Gratitude Friday

I am grateful that it's Friday.

I am grateful for McDonald's coffee. $1.12, people. That excellent price plus the mile-long line at Starbucks this morning equals ME & RONALD being best buddies again.

I am grateful for health and fitness, having a plan, having a goal, and for feeling good about achieving it, 5 days in. Here's hoping the weekend doesn't derail the whole endeavor!

I am gratefully liking the Blogger beta. I had fun playing with it yesterday. What do you think? It'll take me AGES to categorize all my 419 posts. I'm doing them little by little. It was also hard to come up with the categories! I'd like to find an appropriate, permanent picture for my profile. I've searched my photos and can't quite put my finger on what I'm looking for, but good hair would be nice, and actually, I don't want a smiley photo because I just don't feel that's really who I am most of the time. I don't want to stage something either, because that would be silly. So we'll see. But it's fun to evolve!

I am grateful that Applebee's has curbside service, and corn dogs.

I am grateful that it's Friday. Did I already say that? ....Who even cares if it's the 13th?!

Fresh ground blog

Dudes, I've taken the plunge. Even cheapskates like myself want to have fancy features on our blog, so we're upgrading. Hold my hand, I'm scared! It says I can NEVER go back to my old alpha ways. Be on the lookout for Labels! Categories! And a new template (aaack)! Technology is such fun. But it just can't sit STILL.

Catch ya on the flip side.

Edited to add: Oh, I guess I don't have to choose a "new" template. Cool. 'Cause I'm pretty much in love with the barbie-pink, even when it sometimes burns my eyes. 8^|

Driving in the slow lane

My one friend from Alaska visited here a couple of years ago. I picked her up from her hotel and drove to dinner, an activity during which she said, "Can I tell you something honestly? You Atlantans are CRAZY drivers." I'm sure she's right, in comparison to Alaskan drivers. I actually think MOST drivers who are non-elderly have this bad habit: immediately trying to pass when we come up behind someone going the speed limit or less. I usually do this, myself. (I don't think it's necessarily crazy, but it sure is impatient. Indicative of our society's impatience for everything.)

Yesterday, however, I got behind a Geo Prism or some such and could NOT get around her. Too many cars behind me, doing the same thing. So I waited it out. I was feeling especially aware, I guess, and said to myself, "You must be exactly where you're meant to be. Behind this person, going slower than you'd like -- there's a reason for it. There could be a wreck developing up ahead that if I went faster, I'd be involved in." You just never know. (Maybe I had that thought because the night before, Husband had declared, "You were almost widowed today," proceeding to tell me about a semi that ran the red light to Husband's left, at our office's trepidatious intersection. (THANKS for that spectre of an image, dear. Thanks a really lot.) Turns out DH was also aware enough to put on his brakes, and the offending semi flew by without killing anyone. Obviously.)

Anyway, it was a good reminder to know that we're always exactly where we're meant to be, whether we're in the fast lane or stopped in our tracks. I try to keep that in my head but it's not always easy. Like yesterday morning, at one moment in a work meeting where the discussion was all, "action-scripting and betweening for Flash and blah-de-blah database-cakes" and I wanted to GOUGE MY EYES OUT. At least I was meant to be there.

---

Three days into my "diet" -- such a mean and terrible word -- but I'm still doing it! Today's not a workout day, but I decided I could still do the OTHER model diet behaviors, like drinking water. Which I am. I even packed a lunch last night, in preparation for today! Woot! I've felt really good about myself (Group HUG! Self-Esteem Class dismissed!) since I'm managing to stick to it. Last night? I RESISTED dessert after dinner even though I was HONGRY. I had no more calories left to eat, so I was not allowed. Not even an M&M. (Well, okay, six 7 M&Ms. But that's next-to-nothing for cals, so I still RAWK ON.)

---

Heh. I've always wanted to say "blah-de-blah something-cakes." A la amy. Some people talk so cute. :)

Starting off right...

ROARRR! Hear me? I just worked out. Aww, yeah. 7:00 am babee! I was hittin' it hard. Well, not really hard, just some lo-impact aerobics and hurts-so-good pilates with Denise on LifetimeTV. But I intend to do a 2nd session (!) later in the day when my butt is tired from sitting in front of the computer for a few hours. It's hard being a girl sometimes. The Last Ten Pounds should be the title of a book they give us in 6th grade after all the other girl-talk, because it seems like we're bonded for life with that topic. Up and down, down and back up. As if ten little pounds makes us better or worse. (At least our husbands promise to love us either way!)

It cannot be that hard to workout 2-3x a week. LORD, help me to do this! Monday morning. Tuesday morning. One day on the weekend. Easy, right? So that is once again the plan. Plus all the Wiggles dancing I can handle. Can YOU point your fingers and do the twist??

This is what happens, of course, after a weekend with house guests. :) My parents were here and we ate... a lot. But Saturday we also took AJ to the Zoo! It was a fantastic day. He liked the flamingos best, followed by the elephants and giraffe, I think. The very minute we got to one animal, he was asking, "What next, Mama? Let go hee homething elt." But that's good, I guess -- when you take a small child to the Zoo, you only have limited time to see it all. He was working in our favor, really.

I'm quite grateful for such a nice weekend. Despite the fact Husband had to work on Saturday morning, and therefore we were driving separately the whole day -- I really missed having him in the seat next to me -- it was a beautiful day and lots of fun. Then on Sunday morning we went to the park with our neighbors and AJ enjoyed the slide about a trillion times. He was scared to try it at first (the tall one), but after his inital anxious trip down with Mommy, he was hooked and took it on all by himself. That small bit of independence, with the breeze blowing his hair all the way down, looked great on him. His laughter was pitch-perfect. :)

For a Monday, I guess I'm feeling pretty damn good.

Not in My House!

Oh, dear, this is unfortunate news. I hope my husband doesn't see it because it just ISN'T TRUE:

Psst… Chicks Dig Technology
via wired
Reuters 07:15 AM Aug, 02, 2006

Diamonds are no longer a girl’s best friend, according to a new study that found three of four women would prefer a new plasma TV to a diamond necklace....The Girls Gone Wired survey of 1,400 women and 700 men aged 15 to 49, which was conducted by market researcher TRU, found that given the choice, women would opt for tech items rather than luxury items like jewelry or vacations....

Seventy-five percent of us are CA-RAZY, is all I have to say. I'll take your diamonds.

All work and no play?

Last night the husband and I were discussing the State of our Lives as we cleaned up from what we thought was Dinner, but what AJ thought was the Olympic event of Soup-Sloshing. Quite a mess -- which closely paralleled our discussion topic. We were both lamenting yesterday's decision to try to sell our precious little 6-game-Saturday package of hockey tickets. The one we hemmed and hawed about buying in the first place, but finally reasoned that it could be our one Thing -- our REASON to get ourselves out'da'house, since we'd PAID for it and all. (You know, like the gym membership? "If I PAY for it, I'll use it." Cough, cough.) But, after careful babysitter planning gone TO HELL -- I'm talking 3 babysitters renegging for this ONE game -- we just said "Forget it." Not worth the hassle.

People, if my husband is willing to give up on being a season ticket holder for hockey? It. Is. Serious.

So let's just chat about extra-curriculars for a moment, here. I got on the bandwagon early in life, as we all did, knowing we'd have to fill up that college application with plenty of Involvement... so you volunteer, you explore your talents and interests, you participate in things. PLENTY of them, as many a parent of school-age kids can attest. We've passed this habit of extending ourselves onto the next generation. (A topic we don't even need to get into, but one I'm sure you've heard about.)

But when you're a young parent of a baby/toddler/preschooler? It's not so much about YOU anymore. It's about them. As you know, a few weeks ago I decided to quit the church choir -- for lots of reasons, but the main one was that pesky 4-hour-a-week commitment-thing. 2 hours rehearsal, 2 hours prep and Mass on Sunday mornings. Um... well, sometimes I'd rather go on Saturday night. And sometimes? I'd rather sit with my family at church. So no, those four hours, I decided, were mine. I took 'em back.

I've kept 2 things on my calendar: my book club, and my performance choir. I almost think it's too many, but I don't want to lose the precious few girlfriends I have in book club, or my hard-earned sight-singing ability, either. DH does his fantasy football league with some friends. But that's it. No other clubs. No volunteer hours on our books. No committees. And now, no commitment to hockey. We'll buy a pair of tickets once or twice during the season, for date night. But just not a multitude of games. For us and our work/life schedules, this is plenty.

Some parents might disagree. (What? Parents? Disagree with each other? You must be joking!) They might argue that being involved and passionate and active is a good model for the kids. I agree with that, but just... not yet. Not while he's two. (Definitely not if we had more than one under 5!) I know it seems I'm advocating a complete sacrifice of self, like stamping a big "IGNORE" on your own desires and plans.

Yes. I am. And I'm totally cool with that, for now.


P.S. I realize we could just opt to take AJ with us to the hockey games. *chuckles to self, shakes head* Ohhohoho. That is a good one.

Favorite words and phrases.

Kid-tested:

Diapooh.

"Mama, what I got?"

"Mama, why me do dat?"

BIGAND'TRONG!!!

"Pees, I have 'pecial tweet?"

Wanna race?

Dooo. (As in, "I do!" AJ's standard answer for every question. Are you hungry? "Dooo.")



For Grown-ups, by grown-ups:

Craptastic.

RiDONKulous.

"Or you'll know WHAT FOR."

Brilliant.

"My name is Grumplestiltskin." (courtesy of Mir)

Fancy-pants.

Designers, make it work.

"If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." (courtesy of ME)

Life milestone

Today, for the first time, I am employing the classic pencil-eraser-as-earring-back technique.

I think I'm a real woman now.

Easy Breezy Recipe Thursday

I have had a really hard time finding Banquet Fried Chicken in my local Publix. Boooo for that. But once I find it, I am totally making this easy breezy recipe. It was one of my Grandmother's staples. It reminds me of her house in Dallas.

Spicy Fried Chicken

1 box frozeen fried chicken, skinless if you prefer (7-8 pieces)
1/3 c. melted butter, or squeeze margarine
garlic powder
cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Arrange frozen chicken on a baking sheet covered with foil (do not thaw). Drizzle butter over the top. Sprinkle with generous amounts of both garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Bake 30-35 minutes (follow box directions). Smells so good as it cooks! Serves 3-4.

