What's up with the Smiths?

One Foot, Two Foot...

2012-01-23T09:25:00.000-06:00

For Christmas, the hubster gave me a gift card to DSW. Awesome, right? It would be, except I can't decide on anything to buy!! The kicker is he got a bonus gift card with his purchase and it expires at the end of this week! I know, I know, to have such problems, but do you ever experience the same thing? You see exactly what you want, but don't have the money for it and then when you do have the money for it, you can't find what you want!? Maybe it's just me. Perhaps my shoe taste has become too picky, or I have lost the ability to pick out a rockin' shoe. Oh, let's hope not. Shoes are the pick me up of a drab outfit. The sparkle on a worn out sweater. They just make you feel good. I do need some more casual, practical shoes, but it's so hard to spend money on plain old boring shoes. Who wants to do that? It's no fun at all. And I've also discovered shoe shopping online is no fun at all, but it beats dragging two kids with you in attempts to try shoes on, when it is cold and snowing outside. So online shoe shopping it is.

This week's to-do list item (other than the laundry, dishes, vacuuming, cleaning, making meals/snacks, etc etc): BUY SHOES!

Limbo

2012-01-09T15:09:00.001-06:00

I'm sure I am supposed to update this thing every now and again, but I just can't seem to be bothered. That darn lazy thing again. That, and what is there to blog about anyway? Cute kid pictures and stories? That's on the kids blog...whenever I get around to updating that, if anyone is even still looking at it. Politics? Don't get me started. The weather? Nothing to complain about there. How I miss Lost? I do. A cooking blog? If I made anything that wasn't already "cooked" and in a box...

Maybe I should turn this blog into a theme blog...or a "by request" blog. I could take suggestions and ramble away. Or I could turn it into a cupcake blog! But then I would have to make cupcakes more often. And then I would have to eat them. And then my pants wouldn't fit me anymore. But the hubby and kids would be happy. If we actually left the house more I could blog about funny, interesting, annoying things I see out in the world around me, but that would require getting three people dressed and fed before lunch/nap time. Perhaps this could be a sports blog. Or maybe, for the time being, I could turn it into a Politics Watch blog. But not like the other political blogs. This would be a "why was that question so ridiculously stupid?', "can you not just answer the question they asked you?", "is this election over yet?", "I could give a better answer than he (since there are no more "she" contenders) just gave...or was that an answer?"

What say ye? Do ye even care if the blog is updated? I'm beginning not to care, but I feel as though I have an obligation. Not sure to whom, but... maybe I should start a Life Blog. Ways to improve my life. Or a blog about the Real Housewives of Minnesota. Now THAT's an idea!

Stay tuned. :o)

Christmas Spirit

2011-12-09T16:55:00.000-06:00

I was just reading over a Christmas post from years ago about the most irritating and ridiculous Christmas songs ever. Thankfully this year, I have daily reminders of the stupidity. I want to add one more song to the "run from wherever you are in the house to turn the radio off, even if the other station is playing Justin Bieber" list. I may be blacklisted from friend lists after this, but it is a risk I am willing to take.

The 2011 inductee to the "Worst Christmas Song Ever" list is...(drum roll please) "The Christmas Shoes" by Bob Carlisle. Why was this song made? Even more, why has this song been re-recorded by other people?? I don't know about you, but my hatred of this song runs deep. I have no specific reason for the dislike, but the radio MUST be turned off when it comes on. I get the sentiment, the kid wants Mom to be all pretty when she meets Jesus...but seriously, why the holiday downer?

If I could have one Christmas wish, it would be that this song meets the same fate as the kid's Mom. Harsh, I know, but that's just the way it is. Maybe I could introduce the song to the reindeer who ran Grandma over?

Just in case you need a reminder of horrible songs, you'll find the previous rant, here.

Merry Christmas everyone!

A Minute to Remember

2011-11-11T19:20:00.002-06:00

It's been one of THOSE weeks, so this post is more for me than anyone else.
Being November, and with Thanksgiving coming up, I figure I need a little memory jog of some of the things I am thankful for...so here goes (in no particular order):
Good health, healthy kids, beautiful vivacious kids, a hard working husband, a job for my hard working husband, a home, heat, my Church, working cars, friends who watch my kids when the need arises, friends, family (even if nowhere near me), amazingly awesome nine west boots, a fridge and shelves full of food to eat, candy cane hot cocoa, sesame street, my Blendtec, little hugs and kisses, the Internet, Costco, Target, Amazon.com, Saturday mail delivery, schwan's caramel apple pops, dishwashers, cupcakes, friends who will eat those cupcakes, holidays, a fantastic hairstylist, wonderful neighbors, no sales tax on shoes and clothes, DSW, online shopping, Caribou Coffee's milk hot chocolate with raspberry, the sparkle in my kids eyes, our Wii and playing Just Dance with the family, toilet paper and paper towels, options -even if I disagree with them, my education, cheesy dance music, key lime pie, coconut ice cream, French macarons, outings as a family, piece and quiet, checking in on sleeping children, medical technology, Skype/FaceTime, digital cameras, new opportunities, meeting new people, electricity, Joann's, books, Allrecipes.com, friends that love my kids, peanut M&Ms, catching up with old friends, opportunities to serve others...
Some of the list is obviously light hearted and whimsical, but I truly am grateful for everything I have in my life, good and bad. And on those days when it is so hard to crack a smile, it is those little things that can help get us back on track. Can you really eat a bag of peanut M&M's and not smile? I can't. So there is my reminder for today. Fittingly, today being Remembrance Day/Veteran's Day, I am thankful for being able to live in countries that give me the freedom to practice the religion I choose, live the life I choose, drive, vote, work...all the little things that we take for granted in Canada and the U.S. Thank you to those who made it possible!

Redo!

2011-11-01T15:02:00.000-05:00

Ever wish you could just wipe the slate clean and start again? Not with you life and the choices you've made, but with your living area? House, apartment, room, condo...whatever.

We've been in our house four years now and I wish I could just un-paint, un-decorate (not that we did a lot), un-curtain, un-choose furnishings and just start again. The only problem is...I don't have a clue what I would pick if I could do it all over again. I am currently trying to paint the bedroom, but seeing as it is still the horrid grey colour (with the exception of the 8 squares of potential new shades), I have not gotten very far. It is much easier to choose when there is just one person, but when you have the opinion of another, it just makes it harder. Especially since we don't seem to agree on too many things! I have a blank slate but I can not decide what to do. Just as I think we've decided, I can not commit to buying the paint in fear that one of us will dislike it once it gets on the wall, and I am not going to have another experience like the bathroom again! How to decide?? And then how to decorate? I have pictures piled away that I thought I would like up on the walls, but no, they just lean lovingly against the wall underneath the stairs.

I suppose the upside to living somewhere with the basics (bed, couch, table) is there wouldn't be too much for the kids to destroy!!

But, if anyone has any tips, ideas or advice for me...help!! I really want my bedroom done, it's the last room in the house to have anything done to it!!

Growing Pains

2011-10-18T07:15:00.001-05:00

In keeping with my previous post showcasing some of the best of school year hairstyles, I am forewarning those who know me to get ready for some more awesomeness. I am growing out my hair and I can only imagine what is to come. I am hoping to avoid anything close to a mullet, but it can't be promised. Should that occur, please refrain from laughing in my face and try to keep the double looks to a minimum. Hopefully this process won't take too long or be too painful... I won't be growing it to the lengths of Rapunzel, like a certain three year old thinks she wants to do, but the short 'do has run it's course and it's time to attempt something new. Of course, knowing me, I will get it grown out, enjoy it for 8-10 weeks and then just chop it off again, but...it's hair, it grows, I cut it, it grows, I cut it.
Any one with any tips or ideas for living with "growing out" hair, let me know. I don't think I want to live in a hat or a headscarf for the nex 6 months!!

Weight a Minute!

2011-09-15T12:21:00.002-05:00

Two weeks left to go in the latest (and last?) weight loss contest with the in-laws side of the family!! I don't think I will make my overall goal in that time, unless I starve myself. or just watch what I eat and exercise...yah I am not going to reach my goal. But I am close!! Maybe by Halloween...just in time to raid the kids candy!

The hubster and were talking about weight loss and he mentioned how someone had been tweeting their weight and what they had eaten that day to feel accountable. Everyone who followed them would see that they had fallen off the bandwagon and downed an entire meal comprised of four items from Denny's "Let's Get Cheesy" menu.

It got me thinking...would I share my weight with the public? I would easily tell people how much I have lost and how much I have to go, but would I tell them where I started and where I am now? Why is there such a taboo about weight sharing? I think women are more apprehensive to tell people how much they weigh, whether they are a size 2 or a size 20, but I think the same goes for men. No one usually walks around saying, "Hi! My name is Bob and I weigh 194 pounds." What makes us so scared to share those numbers? I mean if we are overweight, it's not like someone is going to be shocked to find out, it's not like we can hide it very well. Is it just because we don't want people to know specifics? Are we embarrassed? If we were embarrassed by our weight and then lost weight, wouldn't we shout it from the rooftops? When big weight losses occur it's usually accompanied by a headline of "She lost 154 pounds!!" not a "She now weighs 146 pounds!" Unless your on the Biggest Loser...then we see it all (literally!)

Why also do we not share our clothing size? I know when I talk to people about shopping I will say things like, "I fluctuate between two sizes", "I had to go up/down a size", or "I am down 3 sizes!!" Why not just say I ended up getting a size 4 or 8 or 16...whatever it may be. If the person you are talking to ups and runs because you just said you wear a size 12, let them run!! Especially when every store's sizes are different. Even within the same store...I tried on 4 different sizes!

So why then? I will gladly tell anyone I have lost almost 40 pounds in the last 3 years (not including weight gained and lost from pregnancies), but will I tell you how much I weighed pre-baby #1 and how much I weigh now? Will I tell you what size I was before babies and what size I wear now? No, probably not. Maybe if I need that last ditch motivation to get rid of these last 9 pounds to reach my goal, but I am hoping I don't need to go there. Why won't I tell? I have no idea. Why won't you tell? Or would you?

2011-09-12T06:08:00.000-05:00

After T was born, everyone said she was a Mini Mark, the spitting image of her Dad. It wasn't until she was around 2 that someone said, "She looks just like you!" So when little t came around, it was no different. I have never thought either of the kids looked much like me, I don't think they look exactly like Mark either. But as I was looking back through some old pictures, I cam across one that changed my mind.
If you've ever wondered what little t would look like wearing a dress...

there you have it.
And if you have seen Miss T's scrunched up little nose that she does when she gets all snippety with you...

I guess they are my kids after all!!

Hair Gone Wild

2011-09-08T21:08:00.000-05:00

I don't know why I am doing this. Perhaps I need to learn to laugh more at myself, or to remind myself of how much older I am now, or even as a cautionary tale for the years to come now that I have a daughter. I'm thinking it's a note to self for when I am having a bad hair day/why did I cut my hair off??

Either way, here we go.

May I present to you a sampling of hairstyles (and I use that term very loosely) past. Ones that haunt me, ones that when glanced upon result in head shaking and tsk tsk-ing. I wish I knew who to lay the blame on; me, my Mother, my Father...I just don't know. The truth is they happened. And sadly, Josten's has captured it on film, to live forever. And now I am adding it to this here world wide web as a service to those around the world. Take this as your lesson in what NOT to do to hair.

And may this serve as a reminder as to why growing your hair out is such a difficult, torturous decision...one that very rarely can be accomplished without embarrassment or the explanation of "I'm growing my hair out."

(terrible picture quality, but it was many, many moons ago before the days of digital cameras)

There are oh so many more I could share, but the pictures are so huge that I am afraid small children and pets would run away crying. Just take my word for it...or look at the pictures again, you'll believe me.

So Nice! Part One

2011-09-01T12:35:00.003-05:00

(Warning...prepare for photo overload in the coming posts)
Back to reality. I think coming down/back from vacation deserves another mini vacation! :o)

We just spent 8 fabulous days in the French Riviera (and one chilly night in Amsterdam) thanks to a Grandma who was more than willing to fly to our home and watch our two munchkins for us while we toured, sunbathed, ate leisurely meals and enjoyed the sites of various French and Italian cities (Thanks Grandma S!)

I'm not sure everyone wants an hour by hour recap of our trip, or any recap for that matter, but just to document it on this old world wide web, I'll provide the highlights!

We flew into Nice and spent the first 2 days there adjusting to the wicked humidity and intense sun (we were one of the very few pasty white folks walking along the beach!) and enjoying the sites. We walked miles every day checking things out. This time around we didn't worry so much about museums and art galleries and instead strolled down streets, perusing through stores, and checking out things here and there.

Day 1 and Day 2 we spent in Nice, we walked along the beach, toured Vieux Nice, walked and walked, spent some time at the beach and the pool, ate ice cream, and just wandered around. These are some of the things we saw (and most of them we don't know the specifics or history, I just took pictures!!)

Nice!

The Pastys (does anyone ever look good in pictures wearing sunglasses, or is it just me that doesn't??)

(There will be no up close shots of the beach!!)

Day 3 and 4 up next...

Day 3 and 4

2011-09-01T12:25:00.001-05:00

The next day we checked out the local market. Flowers, soaps, spices, fruit (oh the fruit), veggies, bread...it was wonderful!!

Then we climbed a great big hill to get a great view of the area.

The next day we jetted off to Monaco. We walked around Monte Carlo, went inside the casino, took a trolley ride around the city and enjoyed the fireworks they set off that night just for our visit! Ok, it was for the International Fireworks Competition or something, but still...

Day 4 consisted of riding the rails to Antibes and Cannes. I have to say, these towns are very much alike! As I am guessing most Mediterranean towns are...beach and tourist shops with some history and art mixed in!! I don't even know if I took a picture in Antibes, but they did have a lovely market there (how I wish I could have brought home the flowers and produce) and a cute shop that I bought some clothes from!! Cannes was about the same, but they have the Film Festival so I think it gets the spotlight a little more. But we toured around both cities and ate ice cream, so how bad can it be??

Day 5 and 6...coming your way!

Day 5 and 6

2011-09-01T12:20:00.001-05:00

Day 5 we decided to venture away from the beach and into the mountains. We hit a couple of little medieval towns, the first was Annot. It did not hold as much allure as we had been to led to believe, but it was a quaint little town and had some great views.

After Annot, we hoped back on the train and headed back to Entrevaux. This did not disappoint! It had a great village to walk around, some fantastic views, a massive fort to explore and THE BEST SANDWICH I have ever eaten, not to mention the best coconut ice cream ever! I would recommend visiting Entrevaux to anyone headed that way.

The sandwich.

I'm not sure you can really grasp just how high up we were since my camera died as soon as we got to the top, so I wasn't able to get a picture straight down. But let me tell you, it was HIGH!

Day 6 we ventured off to Italy. We visited Ventimiglia and San Remo. We ended up mostly walking around and eating ice cream since most of the shops and such were closed for their "lunches." It was almost like walking through a ghost town! I am sure it is a much more bustling place when things are open and you know where you are going and what you should be seeing, but we enjoyed anyway!

Day 7 coming at ya next!

