Um...?

Um, guys?  I'm not sure what day of the week it is.  By thinking really hard, I can deduce that it is Thursday, January 30th.  I think.  Yes?  But my point is, woah. 

I took this week off from work, and I am feeling totally disconnected from the real world.  It's a really surreal feeling to think that I have no idea what day it is, I have nothing I "have" to do for a few more days, Christmas has come and gone, and 2010 is about to go the way of the Dodo.  As in extinct.

So I think tomorrow is Friday, January 31st - New Year's Eve!  We will finally head back to Maryland for the first time in months weeks days.  We have been all over the East Coast, and Laura might throw up if she sees one more carseat.  I can't blame her.  But it's been a wonderful month week of family.  We're partying tonight with Nate's family, then one more party tomorrow with our friends (babies welcome!).  Then I hope I can spend the next two days recovering, unpacking, and convincing myself that yes, I do have to go back to work on Monday.

Where does the time go?  We must have been having fun, because this week flew by!

Um...?

Um, guys?  I'm not sure what day of the week it is.  By thinking really hard, I can deduce that it is Thursday, January 30th.  I think.  Yes?  But my point is, woah. 

I took this week off from work, and I am feeling totally disconnected from the real world.  It's a really surreal feeling to think that I have no idea what day it is, I have nothing I "have" to do for a few more days, Christmas has come and gone, and 2010 is about to go the way of the Dodo.  As in extinct.

So I think tomorrow is Friday, January 31st - New Year's Eve!  We will finally head back to Maryland for the first time in months weeks days.  We have been all over the East Coast, and Laura might throw up if she sees one more carseat.  I can't blame her.  But it's been a wonderful month week of family.  We're partying tonight with Nate's family, then one more party tomorrow with our friends (babies welcome!).  Then I hope I can spend the next two days recovering, unpacking, and convincing myself that yes, I do have to go back to work on Monday.

Where does the time go?  We must have been having fun, because this week flew by!

Santa Delivered

Laura got a cell phone.

Daddy got a baby backback for hiking.





Mommy got a blue box from Tiffany's.

We all got a blizzard!

We are sitting in my parent's living room watching Scott Pilgrim VS. The World by the light of a 10-foot Christmas tree while eating homemade chocolate ice cream from the maker my parents got each other for Christmas.  Dogs are playing quietly at our feet.  Snow is swirling wildly outside.  New sweaters, socks and books are piled around the perimeter.  It is the perfect way to spend Boxing Day.  Hope yours is as great!

Santa Delivered

Laura got a cell phone.

Daddy got a baby backback for hiking.





Mommy got a blue box from Tiffany's.

We all got a blizzard!

We are sitting in my parent's living room watching Scott Pilgrim VS. The World by the light of a 10-foot Christmas tree while eating homemade chocolate ice cream from the maker my parents got each other for Christmas.  Dogs are playing quietly at our feet.  Snow is swirling wildly outside.  New sweaters, socks and books are piled around the perimeter.  It is the perfect way to spend Boxing Day.  Hope yours is as great!

Merry Christmas!

With Love, The MidAtlantics

Merry Christmas!

With Love, The MidAtlantics

The Spirit of Giving

I believe in Santa.  I always have, and I always will.

Ok, I guess I can acknowledge that there (probably) is not a jubilant man sliding down my chimney to leave presents once a year.  But don't try to tell me that Santa doesn't exist.  Because he does.

There is a little Santa in each of us.  Santa is the part of us that makes us hold the door for the person running to catch the elevator.  Santa is what makes us look up into the eyes of the clerk at the cash register, smile, and mean it.  Santa is that little heart string that tugs during the Christmas holidays when we hear about hungry families and children without toys.

Those of us who are fortunate enough deck our halls and speed off to the malls to buy gifts for loved ones.  We plan delicious dinners and bake dozens of cookies.  All the while, the little Santas inside us yearn to behold the magic of Christmas.  December is a special time of year when millions of Santas are set loose, hoping to solve the woes of the world one family at a time.

I recently witnessed the miracle of Santa in my community of fellow MARC riders.  We trudge to work every morning, riding tired trains from Baltimore to DC.  We are usually sleepy in the morning and cranky at night.  While we recognize each other from riding the same trains day in and day out, year after year, we don't often interact with much more than the most basic necessities of good manners.  Except at Christmas.

Every year, MARC joins up with the Marines for one day to raise money and collect gifts for Toys for Tots.  Every year, I am astounded for the outpouring of generosity I see on the morning of the toy drive.  Happy commuters bundle onto the train with bags of toys in hand.  When we arrive at Union Station, we are greeted by (handsome) Marines joyfully caroling and collecting toys and money.  It is a wonderfully happy day.

This year, we commuters were sent an email from MARC after the toy drive had ended:

December 8, 2010 9:38 p.m.


Thank you to all MARC passengers that participated in today's Toys For Tots collection drive. Over 600 toys were donated and, at last count, over $25,000 in donations were collected. We thank you for your generosity to ensure that every child has a happy holiday season!


Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season from MARC Train Service.

Six hundred toys for children less fortunate than my daughter.
Twenty-five thousand dollars raised.  In a single day.

Reading this email over again, I have tears falling from my eyes.  Since December 8th, I have regarded my fellow commuters in a different light.  I am proud to be a MARC commuter.

Merry Christmas, one and all!

This post was written in conjunction with the Red Writing Hood prompt, Charity.

The Spirit of Giving

I believe in Santa.  I always have, and I always will.

Ok, I guess I can acknowledge that there (probably) is not a jubilant man sliding down my chimney to leave presents once a year.  But don't try to tell me that Santa doesn't exist.  Because he does.

There is a little Santa in each of us.  Santa is the part of us that makes us hold the door for the person running to catch the elevator.  Santa is what makes us look up into the eyes of the clerk at the cash register, smile, and mean it.  Santa is that little heart string that tugs during the Christmas holidays when we hear about hungry families and children without toys.

Those of us who are fortunate enough deck our halls and speed off to the malls to buy gifts for loved ones.  We plan delicious dinners and bake dozens of cookies.  All the while, the little Santas inside us yearn to behold the magic of Christmas.  December is a special time of year when millions of Santas are set loose, hoping to solve the woes of the world one family at a time.

I recently witnessed the miracle of Santa in my community of fellow MARC riders.  We trudge to work every morning, riding tired trains from Baltimore to DC.  We are usually sleepy in the morning and cranky at night.  While we recognize each other from riding the same trains day in and day out, year after year, we don't often interact with much more than the most basic necessities of good manners.  Except at Christmas.

Every year, MARC joins up with the Marines for one day to raise money and collect gifts for Toys for Tots.  Every year, I am astounded for the outpouring of generosity I see on the morning of the toy drive.  Happy commuters bundle onto the train with bags of toys in hand.  When we arrive at Union Station, we are greeted by (handsome) Marines joyfully caroling and collecting toys and money.  It is a wonderfully happy day.

This year, we commuters were sent an email from MARC after the toy drive had ended:

December 8, 2010 9:38 p.m.


Thank you to all MARC passengers that participated in today's Toys For Tots collection drive. Over 600 toys were donated and, at last count, over $25,000 in donations were collected. We thank you for your generosity to ensure that every child has a happy holiday season!


Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season from MARC Train Service.

Six hundred toys for children less fortunate than my daughter.
Twenty-five thousand dollars raised.  In a single day.

Reading this email over again, I have tears falling from my eyes.  Since December 8th, I have regarded my fellow commuters in a different light.  I am proud to be a MARC commuter.

Merry Christmas, one and all!

