Friday, September 30, 2005

Bartender...

Now here is an invention I can get behind!!!!

This happens to be one of my biggest pet peeves. I have to stop eating if my drink is empty. I get that annoyed. And then you want a tip*?! Ha!

*We're actually really good tippers. We may be a pain in the a$$, but we'll make it worth your while.

Pleasant epidural thoughts...

and sweet baby kisses for Amalah today.

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Dr. Phil

Make sure to watch Dr. Phil tomorrow (the 30th). My hairstylist, Amy, will be on as well as all the other girls from the salon. The only info. I have been able to get out of her is that it's about standing up for yourself. Amy is loud and fun, so I can't imagine she has much of a problem with that!

I get a cut today so I can't wait to get the scoop!

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Gracie

Raising a toddler can be a challenge, to say the least. Grace has moments when she can be the sweetest girl you have ever met. Gregg has a cold so he has been coughing and sneezing a lot. After each time he sneezed, Grace, without even looking up from what she was playing with in the back seat piped up with "Bless you". It was so sweet and so cute I wanna kill myself. Apparently she is in training to become a nurse. When Gregg fell asleep on the couch this weekend she found a cough drop and was trying to shove it into his mouth while he was sleeping. Well, she had good intentions!

Then there is the independent "I do it myself", "No, I don't want any help" side of raising a toddler. Hey, I'm all for allowing her to try things on her own and figure out everyday things. One of my biggest goals as her parent is to allow her to become self-reliant. It is just frustrating that everything has to be a battle. I'm not your enemy. Believe it or not, I'm trying to help you.

I am constantly amazed at the things that she picks up. We're always asking ourselves "Where did she get THAT from?". I was chewing out Gregg for something under my breath (he wasn't even around). Sure enough later that day she is telling daddy that he is in trouble. Oops.

Monday, September 26, 2005

Vikings

Finally. Thank goodness.

We watched Fever Pitch this weekend. Twice.

I asked Gregg if there was a football team that had a story like the Red Sox. Before I was even done asking the question I answered myself. The Vikings. They'll break your heart.

This movie is really cute. We were walking around all weekend saying our favorite line over and over: " Johnny Damon, you got the sweetest ass in the league!" I love the Boston accent.

Friday, September 23, 2005

New Pictures

New pictures are up on Flickr of our Minnesota trip and the wedding. All of the pictures I took at the reception were too dark. Note to self: learn how to use your new camera before you take it on a trip.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimr9476/

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Culottes?! Seriously?!



I thought these went away forever in the mid 80s. Am I missing something here? I'm all for comfort, but how can you NOT have mom ass in these?

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Return

We are back and SO very tired. We survived two flights and layovers with only a case of pink eye and a cracked tooth. Not bad.

Will write more tomorrow.

Oh, the wedding? Fabulous. Saying goodbye? Miserable.

Monday, September 12, 2005

It's Not Always Rainbows and Butterflies

Looking back on the past four years is bittersweet. If I had not moved here I would not have Grace. Because I made the big leap I have a whole other family that I love and that loves me. For these things I am truly grateful.

The "bitter" part of bittersweet is harder to deal with and leaves a deeper sadness with every passing day. Grace is growing up without any family even in the same state. There are no drop in visits, no trips to the park with her cousins. No birthday parties to scrapbook that "her whole family was there and you made everyone laugh".

Bridal magazines should come with a warning: "results not typical". I am amazed at how women who have been married for 10-20 years have managed not to kill their husbands. Despite the messiness and occasional fight over dirty socks on the floor, and toothpaste on the bathroom mirror I am pretty lucky and having Grace made me love him even more.

In three years we are moving back. In my mind I am already there. I envision Grace going to school in the same district that I did, I see her at the Science Museum when she is older taking it all in, Como Zoo, The Children's Museum and playing in all the lakes. The first thing I see is us with our family at the weekly picnics, Thanksgiving and all the other things that we have missed out on.