Day 7

2011-09-01T12:15:00.001-05:00

Our last full day in Nice. I almost can't remember what we did...oh yes, we took the train over to Beaulieu sur Mer and walked our butts off over to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat to check out the Rothschild mansion and hit the beach one more time. SJCP is breathtaking. I have found my retirement property. The mansion and gardens were lovely as well. Prepare for photo overload and goofy pictures of us (there was a lovely Polish woman and her daughter taking photos in crazy fashion magazine worthy poses that inspired us to liven up our pictures!!)

My future home.

Can I move in now?

Next up, last but not least...

Home?

2011-09-01T12:10:00.001-05:00

Our last day was spent hanging out in the hotel since we had to leave for the airport around 10AM, so we slept in, had some breakfast, packed up, played solitaire in the lobby...and off we went!
The airport was...interesting. We had some issues checking in, then we stood in a line for almost two hours waiting to drop our bags off because there was a fire in the baggage area and check ins had been suspended. Thankfully our flight was held and we finally made it onto the plane. We took off about two hours late, but we were on our way. Luckily for us, we missed our connection in Amsterdam (note sarcasm in that fact), so we had been rebooked for the next flight home. The next day. Awesome. Of course our bags were on their way to Minneapolis, so we had nothing. Did I mention it was awesome? Thankfully KLM is a wonderful airline and booked us into a hotel with a restaurant that provided dinner and breakfast and a free shuttle to and from the airport. We figured we'd be stuck in some dump of a hotel that offered a mouth watering dinner of pb&j. Much to our surprise, it was a very nice hotel and two fantastic meals! Ask Mark, I think he is still drooling over his desert and the breakfast buffet. That night we took the train into Amsterdam and walked around a bit. There isn't a whole lot going on at 8:30PM and most stores are closed, so we strolled along the streets and over the canals...but it was dark and chilly...and the camera died. Good times. But we finally made it home sweet home to two children who probably couldn't have cared less that we had even been gone.

Shopping Lessons

2011-08-18T17:20:00.000-05:00

Here's what I learned while shopping today (other than you should never go shopping with a 1 and 3 year old): women either want to look like a sailor (a look that we saw in Paris in 2006 - so that's either super fast turn around or we're just that slow here) or Mrs. Roper. If you have no idea who Mrs. Roper is (my fear that I must be too old for some of the fashions of today has been validated), click here.

Every where I looked, flow, flowers, crochet, crochet and flowers together!! Or skinny pants, super skinny pant, low rise pants, super low rise pants, shorts with a 3 inch inseam (seriously???). I guess I have been out of the fashion game too long. That, or I just don't know where to shop anymore.

Flashback

2011-08-12T16:30:00.000-05:00

I was sorting through some photos today, looking for proof of the different 'dos I have sported through the years, and I realized a few things.

In Grade 9, I was voted Best Dressed Girl...so either everyone who voted felt overwhelmingly bad for me and thought it would boost myself esteem, voted for me as a joke, or they all must have been blind. Wow. How is it possible for things to be so horrible and not be aware of it!!? Will I look back in 10 years and think the same way of how I dress/look now? Probably.
Why did anyone let me cut my hair like a boy?
I've never really been photogenic.
It's amazing how a quick glance at a picture from 12 years ago (or more) can bring back a flood of memories, good and bad.
School pictures should never be shown to anyone. Unless you want to go on Ellen for her Bad Paid for Photos. Or Awkwardfamilyphotos.com
My nieces and nephews sure were cute!
It would be so fun to catch up with friends that I haven't seen or heard from in decades. Find out where they wound up living, what they are doing...
I had some seriously ugly fashion moments. I wish I could say it was just hair or clothes, but most seem to be hair AND clothes. Will someone please tell me if I am wearing something horrendous or if my hair looks like an 8 year old boy who cut it himself?
I sort of want to share some of these photos with you...but I'm not sure my self esteem could take it! And I don't know if some of the people in the pictures would want the world to see them either. But man are there some sweet photos.
Is there anyway I can hide these pictures so that my children never get a hold of them? Oh, and nieces and nephews of mine, beware your wedding days...I have LOTS of great pictures of you!

Stay tuned, maybe one day I will throw up an old school photo blog post so you all can have a great ab workout. Maybe I should warn a few people first...

Taking Time Out to Laugh

2011-07-12T10:12:00.000-05:00

I usually keep this blog for my random thoughts, likes, complaints...general oddities, but I thought I would share this one with everyone instead of the few that just peek in on the kids blog.

This week we learned that sometimes you just have to be silly, even if it makes you look silly.

And that is what we did a couple of nights ago. It started out innocently enough with a little one making a mess with her snack, but then we all joined and had a very, very, very good laugh.

And the one that made me almost pee my pants...

Here's to more belly busting, laugh out loud, fall down on the floor, almost pee your pants laughter!

(and just so no one gets grossed out, it's just chocolate icing from the brownies I made!)

Fond Memories

2011-07-06T11:36:00.001-05:00

Today is a day I look back over that last entry and sigh. I should post pictures of those same rooms today, but I am afraid of showing the world what the house usually looks like! And no, I am not exaggerating. I am not one of those SAHM's who says her house is a disaster because the baseboards have dust on them. Baseboards? I am supposed to clean those? It always amazes me how long it takes to clean, yet how short a time it takes for the tornado to hit. Sort of like those awesome Sunday dinners that take 5 hours to cook and 4.5 seconds to devour. There needs to be a balance. If the house is spotless and it took 5 hours to get it that way, it should be able to stay that way for at least 48 hours. Instead, it takes 5 hours to clean and about 20 minutes to destroy. I'd give up completely and just let it be, but A&E has Hoarders and TLC has Hoarding:Buried Alive. I know we would eventually wind up on one of those shows. I would just tell people we collect things, we don't hoard. At least there wouldn't be moldy pumpkins and rotting roasts in the freezer.

FMI

2011-06-20T11:12:00.000-05:00

That would be "For My Information." This post is mostly for me, to remind myself on a day like today, that sometimes the house is clean and does not always look like a tornado has hit it.
Yes, the cleanliness may last less than 24 hours, but it WAS clean, even for the shortest time frame. On days like today, I will look at these pictures with a fond remembrance and start all over again.

From these next pictures, you'd never guess that they are the hooligans responsible for most of the mess!

Random Monday

2011-06-06T10:29:00.001-05:00

Random thoughts for a random Monday

it's amazing what a successful Live tour can do to ticket prices. Two years ago Yo Gabba Gabba tickets cost $17 (not the primo "party package" seats); this year...we won't talk about it.
it can not be described how different the day feels when the kids sleep in until 7:40 and 8:05...without waking up once during the night! Even if it is supposed to feel like 100 degrees today.
this month sees the departure of many food friends to many different, faraway places...I do not like this.
trying to decide where to take a vacation to is proving more difficult than I thought.
I have never been less excited to go clothes shopping, ever, in my life.
it's birthday week in our house...two cakes, one birthday.
having a boy who LOVES (and loves might be an understatement) the vacuum....you would think I would vacuum all the time. Not so much. Probably because he wants to hold the vacuum, walk on it, hit it...all things that make actual vacuuming difficult.
if my last name was Weiner...I would change it.
I think I have bought every single Care Bear item in the county. Now why can't I find a single plush Care Bear...is that too much to ask?
can not wait until the weight loss contest is over. Not that I am trying very hard these days, but I think I will try to give it my all these last two weeks. We'll see how that turns out.

Ahhhh, thank you!

2011-05-30T20:02:00.000-05:00

For some reason I was thinking about what modern day amenities I could just not live without, so here is my list:

Air conditioning. I think I would seriously die from heat if it was not for central air.

Washing machines. I would walk around the dirtiest, stinkiest person if it weren't for washing machines. Hand washing clothes is not something that happens very often here.

Running water/toilet paper. These two go hand in hand and really need no explanation.

Paper towels. The paper towel companies must be in business solely because of how many rolls we go through, it is unbelievable.

Slurpees. I had a slurp this last week for the first time in I don't know...oh it was a grape, lime, orange, watermelon, 7-up slice of brain freeze heaven.

Shoes. I could never be a barefoot kind of gal....never.

DVRs. How on earth did we ever live without these wonderful time saving inventions?

The Internet. Do you remember having to go to the library to research your papers and pull out the encyclopedia? Do kids these days even know what an encyclopedia is?

Watermelon. Not really a modern day amenity, but so missed during the winter months.

Contacts. So happy to be able to wear these. Nothing wrong with a funky pair of glasses, I love mine, but contacts just make the day better.

Volume control on kids toys. Why wasn't this thought of earlier and why didn't I think of it?

Dishwashers. Now if I could just find someone to load and unload mine, we'll be in business.

I know there are a million more things out there that makes my life a billion times easier and more efficient, but that's what I've got today!

Now...how can I get 7-11 to deliver me a slurpee??

Kind Hearts

2011-05-29T16:00:00.001-05:00

On a day that started out in a less than desirable manner, I had an experience that replaced the feelings of wanting to crawl back into bed.
We pulled into the garage on our way home from church when Mark realized that he had left his church binder on the roof of the car. Of course, it hadn't survived the ride home. Since Mark had some people coming over shortly after we got home, I jumped back into the car and headed back over to the church. I figured it would be in the parking lot or some way along the highway (lost forever). As I pulled up to the church I spied some flapping white out of the corner of my eye and sure enough, there was the binder! Sprawled across the entrance to the highway. Now it would have been wonderful if the binder was all intact, but no, it had been run over a few times, papers strewn everywhere, binder broken...you get the picture.
So I pull the car over to the side of the road, put the flashers on and get to work. I soon realize that this won't go very quickly in my four inch heels, so I take them off, tuck them under my arm and start picking up papers. I have to stop every so often to let cars pass by (luckily it is not a very busy spot on Sunday afternoons!) but thankfully it wasnt a windy day so nothing has flown too far away.
A few more cars drive by and I wonder what they are thinking seeing this crazy lady in her polka dot dress and bare feet picking up all these papers...I know I might do a double take!
But as I finished, I noticed this maroon colored SUV drive by, stop, doors open and this lovely couple run out and start helping me pick up papers in the middle of the intersection! I wanted to ask them why, but I simply smiled, said thank you and that they didn't have to do this. She smiled, looked at me and said "no, we don't have to, but we want to". I don't know who they are, I will probably never see them again in my life, but to whoever you are, THANK YOU. I know you will never see this, but please know how grateful I am for your kindness today. So if anyone reading this hears a similar story from your friends who stopped to help a crazy lady in a polka dot dress...that was me, and please tell them thank you again.
A perfect Sunday example of helping others in need.

Mo' Money Mo' Problems

2011-04-27T14:33:00.000-05:00

Oh, if only I could say all of my problems were due to an increase in money...but alas, that's not the case.

In fact, every day I think, "we should set up a budget." Have we done it? Not so much. We tried it a couple of times. We sat down, looked at how much we spent each month, and on what. Then we set a budget in each of our variable amount areas. The next month, we looked at it and said, "Oh, look we spent more than we wanted to." Awesome budgeting folks.

How do you budget? How do you set aside money for those things that aren't monthly expenses, like when the kids need new pants? They don't need them every month, but maybe every 4-5 months. And what about haircuts? I don't get one every month. Do I just average those out and have a million little accounts set up for hair cuts, kids clothes, grown up clothes, random purchases...?

I know some people do the envelope system (X amount for groceries...when it is gone, it's gone), maybe some have a grocery account, gasoline account, mortgage account, etc. But what about all those little things? Like birthdays, Christmas, new clothes because none of my old ones fit me, a new book or two, items from Target that you just can't say no to...things that aren't a monthly occurrence.

We have a long term savings and a "fun savings", so I don't worry about that, but just the month to month stuff. Do you just average it out? Do you keep track of it using some sort of computer software program, your brain, a spreadsheet....what works for you?

Four Seasons?

2011-04-18T16:59:00.001-05:00

It's been a little heavy around here lately, hasn't it? Let's lighten it up!

So, it's April. April 18th to be exact. We're supposed to get snow tomorrow. Awesome. Actually I really don't have negative feelings at all about the chance of snow. It won't make me bat an eyelash or whine for a second (there are better things to whine about - like SuperTarget not carrying French macarons anymore!!!)

Snow in April doesn't bug me because I know the high is in the 40's, the snow won't last longer than overnight, and hey, the longer it stays cool, the longer it is until the heat of summer arrives. And we all know I am not a fan of hot summer temperatures (and by hot I mean 80).

So here is to one more snow fall, a week of 40 and 50 degree temperatures and putting summer off just that much longer. If I can wait until June (or July) to pull out shorts and t-shirts...that's all right with me!

Let's raise a glass to Christmas in April! :o)

One More Try

2011-04-13T09:29:00.000-05:00

I've had something on my mind for awhile but have debated discussing it because I don't want anyone to think it is directed at them, but I just feel the need to get it out there, so I am diving on in! Please don't think it is directed at anyone in particular.

I've been wondering about this since my days in high school (hundreds of years ago) and have still not come up with a satisfying answer. Does there ever come a time when you just stop trying? When it comes to relationships, whether friends or family, is there a time when you've just given everything you can but have gotten no where and have nothing left to give?

When I was younger there was a guy I was "in love" with, had been for years. We were friends, but nothing more. I am sure everyone and their dog knew I liked him, but nothing ever happened. Even after I "fell out of love", I was still friends with him. After a few years he sort of pulled away from our group, I still invited him to things, called him, tried to stay in touch. It wasn't really working. I decided I would give it one more shot to stay friends with him and invited him to something (I have no idea what it was), he was all for it, should be fun. The day came and I called him to work out the where and when of it all and I was told he wasn't home. I was disappointed but not surprised. Anyway, I continued to get ready and as I did, the phone rang. It was his Dad. He was calling to tell me my friend was home now and to talk to him. So his Dad put him on the phone and we had an awkward conversation with an end result of him being beat and he wasn't going to make it. That phone call was probably one of the last times I spoke to him. We may have crossed paths a few times after that, but nothing of significance.

Since then I have always wondered if I should have kept trying? When something becomes apparently one sided, how long do we continue trying? It becomes hurtful, embarrassing, a clink in your self esteem, when honest efforts are repeatedly ignored or shunned (whatever the "good reason"). You begin wondering, "is it me?", "did I say something?", "do I smell?"

Is there an appropriate amount of time to try? If you've been trying for 2 years, is it acceptable to stop, to just leave the ball in their court? Whether it be your brother, sister, parent, crush, friend...can you just willingly stop trying and feel okay about it? I think you can, it's tough but sometimes it is all you can do.

My friend's Dad spoke to me later to thank me for trying to reach out, I told him I hadn't done a lot, that I was just trying to be a friend. But, I guess when someone doesn't want to return the sentiment, there isn't much you can do. And sadly, there comes a time when you just have to stop. Probably sounds a little harsh, but that's just how life is I guess. Eventually I think the attempts just start to seem desperate. If calls or emails go unanswered/unreturned, and invites are constantly turned down or never reciprocated, what can a person do? Stop. Stop calling, stop inviting, stop making an effort.

