New job, Christmas anticipation, and friendless 'poopies'

Today kicked off my third week of my new job. I am absolutely loving it and so glad I made the switch. I think I have even recruited another friend from where I use to work to join me at my new company. It's all very wonderful. For those of you that don't know I'm now a home health nurse where I make nursing visits to people's homes. I love all the people so much and they are all so grateful for the care and the friendly face. It's a completely different way of nursing not to mention I had to dust my brain off and think 'adult' illnesses and not pediatric. The hours are amazing and Ihope itcontinues to work out so nicely.

I am excitedly awaiting Christmas. I like to just sit in bed at night with my hot chocolate and my book and get side tracked into thinking about CHRISTMAS!!!!!! It's coming! Oh the joy! :) I am probably even more excited than my three year old. Speaking of that sweet girl....

She's quite the character these days (as usual.) Last night as she was stalling for bed and "trying" to potty for the second time, I walked into the bathroom after listening to her grunt and grunt and she hopped off the toilet and said, "well, mama, that's all I can do right now [looks sadly into potty at a tiny little pellet sized single lone poop---looks at me again so concerned and sad and says]...mama, he's not going to have any friends." I guess thoughtfulness is thoughtfulness, right!?

The most wonderful time of the year!!!!!

Yesterday afternoon Alex was feeling a bit better and I decided I couldn't wait any longer to put up my Christmas goodies (or treasures, as Alex called them). And while we did it we had Elf on and it was glorious! Alex even liked it! Alex reminded me alot of how I imagine myself to have been when I was little (and still am, I guess, if I'm being honest!) which is totally loving anything CHRISTMAS-Y. Everything we go out of the box she said, "[gasp] oh! it's soooo bootiful, mama" and then handled it ever so delicately even if it was a piece of tissue paper i used to wrap up an ornament! Ha! While I was putting our tree up (which might be running it's last show this year?) she kept saying, "are we ready to get started, mama? maybe I can just get started now" and before I could say anything I would find three ornaments on the same branch. Some of the decorations I was instructed to put back into the box which would be returned to the garage. [All of decorations she was not a fan of, much to my relief, I was not either. In fact I had kept ahold of them specifically because I thought my kids might like them some day, not because I really liked them (i.e. bear type angel thing that is supposed to be a tree topper and kissing bears from Hallmark, etc.....maybe she just has an aversion to bears?)].

We were all in a very festive mood last night! Tim and I settled in to watch a movie with the tree lights on and all my Christmas goodies around and it was awesome! Did I mention I love Christmas?!

I get to spend the day at work today and tomorrow. Joy. My days here are ending. While I'll miss some aspects (not many) overall I am very READY to move on.

Any good Christmas movie suggestions?

Birthday fun at Gram's and Gramp's, and Happy B-day to my Mama!!!

We had a wonderful time for the "pre-bday" party. We decided to celebrate a little early since her birthday is pretty close to Christmas. I think she rather enjoyed it. Hopefully we will do the same type of little shin-dig at Tim's folks' very soon.

Story time with tu-tu and Grampa

All smiles for birthday song and cake, though she probably only ate 3 tiny bites. Luckily I REALLy know how to throw down a dairy queen ice cream cake so I enjoyed her share and mine and then some :)

Tu-tu shake

With the cousins (minus Daniel who is too cool for pictures)

So, it only took a couple weeks to get those posted, maybe I'm not such a slacker after all?

Today we are home sick (Al's sick, not me). She is feeling real yucky, poor bean. She even fell asleep while watching Mickey Mouse and that is a real first for her. Last night we did a little shopping together and had so much fun. On the way home I heard a gasp from the back seat and Al said, "Mama! We have to go back! We forgot sumpin!" What? I asked..."My medicine! I need to take it! I'm not feel'n so well!" Indeed we did forget to buy her some and it was one of the main reasons we went out shopping in the first place...good move mom. Bummer. Later in the night she had a fever of 102 but luckily we had the medicine that we really needed. Whenever she is sick I get lots of cuddle time which I love! She tells me, "I love to snuggle with you, mama" and what mama wouldn't want to hear that?!

Not much new in life here. Just getting in to the Holiday spirit! I love it! I have already watched Elf once so it's official----Christmas is coming and Elf watching can begin! the basement is coming along very nicely. I will post some pics perhaps one day.

Ok, trying to blog with a sick needy babe is not going so well, so I gotta wrap this up.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone! And Happy Birthday to MY mama!!!!!

Halloween Spectacular!!!

I like that this pic has a 60s orange-ish vibe to it!

I apologize for not blogging sooner. Just been getting lazy with the whole thing and enjoying the best time of year---FALL!

This pic illustrates why we have yet to get a family portrait...we are still working on REAL smiles...not quite there yet.
Some of these pics are out of order, but owell. Alex was more than over joyed about the entire Halloween process. It truly was the most amazing day of her life!

Every house we went to she would say, "Do you have any treats or candy for us?" instead of the usual, "Trick or treat". Then when she found out they did, she would say, "They do, Mama! Ooooh THANK you!" And then the decision making would come---which treat to select. Overwhelming.

Pumpkin carving in her self selected Halloween outfit. She grabbed out one handful of goo and then I had to do the rest. She colored while I cleaned and carved. She was more interested in practicing what we do and say on Halloween.

Pre-candy

Annoyed that I keep taking pictures and am taking too long to walk to the next house in hopes of more treat gathering.

Not much new in these parts. Just working on getting our basement finished and the joy that entails. We have made some serious progress which is making it very exciting to think about enjoying it soon!

