So you may be wondering, "What happened with that crazy elf box?" Well, we were doing great until Charlie threw Bobby's Nintendo DS across the kitchen floor and smashed it to bits.
Bobby was inconsolable. He loves that thing. Santa brought it to him last year and he plays with it all the time. That night he wrote a letter to Mike the Elf asking him to please fix it and left it with the broken DS on top of the elf box.
If it had been Bobby's fault at all I would have said "Tough crap. Start saving your money". But it wasn't and he didn't even ask for a new one. I told The Husband that we should go buy a new one and just let him think the elf magically fixed it. He said no way. He left a note from Mike saying that Mike was just a candy elf. He didn't know how to fix toys. Bobby was disappointed but every night he continued to leave it on the box.
I felt so bad for him that I finally wore The Husband down. But now it was the 23rd and I couldn't find a black DS (to match the one he had) anywhere. I could only find silver. So, that night "Mike" left a note saying that he would take the DS to the North Pole and let a toy elf look at it. Bobby was thrilled.
Christmas morning, next to the plate of eaten cookies was Bobby's broken DS and a note from Mike. It said, that the toy elf, Hannibal* couldn't fix the DS but had a surprise for him behind the box. Behind that damned elf box was the new silver DS. Bobby was beside himself - it was probably the best part of Christmas.
*The most disturbing part of this story is that my husband seems to have the whole elf world clearly laid out in his mind. I asked him why the toy elf's name was Hannibal and not, say, Paul. He replied way too seriously that candy elves had regular names like Mike and Paul but toy elves had names from the classical era, like Caesar or Octavius.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
In Which I Turn a Year Older and Hate on Pier 1
Yesterday was my birthday. Despite the general dread of being one year closer to 40, (full disclosure - I'm now 37) it went pretty well. The best part was my husband's present - a laptop! Yes, I have been blogging and shopping from Ye Olde Desktoppe. But those days are over. I have had this thing in my lap for most of the past 24 hours. My children - they will probably be neglected while I delight in laptoppiness. My house - well, it's already neglected, but it obviously is not going to get any better this week. Hopefully the threat of houseguests the day after Christmas will allow me to get up and do some laundry or dust. But don't count on it.
In other news, whaddup with the bitchy sales staff at Pier 1? I went in the other day to pick up an ornament or two for my book club's ornament swap. I ended up buying three ornaments and took them to the counter. The sales lady looked at me with total disdain and said, "Is that all the ornaments your tree will hold"? It was so rude that I couldn't even initially respond. I finally said, through gritted teeth, "No, MY tree is full. These are for an ornament exchange, bitch". OK, I didn't say bitch, but it was implied in my tone, trust me. On what planet would anyone say this to anyone else, much less an employee to a customer!!! Probably be awhile before I stick my head in there again.
In other news, whaddup with the bitchy sales staff at Pier 1? I went in the other day to pick up an ornament or two for my book club's ornament swap. I ended up buying three ornaments and took them to the counter. The sales lady looked at me with total disdain and said, "Is that all the ornaments your tree will hold"? It was so rude that I couldn't even initially respond. I finally said, through gritted teeth, "No, MY tree is full. These are for an ornament exchange, bitch". OK, I didn't say bitch, but it was implied in my tone, trust me. On what planet would anyone say this to anyone else, much less an employee to a customer!!! Probably be awhile before I stick my head in there again.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Scenes from the hallway
The Husband: Come on boys! I'm taking you outside! Get your shoes!
The Boys: Yeah! Yeah! Outside! Yeah!
The Husband: (to me) I'll take the boys outside while you get ready. Wait, do you even know where outside is?
Me: Of course. It's where the stores are.
The Boys: Yeah! Yeah! Outside! Yeah!
The Husband: (to me) I'll take the boys outside while you get ready. Wait, do you even know where outside is?
Me: Of course. It's where the stores are.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Dude. He's, like, a fish.
At Thanksgiving, several family memebers asked if we had a pet and/or were we getting Bobby a puppy for Christmas. My initial reaction (Hell to the no) was usually tempered with my classic response that I only house break one thing at a time (Charlie is still in diapers). My oldest would love to get a dog. Or a cat. Or basically any kind of pet with fur. (For some reason, he does not think his two year old brother counts, although I see many similarities). I have no interest in getting a dog for the obvious reasons. I will be the one who walks it, bathes it, trains it and picks up it's poop. A cat seems like the next best thing but I am horribly allergic. So that's out.
We have had one pet in the past. A fish. Well, I guess it counts as a fish.
At our old house there was a large pond in the backyard and one day all the neighborhood kids were scooping all these tiny minnows out and trying to sell them to each other. (Note: The collective idiocy of the neighborhood children was one of the big reasons for our move). In one of his less shrewd moments, Bobby came running in the house asking for $5 to buy a fish. I explained to him that he could scoop one out for free. He needed a fish bowl but I wasn't prepared to invest any money in housing for a free minnow that probably wouldn't last the day. I found an old take-out wonton soup container (this was during my incredible wonton soup cravings while pregnant with Charlie), added some pond water and our little pet was all set up. Bobby named him Dude. I'm not sure why. At the time, he was really pushing us to name his baby brother Corn. Again, not sure why.
Dude grew a little. Very little. Later we read that fish will only grow enough to fit their environment. And that wonton soup container was nice and tall but not so wide. He seemed happy though. (I can't believe I just wrote that. Can a fish seem happy?) We refreshed his (nasty) water from the pond and tried to feed him fish food from the store (a 79 cent investment) but he didn't seem interested. He was, I guess living on whatever was in all the pond water (which was rather murky).
Bobby got really attached to Dude. The Husband and I could not believe he was still alive. We explained to Bobby that he probably wouldn't live very long since he was really meant to live in a big pond. Bobby was convinced that we had saved him. Surely, some larger fish or turtle would have eaten Dude by now had he been left to shift for himself out there!
A year and a half later Dude finally went belly up. A YEAR AND A HALF. A year and a half of changing that horrible water and Bobby worrying when we traveled if Dude would be lonely. He would usually set up an elaborate ring of stuffed animals around his bowl/soup container. Which actually seemed to me like it would scare the crap out of the little fish to see all those large brightly colored furry things about to take over his home. But Bobby was convinced that they would keep Dude company.
But I digress. Dude, he died. And Bobby was broken hearted. He cried and cried. He was so worried that Dude had gotten sick and he hadn't noticed or that we should have done something different (ahem, like maybe get him a real bowl). We put Dude in an old matchbox on top of a tissue and buried him under a tree in our backyard. Bobby had us put a picture of him in the box with Dude so that he wouldn't be lonely. A few months later we moved and Bobby was upset that we were leaving Dude behind. There was talk of exhuming him and moving him with us but I quickly killed that idea.
With this much drama around a free, wild minnow, I cannot imagine the trauma and drama if we lost a real pet. So, for now, we will remain puppy free. Unless someone knows where I can get a puppy that fits in a wonton soup container.
We have had one pet in the past. A fish. Well, I guess it counts as a fish.
At our old house there was a large pond in the backyard and one day all the neighborhood kids were scooping all these tiny minnows out and trying to sell them to each other. (Note: The collective idiocy of the neighborhood children was one of the big reasons for our move). In one of his less shrewd moments, Bobby came running in the house asking for $5 to buy a fish. I explained to him that he could scoop one out for free. He needed a fish bowl but I wasn't prepared to invest any money in housing for a free minnow that probably wouldn't last the day. I found an old take-out wonton soup container (this was during my incredible wonton soup cravings while pregnant with Charlie), added some pond water and our little pet was all set up. Bobby named him Dude. I'm not sure why. At the time, he was really pushing us to name his baby brother Corn. Again, not sure why.
Dude grew a little. Very little. Later we read that fish will only grow enough to fit their environment. And that wonton soup container was nice and tall but not so wide. He seemed happy though. (I can't believe I just wrote that. Can a fish seem happy?) We refreshed his (nasty) water from the pond and tried to feed him fish food from the store (a 79 cent investment) but he didn't seem interested. He was, I guess living on whatever was in all the pond water (which was rather murky).
Bobby got really attached to Dude. The Husband and I could not believe he was still alive. We explained to Bobby that he probably wouldn't live very long since he was really meant to live in a big pond. Bobby was convinced that we had saved him. Surely, some larger fish or turtle would have eaten Dude by now had he been left to shift for himself out there!
A year and a half later Dude finally went belly up. A YEAR AND A HALF. A year and a half of changing that horrible water and Bobby worrying when we traveled if Dude would be lonely. He would usually set up an elaborate ring of stuffed animals around his bowl/soup container. Which actually seemed to me like it would scare the crap out of the little fish to see all those large brightly colored furry things about to take over his home. But Bobby was convinced that they would keep Dude company.
But I digress. Dude, he died. And Bobby was broken hearted. He cried and cried. He was so worried that Dude had gotten sick and he hadn't noticed or that we should have done something different (ahem, like maybe get him a real bowl). We put Dude in an old matchbox on top of a tissue and buried him under a tree in our backyard. Bobby had us put a picture of him in the box with Dude so that he wouldn't be lonely. A few months later we moved and Bobby was upset that we were leaving Dude behind. There was talk of exhuming him and moving him with us but I quickly killed that idea.
With this much drama around a free, wild minnow, I cannot imagine the trauma and drama if we lost a real pet. So, for now, we will remain puppy free. Unless someone knows where I can get a puppy that fits in a wonton soup container.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Well I Do Declare
Please add me to your blog! I used to read you all the time and then you went private. I was so excited to see you comment! Thanks in advance!
I'm a Two Faced Bitch
So I got my hair cut. Really short. For me, anyway. I have basically had the same haircut since 8th grade: a slightly above the shoulder bob or sometimes I let it grow past my shoulders and then get sick of it and cut it. So last Saturday I had it cut to my chin. It's still a bob, just REALLY short. At first, I loved it. So light! So easy! And hey, I probably lost of few pounds in just hair so, bonus.
