You Need to Blog

Or so said the venerable De-I this evening. And so I blog ;) We are alive and well and settling in as best we can considering we still don't have a home to call our own. We are staying with my fabulous parents (who are weathering the storm with as good a humor as possible), and we think we may have found a home but I don't want to jinx anything so I won't post about it until we have a contract in hand. I have already started at work, and I have to say that its a little weird to be working as a contractor since it was only a week ago that I was still on active duty! The mindset is very different and it will take some adjusting to. The good news is that I think I'm going to really like my job. I had absolutely no idea what I was going to be doing out here, and I had prepared myself for the worst, so I am very pleased with the way things are going. Hubs is job hunting, and it seems to be going very well. Albuquerque has a distinct lack of people with both experience and drive and business acumen, so I think Hubs will be in real demand. The two little ones have started day care. After all my issues with BS, I chose to put them in a baby mill rather than a home daycare. I thought it would be better for them to be around children their own age and for J to be part of a preschool program. This particular center also has its own indoor pool and when J turns 3 she will start taking lessons as part of the daily program. C is still out of school since we don't have a permanent address yet, but Hubs has been printing off homeschool work for her so that she doesn't fall behind. Cross your fingers for us to have a home soon so that she can go to school! A is crawling all over the place and he can pull himself to standing now. Between him and J, one of my kids is constantly somewhere they shouldn't be ;)
So that's the news for now. Sorry it's so short, but I am just exhausted.

On Our Way

Thanks for all the nice coments about my hair. I totally love it. I think maybe I look a little nervous in the pictures because the scene going on around me was something like this:

C: Mom, what are you doing?
J: What you doing, Mama? Mama! Mama! Mama, what you doing!
A: *crawling from the living room into the kitchen with his trademark low crawl* Waaaaaah! *thunk*
C: Mom, are you taking a picture? Can I be in it?
J: Maaaaamaaaaa! What you doing, Mama??!! Me picture!! Me picture, too!!!
A: Waaaaaah! *thunk*
C: Are you going to post it on your blog? Can it be a funny picture with me giving Jocelyn bunny ears?
J: Meeeee picture! Mamamamamamamama!!!!
A: Waaaaaah! *thunk*

Anyway, the movers are here. My final out is tomorrow morning and we check out of the house tomorrow afternoon, and then we're on the road! I can't believe the day is finally here, but we are so excited to be moving onto the next chapter in our lives. We'll have internet access at my parents, so it won't be like it usually is when we move and are incognito for months at a time. See you in Albuquerque! :)

Ohmygodohmygodohmygod

It is so crazy to think that we are moving in just a week. It hasn't really sunk in yet! So I decided that in the spirit of change, I was going to do something drastic.

What do you think!!??

I so wish Hubs had done this when A was born ;)

December Pics

Finally!

Only a week in advance, but still...we have orders! It's official folks, I will be released from active duty as of next Friday and we will be on the road to our new life in New Mexico. We're excited, anxious, nervous, trepiditious, etc, etc... We also have our home 'puter back, so I am planning to download all our pictures tonight and will start posting some seriously cute kids as soon as possible. C also had her 9th birthday on the 31st, but we celebrated on the 28th with her very first slumber party. Let's just say my brilliant idea of having the kids build their own cupcakes and letting them eat as many as they wanted so I wouldn't have any leftovers didn't seem all that smart at 11pm ;) The kids had a great time, though. All of C's friends were quite enamoured with J and she spent the entire night partying away with the big kids, rockin' out to Hannah Montana and watching C's new High School Musical DVD (gifted from the g-parents). Pics to come soon...

New Years Resolution

This year I'm going to try something different for my New Years resolutions. Usually I give the half-hearted attempts at proclaiming things like this will be the year I hit the X pound mark or this will be the year I get off my ass and learn how to really cook. But, come on now, we all know that shit is never going to happen.* I have three kids and I work full time. It's time to stop fucking around and get down to business. This year I pledge to be a more devoted mother, a more loving wife, a more caring daughter and sister. This year I take a break from pledging to better myself for the New Year. This year I will work towards a better life for my family and more stability for my children. 2008 - the Year of the Pur.



