July 2013 – Life of Jill

July 30, 2013 January 2, 2015

Stress is Dumb. My Dog is Cute.

I currently feel like I’m doing everything wrong, juggling too much and am more stressed than I’d like to admit. But you know what makes it all better? Spending time with my people. And my dog.

And sometimes you have to post pictures of the time you made that dog get in the pool against her will because you just need to be sure she can swim and know where the steps are in the pool so she doesn’t drown! She is going to be really pissed about it.

But then eventually she will forgive you because you let get out of the pool. Even though you will make her stay outside for a bit because wet dog in the house is not okay. But then suddenly, she will air-dry and look like a Muppet.

paisley 2 — No really. She looks like Rowlf.

And no, pictures of my Muppet Dog don’t exactly count as an actual blog post. Except for the fact that maybe they do. Because it’s better than me talking about my FEELINGS. And also STRESS. And also, feelings and stress.

See…pictures of my Muppet Dog sound way better than all that.

It’s still a gosh-darn crazy busy time in my world. But someday I’d really like to tell you more about my new house. And update you on our Summer Challenge that is mostly just something I feel guilty about all the time. (Okay, we haven’t been THAT bad. But still.)

Anyway, my dog hates swimming. She looks like a Muppet. I’m ready to not be so stressed.

I promise to write something better tomorrow. Or Thursday. Probably Thursday. Maybe Friday.

Let me distract you with another picture of my dog…wearing a poncho:

July 19, 2013 January 2, 2015

The Post Where I’m Not Letting Myself Complain About My Week

I never expected to love my kids like I do. I grew up always wanting to be a mom, but I don’t think I ever imagined what loving my kids could be like.

I always figured that I would love my husband…but I never figured that I would be miles away and just miss him so much because he’s my person and my safe place. I just…I just didn’t know it could be like this.

There’s no such thing as a perfect family, perfect children, or perfect marriage. I’m not going to sit here and prattle on about how perfect my life is. That type of perfection doesn’t exist. We have hard times. My husband and I are ridiculously stubborn and can be asshole jerks. My children can be spoiled rotten turd buckets who don’t listen. But even with all our imperfections, we have this family that is pretty damn rad.

camacho_064 wall

This week wasn’t my favorite. There were some wonderful and awesome moments, but the week as a whole was a bit stressful. It’s been stressful for quite some time. But when I sat down to write something, the words kept coming back to my family. They make everything worth it and okay. Even when they’re being…difficult.

I’m a lucky, lucky girl.

family photo by sarah @ sarah maren photographers — family photos by sarah @ sarah maren photographers

July 16, 2013 January 2, 2015

LOST: Gratitude

I’m cranky.

That was more a warning than a statement, but I’m hoping we can still be friends. (You DO look lovely today.) I’m nervous to write anything because I’m worried about how cranky this is going to sound!

I mean, I was doing so well before this week! When I got discouraged, I found my gratitude. When I got mad, I found my gratitude. When I thought I couldn’t do ONE MORE THING, I still found my gratitude.

But today? Today I have lost my gratitude and I’m really hoping that someone has found it. And by “someone” I mean one of you. I figure that if one of you has it, you won’t hold it for ransom and ask for a millions dollars. Maybe. I should probably rethink my plan.

I think being bogged down with projects at work and moving and unpacking…MONTHS OF STRESS…I think it’s finally taken its toll on me. I think I’m just done. And I need a little pick-me-up. I need some pampering…maybe 17 or so naps…some me time…something to recharge the batteries, if you’ll allow me to use that tired (and probably cheesy) expression. I need some pretty things. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, maybe.

Or maybe a conference. Maybe.

I honestly didn’t start out writing about Alt Summit San Francisco. Honest to blog, I totally didn’t. I really just wanted to sit here and complain. But right when the complaining was starting to get good, and talking about pretty things, I remembered where I’ll be for about 36 hours this week. Surrounded by pretty things and ideas and more creativity than I’ll know what to do with while being in one of my favorite cities.

So maybe it’s NOT the best time for me to be picking up and heading to the city. And yes, MAYBE that’s stressing me out. And sure, there are outfits and dressing up to worry about and I’m not even packed yet, OMG. Nevermind the open apology I need to write to all other attendees because I didn’t have time to color my hair OR get a pedicure. (Sorry, friends.) But maybe it not being the perfect timing is…well, kinda perfect.

Maybe I need a break. Perhaps the timing couldn’t be better. I mean…I get to hang out with some of my favorite ladies. I get to learn and stare at pretty things and ideas. Sure, there’s the fact that I am TOTALLY out of my league! There are some fancy people headed to Alt! But I’m going to have a blast. Because I’m not going to waste this day off. I need it too much.

My gratitude isn’t back yet, but my goodness, I see hope popping up over there. And sometimes a little hope and believing there are good things up ahead is what makes all the gratitude find its way home. At least, I think it does. I’m no expert, but damn…my heart sure does feel slightly lighter.

Which is probably a good thing…I gotta fit into that cocktail dress tomorrow. (Sorry, I HAD to. You can punch me later.)

