2008

Farewell 2008. I am not going to be nostalgic, because, frankly, 2008 needs to go. I sit here writing this 25 mins before the year turns, and I can honestly say, Hello 2009! There have been good and bad, but a new year always brings new chances to do it differently. May this new year bring chances to do it differently, but to do it (whatever it is) wisely and beautifully. Happy New Year everyone!

Cycles

I am a terrible blogger. Terrible. I post sporadically, don't I? I will try to do better, especially since I realized that some people are actually really reading this. The title of this one? Refers to Life. I am so pleased for my friend N. She just had her fourth angel and lemme tell ya, he is one CUTE kid. On the other end, a blog that I follow...this mom just lost her baby at almost 12 weeks pregnant. Joy and sadness at the same time. How is it that some experience so much joy while others only misery? I have a very dear friend who is suffering through grief as we speak. She just lost another baby...the second one in just a few months. There is no explaining things sometimes, ya know? I realize that birth and death are the cycles of life...just seems like too trite of words to fit it all in. Another cycle would be that I have connected, due to the miracle of MySpace, with my half-bro who is turning 16 in 2 days. I have not seen nor spoken to him since he was 8. Much to my surprise, shock, disbelief....he embraced me (cyber-embraced) with open arms. He could have said Go to Hell for not being there all these years. Why the estrangement you ask? Simply put...I found out that my father was not the man I thought, and I was tired of trying to maintain a relationship. My step-mother and brother were casualties of this, unfortunately. I have never forgotten about E, (my bro) and I am beyond thrilled to get a second chance. However, my father (or sperm donor, as the case may be) does not want E speaking to me. Angry? Why, yes, I will take a spoonful of that. Bitter...how about a cupful? Both of these emotions that help no one, least of all me, and that, with a tumultous relationship with the ex, I have tried to banish from my life. Whew. That was a mouthful. Negative energy begets negativity. I don't want to be bitter or angry. I am trying to reconcile my feelings about my father. So far, no dice. But, I will take full advantage of this next cycle in my life and explore this wonderfully new-found opportunity with E, permission or no permission. N, I am so happy for you. Enjoy this new life, and give thanks. You can bring him in to get kisses anytime now, ok?!

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I've tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice. ~Robert Frost

One of my favorite poems. Search it and find your own meaning as to the cycles of life.

Temper, Temper

Have you ever seen a 16 month old throw a temper tantrum? I don't mean sit down on the floor and cry. I mean throw herself down, put her head on her hands, and wail like there is no tomorrow. This is Savannah. She has "official" terrible two temper tantrums, and THEY SUCK! She is NOT even close to two yet. Everything pisses her off now. She can't share, will not relinquish a toy to anyone, and you sure as hell better not tell her "No" or I feel sorry for your eardrums. I try so hard to discipline, but how can I when everyone laughs so hard at her? Is there any advice out there for a mom who cannot believe her child is already becoming the Spawn of Satan 8 months ahead of time?

Grief

Four years ago today a dear friend of mine lost her mother. Not only her mother, but her best friend, and champion. It got me thinking about grief. I knew this incredible woman, and I was blessed to know her. She never crossed that fine line that comes between being a parent and a best friend. When you are young and single and raising a daughter on your own with no help, the temptation to take the easy way out is huge. I remember her funeral...the grief that was present at the death of a woman who was larger than life...a life that was full of grace and elegance. I remember thinking that day that if death could be a "tangible" thing, we would all handle it better. Because grief comes and goes in waves, it never fully disappears. And in my opinion, there is no "proper" way to deal. After losing a daughter, watching her body and soul detoriate, I learned that there is no better way to deal with death except head-on. Because if you don't tackle it first, it will sideline you. Peace be with my friend today...and over time, it will get easier. That is a promise I can make and keep. "Mom"~ I miss you. I miss how you cared about me and treated me with such love and attention. You cared about me because your daughter did. Some candles just can't stay lit.

Vote!

