Boo Thing

She's not sleep-deprived

2009-08-13T14:48:00.009-04:00

I need pharmaceutical help falling asleep at night or else I lie awake thinking about things that went wrong, could potentially go wrong, have the probability to go wrong... You get the idea. Thanks for the freaky insomnia gene, Dad.

My kid??? Here are a few of my favorite pics from the past several weeks.

The first day of Kindergarten

2009-07-27T14:50:00.005-04:00

This morning Boo woke up and announced that she was going to quit Kindergarten. (We weren't exactly off to a good start, eh?) Hubby and I explained that going to school is her job now, she's a big girl, and Kindergarten is fun.

She was sullen over breakfast. She posed for pictures in the front yard before telling us that her backpack was choking her. She got in the car. We navigated the hellish first day of school traffic. Unfortunately, Hubby had to stay in the car while Boo and I jumped out to find her line. The sea of children was endless. Boo looked so small and so scared. We finally found her line and followed her teacher toward the building. She looked like a lamb being led to slaughter instead of a bright-eyed Kindergartner about to start a new adventure.

We were fine until it came time to say goodbye at the entrance to her building. No mommies allowed in the building, they told us at Orientation last Friday. That's when the tears started. Then came the sobbing, followed by the screaming and pleading. "Come with me, Mommy!" "Don't make me GOOOOOOOO, Mommy!" "I quit, Mommy. I quit!" Then came the leg lasso. I untangled my baby, I kissed her tearful face & told her, "I love you", and endured the screaming RIGHT IN MY EAR!

I walked away and didn't look back even though I could hear Boo screaming for me. Then came my tears. Why did MY KID - the sweet child who loved daycare and pre-K - have to be the ONE throwing the tantrum? Why didn't she want to go make new friends and have a great time? Why was she so scared? Hubby was waiting in the car with a tissue and a hug. I would have preferred a shot of tequila.

Anyway, I'm sure she's fine now. She probably dried it up as soon as I was out of sight. Still, I'm sad for her. I wanted her to feel excited and proud of herself. But I guess that's why she threw the fit in the first place, right? This kid knows how to push my buttons.

I don't remember much about starting Kindergarten myself. There are pictures of me and my sister in our driveway in California. We both had dorky haircuts. I look a little nervous in one of those photos, but I had a big sister to show me the ropes. What I do remember - what I do know for a fact - is that my Kindergarten teacher thought that I was special and she took great care of me (and my sister before me). She took an active interest in my little life, nurtured me, and gave me a fantastic foundation for learning the rest of my life. I know she loved me because she still has an active interest in my little life. We exchange Christmas cards, she reads my rambling blog, she talks to my parents on occasion, and I bet if she were still teaching, she'd love to have my daughter in her Kindergarten class. (Thank you, Miss Ivey!)

Now about that drink...

The last day of "summer"

2009-07-26T16:16:00.007-04:00

Boo starts Kindergarten tomorrow. More on this later...

We've had a busy summer full of life changing events, catching up with old friends, and making new memories together as a family. Where to start???

After the move-in from hell, we've had our hands full getting boxes unpacked and furniture arranged. The house needed A LOT of work. We still have a way to go, but the renovations have stopped until our budget permits more home improvement projects. (I hope our renters in Indy are enjoying our updated kitchen and bathrooms because they're way better than way we have now!) The house is perfect for us - not too big, not too small. We love being in a ranch-style home versus two-stories, and the pool is our best friend as the temps soar above 114 degrees.

Boo got to spend a ton of time with Meme and Pepe, who have wound up being very "hands-on" grandparents. Turns out, they LOVE having Boo visit, and have helped her pass many weeks in the cool pines with trips to the library for story time, playing at the park, meals at McD's, and showing her off around town grocery shopping, going to Pepe's office, and picking up the mail at the post office. Boo has a special relationship with both of them, but, seriously, she has Pepe wrapped around her little pinky finger. While she misses Grandma & Grandpa very much, the relationship she's formed with Meme & Pepe is equally valuable and heartwarming to see.

Hubby got a job! It's not his dream job by any stretch of the imagination, but it's the difference between making ends meet and not. I'm proud of him for finding a gig in this crappy economy, and sticking it out when we all know he's "under-employed". Thanks to the recession, our household income is pretty much one-half of what is was this time a year ago. We've made major adjustments to the way we live, and how we think about money. While it's humbling at times, we know that we are incredibly fortunate that our family has not missed a meal or paying a bill despite both of us getting laid of last year.

As for me, I'm struggling a bit with my career change. I'm used to being one of the sharpest crayons in the box, and I have so much to learn. My job is extremely technical, and every question turns into a mini-research project. I've been told that I'll spend a good year feeling lost and insecure before things start to fall into place. Yippee.

Through it all, we've so enjoyed becoming reacquainted with our old friends. Hubby & I weren't a "couple" for very long when we lived in Arizona, so now we're getting to know friends from both sides of the relationship, and realize we know some amazing, good people. Most of them have children now, and Boo has many pseudo "aunts and uncles". There's comfort in having a sense of community here, and Boo will grow up with these kids.

There are times when I feel "homesick" for my old life, our friends, fireflies & greenery, and the charm of life in the Midwest. But we did a good thing. We did the right thing. Soon enough, this will start to really feel like home.

Oh, and tomorrow when Boo starts Kindergarten, I'm going to cry buckets.

The move-in from hell

2009-05-18T17:50:00.005-04:00

In every move, the movee has to expect some collateral damage - a favorite beer mug from college, one of Grandma's wine glasses, a scratch on a piece of furniture. It's upsetting but expected.

This move was totally unexpected. It was hell from start to finish.

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY - Universal Moving & Storage based in Canoga Park, CA. They will destroy your things, and make you cry like a little girl.

Half of our stuff arrived on Thursday - 3 hours behind the scheduled arrival time. The first thing I spied was my beloved antique gateleg table with a scratch up one entire side. It went downhill from there... The second truck arrived on Friday - 6 hours behind the scheduled arrival time with the smelliest crew ever. Ugh... More damage, more tears, more anger. It's like they took everything we worked our asses off for and hacked it apart with an ax. I was appalled and disgusted, and we will file criminal charges for distruction of personal property if they don't make this right.

I am not holding my breath.

The first one in...

2009-05-03T16:56:00.004-04:00

Was Boo- with Auntie K and me keeping a very watchful eye! Swimsuit optional. Ugh, lots of landscaping to do! Nothing like a very blank slate.

Ren-OH MY GOODNESS-vations

2009-04-29T19:30:00.006-04:00

First we buy it, then we destroy it. This is a look at our great room once the old carpet was ripped out and tile demolished.

To forever document the condition of our pool - formerly known as the swamp - here are some photos to remember the filfth, green sludge, West Nile hazard, and mosquito-eating fish.

So far we've (with a little help from many contractors) pulled up icky carpet, yanked out disgusting appliances, removed old tile, weeded & trimmed the yard, drained and acid washed the pool, repaired drywall, painted several rooms, fixed a broken patio door and a broken garage door, removed the master bathroom vanity, and wondered WHATINTHEHELL were we thinking.

Tasks remain include a fence for the pool, grouting and sealing the new tile, cleaning the remaining carpets, finding a new bathroom vanity, installing a toilet, laying pavers for the hot tub, installing pet doors, replacing the appliances and getting all of our stuff moved in.

Since the savings account is dwindling quickly, I'll just pretend that my fixtures aren't brass, the ceiling fans aren't hideous, my countertops aren't warped, the cabinets aren't oak, and someone else is not enjoying all the hard work we put into our old house.