This post was written in conjunction with the Red Writing Hood prompt, Charity.

I got Nated

My husband likes to stay up late talking after a night of partying and drinking.  When I say stay up late, I mean he likes to watch the sunrise with whichever poor soul didn't pass out soon enough.  My husband can talk.  And at 4 o'clock in the morning, he is philosophical to the max.

I usually make sure I'm the first to bed.  I need my beauty rest.

This weekend, we hosted our annual Christmas party for friends and family.  We didn't have the best turn out this year, but it was just as fun as ever.  Somehow, I ignored my better judgement and stayed up later than usual.  There were five of us lounging in the kitchen drinking punch.  Then there were four of us.  Then three.  And then, all of a sudden, it was just me and Nate.  Uh oh.  It was already 3 o'clock in the morning.  Double uh oh!  There were some dishes here, and some punch to put away there.  And there were crumbs on a tablecloth that needed shaking, so I walked into the dining room. 

That's when Nate came up behind me, wrapped her arms around my waist and spun me around.  He held me close and swayed with the Christmas music in the background.  We danced and swayed and rocked and danced in each other's arms.  I have never felt so close to Nate.  Then we curled up in the big arm chair and sat up talking.  I don't even remember what we were talking about.  I do remember how much I enjoyed cuddling into Nate's side as he held me till 5 o'clock in the morning.  I can't imagine a better way to have ended the night.  Maybe I need to stay up with my chatty husband more often!

I got Nated

My husband likes to stay up late talking after a night of partying and drinking.  When I say stay up late, I mean he likes to watch the sunrise with whichever poor soul didn't pass out soon enough.  My husband can talk.  And at 4 o'clock in the morning, he is philosophical to the max.

I usually make sure I'm the first to bed.  I need my beauty rest.

This weekend, we hosted our annual Christmas party for friends and family.  We didn't have the best turn out this year, but it was just as fun as ever.  Somehow, I ignored my better judgement and stayed up later than usual.  There were five of us lounging in the kitchen drinking punch.  Then there were four of us.  Then three.  And then, all of a sudden, it was just me and Nate.  Uh oh.  It was already 3 o'clock in the morning.  Double uh oh!  There were some dishes here, and some punch to put away there.  And there were crumbs on a tablecloth that needed shaking, so I walked into the dining room. 

That's when Nate came up behind me, wrapped her arms around my waist and spun me around.  He held me close and swayed with the Christmas music in the background.  We danced and swayed and rocked and danced in each other's arms.  I have never felt so close to Nate.  Then we curled up in the big arm chair and sat up talking.  I don't even remember what we were talking about.  I do remember how much I enjoyed cuddling into Nate's side as he held me till 5 o'clock in the morning.  I can't imagine a better way to have ended the night.  Maybe I need to stay up with my chatty husband more often!

The Insanity

My dad always said he gave my mother one free month of insanity every year.  Like clockwork every year, the mania started the day after Thanksgiving and ended on January 6th - 12th Night.  My mom is nuts over Christmas.  Seriously insane.

When I was little, we lived in a great house where the living room had a gorgeous vaulted ceiling.  My mom would find the tallest tree in the lot to soar to the top of the room.  The tallest was seventeen feet.  Seventeen feet!  It took five neighbors to help my dad get it upright in the stand.  It was breathtaking.

Then we moved to a different house.  This house had more rooms, but they were smaller in general.  Since she couldn't get one gigantic tree, my mother got two smaller trees.  One for the living room and one for the solarium.  The living room tree was fancy - all silver ornaments and bells.  The one in the solarium was covered in all the fun ornaments we had collected and made as a family through the years.  Really, the insanity in this house was rather tame.

We moved a final time just before 5th grade.  This house was enormous.  Many rooms of all different sizes.  And by the time the dishes were cleared from Thanksgiving, my mother's insanity was in full swing.  She went out and bought five six-foot artificial trees, and decorated each with it's own theme.  Then she put a small artificial tree in each of our bedrooms.  Then she brought home two real trees - one eight-footer and one ten-footer - for the living room and family room.  That's eleven trees people.  Within out first six months in the new house, my mother had filled it with eleven trees.

In the following nineteen years, the insanity has gotten worse better each year.  We are up to twenty trees crammed into the house.  Garlands abound over banisters, mantels and windows.  Not a bathroom, laundry room or hallway is left undecorated.

So now I am an "adult" in my own home.  It's not a fancy house by any means, but when the holiday season is upon me, I get this strange itch.  I yearn to plaster the walls of my house with Christmas decor.  I dig out my bins of holiday decor and start the process.  I have lit garlands over the windows of my red dining room.  Lights all over the house.  The banister is decorated.  And we get a tree.  Nothing fancy, just a six- or seven-footer for our family room.  I decorate the tree with the ornaments my parents have given me each year, and those I will give Laura in the coming years.

My mother's insanity is catching.  I am glad to have caught this particular strain of insanity.  Are we nuts?  You bet!  But it's the most wonderful time of the year.

This post was written following the Red Writing Hood prompt "Tradition."

The Insanity

My dad always said he gave my mother one free month of insanity every year.  Like clockwork every year, the mania started the day after Thanksgiving and ended on January 6th - 12th Night.  My mom is nuts over Christmas.  Seriously insane.

When I was little, we lived in a great house where the living room had a gorgeous vaulted ceiling.  My mom would find the tallest tree in the lot to soar to the top of the room.  The tallest was seventeen feet.  Seventeen feet!  It took five neighbors to help my dad get it upright in the stand.  It was breathtaking.

Then we moved to a different house.  This house had more rooms, but they were smaller in general.  Since she couldn't get one gigantic tree, my mother got two smaller trees.  One for the living room and one for the solarium.  The living room tree was fancy - all silver ornaments and bells.  The one in the solarium was covered in all the fun ornaments we had collected and made as a family through the years.  Really, the insanity in this house was rather tame.

We moved a final time just before 5th grade.  This house was enormous.  Many rooms of all different sizes.  And by the time the dishes were cleared from Thanksgiving, my mother's insanity was in full swing.  She went out and bought five six-foot artificial trees, and decorated each with it's own theme.  Then she put a small artificial tree in each of our bedrooms.  Then she brought home two real trees - one eight-footer and one ten-footer - for the living room and family room.  That's eleven trees people.  Within out first six months in the new house, my mother had filled it with eleven trees.

In the following nineteen years, the insanity has gotten worse better each year.  We are up to twenty trees crammed into the house.  Garlands abound over banisters, mantels and windows.  Not a bathroom, laundry room or hallway is left undecorated.

So now I am an "adult" in my own home.  It's not a fancy house by any means, but when the holiday season is upon me, I get this strange itch.  I yearn to plaster the walls of my house with Christmas decor.  I dig out my bins of holiday decor and start the process.  I have lit garlands over the windows of my red dining room.  Lights all over the house.  The banister is decorated.  And we get a tree.  Nothing fancy, just a six- or seven-footer for our family room.  I decorate the tree with the ornaments my parents have given me each year, and those I will give Laura in the coming years.

My mother's insanity is catching.  I am glad to have caught this particular strain of insanity.  Are we nuts?  You bet!  But it's the most wonderful time of the year.

This post was written following the Red Writing Hood prompt "Tradition."

Pink Eye... Again...

I'm cranky.  Not because I can't wear contacts for another few days, although that's frustrating.  Not because I can't wear make-up for another few days, although that stinks since I'm throwing a huge holiday party in three days.  Not because I can't touch my face, although I'm a face toucher, so that is a challenge for me.