Opinions are like a*#holes, they say. Everybody has one. No matter. You know who you are going to vote for. At least, you should have decided by now, since you know, TODAY is Election Day. Soapbox moment...Other people in other countries (since there are many, not just OUR superpower, heh, heh) don't have this right. You do. And it is MY opinion that it is not just a right, it is a Duty. Your civic duty. If you don't vote, then you have NO right to bitch about the state of this country and the mess we are in. To paraphrase Nike, Just Do It!

Time

I realize 3o is not old. But I swear with every year that passes, the days fly by. We have but 2 months left of 2008. Nostalgia renders me speechless everytime I look at my children. Savannah does so many of the things Samantha used to do. Halloween is over, and now it is time for the holidays. It's trite, really, but where has the year gone? I am in a pensive mood today. I have been on iTunes alot lately, looking through old (to me, anyway) music, and with every song I find unexpectedly, a memory pops up. Old loves, friendships no longer available to me, people that I just wish I knew where they were now, to know they are ok. Is it a crime, when you are so happy with what you have now, to wish for days long gone? I would never trade my life now, but sometimes the memories overwhelm me with what used to be. As we head into the holiday season, which is at the same time welcoming and alarming, I treasure my memories more, and realize that there are so many new ones to be made.

Happy Birthday Emilee!

Today marks the 8th birthday of my darling Emilee Faith in Heaven, born too early and living only a month. She was only here a short time, but she left a lasting impression. She taught me that life is too short to waste negative energy on negative people, and that loving the ones you have is important every day. I say "I love you" a lot more than I used to, and I say it way more often. Please remember to tell someone that you love them...it may be the only chance you get. And remember, if there is but one cause you subscribe to, please let it be the March of Dimes. One day we will have a reason why preemies come and go so swiftly. The March of Dimes is committed to millions of babies and their families. Thank you. Happy Birthday Em! We love you and miss you every day.

And the reality sets in...

We lost. Yes, we lost. My precious Sox boys lost to Tampa Bay in Game Seven. Ok, while I am disappointed in the outcome, our team proved yet again to the world that we are a phenomenal team. For all you skeptics that say, "SHE never liked baseball before...." I am hooked. When the team hurts, I hurt. We played some damn good ball this postseason, and that we can be proud of. Besides, I guess we should give someone else a chance to get to the World Series every once in a while.
On to something else. This blog I follow, Confessions of a CF Husband, (check it out if you haven't yet) had some depressing news today. To make a long story short (just read the blog!), Tricia has Cystic Fibrosis and she is not doing well. She has some tumors and the docs at Duke think they have spread. I am quite depressed about this, and I wish with all my might that Tricia receive better news soon.
Also, this month is Breast Cancer Month, as well as Premature Babies Month. Both subjects are near and dear to my heart. I lost someone that was a mother figure to breast cancer and I lost a premature baby. October is a rough month all the way around. My husband lost his mother on Halloween four years ago. Send some love our way this October.
On a joyful note, Savannah is running. And talking. And, since she is MY child, she is LOUD! She says all sorts of things that only she understands, but she says OW! when she falls, and she says No for everything else. I love my girls! Samantha continues to do good in school and be a social, albeit too talkative, butterfly.
Here we go into the cold....marching straight into my favorite time of year, fall. Pictures will be posted soon. I am waiting for my beautiful new laptop to be delivered!

Sickness Sucks

Ok. It is firmly established. Sickness sucks. My husband has been sick for 3 weeks now. I took the kid (the younger one) to the doc's today...double ear infection. I feel like I have been run over by a Mack truck. Samantha is the only one..knock on wood, or Pergo, in our house...that is still healthy. Send some good wishes our way. We sincerely need it.

Ok, ok, yes I am terrible!