Even only spending days at a time in Minnesota, I have a toddler who spouts out "boat" just like her family up north. Apparently I am doing something right.

Friday, September 09, 2005

Grace's Dress

This is what Grace will be wearing to the Big Fat Minnesota Wedding.


Thursday, September 08, 2005

Maybe if I Ignore Them They Will Go Away

Bush is ignoring the victims of Hurricane Katrina just as he ignored Cindy Sheehan and just as he is ignoring the American citizens. His job at a time like this, no his responsiblity, is to guide us, or at least make us believe that he is leading this country in the right direction. Be an inspiration and make us believe that help is on the way and all that can be done is getting done. I'm sorry, but flying over the area that was destroyed doesn't show a lot of concern.

According to JFK: "First, the President's responsibility cannot be delegated. For he is the one focal point of responsibility. His office is the single channel through which there flow the torrential pressures and needs of every state, every federal agency, every friend and foe.

He does not have to wait for unanimous agreement below.... He does not have to wait for crises to spur decisions that are long overdue. He must look ahead-and sometimes act alone...

...the President's responsibility is to all the people. He must strengthen them-and draw strength from them; educate them-and represent them; pledge his best-and inspire theirs.... if he constantly reassures an imperiled nation that all is well, if he answers all critics with an air of infallibility, or, worst of all, if he himself is not informed and therefore cannot inform the people-then the Presidency has failed the American people."

His lack of empathy is astounding. I guess he learned from the best:

The former first lady (Barbara Bush), after touring the Astrodome complex in Houston on Monday, said: ''What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them.''

Open mouth, insert silver foot.

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Work

Dear self-important boss who thinks his $hit don't stink*:

"Irregardless" is not a word. Look it up.

I'm just sayin'.

*Yes, I know that is bad grammar. Do not question my knowledge of grammar or syntax. That is all.

Daycare Dropoff Drama

Being that I am a morning person and Gregg stays up late he is the one who puts Grace to bed while I am the one who gets her up and ready and drops her off at daycare. For the past few weeks Grace has just CLUNG to me when it's time to say good bye at daycare. She knows it's coming and the lagging and whining starts from the time I bring her downstairs until it's time to walk into the classroom. Getting dressed takes a good 15 minutes, getting out the door at home is work and then getting her into the actual classroom is like pulling teeth. She did so well for so long that I just don't know where this all is coming from.

This morning her teacher asked what was going on and I really didn't have an answer. She said that even after I leave and Grace finishes breakfast her teacher will ask if she is done and Grace doesn't answer, she just glares at her. Great, I'm raising a sociopath.

Just dropping her off in the room and walking out doesn't work either. The theory of just let them "cry it out" or "quick and painful, like a bandaid" hasn't helped. From the way it sounds she is mopey all morning. I know she needs more sleep for one. Any suggestions?

Friday, September 02, 2005

FEMA

De-lurking to de-bunk some myths on WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG FOR FEMA TO HELP?!

Well... My husband works for FEMA and I used to work in Procurement (the Dept. that ships out all supplies). It was not that FEMA had not prepared (as Tim Russert so stupidly said). They have water, food, cots, medical supplies, computers, etc. trailers FULL of supplies ready to ship where and when it is needed. They have a HUGE warehouse FULL of supplies packaged ready to go. Keep in mind that FEMA only has 2,500 full time employees. They do not deploy until after the storm has passed or until the area is safe. So if our workers are being shot at, etc. they are not going to go in! THink about it. What good are dead rescue workers to anyone? FEMA does not have helicopters to deliver supplies. They are relying on the Marines and National Guard to clear way for them to get in.

You’ve been hearing that the affected area of Hurricane Katrina is approximately 100,000 square miles... here’s some perspective:

The Great Lakes have a combined area of 94,230 square miles - larger than the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Vermont combined.

So please lay off of FEMA. They can only do what they can with the resources they have. They are ready to go but will not put themselves into danger to do it!

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