It's not worth it

2009-04-23T18:31:00.004-04:00

I know nothing about David Kellermann, former acting CFO at Freddie Mac, but my eyes welled up with tears when I heard about his suicide. He was the same age as Hubby. He left behind a daughter just a little older than Boo. Sounds like he worked his ass off night and day under incredible pressure piled on by himself and his lifestyle, the needs of a company that (like most) suck the best of them dry before tossing the carcass aside. And let's not forget our ginormous Government with their hands in everything these days, while their heads remain up firmly stuck up their asses.

In my HR days, I spent a lot of time encouraging people to focus on what matters most in life, to do their best at work but not let it take over their well-being; get themselves in a position to feel good about what they're doing so they can take that feeling home with them at the end of the day. If it was killing them inside - move on. Find a greener pasture. Sell the BMW and flip burgers for a while. In my HR days, I rarely practiced what I preached - although my pep talks sounded good. On a much lesser scale, I gave and gave and gave to a company that lost its soul when a new CEO stepped in, only to be handed a pink slip for my efforts. Life's a bitch - but then you have to put it in perspective or it will eat you alive.

But suicide? Come on, dude... pop a Prozac, find a shrink, quit that godforsaken-killing-your-soul-one-second-at-a-time job. Freddie Mac would've thrown you under the bus in a heart beat. Instead, you pink slipped your life, your wife, your own child. It's so tragic. Yet so completely lame and irreversable.

Rest in peace. It totally was not worth it.

Exploring AZ...

2009-04-19T13:43:00.004-04:00

This weekend we visited Cave Creek and Carefree, AZ. We saw lots of kitchy western stuff and took a few pics to document the occasion.

The closing on our house was supposed to be this Monday. We are now "delayed" because apparently written AND verbal confirmation of new unemployment isn't enough to satisfy an underwriter. Our new close date is - WHO THE HELL KNOWS. I thought Obama the Great was supposed to make it easier for qualified buyers to get into homes. Not so much. For cripes sake, don't they know we're living with my parents??? 'Nough said.

Easter Sunday at 5000 feet

2009-04-16T13:01:00.004-04:00

The elevation is making me SO thirsty and SOOOOOOOOO sleepy. But it doesn't slow Boo down one bit. Here are some pictures of our Easter celebration at the home of a dear family friend. Boo had fun playing with the two other girls, one of whom was just a week younger than her. Our host delighted the girls with an Easter pinata. Genius.

Back home again...

2009-04-15T19:09:00.005-04:00

I never imagined I would go quite this long between posts. In my defense, finding the perfect family to rent our house, packing up our belongings & getting them ready for the movers, driving two cars, one kid, three cats & a dog across the country, moving in temporarily with one's parents, house hunting, starting a new job, and going into escrow is all rather time consuming. It's been whirlwind.

Leaving the Midwest was bittersweet. In my final few minutes in our house, I sat in Boo's bedroom and cried. I remember the day Hubby painted her nursery a beautiful shade of lavender while I sat on the floor and watched him. Painstakingly, we decorated that room for our princess. I forgot to take a picture before I packed everything up. The little girl who moved into Boo's room a few weeks later had her parents paint it pink.

It was tough watching Boo go through all the emotions associated with this move. I'm not sure she fully understood, but she knew enough to feel excited, sad, and nervous. As our date to leave came closer to fruition, Giggles started acting out at home. She knew her best friend was leaving and going somewhere "so hot that the sun catches houses on fire".

On Boo's last day at school, I couldn't bear to go. I knew that I would cry in front of her teachers - the women who had loved her and cared for her when I couldn't be there to do it myself. How does a mom find the words to thank the people who taught her daughter lessons about love, life, kindness, and God? At some point in time I will send them a letter because I'm sure they have no idea how blessed I feel that they were such a huge part of Boo's life. The funny thing is, she probably won't remember any of them, but they, like Hubby and me, will always be a part of who she is.

Boo's godparents... gosh... It wasn't good-bye. I know it was "see you soon", but Boo lit up their lives and they hers. And Hubby's parents - wow. When we pulled out of their driveway on the morning we started our cross country drive, I had never seen them cry like that. I felt my heart break for my mother-in-law. Hubby is her only child. Boo is her only grandchild.

So here I sit now in my old childhood bedroom; my piles of "stuff" grating on my mother's nerves. My mother's "a place for everything" mentality grating my nerves... My dog banished to a friend's house until we move into our new place... My husband not knowing how to handle life without a DVR...

Well, we did it. We made it happen.

Life is funny. About eight years ago I sat in the empty bedroom of my first house purchased as a single woman in Phoenix one last time. Hubby wasn't my hubby back then. There was no Boo. I sat in that room and cried as the memories crashed in on me, and then I moved across the country to start a new life. This was the longest, most adventurous round-trip of my whole life.

I love Arizona. I'm so happy to live here once again. I'll be happier when we're in our own house, and Hubby has found a good job, too. And I've learned that you can't go home again - to your parents' house that is, for very long, without driving each other a little bit insane - one snide comment at a time.

Thanks to Mom & Dad for putting up with the chaos. We should close on the first house we put an offer on (in my last post) early next week.

I love it when...

2009-03-09T17:14:00.004-04:00

Things start falling into place. It's working out so well, I'm starting to wonder if it's too good to be true.

Naw... we've earned a little luck!

We have renters for our house here for the next 24 months, we made an offer on a new house in my home state, we have the movers scheduled, I have a job waiting when we get there, my parents are excited to spend time with Boo, Hubby is interviewing with a company, and the whole master plan is coming together.

Hopefully we'll hear from the bank this week if our offer on the house was accepted. It's not too big, not too small. It needs new flooring, the pool is green, and the yard is full of weeds. Once we take care of those minor things, it will be a fantastic house for the seven of us - me, Hubby, Boo, three cats and one dog.

There's no place like home.

Meeting IRL

2009-03-09T10:47:00.007-04:00

IRL = in real life

Since becoming pregnant, I've been part of a baby board. It's basically an online forum for women from all walks of life who share one thing in common - children born in August of 2004. Over the years some of the players have changed, but for the most part, there is a core group of very supportive women who now know way too much about each other.

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to meet one of these women in person. I've "known" her online for years. She is a young mother with four gorgeous children. Her oldest two (twin girls) are August 2004 babies. It was fun to finally see these beautiful kids in person, and watch them play together. This particular mom is one of the youngest on the baby board, yet she seems to handle her responsibilities in life with more grace and maturity those of us who should be more mature but just aren't. Ah hem...

I marveled at the differences in parenting styles between an over-protective mother of one (that would be me), and a mother of four. When Boo was really little, Hubby & I would always have an arm behind her as she went up the stairs, we would pull her off the sofa before she slid off the back, we barely let her breathe without careful observation. Sometimes a bump or a bruise is the only way to learn life's lessons.

Big news!!!

2009-02-25T09:42:00.002-05:00

I had a dream about six weeks ago. I heard a voice, and I woke up knowing that we were supposed to move back to my home state. I shared the news with Hubby. He wanted to start packing!

I had a similar dream back in 2001. Not so much a dream really, but, I swear to God, I heard a voice - clear as anything - telling me that I had to move to change my life. As a single girl on the brink of turning 29, I sold my house, found a job, and moved to the Midwest where I knew exactly three people.

Over the past 7+ years, a lot has happened. I married the love of my life. We bought a home. We had our beautiful girl. We bought a minivan. I had three different career opportunities - each one better than the last but for different reasons. I grew up - well, as much as someone with my personality can mature.

Yesterday I accepted a job offer back in my home state, and we are leaving in a few weeks! Hubby and I are thrilled. Boo needs a lot of love and convincing. Let the good times roll...