That's not to say the caring stops. I still think about my friend all the time and wonder what he is up to. I get little snippets of how he is doing from mutual friends, but I don't remember the last time I actually spoke to him. And I think that goes for everyone. You never stop caring, even in the worst of strained relationships. I am sure there isn't a parent out there who stops caring for their child no matter how strained their relationship may have become. But, for yourself, sometimes you just have to take care of your own mental health.

And no, this is not a cry for help, or a pleading letter to a friend or family member. It's just a rambling from someone who would like to think she tries to be a good friend, good sister, wife, daughter, mother...but wonders if she could do more...or if it's just that I smell?

TP or not TP

2011-04-11T07:06:00.000-05:00

So I usually buy the Target brand of toilet paper, because it's the cheapest for how much you get, but the last time I bought tp I went with a name brand because it was on sale. I have come to discover that the Target brand is way better. The name brand feels like one ply construction paper compared to Target's brand. Who would have thought??

I think I will stick to buying Target tp...why mess with it if it's good? One thing for sure, next time I will not be buying (nor will I ever buy) Charmin. I'm sorry Charmin, but your marketing has got to change. Does anyone want to watch animated bears going to the bathroom, have tp stuck to their bum or wiggle around the woods because they have to go??? I don't, and I won't ever buy your toilet paper, solely based on the fact that your commercials creep me out.

For the Love of Benji

2011-04-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

While watching one of the early morning "news" shows, Donald Trump was on talking about a myriad of topics from how awesome he is to how awesome the country would be if he were President. Of course the conversation took to the current administration and Trump's thoughts on how Obama is doing. Obviously, Trump is not a huge Obama supporter, but I liked how Trump said he wished Obama was doing a great job and that the country wasn't going to Hell (or something like that).

At one point in the conversation (it wasn't really an interview since Trump never lets anyone else talk), the topic of Obama and his birth place came up. He went off how three weeks ago he would have sworn Obama was born in the U.S., but now he has huge (or should I say "uuuge") doubts and that he has a team of people in Hawaii, right now, investigating. What a waste of time and money. I sat there wondering why it is such an issue. Why does it matter if you were born in the U.S. or not? If you are a citizen, whether through birth or naturalization, then why can't you run for President? Arnold can be Governor of California but not run for President? How is it any different? If there are worries about loyalties or spying...it would be okay on a state level? I don't get it. Maybe because I wasn't born in this country...but it just seems a little outdated to me.

So someone was born in Australia, they moved here when they were a year, became a citizen, graduated University, worked hard, had some great ideas for the country, but because they were born in Australia...nope, sorry. Seems strange to me.

Maybe it's time the whole "born in the U.S." thing needs to be rethought. Or maybe the powers that be should watch that episode of 30 Rock.

All I have left to say is, Trump, move on. Put your money and resources to better use...the country will thank you for it. Oh, and please, don't run for President. I don't think I could take the lack of h's in your debate speeches.

Take Two

2011-04-09T05:00:00.001-05:00

I think it is high time this blog got back to basics. Rants, raves, rambles...all the stuff it used to be, regardless if anyone reads it or not!!

And with that, I begin blogging again. Not about kids (that's for the other blog that even family doesn't look at!), just about daily musings, beefs, products I love, hate, covet...all the crazy that goes on in my head, it's all going to spill out for you! Lucky!!

So here we go. Enjoy, ignore, laugh, cry, vomit...whatever moves you.

Mish Mash

2011-04-06T17:12:00.000-05:00

Do people even read blogs anymore? I know I do. But it seems like people aren't blogging too much these days. Is Facebook to blame for all of this?

I don't think so...well, not for my lack of blogging anyway. Over here it's mostly due to rugrats and lack of exciting activities. Since we now seem to be snow free (fingers crossed) maybe we will get back to venturing outside and interacting with the world.

I have enjoyed looking at the stats of this blog and how the entry titled "Nightmare on Elm Street" gets the most hits from our blog! Those horror flick fans must be so disappointed when they find out it's about DSW and not Freddy Krueger.

For posterity's sake, the Birthday was wonderful this year. The hubster surprised me with taking the day off work and we dined at Denny's for breakfast (oh nothing like the 'burbs restaurant choices). We spent the entire day at the zoo enjoying the 50 degree weather and watching horses "fight"...not once, but twice. Within a matter of minutes. Thankfully the T's are too little to know the horses weren't actually fighting.

We came home and decided to drop the kids off with friends while we went to dinner. Sadly, we wound up at another chain, close to home, since I had a sinking feeling the wee T would not fare too well with a babysitter. We enjoyed a meal, sans children, picked up the obligatory birthday ice cream cake, and headed to eat cake with our friends. We pulled up, I opened the car door and was met with the screams of a certain 8 1/2 month old. He had done alright, but spent a good chunk of the time in tears. Good try bud. We'll try again another time. When we got home we quickly opened some gifts and then got the kids to bed. It was a good day (I'd post some pictures but they are on the phones...and well I don't feel like figuring that out right now).

Now for the required audience participation part of the program...two questions this time:

1) Ladies..where do you shop for clothes? Good quality, decent prices. I am in desperate need of new clothes and will hopefully be embarking on a mini spree in the next couple of months. I need direction. What are your must shop at store, must have items of clothing...tips...all things that come with restocking a "wardrobe".

2) The Anniversary approacheth and we want to take a trip without kids...where are your fave vacation spots, or places you've always wanted to go/must go before you die? If you knew this would be your only kid free vacation for awhile would you go somewhere you've already been and loved or would you try somewhere new?

A Plea

2011-03-06T16:06:00.000-06:00

Here is the daily blogging gripe. Maybe I should post my actual gripes daily, and then that sentence would actually ring truthful. So, it's just a blogging gripe for today.

Where do all of these stay at home mothers find the time to bake and craft and do projects and blog about it?! I am lucky if I get dressed and/or get the dishes done every day. I know some of them have older kids, kids in school etc., but not all of them! This goes out to the SAHM's who make it their mission to shame the rest of us SAHM's for not crafting, sewing, blogging, picture taking, baking, creating... being the perfect SAHM!! Sometimes we'd like to, and sometimes we even have awesome ideas, but as hard as we might try...it never comes to fruition due to a plethora of reasons.

How do you get these things accomplished? Do you not sleep? Are your children chained to a chair watching cartoons? Have they been given a slightly more than recommended dose of Benadryl?

Maybe, just maybe, do you think that one day you could blog about how you didn't get dressed at all, or realized you hadn't brushed your teeth at 3PM, or that for dinner you microwaved chicken nuggets for the kiddies and poured yourself a bowl of cereal? Something? Anything?

The rest of us SAHM's would appreciate it!

Thanks.

(p.s., please note while there is sarcasm flowing within these sentences, there is also some truth to it all...like really, WHERE do you find the time!?!?)

cAKe!

2011-03-03T13:20:00.000-06:00

So I am two thirds of the way through my cake courses, and I thought I should immortalize it on this blog.

Mark signed me up for a class for a Christmas gift because he knew I was interested but would never sign up on my own (Thanks!), and it led me to take course 2 and course 3 (which we start next week!)

I figure I probably won't become the next cake star on the Food Network, but hopefully I can make some decent birthday cakes for the Fam.

Who knows...maybe someone will ask me to make one for them too, but my breath is not being held.

Anyway, here are some pictures to prove I did it (before I forget how to do it). Some of the pictures are from my phone, so not the best quality, but you get the idea! There are a few more flowers we learned in both courses, but I never took pictures of them...they weren't that exciting! Course 3 brings us to gum paste and fondant, woohoo! Should be good times, I am looking forward to it. Now just where do I put all my equipment and who is going to eat all these cakes?!

Course 1

Course 2

Hungry Like the Wolf

2011-02-25T15:42:00.000-06:00

Alright blog readers (those of you I know and those I don't)... I need your ideas.

For those of you stopping by, reading this post, will you share with me what kind of items you have in your food storage? Not long term, like 50 pound bags of wheat and rice, but food for the short term (a year or so); Food you use daily, cook meals with etc.

It doesn't have to be specific, like brand names or specific types of cereal, more like staples/basics that you always keep on hand for making dinners, baking, whipping up masterpieces!

Help me out with what's in your pantry/storage so I can get my year's food storage back on track before food prices start requiring layaway programs at grocery stores!

The Biggest Loser

2011-02-09T16:02:00.000-06:00

Probably won't be me.

The in-law side of the family has embarked on yet another run at a Biggest Loser contest. The first time around I wasn't allowed to participate due to pregnancy/having a baby/dropping pregnancy weight, but this time they can't keep me out!

The only question I have is: Why couldn't we do this after baby #1?? When I actually had time to exercise, could go to the gym, did not have a clingy newborn's schedule to work around? Man I would have won it then!I don't think I will be so lucky this time around. Between the toddler, the newborn, the husband and everything in between, getting 45 minutes in on the treadmill is a miracle. I am not a person to get up at 3AM to exercise or stay up until midnight to fit it in. Since I never know what time a child will wake up, or how many times they will wake up, sleep is a precious commodity around here. I have decided that it's okay if I lose this contest, I will revel in rubbing DQ Blizzards, chocolate chip cookies and key lime pie in the faces of those still participating (evil? Yes.) OK, so I won't really, and I am still participating, but not at the level I would like.

Also, who schedules a weight lose contest during Super Bowl, Valentine's Day and Easter?? Really?? Mini Eggs and Creme Eggs anyone?

So....anyone want to watch my kids for me so I can go to the gym during the day? I promise the boy won't scream....for that long anyway! :o)

Oh...anyone have any great snack ideas? I am about quantity. None of this eat 6 almonds or half a banana.

And has the term "the biggest loser" been entered into the dictionary yet?

ABC 123

2011-01-30T11:28:00.000-06:00

What a week! OK, not really, but it's a nice way to start out a post.

So this week we decided to enroll Miss T in preschool. We went for an open house to meet some of the teachers and check out the classrooms/environment. There are a couple of our friends who send their kids to this preschool, so we felt pretty good about it.

On the way over, I wondered to myself, "Should I be wearing heels? A skirt? Something a little dressier than jeans and a sweater?" Shortly after I had this thought, Mark commented on how different the process is here compared to NYC. We didn't enroll kids in preschool while we lived there, but we did hear about friends experiences with the preschool process.

All I can say is I am glad we don't live in NYC anymore!!

Here is the registration process we went through.

1) Went to open house (completely option, not necessary for admission)

2) Filled out application card, circled first and second choices for class time

3) Wrote check to cover registration fee

4) Drove over the next morning and dropped off registration card and check (Friday)

5) Opened letter confirming registration for September (Saturday)

6) Done deal

We shake our heads about interviews, referrals, applications, essays, promises of your first born, and years of income to send your child to the "right" preschool. What a different process outside of parts of the East Coast!

Blahnuary

2011-01-24T10:31:00.000-06:00

Every day I look at this blog and think, "I should post something", and then I walk away. I really want to post something; something witty, though provoking, gut wrenching funny...doesn't matter as long as it's something. As you can tell, I haven't had that revelation yet.

I could go on about the pros and cons of having church start at 2:45, how the -20 degree weather makes my jacket feel like hard plastic, why I despise the way the builders built my kitchen and chose the carpet for this house, how I am ticked with the series finale of Medium...but I've decided I need to complain less (and become more organized) this year. Can't say I am perfect in either area, but it's only 24 days into the year. The organization is slooooooowly getting there (only being hindered by the poorly designed kitchen and brain block), and the complaining...well, does it ever go away? No, but I am trying to keep it to myself! Just don't ask the Husband, he'll probably tell you nothing has changed.

Anyway, if anyone even comes by the blog, I will do my best to find some witty, read worthy blog to put up her soon. In the meantime...I am off to try to be more productive today!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-06T12:15:00.000-06:00

This is the non - Disney version of Christmas 2010.

It got off to a bad start....I should have known. I will preface the post by saying that our Christmas visit this year was not horrible at all, there were just horrible moments (most not in any one's control), it just made me swear off flying at Christmas, almost swearing off flying ever again, and vowing to never, EVER, step foot in the Denver airport for as long as I live.

The first x on our Christmas holiday was before we even got on the plane. Security. Man, that line was slow. Who only has one security line open the week of Christmas?? Let's just say, even if it looks to be the shortest line in the airport, it's not always the fastest. When we finally made it through, we took off down the concourse hoping our plane was still there, as I turned the corner into the gate, the ticket agent looked at me and said' "Smith family?" Bad sign. Last people on the plane. I am sure everyone was thrilled when we walked on with our two kids. But we made it on. We took off about 15-20 minutes late (thanks de-icing), so our now 45 minute layover in Denver became 25 by the time we landed. There were 50+ gates between the gate we landed at and the gate our next flight took off from, plus an escalator. We made it, but with 4 minutes to spare. I had to call the husband back from trying to get us some lunch so we could get on the plane. We got to our destination and all was good. We were glad to be there.

Then the sharing came. The annual sharing of sickness. One kid down...and then better. Phew, an isolated incident! Nope, not the case. Two more kids, one adult....ugh! The culprit family leaves (hoping the last remaining member stays healthy - she does). Days go by, no more sickness. Yes! We have escaped the Christmas illness curse! Oops, spoke too soon. Down goes Miss T. After 2 days, back to business. Awesome, everyone is healthy in time to go home! Oops, spoke too soon again. Morning of departure, hubby has the sickness. Great. Call airline, earliest we can switch flights to is Jan 5th. No thanks, he will motor through. Off to the airport, check in, feed Little T, get in security line, take off shoes, Hubby gets phone call...flight cancelled. WHAT??? Put shoes back on, off to stand in line with every other passenger to try to find out what's going on. Call airline while in line. No flights for us until January 4th. Unless, we want 3 layovers, or fly to San Francisco (with one layover) to catch a flight back. Um, no thanks. January 4th it is.

Back to the house. Luckily Grandma and Grandpa were thrilled to have us back for 4 more days. Well, thrilled to have the grandkids at least! :o) This at least gives hubby time to recoup. Everyone is now happy and healthy and we have more time to visit with family. I even had my first pedicure. (Not sure it will be a monthly thing, but maybe a time or two in the summer). Just as we're thinking things are looking up...crash! Little T goes down with the sickness. So sad. Miss T was never sick as a baby, so I never had to deal with it, but man, sick babies...not fun. Thankfully he didn't have it more than a day and that it didn't happen while we were on a plane! One day left, can I make it without losing my cookies? Yes!!! Glad to say the sickness sharing did not hit me (knock on wood it doesn't hit me late!). So our departure day 2.0 arrives and we are off. We check the status before we get there and see the flight in is delayed, so our flight will be delayed. Luckily we have a 2 hour layover in Denver this time! Riiiiight. We take off over an hour late. Should be fine since we still have about 45 minutes to catch our connecting flight. Of course nothing goes as it should, Little T is not a happy camper on the plane. I lucked out and had no one sitting beside me so I was able to take both seats and try to get him to sleep, but man is that kid a screamer!! When we do finally land, our gate is occupied. As we sit and wait, Mark pulls out his phone and has a message from the airline saying we have been booked on the first flight out in the morning. Not a good sign. After about 5 minutes we taxi in and head off the plane. In at gate 82, departing flight leaving from gate.....49. Awesome. I pack Little T and a bag and take off running while hubby and Miss T gather the gate checked bag. I have never been so happy to see a moving walkway in my life....until I discover it is not working. Are you kidding me??? I am booking it through the concourse when I finally see the sign for gate 49 and a ticket agent standing in front of it. He yells down, "Smith family??" I nod furiously since I have no breath left in me. I rush to the ticket counter and the man goes to take my ticket, but I tell him my husband and daughter are on their way. A lady says he has 2 minutes. So I try to call him, but there is no answer. The agent man who yelled down the concourse at me, is standing out there watching...and then turns to me and says, "does he have a kid with him?" Me:"YES!", Him:"I see a little kid's head bobbing up and down on the walkway, is that them?" I look, and almost burst into tears because it is them!!! I yell to the gate agent that they are coming just as they run in...we made it!!!!! I did not think we would make it, and if we had not of made it, everyone would have seen the biggest meltdown of their lives. Then of course as we wait for our bags, we realize that all the bags are out already. We might have made the flight, but our bags didn't. No worries, they will be on the first flight of the morning and delivered to our house. That's fine with me because I am just glad to be home. Until I realize the next morning that the cameras are in the suitcases, so I have nothing to take pictures with as the kids open the gifts we left behind. Oh well. At least we made it home.

