Missing Kita

I hadn't really thought about her in a while until Saturday.

When we were taking out Christmas stockings Saturday, A spotted the extra one in the box for Kita (my beloved husky who I had for almost 14 years), I had put names on two little stockings for her and Cobi (my hubby's, now our dog) when we moved in together and it just stays in the bin as I don't have the heart to toss it. So A asks me whose stocking it is and I tell her. She asks where Kita is and I say "Doggie Heaven" thinking that would suffice. Nope. "What's Doggie Heaven?" *sigh* "Well, my doggie was very old and she got sick. And she died, so now she's in Doggie Heaven." "Oh."

Not another word was said about Kita until this afternoon after hubby picked A up from school. She fell asleep on the way home and when she woke up (in the driveway) she was SOBBING saying "I miss LilKita, I want to see her again. I really miss that dog." Over and Over. She was still sobbing when I got home about 15 minutes later. Totally blew me away walking in the door. And her daddy had no clue about the stocking conversation so he was even more shocked.

I told her that Kita would always be in our hearts and we could see her anytime we wanted by looking at pictures. I showed her a picture I have on a high shelf in the computer room. Next to the tin of her ashes (no, I didn't mention them). She was very weepy and we kept having to divert her attention. At one point I asked her if she talked about Kita at school, wondering if that stirred up some thoughts. She said No. You've got to wonder what is in those little minds...

Strange, sensitive child I have, huh?

We Survived Strep

Yup, we are no longer antibiotic virgins in this house, LOL.

Strep throat hit Thankgiving-ish. Of course it's so hard to tell with a three and a half year old. Especially one who's "never sick". (yep, I'm knocking wood hard on that one) One minute it's "My head hurts." Twenty minutes later, "My throat hurts." Two minutes later she's running around like a banshee with her cousins. The simple fact that she did not eat ONE BITE OF FOOD all day long should have told me something. But then Friday she acted fine. Didn't want to go to bed Saturday night; "I can't shut my brain off" but I attributed that to Mommy Has Friends Over and They're Drinking Wine and Eating Chinese. *sigh* By Sunday she was really being a pain in the butt but still not acting sick. Just whiney. I attributed THAT to the 5 day weekend. She was Definately going to school on Monday. We both needed it. So I thought. I got a call from school around nap time. The Brain Off switch wasn't working again and now things were spinning. Oh, and she says it feels like rocks in her throat. Oh, and did we mention strep is going around?? *groan*

Off to the Ped's we went. Temp was only 99-point-something. But one positive strep test later and we were off to fill the 10-day script and buy a big ole box of popsicles. Such is life with strep. Easy stuff, eh? Oh no, not in this house. I swear the first two or three or four doses of "the pink stuff" would require the use of restraints. How do they KNOW it tastes like shit right off the bat? Smart little buggers. Somewhere around day four or so she got the hang of taking it like a champ.

Here we are at Day 9 and I can safely say We Survived. Not something I want to revisit any time soon!

This Kid Needs to Sleep....

You'd think one certain three year old would be dog tired after the morning (and afternoon) she's had. I "woke" her up at 8 a.m. by turning on the hall light as I was getting dressed and teeth brushed.... I told her we were going to soccer. "Again?!" she asked, suddenly 'awake'. Yup, we need to get dressed and get ready. So after a quick breakfast of grapes and um, Teddy Gr*ahams, we did our soccer homework, lol, which consisted of drawing a 'hand turkey' with a soccer ball body. Then off to soccer where she ran around for an hour with her dad and the other kiddos (8 girls and 2 boys, interesting). We came home, had some lunch, played puppies, painted a wooden box for her plastic lizard's new home. Watched an episode of Super something on TV, helped me make cranberry bars.... okay, time for nap right??

She's up there now (after an hour and a tooth brushing/potty break in between) screaming songs at the top of her lungs.... I can only imagine what her room looks like.

I can hope for an early bedtime, right?

Never Just One

We went to the fall festival at school last weekend and I was mingling around with some of the other parents while A played with some friends.

I recognized the mother of a friend in the four year old room and said hello. I saw her daughter, K, who sat on my lap during the last field trip to the movies. She was playing with an older girl who was undoubtedly her sister. I asked the mom how old she was, and commented how they had the same smile. We continued to talk and she mentioned how difficult it was to get out of the house on a Saturday morning. (I chuckled to myself because we had already been to soccer in a town 30 minutes away.) The mom then asked me how many children I had. "Just one," I replied.