I'm cranky because my eye really hurts.  I feel like I got punched in my eye.  My eyelid is so swollen, I can barely see through my eye.  It stings every time I blink.  And it stings even worse when I don't blink.  And my eye is so itchy, made worse because I can't scratch it.  Cold compresses my ass.  This sucks.  Again.

And to make it worse?  Laura's cold took a turn.  I took the day off yesterday to take her to the doctor, who put her on amoxicillan and sent her back to school today.  I had to leave early from work today because of my eye.  And halfway to my doctor's appointment, school called to say Laura had a very high fever and needed to be picked up.  So now Laura and I are both feeling like crap, and I'll miss another full day of work tomorrow. 

I'm cranky because it sucks to feel so crappy during the holidays.

Pink Eye... Again...

I'm cranky.  Not because I can't wear contacts for another few days, although that's frustrating.  Not because I can't wear make-up for another few days, although that stinks since I'm throwing a huge holiday party in three days.  Not because I can't touch my face, although I'm a face toucher, so that is a challenge for me.

I'm cranky because my eye really hurts.  I feel like I got punched in my eye.  My eyelid is so swollen, I can barely see through my eye.  It stings every time I blink.  And it stings even worse when I don't blink.  And my eye is so itchy, made worse because I can't scratch it.  Cold compresses my ass.  This sucks.  Again.

And to make it worse?  Laura's cold took a turn.  I took the day off yesterday to take her to the doctor, who put her on amoxicillan and sent her back to school today.  I had to leave early from work today because of my eye.  And halfway to my doctor's appointment, school called to say Laura had a very high fever and needed to be picked up.  So now Laura and I are both feeling like crap, and I'll miss another full day of work tomorrow. 

I'm cranky because it sucks to feel so crappy during the holidays.

I had a moment this morning

I'd call it a Senior Moment if I were over the age of 30 (I'm 28).  I'd call it a Blonde Moment if I were blonde (I'm brunette) and if I weren't worried about offending readers (I'm not, but whatever).  So we'll just call it a moment.  I had a moment this morning.

I could not for the life of me figure out why the sound wasn't working on the computer.  The speakers were plugged in to a power source, turned in, and attached to the computer in the correct place.  The volume was turned way up.  But there was no sound.

I tried a different set of speakers, because clearly the first set were broken.  Nothing.

Then I started thinking that maybe the video I was watching just didn't have sound.  I even checked the little volume button on the video player.  Nothing.  So I went over to Pandora to play some music.  The music was playing, but I couldn't hear it.

And that's when I saw the little speaker icon in the bottom right corner of my desktop screen.  With a bright red X through it.

I had a moment this morning

I'd call it a Senior Moment if I were over the age of 30 (I'm 28).  I'd call it a Blonde Moment if I were blonde (I'm brunette) and if I weren't worried about offending readers (I'm not, but whatever).  So we'll just call it a moment.  I had a moment this morning.

I could not for the life of me figure out why the sound wasn't working on the computer.  The speakers were plugged in to a power source, turned in, and attached to the computer in the correct place.  The volume was turned way up.  But there was no sound.

I tried a different set of speakers, because clearly the first set were broken.  Nothing.

Then I started thinking that maybe the video I was watching just didn't have sound.  I even checked the little volume button on the video player.  Nothing.  So I went over to Pandora to play some music.  The music was playing, but I couldn't hear it.

And that's when I saw the little speaker icon in the bottom right corner of my desktop screen.  With a bright red X through it.

Egg Nog and Shit

Shit guys.  I think I swear too much.  I never thought I had that bad a potty mouth, until yesterday.  When I was having a tantrum (with lots of swearing) and Nate looked at me and said, "Why are you being such a B-I-T-C-H today?"

He literally spelled it out.  I was being a bitch and he spelled the word out.  Y'know, because he didn't want to swear in front of the baby.  As I had been doing for almost an hour.  That's when I realized that I swear a lot.  And I often swear in front of Laura.  Because she doesn't know what it means, right?  Except that she's increasingly aware of the meaning of words and is this close to a real first word of her own. 

I need to stop swearing.  Out loud, at least.

In other news, I came up with the most delicious and yummy thing ever this weekend!  Egg nog hot chocolate!  I have always loved egg nog, but have trouble drinking more than a small glass at a time - it's just so thick!  Saturday, I was reaching for the jug of milk to add a splash to my hot chocolate.  Then I saw the little carton of egg nog staring up at me.  It was like a host of herald angels appeared in my fridge.  I poured a healthy splash into my hot chocolate, swirled, and took a sip.

The host of herald angels broke into song above me.  It was that good.  I have made three more mugs of it over the past two days.

Egg Nog and Shit

Shit guys.  I think I swear too much.  I never thought I had that bad a potty mouth, until yesterday.  When I was having a tantrum (with lots of swearing) and Nate looked at me and said, "Why are you being such a B-I-T-C-H today?"

He literally spelled it out.  I was being a bitch and he spelled the word out.  Y'know, because he didn't want to swear in front of the baby.  As I had been doing for almost an hour.  That's when I realized that I swear a lot.  And I often swear in front of Laura.  Because she doesn't know what it means, right?  Except that she's increasingly aware of the meaning of words and is this close to a real first word of her own. 

I need to stop swearing.  Out loud, at least.

In other news, I came up with the most delicious and yummy thing ever this weekend!  Egg nog hot chocolate!  I have always loved egg nog, but have trouble drinking more than a small glass at a time - it's just so thick!  Saturday, I was reaching for the jug of milk to add a splash to my hot chocolate.  Then I saw the little carton of egg nog staring up at me.  It was like a host of herald angels appeared in my fridge.  I poured a healthy splash into my hot chocolate, swirled, and took a sip.

The host of herald angels broke into song above me.  It was that good.  I have made three more mugs of it over the past two days.

Friday

I was hoping to participate in the Red Writing Club prompt this week.  I have had so much fun with the few I have done, and have gotten such great response!  But I'm just not feeling very creative today.  I feel as though my body is sitting here at work, but my soul is still asleep in bed.  I wish my body were still asleep in bed too.

For some reason, I just never woke up this morning.  In case you are curious, the Red Writing Hood prompt for today was to write about a first love.  I was going to do something creative while writing about Bear, my teddy bear.  To this day, I still truly love Bear.  He lives on the bureau in my childhood bedroom at my parent's house, since he was too fragile to take to college.  Everytime I go home, I walk into my room and give Bear a special little squeeze, and then bring him up to my face where I take in his scent.  I've never smelled anything so calming as Bear.  It must be all those years of drooling on him in the night, but there is nothing else like Bear.  My first friend.  My first love.

Look at that.  I got a post out after all.

Edited to add: OH. MY. GOD.  I just finished typing this post and went over to Red Dress Club to add it to the queue, and saw a little thumbnail of Bear's polar bear twin staring up at me.  Snap, Crackle, Pop wrote the same post about the same bear (except mine was brown.  back when he still had fur).  I swear I had been planning to write about Bear since Wednesday and didn't copy!  I swear!

Friday

I was hoping to participate in the Red Writing Club prompt this week.  I have had so much fun with the few I have done, and have gotten such great response!  But I'm just not feeling very creative today.  I feel as though my body is sitting here at work, but my soul is still asleep in bed.  I wish my body were still asleep in bed too.

For some reason, I just never woke up this morning.  In case you are curious, the Red Writing Hood prompt for today was to write about a first love.  I was going to do something creative while writing about Bear, my teddy bear.  To this day, I still truly love Bear.  He lives on the bureau in my childhood bedroom at my parent's house, since he was too fragile to take to college.  Everytime I go home, I walk into my room and give Bear a special little squeeze, and then bring him up to my face where I take in his scent.  I've never smelled anything so calming as Bear.  It must be all those years of drooling on him in the night, but there is nothing else like Bear.  My first friend.  My first love.