I have an interview today for a new job with a home health company. It is supposedly a fantastic company, small and treats their employees well. I work about the same hours (maybe a little less but the pay is better) but no more weekends, no nights, and no Holidays! I would get to make my own hours basically which would work wonderfully now that Alex is preschool age and will be starting preschool/daycare in Dec. She's really excited to start, I think she misses it. This is the age where I feel good about sending her so my guilty daycare blues will be no longer (until baby #2 that is :). My days will be more like 8 or 9am until 2 or so. Pretty awesome. I am planning on staying on at Childrens a few shifts a month. I do like it there and the few shifts a month will cover daycare costs, so all in all it should work out nicely...hopefully! That's about all the updatese I have, I suppose.

OH! Today is the BIG day---FINALLY! I hope you all are getting your vote out there! Unless it's for McCain...then you can stay home :) JK. Tim and I went early this a.m. and only had to wait about an hour. Wasn't so bad. I can't wait to watch all the fun on TV tonight! Take care all...and I'll try to keep my posts more frequent--just not enough hours in the day!

Go OBAMA!!!

Geezshush and piggy back rides

It's been almost a month since my last post! Holy hell!!!! I just, unfortunately (or fortunately?), don't have a ton to update on. Life is pretty much the same ol' same ol' which I guess is good.



Enjoying a good Sunday at work and will be heading home for some movie and dinner in 2.5 hours! (I know! Isn't this life off-the-hook exciting? See why I haven't posted?!)



I'm enjoying FALL but not enjoying getting up for work while it is still dark and leaving work when it is dark again. It is the pits!



----Wild-woman updates----

Alex is quickly becoming the wild woman I always knew she would be. Defiant and strong willed when she sees it necessary and there is no breaking it! She lost her toys the other week (due to tantrum in front of store) and while I was packing them up she stood quietly watching me [this was the first time she lost nearly all of them at once]. Then I heard, "I wonder what daddy is going to think of this, mamma...." I told her I was sure that daddy was going to be disappointed she acted the way she did and had to lose her toys for awhile. Then she said, "Daddy is going to be so mad at you 'bout this" as calm and cool as possible. I about fell out my window! Where does she come up with this stuff.



Bedtime is a fun-time for the bean and I. We get to do some REAL talking. We were discussing the holidays and how each one is special and what we do for each Holiday. When we got to Christmas she had the Santa part down but was a little confused regarding the Baby Jesus part. When we talked about Christmas being Baby Jesus' birthday she agreed and then was quiet for awhile then said, " yeah, and baby Geezshush watches us from his truck in the clouds...like Grandpa's truck"....Uh huh...of course he does! Then later she told me that "Geezshush gives us piggy back rides sometimes"....OF COURSE HE DOES! I thought that was too cute! And he often does, probably not in the way she might imagine them but I'm sure I've gotten a few in my lifetime :) It made me think of Foot Prints in the Sand.



One evening T was getting her jammies on her after bathtime. I went upstairs to check on them because it was taking FOREVER! And T told me about her rather large number two. A then went on to describe it for me by saying it was from her closet (she was standing near it and pointed towards it) and then spread her arms out as far as they would reach and said, "it was this big, mamma" with the most pride (and the most seriousness) a mother could ever see on her child's face. How touching! ha!



--------------------------------------------------------more to come--------------



On a seperate note I am totally addicted to Mad Men. If you have never watched it, WATCH IT! It is very good, the cast is amazing! I'm hoping to find some other new shows to enjoy this fall. So far not much luck. Any ideas?

Hum drum day....

Today has been a very slow day...a very very very oh so slow and painful day. Working today and I can't usually say it's slow but today...oh today, it is slow. I floated to a different floor and have ONE patient (the other is off the unit until 9p). I have ONE patient. I have given ONE med. I am BORED. I guess there is something to be said about a busy unit (such as the one I work on--- even though I may complain about it at times). Oh my gosh...the pain...the boredom...my butt hurts from sitting for hours straight. I am getting paid. I must remind myself. (what did bored people do at work before the internet? nap? I could be down with that too...I guess the internet is a bit more discreet)

On a non-work note, my birthday is coming up! I can't wait! I always get very excited for birthdays, though usually end up a little sad on the day of because they aren't quite celebrated like they use to be. And I somehow end up being disappointed ...usually just home sick/friend sick I suppose. This year I aim to NOT be disappointed but to just ENJOY the day---to be thankful for my life, all the incredible blessings of family and friends and Coopy dogs and stuffs and memories, etc. It doesn't get much sweeter than this and too often I let the little things distract me and I forget...I am truly blessed. TRULY!

A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age.

Robert Frost

Another work weekend over :)

Tim and I have been watching alot of Flight of the Conchords. I highly highly recommend it to everyone (except, mom, I think you might find it 'weird' :). Anyway, it's HI-larious! You've got to check it out.

Funny A stories:
The other day A was putting her pants on in the kitchen (why the kitchen? i'm not sure..dressing and undressing herself is one of her new hobbies) and I am doing something near her, close enough to hear her utter, " Damnit! I can't get my leg in!" I say, "what did you say, Alex?" and she looks at me and says, "damnit, my legs won't fit in". That's what I thought. So I explain to her that is not a nice thing to say and she hears me or dad say it sometimes but we really shouldn't and blah blah blah. That same evening as I am getting her ready to get in the shower, I turn the shower on and the nozzle was facing us a little bit---outside of the tub---and she says--so seriously frusterated, "Damnit, mama! you sprayed me with the shouwa!" Nice. So, again, I explained. ugh! I really need to watch my mouth. I didn't even realize that I say that but evidently I do?! And she uses it SO appropriately! ha!

Also, she recently told me in the car during one of our really great conversations [I love our car talks], "mama, i'm growing wings...buttafly wings and when I'm all big I'm gonna fly away and live up day-a (there) [points to the sky] in my own house....[she's quiet for a moment, imagining and then says]....mmm hmmm---with Grampa." Oh, nice. She's all ready to leave me AND she doesn't want me to move in with her! Of course she wants Grandpa!