"JUST One?" What was I thinking?

She's Not Just One. She will never be JUST One. She'll never (in my mind) be JUST anything.

I know it may sound petty to some, but I vowed right then and there that not only will I never refer to her as Just One, but I will also never refer to her as Only.

She's our daughter. She's our blessing. Our miracle. She's a smart, loving, socially well-adjusted child without siblings, yes; and if circumstances were different, namely genetics, we'd have another child. Maybe two. But it's just not in the cards for us.

She's our daughter.

She fills our lives with love, our home with laughter and our hearts with overflowing joy.

Never Just One.

Finding her Size

"I'm NOT a little kid anymore, Mom", says the three and a half year old with such seriousness. "How old ARE you?" "I'm three." "So, three isn't little?" "No, Mommy! Three is Big. Three is a Big Kid. I'm a Big Kid."

*sigh*

To see her running around the soccer field today (okay, the third of a soccer field) with "the little guys like me" she really THOUGHT she was a Big Kid. Her smile was a mile wide walking onto that field with her dad.

Running around, trapping the ball, jumping over balls, dribbling the ball, tagging eachother, diving for the ball (thanks hubby), running FAST!

See, we're a Big Kid when it's convenient. When we want to do something fun. Something adventurous. When we don't want Mommy to help. When all we can think about is "I Can Do It Myself".

She may be small, but Three is Huge.

I feed her. I swear I do.

I get a call from school yesterday.

*Hello, this is L from A's School. Nothing's wrong. But your little darling was chewing something on the playground and we're not sure what it was. She said it was a chicken nugget.* (It's 10:13a.m. We had Ch**Rios and a cheese stick for breakfast...)

( 10 seconds of crickets ~ I had people in my office bickering and I was 1/2 dumbfounded and 1/2 trying to listen to them in my dazed state... )

Um, did someone actually SEE her pick something up, because sometimes she has this reflux thing, are you sure it wasn't cheese??

*We're not sure. The Four Year Olds had a picnic on FRIDAY and we think someone brought in chicken.*

Lovely. Keep me posted.

10 minutes later she calls back.

*Yup, we found a nugget with 2 bites taken out of it. The teacher on playground duty thinks she spit most of it out.*

Great. If she throws up at least she's at school. Oh, did I just say that out loud?

Fast forward seven hours on our ride home.

So, what did you have for snack today at school?

(I really had evil thoughts of dashing through a drive-thru on our way home. Luckily for A, there was already stew in the slow cooker.)

Not Running...

I'm going to whine for a minute or two....

I'm so upset ~ my glorious delicious morning indulgence coffee from the Mountains of Vermont that I pick up for a buck on the way to work is only available for a short time.... Funkin Blonuts franchise is taking over in a few months.

Freakin Losers. Their coffee sucks.

Okay. That felt good.

I'll feel even better when I find a new hot spot for my morning java. Or (yikes) we'll have to start making it at home. It's just not the same. *Groan*

You were warned.

5-5-5

Five Best Friends ~ Five Days at a Gorgeous Five Star Resort in Playa del Carmen

Five days of not picking up after anyone (I barely picked up after myself!)

Five days of eating every meal in peace; not cutting anyone elses food, not getting up to get ketchup, you get the idea

Five days of beautiful beach weather

Five days of free liquor (aaaaaah, sweet, refreshing, wonderful mojitos ~ I even lost track of how many I had one day.... ooooops!)

What an awesome trip.

My daughter was so cute when I returned. I went into her room early Friday morning and she said, "Turn on the light, Momma. I need to see your face."

That makes coming home just as sweet as going away.

The Assistant....

"Daddy, that was Tony. He said your paper will be there today."

"Huh? Tony? What are you talking about?" My husband answers through the bathroom door.

"Your cell phone Daddy. It rang and I answered it."

We are so screwed.

Although... maybe we can put her to work early?

A Real Cool Guy

One day last week, we (A and I) overslept. Not a big shock for those who know me well, but in my defense, A has had this "I don't want to sleep or stay in my bed" gig lately. Makes for real fun nights and even better mornings!