Long story, I know, but I just had to let it out one more time. Lessons I learned on this trip:

the Denver airport is not my friend (even with a 2 hour layover)
a screaming child is much more stressful and annoying to the parent of that child than to the surrounding passengers. And I don't mean a 2 year old, I mean 5 month old who can't tell you why they are screaming, who won't eat, won't go to sleep and just won't stop screaming. So please don't give me those backwards glances that indicate you would like my child to stop because it's not like I pinched his leg just to make him scream and disrupt your 5PM nap.
illness knows no "good time" to hit
baby vomit is much easier to deal with than toddler vomit.
frozen yogurt will always make things better
Just Dance is a lot of fun with 4 people
no matter how much I hate the carpeting in my house, there really is no place like home!

Winter Wonderland

2010-12-16T19:43:00.002-06:00

Driveway

Deck

I think the mailbox is in there somewhere!

Are you jealous? No? It's probably because you can't feel the tropical temperatures that go along with such beautiful snow. It'll be 15F tomorrow. I might break out the shorts! A nice change from last week's high temps of 0F! I bet you're jealous now!

Unfinished Business

2010-12-09T09:50:00.000-06:00

So, with the man of the house being out of town half of this week, I decided on Day 1 that I would try to get something done. Something other than cleaning, childing, feeding...you know, something for me. I have been wanting a new dress forever, and before getting pregnant with child #2, I had bought a pattern and some material to make an awesome dress (well awesome to me anyway). Well...since it's purchase, it's been sitting in a bag in the basement wishing to be made.

Enter Tuesday.

The little guy was asleep, the little girl was following me around. I figured she could sit and watch me or go play if she got bored.

Problem #1: she didn't. It's difficult to lay fabric out to be cut when little hands keep pushing the cutting board, blowing the material and grabbing at pins and scissors.

Problem #2: the little guy woke up. Good news: I got two pieces of the lining cut out. Progress.

Problem #3: I have to use the dining room table to lay things out to be cut.

Problem #4: We need the dining room table to eat at...luckily it hasn't posed a problem the last few days since we can fit two people around the sewing mess.

Enter Thursday:

Everything in exactly the same place as I left it on Day one. Those two lining pieces are still the only pieces cut out. And since that table will need to go back to it's originally intended purpose shortly, I guess they will be the only pieces cut out for awhile. Hopefully it won't be another year and a half until that happens.

Love

2010-12-03T07:41:00.000-06:00

Where have you been all my life??

Online vs In Store

2010-11-17T10:34:00.000-06:00

This year, it's been a little harder to go Christmas shopping. Gone are the days of strolling through stores looking for ideas, best prices, awesome steals. No more wandering around for perfect decorations, matching stockings, and all things Christmas decor. It's been replaced by online browsing, comparing and buying.

I'm not sure what I enjoy more. Online shopping is definitely more convenient; I can do it in my pjs, while kids are sleeping, playing, screaming. I can also check out store after store for the best price, all with a few clicks and keystrokes. But there is just something about wandering the store, hearing the Christmas music, checking everything out. I miss it!

I am a big Christmas fan, but this online shopping is sure putting the kibosh on holiday joy! Granted, it is fun to have parcels arrive on your doorstep, it's just not the same.

Maybe the batch of Nanimo Bars I am going to make tonight will make me feel better!

Daydreaming

2010-10-20T13:16:00.000-05:00

I am mentally planning a fabulous vacation for next year. At this point, all I know is that I am going. Mark can tag along if he wants, but I am definitely going. I just don't know where. Right now a relaxing, lazy vacation sounds heavenly, but come next August-November, I may be back to some what of a normal life and may feel like running all around some great city checking everything out.

I can't decide where I (we) should go: back to Paris (LOVE it there!), another beach resort (went to Aruba a few years back), a cruise (this time Northern Europe), or somewhere totally new?

Help!! What are your favourite vacation spots; relaxing or exploring. Just keep in mind I am not a camping, run around in the jungle type person. So a hike in the Amazon is probably not somewhere I want to go!

There are just too many places to randomly type into www.kayak.com to see how much airfare costs! Throw some ideas out there for me of places I must go before I die, or go years and years without another vacation!

Over My Head?

2010-10-18T09:04:00.000-05:00

Awhile back, Mark decided he wanted to get into watching Mad Men. He had heard all the rave reviews and thought he should jump on the bandwagon. I am the opposite. If I don't like something on my own before the hype starts, I am not about to jump aboard. That's why I have never picked up Harry Potter and never will. I had no interest in it to begin with and now it's just crazy. I'm just stubborn like that.

Anyway, so Mark started watching it, and since it's on about the time I am feeding the little one, I watch it with Mark. Following last night's season finale (don't worry no spoilers here), I am stuck with the same feelings I had after the first few shows we watched; I don't get it. I get the story line/plot, but I just don't get the hype. It's a fine show, if you like shows that depict alcoholism, rampant infidelity, chauvinism, poor parenting, etc., but there are plenty of other shows out there I enjoy more. Perhaps I am more easily entertained and the more "intelligent", deep thought shows are beyond my grasp, but I am just not getting the hype. Can someone explain why it gets all of the accolades it does?

I need to find a replacement for my TV obsession now that LOST is gone. Not sure The Event will cut it. At least L&O CI is coming back for a final 8 episodes with Goren and Eames. I will have to live on that for now.

Anyone have any suggestions of shows that are can't miss?

A Day in the Life

2010-10-12T11:24:00.000-05:00

It seems as we get older birthdays just don't seem as exciting as they did when we were little. That's kind of sad, but I guess if we ran around telling strangers "it's my birthday today!" people might think we were a little off.

Well, yesterday was Mark's birthday and he never tells anyone. So we decided that we would let people know instead! Off to the balloon store we went!

We got a bunch of helium balloons, drove to the train station and tied some on his car. When we got home we tied one more to the mailbox. And of course we had the rest tied to the birthday chair.

He told us when he got off the train, everyone who walked by asked if it was his birthday and all wished him Happy Birthday! Mission Accomplished.

I think, even though we're now "old", he had a good birthday. Workers took him out to lunch, then he played hooky and went to a movie, came home, went out for steaks, back home for presents and cake. I realized as I made the cake, that it was almost identical to the cake I made him last year, but I suppose when all you want is a yellow cake with chocolate frosting...they are bound to be similar! Then he capped the night off watching the Vikings lose...I guess you can't have everything.

Hope you had a great day! We love you!

Help!

2010-10-10T16:47:00.000-05:00

OK, this goes out to anyone who has ever cooked before. I need some assistance.

Dinner time around here has been less than exciting ever since July. With the exception of a week of meals being brought into us, of course. Once on my own though...a completely different story.

Last week, I even planned out an entire week's worth of dinners, AND bought the necessary ingredients!!

Sadly, none of those meals were ever made thanks to a certain cranky pants.

So, I need some ideas for dinners that take 30 minutes MAX! Some days 30 minutes of hands free time is pushing it. Or some fabulous crock pot ideas that I can throw together in the morning and not touch again until dinner time.

I would be tickled pink if I could get a decent dinner made one night that wasn't bought at Costco (don't get me wrong, I love dinners bought at Costco, the orange chicken and Mongolian beef dinners are great!). I would be even more tickled pink if I could get an hour of hands free happy time from this kid, but we are working on that!

Thanks for your help!

Life Lessons

2010-09-22T08:40:00.000-05:00

How do you explain stealing to a two year old? No, my two year old didn't steal, she got something stolen from her. I'm not sure what is worse; that something was stolen or that it was allowed.

Here's what happened.

We went to the Doctor's office for the two month check up. Big T insisted on bringing her sunglasses, stuffed duck and her boy named Sue (a Pinocchio toy from some happy meal or something, you can thank her Dad for her naming him Sue!). We got all checked in and sat down to fill out the info sheet, I asked her if she needed to go to the bathroom before we went back to see the Doctor and she did, so we went. When we came out the nurse was waiting for us, so we went right back. We got into the room, answered a couple of questions, got the little guy undressed for his weight check and that's when I realized we didn't have any of her stuff with us. The nurse asked what we were missing and went on a hunt for it. She came back with Sue and the sunglasses but there was no duck to be found. The entire office staff looked for that duck including our Doctor. Nothing. As we left the building we checked at the main reception desk, but no one had turned anything in. She took my name and number just in case, but we all know we won't be getting a phone call.

The ride home was filled with this conversation" "Where did my duck go?", "I don't know sweetie, I think someone took it", "Those boys?" (there had been some boys in the waiting room), "I don't know, it may have been those boys or someone else", "OK, and then they send my duck back to me?", "Maybe, but I don't think so, they don't know where you live". It went on for a bit and then I think she sort of got it because she would say, "Those boys took my duck". And when we got home it was full on tears, a stolen duck coupled with no nap and a flu shot....she was not a happy camper.

Here is my beef. This duck was not an inexpensive duck, $5 from Kohl's, and it's not even a beef with the kids (I assume a child took it), I can understand a little kid seeing a cool little stuffed animal just sitting there and wanting to play with it or take it. What I don't get is what kind of parent, upon seeing their child with a toy that they obviously didn't leave the house with, lets that child keep that toy?? I would have marched that kid back in and made him/her give it back or take it to the lost and found because you know there is some kid out there missing it. It made me quite angry at that parent, that they would not insist the child return it. Now of course I am assuming the parent saw the duck, knew it didn't belong to their kid...maybe not, but I know I would notice my child carrying a large stuffed duck that didn't belong to her!

Thankfully there is a light in this story. When we got home, I got a phone call from a friend who needed to stop by to use the bathroom because their water was turned off due to some repairs, and she asked what the crying was for. I told her, and a few hours later we had a knock on our door. It was two of her kids with a stuffed duck! It wasn't the same stuffed duck, but Miss T was so excited! It was such a thoughtful gesture to do that for her, she was very happy and her new little duck quickly became a new friend.

So, while there are definitely parents out there who need to open their eyes, there are parents out there who go above and beyond, even for small things. Thank you!

Excuse Me? 2.0

2010-09-12T16:57:00.000-05:00

Where on earth is this girl considered plus size???

Only on the runways of America.

Long Overdue

2010-09-07T14:43:00.000-05:00

No, I'm not still pregnant!
I should have posted these a week or so ago, but I just haven't had a free hand to do it...even now I should probably be trying to get kids to stop crying, but hey, sometimes they just need to cry.
Mark ran his first marathon in Idaho on August 28th (I say first because he is contemplating running one in October in Wisconsin).
He did great!! He ran it in 4 hours 2 minutes and some odd seconds (sorry I forgot that part). For running your first marathon in the land of mountains and high altitude (coming from living in MN), he turned in a fantastic performance!! He only walked funny for a day or so after! :o)
I only got a couple of pictures, but here he is in all his glory.

Way to go Mark!!

Hair Today...Gone Tonight

2010-08-23T18:27:00.000-05:00

It's become apparent to me, after looking through old pictures with T and thumbing through past blog entries, that it seems the older I become, the shorter my hair becomes too. When I got married, I had nice, long hair. As these 9 years have progressed, I've just continually chopped my hair shorter and shorter. Not sure what that means, but anyway.

I've always dreaded "mom hair." You know, super short in back, longer and permed on top? I know you know. My Mom had hair like that forever. Sorry Mom, but you did. I suppose that since I have kids, I have mom hair since I am a Mom, but it's not that dreaded old lady hair (because when we were 14, all moms were old no matter what their age was).

As I head out tonight to the hair salon, I wonder what my hair will come home like. There isn't a lot left these days for it to get too much shorter...but one can try, right? It is sad, but as I look around and see all the lovely heads of wonderful, long hair, I wish my hair was long too, but hair that is too straight and too fine, is just not meant to be that long and look good. So I guess I will have to live out my days with "mom hair", living vicariously through all of those with beautiful long hair. No more ponytails, no curling irons, no cute little hair accessories...just hair goop of various types and trying to tame that wild cowlick that appears with the short 'do.

So, next time you see me, my hair might be more mom hair-ish, but it will still probably just look 8 year old boy-ish. Either way, just tell me it looks awesome. At least it won't be permed.

Man Down

2010-08-15T17:58:00.000-05:00

So apparently having two children has completely sucked any independent thought out of my brain. I have tried numerous times to blog about something, anything, unrelated to children and I have had no luck.

Although, I could go on and on about the lack of worthwhile television programming being aired between the hours of 1:00AM and 4:00AM. The early, EARLY, news (on at 4:30AM) is much more laid back and fun than the regular early morning news.

It seems many of my past entries have been sprouted from some incident that occurred outside of my home and I guess now that it is rare for me to leave my home, my well of inspiration has dried up. I did venture to the mall one night, on my own, for an hour to take some jewelry in for inspection; I know, an evening of wild abandon. I threw caution to the wind and took advantage of the 7 for $20 anti-bacterial hand soap sale going on at Bath and BodyWorks (jealous, aren't you).

So for now, I guess this blog will be neglected until I can gain control of my brain again! I have hopes that it won't be long for that to happen, but as these last 4 weeks have shown me...it's not likely!

Neuf

2010-08-10T08:44:00.001-05:00

Just a quick little note to say Happy Anniversary Mark!

It's the big 0-9 this year, and I am sure it will be a night full of fun and excitement. Well I guess that depends on how many diapers will have to be changed between the time you get home and the time we get to go to sleep. Fun AND excitement I tell ya.

It's been a great nine years. Three states, and now 2 kids later....and to think, it all began with a pan of spinach lasagna. Who knew?

(I'd put a picture up, but apparently the only pictures on this computer are of children...I'll throw one on here later for all you devoted readers to see what we looked like on that blessed day so long ago! haha)

Weight Loss with Melanie

2010-08-07T10:42:00.001-05:00

The one thing I have learned since adding a child to our family, other than typing proficiently with one hand, is the perfect post pregnancy weight loss plan. I don't know why women complain about how hard it is to lose the baby weight, it's the easiest thing I have ever done.

