Laughs

Today, I have had many silly things to laugh about.

For example... if you mis-spell the word "Classification" - you might wind up with "class-a-fiction"... And that makes me chuckle.

Kiddo has been talking about families in preschool.  In the car today, he brought up his cousins.  We then started talking about Aunts and Uncles.  He then said, "Mitt Romney is my uncle."  Hmm.  I think I've been overlooked on Romney's 'gift' list.  Is Romney my brother or DH's?

We also went to visit Santa - entirely stress free (woa!) - No line.  And Kiddo asked for an excavator.  I'm not sure I even knew what an excavator was a few weeks ago - and now?  I know an excavator song.  That has to make you smile, at least a little.  My favorite lyrics? "This is the stuff I really love, 'cause that's what an excavator does..." 

It seems every week, I get something stuck in my head, courtesy of my little guys!

Wordless Wednesday

I've learned

Actually, it may be more accurate to say "I'm still learning.."

What is it I'm learning? To be flexible. Things don't seem to always go as planned. And sometimes, they are better. And sometimes, they are worse. And sometimes - it's just okay that it is unexpected.

Kiddo started by teaching me this lesson on his birthday. He was SOO cranky. I had planned an exciting afternoon, even took a little time off work just for the occasion. Instead, we came home early (instead of my idea, which was playing at the park). On the other hand, when he had his checkup, I took the morning off just because the appointment was at an awkward time, and had a great time with the little guy. We went to an impromptu storytime at the library, and had a bagel Kiddo-and-Mommy breakfast. (Actually, I should probably star calling him Kalamazoo on my blog, since that's what I call him in real life.)

Next up? Baby G's 9 month appointment. She'd been a little sick for a few days before, but nothing too serious. She's been sent home from daycare twice, now, in the last two weeks. High fever. The doctor says ulcers on the back of her throat, possible sinus (bacterial) infection, possible viral infection - and a round of antibiotics are in order. All of this means - of course - that it was an unexpected day off for me. And while yesterday, when I was "elected" to be the one to take off, I was a little bummed about the work stuff that I'm already starting to get behind on - - as of today, I have fully embraced it.

Yep, it took me no time at all to put together a mighty full agenda. Service appointment for the car, ordering dog food online, cleaning the house a little, blogging, and a whole slew of other things that would not have otherwise gotten done today. Of course, it seems I can always fill up my time with "stuff". Sometimes it's hard to do other "stuff" though - like reading the book for book club next week that I can't get into (and with an extra "day", it's a little hard to say I didn't have the "time" to read it..)

Well, I can cross "blogging" off the list. Now, hopefully, to tackle a few other long-standing items from the list...

Cheerio! Enjoy your first unnamed weekday since Thanksgiving!

Monday...

This is a sound clip I often get stuck in my head - thanks to an Actuarial Exam Seminar I took long ago.

It seems so appropriate for today!




work work work work

How I spent my break...

Black Friday

I'm a total target girl, at heart.

Target has quickly become my go-to Black Friday opening store.

I love Black Friday shopping.  Love it.

And it's not the deals that I love (although that's an added bonus)... It's the mentality, the people, the chaos and the craziness.

Most days, I prefer to avoid craziness.  But just once - on Black Friday - I embrace it wholeheartedly.

From the elderly couple standing in line to buy simply two Blu-Ray players, to the 16 year old wrestler waiting in 30 degree weather in shorts and with no socks on... There is always a story to be told on Black Friday!

I got the very "last" of something, I got plenty of things I'm sure I don't need, and I had the "man, they are already out.." experience for one of the items I was looking for.

In total?  A success.  And I didn't even spend the entire "budget" that I had allowed myself!

JCP - which was my favorite store last year on black friday - has dropped to near the bottom of the list.  They are trying, bless their heart... and somehow, the new JCP is very hit-or-miss.  Perhaps one day they will be a little more consistent, and/or have shorter lines.  I didn't get a button.  I had three items - none a big deal - and walked out empty handed.  Perhaps I'll try shopping their online and hope for better success.  After all, I do have a little left in my budget...

Happy Friday!

Kangaroo

Happy  Thanksgiving!

This year, we're turning a little left of tradition.  Instead of enjoying a big turkey on our table, our small nuclear family will be tasting- for the first time- Kangaroo.

It's an idea that started with hamburgers made of bison and elk at our regular grocery store.  That led us to the Meat House, a local butcher shop.  The obvious step- try some sort of new and exotic meat.  And sure, why not kangaroo!

I miss being around family for this particular holiday.  It seems the last week or so, I've had many reminders of my dad.  He was always the one in our family who wouldn't eat Turkey on thankgiving, since he was forced to eat his friend, "Red" one year and was very sad about it.  I can't recall how many thanksgivings we heard the story of Red.