Anyhoo... waking up late meant Breakfast On The Way, which we do on occasion but on this particular morning there wasn't much in the house that was "carry-able" so momma decided we'd go get muffins at the little shop a few miles away. My husband knows the new owner, Lance, and I hadn't been there since he took over so I decided that's what we'd do, grab a muffin and coffee for me and a couple mini muffins for A.

Only problem with this picture: Lance does not have blueberry or chocolate chip muffins on this particular morning. And those are the only two my little deary will eat. Banana nut? No. Cinnamon? No. Almond Joy? No. Pumpkin Raisin? No.

So what DOES Lance have that my little deary will eat for Breakfast? Chocolate chip cookies, of course!! Hand over that Mother of the Year Award right this way please.

As we're driving down the road to school, me drinking my coffee and A munching on her cookies, she blurts out, "Momma, Lance is a real cool guy."

Yeah, no kidding.

DEFINATELY Two Thumbs Up!

Just as beautiful and powerful as the book.



Emile Hirshe as Chris McCandless in Into The Wild.

A must see.

FIFTEEN More Days, Baby!!

Until I go HERE:

Friday Can't Come Soon Enough

I haven't been a real big "movie person" in quite a while. When Hubby and I were first dating we went to the theater once a week; saw all the new movies when they first came out. Well, seven years of marriage and a three and a half year old daughter later, let's just say we don't get to the movies as often! I think the last one I saw in a theater was on my daughter's field trip and involved a family of Rats living in the sewers of Paris! Not to mention about 45 3, 4, and 5 year olds!

Well, this Friday, the day before our Seventh Wedding Anniversary, (insert drumroll.......) we are going to dinner and the movies!!

I cannot remember when I have been this excited about a film! Normally, I'd be more excited about dinner, where we're going and what I'm eating, but this time it's all about the movie!

You see, ten years ago, after wandering around a bookstore, I came across This Book (the cover catching my eye immediately, much like it did Sean Penn's, I learned in an interview last week) and read it cover to cover in one sitting. Amazing. Inspiring. Thought Provoking. All understatements.

I. Can't. Wait.

Leader of the Pack

Yeah, that's what A's preschool teacher called her today. That, and Our Little Example. Made me feel really good as a Rookie Mom to hear that; especially the way the two weeks prior had been. You know, those of you with small kiddos, the two weeks after you get back from a week's vacation and your kids regress with Everything ~ eating, sleeping, pottying, just plain LISTENING!!

Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. Two weeks seemed like an eternity.

So glad that is over and we are back on with our lives in three year old preschool.

It seems there is a boy in her class who is normally a little on the wild side. Well, A 'calms him down' the teacher said. They play nicely together. He sits and reads books (something he hadn't done ~ he's more of a zoom around with cars and throw blocks across the room kinda guy) with her.

In dramatic play, A's the one who gives everyone their roles. "You be the doctor. You be the patient. I'll do this. No, YOU be the patient." What I wouldn't do to be a fly on the wall!

I was telling my mother this this morning and she quickly reminded me of the night last week when we took her to dinner for her birthday and A took charge, making all of the people at neighboring tables sing Happy Birthday to my mother!

We sometimes joke how she's such a drama queen and will probably end up on stage, but lately her forte seems to be directing!

Wanna Hear a Joke, Momma?

A: Why did the banana go to the Doctor?

Me: I don't know honey, why?

A: Because he wasn't peeling well!!

Both: Tons of laughter.

Something to Ponder...

When your preschooler's reply to "How was school today?" is:

I didn't push anyone.

Do you believe her?

Hmmm...

When the goin' gets tough, the tough stay strong.

So many of my friends have been playing single mom lately.

Some just temporarily, others permanently.

Thinking of you, ladies.

You rock!

Oh, the Tears.

Today was B's last day at preschool as she's starting at a different school in her town next week. She and A have been "best friends" since the Toddler Room, so a good 2 years. Basically, they've known each other for more than half of their little lives! Sometimes on Monday mornings, they'd hug like old friends who've been apart for years. There's even a little blonde girl in one of our favorite bedtime stories that resembles her and whenever we read it, we say "Goodnight, B!!!"