The problem is that half of the time, when I look in the mirror, I think, "It looks good! Just like I wanted it". The other half I get a glimpse of myself and think, "Sweet Lord, what a hatchet job"! It's like that girl in the Seinfeld episode who looked great in one sort of light and horrible in another. That's me, but with my hair. I'm a two face.
Also, my annual Scrooge-fest has begun. Normally, I love Christmas but several Christmases ago we got one of those advent boxes. You know, with 24 little boxes inside one big box? Anyway, my husband told our oldest child, Bobby, that the little gifts inside were from one of Santa's elves, who dropped them off while checking to see if Bobby was being good. It became known as the Elf Box and it is the bane of my exsistence.
It is really difficult to find enough crap to put in all those little boxes without getting too repetitive. The Husband finally said to just buy bigger stuff and he would write a clue from the elf to put in the box that would lead to the treat. This opened a whole new can of worms. Bobby loved the "hunts" as he called them. Problem is, he now expects them. It totally Scrooges me out. I sigh as soon as I see that damn Elf Box unpacked every year.
I know this really doesn't sound like that big of a problem, but on top of all the regular Christmas shopping, decorating, baking, wrapping, etc. I have to come up with 24 gifts/candies and/or the notes and clues for hunts! Plus, I always forget to put the treats in the box. We have to wait until after Bobby is asleep to do it, but by then I have forgotten/blocked out that we have the stupid thing. This year, it only took me until the second night to forget. I remembered with a start at about 11:45 and sat up, "Crap! Did you do the Elf box"? This of course, woke up The Husband (as it was meant to). Of course he didn't. So I got up to put the damn treat in the box. What do I find in the box? A note to the elf, from Bobby, asking: "Dear Elf, What is your name?" He even drew a blank for the elf to fill in.
Now, I can be creative, but coming up with elf names on the spot at 11:45pm when I have already been sleeping, turns out not to be my strong suit. So I did what anyone else would have done. I went back upstairs and woke The Husband up again.
Me: "He wants to know what the elf's name is!"
Husband: "Mike."
Me: "Seriously? Mike?"
Husband: "Yes. Mike"
Me: "Wow. I would have picked Snowflake or Gumdrop or something. Ok. Mike it is."
Which I think turned out to be a good pick since Bobby seemed to be excited about the fact that the elf was named Mike, but I'm not really sure why.
Anyway, I have been grousing and bitching about this box for three days so the bright side is: only 21 more days of bitching to go!
Note: I originally thought of three other stories to write about but every one of them involved poop. And poop somehow just didn't seem very seasonal. Of course two faced bitches = reason for the season.
The problem is that half of the time, when I look in the mirror, I think, "It looks good! Just like I wanted it". The other half I get a glimpse of myself and think, "Sweet Lord, what a hatchet job"! It's like that girl in the Seinfeld episode who looked great in one sort of light and horrible in another. That's me, but with my hair. I'm a two face.
Also, my annual Scrooge-fest has begun. Normally, I love Christmas but several Christmases ago we got one of those advent boxes. You know, with 24 little boxes inside one big box? Anyway, my husband told our oldest child, Bobby, that the little gifts inside were from one of Santa's elves, who dropped them off while checking to see if Bobby was being good. It became known as the Elf Box and it is the bane of my exsistence.
It is really difficult to find enough crap to put in all those little boxes without getting too repetitive. The Husband finally said to just buy bigger stuff and he would write a clue from the elf to put in the box that would lead to the treat. This opened a whole new can of worms. Bobby loved the "hunts" as he called them. Problem is, he now expects them. It totally Scrooges me out. I sigh as soon as I see that damn Elf Box unpacked every year.
I know this really doesn't sound like that big of a problem, but on top of all the regular Christmas shopping, decorating, baking, wrapping, etc. I have to come up with 24 gifts/candies and/or the notes and clues for hunts! Plus, I always forget to put the treats in the box. We have to wait until after Bobby is asleep to do it, but by then I have forgotten/blocked out that we have the stupid thing. This year, it only took me until the second night to forget. I remembered with a start at about 11:45 and sat up, "Crap! Did you do the Elf box"? This of course, woke up The Husband (as it was meant to). Of course he didn't. So I got up to put the damn treat in the box. What do I find in the box? A note to the elf, from Bobby, asking: "Dear Elf, What is your name?" He even drew a blank for the elf to fill in.
Now, I can be creative, but coming up with elf names on the spot at 11:45pm when I have already been sleeping, turns out not to be my strong suit. So I did what anyone else would have done. I went back upstairs and woke The Husband up again.
Me: "He wants to know what the elf's name is!"
Husband: "Mike."
Me: "Seriously? Mike?"
Husband: "Yes. Mike"
Me: "Wow. I would have picked Snowflake or Gumdrop or something. Ok. Mike it is."
Which I think turned out to be a good pick since Bobby seemed to be excited about the fact that the elf was named Mike, but I'm not really sure why.
Anyway, I have been grousing and bitching about this box for three days so the bright side is: only 21 more days of bitching to go!
Note: I originally thought of three other stories to write about but every one of them involved poop. And poop somehow just didn't seem very seasonal. Of course two faced bitches = reason for the season.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Sex and Money
Yesterday while out and about running errands, that old '80's song, "Livin' in the Wild, Wild West" came on the radio. There is a line that says, "Gimme gimme safe sex". So Bobby says, "Mom, what's safe sex?" Great.
Now I am a mom who believes in answering honestly. He has already had the rundown about how babies are born and due to a trip to the pharmacy with him a few weeks ago, he knows that there is "special medicine mommy takes that keeps her from having more babies". He's an inquisitive one, this kid.
Anyhoo, I decided not to give him the full rundown on STD's, but since he already sort of knew about birth control I told him that it meant that you were careful when you had sex to make sure that you weren't going to have a baby. So then he wanted to go over the whole "How you make a baby" which is fine, but really? I just wanted to go to Target.
Thankfully, he was diverted by driving by our bank which brought up his favorite topic, money. He had to go through all the different ways you could acquire big bills. Forget one dollar bills, my kid likes fives, tens and twenties. It is his dream to have a fifty or one hundred dollar bill.
He always says stuff like, "If I saved up three weeks worth of allowance and added the money I already have I could go to the bank and get a ten and a five and still have some ones". I tell him that is correct. "If I saved up my allowance for two months and added the money I have I could get a twenty and a ten, if I had some change from my piggy bank". You see how this conversation was going. He could do this all day. I guess it's good that he understands money but can't we just talk about Star Wars again?
Now I am a mom who believes in answering honestly. He has already had the rundown about how babies are born and due to a trip to the pharmacy with him a few weeks ago, he knows that there is "special medicine mommy takes that keeps her from having more babies". He's an inquisitive one, this kid.
Anyhoo, I decided not to give him the full rundown on STD's, but since he already sort of knew about birth control I told him that it meant that you were careful when you had sex to make sure that you weren't going to have a baby. So then he wanted to go over the whole "How you make a baby" which is fine, but really? I just wanted to go to Target.
Thankfully, he was diverted by driving by our bank which brought up his favorite topic, money. He had to go through all the different ways you could acquire big bills. Forget one dollar bills, my kid likes fives, tens and twenties. It is his dream to have a fifty or one hundred dollar bill.
He always says stuff like, "If I saved up three weeks worth of allowance and added the money I already have I could go to the bank and get a ten and a five and still have some ones". I tell him that is correct. "If I saved up my allowance for two months and added the money I have I could get a twenty and a ten, if I had some change from my piggy bank". You see how this conversation was going. He could do this all day. I guess it's good that he understands money but can't we just talk about Star Wars again?
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Read this
How is it that I am just now reading The Glass Castle? I started it yesterday and ended up sitting up until 1am to finish it. It was so good. I don't know why I like reading stories about someone's crazy, dysfunctional childhood, but I do. I've read Angela's Ashes several times. This was sort of the American version of that book. I think the thing I like about both of these books is that the author still loves his/her parents very much. There is anger and bewilderment but also love.
Also, I think it makes me feel better about my own life. I quit crabbing about people stealing my towel at the pool or that I spent this morning scraping chewing gum out of my dryer. (I always check the pockets, but that damn piece of Super Bubble eluded me).
Anyhoo, if you haven't read this wonderful book yet, you really should.
Also, I think it makes me feel better about my own life. I quit crabbing about people stealing my towel at the pool or that I spent this morning scraping chewing gum out of my dryer. (I always check the pockets, but that damn piece of Super Bubble eluded me).
Anyhoo, if you haven't read this wonderful book yet, you really should.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Urinetown
The neighborhood pool has not had an auspicious start this year. My first trip this year someone STOLE my towel! Hello, it's a neighborhood pool. Do not think for one minute that when I see someone with my Lands End pink and white polka dot towel that I will not reclaim it. I'm afraid it might get ugly. I was stranded with no towel for me or Charlie since I thought, "He's little - we'll share this big towel". So we were both stuck.
The last time I went to the pool we were playing on the stairs which have these fountains that shoot water out where a lot of the younger kids play. This girl who was at least nine or ten goes shooting up the steps holding herself, screaming, "MOM! I HAVE TO GO THE BATHROOM!" Before her mom can even put down her book, the kid yells, "I'M GOING RIGHT NOW!" Sure enough, she has pee running down her legs (right in front of my lounge chair, of course).
Now, friends, if this had happened to me, I would have died a thousand deaths right there. But I think I discovered the problem when I looked over and the mother is laughing her ass off. Not helping. Not jumping to her feet to help her daughter to the bathroom. Not even pretending like she doesn't know her. Just laughing so hard she can't speak and pointing in the direction of the bathroom.