This Valentine's Day

2009-02-16T17:24:00.003-05:00

Valentine's Day was like no other. Hubby and I went to a funeral. The departed - an adorable 26-year-old young woman from my former office. She wasn't full of potential - she was living up to her potential. At 26, she had a wonderful marriage to her high school sweetheart, countless friends & family who loved her dearly, and a successful career. Her service was a fitting tribute - lots of tears for the beautiful girl gone too soon, lots of laughter celebrating the full life she lived. Good Bless you, AJR. You will be missed.

Boo's New Haircut

2009-02-16T17:20:00.003-05:00

She wanted to look like mommy, and asked me to cut her hair. Since she got a headstart by cutting a chunk off at Grandma's house on Friday night (don't get me started...), I went ahead and did it. It's quite possibly crooked, but she LOVES it. I took off about 4 inches which is the most substantial haircut she's had since birth.

What goes down, must come up...

2009-01-28T18:40:00.006-05:00

This afternoon Hubby and I took Boo for her first real big kid sledding experience. Boo learned important lessons about sledding today. She laughed, she cried, she got knocked on her butt by some random kid... All in all, she had a blast. In the last picture, she is telling me that she is "a real good sledder".

You want me to do WHAT in THAT???

2009-01-28T18:22:00.002-05:00

Excuse me, but you can't be serious!!!

Alright, alright - I know what happens when I go on the carpet!

Thank goodness I'm back inside! Please don't make me do that again!

Let It Snow!

2009-01-27T18:12:00.003-05:00

Will Boo remember trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue?

My dog is wearing a sweater today

2009-01-16T08:26:00.002-05:00

It is warmer in freaking Alaska than it is here. -29 with windchill. Shoot me.

We have cheese!

2009-01-09T10:35:00.005-05:00

Government cheese, that is. It only took 96 days from the time Hubby first applied for unemployment benefits. Ninety-six days??? Thank God we didn't need the money to, oh, I don't know... EAT, PAY BILLS, LIVE. Ninety-six days is ridiculous. That's 96 days, six in-person trips to the unemployment office to inquire on status, four additional forms that had to be filled out due to misinformation from the "Information Center".

We've never had cheese before. It's kind of strange.

The first barf of the New Year

2009-01-02T10:25:00.007-05:00

I'm talking about Boo.

Hubby and I stayed at home on NYE - not a drop of alcohol in sight although we totally could have used it with these two yahoos pictured above. We watched t.v. and refereed arguments between Boo and Giggles, who spent the night with us. The girls made their own mini pizzas, frosted "pupcakes" (Boo'ism), and bickered about everything - who was first, who was right, who "won", who was smarter, blah blah blah. (As I listened to them, I thought to myself - why on Earth would any sane person have more than two kids? Once they start to outnumber you, you're totally screwed.) They almost made it to midnight. Almost.

The next day we took them to the local children's museum, which is just an awesome place. (Thank you, Mom & Dad, for the membership!) The girls had a good time - sort of. I mean, they were so busy bickering and whining it was hard to tell. Alas, it was time to leave, and Boo had her customary melt down on the way to the car (sorry, could not get it on film).

We stopped for some burgers before dropping Giggles off at home. They primarily discussed barf in great detail. Lovely. As we stood up to leave, that is exactly what Boo did - all over herself, the floor, and a few unfortunate customers.

She was sick most of the night, but I am relieved to share that the child knows how to aim for the bowl. Happy New Year!

A resolution to remember

2009-01-02T10:22:00.001-05:00

I resolved not to make any resolutions. I figure after the wild ride we had in 2008, I don't need the pressure.

Peace on Earth

2008-12-27T21:54:00.003-05:00

Visit from Meme & Pepe... Part 2

2008-12-25T21:40:00.006-05:00

I really miss my parents. Really, really, really - in case you didn't catch that from any of my previous posts. While downloading Christmas pictures this afternoon, I came across a few shots taken in November at the airport right before my parents caught their flight back to Arizona.

So cute, so sweet, so deceiving..

"Hey, Pepe - I know where to find you... Wrapped around my little pinky!!!
"But, Meme, who's going to read me stories for hours on end without complaining?"

The squeeze... Notice Pepe removed his glasses.... He remembers what she did to her cousin Tom.

And the takedown. Not so sweet now, is she?

Here is what she did to cousin Tom.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T14:23:00.004-05:00

Christmas Eve... Boo, Shy & Bitty Baby before church.

Christmas Morning - the calm before the storm.

LEGOS!!! (Mommy can't wait to play with them!)

Boo's new robe.

Pinky Dinky Doo is Boo's new hero!

One of several books from Meme & Pepe. THANK YOU!
Pre-K Workbooks!

Boo's new bean bag chair. Now all we need are some beans for the bag.

The aftermath.

Tender moment

2008-12-23T19:51:00.005-05:00

I left the room for a few minutes and when I returned Hubby was wiping his eyes with a tissue & sniffling. Here's what I missed.

Hubby: You know Daddy loves you very much?

Boo: Your baby loves you very much, too.

And then a grown man cried. How sweet is that? So I just had to take a picture of a daddy and his "baby".

Christmas blues

2008-12-23T10:37:00.004-05:00

I know it's not just me. Many of my friends and relatives have this sad, wistful tone to their voice as Christmas draws near. Cosigner said it's because no matter what people have in life, they naturally wish for more - especially our generation. Gen X - the first fully pampered, fully entitled generation.

I usually long for more family. A sister who lived in the United States, parents who could travel to be with us, and maybe a brother or sister or two for Hubby (who is an only child) to add to our holiday gatherings. I want noise, chaos, laughter... Instead, it is always the three of us with Hubby's parents who aren't particularly prone to laughter.

I wonder if Boo will feel the same way as she gets older... a little cheated that her life will never resemble the large happy yet disfunctional family gatherings in Christmas movies. I wonder if she'll resent us for not giving her a sibling. Although, I know - due to my own situation - that having a sibling doesn't guarantee you'll get to spend any time together as adults. Which, I might add, is a waste of a perfectly good sister.

Instead of focusing on what we lack in life - like a house with a basement (see how easy that is) - I need to focus on what we have. Boo is a wonderful, healthy little girl. Hubby loves me, and even though he's a bum when it comes to housework (see, I did it again), I can't think of anyone else I'd rather hang out with every day. And he is such a great father. Our animals, provide plenty of chaos and laughter. Even though we both lost our jobs this year, there are gifts under the tree, we were able to help other families this season, and the bills are paid.

And in my lap is the head of one very gorgeous Weimaraner who is just grateful to have a family - no matter how large or small.

Merry Christmas.

Am I the only one

2008-12-20T09:41:00.003-05:00

Who notices that the floors are dirty and bothers to vacuum them?

Who picks up the toys scattered all over the house instead of stepping over them?

Who loads, empties, loads, empties, loads, empties (repeat a thousand times) the dishwasher?

Who wipes the crumbs from the table & counter tops?

Who cares that the toilets are clean?

Who sees the trash can is overflowing?

Who hangs up jackets & scarves and puts shoes in the basket in the entry way?

Who sorts the mail and throws out the junk?

Who pays the bills and manages the finances?

Who schedules doctor and vet appointments?

Who spends every weekend making sure we have clean clothes to wear come Monday?

I'm not the only one. Just the only one in my house. And today, I'm pretty darn bitter about that.

The Halls are decked

2008-12-15T20:24:00.003-05:00

And a little something extra IN the tree! Fluffy, you naughty kitty!

We put up our Christmas tree on Sunday. This was the first year Boo "helped" us put the ornaments on the tree. It was nerve wracking. My 40-pound child resembled a bull in a china shop. DONTSTEPONTHAT! WATCHWHEREYOUAREGOING! PUTTHATDOWN! DONTTOUCHTHAT!

