11/20/09 Five Things Friday

1. I’ve started listening to Christmas music already. Is it me or does it come on the radio earlier and earlier? TWO stations are already playing nothing but Christmas music nonstop for weeks already. And me? Powerless to turn it off. I’m Jingle Bell Rockin’ at work, Decking the Halls at home, and Letting it Snow in the car in between. Last night I rocked Avery to sleep with Santa Baby.

I just can’t help myself. It’s a seasonal addiction for me, I’m already out of control, and it isn’t even Thanksgiving.

 

2. Does anyone use Hartz flea products on their dog or cat? Gunnar’s is almost a MONTH overdue, and I’m starting to panic, especially since it’s been warm the last few days. We’re usually religious about his flea and tick regimen, but we haven’t been able to get over to the vet while they’re open to buy his monthly dose. I’m thinking of making an emergency run to the Teeter tonight to purchase a flea dose. I’m thinking it might be the way to go from here on out; it’s cheaper than the vet and my mom says its always worked fine for her. I mean, its better than nothing right? I’m starting to feel like we’re playing Russian roulette with the flea population and this is a battle I definitely don’t want to lose.

 

3. Was just thinking how I cannot WAIT until January. Having Thursdays off is going to be so rewarding in so many ways. Not only will I be able to save on gas and spend some wonderful QT with my daughter, but I’ll be able to FINALLY have a few pockets of time to do what I like to do. Maybe I can get a better handle on my coupon organization, or break out the scrapbooking stuff and work on a few pages every week in between Bookie’s naps and feedings. I mean, almost half of her first year is gone, and I haven’t even scrapbooked my pregnancy book yet. Gotta get crackin’ again!

 

4. Mikey finally brought home some new tapes for our video camera. This week I taped some adorable footage of little Bookie Lou. I got her laughing, rolling around, and razzing. And Gunnar laying there like a wet rag, sleeping. They’re perfect home video moments. Even Mikey and I made cameos. As stressed and frazzled as I’ve been these days,  I’m grateful I can still appreciate this wonderful little family we have and recognize these fleeting special moments in our lives. Thank you God.

 

5. So something AWESOME happened last night. Yes, I was among the tweentards waiting in line to be one of the first to see New Moon for the sneak preview at midnight. My sister paid for the ticket and my mom drove. So literally I just had to be there along for the ride. I couldn’t pass that up; although I tried to at first…we were home at 3am. Somehow I still made it to work by 8am. And I’m not too tired. Perhaps it’s my renewed love of all things Twilight that’s fueling me?? Hmmm.

All I will say is this…there were parts that definitely challenged my Team Edward-ness. I was VERY tempted to switch teams, but in the end Edward won my heart back! Sighhh….

 

That’s all for now…discuss.

My Grown Up Christmas List

I was driving to work this morning listening to the radio, and I heard this song for the first time this holiday season.

It’s always been one of my absolute favorites, but this year it seemed to take on a higher sense of reality for me as I shift in to the next chapter of my life.  Listening to it, it finally hit home for me that I’m finally an adult in every sense of the word. My child’s childhood days have begun, and mine are officially over.

I’ve posted the words here. It’s such an incredibly moving song. As I drove to work with happy and sad tears in my eyes, I thought about how, for the first time in my life, my Christmas list this year has nothing to do with presents.

My Grown-Up Christmas List

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies

Well, I’m all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I’m not a child
But my heart still can dream

So here’s my lifelong wish
My grown up Christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal the heart
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end oh,
This is my grown up Christmas list

As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something shiny
Wrapped beneath the tree

But heaven only knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
Oh, This is my grown up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown up Christmas list
This is my only life long wish
This is my grown up Christmas list

My Little Bookie Lou- Milestones

Here are the top ten awesomest things Avery’s doing right now:

10. Making razzing noises with her lips and tongue, complete with a face full of drool.

9.  Scratching everything. She reaches her little hand out and runs her fingers over whatever the object is. It’s precious.