Look at that.  I got a post out after all.

Edited to add: OH. MY. GOD.  I just finished typing this post and went over to Red Dress Club to add it to the queue, and saw a little thumbnail of Bear's polar bear twin staring up at me.  Snap, Crackle, Pop wrote the same post about the same bear (except mine was brown.  back when he still had fur).  I swear I had been planning to write about Bear since Wednesday and didn't copy!  I swear!

Best Friends

I recently noticed that Girly is getting a little plump.  And it's not just the kind of plump where her winter coat is coming in and she just looks bigger.  The girl has gained some weight!  I couldn't figure out why, since we haven't changed her diet or anything.

Shh!  Don't tell Mom!  Here's another noodle!

And then I realized that her diet has indeed changed quite drastically.  Laura has been feeding her on the sly. 

Best Friends

I recently noticed that Girly is getting a little plump.  And it's not just the kind of plump where her winter coat is coming in and she just looks bigger.  The girl has gained some weight!  I couldn't figure out why, since we haven't changed her diet or anything.

Shh!  Don't tell Mom!  Here's another noodle!

And then I realized that her diet has indeed changed quite drastically.  Laura has been feeding her on the sly. 

Sweet Innocence

Sweet Innocence

Sisters

For a long time growing up, I was the only daughter with two brothers.  One older and one younger.  I constantly felt like they were ganging up on me, even though that could not be further from the truth.  The thing is, it's lonely being the only girl between two brothers with a 4+ year age gap between us.  I just wanted a little sister.  Someone I could gang up with against the boys.  Someone I could play dolls with.  And dress up.  And cover in make-up and nail polish.

When I was in 4th grade, I got a little sister.

It turns out though, that you can't play dolls or dress-up or make-up with a baby.  And by the time my sister was old enough to play dolls and dress-up and make-up, I was in high school and so not interested. 

And by the time I was ready to have a close sisterly, let's tell secrets relationship with my sister, she was in middle and high school and so not interested.  It nearly broke my heart to know that I had a sister that I was not close with.  I just wanted to be able to talk to her like I would a best friend, and have her reciprocate.  I tried from time to time, but you can't force a friendship.  So I waited patiently.

This year, my sister is off at college.  I can hardly believe it, because I still see the little three year old with bright red ringlets, covering herself in costume jewelry.  But she's not a three year old; my sister is a grown-up.  And I feel like we are finally ready for each other.  I have done my best to open up to her this year.  She is the only person IRL who knows about this blog (aside from Hubby, who just doesn't care).  I've been trying to talk to her about how hard it is being a new mom.  I'm trying to treat her like an adult.

To my surprise and delight, my sister is reciprocating!  She has opened up to me in ways I have only dreamed of.  She has emailed me in a panic asking for advice.  She has confided in me.  She trusts me as a friend and confidant.  I have never been happier to have a sister.

Sisters

For a long time growing up, I was the only daughter with two brothers.  One older and one younger.  I constantly felt like they were ganging up on me, even though that could not be further from the truth.  The thing is, it's lonely being the only girl between two brothers with a 4+ year age gap between us.  I just wanted a little sister.  Someone I could gang up with against the boys.  Someone I could play dolls with.  And dress up.  And cover in make-up and nail polish.

When I was in 4th grade, I got a little sister.

It turns out though, that you can't play dolls or dress-up or make-up with a baby.  And by the time my sister was old enough to play dolls and dress-up and make-up, I was in high school and so not interested. 

And by the time I was ready to have a close sisterly, let's tell secrets relationship with my sister, she was in middle and high school and so not interested.  It nearly broke my heart to know that I had a sister that I was not close with.  I just wanted to be able to talk to her like I would a best friend, and have her reciprocate.  I tried from time to time, but you can't force a friendship.  So I waited patiently.

This year, my sister is off at college.  I can hardly believe it, because I still see the little three year old with bright red ringlets, covering herself in costume jewelry.  But she's not a three year old; my sister is a grown-up.  And I feel like we are finally ready for each other.  I have done my best to open up to her this year.  She is the only person IRL who knows about this blog (aside from Hubby, who just doesn't care).  I've been trying to talk to her about how hard it is being a new mom.  I'm trying to treat her like an adult.

To my surprise and delight, my sister is reciprocating!  She has opened up to me in ways I have only dreamed of.  She has emailed me in a panic asking for advice.  She has confided in me.  She trusts me as a friend and confidant.  I have never been happier to have a sister.

Sunday Funday

I woke up Sunday feeling worse than ever.  Yes, my eyes have cleared up, but whatever virus it was just moved further down.  Now I have a runny nose and cough.  Pleasant!  So Sunday was not off to a great start, and we had lots of activities planned.  I was disappointed, but rolled over and went back to sleep.

And when I woke up again, it was 11:00!  I don't even remember Nate getting out of bed.  Suddenly, I had the pillows all to myself in an empty room, and it was almost time for lunch.  I tip-toed to the shower, so that no one would even know I was awake till the water turned on.  When I got downstairs, Laura was happily playing in her jammies, and Nate was cleaning up from the Great Green Beans War of 2010.  It seems Laura had grabbed an open jar when Nate wasn't looking and starting flingy green goop all over the room.  This is why Mommy feed Laura in a high chair. 

But how could I complain?  The man had snuck downstairs with Laura to give me extra time to sleep in!  Score!  So we finally started our day.  And just as I was about to say, "Y'know, let's skip Santa this weekend," Nate tossed Laura in the tub and told me to get her Santa outfit ready.  Ok!

So Laura met Santa.

 And we didn't have any tears!  We got to the little historical society just as Santa arrived, so there wasn't a line.  We let Laura "walk" up to Santa on her own, and the slow approach helped her check out the situation.  Santa asked if Laura wanted teeth for Christmas.  I told him we have plenty of those already!

After meeting Santa, we took Laura in the freezing, blustery wind to pick out a tree.  Laura thinks we are nuts bringing a tree inside the house, but what does she know?  She's only a baby!

So what started off as a not-great Sunday turned into one of the best Sundays in months!

Sunday Funday

I woke up Sunday feeling worse than ever.  Yes, my eyes have cleared up, but whatever virus it was just moved further down.  Now I have a runny nose and cough.  Pleasant!  So Sunday was not off to a great start, and we had lots of activities planned.  I was disappointed, but rolled over and went back to sleep.

And when I woke up again, it was 11:00!  I don't even remember Nate getting out of bed.  Suddenly, I had the pillows all to myself in an empty room, and it was almost time for lunch.  I tip-toed to the shower, so that no one would even know I was awake till the water turned on.  When I got downstairs, Laura was happily playing in her jammies, and Nate was cleaning up from the Great Green Beans War of 2010.  It seems Laura had grabbed an open jar when Nate wasn't looking and starting flingy green goop all over the room.  This is why Mommy feed Laura in a high chair. 

But how could I complain?  The man had snuck downstairs with Laura to give me extra time to sleep in!  Score!  So we finally started our day.  And just as I was about to say, "Y'know, let's skip Santa this weekend," Nate tossed Laura in the tub and told me to get her Santa outfit ready.  Ok!

So Laura met Santa.

 And we didn't have any tears!  We got to the little historical society just as Santa arrived, so there wasn't a line.  We let Laura "walk" up to Santa on her own, and the slow approach helped her check out the situation.  Santa asked if Laura wanted teeth for Christmas.  I told him we have plenty of those already!