Anyway, this is a pretty cool event for us. Every year we take these tattered boxes down from the attic (and have the same conversation about enlarging the opening and installing fold-down stairs). Over the years our ornaments get put away in no particular order, so as we dig through the boxes and pull out our treasures we tell "I remember when" stories. Thank goodness for Boo - finally we have someone else to listen to us.

My parents bought my sister and me an ornament every Christmas. I have all of mine. They're marked by year starting in 1972. They stopped in 2004, and now carry on the tradition with Boo. It's really awesome to hang my entire Christmas history on my grown-up family tree. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for thinking ahead to how much this would mean to us when we grew up.

Damn. The hamster is dead.

2008-12-08T10:35:00.005-05:00

I went to clean out her cage this morning and Tootie was curled up - deader than a doornail. We got her as a baby just a few months ago. I thought they had a three-year life span? Boo is going to be so sad...

More pics of Boo & Shy

2008-12-08T08:35:00.006-05:00

Last night was accident-free and very quiet. I put her dog bed right next to my side of the bed, and she curled up all night long without a peep. That is, until Hubby startled her this morning. She's not quite used to living with a man in the house.

Looking for a pair of ears

2008-12-07T11:20:00.003-05:00

Seeking pair of little ears in working condition. Must be able to hear the sound of my voice. Must come attached to an adorable little girl that actually does what I ask. If you can help me, please let me know.

There's a whole lot of hissing going on

2008-12-06T14:31:00.002-05:00

Meet Cheyenne (or Shy as we've been calling her). She's our new dog, and came home this morning. We've been working through a regional Weimaraner rescue since September, and we finally found "the one". The cats beg to differ.

Shy is about 2 years old and has a very laid back personality. She's a good girl and hasn't ventured far from my side today. Probably because when she does, a little ticked off fur ball lunges at her. More to follow...

Boo 'isms

2008-12-05T08:34:00.010-05:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything about Boo's antics of late. We've had some good ones in the past few weeks. For example, "Daddy, I don't need to go to school anymore. I've already learned everything I need to know." The kid can barely read the word cat. I think it's in her best interest to stay in school.

Or one morning earlier in the week we all climbed into the big bed to enjoy a morning a snuggle. Boo asked Hubby to rub her back. I'm like, "Hey, what about me???" To which Boo replied, "That's OK, Mommy. You can rub me when Daddy's done." That wasn't exactly my point, kid.

The night before last I allowed Boo time alone in her room to play with her make-up. The kid is obsessed with it. No, we don't let her wear it out of the house (with the exception of Halloween), but we do let her doll herself up and wear her crooked lipstick and overdone eyeshadow around the house. She came downstairs and told me that she put lipstick on her doll. I immediately freaked because she has some of my childhood dolls in her room that are made of cloth. When I went upstairs to investigate, she raced ahead of me and threw herself across the bottom step pleading, "I promise I'll clean it up. Just don't go up there!" Right. Upstairs I found one of her less expensive dolls painted in red nail polish. Boo proceeds to tell me that the almost perfectly painted on nail polish "lipstick" happened accidentally - which just ticked me off all the more. The room reeked and there was nail polish all over the floor, too. Gads. She knows better. So, she lost her nail polish privileges and will have to live with an ugly stain on her carpet. (Anyone know how to remove nail polish from carpet?)

We're doing our best to teach her that she can tell us anything - even if she did something awful. (We even have a few books on the subject.) And that it's far worse to hide it from us or lie about it - like saying that it's an accident when it was clearly a gross error in judgment.

We want her to experience consequences without instilling a fear of making mistakes.

Going to the dogs

2008-11-24T19:55:00.008-05:00

I did something stupid last week.

I sprung two puppies from animal control and brought them home with me - against Hubby's wishes.

Right now you might be asking yourself - why in the heck did you do that? To this I say in my best doggie voice, just look at those faces! How could I resist???

I've psychoanalyzed myself all week long, and it's probably a combination of things. Those puppies were too cute to stay in that cold stinky shelter a minute longer. I've wanted a second child for years, but with the job losses and Hubby turning 41 this month, time is running out. I'm mourning the loss of my career as I knew it. I'm mourning the loss of Hubby's job. I'm searching for distractions. Maybe - as my mother hinted - I thought getting a dog would take me back to a simpler time in life - when my parents paid all of my bills and cleaned up the dog poop in the yard.

The lesson I learned - aside from not acting on impulse and I can't save all of God's creatures - is that I love my sleep. I need my sleep. I am a train wreck without my sleep. After years of the entire family sleeping through the night again, those puppies were one rude awakening. This leads me to conclude that another baby would be a rude awakening, too.

When I'm 100% honest with myself, having another child is something I fantasize about in theory but don't have the patience or energy to pull off in reality. Without the puppies, I might not have reached that conclusion on my own. Having expressed all of this to Hubby, he is thankful for what we will someday call "the puppy incident of 2008". A little lost sleep and puppy pee on the floor was a small price to pay for the sense of closure I have right now.

No worries... The puppies have a happy ending. They were rescued from a shelter and pampered at our home while I found them both great places to grow up. Just not here.

A visit from Meme and Pepe

2008-11-17T19:20:00.004-05:00

When I was in the hospital in labor with Boo, I spoke with my mother several times. She was hopeful that Boo would arrive before midnight, so she and Boo could both be Friday the 13th babies. She kept checking in on our progress. During our last phone conversation before Boo was born, she dropped the mother's curse on me. "I don't wish you ill, I pray everyone is healthy, but, by God, I hope you get one JUST LIKE YOU."

Well, Mom, as you and Dad witnessed this week, I sure did. I hope you & Dad enjoyed the mayhem. We loved having you visit!

Nothing profound to say...

2008-11-06T08:49:00.004-05:00

I miss my baby.

lean to the left, lean to the right, stand up, sit down - fight, fight, fight

2008-11-05T07:24:00.011-05:00

BO won the election last night. I was not surprised. I liken the media backing and the hype to the Clinton campaign when I was in college. Well, more like the Clinton campaign on steroids.

In the Media, BO was portrayed as a super hero of epic proportions who will save the nation from all that is unjust. According to truthout.org and a whole bunch of other lefty sources of "information", the racist right made up lies to scare people out of voting for the black guy, McCain is George W's best buddy, and Palin is a clothes whore who should be at home with her children. But none of the lefties want to explore where all BO's campaign money came from. (Please, private donations of this magnitude in the midst of a recession?) There's no discussion about how he spent that money. Only one news source reported in-depth information about BO's associations with a known terrorist, a racist & hate preaching pastor, and the suspect activities of community groups such as ACORN. When I dared try to discuss these topics with BO supporters, I was told that all these things are either lies or irrelevant to the election. How do you figure? Because looking at the whole history of a man who's only human might destroy the super hero image?

The way information was captured, twisted and regurgitated by the left is disgusting and shameful. Very few productive conversations could be had without friends slinging insults around which is why I stopped talking politics with most of you. My opinion could not be expressed or questions asked without verbal attacks or a barrage of tainted reading material. When the discussions turned to politics on my birth board, a group of highly civilized women who share one precious thing in common resulted in hurling accusations, making fun of those who were less articulate, and ridiculing the opinions of others. One of my beloved lefty friends told me to go read newspapers with big words - implying what exactly? That I'm incapable of educating myself? I love my friend and I love the women on my birth board, but I don't love one-sided points of view and half-truths.

All that said, I wouldn't label myself a righty either. I don't think the government should legislate values. Women deserve access to safe medical procedures. All couples in a committed adult relationships deserve equal rights. I don't feel compelled to defend traditional values and morality because these issues are private matters. So claiming that all you do is in the name of God but refusing to see and accept that God made us all different for a reason... well, that's pretty lame, too.