I know it has been a long time since I have blogged and the two, maybe three people that read this blog are up in arms about it....but I digress. You try having a child in 4th grade and a toddler who loves nothing more than to do exactly what I tell her NOT to do and then get them both ready in the morning to get out of the house. Busy, you think? I honestly thought that having the age difference would be easier. Sometimes it is, because Samantha is able to be a mini-me and help with Savannah. But, they both needs on the opposite end of the spectrum and that's hard. Anyways, now my pity party has ended and on to more interesting news. Samantha is in 4th grade! Only one more year in elementary and then it's middle school. Wow, am I having a hard time with this. 4th grade so far is just review...and learning the rules. Sam has an incredible teacher AGAIN this year. That makes 3 awesome teachers in 3 years...and everyone says bad things come in 3's. I have a feeling the homework is going to increase this year...and then I may need a tutor..ha ha. Savannah is now running, yes running at 14 months ! And most kids don't like the word NO, but she REALLY doesn't like it. This child marches to the beat of her drum and no one else's. She is into everything. "All those expensive toys...nah...I like Mommy's tupperware cabinet. Oh, and the trashcan, cause I can lift the lid and pull stuff out. Yeah, that's a good one. And the dishwasher! What a gold mine! Knives and spatulas and plates, oh my! Mom, why are you closing it? And why are you telling me THAT WORD again? Oh well, I will just go throw stuff over the baby gate that leads downstairs, including my nukkie and my cup. Mom hates that."

Here's a taste of how our day goes the few hours we are actually at home.

If there is a laundry basket in progress, you might as fold it after bedtime. Savannah LOVES clothes. Just not shopping.

We cannot unpack diapers like normal people. Nope! They have to stay in the package. Or else.
Anyways, a longer post on our trip to Mass later. Gotta start the morning routine!

Finally! A Vacay!

We are headed out of town tomorrow....going to the great state of Massachusetts! We are going to visit some family and go to the Yankee Candle Flagship store! YAY! This will be my last post for a while, so enjoy life and have a great week. Go REDSOX!

My little hide~n~seeker!

The light in our kitchen over the stove stays on most of the time, both at night for a night-light and during the day because I forget to turn it off. I know, I know...conserve electricity. Anyways, tonight it burned out (serves me right I guess). I wish you all could see Savannah toddling around the kitchen in the pitch-black dark. As I type, she is walking in the kitchen, and I swear she has cat vision because she hasn't bumped into a single thing or fallen at all! She is supposed to be going to bed, but she got a second wind and now is all over the place. Of course, it doesn't help that Samantha is chasing her around, riling her up. Yells from Mommy to "calm down girls" go by the wayside. You know how they say little feet go pit-pat, pit-pat? Well, that old addage is true. Add to that the sound of a diaper swishing and a little voice going "no~no ditty" (sissy) and you have got true sounds of joy in my house. Some days I love my children so much it hurts. I always always love them, but sometimes my heart aches with it. When I see Samantha kiss and hug Savannah, and I see the pure sweetness, it makes me want to cry. Sorry for waxing poetic, but sometimes I have to remark on the utter adoration I have for my children. Parents, you know this! I am blessed to have wonderful children. Add to this my nieces and nephews, and it may be crazy...but it is one hell of a ride!

What kind of flower are you?

I found this awesome silly website called Quizilla.com. They have a quiz for about everything you can think of. Some of my friends and I have been doing all these random quizzes...all the ones that appeal to us. Visit this site when you are bored or have some free time and have fun!

"you are a person who is cheerful and enjoys celebration and because of this, the poinsettia should be your symbolic flower. Also known as the Christmas Star and Christmas Flower. The December birth flower symbolizes good cheer and success and are said to bring wishes of mirth and celebration. Aside from being an American symbol for the Christmas season, it also represents unity and togetherness of friend and family for celebration."

It's a sad sad day....

I am devastated! It's a sad day for the members of the Red Sox and the Nation. Manny, our dear sweet dreadlocked boy, is going to Hollywood to play for the Dodgers. What?! How could he? Could he get any further away from us? Now, Manny is temperamental and such, but he is a class~act ballplayer and we are going to be very sorry we did not pay him more to stay. I guess that all good things must come to an end~but this is one end I really did not see coming. And judging from the amount of press and other blogs I have read today, neither did a lot of other people. Every year for the past 5, he has talked and talked but never walked. To quote an infamous Boston phrase...it was "Manny being Manny". It appears however, that he meant it this time, and now. He cleaned out his locker today, and will not play anymore this season. Was it the money, Manny? The management? You had all the glory you could handle. Guess it wasn't enough. We didn't even have a chance to see jersey #24 retired. Godspeed Manny. We will miss you.