With mashed potatoes and a salad? Heaven on earth. Got any easy recipes you'd like to share today?

The weather's still nice...

It's still cool and autumn-like here. In the mornings, AJ's wearing a jacket to school, and we've transitioned to pants instead of shorts. Must really be fall.

Weather's about the only thing I feel like talking about right now. I'm in kind-of a funk, despite my favorite season. One thing that helped? Going to the dentist yesterday. Surprising, I know! But my dentist is rather cool. He was playing really loud music yesterday, and the hygenist and I had a hard time figuring out who it was. We could tell by the instruments it was something '70s... it was pretty "hard" rock, not the folky stuff I like from the '70s... finally I put my guess out there: Kansas? And I was right.

I'm much too young to know who Kansas is, by the way. ;) But we did have fun playing guessing games and talking music. My dentist is cool.

While he was tinkering around in my mouth ("up to his elbows," Grandmother used to love to say) I was thinking about the history of dentistry, and how barbaric it was, back in its earliest times. I mean, the idea of banging a fat rock against the problem tooth? Even the idea of "bite down on this stick to ease the pain..." ...just unfathomable to us modern, numb-loving dental patients. But that's how it started, after all. So, like I always do when I get intrigued about something, I wikipedia'd it. Get this:

The barbers of former times were also surgeons and dentists. Most early physicians disdained surgery, and therefore, as well as haircutting, hairdressing and shaving, barbers performed surgery of wounds, blood-letting, cupping and leeching, enemas, and the extraction of teeth. Thus they were called barber surgeons...

Nice! "I'd like a shampoo and cut, please, and while you're at it, why don't ya stick your hands in my mouth and knock out this molar? THANKS."

Barber-ic. I can't seem to find exact etymology of "barber" as relates to "barbarian," but there has to be a connection there. Speaking of barbaric dentists, do you know about Tim Burton's upcoming Sweeney Todd? Starring who else? Johnny Depp! I love a good Burton/Depp collaboration, and this one's a Broadway musical, to boot. My hometown community theater produced it when I was doing theater, way back when, so I'm anxious to revisit the story. Even though it's pretty gruesome.

I also recently read Myla Goldberg book called Wickett's Remedy, about a woman and her husband who develop this pseudo medicinal tonic-water that becomes a soda. It's set during the time of the flu epidemic of 1918, which I also meant to lookup right after I finished it. Crazy history! I'd never even known of this. Millions died! Why were we not taught about it? Strange. I was amazed, though, by some of the medical practices described in the fictional novel. Or, "practices." I'm not sure you could call them "medical" so much as "experimental."

I don't know why this crazy sub-modern medicine stuff is fascinating me at the moment. I'm kinda creeped out by my own mind. Perhaps I'd better go sit in the sunshine today. Play with some kittens or something. Eat an ice cream cone. :)

hello, OLD self

I am falling apart. My left elbow and my right knee are both on the fritz. Not to the point of limping or garishly joinking my arm out to the side, in and out, in and out -- although, imagine that walking down the street for a minute. You know you're laughing at my pitiful state! But it IS to the point of Huuuuuuuuurrting. And you know how I like to whiiiiiiiiiine.

I can't hold my left hand palm-up when it is fully extended without pain.

(No, it doesn't hurt any other time but that, unless I am trying to stretch and therefore rotating my hand back and forth. But isn't that how YOU beg the Universe for money? Hand out, palm up? That's how *I* do it. Up shut. I was a cheerleader, after all: arms fully extended in Classic "T" position is something I do, sometimes. UP shut, again! So I like to revisit my cheerleading days sometimes, big deal! The husband digs it, what can I say?)

Also? My knee -- and excuse me while I shiver just a little, because knee injuries of any sort give me the absolute WILLIES, the *eyes roll back in head,* the bwwwweeeehcch! SQUICKS -- my right kneecap is now generating this adorable CRUNCHING sound when, for example, I'm trying to casually tone the glutes by taking stairs 2 at a time. There are particles of something in there, and they're grinding. NAILS ON A CHALKBOARD, HELLO!! It hurts mostly going down the stairs, but it is unpleasant (to my ears) going up.

What do you think, should I see a doctor about these things? Or maybe just take an Advil, cut out the "We-Got-Spirit-How-'Bout-YOU!"s, and suck it up, acknowledging my ripe old age of thirty-two?

Remembering September

One of the writing prompts I've seen recently (because I'm so fresh out of ideas that I need to be prompted) suggests that you revisit your teenage journals and share a poem or an entry from this day, however-many years ago.

Hahahahahahahahaha.

You can forget that. I mean, I could share an entry here... I just went upstairs to dig some journals out of the back of my nightstand, so there are some entries in the front of my mind (a poem called "Love Song," another called "First Love," and a third called "Beacons," having something to do with somebody's eyes, GAAAAH! *hides face in extreme pity for my teenage self*).... but, No sharing. I did find the journal from my first few months in college, and it was so neat to remember when everything was NEW. It was a new schoolyear with all that entails (uncracked books, pencil-smell, fresh paper), a different way of taking classes, and most critical, new people from all over. How neat that freshman year of college, everywhere you go, you meet new people? Every new class or group meeting, there's the potential to introduce yourself to a new friend. I wish that social excitement carried through the rest of life. I remember scheduling lunch with a different new person every day for a while. Or, hey! Dinner! Or even, let's go to the DUC at 10:30 pm and have a yogurt. "To study." Man, that was fun. I was always an early-class person (nerd), so I even liked having wet-haired, no makeup breakfast with someone who shared the morning class schedule.

Maybe I'm nostalgic for just the meals, actually! B'fast now? Is coffee in a spill-proof mug, in my car. Lunch? Either bring from home (bor-ing. leftovers.) or pick something up during errands. Gawd. Dinner? Awww, crap, what are we having for dinner TONIGHT - I've gotta think of something. That's no fun! No social! (Except on weekends, of course -- I do eat pretty stress-free on weekends.) Interesting, I hadn't thought of it before. See how the world does turn.

Anyway, the temperature on my back deck is 53 degrees this morning. In Florida, we used to call 50s "sweater-weather." Of course, it's going to warm up into the seventies today, but the cool morning air? Makes it really, truly September. I think it's my favorite.

What do you remember best about starting college?

Caffeinate me.

You take it for granted that you're going to get a full night's sleep, after the baby's turned a year old, or two. But I'm here to tell you: Not Always The Case. He woke me up at 2:50. Must have been a bad dream but I'm a little extra-jumpy since the night before, he was spitting up. So I hear one cough and I'm THERE. Thankfully last night, he seemed fine -- but then, my over-active brain wouldn't turn back off.

Aside: I blame my husband! He's gotten me into this, and I think now I have an over-functioning pre-frontal cortex! My brain age is currently 20, by the way. The BEST brain age you can have. So I rock! But, I also don't sleep.

Anyway, I lay there with the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song -- or one of the seventeen showstoppers permanently embedded -- on continuous loop. 'Til four a.m. I know I should have turned on the light and read a book or something, but I was determined that in just another minute, I'd get comfortable.

Oh well. This is what coffee is for.

We had some significant cooking victories last night -- DH made me dinner, for one (Yay! Who has the best husband? I do I do!), and I made AJ some soup out of NOTHING! Well, not nothing -- egg noodles and chicken broth and a few spices. But it was tasty! I totally would have eaten it! Too bad I didn't have any canned carrots to throw in there, but he slurped it all down. Finally? Peach Jello. You forget how good Jello really is, you know?

(Now you're thinking: Brain? Noodles? Jello? Coincidence?.... Oh yes, it's gonna be a great day.)

Baby's (ahem.) First Meme

Technically I no longer have what you'd call "a baby." He is a Big Boy. A Toddler. A KID.

But it's not going to stop me from doing a "baby" meme. Linda posted this cute one. Thanks, Linda! Wanna be my friend? No seriously. I heart you and your uber-funny.

3 Things That Scare AJ:

-- The Blender. I'm not sure if it's the sound it emits when crunching up ice, or the idea that his parents are actually going to be drinking margaritas, possibly dancing wildly, that scares him. (Okay, that last part is made up. Pleeease. We hardly ever get drunk for kicks anymore. We go straight to "passed out.")

-- Umbrellas. I actually love this. He is scared of my little, precious, girly-turquoise umbrella. It's gotten better as he gets older -- he doesn't cry anymore when he sees it folded up -- but if I hold him with me, when it's raining, under the umbrella? He clings like a little suction-fish. Then he tells me "It way-nee outhide, Mama." I'm sorry you're scared, Baby, but That. Is. Adorable.

-- Sometimes, Napoleon will come rushing around the corner if, for example, we find his Squeaker and give it a single audible squeeze. Four furry limbs and tail akimbo, everybody watch out! AJ jumps to me eyes wide going, "Mama! Mama!" Can't say I blame him. 65 pounds of dog CAN be a little scary.


3 People Who Make Him Laugh:

-- Me! I am the family's supreme goofball and can prod a giggle out of him with faces and noises. "Squeeeeeeeeeeze!" seems to be the favorite, lately.

-- Uncle Teddy. Even when Uncle Teddy is not around, AJ laughs about him and his "Bah-bah-bah." (In a nice way.)

-- Napoleon wins again in this category. AJ loves to hear him bark, to hug him and watch him try to wriggle away, to pat him and watch him writhe around on the floor... Nap is the last coming standing at our house.


3 Things He Loves:

-- "The Three Little Kittens." (you know, who lost their mittens)

-- Erase! We got a dry-erase-slash-chalkboard easel for his birthday, and the best part to him is the eraser. He goes real fast, like he's in such a big hurry.

-- Blue's Clues.


3 Things He Hates:

-- When I DARE to push the DVD-player's buttons. "I wan'do id MY-LEL!!"

-- When I even dream of drying his freshly-washed hands FOR him. "I wan'do it MY-LEL!!"

-- (are you seeing the theme?)