I am deeply concerned about the nation's choice for President. In 77 days and the four years that follow, he will not make good on 95% of the promises he made during the campaign - except the ones that involve the redistribution of what little wealth we have left. Sorry to break it to you, but BO doesn't have super powers.

The country leans left then right then left, and we're all paying for the fallout from decades of corruption and poor financial decisions from the right AND the left. Change just for the sake of change won't happen overnight without a plan... without a willing commitment to be a part of change.

Even though I pretty much stand in the middle of the aisle anyway, I'll lean to the left to shake BO's hand and wish him success. And as a U.S. citizen, I accept that the majority has spoken and will support - not blindly follow - our new leader.

About the new job

2008-11-01T16:44:00.007-04:00

Many of you have asked me how the new job is going. It's different. It pays the bills. Some days I feel empowered. Other days... not so much. Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful to have found something so quickly after getting the pink slip - especially in this tight market.

I'm a contractor which means we still have to pay out the ass for health insurance & I don't have any paid time off, but the money is good & enough to keep us afloat. The position is with a huge division of an even huger federal agency. Thousands of people work in this building. (They have a serious parking problem!) I have to pass through metal detectors and have my purse & lunch bag screened by armed security guards. Inside is like a small city - complete with a barber, dry cleaner, bank, drug store, and food courts. Still, I tell people it's like going from Oz to Kansas. No offense to Kansas, but in Oz they have bright colors, free soda, & animated employees who get in all kinds of interesting trouble. In Kansas - not so much.

I'm working on a project in the HR Department. It's different work from anything I've ever done before. I spend hours in silence dedicated to one task without a single interruption. Most of the people around me have spent decades of their lives doing the same exact thing each & every work day. I'm not sure what the future holds yet. This project will eventually come to an end. Maybe I'll stay in Kansas. Maybe I'll be able to find a place way more interesting than Oz. Who knows.

Many of you have also asked about Hubby's job search. Thank you for asking. Thank you for caring. Sadly, it's not going well. He's had several interviews but nothing has panned out. He's used to landing with both feet firmly planted on the ground, so this is new territory for him. He's getting depressed about the whole situation and it's weird how I - the one who worries about worrying - find myself in the position of reassuring him that everything will be alright. In the meantime, we conserve and spend wisely - which is what we should have been doing all along.

In a lot of ways, this is bringing us closer together. It's not about Hubby and it's not about me. It's about the two of us taking care of each other & Boo as best we can. I know you're probably thinking - duh, that's what marriage is about. To that I say that I got married at age 30 and was used to taking care of myself. I don't think I really "got it" - the whole concept of true partnership - until all of this happened at once. We've become more of a team over the past 30 days. It would be easy to place blame and point fingers at each other, but we don't do that. I'm very proud of us.

Now, if only I could teach him how to load the dishwasher correctly.

Happy Halloween!!!

2008-10-31T21:34:00.004-04:00

My Ariel pumpkin rocked the front porch. It took me three hours to carve, and it has to be one of the craftiest things I've ever created. Hubby decorated the house. (Don't we all love to be "those neighbors"?) Boo obviously dressed up as Princess Ariel. She was "Ariel with legs" at school today and "Ariel with a flipper" for trick or treating tonight. We tagged along with the next door neighbors and made our rounds. Hubby stayed behind to hand out candy. Neighbor Dad and I must have asked the kids a hundred times, "Did you say thank you?" You'd think the kids would remember to say thank you without being reminded. Or maybe they just enjoy hearing us repeat ourselves? When we got home, Hubby took Boo in the opposite direction while I took my turn handing out candy to the kids - most of whom DID NOT SAY THANK YOU.

I'm such a freaking mom...

Boo & Daddy Day

2008-10-23T21:12:00.007-04:00

Today I went to work. When I left the house, Boo and Hubby were snuggled up in bed watching cartoons. Poor me. Did I mention it was still dark outside when I left the house? It was cold, too.

Anyway, Boo stayed home from pre-K today so she & Hubby could spend some quality time together. They had a big breakfast, went grocery shopping, and headed to the pumpkin patch. As you can see, Boo had a great time with her daddy.

Me and Boo are lucky girls.

About politics

2008-10-22T20:52:00.004-04:00

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. That is the beauty of this country. But be forewarned that I am hereby DRAWING THE LINE with the political talk. I've already made up my mind, you are not going to change it, and it really is none of your business why I feel the way I do. I just do. Got it? And do not - I repeat - do not talk down to me. I'm a smart girl. Always have been - that's probably why we became friends in the first place.

I feel better now.

It's Fall!

2008-10-19T20:41:00.002-04:00

We broke out the rakes today. Well, not me - remember, I wield the camera in this family. Boo had a blast jumping into the huge pile of leaves, rolling around and striking a pose for me. All those leaves and would you believe that the trees are still pretty full? I see a lot of raking in Hubby's future...

Godparents

2008-10-19T12:18:00.006-04:00

Boo's godparents are wonderful people. Godmama was taking care of Boo before she was born. We met at work, and she helped me get through each day of vomiting, headaches, swollen feet, and a terrible boss. I couldn't think of anyone more appropriate to be Boo's godmother (er... Fairy Godmother as she likes to be called). Godpapa is equally caring. He calls Boo "sugar" and thinks everything she says & does is nothing short of adorable. He lost his infant daughter to illness long ago, and I often think that his relationship with Boo gives him bittersweet feelings of what he missed out on and what he still has.

I read somewhere that the most desirable qualities for godparents include a sincere interest in the child, good listening skills, nonjudgmental acceptance, stability, high moral character, and a capacity for being a role model. I'm glad that Boo will have these loving people to support her and look out for her. I'm glad they are our friends.

What a morning...

2008-10-16T10:55:00.008-04:00

Any idea what happens when you forget to renew the tags on your car? Hey, I know, I know...

The state trooper pulls you over and chastises you for not paying your taxes to have the right to drive on the streets. (I guess the 32% of my income that already goes to taxes counts for nothing...) Then despite your tears and promise to take the vehicle directly to the dreaded BMV to rectify the situation immediately, he writes you an expensive ticket, has your beloved car impounded & taken to a seedy lot on the wrong side of the tracks. Upon arrival at the impound lot you have to speak with smelly people who say things like, "I ain't got no" and "I done not seen that". As in, "I ain't got no teeth and I done not seen a toothbrush in years." You give them $125 of your hard earned money and leave with your beloved car that may never smell the same again.

And I wasn't even speeding. Damn it.

Happy Anniversary, Hubby!

2008-10-12T17:40:00.002-04:00

This is where Hubby & I met in July of 2001. We took Boo to the scene of the crime and told the old, tan people in the pool our story. (Not the WHOLE story, of course!)

Hubby and I got married six years ago today at The Flamingo in Las Vegas. (What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas!)

I love you, Hubby!

Indian Summer & doing the simple things...

2008-10-12T17:10:00.007-04:00

The term "Indian Summer" dates back to the 18th century in the United States. It can be defined as "any spell of warm, quiet, hazy weather that may occur in October or even early November."

It's been in the upper 70s/low 80s for the past week. This weekend is absolutely beautiful. The foliage is starting to change and all these intense colors pop on the backdrop of the gorgeous blue sky. The nights are chilly - perfect for a campfire.

Yesterday Hubby and Boo went fishing at the neighborhood pond.

Boo didn't catch anything and grew increasingly sullen.

So she fed the ducks instead.