* I will still, however, be majorly jealous of my awesome sister and covet her ability to things like this

Everything I Watch Sucks

Grr. I don't even know why I watch tv. Seriously, every show I watch ends up infuriating me either because the people I want to win don't win (see Survivor, Big Brother, ANTM) or because nothing ever gets resolved (see Lost). I had just started to think this season of Survivor didn't suck nearly as bad as last season (which has to be one of the worst seasons ever) and then Amanda had to completely blow it by acting like a total strategic dumbass by not kicking Todd's ass off and then she sat around like a sad-eyed moron at final tribal council and basically just said she was sorry instead of actuall, you know, trying to win. What a freaking asshat! With the all the strategic blunders made by James, Denise, and Amanda, this season totally went down the toilet when it started off with so much promise! Of course, over on ANTM, Tootie from the Facts of Life won, so I guess I shouldn't complain about Survivor. Also, nyah nyah nyah to all you Chris hatin' lovers of Project Runway. I thought Stephen was a total ass, so I was really relieved when they tossed his ass to the curb.* I was also happy that Christian won a challenge b/c I love the snarky, gay stereotype just as much as Heidi & Co. Nobody gives better soundbites!

Still no pics. I am posting from work (tee hee), but our home 'puter is still on the fritz. Also discouraging, my gf, who also had a VAIO, had the same experience with her computer dying on her about 2 years after purchase. We plan to buy a Mac next since everyone I know is now on the Mac bandwagon (and I just can't resist a good bandwagon), but we're going to wait until after to move to make any large purchases, so we may have some internet-free time while we make the transition from LA to Abq.

* Also, I, like AinA, like to see how many times I can use the word ass in the same paragraph.

Decisions, Decisions

So I promised job news soon, and here it is (drum roll, please): We've decided to move to Albuquerque! No, seriously, we really are moving to Albuquerque. I know I swore I would never move back there, but it's amazing how your perspective changes as you age. The cost of living, beautiful weather, and the fact that we would be close to family are all contributing factors which have made Albuquerque a very attractive place to live. Plus, I got offered a very nice job there, which always helps ;) We are very excited for our upcoming move and are now starting to panic as I requested a separation date in early Jan, so it isn't that far off! I am still planning to stay in the Reserve, as I have enough years towards retirement that I would hate to sever ties altogether and have to start over, so I am working that issue now.

Anyway, I know I promised to post those X-mas pics, but our computer has taken a shit on us, so I don't know when I'll get a chance to access them to post them. So you'll just have to wait!

The Case for Childlessness

From time to time, my children tend to do things which make me wonder why I ever had children in the first place. On Friday, A got sick and puked carrots all over himself and his carseat. Not to be outdone, J puked 3 times Friday night to such an extent that we chose to simply throw out her pack n' play rather than try cleaning it. Clearly these two are going to be competition for each other because A was not about to let J get the one up on him and chose to contract explosive diarrhea, which has yet to let up. Seeing that her two younger siblings were getting a lot of attention, C decided that Monday night was the perfect night to show she's still in the running for child who needs the most attention and threw up 3 times herself. Then J, after several days of being relatively illness-free, decided that Hubs and I were not losing enough sleep over waking up every 1-2 hours to change A's shitty diapers and we needed to clean up toddler puke again. Oh, and did I mention that Hubs and I were both sick as well? Fun weekend!

Will Post Pics Soon

Sorry for (again) the length between posts. We were here celebrating 60 fabulous years of Dad and eating like I've never eaten in my life (caviar, foie gras, and truffles, oh my!). I can easily say I have never had such an amazing culinary experience in all my life, and I can only hope that another such one will be on the horizon sometime in the future (after I've managed to work off this last one, so, at least another couple of years ;)

News on the job front is imminent; however, I am still working out some of the details. I am a little sticious at heart, so I will refrain from making any huge announcements until I have a signed contract in hand.