3 Things He Doesn't Understand:

-- That when Mama or Daddy says "no," NO MEANS NO. But when AJ says it, it means, "Oh you just THINK you're going to talk to Mama that way."

-- That holding hands in parking lots or on the street is REQUIRED BY LAW.

-- That pens are not for babies. Toddlers. Whatever.


3 Things On His Changing Table:

-- Well first, should he even HAVE a changing table anymore at age 2? I'm waffling about this. I think it's time to move it out -- as we inch ever closer to full-time potty training -- especially since he seems to hate it. On the other hand, Mama doesn't want to push him to grow up too fast (my heart!), and the table is also better for my aching back, rather than crouching on the floor... And if we move it out, we might as well graduate from the crib, too... but back to the question. One: Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Which is rarely used anymore but in which I delight when he says, "Boo-doh!" My little Cajun.

-- Baby finger-nail clippers.

-- Johnson&Johnson Lavender Baby Bedtime Lotion. Nectar of the gods.


3 Things He's Doing Right Now:

-- Probably fending off Meghan, Official Biter of the Early 2s Classroom. (We had a biting incident last week where AJ got a Boo-Boo Report!)

-- Actually, I think he's in Circle Time right now, impressing his teacher by knowing colors like "gray" and "light purple." I can't check on him because we don't have Day-Care Cam, which is a bummer. I would be GLUED to Day-Care Cam.

-- Actually, I don't know WHAT he's doing since I'm not with him. Don't make me go there, I might cry. :(


3 Things He Can Do:

-- Ask NICELY to get down from his high chair. ("Peees I get out?")

-- Wield a bubble-gun. He is The Duke in a bubble-gun Mexican stand-off.

-- Climb into his car seat unassisted. I know! He's amazing!


3 Ways to Describe His Personality:

-- Independent.

-- Sensitive.

-- Two.


3 Things He Can't Do (yet):

-- Mow the lawn.

-- Rent a car or buy beer. Thank God.

-- Use his imagination. I can't wait 'til he can make up characters and play games like "Battle of the Forts" or "Store," or maybe "Star Wars."


3 Absolute Favorite Foods:

-- Red beans and rice

-- Froot Loops

-- Free cookies from the Publix bakery lady


3 Things He'd Like to Learn:

-- How to get his way!

-- How to count all the way to infinity! He is up to 12, and LOVES to count!

-- How to be perfect and charming like his Mama. (wink)


3 Beverages He Drinks Regularly:

-- V8 Fusion. (Red Juice!) It's pretty tasty, but with sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, and bananas, that stuff will fill you up so watch out.

-- Chokky milk.

-- Anything that is NOT plain water. I can't get this kid to drink water to save his life.


Strange to end on the beverage question, no? But I didn't write it. If you want to play, too, let me know in comments! :)

There and back again

Wow, it was nice to "work" in the same town I live in, Monday and Tuesday. I came home for lunch! And had time to spare before going back. It's a world I've almost never known.

On the other hand, it also feels good to be back in my normal routine today; I got to actually come to my office. And commute, in the rain. And get a latte. Sometimes it's the little things. Not that I LIKE my commute, it's just familiar. I feel anchored. The last 2 days I've felt very loose -- untethered to anything. I've wondered how my coworkers and bosses feel about my having to serve jury duty, right after a few days' vacation, right after being away most of August (or so it seems) for funerals. Of course if I hadn't gone to jury duty I guess they -- and I -- would feel worse when I was arrested. But it's just strange, being so disconnected.

Of course leave it to me to try and make it MEEEEEAN something. (Like, maybe it's a hint from the Universe that working closer to home would be nice? And I should REALLLLY think hard about that?) I said as much to my sister and she better have rolled her eyes. I NEED to have eyes rolled at me. I'm always trying to find meaning in the little things, and sometimes there just. isn't. any. It's life. It's just the daily stuff. Jury duty? Well everyone gets snagged one time or another, big deal. I just need to put one foot in front of the other today, and not Think about it all so damn much.

- - - - - -

Working world tidbit

I heard a great workplace story on the way in this morning, and it made me laugh.

Civics 101

What's a job where they pay you to sit on your azz all day, read a (whole) novel, take a sanctioned break at 9:15 am to visit the vending machines, come back and sit some more, check your email (but not for longer than an hour), maybe meet some new people (or maybe not, if you don't care to chat), take a lunch break, flip through Us Weekly and Time magazine for interesting stories, stretch, wear a special badge, sit a little more... and then they invite you to come back again and do it the next day?

If you guessed Jury Duty, you get a prize. Here, I'll give you MY special badge.

Day in the Life

Sheryl's fun little ditty about the nitty-gritty.

(HA!!!) I do love this exercise, though, because I can't fault myself for being mundane - that's the whole point. So you've been warned. :)

6:00am - alarm. Hit snooze. "Working from home" today means I will steal a few extra minutes of sleep. Hubby rolls over and hugs on me and I promise him (who's still on vacation today, jerk) that I'm getting up at 6:10. He promises to pinch me.

6:30am - showered, dressed, lotioned. Hubby offers to get AJ up (not jerk)! Whew. Lately AJ's been a PITA in the mornings so I am happy to oblige. I go dry my hair and feed the dog.

6:45am - From the upstairs balcony, I hear strains of our First Tantrum Of the Day. Tra-la! AJ doesn't want to wear shoes. I don't know AT ALL how to handle this kind because we have to leave the house AT A CERTAIN TIME, which precludes the Baby-Whisperer's "When you're ready, we'll get dressed" theory. Sorry, we can't Wait or we'll miss Breakfast at the daycare, and then you'll really be sorry. We end up wrestling with him but the shoes go on. :( Very sad face.

7:00am - Drop him off at school. He goes into see Miss Jean just as happy as you please, and tells her he saw penguins at the aquarium. She probably wonders what in the heck kind of job I have, that I'm allowed to dress in shorts and a fraying t-shirt, with no makeup and half-wet hair. Ha. I love that gag.

7:10am - Return home. Establish Coffee. Fire up laptop. Begin checking emails and blogs. Write first post of the day.

8:40am - Finish the first sweep of emails, etc, as well as my first cup of coffee. I get a refill. I am not going to have much to do this morning work-wise, just a lot of waiting for other people. I make a phone call to confirm that we'll be hanging out with another couple on Saturday night, and their little girl. Fun! I'm told I don't need to bring anything. Funner! Looking forward to that. If we never get out again for a date (and it seems we never will), at least we can get together with other parents and compare kids. I mean, um, socialize.

10:00 am - Cut a piece of moist, delicious banana bread. I am not going to brag here, but I have just about perfected the art of saving rotten bananas.

10:30 am - Still sitting at the kitchen table. I check email every 10 minutes or so. (To check my work email I have to login each time, for "security" purposes -- really because our corporate email SUCKS -- so it's a pain. I don't just get to hear a happy little "ding!" when a new one arrives. PITA.) Also, I read some good blogs. Sunday School Rebel feels like poetry and makes me remember First United Methodist Church of Hereford, TX; of course amalah makes me laugh; and these and others regularly make me feel very unworthy.

10:40 am - Husband appears. He went back to bed after I took AJ to school. He deserves it. I'm glad he slept well. Asks me if I want to go to lunch at 11:30 and surprise! I do. Shortly thereafter, since I'm getting no emails, I decide to make more salsa, because if there's one thing I hate, it's wasted cilantro! Yummmm, salsa. That takes about 15 minutes, and then, guess what? I check email again. (Dude!! Is this RIVETING, or what?)

11:30 - We head over to the Atlanta Bread Company and I get a Caesar salad. It's SO not a healthy meal, due to the bucket of dressing in which they soak their romaine. Oh well, it tastes pretty good. We sit outside, eat pretty quickly, and come back home, where I prepay for 10-cent Snapfish prints. 250 of 'em! I figure it's worth it, as many pictures as we take, and since there's no time limit on when you have to use the credit.

12:30 pm - return from lunch. Here's where husband, bless his soul, was kinda gettin' on my nerves. He had no plans so he was just pacing around the kitchen/den, turning on the TV, turning it off. Saying he was about to go wash my car, saying it was "spitting" rain so he'd postponed... it was funny. I feel for him -- I hate when I get cabin fever like that. Actually I don't remember what I did from 12:30 to about 3:30 -- "worked," I guess, which means checking email and some websites (I did read MetroDad's rant about MySpace, with which I completely agree and which is also work-related)... anyway, at 3:30 it was time to pick up AJ.

3:30 pm - best part of the day! Picked up AJ and hugged and kissed him. His pants were wet. I think it was just water he'd sat in. He told me he watched Barney, Winnie a Pooh, and Dragon Tales at school. Hrm.

3:45 - home again home again. We had a snack, played with LeapPad -- can I tell you how excited I am that he finally gives a whit about that thing? He got it when he was 5 months old and I thought it was a lost cause. But now? Buttons! Music! We're in heaven. He also: "helps" wash dishes (read: runs water in the sink and pours it onto the floor basically), asks to have juice, asks to have chocolate milk, wants to play trains, asks to watch Blue's Clues.

somewhere in here I get a call from a client. Boooo. I try to be DONE by 3:00 on WFH days, but.... since I've been gone a lot and on vacation, I decide I'd better answer it. Bad idea. Problem that needs fixing RIGHT NOW. And I just put away the computer. Sigh. I get AJ outside and ask his Daddy to help a sister out.

5:00 - time to join them playing outside. I am LOVING this cool front. It's only about 70-something degrees. I know! I can't believe it either. AJ wants to kick the soccer ball and RUN. So we do. Then, finally, it's time to make dinner, and AJ wants to help Mama. This was fun -- I let him help stir the ground beef, and he Finally understood that he can't TOUCH the stove parts because it's too hot. He found one little place where he could balance himself with the hand that wasn't stirring. Very cute. He poured the sauce, and helped me measure out the pasta. Then he kept asking about when he could EAT the dinner.

6:00 - garlic toast dings! Dinner's ready! AJ ate like a champ! He didn't throw food (not that he ever does). He was quiet and calm! Hubby and I hoped that if we sat very still, he'd keep doing that stuff. He did, and earned himself 2 pieces of banana bread for dessert. :) Hooray!

