Ara and I just got back from Triangle Park. The weather has cooled off a lot and it was overcast today. She has been grumpy in the mornings after we drop off A and I just can't seem to do anything right. She wants me to pay attention and to play but then she gets mad and throws a fit. She insists I wear her Nemo's Daddy Puppet on my hand no matter what I am doing. She even follows me into the bathroom with it (thanks Megan!) So my theory was that she needed to see some sunshine and get a little dirty. We tend to do "inside" activities when it is so hot outside but I think kids do need that outside time no matter how hot. The only problem is that I am a big baby when it comes to heat! She enjoyed the park but she had a few tiny tantrums there too. The first problem was 'English lady with the dogs she thinks don't need leashes'. If you get too near to this lady she will talk your ear off about her dogs. She has 2 of them; nice little friendly dog (Lucky) and mean 'ol scaredy-pants dog. Lucky was cute and friendly but of course Ara only wanted to pet the growling scared dog. People like this bug me. Put your dogs on leashes, especially if they cannot be trusted around children. A park is a place where parents should be able to bring their kids and relax. Instead I see the park as a series of danger obstacles. (As a side note this ladies dogs got into a fight with another man's dog who was on a leash) Well, anyway I had to constantly steer Ara away from the mean dog. I finally got her to go 'near' the playground when she spotted a bird across the street. So then I made her cry by telling her that she couldn't go into the street to chase birds. I finally got her to the playground where she discovered the joys of throwing sand. Once again.. mean old Mom had to say 'no'. I was getting a tiny but frustrated. I couldn't understand. Why can't she have fun like the other kids? Why does she always have to do the things I have to tell her she can't do? Then I thought, she is a toddler this is her job! This is a Mom test! I changed my attitude. I hitched a smile on my face and suggested we pretend we were trains and run to the other end of the park while making choo choo noises. It worked! We stopped at the swings where Ara 'flew' like a bird. Then we went over to a sandy area and she played there while I got to sit down and relax a little! Victory! I am full of WIN!
Ah the little successess of Motherhood that mean so much.
In honor of the occasion I made up a rap song that went:
We squished Ara's grumpies.
We squished them at the park!
The grumpies cannot get us..
they are squished at the park!
I think that's how it went anyway.
Friday, September 07, 2007
It's late and I'm telling random stories.
2 am and I'm still awake, but doing nothing. This reminds me of my old insomnia days, except now I have to be awake at 8 am (O.o). No sleeping in for me... oh how I miss the idea of sleeping in. Sleeping until you are done sleeping, what a fabulous concept. I might have to drink caffeine tomorrow so that Ara doesn't pwn me. Who am I kidding? She will pwn me no matter what I drink. A's Mom came over tonight and Ara showed her the new tap shoes. She did a fiery little routine on the tile by the front door while the three adults held their hands out in an effort to prevent any crashes. She enjoys spinning until walls bump into her. Reminds me so much of me! I also used to spend hours doing head stands in the hallway, I wonder if she will do that too. When my parents would make me mad I would turn away and stick my tongue out, imagining that it would bounce off the walls and somehow point at them.
I was thinking the other day about one of my old roomates, let's call her Kookoo. Kookoo and I shared a room in a 3 bedroom house. We usually had 5-6 girls living in the 3 bedroom house. I was in the habit of staying at A's house until very late and then tiptoeing into the house and into bed as quietly as I could so as not to wake Kookoo. On one such occasion I quietly closed the door and walked stealthily to my bed in the darkness. I reached out to pull my comforter down and realized someone had made my bed (lets face it I knew it wasn't me). Then I realized my comforter wouldn't come easily. It had been stitched to the sheets. Score one for Kookoo. I don't remember retaliating, Kookoo and I had a good laugh over the prank the next day. Then one night not long after I had come in late again and was preparing to brush my teeth. I squeezed my toothpaste and something black and squishy appeared. I squeezed it out and examined it in disgust. It was wrinkly and at first I thought it was a juicy dead bug marinated in toothpaste. Then, through years of prank training from my Mom I realized it was the classic raisin in the the tube gag. Immediately I began to form a plan. I had to prank back and it had to be good.
The next day I got home from school before Kookoo got off of work. I gathered my supplies, humming happily as I went into my room. I used sewing thread and scissors (borrowed from another house mate), thumb tacks, black construction paper, twist ties, paper clips, tape, and a black sharpie. I colored the twist ties black with the marker and then taped them to the black paper which I had crumpled into a ball, making a crude spider. Then I attached my spider to the thread. The thread I strung around the top of the room, running from just over Kookoo's bed to the door (thumb tacking the paper clips and running the string through the clips). I tied one end to the door knob, the other end had the spider. Kookoo came home and I was giddy with anticipation. She came into the room, grabbed something and left, all the while carrying on a conversation with one of our house mates in the kitchen. She hadn't even noticed. All was not lost though and I resorted to my sophisticated plan B. I called to her to come in the room! She swung the door open, the spider was pulled up the wall.. and she almost had a heart attack. We both struggled to breath. Her because she had been shocked and mortified. Me because I was so amused at my prank. She did eventually find it funny, but we called a truce on pranks after that.
I was thinking the other day about one of my old roomates, let's call her Kookoo. Kookoo and I shared a room in a 3 bedroom house. We usually had 5-6 girls living in the 3 bedroom house. I was in the habit of staying at A's house until very late and then tiptoeing into the house and into bed as quietly as I could so as not to wake Kookoo. On one such occasion I quietly closed the door and walked stealthily to my bed in the darkness. I reached out to pull my comforter down and realized someone had made my bed (lets face it I knew it wasn't me). Then I realized my comforter wouldn't come easily. It had been stitched to the sheets. Score one for Kookoo. I don't remember retaliating, Kookoo and I had a good laugh over the prank the next day. Then one night not long after I had come in late again and was preparing to brush my teeth. I squeezed my toothpaste and something black and squishy appeared. I squeezed it out and examined it in disgust. It was wrinkly and at first I thought it was a juicy dead bug marinated in toothpaste. Then, through years of prank training from my Mom I realized it was the classic raisin in the the tube gag. Immediately I began to form a plan. I had to prank back and it had to be good.
The next day I got home from school before Kookoo got off of work. I gathered my supplies, humming happily as I went into my room. I used sewing thread and scissors (borrowed from another house mate), thumb tacks, black construction paper, twist ties, paper clips, tape, and a black sharpie. I colored the twist ties black with the marker and then taped them to the black paper which I had crumpled into a ball, making a crude spider. Then I attached my spider to the thread. The thread I strung around the top of the room, running from just over Kookoo's bed to the door (thumb tacking the paper clips and running the string through the clips). I tied one end to the door knob, the other end had the spider. Kookoo came home and I was giddy with anticipation. She came into the room, grabbed something and left, all the while carrying on a conversation with one of our house mates in the kitchen. She hadn't even noticed. All was not lost though and I resorted to my sophisticated plan B. I called to her to come in the room! She swung the door open, the spider was pulled up the wall.. and she almost had a heart attack. We both struggled to breath. Her because she had been shocked and mortified. Me because I was so amused at my prank. She did eventually find it funny, but we called a truce on pranks after that.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Potty Time!
Ara sat on her potty today! She has had that potty chair for probably a year and up until now she mostly used it as toy storage. We had just come inside from doing yard work, well I was doing yard work she was jumping in puddles. She was wet so I stripped her down to her diaper and she turns to me.. points to her diaper and says, "off". I hesitated. Then I helped her take off her diaper. She held out her arm to take my hand and walked me to the potty! She sat her cute little butt right down on the potty chair, kinda sideways but ON THE POTTY!
This post brings me to this thought.
Someday Ara may read what I blogged about during her childhood.
She will read that I declared to the world that she sat naked on a toilet. Can you imagine reading YOUR Mother's blog, or diary, you know blog hard copy. I would be interested in something like that. To really know your parents when they were younger and to see how your accomplishments and milestones meant so much to them. I never really thought about how long my blog would live. I think I would feel sad if one day I didn't have the archives. I should print them and put them in Ara's memory box. I may not always be here and I would like to leave her a piece of me.
This post brings me to this thought.
Someday Ara may read what I blogged about during her childhood.
She will read that I declared to the world that she sat naked on a toilet. Can you imagine reading YOUR Mother's blog, or diary, you know blog hard copy. I would be interested in something like that. To really know your parents when they were younger and to see how your accomplishments and milestones meant so much to them. I never really thought about how long my blog would live. I think I would feel sad if one day I didn't have the archives. I should print them and put them in Ara's memory box. I may not always be here and I would like to leave her a piece of me.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Super Serious Tortilla Association!
Tortilla Industry Association
Yup, there really is a tortilla industry association. Maybe that doesn't surprise you but it did me! I was googling tortilla recipes because I thought I might try to make some and I found it. It even has a missions statement!
To assist member
companies, and the industry as a whole, in efficient growth and
development, and
to promote the
consumption of
tortillas and related food products.
We need an association to encourage the consumption of tortillas?
What's next?
Where can i sign up for the association that promotes the consumption of Atomic Fireballs.. or ice cream!
Yup, there really is a tortilla industry association. Maybe that doesn't surprise you but it did me! I was googling tortilla recipes because I thought I might try to make some and I found it. It even has a missions statement!
To assist member
companies, and the industry as a whole, in efficient growth and
development, and
to promote the
consumption of
tortillas and related food products.
We need an association to encourage the consumption of tortillas?
What's next?
Where can i sign up for the association that promotes the consumption of Atomic Fireballs.. or ice cream!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Longest Day (before noon) Ever
So this morning we woke up late and my stomach was feeling queasy. We got A to work a half hour late and as he was getting out of the car I said, "I think the car needs gas, it's making that wierd grindy sound"...
You see we have an American made car (Dodge) and the electrical has been faulty ever since my Sister first owned it. Well now it's our car and sometimes the headlights and dashboard get temperamental and go out. You have to sort of jiggle and tap the switch to get them just right. The brakes squeek. A few weeks ago we had to get a new radiator. Every time you turn right there is a squeal sound. And it seems like it either drips or burns oil because we have to add a quart to it about twice a month. Oh and did I mention the speedometer, gas, and temperature meters usually don't work? That is the particular issue that caused my day to be so long ( I can never see how much gas there is).
