How Would You Feel?

A few days ago, my hubby came home and told me that his ex-girlfriend "K" called. She was informing him that she just became preggers and thought that she would find out how he was doing as well. She also told him that she always felt comfortable talking to him and really appreciated all the good advice he's given to her over the years. My blood began to heat as he told me about their call, it never boiled, but it got pretty damn hot.

A Bit of History

(Sometime in '94) My hubby and "K" were together, just before he and I became an item. He says she's cute, but I couldn't see what he saw in her. She's taller than me and a bit older. I think her baby sister is my age. At any rate, they were together a couple of years and it was a tumultuous relationship. He tells me that she was very insecure and she wondered constantly why he was with her. She must have really loved him because, after I came into the picture, she was insistent that he'd made a mistake. She continued to call his apartment, even if I answered the phone. I had to tell him (and remember, this was when we were still young and dumb) that he needed to tell her to stop calling so much. It was disrespectful to me and to our relationship. The fact that I had to tell him is what really gets me, but the hubby I know now would never have let it go on as long as it did.

The phone calls began to lessen and he focused more on us. By '99, we were in our own apartment in Salt Lake City, learning how to be a couple and trying to figure out what we were going to do with the rest of our lives. The phone calls started again, not too bad, but enough that I felt compelled to say something. After this, I was not even aware of any communication between them until last summer, when I stumbled upon an email. It was basically just a, "Hi, how are you?" email from her, nothing more (thank God!). Hubby indicated to me then that she was involved with someone and would soon be married. I suppose this is the same gentleman that she has been married to for eight months.

For me, this seems odd and maybe it's because I have no contact with anyone I dated in the past. That's the past, I'm leaving it there (unless for some reason, it rears it's ugly head). I don't even have friendships with these guys, so this all seems really odd to me. I guess their break-up was amicable and they were able to maintain a friendly relationship. Perhaps I'm too cynical or something. I just think it's difficult for men and women to have lasting, platonic relationships. Not to say that it can't be done, but I believe the difficulty is there.

I truly don't believe that anything is up and I have my suspicions on why it bothers me. Shall I share? I think I'm bothered because they have a past different from the past I have with him. The memories, thoughts and feelings are things I will never be privy to or fully know, ever in life. The other suspicion? Part of me thinks that she still loves him on some level. At least, enough to hold out a sliver of hope that if our relationship failed and so did hers, they could find each other again. Is that too far-fetched?

So, that's the most dramatic thing that's happened to me in the last few days (accept for this morning when they narrowed the main interestate into town to just two lanes...IDIOTS)!

The systems at work are no longer losing their minds and we will be starting a new person to replace "C" very soon. He's even kinda cute! (We don't have a lot of eye-candy around here, so this is major). The babe is in a school assembly today, the baby is crawling all over the place and picking up things like popcorn kernels and loose staples. Yikes! Dad is looking super fine (getting ready for the bodybuilding show) and life is pretty sedate. I say this and then something wild will happen (wild and good? Let's hope so).

Way too Bitchy

That's been me, lately...and it's not even "that time of the month". Just being mean for the sake of being mean, I guess. I don't wanna be mean, but it just comes out. Then, I'm all, "Where did that come from?" I'm surprised my hubby is still hangin' in there, sometimes.

My oldest was on the phone with her dad, just before I put her to bed. Here was her side of the conversation, "Daddy, why doesn't the police place give you a different job so you can work during the day and get some rest at night?" Children are so perceptive, maybe a little too perceptive. I'm obivously too selfish, always singing the, "Woe is me!" blues when I don't have enough time with him. She's certainly feeling it, too.

The baby (my youngest) has now decided that moving forward may not be such a bad thing after all. We saw her move several inches forward, yesterday and today. She's also grabbing things to pull up on. Man, where did the time go?

Hooray for Rain

It's raining, here. Okay, it's really raining, here and I just love it! I woke up to thunder and drove the babe to school watching lightening flashes. It was wonderful. Work is starting to ease up a bit, but my coworker is currently vacationing in Las Vegas, so that leaves me: the one woman show. Oh, well. I've really relearned a lot of things and it gave me back the feelings of why I like my job so much.

So, I'm still tracking down a Halloween costume for the babe. I was bidding on a witch costume, then a lady bug costume. Now, I'm waiting to see if I win a Rapunzel costume. It occurred to me that she's been digging the fairy tales again, lately. I've collected quite a few books and DVDS, and now we've been watching them again. Recently, we watched Faerie Tale Theater's, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. So, there's the theme, I guess. If I lose out on this auction, on to another fairy tale character.

We have to buy another car seat for the baby . Oh my Lord, she is so big! She's sitting up on her own, so the reversible seat is just not getting it anymore. Recently, I took her into the store (sans car-seat) and had her sit in the cart. She loved it! The little victories in life when children are growing up. Next, it will be holding her little hand as we walk to and fro. Oh!

Nothing planned for the weekend, just hanging out at the house. I do need to buy the babe some black dress shoes (can't wear the white one's anymore, I guess). Where did that Labor-Day thing come from, anyway? I just wear white and say, "It's winter white" and that usually shuts people up.

Here's a question, were you surprised by the Bobby/Whitney split? We've been talking about it here at work. The catch phrase for everything lately has been, "Crack is whack!" Oh, we just have way too much time on our hands.

September: The Month of Change

Not only the month of change in terms of season, but also the month of change in terms of lives. If people are going to relocate, this is usally the month in which to do it. Jobs, hairstyles/haircolors, frames of mind, mates, emotions, all seem to do the most changing during this month. For years (and I haven't checked to see if this is still true) but September was also the month in which most divorces occurred. Crazy, huh?

You can either use your karmic powers to make those changes positive or drown in the abyss of the crazy and make yourself miserable. I choose the first option. So far, September has been pretty good. The babe has started the first grade and is enjoying it (keeping the hope that I won't get lots of phone calls and drama, this year), the baby is sleeping through the night, sitting up by herself, crawling backwards, sporting four new teeth and eating some solids. She's even started trying to clap. It's cute, but not nearly as cute as when she starts dancing.

It's also time to start thinking about the up and coming holidays. Oh, I how I love them! The babe is unclear as to what she wants to be for Halloween. Initially, she'd wanted to be a funky sort of witch (think "The Worst Witch" movie and series from forever ago), then she wanted to be a cat. When I reminded her that only two years ago, she was a cat, she decided being Daphne from Scooby Doo might be cool. So, I'll keep my eBay finger on the pulse and we'll see what comes up first. Then there's the homebaked wonderfullness that is my mother's cooking during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Oh! Please hips, lie, lie!

