« August 2006 | Main | October 2006 »

September 29, 2006

Blank Books

I'm in desperate need of a new journal. I always know when the old one is done- not because I get to the last page, but because I just can't write in it anymore. It may take me two years, it may take me six months, but when they're done, they're done. My journals are all self concluding.

Journal selection is a serious decision for me. It's gotta be just right. The last one I had, the cover was leather and embossed with this cool bohemian design and was absolutely beautiful. But the paper was cream colored. Er. I went ahead and got it because I loved the cover so much, but I never was very happy with the paper. See how picky I am? It's ridiculous. The paper has to be lined, but the lines can't be too far spaced. And I don't like inspirational text on the top or bottom of the page. And cream- well, it's not my favorite. It doesn't match my ink. There are lots of other prerequisites for a journal making it home with me, but I'll spare you my neurosis.

I have a little birthday money I've been hanging on to, and tomorrow, I'm gonna put it to good use. I'm going journal shopping. Yay! And since I know you're just fascinated with every tiny little detail of my life, I'll post a picture of the winning book when I get home. Yes, you are lucky, aren't you?

I am such a nerd.

Posted by WonderGirl at 11:51 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

September 28, 2006

Don't Feed The Monster

Sometimes you need a place to yell, Grrrrrr!!!

I am so frustrated, and I want to say why and I can't.

Over the recent months, I've been working on this new philosophy on dealing with the frustrations in my life. I realized I had gotten to a point where I focused on what was bugging me too much. I mulled over the irritations and discomforts of life, and it made them worse. So, once I realized this, I consciously made the effort to let things go when they bothered me. Shake it off. Not think about it anymore. It works pretty good with most things, especially the small ones. It's quite liberating to shrug your shoulders and say, "eh, whatever." Water on a duck, my friend.

The potential problem though, is that I run the risk of not dealing with things that actually need resolution. I am simply ignoring them or pretending they don't exist. I'm not so sure how that's working out for me. I've got one particular issue that keeps getting under my skin, and I wonder if it means this is something I really need to sit down and address and be done with it.

-sigh-

And I can't talk about it here. It would only exacerbate the problem.

I'm also afraid that by talking about it, I'll fall back into that old habit of overthinking a problem, making it bigger and "badder" with more of my attention. Know what I'm saying? I don't want to feed that monster if it means he gets bigger.

At the same time, I know myself. I need an outlet for this one-- it's almost like the writer's itch, it will eat at me until I exorcise it.

Thus, the "GRrrrrrr!!!!!"

Actually, I do feel better after bringing it up here, despite the vagueness. Okay. Good. Progress. Now I think I'll follow up with some therapeutic, homemade chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.

Doctor's orders, of course.

(I don't have to feed the monster. But I should probably feed myself, right? Yeah. I mean, I'm only thinking of the baby. I have to keep my strength up and all.)

Posted by WonderGirl at 12:55 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Awww... Her First Sarcasm

Last night, we witnessed a milestone in Czarina's comic development.

We were eating dinner, which included homemade french fries I'd been craving, and Czarina had to go to the bathroom. She left the table, putting her half eaten french fry on her napkin instead of her plate. When she came back, she exclaimed, "Who put that there?"

"The french fry fairy, " I answered cutely.

She didn't miss a beat, and replied with a smirky little grin, "Oh, wishes really do come true!"

She got me. She totally wiped the floor with me on that one. It was so funny, King Pen and I had tears in our eyes.

I'm so proud.

Posted by WonderGirl at 9:49 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

September 26, 2006

Effective Advertisement

Yesterday, while driving to my midwife appointment (which I will expound upon later), I passed a billboard that simply said, "Call Your Parents".

That's it.

No business listed, no hidden advertisement, just call your parents.

I had to laugh-- I could imagine a group of disgruntled, Seinfeldian parents sitting around a bridge table, complaining about their grown children never calling home. Then one of them has the bright idea of starting a billboard campaign to remind their negligent children to shape up.

So of course, I called home.

I'm a sucker for imperative advertising.

Posted by WonderGirl at 3:39 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

Oh Thank Heavens

After four days without a working washing machine, it's finally fixed. Fortunately, it wasn't an issue with our machine, it was the pipes- so we didn't have to fork over any $ for it. Yay!

But do you know what happens when you don't wash clothes in four days around here? It's bad. I may not see you again till next Spring. Seriously. I can't see over this pile.

Posted by WonderGirl at 1:50 PM | TrackBack

September 22, 2006

Slow and Steady

she's growing...

Okay, so I don't know if it's a girl. And while I will love a boy or a girl, I'll admit I'd like to play dress up again with a sweet baby girl.