Even though I won't be seeing and spending much time with family this thanksgiving, I have much for which to be thankful.

A husband whom I adore.
Two beautiful, healthy, mostly happy children.
My mother - who I am fairly sure is my biggest fan.
A slue of inlaws - who graciously accept me into the family with open arms.
My sweet, caring brother and his gracious wife.
My sister, who has had a rough life.
There are neices and nephews, and plenty of friends.
I'm thankful for my health, even if I do need to lose a few pounds!
My running shoes keep me moving, even when I would prefer to throw them across the room.
My neighbors
My job and my co-workers - I am grateful for employment that is fulfilling and interesting.
The out-of-doors, where I can replenish my inner peace
My puppies, who really aren't puppies any more.
Socks
Playing scrabble online, even if it is called words with friends.
Black Friday shopping.  It's a sad obsession.
My camera.  Another obsession.
Several others I'm sure I've forgotten....

Wordless Wednesday

Thoughts from Baby G...

        cfv bfb g                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      v  cc      


---

Baby G had something to say.  How would you interpret it?

Here's my take:

Can't feel vandals  - because friends bring goodies.

Very cool circus.   

An alternate, internet-inspired take:

Call for votes - Best friend baby Greta - very credit card           

Wine and Design

Bathroom Habits

Generally, I don't like blogging about something like bathroom habits.

However... I think it's funny how kids can be so different.

We've got one who cries and cries as she as attempting #2, and one that sings and knocks on the wall and takes his precious time.

It's funny.  In fact, I've video taped the girl crying and struggling.  Torture for when she's a teenager, I suppose.

Happy Saturday!

Good morning!

I've always been a morning person, and somehow... have spent many years waking up so that I can get online.

When I say many years, I mean that I started this computer habit...err...addiction... back when I lived in a home with 1 computer and five people.

The only way I could get my "computer" time in was to wake up, and get online before anyone else in the family was awake.  Now, you might find that kind of sad or desperate... However... I'm now more than 20 years older, and still doing the same thing (and at this stage, it's not out of necessity!)

What I should be doing is getting other things done in the morning.  Like dishes.  Specifically, bottles.  I'm amazed at how fast those little 8oz buggers pile up!

Nope, I'm blogging instead.  And all about me (which lately, I feel has maybe been a bit selfish, somehow).  Well, it is selfish.  And egotistical.  But whatever.  You can choose whether or not you read it!

Back to Good Morning.  I like mornings a lot.  Hope you have a great day!

Wordless Wednesday

Schedules

Often, my brother and I will get on a schedule such that I am getting up about the time he is going to bed.

It's funny to see that he's up and about in the morning (like at 5am), and then I remember that he's probably not gone to bed yet.

I'm a morning person, he's a night person.

This was really nice when I had the occasional middle-of-the-night fussy baby.  I am very thankful those days are behind me!  Of course, since there is still a baby- I'm sure I will soon be able to take advantage of chatting with my brother in the middle of the night again, with one of the kids waking us up.

The wonders of parenthood meet the fun of siblings!

Siblings

Leaf-Raking

We attended our first ever leaf-raking party!

 It turns out, no leaf-raking is actually involved. But we did have a good time!

Are you done yet?

It's that exciting time of year! The holidays are upon us.

I like to finish all my shopping early. I spent a few minutes this afternoon (less time than I expected, actually) sorting through my "stash" of presents. Whew! Most years, I have the men left to buy for. I'm not sure why I think they are more difficult. This year, along with the "men", I have the Moms still on the list. At least now that I've been through my "stash" of presents, I have something in mind for almost everyone. And a box nearly all packed up to ship off to Texas, so we don't have to travel with too much stuff! (we'll see how that actually works out in practice).

With Kiddo, he was around 2 months old for his first Christmas. Baby G will be nearly 10 months! She's also into everything (she is loving leaves this time of year). It's hard to remember what life was like without her, so I keep forgetting that even at 10 months, it's still her first Christmas. So exciting.

Sending you some holiday love and cheer! So happy it's this time of year.

The end

Just shy of 9 months, I am done nursing my daughter. For me, that definitely falls into the category of bitter-sweet. It's nice to have my body back - - however, I will definitely miss all those extra "free" calories! It's interesting - to me - that I also nursed my son for about the same length of time. What will I remember about nursing my daughter? The painful first month (including masticitis!), and allowing my photo to be taken (which I would never have done with my son). I also nursed her in an office at a museum, which was probably the most interesting place (with my son, the most interesting place was outside the Senate chamber!) Putting away my pumps is fabulous. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need my baby cuddle-time!

