The Little Shop of Awesome

Dear Diary,

To most, Valentines Day means a day, night, or weekend with the person you love. It's all about the best gift, the delicious dinner, and the perfect romantic story to tell your friends.

But, for the past few years, Valentines Day has not meant any of that to me. It has meant hard work, long hours, LOTS of flowers, and time spent with women I love! Agreeing to take a part time job at the Flower Shop was one of the best things I ever did. Not only did I acquire the perfect college job, a new talent I didn't know I had, and a home away from home, BUT I gained mentors, second mothers, and true friends for life.

It all started with an offer to take a delivery job for a family friend, MELISSA. In the beginning it was only her, another designer and me, working together to run the shop the best way we knew how. If I remember correctly, my first day on the job was hardly ideal as I had gotten off route, had to make a delivery out of town and I am PRETTY sure at my last stop, I opened up the back end of the car and broke at least 2 vase arrangements. Don't worry, my second day was much better, and before long delivery became a piece of cake compared to the new skills Melissa was teaching me in the shop. I got to learn design from THE BEST, and I mean that. Melissa started me off with bow making and bud vases and before long I was working on easels and casket pieces. I had a true love for it, and in trying to keep up with the amazing designs of my boss, I only got better and better.

The shop was soon blessed with the usually late, always fun, and wonderfully talented BRENDA. She was also a part-timer like me, designing and helping out where she could. She fit in right away and I think Melissa and I can both say the days were always better when Brenda was in. I officially had two "second-moms" that I could talk to about anything, and believe me, I did. Work not only became the place where I earned my income, but a place where I could relax, get things off my chest and ask for advice about anything and everything in my life.

Then came my true MOTHER, who I think decided since she was spending so much time at the shop anyhow, she my as well get paid for it =) I'll be honest and say that I was a little nervous when Mom said she was going to start working for Melissa full time. How would I like working with my Mother everyday? Well I will tell you, it was fantastic! She was my Mother, sure, but she was also a friend. And I must say the dynamic in the shop got that much better as we were all having more fun than anyone should be allowed at work!

THEN came the move, and with the move came the new Little Shop of Flowers, and with The Little Shop of Flowers came some employee fires and some employee hires, and with the employee hires came another perfect fit, KRISTIN! They say things happen for a reason and Kristin joining THE FLOWER SHOP GIRLS was definitely meant to be. She fit in to our little group perfectly, and it helped that her designs were great too!

Many people have come and gone over the years, including many family members. I think all the Cedeno and Boler kids have made, and our continuing to make, their mark. Every one's husbands have been assigned duties here and there, including Garrett who delivered part time during baseball season =) And while the core of THE FLOWER SHOP GIRLS aren't related in the slightest, we are all family. The crazy stories are abundant, the good times are countless, the talent is incredible, and the friendships are everlasting.

I was truly bummed that for the first time in a long time I wasn't going to be spending my Valentines Day working my butt off in the Flower Shop. Due to doctors orders I wasn't allowed to travel to one of my favorite places in the entire world and work alongside some of my best friends. That didn't stop them from sending a little Valentines Day humor my way though. No one but THE FLOWER SHOP GIRLS will understand, but when I received the dozen mixed carnation vase arrangement on Friday, it made me laugh and miss you guys even more!

SO, while you are all exhausted and don't think you can look at another order, remember that if you weren't there, you would be at home like me, wishing you were! And while Pittsburg is missing out on some great designs by YOURS TRULY, I have no doubt that everything will be just as beautiful and perfect as it always is. You guys are awesome, ALL of you! And to all the past and present Little Shop of Flowers employees -

Once A Flower Shop Girl, Always A Flower Shop Girl!

LOVE YOU!

Sincerely Yours,

I Dont Give Hugs For Free!

Dear Diary,

As Valentines Day approaches, I thought I'd write about something related to the topic:

AFFECTION

If you know me well, you know I am not a touchy-feely kind of person. Simply put: I don't give out hugs for free. If you aren't a family member or very close friend, you probably aren't going to get a hug from me.

