Metal Meredith

Oops. 2 weeks late.

I missed last week, please accept my apology. Phil went to Chicago and left me for 4 days alone with my child. I wasn’t sure I would make it through, but I survived.

On Friday, Phil went to Chicago with friend Carter to visit friend Dave. He had a blast going to some boring museums and the Chicago Auto show. I am sure there were many beers and stupid jokes involved.

While he was gone, Vivienne and I had one on one time, Mom came into town and we went to my church (IKEA) and visited with the Grandparents. Always a good time in Ikea. Thanks to my imaginary internet friends, I brought home a boatload of stuff and managed to have $100 of gift certificates left over.

Saturday night I got to eat dinner and spend a long night with my friend, Ronni. It was about 4 hours, we needed at least that long to catch up. Now that things are rolling again, I am sure I will get many more night away to visit with her.

Sunday, Vivienne and I stayed home and enjoyed each other’s company. We almost spent all day in pajamas, but I felt guilty towards noon. That night, the heat went out. We brought out the space heaters and made it through the night without suffering. I figured calling for repair at 10:30PM on a Sunday wasn’t the best idea while trying to save some money.

By Monday afternoon, my world was back to normal. Phil came home. We got to experience that scene in the airport when Vivienne yells “Daddy!” and runs through the terminal to him. Magic, I tell you!!! Our heat was fixed by 5pm, Michelle spent 2 hours with Mom and I on her way back out of town. Then my house was quiet, my child was asleep and my husband and I cuddled up and fell asleep.

Now, I ask you, when did a website update fall into that schedule? These upcoming weeks will prove to be much more normal.

Take a look at some new photos from just this weekend. We took Vivienne to Crump Park and had a great time on the swings and with the animals.

Love,
Meredith

Welcome to the Puke-atorium

A play by Meredith starring Meredith, Phil and Vivienne

Scene One: Wednesday afternoon

Vivienne wakes up at 3pm; Meredith is on the sofa by 4pm with a stomach ache and exhaustion. By 530, Meredith retires to the bed. Phil knows something is really wrong and looks on with concern. Vivienne and Phil play outside and then eat dinner. Phil gives Vivienne a bath while Meredith counts down the minutes until she can have the bathroom alone. (Such is life in a tiny, one bathroom house). Meredith hears Phil open the bathroom door then sprints in and revisits lunch.

Meredith: “Stomach Flu, How did you find me here?”

Stomach Flu: “Shut up and say hello to this afternoon’s spaghetti.” (Insert Evil Laugh Here)

Scene Two:  6 hours later

Meredith sleeps on the sofa until its time to get Phil up for the day. He goes into work for a half day.

530pm: Phone rings

Meredith: “Hello?”
Phil: “Hey, is there anything in the house you can eat instead of me bringing something home?”
Meredith: “Sure, why?”
Phil: “Tonight doesn’t look so good for me”

Scene Three: Same night 8pm

Meredith finishes up dinner and bath time only to be followed by the same scene as above. Phil will now take the part of the bathroom visitor and Meredith will be in the supporting role of well person caring for toddler. At 10pm, Meredith retires on the sofa and Phil to the bedroom (only to get up 4-5 more times).

Phil: “At last, Stomach Flu, we meet. I will teach you not to mess with a man!”
Stomach Flu: “(Evil Laugh Again)….Mwuhahaha….Silly boy…will you never learn!”

Scene Four: 230am, Vivienne’s Room

Meredith hears Vivienne cry and hopes that she will go right back to sleep. Upon hearing the noise she knows so well herself from the previous night, she goes in to find baby crying in a puddle of yuck. Mom, Dad and baby take a good hour to clean up, change sheets and get back to sleep. Vivienne rests comfortably the rest of the night and is otherwise unaffected.

Meredith: “Take that Stomach Flu!”
Stomach Flu: “Curses…Foiled Again!”

The End.

The Music of My Life

This week, in the middle of all of my financial woes, I splurged a little on myself and used my American Express points to buy an iPod. For those of you who are unfamiliar, this is a portable MP3 player that allows me to take music equal to many, many CDs of music with me wherever I go.

These days, I don’t go out too much. When I do, I am usually toting the required children’s nursery rhyme CD, Sesame Street CD and Muppet Movie soundtrack. Instead of having my car be a mobile CD rack, I bought this iPod.

It arrived Wednesday to little fanfare. When Phil got home he giggled and seemed to be way more excited than me. I managed to muster up enough interest to put some music on it and plug it in that night while Phil was out. When Phil arrived home, I was on my computer, hooked up to my iPod in tears.

It is amazing how much music has meant to me and what a major role it has played in my life. I innocently hooked up the iPod as I typed a few emails and reviewed some websites. I scrolled through album after album and selectively played all the songs I missed. After the third or fourth song, I became nostalgic. I remembered when Jeff Buckley’s “Grace” felt more like breathing than listening to music. I thought back to when the Counting Crow’s “Anna Begins” gave me answers to life’s most difficult questions. I could feel my heart breaking during George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” as if I was 13 again.

I am brave enough to admit that I am still in love with all things Madonna. I get giddy when I think about my Depeche Mode concerts. I don’t think I will ever get over meeting Boy George face to face. But everyone has those crushes right? Mine seem to go so much deeper. Sometimes, when I hear these songs, I want to be swallowed up by the music. I want to lose my physical self in the sounds and curl up into a ball. I can imagine just melting into the noise. This is what Phil came home to.

Phil walked in the door, tears streaking down my cheeks and immediately asked “What’s wrong?” The only thing I said was “I missed them all so much”. These songs, these long lost family members and missing friends. I had forgotten how much they all meant to me.

This week, I hope all of you take time to revisit an old friend, whether it is on CD, vinyl or tape. Take 3 minutes out of your day to get reacquainted with the person inside you that has been neglected for a while.

Best Wishes,
Meredith

PS. February 5th was MetalMeredith.com’s 1 year Anniversary. Can you believe it?