After a tough afternoon of fishing (more like 30 minutes) we went to the neighbor's house to enjoy hot dogs cooked over an open fire, homemade chili, and several glasses of wine. After dinner, we convened to the fire pit where we sat around and told silly stories to the kids, ate s'mores, and enjoyed the company. It was another simple evening of wholesome living in the Midwest which I've grown to love.

What keeps me up at night.

2008-10-10T14:05:00.009-04:00

"The state of the economy has delivered a tough blow to 'Main Street'." Thank you, politicians, because I haven't been keeping up on the falling Dow, lost jobs, lost homes, lost dreams. It's not like I haven't noticed that Hubby and I both LOST OUR JOBS right around the time I'd finally convinced him after years of pleading to have #2. Shut up already, politicians & talking heads. Does anyone honestly think either one of these guys can fix this???

The WHAT IF scenarios chill me to the bone. We're cutting spending, battening down, and hoping we can weather this crisis on my contract gig until more jobs are available. It's like everything we worked so hard to achieve over the last several years in our careers has been taken away. Not because we did anything wrong, not because we deserved it... it just happened. It very much reinforces that old saying of "no one ever said life was fair".

So now what? Hubby could watch the news and this train wreck in the making 24/7 were it not for his need to sleep. Me, I can hardly stand to watch the local news, much less the national news, and these shows on CNN and FOX that almost seem to delight in the fact that the economy is so crappy they have something to talk about - incessantly. It hits way too close to my home. It makes me sick with worry. I wonder WHY this happened to both of us, WHEN things will turn around, WHAT is the next step in our careers and how far will it set us back, and WHAT IF we can't even find crummy jobs. WHAT IF this doesn't get better?

And then I look around my house at all the things, stuff, creature comforts we've accumulated over our six year marriage. There is so much we could have done without that would be money in the bank right now. (Excluding my counter tops, of course!) If nothing else, I hope this teaches us a lesson not to indulge just because we can because it's scary how quickly things can change and how high the stakes are with Boo in our lives. I can't even think about the cost of a second child. Sorry, Boo, it might just be the three of us forever. You'll may never have a sibling to fight with, defend to the death, or use to gang up on Mom & Dad.

Laid off does not equal bliss anymore. Laid off equals uncertainty, fear, sorrow, guilt and lost dreams.

Weenie roasts & mosquitoes

2008-10-07T21:26:00.009-04:00

On Saturday night the family went to a weenie roast at the in-laws. They live on several acres out in the middle of nowhere with this huge pole barn (excellent for storing our off-season items), and tons of space to host a good old fashion shindig. Excluding the kids, Hubby and I were among the youngest in the crowd. We roasted weenies on the bonfire, gorged ourselves on s'mores, and sang along with the folk music jam session. You'd think all that smoke would have kept away the mosquitoes, but NO... every buggar in the state showed up and I have the bites to prove it. Legs, arms, back, neck, even my face. Before Boo came along, I was pretty much immune to the annoying insects. Now every little bite swells into a huge, painful, itchy welt which, if I scratch too hard, leaves a scar. Lovely. After the weenie roast, we stopped at the neighbor's house down the road a spell to buy a few dozen free-range eggs. Wholesome and delicious!

Well, hell... Seriously?

2008-10-03T19:47:00.004-04:00

This week Cosigner told me that we're at the stage in life where we have to do things we don't like because we are adults with responsibility. That sucks. (Sorry, Mom. I know you hate it when I say "sucks".) I'm there. Responsibility overwhelms me right now. I loathe having to do something I don't like because I HAVE to and not because I WANT to.

Which brings me to the crushing blow for the week. To add insult to injury, Hubby's company decided to cease operations in the Midwest and he, too, got a pink slip. Seriously??? Both of us got laid off within months of each other??? What did we do to tick off the Universe???

A lesser man might curl into the fetal position and wallow in self pity for a while. But not Hubby. He assured me that everything would be just fine, and he hit the phones contacting everyone in his network. He even had an interview today. He hasn't wallowed once. I find his optimism a little annoying at times. (Maybe that's because I manage our finances, and I rarely pass up the chance to milk a tragedy for all it's worth.)

In any event, we will survive, Boo won't go hungry, we won't lose our house, and we've prepaid our health insurance for the next few months. Which brings me back to doing the things we HAVE to and not the things we WANT to in life. I guess I should be grateful that I have responsibilities and an amazing Hubby with an incredible attitude. Plus, he's handsome, too!

Our take on the Princess thing...

2008-09-30T14:23:00.007-04:00

Everywhere you look, Disney princesses are plastered on products... cups, night lights, underwear, tissue boxes - you name it, someone will slap a princess on it and try to sell it. I have to confess, we might have kind of encouraged the princess-loving behavior at our house. Boo has a billion movies, books, dolls, plastic heels, costumes... oh jeez - what have I done?

I'll tell you what I've done. In every single fairy tale we read, I've inserted my secret weapon to combat the notion that a prince will swoop in and magically solve a gal's problems. (Please, I didn't get married until I was 30. I know most "princes" cause more heartache along the way than they are worth.) So, in my version of the fairy tales, before "they lived happily ever after" the princesses go away to college. They study hard and become a doctor or lawyer or nurse or veterinarian, and they meet other princes to make sure that the first prince is really the one they want to marry.

Not much is cuter than listening to Hubby and Boo role-play prince & princess together. From the other room this weekend I overheard Princess Boo tell Prince Hubby that she had to go to college and become a doctor before she could run away with him. In that same play session, I also overheard Prince Hubby asking Princess Boo to rescue him.

My work here is done. For now...

Back to Work

2008-09-26T10:47:00.005-04:00

This week I started a new job. It's not the full-time gig with benefits that I was hoping for and it's not my new home away from home, but it's a very decent living and a chance to do something slightly different with my career. I've always had to work in a chaotic manner. Not because I'm chaotic (or maybe I am), but because there are competing priorities, distractions, unexpected crises and other time suckers, and I still had to meet deadlines on projects. Now I get to focus on working a project plan, and lending my past experiences to another organization in a consulting capacity. So I'm off the couch for now which is a good thing. The not so great news is that I'll be back on the job market again in 3 to 6 months. Maybe after the election and the holidays, things will pick up and look a little brighter. Like everything else in life, with Hubby's full support, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

I love this face

2008-09-23T12:55:00.002-04:00

Visit to the dentist

2008-09-23T08:37:00.012-04:00

Boo went to the dentist yesterday. She had a great time. I wasn't allowed to stay with her during the examination. (Parents tend to interfere. Who, me???) So I only have her account to go by. They counted her teeth, took pictures of her cheeks, tickled her teeth with a spinning thing and scared the sugar bugs away. Cool.

The good news is, Boo has ZERO cavities and healthy teeth. The bad news is, she is missing a lateral incisor - which we obviously knew - but the x-rays show that she will not have either lateral incisor as an adult. This condition is referred to as "Congenital Missing Lateral Incisors". No one on either side of the family seems to know much about anyone having a similar condition, so it's a bit of a mystery why my beautiful Boo is missing adult teeth.

In the grand scheme of all the possible health problems and conditions a child could have, this is not a big deal. What it means for her is years of orthodontia appointments and creating gaps in her teeth to hold space for eventual implants. The teenage years are hard enough without worrying about having a "different" smile. I hope it doesn't make her smile less because if she's anything like I was as a teenager... well, Lord, help me. And I better start saving for this now. Sigh...

Remember when it was fun to spin in circles?

2008-09-21T18:26:00.008-04:00

I remember being a thrill seeker. Once upon a time, I'd never met a roller coaster I didn't love. Now those rides make me want to puke, but I took more than my share of whirling, spinning, high-pitched screaming (me) abuse so Hubby could enjoy a few "Big Boy" coasters at the amusement park yesterday. Of course, I am the one who wields the camera, so you won't see any evidence of just how many times I took one for the team.