She was crying after I 'scolded' her the other night [I was in a bad mood and later apologized because she really wasn't being that bad] and mid tears, big huge sad tears, she yells, "GRAM-PAAAAA.....[tears, tears]....GRAM-PAAAAAAAAAAAA" Talk about my heart falling out on to the ground, not because she was calling for 'grampa' [I love that they are the best of buddies] but because I had made her feel so sad that she truly wanted him to come save her from mean ol' mama! :(

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Holiday weekend. I enjoyed it with my babes at work. Over the course of the last 5 weeks I have let a new pea-pie sneak into my thoughts and heart at work. He and his family are amazing. AND his mom told me that she thinks I am his favorite nurse! sigh....it's good to hear that sometimes----makes ya feel good! :)

Three red leaves...

A and I had a conversation the other day about leaves and what ones were our most favorite...the colors that is. Hers were blue, of course. Mine are red and have always been red, and then she agreed..."yes, mine are red, too, mama". They are the color of my favorite season. This evening as I was carrying A down my stairs we peeked out our front door window and I saw Three red leaves, small and all on the same branch, right there on my front porch step. There are no trees with changing leaves or bushes with red leaves near by so it made me smile to think these beautiful leaves traveled to make their way to my step...my favorite red leaves, not even 24 hours after I proclaimed them to be my absolute favorite and in a group of three, my absolute favorite number. I love red leaves. And it's the small things, really, that offer such beauty to our lives sometimes. What are your small things? For me, tonight, it's three red leaves...

Jeans shopping...

I hate to shop for jeans. I love jeans, I have an obsession with jeans, I own at least 20 pairs but I HATE to shop for them. Yesterday I did just that. I tried out some new stores I hadn't visited since my high school and first round of college. Abercrombie, American Eagle, Charlotte Russe, and some others. No luck. I am convinced they keep making the sizes smaller. I own a pair of Abercrombie jeans that fit me wonderfully! I love them. When I held up that same size jean at the store yesterday I'm pretty sure they might---MIGHT have fit around one of my legs...maybe an arm. Anyway, I finally went to Express. I usually have luck there. Their jeans allow you to breathe, and they don't cost an insane fortune (as I did not have an insane fortune to spend) and that makes me happy. It's the same Express I typically don't like to go to because of the same sales associate that always helps (hounds) me [I'm thinking I have mentioned her in another post in the past?]. She is very friendly and can be helpful at times but rather annoying. She always calls me "sweetie" and "honey" and I might add uses them quite excessively.

So there I am looking at the wall-o-jeans. She approaches. "Hey, sweetie, would you like me to help you pick out some awesome jeans, honey?"

"No thanks, I can do it on my own but thanks for offering."

"Ok, sweetie. Just so you know the Mia line (one of their lines names, and the line I just so happen to walk in front of first on the wall-o-jeans) is for really tall and skinny build" now she looks me up and down and seriously says, "But since you're more of the average build (grabs her own butt here), not quite so 'little in the middle' and have some more 'junk in the trunk' like myself you might like the Eva's or the Stellas." Of course I could have figured this out since the signs explain the body types they fit and how they fit and even have helpful pictures [Mia jeans: long fit, 'skinny' jeans---right, got it], I really enjoyed having her look me up and down and use such great euphemisms such as 'junk in the trunk'. The kicker here is she was definately a 'Mia' body type and was even wearing a pair! Thankfully, I am comfortable with my body and enjoy having some 'junk in my trunk' and have accepted the fact that I won't be able to particpate in the stylish 'skinny' jean fad, but I was thinking about what if I wasn't? What if I fancied myself a 'Mia' girl and here comes this sales woman letting me know the 'big booty' jeans are on the other side. HA! It makes me laugh just remembering it.

So I find a pair of Stella and Eva jeans to try on (no Mia's, I mean how could I even if I wanted to? She totally called me out and she would see my carrying them to the dressing room! Ironically the Mia jeans do run the full size list all the way up to 12s..I wonder if she redirects those higher more 'average' sizes to rethink their purchase and go with an Eva or a Stella?) Anyway, she lets me in a dressing room after asking me if I have a credit card there. I have finally learned to ALWAYS answer yes to this question. It really eliminates the 'convincing' you to open one and save 8 dollars but pay 20 in intrest! So I enter my dressing room and, Ahhh, I'm free from her for awhile.

Wrong.

She continues to knock on my door every 2 or 3 minutes and say, "You doing okay in there, sweetie?"

"Yes, thanks"

"No problem Honey. Let me know if you need anything, sweetie. I'll be right outside your door if you need me, sweetie-honey"

Enough with the sweeties and honies! But it gets better. She finally says, "What's your name, sweetie?" So I tell her. Then she says (laughing) "Ok, Melissa. Now I can stop calling you sweetie and Honey!" Yes! That would be great! THANK GOD, I think to myself. I just laugh along with her. I'm relieved, we are on a first name basis now. Two minutes go by. Knock! Knock! "Melissa-sweetie, how you doing with your selections? Do you like the fit, Melissa-honey?"[yes, i'm serious, she really did say them both with my name attached] Damn! Now my name has just become hyphenated and added to the sweeties and honies. Bummer. Finally, I make my selections (luckily no Mias would be purchased today, I mean how could I have faced her when she rang me up?).

So, I ended finding two pairs of jeans that I really really like. They fit great for those of us with junkie trunks and not so 'little in the middle', ha! I highly recommend them to you if you are jean shopping, in fact. They are soft and flexible and allow your body to move in them, which as I said before is a nice feature I look for in jeans. Now weather or not the Mias allow for movement, I can't honestly say...I'm more of a Stella and Eva kind of girl :)

She did bring up the credit card a few more times. Saying, "it's too bad you already have one. YOu could have saved [however much] by opening one today." I just had to play along and act really disappointed, if only I could open ANOTHER one!

