MONDAY TOP TEN: my new coffee maker

Isn't she a beaut? I finally broke down and purchased a real-live big ol' coffee maker!

In honor of this big step into my grown-up life,

MONDAY TOP TEN:

my new coffemaker!

1. It is so cute. It is shiny, black, and fits just perfect under the cabinets by the paper towel holder. And, there is an outlet right there - just waiting for a coffee maker!

2. I have plenty of coffee beans. See this beautiful shiny photo of the Starbucks Espresso Roast. Bold, but not overwhelming. These beans smell so darn delicious.

3. next step: grinding the beans. I use enough to fill to that line in the center. Just enough to cover the blades well.

4. I am the only one in this house who drinks coffee, so I just fill up the carafe with "6 cups". Which is really only 30 oz. Weird how "they" at Cuisinart have decided to recalibrate the CUP. Power hungry devils.

5. See that paper filter? You know the one. The most amazing invention by man to date. How easy does that paper filter make things? Answer: very. I bought this coffee maker just so I could use paper filters.

6. LOOK HOW EASY THIS CLEANUP IS!!!

7. See what I am saying about the "CUPs"? Just who do they think they are anyway?

8. Ok, back on topic here. I love coffee that is really just an additive to the creamer. You see, creamer is sweet, delicious, and - well - creamy. Coffee is kinda bitter and tough to get used to. Creamer makes it perfect.

9. Now, now, coffee. Don't you be sad. I really do like you. You are hot, and warm, and give me more energy to face the day. Did I mention you were warm? Don't worry coffee, you have lots of good qualities, too. I just like you even more with creamer, ok?

10. I love coffee.... as long as it has lots creamer... and is still hot... but not too hot... and has been made in a simple machine that is easy to clean.

Wishing you a day with much love, warmth, and creamer,

Stacey Erin Cheatham Wilson

P.S. Dear French Press, you introduced me to this gateway drug: coffee. That was weird. You ended up not being very friendly when I suggested you take a bath. So persnickity. And another thing - you might be in movies and have a fancy name like "french" - but you are really just another coffee maker. So, get off your high horse already and get a paper filter.

Does this mean I am coming into money soon?

So I just finished doing the dishes. Yes, I was using super hot water. No, I was not wearing my Bree VanDeKamp Hodge protective rubber gloves. But is this normal?

Weird, right?

Has this ever happened to your hands?

Just the right. The left? Relatively normal....

If I'm not back in ten minutes, call the authorities.

just kidding,

a-peel-ing stacey

Funk. Rant. Repeat.

I am good enough, smart enough, and dog-gone-it, people like me.

Make sure you read that title appropriately. I do not mean Funk you or anything. It's not you, it's me. Really.

I've been in one. A funk. You know, one of those times when you are tired, feeling ineffective, and totally frustrated? Do you know? Lethargic, having a lack of energy, waiting for who-knows-what? Ever? You? Am I alone here?

Life is sometimes this way for me. It reminds me of that CLASSIC 90's song by the dear Paula Abdul: "One step forward, a-two steps back". Oh, Paula, you wise woman of the world.

Sometimes I just need Stuart Smalley nearby to help me utter some positive affirmations in the mirror. But, since he's busy now being a senator or something, let's do a TOP TEN LIST!!! WOOO-HOOOOO!! (that's totally forced enthusiasm, but hey - it could totally work!)

FRIDAY TOP TEN:
THINGS THAT ARE GOOD!

(note: not in any particular order, although numbered. I just like lists - obviously!)

1. Potty Training.
Jane is getting it. So well, in fact, that she takes off her pull-up in the middle of the night (is it uncomfortable, sweetie?) to wind up peeing the bed. The daytimes she is fine. Even naptime. You just have to make sure to get her to go "pee-pee potty" beforehand.

photo from our opening week!

2. My partnership with Marie in 9M.
We are working together really well. We have a pretty good balance within our responsibilities, and complete them with regularity. If only we were making millions - we would be even happier! www.shop9M.com

3. My designer jeans.
I am converted. They make me feel better about myself. Citizens of humanity: you make my butt look good, which is nearly a miracle with what you have to work with. 7 for all mankind: you slim my thighs and lengthen my legs. For that I am grateful. Paige Premium: you make all pregnant ladies love you. Can I get a "heck-yes" from any of the ladies out there?



4. Working out.
A mere three months passed before my dear workout partner Yvonne joined me in the exodus from Soledad. Marisol works out with me in the early hours, and now so does Yvonne! It has been a fantastic journey these past few years learning that I am stronger than I thought I could be, and that I can meet goals once thought too lofty. GO ME!

5. Marriage.
Being from an "opposites attract" relationship (is there another kind?), I am thankful for the energy that my spouse puts in to counteract that opposition. He is truly a good person, and a great father, and a hard-worker, and very committed.

6. French Fries.
Salty. Hot. Crispy. Soft. Oh, how you tempt me! Oh, how you fulfill my every need! French Fries: My nemesis and back stabbing best friend. I have to be away from you sometimes, but I never - never forget you.