Words to Live By

Remember What is Most Important

Don't put off living until tomorrow.
Don't be afraid to dream some time away.
Don't look too far ahead,
don't look back with regret;
just look with hope
to the horizon of today.
Don't be afraid to reach for your goal,
no matter how distant it might seem.
And don't be surprised if you succeed.
The truly special people in this world,
the ones who reach their dreams,
are the ones who do the things
they really want to do.
Don't be one of the many...
be one of the few.


~~~Collin McCarty

Little Pink Riding Hood

We found this is a bag of clothes the other day. Not entirely sure what it is...at first we thought it was a bath robe, but it has some kind of swimming pool on the label. Regardless, I had just given Savannah a bath. She loves to "be nakey" for a bit afterwards, and crawl around with a diaper on. No, I am not that stupid. She who goes fully naked pees on the carpet.
When it was time to get dressed in PJ's, she did not want to take it off. Below is the picture where Mommy hurt Savannah's feelings because it was time to put on PJ's. Thinking about crying...yes sirree! This kid has a mind of her own already. Do you think she has worn this cute little multipurpose robe since then? Nope!

Kids say the darnedest things!

Language has been emerging lately. Savannah is starting to mimic, and the results are hilarious. She is even starting to say a few things unprompted. Right now, a duck says "cack cack". She knows "no" and "da-da" and "na-na" for Wanda. Mostly it's just gibberish. However, we just taught her "uh-oh" and today it bit me in the butt. More and more, she is responding to things as we say them. This morning, for example, I had stopped to get gas. I left my wallet open on the center console in the van, and as I pulled off, my wallet started to fall on the floor. Now, anyone who knows me knows my wallet is full of crap, and all that started to go everywhere. I, of course,with the mouth of a sailor, yelled ! And my little sweet angel says...you guessed it..."uh-oh"! Right on cue. I nearly ran the van off the road it was such perfect timing! You know what they say...out of the mouths of babes.

Told you I was going backwards

I warned you that I was going to go backwards sometimes.
I wanted to show you our 4th of July pics. Now, how amazing
are these two? We had to have them matching, which we do

quite a bit. All American Princesses, these two. We went to Mom's for a cookout on the actual 4th before we got rained out. I know we tried a good ten minutes to get the girls to smile and look at the camera. Oh well. Enjoy them anyway!

Savannah: "Audrey, I really don't like this grass stuff!"
Audrey: "It's not so bad, Savannah."
Savannah: I can't believe you are just sitting there! You are so perfect!"
Audrey: " I just want them to take our picture so I can eat!"

Look at our tats, man! How cool! We flex our muscles and the tattoos move!







And one more for your viewing pleasure...this was actually taken on the 5th. We met some friends at Target and sat in the parking lot to watch the fireworks. (earlier post) These were all the kids who were certainly not ready to go home and go to bed after that kind of show!

Back Row: Samuel, Samantha and Big Girl Savannah
Front Row: Olivia, Matt holding Audrey, Paige, Brie, and Jordan holding Baby Savannah
Hope you had a night full of stars, stripes, and sparkles!

I like them, I like them!

Here is a little lighter post today than the past two. Savannah is finally trying new things. This is also important because Mommy discovered a website that leads me to think Mommy is starving the kid! This site says that when kids transition from formula to milk...they need about 1000 cals a day. Or....dum dum dum...they might wake up at night. WELL, I WONDER! Is this why Savannah won't sleep? Is she not getting enough food? Perhaps. So, I am on a mission to do six small meals a day and we will see. My goal is to try a new food at least every other day. Today we gave her blueberries. Halved, of course, for all of you who are thinking "gasp!" My first thought was, maybe I shouldn't have halved them, and the next thought was, when did she turn into a Hoover? She inhaled them...so it really didn't matter if they were whole or not. Then I had to of course warn my husband that "what goes in, must come out" and that blueberries...they...well...I think you get the picture. He was not amused. So, new food #1 and I think I will start keeping a food journal for her. Tracking calories for a one-year-old? Am I nuts? Don't answer that!