8. Playing the “Shy Girl” game. Anyone with kids knows it well: a person will come up to her while she’s in my arms (or anyone’s) and she’ll look at them for a minute, give a shy smile and turn really fast into my chest. After a second or two, she’ll turn back around to see if they’re still there.

7. She does this to herself in the mirror, too. Even CUTER.

6. Riding shotgun on Mommy. She whines to be picked up, and then is just content to walk around with me like a little monkey on my arm, fascinated as I do mundane things like folding clothes or cleaning up the kitchen. My little “helper.”

5. She’s becoming so much aware for her surroundings, too. For instance, Gunnar. She’s constantly reaching out for him now. He lets her pet him, but you can tell he’s still a little nervous. He’ll sniff her and nervously lick her little hand, and then get up after a minute or two. He’ll get used to her. He’s going to have to, because soon she’ll be trying to ride him and I can’t protect him forever. Lol.

4. She’s able to hold her own bottle. Sometimes she gets overzealous, holding it too high, and it topples right over her head. But she’s got a solid handle on it. A genius, I tell you!

3. For weeks now, she’s mastered the art of rolling. Everywhere. From back to front, to back, side to side, rolling all the way across a blanket. And she’s fast, too.  I’ll turn my head for a minute and she’ll make it across her play blanket and onto the rug. Runaway baby! I say to her, and she smiles. Yay.

2. Her little belly laugh is the most precious sound in the world.

And the number 1 awesomest thing Avery’s doing right now is…

1. She makes me wonder how I ever managed to get along without her in my life. It’s because of her that I love being someone’s mom.

The Sixth Annual Halloween Bash!

Sorry it took me a while to get this up! Lots going on these days!

What a GREAT party this year. I can honestly say it could be my favorite yet. The food was really good, and everyone went ALL OUT with their costumes. That’s really makes the party, you know? Why bother going all out if everyone doesn’t follow suit? Luckily Mikey and I have friends who enjoy Halloween as much as we do, and every costume was great.

As of course, this Halloween marked a special milestone for us as Avery’s First Halloween.

Even little Bookie Lou Lou wore her costume for about 20 seconds. I bought her this particular costume because I thought it would keep her warm. Turns out it was almost 80 degrees and humid Halloween evening. (I was SWEATING like crazy running around the house and working the oven.) So, needless to say, Avery couldn’t wear her heavy fleece costume for very long. Only a few minutes for pictures.

She hated the headpiece even more than the heavy hot outfit. We scrambled to wrestle it on her head and take pictures. Unfortunately, we only got a couple of them before she wigged out. Here’s Momma Bee and her Little Flower:

 

 As you can tell, someones’s not happy with their costume. No matter HOW ADORABLE she is…

Like I said earlier, this year we had a whole slew of fantastic costumes, including: Marge and Homer Simpson, Axl Rose, Amy Winehouse, A devil, a dark angel, two Jokers, a harlequin girl, Rainbow Brite, Popeye, Walker Texas Ranger, a Black Cat, a Football Player and Ref, Braveheart and his wife, two Scottish men, a girly Elvis, an Axe Murderer, a Baby Bee, three very different vampires, and of course, the beekeeper and his bees and flower.

There’s probably other stuff I’m forgetting; there were so many people in and out!

We also had the Newly Annual Costume Contest! It’s the third year we’ve done it, and we’re still trying to figure out the best way to do it without disrupting the overall flow of the party.

I LOVE how we did it this time around. We took a tissue box wrapped in Halloween paper for the “ballot box”, and Mikey printed out “ballots” with the categories listed and blank lines to fill in the votes.

Ellie and I counted the votes up and we laughed so hard at some people’s answers. Some of the votes were really close this year. We only announced the winners, but I think I’ll send a shout out to those in second place, too! J

Here are the results:

Spooktacular Spirit Award: Wayne (Honorable mention: Stephanie!)