So, when I picked up A after school this afternoon, there was an envelope in her file. I opened it in the car and it was a card from B and her Mom saying how much they will miss us and want to keep in touch. I then did something very brave: I told A that today was her friend's last day and that she'd be going to a different school.

Enter big ole crocodile tears. The poor thing just wept, "I want B in myyyyyyyyyyy school." Over and Over she cried.

I cried too, to see my baby hurt.

I told her I was sorry and that we would most definately keep in touch with her friend for playdates, go to her house, etc. Of course, she wanted to go over there tonight, lol. So I did what almost any other panicked mom would do, I offered her a Happy Meal instead.

We'll miss you, B. Our first real friend.

Do you ever feel sometimes that maybe the sky really is Green?

And maybe I'm just color blind?

Hey PreSchool Teachers!

...Enough with the Glitter art projects already!!

I don't know if there's more of it on my kitchen floor (cuz you HAVE to hang projects on the fridge...) or in my child's HAIR!!!! I know, the hair part really isn't the teacher's fault directly, lol. But really, I find Glitter everywhere... my bed, my car, my shoes, the kitchen table. And it sticks to everything!!

Okay, I'm done now.

Back to your regularly scheduled program.

A Vegetarian in the Making?

Dinner with my mom and 3 year old daughter at a local seafood restaurant:

A: So why is he (my lobster) not crawling, mommy?

Me: Because he's cooked.

A: Is he dead? Why is he dead?

Me (trying to be as evasive as possible): When you catch him you have to cook him so you can eat him.

My Mom (Butting in): He's dead, just like your chicken is dead.

Silence. Then the wide-eyed stare at me and then the stare back at her chicken tenders.

Thanks, Mom!!!

I think she'll be okay though, because once I started cracking the lobster she (A) asked, "Is that where the chicken is, Mom, in there?"

Thanks Rebecca!

Thanks to my friend, Rebecca, for my new morning mantra, "I'd Rather Be Tired Than Fat". It's worked twice this week to get my butt out of bed and walk!! (hey, Monday WAS raining, you know!)

Thanks sweetie.... keep up the great work.

Do people really survive "three" without going insane?!?

I swear this child is slowly killing me.

She's been three now for four months. I swear I've repeated myself as many times as she's said wailed "I'm Sooooorrrrrrryy Mommy!!!!"

I'm so so sorry. I'll be a good listener. I'm sorry, Mommy. Really, I won't do it again. I won't wet my pants any more ~ this is a new one and it's KILLING me cuz she's been potty trained for 10 months now! I swear she's paying me back for my childhood. My own Mother tells me stories of how I'd wait to the Very Last Possible Second when I needed to go potty in public. I really honestly try not to use my Mean Mommy Voice in Public. But the other day at the grocery store after I asked her 3 times if she had 'to go' (once while we were IN the bathroom and I was going) she started to wet at the check out. Peeved beyond belief, I raced her to the potty. And she stands there and screams, "I don't HAVE TO GO!!! I DIDN'T wet my pants." Yeah, that was a joy. I swear customers and clerks were holding back laughter. After a nice, calm talking to (lol) on the way to the car, and many tears later, it was a very quiet ride home. And the TV Did Not go on when we got home and changed. I really don't know what else to "punish" her with. Are a couple nights (yes there was another incident today) without TV going to make her start using the potty EVERY TIME? I'm really at my wits end. Any advice?? She's such a "I'll DO it MYSELF" kinda kid with everything else and, sometimes potty, but man o man the Mommy/Daughter power struggles are in full swing. AT THREE.

What's UP with the lack of consistency? She's so good for so long and then, whammo, a week like this one!

Maybe it's me? Do I expect too much from this little girl? She's always been ahead of her peers in development and language, maybe I just have high expecations? I KNOW she GETS IT though. It's always when I'm stressed too. Viscious circle, eh?

Sorry to ramble, I gotta get this out somewhere.

Besides potty and listening in general, we are doing great. I'm amazed at the art projects they are doing this year. Some really neat stuff. Last week she brought home a rain stick and a tambourine. And she loves to sing. Belts out kiddie songs I've never heard of. She's got a memory like you would not believe. She brings up people that we haven't seen since last summer. Places that she's been to once in her life. Things that I forgot about. She amazes me every day, that's for sure.