...Just as we pulled out of A's work parking lot the car lost power. Why? Well "apparently" it needs gas to have power. I coasted through the intersection and barley made it into a bank parking lot. I parked all crooked because the steering wheel locked up when the car finally died for good. I called my aunt who lives about 15 minutes away. She came but had no gas can so she called my Sister. Until the calvary arrived Ara and I walked around. The part of town we were in is to swanky to be any fun. The closest shops were Pottery Barn, Giorgio Armani, the Apple Store, Starbucks, and a CVC pharmacy. All great to take a hungry toddler to at 9:30 am (insert sarcasm). We explored the exciting world of desert foliage growing on the side of the road until I started to freak out that there might be snakes. Then we just walked up and down the road, I didn't want to leave the car too far behind for when my Aunt got there. After she arrived we terrorized CVC pharmacy for another 30 minutes until my Sister got there. Emily came with gas and a smile that really helped cheer up my grumpy impatient Araness. Makes me feel bad for all those times I dressed Emily up like a doll and made her sit still. Or the time I thought it would be fun if I wrapped her up in a sheet and dragged her around the house. Or the "I'm going to tie you up to see if you can escape" game I made up. Well you get the picture. Anyway about an hour and a half later we were out of the 95 degree heat but starving and sweaty. We went straight to a gas station and filled up and then Ara got a Happy Meal with juice and fries! I always get her apples and milk so she was content with her bribe/reward. Then we finally were able to run all the boring errands I had planned; bank, grocery store, pay bills. I skipped the music store, I need to buy a bunch of books for my students but a store full of "no" didn't seem like a good idea. At the grocery store I entertained Ara with some plastic $1 cups that she could stack. She liked to stack them, count them, arrange them by color, and pretend there was something in there that she could feed to me. When we got to the register I bought them even though we don't need cups. The sight of home was a wonderful thing. I want one of those hybrid cars.. or even better a car that can run on hot air... or dirt... or dead grass.
You see we have an American made car (Dodge) and the electrical has been faulty ever since my Sister first owned it. Well now it's our car and sometimes the headlights and dashboard get temperamental and go out. You have to sort of jiggle and tap the switch to get them just right. The brakes squeek. A few weeks ago we had to get a new radiator. Every time you turn right there is a squeal sound. And it seems like it either drips or burns oil because we have to add a quart to it about twice a month. Oh and did I mention the speedometer, gas, and temperature meters usually don't work? That is the particular issue that caused my day to be so long ( I can never see how much gas there is).
...Just as we pulled out of A's work parking lot the car lost power. Why? Well "apparently" it needs gas to have power. I coasted through the intersection and barley made it into a bank parking lot. I parked all crooked because the steering wheel locked up when the car finally died for good. I called my aunt who lives about 15 minutes away. She came but had no gas can so she called my Sister. Until the calvary arrived Ara and I walked around. The part of town we were in is to swanky to be any fun. The closest shops were Pottery Barn, Giorgio Armani, the Apple Store, Starbucks, and a CVC pharmacy. All great to take a hungry toddler to at 9:30 am (insert sarcasm). We explored the exciting world of desert foliage growing on the side of the road until I started to freak out that there might be snakes. Then we just walked up and down the road, I didn't want to leave the car too far behind for when my Aunt got there. After she arrived we terrorized CVC pharmacy for another 30 minutes until my Sister got there. Emily came with gas and a smile that really helped cheer up my grumpy impatient Araness. Makes me feel bad for all those times I dressed Emily up like a doll and made her sit still. Or the time I thought it would be fun if I wrapped her up in a sheet and dragged her around the house. Or the "I'm going to tie you up to see if you can escape" game I made up. Well you get the picture. Anyway about an hour and a half later we were out of the 95 degree heat but starving and sweaty. We went straight to a gas station and filled up and then Ara got a Happy Meal with juice and fries! I always get her apples and milk so she was content with her bribe/reward. Then we finally were able to run all the boring errands I had planned; bank, grocery store, pay bills. I skipped the music store, I need to buy a bunch of books for my students but a store full of "no" didn't seem like a good idea. At the grocery store I entertained Ara with some plastic $1 cups that she could stack. She liked to stack them, count them, arrange them by color, and pretend there was something in there that she could feed to me. When we got to the register I bought them even though we don't need cups. The sight of home was a wonderful thing. I want one of those hybrid cars.. or even better a car that can run on hot air... or dirt... or dead grass.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Joey in the Mud!
Joey wore this expression the whole day. You would think a Kinder gardener would relish the chance to be as muddy as he wanted without anyone stopping him. Personally I think kids actually enjoy getting dirty because they are not supposed to! This is proof. Ha! I have cracked the kid code! When my parents took me I remember being thrilled. I also remembered the mud pit being a bit more watery and less like brown cement.
(more mud monster below)
(more mud monster below)
Mud Monster Pic
I finally got one of those little zippy key USB things. I always call it the wrong thing.. I want to say key drive but it's really something else. Not a zip drive.. those were the old school floppy looking things. Oh oh a flash drive! Ok long meandering intro on the mud photo, sorry about that. Since I got my new Flash thing I was able to bring all of the pictures from my sister's computer home.
This is Ara in the main mud pit. She was really reluctant to touch or sit in the mud. I thought maybe it was because I seemed scared of it so I sat right down in it hoping to make her feel more comfortable. Turns out Ara wasn't taking her cue from me so I had mud covering the entire lower half of me for no reason. I'm talking serious mud too, heavy, thick, hard to wash off mud. My shoes are still sitting out by our back door. I'm thinking throwing them away will be far less effort than cleaning them!
This is Ara in the main mud pit. She was really reluctant to touch or sit in the mud. I thought maybe it was because I seemed scared of it so I sat right down in it hoping to make her feel more comfortable. Turns out Ara wasn't taking her cue from me so I had mud covering the entire lower half of me for no reason. I'm talking serious mud too, heavy, thick, hard to wash off mud. My shoes are still sitting out by our back door. I'm thinking throwing them away will be far less effort than cleaning them!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Ara in room
We went and got Ara the table and chairs we have been wanting for her room. Now she has a chair that is just her size. With all of the new toys she got I can barley coax her out of her room. You can't see it in the picture but there is a giant tee-pee in the middle of the room and a train track set up next to it. Just walking through is hazardous!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
It's Her Party!
We celebrated Ara's Birthday today with family and friends. It was a wonderful day. Ara had a huge smile on her face the whole time and she ran around Peter Piper like she owned the place. With her family all around her she felt at ease and ready to explore. It is overwhelming to me to see how much happiness there is in watching your daughter grow. And in seeing how loved she is by her family. On this day in this hour it seems the world is a beautiful place and I am happy to be able to share her joy.
She is growing up!
She is growing up!
Food stuff
Since I've been going low-carb healthy I have been trying some new recipes. I started with recipes from an Atkins cook book but then I started looking in a Mayo Clinic book we had and then.. I started watching the food network. I tried stuffed zucchini, low-carb lasagna, and a few other small meals. On the whole I have been pleasantly surprised with how non-horrible they were and Ara even seemed to like it. Feeling encouraged I have decided to try some of the dishes I have seen on this Italian lady's show on TV. Everything she makes sounds so delicious and I think I can alter most of the recipes' to be low-carb compliant. Anyway, it seems I CAN cook at a fairly competent level when I stay in the kitchen. I have been notorious in the past for ruining pans because I forgot I was boiling water. Yes, I have burned water haha. I have boiled spaghetti so mushy that it went through the holes in the strainer. So you can see that branching out beyond my Foreman Grill is a big deal! Yay me.
Recipes I want to try:
Grilled Chicken with Spinach and Pine Nut Pesto
2 boneless chicken breasts
2 cups lightly packed baby spinach leaves (about 2 ounces)
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 to 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Heat a grill pan on medium high heat. Lightly oil the grill pan. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
Combine the spinach, pine nuts, lemon juice, and lemon peel in a processor. Lightly pulse. With the machine running, gradually add 1/3 cup of the oil, blending until the mixture is creamy. Add salt and pulse. Put half of the pesto into ice cube trays and store in the freezer for future use.
Transfer the rest of the spinach mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in the Parmesan. Season the pesto with salt and pepper, to taste.
Spread the pesto over each piece of chicken and serve.
•••••
Recipes I want to try:
Grilled Chicken with Spinach and Pine Nut Pesto
2 boneless chicken breasts
2 cups lightly packed baby spinach leaves (about 2 ounces)
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 to 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Heat a grill pan on medium high heat. Lightly oil the grill pan. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
Combine the spinach, pine nuts, lemon juice, and lemon peel in a processor. Lightly pulse. With the machine running, gradually add 1/3 cup of the oil, blending until the mixture is creamy. Add salt and pulse. Put half of the pesto into ice cube trays and store in the freezer for future use.
Transfer the rest of the spinach mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in the Parmesan. Season the pesto with salt and pepper, to taste.
Spread the pesto over each piece of chicken and serve.
•••••
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4 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup buttermilk 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders (about 18) 3 large garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Freshly ground black pepper 1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan 3/4 cup Italian-style seasoned bread crumbsPreheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Brush 1 tablespoon of oil over each of 2 heavy large lined baking sheets. Place the buttermilk in a large bowl. Add the chicken tenders and stir to coat. Let stand at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, mash the garlic with the salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in the vinegar and then the remaining 1/2 cup of oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with pepper. Transfer the vinaigrette to a small serving bowl. Stir the Parmesan and bread crumbs in a pie dish. Remove the chicken tenders from the buttermilk and dredge them in the bread crumb mixture to coat completely, pressing to adhere. Arrange the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheets, spacing evenly. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over the chicken tenders and bake until they are cooked through and golden brown, about 12 minutes. Transfer the chicken tenders to a platter and serve the vinaigrette alongside for dipping. ••••• Ara and I went to a craft store today. I love craft stores. There is something about craft stores and hardware stores that fascinate me. I bought beads and Ara and we made ourselves some jewelry, she is so cute when she wears it. She says it is, "pitty". We also got the last few goodies for our party bags. Another $100 trip to Target and I think we are done spoiling her for her birthday... Tomorrow yay. | |||||||
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Postage Due
So I've been getting kind of annoyed that hardly anyone has called to coo over how adorable Ara's invitations are and to tell me that they are coming. Then I find out from my Sister yesterday that their invitation JUST came that day. I sent them over a week ago.. and it's the same city! Then my Sister points out that it came stamped, "postage due". I live in a hole I swear! I had no idea that postage had gone up, I've been using the same stamp book for a while because I pay all of the bills except for rent via internet. So now i have to either buy 2 cent stamps for the 4 .39 cent stamps that I have left over or I can toss them and buy a new book. You know what else I just noticed... I can't find the "cent" symbol on my keyboard. Actually now that I think of it I haven't used a cent sign in a really long time.
Where has the cent sign gone?!
Save the cent sign!