Creative Couple Award: Terry and Ellie (Honorable mention: Mike and Kelly!)

 

 

That’s Just Gross: Scott (no honorable mention; he won by a landslide!)

Do you see anything wrong with this picture?

Dare to Bare: Christina (Honorable mention: Kat!)

                                

I made some REALLY great dishes this year that I’m really proud of. My mom made these stuffed hot peppers, which in the dim light everyone mistook for stuffed mushrooms and had a SUPER hot trick or treat surprise.

Some of the other things I tried out: Grasshopper Oreo Truffles, Jalapeno Popper Dip, Pizza Rolls, and my olive and pickle and cheese plate. Mmm.

I had SUCH an awesome time this year, probably because I wasn’t sick to my stomach with first trimester blues. But, also because everyone we love was there, having fun, no drama, and my brother’s and sister’s friends are at the age where they’re mature and responsible and everyone can hang together.

There were SO many people in our house at one point, I had trouble getting across the kitchen to make a drink! That’s the way we like it!

It took us all the next day to clean up the aftermath, but it went by fast as we laughed about all the crazy stuff that happened the night before. As always, we cannot wait until next year!

 

11/13/09 Five Things Friday

1. I’m so glad it isn’t raining again today. It still may be cold and incredibly windy, but I just couldn’t take another day of incessant rain. Supposedly it will be nice this weekend, which means maybe a nice long walk with the kids and a healthy, much-needed dose of sunny Vitamin D for all of us.

 

2. My family is coming down for Thanksgiving from Syracuse, and I’m really excited. I always like to channel my inner Martha and go all out this time of year.

I recently found the Better Homes and Gardens dinnerware on clearance at Wal-Mart for 1.00 apiece. I bought eight green leaf plates, four pumpkin shaped plates and some napkin rings to match. I can’t wait to bust it all out on Thanksgiving with my fall chargers and placemats. It really is the little (and cheap!) things that make me happy these days.

(When did I become so domestic? And further, when did I start liking it so much??)

 

3. The annual Wake County Library book surplus sale is this weekend. I think I might want to go for a little while. My friend Brooklyn and I might run out there to see what we can find. Mikey says, “You have enough books.” Me? I don’t think there’s such a thing. :P

 

4. A rock hit my windshield this week on the way to work, as if this week wasn’t hard enough.  I have a tiny starburst in the upper righthand corner of my windshield, and every time I get in the car I will it to staaaaaay, staaaaaaay right where you are, little crack,  and don’t spread until I can get someone to fix it.

So far, so good. somebody knock on wood.

 

5. Over the past month, Mikey brought home a total of 45 small-to-medium sized pumpkins home from his parents’ garden. We carved a couple at Halloween, and I hijacked the seeds out of a few and toasted them.

This past Tuesday night, I decided that I couldn’t let those good pumpkins go to waste.

I embarked on Phase 1 of Project Heathie’s Pumpkin Fest 2009.

I brought in about ten pumpkins in batches of threes and fours. I washed them, scooped out all the seeds and cleaned and toasted them in various flavors. Then I cut the pumpkins into halves, roasted them, scooped out the cooked pumpkin flesh, pureed it and froze it in individual containers for use in recipes.

And that’s not all!

I turned the smallest, cutest pumpkin of the bunch into a potpourri. I hollowed it out and carved little shapes into its sides. Then I rubbed the inside of the top with cinnamon and allspice and nutmeg. Lit a tea light in that bad boy and, bam! Instant pumpkin pie-scented luminary.

Anyway, it was very Rachael Ray of me, and I’m proud of myself. I’m excited to start Phase 2 this weekend.

Anyone have any other good around-the-house pumpkin ideas?  

 

That’s it for this week! Feel free to discuss.

Christmas Consternation

Even though it’s a little too early in my book to deck the halls with boughs of holly, the stores and commercials on TV are doing exactly what they set out to do: get me and the rest of the world in the Christmas spirit.