Pu on Reality TV (literally)

Okay, ya'll know how much I love Survivor, and I always get a little misty when they have the episode where they bring on the contestant's loved ones, but I can't help feeling a little bitter, too. After all, these people have all chosen to be away from home to play a game for a chance at winning a million dollars. Also, they have only been away from their loved ones for like 30 days. 30 days, people! Seriously, they're crying like they've been away for years. Don't they know there are thousands upon thousands of airmen, soldiers, and sailors who leave their homes for up to 18 months to go to a war zone, and they sure as hell aren't expecting to come home with no million dollars. They'd be pretty happy to just come home in one piece. It literally made me sick to my stomach (despite the fact that maternal hormones still made me tear up at their reunions, I'm such a baby!).

Also, they got rid of Chris on Project Runway. WTF! Seriously, last week Ricky's outfit wasn't even sewn together, and this week it looked like an 1980's playboy centerfold threw up on his model. Please. What are the judges smoking this year?

And I'm still so devastated about Heather's ouster from ANTM, I can't even comment on the fact that Chantal is in the top three (okay, seriously, she's a freaking moron with an annoying giggle and 70s shag bangs. What is up with Tyra!!??)

Seriously Christmasy Up in This Bitch

Holiday Crap

So, post Turkey Day we did what has become the annual tradition in the Pu-R household (heretofor known as the Pur household), we decorated the house for Christmas. This is a 4-5 hour process that involved much cursing, spreading of dust and a wide variety of cleaning efforts afterwards. If you are picturing a loving family carefully placing their family heirloom ornaments on the tree in harmony, you are sadly mistaken. In the Pur household, we just get the shit out of the way. I promise I'll post some pics tonight when I get home, but you trust me when I say it is seriously Christmasy up in this bitch (as Hubs commented). C & I were allowed to take out the Menorah this year. My Catholic-rasied Hubs eyeballed it warily, but did not protest (much) when I gave it the coveted spot on the Tibetan piece in the LR (probably b/c it blends in with all the other shit we have up there). Hopefully we'll remember to actually light the candles this year since J has passed the stage of wanting to eat them. Also, when the hell did they start playing Chritmas music before Thanksgiving? I though that was the one prerequisite to the start of the retail holiday season, but evidently that hard and fast rule has gone out the window, too!
Gettin' Serious For a Minute

I really wanted to say thanks to everyone who commented on my pity party about separating from the military. It really is a big deal to me, and your comments were most appreciated. I came across this quote while doing research for an unrelated project, but I thought I would share it with you anyway!
"It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself." ~Joyce Maynard
More Random Pu for You
As some of you may know, one of my most favoritist books of all time is Edith Wharton's House of Mirth, so I was excited to come across this article. Having never taken college English (My AP scores were high enough that I didn't have to, tee hee), I guess I never realized there was any controversy over it. I always thought it was pretty evident that Lily had commited suicide. How anyone could think that EW had written the meaning vaguely is beyond me. I thought she made it pretty clear that Lily had fallen so far that there was no other way for her. So now I'm curious to hear what other people think. So share, dammit! ;)
Also, I must comment that I seriously hate SIPRnet. Seriously. Hate it. Not as much as DTS, but hate it none the less...that is all

Gobble, Gobble

I know, I know, I've been completely remiss in my posting duties lately. I am uber-busy with work and homelife, so I appologize, but you're all going to have to be patient with me. Thanksgiving was a nice, small affair with just immediate family and the plumber who can to fix our drain ($200!!). Hopefully the landlord won't give us a hard time about reimbursing us for the bill. Things are seriously in the works as far as career moves go, but I am loathe to say anythng until I have absolute confirmation as to what we are doing. I don't want to mislead anyone (including myself!) until I know for sure that all the little bumps in the road have been dealt with, but my separation paperwork is currently making its way through the various rounds of signatures it needs before I can send it over to the MPF for processing. If all goes well, I should be released from active duty as early as sometime in January.

This is a difficult move for me, in spite of the fact that I'm doing it to avoid being deployed to a war zone with three children at home. I have been the military for all of my adult life. It is more than a job to me. It has become a way of life and a part of my identity. It may sounds strange, but if I was asked to describe myself, I would say that I am a woman, a mother and a wife, and a military officer. It's going to be very hard for me to adjust to the thought of just being an ordinary citizen. The decision to separate was not difficult, given the circumstances, but I am terrified in some ways of no longer having that security blanket. Plus, I don't know shit about health insurance.