The girl starts for the bathroom which is completely at the other end of the pool. She runs/waddles half way there and stops, turns around and screams back at her mother, "IT'S OK! I'M FINISHED NOW!" Well, thanks. So back in she hops. The mother never even got up and said anything to her. She was WAY too old for this to even have happened. Much less not to at least have someone tell her that you may not want to scream about peeing your pants across a public pool. It's only mid-June. It's gonna be a LONG summer at the pool.
The last time I went to the pool we were playing on the stairs which have these fountains that shoot water out where a lot of the younger kids play. This girl who was at least nine or ten goes shooting up the steps holding herself, screaming, "MOM! I HAVE TO GO THE BATHROOM!" Before her mom can even put down her book, the kid yells, "I'M GOING RIGHT NOW!" Sure enough, she has pee running down her legs (right in front of my lounge chair, of course).
Now, friends, if this had happened to me, I would have died a thousand deaths right there. But I think I discovered the problem when I looked over and the mother is laughing her ass off. Not helping. Not jumping to her feet to help her daughter to the bathroom. Not even pretending like she doesn't know her. Just laughing so hard she can't speak and pointing in the direction of the bathroom.
The girl starts for the bathroom which is completely at the other end of the pool. She runs/waddles half way there and stops, turns around and screams back at her mother, "IT'S OK! I'M FINISHED NOW!" Well, thanks. So back in she hops. The mother never even got up and said anything to her. She was WAY too old for this to even have happened. Much less not to at least have someone tell her that you may not want to scream about peeing your pants across a public pool. It's only mid-June. It's gonna be a LONG summer at the pool.
Um, Hi
Oops! Is it June already? Ok, I have no real excuse for not writing except the end of school craziness, another round of the barfing flu (don't worry - NO ONE got left out this time!) and summer malaise. Since it is already way too hot, I will hopefully be inside where it is cool and will be able to get back to my blog. Anyway, if you're still here - sorry!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Scenes from the sofa
Scene: Evening on the sofa after dinner. The Husband has been complaining all day about a pulled muscle in his leg.
Husband: Ow. Ow. My leg is killing me.
Wife: Ooh, look - old Saturday Night Live with Justin Timberlake. Let's watch that.
Husband: Ow.
Justin sings.
Husband: You know that I'm bringing sexy back, don't you?
Wife: With that gimpy leg?
Husband: I'm bringing it slowly.
Husband: Ow. Ow. My leg is killing me.
Wife: Ooh, look - old Saturday Night Live with Justin Timberlake. Let's watch that.
Husband: Ow.
Justin sings.
Husband: You know that I'm bringing sexy back, don't you?
Wife: With that gimpy leg?
Husband: I'm bringing it slowly.
Bonannofest
I'm sure that many of you have already received the email but in case you haven't Stephen Bonanno Sandals is having their annual Sunfest Sale. It lasts from May 1 - May 4 and you get $20 off EVERY PAIR of sandals you order. I just received a pair of the new Tiffany sandals and they are super cute. Love that grosgrain ribbon! If I can locate the camera I'm going to do a post on all my Bonanno's - I LOVE them! Go start playing around with the colors so you will be ready on the first!
http://www.stephenbonanno.com/
http://www.stephenbonanno.com/
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
I've got the fever
Spring cleaning fever has apparently hit me. Yesterday I picked up the 2,654,345 things that were downstairs that belong upstairs. No kidding, I think it took all day just to get everything back to where it was supposed to be. Today I tackled the pantry.
We moved here last July and basically just threw everything in. Then we stuck some office supplies on a shelf since we weren't sure where to put them. Some art supplies. Some extra cables (I still don't know what they are for). We figured we would organize it later.
Later arrived today.
I threw out a ton of expired food. (Why do I love throwing out expired food? I am almost disappointed if the food is still fresh. "Ooo, look, another can of tomato sauce stuck in the back! I bet that's expired! Rats! Not 'til Sep. 08. Damn!")
No worries though. We have plenty left in the larder. Although once I moved the art supplies, office supplies, paper shredder and cleaning products back to their homes, I found I now have two completely bare shelves!
More concerning perhaps, is that I discovered we have four (yes, four) boxes of confectioners sugar. Three are unopened and the fourth is pretty full. How does this happen? Who, exactly, is buying all this confectioners sugar? Also, we had a half full bag of flour (expired - hooray!), another half bag of flour (still good) and three full unopened bags of flour - one of baking flour and two of whole wheat! So if you want to come over and bake some whole wheat bread and then sprinkle it with powdered sugar, stop by. I've got plenty for everyone.
We moved here last July and basically just threw everything in. Then we stuck some office supplies on a shelf since we weren't sure where to put them. Some art supplies. Some extra cables (I still don't know what they are for). We figured we would organize it later.
Later arrived today.
I threw out a ton of expired food. (Why do I love throwing out expired food? I am almost disappointed if the food is still fresh. "Ooo, look, another can of tomato sauce stuck in the back! I bet that's expired! Rats! Not 'til Sep. 08. Damn!")
No worries though. We have plenty left in the larder. Although once I moved the art supplies, office supplies, paper shredder and cleaning products back to their homes, I found I now have two completely bare shelves!
More concerning perhaps, is that I discovered we have four (yes, four) boxes of confectioners sugar. Three are unopened and the fourth is pretty full. How does this happen? Who, exactly, is buying all this confectioners sugar? Also, we had a half full bag of flour (expired - hooray!), another half bag of flour (still good) and three full unopened bags of flour - one of baking flour and two of whole wheat! So if you want to come over and bake some whole wheat bread and then sprinkle it with powdered sugar, stop by. I've got plenty for everyone.
Maybe this is the only answer they give
Because every blog I have seen that has done this says:
"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."
And I am too.
| I am a |
"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."
And I am too.
Update
Thank you so much to everyone who commented with concern about Charlie. He's fine.
Until July I had a wonderful pediatrican - an 60 something man who was very no-nonsense but you never felt rushed and he always answered any questions without looking at his watch. He retired at the end of June but we were moving across town in July so the timing was good. His office (there are five or six other doctors in the practice) was opening a new branch office about a mile from my new house so I just transfered my records there and hoped for the best. And then this.
At first I had some doubts about this doctor because she is very young and has no children. (I don't know why I think this is so important since my ob/gyn is a male and I would fly in from Russia to have any future children delivered by him.) My problem isn't really with her so much but her nurses suck! Obviously, the one who screwed up my sons chart sucked and she is already gone but even before her "mistake" I didn't like her because she reeked of cigarette smoke. It was so strong I really thought she might have a lit one hidden in her pocket.
However, I don't like the new nurse either. She is as slow as molasses (she's not old) and she scares the kids. She's one of those people who gets right in kids faces and talks loud. "HELLO, CHARLIE! ARE YOU READY TO SEE THE DOCTOR!" And now he's crying. Which he wasn't before. Then she says, "OH, THEY REMEMBER THIS PLACE". Um, no, they are frightened of you. Shh. They're little.
So I'm on the hunt.
Until July I had a wonderful pediatrican - an 60 something man who was very no-nonsense but you never felt rushed and he always answered any questions without looking at his watch. He retired at the end of June but we were moving across town in July so the timing was good. His office (there are five or six other doctors in the practice) was opening a new branch office about a mile from my new house so I just transfered my records there and hoped for the best. And then this.
At first I had some doubts about this doctor because she is very young and has no children. (I don't know why I think this is so important since my ob/gyn is a male and I would fly in from Russia to have any future children delivered by him.) My problem isn't really with her so much but her nurses suck! Obviously, the one who screwed up my sons chart sucked and she is already gone but even before her "mistake" I didn't like her because she reeked of cigarette smoke. It was so strong I really thought she might have a lit one hidden in her pocket.
However, I don't like the new nurse either. She is as slow as molasses (she's not old) and she scares the kids. She's one of those people who gets right in kids faces and talks loud. "HELLO, CHARLIE! ARE YOU READY TO SEE THE DOCTOR!" And now he's crying. Which he wasn't before. Then she says, "OH, THEY REMEMBER THIS PLACE". Um, no, they are frightened of you. Shh. They're little.
So I'm on the hunt.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Double Shot
Last Thursday Charlie had his appointment for his 2 year well visit. No big deal. He is finally back on the charts weight wise which is good (23.6 lbs). Still growing (35 1/2 inches). Passed all the developmental crap (can point to body parts, talk somewhat). Great - get a couple of shots and we're outta there. Easy peasy.
Until that afternoon about 3:30 when the doctor calls me. Calls me. At home. She says she is sorry to bother me but she has a question. Did I remember if Charlie got any shots when he came in for his 18 month visit? I said I was pretty sure he did. Then she began talking very slowly. Very carefully. And explained to me that they had duplicated the shots from the last visit at todays visit. She explained that there was no need to worry - kids end up getting multiple immunizations due to moving and being unable to locate shot records, adoption, etc.
Which is all well and good but HOW did it happen? So I asked, weren't the nurses supposed to write everything down in his chart? I mean, Weren't they supposed to write down the vial number so the exact dose can be traced in case of some sort of problem? She said yes but that the nurse at his 18 month visit did not do any of that. The doctor caught the mistake when going over her notes and looked back at his 18 mo. visit where she had noted he needed shots. The nurse never did any paperwork so the "official" part of the chart had no information. And that nurse has already left the practice. Of course.
Whatever. I was nice to the doctor but started crying as soon as I hung up. Mostly because I was angry. And a little scared - I mean what if it wasn't just an immunization but something that could have caused real problems? Of course he's fine, but I think I am going to look for a new pediatrician. I'm already going gray - I don't need this extra stress.
Until that afternoon about 3:30 when the doctor calls me. Calls me. At home. She says she is sorry to bother me but she has a question. Did I remember if Charlie got any shots when he came in for his 18 month visit? I said I was pretty sure he did. Then she began talking very slowly. Very carefully. And explained to me that they had duplicated the shots from the last visit at todays visit. She explained that there was no need to worry - kids end up getting multiple immunizations due to moving and being unable to locate shot records, adoption, etc.
