HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS! HAIL TO JIM ZORN! HAIL TO THE REDSKINS! FIGHT FOR OLD DC! (Not the original, but it works!)

What a Monday morning! WOW! It is so thrilling to drive to work with our HUGE win replaying over and over! Whenever I think about the enormous bailout, I get worried and upset. I curb my emotion by singing the fight song and thinking about that AWESOME Kathy Griffin show on Friday. I MEAN AWESOME! Folks, at one point we were about twenty feet from her. WOW! You have got to go see her!

Sydney and I took a trip to the fabric store this weekend and bought the materials for her costume. I think is is going to be a bit more complicated that I had originally thought. I walked outta there with five or six different types of fabric, ribbons, hooks and a few other random pieces. I'm going to admit that I am a little nervous. I think I may have to call in reinforcements, the Grandmas!

The trip to the fabric store was fabulous. Sydney was as patient as a three year old could be and I was taking FOREVER trying to decide on fabrics. We were in the store for no less than an hour and she didn't complain once. What a trooper! Then, she and I hit the local Thai restaurant for carryout. We ordered our food and played games while we waited. She told me over and over again that she loved me and gave me lots of hugs and kisses. I JUST ADORE THAT! What mommy doesn't?

When we got home, Sydney was excited to try her dumplings. It took her a few minutes to notice that Marc and I were using chopsticks. She immediately wanted to try using them too. I initially thought it was a bad idea and then decided, what is the harm? I figured I'd keep a close watch to make sure she didn't poke her eye out. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! It was so fun and I so wish I'd had a camera. She was giggling with delight the entire time. It was so sweet. She was actually pretty good at using them. I was amazed. She, of course, had some difficulty, but she was so excited that she didn't get frustrated once. I think that is going to be a new thing in our house. :)

We did a ton of cleaning up this weekend and boy was it necessary! I spent a lot of yesterday morning weeding through clothes and organizing drawers. Thanks, Rachael! It really is a dreaded task. We packed up three garbage bags full of donations. Boy, our kids are growing like weeds!

After the afternoon naps, I took the babes to the grocery store (Marc was working). Syd was a bit hyper because we'd been essentially trapped indoors by the rain all weekend so, I was a bit nervous about her behavior. I decided to let her get into one of those dreaded car carts. I really hate those things. They are nearly impossible to maneuver, but Sydney was as happy as a pig covered in dirt. So, I suppose it was worth it because I made it through the entire store with little fuss from either babe. That is a nice grocery store trip!

We were headed home from the store when Syd informed me that I had been a good girl. Interesting huh? Then, she told me that because I'd been a good girl, I could go to her birthday party in June. Isn't that nice of her? :) How funny is it to be told by your kid that you are being good?

Our Sunday evening ended with our huge Skins win over DALLAS! That's right baby! It was such an awesome game and soooo close! We finished the evening by dancing around the room to Shania Twain and packing lunch. :) What a fun night!

I was excited to get my produce email this morning! I so look forward to Mondays because of that email. I just think it is so exciting to find out what veggies you are going to eat in a given week. It is a surprise! This week:

Delicata Squash(L)-NEW FOR ME! I have NO IDEA what this is! Any tips?
Broccoli
Avocados
Sweet Potatoes(L)
Grape Tomatoes(L)
Eggplant(L)
Romaine Lettuce
Golden Pineapple
Gala Apples
Kiwi
Bananas
Valencia Oranges

What a sweet week!

Take care and have a great day!

Yay! Yay! Kathy Griffin!

I'm so excited today, even more so than any other Friday. I'm looking forward to seeing Kathy Griffin tonight. I was unable to catch her show last year and am happy I thought far enough ahead to get the tickets in May! It is a sold out show!

As if that isn't cool enough, I just found out that I will be getting a massage today courtesy of one of our Of Counsel Atty! His wife generally comes in on Fridays to meet with the Firm's massage therapist, but she couldn't make it today and I get to go in her place. Since we have the BEST massage therapist there is, I am super lucky. Seriously, she really is the best!

I've started thinking about Christmas this week. WOW! I cannot believe it is right around the corner. It is such a stressful time. It is hard to look forward to it. So, I'm going to try to be as prepared as possible so that the stress will be low. I purchased the first gift today. Now, only about forty left. Cha-ching.

So, it looks like I'm going to miss the debates tonight. BUMMER! Seriously! Guess I'll have to watch it on youtube.

I hope you have a great Friday!

How Does That Happen?