She also has a real silly side and makes me laugh all the time. Funny faces, funny expressions, tickling. Just a regular goofball.

It hurts my heart to think she's gonna grow up. I love her to death.

But for now, I just want to get through Three.

Please.

Thankful for the Little Things

As I was driving in to work this morning; thoughts were swirling in my brain as they often do as I prepare for the day ahead. Something different "swirled" this morning though; I started thinking about all the little things that I am thankful for, so many of which I take for granted. First,

waking up :)
waking up on a firm but plush mattress (that we paid cash for, woohoo!) in a nice, cool house
a long-for-a-work-day hot shower (okay, so I'm not so thankful for big electric bills....)
a fridge full of choices for breakfast
REAL maple syrup and a child that loves it
the smell of sunscreen
no traffic during our little 15 minute commute
green mountain coffee for $1
Jack Johnson "George Music, mom!" blaring on the CD player
my banana/blueberry/flaxseed muffin
a full tank for under $40
"When is it Saturday, Mom?" Tomorrow. "Am I four yet?" No, you're still three. (9 more months of this one)
Bright sunshine on a Friday morning
a dentist appointment that will ONLY cost me $54 to fix a broken tooth
a job that I sometimes love
a boss that I really like
payday
dinner plans with my two favorite people
dinner with my girlfriends next week
going to the beach on Sunday
lobster

Life IS good!

Happy Friday Everyone! What Little Things are YOU thankful for?

That's my job...

Conversation in the bathroom this morning:

A: You always help me, Momma!

Me: Yes, I do.

A: Daddy helps me a little bit, but you help me ALOT!


God, I love that kid.

:)

Some things are better when NOT minty fresh....

I solemnly swear, I will NOT store minty "good clean feeling" chewing gum in my purse at the same time I have a stash of panty liners in said purse.

No matter what!

The Joyful Rush of a Verbal Warning

There's nothing like it, really. The sheer joy that comes after those nervous 10 minutes or so when one gets pulled over by the cops and is let go with a mere verbal warning.

Hubby and I had a weekend away and after picking up our daughter and the dog and going home and unpacking, I decided to trek to the grocery store. Alone. (Sheer joy in itself!)

I'm driving my normal route and as I pass by the little ice cream shop/burger joint, I realize there is a black and white in the parking lot.

Please don't. Please don't. Please don't.

He does. Lights flashing. I pull over. Nervous, even though I've done nothing 'wrong'. Is everyone this way?

An officer that looks about 12 approaches my vehicle. When did they start hiring cops younger than me anyway??

"License, registration and insurance card, please." I had my license out already; hand it to him and start fiddling through the glove box.

"I pulled you over for two reasons, ma'am." I look at him puzzled. "One for going too fast. Do you know what the speed limit is on this road?" Um, 40??? "You were going 54." Really???

"The other is for talking on your cell phone while driving."

"Huh? No, I wasn't. It was here in my lap."

"You weren't talking on your cell phone?"

"Absolutely not. Do you want to see my call history?" I say in my best Mom Voice. Not sure if I suprised him or ticked him off at this point. He ignores my offer and says, "Let me have your insurance and registration."

I comply and he goes back to his car. He comes back to inform me that my insurance card is expired, but he lets me off with just a verbal warning for the speeding. This time.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. (I only said it once out loud)

Phew.

I was so happy, I didn't even mind that he called me ma'am!

The Vet Visit

What WAS I thinking??

I made a Vet appointment for our 11 year old Shepard-Lab-Husky, Cobi. I made it for Friday afternoon at 5:40. The beginning of the long weekend. Wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that my husband had to work late, so I had to take him in. (I didn't even TRY to get the requested stool sample; he "goes" in the woods and I wasn't about to follow him around, nor did I have time!)

So in the 90 degree heat, I had to pick up A at preschool, speed home, get the dog hoisted into the Escape. Search for his collar and leash; only found the leash, and drive to the vet. Thank goodness it's close by.

Well, try manuevering a 3 year old with tons of energy and a scaredy-cat dog out of the car and into the vet's office.

The VERY CROWDED and Full of Emergency Patients Vet's Office!