On the drive back today we stopped to enjoy the scenic views of the Ohio River Valley and explore just one of hundreds of caves in the area. It was Boo's first trip underground, and we got to see several bats! Boo LOVED that. She's a huge fan of "Stellaluna". We also saw plenty of evidence from the tail end of Ike's wrath - literally dozens upon dozens of downed trees and demolished crops.

And, of course, no trip to the amusement park would be complete without the traditional toddler meltdown!

In my daughter's eyes

2008-09-18T16:55:00.017-04:00

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,

And 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.

-James Slater

The Cosigner

2008-09-17T18:18:00.013-04:00

Right after Hubby & I exchanged vows, our Matron of Honor and Best Man were pulled aside to sign the official documents. Hubby quipped to my dear friend as she signed our marriage license, "So this means if she defaults, I get you, right?" And thus, she became known as the Cosigner.

Cosigner and I met in college, floor-mates in a dorm at Granola U. We knew each other in person for exactly 12 weeks, give or take a week, thereafter Cosigner ditched Granola U and moved back to California. I made my exit two semesters later, only I wound up somewhere hotter, dryer, and sadly lacking an ocean. Oddly enough, we never lived in the same place at the same time again, but we found a kindred spirit in each other that's been the foundation of our lasting friendship.

Cosigner paid me a visit this week. We stayed up late every night having those chick conversations about old boyfriends, big mistakes, and roads not taken. Seeing as though we've both turned 29 multiple times over, it's kind of cool reliving the error of our ways because those old boyfriends and big mistakes got us where we are today; married to handsome, kind, caring, decent men who may drive us crazy from time to time, but we're darn lucky to have. These are real men - you know, the kind of men who adore their children, treat their wives with the respect we demand, and don't run away from life's challenges. It's like all of those stupid guys, dead ends, falling rocks, and forks in the road, led us both home.

The wine was good, the conversations were better, and Cosigner will always hold a special place in my heart as one of the coolest friends a girl could ever have

Oh, and we had a spa day!

Cosigner and me at age 20 or 21'ish. (Way before I discovered the benefits of eyebrow waxing!)

Yesterday... Dare I venture to say, older yet wiser? I wonder how smart we'll be 30 years from now???

Small town parades

2008-09-13T14:27:00.012-04:00

It's the same thing every year. On a muggy Saturday in September at high noon a parade marches down Main Street in My Small Town, USA. Honestly, I don't look forward to it. I don't like getting hot & sticky and seeing as though I'm not from around these parts, I lack nostalgic feelings for the high school marching band & local football team, the Miss Tiny Tot winner, and the pee wee football league.

But, there are a few things I've grown fond of over the last five years.

The Red Hat Society ladies - very cool. I should really google them because beyond wearing cool purple clothes and gorgeous red hats and looking like hip old ladies, I don't know what they do.

The library float. We are now card carrying members of My Small Town, USA library, just beginning to explore the children's section with Boo.

The local politicians. Marrying a hometown guy means I get the inside scoop on what these folks were like in high school.
Seeing my neighbors. I finally feel like a part of this community because I run into people who actually know me. Although I must confess, way more people know Boo than me.
Watching Boo's face light up when she hears the police siren kicking off the parade, the energy she has scrambling around for candy thrown from the floats, and the joy she feels when someone in the parade smiles directly at her and waves.

This year was really no different than the last. It was a muggy day, the parade started promptly at high noon, and we returned home with enough candy to last a year. And no parade outing would be complete without the traditional toddler meltdown, followed by the post-parade nap. It's time for mine.

9/11 will forever creep me out

2008-09-11T08:32:00.009-04:00

Some people like to pretend it's just another day. For me, it will never be just another day. It's the anniversary of the day my faith in the security of comfy, cozy life in the United States was changed forever. I was glued to the t.v., feeling terrified of what might happen next & where, and talking often with my girlfriend whose husband was at work that day in the WTC.

He doesn't talk about it at all. For that reason I don't tell him how thankful I am that he got out and kept walking - home, where he belongs. I don't tell him that I think he is a great husband, a wonderful, funny guy, an involved and loving father of three incredibly gorgeous children, and someone I am proud to call my friend. When I look into the sparkling brown eyes of his youngest two children who were conceived post 9/11, I can't help but think about the eyes that never had the chance to sparkle because a mother or a father didn't come home that day. I thank God that he did.

Today is a the heaviest of reminders to be grateful for those dear to me and know how quickly it can be taken away. Today I'm going to hold Boo and Hubby a little closer to my heart.

Fall Festival

2008-09-10T22:18:00.010-04:00

It's cooling down at night. The air conditioner is off - hopefully for the season - and when we sleep with the windows open at night, we wake up bundled under a pile of heavy covers surrounding by cats.

Tonight was the kick off of the annual Fall Festival in our small town... You know, cheap rides, silly games, local politicians out shaking hands & kissing babies, fundraising booths for the high school marching band & athletic teams, fresh corn on the cob dripping in butter, walking tacos, and, my personal favorite, homemade carmel corn.

We picked up Boo and her best friend from school this afternoon. I call her Giggles. Boo and Giggles lived it up tonight. They skipped and twirled down the street, spun themselves dizzy on rides, boogied on stage with a local singer, and hugged one another with all the giddiness of two thrilled four-year-olds. Boo loves Giggles. They are upstairs now, curled up in the bottom bunk together like little kittens - freshly bathed, bellies full, and completely worn out.

Reading Charlotte's Web

2008-09-10T10:18:00.016-04:00

About a month ago Boo and I started reading a chapter of Charlotte's Web every night before bed. She's seen the movie countless times, but reading this book - without many pictures - was quite a different experience.

There were numerous occasions when I felt like she wasn't listening and would rather read a little picture book, but the beauty of Charlotte's Web is that Wilbur, like Boo, asks a lot of questions. Just when I thought I'd lost her attention, she'd perk up when Wilbur would ask because Boo wanted to hear Charlotte's wise answer.

The night we read the second to the last chapter of the book, something unexpected happened. I started to cry. The thought of poor, selfless Charlotte withering away & dying all alone in a pig stall at the empty county fairgrounds was just too much to bear. She had done so much for Wilbur and at the end of her life she deserved have her best friend by her side. Never mind the fact that she would never meet her 514 babies - her "magnum opus".

I tried to hide my tears and keep my voice steady. I kept reading and then made the mistake of making eye contact with Boo. Her bottom lip quivered, her eyes filled up with tears. She was looking for a sign from me that it was OK to let-er-rip. What the heck. We let the floodgates open and little Boo & I had ourselves a good long cry.

Hubby came upstairs to find two blubbering females who could only manage to choke out the words, "Charlotte DIEEEEEEED."

Thank goodness the final chapter, read the following evening, lent itself to a happy ending. But that cry, shared between mother and daughter, was a special bonding moment. And I knew that she really was listening and caring about each word I read.

From one year to the next

2008-09-09T21:55:00.005-04:00

Just marveling out how fast Boo grows - May 2007 & September 2008.

My kitchen & recipe advice

2008-09-09T20:54:00.015-04:00

BEFORE- Dull & a b!tch to keep clean

This is a huge topic of conversation for me lately. It's on Facebook, my baby board, and I've told just about anyone who will listen. It's like the most exciting thing that's happened in our house in years, and it proves that I am now officially a grown up. (As if the marriage, mortgage, minivan, and child weren't proof enough!) For the seventh anniversary of my 29th birthday (you do the math), Hubby got me new counter tops. I picked out the style and color scheme, and Hubby and father-in-law installed them over Labor Day weekend.