After meeting Santa, we took Laura in the freezing, blustery wind to pick out a tree.  Laura thinks we are nuts bringing a tree inside the house, but what does she know?  She's only a baby!

So what started off as a not-great Sunday turned into one of the best Sundays in months!

Trapped!

When I read the prompt for this week's Red Writing Hood at Red Dress Club, I almost peed my pants. 
Write flash fiction based on the prompt "Trapped" or "I truly enjoyed spending time with them. I just had to decide which of them I would kill."
I just spent Thanksgiving with my in-laws in an RV.  The ultimate trap where I loved every minute and also wanted to kill all of them.

Wednesday night: I'm sitting on the inside seat of the bench at the little table.  Who let Vinny have chili before we got on this thing?  It stinks and I am trapped.  I can't even move to a different spot on the RV to get a little further from the stench.  I truly enjoy spending time with Vinny, but right now I am trapped and I want to kill him.

Thursday night: I'm sitting at Thanksgiving dinner at the middle of a long table in the dining room.  The wall is close behind me, and the only way to the mashed potatoes is to sidle out of my chair to either side.  Except that I have in-laws on either side of me, none of them willing to sidle out to their sides to let me out.  Trapped.  By in-laws.  Who are holding the mashed potatoes hostage.  I truly enjoy spending time with my in-laws, but right now I am trapped and I just want some mashed potatoes and I want to kill them all.

Friday night: I am on a party bus with lighted floors and stripper poles.  It's been a fun evening of drinking, pole dancing, mechanical bull riding, drinking, and pole dancing.  But now brother-in-law A is cranky and won't let me back on the pole.  If I can't dance all slutty, I want off the bus and away from the cranky mean brother-in-law.  So now I'm cranky too.  And on a moving bus.  Trapped until we arrive back at the house.  I truly enjoy spending time with brother-in-law A (mostly), but right now I am trapped and I want to kill him.

Saturday afternoon: It's been a long weekend and everyone wants to start heading home.  Everyone but brother-in-law B, who wants to watch the end of a football game.  A game in which his team is down 30 points.  He's being all angry and mean and belligerent (thank you, Sparks caffeinated alcohol.), and I just don't want to deal with him.  I take Laura and get on the RV and sit in the back, to stay out of the way.  The family carries the offending brother onto the RV, kicking and screaming.  Literally.  I need to get Laura settled for the long ride, but I do not want to get involved in this family affair in any way.  So I hide in the back.  Trapped.  I truly enjoy spending time with brother-in-law B (mostly), but right now I am trapped and I want to kill him.

I don't think I'll be hopping on any RV's anytime soon.  They are traps and make me murderous.

Trapped!

When I read the prompt for this week's Red Writing Hood at Red Dress Club, I almost peed my pants. 
Write flash fiction based on the prompt "Trapped" or "I truly enjoyed spending time with them. I just had to decide which of them I would kill."
I just spent Thanksgiving with my in-laws in an RV.  The ultimate trap where I loved every minute and also wanted to kill all of them.

Wednesday night: I'm sitting on the inside seat of the bench at the little table.  Who let Vinny have chili before we got on this thing?  It stinks and I am trapped.  I can't even move to a different spot on the RV to get a little further from the stench.  I truly enjoy spending time with Vinny, but right now I am trapped and I want to kill him.

Thursday night: I'm sitting at Thanksgiving dinner at the middle of a long table in the dining room.  The wall is close behind me, and the only way to the mashed potatoes is to sidle out of my chair to either side.  Except that I have in-laws on either side of me, none of them willing to sidle out to their sides to let me out.  Trapped.  By in-laws.  Who are holding the mashed potatoes hostage.  I truly enjoy spending time with my in-laws, but right now I am trapped and I just want some mashed potatoes and I want to kill them all.

Friday night: I am on a party bus with lighted floors and stripper poles.  It's been a fun evening of drinking, pole dancing, mechanical bull riding, drinking, and pole dancing.  But now brother-in-law A is cranky and won't let me back on the pole.  If I can't dance all slutty, I want off the bus and away from the cranky mean brother-in-law.  So now I'm cranky too.  And on a moving bus.  Trapped until we arrive back at the house.  I truly enjoy spending time with brother-in-law A (mostly), but right now I am trapped and I want to kill him.

Saturday afternoon: It's been a long weekend and everyone wants to start heading home.  Everyone but brother-in-law B, who wants to watch the end of a football game.  A game in which his team is down 30 points.  He's being all angry and mean and belligerent (thank you, Sparks caffeinated alcohol.), and I just don't want to deal with him.  I take Laura and get on the RV and sit in the back, to stay out of the way.  The family carries the offending brother onto the RV, kicking and screaming.  Literally.  I need to get Laura settled for the long ride, but I do not want to get involved in this family affair in any way.  So I hide in the back.  Trapped.  I truly enjoy spending time with brother-in-law B (mostly), but right now I am trapped and I want to kill him.

I don't think I'll be hopping on any RV's anytime soon.  They are traps and make me murderous.

More Like Stink Eye

I woke up this morning with a very itchy eye, all crusted over and bright red.  I immediately called in sick.  Pink eye is highly contagious, and I doubt my coworkers would appreciate getting it from me.

So the doctor asks, "Have you been in contact with anyone who might have given this to you in the last week?"

HELLO!  It was Thanksgiving!  Images of the RV, the three dinner tables, the party bus, the stripper poles, the mechanical bull, the RV again, the commuter train I ride on a daily basis all flashed through my head.  Where have I been that I was NOT in contact with someone who might have given me pink eye?!

So to everyone on the RV, at the dinner tables, on the party bus using the stripper poles, riding the mechanical bull, back on the RV, on the train, at day care or at work, sorry!

On the other hand, it was a really good day to stay at home.  This rain is yucky!

More Like Stink Eye

I woke up this morning with a very itchy eye, all crusted over and bright red.  I immediately called in sick.  Pink eye is highly contagious, and I doubt my coworkers would appreciate getting it from me.

So the doctor asks, "Have you been in contact with anyone who might have given this to you in the last week?"

HELLO!  It was Thanksgiving!  Images of the RV, the three dinner tables, the party bus, the stripper poles, the mechanical bull, the RV again, the commuter train I ride on a daily basis all flashed through my head.  Where have I been that I was NOT in contact with someone who might have given me pink eye?!

So to everyone on the RV, at the dinner tables, on the party bus using the stripper poles, riding the mechanical bull, back on the RV, on the train, at day care or at work, sorry!

On the other hand, it was a really good day to stay at home.  This rain is yucky!

Smokin'!

My credit card is on fire today!  I am just swiping it left and right.  Except that I haven't left my desk.  So I'm not really swiping it.  I'm more typing in the numbers over and over.  But you get the idea.

Mom and Dad's Christmas present?  Done.
Laura's (only) Christmas present? Done.  (Don't hate.  She's not even one.  And she has more aunts and uncles than I can count.  And she doesn't need anything.)
Nate's Christmas present?  Not quite done, but that's because we need to get our new TV(!) together.
Godson's Christmas present?  Done.
Brother's Christmas present?  Done.
Brother's-in-law Christmas present?  Not done, but I don't drew his name from the hat yesterday.

Most importantly, however, Christmas cards designed and ordered?  DONE.

You'd think that with the thousands of pictures I have taken of Laura over the last ten months, I could easily find something for our Christmas card.  Not so.  Some of the cutest pictures are months old, and you know how much babies change in a matter of minutes!  And there are very few pictures of all of us as a family.  We finally got some good pictures this weekend.  Next chore?  Choosing a company to make the cards!