[ Marla took this pic of M and A. I think it is too cute!]

Not much new here in the big city life. Enjoying the rest of the summer and enjoying the cool nights and loud locusts and crickets at night! Work is going well, not too much new there. We are all doing well with nothing much to update on. I haven't posted in so long I thought I had better post something.

Alex stories<><><><><><><><><>

The talking back has begun. And way before I was expecting it, and in a way I was not expecting it to happen...Whenever T and I say something sternly or in a voice other than the one we typically use she will look down, stick out her bottom lip, make her chin to quiver, and say, "Don't talk like that to me, mama" or "that hurts me, mama, don't say that to me" in a very sad, hurt little voice. Sometimes she can squeeze tears out or sometimes she does without. She has also just begun to say "I AMMMM" if I tell her something she is already doing or in the process of doing, i.e. I say, "finish your dinner" and she says, "I AMMMM!" and the list goes on with that one---I thought that didn't come until they were around pre-teens!! And now when we catch her out of bed at night and we go in to her room she'll make up an excuse as to why she was out of bed, excuses like, "my feet are cold, mama" or "my knees hurt". When I check on her after she is asleep I will find her in a completely different getup than the one I put her in hours before and in the morning there is always a very interesting reason she gives me for outfit change! She seems to be getting a bit wilder. Sometimes she goes from thing to thing to thing I think I may lose my mind sometimes. She pressess my buttons well at times, but it is usually only when she's bored. Oh, and yesterday she told me I was old...but not Grandpa or daddy--they are "young" like her. Nice.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Marie and Brooke! Wish I could celebrate with you both! ;)

And were an epitaph to be my story I'd have a short one ready for my own. I would have written of me on my stone: I had a lover's quarrel with the world.

Robert Frost

Slow-- yet great day...

Today was a glorious work day. It's the type of day we dream of on the Hem/Onc floor. No major emergencies, no one going down the tubes, no real urgent issues, just a quiet Sunday--a rare day indeed.
I organized ordering lunch which was a real treat. I usually don't even have time to use the restroom so to be able to coordinate gathering monies and hungry participants is quite a joy. We ordered Chipotle. It was delicious! Super delicious.
I had one of my favorite patients that makes me feel like work is a little home away from home, he's my 3 1/2 year old buddy who has been through the ringer and back and keeps on truck'n! He is going to be leaving our floor soon and heading on home (hopefully), though I'm sure we'll see him again. He's been with us for nearly 8 months. I took a picture of him today on my cell phone which I'm sure is completely against HIPPA, but I don't plan on sharing it and I need it because he is my buddy. His family is not very involved with him so he has sort of become a part of our work 'family'.

At work I was thinking that I really ought to find myself a fantastic hobby. I keep saying that and have been searching for one for years. Nothing has stuck so far. First there was knitting. I have many started, uneven, rather unappealing scarves--all with the knitting needles still connected to them. I just buy new ones when I picked the hobby back up as I don't know how to get them back on the needles without unraveling the whole project.
I have a wonderfully effective pilates DVD that I thought might revolutionize my bod and my life...that was 4 years ago and I might have used it thrice times and there has been no revolutionizing anything.
I have a wonderful collection of various 'crafty' type things in which to create--unfortunately I found creating patiently isn't really my thing either.
I have a sewing machine (gift from my mother-in-law). I do love my sewing machine. I'm proud to own one and frequently admire it when I see it. I have four pillows that I enjoy, and Alex enjoys a pillow courtesy of the sewing maching...I have drawers full of lists and fabric and ideas just waiting to be sewn with vigor. Someday.
I have books the train me to be a better writer as I enjoy creative writing from time to time. Just haven't found the time (motivation) to read them yet...and, well, finding time to sit down and write seems daunting, intimidating, overwhelming and so I don't.

Will I ever find a hobby? Perhaps my hobby is finding new hobbies and trying them on for size? Maybe the perfect one still awaits me? I guess I could count eating ice cream my hobby? And shopping...does that count? Hmmmm....
I'm open to suggestions.

Splash park frenzy, 'red boot' helper, anniversary, and the conversation with Grandpa

Yesterday was Tim and my anniversary. I got him a really nice watch...he is taking it back (as he does most gifts I get him...I should know after so long to stick to the simple gifts but I always think, "THIS will be the year I get him something he likes!" Anyway, he already feels bad but it was too nice a watch for him not to like it and not to wear it. Anyway, I digress. He got me roses. They/he made me real happy :)

I took Al to the splash park a couple days ago. She is like a maniac when she's there. She runs from one thing to another to another. It was disgustingly hot out but we still had fun. Unfortunately for you all I didn't get a picture of me in my new TEENY TINY string thong bikini---it's SUPER comfy to wear to places like this! Super kid friendly, too! Maybe I'll post some on my next blog! [something to look forward to]

Here is the bean in her undies and her 'red boots' heping T organize some things in the garage. Can you imagine if I organized my garage in only my underwear and rain boots! What a visual I just gave you all! Ha!

Anyway, we use to correct her and tell her they were green (she has known her colors for a long time now so we didn't get why she was calling them 'red'). Then I heard a song on one of her shows called "Red boots". A woman is jumping around in red rain boots singing about her red boots. So, obviously they are NOT rain boots or green for that matter---they are HER red boots. I love how kids' brains work!