On the homefront, we'll be doing some winter cleaning this weekend. My house is a wreck and there are excuses and good ones, but we still gotta clean it. Hubby is working overttime again and, although it's making me just as crazy as ever not having him around, the extra money to pay off bills is nice so, I hold my complaining and screaming down to a dull roar. I'm also putting in some OT of my own, which I've never had the luxury of doing here before (they're so funny about that). Anyway, with our new systems and email snafus galore, we've become so backlogged that the extra hours a week are really aiding in keeping us a float. We're also a man short so, that doesn't help matters either.

It's so nuts that I just got back from vacation a few weeks ago and I feel like I need one. My coworker is going to Vegas next week and I couldn't be more thrilled (and jealous). I think a nice long weekend away from everything would do me good. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be getting that anytime soon.

Finally, my neigborhood feels like a soap opera recently. Here's some background: my next door neighbors are a cute couple and their two little girls. One is five, almost six and the other is four. They are a mixed couple from very different backgrounds (the husband is latino, raised in California by a very strict family but also a traditional family in which the husband's word is law and the men rule the roost). The wife, a caucasian stay-at-home-mom, is from a broken family here in Utah. Her father raised she and her sisters, primarily due to her mother's drug abuse. So, the husband is military and works out of state a lot. He had a one-night-stand in Ohio with a woman and a child resulted (his only son). She, the adultress, sued for child support and wanted so much that his girls and wife would have been without anything. The court decided on a fair amount and the couple went into counseling together. Mom/Wifey was glad that they were working things out, but she told him that one more incident and they were finished.

A couple of months ago, she was telling me that their oldest daughter told her that daddy was kissing mommy's sister. Well, that did it. The couple separated and the father (who was now working in Arizona), began establishing residency there. He has the girls and they've started school. We've noticed all sorts of strange vehicles next door, late nights of furniture moving in and out, people we've never seen before (and never see again, for that matter) and wifey has dropped a significant amount of weight. Being that my neighbor across the street and my hubby are both cops, they've put two and two together. Now, there is a for sale sign in their lawn. She claims he won't let her see her kids. I asked her if she's looking for work (since she's living off her family) and she says she's trying. Personally, I'd be mopping floors at McDonald's, if it came to supporting myself and/or my children. You do what you have to, right? She also says he sent child and family services after her because he believed she was smoking meth in front of their kids. In front, behind, outside? Wherever it's happening, this is not a good thing. She's supposed to get them this weekend for a week's long visit. The oldest doesn't want to see her at all because she believes mommy will take her from daddy. The youngest is too young to really understand all the drama. We'll see what happens...

Wow, way too much going on...

The work load is crazy over here. I'll be back soon (hopefully, later this week).

Sniffle sniffle, cough cough

I don't know what this is I have, but it ain't good. Yuck! I feel like the mucus is taking over my body like, invasion of the body snatchers or something. It came on yesterday morning, as I was logging onto my computer to work from home. The weather is still really hot, but different...hints of fall kissing the wind. I love fall and can't wait for it to get here.

Hubby and I had a rough weekend, that got considerably better towards the end; same old stuff, different days. His schedule, our lack of time together, communication breakdown, affection wasteland. All were addressed yet again. Promises were made. All we can do is hope for better.

I've got to draft a proposal for a schedule I've concoted for the next 8 months, I guess. School begins tomorrow and we have no before and after care for the babe. The neighbors weren't able to help and the summer school teacher hasn't called back with any suggestions. I'm hoping my boss-man is cool with it, until we can come up with something else. He's not here, so empowering myself to just do it the next few days, feels a little strange. I really don't have any other alternatives, unfortunately. I suppose if he comes back and is ultra pissed and fires me, I'll have to deal with it. It's never easy for me, dang it. So many people just seem to have things fall in their laps but that just isn't the case for yours truly. I don't know if it ever will be but, oh well. It is what it is.

Back and Nutty

Well, I'm back from vacation...I wish I could say rested and fully regenerated but, if you've ever been on vacation to a major metropolis, there is no truth in that statement. It was a lovely vacation for yours truly and her girls, but hubby was a Grumpy-Gus the entire time. Let's be honest; he was an ass the entire time...bitching and moaning about everything! By the time we returned, I was pretty much ready to put him out. Then, on Saturday, I got the heartfelt apology and the admissions to guilt that made everything okay. I was glad he realized he'd been to attitudinal for words. I guess I should be grateful that in the nearly nine years we have been married, this is the first time he's been a jackass during a vacation. I suppose there are others who experience this sort of thing all the time.

Sunday, August 6th

We went to church, as is usual for us on Sundays, but this week we had the car packed and ready for our trip, since we wouldn't be returning home before going to the airport. My oldest didn't know anything about the trip (we don't tell her because then she worries us to death!). After church, we changed into our "fly wear" and went to McDonald's for breakfast. Why did we have to pick the location in need of the health inspector's glove more than any other? There was a big garbage can blocking the entryway to the eating area, the floor was sticky and there were flies. Once they moved the garbage bin, we discovered that none of the tables were clean. Dad busts out with the baby wipes and swabs down the table as best he can. Eating for fear of the germ brigade was a challenge.

After a hurried breakfast, we drove to Hollywood Connection (a movie theater/indoor amusement park/roller rink/arcade) and let the babe have at it for about an hour and a half. She had a great time on the roller coasters and playing arcade games with dad. Then, it was off to the airport. We parked in economy parking and rode the shuttle to our gate. We only had to wait about an hour, before it was time to board our plane. Oh my gosh! It was the smallest plane I've ever been on; a Skywest/Delta commuter plane that seated up to 50. I'm used to Jumbo jets. It was so weird. The baby slept the entire 1 hour and 45 minute flight and there was no one sitting next to me, so that was nice. The babe napped the last half hour, along with her daddy (who was probably calling the hogs (snoring for you guys), but the engine was so loud, no one could hear him). We landed to very cool temps in Oakland and caught a taxi to SanFran (my very first!) to the hotel. The city is wall-to-wall skyscrapers; very old chic, busy and charming. Hubby complained about the size of our living quarters for the resort, which are smaller than what we're used to, but he knew that going in. I thought they were charming. At any rate, we were so tired we got unpacked, plopped down on the couch and ordered in (Thai food. Yum!)