Of course, A wanted to meet and pet every animal in the place. We met a very nice man with Sparky, the cat with one eye. The questions began there.... "What happened to his eye, Momma?" "But, WHERE is his eye Momma?" "Is it in the cage?" "Why did the Dr. take it out?". Then we met Pumpkin, the sick kitty who didn't like anyone going near her carrier. Of course 3 year olds are compelled to put their faces up to the cages. We also met a bird with something stuck in her throat and her weepy owner, Tina. We briefly met a large poodle who was in desparate need of a salon visit, and then a little dog that was having trouble walking up stairs.

We waited a full 40 minutes before going back to the exam room. There were a couple of moments where I contemplated leaving. Around the time that A started dancing and singing loudly was just one of them.

But I'm glad we stayed and got it out of the way. It was a great visit; A has been saying lately that she wants to be an Animal Doctor when she grows up, so she was really interested. Of course, interupted Dr. Oswald (who I love!) and I talking about 100 times. She let her play with the stethescope, and give Cobi a snack after his shot.

Dr. Oswald said that Cobi is in amazing shape for 11 years old, so that was well worth the wait!

Mah-May!

If I had a buck for every time I heard this... I think I'd be independently wealthy!

I swear I hear it in my SLEEP.

You're HOW Tired??

Daddy: Let's go put your pajamas on, you have a busy day tomorrow.

A: Daddy, I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

LOL.

A Fluffless House

If there was one food thing that I never had to look at ever again, it would be marshmallow "fluff".

Gag.

Funny, because I've never actually remember eating the stuff*. But, the look and smell of it is just ghastly. And just what is it, really, but sugar and God knows what?? ... eeeww.

This is one of those things I vowed NOT to introduce to my child, except maybe someday in the not-too-near future, to make fudge or Rice Crispie treats. Well, it seems someone else has beaten me to the punch. Last Tuesday was "Sharing Day" at school and each child was asked to bring in an extra serving or two of a healthy food to share. My daughter brought in two extra string cheeses ~ because it's her coveted favorite at the moment, I thought it would be a good thing to learn to share. When Sharing Day was over, I unpacked her lunch box and found a plastic container shaped like a sandwich. (A marketing gimmick from the icky, spongey, Red, Blue and Yellow Dot white-bread-sandwich people.) I opened it up to put it in the dishwasher, and eeeww ~ gobs of sticky, gooey, marshmallow "fluff" are all over it!

Gross. Gross. Gross.

I'm dying to know if she liked it; but I won't dare ask out of fear!


*Disclaimer: Well-done-campfire-marshmallows-made-into-s'mores do not count as "Fluff" :)

Potty talk

This dialogue transpired as we washed our hands in the grocery store restroom.

A: Boys have PeePee Business.

Me: Oh, really. What exactly does that mean?

A: It means they can only squirt. They stand and they squirt.

Me: Uh huh.

Lovely.

Happy Mother's Day to Me; and All Mothers Everywhere!

This isn't just a Butterfly
As you can plainly see.
I made it with my hand
Which is a part of me.
It comes with lots of Love
Especially to say
I hope you have a very
Happy Mother's Day.




Isn't that just the sweetest thing ever??

You Want a Bowl With That?

I file this one under SPS ~ Stupid People Statements.

I go into the local Grubway to get lunch for me and a coworker yesterday. I order his sandwich. And then ask the person behind the counter if they have Salads.

Her response: Um, we have salads, we just don't have any bowls to put them in.

My response: Um, that would be a No. I'll take a wrap.

Yup, Stupid People Statements.

Thanks, Gina.

For introducing me.

Here's Annieez...



Well, the weekend version anyway.

Real Mothers

Real Mothers are Blessed...

They are hopeful, often fearful, from the moment they learn of the new life they bear.

They become cheerful, beautiful; but still nervous and anxious of the unknown.

Real Mothers are grateful and happy, but oh so tired.

They are loving, nurturing, emotional creatures.

Real Mothers are healing and helping and proud of those little ones around them.

Real Mothers are smart, and often brilliant when they need to be.

They are funny and silly and energetic, even when they don't feel up to the task.

Real Mothers are heroes in their children's eyes.

Real Mothers are Blessed.

Okay, so I was tagged by my good friend Carla, and I didn't follow the rules exactly.... (and Yes, these are just random pictures of random people!)

Write Your Own Version of "Real Mothers"

Tag:

Yvette

Shiela

Kelly

The Almost Perfect Letter A

We've been practicing our As for a while now.

