a card in the post

Aaah, the postcard.

Remember those things? Were you one of those people who took time out from your vacation to look for a cool postcard to send to the friend or family member who requested one? Me, too!

When was the last time you sent one? When was the last time you said to a friend, "Have a great trip,  send me a postcard." Facebook & Instagram have probably played a part in the demise of the postcard. Why bother sending one when you can post a quick pic online with a caption like, "I can't believe how much fun we're having!" Gone are the days of, "Having fun, wish you were here!"

The summer I backpacked around Europe, I was obsessed with postcards. After a long day of exploring I would sit on my bed, freshly showered, and fan out all the postcards. Then I would carefully select which card would be sent to my parents, my grandparents, my friends etc. I sent a lot of postcards that summer.

My aunt recently gave me a stack of mail that I had sent to my late Grandmother. Imagine my surprise and delight when I went through the mail and found some of those old postcards. The ramblings of a 17 year old girl away from home for the first time are priceless!

Anyways, I blame this bout of nostalgia on my impending summer vacation, (we're leaving tonight). I've decided that while I'm away on vacation (nearly 3 weeks) I won't be posting anything on the blog. Of course,  I won't be able to stay away from Instagram and if you like my Facebook page you'll hear about what I've been up to (drinking & sleeping mostly).

BUT, if you're like me and still love receiving a postcard in the mail with a few more than a 140 characters (take that Twitter) then email me *your address and I'll send you one. No joke! This is going to be my summer vacation project. I'm going to enlist Pip's help and believe me she's quite the artist so you'll be in for a treat! The postcard will come from either Spain or Holland.

Melissa(at)Mylieflife(dot)com

I promise you that while we might be having fun we'll be wishing you were with us!


*Rest assured that your address will be kept confidential. I'm just a lone blogger so I won't be selling it or anything.

26 questions

Happy Monday everyone!

The next three days are going to be super busy for me as I get my family packed and ready to leave for Europe.....and get my hair & nails done, buy a bathing suit (gulp) look for sandals and unplug everything in my house. We're buzzing with excitement or caffeine, whatever.

This is probably a good time to let you know I won't be blogging while I'm gone. But have no fear,  I'll be documenting my vacation via Instagram and Facebook so we'll still be in touch. Ok?

Now, Farrah from The Three Under,  tagged me in an alphabet themed questionairre and since I have some new readers I thought I'd play along so you can learn a few facts about moi. I tagged 5 people to do the same but no pressure. If you don't feel like participating it's fine, it's just that I heard if you break the chain you'll end up with bad blogging mojo for a year or something, but I completely understand if you're not into it, wink.

The Alphabet Meme:

A: Attached or Single - Married.

B: Best friend - I have quite a few women in my life who are very dear to me. 

C: Cake or pie - BOTH!

D: Day of choice - Friday. I don't cook dinner on Friday nights.

E: Essential item - My iPhone but if I was headed to a deserted island the answer would most definitely be lip balm. (Does someone head to a deserted island?)

F: Favorite color - Orange, duh.

G: Gummy bears or worms - Neither! 

H: Hometown: I went to a small private school in a different town than the one I lived in so I never felt connected to my hometown and now I don't know anyone who lives there so no need to mention it.

I: Favorite indulgence- Wine. 

J: January or July - January,  my birthday month, woot woot!

K: Kids - One miracle child!

L: Life isn't complete without... -  My daughter.

M: Marriage date - May 16, 2007.

N: Number of handbags - Too many.

O: Oranges or apples - Apples dipped in sun butter. 

P: Phobias - Rodents and flying (is there such a thing as flying rodents?).

Q: Quotes - "Remember, life is short, go slow"  ~ My Dad

R: Reason to smile - My daughter AND my husband coming home early from work.

S: Season of choice - Spring, I love seeing everything turn from brown to green.

T: Tag 5 people - Georgina, Jess, Kaitlin, Lauren & Julia

U: Unknown fact about me - My hairbrush is still my mic. 

V: Vegetable - Broccoli

W: Worst habit - I yell.  I'm not proud of this. 

X: X-ray or ultrasound - X-ray if it's at the dentist's office! 

Y: Your favorite food - Mexican

Z: Zodiac sign - Capricorn

get dressed, be happy

Some people might think that because I'm a stay at home mom I don't pay much attention to my daily wardrobe and some days that's absolutely true. But for the most part I try to make myself presentable. Why do I bother when I don't have anywhere to go, anyone to see and anyone to impress? (wow, that was depressing)

Because for me, how I carry myself throughout the day is a reflection of the wardrobe choices I made in the morning.

That's right, I feel stronger and better able to handle my daughter's melt down if I'm wearing skinnies and tall boots. A little bit of mascara and I'm ready to flirt with the barista at Starbucks. Impromptu playdate, no worries I've got snacks in my handbag, large dark sunglasses and my new denim jacket. And I'm ready to conquer the world or supermarket if I'm wearing my gladiator sandals AND I'm having a good hair day!

On those days when I just don't have time to put on anything other than yoga pants I feel lethargic, uninspired and not too namaste. Maybe that's just me? I don't know, I'm sure there's a study out there somewhere.

Anyways, you don't need a closet full of fancy clothes and designer shoes to feel good. Dress up or dress simply, it doesn't matter which direction you go in just be sure to take a minute for yourself.

Oh, and remember to be nice if you're going to wear flip flops!

Today's post is part of a link up with these lovely ladies:

Styled by Jess
blog // twitter
*

Rules for the Modern Girl
blog // twitter //facebook
*

Prim and Propah
blog // twitter // facebook

the longest conversation

Have you ever had a really long conversation? A conversation that went on and on?