7:00 - dishes done, so we played outside some MORE! You'd think we were the Cleaver family, with all our happy galavanting and efficient home management tonight. I got bitten by every mosquito in Marietta. I LOATHE mosquitos. We drew an enormous alphabet down the length of our driveway. Cooool!

7:38 - AJ and I get his jammies on (no fighting! Now I'm concerned - who IS this kid??) and settle onto my bed to read Make Way for Ducklings. Do you know this book? I did not, in my youth, but it's a keeper. I love the end: "...And at night the little ducks go back to their island, and go to sleep." The end. PERFECT segue! (And kinda Goodnight Moon-y.) Sweet dreams, little man.

8:00-10:00 - since then, I've been working on the stinking client problem. But there's nothing else to do, really, except watch football (first game of the NFL season) or finish this post. (I always love doing these at the beginning, and by this part, the 10:00 pm part, I'm totally summarizing and over it.) I think I HAVE figured out the problem my client has, or at least a temporary fix for it, and will definitely have work to do in the morning. So that's something to look forward to. Maybe tomorrow we'll have another day like today, with very few toddler-tantrums! That'd be good. And, it's Friday. Thanks for reading all the way to the end!

Life in a fishbowl

The Aquarium is magnificent. It is amazing. It allowed us to hear our little boy say things like, "Oh my dood-ness, wat dat, Mama?" and "Looook, Mama! Ting-wayyyyy!" The soundtrack playing in the 3-story whale-shark viewing room -- the largest aquarium in the world, of course, comes complete with an ethereal John-Williams-esque soundtrack -- brought me to tears. (Hello, I am your Perfect Aquarium Customer. Why, YES, I will come back and spend another gajillion dollars to let this experience move me Again! And Thank You, sly foxes.) I am weepy to a fault, yes, but this was unbelievably inspiring. You should go. If you take AJ with you, I promise your heartstrings will be tugged HARD.

Somehow, the waves of zen that they probably pipe in and the muted, low-lights feeling of the Magnificent Aquarium didn't seep into AJ's mind as much as I would have liked. He did love the fish (he still calls them "wee-oolt," and that's the best phoenetic spelling I can think of for it) and especially the penguins -- but only until he got too tired and hungry to deal. I was a stupid mommy and heeded the "no food or drinks in the galleries" rule, leaving my standard fruit snacks and sippy cup at home. STOOPID. I've decided that hunger is his worst enemy. Tired? Yes, he might wail a bit. Frustrated? I'll get a "NO, MAMA, do it mylelf!" But let him go without food for 121 minutes and WHAMMO, you'll get the all-out, screaming, kicking, punching, raging at his own skin kind of fit. Especially if you're also off-the-normal-routine. Of course, we tried to offer him food before the eye of the storm hit, but he was already in the early stages, so nothing doing. "No Fries! No Juice Box!" Sigh. We were totally being stared at, as he was the ONLY kid screaming in the whole aquarium. Fish bowl syndrome! How fitting! We left, and he finished up in the car on I-75. For forty minutes. ("No car seat! I want Ouuuuut!") And slept a good long while after that.

I always feel as if I handle tantrums the wrong way, although I try, I really try to go by the book. Ignore ignore ignore, don't give in, be direct but not cajoling. "We have to leave until you calm down." "I don't hear you when you're screaming; ask me nicely." "No, AJ, we do not hit." I do time out. I acknowledge his feelings. I try to be consistent. His Dad does, too. But the kid is a SOLID TWO YEARS OLD, so I guess this is just part of it. A very exhausting part.

I promised I'd tell you what else is on my mind, and here it is: I'm feeling fat and I can't stop eating. It's not pregnancy (I don't think!), it is ridiculous. It is ri-donc-ulous, my friend Bimal says. Ridiculous-plus. For example: Last night during Project Runway? 10:00pm Eastern? Chips and Guacamole. I think it's all because I stopped with the lovely Yasmin, because of wanting another kid who'll throw tantrums baby. Yasmin was my FRIEND, y'all. Yasmin and I? We went out to lunch all the time, and had full-fat Buttermilk Ranch dressing with no effects on the waistline. I stayed at a healthy 132 lbs. with Yasmin and I loved her. Since leaving her I have gained weight and I know you're not supposed to go near the scale when you're near your time of the month, but I do, and it's making me sad. (And THAT's how we write another fulfilling entry for my brother-in-law to read! Hey, HB! How's it goin'?!) ANYWAY. Yasmin and I are getting back together, actually. The reason DH has been seeing his doc is that he was taking 6MP and it can possibly cause some birth defects, so he had to ask about the baby-making. And she said don't, for 6 months while he goes off the drug. So now you know. Yasmin, I've missed you.

I don't feel like I want to end on that note. So... here's a recipe! For something non-fattening! It's Easy, Breezy Recipe Thursday.

Corn Salad
2 (11-oz) cans Mexicorn, drained
6 radishes, sliced
1/2 cucumber, peeled and sliced
6 green onions, sliced
1 medium tomato, diced
1/2 cup light-done-right Catalina dressing

Marinate all ingredients overnight and serve cold.

Now, you share your recipe, and we'll be all set... To eat. And get fatter. But at least we won't scream and kick from hunger!

Let's all kiss whoever invented "personal days"

I will be away from my desk September 5 and 6, returning on Thursday, the 7th. If you need immediate attention, please dial zero and ask the operator for someone else.

Hubby and I had planned to take the whole week off after Labor Day, but with my guilt issues I can only allow myself these 2 days. Just too many hot projects going on at work. Still, it's Two Free Days! Yippie! Today I had a pedicure (for free! leftover Xmas gift card!) while hubby went to the doctor, and tomorrow we are taking AJ to the Georgia Aquarium to see the too-dooos and whales and pennies. (Turtles, whales, penguins. Good! You've been paying attention.)

Tomorrow evening, after I blink several times and begin to see something other than the blue glow of aquatic wonder that will fix itself to my eyeballs, I will sit down and tell you everything that's on my mind. Or... my usual blather. :) 'Night-night.

Now, everybody dance

You guys have got to try this. I read it yesterday while hopping around the 'net -- a comment on a discussion about positive thinking techniques. Which, I don't want to go all Stuart Smiley on ya, but sometimes a little gratitude journaling, a little blessings-counting? Isn't such a bad thing.

I should think this technique blows the others away for efficacy and immediacy:

"...The techniques are suspicious, dubious, and embarrassing, like the "Crab Dance," in which you make scissor motions with your fingers while side-stepping right and left and repeating, 'Everything is going wonderfully.' It makes 5 gratitudes a day seem downright clinical."

Hahaha! Are you picturing yourself in this Crab Dance scenario? It makes me laugh out loud. If you didn't at least chuckle, you must be the oft-concluded "dead inside."

DH and I are doing this tonight. (We're not depressed, nosiree! But we do actually have a few new stress-inducing things going on. Which I may or may not blog about here shortly.) We like to dance in the kitchen. --Ooh, hey! Another idea: what if I got all my coworkers to line up and crab dance together??

Les beaux arts

This is so getting framed. ^


"Mama, you have to visualize both the positive and negative space."

I do have a question, though. Goes something like this: How much art could a mommy chuck if a good mommy [feels guilt about] could chuck art? You may have heard it before.

Seriously, folks. We fingerpainted on Saturday in the shady driveway, and it was mind-blowingly fun for AJ... to squirt the paint, more than to actually create Art, but still... I ended up with 12 or 13 suitable-for-framing originals. Not to mention, the daycare had sent several days' worth of art projects home with us on Friday. He's been in daycare since he was 12 weeks old, you understand. And sometimes I think the infant teachers got bored, so... 'let's put the kids' feet in paint! Yeah!' We are swimming in it. And it's all so precious! But it's also cluttering up the place.

I hate to say it, but I've got to stash some of this. Possibly in the garbage can. I had once thought I'd buy one of those big scrapbooks and save everything there, acid-free, to be enjoyed by one and all for millennia to come. Then I thought, "Scrapbooks are twenty dollars," and I walked on to Target's next aisle. But I'm reconsidering.

Because when AJ becomes a famous architect, this stuff might come in handy for A&E Biography. All I'm sayin'.

I do have something to say

a whole bunch of somethings, really

I have found a new little avatar image that I love. Isn't she precious, over there in the sidebar? So twinkly!

---

I *nearly* forgot the Emmys last night, which I missed last year. Sooo glad the husband turned on TV and spotted the 6-hour Red Carpet nonsense, which reminded me! I was originally going to post that Scrubs got robbed. But now that I think about it, this was not Scrubs' funniest season. Actually The Office's comedy had me ROFLMAO much more often than Zach Braff and the gang, although I do still harbor deep love for Zach, especially since Garden State. (There, I've said it!) Steve Carrell is just FUNNY. That show. *Shakes head.* It's just out of hand. :) I thought the Emmys show was hay-larious, especially the Bob Newhart bit. And how 'bout the fact that BARRY MANILOW not only performed, but WON AN EMMY! I missed his speech because of a phone call! How sad for me! Somehow, we didn't rewind to see it. ?@! But anyway, those moments alone (and sweet Dick Clark's appearance) earn it an A+ in my book. The fashion? Impressive. Blythe Danner? One of my favorite actresses, but is it me, or was she extra-flighty? Calista Flockhart's coming back to TV! High-five, Jeremy Piven won!! Alan Alda!! Amazing Race! Grey's Anatomy did NOT win (secret yay). Lots of favorites from "Gosford Park" won, evoking memories of that great flick (Kelly MacDonald and gorgeous Helen Mirren.) I could've done without Farrah Fawcett and her blank stare, but in all, Hooray, awards shows. They make me happy.

---

My son -- just 2 years and one month old -- can SING THE ABCs song! My word, I am so excited by this! We heard it the first time as he talked himself to sleep -- so this was over the monitor. I was actually half-asleep, myself, on the sofa (pathetic), but finally my mind registered as he was singing, "...neh, 'ime, 'on't, oooh, ling ah meeeeeeeee..." He does it that way, with commas between each word. He can sing practically the whole thing. Misses a few between L and P (who doesn't?) and he always forgets "T-U-V." But he's singing! The ABCs! Guess we really DO have to scrape together money for college, wow. This is big. Call me, I'll make him perform for you. He's also discovered the personal pronoun, "me." So with that and the ABCs, I guess soon he'll be blogging. HA!