Back to the Hollywood AF

Back home from Omaha. Still at home b/c, as per usual, the airline lost my luggage, so I had to wait here for them to deliver it. Oh well, at least this time they lost it when I was on my way home, so I'm not out of clothes or anything. I got home at about 10:30 last night, and Hubs was the happiest I think I've ever seen him. He rushed up and gave me a big hug, handed me 2 screaming kids, a dirty diaper, and a half-full bottle and ran out the door screaming, "Free at last!" Okay so maybe it wasn't quite that bad, but let's just say I was definately missed (although Hubs had to caveat that by adding, "At least the house stayed clean while you were gone."). J was super-excited to see me, but I couldn't help noticing that A seems to have more of an affinity for his BS than for me, and that just breaks my heart. I know it's only natural that A will be more in tune with the people he spends the most time with, but I can't help feeling devastated b/c that should be me! It's the trap all working moms fall into, especially when you have more than one child. I get so little alone time with A. Usually our time together consists of feeding him until he falls asleep. Even on weekends, my attention is divided between three kids and a husband, so we get very little solo time together. I know there really isn't anything I can do about it, but BS doesn't make it any better with her little snide comments about how A prefers it there and thinks of her house as his home. It just makes me want to strangle her (even though I know she's not trying to hurt my feelings).

Anyway, onto less depressing subjects. I'm getting some good job leads, but I don't want to jinx anything by saying too much. Let's just say there's a good chance we may stay here in LA in a non-mil capacity, but I'm also going to be making a trip to DC in the near future to explore some opportunities out there. I promise I'll keep you all updated as things progress.

Also, I must put in my 2 cents on the Next Iron Chef who is so obviously going to be Chef Besh. Not that I haven't enjoyed the show, but, honestly, there really hasn't been much suspense. Other than the very first episode, I have accurately predicted who was going home each week which sort of takes some of the fun out of it. I have to say, though, I am really looking forward to next week when they actually battle it out in kitchen stadium.

Now I'll leave you with some pics I've been meaning to post from when my moms & sis wuz here. Enjoy!

Postin' on the Road

Back in Omaha. Boo. Of course, no kids = yay. So it's not all bad ;) Poor Hubs. This is first time alone with all three kids, and I think they are eating him alive. I tried calling, but all I heard was, "Stop that! Get over here! Oh god, it's got hold of my leg! Aghhhhhh!" So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everyone's alive and in one piece when I get home :)

I keep forgetting to give a shout out to my sis, MR, who turned me onto this great kids show called Yo Gabba Gabba (I know, I know, I seriously need a life outside of my kids). Seriously, though, even if you don't have kids, you will love this show. It was totally designed for those of us raised in the 80's. Of course, all this Gabba Gabba time has started to affect other parts of my life. For instance, I can no longer eat without giving a shout out to my food. It's a little awkward since I usually eat lunch at my desk.

Me: Hey, sushi!
Me: *in a really high-pitched, sushi voice* Yeaaaaaah?!
Me: *in my normal voice* In my tummy, party party
Me: *in a really high-pitched voice* Yeaaaaaah!
Me: *dancing around my cubicle* There's a party in my tummy, so yummy, so yummy!
Random Coworker: Um...Are you alright in there?

It only get's really weird when I get to the part where my uneaten food starts to cry. Yeah, I know, I really need to get a hobby outside of my kids *sigh*

Halloweenies

Angry Sheep Sleepy Sheep

Witches Counting Their Booty

C & Friend Pre-Treat'n

Witches and Their Sacrificial Lamb

Still Kickin'