The SmockLady has had a pregnancy ticker on her blog for a while, so I thought I'd take her idea for the day. Cool! And yeah, it saves me having to write all this developmental stuff out for you. So I'm lazy. Sue me.

Posted by WonderGirl at 10:24 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

September 21, 2006

That's Curious.

You know those cool magnetic poetry kits all the hip people have on their refridgerators? The ones they use to create deep, three word sentences to sum up their entire life philosophy as they grab a cold soda and sliced cheese?

Yeah, we don't have those. Instead, we have the cooler, hipper, more magnetic toddler alphabet. In all twenty-six letters, my friends. Yes. We are just that awesome. And get this- we even have doubles of some of the more frequently used letters. Sweet. We reek coffeehouse cool, lemme tell ya. Berets and everything.

I was a bit disturbed, however, after discovering that my children had spelled out the words "Unit B".

I don't know what that means. And it's been bothering me all day.

It seems like a clue of some sort. Are they involved in some covert, scientific experiment I don't know about? Are they undercover? Are they sending coded messages to each other? What is Unit B? WHAT? Tell me! *banging a fist on the table.

King Pen and I tried the good cop/bad cop routine, but they wouldn't budge. They each had solid alibis, of course- each other. They didn't even break a sweat when I threatened them with no cookies or SpongeBob privileges.

It's okay, though. I've got them under survellience.

And I always get my man.

Unit B is going down.

Posted by WonderGirl at 11:54 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack

Must See TV

I feel totally robbed that Project Runway was a rerun last night. However, at least tonight we have The Office premiere, and Survivor. Wait! At the same time! Oh NO!

Okay, guess this means I'll have to figure out how to program the VCR. I better start right now. It's not a dumb blonde thing- seeing as how I'm not even really blonde anymore. It's a "stupid VCR lacking a manual" thing. Grr.

Oh, by the way, have you seen the public service announcements from the cast of The Office? My sister-in-law passed e'm along to me. Funny!

Posted by WonderGirl at 3:09 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

I'm Wearing A Tent

Well, I'm officially wearing a maternity shirt. And I officially look stupid. I'd take it off if it wasn't so danged comfortable. I have three normal shirts that are still working for me, all of which I got for my birthday. So that's Mon, Tues., and Wed. You don't want to see me from Thursday to Sunday! C'est la vie. I've got three pair of normal jeans that still fit- okay, they fit before a meal. After a meal, I go redneck and unbutton that baby. I just can't stand tight stuff around my middle right now! Anyway, I'm feeling pretty silly in this shirt, but there's something to be said for the roomy cut! As long as nobody sees me, that is. Please, avert your eyes.

In other news, school was good today. I've figured out that we have to do our math first. Phonics and reading come easily to Czarina and she loves it. When we do math last, by the time we get to it, she's frustrated and restless and ready to be done for the day. So we did it first thing this morning, and it was great! I don't want to skimp on her math, so I think this change will be a big improvement. Our biggest obstacle these days seems to be the Duke. Czarina is vastly amused by anything he does and he knows it. That stinker is a major distraction. Usually, he's still asleep when we get started, but occasionally, he is awake and in full performance mode. He loves, loves, LOVES his big sister, and will do almost anything to get her attention. It's in those moments when I think about adding a newborn to the mix, and I get afraid.

In the busiest, most hectic hours, I really question my ability to juggle it all. But, in the end, I know I will because I have to, and it will all be okay. That's the way I am. It doesn't matter how difficult it can be, because what choice do you have but to deal? I am too responsible to freak out (much, anyway)- and I'm not bragging, that's just who I am. I won't have a break down, because who will clean up the mess? I'm fairly certain there's a more noble attitude to have about it, but hey- whatever gets the job done, right? Ha! Seriously though, I am thankful that God has equipped me to deal with the life we lead. He's used the past five (+) years to mold me into a more easy-going, patient, and generally content person. I think those things will come in handy with four children under the age of 6. And again, I'm not building myself up- I am overflowing with imperfection- but I recognize how God has used the circumstances of my life to prepare me for the journey ahead. It's good to know there is a point to all we go through!

Okay, I'm gonna go feed myself now. I'll spare you the weird details of the pregnant lady's menu. And you're welcome.

Posted by WonderGirl at 12:45 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 20, 2006

Una Buena Dia

It's amazing outside. My family tells me to quit bragging about it, but I can't help it. B'ham has awesome weather. I actually feel kind of guilty about it... and paranoid. I feel like I'm going to jinx it by over-acknowledgement. But come on--- cool and breezy AND sunny? It's too much. Moving from Louisiana, I feel like I have weather PTSD. It may take a while to recover.