My daughter loves her crayons, markers, paint, pencils, etc. Loves to draw and write. I often tell her she's a super artist, and I get the typical "No, I'm NOT super!!" 3-year old reply.

The other night I was upstairs getting laundry ready and I heard my husband say, "What do you think Mommy will say about this? Should we ask her to come down and show her what you did?"

This can't be good.

But yeah, it was pretty good. Almost perfect even....

An Almost Perfect Letter A.

In black pen.

On my tan leather couch.

Have (Not)

Just a quick funny about my daughter.

At lunch today, A was getting on my nerves (a shock, I know) and I told her to settle down and behave.

"But, Momma, I AM BeingHave!"

How can you not love a child that cracks you up daily!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl...

In My Daughter’s Eyes (Martina McBride)

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

Three or Thirteen?

Dare I try to post to this blog for the umpteenth time?? Really people, I'm trying.....
What is up with the title? I guess it could be the number of attempts I've made to blog in the past few days ~ somewhere between three and thirteen with no success... It originally stood for the age my daughter is about to turn (in six short days) and the age that I swear she acts, or maybe it's the age I'm fearing the most for many reasons.

The nonstop talking, for one. We talk from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed (and then some).

The other day she said, "Mommy, can we buy a jumprope soon?" Huh? Why, so you could strangle the dog... is what I was thinking to myself. Notice she didn't say can I HAVE a jumprope; it was can we BUY a jumprope. And SOON. Just what is SOON to a nearly three year old? Generally speaking, she doesn't know the difference between yesterday and last week because she will claim she did something 'yesterday' when in fact it was weeks ago. Needless to say, the jumprope was purchased during our next visit to Tarjay.

"Big kids *have* wild hair mommy". Not this one. Reaction to getting her first real hair cut.

"When I get home, I will have another pop tart." Yeah, good luck with that. You're on a one a week pop tart ration until you're 12!

And don't try to question anything she says or show the slightest bit of disagreement, like I did the day she whined about holding my hand across the parking lot. She shoots me THE LOOK and nonchalantly blurts out, "I'm just kidding, Mom!"

Yup, I'm in big trouble when she's thirteen for sure.

Why can I ONLY post Titles of blogs?? Huh?

Why can't I blog?

Remembering Mikey

Wow. Three years today.

Three years ago this morning I lost a truly good friend. Mike was was a coworker/boss of mine for over 9 years. He was more like a big brother to me though. Our birthdays are only three days apart and we often celebrated together, usually with sushi and beer.

Mike was someone I always thought would be there. Would be here.

We could talk about anything, not just obvious work stuff but spouses, children (children-to-be in my case), projects at our houses, vacations, cars, anything.

He's the one I called when the deck-building guys tore a big hole in the side of my house. He's the one I talked to about investments and mortgage rates. About what snowblower to buy.

We did tequila shots at my wedding. He and Rob danced like lunatics at another coworker's wedding. We did yardwork every year for those less fortunate in the community. Mike always wanted to be a part of that, even when he got sick.

He talked to me when his son was having trouble with school. He talked to me when his wife was spending him into debt and he didn't know what to do. We talked and cried at length the day he told me he had cancer. He told me how scared he was. And that he loved me.

Mike was a brother and true friend to so many.

Three years since I've laughed and cried with him.

And I miss him like it was yesterday.

City Fix

You know you live in the sticks when:

There are numerous signs on your street... Hay For Sale, Firewood For Sale, Snow Plowing Call Jim.

There are not one, but THREE places to buy Christmas trees 'just down the road'.

Your neighbor's chickens hang out in the driveway more than your neighbors do.

Your road gets plowed a mere 8 hours after the snow stops.

You have no street lights.

The school bus stops at everyone's driveway because there are no sidewalks.

The mail is delivered in a non-USPS vehicle.

You have to go to the next town over to get gas, two towns over for Chinese food or groceries; but there's a liquor store and a pizza place 'just down the road'. And a guy selling flowers, coffee, egg sandwiches and hot dogs out of a trailor at the end of your street.

I guess I never considered myself a 'country girl' but I wouldn't trade it for anything ~ as long as I get my city fix once in a while!