Monday, August 7

We arose after sleeping in a whole extra hour ( a big deal for me). Hubby went to work out in the resorts gym, while me and the girls got ready and dressed for the day. Once hubby came back, showered and dressed, we went venturing around the city and explored our surroundings. We hit Union Square pretty quickly and marveled at all the shops. We ended up at a Virgin Records store and a Ross Dress for Less, both three stories high. Hubby lost his mind! We were there nearly two hours and would have been there longer, if the babe hadn't needed to go potty (no public restrooms a plenty in San Fran, unfortunately). We walked back to the hotel, ordered lunch in, then went back out and explored China Town, which was (literally) right around the corner. The babe loved China Town and so did I. My hubby, the shopper, liked all the shops at first, then wasn't so impressed after walking for a while.

My calves were screaming, by the time we got back. Those hills are no joke. You can't get a grasp of how steep they are, even from watching t.v. or movies that are filmed there. You're literally on a 35 degree incline. This is the first vacation where I've actually lost weight, rather than gained.

Tuesday, August 8th

We walked from our hotel to Fisherman's Wharf (Pier 39). It was about a 45 minute walk, but would have been a five or ten minute car ride. We ate lunch at In 'N Out Burger (mine and my hubby's favorite) and it was so packed, the line was hanging out the door, but it was so worth it. I love that place! If they ever bring it to Utah, I'm in serious trouble. Keep it in Nevada and California please. My hips will be forever grateful. After lunch, we toured the wax museum and had a ball there. Then, off to the Aquarium. By the day's end, we were beat but happy to have had a good day (even if the hubby was cantankerous).

Wednesday, August 9th

Several days before our trip, we investigated amusement parks to visit and decided that we would probably go to Great America in Santa Clara. We knew we would have to take buses and trains, but it would be a great day regardless. The only hitch was that we would need to purchase our tickets online, due to the major discount you received doing so. Well, the day of our adventure, I went downstairs to the resort computer, only to find that the amusement park page wouldn't load. Oh, all of their other locations came up, but not Great America. We were bummed and ended up exploring downtown San Fran again. This time, we visited the Virgin Records store and stock-piled on DVD's. We also saw that Jody Watley would be doing autographs for her new CD. I was stoked, thinking I would come back later that evening to see her. It didn't happen. We went back to our room and hubby was sleeping like he was dead or something. He didn't want to go anywhere or do anything. We had paid for a tour to Muir woods for the next day, and he said that's all he wanted to do. Ugh!

Thursday, August 10th

The baby's 7-month birthday. We caught our tour bus right outside the hotel doors and road to the pier, where we made final arrangements, hoped on another bus and road out of the city...up, up, up 4,000ft above sea level to Muir Woods. Ah, the great Redwoods. They are magnificent. Hubby loved this part and was happy to be away from all the hustle and bustle of the city. We toured the woods for about 45 minutes, then hoped on the bus and road to the second part of our tour; Sausalito. There, we took in the picturesque, Mediterranean type scenery and enjoyed a very warm and pleasant day.

Several of our fellow tourers took the ferry back, the rest took the extended part of the tour to Alcatraz. We were the only ones left on our bus, so we took the scenic route back to our hotel. Doing so, allowed us to see the one and only grocery store we ever saw in San Fran and it was only five blocks away from our hotel. So, we took our things back to the room, then walked the five blocks back to the grocery store. There, we purchased our lunch for the day, our breakfast for the next morning, my only bit of sushi I had while there and a bottle of Alice White Shiraz. Yumm!

Back at the room, I turned on the news to find out about the potential terrorist attack on planes out of the UK to the US. Gratefully, I learned about all the new security measures before our trip back the next day.

Friday, August 11th

We took an airport shuttle back to the airport, poured out baby-bottle water in the garbage as part of security measures, then waited an hour and a half for our flight. Hubby was sort of pissy again, but mellowed out once on the plane. On our way home, he went back and forth; happy to be home, still grumpy at all the fast-pastness of San Fran.

As I said before, I got my apology on Saturday after he'd basically separated himself from me. We had gone to a barbecue and didn't say much to each other there, by the time we were riding home, we were holding hands. It was a rough, happy, stressful and exciting trip.

Back to work

Our new systems have made it hard to do what we need to do, thus a lot more work, thus working over time at home, thus ready to pull my hair out. This is the first opportunity I have to sit down and type out the events of the last few days.

Six More Days...

We're getting excited about the trip. I can't believe it's so close, and we still really don't have a clue what we're going to do (but it's fine). In fact, I rather like not having a complete plan. That way, if we don't do something on the plan, there are no hurt feelings or disappointments. I believe the only truly planned items will be getting to and leaving the hotel from the airport. I'll be calling them today to see which shuttle service they use or recommend. Again, it's sort of weird thinking about not using a car because we're such heavy car users.

This is a picture of the hotel where we're going to be staying. Unlike the other resorts we use, they don't have a kitchen. That's always a nice feature whenever we go somewhere because it gets old eating out all the time (well, at least for me it does). We investigated and found out that the sales tax is 8.5%. Yikes! That's how much it is in Nashville, which doesn't make any sense, to me. Tennessee is now part of the lottery club. They could stand to take that down a bit.

The weekend was uneventful, but nice. Friday evening, hubby made us Turkey burgers for dinner. The baby went to sleep early, the babe watched a kiddy movie, and mom and dad watched Final Destination 3. It was gorier than the first two and the story finally came to an end. The acting was fairly decent as well, although I didn't recognize any of the actors. Saturday, we picked up hair for the babe (it's almost time to redo the braids), stopped at Ross Dress for Less in search of good tennis shoes for the trip. That was a decent stop, since we weren't there for very long. I also bought a new hair dryer and curling iron (ceramic) that I absolutely love! Who would have known they'd make such a difference? Seriously, though. I'm starting to ache for my braids, again. The whole "doing your hair everyday) thing is so overrated.

Yesterday, we participated in the JC Penney, VIP shopping night. I bought about $180 dollars worth of "Back to School" stuff and fall baby gear. I would have spent nearly $400, without the sale. I'll say it again, I HATE SHOPPING! I only do this for the deals. Otherwise, I would not do it. I was so irritated by the time we left, that I just wanted to go home and hide under the bed; however, I don't regret going. I think the irritation was agitated because we had hit up three stores before going to Penneys (looking for a walker at a decent price). I think that was too much for anybody. Oh, well. At least we know where we're going to get the walker, whenever we get it. It'll be good for her legs. The babe loved hers and pretty much destroyed it, by the time she was ready to walk on her own.

School starts in a couple of weeks and we're still toiling over how to get her there and how to pick her up. I'm just going to try and stay as positive as I can and have faith that everything comes together when it's supposed to.