I am still working on the 'less trash' thing by the way. Is it working? It's hard to say.. if it IS working then it is a pretty small percentage. I still feel like I throw a lot of trash. I have been trying not to buy things with individual packaging and I have been using a water bottle instead of drinking from Dasani bottles. I had a brilliant plan to use cloth bags for groceries but I use those for trash bags. So then I would just use a real trash bag and I don't see how that would reduce the amount of trash. I have also been interested in "green" cleaning products. I would like to use more environmentally friendly (and Ara friendly) products in place of Windex, Pinesol, Commet... The only thing is that I really love the disposable Clorox sheets for cleaning the bathroom. After every meal Ara goes in there to wash her hands and she leaves food smudges everywhere. I pull out a sheet and tada the bathroom is clean. I am addicted to "easy" and I don't want to give that up. I'm a terrible person lol. I want to save the environment (as long as it does not inconvenience me too much). *sticks a hypocrite sticker to her forehead and wears it proudly*
Ara Update:
Ara has been singing a lot. I am amazed at how well she knows a lot of the songs I sing and listen to in the car. Time to start censoring the music selections!
"Nemo watch?" She is totally into Nemo and this is how she asks to watch it. How cute is she?
Ara knows all the scary parts in Nemo and when one is getting close she comes to me, takes my hand, steers me to the TV, and uses my finger to turn it off.
We have been painting every day this week. Water colors and finger paints. Ara has this intensity that is shocking whenever she is being artistic. I used to paint in water colors pretty seriously and I LOVE sitting down to be creative again.
"Dori, Momma's favorite" Ara says this to everyone who greets her in stores. She is apparently thrilled to know what her Momma's favorite is.
Ara says "Bless you" now anytime someone sneezes. Now, if I could just get her to say "thank you".
I'm excited about her Birthday party on Saturday! You would think it was my party with how much I am looking forward to it.
Where has the cent sign gone?!
Save the cent sign!
I am still working on the 'less trash' thing by the way. Is it working? It's hard to say.. if it IS working then it is a pretty small percentage. I still feel like I throw a lot of trash. I have been trying not to buy things with individual packaging and I have been using a water bottle instead of drinking from Dasani bottles. I had a brilliant plan to use cloth bags for groceries but I use those for trash bags. So then I would just use a real trash bag and I don't see how that would reduce the amount of trash. I have also been interested in "green" cleaning products. I would like to use more environmentally friendly (and Ara friendly) products in place of Windex, Pinesol, Commet... The only thing is that I really love the disposable Clorox sheets for cleaning the bathroom. After every meal Ara goes in there to wash her hands and she leaves food smudges everywhere. I pull out a sheet and tada the bathroom is clean. I am addicted to "easy" and I don't want to give that up. I'm a terrible person lol. I want to save the environment (as long as it does not inconvenience me too much). *sticks a hypocrite sticker to her forehead and wears it proudly*
Ara Update:
Ara has been singing a lot. I am amazed at how well she knows a lot of the songs I sing and listen to in the car. Time to start censoring the music selections!
"Nemo watch?" She is totally into Nemo and this is how she asks to watch it. How cute is she?
Ara knows all the scary parts in Nemo and when one is getting close she comes to me, takes my hand, steers me to the TV, and uses my finger to turn it off.
We have been painting every day this week. Water colors and finger paints. Ara has this intensity that is shocking whenever she is being artistic. I used to paint in water colors pretty seriously and I LOVE sitting down to be creative again.
"Dori, Momma's favorite" Ara says this to everyone who greets her in stores. She is apparently thrilled to know what her Momma's favorite is.
Ara says "Bless you" now anytime someone sneezes. Now, if I could just get her to say "thank you".
I'm excited about her Birthday party on Saturday! You would think it was my party with how much I am looking forward to it.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Post-A lot of Stuff
Mud Monster: Last Saturday was a... unique experience. Ara and I seemed to both be in fairly irritable moods that day. We went with Victor, Cali, and Joey who all seemed to have a good time. There were 2 really cool looking mud obstacle courses, one of which was being used for organized races between different military and service branches. I heard Air Force vs. Navy and got to see some of the fireman vs. the police. All of the trophies were items left behind at the last mud monster, which now that I think of it I saw was back in 1989 so I guess someone has been keeping an old muddy shoe for all these years? There was one mud pit that was about knee deep all along the edges and had a high ground area in the middle. The mud in this pit was THICK and once your shoes and legs were coated in it you felt like you had weights on. There were also several "kid wash" stations which were basically a volunteer and a hose. The resulting puddles from the wash stations were pretty impressive in themselves and this is where Ara and I spent most of our time. The mud pit was just a bit overwhelming to Ara, she was basically stuck until I would move her to another spot to be stuck. She seemed to have some fun dropping Nemo and Dori into the mud puddles so we pretty much hung out there. There were tons of people and I admit I do not like crowds. My Mom says it's a phobia I have. I've personally always just thought.. I don't like crowds. I have never felt faint or fear just a general dislike of people being in my space! However, with Ara so mobile and so the same color as everyone else (mud color) I felt a lot of trepidation. I had dressed her in some of Joey's hand-me-downs in bright orange so everyone thought I had a cute little boy and I stuck to her like glue. I would sometimes even have the urge to push people who could dare be so insensitive as to get between me and my kid. I didn't though, but I would :P Anyway, it was a pretty exhausting day with the sun and the mud and the crowds. I remember it so vividly from when I was a kid so I hope that I was able to give Ara some of the same kidories. I took pictures on my sisters nice camera, when I could while dodging muddy water. I left the card in the camera when I returned the camera so I will have to post mud pictures another day. Most are of Ara looking "complainy" though, which was her general mood throughout the day.
My old quintet, minus the bassonist met for one last get together on Sunday. Brandon and Kelly are moving to Iowa next month so they can be closer to family. Now that Brandon has 2 kids and we have Ara it isn't like old times at all. Early dinner, talk of daycare and nap times, watch the kids play, and go home before 8 pm so we can get the kids to bed. I bet Alison and Charles find it oppressively dull. I have to admit I miss old times some. I want to laugh until I can't breath, argue over articulations with sir, and then go out for frappuccinos at 11 pm. Parenting is serious business so it's a good thing Ara cracks me up so much.
I have been listening to the few potter pod casts that have come out post-book 7 and I am dying to discuss the book with Megan. The student that comes to my house on Tuesdays is a fan and I have to really hold back when she is playing a scale and an idea pops into my head. I'm like, "Nice scale or whatever.. SOOO what did you think of Molly Weasley??". It's bad.
My old quintet, minus the bassonist met for one last get together on Sunday. Brandon and Kelly are moving to Iowa next month so they can be closer to family. Now that Brandon has 2 kids and we have Ara it isn't like old times at all. Early dinner, talk of daycare and nap times, watch the kids play, and go home before 8 pm so we can get the kids to bed. I bet Alison and Charles find it oppressively dull. I have to admit I miss old times some. I want to laugh until I can't breath, argue over articulations with sir, and then go out for frappuccinos at 11 pm. Parenting is serious business so it's a good thing Ara cracks me up so much.
I have been listening to the few potter pod casts that have come out post-book 7 and I am dying to discuss the book with Megan. The student that comes to my house on Tuesdays is a fan and I have to really hold back when she is playing a scale and an idea pops into my head. I'm like, "Nice scale or whatever.. SOOO what did you think of Molly Weasley??". It's bad.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
U Tube flute player
Beat boxing flute player...
I am amused and in awe lol. One of my students kept telling me to check out u tube for flute. I've obviously seen a lot of u tubeness but it never ever occurred to me to look for flute related performances. It just goes to show that we live in an iWorld. Still, it's cool^^
I am amused and in awe lol. One of my students kept telling me to check out u tube for flute. I've obviously seen a lot of u tubeness but it never ever occurred to me to look for flute related performances. It just goes to show that we live in an iWorld. Still, it's cool^^
Friday, August 03, 2007
Radiator and Mud
Ara and I spent all day at my Dad's house today while he put a new radiator in our car. That car has so many things wrong with it now, I think we are just barely prolonging it's sad life. The radiator was still under warranty so it was free but you do get what you pay for I guess considering it is the same as the one that lasted only 2 years. My Dad worked out in the heat for a good 7 hours. He is relentless, never coming in for breaks or even food. He always says, "I'll eat later" when I ask. I look forward to some day buying a new car, my Dad won't have to fix.
I am taking Ara to something call "Mud Monster" tomorrow along with my nephew; Joey and my brother and his girlfriend. I remember going to it when I was a kid. Something like this stays in a kid's memory forever! Basically at the largest park in out city there will be huge mud pits and mud obstacle courses. You take your kids there dressed in their play clothes and actually let them play in thick mud that is about thigh high (this is remembered from a kids point of view). I invited my cousin and her kids as well. I won't have to tell Ara "no" when she wants to get dirty! How liberating. Just yesterday, walking through the grocery store parking lot Ara discovered jumping in puddles. I let her for a while but then became grossed out with the water and coaxed her inside the store. I'm excited, it's too bad it means waking up early on a Saturday morning! It's worth it though for the great pictures alone that will make her Mamah (Grandma) cringe and laugh :P
I am taking Ara to something call "Mud Monster" tomorrow along with my nephew; Joey and my brother and his girlfriend. I remember going to it when I was a kid. Something like this stays in a kid's memory forever! Basically at the largest park in out city there will be huge mud pits and mud obstacle courses. You take your kids there dressed in their play clothes and actually let them play in thick mud that is about thigh high (this is remembered from a kids point of view). I invited my cousin and her kids as well. I won't have to tell Ara "no" when she wants to get dirty! How liberating. Just yesterday, walking through the grocery store parking lot Ara discovered jumping in puddles. I let her for a while but then became grossed out with the water and coaxed her inside the store. I'm excited, it's too bad it means waking up early on a Saturday morning! It's worth it though for the great pictures alone that will make her Mamah (Grandma) cringe and laugh :P
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
"Curiosity"
I've sent out the invitations to her party, I already have the decorations (Elmo), Ara's aunt is taking care of the cake (last year mine was a tiny bit of a disaster), and I feel cautiously prepared! Ara's new favorite character is Nemo, the fish. She has a Nemo and a Dory bath toy that she has started carrying around with her. It's so cute, in the car she sits there pretending they are talking to each other and swimming. I have to remind myself to drive and not watch Ara in her beautiful pretend world. A and I have been talking over how we are going to work his new work schedule into my Fall teaching. We would both be gone until after 6 pm which is later than most Daycares will keep kids. Plus the idea of my Ara sitting in a school until that time breaks my heart. So, it is with much regret that I have decided to pass my East side studio on to another lucky teacher. I feel sad about this, but I feel good about being there for Ara. I will be teaching 1.5, maybe 2 days a week now. I don't know why that scares me. Letting go, making change. Giving up something I worked so hard to build. Trusting the students I have grown to love to another teacher.
I miss the days when emotions were simple.
One emotion please.
It seems I feel "torn" about everything.
I feel sad about giving up my studio.