I looked through Kodak Gallery.  Nothing caught my eye.  I loved almost everything on Tiny Prints, but really couldn't afford it.  Next stop, Shutterfly.  Good prices and some really cute cards!  I quickly called Nate to make sure he didn't care what the cards looked like and set to work.  I was even able to get pre-printed return address labels to match the card!  Worth every penny to not have to write those out over and over!

I went with "Oh Deer!" this year.  The cheerful colors and whimsical reindeer are so "us."  I love that I could change the written message on the card from "Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas" to something a little less Christmas-specific.  While I LOVE everything about Christmas, many of Nate's clients/friends are Jewish.  We welcome the holiday celebrations of all faiths in our house, and our cards reflect that sentiment.  Got a problem with that?!  Good.  Glad we're clear on that.

Smokin'!

My credit card is on fire today!  I am just swiping it left and right.  Except that I haven't left my desk.  So I'm not really swiping it.  I'm more typing in the numbers over and over.  But you get the idea.

Mom and Dad's Christmas present?  Done.
Laura's (only) Christmas present? Done.  (Don't hate.  She's not even one.  And she has more aunts and uncles than I can count.  And she doesn't need anything.)
Nate's Christmas present?  Not quite done, but that's because we need to get our new TV(!) together.
Godson's Christmas present?  Done.
Brother's Christmas present?  Done.
Brother's-in-law Christmas present?  Not done, but I don't drew his name from the hat yesterday.

Most importantly, however, Christmas cards designed and ordered?  DONE.

You'd think that with the thousands of pictures I have taken of Laura over the last ten months, I could easily find something for our Christmas card.  Not so.  Some of the cutest pictures are months old, and you know how much babies change in a matter of minutes!  And there are very few pictures of all of us as a family.  We finally got some good pictures this weekend.  Next chore?  Choosing a company to make the cards!

I looked through Kodak Gallery.  Nothing caught my eye.  I loved almost everything on Tiny Prints, but really couldn't afford it.  Next stop, Shutterfly.  Good prices and some really cute cards!  I quickly called Nate to make sure he didn't care what the cards looked like and set to work.  I was even able to get pre-printed return address labels to match the card!  Worth every penny to not have to write those out over and over!

I went with "Oh Deer!" this year.  The cheerful colors and whimsical reindeer are so "us."  I love that I could change the written message on the card from "Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas" to something a little less Christmas-specific.  While I LOVE everything about Christmas, many of Nate's clients/friends are Jewish.  We welcome the holiday celebrations of all faiths in our house, and our cards reflect that sentiment.  Got a problem with that?!  Good.  Glad we're clear on that.

Wherein my body hurts and I suck at Twitter

At several points over the holiday weekend I thought to myself, "I should be tweeting this.  This is insane.  I should be tweeting."

But I didn't.  Because I suck at twitter.  But here are some highlights of the weekend in non-tweeted form:

1) RV ride to Tennessee, an open-container state.  And we decided that since the open-container state was our destination, we could drink the whole way down.
2) Laura slept almost the whole way down!
3) Arrived with the sunrise Thanksgiving morning.  Hot coffee waiting for us.
4) Turkeys tossed on the smoker at 10am.
5) Family football game.  I watched from the sidelines.  I don't *DO* balls.
6) Dinner.  Three tables.  Thirty people.  Four turkeys.  One ham.
7) Nashville zoo!  Most of the animals were hiding, since it was so cold, but the Jungle Gym was worth the price of admission.
8) Pre-gaming (like college kids) before getting on a party bus into Nashville.
9) Party bus.  Lighted floor.  Revolving stripper poles.  OMG.
10) Drive-by of Opryland to see the lights - gorgeous!
11) Did I mention stripper poles?  Revolving stripper poles?
12) Bar #1: mechanical bull.  Yes.  I rode.
13) Bar #2: live music.  We danced on stage.
14) Bar #3: I'm getting tired. 
15) Back home: the babysitters have hot pizza waiting for us!  Best sitters ever!
16) OMG everything hurts.  Why are there bruises all over my legs?  What happened last night??
17) Oh yeah.  Stripper poles and mechanical bull.  Mystery solved.
18) Starting to pack up for the long ride home.
19) In-laws really beginning to grate on my nerves.
20) Crying in the bathroom.
21) Well-timed trip to Sonic for burgers and limeades.  My first ever Sonic trip!  And I have never needed a fast-food break so badly.
22) RV ready to go.  Except two in-laws refuse to stop watching a stupid football game to leave.
23) Fight ensues.
24) Laura, sister-in-law and I hide on RV
25) Remainder of family carries hold-outs onto RV.
26) RV finally on the road.
27) Arrive home at 7am.
28) I still hurt.

If I had actually been tweeting, I am sure there would have been tons more updates, in a much wittier fashion.  But since I'm exhausted and back at work, this is the best I can do.  You wouldn't believe the bruises.  But also?  That stripper pole was the best workout I have gotten in years.  I think I need one.

Wherein my body hurts and I suck at Twitter

At several points over the holiday weekend I thought to myself, "I should be tweeting this.  This is insane.  I should be tweeting."

But I didn't.  Because I suck at twitter.  But here are some highlights of the weekend in non-tweeted form:

1) RV ride to Tennessee, an open-container state.  And we decided that since the open-container state was our destination, we could drink the whole way down.
2) Laura slept almost the whole way down!
3) Arrived with the sunrise Thanksgiving morning.  Hot coffee waiting for us.
4) Turkeys tossed on the smoker at 10am.
5) Family football game.  I watched from the sidelines.  I don't *DO* balls.
6) Dinner.  Three tables.  Thirty people.  Four turkeys.  One ham.
7) Nashville zoo!  Most of the animals were hiding, since it was so cold, but the Jungle Gym was worth the price of admission.
8) Pre-gaming (like college kids) before getting on a party bus into Nashville.
9) Party bus.  Lighted floor.  Revolving stripper poles.  OMG.
10) Drive-by of Opryland to see the lights - gorgeous!
11) Did I mention stripper poles?  Revolving stripper poles?
12) Bar #1: mechanical bull.  Yes.  I rode.
13) Bar #2: live music.  We danced on stage.
14) Bar #3: I'm getting tired. 
15) Back home: the babysitters have hot pizza waiting for us!  Best sitters ever!
16) OMG everything hurts.  Why are there bruises all over my legs?  What happened last night??
17) Oh yeah.  Stripper poles and mechanical bull.  Mystery solved.
18) Starting to pack up for the long ride home.
19) In-laws really beginning to grate on my nerves.
20) Crying in the bathroom.
21) Well-timed trip to Sonic for burgers and limeades.  My first ever Sonic trip!  And I have never needed a fast-food break so badly.
22) RV ready to go.  Except two in-laws refuse to stop watching a stupid football game to leave.
23) Fight ensues.
24) Laura, sister-in-law and I hide on RV
25) Remainder of family carries hold-outs onto RV.
26) RV finally on the road.
27) Arrive home at 7am.
28) I still hurt.

If I had actually been tweeting, I am sure there would have been tons more updates, in a much wittier fashion.  But since I'm exhausted and back at work, this is the best I can do.  You wouldn't believe the bruises.  But also?  That stripper pole was the best workout I have gotten in years.  I think I need one.

I am thankful

There is so much to be thankful about, this year especially.  I have a happy, healthy baby.  A happy, healthy marriage.  A happy, healthy dog.  A happy, healthy family.  A happy, healthy work environment.  A happy, healthy group of friends. 