Sorry I've been a ghost blogger as of late. October was a bit of a hectic month for me, and November doesn't look like it's going to be much different. In early Oct, my moms came to visit and we got to spend some serious quality time together even if it was only for a few days. Then mid-month was our huge base exercise, which I was very heavily involved in. I was pretty much incognito from even my own family for a week. Now we're in the after action & reporting phase (yippee). Next week I'm headed back to Omaha (my favorite place) for more exercise planning. Kids are all alive and well. C & J went to the dentist this past week and discovered they both have cavaties *sigh* So that's $800 out of pocket for dental expenses (god, I miss being overseas!). Evidently preemies and babies who have health issues during their last few months in the womb are more suseptable to getting cavaties because their baby teeth are not formed properly (a little bit o' trivia for ya). Unfortunately, because J is so young, they're actually going to have to sedate her so they can fill her cavaties. So I am taking the day off tomorrow (you're supposed to stay home with them to make sure there aren't any adverse affects from the sedation drugs) to be with her, so hopefully I will have a chance to post pictures then b/c I had some seriously cute Halloweenies this year.

C, J, & I were a coven of witches, and A was our sacrificial lamb (actually, he was more of a sleepy sheep --props to Sandra Boynton-- since he slept the whole time we were out trick-or-treating). We went with a couple of C's friends from school, and it was a lot more fun going with a big group of people. J had an awesome time. She was in total rapture that all these people were handing her candy, and mommy wasn't trying to take it away! :) She did have a small issue with normal Halloween protocal...

*We approach a sweet old lady handing out candy at her door*

Me: What do you say?
J: My candy!

Then, when we got up this morning, J sleepily rubbed her eyes and looked around in a dazed and confused manner. "Where my candy?" she asked. Clearly she has her priorities!

We also went to Hubs' friend's haunted house. Hubs participated in the event (he's the scary monster on the far left), and I brought the kids over after they were done tricks'n and treats'n. C tried to pretend she wasn't scared, but she refused to go back in after we went through it. J did NOT like it at all. Hubs' friend and co-worker was also participating and he jumped out to scare us, he saw J's lip start to tremble, so he immediately took off his mask and treid to reassure her, but she was having no part of it!

Suck it, Baltimore!

Hey, Kids, The Beat of the Day is: I am Not a Whore

So my sis MR and her family were here this weekend for the opening of their show Sock Puppet Show Girls. Hubs and I have never been able to see one of their many artistic ventures because we have always lived so far away, so I was really excited to actually be able to see their creative talents in person (vs. YouTube, which is where you can also find this). The show was totally awesome and stands as a cultural testament to the fact that you can never proclaim, "I am not a whore!" too many times.

Potty Hi-jinks

On Saturday, MR, her Hubs, her in-laws, and her super-adorable daughter Y came over to spend a few hours with us and our crazy brood before heading off on a nice 7 hou drive up to SF, where her in-laws reside. Y chose their visit as her very first time to go poo poo in the potty. Of course, this was greeted by much fan fare by the adults and a yummy chocolate reward. J observed the praise with interest but you should have seen how big her eyes got when she saw Y eating that chocolate. Her skin almost literally turned green with envy as she watched Y enjoy her treat.

J: Y'ena cho'cate?
Me: Yes, Y got chocolate because she went poo poo in the potty. Isn't she a big girl!
J: *hopefully* Me Cho'cate?

Me: No, no. You have to go poo poo in the potty to get chocolate like Y.

*I turn around a few seconds later to see J standing next to the potty with her pants halfway down her ankles.*

J: *firmly* Me go potty.

Me: Okay

.2 seconds later...

J: All done potty. Now cho'cate?

Me: But you didn't actually use the potty.

J: *insistently* Me go potty!

M: No, no. You have to go pee pee or poo poo in the potty to get the chocolate.

J: *sadly* No cho'cate.

Me: Sorry, kiddo.

Yo Crabba Crabba

Not nearly as fun as Biz Markie's beat of the day, J and A (and Hubs) all have major colds going on. A lets us know his distress by refusing to sleep and sneezing out huge, green snot bubbles thus forcing me to use the baby-snot-sucker-outer-bulb-of-extreme-discomfort. It must really suck not to know how to blow your own nose. J, on the other hand, turns into the most crabbiest, crankiest, bitchiest toddler on earth and refuses to do anything but cling to me and cry. What fun!