7. Completing my role as Executor/Successor Trustee.
I am a focused person when I need to be. I learned at CSUMB that I function better under deadlines and consistency. I learned through my role as executor of my dad's "estate" that I could function with a job to do: a list to complete. I haven't been fabulous, but the role itself helped me cope through a very difficult time.

8. My kid.
She pretty much rules. Yes, there are the fits and tantrums expected from this age. However, she is very cuddly and pretty darn cute. I love it when she tries to copy exactly what blaine is doing. For example: he may lean his head on his hand at the dinner table. She immediately looks back and forth at her arm, then his arm, to make sure she is mimicking just right. Really funny. :)
9. My Storksak Bag.
Carrying this bag has won me awards, friends, and high-fives. For reals. I won the largest purse contest at MOPS. I met a new friend when a woman asked me where I got my bag (ok, so I don't even remember her name. But still). And, I arrived with not only ONE, but TWO of those costco-sized spice containers safely and inconspicuously smuggled inside this mamoth - to receive a high-five from the shocked recipient. Love it.

10. This blog.
I am happy to have a place to write out my frustrations, air my mind out (although it seems as though there is already plenty of air in there these days!), and to affirm myself that this life is good.

Thanks peeps,
Cheatham #3

Pididdle!

So, I was walking down the street one day
in the merry, merry month of may

I was taken by surprise
by a pair of lovely eyes

I was walking in the park one day!





So, I was really driving down the street.
And it was nighttime.

But, it brought back a little memory.

You see, I spotted a car with only one working headlight.
Of course, I immediately hit the roof of the car with one hand
and called out "pididdle"!

If you traveled in my little high school circle of friends
you were just smiling.
But if you met me later on, let me fill you in:

If you spy a car with one headlight
AND are the first person in your vehicle to hit the roof and call out "pididdle!"
You will get a kiss that night.
And not from your mom, either.



Just a little helpful tip
for you to successfully incorporate more lovin' into your day.


Mwuah,
Stacey

Live from the salt mines: a week in my life!

fold laundry.

wash dishes.

Reporting to you live from 9M! Ok, ok, so it is not really fair to call this adorable little boutique the salt mines. It's not like I have to do any back breaking labor or anything. Or even get up off my butt if I don't want to. Or even clean anything, because I did a stellar job of that yesterday. Or even unpack any new stuff, enter it into the system, and steam it (it's Saturday=no deliveries).

But, I am a little bored!

So, you, my dear blog reader, get to hear the exciting news of a week in my life.

(warning: it is not really exciting.)

Monday:

woke up with Jane. We made her crib into a toddler bed on Sunday (Friday?). Well, some day before Monday. At any rate, she has done pretty well staying in her bed. In fact, all day she gets in and out pretending like she's going to sleep. Pretty cute, right? But, come morning she just screams for me still. She must forget that she can get out by herself?

do laundry. pay bills. wash dishes.

wish Carson a Happy birthday.

Tuesday:

Wake up early to work out. Decide to swim. However, lighting threatens my life (being in that big vat of electro-conducive H2O). Seriously peeved at the weather for being electric, tired because it is now 5:45 am, annoyed that I am dripping wet and didn't even get a workout in - maybe a 500 free! stand in the YMCA shower for 15 minutes trying to get warm.

do laundry. clean dishes.

wish Burt, Delaney & Emelyn a happy birthday.

MOPS mom's night out at Chevy's! Thwart all exercise benefits with a Corona and chicken fajitas.... and a million of those deliciously thin and salty chips. totally fun to talk with the ladies.

Wednesday:

work out at the Y (forgo the attempt at swimming due to the tsunami/tornado outside)

get serious about potty training Jane and go through 5 pairs of "big girl underwear" and pants during our shopping excursion to Baby Branch and Michaels.

do laundry.

Thursday:

wake up to my favorite time of the year: trip to the Dentist!! woo-hoo!! I LOVE clean teeth.

come home and babysit 4 kids of friends for a couple hours. much easier than one might think. lovin hanging out with Wyatt & Adrienne and Bonnie when they pick up their kids.

watch one episode of my new season 5 of Desperate Housewives. those crazy ladies sure make me feel more normal and grounded!

do laundry. wash dishes.

Friday:

dropped jane off at the babysitter. As we pull up to Jacey's house, Jane starts singing "jacey's house, jacey's house! Bye Mom!" this is all before I even open the door from the car! What the heck? Aren't you sad to leave me, kid?

work at the store today. have a lot of fun talking with new and repeat customers. receive new shipments from Bebe au Lait, 9 Seed, and Maternal America. I love getting in new stuff!

blaine brought me a cinn-dulce latte to ease a little caffine-addiction headache I was suffering from. how sweet. so is blaine.

go home, eat a fantastic dinner, visit with frances when she comes over to return my sewing machine, do homework, and watch top-quality-movie-entertainment in 'Stepbrothers'. Man, that was a lot of f-bombs to endure. But, some really funny parts.