Which is all well and good but HOW did it happen? So I asked, weren't the nurses supposed to write everything down in his chart? I mean, Weren't they supposed to write down the vial number so the exact dose can be traced in case of some sort of problem? She said yes but that the nurse at his 18 month visit did not do any of that. The doctor caught the mistake when going over her notes and looked back at his 18 mo. visit where she had noted he needed shots. The nurse never did any paperwork so the "official" part of the chart had no information. And that nurse has already left the practice. Of course.
Whatever. I was nice to the doctor but started crying as soon as I hung up. Mostly because I was angry. And a little scared - I mean what if it wasn't just an immunization but something that could have caused real problems? Of course he's fine, but I think I am going to look for a new pediatrician. I'm already going gray - I don't need this extra stress.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
OK, no more posts about my kids singing.....probably
Yesterday, while out and about with the kiddos, the song "With You" by Chris Brown came on the radio. It starts out, "I need you boo, I gotta see you boo". Bobby jerked his head up and said, "See your POOP?" "NO!", I said, "See you, BOO!" "See your BOOB!?!" and at this point collapsed into hysterics. After that, every few minutes, you could hear him mutter, "See your boob!" and crack himself up. Maybe we need to go back to the Wiggles.
Withdrawl
Thursday night my monitor died. The power flickered about three times but never went out. When I went back upstairs the monitor would not turn back on. To be fair, it is ten years old. Unfortunately, my husband was in the middle of a major crisis at work and since he is the guru of all things technical, I had to wait until last night to get and install my new monitor.
48 hours with no computer. I had no idea how hard that would be. I would rather it have been the television! But now I have a fancy 22" monitor which I am loving so it's all good. I had to spend about five straight hours catching up on email and my blogs. And I haven't even caught up on my shopping yet!
48 hours with no computer. I had no idea how hard that would be. I would rather it have been the television! But now I have a fancy 22" monitor which I am loving so it's all good. I had to spend about five straight hours catching up on email and my blogs. And I haven't even caught up on my shopping yet!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Me Me Me
I stole this from The Blissful Belle. Feel free to steal it, too. Here goes:
5 things I cannot live without under $10:
1. Diet Coke
2. Goody Tortiseshell hair clips to keep my hair out of my face - especially in the morning
3. Goldfish crackers for the kids
4. hand lotion - must have it accessible at all times
5. my library card - I visit a lot
5 Favorite Movies:
1. The Big Lebowski
2. Gosford Park
3. Out of Africa
4. Vanity Fair
5. Christmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck
5 Girl baby names you love (but won’t use):
1. Don't laugh - Persephone. I fell in love with this name during an 8th grade mythology unit and I STILL think it's beautiful. But I would never do that to my kid.
2. Daphne - see #1
3. Emma - LOVE this name but sounds ridiculous with our last name
4. Penelope - see #1
5. Grace - again this sounds ridiculous with our last name
5 Boy baby names you love (but won't use): All of these we wouldn't use because my husband HATES them:
1. Aidan
2. Tristan
3. Quentin
4. Ambrose
5. Duncan
5 songs you could listen to over and over:
1. The Painted Desert by 10,000 Maniacs
2. Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne
3. In the Waiting Line - Zero 7
4. anything by Guster
5. Only You - Yaz
5 things that stay in your purse all the time: My purse is also a giant diaper bag, so:
1. Goldfish crackers - see above
2. hand lotion - see above
3. ibuprofen - I get horrible migraines
4. a sippycup
5. an emery board
5 obsessions you have right now:
1. checking bloglines to see if my favorite bloggers have posted
2. Diet Coke - always
3. Sonic cheese sticks
4. Stephen Bonanno sandals - is it possible to have too many? I don't think so.
5. LOST
5 places you would really love to go:
1. A cruise through the Adriatic Sea
2. England
3. Italy
4. Germany
5. Russia
5 things I cannot live without under $10:
1. Diet Coke
2. Goody Tortiseshell hair clips to keep my hair out of my face - especially in the morning
3. Goldfish crackers for the kids
4. hand lotion - must have it accessible at all times
5. my library card - I visit a lot
5 Favorite Movies:
1. The Big Lebowski
2. Gosford Park
3. Out of Africa
4. Vanity Fair
5. Christmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck
5 Girl baby names you love (but won’t use):
1. Don't laugh - Persephone. I fell in love with this name during an 8th grade mythology unit and I STILL think it's beautiful. But I would never do that to my kid.
2. Daphne - see #1
3. Emma - LOVE this name but sounds ridiculous with our last name
4. Penelope - see #1
5. Grace - again this sounds ridiculous with our last name
5 Boy baby names you love (but won't use): All of these we wouldn't use because my husband HATES them:
1. Aidan
2. Tristan
3. Quentin
4. Ambrose
5. Duncan
5 songs you could listen to over and over:
1. The Painted Desert by 10,000 Maniacs
2. Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne
3. In the Waiting Line - Zero 7
4. anything by Guster
5. Only You - Yaz
5 things that stay in your purse all the time: My purse is also a giant diaper bag, so:
1. Goldfish crackers - see above
2. hand lotion - see above
3. ibuprofen - I get horrible migraines
4. a sippycup
5. an emery board
5 obsessions you have right now:
1. checking bloglines to see if my favorite bloggers have posted
2. Diet Coke - always
3. Sonic cheese sticks
4. Stephen Bonanno sandals - is it possible to have too many? I don't think so.
5. LOST
5 places you would really love to go:
1. A cruise through the Adriatic Sea
2. England
3. Italy
4. Germany
5. Russia
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
My Shawty Gets Low
Do you guys know that song "Low" by Flo Rida? It's on the radio all the time and I guess little Charlie likes it. Whenever he hears it he says, in a really deep voice, "Low, low, low, low". Except that he can't say "L", so it comes out, "Wo, wo, wo, wo". It's really hysterical.
Yum
Last night I was finally able to get a babysitter and The Husband and I went to a new wine, cheese and tapas bar called Soif. Now I know you're thinking "Tapas? That's so 1999!" Well, in my husbands opinion it technically qualifies as a "medium plate" restaurant. All I know is, it was really good. I got the chef's four course tasting menu with wine pairings. I love getting pairings 'cause I love trying all the different wines. The first wine I had with my appetizer (which was an unbelievable radish soup) was a Budini Mendoza Malbec. I know, I never heard of it either, but they have a wine shop next to the restaurant and I left with two bottles. It is GOOD.
Anyway, you are probably still wondering about that radish soup. I really don't care for radishes. Does anyone? However, this soup was incredible. It was garlic, onion and radish pureed and had feta chesse and the tiniest little bits of tomato. I practically licked the bowl. I also had a tuna salad, quail and a dessert that was pound cake, brownie and fresh strawberries. I will definately be going back. The owner came over and gave us a tour of the wine shop and was really nice.
I am hoping that The Husband and I can do this more often since he is now a food writer/restaurant critic for a local paper. Sometimes I can't make it and he has a deadline, so I have been missing a bunch of great places. I am determined to not let this happen anymore! He has had a food blog for awhile. If you haven't visited it yet, do: http://alforno.blogspot.com/
Anyway, you are probably still wondering about that radish soup. I really don't care for radishes. Does anyone? However, this soup was incredible. It was garlic, onion and radish pureed and had feta chesse and the tiniest little bits of tomato. I practically licked the bowl. I also had a tuna salad, quail and a dessert that was pound cake, brownie and fresh strawberries. I will definately be going back. The owner came over and gave us a tour of the wine shop and was really nice.
I am hoping that The Husband and I can do this more often since he is now a food writer/restaurant critic for a local paper. Sometimes I can't make it and he has a deadline, so I have been missing a bunch of great places. I am determined to not let this happen anymore! He has had a food blog for awhile. If you haven't visited it yet, do: http://alforno.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Mo counting
As I was about to post the last entry I thought, "Does this sound like I'm being braggy mom"? But then I thought hell, it's my blog I'm going to post it. When I told my husband about our counting prodigy we were reminded of our older son when he was in preschool. He could count to twelve just fine. However, all of the teen numbers must have sounded the same because he would just make up something and add "teen" to it. It was really hysterical. "Eleven, twelve, moteen, noteen". He came up with a bunch but I think those two were my favorites.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Mommy Hears Some Counting
Despite needing to clean up the Easter mess which is still all over the house, I took Bobby (now seemingly healthy) to see Horton Hears a Who. I thought it was cute - I laughed out loud several times. But after sitting through Alvin and the Chipmunks (I swear I'm still recovering) I think my expectations have been lowered.
Charlie impressed me today. All winter, when I have changed Charlie's diaper I count the snaps as I resnap his pants. (In case you were wondering, toddler pants have eight snaps.) So I have basically counted to eight for almost all his diaper changes. This afternoon, I went to snap him back up and said, "One." And he said, "Two!" Wow! "What's next?" I asked. He got three, four and then said six instead of five. When I corrected him he got six, didn't say anything for seven but when I said "seven", he said eight! What a smartypants.
Charlie impressed me today. All winter, when I have changed Charlie's diaper I count the snaps as I resnap his pants. (In case you were wondering, toddler pants have eight snaps.) So I have basically counted to eight for almost all his diaper changes. This afternoon, I went to snap him back up and said, "One." And he said, "Two!" Wow! "What's next?" I asked. He got three, four and then said six instead of five. When I corrected him he got six, didn't say anything for seven but when I said "seven", he said eight! What a smartypants.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Happy Birthday!
Yesterday was Charlie's 2nd birthday! I can't believe he is two! We had a small family party when we were in St. Augustine last week, complete with Elmo cake. I meant to post this yesterday but with older brother throwing up every half hour, it just didn't happen.
Two years ago, yesterday:
Two years ago, yesterday:
Bobby (not sure about this baby!) and Charlie:
Now I'm 2!:
Oops
So I have been missing in action for a month. Here's the rundown. I got the stomach flu - the day before I was supposed to leave for my girls trip to Mexico. I had to postpone my trip a day because I couldn't even sit up, much less fly. Got there finally, had a GREAT time but you know how some medicine says "May cause sensitivity to sun". They ain't lying. I was in the sun a grand total of two hours and I burned in weird splotchy patches all over.
