Reflections of 2009

2009. A year of learning and growing. So much has happened, and so much hasn't happened. 2010 will my year to find the balance between the two. So so many things that I could write about. I try to write something on my day planner every day. But, all that I can really think about right now is my beautiful daughter's hair. I cut her hair this evening. She was so excited. We had to call Oma right away and tell her that we trimmed her hair and that we trim our hair to keep it healthy. I don't actually remember telling her that. Not even 9:00pm and Scott is snoring on the couch. Bailey is curled up at his feet and Jazzy is actually on the floor! That's a rare thing in our house! Probably not the most appropriate, but the kid feel asleep in her room watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. She especially likes the opening scene with poor Santa getting himself into all kinds of trouble. 2009 - a pretty okay year.

Turd-Free Tuesday

Our sweet little turd-head is at Oma and Papa's for a couple of days. She was so excited to go see them. They just couldn't wait until next week when they come here for Christmas to see her. Grandma Laura and Scott met Mom and Dad at Pine Ridge in Bainbridge to do the kid exchange. At last report Emma was cuddled up on the couch chillin out with Oma - they may both be done-for for the night. Who knows what all they have planned for the next couple of days! Scott is going hunting really early tomorrow morning and so he had to go to bed early. Bailey is asleep on the floor and Jazzy is asleep on the couch. I have some laundry to fold and rice to make (for Bailey). So, goodnight all! Sweet dreams!

yup - it is Monday

It is Monday. Not a bad Monday, but just a Monday. Tomorrow will be Tuesday and then Wednesday. The same stuff day after day and week after week. I don't need much, but a little diversity would be good. A few less than mundane events here and there would be really great. Believe it or not, I'm not in a bad mood. It's actually been a pretty good day. But, I'm bored... Nothing else is coming to me now. So, I think I'm going to try to excavate Scott from the couch and have myself a chocolate chip cookie. So, like I said, not a bad Monday...

A Pretty Good Sunday

Today has been pretty productive. I made myself a modest to-do list and finished everything on it! I would, of course, like to have gotten more done, but we do what we can. I was up quite early, you see. Scott was up early to go hiking - oops, I mean hunting... Emma had gone to bed early last night, and so, was up early this morning. The first thing she did was get the Singing Christmas Tree. Scott tried to get it away from her before I freaked out, but, too late. When I'm up, I'm up. That's when I made my to do list for the day. I called Oma and Papa to find some sympathy - what was I thinking?! During the phone call, out came the Singing Elf Hat and the the Barking Christmas Dog. Oy! Bailey has food prepped for almost 2 weeks, Jazzy's ears have been cleaned and medicated. Christmas cards have been finished (now I just need stamps). Laundry has been done AND put away. Scott even made a big breakfast and chocolate chip cookies. The lights are on the little tree, but that's it. Once I can reclaim my living room from toys and hunting gear I'll be able to decorate a little more. Speaking of Christmas... We have repeatedly asked the kid what she wants for Christmas. Last time we asked her, she said she forgot what she wanted. Today she played with her rock, "Rockie." She even gave Rockie a bath - and I believe she even moisturized it. Later, she very sweetly asked if she could have a tissue for Rockie, because she wanted to make a blanket. She's a good swaddler! A rock. The kid has a room full of toys and goodies, and she plays with a rock. I am more proud of her than I can express! I foolishly asked where the rock came from... "outside." was the response I got in a duh type of tone. "Rockie was actually digging in the garden." Ok. Last year she asked only for the Singing Elf Hat - thank you, Hannaford! Just the other day my sweet little girl put on an old (and rather large) bib - backwards, and her Singing Elf Hat. Oh, yeah, and her tutu (which is getting pretty small!) Then she started running from one end of the house to the other. When she runs you know it! Scott asked her to please stop running inside. "I'm flying!" She was Super Elf Baby! And, Super Elf Baby flies! Yup! I drink! But, I wouldn't change a thing!

Well, it has been a while... things have been hectic as always, but good. As a family we're all trying to get ourselves together and keep it in gear. Emma has been working feverishly on any craft or painting project she can find, Scott has been baking and really taking the reins with Bailey's new diet, and me - well, I'm just trying to get things done. I'm can't seem to concentrate tonight (big surprise!). I'll really try to be better about getting things posted - feel free to remind me! Happy December!!