I feel good about the decision.
I want to be home with my daughter.
I want to maintain my sense of self and do the things that fulfill me. Blah blah blah.
My train of thought just ran out of track.
Hopefully I will be seeing some of my old quintet this weekend before Brandon "Horn dog" (a reference to his instrument not what you were thinking!) moves out of state. Also, if Megan's life slows down a little I might get to hash out some Harry Potterisms over lunch! /happy
Oh a side note... I think Safeway has started offering delivery of groceries in my area! A didn't seem to excited about this.. but I am! You click, click, click and if you spend over $50 you get them delivered FREE! Also, if you order before 9:30 am they will deliver them the same day. This is pure genius at work. Don't call me lazy until you shop with a 2 year old. Now.. if I could con someone else into going to the laundromat I would be content.
I miss the days when emotions were simple.
One emotion please.
It seems I feel "torn" about everything.
I feel sad about giving up my studio.
I feel good about the decision.
I want to be home with my daughter.
I want to maintain my sense of self and do the things that fulfill me. Blah blah blah.
My train of thought just ran out of track.
Hopefully I will be seeing some of my old quintet this weekend before Brandon "Horn dog" (a reference to his instrument not what you were thinking!) moves out of state. Also, if Megan's life slows down a little I might get to hash out some Harry Potterisms over lunch! /happy
Oh a side note... I think Safeway has started offering delivery of groceries in my area! A didn't seem to excited about this.. but I am! You click, click, click and if you spend over $50 you get them delivered FREE! Also, if you order before 9:30 am they will deliver them the same day. This is pure genius at work. Don't call me lazy until you shop with a 2 year old. Now.. if I could con someone else into going to the laundromat I would be content.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Picture 083
We gave Ara one of her Birthday presents early (because we are like kids on Christmas morning when it comes to making her smile). It was an Imaginarium train set and she absolutely LOVED it. We sat there with tears in our eyes watching her make train noises and "fix" the tracks. Yeah, this won't be her only Birthday gift you can be sure of that!
Ara at my Mom's
We went over to my Mom's for her Birthday. I just love that she looks so relaxed and happy in this picture.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
First Impressions of the Hallows
Spoiler Warning: DO NOT read if you have not finished the book!
Pre-order you Harry Potter... pft.
I didn't get my book until 5 pm on the 21st, a huge disappointment to me. I could have walzed down to Safeway when I woke up and had a copy faster.
Anyway, I read all Saturday and Sunday night when I could (after Ara was in bed) and I finished on Monday. Since I have finished I felt strangely reluctant to talk about the book. Right at the beginning of the book I was devastated by Hedwig's death. When it seemed like Hagrid would die as well... I almost put the book down. If J.K. had killed Hagrid right then I was prepared to walk away.
Too much!
Too soon!
I cried about Hedwig. I cried (a lot) about Dobby. By the time Fred died I felt numb about it. I was so afraid that the twins would be ripped apart and they were! I really wish that she had included George in the epilogue... how did he cope? Did he go on with the business? Did he have a family and name his son Fred? I feel like I need to read it again. A lot of my questions went unanswered and I have to admit I felt a little cheated with some of the cheap plot tricks J.K. used. The ever so convenient chat Deam and the Goblin had right outside the tent. The "chat" with Dumbledore in King's Cross. The fact that the fire was, gasp one of the substances that can destroy a horcrux. Ron imitating parsletongue. Lalala. It may sound like I didn't like the book. I did like the book though. It's just that we waited with such anticipation to know answers and we cared so much about the characters that it was a let down to be left with so many questions. I am, however so happy that Harry, Ron, and Hermione lived and that they went on to have full lives. It was nice that in the end it wasn't just some stroke of luck that saved Harry. Or, for that matter that he didn't seem to all-of-the-sudden be some super wizard. I still miss Hedwig though.
Pre-order you Harry Potter... pft.
I didn't get my book until 5 pm on the 21st, a huge disappointment to me. I could have walzed down to Safeway when I woke up and had a copy faster.
Anyway, I read all Saturday and Sunday night when I could (after Ara was in bed) and I finished on Monday. Since I have finished I felt strangely reluctant to talk about the book. Right at the beginning of the book I was devastated by Hedwig's death. When it seemed like Hagrid would die as well... I almost put the book down. If J.K. had killed Hagrid right then I was prepared to walk away.
Too much!
Too soon!
I cried about Hedwig. I cried (a lot) about Dobby. By the time Fred died I felt numb about it. I was so afraid that the twins would be ripped apart and they were! I really wish that she had included George in the epilogue... how did he cope? Did he go on with the business? Did he have a family and name his son Fred? I feel like I need to read it again. A lot of my questions went unanswered and I have to admit I felt a little cheated with some of the cheap plot tricks J.K. used. The ever so convenient chat Deam and the Goblin had right outside the tent. The "chat" with Dumbledore in King's Cross. The fact that the fire was, gasp one of the substances that can destroy a horcrux. Ron imitating parsletongue. Lalala. It may sound like I didn't like the book. I did like the book though. It's just that we waited with such anticipation to know answers and we cared so much about the characters that it was a let down to be left with so many questions. I am, however so happy that Harry, Ron, and Hermione lived and that they went on to have full lives. It was nice that in the end it wasn't just some stroke of luck that saved Harry. Or, for that matter that he didn't seem to all-of-the-sudden be some super wizard. I still miss Hedwig though.
Monday, July 16, 2007
HP Movie
Movie Spoiler warning:
We saw the movie last night and I was (as always) so excited and I probably had unrealistic expectations. None the less I felt disappointed. I really felt they missed the mark with a lot of important plot points. The end I felt, really blew by the grief we see Harry going through after Sirius dies which is an important moment for Harry and for the plot of the book. Also, Dumbledore is like "Sup, yo. Did I mention you have to kill or be killed and that is your fate?" "P.s. this info is why your mom and dad died". Could that conversation have been more casual and unimportant? The other part that really bothered me was the dual (that spelling looks wrong). I will have to re-read the chapter but I have a much more confident and in-control Dumbledore in my memory. I also thought that they left out some very important dual "smack talk" moments. Like when Dumbledore calls Voldy "Tom" which seems to un-nerve him. And when D tells V that there are things worse than death. This sends the message to V that D KNOWs about the things that I can't spell that start with an H! I DID like Umbridge's character and especially her little "hem hem". I liked the DA scenes! Centaurs were nice and scary. Did not like the modifications in the story when the DA is ratted out. I missed the music most of all I think though. John Williams themes seem crucial to me and the movie felt strange without them. Also, no Hedwig at all!? Oh and I really wanted to see more of the pranks the twins pulled when they left school. Particularly the swamp! My favorite scene.. when Ron and Harmione are setting up to stun each other and Neville gives him that male solidarity look! I am super tired for some reason. I will look up the spelling tomorrow when I can see clearly again.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Mostly Harry
The picture is just a weird bug I saw on the side of our house.
I can't believe I let the opening of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix sneak up on me! I don't have tickets to see it on the day it opens and I am officially bummed. I probably won't get to see it until the weekend and that is only if I can find someone to watch my little tornado or a toddler. Truth be told I am more excited about the book on the 21st. I have had that ordered forever now and I can't wait. As soon as Ara goes to bed I will be curled up in bed with my book, my ipod, and a big glass of ice to chew on. Ice is my new best friend and yes I KNOW it's bad for my teeth. I am on day 8 of eating 0 carbs and I need the crunchy. Ice keeps my mind off of other yummy things. Something new to read will be lovely though. There is nothing like having a book you like to climb inside. I am just sad that this is the last one. It was nice to look forward to the newest HP all these years. The last one came out the summer I was super pregnant and I cried and cried through the last 2 chapters. I don't know if it was that I was overly emotional or if I am just a shmuck. I guess we will find out with this book. I've read some of the predictions about Harry surviving. A couple forum threads and an article on MSN. My own personal hope is that Harry does survive but I am afraid someone else good will die. I think maybe the Weasly twins will have an important role, they are brilliant, daring, and visible with their shop in Diagon Alley. I will be happy as long as the whole Weasly family, Harry, Hermione, and Hagrid (and Fang) live. I think we will find out that Snape really was acting on Dumbledore's orders when he killed him and that Dumbledore had some plan for such an event. He does seem to be tied to the Phoenix and the bird does have extraordinary powers where death is concerned. I am curious to see how Draco's part plays out because I think that he is mostly show and possible not as bad as he comes off. A lot of the predictions foresaw Harry's demise and I think I would just feel cheated if that happened. All this time we have been watching him grow and develop I hope it was not so that we could also see him die. I plan to read this series to Ara when she is 11 I hope I don't have to send a howler to J.K. after this book is released!
Sunday, July 08, 2007
So I was emptying the trash from the car then I came inside and thought I need to take this trash out too. Then I thought.. I'm tired of trash. Everyday there is trash. Why do we have so much trash? What is in the trash? How can I reduce the amount of trash we have to throw into the garbage can and then into the landfills? I think this would be a good goal for me. Trashless in 2007! No, thats not catchy...
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Tired Thoughts
I woke up at 8 am this morning and I was sweating it is that hot. So after we dropped A off at work Ara and I stopped off at Walmart to get her one of those floaties that have a little seat in them and some spray on sunblock. Then we were off to my Dad's house to swim. As soon as we entered the neighborhood Ara says, "Jojo Pweeez". So cute. We had a nice mid morning in the pool. The new foatie worked pretty well. It gave Ara a little freedom and it let her practice blowing bubbles and kicking her legs. She still get so frustrated that she can't move around the pool like Jojo. It won't be long though. For now she settles for constantly counting to three and watching me dunk myself in the water.
I am tired and already forgot why I was talking about the swimming. I think I had a cute story in mind...
On an unrelated topic we are being invaded by super-poison-resistant ants. The are EVERYWHERE. In the bed, clean clothes, living room, bedrooms, kitchen, cat food container... We have sprayed the outside and dropped those ant killer traps around but they march on and on and on. I will be so happy to NOT spend another summer in this house. Nononono!
This is my 4th day back on super duper torture diet. I am completely cutting out grains, fruits, sugar, and caffeine. It's hard and I am getting pretty sick of salad with no dressing. Yuk! It's the strangest thing I have been craving cake above all other carbolicious things. You never get to eat cake unless there is a party. I want cake! Cake would make me feel happy. Oh with a strawberry milkshake. And something chocolate.
Ara's Birthday is coming up and I'm so excited! I can't believe 2 years old already. I need to look around for a place to have the party. Last year was Peter Piper's land of super-loud-kids. I can't take that level of noise again. I think I'll order a cake this time, last years cake fiasco still burns in my memory!
I'm tired. I'm going to set my ipod to sleep in 30 minutes and fall asleep to some Harry I think.