Intervention

To continue in the same vein as my post yesterday, has everyone seen this Intervention show on TV? It is some powerful stuff! The show follows families through the heart-breaking process of trying to intervene in their loved ones' lives to save them from drugs and/or alcohol. As I watch the show, I am reminded how much I hate drugs. They serve no purpose except to screw up people's lives. I have watched two people close to me fight addiction over and over. I am so scared that the drugs will eventually win. If you haven't seen this show, watch it. You will not come away unchanged.

To the fullest...

So I am feeling a little..hmmm..unsettled today. Yesterday John's boss' fiancee (get that) was in a really bad accident. As in broken ribs, punctured lung, vehicle on it's side accident. She is such a sweet person and was on her way home from work when she got t-boned by another car and a tractor-trailer. Yes, it could have been much worse, but it was bad enough. I keep thinking did she tell her fiancee and kids I love you that day? We never know when each moment will be our last. Following this line of thinking, one of my friends is making a major decision in her life...she has decided that life is too short for her to spend it unhappy. She is trying new things and exploring life as she hasn't in a long time. Let her be an inspiration to us all. Life is only lived once, and we should make the most of it. Try something new and be happy. Stand up for yourself and make yourself happy. Live life to it's fullest...it's the only one you got!

Numero Uno for Savannah

Savannah kinda got shunted on this first birthday thing. Samantha had at least 40 people at hers. Savannah had, well, maybe 10? That's ok...it was fun. We had a Wonder Pets party. Yes, my child is addicted to TV. Blah blah all you American Academy of Pediatrics lovers. Sometimes you need your child to be distracted. Anyways, she loves Linny, Tuck and Ming-Ming too. Lemme tell you. So we decided to do the party for her and just have family. Check these out!

This is the Flyboat cake! Yes, Mommy is ambitious! If we were having a Wonder Pets party, there must be a Flyboat cake.
Every baby needs her own cake. The left is the one Mommy made, and big Sissy Samantha made the one on the right.
My child loves cake! No hesitation on her part. If it's food you got, it's what she wants!
Mema had a fit about the cake being chocolate, so we switched and gave her some of her actual birthday Flyboat cake.
Does she look like she enjoyed it? Her first birthday was memorable, and this is the reason why! And afterwards, Aunt Wanda gave her the mandatory bath! Lucky Mommy! Hope these made you smile!

I did it! I did it!

I have never been able to figure out how to add a picture, but thanks to my dear friend Jessi, (a.k.a. LoveLladro) I did it! I took this picture yesterday at work...thought it was pretty cool. I am most certainly not a photog...leave that to the professionals (like Jessi), but now...you will be subject to all sorts of posts with pictures. That's kinda cool actually...I know people follow these things to keep up on news. This will be for those people who will NOT join MySpace...you knwo who you are! Anyways, have fun and please forgive for going back in time...got a lot to accomplish!

What the hell?

If you could have seen Savannah's face as we watched the fireworks last night, you would understand that question. A group of us got together in the Target parking lot with our kids to watch the fireworks that had been postponed due to the storm on the 4th. They were pretty spectacular even for our little town, lemme tell ya. Savannah didn't pay attention to the first few "quiet ones", but that first big boom and she was definitely a little rattled. She looked at me with such an expression on her face (see post title) that I just had to laugh even as she started to cry. However, as long as Mommy held her, she was ok. The kids had a great time waving flags, eating fruit rollups and being loud enough to exceed the town noise ordinances, but watching them, I was a little nostalgic for my own childhood. With everything happening now...gas prices, grocery prices, the day-to-day drudgery of paying bills and doing laundry...for a fleeting moment I wished I was a kid again. The times we had...running around screaming with popsicle juice rolling down our chins, oohing and aahing at the fireworks...were those the good 'ole days? Nah, maybe not. We still had to go to school and take tests!