I remember when I was little my Grandma had a picture in her kitchen of a lion in a tree. I think it said something about getting stuck in a tree or some clever little saying. Well, one day I asked her about it (think first or second grade, maybe younger...probably younger) and she MUST have said that "Grandpa gave me that" or "It reminds me of Grandpa..." but I misunderstood her and thought she said something about it being Grandpa IN the tree. I remember staring at that picture ALL the time when I was there TRYING to see how that lion in the tree was actually my Grandpa. I literally thought it was him, somehow, someway, that was him with paws and a tail and fur and a big lion head....I'm not sure how hold I was when I finally realized that it could not possibly be my grandpa. Let us hope it was not too late afterward!

One quick funny Alex story:

We had been having some issues with getting the bean to sleep in her bed. She would eventually do it but it took many times of putting her back in her bed over and over and we had to get mean and ugly. We hated that part. Anyway, we finally put a gate up in her doorway so she didn't feel totally trapped but at least couldn't get out of her room. Works great. We all are much happier, or at least T and I are. The other day I put her down for her nap and closed the gate to her saying, "DOn't do it, mama! Don't do it! Don't lock that door!" (which she hates) and I did and then went downstairs and this is what I heard....

"Grandpa! GRAND-PAAA! Are you here Grandpa?! No, I can't come over---NO, Grandpa! Mama has locked me in here, Grandpa! She locked the door and I can't get out! Grandpa! I'm stuck here" [I could only imagine her hand up to her ear as she quite frequently pretends to be on the phone to various people, usually Grandpa. Usually the conversations are much more pleasant and less frantic. I guess it was better than crying.]

More writings...

Oct 4, 1990

I like the sound of thunder at night. I also like the sound of rain. I like to listen to rain when I am up at the lake with my friend Kelly. I don't know why I like thunder. I also like the sound of when someone says crack-of-don really quick!

Oct 18, 1990

[be prepared blog readers...this one is really really profound! ha!]
What realy bothers me is that we still don't have world peace. With all the stuff that has happend and we still don't have world peace. It is scary! If only we could just work it out. I guess it just isn't that easy. Here I am in dream land, (thinking that) but yet in reality we have far to go until we achieve world peace.

Another poetic writing of a third grader....

Melissa Nov. 30, 1990

I wish I could change the way my thumbs look. They are ugly. And expecially deformed. They are fat. They also crack when ever I bend them. Everyone always asks why they are like that! Thats why I want to change my thumbs.

[For the record, I now appreciate my thumbs. It is especially exciting to meet someone with the same thumbs. I also like them because they are like my grandmother's thumbs. I guess that's the sort of thing you can't really appreciate until you are older.]

Melissa Sept. 14, 1990
When I grow up I want to be either an arcitec, dentist or a model that gets paid good. I want to have 2 kids. A boy and a gril. I want to have two dogs and 3 cats and maybe a turtle. I would name my dogs Marge and Clide. I would name my 3 cats Lucy, Tiffany and Barney. I don't realy know what I would name my kids. I would have a Big gymnastics room and a indoor and maybe an outdoor pool. I would have a big yard for my cats and dogs. I would like two satilight dishes. Oh...I would name my turtle Murtle.

Third grade memories...

greenbrooke.blogspot.com had a good idea when she posted something she wrote in fourth grade. I have a journal type thing we had to keep in third grade and I still have it. Our teacher would start it out like, I hate.... and then we'd finish it. I think every now and then I'll post something from it. they are pretty hillarious! i'll even include the unique spellings.

Oct2. 1990

I hate to eat pork chops! They are so sick! I hate them because there are little chuncks of hard fat! There are also little vanes, that is even worse!!!My mom says that my dad cut all the fat off. I believed her the first time she said that, But when I took one bite of it,,,I got a vane and a hard chunk of fat! Isn't that enough to make to want to throw-up? After that I never believed her again. Now I just move my meat around to make it look like I ate it. Sometimes I even feed some to my dogs, give some to msister, throw it away when they aren't looking or I set it by the sink and run upstairs to my room. The reason I give some to my sister is because I eats all her green beans when she doesn't want them. I will almost do anything to get out of eating my pork chops!!! Here is what I think of pork chops... (there's a picture here of a head with an open mouth saying, "yuk! yuk! yuk! yuk! yuk! yuk!")

Melissa Sept 7 1990

I would like a great big bag of money. I would be at the mall for 24 hours without one break! I would probly give some to my parents and sisters and even my grandparents. With all that money I would buy 1,000 stuffed animals or more, candy, 2 computers, 100 out-fits, 20 pairs of shoes, a pool, hot tub, 100 loto tickets I would win 500,000 dollars!! Thats not all I would buy, I would buy lots lots lots more! Of corse this could never happen me win the loto...Get real! Or me getting a bag full of money...Get Real! That would be a great big mirical if that could realy happen! Well if it ever does...I will know what to do with all the money. But win the loto? Man, I wish that could happen but...Maybe if your a doctor or a loyar. Then maybe you could win! Well bye!!

[I like how my priority was clearly on stuffed animals. And who knew I was such a synic!]

Dec 14th, 1990

The best thing about a pet is that you can talk to them and they won't talk back. I ahve two cats. And also two dogs. So I should know. We used to have two chamealones. But they died.

Sept 13,
Sometimes I am afraid to look at my self in the mirror when my friends finish doing my hair. Sometimes they do my hair really nerdy! My Friend Brooke always makes it ugly on purpose! It dosn't realy make me mad it just makes me have to wash it right after words. When their done I have to go show everyone!!! That's inbarising!
[I then drew a picture of me with normal hair and wild hair and then some type of box with bottles in it? must have been all the product Brooke would put in my hair?]

Christian's visit, lady bug, and some funny stuff

Alex has been insisting lately that she wear her lady bug costume. It is quite heavy and warm, yet she still enjoys wearing it and looking at herself in the mirror. She will now wear the hat part which if you recall for Halloween she went hat-less.

