Seven Quick Takes.

1. I’ve realized that I am not uncomfortable with talking to new people, I just say REALLY awkward, strange things to fill the silence. Like, “So…have you had any more kids since we last talked?” WHO SAYS THAT? I also spent my first moms club meeting blabbering on about whether I’d find out the sex of my next child so much that one of the moms asked me if I was pregnant. Nope. Just awkwardly babbling.

2. Lately, whenever someone asks me with a big smile, “So! How is Gabe?” I respond by explaining that he is…into yelling “NO!” at me right now. I hate that I am sharing anything negative about someone I love with every fiber of my being, but OMG enough with the screaming at me, child. Also, when I say, “Three books before bed!”, the LORAX COUNTS AS THREE BOOKS. (I love that book. LOVE it. But it’s like a toddler chapter book.

3. I tweeted about this yesterday, but lately I’ve heard one too many mentions of inept husbands who just can’t do anything right and it really drives me crazy. Now, listen. I get it. Some guys are not helpful as fathers. But the whole narrative of “nagging, controlling, shrill wife!” and “bumbling idiotic father!” is helpful to just about no one (especially your children). We are limited by this lens of viewing relationships and parenting. Just because your husband doesn’t do things exactly the same as you doesn’t mean he’s stupid. And, dude, tell him if it’s a big deal instead of fuming about it (tell him nicely, though). And let it go if it’s something little. (I am saying, ‘you,’ but I also talking to me. I struggle with a balance of telling Mike something without nagging or hovering. But I recognize that it’s *me* who needs to change my level of need to control and not him being somehow inadequate. He’s way more adequate than I am.)

4. My house is a mess. I haven’t done my hair in ages. I am behind on all of everything. I feel the need to share that because a few times last weekend people brought up blog posts that I’d written that made it seem like I have it together and I wanted to laugh because I SO DO NOT. At all. Especially right now. I wish I could shrug off the disaster that is our apartment with an, “Oh well. Just part of the busyness of life!” but it makes me feel suffocated to have everything everywhere. This is real talk.

5. I’m running four miles on Thanksgiving morning. More likely, I’m walking a bunch of it since I’ve run, um, TWICE, in the past five weeks. The best part is ALL my family is doing it (even Gabe is going to walk the mile with my parents!). It should be a fun way to start Thanksgiving. Or really crazy and awful.

6. I got my vacation time approved for Christmas break. Then the airfare to San Juan went up $100. That was good timing. I’m busy making spreadsheets and price comparisons to see if we should stay a few days shorter. My ideal is a week or so on the beach. A quiet, small family Christmas in a tropical oasis. I’m not sure if it IS a tropical oasis or the pictures just make it seem that way. I’m also busy emailing and talking to everyone I know who’s from, or has been to, Puerto Rico. (I know! I talk about it so much I’m going to be tired of it by the time I get there.)

7. Adult friendships are strange. It feels sort of like you’re dating – Are they as into me as I am into them? Am I just tagging along or do they want me to be here? Are they not texting back because they don’t want me to bother them? How do I break up with this person without being awkward(see #1)? Social support networks are the key to happiness, Gretchen Rubin told me that. I have friends in my family, friends from high school, friends from college, friends from work, and now friends from the internet. But sometimes it’s hard to know which ones to pursue and which ones to let fizzle, you know? I want the BEST friendships possible. I have great friends, but I feel like I could always be a better friend (and wife/friend to Mike). I am not sure what I am saying here. I’ll just stop.

Happy weekend, friends!