Which splits me in half between excitement and dread.

 

Excited about the cozy Christmasy feeling.

Dread about the house filled with tons of people like a giant clown car.

 

Excited about all the wonderful things we’ll bake this year, cookies, cakes, pies, savory treats.

Dread about eating these sweet treats and gaining holiday weight on top of the last few pounds of baby weight that’s decided to be so stubborn.

 

EXCITED about Avery seeing the twinkling lights and decorations all over our house.

Dreading Avery seeing the twinkling lights and pulling them down or throwing something breakable while I’m not looking. (I already have braced myself that it will happen at some point! Ha ha!)

 

EXCITED!!!!!!!!!! about Avery’s First Christmas and watching her open presents (or rather, me opening her presents while she sits on my lap and stuffs the discarded wrapping paper in her mouth. Potato, Po-tah-toe.)

Dread about  how we’ll pay for said presents and still have money leftover for January’s daycare.

 

And the funniest thing?

It’s ironic, too…I’m so excited about Avery’s first Christmas I can hardly stand it, and she’ll still be so young she won’t even know what’s going on, what day it is, anything. HA HA. 

It’s my maiden mommy voyage, my first EVER audition for the role as Santa Claus.  And she doesn’t even know yet who Santa Claus is. 

Here I am, already making plans for recording every moment, from sleepy faces and reindeer pajamas to fascinations with Christmas lights and sparkles, dancing to Christmas music, new toys from Santa, all of it, and she’ll never remember this Christmas.

But I will! :) :)

No words.

This has been a really rough week in general. I had the mother of all migraines this week which lasted two days and cost me precious sick hours. I have hardly any time to work with as it is…I came into work anyway Tuesday morning, although I was nauseous and sweating, made it 22 minutes before leaving for the day. What a waste of time, gas, sick hours, and everything.

 

My best buddy Ellie’s brother, Russ,  died unexpectedly over the weekend. He was 36. Her family is still reeling, and the rest of us on the outer layers feel the aftershocks as well.

The funeral was yesterday and it was so sad. Over the years my husband and I have become extremely close with her entire family, and this has come as a shock to us all.

A few of us were able to make it out there (Mikey, me, Brooklyn, Todd, Mike and Kelly), and the whole group of us went in for flowers for Ellie. They turned out really beautiful.

 

I hate death. I’m so scared of it, and I wish I didn’t ever have to face it, or deal with it at all. Maybe because it’s so final, so unknown. I cant grasp my brain around the idea that, after we leave here, we go to Heaven forever.

Forever. And Ever.

Trying to grasp such an enormous idea in my comparatively tiny little head is unimaginable. And scary.

 

I never know what to say to a grieving person, and I find myself feeling awkward and uneasy at occasions like yesterday.

It’s so terrible because someone so close to me is reeling and inconsolable right now, and there’s nothing anyone can say or do to make that hurt go away. It’s a helpless, horrible feeling.

 

The best part came when Terry heard we were planning on meeting my brother Joe for dinner after the service, and he asked if he and Ellie could tag along. As if they even need an invitation. We all met up at Sticky Fingers to take a break from the crying for a minute and remember the good Russ times.

For a couple of hours, we sat there and laughed until we cried “good” tears about his funny antics or off-the-wall statements, and reminded ourselves and each other, and especially Ellie that he’s in a better place than here.

Wonder Dog, Wonderful Moments, Weather, and Work

This morning was really special to me. I woke up with Gunnar in my face. He was whining and grunting at me as I lay in bed. Usually he will do this if he has to pee (and with the nasty weather he hasn’t wanted to go out much) but he brought me right into the baby’s room.

Avery had her head and chest behind her crib bumper, and was struggling with it. She was fine, and was playing with the wooden railings at her head, but Gunnar didn’t like it. So he came and got me! Our Wonder Dog TOLD me! Good boy!!!!!