My reason? Well, I don't really have a good one. I don't really have one at all. For as long as I can remember I have avoided being emotional. I was NOT the girl that cried during movies. I remained DISTANT from anything that could potentially spark an emotion. And even though I loved the idea of having a family someday, I NEVER felt the need to hold a newborn baby. In fact, I recall comparing holding a newborn baby to holding a brick. I didn't understand the fascination. "Why do I need to hold it? I can see it from here!"

And please don't get the wrong impression. I wouldn't say my heart was made of stone, although I was told that once when I admitted I didn't shed a tear during the movie "The Notebook," but I would say that my softer side has taken years to present itself.

I remember how often people would talk about the emotional roller coaster of being pregnant. And I will be 100% honest to tell you that THIS was what I was most worried about above everything else. Morning sickness? Sure, I'll take it! Being in labor for a few hours? Bring it on! Recovering and taking care of a newborn baby? Easy, Smeasy! Crying in public for no apparent reason? NO THANKS!

I embarrassed myself more than once during my pregnancy with Addy. And while I tried my hardest to control myself, my efforts were to no avail. Three stories come to mind: The first was the day I woke up to no morning sickness. After throwing up everyday for 4 or 5 months, I was under the impression that it was finally over. I should have known better than to get my hopes up because before I left the house for work that morning, I threw up not once, but twice. I cried the entire way to work, mostly feeling sorry for myself, but I gathered my emotions and walked in with my head held high! That is, until someone made the mistake of asking me how I was doing. Well the waterworks started and couldn't be stopped. I wasn't even able to see my first patient because I couldn't stop crying long enough. And all I really remember doing was apologizing to my coworkers because this was just "not like me at all."

The second story involves a meltdown with my sister over a decision to not go shopping. Apparently her disappointment in my decisiveness to just stay home really hit a sore spot and I spent the rest of the morning upset, crying and mad for reasons I am still not completely aware of.

THEN there's the day I decided to watch "Marley and Me." NEVER have I cried during a movie and I certainly didn't think a movie about a dog was going to be the one to do it. I tried to hide my face from Garrett but there was no concealing the tears streaming down my face.

So needless to say, with pregnancy came the rush of my emotions and with the birth of my first child, came the embrace of them. I am no longer embarrassed to show my softer side. I was HAPPY to shed a few tears when my baby laughed for the first time. I ENJOY the rush of feelings I get when I think how blessed we are. And there is nothing I LOVE more than when she wraps her arms around my neck, lays her head on my shoulder and squeezes as hard as she can, for there is nothing greater than a hug from my little lady.

So, as my life has unfolded, I have welcomed my emotions more than ever before. Do I now like to cry in front of others? NO. Do I enjoy tearing up during a silly movie? NEVER. Do I feel the need to hug people just for the satisfaction of a hug? DEFINITELY NOT. But, at least I know now that if I do, there is nothing to be embarrassed about! And I have certainly learned that holding a newborn baby is not at all like holding a brick =) I will ALWAYS give those hugs for free!!

Sincerely Yours,



The Super Bowl was on?

Dear Diary,

The Super Bowl was on last night?

It's no secret that the Forsythe's are baseball people. You won't walk in us watching a football game and we definitely aren't die-hard chiefs fans like everyone else we know. So what do we do when the Super Bowl is on? We have a DATE NIGHT! It started last year. We decided to go out to eat during the game and, after seeing we were maybe 1 of 3 tables in the entire restaurant, we decided this would be the perfect night to go out to eat every year. We would pick a place that is normally busy and get seated right away and have excellent service because everyone else in the world is at home eating pizza and glued to their television sets.

Last night was no exception. Not only did we want to enjoy a nice dinner out, but we just wanted to get out of the house. With Addy not feeling well the past few days, we were all ready to do something other than watch cartoons and play with something we've already played with a million times. She had a good day yesterday so we bundled her up and had a family DATE NIGHT!