So for all of you ladies struggling with losing all of the weight, or just those last few pounds, let me share my secrets with you...feel free to take notes.

Give birth to child #2.
Ensure child #1 is mobile, inquisitive and not easily entertained playing by him/herself.
Make sure new child is also high maintenance (or colicky, whichever word you prefer).
Spend every day time hour holding baby while trying to entertain toddler. Even when child is sleeping because they won't stay asleep when put down (not that they sleep for long when held either).
Feed baby every 2 to 2.5 hours for 30+ minutes.
Wrangle toddler from destroying every thing in the house.
Spend hours that baby is awake, constantly moving. Walking, swinging, rocking, jumping, dancing, anything that stops the incessant crying.
Try to keep toddler from crying over everything (swinging in the baby swing, trying to pick the baby up by his neck, breaking Wii games etc.)
Spend nights waking every 1-2 hours to either feed baby or put baby back to sleep.
Reducing, or eliminating altogether, meals due to a lack of opportunity to eat. When eating permits, options are limited to items that can be made/chosen/held with one hand that do not require stove/oven use.
Repeat daily (minus step #1).

Follow these easy steps and you will be back in your old clothes in no time. You won't have anywhere to wear them, but at least you will know you can fit into those jeans again!

Living the Life

2010-08-04T09:34:00.000-05:00

Today's run down so far:

2AM first wake up call
6AM second wake up call
7AM permanent wake-up call
7:15 one kid dressed
7:20 breakfast made while babe screams
7:50 attempt to calm babe by sitting outside, no luck
8AM trying to feed babe while simultaneously keeping 2 year old from having nuclear meltdown over random things like no candy or dad being at work
8:45AM babe finally asleep, 2 year old needs on the potty
8:47AM babe wakes up
9AM I get to eat breakfast
9:10AM babe resumes crying, 2 year old needs to poop
9:12AM I get peed on while holding screaming babe
9:15AM put load of laundry in one armed due to carrying screaming babe

Can't wait for what the rest of today and tomorrow will bring, since the other adult in the house will be gone for work (or so he says...he just wants to get away from the crying!)

Life 2.0

2010-07-18T11:21:00.000-05:00

Well I can finally stop complaining about not being able to eat peanut m&m's anymore!! I've eaten my fair share of them over the last couple of days and have plenty more at home that I can chow down on when I get there. Life will be perfect now that they are back in my diet!

Our new little guy made it safe and sound (for any of you who read this that don't read the family blog), he is happy, healthy and enjoying life! Miss T seems to like him so far, we will see once we are home and she realizes he is just not someone she goes to visit at the hospital, but someone who will live at her house and take up her Mommy and Daddy's attention. I am hopeful she will be a great big sister and not have any issues with him. She may just want to help out a bit too much!

It will be fun, interesting and a little scary to see how life changes and we adapt to two kids, but hey, if everyone else can do it, we can too, right? Just don't expect my floors to be vacuumed if you stop by my house, not that they would have been vacuumed with one kid anyway, but you know what I mean. We'll find our routine and then we'll get Mark to vacuum.

I figured I would take this quiet break at the hospital to go online for some random web surfing before re-entering life full time without a 24 hour nursing staff at my beck and call. Hopefully soon I will be back to online ranting and rambling about random, nonsensical issues that have irked me or that I think should irk you, crying over LOST once February rolls around, and maybe, just maybe sharing a picture of the deck with you....when it is finally done and it passes inspection and we can actually use it before summer ends and the snow flies.

On that note, hope you enjoy the end of pregnancy rants, odes to candy I couldn't have and endless complaints of GD, pregnancy rudeness and all of that stuff. If you haven't heard from me in a week or two, the kids have won and I will have lost touch with the outside world. Please feel free to stop by if that does happen and try to pull me back in!!

.....

2010-07-13T08:26:00.000-05:00

Nothing to report on the western front.

Just sitting, hanging out and trying to find things to do to pass the time. Today is d-day, looks like it will come and go without any fanfare.

So, since I know you are all planning your day around the announcement of our news, you'll just have to sit tight and try to go on about your day.

My Evil Side

2010-07-07T08:26:00.001-05:00

Everyone knows I am an animal lover, not to the point of swearing off all animal products and eating meat (unless I have recently watched Babe), but a pretty big animal lover. When neighbours talk about shooting the rabbits, squirrels and other backyard friends, so that they don't eat the plants, I don't join in the conversation.

I will admit though when I see articles like this:

"Two hurt in first day of Spain bull running"

It sort of makes me smile. No, I am not some sort of ill wisher on humans, but people...when you run with bulls you will get hurt. It's the same with matadors. I hate bull fighting with a passion. Why it still goes on, is beyond me. When I hear of a bull goring the matador I say, "good for the bull." I have no sympathy whatsoever for people who play with deadly animals and get hurt. Living with bears killed a man? Really?? He lived with bears people! It's not a question of if, but when. You keep a gorilla as a pet? It ripped some one's face off?? It's a GORILLA! Even when "domesticated" animals attack it still doesn't surprise me. Granted for dogs, I really believe there is some sort of provocation or mistreatment somewhere along the line, in 98% of incidents, but there is always a chance with any sort of animal for the to attack. It is a risk of being near an animal, having a pet, working with animals or even visiting them in the zoo.

Yes it is sad when someone is hurt or killed, but in situations of bull fighting, running with bulls, playing with bears and lions and elephants (oh my!), are we really that surprised?

On a side note, I bought Mark the Cabela's Big Game Hunter last year for Christmas. I know he likes to hunt, he knows I hate it, it was a compromise! As I watched him play it one day, I was still a little bothered by the virtual killing until I saw him get demolished by a mountain lion. I thought it was only fair that if he can try to kill the animals, the animals can kill him. Hunting to me is a little funny actually. Nothing like a man (or woman) decked out in camo, hiding behind a tree, waiting to sneak up on a poor, unsuspecting deer. Takes a whole lot of know how to hide from a deer. (I know, I know, Jared you will say there is more to it...it's still a game of hide and seek no matter what you say). Hunting will never be explained in a positive light to me. I will say I have no problem with hunting for those who must do it to support their family. Yes, many people who hunt today will say they eat the meat....good for you. Do you still have to hang the head in your living room? And tell me why you shot the lion? Are you going to eat it? Didn't think so.

Anyway, this wasn't meant to be about hunting, just my little rant about those who decide to play with big, strong, killer animals. If you get hurt, it's your own fault. I am sorry to your families, but maybe next time you shouldn't run with bulls, play with grizzly bears or hug lions.

A Little Pregnancy Fun

2010-07-05T17:33:00.001-05:00

Since I have nothing much to say these days, and it seems the only thing people have to say to me is, "When are you due???"...why not make it fun?
If you care, are bored or just feel like trying to be smarter than the rest of us, wager a guess as to when this kid is coming. My actual due date is July 13th, just in case you wondered.

Doctor Visit Friday

2010-07-02T20:43:00.000-05:00

Well, another week, another appointment.

This time I was struck by complete awkwardness. Given how close I am to the end, each visit entails a check to see how things are moving along. Sitting upon the table, my Doctor and his nurse come in and we all begin a lovely conversation about the history of my hair and how it has changed since I first became a patient a few years ago. His nurse commented on how she can't even remember me with long hair to which my Doctor replied, "didn't you have it in a bob-like style?" None of us could remember, but we all continued to discuss the evolution of my hairstyles. Not such a weird conversation in itself, but when you place it in a Doctor's office while one of the people is sitting on an exam table draped in a over sized paper towel...it becomes a little odd.

Am I impressed my Doctor is that observant? Comfortable in his line of work? Polite to engage in small talk before a "check"? Whatever the reason, it just struck me as funny, odd and a wee bit strange.

Not sure we'll have a next week appointment update...fingers crossed that we will but, I don't know. I would love to be able to make it to next Saturday (10th), but if I can make it through this weekend...that is my short term goal. So if anyone knows how to stave off labour from beginning, tips would be greatly appreciated.

And to anyone who may have to come to my house in the middle of the night to stay with T (fingers, toes, hairs and eyes crossed that that doesn't happen), I am truly sorry for the state you may find it in. I have no desire to tidy, clean or do dishes. We'll just make sure there is a clear path through the house so you don't trip and kill yourself.

Until then! We will let you know if, and when, anything happens (but please pray it doesn't happen this weekend or this coming week)!

Home Sweet Home

2010-07-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

O Canada!

Happy Birthday! I wish we could be together this year to enjoy the sweet Mountain Dew, the poutine, the smarties, the coffee crisp, the chocolate chip cookies from M&M meats, the ketchup chips, the halibut from Joeys....(maybe it's the GD talking).

I'll do my best to celebrate away from you this year. I've got all the necessities for poutine tomorrow and even some Canada Dry (diet of course). As hard as it may be, I will not dive into the two cases of imported Dew, the smarties or the coffee crisps that have now invaded my home. Those must wait. I'll wear my red t-shirt in your honour and will hum our song as I putter through the day. I'll even go get my hair cut to make sure I am looking top notch for your birthday.

So, until next year when we will spend the day together, enjoy it for me. Put on a spectacular fireworks show (which I know will happen since Kelly is in charge), have great weather and eat lots of great summer foods without me.

Have a fantastic 143rd Birthday!! You don't look a day over 138!

Mental Wanderings

2010-06-21T15:05:00.001-05:00

Apparently blogging is not on my to-do list these days. Probably because no one cares to read about my daily struggle to cross things off said list.

Today however has been an especially productive day. No sarcasm there.

Now that the room has been painted, the curtains were made today!! Just need some curtain rods put up so I can hang the curtains. I am holding on to a slim slice of hope that we will get everything done by the end of the month (minus finishing the deck of course).

No more insulting pregnancies remarks this week, but it still makes me shake my head every time I look in the mirror.

It's a good thing summer TV is sucking big time or I would never get anything done. I think we only have three regular shows set to tape all summer long...L&O Criminal Intent and SYTYCD (that one's for Mark! haha) and The Soup (the only way we know about most of the other shows on during the summer!)

On an exciting, non baby, non to-do list note, we are going to see Cirque du Soleil this weekend!! I am excited. The last shows we saw were Yo Gabba Gabba Live and Sesame Street. Time for some non T-themed entertainment. Hopefully I can sit through all of it without having too many bathroom breaks!

Looking forward to visiting with some old NYC friends this weekend too!

Only three weeks (give or take a few days) of listening to (or reading) me complain about not eating peanut m&m's...I promise it will end soon.

Should complete and total hypnosis of a 2 year old by a certain children's show cause me concern?? How much do you let your two year old (or other kids) watch TV? Every day? Half an hour? Hour? More? Does it depend on what's going on that day? Never? I don't want to hear if it's never.

Hopefully the rest of the week can be as productive as today, but I won't hold my breath. Small steps, right?

Excuse Me?

2010-06-11T21:44:00.000-05:00

It finally happened.

When I was pregnant with T, it was pretty uneventful. Nothing major to complain about, pretty easy, no one harassed me with advice or tried to touch my belly. Strangers didn't walk up to me and say crazy things if my kid wasn't properly dressed in heir minds or try to tell me how to calm a crying baby etc., etc.

This time around, the pregnancy's been pretty much the same, just more tired and sooner onset of GD. Other than that, I won't complain because I know I have it pretty easy.

But tonight, while shopping in the card section of Target, a woman, probably in her late 40's maybe early 50's (I can never tell), came up to me and said, "Please tell me you're due tomorrow or that you're having triplets?" I looked at her, completely speechless and finally managed to utter, "no, I have about a month left." To me, I felt like I had the most horrified, appalled look on my face and that the woman would see she had been completely inappropriate in saying that, apologize and hurry on her way. Nope, she just looked at me, in utter disbelief that I was not about to pop my kid out on the floor right then and there and concluded with, "Good luck to you."

I just stood there, still shocked and speechless and a little dumbfounded. It's not like I was laying on the floor having contractions or that I was in the card aisle and my belly was in the main aisle. I might be big, but I'm not THAT big lady! How does a person, especially a woman, not realize how rude that is to say? I mean you could just ask, "When are you due?" and then when it's further away than you thought, gasp when you leave my sight. Nothing makes a girl feel better than having someone tell her she looks like she is about to pop out triplets.

And pride aside, here is a picture from T's birthday photo shoot...just she and I walking. You tell me, do I look like I am about to have triplets?? Wait, on second thought, if you think so...don't tell me.

Does It Ever End?

2010-06-07T18:29:00.000-05:00

So since LOST is over does that mean I have nothing left to say?? Hardly. I just don't think my day to day life lately has given me any gems to share with the world. Unless you want to hear about how many time I have heard the phrases, "I want a snack" and "I want a show." Please don't ask, I can't count that high even if I tried. All that's been going on at the homestead is deck building (please, PLEASE, stop raining on the days the Mark is home to work so he can actually get this beast completed), room painting (actually progressing faster than the deck building), dresser painting (only begun today), and a plethora of other to do items in various stages of completion or non-starting.

Is it possible to hire someone to just come and vacuum and do dishes? That would seriously help out a ton (any takers? Email me!) Oh and of course someone to watch the soon to be two year old so the painting can be finished, the curtains sewn, the bed put together... Why hasn't one of my nieces volunteered to come down and be my ~~slave~~, helper? It's not like one of you is in school right now, and the other is about done. Come on girls, you know you want to!! No sales tax on clothes and shoes here....hmmmm, what do ya say??

Anyone have any super easy, quick, yummy freezer meals I can stock my freezer with? Or anyone just want to bring me some already made I can just throw in my freezer? Mom, you feel up to some meal making when you get here?? I guess we could just stock it with Lean Cuisines....?

Here's to hoping the week is filled with productiveness, but I don't hold up hope. If the deck can just be done by Saturday so we can have the wee one's little birthday BBQ out there, that would be great. And maybe if the Boy's room could be painted by the weekend too, that would be awesome. Although if it means early mornings with no naps just so the child goes to bed early so I can paint... I'm not sure I will survive long enough to see the weekend.

There's life in a nutshell. And don't ask if we've picked a name, because it's nowhere near the top of the to do list right now!!

One Last Time

2010-05-24T08:59:00.000-05:00

It's over. Six years and it all ended last night. I know, I know, not another Lost post...but how could I let it end without saying good-bye?

It didn't go out with the same bang it came in with, but did we really think it could?

While it still left the door open for questions and interpretations, I completely enjoyed the final installment. It did leave me with a few musings, but nothing that makes me jump ship and say the last six years have been a waste of my time. I will still say it is one of my favourite shows...probably my #1 favourite (but maybe it's because we got so much Desmond over the last few episodes!)

My only quip with the finale was the unnecessary making me cry over the dog. We don't even know for sure what happens to the dog, but let the waterworks flow. Just typing this makes me want to start crying again. Death and dogs...combine the two...just give me a thousand boxes of Kleenex already!

Anyway, I won't go on and on about it, but I just had to have one more mention of Lost on here since come January/February 2011 I will go into withdrawal without a new season to get excited about. Maybe I will have to re-watch every season so I can be in denial that the show is actually over.

Congratulations to Lost. An excellent ending to a most excellent show.

When The Boss is Away...