Have you ever been doing something and, from out of nowhere, a memory pops into your head? Well, that happened to me this morning on my way to work and I just wonder what made me remember it.


True story, but it contains my opinions only. I've also changed names.


When I was a senior in high school, I had a part-time job at a restaurant. We'll call it Moe's. WAIT! I wasn't a senior anymore. I had graduated already and was sharing an apartment with a complete nut, another story entirely.

One morning, very early, I had gotten up to attend the mandatory staff meeting at Moe's. We always dreaded them because they usually started around 9am, which back then, was ridiculously early for me. Nonetheless, I was a good employee and showed up as required.


Just a few minutes later, the Managers began their spiel. Not all the employees were there. Particularly a couple that had been dating and one of the other Managers. The missing Manager, Peter, had been going through a really rough time as he had just divorced his wife and moved out of his home of many years into an apartment. He was a doll and joked with me often that he had named his daughter after me, even though she was born before we met. The couple consisted of a server, Beth, and the Manager's brother and bartender, Jack.


About thirty minutes into the meeting, the couple showed up and sat down. They were acting strangely and Beth, in particular, was very fidgety. The meeting continued for a bit longer and then, we all split up. Those that had to work that morning, such as myself, went on to finish the opening duties and the others, left. While working on my duties, the phone rang and I happened to answer it. It was Beth. She was HYSTERICAL. "It's Peter! He's dead. I need to talk to Don (another Manager)!" I started to ask what had happened, but thought I'd better just get Don. So, I ran down the steps to the Manager's office and yelled to Don.


I was pacing the floor until Don hung up the phone. Don explained that Jack had found Peter when he returned home from the meeting. Jack and Peter shared an apartment and Beth, as Jack's girlfriend, had been staying there quite a bit also.


As you can imagine, the cops were all over the place. They were all over the apartment, the restaurant and other areas following up leads. We were told that we could possibly be questioned and if so, we were to cooperate and offer any information requested. I was never questioned.


I attended the funeral for Peter a few days later. It was awful. Of course, funerals aren't generally happy occasions. When I saw his two daughters, I just cried my eyes out. I was thinking of little Jessie and how she was going to grow up without her daddy. I know how much Peter loved his kids and it just made my heart hurt.

After the funeral, rumors flew around for weeks. I heard rumors that: he'd had an affair and the husband caught up with him, his wife was still the beneficiary on his policies and had him killed and that he was killed by some man he'd quarrelled with a few weeks prior at a local bar. I didn't believe any of it. To this day, I believe Jack and Beth were involved. As far as I know, it is still unsolved.

So, I wonder why in the world this popped into my head today.

Ooo Rah!

Okay, I totally don't know where that came from. :) My great uncle, Buck, is a former drill sergeant in the Marines and I almost went in, but other than that, no connection.

This morning has been awesome so far. First, my morning walk with Madison was great. It was ridiculously cold though. Yep! Here it comes. I hate cold weather. I seriously am considering a ski mask for morning walks. I wonder if a neighbor would call the cops on me. My eyes run when it is cold outside and then, it freezes to my face. Not fun! Brrr..I'm shivering just thinking about it.

I've been driving a new route to work the last week or so and I LOVE IT! The traffic is comparable to the old route, but I so love the scenery. The majority of the drive is nestled in the trees, which is good for two reasons. First, it blocks the sun that is glaring right in my eyes on my way to work (I drive East) and second, it is so much more peaceful than the toll road. I just love it! It reminds me of my bud, Sandy, too. Her mom used to live off of that road and it takes me back to the days of bridal and baby showers. :)

Today, I have to write a few things about my girl, Syd.

This morning she told me that her favorite colors are pink, orange and purple. She told me that macaroni is her favorite food (big shocker there!). The only time she really gets it is if we go out for dinner or grandma makes it. Finally, her favorite thing to do at school is mold playdough, but she doesn't get do that in her new class. The new class is focused more on learning to write and really learning the letters, rather than just repeating them. My baby is spunky and stubborn, but she is also compassionate and finds beauty in all things. She is a gem and I adore her.

We're all ready for this afternoon! I know it is early early in the am and already I'm thinking about being home with the kids. Can you blame me? Syd and I have a date this afternoon. We're going to clean our veggies together. Sydney loves to help wash vegetables and cook. Although, her cooking is, of course, limited to breaking beans, tearing lettuce and washing. Last weekend, I introduced her to the Pampered Chef chopper. She had a ball. What kid wouldn't? She gets to whack the chopper, make lots of noise and cut stuff up. Now, I have to hold the chopper down while she whacks the top, but we make a good team.