It's nights like these when I realize how good I really have it. I admit I have probably been a little bitter lately over the fact that my little lady hasn't felt well and instead of having fun all day and sleeping good at night, we have been pushing through the mopey moments and breathing treatments and getting very little sleep at night. But, as I was sitting at dinner with the guy I love and the little girl who I don't think even stopped smiling to eat her food, I realized that moments like these make up for all the bad moments combined. The little girl at the table next to us may have had a lot to do with making Addalyn so happy, but I will pretend she was just soaking in the wonderful moment with her parents who she loves dearly. =)

We got home in just enough time to catch the halftime show, which I have to say wasn't worth watching. Someone needs to tell Fergie that lip syncing might be a better route for her. Then I heard Christina Aguilera messed up the words to the National Anthem? Yikes, not a good entertainment year. I do admit we did watch some of the second half. For anyone who cared, it probably was a rather exciting game.

So here's to next year! While football fans are already discussing who will make it to Super Bowl 2012, we will be planning another DATE NIGHT! 

Sincerely Yours,

Snow Discoveries

Dear Diary,

Three snow related discoveries:

1. I have "snow days" everyday.
2. There is a snow ghost in our yard.
3. Snow brought us sickness.

Snow Days:

So here's the common Facebook status updates that I have been seeing over the past few days:

First: "Blizzard coming, hope we get a snow day tomorrow!"
Second: "This snow is crazy! Stuck inside and being lazy all day!"
Third: "Snow day again tomorrow, ALL RIGHT!"
Fourth: "Sick of being stuck inside, Soooo bored."
Fifth: "Well another snow day tomorrow..."
Sixth: "OMG, I cant be stuck inside any longer!"

etc, etc... You get the idea.

I love how everyone went from LOVING the snow days, to being so bored and tired of being indoors that they can't take it anymore! I think it's pretty safe to say I have a "snow day" most everyday. 3 out of 5 weekdays I literally don't leave my house. The other two days a week, my only outings are to places like the grocery store, the bank, or Kohl's. It's safe to say that I look forward to the weekends for a little more exciting ventures. All those "snow days" are never boring though. Keeping track of two toddlers 3 days a week keeps me on my toes, and keeping my own child out of trouble the other 2 days isn't an easy task. And of course the "housewife" duties keep me plenty busy on the side. Staying home isn't for everybody, and I can definitely understand why a lot of people prefer to not do it, but for me, it's exactly the kind of job I want!

Snow Ghost:

We had a snow storm a few weeks ago that left us with about 6 inches of snow. A day or two later, as I was getting Addy's lunch ready, I looked into our back yard to see what appeared to be footprints in the snow. Knowing Garrett nor I had been back there since it had snowed, I started some investigating and discovered the footprints started in the front yard, came through the gate and ended somewhere by the deck, never reaching the back door. Freaky? Kinda. But what was even weirder was that the footprints in the front yard started by the driveway, went straight into a tree in our front yard, and continued on the OTHER side of the tree. As if the person just walked right through the tree!

So today, I look in the backyard for one reason or another and I see what appears to be MORE footprints. Again, they don't come up to the backdoor. Instead, they end about 5 feet from the door by our grill. And guess where they begin? On our side of the fence that separates our yard from our backdoor neighbor. As if someone just walked right through the fence into our yard!

Now this may sound silly, and who knows, they may not be footprints at all, but for a true "ghost lover" like myself, I am loving pretending it could be! =)

Snow Sickness:

Well Addy started this week off with a small little cough and runny nose. That cough has gradually gotten worse, and by this morning she sounded like a 90 year old woman who has smoked most her life. So we thought a trip to the DR may be a good idea. 45 minutes and one not-so-fun breathing treatment later, we leave the DR with an entire sheet on RSV, or Bronchiolitis. More or less, Addy has a wheezing cough that is often accompanied by a running nose and fever, although we have yet to have a fever thank goodness. The good news, we are on the worst day so hopefully the cough only gets better from here. The bad news, it can least as long as 6 weeks!! Ugh, poor kid. She's handled it like a champ though. Despite a few mopey moments and being sick of getting her nose wiped, she's been her normal self. Let's just hope the DR is right and the worst is almost behind us!