My mom and Christian came to visit last week and we all had so much fun! Here's a pic of Christian with the rocks he collected that I then paid him for. He made out pretty well. While we were sitting outside on this particular evening Alex crawled up on my lap demanding my attention saying, "Mom! Mom! Mom! I want something in your purse! I want something in your purse!" repeating it over and over until I stopped talking to my mom and listened to her. When I finally said, "What, Alex!" she calmed down and very seriously said, "Dollars." Oh. Dear. They do learn so young. I had no idea.

Yoga fun! Alex seemed to be enjoying watching Christian work while she loafed.

Park Fun! Even my mom enjoyed playing on the equipment.

What a cutie pie!

He's a cutie pie, too :)

Some more quick funny things that Alex has said lately:

This morning when we were waking up and walking downstairs to start our day when she requested to put on lady bug costume. It was sitting on the stairs so I put it on her quickly right on the stairs. She then says, "Today is Halloween. I want candy. Come on, mom, let's get started!" Ha! Let's get started? Where did she get that?

When we were driving today I was talking about how much I loved her and that I even let her live in my belly when she was a baby, and in fact that I GREW her in there. She corrected me and said, "No mamma...I lived in Grandpa's belly, then daddy's" Oh. I see. I must have been mistaken.

Work story:

Remember the girl I was talking about that always worked in the fact that she works out? Well, yesterday we were sitting at computers next to each other and somehow we got talking about what we wear outside of work (i.e. she wears dresses, i wear cut off sweats and tank tops). Then she said, "I just did laundry yesterday and all that was in it was scrubs and TONS of work out clothes. That's it." Good for her. I told her I work out so much that I started doing it in the nude...saves on laundry.

Let us see...what else is new?

I was never able to give up ice cream (remember that old post?). Yeah, that might have lasted a couple days. I still eat it and in fact I eat it nearly everyday. It makes me quite happy and so I'm not going to try to give it up anymore. That was mean. I also eat fast food. But mostly only meatless cheeseburgers when I really am hungry, so I guess that is some progress.

Work is good. Really liking weekends. We are finishing our basement, or at least starting the process. Tim is doing most the work. I just make phone calls when necessary. It's best that way. I may have made a new friend?! I don't know, I'll have to keep you posted. We have a lot in common (social workers, nerdy-brainy husbands, same sort of humor) So, like i said, I'll have to let you know how it goes. She's a wife of Tim's co-worker. Unfortunately no 2.5 year old children. owell.

Gotta go tend to the babe. I've let the TV babysit her for a few minutes so I could do a quick post. Hope your weather was as amazing as it was here today!

It's someone's Birthday today!!!

Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear MARLAAAAAA, Happy birthdaaaaay, tooooooooo YOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU!!!!

Happy 4th

Happy 4th! I was having some fun on the new site that Kelly talked about on her blog picnik.com. I just spent three straight hours on it. I was going to spend my evening watching chick flicks but I suppose the evening is nearing it's end for me as I have to get up early and work. But something tells me that won't be happening anyway as every one of my neighbors seems to be congregating outside my house and in the street along with their first, second, third, and eighth distant cousins and those cousins' cousins. So, with their firework and ATVs sleep is looking unlikely. Nice. I guess I can always nap tomorrow. I could go join them but I don't much like home-type fireworks (scare me) nor do I like ATVs---taken care of too many ICU patients with ATV injuries...so that leaves me to be a little hermit in my house. Owell. Sometimes a little alone time can be a good thing.

Hope you all have a safe and happy weekend!

Finally, some pics!

Here are some pics I wanted to share of one of Al's last days of school. i left a diposable camera with her teachers so I could make a little book for the bean to look at. Still haven't made the book, but I'll get to it. She was one of only two girls in her class. Nice. The kids were all really good and seemed to all get along really well. Anyway, as I type this Al is laying naked on a big pile of pillows she has collected. She stripped after she went potty and I have yet to dress her for the day...she also keeps telling me she is thirsty and I keep replying, "just a second..." for like the past thirty minutes. I'm am such a good mom! But I felt it necessary to get these pics posted before another day went by and no new pics! I also have new posts below this one so don't miss them!

Help...

I have requested a new bedspread/comforter/whatever type you please for my birthday. I am seeking THE perfect one with the perfect look, perfect feel and the perfect temperature keeping abilities. If you have any recommendations or stores with not so pricey picks let me know. Tim is very attached to our bedspread now and is hesitant to change so I must show him the grass can be even greener! It doesn't matter the color as I slowly want to redo our room anyway.
Thanks!

crucial mermaid converstation

THis morning when I was doing laundry, Alex ran into the kitchen and said, "Mom! I found my phone!" [I didn't know she had ever lost it or was looking for it?] I glanced out to see which one---it was her mermaid cell phone. She flipped it open put it up to her ear and said, "Oh hello? OOOOOH, yes, Hi Mermaid..."...silence while she listened intently to the mermaid calling. Then she says, "Mmmm, hmm...you want me to come to your mermaid kingdom?...and baby, too?" Then some more silence while she walked around the kitchen slowly--still listening oh so intently... "Ok Mermaid, be right there! Ok, bye!" And then she ran out of the kitchen with great urgency.

It must have been one seriously crucial mermaid conversation.

(this isn't exactly like her phone, the one I got her was more like 3$ in a check out lane...but it's a good visual none the less)

ok ok ok!

So, I was going to try to wait until I could post some pics, but I suppose that will have to wait.
Unfortunately there isn't a whole lot that is new. I started the weekend plan and I'm loving it. Getting time to catch up with family and old friends----it's been great!