A peeve...

I'm not sure why it's often called a "pet" peeve... but I digress (already)...

Open cabinet doors are my nemesis.

You tall people may not worry so much about this silly thing.  But when you are short, like me, and your eye-level is just below the cabinet door - open cabinet doors lead to only one thing: headaches.  The kind where you stand up and hit your head on the corner unintentionally.  ESPECIALLY while doing dishes.

My solution is typically not to share how much it bugs me, but instead to CLOSE THE DOOR.  'Cause after all, it's a silly pet peeve, really.  Or peeve.

And just in case you weren't aware... courtesy of wikipedia:

A pet peeve (or pet hate) is a minor annoyance that an individual identifies as particularly annoying to them, to a greater degree than others may find it.

Polls are open!

The best thing about the polls being open?

They will soon be closed!

I don't have an affinity towards the political.  As such... I look forward to election day being OVER more than election day itself.

The signs can come down, and I no longer have to hear about the 47% that don't matter, or who doesn't support our military, or why I shouldn't vote for a particular candidate.  In the end, I don't think I should vote for any of them.  Which is how I will be voting, actually.  I'll be voting AGAINST people instead of FOR people.  Blech.

One day, perhaps I'll have more respect for politics.  Until then... another 4 years, and we'll be doing it all over again!

Stuff

The time change is always a bit tough.

I feel like I'm supposed to be getting some extra sleep- and somehow, that doesn't seem to work out.

Of course, maybe part of that was waking up early to get to a race this morning.

After the race, I was beat.  More tired than I've been after most races I've done, really.  I started way too fast (I don't get people who RUN the whole time, and don't mix it up with walking breaks.  I'm not sure I'll ever be a runner that doesn't do SOME walking during the race!)

I digress.

What I really wanted to say, is... everything doesn't always go my way.

I know, you're shocked.

For example... waiting for race results.  Come on, people!  We live in a world where technology reigns, and they should be INSTANT.  Not "around 9pm" (which inevitably means "after 9pm").

Okay, end of spoiled rant.

Speaking of spoiled, though... I am thankful for DH.  He made cinnamon rolls this weekend, amidst watching the kiddos so I could participate in a race. Love him!

Pre-race jitters

What was I thinking?

It's the same thing, every race.  The night before - as I'm getting all my stuff ready - I start stressing.  I have a hard time sleeping.  But somehow, I manage to make it to the start line.  And for every race so far, I've also made it to the finish line.

The finish line is all I'm hoping for today.  Perhaps that's not ambitious to most people, but for me - it will do.

A 10-K is about 6.2 miles.

I decided to look up the last 10K I did.  I keep track of these things!  I've done a 10K (this particular 10K, in fact) in every "even" year that we've lived in North Carolina (2008, 2010, and now 2012) - taking the "odd" years off to have (or recover from) babies.

I also know what my "finish" times have been, so now (at least in my head) I have something to live up to.  Yikes!

Just the finish line will do, thanks!

Mud run cancelled...

I was supposed to be doing a mud run today, with a group of about 8.

Due to the Frankenstorm Sandy (who came up with that name, anyway?) - - the run was cancelled.  The race "staff" couldn't make it to town with the obstacles and what-not, so no go.

Coincidentally, there is a marathon/half/10K this weekend.  Some of the group is doing the 10K tomorrow, instead.  That's 6.2 miles.  And I'm debating ... to run, or not to run... that is the question.

I guess I should decide today so I either sign up/go to the expo... or don't.

I haven't run more than 3 miles in a very, very long time.

NaBloPoMo

I had a fleeting thought of not posting today.

Then I found out it's NAtional BLOg POsting MOnth, and we're supposed to post something every day.  Hmm..  I can do that.

Not that every post will be all that interesting.

See?  This is about it for now.  Maybe I'll be more inspired lately.

When I'm inspired, it's typically in the car, at work, or in other situations where actually writing something would be close to impossible.  I should record these thoughts, but the baby needs to be fed.

Cheers!

Spastic

I subscribe to a "blog a day" type of site, and recently there was a "Daily Prompt" that read as follows:

Pick a random word and do Google image search on it. Check out the eleventh picture it brings up. Write about whatever that image brings to mind.

So - what word did I choose?  Spastic.

I was thinking something along the lines of bizarre, random, weird, crazy, or out-of-control.  Instead, my image is this:

I must admit... I'm a little fascinated by this.  I didn't know about Spastic Diplegia (which  is - in brief - a form of cerebal palsy).  A chart and a graph are right up my ally. 

Maybe I will think twice before I call someone a "spaz" next time...