Sincerly Yours,

Positives VS. Negatives

Dear Diary,

Today is all about POSITIVES and NEGATIVES.

• NEGATIVE: Garrett woke up around 4:00 this morning and started throwing up. It continued most of the morning and my first thought was, "Great. Now we're all going to get it."
• POSITIVE: Not a positive for Garrett but for Addy and I. We think it was food poisoning so HOPEFULLY Addy and I are in the clear. And he is feeling a bit better this PM so we'll keep our fingers crossed the worst is over!

•  NEGATIVE: My DR told me she would rather I not travel to Pittsburg over Valentines weekend. This will be the first Valentines Day in 5 or 6 years that I wont be working at the flower shop with my favorite ladies in the entire world! And I just KNOW they are going to be totally bummed to hear the news considering I am not only the life of the party, BUT my designs are like inspiration to them =) JUST KIDDING. They'll get along fine without me I am sure, but nevertheless, I am still sad I wont be there =(
• POSITIVE: My appointment went great this morning and baby appears to be right on schedule!

• NEGATIVE: I had to go to the store this morning alongside half the planet to stock up on groceries for the week.
• POSITIVE: Keebler cookies were 2 for $5.00 so for the next few days I will get to enjoy a delicious, tasty treat!

• NEGATIVE: A huge storm is headed this way. By huge I mean GIGANTIC. The news predicted we are to get anywhere from 8-20 inches! Yikes!
• POSITIVE: Garrett's work has already decided to close for 24 hours starting tomorrow afternoon so we'll all get to be snowed in together!

So I guess as long as Addy and I don't get sick, baby #2 continues to be healthy, the Keebler cookies don't go too fast, and everybody stays safe and warm during the blizzard, the negatives don't seem so bad!

Everybody bundle up and be careful!

Sincerely Yours,

The Name Game

Dear Diary,

Oh the name game...

With Addalyn it was easy. Well not easy I guess. Garrett and I debated over names for a short time after we found out we were having a girl. We of course just KNEW it was a boy so that name was already set in stone. When the ultrasound tech told us it was a girl I think we both were in shock (happy shock) so the name situation took a few days to set in.

It was the same story daily: I'd like a name - he'd hate it. He'd suggest a name - I'd hate it. We had a short "maybe" list that neither of us were thrilled about and we learned quickly to keep anything we semi-liked to ourselves due to the negative response we'd get from family and friends. "Oh gross, I knew a girl named that and she was so mean." OR "Hm, yeah that's not my favorite but it's OKAY."

We had kind of quit talking about it for awhile and then one day I get a message from a friend of ours. She had a dream that we had a girl and named her Attalie. The name kind of clicked with me and when Garrett came down the stairs I told him. I could tell it kind of settled with him too and his response was, "I kind of like it. We could call her Addy." If I remember correctly, I think I smiled really big and thought, "Aww, that's her. She's Addy." We weren't crazy about Attalie as her full name so we looked into our options and we both really liked Addalyn. And that was that. We kept it a secret because we didn't want to be persuaded into not liking it anymore and on September 10th at 5:08PM we got to meet Addalyn Paige Forsythe and her name has fit her well.

And now, just a short time later, we are back to the name game. I've spent many days on random websites and in baby name books, filing through options. I've had family and friends shooting us suggestions left and right, and so far, no luck. I can even admit to visiting the Baby Name Genie quite a bit. You plug in your last name and the sex of the baby and it gives you suggestions. Yesterday it gave me Laura (sister-in-law) and Lyndsey (awesome name but spelt stupid, haha), so the Genie isn't helping me out much either.