 

I fixed the bumper and picked Avery up, all smiles and wet razzes. I changed her diaper, got a bottle and cuddled with her.  She was in a great mood. We softly talked to each other and I got so many special smiles just for Mommy.

 

We got to sit together in the dark while she drank her bottle, and she looked at me, and we held hands, and I wrapped her in my robe with me to keep her warm. It was such a lovely moment this morning.

When I laid her back down and watched her sleep, I cursed the weather and this stupid job for making me have to go out in it. I wanted so badly to call in, and wished so hard that I could be a stay at home mom for a while.

 

So I’m just really sad and mad that I have to be here today, I guess. 

But I’m SO THANKFUL to God for blessing me with such an amazing child and a heart capable of loving her so much that at times I honestly think it might burst.

I’m really looking forward to the weekend.

11/6/09 Five Things Friday

1. One of the funniest (and creepiest) websites of all time? www.peopleofwalmart.com. Instant pick-me-up when I’m stressed at work.

Warning: proceed with caution at work. Not because of the exposed butts and awesome walmart fashion, but because these real pictures will bring the uncontrollable “church giggles” on. I’m just sayin’.

 

2. This week is Triples week again at Teeter! I’m going crazy. I’ve already stocked the pantry and the freezer and saved at least 85-90% on my groceries. And I’m a little concerned as to where I’ll be putting the rest of my grocery booty. Creativity has taken me only so far.  Stocked pantries are so pretty.

 

3.  I dyed my hair dark brown this week. Like, you could call me “raven-haired” now if you wanted. It’s the darkest it’s EVER been and you know what? I think it suits me! I feel kind of saucy…it’s a far cry from my light brown/blond with buttery highlights I’ve had all my life.  It feels mysterious and glamourous. I think it’s just what I needed at this point in my life: a new look for a new chapter. It feels good.

 

4. Inspired by my new dark chocolate tresses, I decided to continue the deep- hued theme by painting my nails OPI’s Midnight in Moscow this week. Vamping it up!

 

5. Speaking of vamping it up (heh heh) I’m so excited I can’t stand it. New Moon comes out two weeks from today. I just know it’s going to be awesome.

 

Sorry so short today – WICKED busy at work. Just literally threw down five thoughts and rolled with it, but I didnt want to go a whole week without jotting something down! Discuss.

 

PS - Halloween pictures and other musings coming this weekend.  :P

10/30/09 Five Things Friday

1.   I just realized last night that Avery will graduate from high school in 2027. Twenty-Twenty-SEVEN.  Is it just me, or does this seem like FIFTY years from now???

 

2.   Right now, Boston Market is having a chicken plate for only ONE dollar. Two pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and a piece of cornbread. Mmmm. My work buddy Amanda and I went this week and the line was wrapped around the restaurant!

3.   I’m SO excited about the Halloween Bash this weekend. No one has told us what they will be, which hopefully means everyone’s going all out and they want it to be a surprise!!!!

4.   I’m equally as STRESSED though – came up with the menu (hold onto your hats, y’all – there’s some good stuff on the table this year!) and then had to scour several different stores for the best deals on thigns I needed for the planned food, then had to find coupons to coordinate with the sales for the things I need to cook for the party. Whew. But, I got it done and had my lists and envelopes ready for each store for a big tag team shopping trip with Mom.

5.    Mom and I went last night to Food Lion and then to Harris Teeter, spent 167 overall, and saved 218 dollars!!!  I bought about 385 dollars worth of groceries, and now my pantry and fridge and freezer are so stocked up there’s no room for anything else. LOL. I loooooooove it. Granted, lots of the stuff was for the party, but I got an entire trunk FULL of groceries and goodies. I am ready to get home and finish decorating and cooking for the party!

That’s it for this week…discuss. 

Happy Halloween!   Mooooooooohahahaahahhhhhaaaaaaaaa!!!