For the record, I labored, too - A LOT . I had to sand, prime and paint the walls because the back splashes on the other counter tops were slightly higher. I also had to listen to hubby swear, insert my opinion without being asked, and locate all of the "missing" tools that were right in front of his face.

I love the change. It feels like a brand new kitchen. And, seriously, I've been inspired to cook - like three nights in a row. I'm even getting a bit cocky and shared two recipes with a dear friend who is a professional stay at home mom & the epitome of "domestic Goddess", AND I posted my meatloaf recipe on my baby board.

I know, I know - crazy, isn't it?

Please do not report these unauthorized activities to the Women's Studies department at The University of Arizona.

AFTER - TADA!

Going to the zoo

2008-09-09T15:39:00.007-04:00

The weather this weekend was amazing... high 70s, slight breeze, blue skies. These are the days we live for in the Midwest. We took Boo to the Zoo to enjoy a beautiful day with the animals.

I wish that I could still see the world through fresh eyes and enjoy living in each exciting moment that comes my way. Some days I wish that I could be Boo.

Explaining "laid off" to Boo

2008-09-09T11:35:00.011-04:00

Boo: Mommy, why are you in play clothes?

Mom: I don't go to work anymore so I don't have to dress up. (Or change out of my pj's.)

Boo: Why? You don't like [Company Name] anymore?

Mom: No, I do. I like it a lot, but [Former Boss] doesn't like me. I'm not allowed to go over there and play anymore.

Boo: I don't like [Former Boss]. She's not nice.

Never let it be said that children are too young to understand. I put it in pre-K terms and she nailed it.

I'm addicted to HGTV

2008-09-09T09:32:00.008-04:00

Is there a support group for this? I need a 12-step program to kick this thing.

http://www.hgtv.com/

House Hunters
Hidden Potential
My House is Worth What
House Hunters International
Rate My Space
What's With That House
Devine Design
Designed to Sell
Curb Appeal

My HGTV habit is the butt of Hubby's jokes, but he's benefited from my obsessive "decorating cents" and ability to "design on a dime". (Pun intended.) For example, we now have a gorgeous neutral yet modern color scheme throughout the house, a master bedroom with billowy curtains hung at the ceiling line to maximize the size of our picturesque window overlooking the scenic parkway, and a home office that's super functional for two people - plus houseguests. And let's not forget mini-makeovers in all three bathrooms including modern fixtures, mirrors and solid surface counter tops, and the gorgeous, yet cost effective, new counter tops in the kitchen along with my pride & joy - the zero-edge sink. It was worth every penny. Not only does it look great, I actually get a little smile on my face every time I sweep crumbs directly into the sink without hitting that annoying sink line. Sometimes I spill stuff - small chunks of food, liquids, etc. - near the sink just so I can wipe it in.

Hubby says I'm a voyeur by nature, and, yes, HGTV is G-rated voyeurism at its finest. Come on now, who would turn down the chance to peek in your neighbors windows without getting caught? HGTV rolls out the red carpet and invites you right in the front door - no climbing over shrubbery required.

Um, I think I need a day job!

Because they had to take the mommy parts out.

2008-09-08T21:00:00.007-04:00

Lily was spayed today. Not an easy thing to explain to a 4-year-old, but Hubby is a total genius. The title says it all. Boo took great pleasure in relaying this tidbit of information to her teacher, the lunch lady, and most of the kids at school.

I wonder what he'll say when Boo asks, "Daddy, what are mommy parts?"

Critters

2008-09-08T15:29:00.023-04:00

There are a lot of critters in our house. No, not the kind that require an exterminator - the kind that require expensive food and timely maintenance.

Shortly after Boo was born, we sadly had to put to sleep two of our three beloved cats within weeks of each other. We had lived with and loved these cats their entire lives, and sending them off to kitty heaven was pure hell on us.

But as the parents of a newborn, we soon adjusted to our one cat, one litterbox household, and we vowed not to adopt another animal until Boo was old enough to take care of it. That is, until the goldfish incident of 2007. Boo won ONE at a local carnival. She brought it home, so proud of this lousy, 10 cent feeder fish.

Here are the sequence of events as best I can recall...

One crappy little feeder fish needed a friend, and that friend needed friends.

Tiny fishbowl, upgrade to 2 gallon aquarium (feeder fish dies), upgrade to 5 gallon aquarium

Hey, fish are fun!

Purchase of 45 gallon corner tank from craigslist and 16+ tropical fish.

Happy birthday, Hubby - I bought you an eel!

Wow, wouldn't it be great to get another tank? A BIGGER tank???

Purchase of 75 gallon tank from craigslist and, I dunno, 40+ tropical fish.

Boo needs her own kitty. Let's get her one! Welcome home from the shelter, Fluffy. You just hit the kitty jackpot. Too bad the other cat hates your guts.

Fish die, they are flushed, replacement fish are purchased not to mention heaters, filtration systems, rocks, fake plants, etc.

Old cat still hates rambunctious new kitty. Let's get a kitten for new kitty.

Welcome home, little kitten. You've just hit the kitten jackpot.

New kitty + little kitten = LOVE. Old cat gets to live happily ever after.

Um, let's get a bigger tank!!! Bye bye 75 gallons, hello, beautiful 110 gallon, big boy tank.

Fish die, they are flushed, replacement fish are brought in. (Haven't we done this before?)

Now we have a hamster. Her name is Tootie.

Let's see, that equals three cats, one hamster, one eel, and approximately 257 fish.

Laid Off = BLISS

2008-09-08T13:41:00.008-04:00

I'm seriously getting paid to NOT deal with anything. It's good money, too. I'd like to thank my former boss of a whopping three months who decided that I was no longer worthy of employment. Thanks, former boss lady.

Of course, I am unemployed now. (Minor detail that may freak me out once the severance runs dry.) But it's nice that, being a woman, I can tell random people that I'm a STAY AT HOME MOM (SAHM) versus having to utter the "U" word out loud. I recently updated the forms at Boo's doctor, and next to "Mother's occupation" I proudly wrote SAHM. (Beats writing "I should still have a job but my ex-boss is clueless.")

I think I'm going on week eight without the stress of a daily grind and a place to be bright & early every morning. Money for NOTHING is awesome. Being a SAHM is a cool gig despite the fact that my kid is now in pre-K and not home during the day. Plus, Hubby works from home so I have to listen to him TALK LOUDLY all day long on the phone. (Damn open concept living.) It's odd... the more time I spend at home puttering around and playing on the computer, the more I wonder how I had enough time in the day to be a full-time employee. There's so much to do when you don't work. The possibilities are endless.

Oh, I've been looking for a new job and interviewing some, and I will hopefully find the right place to call my second home soon so I can once again live vicariously through the drama created by others around me.

A Girl Called Boo

2008-09-08T12:53:00.005-04:00

On Friday the 13th in August of 2004, at 11:03 p.m. I delivered the most beautiful baby girl. Yes, I know all parents think their kids are gorgeous, blah, blah, blah, but MY girl was pure magic. (Mostly because I thought pregnancy sucked wind and I was thrilled to get her OUT!) She was born during the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics, and weighed in at nine pounds (thank God for pain meds) with huge, round eyes full of curiosity.

We named her Erin Kathryn, but quickly began calling her Boo. No worries, we reserved her full given name for the onset of the toddler years; you know, for hollering at her to stop breaking stuff or running out into traffic.

Besides, Boo is such a cute nickname, and it comes in handy when convincing a small child that scary monsters are afraid of girls named Boo. (Monsters Inc., anyone?)

On this my inaugural blog post, I have to tell you about my girl called Boo. Check out the pic below. Compare one Boo with the other. This nickname was no accident. (Yes, it was.)