Glad I could be such an influence

Today as we were driving by the local candy shop, my daughter asks, "Mom, is today Valentine's Day?" (she doesn't get that most holidays only last one day.)

"No, honey. Valentine's Day was last week. Actually, today is Presidents Day."

(Whine) "No, I don't like Presidents Day."

"You don't like Presidents Day? Why not sweetie?"

"Because Presidents are scarey."

Bwaaaaaahaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaa!!

Yup, she's my daughter for sure!!

I'm Alive, Really. I am.

What can I say?

Work is just kicking my ass something fierce. I've taken on a lot more responsibility since mid-December when we laid off a few people. We're moving (consolidating) people within our building to free up some space for other projects. And guess who's in charge of it? Guess who's in charge of dealing with people who don't have a clue about floor plans or square footage? Or why we NEED to throw away ALOT of the 38 years worth of CRAP they've been hording in every imaginable crevice of what is our warehouse. Or why I'm not building out a ginormous room to house FOUR people. FOUR people who are NOT big whigs. The ginormous room was supposed to house seven people but then the psuedo-big whigs decided they didn't want to move to that space. Hehe, now they are staying put. Losers. Oh, and then there's the GEM of a woman who must think she's the ONLY one moving. Do I know where she can get a good sponge (to clean her desk)... Does she REALLY want me to answer that??

Thankfully, it will all be over soon. In my free time, they want me to lease a truck and two forklifts for this upcoming project. And take over the software support administration. And implement a new web-based time sheet system. Thank GOD I know how to delegate.

Enough about work....

Just wanted to let ya'll know that I'm HERE!!

Oh, and my January 12th cold-from-hell reared it's ugly, snot-ridden head yesterday (where DOES it all come from??)... but I'm here :)

When I Get Big...

When I Get Big...

... Will you help me climb a tree?
... I can go there? (pointing out the car window to the skateboard park!)
... I will be three.
... I can go on my red sled with Daddy. You, Mommy, can go on the green sled. (We don't OWN a green sled. Enough said, huh?)
... I can ride a big bike.
... I can grow and grow and grow.
... I can be a great climber.

and my latest favorite:

When I get big and you get small, I will hold YOU.
:)

Someone Clearly has our back...

Last night was one of the worst kitchen disasters my house has ever suffered. No joke. Thank heavens above no one was seriously injured or worse....

What happened was, my husband and I were talking over a few things while cleaning up the kitchen and getting ready to settle down in front of the TV with some tea. I started to make egg salad for A's lunch. I put a pot of water and two eggs on the stove. Turned the electric burner to HI and walked over to the fridge for something else.

POP! POP! POP!

Another pan, a pyrex glass one, that was on the stove literally EXPLODED all over the kitchen. (I had turned on the wrong burner; the 13 x 9 glass pan was just there, waiting to be put away....) Shards of blue glass sprayed ALL OVER the kitchen. I've never heard my husband use that many consecutive four letter words. Later, he said he thought we were being shot at.

Crazy, scarey stuff I tell you!

LUCKILY, neither one of us was within two feet of the stove at the time.

LUCKILY, our barely three year old, but perfect height to get shards of glass in her face, daughter was in the other room playing. (Just minutes before she was "helping" us empty the dishwasher, right in harm's way... talk about guilt)

We spent over an hour cleaning the kitchen, taking apart the stove, throwing things out that were wrecked with glass. Vaccuming and sweeping and wet-papertoweling the floor. Not exactly what we had planned to do last night, but did it gladly when we thought of what the outcome could have been.

I guess if I have to look for a silver lining (other than no injuries) I'd say my kitchen's cleaner than it's ever been. And that includes Christmas card glitter on my kitchen floor!

What Month IS This Anyway??

Goodness, the weather here in New England is just crazy. Now before you start the comments about me sounding like my Mother.... Listen up. It's January, people. January in Connecticut and the Day Time temps for the next 10 days are 45-59, and 35-49 At Night. We've had a small dusting of snow in our area early December. That's it. The poor plow guys. Literally.

I don't remember a year this warm; although we're still not breaking any records (high 60s), we are a good 10-15 degrees above average.

So, my Mom's prediction: Either we are going to get pummeled February and March or we're going to save a lot of money on heat!

Thanks, Jules!

So, where have you been?


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