90 Day Rule

February 4, 2016February 7, 2016 | greylittlemouse

Even though I’m married, the world of dating never changes. It’s frustrating, boring, fun, exciting and a whole bunch of emotions. Most of the time it can be such a mess to find true love!

I don’t miss the dating world at all. It can be such a headache. I have some friends still fighting the force. It can be a let down or not finding, “the one” that doesn’t want you. Who really does on a few dates? Very little do, and it involves a major connection and respect.

I always told myself and my friends keep a 90 day rule. Treat dating like a job. It really does work.

• When we find a new job, there’s usually a 90 day probation period. If we choose to stay then sign the papers for the benefits. After 90 days, we tend to know if we’re uncomfortable or ready to make a life changing commitment. Just like a relationship. Three months is a long time. After that, and still acting like it’s the 3rd week, then make a move or say goodbye. Don’t wait around till half a year to be no where. What a waste! Move on!

• If it’s a friend with benefits, which is the worst thing ever since someone will always get hurt. I don’t care how “independent” you are. Please, what a joke we all have feelings. Don’t be a pussy on wheels. Don’t be a service person and drive all hours of the night to accommodate someone. Goes for male and females. Respect yourself and make them work for you. Nothing is open past 2 a.m. except a pair of legs. We all know that! Keeping the friends with benefits for over 90 days, and that relationship is going no where! Next thing you know, “your friend” will be asking to buy your friend a drink or asking to get the scoop on your other friend! Don’t be that person! Move on!!

• Last but not least, if you’re asking for advice more than you like or double guessing yourself…Move On! My friend is always taking breaks from his long term girlfriend and we will meet for lunch and he will vent. One day he asked me, “how did you know you were in love?” I told him straight up, “if you’re asking me this question, you know the answer, and you need to rethink what you want in life or Move On!

Washington, D.C.

June 15, 2015June 15, 2015 | greylittlemouse

The trolley hop & ride tour was a lot of fun around Washington, D.C.. However, the ever-loving decided we didn’t need the stroller and carry our 16 month son to all the monuments. Our son is a good solid 26 pds and long. People think he is 2 or 3, haha. I’m 35 weeks pregnant so that is enough to prove I was lucky to waddle around myself. It was a wonderful hot, humid day with a nice breeze on occasion. My ever-loving decided it was a bad idea for no stroller since the baby wanted to be let out and walk himself. My husband had a wiggle worm on his back until he passed out.

I myself didn’t realize how much walking there was. We hit 14 stops and did some extra ourselves. It was definitely worth every penny to do the trolley.

I was shocked by some of the monuments and buildings. It took my breath away by seeing in person especially seeing the height of some. Vietnam, Korean, Iwo Jima, Arlington, Lincoln, The Met and etc were just beautiful. I can go on and on.

Another time we will definitely come back when the baby is older. He did love The Smithsonian for lunch.

Note: Always bring a stroller!

Vintage Adventure

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015 | greylittlemouse

Nothing beats finding a hidden treasure at a thrift store, garage sale, estate sake, or even your own attic.

When I found these adventure books for pre-teen and toddler, I was in my childhood nostalgia. My mom would read so many books to me but these were my all time favorite. I would hope I picked the right page for my consequence of continuing the adventure longer. It was a hit or miss but it was fun to play the story. I have a good collection going on now for my baby. He loves books especially looking at the pictures and flipping the pages.

Meet Monster was another all time favorite of mine. It was a simple read and a great learning to read stories. When I saw the book had a collection, I knew I needed it for the babes library. Plus, who doesn’t like anything Richard Scarry. Once you find a Richard Scarry original published, it’s like finding gold. I have a nice collection of his books and illustrated books.

Also, I love to look for Foreign books as well. I love to look for Czech and Scandinavian books. I love the illustrations and how the books are designed especially if there hard cover.

For the Vintage Adventure how can you not go wrong with 80 & 90’s books. I find so many for super cheap. The list can go on…on all the title’s I have found. I have the whole Fraggle Rock , Mickey Mouse collection, etc. They are great to have since it’s such a classic editions to any library.

Last but not least, Love You Forever is a must. Just a happy/sad book. It will always put a tear to my eye even more now by having a child.

Time After Time

February 17, 2015August 23, 2017 | greylittlemouse

We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment. -Hilaire Belloc

Finally, made it to the California from Florida. It was a long journey especially for the ever-loving. We took his diesel stick shift….and I am a failure at it. It’s a sore subject for the husband. I will be having more lessons since we’re in the country now.

On our adventure we stopped at many places. I could bore people since we bought three cameras. I’ll just cut to the point with the places we enjoyed the most. Bryce and Zion Canyon in Utah and Hoover Dam at sunset in Nevada. I’m a sucker for sunrises & sunsets. It makes garbage look beautiful in my opinion.