---

I have found that one of the tough little things about deaths is having to revise my Palm Pilot and my cell phone. One of the first things my dad did, at Grandmother's house, was to cancel her phone line -- smart thinking, since BellSouth has perfected the phone bill hike with all its invented "fees" and "services." But Grandmother was at the top of my speed dial list until Friday. Fact is, there's no phone there, but the finality of it ached a little. And I've always had DH's grandparents listed under Grandad's first name. It's little things that get to you.

---

Our weekend was so nice. We just stayed home and did practically nothing. (I cleaned the oven and hellO??? Easy Off? My New Best Friend. Though 20 years old and down one stovetop burner, my JennAir is sparkling!) Sunday afternoon we took AJ and got "moo-ees." (Smoothies.) He was in heaven because his was red.

Better than a turquoise box with white ribbon

AJ's asleep. DH is at his fantasy draft, as I'm sure many husbands are this weekend. (At least I hope I'm not the only one abandoned for buffalo wings and Peyton Manning.) I have set the oven to clean, and now... what do I do for 2 hours?

Tick.

Tock....

Tick.

Tock....

What is this strange quiet? The stillness of TIME? Nothing's moving. No one's head is spinning. No large appliance is whirring. Everyone's fed and watered. Church? Obligations? Appointments? Nope, not 'til tomorrow. Not even one to-do list item jangles in my mind. I'm totally available to just... sit here and, I don't know, stare out the window for a while.

This. Is. Awesome.

Recycling a meme

Today,

i can’t: see straight for all the bits of paper I've taken notes or scribbled phone numbers on!

i can: tell that I am sitting far too much. My back huuuuuurts. And I even get up the prescribed "several times" a day and stretch.

i will: do some yoga and pilates and such, to try to ease the hurt out.

i won’t: eat ice cream. I won't i won't i won't.

i miss: my mom and dad. Being with them for 4 days was good.

i hear: songs in my head. (At the moment, something from West Side Story.)

i smell: the cover girl lipslick I just applied.

i crave: cool air

i wonder: why I felt the need to post about "Workout" last night?

i love: my leopard-n-brown strappy sandals.

i long: for a certain client to settle down already

i care: about taking good care of my clients, but JEEZ, do they hafta call all on the same day, 4 times a day?? Rrrar. Also, are other people this stressed out EVERY day? Because I couldn't handle that. Thank God for downtime.

i always: sneeze. every day. multiple times a day.

i am not: allergic to everything, however.

i believe: that this is by far the lamest thing I've ever published!

Season finales can be good...

Right this very minute, I'm watching Bravo TV's latest -- I call it their 2nd Lesbian Experiment. The first one was Queer Eye for the Straight Girl. Remember that? It wasn't their biggest hit. The Lesbian makeup artist just wasn't as charming as any of the original Fab Five guys. And this show... worse than not-charming. It's totally squicking me out. NOT because it's got lesbian kissing or anything Else -- I'm just as curious as anyone to see lesbian kissing, so bring it on... and the camera-person did not follow main character Jackie and her date into the Ladies' room just now to capture the Else -- but just because Jackie has got such a chip on her shoulder and she's so fake as a person! She adds a "Honey" at the end of her "Nice to meet yous," but she pauses just long enough to make you think she barely remembered, "Oh, I have to say Honey." Ew. Squick. Hello, I'm Camera-Aware and Trying Too Hard.

And yet. I'm sitting here watching it. I might just get teary about Tess, of the weight-loss-success storyline. (I can't wait to see the break-up/cat-fight!) Wonder if Bravo's renewing for next summer?

Reminders

Man, it's hard to concentrate today.

I'm sending emails to clients because picking up the phone just requires too much energy. It's not that I'm even that tired; we got home from Florida early, and I actually slept better last night, in my own bed, than in about 3 weeks' time. Slept like the dead, is the phrase that comes to mind if you'll pardon the very inappropriate pun -- I'm appalled by it, myself, but you can't control these things. The mind plays tricks. It's just that I don' wanna feeling. I'm trying to make lists and focus. But it's hard to snap right back into position and have the desire to take up like normal.

I feel like I ought to post something touching and reflective about my Grandmother. What comes to mind is only this:

I must change my attitude about unloading dishes.

My standard answer to the question, "What is your least favorite household chore?" has always been "...unloading dishes." I've always hated opening the dishwasher after dinner only to realize... they're all clean. Damn, it makes me say. But my first and best memories of Grandmother are undoubtedly dishes-related. Our guest room was very near the kitchen, and when she got up early -- 6:00 am? -- to begin her cooking-intensive day (what with 10 additional mouths to feed, it being a holiday or summer and all of there to visit) she'd first unload the dishes. That sound -- the "clinking," inevitable even though I know she was doing it ever-so-gently to keep quiet -- was my alarm clock on many a childhood morning. I'd pad in by myself, and sit on her lap. We'd have a little love and say good morning for a while. I'm sure some of the other kids joined us on many occasions, but in my memory, it's just us. Just us.

Of course I had put in dishes to wash before we left last Wednesday, so when we got home last night, they were all clean. That's what reminded me.

DH and I are so, so lucky to have had our grandparents in our lives into our thirties. We do realize that. 95 is an amazing life. Heck, 80 is an amazing life. This is another thought that has been in my mind -- it's a little bit irreverent, but again, I can't help what my brain concocts: If you live so that you've got 6 people to carry your box when you die, you've lived pretty well. I don't know why I keep thinking that. Maybe it's just the simplicity of it. DH's Grandad got me thinking that way. He lived such a simple life. Worked hard, saved his money. But there was nothing flashy about him. He was charming, kind. Honored God. Loved his family. And God saw that it was good. and evening came and morning followed... easy, gentle, simple.

Forgive me and this melancholy. I really feel fine. Relieved, actually, in a lot of ways. We smiled and laughed a lot this week. I want to write something, but I'm not sure what.

Three times sad

A third funeral in 2006 -- my dear Grandmother Virgie. I will miss her so much.

Peace. Be still. Treasure your loved ones.

WAIT! Back up!

I couldn't get my head around what date it was, all last week. I guess that's what happens when you go from a jovial vacation straight to a funeral, all in one trip. But the days I was back in the office, even -- I had to keep looking at the calendar and asking myself, "Wait, how far off schedule are we? What day IS it, anyway?" There was something, too, that I knew was supposed to happen... August 11, maybe? No, nothing in my datebook... what the heck is it? It was like misplacing your sunglasses. You're not desperate for them, but damn if it wouldn't be nice to have 'em back.

I realized last night, 10:26pm, after being in that drowsy, almost-asleep state for about 5 minutes.

I forgot larry's birthday, August 9th. :( :( :( So many sad faces! My very best friend, I'm so sorry! I know you'll forgive me and say "You had a lot going on," but still. An event I've been marking for at least 17 years now, completely vanished from the calendar? It doesn't feel right. I will be calling you today!

Breath of fresh 'sphere

...am thinking my window needs to be thrown open, to air out the place from all the serious, and... well, whatdayaknow? Things are going on out there in the world! Blogging for Books still lives, friends, and it's back to the original owner. Monday's the deadline and the topic this month is pretty universal -- I bet we can all come up with something -- so get to typin'.

I'll have time tonight, while hubby blasts away at something on the Xbox. After, of course, AJ's bedtime and a little Biltmore wine, maybe some Rummy 500 or Scrabble, warm conversation, and remembering to cherish simple things like that. :) Then the dual-geeking.

August

I can't even begin to know the right way to blog about the past 7 days. Funny, it seems like so much longer than that. Extreme heart highs and lows will stretch and bruise a week like putty, I guess, and I've soaked up plenty of both ends of the spectrum.

My husband's grandfather passed away Friday evening in Tennessee. I was in New Hampshire with my friends. By strange miracle, Shawn had decided not to be with me there. God absolutely directed him to go to Grandad, shouted it in whispers, and thankfully he listened to that call. There is peace abundant in such a small decision, and renewed faith, as well -- the Father truly guides and leads us. There is also, appropriately but ironically, a renewed wish for us to BE WITH each other, more. Shawn said when it happened, all he wanted was to be with me, to be better with me. The decision to separate for a few days knitted us ever closer together. He said that Grandad and Nan's commitment in their 61-year marriage was so evident in those last few days.... even the last year, where she's cared for him so steadfastly..... I have to stop here, I get overwhelmed at the thought that I -- my marriage -- should be the beneficiary of another person's loss.... I've felt more connected to my husband since this happened than in a long time. He's been exceptionally tender toward me. It's a profound, undeserved gift. I'm so sorry for them, for Shawn. Death is such a hard part of life. But it is part, nonetheless.

I'll have to tell you another time about beautiful Lake Winnipesauke in August.

Choices

I'll never forget the first BIG decision I ever had to make, all by myself. It was the summer before junior year of high school, and I had been a cheerleader since freshman year. I knew that during the pending fall, the community theater had plans to do a play that I DEFINITELY wanted to be a part of... but if I auditioned and was chosen, I'd have a Friday night commitment that I couldn't skip... for weekly football games. So I had to choose: Do I want to be a cheerleader? Possibly a co-captain? A leader? Or do I want to do this show?

I chose the show, and I didn't regret it. (Evita, I think it was.) But not without a long paper list of pros and cons, pluses and minuses, and much deliberation. The experience has stayed with me -- and with my Mom, who remembers that dilemma every time another decision pops up in my life -- because my friend Cory said this to me:

"Whatever decision you make, is the right decision."

So, fast-forward to just three minutes ago when I hit the Send button on an email that's been waiting in my Drafts folder for about 2 months.... I quit the church choir, and my position as a cantor.

from A Child's Garden of Verses

Robert Louis Stevenson

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow--
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball,
And he sometimes goes so little that there's none of him at all.