Now that it is Saturday, I will have to rest up for another upcoming week of fun, excitement, and laundry!

Love ya like a sista,

S-dub

New Year's Resolutions

The Wilsons 12-31-09

(that's me on the right, if you don't recognize that girl with the fluffy hair)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Yes, yes, I realize it is now the 12th of January. I just got to thinking that I would like to commit to "paper" some things I have been thinking about for myself. I am generally pretty selfish, so I do a lot of thinking about myself.

So, resolution #1 (no, this is not a top ten list) - be equally as selfish as I was in 2009. Or even more so.

Hear me out on this one. First, I think this is pretty realistic. Second, being selfish keeps me waking up at 5am to go workout: so I can look good. Third, I think that if I spend more time worried about doing stuff I like doing, I will obsess less about that same thing that Blaine doesn't like doing. Therefore, I will be happier, nicer, and a better wife. Does that make any sense? It might not, but in my head it totally does.

Resolution #2 - run another 1/2 marathon.

Saturday, August 14th, to be exact. The Salinas Valley Half Marathon. I know some peeps who are planners/coordinators/lucky volunteers. I am totally in. I guess that means I actually have to run more! Yikes! (but, in line with resolution #1 to be more selfish/look good).

Resolution #3 - complete the Dynamic Marriage class at church.

Be nicer. Learn how to be a better wife. Start using kind words. Act loving. Give compliments. Be appreciative. Remember stuff. Don't fold laundry when Blaine wants to go to sleep. Put the toothpaste lid on (just kidding on that one, folks. It just sounds soooo typical).

Well, I've never really written down a resolution before. I've already got three. Whew. Oh wait....

Resolution #4 - keep on scrapbooking.

I totally love the artsy/designing part. It makes me happy to re-live memories. I am taking a class online with Cousin P. I feel like I am a modern historian, a biographer, and like I am doing something good for Jane and my future grandkids to know what I am/was all about. This shouldn't be too hard, as I just did these three last night/today :)

P.S. all three of these scrapbook pages are about my dad. So, you might want to have a tissue handy. I'm just sayin'.

Ok. I think this list is doable. I mean, it's not like I'm really gonna cure cancer this year or anything. I'm really just going to keep being me.

A better, stronger, nicer me.

Love,

the future fabulous me

SATURDAY TOP TEN: The Crossman Hawaiian Wedding

I spent January 1-7 in Waikiki in order to attend my sister, Kylie, 's wedding to Jason Crossman. She decided to marry on Tuesday, January 5th to honor my dad, Jim Cheatham, who passed away in March 2009: it would have been his 68th birthday. It was a great time to honor old memories, and celebrate the making of new ones.

Here's my top ten photos from the trip:

1. Perfectly warm, breezy, and beautiful evenings. I took this shot of a sunset cruise from our dinner table at Duke's. Amanda & I had dinner with Aunt Janny & Uncle Mike the night before the wedding. (Thank God we didn't go to the Luau!)

2. Seeing Amy's house (on far right). I have never been to any house Amy has lived in as an adult. (USAF housing, Nebraska, Japan, and now Hawaii). It was wonderful to see her home, and interact with her family: LOVE THEM!

p.s. Brad is hilarious. Seriously. Always making me laugh with sly comments/dry humour.

3. Well we were there for the wedding, of course! I really enjoyed seeing Jason hang out with his friends and family. They were all really great, and a great testament to how fantastic Jason is! Way to go, Kylie!

4. Please don't get angry at me for posting this photo, Kylie. You may have an interesting expression on your face, but that's only because the sun popped out of the all-day cloud cover just for your wedding! Your hair is flowing amazingly, along with your fabulous veil, and perfect dress.

You look amazing.

And happy.

And my camera's battery died immediately after this photo, so I couldn't take any more photos :(

5. Jocelyn. I needed to hug a two-year old. Ok, I admit it! I used her to get some good ol' mama lovin' from a little girl because I missed Jane. And Jocelyn is just so sweet. She would cuddle and be so darn GOOD! (See Amy's facebook for photos of Sam sitting quietly for hours). Love them!

6. Really this should be number one. All I want to do on vacation is lounge by the (infinity) pool, sipping a cocktail/beer, and soaking up some cosmic rays.

7. Getting to hang out with these lovely ladies for most of the trip! From left: Amanda deDampierre, Karen Jimeson, Amanda Cheatham Evans, and Noelle Collins.

8. Seeing the look on Chel's face when describing the effort and time he put into picking out the best suit to wear to walk Kylie down the aisle. (insert fist shake here in the direction of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Luau food-poisoning team).

9. Waking up early (although NEVER my first choice) to get prime snorkeling time in on our last morning in Hawaii. Check out this bay! It is called the Hanauma Bay, and it is a protected State Park or something. It was breathtaking.

10. Gazing up through amazingly strong and tall palm trees into the bluest, clearest, most fantastic sky ever.

Had a great time, and can't wait to fill up my Aloha spirit again soon.

Really soon!

Mahalo,

Stacey