When I got home my skin started peeling off everywhere. Even places I wasn't burned! I can't even remember the last time I peeled. Or burned. Anyhoo, I was worn out after all the sickness, travel, etc. Then came Easter and spring break. My mom and step-dad have a house in St. Augustine so we went down there for a few days.
Today I was supposed to be out all day with a friend who was coming in from out of town but of course yesterday morning Bobby woke up with a high fever and then starting throwing up. So that was yesterday.
But I'm back.
When I got home my skin started peeling off everywhere. Even places I wasn't burned! I can't even remember the last time I peeled. Or burned. Anyhoo, I was worn out after all the sickness, travel, etc. Then came Easter and spring break. My mom and step-dad have a house in St. Augustine so we went down there for a few days.
Today I was supposed to be out all day with a friend who was coming in from out of town but of course yesterday morning Bobby woke up with a high fever and then starting throwing up. So that was yesterday.
But I'm back.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Congratulatory Shopping
If you don't have a child under the age of 5, you may not know that this is pre-school registration season. Charlie will be ready to start 2 year old preschool in the fall. I had done all the tours, and turned in all the applications. I had my heart set on a specific school but knew that the children are many and the slots are few.
The pre-schools around these parts send out their acceptance letters in early to mid February. Well, we got all the letters. And every single one of them said, "Thank you for your interest but you have been placed on our waiting list." I have been in a panic ever since. What if we can't get him into pre-school in the fall? Now I am not worried that missing out on two year old pre-school will prevent him from getting into college. I am worried that I will not get my two morning a week break! Momma needs a few mornings to herself!
Last night the phone rang a little after six. It was the director of my first choice school. I was at the top of the waiting list and there was availabilty. Was I interested? People, I would have driven to her house THAT INSTANT with my check. I took my deposit this morning, bright and early. I am SO excited. I really like this school and I was really worried we wouldn't get in at all. Now this!
So, needless to say this called for some shopping. I ran by a children's boutique that I knew was having a sale. I knew that it had been going on for awhile but thought I would check it out anyway. They didn't have much but what they had was 70% off.
The pre-schools around these parts send out their acceptance letters in early to mid February. Well, we got all the letters. And every single one of them said, "Thank you for your interest but you have been placed on our waiting list." I have been in a panic ever since. What if we can't get him into pre-school in the fall? Now I am not worried that missing out on two year old pre-school will prevent him from getting into college. I am worried that I will not get my two morning a week break! Momma needs a few mornings to herself!
Last night the phone rang a little after six. It was the director of my first choice school. I was at the top of the waiting list and there was availabilty. Was I interested? People, I would have driven to her house THAT INSTANT with my check. I took my deposit this morning, bright and early. I am SO excited. I really like this school and I was really worried we wouldn't get in at all. Now this!
So, needless to say this called for some shopping. I ran by a children's boutique that I knew was having a sale. I knew that it had been going on for awhile but thought I would check it out anyway. They didn't have much but what they had was 70% off.
This is a Le Top outfit for next Christmas for Charlie. I got it for $17.40.
These are cute pajamas for Charlie for next fall/winter. They were $13.20. So for $30 that's not bad!
GapKids was around the corner so I strolled through there. It's hit or miss with the GapKids in my opinion. For boys, the bigger the size the less cute the clothes get. But on their sale rack I found this:
It doesn't look as cute in this picture. It is a thin, navy sweater and the madras deer is not as pronounced as it looks here. It's very subtle. It also has grey elbow patches. It's super cute! It was marked down to $6.97 but when they rang it up it was $3.97! Score!
Mrs. Clean
This is what a seven year old boy's room looks like if left to his own devices:
Please note the "trail" that has been created so that one can get from the door to the bed without breaking a leg.
>
I am hoping it will stay like this for more than a few days. However, in a week I am leaving on a girls trip to Mexico and The Husband will have the boys for four days so I am pretty sure it will be trashed by the time I get back.
Please note the "trail" that has been created so that one can get from the door to the bed without breaking a leg.
So yesterday this is what I did:
>
I am hoping it will stay like this for more than a few days. However, in a week I am leaving on a girls trip to Mexico and The Husband will have the boys for four days so I am pretty sure it will be trashed by the time I get back.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Toddler Physics
Sorry for the lack of posts. A round of some kind of stomach thing had me laying down most of the weekend and then, oh boy, it was time to do the taxes. So it was a big weekend all around.
Anyway, I was printing out the completed taxes this morning and went to put shoes on the little one so we could go and run some errands. The front of his jeans were soaked. Wet from the waistband down to one knee. I sniffed. It was pee. Damn.
I did a quick check of the sofa but there were no wet marks. I took him to his room and discovered that the only thing wet was the front of his pants. His diaper was dry on the outside and pretty much on the inside. Shirt - dry. Sofa - dry. I checked the carpet, the train table - dry, dry.
This has happened before. Not so much with this one, but his older brother, when in diapers, seemed to have this happen every once in a while. I really don't get it. How in the world do they manage to pee either up out the top of the diaper or through a leg gap and not get pee on anything else? It defies logic.
After the magic poop incident I have to wonder: Are my children the only ones with magic bodily functions? Or is this everyone?
Anyway, I was printing out the completed taxes this morning and went to put shoes on the little one so we could go and run some errands. The front of his jeans were soaked. Wet from the waistband down to one knee. I sniffed. It was pee. Damn.
I did a quick check of the sofa but there were no wet marks. I took him to his room and discovered that the only thing wet was the front of his pants. His diaper was dry on the outside and pretty much on the inside. Shirt - dry. Sofa - dry. I checked the carpet, the train table - dry, dry.
This has happened before. Not so much with this one, but his older brother, when in diapers, seemed to have this happen every once in a while. I really don't get it. How in the world do they manage to pee either up out the top of the diaper or through a leg gap and not get pee on anything else? It defies logic.
After the magic poop incident I have to wonder: Are my children the only ones with magic bodily functions? Or is this everyone?
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Some Gift Giving Advice
Last night I had to get a few things at the grocery store and I saw a grown man standing in front of the already picked over Valentine's gifts. He was clutching a large stuffed dog with sad eyes that was holding a little heart that said, "I Love U". I REALLY wanted to go over and say,"Put it back. Trust me. Candy. Flowers. Just not the dog." Then I realized that it was really none of my business. However, if you are reading this and just received that dog as your present....sorry, I just couldn't say it.
What is it with the stuffed animals at Valentine's Day?!? In my opinion, there is no day of the year on which a stuffed animal is an appropriate gift for an adult. I haven't thought a stuffed animal was a good present since I was six. I brought this up with The Husband when I got home from the store. He suggested that I might be the Valentine's Day version of The Grinch and that I probably would feel differently if someone bought me a stuffed animal. However, such is not the case.
In 8th grade, I was "going with" a boy named Tony. For Valentine's Day I received a card and ..... a stuffed teddy bear. Even in the 8th grade I was thinking, "What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" Rest assured the relationship ended shortly after the bear incident. In 6th grade I was "going with" a boy named Scott* who got me three red roses.
Now you're talkin'.
*Scott and I did not last either. Without going into the gory details, our love did not survive the vicious rumors that were started during the school field trip to the movie Gandhi.
What is it with the stuffed animals at Valentine's Day?!? In my opinion, there is no day of the year on which a stuffed animal is an appropriate gift for an adult. I haven't thought a stuffed animal was a good present since I was six. I brought this up with The Husband when I got home from the store. He suggested that I might be the Valentine's Day version of The Grinch and that I probably would feel differently if someone bought me a stuffed animal. However, such is not the case.
In 8th grade, I was "going with" a boy named Tony. For Valentine's Day I received a card and ..... a stuffed teddy bear. Even in the 8th grade I was thinking, "What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" Rest assured the relationship ended shortly after the bear incident. In 6th grade I was "going with" a boy named Scott* who got me three red roses.
Now you're talkin'.
*Scott and I did not last either. Without going into the gory details, our love did not survive the vicious rumors that were started during the school field trip to the movie Gandhi.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Now I Know My ABC's
Charlie is in love with ALL things Elmo. This is new for us as our older child never really cared for Elmo or Sesamee Street at all. He was a Bob the Builder man. But I digress.
For Christmas Charlie received this book:
Please note that it includes a "Companion DVD". That he is addicted too. He won't even watch regular Sesamee Street anymore. As soon as he sees Elmo or Cookie Monster (his second favorite) he starts screaming "GAA GEE". Which means turn the DVD on NOW. He wants to see the DVD not new episodes. He SCREAMS until you put it on. So usually I put it on. As soon as it ends he brings the DVD remote to me and yells, "AGAIN!" This is basically all that is on our TV if he is awake.
The DVD is about 15 minutes long and consists of back to back alphabet skits. So really it's 15 minutes of puppets singing, saying, jump roping and rapping the alphabet. It gets old. To be honest there is one segment that is sort of fun. There is a trio of pigs that are supposed to be like the Andrews Sisters, who do a big band boogie woogie version of the ABC's. It's so jazzy you just can't help but sing along! "A, Oink, B Oink, C Oink, D Oink, Oink Oink, EFG!" Maybe you have to hear it. I'm not saying I'm going to put it on my ipod or anything, I just like it.
For Christmas Charlie received this book:
Please note that it includes a "Companion DVD". That he is addicted too. He won't even watch regular Sesamee Street anymore. As soon as he sees Elmo or Cookie Monster (his second favorite) he starts screaming "GAA GEE". Which means turn the DVD on NOW. He wants to see the DVD not new episodes. He SCREAMS until you put it on. So usually I put it on. As soon as it ends he brings the DVD remote to me and yells, "AGAIN!" This is basically all that is on our TV if he is awake.