One of my favorite poems from childhood, and last night I read it to AJ because on our way to bed, we watched our shadows follow us up the stairs. As if him noticing his shadow isn't cool enough (!), I am also thrilled that he is finding his rhythm. I think it's interesting that he (all babies, I guess) really took to the singsong verse of nursery rhymes early on. He's always loved Mother Goose - The Three Little Kittens, especially. :) And now I see that those rhythmic verses were his stepping stone to real music, which he is finally enjoying. He bops his little bootie and sings along with the tunes in "Charlotte's Web," he giggles and claps when I sing him nursery rhymes, and sometimes he even hums to himself! Those behaviors might not be unusual for some kids, but for him, they are new. And so, so precious. (I might be overenthusiastic about love of music. A little.)

Anyway, Poetry is so good for kids; I hope to share more of it with him. Any good suggestions are welcome from you experienced moms.

In which time flies

Dude, is it already July 31?? I can't believe that. I can't. Where is my calendar, that cannot be right.

I'm in denial because of this pending trip to NH. BY MYSELF. You'd think I could be a little more excited -- typically I'd looooong for a 2-hour plane ride where I can read, uninterrupted. And a few days along the lakeshore with my best friends from college? Possibly holding a cold Corona? That can't be all bad. But I... I just really really wish DH could come with me. He and I went out this weekend with another couple, and while it was fun -- ask me to tell you about the spitballs -- it just made me crave more time together.

I was reminded how well he and I go together when, Sunday morning during Coffee Time, AJ decided to grab my cup and start shaking it, to prove his counterpoint that coffee IS for little boys, stoopidMommy, and now you have it all down your brand new shirt, so there. What could I do? I was still holding the now-dripping cup in my swatting hand (yes, I would have swatted his butt once for that infraction), so I set him down, said my stern "When Mommy says, NO, it means NO," and before I could stomp off to rinse the shirt, DH immediately swooped in. The wailing commenced, but so did the Speaking Firmly and Quietly and the Time Out. It was in rhythm. I did the right thing, DH did the right next thing. It worked out. Peas and carrots.

Barring his joining me, since he will go to Grandad's instead, I'd really rather be home with AJ and my parents. Of course I want them to experience their toddler grandson in all his cuteness. :) They deserve special one-on-two time with him. Hopefully he won't... well, I was going to type a lot of things that I hope he won't do, but I know he will, so why bother. He's two. Nothing a popsicle can't cure, and they're allowed.

In a week, I guess I'll be wishing this mini vacation hadn't gone so fast. In the meantime, I will miss everyone quite a lot, I'm afraid.


PS - Spitballs! Were spit at us in a bowling alley! DH instructed me to stealthily investigate Where they came from, and after I told him, he walked straight up to two messy-hair-teen-boys and looked them in the EYES and told them to cut it out or he'd inform the management. They were all, "Whu? Huh. We're not doing anything." BUT I WATCHED THEM DO IT. And it reminded me of a few choice young men in my high school who would have been THOSE GUYS. Laugh!! DH didn't want to do anything more than tell 'em to quit, since a Rise out of us was what they wanted... but it was the highlight of the evening. Oooh, spitballs in the bowling alley! So clever! To be young with nothing better to do. Hah!

How I can relate to NASCAR

Never thought I'd write that sentence. Heh. The first time I introduced my then-boyfriend now-husband to the fam was in Indianapolis, and we went to the Indy 500 museum, where he explained the finer points of auto racing.

We knew nothing of racing, until that moment in time. We learned that Indy is not NASCAR. Ah, yes, the picture is clear now, we thought: Indy has Danica Patrick, and nicely laid bricks on the track, and the whole thing appears rather historical and... high-minded in comparison. HOWEVER...! DH grew up watching NASCAR; then he learned the inner workings from an internship in PR (PR! Business! Not dirty!) at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. So I've developed at least a spouse's appreciation for all those endearing beer guts ahem, race day. :)

But today I discovered, in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, that little miss piano-lessons, debutante, thought-I-was-too-good-for-NASCAR can no longer keep such a distance from it! I'll paraphrase:

"The fastest crash course in how to be a Modern Southerner (in Atlanta) is to attend a NASCAR race.... the sport itself is really just bad driving and tailgating and cussing at one another at excessive speed, which most of us know how to do from commuting on Ga. 400" (or any of the God-forsaken, asphalt-spitting metro area highways).

Ba-haaaa! I've lived here ten-plus years, people. Atlantans are all NASCAR, at our core. Cussing and tailgating.

Maybe I should get a "3" for my bumper.

My Gift to You

I haven't had anything to say for 2 days. I don't want to bore everyone. As my Archives column gets longer and longer, I've been feeling like my blogging is the epitome of a self-centered pursuit. I mean, I've tied up little treasures of AJ's babyhood with a nice ribbon, here, and someday I will really enjoy reminiscing over this time in our lives. But the stretch of that list just seems egotistical, when I haven't really contributed to the greater good -- or even the tomes of good writing -- y'know? I went to lunch by myself yesterday, and as I was driving there, thought, "Well, it's good to have some time alone to think..." But then I stopped myself and admonished: "Wha-? You 'think' all the time! You LIVE inside your head! And publish it to the Internet, for some reason!" So that's where I'm at. (<-- Look! I just used one of my grammatical pet-peeves! I hate that sentence!) Trivial "Wonh-wonh-wonh-wah-wah" sometimes shouldn't be shared, just for the sake of a daily update. You're quite welcome.

Grandad's still in ICU, but he's doing better, we think. Husband feels he needs to go up there. And conveniently, we both have next TH and FR off work. Unfortunately, we had already bought plane tickets for a trip to New Hampshire, concocted by my college roommate -- a "mini reunion" of our little group of friends. We're thinking I'll just go by myself now. It'd have been fun to hold hands with my Hubby while walking down streets I've never seen, but oh well. Family comes first, and I know Nanny will appreciate having him to help her. Either way, AJ gets a break from both of us, so he probably wins the most. :)

Here's what I'm going to do, so I feel that I've Given Something Back today. I'm sharing a recipe. WAIT! An Idea! How about: Easy, Breezy Recipe Thursday, or something? All the cool kids are using clever "Pick-a-day" titles now. Anyway, here. You'll love this dessert!

Gina's Pretzel Pie

2 cups crushed stick pretzels
1.5 sticks melted butter or margarine
3 tablespoons sugar

Mix above ingredients together and press into a 9x13 pan or Pyrex dish. Bake 8-10 minutes at 300 degrees F.

Beat 8 oz. cream cheese, 10 oz. Cool Whip, and 1 cup sugar. Pour over cooled crust.

Top w/ fresh fruit or pie filling of your choice. (We like strawberries.)

Now, if you want to give me an easy recipe, I'm all ears. Dessert's the topic since I'm feeling my sweettooth. But after that, on with your day! Nothing to see here!

Items 1, 2, and 3

Bullet-point post!

• Home decor's on my mind. I'm supposed to call it "homecaring," to render it less daunting and more like an Act of Love, says [my self-appointed therapist] Sarah B. Breathnach. Some are genius at it; my friend Pam adds all the right personal touches, and rearranges every few months so her house always looks fresh to my eyes. I wish I could do that. Saturday I tried moving my stuff around -- replacing old pictures, putting things away that had been sitting in the same spot for years -- and things do look slightly renewed.... but I'm not completely at ease just yet. I think it's funny when your inner Creative gets shaken up, somehow, and things look different to you. I mean, Friday I looked at my mantle and thought nothing. Saturday? It made me MAD that it was so boring and stupid. Ha! Also: Feng Shui says if you move 27 things, your fortunes will change. I counted, and that's about how many I moved, so Vegas, here we come!
• AJ has a new friend. There once was a giant yellow Care Bear. A "cuddle pillow," specifically. We received it at one of the baby showers, and until recently, it was contained in its plastic bag, buried in AJ's closet under all kinds of hand-me-down clothes I hadn't sorted yet. I hated that thing, frankly. But we're in the season of Organize at our house -- possibly spurring the decor thing -- so I broke down and unwrapped it.... aaaaand he LOVES it. He slept OVER it last night, his head and feet about 3 inches lower than his middle, because it's so dang big. I'm glad on the one hand -- his pacifier is going to go away forever here, soon, and it's good to have a replacement soothie. But Funshine Bear is not going to be so easy to take, say, on a plane or into the grocery store. Yikes.
• Charlotte's Web (the TV movie) is still as sweet and good as it was in 1973 -- gasp! I know right?! That is OLD. And so are we! -- and now Debbie Reynolds sings to me, every day, "Chin UP!" It's good advice and I appreciate her for it. It's also AJ's favorite part of the movie. He marches around and sings "Tee! Up!" at random moments throughout the day. I mean, could he BE any cuter??

Waiting on client.

We sometimes use "WOC" to mean "waiting on client" or, "thank-god-I-am-not-responsible-if-this-project-is-late," in our office project log. I feel like that's much too frivolous a title for the news that DH and I are just waiting 'til the next phone call from his Mom, to find out how Grandad is doing. It was "pretty good," until later last night, when it was "not so good." And we haven't heard anything since, which is good, because every time the phone rings I hesitate.

I am, also and actually, WOC today, so I had time to do this stupid meme, another very idle occupation in the face of such life-and-death --- oh hell, there's my phone again -- (whew, just DH at the store wondering if I need anything) -- matters.

So, my apologies. But to take my mind off it:

The High School meme

1. Who was/were your best friend(s)?
You know her as "larry." Still is my BF! I'm lucky because she married my cousin so now we're Family!

2. What sports did you play?
Cheerleading is a sport. (larry and) I played it for 3 out of 4 years.

3. What kind of car did you drive?
1990 silver Ford Tempo with RED INTERIOR, we mustn't forget!

4. It's Friday night- where were you?
At the football game in the fall, or at a community theater rehearsal if winter/spring.

5. Were you a party animal?
No. I never got invited to the parties. I didn't much care, either. (Sometimes I cared.)

6. Were you a considered a flirt?
Not really, I don't guess, but there was one guy I was openly flirty with in 10th grade World History. And what a debacle that turned out to be. Heh.

7. Ever skip school?
I don't think I did. Unless it was an educational activity like Math Team or the county vocal competition or something.