Happy Birthday Savannah!

Our youngest is one. I swear, she was just born yesterday! It was so sweet...she woke up at 2:30 in the morning, and my husband, who does not RACE to do anything, jumped out of bed to get her. The reason for this, I learned, is so he could be the FIRST to tell her Happy Birthday! I know, I know, sweet huh? We had to work in the morning, but Samantha made it worthwhile because she called from her dad's house to talk to Savannah. You should have seen Savannah's face! She truly loves her big sister. This week Savannah has been hanging on the gate that leads to Samantha's playroom downstairs...calling "aaaaaaah". We could only assume she was calling for her sissy. We have Savannah's one year checkup today...yuck...shots. Blegh! But then we pick up Samantha! Yay!

Geez, I'm Tired!

Our house has been plagued with viruses. Now, I know this is better than say, locusts, or ants or whatever, but since I started working in childcare again it seems the girls are always sick. Savannah has some type of virus that Audrey had, and it appears these two are already in cahoots with each other against the world. They share everything, even viruses! Really though, I know that childcare carries a certain stigma with sickness and everything, but I love my job. Our local Y is absolutely fantastic. We are so blessed. The people that work there really care, and there is hardly any turnover at all like other jobs. Savannah comes with me, I get to be involved in Samantha's class, (which I couldn't do as a full-timer at the bank), and I have made some truly awesome friends. Ok, so I know this post is wicked boring, but truly, I am so tired I can't see straight. My advice is this; WASH your hands well! Make your kids WASH theirs. Please.

Father's Day

Yesterday was John's first Father's Day. We spent a lazy morning. We all got up early, thanks to the child that never sleeps, and thus went back to bed as soon as Her Highness was ready. We decided, gas prices notwithstanding, we would travel to Salisbury and use John's Outback gift card.
This card was only almost eight months old...due to the fact my husband hoards things. We went right during naptime...cringing at the thought of taking this child to a restaurant when she is in meltdown mode. However, food rules and boy, does it soothe the savage beast. Our child is a macaroni-and-cheese-aholic. She will eat any type...and Outback's rocks. They use penne pasta and a creamy cheese sauce. This ain't Kraft, baby! Savannah ate the WHOLE time! From the bread to her pasta to my pasta, she should have been bursting at the seams. So then the logic would be that she would have a bottle and sleep the whole way home, right? Wrong. She drank the bottle and then fussed and screamed and cried. A "car baby" she is not. How we make it to Massachusetts in August I do not know. If you were wondering where Sam is, she was with her Daddy this weekend...we missed her and she missed Outback! Hope that everyone spent Father's Day in the best way possible for them.

It's been awhile...

Yes, I know it has been awhile. However, it is not my fault. It is my well, can't call it names (it'll hear me) my loving computer's fault. My brother, get this, used a program that allowed him to "remote in" from 400 miles away and spent 3 hours fixing this thing. You try not having internet access for nearly 2 weeks and see how you like it. I was going nuts and driving my family nuts by using their computers! I never really was computer-obsessed until almost a year ago. I could never understand the urgency. Guess what? Now I do and I am! I NEEDED my computer. It's like wearing a watch or your favorite piece of jewelry...you feel naked without it. So anyways, I am back and I am ecstatic! Onto the home front, Savannah is crawling, pulling herself up on everything, and trying to walk. All this in 3 weeks. She also climbed 2 stairs before Daddy decided he had quite enough with her adventuresome self and pulled her down. The funny part is, she knows the word NO but laughs like a crazy woman when you say it. Then you laugh and the whole moment is just ruined. Samantha has 2 and a half days of school left, and then it's time to figure out how to keep her occupied for summer. My baby as a fourth-grader. Where does the time go?

She did it! She did it!