2010-05-17T21:28:00.000-05:00

this is what happens.

The saddest part is the broken, pink, sparkly M in the bottom left corner (I geuss the little silver, sparkly tiara and pink "PH" were never recovered). It was hidden amongst a sea of "W"'s in the Planet Hollywood gift store in Vegas. The one little trinket I, for whatever reason, needed to be sure to purchase. I guess it's more important that the key was found, but I loved my little "M".

Is this Really Necessary?

2010-04-30T13:41:00.003-05:00

I may have already gone off on a tangent about this during the life of this blog, but I'm far too lazy to go back and find out. So, if I have and you remember it, go ahead and skip reading this.
T and I were out running around this afternoon looking for dresser knobs (exciting, I know), I was flipping radio stations when I heard the beginning strains of Forever Young. I love this song. I've listened to it forever.
and so here is the point of my rant. I hate remixes and remakes. The Alphaville song I thought I stumbled upon was a remix AND a remake. I have no idea who did it or why, but I was not amused. Not only had it been made into some sort of a dance tune, there was some sort of rapping in the middle of it.
I don't know why songs need to be remade. I know people have songs they grew up listening to and think that just because they are an "artist" they can remake the song, make it their own and call it an homage or a tribute or whatever. But how many remakes are actually better than the original?? In my books, one.
Ok, now I don't know every remake made and maybe a song I love is actually a remake I don't know about, but for right now I claim only one remake as being better. Maybe it's because I don't care for the original artist...I don't know, I'm not a huge fan of the remake artist either, and why I like the song in general is beyond me, but I do. It's Suspicious Minds by Dwight Yokam. I know, SHOCK! Everyone knows I hate country music, but for some reason beyond me I enjoy this song by him. I don't like the Elvis original, but let Dwight put his twist on it and voila!
Some of the worst remakes I've heard:

Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts...ugh it makes me vomit a little in my mouth every time I hear it. Tom Cochran's original is a million bazillion gajillion times better. Don't fight me on this, it just is.
American Woman by Lenny Kravitz...just listen to the Guess Who
Come on Eileen by Save Ferris. Why on earth would anyone need to remake this??
Sweet Dreams by Marilyn Manson. Really, you think you can top the Eurythmics?? I think not.
American Pie by Madonna.
I'm a Believer by Smash Mouth
Big Yellow Taxi by Counting Crows

Plus a plethora of more, but those are just some that make me hurry and turn the channel! I know I have left some good ones off my list and there are some remakes I like, not as much as the original though and like I said I probably love some songs not even knowing they are remakes. I do love the New Order remake of Blue Monday, but it was a remake of their own song....so does that even count?

So what remakes do you hate/love?

Waiting Room

2010-04-27T16:23:00.000-05:00

Today was my monthly Doctor's appointment. I know, you all wanted to know that, you're welcome.

Anyway. I thought about a few things while I was there and thought I would share them with you. You're welcome again.

What is it about that paper sheet? Why does it give so much security? Do you not realize what it going to happen next? You would think given what is about to happen, that sitting there without the see-through paper sheet wouldn't make a huge difference...but for whatever reason, it does.
Who is more uncomfortable, the patient on the "table" or the nurse that just gets to stand by and witness the exam? Should a conversation be started or does that make it even more awkward? It's a wee bit more awkward when it's not your Doctor's regular nurse, but really...you know they've got to love that part of the job...exam witnesser!
Why does anyone really care if Kate Gosselin is on another reality TV show? (People was the only magazine in the room).
The weigh-in is probably the worst part of the exam. Seriously.
Getting a shot in the butt is the most awkward thing. Even more than being the exam witnesser. It's awesome having your pants pulled down around your butt, half leaning over a table.
Looking forward to bi-weekly exams now...they're coming. That means the end is nearing.
I don't care what Mark says, Mr. Roboto is truly an awesome song and I will love it until the day I die.

Hungry Hungry Hippos

2010-04-25T14:06:00.007-05:00

Wow. With everyone posting pictures of their pregnant bellies, I am beginning to feel the pressure. I am not usually one to cave into peer pressure, but this time I feel I need to - if only to show the others that they are indeed not huge! I guess the second time around, you just don't feel like documenting it like you did the first time. Not that I was a picture by the week sort of girl, but we did have a few pictures for evidence that I really was pregnant. This time, the last thing I want is a picture of me pregnant. And given that by the time Mark gets home from work, there is a good chance I am either still in, or changed into, pj pants...there are not a lot of picture taking opportunities!

But I will take one for the team...take a picture and post it up here for all the world to see. Too bad I can't do a belly side by side with Mark this time around since he has no belly to speak of anymore. (Who goes on a diet with a pregnant wife anyway??)

So since I am actually dressed and presentable on Sundays I thought today would be the perfect day. I never ask Mark to take my picture (I am not such a willing participant) but I figured it would be best to get it over with. I hate pictures. I always feel so posed, cheesy and fake. But oh well. I'll swallow my pride and post pictures to assure the world that yes, hippopotamuses do live on land.

Tennyson's attempt at a picture of me this morning

More of a close up so anyone who is interested can check out the new 'do

Not sure if a dress makes you look smaller or bigger...

not that it really matters

This one's just funny because Mark took the picture after I started to move my hands from the "look how big my belly looks when I hold my dress" pose, but instead it just looks like I have to pee...which is probably true anyway.

So there you have it, pregnancy in all of it's glory. Now the Boy will know I was pregnant with him and won't hate me entirely for not taking as many pictures (not that we actually took a lot with T either). We'll try to make up for it once he arrives.

New Kiddie Blog

2010-04-16T21:10:00.000-05:00

So I started a new blog...one just for the kiddies instead of trying to keep separate ones for each kid. As was T's, this one is private too....if you'd like an invite let me know. If you had an invite to T's, you should have already been sent a new invite to the new one. If you never had an invite to T's (sorry) let me know and I can send you one to each. If you like keeping up to date with T's ongoings, I'll be posting to the new one now, so don't miss out!! :o) If you don't want an invite, that's fine too, if I sent one to you already and you don't want it, don't accept. I promise it won't hurt my feelings...too much anyway. I know all of you want to know the day to day of life at home with my child(ren). Or at least want to know when this boy makes his debut...right????

So if you didn't get an invite and want one, just leave me a comment or email me and I will send one out to you!

What To-Do?

2010-04-15T10:39:00.002-05:00

I began a to-do list the other day. I know, not very exciting or cutting edge, but I figured it might help us get some things done before the last minute (I won't hold my breath for that happening, but I can try, right?). This list includes everything from grocery shopping, to bill paying, to deck building, to painting the boy's room, to whatever random thing enters my mind that day that needs to be done. I'm not sure an ongoing to-do list is the way to go. So far the list has gotten longer and only two things have been accomplished (a bill pay and a phone call).

I thought having this to-do list would help me actually make some decisions for the child...no such luck. For whatever reason I can not decide on paint colours or cribbing and I have no motivation to have the inevitable fight over what name will be chosen.

It doesn't help when bedding sets for infants cost anywhere up to $2000 (what???), I have no inspiration this time around, no one fabric to base colours on and no help with painting and sewing. This kid won't mind sleeping in a laundry basket in our room, will he? If I could only make one of those decisions, like what colour to paint the room, at least I would be able to narrow the bedding search down, or vice versa, but I can't!! I did see one set I liked but it was almost $200 and I am not sure I can justify spending that much when I don't even spend that much on bedding for me! And let's not get started on prices of kids shoes...seriously??

So after all my hopes of being organized on and top of things over the next few months, this to-do list creating has only made me more overwhelmed. I might need some reinforcements.

Anyone who knows any stores or websites with cute, not so baby like, bedding options that won't send me into debt, please share!

Life Bulleted

2010-04-11T14:14:00.008-05:00

Las Vegas is not for a pregnant lady with gestational diabetes
Life will go smoothly until you return home; then child reverts to poor sleeping habits and crankiness
Mini eggs are even more tempting after Easter, when they are on sale and a diabetic no-no; so are creme eggs
Apparently corona (or any other alcohol) is an acceptable form of breakfast in Las Vegas
Preparing for the vacation always takes longer than adjusting back to regular life
Even though it feels like your belly can not get any bigger... it always finds a way to surprise you, making you feel even more hippo-tastic
Three days of 80 degree weather have quenched any desire for a warm summer. Please keep it to the 70's and everyone around me will be better off
Outlet shopping is never as fun when you are pregnant
May 23 can't come soon enough, yet at the same time I don't want it to ever come
Hiring a personal grocery shopper might not be a bad idea
Chocolate cheerios and fresh raspberries are awesome for breakfast or any time of day
GD I rue the fact that I must live with you and not enjoy chocolate milk, ice cream, key lime pie and all other forms of sugary goodness (chocolate cheerios and raspberries included)

Sugar Sugar

2010-03-26T14:24:00.003-05:00

Why do you always get bad news right before good times?

When I think of Easter (non-religious thoughts), I think of Cadbury creme eggs, mini eggs, jelly beans, solid chocolate eggs...

When I think of a girls weekend in Las Vegas, I think of buffets, ice cream, over indulgent dinners, snacks right before bed...

When I think of gestational diabetes, I think of crackers, cheese, grapes, skim milk, water, peanut butter and toast...

Which one of these sounds most appealing? It doesn't matter if the third option is now reality. I knew it was coming, I guess I was just holding on to that little glimmer of hope that I would survive this pregnancy without becoming best friends with medication and proper diet. I'm pregnant, I should be able to eat ice cream, candy and pizza whenever I want, right? Guess not. Not the first time, not this time, and if there is ever another pregnancy, I doubt it will be that time either. Sometimes I try to look for the light at the end of the tunnel. With GD, I keep telling myself that last time I lost 8+ pounds in my last trimester and maybe it will happen again this time. I also found that if I was a good girl with my meals during the day I could have a snack here and there. Good thing there are some good snacking moments in my upcoming future, and good thing I'll have meds to help me manage those moments!

So for those of you who might be around me during these moments, try not to wave the key lime pie, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate milk, or Easter candy too close to my face...I would greatly appreciate it! I'll be the one sitting in the back eating my crackers and grapes.

Does This Hair Make Me Look...

2010-03-22T14:19:00.007-05:00

How do you decide on a new hair do? I've decided the mullet has been growing untamed for far too long now and it needs to be domesticated. What to do with it is the question of the day.

You know when you find that perfect picture that encompasses everything you want in a hairstyle, take it to your stylist with such excitement and anticipation, and then when it's over and you get home you realize that, for whatever reason, you now look like an 8 year old boy? (No? Maybe it's just me).

I have come to the conclusion that I just can't pull off the long hair anymore. As easy as it is, and as much as I see it being flaunted all around me, I just can't do it without it looking like I am being drowned. My hair just isn't cut out for the long, luxurious life like it was in high school. I am resigned to knowing that a life of shorter hair styles lays ahead. And that's fine, there are some great 'do's out there, I just need to find one that works for me (that is the hard part). It seems I am in for the long haul of trial and error haircuts. If there was only a way to do this without having to live through the dreaded "growing out" period. That's when the mullet comes back and sadly it usually stays longer than it is welcome.

So here I sit, appointment made, webpages searched, hair magazine pages dog eared...but no decision made. The only thing I am sure of is that when I come home, the husband will tell me it's "cute"...in that 12 year old girl kind of way.

Maybe if I wasn't so lazy, I would take on a more adventurous style or something that requires more than 3 minutes with a flat iron. But with the impending arrival this summer, the only thing I hear calling my name is a ponytail, and that is just not going to happen. Maybe I should go the wind blowing on my scalp route and buzz it off to see how it all grows in again? Ok, no that will never happen and not only because I am afraid I have a huge flat spot on the back of my scalp.... although it would be super easy to manage.

Seven days...that's what I have left until decision time. More than likely I will walk in, sit in my stylist's chair, sigh and tell her I have no idea. Then I will walk out feeling one of three ways; 1) like an 8 year old boy, 2) a 12 year old girl who is so excited to be going to the mall without her parents for the first time, or 3) like a 50 year old mom (no offense to 50 year old moms out there!). I'm going to guess option #2 would be the best of the above choices...but still, not quite my goal. I guess we will see a week from now...fingers crossed.

Ticket MASTER

2010-03-15T10:08:00.003-05:00

This past weekend we took the wee one to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live. The show itself is a post on it's own, but until then...here is today's rant.

Ticket prices for this event ranged from quite reasonable to I don't think so. We decided to go with the reasonable $17 tickets since she won't remember this show, she isn't even 2, and I didn't want to pay $99 to see YGG.

Anyway, so for a live show, it was $51 for three tickets. Not bad in my books, especially for a once a year type outing.

Thanks to Ticketmaster however...your final price is never the ticket price.

Here's a breakdown (why they send you a receipt with the actual breakdown is beyond me, since it makes me never want to purchase a ticket from them again):

- total face value $51

- facility charge $6

- subtotal $57

- "convenience" charge $18.75 (I added the quotation marks)

- convenience charge tax $1.47

- order processing $6.08

- total charge $83.30

Yes, there were almost as many fees as the total ticket charge. And why is it a convenience charge? It's not convenient to me. Perhaps if they only charged it for online purchases, but seeing as they charge you even if you buy your tickets at the actual box office, it's definitely not a convenience! OK, I get that it's only a convenience charge for Ticketmaster, so why not call it something else then, like "I can charge as high of, and as many, fees as I want because this is the only place you can buy these tickets" fees. Sounds a little more truthful to me, and people would still buy the tickets, because they are right - they are the only place I can buy tickets.

Thankfully they had some American Express deal in place, so I was able to use our rewards points to pay for half (which basically paid for the fees) of the price, so it wasn't too much out of the wallet.

It was all worth it, but when I got the receipt in the mail it just made me laugh and shake my head a little. Oh well. I am sure next time YGG rolls through town we will do it all again, convenience fees or not!

Lost Boys

2010-03-10T07:58:00.005-06:00

I think Corey Haim was one of the first posters ever to grace my walls, growing up. I can't even count how many I had, but there were a lot. Sure there were a couple Kirk Cameron ones along with a few other 80's teen hunks, but there were always more Haim posters than anyone else.

Lost Boys was, and is, one of my favourite movies. Classic 80's. I was a Team Haim from the beginning, none of this Corey Feldman stuff for me. Lost Boys, Dream a Little Dream, Lucas, Silver Bullet...such memories.

Am I too old to hang up one of those posters now? Not that I have any left over...

(and yes, this picture is one of the posters I used to hang on my wall).

Boy OH Boy

2010-03-08T08:59:00.002-06:00

I realized a few things this weekend.

Maternity clothes suck. There are too many people at the Mall of America. Burger King does not satisfy. And boy clothes suck all the life out of me.