Al and I had a short visit to the Fort last week and when we came home she walked into her bedroom and said, "get this crib out of my room!...it's for baby!" Tim and I almost cried. She is a full adult now, in our minds...she needs us even less. She now sleeps in her 'big girl' bed full time. I'm proud (i must be doing something right) but the ol' heart breaks when I think about it. She'll never be a baby AGAIN!

Also, I've discovered she loves country! A friend made a county cd for me and she is hooked! She seems to like the 'twangiest' songs on it. There is one that she literally acts out the words--having to do with putting suntan lotion on and this and that (you know how country music is a 'bit' cheesey) and she will say, "this is my favorite song in the whole wide world, mama!" [side note: i seem to have, uh, somewhere along the way acquired a taste for CERTAIN country songs...who knew such a thing would ever happen?]....

---also, it should be noted that last night as I was reading a book [The hidden diary of Marie Antoinette---really good] I really came to realize how much I abuse comma usage. I apologize---it's just that I really love commas.

Tim and I went mountain biking yesterday for our 'date night' and then to buffalo wild wings. Great date night! except my butt feels so bruised (from mountain biking---NOT dinner just to clarify) I can barely sit down! I only almost wiped out a bazillion times! ha! We went on some new trails that Tim heard about that biker enthusiasts built not too long ago (they are friends of one of his coworker's). While on it we met the actual trail creators! They were SUPER hard core bikers but super nice. Everyone we met on the trails was so nice it was crazy! It was like we left the real world and entered some really friendly fictitious world in the woods. Bizarre.

We are watching Lars and The Real Girl for the second time tonight. Such a cute, strange, funny, touching movie.

Well, that's all I have for now. I will post pics soon.
HOping for pool weather tomorrow! Fingers crossed!....and toes!

Stay tuned....

I promise a blog is in the works....I have not forgot you loyal readers!

Counting down, a new 'pool', pretending, and a challenge to myself

Alex has begun pretending a lot more lately. She creates these games for herself which usually incorporate some sort of backyardigans theme or dora (i am not a dora fan, but, unfortunately she is). Anyway, a couple days ago we were sitting outside with the girl while she played in her baby pool and she began asking, "where's my crown?". She then would slide down her slide into the pool and ask, "oh no! where's my crown!?" to which we were to answer, "here it is! (while pretending to find it outside the pool hand it to her)" in which she then would pretend to place it on her head and say, "there it is! here's my crown, thanks, mama! (and then ramble something about a mermaid kingdom)" Then the actions were repeated again and again. I was sort of needing something to mix it up a bit so I scrounged through some of my old headbands and found one that looked sparkly and told her I had found her a real crown. It was a hit!

ANother thing she loves to do these days is to sing and dance and act out cartoons (ones she's seen enough to remember the story and actions). She will go to quite elaborate extremes to act out the scenes. For example, in one backyardigans episode they are pirates and fall off a rock in one scene. Leading up to this part she will prepare by setting pillows around the couch and then, when the time is right, tumble onto the pillows (falling off the couch) and recite the lines that are said on the show. She also has very particular dance moves that she does during the singing parts to match the moves of the characters and sometimes T and I are required to do them with her which is always fun to watch! Sometimes I can not believe how old she is and how 'grown up' she seems lately. She is quite her own person and so much fun to be around. I love watching her imagination no matter what she is doing, especially when she has tv time and gets very dramatic and very in character! I will have to make a video of it and post it! If i ever figure out how to post the darn things!

SHe has just a little over week left in school (daycare). I'm counting down the days because it means that I will be part time at work AND getting to do more with the girl and spending more quality time with T during the week. I am going to try to work mostly days as I have discovered I am not a fan of night shifting. I feel like I'm not a very good nurse as I make dumb mistakes not to mention I'm totally wiped out for the next couple days. I suppose you'd get use to it if it were all you worked, and you liked staying up late, but I am not a night owl anymore and I don't think it's good for my health. I always seem to get sick after a string of night shifts. Owell. I will survive!

In the pictures above you see the baby pool we had last summer. Yesterday,I upgraded our pool to a bigger one. Our neighbor's have one and so I wanted one! Now I could actually get in it if I wanted! I hope to have some little guests this summer (neice and nephews, and Mac?) so the bigger size will be more fun for all. I also bought a trampoline (mini one) yesterday with the recommendation from Brooke. I played on it for a little today and it WAS fun!I know Al will like it, too.

As for my new personal challenge, it is to push myself to make more friends (who have children) in our neighborhood. Alex is going to need to socialize with little buddies so I'm just going to have to go out there and do it! I've been known to be shy with this type of thing but with T and my mom encouraging me I can do it! I have met some of the neighbors before, it's just such an effort I suppose, especially when those people you do meet don't seem to interested to 'be friends'. Arg! I sound like a child, but it's true. It is harder when you're older. Anyway, I shall keep you posted of my 'friend quest'.

I suppose I am going to go take a nap before I pick up the girl from school. I hope everyone is well and enjoying the summer so far!

One more thing, Tim's been traveling this week so I've got in a few movies and the like so I'd like to recommend them:

Lars and the Real Girl (super super touching and funny)

The Kite Runner (I also read the book and it is pretty spot on with it...also very touching!)

Weeds (season three...just released last week. If you haven't watched this show, you should! Except, you, mom--I don't think you'd like it :)... it's about a upper class single mom who starts selling pot when her husband dies in order to keep up her lifestyle. It 's a pretty unique story line and well, just watch it and decide for yourself.)

Night shift blahs...and I ramble on...