I am tired and already forgot why I was talking about the swimming. I think I had a cute story in mind...
On an unrelated topic we are being invaded by super-poison-resistant ants. The are EVERYWHERE. In the bed, clean clothes, living room, bedrooms, kitchen, cat food container... We have sprayed the outside and dropped those ant killer traps around but they march on and on and on. I will be so happy to NOT spend another summer in this house. Nononono!
This is my 4th day back on super duper torture diet. I am completely cutting out grains, fruits, sugar, and caffeine. It's hard and I am getting pretty sick of salad with no dressing. Yuk! It's the strangest thing I have been craving cake above all other carbolicious things. You never get to eat cake unless there is a party. I want cake! Cake would make me feel happy. Oh with a strawberry milkshake. And something chocolate.
Ara's Birthday is coming up and I'm so excited! I can't believe 2 years old already. I need to look around for a place to have the party. Last year was Peter Piper's land of super-loud-kids. I can't take that level of noise again. I think I'll order a cake this time, last years cake fiasco still burns in my memory!
I'm tired. I'm going to set my ipod to sleep in 30 minutes and fall asleep to some Harry I think.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Dinner out
"Ara, what does a frog say?"
"Bibbit"
"What does a kitty say?"
"Me-wow"
"What does a dog say?"
"Wuff wuff shlooop shloop (licking sound)"
"What does a cow say?"
"Moooooooooooooooo"
"What does an owl say?"
"Who whooo"
"What does Daddy say?"
"..."
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Dream house
My Brother has offered to help me make a playhouse/sandbox for Ara. He made one for Joey a while back and Ara loved playing in it. His original design was a super simple box made of plywood. Since I want to make one for Ara now I've sort of made it a tad more complicated. For starters I want the floor to slide out so that there can be a sandbox underneath (protected from cats who like to pee in sand). Also I made the roof a slope instead of flat and it is made of UV blocking fabric to allow for more airflow. One side I will leave open so that it can also be a stage for singing and dancing. I plan to have a curtain on the open side as well for dramatic effect. And, yes we will be painting murals on it!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Ara is my laundry helper!
"What?! I am your laundry helper today?"
"Working hard pushing the laundry card around and making car noises"
"Pink milk break while we wait for the clothes to dry!"
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Computer dumb.
KCAL did an undercover camera investigation to which computer repair places were incompetent/scammers. They took perfectly working computers and just disconnected the cable from the hard drive to the motherboard, then took the computers to different repair shops to see what they said.The results were varied and shocking:
Best Buy: Said needed a new power supply
Circuit City: $59.99 "The jumper was set wrong"
COMPUsa: Charged $119.99, their minimum charge, but correctly diagnosed and fixed the problem
Fry's: $69.99, fixed all good
Torrence Computer Repair (local): Fixed, at no charge b/c it was so easy
BM (local)I: $275 due to "power short," as the "main board" and "hard drive" were "bad"
Link to the video
catch that toddler!
Ara has been testing her boundaries lately. In the library we were sitting down building block towers and she walks slowly around the corner and then when she is just out of sight of me she breaks into an all out run. I get up and realize she is running towards the doors and sprint towards her. She very nearly made it to the automatic doors. Mere feet from the parking lot. It freaks me out that she has such little fear and I am not all together sure how to deal with this behavior. I want her to stay near me not the other way around. She is so confident that I will follow and keep her safe. She runs from me giggling when I follow like we are playing chase. What do I do? After the library I did some thinking about how to handle it. Later that day we all went to Barnes and Nobles because I wanted to look up potty training books. Ara had her Daddy's hand and leading him around looking at the children's section. Then she drops his hand and runs like a mad woman again. He looked surprised which I was a little glad to see. At least it isn't just me! We both chased after her and after we caught her I took her straight outside the store. Once outside I put her down and bent down to talk to her face to face. I explained that when she ran away I felt worried. I offered her a choice to return to the store and stay by me or go home. It was text book parent class technique. She didn't get it at all. The look on her face plainly said she didn't understand the choice I was giving her. Since she didn't choose to stay near me we did go home. Great. Fail. The logic is there I suppose, every time she runs I will immediately leave the store we are in. In this instance, and I suspect in future instances this consequence will be more punishment for me than for Ara. We talked about other possible solutions. The only other we could come up with is the "kid leash". I WOULD feel more at peace using a leash somewhere where I felt it would be dangerous for her to be separated from me. Like the Mall or places where she could get to the street easily. My worry is that the leash teaches her nothing. I want her to understand the why.
On another topic it is time to start potty training. I have been dreading this stage because I really don't know where to start. We got her a toilet a while ago but she mostly uses it to play. She thinks it is entertaining to put toys into it and then close the lid. I looked at some books at the store (before I was forced to leave) and the advice seemed sound. I am not sure she is really really ready. We haven't been taking about the difference between wet and dry and she really doesn't seem to know when she is going. One of the books suggested making a routine and putting her on a toilet every 2 hours. I will try that.. I guess.
On another topic it is time to start potty training. I have been dreading this stage because I really don't know where to start. We got her a toilet a while ago but she mostly uses it to play. She thinks it is entertaining to put toys into it and then close the lid. I looked at some books at the store (before I was forced to leave) and the advice seemed sound. I am not sure she is really really ready. We haven't been taking about the difference between wet and dry and she really doesn't seem to know when she is going. One of the books suggested making a routine and putting her on a toilet every 2 hours. I will try that.. I guess.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Great Expectations
I need to find a way to stop being mad about petty things. I get so disappointed when people don't live up to my expectations. When "A" does things that seem insensitive or thoughtless in my opinion it hurts my feelings and that is my problem. So what if he thinks of only himself when we have ants in the bed. Am I going to let that make me feel mad and wrinkle my eyebrows for days? Why? It's not like it will change the fact. So I think to myself that the problem is how I see the situation and how I deal with it. I have this expectation that "A" should think of my needs like I do his. He has a different expectations. We never really talked about how we saw a man and a woman's "role" when there were kids. All of the time that I worked and he didn't there was never any effort on his part to "take care" of me. To be honest I didn't really expect it myself. I never expected anyone to pack a lunch, cook a dinner, do my laundry, or clean the house for me. I thought we should do it all together. Now that the tables have turned and he is working and I am staying home with Ara I see that there is a double standard. Big time. There is just more expected of a woman. Everyone does it. Even me. So I see the expectations are there for me to be home with Ara and do ALL of the other household chores while juggling my teaching responsibilities and chaffering "A" to and from work. Is this a lot to ask? Sure. Can I do it? Damn right. But I can't go on feeling cheated. I constantly look at how unfair it is that the family responsibilities are split 80/20%. "A's" Mom actually told me once when I was mad that I should feel lucky that I have a man who is around. At the time it pissed me off more. I should just thank my lucky stars that a man stuck around and just be grateful I am not all alone. Ok so I suppose I should be thankful for that. The truth is that things could be so much worse. The truth is that I DO have it good. It seems all relative. We have been through hard times and still found a way to be happy with what we have. Then it seems, for me I have a hard time finding happiness when life is handing me flowers. Our relationship isn't perfect but I can't think of anyone who has a perfect relationship. So what do I want? What do I expect? When I know these things I think it will be easier to find acceptance within myself.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Ants and the jerk-face.
VENTING: Ants have invaded our house. They are coming up the shower drain, they are in the kitchen, they are in the living room, and they are in my bed. "A" discovered that sometime in the wee hours of the morning. So you know what he did? He took the blanket and slept on the couch, the only ant free zone and left me with no blanket in the ant bed. So I tried to go back to sleep after that but:
1. I was pissed off.
2. I was cold.
3. There were ants biting me.
I am sitting here still tired, still feeling like there are ants all over me (which is partially true), and still feeling pissed. I did get up sometime around 6 am and pull the covers off of happily sleeping jerkface. He was like, "the covers weren't even on you when I got up". I wonder why that is... COVER STEALER! Then he pulled the blanket back up to his chin and promptly started snoring. I am feeling really fed up.
1. I was pissed off.
2. I was cold.
3. There were ants biting me.
I am sitting here still tired, still feeling like there are ants all over me (which is partially true), and still feeling pissed. I did get up sometime around 6 am and pull the covers off of happily sleeping jerkface. He was like, "the covers weren't even on you when I got up". I wonder why that is... COVER STEALER! Then he pulled the blanket back up to his chin and promptly started snoring. I am feeling really fed up.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Late night thoughts.
Ara's hair is long enough to put into a little ponytail! Her hair constantly surprises me. I would have never thought that I would have a little girl with ringlets. Curazzzzy. I told A that if other woman had know he had adorable, smart, curly headed kids in his genes he would have been hunted. Does that seem weird?
So all day today I felt nauseous but I don't feel "sick". I've been feeling not right for a week-ish now. I might actually consider a doctor visit if it doesn't improve, and I HATE doctors.
I am taking care of Alison and Charles's birds again, I think the birds have started regarding me as "the help". They won't even whistle with me now! Feathery snobs.
I want to start working out and eating healthier. I considered joining a gym and I made an appointment for a tour/workout but when I mentioned it to A it started a big 2 day fight. When would I go? How much is it? The only time I could go would be when A got off work and then he would have to put Ara down to bed alone. I guess it just won't work but I am sad. I know that I am doing what I want to be doing this summer. Staying home with Ara and teaching a minimal amount of students. But (you knew that was coming right?) I also feel the need to steal a little time to myself. For myself. I actually enjoy going to feed the birds because I get to be alone just for a bit. It is hard because A wants down time when he gets off of work and I totally get that. At the same time I want down time as well. Just 30 minutes to myself. Maybe I will just take a walk after Ara goes down, I don't like walking in the dark but if she goes to bed right at 8 I might have a little light left. I am also going to buy a workout DVD at Target or something. I have always thought those work-out balls looked cool and Ara might think it's fun to have exercise time during the day. It's something that is important to me. I want Ara to see me feeling good about myself and I want to model a health lifestyle.
Monday, June 11, 2007
If it wasn't for...
Not-So-Near-Death:
So today when it was time to pick up A from work I sent Ara in the living room to get the toys she wanted to take in the car and I decided to open the back door. Right there on the door step is the next door neighbors cat with her latest brood of kittens. Kuku (aka Chester) flies out the door through my legs and looks like he going to attack the closest kitten. Momma cat lunges at him, scary cat fight sounds ensue. I am yelling, although I don't realize it at the time. I grab a broom, separate them and push Kuku back into the house while blocking the mom cat from entering. I make sure that Kuku stays away from Ara since he is upset and unpredictable and I am thinking how glad I am that Ara wasn't right with me when I opened the door like she usually is. So we get on the road and right as we turn onto the main road it is immediately obvious that a big accident had just happened. From a distance I can see one car is on it's roof, and there are regular people trying to direct traffic away from all the cars and people in the middle of the road. I know it sounds selfish but my first thought was if those cats hadn't been there we would have been right here when this accident happened. We sat and waited for traffic while the distant sirens came closer and closer and I started to wonder about the random things that happen that maybe aren't so random.