The DVD is about 15 minutes long and consists of back to back alphabet skits. So really it's 15 minutes of puppets singing, saying, jump roping and rapping the alphabet. It gets old. To be honest there is one segment that is sort of fun. There is a trio of pigs that are supposed to be like the Andrews Sisters, who do a big band boogie woogie version of the ABC's. It's so jazzy you just can't help but sing along! "A, Oink, B Oink, C Oink, D Oink, Oink Oink, EFG!" Maybe you have to hear it. I'm not saying I'm going to put it on my ipod or anything, I just like it.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Return to Sender
A shirt that I ordered from J. Crew arrived in the mail the other day and I ran upstairs to try it on. Hot on my heels was the 7 year old. Actually, he was hot on the heels of the package - he always holds out hope that every package will contain something for him. Anyway, I tried on the shirt and he immediately says, "It looks great, mom. It looks like one of those shirts you wear when you are pregnant."
I am returning the shirt.
***Update: After reading some comments I should probably clarify that this top did not have an empire waist, nor did it tie in the back! Here is the shirt. Now that I am reading the description, I think my problem is the "Back tuck for fullness" and the "flattering, U-shaped neckline" is apparently not flattering enough.
I am returning the shirt.
***Update: After reading some comments I should probably clarify that this top did not have an empire waist, nor did it tie in the back! Here is the shirt. Now that I am reading the description, I think my problem is the "Back tuck for fullness" and the "flattering, U-shaped neckline" is apparently not flattering enough.
Monday, February 4, 2008
National Treasure: Book of Fashion
So the 7 year old LOVES the movie National Treasure II: Book of Secrets. I took him a week or two ago since we had seen every kids movie that was out and I was NOT about to sit through Alvin and the Chipmunks twice.
Sometimes it's tough to tell if movies that are PG are going to be appropriate or not. I tend to err on the side of caution. My favorite site to check for PG movies I'm not sure about is Common Sense Media. They tell you every single thing that might be objectionable in a movie. So even though they recommend it for 8 and up I was able to determine that the things that were concerns were things I knew my kid could handle. Seriously, if you have kids - bookmark this site - I use it alot.
Anyway, we went and he loved it. As soon as it was over he said, "We HAVE to get that on DVD!" When we got home, he immediately created his own treasure map, loaded up his backpack and enlisted the neighbor children to help him search for treasure. It was so cute.
So, this weekend he wanted to see it again. I agreed since I really wanted to get out (and I really wanted some popcorn). And you know what - Abigail's (the character who plays Nicholas Cage's girlfriend) clothes are adorable! Seriously, go see the movie just to see her cute clothes. Her coats are beautiful! Of course she wears a different coat with every outfit but they were gorgeous. The dress and coat she wears to the Easter egg roll at the White House - I want them.
And on a completely unrelated note, I have to tell you that my 7 year old never says "Listen to this" or just "Listen". He always says, "Hear this". I never have the heart to correct him because it always sounds so cute - like he's a little town crier or something. Oh and the baby - he's been barfing. So, yeah.
Sometimes it's tough to tell if movies that are PG are going to be appropriate or not. I tend to err on the side of caution. My favorite site to check for PG movies I'm not sure about is Common Sense Media. They tell you every single thing that might be objectionable in a movie. So even though they recommend it for 8 and up I was able to determine that the things that were concerns were things I knew my kid could handle. Seriously, if you have kids - bookmark this site - I use it alot.
Anyway, we went and he loved it. As soon as it was over he said, "We HAVE to get that on DVD!" When we got home, he immediately created his own treasure map, loaded up his backpack and enlisted the neighbor children to help him search for treasure. It was so cute.
So, this weekend he wanted to see it again. I agreed since I really wanted to get out (and I really wanted some popcorn). And you know what - Abigail's (the character who plays Nicholas Cage's girlfriend) clothes are adorable! Seriously, go see the movie just to see her cute clothes. Her coats are beautiful! Of course she wears a different coat with every outfit but they were gorgeous. The dress and coat she wears to the Easter egg roll at the White House - I want them.
And on a completely unrelated note, I have to tell you that my 7 year old never says "Listen to this" or just "Listen". He always says, "Hear this". I never have the heart to correct him because it always sounds so cute - like he's a little town crier or something. Oh and the baby - he's been barfing. So, yeah.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Trash Talk
Last night when I went I went to give the little one a bath I realized we had entered a new phase of toddlerhood. A sample sized tube of toothpaste was sitting at the bottom of the toilet. My husband happened to be standing there as I fished it out. Since baby loves his bath and was getting anxious about getting in the tub I asked my husband if he could throw it away for me. First he asks, "Are you sure you don't want to save it?" Um, for what? My museum of things I've fished out of the toilet? This is not the depression buddy. It's a half used sample of Crest Kids that the 7 year old got at the dentist a few weeks ago. Yeah. It's trash. Of course, I didn't say any of this, I just gave him my look that says, "Seriously?" So, he drops it in the trashcan next to the toilet.
Now, people, is it just me or do all moms know that you cannot throw that away in that can? First of all, when my older son goes in there later to brush his teeth, I guarantee you that he will fish it out of the trash and use it. Plus, next time the little one gets in the bathroom he will see it in the trash and put it back in the toilet. So I told him, "This needs to go in the kitchen trash. Downstairs. Probably hidden under some other items." Then he gives ME the look that says I am incredibly anal/insane, but he humors me. Does anyone else's household work this way? Do your children leave things in the trash or do they constantly pull things out as if each can were their own personal prize box?
Can I get a witness?
Now, people, is it just me or do all moms know that you cannot throw that away in that can? First of all, when my older son goes in there later to brush his teeth, I guarantee you that he will fish it out of the trash and use it. Plus, next time the little one gets in the bathroom he will see it in the trash and put it back in the toilet. So I told him, "This needs to go in the kitchen trash. Downstairs. Probably hidden under some other items." Then he gives ME the look that says I am incredibly anal/insane, but he humors me. Does anyone else's household work this way? Do your children leave things in the trash or do they constantly pull things out as if each can were their own personal prize box?
Can I get a witness?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
All done
My younger son (22 mos.) has always stopped to pick up any little thing he finds on the rug. A small piece of thread. A leaf (my older son constantly brings them in from outside). A dustbunny (hey, I'm being honest here). After carefully picking up the item he brings it to me and says, "All done!" He knows it belongs in the trash but I think he is really trying to let me know that I need to vacuum more often.
Anyway, this afternoon he toddles up with a clenched fist and takes my hand and places something in it, announcing "All done!" "Oh, what do you have?" I ask. Surely an old Cheerio from under the sofa, a wood chip that brother carried in from the playground, another dust bunny? No, my friends. It was a piece of POOP! Yeah, that's right. I freaked too. It was about the size of a grape. When I realized what it was I jumped up and immediately checked his hands and then, god help me, smelled his breath (all clear, thank god). I couldn't find poop on anything! I checked every possible place he had been in the few minutes that we were upstairs. Where the hell did it come from? We may never know. I hate to think that I need to vacuum my house so badly that the dust bunnies have become so large that they have started, you know, pooping.
Please don't call Social Services on me. A few minutes before the incident I changed a dirty diaper. I think that the item in question must have fallen out of the diaper during clean up. Well, that's the best explantion I have anyway. I know. Ew.
Anyway, this afternoon he toddles up with a clenched fist and takes my hand and places something in it, announcing "All done!" "Oh, what do you have?" I ask. Surely an old Cheerio from under the sofa, a wood chip that brother carried in from the playground, another dust bunny? No, my friends. It was a piece of POOP! Yeah, that's right. I freaked too. It was about the size of a grape. When I realized what it was I jumped up and immediately checked his hands and then, god help me, smelled his breath (all clear, thank god). I couldn't find poop on anything! I checked every possible place he had been in the few minutes that we were upstairs. Where the hell did it come from? We may never know. I hate to think that I need to vacuum my house so badly that the dust bunnies have become so large that they have started, you know, pooping.
Please don't call Social Services on me. A few minutes before the incident I changed a dirty diaper. I think that the item in question must have fallen out of the diaper during clean up. Well, that's the best explantion I have anyway. I know. Ew.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
He's Back!
The Husband returned Friday afternoon which we were all grateful for, mainly because we were all ready for some real food. The Husband did not disappoint. Friday night we had tuna medallions in a red wine reduction with white bean paste. It was heavenly. Last night he made french onion soup - it was so rich we just had bread with it and that was it. So good!
I managed to escape yesterday to get a much needed haircut/highlights - way overdue - and a mani/pedi. Then today I went to a matinee of There Will Be Blood. It was really good. Daniel Day-Lewis should walk away with Oscar - he was amazing. Also, in the Where Are They Now files, his fake brother was played by the creepy bartender who becomes Daryl Hannah's husband in Steel Magnolias. I don't remember his actual name but you probably don't either so that description should be OK.
So I'm ready to kick off another crazy week. Tomorrow the baby and I visit the preschool I am hoping to get him into in the fall and later in the week we start swimming lessons. Charlie absolutely LOVES the water so he is going to love them. What may not be getting love is my extremely white body. I'm worried I may glow under those flourescent pool lights.
I managed to escape yesterday to get a much needed haircut/highlights - way overdue - and a mani/pedi. Then today I went to a matinee of There Will Be Blood. It was really good. Daniel Day-Lewis should walk away with Oscar - he was amazing. Also, in the Where Are They Now files, his fake brother was played by the creepy bartender who becomes Daryl Hannah's husband in Steel Magnolias. I don't remember his actual name but you probably don't either so that description should be OK.
So I'm ready to kick off another crazy week. Tomorrow the baby and I visit the preschool I am hoping to get him into in the fall and later in the week we start swimming lessons. Charlie absolutely LOVES the water so he is going to love them. What may not be getting love is my extremely white body. I'm worried I may glow under those flourescent pool lights.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Blow me
Things have been nuts this week with my husband out of town. I don't think he has been gone more than one night since the little one was born so it's been a loooong week. Did I mention it rained - yeah, that helps the time pass.