Dear Daddy...

Dear Daddy who art in Romulus, please forgive me my sins... I'm drinking Bacardi Gold. We ran out of Meyers. I really am sorry, Daddy. You raised me better than that! And, to make matters worse, at the after-inventory-party earlier today I drank a Labatts Blue and then a Captain and coke. That is not a good rum! I just cannot even keep up with what the kid is doing. Right now she has 3 bunnies lined up. Big-Pink-Fluffy-Bunny is on her pink suitcase and the Nutbrown Hares are propped on my purple yoga blocks. She found them all at "city hall." What the what?! What business does a four year old have with city hall?! I had to take a picture. We had inventory at work today. But, probably more importantly, at least for our child - there is a Phineus and Ferb marathon on. The child is so totally psyched. And absorbed. At first, the show really rubbed me the wrong way. But, I must say - Scott and I have found ourselves watching the show even when the child is away. We don't watch it while she's in bed for fear of waking the monster. We highly recommend the show. It is surprisingly witty and intelligent. Do most 4 year olds understand, much less preach recycling? I thought I was a pretty good recycler - but our kid totally puts me to shame! She's breaking a box from Amazon. She's breaking it so that it can go back to the Earth! Ok. Scott got a spear tip from Amazon. I know you wanted to ask that. Scott's in in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on a BBQ chicken, black bean and asparagus pizza. I love him. Well, except for the fact that he let me run out of Meyer's Rum! "whoa, go baby!" I'm not sure what the kid is listening to on her "walkman" cd player, but she's diggin' it! Ok, I'm done for now. Nighty night.

nothing specific

We have gotten rid of the kid's bed and all of our tomatoes and peppers are dead, and the poor, lone eggplant.

That's the most that I have to report, so, I guess, life is good.

I have so much to say, but don't feel like I have the time to get it all out. I'll find my balance.

I signed up on Facebook. I feel so exposed. Everyone can see my pictures and thoughts. Is it safe? Is it right? Stop. Cliche time. (to the tune of "Hammer-Time.") - I guess time will tell.

That sounds much funnier in my head...

I'm a slacker!

I have not been good about keeping up with this...

Bunnyface #2

Tuesday. We had a parenting moment this evening. I bought Emma a really cheap hollow bunny this evening (don't forget, it's almost 2 weeks after Easter.) She really enjoyed the first one I got her and all she has been talking about is eating another bunny face - cute, huh? I also got her a pair of flip flops at Walmart. She LOVES her flip flops... Ok, so - the child was pretty tired when I gave her dinner. Dinner was, just so you know, a rice cake with peanut butter and chocolate milk - with a straw. She would have nothing to do with carrots, pears or broccoli. As any good Mommy would, I told her that if she picked up her toys after dinner she could have her chocolate bunny. I told her that she could eat an ear and a half. " I want to eat the face," she responded. Of course. She did eat her dinner. She promised to brush her teeth without any hassle. She did finally pick up her toys - even though she said it hurt her back. And she did eat the bunny face. Then came time to brush her teeth... things changed. I gave her two chances and then told her that if she did not brush her teeth, that chocolate bunny was going to go in the garbage. The bunny did end up in the garbage - I was absolutely heartbroken. I wanted her to have her bunny face! She nibbles away at it - so cute. But, she can tell you what "consequences" means! This parenting stuff is pretty difficult sometimes. Wednesday. Lunch with Cheryl at Pondo's. After a pretty satisfying lunch, across the road was a rugged pooch swinging from a hanging tire. He was whipping himself around and around and back and forth. He was whoopin' it up! I had only ever seen this on tv! That really made my day. Thursday. We just got back from a nice evening with Grandma Laura. Apparently, she's my husband's new drinkin' buddy! Ok, fine - they tried a little wee bit o' the hooch that's been in the closet for quite some time. Benedictine. A bit harsh at first, but with a nice, smooth and herby aftertaste. A very tasty night-cap, and a very nice way to finish off a Brooks' dinner. Emma is such a rib nibbler!