As I've said before, every day/night before a shift at work I say a prayer mostly for a peaceful and thorough mind (the days/nights can be crazy insane) and to do God's work. But I also, sometimes, sneak in a little request for a quiet day or night if I'm feeling a little low on energy. Sometimes those prayers go unanswered but fortunately not tonight. Tonight I am almost too bored. I actually have a break for like two hours with no meds, no nothing!(plenty of time to blog and watch a show online) and I'm hiding out at a computer at the end of the hall to avoid being roped in to doing something else. I know that is a bad teamwork attitude, but sometimes you just gotta do it. Tonight I have about as much energy as one might after running a marathon and I'm feeling crappy. Alex has been sick and puked twice when I was trying to put her down for a nap, so needless to say, I am without a nappy today as well. Did I mention cleaning up puke is not a fun job (as you may know from your own experiences). Ok, enough about throw up. Gross.
I don't really have much to blog about, just the usual rambling. So hang in there it might get boring or incoherent since I'm very sleepy :) The pic above was a pic I found when I googled "night shift" images. Hmmmm....I don't get it, but it's still cute.

I get to start the weekend plan at work in two weeks! I'm stoked! This plan allows me to go to part-time and still make more than full-time money. Some people might think it's insane to work only weekends, but it works great for the fam and I. We get to spend all week nights together, I get to explore my cooking creativity, I have more time with the girl (she will be out of daycare), I get to be non-stressed more days of the week, Tim and I can still have dates--they just have to be during the week instead of weekend, Al and I can visit fam and have fam visit us during the week (as I will have 5 days off a week!), weekends are usually a bit more calm than week days on my unit and a whole bunch of other reasons. I can not wait! Three cheers!
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On a completely different note I am trying out a vegetarian diet. So far I'm loving it. Of course it's only been about a week but I do not miss meat at all, and I thought I would be craving it like crazy. In fact, after reading and hearing some disgusting stories it is losing it's appeal for me all together. I have not sworn off fish or eggs---yet. Haven't heard enough gross stuff about them---yet. Well, eggs go with chicken, but I still feel ok about eating them every now and then and if they are in things (like bready things, well, lets just say I'll never be vegan). I do love an egg mcmuffin and I'm hoping they will be just as delicious without the ham. Tim, at first, thought I was just buying into the trend, and I guess in a way I did. But with all the info out there about meat and the processes that happen to get that meat on our plates, you can't help but think the trend might not be such a bad idea, much like trying to be more green. I'm not saying I won't eat a filet mingnon (that my pops grills up--thought honestly it doesn't even sound appealing anymore) but I am saying, I am giving it up 99.9% of the time and hopefully 100% eventually--and if I do eat it I will want to know where it came from and what it's injected with. Anyone interested, I have found (thanks to ideas from pals Em and JIll) that MOrning Star has some amazing products that are soy/veggie based that I could swear are still meat and are actually WAy better. Alex doesn't even know the difference in her chick'n nuggets, and infact eats more of the non-chicken nuggets (and believe it or not, they are not that expensive!). I am, of course, not making her a vegetarian but I am being more aware of the meats she does eat, how it's raised, and where it comes from. I didn't realize how easy it actually is to stop eating meat. While the natural meats I buy the girl are more expensive I am able to cut costs elsewhere in my grocery shopping to make up for it. I also discovered I like beans. I thought I hated them, assumed, rather...but I don't. I enjoy them. Still a little weary with first bite, but then they are not so bad...
Another plus is that cutting out meat has made giving up fast food so much easier. Its just not even a want anymore! Amazing! Now, if only I could find something inhame and disgusting about the way sugar was raised...

The strange pic is a recurring type of photo I found when I googled "vegetarian" images. Yuck! I get that we are all culturally unique, but this, my friends, is a little---a LOT---over the top and just plain unnecessary and I'm not sure how it's "vegetarian".

Well, I think I've bored you all enough. Maybe I'll think of something really exciting to post in a few minutes from now. I wouldn't hold your breathe, though. However, I suppose by the time you read this I'll be in bed...unless of course you wild party animals come home and run to my blog after a wild night out at the bars...looking for some good night wisdom...well then, I guess I won't be sleeping in that case...but you are sure to be disappointed to find it's mere ramble ramble blahs.
Good night---here's to hoping for more inspirational or at least more funny blogs in the future.

Finally....at least some of the pictures

Last night, the tantrum that was my daughter had me wondering if we should ever have another child. I've never seen the Bean with quite the tantrum in her two year old life. It was intense. But after a quiet "resty" on mom's lap all was well and she had come back to us. The tantrum was quickly gotten over and now, I am read for another babe...one day.

Here are some pics of the girl when we were practicing our "emotion faces". There is a sad face and of course, the happy face. Her scared face is the best but on this morning I could not get her to do it.

Some vegas pics. I won't bore you with too many. Most are of Tim and I. I was on a mission to get at least one decent picture of the two of us since in ALL our pictures Tim is making a non-serious face, such as the one next to this sentance. Mike got to spend a couple nights with us while we were in vegas and I'm sure he had fun takin pictures of Tim and I all the time! HA! I did get an eye infection (that spread to both eyes) and a sinus infection while we were there (possibly causing the eye issues) but other than that is was a good time!

Again, see the love here? Never a serious moment, I swear!

Here we are trying to be, well, I'm not sure what we were going for here? I just know I really liked Zoltar in the movie Big and thought it was cool they were all over the place so it was only natural to take a picture with Tim infront of it, looking at each other and not the camera...

On a different note entirely, I bought a food processor the other day and am fully in love with it. Not sure why we never had one before. I have made hummus (delicious) and today I made a peanut butter/banana/honey spread that is definately yummy calor-ific treat. I plan on getting most creative soon with fruits for alex as she is my fruit junkie. I am currently trying to get a video to upload on this thing. The whole process has made me feel very computer illiterate and I'm close to giving up.

Okay, that's it. I am quitting. I will have the husband put it on here for me. It is the cutest video ever, at least I think so....