The Mr. and I have been having this one particular conversation for approximately 10 years. That's not a typo. If you know me in real life then you're not surprised by this admission. In fact, you know exactly what conversation I'm referring to. If you're a family member you've just yawned. If you're a close friend you've just muttered, "not this again" while shaking your head.

Ok, ok, I get it guys. Your sick of hearing about it! But this time it's different. This time it's really going to happen (I think).

Sorry, I just remembered there's a few of you out there that have no idea what I'm rambling on about.

The topic of this ongoing conversation, drum roll pleaseeeeee: Moving to the Netherlands! 

I know, sooooo exciting, right? 

It was, about 9 years ago! 

To bring you up to speed here's how the conversation started: I married a Dutchman. That's it. I married someone from another country and that country just so happens to be, The Netherlands.

Oh alright, here's how the whole thing started.

While we were preparing for our wedding in *Holland I said something along the lines of "I think I could live here!" Imagine my soon-to-be husband's joy. We decided right there and then we would try to make this move happen.

Once back in the states, our honeymoon tans fading, we decided our children should be born in the USA. It was (still is) important to me that they have a shiny blue passport like their mama's. It took us 3+ years to put phase I of our plan into action but she arrived in 2007, 4 years after we were married. Pip was a month old in her first passport photo. Now?! Were we ready to go?

Not quite.

Papa's career was in transition and the timing was bad. While he was focusing on his career I was enjoying my days at home with my little Pip and lost interest in moving away. During this time the moving conversation was put on pause. We took a break. Our families were relieved.

But every now and then while laying in bed at night Papa and I would dream about what life might look like in Holland. Could we be happy there? 

Fast forward to Fall 2012, some really exciting things start happening for Papa and his career. The conversation breathes new life and this time we feel that the timing is right. Pip is old enough, Papa has opportunities waiting for him in Holland and I'm ready for a change (read challenge). Family and friends are back on high alert.

But here's the thing, a move overseas doesn't happen overnight, well, technically it does but you know what I mean. There's still a new job that needs to be nailed down, a house to sell, a child who needs to start & finish the 1st grade and a Mama who needs time to network with some expats in Holland. There is a chance that Papa will go ahead in January of 2014 and Pip and I will stay back so that she can finish school OR we'll all stay here until the Spring OR......you get the picture? So many pieces to the puzzle and many unknowns. 

But the one thing we are certain of is that we are anxious to experience life in Europe as a family.

So, the conversation continues......

Would you ever consider moving your family abroad? Does the expat experience appeal to you?

*Ok, ok, I know it's The Netherlands but I opted to refer to it as Holland (I'm lazy). My Dutch husband said he doesn't find it offensive and I hope you don't either. 

hot race recap

Overheard at mile 3: "look at them, it's only mile 3! How are they ever going to finish?"

Thanks buddy! Way to cheer on runners during a half marathon when it's 90 degrees and the humidity is at 96%. However, he was right about me. Right before I overheard his remark I thought to myself that if I already felt this awful I might be in trouble.

Sunday's Covered Bridges half marathon was by far the hardest race I've ever run due to the conditions.  Last year, while running CBHM I decided that this would be my race from now on. I love the course. It's relatively easy and the scenery is beautiful. It's well organized and with a field of 2,000 it's the perfect size.

This is how it went down and it most definitely went DOWN!

• Mile 3 - It's so hot that I'm sipping water every 2 minutes. Thank God I wore my hydration belt. 
• Mile 5 - The first of two hills on the course. I need to walk and this makes me feel panicky. I'm talking to myself and trying to concentrate on my breathing. We see an ambulance on the course and I start praying that whoever it is is ok. 
• Mile 7 - Finally, shade. I knew that if I could make it to this stretch I might be able to summon up a second wind. 
• Mile 8 - I'm taking water at the stations to dump on my head and down my back. I also keep refilling my hydration belt. Nausea comes and goes.
• Mile 9 - My stomach is cramping and I have to keep taking walk breaks. My running partner, Deb (I owe her) is keeping me focused and thankfully keeps trying to distract me with conversation. We can't believe our eyes when we see the large pack of runners ahead walking. NO ONE is running. I've never ever seen that before in a race, not even during my marathon last Fall. I keep telling myself to listen to my body, be smart, stay calm and keep hydrating. 
• Mile 10 - The wheels start coming off the bus and I'm in complete shock over how awful I feel. I ran a marathon, this can't be happening to ME!!! My head is starting to ache and I'm scared I'm getting dehydrated. I munch a little on a bonk breaker bar I tossed into my belt. I keep telling myself to keep my head up, shoulders down and to relax my arms. I can't even talk to Deb, it'll take too much energy.
• Mile 11- Running on the surface of the sun would be more pleasant. 
• Mile 12 - LONGEST mile ever.
• Mile 13 - I don't know how I do it but I always manage to save something for that last sprint to the finish. 

It wasn't pretty and my overall time wasn't fast but I finished. It was a battle both physically and mentally. I learned that I'm pretty good at keeping myself calm and staying in the moment. It would of been too easy to start thinking about how many miles I still had to run but I never allowed myself to go there.

Last night, while sipping some white wine I began thinking about our upcoming vacation to Europe and just like that running crept into my reverie. Should I pack my running shoes or should I take the next few weeks off? Should I take some Advil for my legs which are still so sore? I wonder what's going on with my toenails underneath my red nail polish?

So, what did I do? I finished my wine, hobbled over to my computer and registered for another half marathon.

This time it'll be at the end of October. Fingers crossed it snows!