Alright, I'd better get going. I hope you all have a fantabulous day!

Spot Here! Spot There! Look! Spots Everywhere!

No, I'm not talking about chicken pox or the like. Thankfully! I'm talking about pimples. What the crap!

I'm thirty years old and the last three months have been nutty with my skin. This morning I woke up with not one, but FIVE new pimples. I feel like I'm in high school again. Maybe I need a facial or something. I don't know. My chemistry has completely changed since I had Nathan. Bleah! I don't like it!

Yesterday was the first official day of Fall. Rachael, I know you are looking forward to it. You and your teas and mulled spice. :) Me, I dread it. I dislike the fading daylight and chilly temps. I do, however, enjoy pumpkins and Fall decor. Perhaps I'll get on that this weekend. PERHAPS! I'm kinda busy you know. :) Cleaning up puke!

Nathan, poor baby, has had acid reflux since he was born. Sydney had it also, but grew out of it after she'd had solid foods for a while. My Nathan, a very healthy eater, is still dealing with it. We've recently tried switching his formula. I hope Mom is right! :)

Today is Tuesday and it is my brother's b-day! Happy Birthday, Wes! :) In fact, we've got lots of b-days this month...

Jim (Brother) 11th
Grandpa Stick 13th
Hannah Banana 21st
Sam (Nephew) 22nd
Wes (Brother) 23th
Grandpa Don 24th

WOW! That is quite a lot, don't you think? Happy Birthday all!

October is an even busier month!

I'm thrilled! I got the list for my second produce delivery and I see acorn squash on the list. I've never cooked it. Have no idea what to do with it, but I'm looking forward to trying it.

I'm still trying to get past the organic bugs. Seriously, I cleaned the corn last night and buggies again. ICK! ICK! ICK! You would not have known I was raised on a farm given the way I was scrunching up my face last night. I contemplated pitching it, but then I realized I was being idiotic. After all, what do people on a farm do? WASH IT! So, I'm still getting used to it. I've learned that I should probably clean the produce the day it is delivered. I'm used to just pitching my produce into the drawer. I think it will just take a little prep. That will keep bugs outta my fridge and save me some time when I am cooking. Hey! You can take the girl out of the the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl...at least I don't think so. Ew! :)

Have a great day!

Loverly Quick Morning

I just looked up and realized that it is almost noon. Good grief! We've been up since 7:30am this morning and aside from walking the dog, having breakfast and cooking a bit, we haven't gotten much accomplished. I cannot believe how long it takes to do anything sometimes. It has been fun though.

Sydney and I took our soup scraps outside to the compost bin this morning. I decided to take a partial loaf of stale bread too. We crumbled it up outside the fence and are hoping the birds will eat them up. Syd and I had a lot of fun doing it. It isn't something we've take the time to really do before.

Today's soup, kale soup. I got my first produce delivery this week, which I may have mentioned, and we were so excited. I've got a lot to get used to when it comes to organic food though. I've noticed a few bugs in the fruit, which I'm attributing to the organic label. Also, the fruit and veggies are, of course, not perfect. I can actually appreciate that because the fruit seems to be sweeter. This week, we got a baby pineapple, white grapes, peaches and plums (fruit wise). I made a little fruit salad this morning for breakfast. Yummy! We had eggs and sausage too. I couldn't help myself. :)

Well, I'm off to check on the soup and play with Syd. Later! :) Marc is mowing the grass. At least it is beautiful outside. :)

Weekend Weekend!

I'm so looking forward to this weekend. I love going and doing, but this weekend, we'll be at home. Yay! We've go so much to catch up on, mostly chores. I've also got to get back to planning my meals. I've tried winging it and it just isn't working out. So, back to the grind again.

So, in case you didn't know, this month is National Sewing Month. Yay! Well, I guess. I only know that because I was research fabric costs online and discovered that. I've been looking at sewing machines, nothing fancy really, I just need one with a blind hem stitch. So, pretty basic is good. It is just about time for me to start Syd's costume. I'm hoping it will go well. We'll see.

We put a pair of Syd's jeans on yesterday morning, from last year, and we just about died laughing. They are now low capris or super highwaters. :) She is so tall, but so thin. It is somewhat problematic. She really needs the 3t length at least, but a 2t waist. Thank goodness for adjustable pants. Why aren't all of them this way? Another thing on our list is to buy shoes for little miss this weekend. She has quickly jumped up at a size 8.5! My baby is growing too quickly for me, both of them actually.

Have a great, productive weekend!