We have been anxiously awaiting Savannah to crawl. Not quite sure why, because just 2 short days later I am ready for her to sit still. We have not seriously baby-proofed yet, so we need to get going on that. But boy, you should see her move. She looks like a cross between a rabbit and a frog. She does like this all-fours-hop-thing! Very strange. But then, the kid marches to her own beat and no one else's! My hubby still thinks it's adorable, but just you wait! He WILL change his mind. Another milestone...she breaks my heart. She's one step closer to getting on that yellow bus, slamming her bedroom door, gabbing on the phone, spending all our money (wait, she does that already~just doesn't know it), ok ok I am rushing things a bit. However, she is just growing so fast. No wonder Carter's chose the slogan..."If only they would just stay little." They were right on the money.

I Got Tagged!

My niece says I have been "tagged". So I am supposed to answer these questions...

5 things in my purse

• wallet
• multiple pens
• pacifers
• baby snacks
• brush

5 things in my room

• my california king size bed (the "big" bed)
• my growing stack of magazines
• a recliner
• piles of clothes
• piles of my husband's clothes

5 things I've always wanted to do

• go to Ireland
• go to Wales
• learn how to ride horses
• dye my hair a CRAZY color
• run for a local political office

5 things I'm currently into

• MySpace and finding long-lost friends
• blogging
• my Ipod (putting songs on it)
• exercising
• Webkinz

Ok, so I think I have done it successfully. We will wait for my niece's approval...

it's the little things

Mother's Day. Flowers, cards, candy, sleeping in, love is in the air...yada yada yada. As you can probably tell, mine did not go well. But that's okay. Tomorrow is another day. We took Mama to Annapolis (the...dum dum dum...ominous music...WESTERN SHORE) for a doctor's appointment. Where shall we go to dinner? she asks, (because sure as hell I am NOT sitting in that traffic on the way home). We voted, and Mommy got outvoted. Those two, being Mom and Samantha, conspired against me to go to Red Lobster. C'mon, I am on the verge of Civililization and they want to go to Red Lobster?!?! I was thinking Macaroni Grill or Outback, but oh well. So we have been struggling at home to get Savannah to eat people food; not that processed crap Gerber makes. (We have gone organic in the way of baby food people!) I have tried diced carrots, apples, bits of pasta, etc. I even got desperate and bought her one of those Gerber-processed-crap-meals. I opened the container to find little shells and cheese that looked just like Velveeta. It did not, however, smell like it. To her credit, Savannah shot me a dirty look and promptly spit it out. Then she mumbled something that was probably a baby cuss word. Forward to today at the restaurant, I ask the waitress if she can steam me some pasta. She says "we have Mac-n-Cheese...how about that?" Before I can say a word, Mom says that would be great and shoots me a look to shut me up. Now, I knew, just KNEW Savannah was not going to eat processed food. My organic angel. So I thought to myself, Samantha can eat it and I will just give Savannah her ORGANIC baby food, albeit out of a jar. You know what is coming right? The waitress sets the dish down and I dutifully pick up a slimy noodle covered with fake cheese and blow on it to cool it. I put it in front of my O.A. and she looks at me like Are You Serious? She picks it up, puts it in her mouth, AND GOBBLES IT DOWN! The traitor! Benedict Baby! She then screams for more and I am forced to give it to her. Cut to Mama, who of course is giving me a smug I-told-you-so look. The rest of our meal went peacefully, thanks to the little slimy things called Easy Mac. If that is what it takes to make my kid eat semi-solid food and not exhibit her gag-reflex technique, then stock is what I will buy in Kraft. However, it is still processed and pure junk. But it's the little things in life right? (and I still like Velveeta...ssshh...)

this damn election