Bryce Canyon, was a nice cold day. The trails were covered in snow. It was a short lived hike due to my slipping on the snow.

Zion Canyon, is the just to beautiful for words. It was hot but nice in the shade. There was so much to do with the amount of time we had. I’m glad we did a good hike to experience the beauty.

Hoover Dam, is an interesting place, but a must see at sunset. It was fun to walk and drive over it.

TIME AFTER TIME…

We get to our destination my husband’s parents house in the country of Northern California. Long story short she found a photo album from relatives of their adventures in the same canyons. We went on free National Park weekend in honor of President’s Day. Of course, we would’ve paid but it was a coincidence to see the park fee was a $1.00 in the photo album. Today it’s $25.00.

Imaginary Line

February 14, 2015February 14, 2015 | greylittlemouse

Driving across country is a fun experience. I highly recommend it if you’re in a fresh relationship too. It will test you to see if they are the one you’re ready to handle car fights with. Just think add on a toddler too with that happy meal.

This will be my 3rd trip with the ever-loving and our child. First time, baby was 4 months and we flew to California & drove home. Then he was 6 mths we flew to Portland. On the road again, with a toddler to California. He’s all set up in his comfy car seat, tablet playing Muppet’s, and eating like he’s Zsa Zaa.

Packing for my Zsa Zsa Toddler

Never seems enough and that is why he has his own suitcase. I just stuffed anything and everything. I’m thinking this is so easy he doesn’t have underwear then I forgot…I need a whole another bag for diapers. So far it’s his bag of clothes, bag of food, and baby bag.

“Let’s not go to the World Series without Stillwells toys.”

Yup, that’s us a great quote from, A League of Their Own. My child hates sleeping in the bed with us (not complaining) therefore Pack & Play, his crib stuff and mainly the important toys all packed. It’s all about having a happy baby even if I can’t move.

Imaginary Line

Growing up, I took road trips from N.Y to Florida every summer. My brother is six years older than me so automatically I’m at default in the car wars. We had to pretend there was a line and not to go over it. Even if the arm rest was down, I still got in trouble, haha. Eventually, my parents jumped on the 90’s bandwagon and got a van. Problem solved.

but…what about for husband’s and wive’s?

My ever-loving and I will have two arguments in the car. One in the morning to start and one at night to find a hotel. Of course, it’s my fault and it’s always over navigation co-pilot skills. Gps, road map’s, atlas, and AAA books no matter what something will happen. We do get over it after mumbling under the breath and 5 minutes of silence. It could be his fault but…you know the driver is always right. At least we can laugh at ourselves after.

Turn around and the baby is happy.

Were on the road to nowhere — We’re on the road to nowhere

What I’ve Learned From Wonder Years

February 10, 2015February 10, 2015 | greylittlemouse

“I never knew until that moment how bad it could hurt to lose something you never really had…”

Cue in the Bob Seger music. Whenever I think of breakups, I picture a lost boy riding on his bike in the sunset eating a hot dog . He’s against the wind…with mustard all over his face.

Ha, from what I remember that was Kevin Arnold. Winnie never knew what she wanted. At least her emotions and dialogue were limited to, “Hi and Kevin go home.” It was not complete without the depressing songs from the Beach Boy’s & Bob Seger in the background. I was “lucky” to have one Kevin moment in my life. I look back and laugh (because it felt like a cheesy t.v. episode ). It was like the quote from the show how we left it,

“Growing up is never easy. You hold on to things that were. You wonder what’s to come. But that night, I think we knew it was time to let go of what had been, and look ahead to what would be. Other days. New days. Days to come. The thing is, we didn’t have to hate each other for getting older. We just had to forgive ourselves…for growing up.”

Then the ex rode off with the beautiful sunshine on his beach cruiser (no hot dog). However, I didn’t play Beach Boy’s, but I did go dancing in the moonlight. It was weight lifted off my shoulders of a dead relationship. It was always a friendship love than true love. What is real love anyway? There is so many ways to actually love anything. I love a clean restroom with toilet paper…

“All our young lives we search for someone to love. Someone who makes us complete. We dance to a song of heartbreak and hope. All the while wondering if somewhere, somehow, there’s someone perfect, who might be searching for us.”

It’s true down the road of bad mixed tapes and playlist’s of lost puppy love’s there is your match. Each relationship I had tested me for the next. They all made me stronger as a person. Winnie Cooper ended up finding her love of art history in Paris to return to Kevin married. Traveling always clears my mind. Put’s me back to reality than make believe, la la land. I’m happy to say I found my happiness and my love. Plus, we love the Beach Boy’s.