July 12, 2013 January 2, 2015

Mostly I’m Just Happy to Have Working Internet Again

I promise that I’m not going to write a post about how I now have internet hooked up at the new house and how happy that makes me. (Although, for the record? I am SUPREMELY happy about having internet, my friends. IT HAS BEEN WEEKS WITHOUT REAL INTERNET. I’m excited.) The installer may or may not have laughed at me when I said “Hell, I don’t even CARE about the TV…I’m just happy for internet.”

(He also may have said that he’s never actually heard someone say that before. And, well, I’m kinda surprised by that and also his other clients must not love Facebook and Twitter like I do.)

(Did I just admit all that on the internet?)

Now that I’ve taken up so much of your time telling you about how happy I am to have internet, what I really came over here to say is that my first post is up over at HelloXOXO. Remember that awesome website I was telling you about? Well, there I am…talking about Campfire Wednesdays and summer memories and what not. But mostly? I’m just wanting to have a really great summer before my kids get too old to enjoy these summers like we can now.

I also wanted to tell you about the Listen to Your Mother videos being up. And, well…there are bunches of feelings surrounding that. I was kinda surprised by it actually, but I loved watching the video. And I think this weekend I’ll be able to tackle watching the others. But just in case you missed it, there I am. (I will embed that later when this works a bit better.)

Also, I never told you about my logo. And how amazing Sarah is. But I will tell you more about that when I’m not so excited about having internet, and LTYM videos and HelloXOXO blog posts.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a softball game to get to and tons (TONS) of internet to use. Because I can now.

Have a great weekend!

July 9, 2013 January 2, 2015

I’m Probably Sleep-Typing…So There’s THAT.

Here’s the thing: I’m having trouble writing. I wonder how many posts I will start before I actually finish one. Moving is a tricky time, of course. There is so much packing and cleaning and organizing. And then a move day that turns out to be one of the hottest days of all the years. And then there’s the unpacking and the cleaning and the organizing. And then…well, not having internet, etc is hard. (YES I JUST SAID THAT DON’T JUDGE ME.)

I will forever be grateful for the painters that made ugly walls go far, far away.

But I have to tell you…I couldn’t have done this move without my amazing friends/family, I would be locked in the crazy bin. (I can’t even begin to tell you how rad they are.) My husband was out of town the two weeks leading up to the move. There was the close of escrow to handle…the painters, the carpet guys…the finishing of the packing. The organizing…OH! And also, the two busy children that still have all their activities. I didn’t love having my husband thousands of miles away. He hated not being there to help me with everything. Luckily, before he left, we got MUCH packed and organized. THAT saved my sanity. That and those amazing friends/family I was telling you about. Seriously with all the amazing.

I have so much to say about how much I love our new house and how much I enjoy having a place for my cute little family PLUS all of our special peoples and loved ones. I could probably write an entire post about how much I love the paint color we picked out. (And by “we” I mean “me and Sarah.”) I’ve fallen in love with all the natural light that shows up at magical times. I have stories about an overgrown backyard that needs quite a bit of work, but how there’s also a pool that everyone can enjoy.

That's Ramona...hiding from the camera...per usual. — That’s Ramona…hiding from the camera…per usual.

There is so much to talk about! But I can’t seem to write an interesting sentence to save my life. I can barely keep my eyes open. I’m wishing I was still hanging out with my family. (I miss them.) I have so much on my mind; I’m not even sure where to start!

happy little flowers just so I can show you how much I love the light in the new house.

And so I’m grateful. I’m honestly and truly grateful for all that I have. For every friend and every family member. I’m grateful for my husband who handles so much. I’m grateful for my cute kids, even when they’re being turds. I’m grateful for this beautiful new home where all my peoples are welcomed and loved. I’m grateful for an awesome job that allows me to pay for these things, even when my heart hurts that I’m not at home with my kids. I may have moments of doubt or exhaustion or frustration, but I am truly grateful.

Grateful…and also very glad that we are pretty much done with moving for a very long time. 🙂

July 1, 2013 January 2, 2015

HelloXOXO

Well…right this very second, we are in the midst of all things moving. It’s insane and ridiculously HOT (107+ weather anyone?) but we’ll be done today at some point, so there’s that. Obviously, I have negative zero seconds to do this, but I couldn’t let today pass without telling you Hello XOXO which is bringing about some awesome things here on the internets and in the community. (And really, you don’t have to live in this area to appreciate what HelloXOXO is all about!)

But because I’m in the middle of moving, I’m gonna let the brains behind this operation explain HelloXOXO for me:

HelloXOXO is an all-inclusive nest where ladies of all ages come together to enrich themselves and their community through philanthropy, mentoring, book and supper clubs, deep conversations, all while exploring their inner artisan.

In the hip part of the Sacramento midtown experience is nestled a chic little studio. While it looks rather cute and unassuming from the sidewalk, it has a mission: to fill its corners with smiles, girlfriends, supper clubs, crafting sessions, merry making, youth empowerment, happy vibes, heartfelt discussions, and doing good in the community–and all through superior girl power, no matter your age.

Come visit our new nonprofit and see. We’d tell you to bring your girlfriends, but we’re all already here.

Pretty rad, right? Well, today is the big day of their blog launch and I just had to tell you. You may or may not recognize a few of the contributors over there. We’re all pretty gosh-darn excited about it and hope that you might be too.

Have a great week everyone!!

photo credit: HelloXOXO