I'm having a good nail day. Ever have those? Where you nails look spontaneously manicured? Trust me, it's purely accidental. They just happened to chip or break in a perfect crescent shape, cause I don't put much effort into it. Not that I'm against lovely nails, not at all. It's just not high on the priority list. I'm enjoying them now though, because if I can ever find the elusive guitar, I know they'll have to go altogether. Anyway, they look sweet.

Could this day get any better? Ha!

Rambling, sorry. King Pen is coming home for lunch, and I'm getting the car the rest of the day to run some errands and take the kids to a different park. I only had a few minutes, so I thought I'd use them for a little stream of consciousness. Apologies. I really shouldn't subject you good people to such trivial details.

I'll blog more lata, when the day is ending. I'll try to work up something a little more interesting than the state of my fingernails and the weather outside.

Project Runway tonight, by the way. Admit it. You're watching it, aren't ya?

Posted by WonderGirl at 12:45 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

September 19, 2006

Repeat to Self

Candy corn is not a healthy coping mechanism.
Candy corn is not a healthy coping mechanism.
Candy corn is not a healthy coping mechanism.

Chocolate, on the other hand...

Posted by WonderGirl at 9:23 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

September 18, 2006

Even Barbie Has Dirty Work

This commercial came on over the weekend, and Britt and I sat in stunned silence as we witnessed toy history. Aparently, Barbie has a dog. His name is Tanner. And he's hilarious- a real comic genius- because he poops. Feed him a "brown doggie-bisquit", and it will pop out the other end. Nice. At least Barbie is civically minded and law-abiding- she promptly scooped with her magnetic pooper scooper. No batteries required.

I wish Barbie was my neighbor. Not only would she clean up after her dog, I bet she'd even invite me to her infamous slumber parties! We'd have pillow fights and talk about how Ken tried to give her a closed mouth kiss on their last date! That jerk.

Anyway.

Yay for toys that imitate bodily functions. I bet Santa gets lots of requests for that one this year. I know it's going on my list.

Posted by WonderGirl at 6:18 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Snapped IV

Lastly, here is the "after picture" when Britt got done with my hair. The "before picture" has mysteriously disappeared. Sorry. It was right here, seriously. Now it's gone. Poof.

Posted by WonderGirl at 5:59 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Snapped III

Here's our day at Oak Mountain State Park. Check out that sparkling clear water!

Posted by WonderGirl at 5:55 PM | TrackBack

Snapped II

I mentioned that Czarina wanted French toast for her birthday breakfast, didn't I? I make a mean French toast. When I was a kid, we always got to choose the menu for one meal on our birthday. I am continuing the grand tradition with my own kiddos. I wanted Czarina to feel extra special on her big day, so I made up a nice placemat for her. She loved it.

Posted by WonderGirl at 5:50 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Snapped

While we were in Monroe a few weekends ago, we had an early birthday party for Czarina. Here are some photos from that trip.

HeroBoy with a bat. Deadly combination, people. He was encouraging the grown-ups to "hurry the party up."

Czarina loved the attention, but it made her a little shy.

This was the Duke's first time sitting at the big table with the kids. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to be doing, so he faked it a little.

Luckily, he had Bronwen sitting next to him to cheat off of.

The kids haven't realized they outnumber the grownups just yet. *fingers crossing*

I have more, but I'll post 'em in a bit.

Posted by WonderGirl at 5:37 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

How'd It Go, You Ask?

So much happened this weekend, I don't even know where to start!

Saturday morning, Czarina woke up to her 6th birthday, and French toast. We had a picnic lunch at Oak Mountain State Park, where we swam in the lake and walked the Treetop Nature Trail. On the way, we swung by the Freecycler's house to pick up the guitar. Unfortunately, the bridge was bowing up, and if I tightened the strings, the whole thing woulda broken. Wah. So no guitar yet.

After we got back from the lake (which boasted goose feathers and POO along the shoreline! grrr), the kids went for one last dip in the pool with King Pen. The pool is now officially closed for the season! Where did the summer go?

After an hour or two of downtime, we packed up and headed to the mall for Czarina's birthday celebration. She and HeroBoy made Build-A-Bears, and she had a little bit of birthday money to spend at the toystore. By the time we got home, Aunt Britt was here with yet more gifts to open, and Pocky for me! Yum! After a while, the kids went to bed and Britt and I got down to our way overdue girl talk. After a few hours of that, we were all caught up.

Sunday, we had church, and that afternoon, Britt broke out her hair stuff and did her thing. Yay! I am now in my fall palette. It's lovely. We played at the playground for a while, then the kids went to the creek with King Pen. Busy day, again. Britt left this morning. It was so good to see her. I love that little sis of mine.