Trying to Understand What Happened

Hubby was all about doing the romance thing again, then all of a sudden it stopped. Not sure why. Last night, we were watching t.v. and prime snuggle time was in effect...nothing. I rubbed his back, had my arms around him. I even managed to turn up the affection knob on high beam with the baby in my lap...nothing. I made an off comment, while holding her; "Why don't you carry us to the room, honey?" Merely joking, nothing more. He says, "Um, you're too heavy." Nothing else. I was joking and he was totally serious. Then, I started to get paranoid. After he left for work, I left him a message on his phone basically stating that I felt he was avoiding affection with me because of my weight. "Are you avoiding me because I'm heavier? Do you not want to be around me because of it?"

After work, he calls and says he got the message and wants to talk. Of course he loves me and thinks that I'm just thinking towards us negatively. I object and tell him that is how I perceived the situation the night before. He goes on to say that perhaps, because of past situations, he sees me watching tv and just turns that avenue off, thinking that I don't want to be bothered. I told him, "You can turn off the t.v. It's a pasttime. I don't care." I hope he heard me. I heard him, but am still not sure about the situation. He feels that I doubt him more. Maybe I do. Maybe that comes when you're married as long as we've been in children are in the mix. You devote time and energy to the kids, and not too each other. That needs to be revamped a bit, I think. There's room for all of us.

He's off this weekend and I wanted my mom to watch the kids for a couple of hours. I was thinking, this will give us some time together to talk and just be a couple. Not so much. Mom is going to be busy with yard work and my sister is fine with the babe, but I know the baby sends her into meltdown. She just dosen't have a knack for little babies. She appears and is always very uncomfortable with them.

So, on the tele last night, I was watching Discovery Health about a little boy (about a year old) who weighs (6 stone) 84 pounds. He has "Momo Syndrome." It was discovered in San Paolo, Brazil and has only affected 4 people (including this little boy) that they know of. Archie (the little boy) was born only an ounce heavier than my youngest (8lbs 4oz). Initially, he needed a feeding tube to eat. After about a month, he couldn't get enough to eat. He was fussy and cried a lot. They tried everything to make their new baby happy. Then, the baby began putting on weight; a pound a week. Good Lord! The doctor's kept him for a bit and found that he didn't eat any more than other children his age. They began to suspect a overgrowth syndrome and began researching the various types discovered in other people.

I felt for his poor mother, especially when she said that people would just assume she was over feeding him or make comments to her about his diet. She was a bit on the heavy side herself (because of medication she takes, according to the narrator) so, people would just assume she didn't know what to do. Never mind the fact that she had two older children within normal weight ranges. She was told by doctors her son was "Life-Limited" and this definitely had its effect on the morale of the family. Sarah (the mother) went to Brazil to see the only other living person with the syndrome. Danielli (the girl) was 17 and was living a normal life. She was large, but not as large as people may have thought. She was friendly, active and doing well in school. She had the same overlobe, like Archie, and bowed legs from the weight, like Archie. This gave Sarah so much hope and alleved her fears that her little boy may die. It was a worthy show to watch, so try and catch it if you can (if it comes on again).

Finally, I did start writing again. Just blogging about stopping made me get back into the mode. I was even brainstorming in the car about how to work in the conflict of the story and more character development. It's about 25 double-spaced, typed pages long now. I still have a ways to go and I'm eager to have my hubby read it and give me feedback. Funny. Even when we're at odds, I always need him.

What Happened? Life, I guess.

I could write to you about the millions of excuses I have for not writing. It's been about a week, now. The momentum is still there, I just have to put pen to paper (or typing to screen) and get going again. It would be different if I'd had a block or something but, alas. This is not the case. There is a lot happening that I will share, although, I can't use any of these activities as an excuse. No excuses! I gotta get back to it.

So, the last few weeks we've been dealing with technical drama. I could go into all of the logistics, but I don't want to bore the masses. At any rate, it's made working quite minimal (hence, lots of extra time to write, right?) Nope. Not so much. Just researching more on our impending vacation; what to do, where to go, how to get there. Truly, I could be doing this on my own time. Yeah, like that's gonna happen ! We have gone to the movies, twice! We discovered that our youngest really doesn't cry much so, we took her to the movies with the babe to see Ice Age 2. Not a peep! She mainly slobbered all over me and baby talked in my ear. With this discovery, we will be off to the movies again. Wow! That didn't take long at all. Oh, and she's sleeping through the night. Nice. I've been up at 4:30 a.m. again, walking the hell out of my treadmill. Woohoo! Now, if only the water retention would go away so I could see some weight loss, dang it!

On Sunday, we went to see Monster House. Oh, I highly recommend this one. It was a fun scary that had the babe hiding in her daddy's shirt, but too intrigued not to watch and wait for more suspense and scares. It reminded me a lot of the Frightneners, with Steven Spielberg's "child hero" theme tossed in well. I'm sure it will be available for video by Halloween. Hmm. That seems so far away but, then again, August is only a few days away.

My hubby/boyfriend has returned! He showed up with flowers and a date for lunch at the New Yorker, last week. How romantic! Then, Sunday, he came home and played a song that reminds him of me ("Fortunate" - Maxwell). We slow danced. Slow danced? I can't even remember the last time we did that. I'd say, years ago. It was so sweet and special. He used to be like this all the time, but not so much for a while. It's back and there are no complaints here.

I'm going to write. I will! I must! No more excuses. Pen to paper.

A Logical Mind Drowning in the Creative Process

My story is clipping along and I still seem to be full of ideas. I had a thought yesterday; what genre does it fall into? I haven't a clue! It's sort of a drama without being too dramatic, I guess. I've really shifted gears with this story, as opposed to what I've written in the past but then, well actually, what I've written in the past has kind of fallen into all sorts of categories. For example, I remember writing a story, that was based on something that happened to me as a teenager, in my creative non-fiction class. It was definitely a drama and was well received. I even remember reading it aloud during a fundraising event. I was very proud of my little story and a few people told me after the event that it brought them to tears. Wow! I conjured emotion. It was an empowering experience to say the least.