Naming Baby #2 has not been fun. Garrett and I don't agree on anything and it doesn't help that I am dealing with Mr. Picky Pants. I like boy names for girls - he does not. He likes random names from his favorite movies and bands - I do not. Our "maybe" list is even shorter this time and I find myself liking names that are either already taken by someone we know, that doesn't go well with Addalyn or Addy, or that Garrett just absolutely hates.

It is definitely much harder this time around and Garrett seems convinced that he just wont like anything as much as he liked Addalyn, so he is more or less leaving it up to me. Well, I should say that he knows a name or two I am leaning towards and he is fine with either. He still says a firm "NO" at 90% of the names I throw his way. I guess I am still undecided because, while I really like the names on my "maybe" list, I think I am still eager to get that same "Aww, that's her name," feeling out of the both of us.

So the name game continues. We are just under 8 weeks until the big day and I have high hopes that either the perfect name will present itself between now and then OR one of these "maybes" will become the name we can't resist. Either way, it'll happen. I don't think they'll let us leave the hospital with an un-named baby and I have no doubt that whatever name we do choose will fit baby girl quite well, as they always seem to do!

Sincerely Yours,

Grocery Shopping: It's Not For Everyone

Dear Diary,

I have a LOVE - HATE relationship with grocery shopping.

I HATE coming up with the meal plans for the week. I HATE the entire process actually. What haven't we had in awhile? What is easy? What ingredient list isn't going to cost me a million dollars? What is something new? What is the most convenient to make on the days I have two toddlers to work around? This is the entire problem: Too many questions, too much time spent flipping through recipe books, and too much thought process...

Then there's the shopping. I HATE shopping for everything I need. And maybe it's not fair to say the actual shopping is the part that bothers me. I think I'd be okay if I was the only person in the store, but it's the other shoppers that tend to ruin my mood. When I go to the store on my big shopping day I take my list. A list that is organized by where I start in the store, to where I finish. I don't like to have to go back an aisle for something I forgot to grab. I go with a purpose, with limited time, and with one goal: get in and get out. I get frustrated when someone is standing in front of the one thing I need. I don't easily tolerate the person strolling ahead of me that is casually shopping through the cereal section. Grocery shopping isn't casual. You either like Frosted Flakes or you like Golden Grahams. There shouldn't be much of a debate. And I really cant stand the cold and frozen aisles. Someone is always in the door I need, the milk never has a good expiration date on it and there is always a small crowd gathered around the cheese. Come on people, grab your Shredded Mild Cheddar and lets go!

And if the store wasn't bad enough, I think I hate the aftermath the worst. I HATE putting all the groceries in the back of the car. I HATE that 90% of the time something falls over on the drive home. I HATE carrying all the bags inside and I really HATE putting it all away.

With all of this being said, I do LOVE when I have my weekly meal plan figured out. I LOVE not having to ask the question, "What am I going to make for dinner?" I LOVE when the shopping is done and everything is in its place in my kitchen, ready for me to use when the recipe calls for it. I LOVE when an old recipe is just as easy as it always has been and I LOVE even more when a new recipe becomes a "keeper."

You know what else I LOVE? My Price Chopper. I LOVE how organized it is and how clean it appears to be. I enjoy the fact that I know where everything is and that I notice if something changes. I LOVE that I am familiar with most all the checkers and that I have my favorites, whose lines I always try to get in. I LOVE when I see the cute Zac Efron look-a-like bagger, who is much too young for me but who I still like to think will slip me his number one of these days =) He is surely interested in a married, pregnant, older woman right? Haha

If you couldn't tell, today was one of those shopping days. My hate relationship got cut in half though when my husband was nice enough to come with me. He got to push the cart with our "grabby hands" child while I roamed from aisle to aisle, weaving in and out of traffic at a rapid pace. I didn't have to put the groceries in the car, nor did I have to carry them all inside, which made putting them all away in the kitchen a bit more tolerable than normal.

Another grocery week down and about a billion more to go. I'll let this feeling of satisfaction linger as long as it can because come the end of the week, I'll be starting all over again.

Sincerely Yours,