This afternoon after bringing Laurel home from school, I started wondering where Vinnie was, so I sent Laurel out to call for him (and she sounds like Stanley yelling for Stella -- really, it's a wonder nobody has called the cops on her yet). No dice. We sort of dropped the issue until it was time...
Archives - January 2007
I Can't Believe I Did it Again.
Wednesday, January 31 2007 - Family
Of Haircuts and Rubik's Cubes.
Tuesday, January 30 2007 - Family
Events of the past 24 hours: Laurel got a new haircut: I solved a Rubik's Cube:...
Resurrection & Textbooks.
Monday, January 29 2007 - Family
Rejoice! My sewing machine is working again. It's a mystery, because all Greg did was put it back together. Anyway, I managed to finish my project and the table is clear again. Now we're moving on to try to find pre-algebra, algebra, and biology textbooks for Laurel, preferably at the middle...
The Eagles Have Landed!
Saturday, January 27 2007 - Family
Today we decided to stash Ethan with Grandma Smith so Laurel could go eagle watching with us. Every year, bald eagles migrate to our rivers to feed on the fish. January is probably the best month for viewing these awesome birds. Laurel posing beneath the Piasa just north of Alton, Illinois: Photos taken...
Nerdlet in Training.
Friday, January 26 2007 - Family
The other night while I was getting my hair done, Greg decided to work on teaching Laurel how to solve algebraic equations. Boy, do I ever feel inadequate. Anyway, after he had worked with her awhile, guess what Laurel said? 'Every day I'm good at school and don't get into trouble, can I...
Hell No, I Can't Sew!
Wednesday, January 24 2007 - Family
My mother gave me a sewing machine for Christmas last year. I've discovered I love to sew. I think it's an addiction, because when I'm sewing it's difficult to stop, even to eat. I just started a new project the other day but I've somehow managed to break my machine. All my needles...
Snow Kids!
Wednesday, January 24 2007 - Family
We had an almost-appreciable snow last weekend. Here are some photos of the kids and dogs....
Gnaw, Gnaw, Gnaughty.
Wednesday, January 24 2007 - Family
Look what Greg discovered on Ethan's crib rail the other day: Clearly, Ethan has gotten in with the wrong crowd. Namely, Vinnie D. Dog....
Poo Foot.
Saturday, January 20 2007 - Family
Last night I gave Ethan a bath. I pulled off his diaper and didn't see any poo, so I set him in the tub. Then I noticed poo in the tub, for the second time this week. I cleaned it up and proceeded as usual. As I left the bathroom after Ethan's bath I felt something wet at the bottom of my pants...
Sisterly Love.
Friday, January 19 2007 - Family
Ethan is so fortunate to have a big sister who helps him with his budding artistry. Creation: Conclusion: It's difficult to see, but Laurel wrote, 'Ethan's Masterpiece' along the top. She even spelled it correctly. Rock!...
My Not-so-Secret Admirer.
Thursday, January 18 2007 - Family
Laurel and I attended a gifted ed skate night at our local roller rink Tuesday evening. I'm such a cool mom that I typically rent skates and get out there, too. I figure if I'm going to break my neck, I might as well have fun doing it. I'm not a confident skater. Growing up on a gravel road...
Oh, Two More Things...
Tuesday, January 16 2007 - Family
1. I've always been pretty frank with Rebecca. After leaving the Mary Kay meeting, she showed me some stupid cellulite cream the cult leaders have given to the recruits to sell. "It takes a whole inch off your thighs," she said. "Rebecca! You cannot possibly believe that," I wheedled...
Jim Jones, David Koresh, & Mary Kay.
Tuesday, January 16 2007 - Family
Folks, this is a long blog post, but I have SO MUCH to say about last night. So settle in and enjoy. Last week a former coworker and friend of mine called me up to ask if I would be a 'face model' at her upcoming Mary Kay meeting, followed by dinner afterward. In a moment of weakness, I assented...
Dim Sum Dumplins?
Monday, January 15 2007 - Family
St. Louis doesn't really have a Chinatown, but we do have a more-ethnic-than-not strip which boasts several Asian and Hispanic markets, as well as Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Afghani restaurants. Greg and I love to try new cuisines and new restaurants, so I was all worked up over trying dim...
Vindication, Thou Art Mine.
Sunday, January 14 2007 - Family
Remember this post ? Well, it turns out the authors of a new book denouncing excess organization have a lot of positive things to say about clutter. Check it out here . I especially like the part claiming that my piles of papers are 'surprisingly sophisticated.' If there's one thing I am...
Fun with Limericks.
Friday, January 12 2007 - Family
Following are my entries in the ' Looky, Daddy! ' limerick contest: I'm mom to just singletons, true. I realize I'm lucky. I do! But my son has the means and the go-getter genes to make enough poo for two. Work-at-home mom on the brink, finds it a challenge to think. 2 down with the flu...
Stuck in a Beer Box.
Monday, January 08 2007 - Family
"I like climbing on boxes. Oops, this one doesn't have anything in it to hold me up. How funny! It caved in! Awesome!" "Well, that was fun and all, but I'm ready to move on to greater feats of destruction. Uh-oh. I'm stuck." "What would MacGyver do? I know. He'd...
Bad Pet Owner!
Monday, January 08 2007 - Family
Our dog Vinnie loves to ride in the car. I take him with me whenever I can but I never let him out of the car while we're out because he freaks out and starts shaking. Therefore, Vinnie's rides are mostly limited to dropping off and picking up Laurel from school, with an occasional outing elsewhere...
Tax Dollars at Work.
Friday, January 05 2007 - Family
While wasting time looking at all the RVs for sale on Craig's List (I confess to a little wishful thinking) it occurred to me that I should be doing something more productive. Because housework isn't all that appealing at the moment, I figured I'd update the blog. In the past week, I have...
A Little Off the Top.
Thursday, January 04 2007 - Family
We know it's time for Ethan to get a haircut when Grandma Smith asks us if we're going to cut his hair. We're the kind of parents who can take a hint. Clearly, Grandma Smith does not want Ethan to be one of the 'long-haired freaky people' who need not apply. In the past, I have really...
The Guitar Man.
Wednesday, January 03 2007 - Family
When Laurel first started playing guitar, she hated it. H-a-t-e-d it. We had several knock-down, drag-out, caterwauling scream fits about the idea that she was actually going to have to practice and struggle to do well with it. She was under the impression that because reading and schoolwork came so...
Laurel-isms, Part VIII.
Wednesday, January 03 2007 - Family
Laurel (while placing Ethan's magnetic letters back on the refrigerator - using each letter to describe one of Ethan's traits): "T, as in Troublesome Toddler. N, as in Naughty. M, as in Malicious . . . " Me (laughing): "Malicious, huh?" Laurel: "Well, I don't know...
Laurel-isms, Part VII.
Wednesday, January 03 2007 - Family
Me: "So Laurel, what did you name your betta?"
Laurel: "Ernest. Because, well, he is earnest."
Me: "Yes, I suppose he would be."
The "We Survived the Holidays" Catch-All Post.
Tuesday, January 02 2007 - Family
I know, I haven't posted to the blog for a few days. Too much going on. Highlights: Laurel-isms : To her grandmother: "Wanna play 'Two Turds in a Toilet?'" Misheard lyrics: "I'm going down down, baby, don't go on the roller coaster..." For those unfamiliar with...