No Naps...

Good evening. Well, it has been one week since Emma has been home with Daddy. The most productive thing they've done is play an hour long game of Disney Princess memory. Emma totally kicked Daddy's butt! They did make scones last week, that was very productive. We're going to make sure we get some good 'ol learnin' in there sometime. I'm going to make some flash card type things for them. Before the end of school, her teacher said that Emma knew the word for kite. The kid is eager to learn to read. If you ask her, though, she'll say she doesn't want to read - but despite what she says, she's ready. I'm just so afraid of the kid getting bored. Bedtime was eerily smooth this evening. She cuddled up in her bed with all of her Groovy Girls (save one that got left at Oma and Papa's) and listened to a story and said goodnight. She's been all about kissing me on the nose, that's her new thing. I remember - no, I pine for our old bedtime routine... a hug, a kiss and a bunny kiss. That's way back when she would actually say goodnight and "I love you, Mommy." Oh, those were the days! Well, dinner is almost ready. We're having corned beef and cabbage - can you guess why? Well, tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day! I could really go for a Guinness, but, I only like it on tap. I guess that means that Scott is going to have to take me out one of these evenings! So, anyways - the no naps thing... With the exception of driving from Oneonta to the Lake, the kid has not had an honest nap since the last Wednesday she was in school! Not good! She can be so good one evening, but a complete sleep deprived monster the next. Wish us luck with the new routine. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Ok, dinner is on the plate - I'm outta here!

I've been pretty bad about keeping up on this - but I resolve to be a better, more consistent blogger. We (the child and I) are at Oma and Papa's now. After a late night PB&J the kid passed out cuddling with Oma. How many days is that without a nap?! To be fair, she did nap on the way out here yesterday afternoon. My parents are going explorin' with their cronnies for a couple of weeks. My parents are so well behaved and responsible - the kind of parents a girl can really be proud of. Though, I am concerned about the company they keep - those friends of theirs keep them out until all hours and I don't even want to know what else! Boy, can they teach us yung-uns how to have fun! It is 10:00pm and Scott is not answering the phone again. Is he out with a buddy or just out (zonked)? Maybe he is just so tired from making a double batch of totally awesome chocolate chip cookies - one can only hope! Great, now I've got that in my head and will be disappointed if there are no chocolate chip cookies when I get home! Ok, that's it for now. I've got to get up extra, super early tomorrow.

Tuesday - Day 2

Good evening. I'm still learning, so I'm not going to get all in-depth and type lots of stuff that may get lost because I don't know what I'm doing quite yet...

Ok, I've fiddled around a bit and think we're okay. Scott just finished watching the movie 300. Not for me - too sad, too gory.

I'm tired. I feel like I've accomplished something this evening. It took me over an hour to figure out how to start adding posts. Dirty jobs is on - I want to watch it. So, now that I'm a little more blog savvy than I was last night or even a few hours ago, I'm calling it quits again for the evening. I will be back tomorrow. Maybe then I can get into some juicy stuff!

Nighty night.

dynamic uno

Well, here we go. This is my first ever, brand spankin' new blog. Daddy is in the bedroom reading "12 Cows to Texas" to the kid - with an accent. I'm drinking a Myers's and CFP (Caffeine Free Pepsi) - and missing my Dad terribly. My Mom too. My Daddy makes the best "RAC's" (rum and cokes). We had a snow storm today. The storm that "ravaged" the East Coast. Long Island got about a foot. We got maybe that much, but that's totally normal for us. I left work early because I wanted to, but there were a couple of accidents on the way home, so I don't feel guily about it. And, it is bitter cold right now. So, all in all, I feel okay that I left early. I gave our "notice" at school today. I got much more emotional than I thought I would. Daddy got laid off a couple of weeks ago and we're just not able to keep the kid in school. We call the kid our dynamic uno. She's our one and only. That's how it's going to stay. At some point, I'll tell you all the injustices I've done to our child by ensuring that she stays an only child... at least as explained to me in the grocery store by uninvited strangers! I want to see how this turns out, so, I'm calling it quits for tonight - besides, my leg has fallen asleep - but the child has not...