So I have pictures, I really do. And I'm gonna edit those suckers, and get them up later, I promise. Seriously. I am going to do it. But first I have to go see if Belle and Shawn are EVER going to figure out that Claire is their baby.

Posted by WonderGirl at 2:08 PM | TrackBack

September 15, 2006

The Extremely Edited Rant

Dear Dog Owners Of America, or specifically, MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR,

Hi.

Please, for the love of pete, clean up da poop.

Sincerely,
WonderGirl

PS- I am a dog person, you know. I'm just not a poo person. And though I have the foresight to look before I step, my children do not. Next time I have to shovel piles and piles of poop just so my kids can play outside, you can guess where I'll be replacing it.

********

Posted by WonderGirl at 1:25 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

September 14, 2006

More of the Same

Expanding on the thought earlier today... my goodness, what a gorgeous day! We've been sleeping with our bedroom window open a little so we could hear the crickets, and this morning, there was a deliciously cool breeze sneaking into our room. Ahhhh... it was so nice. And now it is sunny and bright, but there is still a little, almost undetectable, nip to the air. Fall waits.

I'm excited to experience a new season in a new place. Fall should be longer and more vivid here in B'ham than it was in south Louisiana. I am almost giddy with the thought! I can envision the hot cocoa and fuzzy socks and piles of leaves already.

School was short today, as it was a test day for Czarina. I am happy to report she's doing very well- she scored 98 and 95 on the phonics and math tests. We are celebrating with a trip to the playground in just a little while. I will make a valiant attempt not to fall asleep on the blanket I plan to spread out. Actually, I know better than to shut my eyes with the Duke on the loose. He'd be halfway to Texas if I fell asleep!

I'd like to thank everybody for the wellwishing on my birthday! It's so nice to have people that care about you and pray about you and want you to feel special. No present is nicer than feeling like you matter to other people! So, a hearty thank-you!

Well, I suppose I should get out there and enjoy this fantastic weather, instead of just writing about it. Happy afternoon everybody! Enjoy it.

Posted by WonderGirl at 1:03 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Today's Perfection

Oh beautiful morning!
Crisp and cool and inviting.

Posted by WonderGirl at 10:40 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 13, 2006

Signs of Mommyness

You know you're a mom when it's standard procedure to clarify the statement, "Go wipe your nose," with "WITH A TISSUE!"

Ew.

Speaking of motherhood and such, I'm feeling the wee one making it's presence known on a daily basis now. It's such a sweet little feeling. This will probably DEFINITELY be our last go round with the pregnancy thing, so I'm trying to enjoy each sensation. I am past the morning sickness, clocking in at 16 weeks now. I feel good! Hard to believe that in a month, I will be halfway through. I packed a few of my regular clothes away, but I am still not quite in maternity clothes. I'm in that phase when I just look like I've eaten too many do-nuts. (Which I am not denying.) But still. I love the bump. Whether it's donut related or not.

In other news, it looks like I actually am getting a guitar! I've mentioned the Freecycle page before- where people basically post things they want to get rid of and things they are looking for. (How awesome is that?) Well, I sent out a message that I was seeking a guitar, and a fellow Freecycler responded. So I'm meeting her this weekend to get my very own, used acoustic guitar! I'm so excited! I don't have any selfhelp books to go along with it, but maybe I can find something at the library. Any guitar players out there with some advice? Please make with the dispensing if you do.

This weekend, my sister of the many names will be coming for a visit. Britt will be here for Czarina's birthday on Saturday. We're going to a lake that has a beach for a picnic lunch, and then that evening we'll be doing the Build-A-Bear thing. It will be a fun weekend, full of cakey deliciousness. I can't believe my girl is going to be six. It's just... wah. But not yet. I'll try to hold it in a few more days.

Well, looks like my coffee break's over. Gotta get back to work! Lunch to make, papers to grade, laundry to uh... launder.

Have a good one, everybody!

Posted by WonderGirl at 12:24 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

September 12, 2006

Digital yumminess

Hm. My computer smells like chocolate chip cookies. That can't be good.

Or, well, shoot, maybe it is. Maybe it's my lucky day, and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are about to pop out of my disk drive. That would be nice.

Anyway- got a few substantial blog posts in the works. I'll post 'em later... after I figure out where the cookies are. I think I'll check the internet cache. Ha!

Posted by WonderGirl at 5:29 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

September 11, 2006

31

Seriously? I am THAT old? I think I accidentally hit the fast forward button or something.

Happy Birthday, me! Put your boots on- etc. etc.