8. Were you a nerd?
Assuredly.

10. Did you get suspended/expelled?
Heavens, no.

11. Can you sing the fight song?
Pretty sure we didn't have one. Lame!

12. Who was your favorite teacher?
Ms. Jernigan, my 9th grade French teacher

13. Favorite class?
Junior and Senior English tie for favorite, academically. I liked Trig, too. TYPING was fun, senior year, because larry and I both had little crushes on boys in that class (I think? was K in there, too?) and the teacher let us goof off quite a bit.

14. What was your school's full name?
Pensacola Catholic High School

15. School mascot?
Crusader

16. Did you go to Prom?
Junior and Senior years.

17. If you could go back and do it over, would you?
Not a chance.

18. What do you remember most about graduation?
The ceremony itself? I remember walking into the gymnasium where it was held. (I know, isn't that sentimental?) Surprisingly, I barely remember giving my speech.

19. Favorite memory of your Senior Year?
It's a toss-up between Prom and our class trip to DisneyWorld.

20. Were you ever posted up on the senior wall?
I don't know what that means.

21. Did you have a job your senior year?
Nope. I was footloose and fancy-free.

23. Where did you go most often for lunch?
The "senior lunchroom." Heh. Soooo not a perk. But we thought it was.

24. Have you gained weight since then?
Yeah, about 12 pounds I guess. And thanks for bringing THAT up.

25. What did you do after graduation?
My mom & dad had a party at our house, with just our relatives and larry's family, and then larry and I went to the all-night school-sponsored party, called "Grad Night," I believe. It was held at one of the military bases' Rec Centers, so there was a pool and bowling and video games and they even hired a hypnotist, oooooh!

26. When did you graduate?
1992

27. Where are most of your classmates?
I suspect most are still in the P'cola area, but I know of several who've moved away.

28. Ten year reunion, you going?
Already did. It was pretty fun. Everyone looked fantastic, at least. And most of the guys were nice; the girls? Meh. There were still a few bitches. But I got a good buzz so what do I care. ;)

29. Who was your home room teacher?
Well it changed every year… my last one was Mrs. Soule, the cool senior religion teacher.

30. Who will repost this after you?
I doubt anyone cares as much as I do! Larry may be unable to resist, now that I've jogged her memory. (Answer in comments or in your own blog if you want!)

*Blushing*

Ohmygoodness, I am a B4B Finalist! :) Wheeee!

And Melessa, too! Congratulations, Melessa!

Ends with run-on sentences

So, I was talking with my best friend the other day on the phone, and what should come up in our innocuous conversation but -- I don't know what we were originally talking about... recipes? shoes? the dollar spot at Target? but all of a sudden WHAMMO! -- topic = Baby Number Two.

Y'see, she had spoken to my Darling Husband during Beach Week, who tipped her off that after AJ turned two, the T-family goalie would be pulled, as Metrodad says, and there would be much rejoicing. :) And this is what DH and I have discussed, of course. But actually sharing that with people and making it real? Color me a teensy bit unsure.

A), -- well, first there's A, The Obvious: How in God's name will I handle TWO little people at the same time???! -- but that's been covered in so many blogs I don't need to reiterate the Fear here. Breastfeeding AND potty-training AND no sleep, oh my.

My real A), is: I don't know why I do this but I think of getting pregnant in terms of my job, and my coworkers. We've had a bit of turnover in the last week-ish, and so making any announcements sorta shakes everyone up. More important, I suspect that a certain coworker who deserves it very much, is also wishing on making a baby at this time. This someone, very dear to me, is also in my department, so to have us both with maternity leave at roughtly the same time, if it worked out that way, might be difficult for the company. WHY DO I CARE about the company, you ask? Heck, I don't know. I suppose the government dictates that they would just have to FIGURE IT OUT, because they can't fault us ladies for gettin' knocked up, no matter when nor where nor how many. But it's a small company, I can't help but think of it as a little family, and you know -- you have to consider the good of the whole, when it's a family. (Note: In the grand picture of the world, I know this is no real reason to NOT have baby #2 whenever the heck we want... It just crosses my mind is all.)

B), I would NEVER want to steal this dear coworker's thunder, which I hope she knows. I heart her very much and if this happens for her and her hubby, I would be the MOST excited for her. (Although it might be fun to share the experience, too. ICE CREAM IN THE COMPANY FRIDGE, is all I'm sayin'.)

But C), I desperately want AJ to have a sibling he's close to. I know from my own experience that IT IS AWESOME. :) I can't imagine life without my sister, and gosh, it'd be neat for AJ to have a playmate RIGHT IN HIS OWN HOUSE. They say that you space them 2 years apart if you want them to be friends, or 4 years for economics. But in two more years? I might be ready to be all done with diapers. It seems like a long time to wait, and besides, they wouldn't even be in high school together, ever. And that'd be a bummer, I think. Because nothing says "I love you, little brother," like ignoring him in the cafeteria or at the football game.

Finally D), It would probably be quite good for ME, personally, to have a baby -- despite getting FAT again and lordy I fear trying to lose the baby weight after #2, because I've heard it's HARD, and I remember my aforementioned best friend working out like CRAZY after her 2nd was born, and I'm also NOT as fit now as I was in 2003 when I got pregnant the first time -- but it would STILL be GOOD for me because if there is ONE THING I love to do, it is to smother AJ with kisses. And I have a feeling that he is going to wash his hands of ALL that nonsense as he gets older and realizes people are LOOKING AT HIM. So another baby would be a good thing to have because, my word! The overflow of LOVE has got to be poured out on SOMEONE. :)

Gratitude journal

• I'm so grateful for my iPod! When all else fails -- or when all else is good! Either way! -- the following tunes put me in quite a good mood: "It's Your Thing, by the Isley Brothers, "You Get What You Give," by the New Radicals, "Something More," by Sugarland, and "Here I Am," by Andrew Hyra. Mmm, that's-a-good-a music.
• Volumizing Shampoo. Because VOLUMIZING Shampoo is really the way to go. My hair has bounce! It holds its style! It's Hawwwwwwt! with the Volumizing. So I think I made a big mistake at BJs, buying Pantene Moisturizing Shampoo for "dry & damaged" hair -- a colossal-sized bottle for only $6.99. I think the Moisturizing totally weighs stick-straight locks like mine down. If anyone wants a bottle of shampoo, I am giving one away.
• Sleeeeeeeeep. I am grateful for sleep. In fact, so grateful that I would like some more, please.
• My husband's Grandad is having surgery today to remove a malignant tumor in his intestines. He's 80. It's scary, because his lungs are not strong enough to support this surgery -- they're putting him on a ventilator. I'm so grateful that I know him, and that he's being brave and fighting cancer, when he could have chosen to just sit and wait. And I'm grateful for his doctors who, I trust, will take care of his fragile body. My thoughts are all in Tennessee today. I'm grateful for Tennessee.

Shopping with el-e-e

Disclaimer: There is nothing really that interesting about this post. Just your general blah, talking to myself.

I've decided I'm done with BJs Wholesale Club. I was wary before joining last year, and yesterday's trip just made me mad. I wanted Fruit Loops; they had a 3-pack with FLs, Apple Jacks, and Corn Pops. I wanted toilet paper; they carry every brand except the kind with aloe, which my darling husband would be thrilled to know I've told you he prefers. I wanted frozen chicken breasts; they carry a 4.5-pound bag or a ten-pounder, neither of which I can accommodate in my side-by-side. They've got Coke, but not caffeine-free. They've got Altoids, but not cinnamon. ARRRRRRGH. At every turn I was just ticked the hell off.

So I'm all done with you, sucky BJs. Maybe, maybe I'll consider Sam's or Costco, because perhaps their selection will be better. But until I have a family of fourteen (not! very! likely!) I don't need ya. Or your aloe-less TP, either, so there!

In my other attempt to break the bank -- oh, did I not say that? I spent $105 even as I was hating the store! Ya gotta have your diapers and your 1,000-feet of alumimun foil! -- I also went to Talbots yesterday. And they're having their semi-annual sale, [larry!] so you better go check it out. I found some good deals, and that made me happy.

Happy is a good thing. I was thinking, the other day, about how much I actually, genuinely smile in a typical day. Not enough, that is for certain. Oh, yes, I smile at AJ -- plenty of happy in that department -- but otherwise? Um... not really. I used to be labeled "Bubbly," but THAT seems so far from the truth lately that it's really hilarious in itself. Except... not laughing. I just read about laughter yoga and I'm pretty intrigued. Evidently, you can cause all kinds of health and inner harmony by getting together with a bunch of strangers, walking around in a circle, and repeating,

"I don't know why I'm laughing. Ha. Ha. Ha. I don't know why I'm laughing."

I tried this yesterday in the car (not the walking around in a circle part), after my annoying Wholesale Club experience. I did the exercise By Myself, which just shows you how intent I am on Bringing the Joy! And I did end up actually laughing, but mostly because it felt so ridiculous and pathetic. Maybe that's entirely the point. There's a laughter-yoga group in my area... Might be kinda cool, you know? It'd be like Tai Chi, only funnier. :) Anyone want to join me?

Bubbly. Heh.

Call me FlyLady

Some things I accomplished yesterday:

• Wielded Mop and bleach against the laundry room floor. Badly needed doing. I am all about bleaching these days.
• Cleaned all three toilets, wa-hoo.
• Washed a load of towels.
• Emptied the dishwasher, my least favorite of all chores.

And that is it. I didn't vacuum, I didn't dust. The house isn't entirely cleaned up. My theory? What reason have we to LIVE, if EVERYTHING is already done? This explains a lot about me as a person! Some people do a project start-to-finish. But me, I'm ok if the last bit remains undone, at least if there's no deadline. Lazy much? :) Laundry's the perfect example. I'm okay with washing, drying, and folding. I mean, if it's not folded then it's getting all wrinkly and unwearable and everyone knows that's no good. BUT! When it's eleven-thirty o'clock p.m., and it hurts just to BE awake, putting all the folded t-shirts and socks away goes to the bottom of my priority list. My chair is sitting there for a reason, and no one's going to sit in it overnight, so the socks will be just fine there. They can wait until tomorrow. Drives my husband out of his head.