On a lighter note:
Ara walks into the kitchen straight over to the cabinet that usually has a the "impossible-for-anyone-to-open" child lock on it. She reaches in, grabs the open bag of tortilla chips like thats what she came for and promptly dumps it on the floor. Then she bends down and daintily picks one chip off the pile and takes a tiny bite out of it as she walks past me back to the living room. I felt like I was in a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. To top it all off Kuku was waiting under the table and before I could get it cleaned up he snagged a chip too. All I can do is throw up my hands and eat a chip.
So today when it was time to pick up A from work I sent Ara in the living room to get the toys she wanted to take in the car and I decided to open the back door. Right there on the door step is the next door neighbors cat with her latest brood of kittens. Kuku (aka Chester) flies out the door through my legs and looks like he going to attack the closest kitten. Momma cat lunges at him, scary cat fight sounds ensue. I am yelling, although I don't realize it at the time. I grab a broom, separate them and push Kuku back into the house while blocking the mom cat from entering. I make sure that Kuku stays away from Ara since he is upset and unpredictable and I am thinking how glad I am that Ara wasn't right with me when I opened the door like she usually is. So we get on the road and right as we turn onto the main road it is immediately obvious that a big accident had just happened. From a distance I can see one car is on it's roof, and there are regular people trying to direct traffic away from all the cars and people in the middle of the road. I know it sounds selfish but my first thought was if those cats hadn't been there we would have been right here when this accident happened. We sat and waited for traffic while the distant sirens came closer and closer and I started to wonder about the random things that happen that maybe aren't so random.
On a lighter note:
Ara walks into the kitchen straight over to the cabinet that usually has a the "impossible-for-anyone-to-open" child lock on it. She reaches in, grabs the open bag of tortilla chips like thats what she came for and promptly dumps it on the floor. Then she bends down and daintily picks one chip off the pile and takes a tiny bite out of it as she walks past me back to the living room. I felt like I was in a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. To top it all off Kuku was waiting under the table and before I could get it cleaned up he snagged a chip too. All I can do is throw up my hands and eat a chip.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Oh is that what those are called?
Ara can do a somersault! I was like elated when I saw her do a couple last night and then A says "Oh is that what those are called? She has been able to do that for a while". On the one hand I never knew anyone who didn't know what a somersault was and it's cute that he didn't. On the other, I think that's huge and I wish he had told me! Anyway, we had this conversation and I ask Ara in an annoyingly happy Mommy voice to come do more and she shakes her pretty head of curls and says "no". So, no one is as excited as me but I thought I would share it anyway! I have been getting to spend lots of mommy-baby time this week since I am teaching only Tuesday and Wednesday for the rest of May. It has been great. We have been tending our flowers outside, swimming in the kiddy pool, tomorrow we are going to go to target and probably story-time at the library. Ara, Kuku (the cat), and I all nap at the same time! It's a special time.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Reflections
I just watched the series finale of Gilmore Girls. Rory graduates and then leaves her Mom to start her career as a journalist. I cried like a baby the whole time. I've been really trigger happy with the crying lately. I'll cry at cute commercials, I cried during a re-run of CSI Miami, I cry over the news channel (don't even know what it's called) when I am channel surfing. After my show was over I had this light bulb moment; I'm really emotional lately. lol. I've been sort of thinking about how differently I used to process things emotionally when I was younger. I examined the details less I think. I would just be working towards something without thinking "wow I am really working hard towards this goal that I have clearly in my mind". Now, it's like I can't really stick to things and be consistent. I have been really stressed lately and I have some big decisions to make and summer is coming with a whole different schedule. Maybe I am just feeling overwhelmed. Or maybe that is all part of life and I am not keeping up as well as I should. I don't know. It's not like everything is falling apart or I am unhappy. It's just when I have a moment of silence to think I feel troubled or perturbed is a better word maybe. I wake up early in the morning and then I can't go back to sleep. My mind sort of races about nothing in particular. Scenes from movies and shows I wish I could forget float back to me. Just in general not significant thoughts just thoughts I don't really want to think. At night I have to listen to my ipod to fall asleep. It helps me not to think. I put on a podcast or my trusty audio Harry Potter and then drift off. Well I thought it might help me to identify the problem if I wrote about it.
Ara and I went to Walmart and bought a kiddie pool today and I "tried" to set it up in our patio. We have a pretty small little walled in patio with no lawn so it doesn't quite work. We had fun anyway sitting in the partially falling down pool. We splashed and laughed. Ara loves to lay on her tummy and blow bubbles. I like to live the life of a kid again. Sitting in the early afternoon sun, watching the water sparkle as we throw it in the air. Noticing how rocks change color when you get them wet. It makes me feel... content and happy and simple. It's nice.
Ara and I went to Walmart and bought a kiddie pool today and I "tried" to set it up in our patio. We have a pretty small little walled in patio with no lawn so it doesn't quite work. We had fun anyway sitting in the partially falling down pool. We splashed and laughed. Ara loves to lay on her tummy and blow bubbles. I like to live the life of a kid again. Sitting in the early afternoon sun, watching the water sparkle as we throw it in the air. Noticing how rocks change color when you get them wet. It makes me feel... content and happy and simple. It's nice.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Caution content includes pictures of an adorable nature.
Ara and I spent the morning at the park. I borrowed my sister's camera to try to get a good shot of Ara to turn into a Mother's Day card for her Grandmas'. I got some cute looks but nothing that had the correct part in focus lol so I will have to try again.
Monday, May 07, 2007
All Smiles
Out and about with Mommy and Daddy. We are relishing some much needed R&R after last weeks crazy schedule.
Ara spend Sunday with her Aunt Debbie and her Cousin Brittany. She had a great time playing in their back yard and coloring on a aqua-doodle mat they got for her. A brilliant invention that uses a pen filled with water and a special mat that turns blue when wet. Now she can color on the carpet and I can relax (we have had many unfortunate incidents with crayons and markers). They also had new clothes to give her from her Aunt Angela, including the shirt she has on in this picture. And a travel Aqua-Doodle and a Nemo book that lights up and sings, and... well you get the picture. I attended a "Sister's Day" celebration last night hosted by my cousins at a dessert shop. All the woman in my family (well most anyway) were there. I decided to cheat on my diet to try tiramisu, I've always heard such yummy things about it and well I wanted something decadent. Unfortunately, it turns out I do not like tiramisu, which is strange because there are very few sweet things I don't enjoy. It was a long day and "phew" is all I have to say.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Hooters!
This little guy is one of four baby Great Horned Owls living right outside the window of the church we performed in today. The adult owls apparently adopted this nest back in 1982 and have been raising their family there ever since. The church protects the nest and people actually come from around Arizona to view the birds. The momma owl was perched within eye site of this fuzzy guy ready to strike with her sharp talons and beak if she anything threatened the safety of her nest. In fact one year a woman threatened to sue the church after "their" owl attacked her cat. A Great Horned Owl can prey upon animals larger than itself including skunks, porcupines, an even domestic dogs and cats. This window was the backdrop for my orchestra today and an audience member told me they could see the inquisitive face of this owl peeking at us during the performance. I tool a bunch of pictures to show Ara, she would have been glued to the window if she had been there!
The concert had it's ups and downs today. The Copland is just 13 players and was by far the most difficult in terms of ensemble awareness. I think it was good for us and I have to admit I have a general Copland aversion but after really living with this piece I started to feel the music in it. I've always heard Copland beautifully portrays the "new American Frontier" but that never really meant anything to me, it never connected to any emotions. So I did some research (read the liner notes of a CD) and found some concepts I could identify with. Courage, energy, reflection. I began to understand more... to see that image of the sun rising over the trees with a soft morning fog, the promise and mystery of the unknown, even maybe the slight sadness of leaving behind the familiar. I enjoyed the experience and the challenge. I really miss playing chamber music full time. I miss my old wind quintet. The music store I teach at is closing and I am at a crossroads. Do I continue teaching my diminishing studio or do I look at changing careers? Will I be able to tell Ara she can follow her dreams and make a living?
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Play it Again
This is a concert week for my chamber orchestra. Concert weeks practically mean Ara has to move out. We have night rehearsals until 10 pm and Ara's bedtime is 7:30 pm. Tonight, though my nice brother and his girlfriend came over and hung out while we were at rehearsal. We put Ara down early and she slept like an angel the entire time. If only we could do that every time. I made a big batch of beans (mother-in-law's recipe) so we could feed everyone tostadas and they actually came out good! I'm excited, these beans are like my m-i-l's speciality and she has tried to show me how to make them twice now. 'A' even said they were good and he is the pickiest man alive. I talked to an old friend on the phone today, she re-found me through my website and emailed me. We were roommates for a year and then housemates for another maybe 2 years I think. It's so nice to hear her voice and know she is doing well. We hope to meet up one of these days, she is living in phoenix now so it's a bit of a drive. I can't wait for her to meet Ara.
Playing-wise I've been feeling a slight lack of confidence. I have been analyzing my vibrato and reminding myself to play the phrase. We used to have this joke back in school that I was a good player as long as I never "took apart the TV". Here I am taking it apart though and I still can't say that is a good thing. It can be challenging to teach something you take for granted. When I feel that disconnect between the music and my feelings I go through this frustrating cycle. I need to know why I get stuck in these ruts and how I can get out of them. I used to keep a playing diary (shut-up I'm a nerd) where I would write down the measure/piece/concept that I was struggling with. So that is what I am starting here. You don't like it? Me neither, lets hope it passes.
P.S. I am sick and tired of sentences that require commas and apostrophes.
Playing-wise I've been feeling a slight lack of confidence. I have been analyzing my vibrato and reminding myself to play the phrase. We used to have this joke back in school that I was a good player as long as I never "took apart the TV". Here I am taking it apart though and I still can't say that is a good thing. It can be challenging to teach something you take for granted. When I feel that disconnect between the music and my feelings I go through this frustrating cycle. I need to know why I get stuck in these ruts and how I can get out of them. I used to keep a playing diary (shut-up I'm a nerd) where I would write down the measure/piece/concept that I was struggling with. So that is what I am starting here. You don't like it? Me neither, lets hope it passes.
