporate sayings like “knee-high to a grasshopper” into my everyday speech.
• Men would always hold open my door, let me on the elevator first, and generally treat me like the lady that I am (would be).
• My son would wear overalls (until it stops being cute and starts being trashy) and have a best friend puppy that accompanies him everywhere. (The dog would grow along side him, watching him go off to college and stoically supporting him through the ups and downs of life until his little dog body gives out, and he passes away quietly, teaching our family lessons about what it means to love).
• I’d have reunions with my sorority sisters where we’d all drink fancy lemonade and wear hats.
• People would call me “ma’am” out of respect, not because they think I’m old.
• Carrie Underwood would finally start returning my phone calls.
• All of my luggage (and jewelry, and stationary, and sheets) would be monogrammed.
• I could sit around with my old southern lady friends and gossip about the goings on about town, cringing at behavior that “just isn’t done.”
• I’d be a die hard fan for some prestigious southern establishment like Auburn, or Clemson.
• My kids would call their grandparents names like “GrammyPaw”.
• I’d learn what a whippoorwill is.
• I’d get to name my kids uppity things, loosely based on our family’s historic plantation past.

Sure- I might be romanticizing it a little (I mean, most of my exposure to the south comes from movies like Steel Magnolias, Fried Green Tomatoes and The Notebook.) And there are a ton of things about the South that I could do without (fishing, Walmart, camo hats). But it is fun to fantasize about cherry picking the best parts of another life (including actual cherry picking!) and making them mine. So if you need me, I’ll be in my rocking chair, listening to Randy Travis, reminiscing about my imaginary "good old days”.

Between the Memorable

“The poet Jack Gilbert wrote that marriage is what happens “between the memorable”. He said that we often look back on our marriages years later, perhaps after one spouse has died and all we can recall are “the vacations, and emergencies”- the high points and the low points. The rest of it blends into a blurry sort of daily sameness. But it is that very blurred sameness, the poet argues, that comprises marriage. Marriage is those two thousand indistinguishable conversations, chatted over two thousand indistinguishable breakfasts, where intimacy turns like a slow wheel. How do you measure the worth of becoming that familiar to somebody- so utterly well known and so thoroughly ever-present that you become an almost invisible necessity, like air?”

- Elizabeth Gilbert, Committed

Between the memorable moments of our current lives, Dustin and I will be enjoying an indistinguishable lunch date at Qdoba. And then tonight we’ll share front-row (couch) seats for a viewing of the Bachelorette. Talk about a slow wheel of intimacy...

Dustin- When I take you for granted (which is unfortunately often) try to see it as an example of you becoming an invisible necessity in my life (in a good way!). I love you every day, and every moment- even the blurry same ones.

Wouldn't it be nice: June

June?!? Where did you come from, you crazy month? Didn't anyone ever tell you not to sneak up on people like that?

So as time went flying by, I missed out on sharing my resolution for May...I leave you in suspense no more- During the month of May, I resolved to "try something new". Given all the change around here recently, this wasn't exactly a toughie to accomplish....but just for fun, here's a list of some new things I tried in May:

• Being Pregnant (We told our friends the news, I started showing off a real bump, and celebrated "almost a mother" day!)
• Mini-golfing in 92 degree weather. (I do not recommend)
• A generic prenatel vitamin: fail.
• Vacationing in Bermuda....so very lovely.
• Riding a motor-scooter...mostly lovely...a little scary.
• Demolishing a wall (ok...I didn't do it...but I did try watching...)
• Installing a dimmer switch (This one I really did do myself...Dustin may have helped a little)
• Reading a paperback mystery series (Any Janet Evanovich fans out there? I could be converted...)

I'm sure there are more...but those are a couple highlights of "what's new" around here. And now, it's on to the next month!

For June, I picked something that should be relatively simple...but for some reason, I've been dreaming of it forever, and haven't made it happen:

This month, I want to watch a movie outside!

There are still a couple of drive-in theaters around Pittsburgh that we've never made it out to (we were invited by some friends last night...but were already at a Pirates Game-with fireworks!....Tough life, right?). So we might try to catch a drive-in double feature. Or, Pittsburgh has a fun option called Cinema in the Park, where they screen movies...well...in the park! The events are hosted all over the city, and there is really no reason we've never been. I'm thinking it could be a great excuse for a picnic with friends!

But.......what I've really really been dreaming of, is hosting a backyard movie viewing at our house.

Inspiration:

So, I know ours wouldn't be that awesome, but how much fun would it be to lounge around outside and catch a flick? Our yard is pretty slanted...which could pose a problem, OR, it could serve as the perfect auditorium-like setting) We could borrow the sound system and projector from YL, Dustin will work his set-up magic, and I'll provide the popcorn. Wanna come?