In my fiction class, I wrote a story about a woman who (along with all of the other women in her family) had the ability to "sense". I suppose that would fall under science fiction or occult. And just yesterday, I stumbled upon a story I started working on last year (I think) that's definitely horror (it's actually damn good and I should work on it some more). It's rare that I feel that way about what I write, but sometimes I do. I'm not sure if I feel my current short-story is damn good, but I think it's definitely interesting. I kind of envision it being placed in a book with other short-stories. Perhaps a passage or two would be found on a graduate entry test and the question would be, "Summarize the passage above and identify the literary tools used" or maybe, a high school teacher would assign this book of short-stories, including mine, to her class and ask that they choose one to write a paper on. The student with the highest score would have written a paper on my story. Dreaming again, I know.

One thing is for sure; writing is going to get me somewhere. It already has, but not in the creative aspects that I wish for it to. My job definitely requires that I write and write well. I've also done a lot of technical writing (step-by-step stuff) that has ended up in manuals and instruction booklets which, consequently, as boosted my resume. On the off chance when I've written for something creatively, I've gained something even if it was small. I once submitted an entry about my husband for a popular male shaving cream that ended up in the running. I didn't win, but we were sent all sorts of product that hubby still uses. I remember submitting an entry for a popular fabric softner and won, not only some of the softner, but a blanket, and several freebies at Blockbuster. Then, there's the article I wrote and was paid for in college. Once the editor had done her deed, I barely recognized it but, I was a paid writer in print. Woohoo! It's just trying to get your foot in the professional door that's tricky. I know that, I expect it and I'm ready for it. I'm use to rejection, so I feel I've got a leg-up on that aspect. How's that for positive thinking! "Throw my manuscripts back at me a thousand times, I can take it! "

On a personal note, my kids seem to be feeling loads better, but my hubby is experiencing a very instense form of male P.M.S. I'm ready to put him out! He did, however, make a good point about something; why do we always self-sabotage when he does have the time to spend with the family, i.e. his days off? We usually end up spending at least one of his days off arguing or at odds with each other about something. I think it has to do with the fact that either he or I knows it's short-lived, which frustrates us, so then we're amped up and stressed about it so much that we can't enjoy the time that we actually have. It's a vicious cycle and we really need to find a way to put an end to it, truly. It's not healthy for either of us.

Currently, we're being painfully polite (when we do talk) and it's starting to get on my nerves! My other theory on the subject? It's been a little while since we've been intimate. He was truly bummed when he came home on Friday and Aunt Flow had made her appearance while he was out running errands. Of course, I have no way of "shutting things off" and he's not the only one who's frustrated. I didn't know I was going to be so early, but there it is. I've always felt like we're so much better when we get our sessions in during the week. We rarely argue and we're so much nicer in the grander scheme of things. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times; graveyard shift sucks AND it looks like he'll get it again in August. So, that would make a year and 8 months on graveyards (from 08/06 to 01/07). Ugh! That's enough to make anyone irritated and frustrated. At least I'm not downing the fruity-alchy drinks (although, that wouldn't be such a bad thing).

Finally, it appears we are going to go on vacation despite our brokeness (and guess what's scheduled to "show up" during that week). I just can't win for loosing. Anyway, we're going somewhere I've never been and I'm getting excited. Growing up in Southern California, Northern California almost seemed like an entirely different state. It will be a fun trip and I'm trying to convince hubby that the kids may enjoy the wine country, too. Hey, it's worth a shot. Anyway, more on the impending vacation later. Hope you're all well and enjoying your summer (and I'm really still reading everything that you post, even if it takes a few days. Honest!)

A Quicky Post

Hi, all! Oh, man. I just checked the date and it's been a while. I'm still writing and writing and writing. It's coming together and I'm still mostly happy with the work. There's still lots to be done, but I've got to get moving on the children's story if I'm going to get it submitted in time. Turns out that the contest people supply the illustrator. Bummer! I was so looking forward to my friend drawing/painting/sketching the pictures for me. Oh, well. If/When I get my own contract, I'm making sure he's my illustrator. Complete artistic control, no doubt!

Life on the homefront is pretty boring, right now. Hubby's still frustrated with his job, the babe is still reigning and queen of kingdom and my youngest has a cold, poor thing. Summer colds are awful, but the great thing about babies is they take it all in stride. She just laughs and snots, rubs it all over her head, then laughs again. We took the girls swimming on Friday evening and, although the pool is indoors, it was Indy's first time and she shivered for about ten minutes, then she was great. By Saturday morning, she was a haven of mucus. She's doing better today...I just wish I could give her meds for it.

So, Happy Independence day, and all that. We truly are fortunate in the U.S. and, if I can be a bit political for a moment, Bush needs to get it together before he screws it all up for us. Seriously! Whoever is inaugurated in 2008 has got a helluva lot to try and fix and I hope *she* (ahem), has the support *she* (ahem) needs to make things better. Until then, I hope for a quick resolve to this war and whenever our soilders do return home, I hope they can make the transition back into their family lives as smoothly as possible (nobody ever says anything about that, but you know it's got to be tougher than frozen crap to do). Ugh! Another gross metaphor. Oh, well...Happy Indendence Day! Now, go eat BBQ until you blow up. (Dang it! I did it again!)

Writing, Writing, Writing

I've been around and able to post, but I've directed my writing to a new short-story I'm working on. It was kind of hubby's idea. We were talking about our dreams and what we would do if we could do whatever we wanted. I told him that, if all my needs were met, I would just write and write and write. Day in and day out, I would write to my heart's content.

"Why don't you," he says.

"Because there isn't any time, honey. No time. No time. Work, kids, kid-activities, cooking, laundry...all that."

"Honey, you blog, don't you?"

"Yeah..."

"So, you have enough time to do that...I'm just saying. We say, 'if only' all the time and pretty soon the 'if only' is ten years later. You know, we're not getting any younger and there's no time like right now."

Point taken. So, what did I do? I jotted down an outline for a story I've had brewing a bit and just started writing. It's been coming pretty freely and I'm actually quite happy with it...for now. The problem comes when I start proofreading and second guessing my ideas. I just need to write and keep going and then have him look it over. Also, I was digging around in my email and found a contest for a children's story that's currently running. My girlfriend has a husband who is an amazing artist and has illustrated for previous books. She told me that whenever I wrote a children's story, he'd do the artwork for me. Man, I guess my chances are staring me right in the face. I just need to embrace the opportunities. So, if I'm in and out sporadically, that's why. I've not dropped off the face of the Earth and I'm still reading and commenting on your blogs (of which I totally love and am devoted to).

The children's story is actually from the mind of a friend, whose childhood fear I realized into a story. Once I find it (yeah, it's somewhere on my desktop, dang it) and clean it up, I'm all about having my friend's hubby draw up pictures. I would ask my own hubby to do it (he's got mad art skills, too) but he's very bashful of them. My friend's old man is all about the drawing. I'm getting excited! Who knows what could happen.