More 8-Year-Old Humor

C: Mom, can you spell 'I Cup'?
Me: Sure can.
C: Moooom, you're supposed to spell it. *starts to snicker*
Me: Hmmmm, the snickering seems kind of suspicious. Are you trying to trick me?
C: *giggling* Nooooo. Just spell 'I Cup'
Me: Well, why do I have to spell it? Can't you spell it?
C: Mooooom, you're ruining the joke.
Me: Ah hah, so it is a joke.
C: *shrieking* No! It's not a joke. I swear, Mom.
Me: Fine, fine. I-C-U-P
C: *flops over onto her stomach and pounds the bed with her fist in gales of laughter* Bwah hah hah hah!!
Me: Whee hoo, peeing sure is funny.
C: *through her tears of laughter* I know!
Random Pu


Best book title ever or what the Shatwrights should name their next album...also this came up just underneath said book on Amazon search. Is it just me or is it slightly disturbing to think that people who are interested in identifying different types of feces also want to know how to make sexual handicrafts?

Seriously, Oh My Fucking God! That is like a prize-winning watermelon. How do your nether-regions recover from something like that!!??

What the eff?!

Support the Rabid

I heart you, The Office.


So our weekend was fairly uneventful. It actually rained here on Saturday, so C missed her weekly swimming lesson, and we had to cancel our outing to the park. Hubs B-Day was on Sunday, so we went out to a nice local bistro we've been to before for dinner. Then on Monday, I cooked him homemade lasagna and Mom's strawberry pie (his favorite!). Sunday was, of course, a football disaster, but we're slowly becoming immune to this sort of let down from the Bills. I think Hubs might die of joy if they actually win a game this year. Of course, we could be as confused as Chicago...



"Rex Grossman is our quarterback."

"Rex Grossman is our quarterback."

"Rex Grossman is our quarterback."

"Rex Grossman is our quarterback."

"Rex Grossman is our quarterback."

I mean...

"Brian Griese is our quarterback."



Well, maybe they'll actually start winning some games. It just sucks for Buffalo that our back-up is just as crappy as our starter. *sigh*

The Wisdom of Toddlers or How I Got Woken Up Sunday Morning

Sunday morning I am sleeping soundly in my big, warm, comfy bed when suddenly I sense a sinister presence hovering just above me. I sloowly crack open one eye and try to focus on the mischevious brown eyes and ominous mass of red curls looming just inches from my face. "Mama!" the small yet menacing beast shrieks joyously.

"Good morning, Billy Goat." I murmur sleepily.

"Biwy goat." she repeats happily and promptly smacks me in the face to indicate her pleasure.

"Ow! Don't hit mama. Hitting hurts." I tell her, rubbing my face.

Twenty pounds of red curls hurl themselves at me in a small but comforting bear hug. "Sowy, Mama." she says contritely, snuggling her head next to mine. Then, to express her deep remorse, she summarily heat butts me (as billy goats are known to do) and tries to stick her finger in my nose.

"Ouch," I say, removing her finger from its precarious position. "Don't pick mommy's nose."

J looks at me in great confusion. "Pick no' no hurt." she tells me, and proceeds to demonstrate by sticking her finger in her own nose with great gusto. "See. No hurt."

Can't argue with that!


Job Hunting Military Style

No, I'm not referring to the utilization of guerilla tactics (though it is a thought should it continue to take much longer). Searching for a job in my area of expertise is a unique experience. I suppose it doesn't really suffice it to say military style, when what I really mean is intelligence style. The intel world is its own beast with its own language. Since I've been in the community for 10+ years and have knowledge up the ass (too much knowledge as it turns out), I'm able to read these job descriptions and decipher them. Unfortunately, I'm either overqualified and/or it the job description reads like this:

JD: Must have working knowledge of ABC
Me: I have working knowledge of ABC
JD: Must have practical experience with ABFQ
Me: I have practical experience with ABFQ!
JD: Must understand intelligence systems like CROOZY BYTCH, FILCH, and FSTR
Me: Oooo, oooo, I've used CROOZY BYTCH, FILCH, and FSTR
JD: Must be an expert in QRL, BDQ and XYZZZFRTWRD

Me: I am an expert in QRL, BDQ and XYZZZFRTWRD!!!!!