Anyway, my youngest, Charlie will be two in March and over the last two weeks he has just gotten..... older! He has grown taller (all his pants are starting to look short), he has tried a ton of new foods (other than the Cheerios, yogurt and buttered toast diet he has been subsisting on), and has also become more stubborn (hello two!). I pulled out all the stops tonight and made hot dogs. The Husband does all the cooking and when he is not here we usually just eat out but with the rain and after eating out all week I just wasn't up to it so - hot dogs it was. Charlie, who has NEVER eaten any meat, ate a whole hot dog! I wasn't even planning on giving him one but he clearly wanted one so we tried it. And yes, I cut it up super small so he wouldn't choke. I know that this is not exciting news but maybe he will actually gain some weight now. Last weigh in was 21 lbs 3oz. I know.
All of this to tell you that it took him FOREVER to eat the thing because he insists that everyone blow on every piece of his food, one bite at a time, before he eats it. EVERYONE. So, he picks up a bite, blows on it, holds it out to me, I blow on it, then holds it out to brother who is paying no attention, so I have to say, "Bobby, blow" and he blows on it, and THEN Charlie can eat the bite. Since I cut the hot dog into about 35 pieces dinner lasted about 4 hours. We actually saved a little time since my husband wasn't here. What really cracked me up is that we are all so used to doing this at every meal that when I say, "Bobby, blow" he doesn't even look up - he just blows towards the high chair. I know this is all so exciting that you're wondering what you could do to be lucky enough to have dinner here. It's a thrill a minute folks.
Anyway, my youngest, Charlie will be two in March and over the last two weeks he has just gotten..... older! He has grown taller (all his pants are starting to look short), he has tried a ton of new foods (other than the Cheerios, yogurt and buttered toast diet he has been subsisting on), and has also become more stubborn (hello two!). I pulled out all the stops tonight and made hot dogs. The Husband does all the cooking and when he is not here we usually just eat out but with the rain and after eating out all week I just wasn't up to it so - hot dogs it was. Charlie, who has NEVER eaten any meat, ate a whole hot dog! I wasn't even planning on giving him one but he clearly wanted one so we tried it. And yes, I cut it up super small so he wouldn't choke. I know that this is not exciting news but maybe he will actually gain some weight now. Last weigh in was 21 lbs 3oz. I know.
All of this to tell you that it took him FOREVER to eat the thing because he insists that everyone blow on every piece of his food, one bite at a time, before he eats it. EVERYONE. So, he picks up a bite, blows on it, holds it out to me, I blow on it, then holds it out to brother who is paying no attention, so I have to say, "Bobby, blow" and he blows on it, and THEN Charlie can eat the bite. Since I cut the hot dog into about 35 pieces dinner lasted about 4 hours. We actually saved a little time since my husband wasn't here. What really cracked me up is that we are all so used to doing this at every meal that when I say, "Bobby, blow" he doesn't even look up - he just blows towards the high chair. I know this is all so exciting that you're wondering what you could do to be lucky enough to have dinner here. It's a thrill a minute folks.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
All About Meme
I had a huge lunch which has left me tired and uncreative. So I am copying this meme from Ladybug's Picnic:
1. What is your occupation? Stay at home mother
2. What color are your socks right now? Black - a thin pair that I wear with boots
3. What are you listening to right now? Not a blessed thing. Baby is napping and The Husband and big boy are at the Children's Museum. Take your time boys.
4. What was the last thing you ate? BBQ wings and pork stuffed potato skins. I know, it sounds kind of gross to me right now too.
5. Can you drive a stick shift? I used to be able to but I haven't in a long time.
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Green.
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My mom. We talk almost every day.
8. How old are you today? 36.
9. Favorite drink? Diet Coke
10. What is your favourite sport to watch? Do I have to? I guess college football.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? I highlight my hair and really need a touch up right now.
12. Favorite reality TV show? Amazing Race - although I haven't been watching this season.
13. What was the last movie you watched? Either Atonement or Juno - I can't remember.
14. Favorite day of the year? Thanksgiving
15. What do you do to vent anger? I usually give The Husband an earful.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? My Weeble tree house
17. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Fall.
18. Hugs or kisses? Hugs.
19. Cherries or blueberries? Neither
20. Do you want your friends to email you back? You mean if I email them first? I guess.
21. Favorite dessert? Cheesecake
22. Living arrangement? I share a lovely two story brick home with my husband and two boys, ages 7 and almost 2.
23. When was the last time you cried? Actually, last night. I watched a CSI rerun where kids were abused and it just tore me up.
24. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes, a hamper, two boxes of old magazines, wrapping paper, tissue paper and about 10 tote bags. Probably time to clean out the closet.
25. What did you do last night? Stayed on the couch and watched TV.
26. What inspires you? People who seem to have it all together.
(I guess 27-29 were cut)
30. What are you afraid of? Snakes. Dear lord, snakes. They have no legs, no wings, no fins - and they move! It's just wrong.
31. Plain, cheese, or spicy burgers? Cheesburger, baby. The best in the world are at Rosewood Dairy Bar/Zesto in Columbia, SC.
32. Favorite breed of dog? Westhighland Terrier
33. How many years at your current job? I have stayed at home since the birth of my oldest in 2000.
34. Favorite day of the week? Saturday.
35. How many states have you lived in? 11: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Alabama, California, Minnesota, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
36. Celebrity crush? Not so much.
37. Ever driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery? No, motorcycles scare me to death.
38. Who is your favorite NFL team? This is the south, baby. We watch college football.
39. Do you have a house phone that is not cordless? Yes, unplugged in the laundry room in case the power goes out.
40. 10 inches of snow or 100 degree weather? 10 inches of snow. I hate the heat. If it never got over 75 I would be thrilled.
1. What is your occupation? Stay at home mother
2. What color are your socks right now? Black - a thin pair that I wear with boots
3. What are you listening to right now? Not a blessed thing. Baby is napping and The Husband and big boy are at the Children's Museum. Take your time boys.
4. What was the last thing you ate? BBQ wings and pork stuffed potato skins. I know, it sounds kind of gross to me right now too.
5. Can you drive a stick shift? I used to be able to but I haven't in a long time.
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Green.
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My mom. We talk almost every day.
8. How old are you today? 36.
9. Favorite drink? Diet Coke
10. What is your favourite sport to watch? Do I have to? I guess college football.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? I highlight my hair and really need a touch up right now.
12. Favorite reality TV show? Amazing Race - although I haven't been watching this season.
13. What was the last movie you watched? Either Atonement or Juno - I can't remember.
14. Favorite day of the year? Thanksgiving
15. What do you do to vent anger? I usually give The Husband an earful.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? My Weeble tree house
17. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Fall.
18. Hugs or kisses? Hugs.
19. Cherries or blueberries? Neither
20. Do you want your friends to email you back? You mean if I email them first? I guess.
21. Favorite dessert? Cheesecake
22. Living arrangement? I share a lovely two story brick home with my husband and two boys, ages 7 and almost 2.
23. When was the last time you cried? Actually, last night. I watched a CSI rerun where kids were abused and it just tore me up.
24. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes, a hamper, two boxes of old magazines, wrapping paper, tissue paper and about 10 tote bags. Probably time to clean out the closet.
25. What did you do last night? Stayed on the couch and watched TV.
26. What inspires you? People who seem to have it all together.
(I guess 27-29 were cut)
30. What are you afraid of? Snakes. Dear lord, snakes. They have no legs, no wings, no fins - and they move! It's just wrong.
31. Plain, cheese, or spicy burgers? Cheesburger, baby. The best in the world are at Rosewood Dairy Bar/Zesto in Columbia, SC.
32. Favorite breed of dog? Westhighland Terrier
33. How many years at your current job? I have stayed at home since the birth of my oldest in 2000.
34. Favorite day of the week? Saturday.
35. How many states have you lived in? 11: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Alabama, California, Minnesota, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
36. Celebrity crush? Not so much.
37. Ever driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery? No, motorcycles scare me to death.
38. Who is your favorite NFL team? This is the south, baby. We watch college football.
39. Do you have a house phone that is not cordless? Yes, unplugged in the laundry room in case the power goes out.
40. 10 inches of snow or 100 degree weather? 10 inches of snow. I hate the heat. If it never got over 75 I would be thrilled.
I want more
Like several of you I am really missing More, More More and All Things Pink and Green and In-between. My blog is so new that they probably have never even been here but just in case can you include me?
jenniferthewife@gmail.com
jenniferthewife@gmail.com
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Peek 'n Pay
It is absolutely pouring here today. The oldest is out of school for teacher workdays and of course I picked today to schedule four different appointments.
First up - a follow up visit to the ENT for baby boy who had tubes put in his ears a few weeks ago. By the time we all got into the office we were soaked - I think I got greedy trying to bring my Venti Caramel Apple Spice in along with two kids, an umbrella and a ginormous diaper bag but - live and learn. The problem came AFTER the appointment. I am trying to fish for my wallet in said bag, prop the baby on my other hip and keep him out of reach of my drink while keeping an eye on the oldest who is digging in the prize box. I should tell you that I was wearing this shawl collar sweater from Banana Republic but in a deep green color.
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=26503&pid=526767
After talking with the receptionist, setting up another appointment and nodding another goodbye to the doctor I realize that the baby has pulled the edge of the sweater back COMPLETELY exposing my right boob (which isn't even the big one). Could I get him to let go of the sweater? Of course not - he went all two year old on me and started shrieking as if exposing my boob to this office was his one joy in the world. So to the grinning dad in reception: The reason your kid fell off of that chair was 'cause you were looking at my boob. Nice parenting.
I'll let you know later if the folks at the dentist's office got a peek.