We ventured down to the MOA with the hopes of finding some clothes for me that I can squeeze myself into, a few little things for T, and some great starter pieces for the boy (yes, we are having a boy if you hadn't heard). The MOA has a few stores that are not in any other mall in the MN area, so my hopes were high for what I might find. We spent a good 4-5 hours at the mall (it's impossible to spend less when you are actually shopping and not just roaming around) and came home with 3 things boy, and all it is are onesies, a pair of pj's and a t-shirt. So disappointing. I kept drifting over to the girls clothes and Mark had to keep reeling me back over to the boy side. It's pretty safe to say that this boy will not have anything close to the amount of clothes his sister had, has and will have. Which Mark is probably excited about! Luckily we have a few months to search and scour before winding up with a small baby clad only in diapers due to a lack of clothing. Girl clothes on the other hand....oh my! It's probably best we're not having another girl or soon this house would be flooded with clothes. Why the discrepancy between boy and girl clothes, clothes-makers?? I know boys don't wear dresses, but there must be something other than trucks and animals that make boys clothes boyish, right?

Now, maternity clothes. It's either $20 for a t-shirt or $550 for leather leggings. Is there nothing in between? Of course there is, but I can't find it, and I can't justify $100 on a dress or a shirt I will wear only for a few months. Since I'm not working I don't have to worry about work wear, which is nice, but I would still like to have some somewhat stylish clothes, not just sweats and a tank top! If that was the case, I would just wear my pj pants and Mark's t-shirts outside instead of just around the house!

So if anyone has any tips on places to buy cool boy clothes and nice maternity clothes that don't cost an arm and a leg, would you mind sharing your finds with me? Otherwise this boy will be naked AND nameless!! (The name issue is a post all on it's own).

Gold in High Def

2010-02-28T17:33:00.004-06:00

Extra proud to be Canadian today.

Thoughts on a Tuesday Night

2010-02-23T20:36:00.004-06:00

Here I sit wishing I had picture in picture in picture in picture. Or at a least a DVR capable of taping 3 shows while I watch a fourth. Man did we pick the wrong time to take the second DVR back.

So I can no longer watch the Canada-Germany qualification game. Thankfully Canada was up 4-1 when the DVR kicked on it's second taping, making me miss the third period. And I can always check the score online since NBC deems it necessary to relegate all hockey games of the Olympics to MSNBC or CNBC. Really NBC? Come on.

Speaking of Olympics, I also had to miss watching the women's skicross. Man is that sport insane. What is lacking in your life to make you choose this as your sport? I don't know, but I hope I never find out. To top it off Canada won the gold and I didn't get to see it!!

It's all worth it though since Lost is taping and we all know my obsession with Lost.

However, spending my time watching American Idol whilst waiting for Mark to maybe be home in time to watch Lost has brought some thoughts to my mind. Will you let me share them with you?

1) Leggings and all forms of the "pant" - I'm talking to you jeggings - need to die, and do it quickly and quietly.

2) Didn't we already have a rebirth of 80's fashion a few years ago? Were the contestants not told about this? Or are they hoping to somehow keep it alive? While I am a larger than life fan of 80's music, the fashion should never be reproduced.

3) Idol should NEVER be watched live.

4) Once Idol hits the voting stage, why are there judges? It's not like they make a difference anyway. Unless they give them that judges save card again this season.

5) Randy should really be the judge that gets replaced. I'm not sure his comments contain enough nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc., to make up a proper, understandable sentence.

6) Kara reminds me of my friend and that's all I can think about when I see her.

7) Why people insist on singing songs by "Divas" and legends is beyond me. If you were as good as Whitney, Mariah, Madonna, Heart...would you be on Idol?

and lastly (and having absolutely nothing to do with Idol or Fox);

8) INXS is still my all-time favourite band. I don't listen to a lot of music these days and when I do, it's usually in the car for a short period of time. Lately I have come across a lot of INXS being played and it just reminds me of how good they were and how good they still are (minus lead singer issues). People might want to label them as an 80's band because that's when they had their big success, but take a listen. Those songs are timeless. It could be released today and would still be a hit. The two INXS concerts I saw while Michael Hutchence was alive were amazing. Anyway, if you're not too familiar with INXS, do yourself a favour and check out some of their songs, videos, concert footage...you won't be disappointed. For those of you who are familiar with them, do yourself a favour and revisit some songs. They just make you feel good!

Toe Tapping

2010-02-16T13:21:00.004-06:00

When does the reality of pregnancy really set in? After the positive test result? After an ultrasound? Morning sickness? Holding a baby in your arms?

For me...it's saying good bye to my toes. I'll miss all ten of you little guys. Take care, soon you'll be on your own for a little while. Hopefully it won't be too long until we are reunited, but until then, don't count on looking pretty or being well looked after. I'm sorry if you feel smothered come summer since you probably won't be playing peek-a-boo with the outside world. I promise to wear the cutest non peep toe shoes I can find. Maybe if we're lucky we can get a certain someone to pretty you up one day, but I'm not sure you'll let any one touch you long enough for a makeover. We don't want to chance giving someone a concussion for touching you, but it is highly likely that will happen, so please don't be mad at me for neglecting you. We'll glam it up in a few months, I promise.

Blah Blah Blah

2010-02-10T17:17:00.002-06:00

How is it that a post from a day ago is already in my nerves? Yet nothing has happened in the last 24 hours to make me want to blog, but I need to because I hate the previous post. Some times you have something you want to say, but it ends up coming out nothing like it sounded in your head. How does that happen? I've always thought I should take a class on how to transition my brain thoughts into public thoughts. But then again, I think I talk too much already, so it's probably not a good idea.

I think February is the blah month. We should change the name to Feblahary. I am a person who doesn't mind winter...but I think this year I am feeling the pull of warmer places. Not that a warm, tropical vacation, or a move to a warmer climate is in store....I just find myself daydreaming on kayak a lot more than usual. As soon as June rolls around I will be hating summer (I know it doesn't get THAT hot in MN, but 80 is my limit folks) and wishing for fall. It's just an evil cycle. I could never pull off a move to Florida or Texas or anywhere much more south than Chicago (and I don't want to live in Chicago) which sort of limits us. Mark would much rather live in the heat but he would much rather not have me whine and complain about the heat every day! Although if you asked him today, he'd probably disagree. Not that we're moving in the near future or anything. The way I see it, winter is on it's way out and spring should be here...by June at the latest. And those 2-3 months of spring/summer are great! :o)

The blahs make me want to do less than I normally do...coming up with a dinner idea is hurting my brain tonight. I can't even ponder what we will do tomorrow, that's just too much pressure! What do you do when you have the blahs? Is there a quick cure that doesn't involve a trip to the south of France? Or is that what I am going to have to do...because if it is, I'll make that sacrifice.

Thank You For Being a Friend!

2010-02-09T16:15:00.004-06:00

As I perused the blog of some friends today a question came to mind. How many people are still friends with their elementary, junior high, high school, and/or university friends? And not just Facebook friends, but real, in-touch, email/call/mail/visit friends.

Does it make a difference how long ago high school was or where you're living now?

Of all your current friends (ones you still regularly keep in touch with, not someone you friended because you remember them from grade 3), how long have you been friends? What do you do to go that extra mile to keep in touch?

Say It Ain't So

2010-02-08T11:41:00.004-06:00

While all of the news seems to be focused on the Saints winning the Super Bowl (good for you Saints!)...this is what caught my eye.

Howard Stern Confirms 'Idol' Talks

Howard Stern told his satellite radio listeners on Monday that he is considering leaving Sirius -- and radio altogether -- to become a judge on "American Idol."

Stern confirmed a report that Fox is interested in hiring the Sirius shock jock to replace Simon Cowell on the reality show.

(full article at www.msn.com)

If this happens...I will stop watching Idol. I know, I know, who cares it's American Idol? But it's a fun show and they do have some talented people sometimes, even if it is frustrating when people remain on the show longer than they should because they are cute or have a sad backstory. Regardless, I like Idol and I hate Howard Stern. Granted, I have never met the man, so I hate the Howard Stern I have been presented with (maybe he is a lovely man in person, but I am okay with never meeting him). Do they really think he would be the best choice to replace Simon? You will never replace Simon of course, but couldn't they at least try to find someone a little more appealing to the public? Some one with a little bit of experience in the music business, whether it be they are a singer/musician or they sign acts, write songs, etc.? Sure Ellen Degeneres isn't in the biz, but she does love music and she has said she will be more of a people's voice than a music critic. But when you take the one person who has signed huge acts, written hit songs, and has major credit in the business and replace him with Stern?? That makes no sense other than they want someone with an acerbic tongue.

Anyway...just my thoughts for a Monday morning.

On a positive note, I am excited for the start of the Olympics this Friday!! T and I have our sweatshirts all ready to break out and wear and root for the home team!! Even though she kind of has two home teams...I won't let her know that until she's older! Until then Go Canada!!

Curtain Call

2010-02-03T14:47:00.003-06:00

As I sat watching LOST last night, alone...I realized that I was very glad no one could see into my living room! Usually Markus is home and we watch it together but he was on the other side of the country, so it was just me, myself and I to marvel in the headache-inducing insanity. And boy oh boy was it headache-inducing. I have a tendency to get a little violent when watching Lost. Just ask Mark's arms and legs. I become slap happy. If I figure something out, or some crazy revelation is made, I slap him. He usually sits a seat cushion or two away from me to lessen the bruising. I am sure he was more than happy to watch the show in peace and quiet last night!

Sadly, I realized how much of an oddity I am last night. has anyone seen the Brendan Fraser clip from the Golden Globes a few weeks ago? See it here, if you haven't. I think I did that at one point during the first hour. Come the second hour, I gave up all pride and found myself sitting on the floor watching the rest of the show after having jumped up and clapped over some other piece of juiciness. While I sat there I realized how odd it was for me to be on the floor, but I just didn't care. For some reason, standing up when faced with such awesome revelations, made it that much more awesome for me. Sitting on the floor just made the whole thing even more edge of my seat.

Now the world knows my secret. I am an even larger nerd than you may have previously thought. Thankfully Mark has put up with me and my Lost antics for the past 5 seasons, hopefully this season I don't flat out punch him in the face during the finale.

So if you ever find yourself walking by my house Tuesday nights at 8:00...please don't peek in my windows!

English 101

2010-01-28T09:52:00.004-06:00

So I guess no one is enjoying my attempt at reliving my days of fluency in French as much as I am. Someday I will be fluent again! Not that there is a great need for French in Minnesota, but that's irrelevant.

Alright kids, for those of you who don't speak French, or don't look at the labels posted under the blog entry, this is for you!!

This July, little Tennyson 2.0 will be making his/her appearance. Sadly, my appearance will probably not return to normal for many, many, many months afterward. Here's to months of peanut M&M's, chocolate milk and chocolate chip cookies. Who am I kidding, it's only a matter of weeks until the gestational diabetes rears its ugly head. But until then...who wants to bring me some key lime pie??

Commencez à Étendre les Nouvelles

2010-01-27T18:09:00.003-06:00

Que s'attendre quand vous vous attendez à un autre paquet de joie? Moins de sommeil, moins de fonction du cerveau, moins de nettoyage de maison. Plus de bruit, plus de rire, plus de photo ops, moments plus heureux de famille. Espérons que nous avons plus de dernier.

Il va être un été long.

Sink or Swim

2010-01-19T13:02:00.008-06:00

Well, it's finally happened.

I didn't think it ever would, but it has, and sooner than I thought too.

It's wonderful. I don't know why we ever waited so long. Sure, Mark probably has a complaint or too, but I can't complain at all since I didn't do any of the work.

Want to see?

Before

During

After

Thanks Mark for getting it installed so soon after we got it!! I love it a thousand times more than the old one. Now, about those counter tops...

My Two Cents

2010-01-18T08:59:00.004-06:00

Google Reader.

Do you use it? I do and I am having mixed feelings about it. While it makes blog surfing extraordinarily easy, it makes me feel lazy. I used to leave comments most of the time I visited friends blogs, now...it's rare. All thanks to Google Reader. Is it really that hard to click and be taken to the actual blog so that I can leave a comment? No. Do I? Not usually. While it surely makes it handy for checking blogs, I no longer have to devote more than a minute or so to see what's new as opposed to clicking through every public blog I read. I know the sole purpose of blogging is not to have comments left, but as a blogger, don't you like getting comments? I know I do. It's not the only reason I blog, but I think there is a part of everyone who posts that wants to see comments, no matter what their blog topic is for that day.

So tell me, does Google Reader make it easier or harder for you to comment? Do you only comment when it's a really important blog, earth shattering news or whenever it strikes your fancy? What is the proper blog comment etiquette, do we have to leave a comment at every post we read to let that person know we were there?

I should definitely comment more... so to those whose blogs I read, I do read them I promise, and I will try and be better about leaving comments, even if you don't want me to!!

Problems and Solutions

2010-01-11T10:20:00.003-06:00

One loaf down....many more to go!! The bread actually turned out. I don't think it was the world's best bread but it wasn't as hard as a puck so I will chalk that up as a success! Not sure I would make the same kind again, but you have to start somewhere. Today I am contemplating making challah bread. It's so good. The only restaurant on Roosevelt Island served challah bread french toast, YUM! I don't know how it would be coming out of a bread machine, but it might be worth the effort. I realize making bread in a bread machine is like painting a picture using paint by numbers, but it's okay by me. Why continually fail at a task if there is something to help you succeed? It's a win win situation!

My only dilemma now is how do I store the bread to keep it from turning into hockey pucks? Ziploc bags? Are there Tupperware-esque containers specifically made to store homemade bread? We don't eat it fast enough to just wrap it up in a dish towel or something. Maybe some of you Marthas out there can help me out with this quandary.

My other quandary is finding someone to come on a vacation with me!! Girls only! Anyone interested in a few days somewhere a little warmer than the northern states/Canada? 4 days on a beach, relaxing, pools, food a-plenty, good books, good friends......let me know! I'm thinking February or March maybe?

The Year of Domesticity

2010-01-08T14:39:00.004-06:00

I have never claimed to be Martha Stewart, nor would any one ever classify me as "crafty". Every now and again I get a bug - one that would make me look like June Cleaver (minus the apron and hairdo).

The husband always says I am crafty, but I'm not. Not in the traditional sense of the word. I don't go to craft shows looking for ideas. I don't have wooden signs hung around my home adorned with kitschy sayings. My home is actually pretty bare except for the few art works hanging on the walls.

The "crafts" I do enjoy are few and far between and pretty random. I do enjoy sewing, although I would never offer to teach anything other than how my machine works and how to sew a line. I have made a few articles of clothing, a few bags and some curtains, but I would never call myself a pro. I have attempted knitting, not much success and every now and again I will crochet, but it's usually the same, basic stitch that turns into a scarf (or if I am feeling especially crafty, a baby blanket). I have many long pieces of crocheting that have yet to turn into anything. And on occasion I have been known to paint the odd flower pot.

My latest attempt I am holding out hope for success. Mainly because I don't think I can screw it up. Although maybe I should wait until I am finished, because with me, I could probably find a way to screw it up.

I made bread once. Well, rolls actually. It doesn't really matter though because they were inedible and found their way into the trash pretty quickly. I think they may have been harder than hockey pucks. Maybe even harder than the hardest material known to man. I haven't made a second attempt...until today. I got a bread machine this Christmas. It seems pretty simple. I can't mess up too badly when all I have to do is throw in the materials, plug it in and press the buttons, right??? I guess we will see, but I won't drop dead if it comes out like a brick or in crumbs.

Stay tuned.