"So, You're Growing up."

Over the past few weeks, the oldest has been coming to hubby and I with "the questions". We don't pull any punches and we don't beat around the bush with her. We've always been completely honest about bodies (without getting too graphic). I recognize that not all parents handle the "questions" in the same manner that we do and we've talked to her about appropriateness and tact; the world shouldn't have to endure all of her questions (said kindly, of course).

Unfortunately, she has sometimes forgotten that only the parents should be privy to the questions. Grandma (my mother-in-law) got a dose of them, while she was visiting us. She called my husband in sort of a panic about the words she was using. Well, my mother-in-law doesn't discuss sex, much less use any words to describe body parts. She's from a different era; you make lots of babies, you just don't discuss how it's done. She was mortified to hear my 5 year old asking about such things! My hubby was successful in calming her down and I reinterated to the babe that only mommy and daddy should be included in such discussions.

Yesterday, the teacher called. Oh, goodness. I felt so bad and she was so embarrassed! Before picking up either of my girls, I called hubby and told him we needed to talk to her about tact again, together. When we got home, we sat her down to talk and she immediately went into the, "I've done something bad" mode. Poor thing. I told her several times that she wasn't in trouble and that what she was asking about wasn't bad, but that she did need to limit the conversations with mom and dad, only. Phew! And I gotta do this again in five years? Oi, vey!

At first, I was so concerned that she was asking so early, but it really shouldn't surprise me. The television is littered with sexual innuendo and just out and out sex (especially if you watch Fox). I was probably seven when I first discovered what all the noise was about. Being one of the first kids on my street to get cable, the service came equiped with the Playboy channel. It wasn't long before the neighborhood kids were living at my house. As soon as my parents found out what was going on, they were livid, but made sure to keep it cool. After all, sex is not a bad thing...I just shouldn't have been showing soft porn to half the neighborhood.

Had I not made that discovery, I suppose my next exposure would have come from school and we all know what happens when you hear things from school. I didn't want my babe subjected to the fairy tales that are constructed on school play grounds. That's the stuff of nightmares, I gotta tell yah.

By the time I was ten, I needed a bra. Ten! Ugh! And, we're not talking the cutsie training bras with the bow. Oh, no. I was long past that. I went to the lingerie section with my mother and nearly passed out when we bypassed all the bras my friends were wearing and went straight for the "over the shoulder boulder holders". Being a preteen with super boobs was so not fun. With little girls developing younger and younger, I wonder if these questions are just one more indicator? I know being tiny doesn't really mean anything but, I really hope she doesn't have to endure the pre pubesent boost I got as a child. Stay a little kid for as long as you can, little babe.

Vexed by Blogger

I had this huge post, yesterday. As you can see, it was cut-down to just two paragraphs. I had lots of inciteful quips and clever musings. It was brilliance, I tell you! Okay. Maybe I'm hyping it up just a bit.

I talked about my eventful weekend and all the fabulous things I did (I played with the baby while my oldest went to Lagoon with my sister - it was also hubby's birthday on Saturday). I also droned on and on about how moody and pissy I've been for the past week (hmmm...TOM on the way). Well, I can't remember everything I said, so I guess I'll go from what the brain has held onto since last night.

DALLAS! I was nine or ten when I started watching it for myself (way into the series before I really knew all their histories, since the show got its start in '78). I remember that it came on adjacent to Miami Vice, which was part of the reason why I watched it. The other was that my mother was obssessed! Hubby bought me the first and second season, probably a year ago, and I started watching. Initially, it was an episode here or there.

Now, I've completely lost my mind! These people (although ficitional) are absolutely fascinating to watch! I'm coming to understand why people were so enthralled in the 80's and why millions of people (worldwide) were tuning in to see what the Ewings were going to do next. In all of this, I've come to a decision: in this world of do everything fast...have it done, yesterday and quality is for losers, just get 'er done, I think that great t.v. writers have nearly disappeared. When we could once enjoy a movie or tv program because of it's great writing and intriguing story lines (without the need for flash and fan fare) now, we must be subjected to "reality" because it's quicker, cheaper and faster. It's really too bad.

Where did all the good trash go? Okay, yes. It was trashy, but well written trash. People can still think for themselves, you know. There are those of us who don't need all the hype in order to hold our attention. Don't rate a movie PG-13 just writers don't have to put forth any energy and rely on CG or gore or to grab the teeny-booper audience just so greedy movie moguls can pull in their millions. I do have a brain! I can reason things out! I don't have to be handed everything on a spoon! Give me some credit, please! Okay, okay. I will now step down off my soap box.

Last, but not least, my workout program. Stalled again, I'm afraid. It's just not happening with Indy getting up in the night. Hubby suggested that I work on the eating plan. Then, when Indy is sleeping through the night, go full charge on the workouts. I think that's best, right now. I'm just not getting enough rest and thought of plowing away on a treadmill after only three or four hours of sleep is depressing. Nutrition is 80% of it, so he says. I'm getting my portion sizes under control and I'm trying to get more water in. Good starts, I think. The water especially. That's the hardest for me to master (the easiest step for most). Working out? No problem. Sucking down 64 ounces of water in a day? Woo! Somebody pass me a pool!

Super Sperm!

Hah! How's that for a title. Got your attention, eh? There is a reason for the title (and not just for shock value, I promise). Hubby had his snip, snip operation back in January. After that time, he had to take in two samples to make sure all the boys were gone. Basically, here is the grade-school description of what happens: There are troops in the hold and millions are made and prepared daily. They wait until they are summoned into the line. There they wait until time for deployment. The "operation" shuts off service from the base, so there are still troops in the line. Those must be deployed before any waring can take place. (You with me so far?)

The doctor recommended two samples; one in March and one in May. Hubby took in his March sample and there were tace amounts. The doctor assured him that the second sample would most likely be clear. At the time of operation, though, he did say he'd check as many samples as he had to. So, hubby missed the May mark and went a few days ago. Um, they're still there. I told him he has super sperm or mutant sperm. They're like cockroaches...they just won't die! So, we're still friends with the Trojans (which we hate with a passion and that hate is a direct result of our two children). How funny/tragic would it be to give up the condoms for one night and get pregnant, after my husband's operation? Um, I'm not going to take any chances.

Omens, Recitals, Movies and Rain

Wow! A lot can happen in a few days.