P.S. I am sick and tired of sentences that require commas and apostrophes.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Penguins and Pandas
San Diego Zoo Panda Cam
Ara and I have been looking online at animal web cams. Looking at the animals in real time is so fun and Ara likes to look for them when they go off camera or when they hide behind trees. Plus I think pandas' are super cute!Friday, April 27, 2007
1 2 3 4
Ara has been counting everything! I asked her this morning what four favorite things are and she sat in my lap talking and laughing. She told me #1 coloring #2 birds #3 balls #4 dancing. For lunch we had my interpretation on corn dogs. I make a corn bread mix, add hot dogs and corn, pour it all into a mini muffin pan and bake for 10 minutes. Ara loves it. They are just the right size and warm cornbread is yummy! Tomorrow I have orchestra rehearsal and A is teaching so Ara will be spending the morning at her Grandpa's house with Joey, Victor, and Kali. She is always excited to go over there now and when we pick her up she is beyond exhausted! I better go, I need to leave for work in 10 minutes and all I've done so far is shower!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Mommy baby TV time
Ok, I have a confession. Since Ara was a new born I have been watching Gilmore Girls with her. We call it "Mommy baby TV time". I'ts a nice escape from reality into a world of happy people who talk fast. Unfortunately, I usually miss the show now because of my teaching schedule. So one night I was updating my ipod and I found a podcast about my show! Woot! It's a really well produced podcast done by this young sounding married couple and it's as charming as the show. If you want to be a nerd like me you can check them out here. After discovering this podcast and one other about the game I play, FFXI I started searching for more. I have always loved listening to talk while I'm driving or falling asleep. Like putting on a movie but leaving the TV off and just hearing the dialouge. Or books on CD! I love those! When I was in school I had this lame data entry job so I recorded the sound of my favorite movies and listened to them at work. Wow, when I tell Ara that she is going to be amazed at how I lived in a pre iWorld isn't she? I'm trying to stay on topic, I really am. So... Podcasts, nifty and free. Now I want to do a podcast but we all know that would end up being the all Ara all the time podcast and no one wants to hear that!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Singing in the Car!
La la la! My little musician singing in the car on the long trip home from Grandpa's house. That violin in her hand is actually something my Sister bought for Joey and when Ara became attached to it.. well it suffices to say she was amused. It actually plays about 5 different songs in the most awful sounding impression of a beginning violinist. In order to make the songs play though you have to press on the strings, when they connect with each other the songs play.
That is how it would work in theory anyway.
In it's current state however, the strings get stuck together and it just sounds one high pitched note incessantly.
That's what it is doing in this picture.
One note.
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Ara sings along at the top of her lungs and especially enjoys it when Momma and Daddy do as well. So here we are driving along all singing one note like we are some sort of malfunctioning egg timer. The trip takes about an hour. That's right an hour. Mercifully Ara fell asleep about 20 minutes in but we we're afraid if we reached back and stopped the violin from playing she would wake up. Ah, the sacrifices we make for our little ones.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
blip
I haven't posted in a long time. There are a few reasons for this. One, I ran out of web space! Two, I haven't made it a priority. Three, Blogger never wants to cooperate with me. I may move my blog back over to Blogger's site if I can't manage to delete enough junk.
I think it has been 4 years now that my web hosting and domain name have been donated to me by a very kind woman I met online years ago in chat. Her chat name was Dragongirl and we were both very active in a computer help chat room on MSN. It was through that chat room that I became interested in graphic and web design. My domain expires in April and I don't want one of those seedy looking ad companies to buy my name and plaster it with advertisements. That happened with the other domain I helped to administrate PCHConline.com when we decided not to renew. I hope I can figure out how to switch it over to me and pay it before that happens. I would be so sad to see fluteloop.com belong to someone else. It has been so much fun to learn and express myself through this site.
Recently, Fun and I have been working on a forum for the group of people we play ffxi with. I was really reluctant to even open Photoshop after such a long hiatus but I have found it to be just what I needed. Along those lines I am considering a change in career. I have been toying with the idea of going back to school to get a digital arts certificate or something along those lines. I want to put some good thought and research into this move though, because I do not need a useless degree with no actual job potential.
I think it has been 4 years now that my web hosting and domain name have been donated to me by a very kind woman I met online years ago in chat. Her chat name was Dragongirl and we were both very active in a computer help chat room on MSN. It was through that chat room that I became interested in graphic and web design. My domain expires in April and I don't want one of those seedy looking ad companies to buy my name and plaster it with advertisements. That happened with the other domain I helped to administrate PCHConline.com when we decided not to renew. I hope I can figure out how to switch it over to me and pay it before that happens. I would be so sad to see fluteloop.com belong to someone else. It has been so much fun to learn and express myself through this site.
Recently, Fun and I have been working on a forum for the group of people we play ffxi with. I was really reluctant to even open Photoshop after such a long hiatus but I have found it to be just what I needed. Along those lines I am considering a change in career. I have been toying with the idea of going back to school to get a digital arts certificate or something along those lines. I want to put some good thought and research into this move though, because I do not need a useless degree with no actual job potential.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Angel
Angel, passed Friday November 17, 2006. In her youth she was a terror. Small in stature but a bully none the less! She always wanted to sleep curled up under my chin so that I would breath fur. Ara loved her because she tolerated her 'petting' and love. I miss her.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Monday, August 07, 2006
What is Wierd About You/Myspace Rant
I have always had an issue with using a dish from the dish rack. I guess I feel like it was too recently dirty. Or, you know when you really need a fork, but they are all dirty so you wash one really fast. Yeah, I have a really hard time with that too.
If it's still wet.. ick.
If you dried it with a dish towel.. ick.
There I feel better now.
Speaking of things that bother me though. Myspace.com. Every single time I naively look at at a myspace page I am amazed. What makes people think that some hideous, busy, and distracting picture is a good background? Hello, we can't even read your text! Also, don't put music on your site. Please. I mean paleeeeeeeeease. I don't want to hear some low quality, slow loading, music that is not of my choosing. Then there is the issue where all your friends THINK they know their myspace address and yet mysteriously it takes 30 minutes of searching myspace and then google because myspace search sucks to locate the page. I think they do that on purpose to keep you on myspace longer. And last but certainly not least, once you finally find the page you are looking for, you can't actually view anything unless you sign up. Brilliant. Annoying.
I play an online game, ffxi and it seems like everyone you meet has a myspace. It's part of our culture now despite my feelings. Like the Ipod, blogging, IMing, and the use of 'lol'. I will never escape it. I don't feel however that, that is any reason to stop ranting about it!
One side note though, parents for the love of god supervise your children online. It is scary how many teens are online begging for someone to pay attention to them. You may not realize it, but there is some freak on the internet who does.
If it's still wet.. ick.
If you dried it with a dish towel.. ick.
There I feel better now.
Speaking of things that bother me though. Myspace.com. Every single time I naively look at at a myspace page I am amazed. What makes people think that some hideous, busy, and distracting picture is a good background? Hello, we can't even read your text! Also, don't put music on your site. Please. I mean paleeeeeeeeease. I don't want to hear some low quality, slow loading, music that is not of my choosing. Then there is the issue where all your friends THINK they know their myspace address and yet mysteriously it takes 30 minutes of searching myspace and then google because myspace search sucks to locate the page. I think they do that on purpose to keep you on myspace longer. And last but certainly not least, once you finally find the page you are looking for, you can't actually view anything unless you sign up. Brilliant. Annoying.
I play an online game, ffxi and it seems like everyone you meet has a myspace. It's part of our culture now despite my feelings. Like the Ipod, blogging, IMing, and the use of 'lol'. I will never escape it. I don't feel however that, that is any reason to stop ranting about it!
One side note though, parents for the love of god supervise your children online. It is scary how many teens are online begging for someone to pay attention to them. You may not realize it, but there is some freak on the internet who does.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
She is small, and very funny.
In perspective Ara is very small, but look through my eyes and her face fills my vision. I was trying to teach her about kisses today and by the her bath time she kept offering me her 'My Little Pony" to kiss and giggling. My persistence paid off though because as I carried her to bed she gave me 7 kisses! Her birthday is in 12 days now and I am feeling so nostalgic about last year and how I can't believe it's been a year, and how she has grown so much. Today, she was entertaining herself by standing at the coffee table and driving a toy car back and forth. She even makes the car sounds, so ferociously so that she drools like a mad woman. I sat watching her play and every once in a while she would look up at me and smile. She doesn't find it odd that her Mother stares at her all the time! We took a walk downtown today since it was pretty mild summer weather. I felt on top of the world strolling along with my girl. We stopped in some of the shops, we shared an organic fruit pop from the CoOp, we got Joey a 250 year old salt rock from the Himalayas (don't ask), and Ara toppled a book display in the charming book store. Good times!
Saturday, July 29, 2006
My Toddler!
Ara started walking last Sunday 7.16.06. She just stood up in the middle of the room and took 4 of the smallest little steps. We watching in silence, with our eyes welling up with tears. She is usually pretty cautious and fairly graceful considering she is so new. Her birthday party is all planned and I am so excited. I am even going to try to bake the cake lol! I already got 3 cake mixes, the extras are for an error margin!
P.S. Hugs to Chris and Audra. Chris you stay safe and come back.
P.S. Hugs to Chris and Audra. Chris you stay safe and come back.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Update on the craving
I just realized what I'm craving.. I haven't had one in a REALLY long time, like years. It's a grilled chicken sandwich from McDonalds, with a ton of that honey mustard you have to ask for. Oh and french fries. Ohhhh the starchy, crispy, carbo-licious goodness.
~I need something to read.
I just finished reading the entire Harry Potter series again. I read the Half Blood Prince last summer for the first time (while pregnant) and I missed a lot of the details. I think I read to fast the first time. Anyway, now I'm sort of at a loss for what to read. I was thinking of re-reading Under a Tuscan Sun, but I feel stuck in a rut re-reading books all the time. That is exactly what I read last summer. Of course, I read MANY books about parenting and child development but what I need is an "unwind" book. So I have been sitting here trying to think of my favorite authors.. which is very non-adventurous of me. I do LOVE Kinsolver and I never did read the Poisonwood Bible, but I don't feel drawn to it.
I am just rambling
in text
for people to read
and somehow that seems ironic to me.
I'm craving.. something. It's the kind of craving where you can almost smell what you want. Some sort of salty-crunchy maybe. Wish I could eat salty-crunchy...
I am just rambling
in text
for people to read
and somehow that seems ironic to me.
I'm craving.. something. It's the kind of craving where you can almost smell what you want. Some sort of salty-crunchy maybe. Wish I could eat salty-crunchy...
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Rymi and Ohm
Yesterday, Fun and I met our first online friends ever. Needless to say we were nervous! They drove down from Phoenix and we had a late lunch and then went.. roller skating! We had fun, they were normal and all was good! I just hope they thought WE were normal...
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Fish!
A few days ago Ara started looking up at the fish tank and saying quietly, "shhhh".