I have cake.  Bed.  Crispy clean sheets.  New boots.  New outside lights.  New vacuum.  Cookies. 

I have family excited to see me over Thanksgiving.  I have family who will miss me over Thanksgiving.

Despite all the "I wants" that I feel myself repeating over and over like a broken record, I have.  I have a lot.  I am thankful for all that I have.  That said, I am going to quit blogging for the remainder of the week.  I'll see everyone on Monday.

Have a happy, healthy Thanksgiving! 
ä

I am thankful

There is so much to be thankful about, this year especially.  I have a happy, healthy baby.  A happy, healthy marriage.  A happy, healthy dog.  A happy, healthy family.  A happy, healthy work environment.  A happy, healthy group of friends. 

I have cake.  Bed.  Crispy clean sheets.  New boots.  New outside lights.  New vacuum.  Cookies. 

I have family excited to see me over Thanksgiving.  I have family who will miss me over Thanksgiving.

Despite all the "I wants" that I feel myself repeating over and over like a broken record, I have.  I have a lot.  I am thankful for all that I have.  That said, I am going to quit blogging for the remainder of the week.  I'll see everyone on Monday.

Have a happy, healthy Thanksgiving! 
ä

SCRAMBLE!

We're leaving

In an RV!

I hope that

We get home alive.

I have been scrambling the last few nights to get ready for the 10+ hour RV ride with my in-laws tomorrow.  You heard me right!  At least 10 hours in an RV with a 10-month old and 8 in-laws.  I'm embracing the insanity and am trying to roll with it.  Unfortunately, rolling with it is not something I do very well.

To date, here are all of the things I have done to prepare:

+Bought cute outfits for Thanksgiving dinner and bar-hopping (in a freaking party bus)  Friday night

+Found a last-minute dog-sitter for Girly (when our original sitter fell through)

+Baked a pie for said dog-sitter

+Made Chex Mix and taco dip for the 10+ hour RV ride

+Packed Laura's food

+Packed Laura's toys

+Packed my clothes

+Pre-measured Girly's food for the week

Here are all the things I have yet to do:

-Pack Laura's clothes

-Pack games for the grown-ups

-Hide my marbles (so I don't lose them.  You know.  And go crazy)

-Refill the Zoloft prescription (see above)

-Deliver pie to dog-sitter and thank her (again) for filling in so last minute

-Take a deep breath and remind myself that while crazy, that RV will be filled with people who love me and each other.  And that's pretty special.

-Eat turkey.  Lots of turkey.

SCRAMBLE!

We're leaving

In an RV!

I hope that

We get home alive.

I have been scrambling the last few nights to get ready for the 10+ hour RV ride with my in-laws tomorrow.  You heard me right!  At least 10 hours in an RV with a 10-month old and 8 in-laws.  I'm embracing the insanity and am trying to roll with it.  Unfortunately, rolling with it is not something I do very well.

To date, here are all of the things I have done to prepare:

+Bought cute outfits for Thanksgiving dinner and bar-hopping (in a freaking party bus)  Friday night

+Found a last-minute dog-sitter for Girly (when our original sitter fell through)

+Baked a pie for said dog-sitter

+Made Chex Mix and taco dip for the 10+ hour RV ride

+Packed Laura's food

+Packed Laura's toys

+Packed my clothes

+Pre-measured Girly's food for the week

Here are all the things I have yet to do:

-Pack Laura's clothes

-Pack games for the grown-ups

-Hide my marbles (so I don't lose them.  You know.  And go crazy)

-Refill the Zoloft prescription (see above)

-Deliver pie to dog-sitter and thank her (again) for filling in so last minute

-Take a deep breath and remind myself that while crazy, that RV will be filled with people who love me and each other.  And that's pretty special.

-Eat turkey.  Lots of turkey.

No Disassemble!

So this is what happens when you and your dad try to find The Clog in your vacuum cleaner.  That mess of plastic and screws used to be my vacuum.  Yeah.  My dad was almost in tears, he felt so bad about "killing" the vacuum!  I think he has watched Short Circuit a few too many times...

I was ready for a new vacuum anyway.  Enter, the Bissell 3920 Pet Hair Eraser!  I can't wait to see this baby suck up all of Girly's mounds of fur!  There's even an attachment for vacuuming your dog.  I think Girly will crap her imaginary pants when she sees that thing coming at her.  It's gonna be awesome.

No Disassemble!

So this is what happens when you and your dad try to find The Clog in your vacuum cleaner.  That mess of plastic and screws used to be my vacuum.  Yeah.  My dad was almost in tears, he felt so bad about "killing" the vacuum!  I think he has watched Short Circuit a few too many times...

I was ready for a new vacuum anyway.  Enter, the Bissell 3920 Pet Hair Eraser!  I can't wait to see this baby suck up all of Girly's mounds of fur!  There's even an attachment for vacuuming your dog.  I think Girly will crap her imaginary pants when she sees that thing coming at her.  It's gonna be awesome.

Honey-Do Lists

Or rather, Daddy-Do Lists, in my case!

Nate is just not all that handy.  In fact, I think it's hereditary.  Whenever Nate's dad offers to help out with something, I cringe wondering how awful the end result will be.  So I am frankly a little relieved that Nate doesn't try to fix things up around the house.  It's just safer that way. 

But we live in an older house that sometimes needs help.  Here's where my dad comes in.  My dad is incredibly super handy.  I have never seen him take on a challenge that he couldn't master.  Tiling?  He bought a diamond saw.  Back deck?  He is the master of the deck.  You name it, he can fix it!

Which is why my dad is spending his precious weekend at my house, fixing light fixtures, caulking stairs, and refinishing cabinets.  And the best part is he's happy to do it!  I have the best dad ever. 

EVER.

Honey-Do Lists

Or rather, Daddy-Do Lists, in my case!

Nate is just not all that handy.  In fact, I think it's hereditary.  Whenever Nate's dad offers to help out with something, I cringe wondering how awful the end result will be.  So I am frankly a little relieved that Nate doesn't try to fix things up around the house.  It's just safer that way. 

But we live in an older house that sometimes needs help.  Here's where my dad comes in.  My dad is incredibly super handy.  I have never seen him take on a challenge that he couldn't master.  Tiling?  He bought a diamond saw.  Back deck?  He is the master of the deck.  You name it, he can fix it!

Which is why my dad is spending his precious weekend at my house, fixing light fixtures, caulking stairs, and refinishing cabinets.  And the best part is he's happy to do it!  I have the best dad ever. 

EVER.

Sexting

Nate is away on business all week, at some sort of training something or other.  He's with 96 other agents.  I'm assuming most of them are men, since his field is mostly men.  He texted me the other night:

So all the guys r getting sexy pics from their girls.  Whatcha got?

Well, I've been feeling all sorts of NOT sexy lately.  My stomach is gross and all that.  AND I'm not about to go emailing sexy pictures of myself all over the place for strangers to ogle.  But I also don't want Nate to feel left out at his sleepaway camp training.

So I quickly threw on a pair of fancy tights and some heels and took this picture:

Nate: Love the picture. Thanks!!
Me: I know how to make my man happy :)
Nate: U do indeed.  My girl has the best legs!!!

And that is how I roll.

Sexting

Nate is away on business all week, at some sort of training something or other.  He's with 96 other agents.  I'm assuming most of them are men, since his field is mostly men.  He texted me the other night:

So all the guys r getting sexy pics from their girls.  Whatcha got?