I honestly have not paid a whole lot of attention lately to the election. The backstabbing, while I know is quite common, really grates on my nerves. I figure I have enough stress in my life that I don't need more negativity. I just read the headline that Obama won in North Carolina. Now, being from there and being raised with the racism that is still heavily prevalent, I wasn't too surprised he won. However, there are quite a few cities such as Raleigh, Charlotte, Fayetteville and others that have a bunch of transplants from other states and I am surprised that Hilary didn't have more of the vote. I usually keep my political views to myself (unless provoked =0). I have to comment tho. As much as people in this country (some) would like a woman Prez, I don't think it is gonna happen. Women are still only making a dollar to a man's four to five dollars, so does that sound like a country advanced enough for a woman? I just don't know if our country is ready. If Obama wins, though, will that ignite a bigger race war than we already have? And McCain...we are in a war we shouldn't be in already and if he wins, how much longer will we stay? See why this seems to be an impossible election? I know I shouldn't be ambivalent...this is my children's future...but I am having a hard time with this one. Coming from me, who has definite opinions on most everything (as my friends know), I am at a loss for knowledge here.

Cinco de Mayo

Today is Mexican Independence Day. The only independence I see is the freedom to swill tequila like my friend N tonight! LOL! Tacos and Tequila. Lethal combo? For sure. Both can burn your stomach! We are celebrating the 5th on the 9th. Everyone is coming over and we are having enchiladas, quesadillas, sangria, and Coronas. If you think about it, nothing we are doing is really authentic. Americans have pretty much taken over traditions from other countries and made them ours. Our way or the highway, baby. All the same, Americans love an excuse to socialize, eat, and imbibe. What the hell...we just love to eat! And people wonder why this country is obese. It ought to be fun, tho. Women, screaming children, lotsa food, and a drink based on red wine and lots of it...and then the screaming children noise fades away...If you are celebrating this day...be safe and responsible. You owe it to yourself.

Why Bother?

Yard Sales. Why bother? You drag all your stuff out...sit outside...wait...wait some more...one person comes...wait some more...you get the picture. I made $1 today. Well, not really, because we bought pizza for lunch. So, I didn't even break even. And I got a sunburn! My pasty white self just cooks. I am in a wee bit o' pain right now. On the plus side, we had some fabulous girl time, and Daddy got some baby time! Nuthin' wrong there!

My Cynical Niece

I was so excited about starting this blog thing. I mean, I am 30 and so out of the loop where the Tech Age is concerned. Hell, I can't even stomach the music (that is what she calls it) that my youngest niece listens to. Of course I needed a FEW pointers on how to do this. My sweetheart of a niece, who will remain unnamed, begrudgingly agreed to help. She thinks I am far too old to be trying to be cool. When she was little, she thought her world spun on my axis, but that changes too quickly. We got on the phone and she proceeded to help me step-by-step.
" insert what she calls me here", why did you put the word "pee"? she says. "Because" I reply.
"No one is going to want to read it" she says cynically. When did this start? This cynicism at such a young age? Who taught her to look at the world with glasses that are not rose-colored anymore? When she was little, rainbows and bulldogs excited her beyond belief. Now it is clothes and god forbid makeup and I am just not on her list of "acceptable" people. I know she still loves me. There is still hope. Maybe when she is pushing me in a wheelchair and the only thing we have in common is elastic waistbands!

Getting going...

Have you ever realized just how difficult it is to get motivated? For instance, my friends and I are doing a Yard Sale tomorrow. I have so much, well, junk, for lack of a better word, that I could let go of. Can I get my now 15 lbs lighter behind downstairs to begin the process? Not a snowball's chance. I know what I HAVE to do, but there are always a million reasons why I couldn't.
~I have to pee.
~The baby needs to eat.
~The baby peed and needs a diaper change.
~OMG! There is a marathon of SVU on!
~Now MOMMY is hungry.
And the list goes on and on. Even the prospect of making a little cash doesn't seem to propel me to move forward. Oh well, cest la vie! Or however the French spell things. But that is a different post.

Newbies

So, since my friends have joined the tech age (apparently it has been around for some time) I decided I had better get involved. "What's a blog?" my husband asks me. "Well," I reply, "I will let you know when I find out!" I am but a mere infant with this tool, but if it means keeping everyone informed of every nuance of our daily lives, then so be it. Maybe it'll be fun!