Edited to add:
In other cleaning news, I've finally surrendered to the inevitable... I am now using something similar to this for toy storage In Our Living Area. Ugh! Ugh! and Ugh. SO not pretty. But SO the only way to successfully manage HotWheels and Legos. I was hoping to avoid plastic-meets-pier-one, as a signature "look." But there it is.

Between feet

This is my Blogging 4 Books entry.

It's hot and steamy out, 5:00 pm, July, Georgia... NOT, I can assure you, my favorite time to be out of doors, especially when there's cold tea in the fridge and conditioned air to be savored. Wouldn't you know, that's exactly the time yesterday that Napoleon, our dear almost-ten-year-old lab/chow, starts jumping out of his skin, desperate to potty. Again. (It is going to take some getting used to, this "older dog" thing. Nap's had a bladder of steel his whole life, being raised from birth as an apartment dog. But no longer. Have yard, will pee.)

When Nap starts hopping one foot to the other, AJ joins the club immediately. He KNOWS it means he's going to get to play "ow-hide." With two of 'em whining, what can I do? I sigh, grab the Off wipes to towel us down, and step out holding my breath, facing the humidity.

It actually isn't so bad. We have pretty large trees all over our property, so there's at least a bit of shade. And since the birthday, we've got all kinds of new toys to occupy the 15 or 20 minutes that AJ's attention will likely last. The orange bubble gun is his first favorite: Kajillions of grape-scented (yes.) bubbles with just one pull on the trigger! And I get to be proud of his developing manual dexterity -- a "handy" skill for bubbles, har har. He chases 'em down, wanting to blow them this way and that way, and we drain the soap tray twice, then he quickly gets on his new toddler-trike and I push him around the driveway. It's like he's in a race to accomplish as many toys as he can before dinnertime. Next up, the soccer ball.

We're not really a soccer family. Neither DH nor I ever played it, never have watched it much (maybe one high school game when I thought I was crushing on the class soccer guy), and we don't even know anyone who plays regularly. Of course, we both grew up before soccer-moms were soccer-moms, before every mini-van in town had That Sticker on the bumper, before the World Cup was cool. But AJ, he's a little boy, and little boys need! things! to kick and throw, and so that is what he begins to do outside in the evening heat. And then Daddy arrives home. And then interestingly, everything somehow slows down a little bit and the light seems softer.

"Heeyyyy, AJ," DH says in his gentle Savannah accent. "How was your day, Buddy?"

(AJ's very busy placing the ball in an azalea bush, then knocking it down.)

"Kick it to me," Daddy suggests.

And AJ does. He sets the ball down in front of him and taps it with his little foot. Daddy taps it over to me. I steer it gently with a graceful kick try not to trip over it and manage to bare-foot it back in AJ's general direction.

"Now AJ toon," he says to no one in particular. He toddles over, stops, studies the ball, and kicks it again, right to his Daddy. And so our little triangle continues -- DH and me chatting, grinning, AJ trying new moves here and there, and giggling when he has a big success -- for a good long while, until finally I remember that the spaghetti sauce inside needs stirring. I leave the boys to their moment.

They don't come in until later, both a little sweaty and pink-cheeked. I just smile, hoping that in their lifetimes, they'll share a lot like this, between their feet.

The time of his life

Dear AJ,
I have never been more thrilled than I was to watch you turn two this weekend. You are my big boy now! Your smiles -- both spontaneous and "pasted-on," which you now can do on command -- are bigger than the biggest sun, and full of so much life (and teeth!). When your grandparents arrived on Friday and you made laps around the house, giddy with the excitement of your impending party, it made me feel like a kid, myself! I wanted to squeal with delight that you were so delighted. You knew that all the attention was meant for you, and I wanted you to just revel in that, even letting you stay up WAY past bedtime because you were having so much fun. It's fun for me to witness that -- I don't think I've ever seen you happier. This weekend you built race-tracks out of wooden blocks with your Daddy, and I know that meant so much to him. I can't believe you played that game for 30 full minutes! You rode your trike ("bike") and let "ebber-body" push you up and down the driveway, telling us to go "Dat way." You ate cake, with a fork, at a table -- a bit different from last year's headfirst dive into blue frosting! And you blew the candle out. (It was fun practicing that.) You DANCED! Something you've not cared one whit about before. You played with your friends, and even though you made that pleading, "Nooo, that's MY toy," face a few times, Mommy knew it was all a big act, and in the end you shared. You behaved when we went out to a fancy dinner, AND... as if a switch has been magically flipped, you, at two, are EATING! I can't tell you how much THAT pleases me. I'm not sure why you didn't sleep well -- why you're going through this little stage where you call out and cry for me multiple times in the night -- but I hope it's just because you've been so wound up for four days, and we'll get past it. This weekend, you constantly asked, "Where my pah-ty?" and "Where my boh-day?" -- hands up, questioning -- and melted my heart a thousand times.

I am so glad you had fun, Sweet Boy. I am so, so proud of you!

There's a trike in my trunk

It's going to be an awesome weekend. Happy "Boh-day," AJ! I will post photos of the guest of honor next week.

Gadgets

I like that on work from home days I can use some of the gadgets we received as wedding presents lo these many 5 years ago -- things that normally would sit quietly in a cabinet collecting dust for the next 20 years or so. On weekends with the busy schedules (and strong desire to eat out!), I never think to use them, but when I'm sitting here working (blogging), I figure I might as well multitask. Usually, it's the crock pot. I'm still learning -- we've had moderate success with c-p recipes. Today, however, it's the bread machine. If all goes well, I should have steamy, delicious French bread ready by noon. Mmmm.

The "small" birthday party I was planning for AJ is growing. I guess I didn't really think to count all the parents of his little friends. Heh, whoops. :) Good thing my mom and mom-in-law will also be around to help. It's just cake and ice cream, right? This morning I asked AJ how old he was going to be on his birthday. I had to prompt him with "Two?" And he replied, "Ayyyyy, five." Which means, "And, five." :) Let's hope not! Two is approaching so fast already!!

Hey, how about an update a la Melessa:

Reading:
I finished Jodi Piccoult's Plain Truth during our vacation. I loved it. She is a great writer -- anyone agree? She may be turning into one of my favorites. I think I want to read a third of her books, which really says something. I'm not typically a multiple-books-by-one-author kind of girl. I guess I feel like it's a waste of time? But Piccoult really tells a good story. This one, of course, intrigued the heck out of me with the Amish characters. Since I was pretty young, I've been fascinated by them, the Shakers -- all those guys. Plus! It was a sort-of murder mystery, and for the first time in maybe my whole life, I had the culprit figured out WAY before it was revealed. I am so smrt. :)

I'm also trying to read Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind, which is something I never would have picked up had it not been recommended to me. It's pretty good, though -- all about how the [business] world is now driven more by the right side of the brain, the creative side, than the left. It's very true; design and aesthetic is more important than ever in this era of abundance, as he calls it. I'm learning a lot. Funny thing, though -- he recommends "Real Simple" magazine as a great example of a design mag we all should read. I picked one up yesterday and once again, I didn't think it was all that fantastic. Designed beautifully, yes. It's a pretty magazine. But the articles have never once blown me away. Nor the recipes. I keep trying to love it, but I just don't. Maybe I'm missing something?

Watching:
Once again, last night we watched Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares on BBC America. That show is eff-ing hilarious. And I only say "eff-ing" because HE swears every other word with his very British accent and slang, and half the time we don't know which are the swear words! We love it. We laugh out loud. The show is really a documentary as he goes into flailing restaurants and tells the owners and chefs what they're doing wrong. There's almost always a big blow-out fight between Ramsay and the head chef, and it's just cool to watch the inner workings of a restaurant business. If you have BBC America, totally check it out.

Question for my friends with UK spouses! Do you love BBC America? Is it, for your spouse, a little taste of home? Or an annoying plot to Americanize everything we Americans can get our hands on? Just wondering.

Concentrate.

I think there should be rules governing the placement of a national holiday in the middle of the week. As in, they should not do that to us! It just skews everything right out of focus and makes you think "Hey hey, it's the weekend!" when in fact it is definitely NOT the weekend. I am having trouble regaining my bearings today. How about you?

It's partly because of being off yesterday, and doing nothing but laying on my couch, then finding a different position in which to lay on the couch, and racing cars with AJ on the floor. But mostly because today is Buy Presents for AJ's Birthday Day, and I am excited. We took him to Mecca Target yesterday, to see what vibes we would get when we drove by certain items. We got this vibe when we drove by the "Cars"-the-movie end-cap display: "Lellow Cawww! Lello Cawww! Lellllllloooooo Cawwwww! (sob, sob, whine whine, sob)."

So I think he wants one of those.

We also got a good feeling about a bubble machine, and lots of Spiderman things caught his attention, and Bob the Builder, and some Hot Wheels cars, and he actually ASKED for Wolverine, which made his daddy VERY happy. Even if he grins ear-to-ear for 3 minutes, then tosses the item on the floor and moves on, those grins are almost worth my $6.99. I think the shopping trip will be a fantastic way to spend my every last dollar lunch hour, and I can't wait. :)

Until then, I must concentrate on the actual web site content I am supposed to be writing. Ugh. Work actually HURTS my brain.

Vacation by the Numbers

Number of my relatives who joined us at the beach: 60

Number of times I used a hair dryer or wore makeup while at the beach: 0

Number of days it took before I could let go of all my annual "beach issues," like worrying over too much scheduling, too many cousins, etc., and just relax: 3

Number of toes I had pedicured with my sister: 10

Number of dread diseases I contracted while at the beach: 2 (strep and pinkeye)

Number of dread diseases DH contracted: 1 (pinkeye, in 2 eyes) -- AJ caught none, thank God

Number of grapes AJ ate: 400

Number of times a day he therefore pooped: at least 3

Number of times he poured water from one plastic bucket to the other: infinite

Number of hours per day he napped, being so tired from sun and surf: 2.5 or 3

Number of ER visits: 1 (not us, but poor G! Hope he's feeling better!)

Number of times we watched the duck movie: lost count after 14

Number of dollars spent on clothes at the outlet mall: approx. $300

Number of sunburns we got: zero! go us with the sunscreen!

Number of times I wished I could be back at work: negative 80

Number of times I was grateful: probably not enough

Number of weeks until next year's vacation: 51