Well, I've been feeling all sorts of NOT sexy lately.  My stomach is gross and all that.  AND I'm not about to go emailing sexy pictures of myself all over the place for strangers to ogle.  But I also don't want Nate to feel left out at his sleepaway camp training.

So I quickly threw on a pair of fancy tights and some heels and took this picture:

Nate: Love the picture. Thanks!!
Me: I know how to make my man happy :)
Nate: U do indeed.  My girl has the best legs!!!

And that is how I roll.

No post today

And I know you'll miss me...
But I'm off having fun with Laura and my mom!

No post today

And I know you'll miss me...
But I'm off having fun with Laura and my mom!

Holy Tornado Batman!

You may have heard about the CRAZY storm that swept Maryland last night.  Thankfully, I am not in the area that was hit the hardest.  But what a storm!

I was awoken around 1:15 by rain slamming against the windows, and Riesling whining and crying downstairs.  She's not normally afraid of storms, but this storm was not your normal storm.  She started to do her whisper bark thing, and I was afraid she'd start actually barking and wake Laura, so I let her upstairs.  She jumped right up on the bed and snuggled in.

Ten minutes later, as the wind begins to shake the house, Laura starts crying.  I let her cry for a few minutes to see if she'd go back to sleep.  But I caved.  I figured I already had one scaredy-cat in bed with me, why not two? 

So instead of enjoying the whole bed all to myself while Nate is out of town, I spent the wee hours of this morning listening to baby snores and doggy snores.  I'm a little tired this morning, and a little worried that Laura will think that 1am snuggles are legit.  But I love a good storm, and I do love a good snuggle.  All in all?  Last night was pretty great.

Holy Tornado Batman!

You may have heard about the CRAZY storm that swept Maryland last night.  Thankfully, I am not in the area that was hit the hardest.  But what a storm!

I was awoken around 1:15 by rain slamming against the windows, and Riesling whining and crying downstairs.  She's not normally afraid of storms, but this storm was not your normal storm.  She started to do her whisper bark thing, and I was afraid she'd start actually barking and wake Laura, so I let her upstairs.  She jumped right up on the bed and snuggled in.

Ten minutes later, as the wind begins to shake the house, Laura starts crying.  I let her cry for a few minutes to see if she'd go back to sleep.  But I caved.  I figured I already had one scaredy-cat in bed with me, why not two? 

So instead of enjoying the whole bed all to myself while Nate is out of town, I spent the wee hours of this morning listening to baby snores and doggy snores.  I'm a little tired this morning, and a little worried that Laura will think that 1am snuggles are legit.  But I love a good storm, and I do love a good snuggle.  All in all?  Last night was pretty great.

Another rainy day

There are times where rainy days are welcome and lovely.  I think these are mostly in the spring, when the sun is shining through the raindrops.  When there are rainbows and warm breezes.  When bunnies and wood nymphs frolic through the cheerful mists.

There are times when rainy days are welcome and lovely.  November is not one of those times.  It's raining out there.  It's cold and dark.  As if the days weren't cold and dark enough without the rain.  So I'm a little cranky today.

Nate left for a week-long business trip this morning.  Even Laura seemed to know something was up.  She cried all morning, and refused to be put down.  I had to sneak out of her classroom after I took her to day care this morning.  It's like the whole world is crying.

Another rainy day

There are times where rainy days are welcome and lovely.  I think these are mostly in the spring, when the sun is shining through the raindrops.  When there are rainbows and warm breezes.  When bunnies and wood nymphs frolic through the cheerful mists.

There are times when rainy days are welcome and lovely.  November is not one of those times.  It's raining out there.  It's cold and dark.  As if the days weren't cold and dark enough without the rain.  So I'm a little cranky today.

Nate left for a week-long business trip this morning.  Even Laura seemed to know something was up.  She cried all morning, and refused to be put down.  I had to sneak out of her classroom after I took her to day care this morning.  It's like the whole world is crying.

The Light of My Life

I mentioned yesterday that I hate what I have written in the "About Us" section on that little bar above.  In it, I say, "Laura is the light of my life!"  I read this one sentence and cringe.  What a sappy, un-me thing to say.  I would never say something like that in real life.  So why is something so stupid on my blog?  Today, I'm here to change that. 

The months following Laura's birth were a dark time for me.  I wanted to look at my daughter and feel my heart swell with love.  I wanted to just smile as I watched her sleep.  I wanted her to be the light of my life.  But my heart didn't swell; I didn't smile as she slept; Laura wasn't the light of my life. 

I was a sailor lost at sea, desperately searching the horizon for a lighthouse that wasn't there.

Maybe I set myself up for failure in those first few months.  Maybe as an expectant mother, still pregnant, I spent too much time imagining some perfect relationship with my daughter.  A relationship that could never be realistic. 

As I realized that my imagined relationship wasn't realistic, the seas of discontent rose around me.  Waves of anguish, remorse, disappointment tossed me about.  However, between every wave there is a welcomed lull.  In these breaks from the thrashing of emotions, I was able to see a glimmer of light from the shore.  Happiness.  After months of darkness, the storm began to let up.  With the help from counseling and family, I had longer periods of rest between waves.  The horizon grew brighter.  I could see the shore.

Now, my relationship with Laura is just how I imagined all those months ago.  When I look at her, my heart swells.  I smile and sigh as I watch her soft cheek rest against her blankie as she sleeps.  Laura is a light in my life. 

But Laura is not the only light in my life.  I spent months lost at sea looking for one lighthouse.  But in all those months, I overlooked all the stars shining above me.  Nate.  Riesling.  My mom.  My dad.  My sister. My brothers.   Nate's family.  My friends.  And yes, Laura. 

I wasn't lost in the darkness after all.  I was surrounded by love and light.  Only now, I can actually see it.

The Light of My Life

I mentioned yesterday that I hate what I have written in the "About Us" section on that little bar above.  In it, I say, "Laura is the light of my life!"  I read this one sentence and cringe.  What a sappy, un-me thing to say.  I would never say something like that in real life.  So why is something so stupid on my blog?  Today, I'm here to change that. 

The months following Laura's birth were a dark time for me.  I wanted to look at my daughter and feel my heart swell with love.  I wanted to just smile as I watched her sleep.  I wanted her to be the light of my life.  But my heart didn't swell; I didn't smile as she slept; Laura wasn't the light of my life. 

I was a sailor lost at sea, desperately searching the horizon for a lighthouse that wasn't there.

Maybe I set myself up for failure in those first few months.  Maybe as an expectant mother, still pregnant, I spent too much time imagining some perfect relationship with my daughter.  A relationship that could never be realistic. 

As I realized that my imagined relationship wasn't realistic, the seas of discontent rose around me.  Waves of anguish, remorse, disappointment tossed me about.  However, between every wave there is a welcomed lull.  In these breaks from the thrashing of emotions, I was able to see a glimmer of light from the shore.  Happiness.  After months of darkness, the storm began to let up.  With the help from counseling and family, I had longer periods of rest between waves.  The horizon grew brighter.  I could see the shore.

Now, my relationship with Laura is just how I imagined all those months ago.  When I look at her, my heart swells.  I smile and sigh as I watch her soft cheek rest against her blankie as she sleeps.  Laura is a light in my life. 

But Laura is not the only light in my life.  I spent months lost at sea looking for one lighthouse.  But in all those months, I overlooked all the stars shining above me.  Nate.  Riesling.  My mom.  My dad.  My sister. My brothers.   Nate's family.  My friends.  And yes, Laura. 

I wasn't lost in the darkness after all.  I was surrounded by love and light.  Only now, I can actually see it.