Posted by WonderGirl at 9:35 AM | Comments (10) | TrackBack

September 8, 2006

Key of C(razy)

Oh dear. As much as I've got going on in my life, I get an itch to teach myself the guitar.

Really.

Oh lookie! I could wear this cool prego shirt, too!

Nothing says rocking like a mama with red hair and black roots.

Posted by WonderGirl at 3:00 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 7, 2006

Looking For A Six Fingered Man

I'd say my nesting instinct has hit early, or I've developed OCD. Either way, I've been cleaning like a madman. But cleaning is kind of boring, so I like to spice it up a little. Today, I was Inigo Montoya. Know who I'm talking about? From The Princess Bride? I pointed the toilet scrubber at my foe with great flourish and said in a deadly calm, Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father... Prepare to DIE!

You know you're saying it in your head right now. You're even rolling your r's, aren't you? Go ahead, say it out loud. It's really fun.

Anyway, I attacked the dirty and unorganized today with great, Spanish, gusto. I got the linen closet properly submissive, the master bathroom resigned to it's fate, and the laundry well and truly tamed. I am feeling downright productive, amigos! All it takes is a little foreign accent to get the job done right. (And no one around to laugh at you when you are acting like a complete idiot.)

Okay, that's all for now. I need to go before I make one too many Princess Bride references and drive you all away. More foolishness tomorrow.

Posted by WonderGirl at 6:21 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

September 6, 2006

Washer Woman

Pardon me while I just pass out here for a little while.

Whew! With the kids out of town, my little assistant and I have attacked a few of the more onerous jobs that I've been avoiding. I organized the kids closets and dressers. I got all the clothes out that are too small and went through the boxes of clothes the next size up. Hm. That doesn't sound nearly as impressive a job as it actually was, but you can take my word for it. I'm wiped! I also went through all my maternity clothes and organized my dresser and closet, removing clothes that don't fit anymore. And in between all that, I've been doing the regular laundry and putting it away.

I'm sick of clothes.

And I'm out of hangers.

So I'm done.

The Duke was super "helpful", by the way. With his big brother and sister gone, he is dogging my trail step for step. The boy doesn't like hanging out on his own, that's for sure. But I'm enjoying it. It's hard to believe that in six months, he won't be the baby anymore. Wah. I'll take it while I can get it.

Well, I'm out. That couch over there is looking mighty fine about now. See yas tomorrow.

Posted by WonderGirl at 6:12 PM | TrackBack

September 5, 2006

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

We rolled in last night around 10, loaded down with bags and boxes and one baby. (Well, two if you count the wee stowaway.) We had a great weekend! It was busy, but not overwhelming. The weather was out of this world. The food was delicious. And being amongst loved ones again was oh-so-sweet. I think I was more homesick than I had realized!

I did take some pictures, so I'll post them a little later on today. But now it's time for unpacking and cleaning up and enjoying a day with the Duke. Hope you all had a great holiday, too.

On again later!

Posted by WonderGirl at 11:02 AM | TrackBack

September 1, 2006

Options

Busy, busy weekend ahead. We're leaving today around 2ish for my parent's house in MS. We'll spend the night there, and then tomorrow morning, stop by my mom's hospital for a little freebie ultrasound (it does pay to have a labor and delivery nurse in the family!), and then on to meet my sister at a campground for a few hours. She and her hubby are camping out for the Labor Day holiday, and it's not far, so there ya have it. After a few hours there, we'll head to King Pen's parent's house to spend the night. Sometime Sunday after church, we'll go see his sister's new house, then church that night. Monday, we'll head back to B'ham- minus Czarina and HeroBoy, who are staying for the rest of the week with his parents. (Czarina won't be missing school though- King Pen's mom gets to be teacher this week.)

So- wow. We're on an hourly schedule, it appears. My dilemna in planning trips back is this: my family and King Pen's family are about an hour apart. So I have two options for visiting. We can A) Spend a short time at both places, sacrificing quality for quantity; or B) Visit only one family each time, which forces us to go longer between visits. I don't like either option, really! I don't want to be in a hurry to go from one house to the next, but I also don't like the idea of going months between seeing either side! Gr. I want my cake and I want to eat it, too. Makes sense to me!

Anyway, we'll see how this goes. If it kills us, we may have to try option B. I'll be taking my camera and snapping frantically, so we'll have photographic evidence of the madness. Despite the busyness of it all, I'm really, really looking forward to seeing family and friends. I've been a little homesick for familiar faces.

Well, have a happy weekend everybody, and enjoy the holiday.

See ya Tuesday!

Posted by WonderGirl at 12:48 PM | TrackBack