First up - a follow up visit to the ENT for baby boy who had tubes put in his ears a few weeks ago. By the time we all got into the office we were soaked - I think I got greedy trying to bring my Venti Caramel Apple Spice in along with two kids, an umbrella and a ginormous diaper bag but - live and learn. The problem came AFTER the appointment. I am trying to fish for my wallet in said bag, prop the baby on my other hip and keep him out of reach of my drink while keeping an eye on the oldest who is digging in the prize box. I should tell you that I was wearing this shawl collar sweater from Banana Republic but in a deep green color.
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=26503&pid=526767
After talking with the receptionist, setting up another appointment and nodding another goodbye to the doctor I realize that the baby has pulled the edge of the sweater back COMPLETELY exposing my right boob (which isn't even the big one). Could I get him to let go of the sweater? Of course not - he went all two year old on me and started shrieking as if exposing my boob to this office was his one joy in the world. So to the grinning dad in reception: The reason your kid fell off of that chair was 'cause you were looking at my boob. Nice parenting.
I'll let you know later if the folks at the dentist's office got a peek.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Jealous Much?
The snarky comment left on my previous post was from none other than my husband, Robert, aka The Husband. He has had a blog of his own for a while and has been encouraging me to start one of my own. As he was helping me set it up he explained that it would probably be a few months before people began commenting but not to get discouraged. It was a slow process. Within hours I had my first comment. I had three in the first 24 hours. I have been torturing The Husband with my popularity ever since. Apparently, the green eyed monster has arrived in the form of the previously mentioned comment. Since I choose to rise above these petty jealousies (and since clearly I am far more popular) I will give a shout out to his blog Al Forno Charleston http://alforno.blogspot.com/. You can scroll down to the post "A Little Food Math" to read a story about me. (See, even on his blog, it's all about me!)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
They DO make Sunday
When I was a little girl I always wanted those days of the week underpants but never got them. The idea of labeled underwear TOTALLY appealed to me. So about two weeks ago I was strolling through Gymboree checkin' out their big post-holiday sale for the boys. What do I find? Days of the week underpants - for boys! I had never seen them for boys before. Well, since the baby is still is diapers I grabbed a pack for the 7 year old. I wasn't sure if he would like them as much as I did but I didn't care. Well, apparently OCD is genetic because he loves them. In fact, he doesn't want to wear any of his other underwear. And of course it all has to be worn on the correct day.
This has not been a problem until tonight when he went to put on his Wednesdays for tomorrow. They were still in the hamper. (How is this possible? I swear I have done at least 420 loads of laundry since last Wednesday. What DO I do all day?) So there was a big scene and if he had handled it differently I might have done a special load tonight but instead he made some rude remarks about my inability to do my job..... Yeah. So he's sportin' dinosaur undies tomorrow. And he's gonna have to like it. And I guess I'll be doing some laundry.
This has not been a problem until tonight when he went to put on his Wednesdays for tomorrow. They were still in the hamper. (How is this possible? I swear I have done at least 420 loads of laundry since last Wednesday. What DO I do all day?) So there was a big scene and if he had handled it differently I might have done a special load tonight but instead he made some rude remarks about my inability to do my job..... Yeah. So he's sportin' dinosaur undies tomorrow. And he's gonna have to like it. And I guess I'll be doing some laundry.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Timber
I was driving along a busy road today when a scruffy looking guy ran out in the road and started waving his arms. Well, I was in the left lane so I just kept on going but I was a little nervous. I didn't see a car so I thought he must be a hitchhiker or just your garden variety crazy person. As soon as I passed him I glanced in the rearview and the top of a giant tree landed in the road!!! I am talking about five feet or more of pine tree. I realized that there were some guys trimming the tree and they have trimmed it onto the ROAD!!! A BUSY road where the speed limit is 50! Shouldn't they have some signs blocking a lane off or something? Seriously, this thing almost landed RIGHT on top of my car! I don't think sending someone wearing NO safety equipment or uniform out in the street waving their hands at you qualifies as "ensuring a safe environment". So - close call, but I still lived to get that Egg McMuffin so it was all good.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Caviar Dreams
I had the most vivid yet bizarre dream last night. I was having dinner over at Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's house. Interestingly it was decorated horribly in that old country blue and peach. The living room had country blue wallpaper with peach hearts and there were a lot of dried flower arrangements. Who knew. Matthew cooked and made linguini with clams. It was REALLY good. Queen Latifah was there and she was hysterical. I was seated next to Oprah and she was really happy to hear my suggestions for fundraising for her school. Maybe I need to get out more. Or not read USWeekly so much.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
100 Things About Me
- I was born in Philadelphia.
- My family moved 7 times by the time I started 6th grade.
- We ended up in southeast Tennessee which is what I now consider "home".
- My first car was a beautiful green MG. It broke down alot.
- I convinced my Dad that I needed a reliable back up car, so he bought me a new Honda Civic.
- That Civic was involved in at least 9 accidents. My Dad used to say that the only original part on that car was the engine.
- I swear I am a good driver.
- I graduated from Florida State University with an English degree.
- I met my husband in graduate school at the University of South Carolina. We were working on graduate degrees in English lit.
- I quit after one semester but did not quit the husband to be.
- I later went back to graduate school and got my MLIS (Masters in Library and Information Science).
- Yes, I am a librarian. Whenever I would tell people what I did they would say, "No, seriously."
- Which is what they also used to say about my first job working at a fertility clinic. Yes, they really have a room with porn.
- I am addicted to Diet Coke.
- I am accused of being indecisive. However, usually I just don't have an opinion.
- If I do have an opinion it is usually a very strong one.
- I really loved my wedding. The only thing I wish is that I could attend it as a guest as well.
- Two of my biggest pet peeves are a) people who do not pick up their animals crap and b) people who leave shopping carts in parking lots.
- I prefer to have a hot lunch.
- I would rather have a big lunch and a small dinner although usually this doesn't happen.
- I am not crafty.
- I cannot stand to get anything under my fingernails. This is one of the reasons I don't like to cook or garden.
- I love to read.
- I subscribe to too many magazines.
- I hate cleaning the bathtub or shower.
- I live at the beach but would rather live in the mountains.
- I am very organized. Having children makes this difficult.
- My husband is the smartest person I know.
- I LOVE to go to the movies. My husband HATES going to the movies because he doesn't like to hear everyone chewing their popcorn and crinkling their candy wrappers.
- I end up going by myself a lot which most people think is weird but I actually kind of enjoy.
- I take way too much Advil. I always take four. This plus my insane Diet Coke consumption pretty much guarantees that my kidneys are going to shut down well before the rest of me.
- I get horrible migraines that are almost always related to the weather. I have had them since I was a little kid.
- The only bone I have ever broken was the middle finger on my left hand when I was in 8th grade. I had to wear a splint that had me shooting a permanant bird - everyone thought it was extremley cool.
- I am allergic to cats.
- I think that there are very few things that are not improved by sour cream or cream cheese. Except maybe the size of my ass.
- I love to play any card game.
- I do not enjoy nature. Let me be more specific. I like to look at it. I do not want it in my house or touching me.
- I do not recycle. Mostly because it's all I can do to get the regular trash out of the house at the right time. A friend of mine said I should call my blog "I don't recycle" but I think the haters would be crawling out of the woodwork.
- I hate coleslaw. Don't tell me that your version has some great ingredient that I will love. I won't.
- I don't enjoy cooking. My husband does almost all the cooking and loves it. So do I.
- My parents divorced when I was a senior in high school.
- I had one sister (younger) who died five years ago.
- I now have one half sister and assorted step siblings.
- I had crazy teeth that required serious orthodonture.
- They had to pull four permanant teeth as well as my wisdom teeth to make room for all my huge teeth.
- On my summers in college my dad made me work at a candy factory packing candy on twelve hour swing shifts. This was supposed to teach me the value of a dollar. It did.
- I never had insomnia until I worked swing shifts. I have had it on and off ever since.
- I have never waited tables.
- I love to read - anything really.
- I have never been to Europe.
- I have been to Hong Kong.
- I have also been to Canada and Mexico.
- When I get stressed out I like to get in the car and drive.
- I have varied tastes in music. Except for jazz, I like almost all kinds of music.
- I played the french horn in elementary and middle school.
- I took piano lessons for years but can hardly play now.
- We have a piano that mostly collects dust.
- The thought of going into outerspace scares me to death.
- So does going deep in the ocean.
- I tried to take diving lessons and did fine until the first ocean dive. Then I quit.
- I hate going in the ocean above my waist. It just seems like a giant fish toilet.
- I am also extremely scared of stingrays.
- In college, I got stranded on a sandbar in the Gulf of Mexico with two friends. We were there all day with no food or water until the coast guard finally found us.
- I don't like to drive a boat because there are no lanes.
- I have asthma which is usually under control but EVERY fall I get bronchitis and usually pneumonia.
- I have never been a bridesmaid. This sounds like I have no friends but actually most of my really good friends are still single.
- I have been asked to be a bridesmaid once but the wedding was a couple weeks after the birth of my first baby and was not close by so I had to miss it.
Hello
After lurking for ages I have finally leapt into the blogging world. The first blog I read (obsessively) was the now defunct Preppy Cafe. Through that great blog I have made many wonderful discoveries (see sidebar). I have delayed starting my own blog mostly due to a big move and the birth of a second child. Now that said child is closing in on two years old and we have unpacked (almost) all the boxes I am out of excuses.
My big concern was a title. My seven year old son suggested, "I Have a Boring Life". Since his own blog deals exclusively with Legos, things you can build with Legos, and how one might possibly get more money to purchase more Legos, I didn't take his advice. While my title may not seem edgy or original it will have to do for now. I am The Wife.
My big concern was a title. My seven year old son suggested, "I Have a Boring Life". Since his own blog deals exclusively with Legos, things you can build with Legos, and how one might possibly get more money to purchase more Legos, I didn't take his advice. While my title may not seem edgy or original it will have to do for now. I am The Wife.
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