JD: Must be willing to travel overseas* for extended periods of time

Me: Fock
*read: Iraq
Other Tidbits

If you are at a loss to explain my obsession with Top Model (and, rest assured, you are not the only one!), you must read this!

My new favorite song

Mr. Oxygen Bar Inventor

Surprisingly, I have been incredibly busy at work as of late. And, while I much prefer to be running around like a mad woman rather than sitting at my desk staring at some computer-based training module (which is what I do when work is slow), it also means I don't have much time to update my blog. (I know, I know, you're all devastated...all 5 of you ;)


I have been meaning to post my football pictures, but since the Bills have decided that this is the season to take over the dubious distinction of being the worst team in the NFL with this past weekend's humiliating loss to Pittsburgh, I have been too depressed to even look at them. Hubs was particularly morose considering our loss to Denver the week before came after a relatively decent game, which had given us some hope. While he is a diehard Billiever, I am more pragmatic when it comes to our beloved football team. Even so, the embaressment of having only one first down in the entire first half brought Hubs to all-time low. It took him nearly 12 full hours to turn to me and say, "We'll get it back next week. We always play New England tough, right?" To which I could only nod mutely. I did not have the heart to tell him that Bill Bela-cheat's Pats are most likely going to crush us. And it is only Week 2! *sigh*

Driving Home From Dance Class or Pu Makes You Feel Better About Your Commute

A: Waaaaaaaah!
J: Ales! C'ying! No, no c'y, Ales!
C: *singing very loudly and very off-key* Alex is a sad baby, a sad little baby. Why are you crying Alex?

J: *wags her finger at A* No, no c'y, Ales! No, no be sad baby!

C: Ooooooh, Alex is the saddest baby. Whyyyyyyyyy does he cry? Why does he cryyyyyyyyy?

Me: Be quiet!

A: Wahhhhhhhhh!

J: *at the top of her lungs* Cay-et, Ales! Mama say cay-et! Stop c'ying!!

C: *singing* Be quiet, Alex. Mommy says you need to be quiet now!

Me: I am talking to you! Now everybody, for the love of god, just shut it!

C & J pause for about .2 seconds

Me: Thank you

J: *shrieking* Mama not cay-et! Mama not cay-et!

C: Mooom, you talked!

Me: I am the mother here! You cannot tattle about me to me!

Ducks, Thugs, & Harmony

I must share with you the story of J and the Polliwog Park Ducks. C's swimming lessons are held at a public pool in a very large park in Manhattan Beach. I take J with me so that Hubs only has to handle one child while we are gone. The park also has a large duck pond with what appear to be to most tame and people-friendly ducks I have ever encountered. This week J and I brought some extra goldfish to feed the ducks, and I was astonished when we were suddenly surrounded by twenty or so menacingly hungry ducks. J thought this was just the coolest thing and was quite sad when we ran out of goldfish. So she tried fooling the ducks by making a throwing motion with her hand. One particularly fat duck, not being very clever but certainly brave, craned its neck to snatch the invisible food from her hand and succeeded only in snapping its beak onto her little finger. Luckily there was no skin breakage and J was only shocked a bit and not hurt at all. After making sure there were no serious boo boos, J was quite delighted with this turn of events and apparently wanted to continue offering her body as a duck snack because she was quite perturbed when I insisted it was time to leave the ominous gang of duck thugs to their own devices. "Duck eat finger!" she announced proudly.

Foodie Finds

If you enjoy Top Chef, check out Anthony Bourdain's blog
I am a Blossoming Bon Vivant

If you like Top Chef, you'll be thrilled to hear about The Next Iron Chef (I know I was), and one of my favorite foodie bloggers will be covering it!
Proving it is possible to gracefully turn tricks!
Other Tidbits of Amusement for Your Otherwise Drab and Colorless Workday

I've moved from tv commercials to radio ads

Mindless Crap

Because I also blog with a wide stance...albeit mine is due to bearing three children

Recent Pics

In light of recent football events, all you get is pictures...we are too depressed to write :(