On the oh, dreaded day (you know the one), I heard on the radio that their were women who were actually trying to "hold off" labor. Excuse me, last time I checked you couldn't suck in or hold in a baby. When I was in labor, all I wanted was the kid out! Babies come when they're gonna come. Good grief! Then, there was the couple in India (I believe) who felt that if they married on a day associated with bad luck, their marriage would only have good luck. Did we have that lesson of opposites on Sesame Street because I think I missed that episode. It's funny how worked up people get over superstitions. The only one that I tend to follow, if that's what you wanna call it, is the don't- put-your-purse-on-the-ground superstition. I don't have much, so I'm not taking any chances of loosing what I got. lol

Hubby is off the next three days and has put in his request at our local grocery store's video counter to "please hold Underworld:Evolution" for us. He has the hook-up with the lady at the counter. We're totally on a first name, I-know-pretty-much-everything-about-your-kids-and-your-recent-divorce basis. We watch the movie and are pleased, but not thrilled with it. We both loved the first one. For me, the first one had such imagination and creative writing, I was excited to hear they were doing a sequel. Alas, it falls into the category of most sequels: "Let's add more CG and action than was in the first one and spin a psuedo story of some sort (with remnants of the first movie) to support it." Hmm. Sorry, guys. You kinda came up short. Still, it was interesting and intriguing enough to keep me watching.

The babe had her dress rehearsal the same day at the city high school. They started, pretty much, on time and seemed really excited to be performing in their costumes for the first time. So cute! But, why oh why does this high school not have air-conditioning? What's that about? One of the mommies told me that they got an estimate and it would be too expensive to install. So, what did they do? Roll a big, portable swamp-cooler to one of the exit doors and turn it on low (loud would have drowned out the dancers' music). WTH? Okay,whatever. I decided then that coming to the recital naked just might have to be an option.

Early on the day of recital (6/7), hubby had to take the dancer to the dentist for sealants. Unfortunately, she's inherited my "groovy" teeth and needs the filler to prevent cavities. It sort of feels like someone putting nail polish or acrylic on your teeth. Then, they sand it down but it's still sort of bumpy and your tongue can't help but to rub over the areas over and over again. According to hubby, she was none to thrilled to have her mouth jammed open with a huge piece of metal and wads of cotton. Before they went, however, her daycare teacher told him, "Can you bring her back?" and the babe was like, "Yeah, daddy. Can I come back?" He was like, "Um...I guess so." So, cute. Who knew she'd do so well. I'm thrilled.

So evening comes, I get home and we head over to the high school (after a quick bath/shower, lube-up and make-up session) and yours truly forgets the entrance tickets. Nice. I was bound to forget something. I had to get the kid ready and made up, get the baby situated, remember the camcorder, remember the digital camera and remember all the stuff I needed for the baby bag. Hubby? Well, he had to go get the dance goddessette her flowers for the performance.

At the high school, I'm sweating buckets and the nice lady at the door (who sees me with the fully dressed, made up dancer) agrees that I must be a parent who had/has a ticket and lets me in. I begin calling hubby. No answer. Call again. No answer. "I know your ass is home, why aren't you answering, dammit!" Okay, this is my daughter's performance, but I'm losing my mind like I'm the one about to go on stage. She starts running around and I immediately make her go and sit with her group (they didn't have to, but she was making me crazy). Finally reach hubby and tell him to bring the tickets. Call my mom. "Call me when you get here, so I can give you your ticket to get in." I had hers in my wallet. I should have put all of them there, dammit!

It's 6:31 and I'm all ready to talk trash about the school being unorganized and getting started late, when the lights suddenly dim and the owner comes to the podium. Cool! It's actually starting on time! She introduces the dance teachers and they're pretty much all fit and gorgeous. I begin to get very jealous and wonder why I didn't stay in dance like I wanted to. The teachers leave and the spot light appears on a girl dressed very much like a big top leader (Tails, minus the top-hat). The music starts and the performance group appears. AMAZING! I had no idea there was so much talent at her school! The program is moving and never lets up for a moment. As soon as a group leaves, the next group is on with only a moment before the music is cued and more dancing begins.

My girl? Totally on her game, looking fabulous in her hot pink, feathers and sequins...showing off her athleticism and skills. The family behind us (probably only mildly aware that we can hear them); "Oh my God, do you see the little black girl? Isn't she the cutest! She's the best one up there." Uh...yeah. Tell me something I don't know? :-) At the end, she comes back to where we're sitting and I present her with a bouquet of flowers. She's so happy. We all go out to the lobby and take pictures of the superstar with her flowers. She's in full pose. What a ham I have.

Yesterday, I got home and hubby wants us all to go to the store. Home Depot. Man! What is it about home improvement stores that makes me want to run through the streets screaming? I really don't like them. I think it's the whole warehouse thing and the potential of large, sharp objects possibly plummeting down on your head. Or maybe it's the fact that I can't identify or even know what 70% of the items are located in these gigantic stores. Whatever it is, I was glad we weren't there long (seems the vacuum I picked up the other day, really isn't all that powerful). We head over to Wally World after and pick up a new vacuum and some other supplies. Then, off to the grocery store to find something for dinner. I picked up a turkey spinach wrap and have some Sun chips to go with it. Not bad, for a store made sandwich. I get the kids to bed and hubby's made me a cocktail to wind down. Ahh!

Today, we're getting some needed rain (needed in my opinion, at least). Those summer-like temps from a few days ago, had me feeling a bit parched. It's the nice kind of rain...big, full drops that come down hard and fast but not so cold outside that you need a coat. You can just enjoy the drops as they hit you. Too bad I can't be at home cuddled up in the window seat watching it. Hubby's home watching the X-files going in and out of sleep, rain a-poundin'. I'm so jealous.

Well, at least we're having our University, catered lunch. We recently heard what's on the menu. Hmmm. I'm planning on getting there early.

Sometimes, My Hubby Really Sets it Off!

So, hubby made good on his word and took the girls to the park. I went downstairs and walked my butt off on the treadmill for about thirty-five minutes. I always feel so good after my workouts. Afterwards, I took a good, long shower and came out all fresh and new to the garage door opening. Perfect timing! Hubby made dinner and cleaned the kitchen when we were done. What a guy! I was ready to pass out by 8:30pm, but he insisted that I walk him to the door. Well, it's the least I could do. ;-)

Before all this, I picked up my babe from summer camp. She was outside playing and came running up to me, happily (thank goodness). She emptied the sand from her sandals, while one of the teachers told me that she thought that she (my babe) had a good first day.
"It's funny," said the teacher. "She came running up to me when I got here and gave me a hug and she doesn't even know me."