At the grocery store we stopped to look at the lobsters in a tank and she tells me,
"Mam (a combination of Mom and Mama I think) F-shhhhh".
Today we were in the pool and I told her she was a fish.
Now when I make a swimming motion with my arms we both laugh and say, "F-shhhh".
She is my secret joy.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Control. Do you need it?
Control Our Junk.com! Hilarious-satisfying waste of your time. You can control the.. junk remotely from your computer. My Brother actually found the site.
Since we are on the subject of webcams. Yesterday I had Ara on my lap and I was looking for pictures of zoo animals to show her. I stumbled across the San Diego Zoo cams. We watched the elephant and panda bears. Once again the internet brings far away things close!
Ara and I have been swimming, and I am LOVING watching her learn about things that float, kicking her legs, using her arms to move the water to bring things closer. You cannot help but be effected by her curious and optimistic view of the world. Motherhood is beautiful.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Multi-tasking
I recently had the realization that I am ALWAYs multi-tasking.
I'm driving in the car --I'm raising a child.
Buying groceries --I'm raising a child.
Taking a shower --I'm raising a child.
I never do anything without Ara on my mind. I am so different from myself a year ago I am unrecognizable. I would have laughed my ass off if someone told me I would be feeling like a regimented schedule is awesome someday. Or that I would NOT think that 7 AM is freakishly early. I guess it really just says a lot about me that I didn't think Motherhood would change me so completely. I was naive in thinking that Ara would live my life, I pictured us hanging out at Barnes with cutesy baby in the stroller napping happily. I thought of us hiking with her in one of those backpacks. Us in fancy restaurants with our angel in the car seat making happy coo- noises. Not to say that we don't do those things but our life is definitely much more Ara-oriented! I cringe when I think of taking her out before her afternoon nap. I fume over people who set appointment in the middle of Ara's lunchtime.
And, do not even THINK of making noise while she is sleeping unless you would like to incur my wrath!
Ara Update:
- She is almost ready to walk. If you turn her toy box over she pushes it around like a shopping cart.
- She is SIGNING back! I swell with pride and love every time she does the sign for milk or tells me she is hungry.
- She is talking more and more and responds with signs. Kitty, Dada, Mom, Bam-pa (Grandpa), Ja ja (cousin Joey), Ba-na-na.
- She imitates talking on the phone with any toy that even remotely resembles one. Or when the real phone rings.
- She played with the big kids in the McD's Playplace (see picture)!
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Peaches for free!
All this time I've been slicing an dicing every piece of fruit so tiny and it turns out she loves nothing more than a pealed whole peach. This is the picture of happiness! Ara went to her ped today, she has pink eye. I have NO idea how she came into contact with pink eye except maybe when we went to the library yesterday. Anyway, her little eyes are so puffy and goopy. She doesn't let it slow her down though!
My feelings for the day: Relief that it's over!
Goodnight!
Monday, May 29, 2006
Araness
There was a moment today when Ara caught my gaze and looked straight into my eyes for what seemed like a minute. As I looked into those dark dark brown eyes I was almost startled by her depth. I see such intelligence, curiosity, and love inside those eyes.
Ara has been sort of complaining lately as she crawls/cruises in the living room. She really wants to explore and finds her safety zone boring. I hate having to constantly bring her back when she crawls away. I don't want to discourage her, so I started trying to think of different ways to engage her mind. We got her some giant Crayons and a piece of paper and she was SO excited. I actually have Ara's first artistic expression in my hand. I have also been trying to change my tone of voice when I say "aht aht aht" to stop her from eating the crayons. I can't understand, I am doing everything the "child experts" say to do and my baby thinks it's really funny! She laughs and laughs. She even holds the crayon near her mouth and looks at me expectantly!
Ara has been sort of complaining lately as she crawls/cruises in the living room. She really wants to explore and finds her safety zone boring. I hate having to constantly bring her back when she crawls away. I don't want to discourage her, so I started trying to think of different ways to engage her mind. We got her some giant Crayons and a piece of paper and she was SO excited. I actually have Ara's first artistic expression in my hand. I have also been trying to change my tone of voice when I say "aht aht aht" to stop her from eating the crayons. I can't understand, I am doing everything the "child experts" say to do and my baby thinks it's really funny! She laughs and laughs. She even holds the crayon near her mouth and looks at me expectantly!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Cut and Paste Thoughts
Book: Goblet of Fire (yes again)
Activity: Playing FFXI tonight. BLM Ka-Boom. We recently reactivated our characters since we stopped playing a while ago. Not our old old characters though, sadly.
Music: Evanescence, I haven't listed to them in forever (so don't call me an emo).
Karma: So this lady sat in a chair next to me in class, picked up my pencil and kept it. The next day, one of my students gave me a gift; a pack of pencils, pens, and super cool highlighter post-it pens. Lose a pencil, gain many pencils!
On my Mind: I should make a To-Do list because I feel like I have a lot to do! What kind of people stick random bumper stickers on their cars? I saw a van today that read, "It's all about me" and "If you don't like abortion, don't have one" you do have to wonder.
Araness: Little wonder girl was in a kind of quiet mood today. Her Daddy has been working more so she wanted to be close to me all day, and I have NO objections to Ara-love. Head-hugs galore! She is cruising now, and even trying to stand without support.
TO DO:
Upload Ara pictures to Yahoo and have them printed
Have a set of pictures sent to CA grandma
Call Thursday student
Think about summer teaching day
Read chapter in child development book
Look at other child development books
Grocery store!
Get Ara a new toy box
Activity: Playing FFXI tonight. BLM Ka-Boom. We recently reactivated our characters since we stopped playing a while ago. Not our old old characters though, sadly.
Music: Evanescence, I haven't listed to them in forever (so don't call me an emo).
Karma: So this lady sat in a chair next to me in class, picked up my pencil and kept it. The next day, one of my students gave me a gift; a pack of pencils, pens, and super cool highlighter post-it pens. Lose a pencil, gain many pencils!
On my Mind: I should make a To-Do list because I feel like I have a lot to do! What kind of people stick random bumper stickers on their cars? I saw a van today that read, "It's all about me" and "If you don't like abortion, don't have one" you do have to wonder.
Araness: Little wonder girl was in a kind of quiet mood today. Her Daddy has been working more so she wanted to be close to me all day, and I have NO objections to Ara-love. Head-hugs galore! She is cruising now, and even trying to stand without support.
TO DO:
Upload Ara pictures to Yahoo and have them printed
Have a set of pictures sent to CA grandma
Call Thursday student
Think about summer teaching day
Read chapter in child development book
Look at other child development books
Grocery store!
Get Ara a new toy box
Monday, May 22, 2006
Parenting Class :: Now go to your room!
We have our second session of our Parenting Class tomorrow night. At our first class last week we learned about the 3 basic styles of parenting.
1. Authorative
2. Permissive
3. Democratic
We discussed each style and it was clear that we were supposed to come to the conclusion that Democratic is the way to be. We did actually agree with that conclusion so that was convenient. Democratic parenting involves giving your child choices, which can be challenging. I do like the ultimate goal though, and that is to instill in your child a sense of worth and belonging. Parenting is a daunting task. I am so glad we are taking this class because it seems like consistency is the key to everything and we should start from the very beginning. It's strange, the more you are a parent the more you think about how you are a daughter. My own experiences from childhood keep popping up in my mind and I seem to see them from a completely different perspective. Anyway, we asked so many questions in class that the other students started to make fun of us! At the end of class the teacher asked each of us to talk about something we had learned. One guy said that he learned that new parents ask a lot of questions! Pfft. At the end of this 6 week class we will be getting a certificate. I will be a certified Mom. Woot.
Diet Update: Damn these strawberries are good (snaking on strawberries while I type). I am feeling much more energetic today! It is amazing how sugar, carbs, and caffeine can fool you into thinking you have energy. With sleep, water, and healthy food I feel like a semi-new person! I will feel much MUCH better though when I can fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans.
Ara Update: The girl is on the move! Today Fun supported her as she walked across the room to me. She still drags her feet and no way does she have the balance to stand on her own yet but she looks damn cute! We had to buy her a playpen today because she is so fast we were starting to worry. It is a very cool playpen though and she seems to think its fun. It has a little zipper door that you can open so she can roam in and out until you need to close it up. It has a canopy that is all mesh so you can even take it outside and spare her mosquito bites! What did people do before all of these nifty and convenient inventions? She is doing this new thing where she puts one hand on her head and says, "ha". We think she is mimicking talking on the phone! She says the "ha" if you say "hi" so we are pretty sure that's what she is saying. So far we have identified Kitty, Joey, Em, Mom, Dada, and Bampa (grandpa). She also seems like MAYBE she is using the sign for food, although she uses it sometimes just to signal that she wants something not necessarily food.
1. Authorative
2. Permissive
3. Democratic
We discussed each style and it was clear that we were supposed to come to the conclusion that Democratic is the way to be. We did actually agree with that conclusion so that was convenient. Democratic parenting involves giving your child choices, which can be challenging. I do like the ultimate goal though, and that is to instill in your child a sense of worth and belonging. Parenting is a daunting task. I am so glad we are taking this class because it seems like consistency is the key to everything and we should start from the very beginning. It's strange, the more you are a parent the more you think about how you are a daughter. My own experiences from childhood keep popping up in my mind and I seem to see them from a completely different perspective. Anyway, we asked so many questions in class that the other students started to make fun of us! At the end of class the teacher asked each of us to talk about something we had learned. One guy said that he learned that new parents ask a lot of questions! Pfft. At the end of this 6 week class we will be getting a certificate. I will be a certified Mom. Woot.
Diet Update: Damn these strawberries are good (snaking on strawberries while I type). I am feeling much more energetic today! It is amazing how sugar, carbs, and caffeine can fool you into thinking you have energy. With sleep, water, and healthy food I feel like a semi-new person! I will feel much MUCH better though when I can fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans.
Ara Update: The girl is on the move! Today Fun supported her as she walked across the room to me. She still drags her feet and no way does she have the balance to stand on her own yet but she looks damn cute! We had to buy her a playpen today because she is so fast we were starting to worry. It is a very cool playpen though and she seems to think its fun. It has a little zipper door that you can open so she can roam in and out until you need to close it up. It has a canopy that is all mesh so you can even take it outside and spare her mosquito bites! What did people do before all of these nifty and convenient inventions? She is doing this new thing where she puts one hand on her head and says, "ha". We think she is mimicking talking on the phone! She says the "ha" if you say "hi" so we are pretty sure that's what she is saying. So far we have identified Kitty, Joey, Em, Mom, Dada, and Bampa (grandpa). She also seems like MAYBE she is using the sign for food, although she uses it sometimes just to signal that she wants something not necessarily food.
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