Starting Early

2010-01-05T10:05:00.002-06:00

First we take the World Juniors tonight....then we take the Gold in February!!! T is all ready to watch the game (if only it was broadcast on a channel we get in the US). Mom's ready too with her sweatshirt and jersey, but I don't think Dad will be donning his Canada hockey jersey with us.

(man is it hard to get this girl to pose)

Who Are You?

2009-12-30T13:36:00.002-06:00

What is the deal with all of the anonymous comments lately? They're not even from random people commenting on my rants, raves or ramblings. They're from crazy, unknown people trying to direct people to scary, cyber sites where who knows wait awaits them, or some other devious scheme.

Never mind the excitement it brings to see that someone has left a comment only to have the bubble burst to see it's just a cyber crazy. Oh well, I guess it's just part of this blogging world, isn't it? Even our blogs get junk mail. So now on top of the thousands of credit card applications, airline reward program applications, insurance companies trying to get me to switch...I now have blog junk mail. I'm thinking I'm going to strike it rich due to my vast Nigerian connections.

Why Didn't I Think of This Last Year?

2009-12-17T16:13:00.004-06:00

If we can post our statuses, tweet our abbreviated thoughts, and put videos online of cats scratching themselves, surely I can blog my Christmas cards, right? As the days go by and the cards sit in their store packaging, I realize I will probably have to buy more cards and more stamps which means braving the post office with a kid in tow. And I am just too lazy this year.

So in keeping with these modern, technological times of ours, here is your 2009 Christmas card.

We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday. May the new year bring you what you wish for and more!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love M, M & T.

*besides no one wants to read anything about our last year, it's about as boring as you can get and past family photos have taught me to just not bother. So you're really not missing out on anything. Maybe we'll try again next year!

It's THAT Time Again!

2009-12-12T17:55:00.004-06:00

I'm going to make these next week....

...anyone want some?

Melissa, next time you're in NYC, check out dirtcandy. It's a restaurant by an ex-pat who just put Nanaimo bars on the menu. Although, they're a mint and sweet pea mix, so not sure how they'd taste, but it might be the closest you get since you don't live by me anymore!

The Girl Effect

2009-12-09T16:00:00.004-06:00

It's probably a bad thing when you get sick of seeing your own blogs, isn't it? It must mean others get even more sick of previous posts! I need to step up and get this blog rolling again.

It's not for lack of trying, I would really love to share my many opinions with all of you, but I think the main topics of interest currently on the news are either ridiculously bloated in the coverage they are receiving, not worthy of being one of the top stories or not even being talked about because the world here doesn't seem to care for one reason or another.

When celebrity family problems became the night's breaking news is news to me, but surely there are other stories out there that should be shared. Isn't that what TMZ, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood and all those types shows, are for? Someone has to keep Mario Lopez employed.

Has anyone heard of the GirlEffect.org? I am not a usual Oprah watcher, but one day I decided to watch. I saw the video and listened to the issues they were talking about and was astounded.

From women dying in child birth, to women being raped and left for dead, treated as social outcasts, children sold into sex slavery to young girls being offered to men with AIDS due to their belief that sleeping with a virgin will cure the disease.

Do we really care if Tiger Woods had sex with other women? Isn't that a personal family matter?Why aren't these other issues, worlds away from us, being brought into view? Because they aren't salacious, they make us feel bad, guilty, sad...for the things we could be doing to help. It's amazing to think that in this world there are children who can not go to school because of their gender, families without enough money having to sell their children, communities that still hold such archaic beliefs about women, rape, AIDS....

I know this is far from uplifting, but its just been something on my mind lately. I haven't experienced discrimination in one form or another (that I am aware of) but this really hit home for me, it made me really see what's out there and it has left me truly perplexed.

Sorry for the downer of a topic but sometimes that's just what needs to be said. Check out this link and the video above, it's interesting and educational.

Looking Ahead

2009-11-30T11:00:00.000-06:00

I wish I had something exciting to say kids, but I don't.

I've been trying to come up with something witty, thought provoking, even something mildly amusing, but I've had no luck. Many posts have been started and deleted...I just want to update my blog so I don't have to see that last post. So I guess I will just give you a here's to list:

Here's to:

new shows this week

25 days until Christmas

no snow in MN yet

shopping without the wee one in tow

family members to entertain said wee one

online shopping

Christmas candy

cookie exchanges

shortened upcoming church services

Costco

Christmas lights and wreaths up on my house

a hubby who puts them up for me

Nanaimo bars - oh how I can not wait for you!!!

appetizers on Christmas Eve

watching T on Christmas morning

Christmas tree shopping next week (yes Mark, next week)

no more work travel for Mark this year

holiday dresses

candy cane kisses (and mint and cherry cordial)

going to the 'Peg for the holidays this year

Pinky and the Brain

2009-11-17T16:35:00.005-06:00

Something strange happened today. Given my last post, it shouldn't come as a surprise at all!

At some point between going to bed last night at 10:00 and waking up at 6:40 this morning, I seem to have lost my mind. I'm not sure where it could have gone, but I'm pretty sure it's not under my skull.

Here's the evidence so far: 1) A week or two ago I was helping at a church service project sewing fleece hats. I had a bit of trouble with my machine to start off but after some re-threading of the bobbin it was smooth sailing, up until the last 10 minutes or so. For some reason my machine would not sew forward anymore; the needle would stop when it got to the top. If I turned the wheel backwards it was fine, but if I turned it forward, nothing. Great, new machine busted. so I called a local repair place this morning and they said to bring it on it. T and i hoped in the car and away we went. So the guy there is a genius. I had barely walked in, told him the problem and about 10 seconds after he set it on the counter, problem solved. The bobbin holder (for when you're winding thread on it) was in the locked position - hence why the needle would only go backwards. It was a cheap fix monetarily, but quite pricey for my pride. Oh well, at least I didn't have to dip into the bank account for that one.

2) After the sewing shop incident we headed out for a few groceries and a quick, albeit unnecessary, trip to Target. I know better than to shop on an empty stomach, but I think I had safely passed from an empty stomach to a never ending pit. I bought way more crap than I should of including ready to bake chocolate chip cookies, and 3 packs of the refrigerated jello puddings (they were on sale, and only 60 calories!!). The worst was in Target however, we stopped by the cafe on the way out since it was almost lunch and I downed the bread sticks. SO. GOOD. Pizza Hut bread sticks have to be the best, but I know I must check my brain at the door to eat those things.

3) This one is the kicker. It sealed the case of the missing brain. Mark is in New York today, well he should be there by now. He called me this morning from Boston and asked me about a few restaurants we had been to while we lived there. I told them what they were called and where they were. Then I got sad. I wanted to go eat there. It almost made me want to be back in New York. ALMOST. Until I remembered what the cost of rent was, and the loud neighbours, and the smells...and that I have a kid now and I would probably become a hermit if I lived in NYC with a kid. And Mark would have to make a LOT, and I mean a LOT, more money.

Maybe it's just because it's getting close to Christmas and the Rockettes touring show isn't coming to Minneapolis, and all that other holiday stuff. Christmas was really the only time I enjoyed NYC. But you've already heard that story.

So I guess for now I will live vicariously through Mark eating all that yummy food while T and I dine on pancakes this evening. Maybe next year I'll head out for a Christmas time visit and enjoy the holiday scenes. Until then, the Holidazzle parade will have to suffice, along with the snow, the cold and the warmth of my car, not the freezing subway platforms.

4) Still waiting on this one, but I am guessing it will happen some time around when dinner is being made. The pancake mix calls for water, but I'll dump vinegar in or something. Maybe I will forget to turn the stove on and stand there yelling at it for 10 minutes. Whatever it is, I have no doubt about it happening before bed.

So if anyone has any idea where my brain may have run off to, please feel free to let me know!

The Neverending Abyss

2009-11-09T13:25:00.003-06:00

I'm at a loss for blogs. Nothing seems worthwhile to blog about. Or if it does, I've already blogged about it and no one wants to read me go off on my soapbox again (seriously, why does the fashion world insist on either size zeros or relegating "normal" sized women to plus size modeling?? Why not just have a lovely mixture of models of all sizes? It would be so much easier and so much more realistic.) Ok, I am done with that rant.

Other than my above mini rant....I am really at a loss. I could continue with odes to family members when I am having a mental block, but I'm not sure any of my family want their mugs up on my blog and the embarrassing stories that accompany them...oh the day the dog ran over my sister will forever live on in my mind, complete with a running laugh track. Still makes me laugh every time.

Perhaps my brain has finally given up on me now that it gets zero to no exercise anymore. Well, if you can call TV exercise, then it does get some. Someone in my family recently asked me what I wanted for Christmas, specifically if there were any books I wanted, and I sat there blankly, trying to think and all that went through my head was "books...books...books..." followed by a very loud silence. I don't even know the last book I read. Well, I do, but I think it's the only book I've read all year and it took me much longer than it should have for me to finish it, and I didn't care for it that much in the end.

Maybe I need to have some political debates with Mark, if only to get my brain going again. But who wants to read about my political thoughts?? If any of my readers are like Mark, than no one wants to hear/read/see them. Thank goodness for Entertainment Weekly and W...I can at least blog about celebrity crap and the absurd prices of designer clothing (oh if only I could afford them).

Oh well, at least the last post has been pushed down from immediate viewing.

Falling Off the Wagon...And I Can't Get Up

2009-10-29T13:40:00.003-05:00

So last year I decided to begin my get healthier kick about this time of year...well I think it was a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Crazy time to start, right? I don't know what it is about this time of year, but here it is almost November and I am starting to think about it again. I've done pretty well this year. Like anything else in my life, I kind of go through cycles. I do really well at it for weeks at a time, and then not so well for weeks at a time. Usually the not-so-hot periods last longer than the stick-to-it periods. I've decided to torture myself again, but with a bit of a Halloween reprieve. I don't usually go all crazy and rule out all sweets, sugar, junk etc., but I do try to limit them and amp up the exercise. Which for me means more about setting aside time to exercise, not just running around after T (which can take up most of the day some times!), and not so much limiting the junk. However if I know it's Thanksgiving and there will be pies and treats, then I'll make sure the day before I eat well and so on and so forth. Now we're not going for marathon results here or Biggest Loser poundage (although I really think if they'd let me on the show and stay for a week, maybe 2, I could reach my goal and they could kick me off), but small steps...sometimes they're the hardest!

The hardest thing might be getting Mark to jump on board with me. This coming month is pretty busy work wise for him, and he's going to be travelling almost 2 weeks out of the month and that's no good for trying to eat healthy, or exercising, right? We'll see. If I only give him broccoli and steamed chicken to eat at home, maybe we can offset the trips to Carl's Jr., Denny's and the sort, while he travels.

Anyway, I've never been very good at dieting, I don't have a strong willpower about it and when it comes right down to it, I'm pretty lazy, but we'll give it a shot. I think the most weight I've ever lost was during my third trimester, go figure!

I guess this means I need to cram all the junk down my gullet this weekend before I hit the grocery store for all things defined healthy. Any one have any great snack ideas for me? Ones that let you have a good quantity as well as taste? More so, ones that actually fill you up?

We'll see how this goes, exercising might be the trickiest thing to work in to the schedule when you have a husband who travels, works late and a 17 month old (and a gym membership to a place without childcare). Maybe I can force myself back on the treadmill downstairs and work off season two of Lost. I made it through season 1 last time I was on a positive roll...I just have to get back on the wagon. Keep your fingers crossed.

Be Careful What You Wish For...or Ask For

2009-10-20T16:41:00.006-05:00

In a seemingly neverending blog-drought, I put out a request for blog topics. While I only did this a short time before writing this blog, I got an idea I couldn't pass up. Okay, so it's probably not exactly what the suggester had in mind, but it's my blog, my idea!!

This is for my niece Janna. I wish I had all of my pictures scanned into my computer because I would have some great pictures of her! But alas, I only have some from the last few years.

I was 13 when Janna was born, she makes me feel old daily as she is now a University student; I used to babysit her!! Now I think she might actually be a little bit taller than I am.

She wants to be an anthropologist and loves all things Egypt (well she did last time I saw her, maybe it's changed now). She loves Chancers (our old Chocolate Lab that my parents adopted when we moved to NYC). She has been a vegetarian of sorts for most of her life. One of the funniest things I remember about her was one Sunday night, everyone was over for dinner, we were having some sort of beef product that Janna didn't want to eat. This was at the very beginning of her no meat days so she was around 10. I asked her if she would just take one bite and if she didn't like it, she didn't have to eat it. She screwed up her face, looked right at me and said, "Auntie Mel, how would you like it if I cut out your eyeball and ate it??" Oh, it still makes me laugh today. I don't get to see her a lot anymore since I have moved away from home, but every now and again she will type me a hello on Facebook..she used to think I was cool once upon a time. She wanted this blog to be about how she is the awesomest niece ever, and she would be...if she were my only niece! But she is the most awesome 18 (almost 19) year old nice I have. Although, once she sees this and the pictures that follow, she'll probably hate me (just be glad I don't have your baby pictures on here!!).

Many moons ago, one Christmas Eve (she's the tallest one).

Being a sullen faced teenager.

She has the cutest, best smile of anyone I know!

Showing off her moves in the dance recital.

Growing up so fast!!

Being silly...she is the best silly girl ever!

Reading to her cousin...T sure loves Janna! She can't wait to see her at Christmas time!

Janna, you know I love you and you are awesome!! You'll always be my favourite, awesomest, oldest niece I have! And don't worry, I won't tell Auntie Lisa that I am your favourite Aunt!

You better be home a lot when we come up for Christmas Janna Banana! None of this hanging out with your boyfriend instead! Love you!!

Power of the People

2009-10-13T11:47:00.002-05:00

Anyone watched Flash Forward? I have the first three episodes on my DVR and I want to know if they are worth an investment of my time, or if I should just delete them?

Are there any new shows out there that you are loving that I should know about (other than Glee since that has a series recording already set)?

Good Sports

2009-10-07T15:29:00.004-05:00

It's seems that right now, all we have going in my house is the following:

It's not that I don't like sports, I do! I just need some of this in my life, this time of year:

Sadly, it's very rare to find either of the above on any of the 16 gazillion channels we pay for (and no I am not paying for the NHL channel). What's even more sad? Missing these guys.

I guess it's true, you do never know what you've got until it's gone. Come on American sports channels! Show some games for me!! And put a cherry on top of the sundae by showing CBC's coverage so I can have Cherry and Maclean!!

Ways to Make the World Better

2009-10-05T09:44:00.003-05:00

I don't know about you, but I think my life would be exponentially better if the following would just go away (girl, don't go away mad...just go away - thank you motley Crue!!)

Come to think of it, I think the entire world's life would be better if these two would just GO AWAY, we do not care! How these two became "celebrities" is beyond me. How they stay in the media is beyond me (a good PR person is my guess). But why they think anyone cares what they think, do or have to say is truly beyond me.

Now he is just sad. A reality TV show about you, your wife and 8 kids does not make you a celebrity. Hanging out with Michael Lohan definitely does not make you a celebrity. You're a 30 something year old father of 8 - buck up and take care of your kids instead of trying to be the celebrity you think you are (because you're not).