"Well, she must have sensed something in you, " says I. "You know, children are so perceptive."

I truly believe this. So, the first day at camp was good. The babe grabs her backpack and shows me to her classroom, where there's artwork on the walls that the kids created earlier that day. She tells me that they sang songs about Jesus, colored, ate breakfast and lunch, played outside, etc.... She seems really tired, which was great. I totally didn't want her sitting around this summer being bored and it looks like I got my wish.

This morning, while brushing my teeth, the power blinked out. Nice. The babe starts hollering, "MOM!" Yeah, okay. I'm not an electrician, dear. There's nothing I can do. So, she brushes by flashlight. Thankfully, the sun was pretty much up when we were getting ready, so I opened the blinds to allow for more light to filter in. I call the power company to see what the deal is. Seems a car accident left us powerless and that we would not see power until 8:00am (it was 6:20 when I called). The big question; how do I get out of my garage without power? Hubby calls.

"Hey!"

"Hey! Are you coming home because the power's out and I can't open the garage door by myself." (I know that sounds wimpy, but that joker is heavy as hell. Who knew!)

"Yeah. I'm coming home. Me and "O" are on our way home right now. He's gotta get something from me."

"Okay. I'll see you when you get here."

Crisis averted. He comes home and "poof" my garage door opens. It's nice to have a manly man around sometimes. I head out with the kids and roadblock. Roadblock? Could I have any more delays? I turn around and head back the way I came, make a turn and head in the direction I need to go. Finally, I drop off the babe and I'm headed for the highway. You know, there's a special kind of stupid on the highways at 7:00am. They need to stop opening the mental hospitals at that hour, lettin' all the crazies on the road. WTH?

Anyway, I get to work three minutes earlier than yesterday. Go figure!

Today, the kids are off to the park for a picnic. I hope they remember the water. It's supposed to be 95 here today. 95! Just two weeks ago, we were having record lows in the upper 50's. Crazy weather! At any rate, I hope they enjoy their picnic.

Field Day; It's Not Just for Kids

I took Friday off to be with my oldest for her field day. I was slotted for 12:00 to 12:35...not to run an actual event, but to take the kids out to the field and sort of babysit while they participated. My group of ten was too precious (including my own little chocolate morsel). They're first event? Sack races! The mom running the event succeeded in confusing the kids thoroughly, so then I came up with a different set of rules that had them hopping for joy. Between the two of us, we came up with ways to keep it interesting. Unfortunately, there's only so much hopping you can do in ten minutes. I wish they'd thought to include more activities or shorten the time...plus, it was nearly 90 degrees. Too damn hot!

Next, they had a popcicle station. The kids all got a chance to cool off under the trees and suck on their popcicles (most everyone picked green). Funny how none of them wanted to rest under the trees, but rather decided it would be much more fun to play with Indy's feet and touch her hands with their grubby little disease carriers. Man! I was all about the baby wipes when station three finally opened up.

Station three was "Jump the Creek" where you take two jump ropes and have the kids jump over. Then, you space out the ropes a bit more and have them do it again. This lasted all of three minutes, but the mommy who ran this station was creative. "Okay. Let's all play Duck, Duck, Goose!" Perfect! Seven minutes later, all the kids had had a turn and it was time for the fourth and final station.

Parachute play! Okay, whoever thought this would keep a 5 year old's attention needed to rethink because after only 30 seconds of this, the kids were bored. It consisted of grabbing onto a circular, multi-colored, nylon cloth with handles. The kids shook this while rubber chickens bounced around on top. Yeah. Lame. Can someone point me to the water balloons, please? Turns out, the older kids got to do more waterplay; balloons, water guns, silly slides. So, apparently if you're five you don't like water. I totally needed to be on the field day committee. I'll see about that next year.

After field day, I took my daughter by the place that is to be her summer camp (first day today). She was shy, which I anticipated, but anxious to do some fun activities this summer. When we got home, she was running a fever of 102, poor kid. I made her lie down and gave her a dose of children's motrin. She rested, drank juice, had her lunch and watched Matilda. It was so cute and she totally enjoyed it. The little girl in the story is supposed to be 6 1/2, so I could see she felt a sort of kinship with her. Thankfully, she didn't feel a kinship to her situation. That girl had it rough, but she did get her happily ever after.

The rest of the weekend was very pleasant, aside from sickly kids (Indy wasn't feeling so hot after all the vaccines she got). We washed cars on Saturday and went to the park yesterday. Hubby is trying to "plan" events in order to give the family more focused time together. It actually worked! Making arrangements and sticking to them, allowed his mind to focus (so he wouldn't drift off to sleep). He says that he wants to take the girls to a different park today...he and only the girls. Personal time for mom. Yahoo! I'm thinking I'll get a good workout in. The kind that will make me wanna pass out afterwards. I'm missing my workout time.

Tomorrow is the babe's dress rehearsal and dad has to take her (but I will definitely meet them there). He also has to take her to the dentist on Wednesday. I'm so happy he's getting so involved with the things I do all the time. It gives me a break, but also gives him more time with the kids. She's so excited about her recital and we have a few people coming outside of our immediate family. I hope she doesn't get stage fright. This is the first time she will be performing in front of a large group. I'm hoping she eats up all the attention and continues forward with performance studies. I suppose all will be revealed on Wednesday night (performance night). I wonder if Indy will be into dance like her big sister? I've been thinking about how her personality will manifest, once she's older; will she be an extrovert or an introvert? will she have lots of friends? will she adjust to change better than her sister? will she totally love music and animals or not care for them? It's an adventure everyday! Now, if I could just get her to sleep through the night again...

P.S. She tasted carrots this weekend and seemed to like them. She had a little trouble keeping the food in her mouth but, we had pretty good success, nonetheless.

Quick post

I'll try and post later today, but if I don't I'm running to the doc for Indy's third well-baby visit. The poor thing gets 5 vaccinations this visit. Yikes! Poor kid. She ran a low-grade fever after the last visit (same number of vaccs). Then, it's home to clean my pigsty of a house. I told hubby to "let some things go" in order to make more time for the family. Geesh! Who knew it would leave my house looking like a hurricane went through it.

Hubby and his friend are trying to make a "play date", so to speak. They want to finish tiling our basement so that he (hubby) can go ahead an finish the trim. Then, we can move all of our living room down to the basement (family room). It'll be so nice if that happens. There's so much room down there! We cleaned it up nicely so, I'll try and take a few pictures. (I know, I always say that but I really will). :-)

Later...