Wednesday, November 23, 2011

No Thanksgiving Zone

I knew it was a bad idea. I mean, who, in their right mind, starts a kitchen remodel project a week before Thanksgiving? No one. No one in their right mind that is. I knew it was a bad idea. I knew it in my heart. I knew it in my mind... but I went along with it anyway. My husband was so excited about it and I got caught up in the possibilities of how awesome it was going to look and how clean my kitchen would be when it was done. We've been planning it for a long time. What we wanted to do, how we wanted it to look. What materials we would need, how much we could spend and who we were going to hire to do it for us.
Then? All of the sudden, after a good couple of weeks of bar tending at the Sharks' games my husband announces that he talked to a contractor that had done some work for us in the past and he was coming by to start work on our kitchen.
Wait. What?
"We have the money," he rationalized. "Let's do it now before the money is gone."
"What about Thanksgiving?" I asked.
"I already talked to him about it. He'll be done before then."
In my defense? It was possible. In ideal circumstances... anything is possible. What wasn't  possible was what we wanted done and the time frame in which to actually get it done. And? I knew that. The rational, intelligent part of me (that really does exist, I swear) knew it would never come to fruition. Thus, we have, the "No Thanksgiving Zone."
My kitchen? The one where I cook up a Thanksgiving storm? Is totally cut off from me. We can't even go in there. Total disaster. We are eating off of paper plates. I am at the point where I don't ever want to eat out again. Ever. Fast food? Ugh, can't even think about it. I've eaten so much fast food in the last week-and a-half to last me a lifetime. And? My hips agree.
I have no idea where we'll be eating for Thanksgiving tomorrow... but I do know it won't be in my old little kitchen/dining room. *sigh*
Hopefully we will be ready for Christmas.
Hopefully.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Dear Kids -

Love,

Mom

Dear DVR

Dear DVR -

I just wanted to thank your for making each day worth looking forward to. I am so down right now with what is going on and it is a nice distraction to know that I can come home everyday and you will provide me with a full menu of options with which I can lose myself in for an hour or two.

Even though you can be temperamental at times and not want to record more than two things at once, I forgive you for your technological shortcomings. I know there are other, more advanced, digital recording devices available out there on the market but you and I both know I am much to lazy and set in my ways to bother researching prices and ultimately upgrading you for something better. Nope, it is you and me until the bitter end. Or until you stop working, because I am loyal like that.

I know I never really express my true gratitude or appreciation for all you do but please know that you have taken my television watching to a whole new level. Commercials are less annoying because you and I can fast forward right through them. If I miss something while watching live tv? You and I can rewind back to the spot and never have to miss something important again.

With you I have freedom! I don't have to be sitting in my living room at a certain time to catch a certain show, football game or hockey game. I can be out doing stuff! Fun stuff, regular stuff, it doesn't matter because I can be out doing it and when I come home you will have saved something for me. I can't believe I ever watched regular television before. You have been an amazing miracle in my life and I will treasure you always.

Love always,

Babaloo





Friday, November 11, 2011

Baby Star

Saw this on an episode of Criminal Minds. It turns out this was an original poem/children's story written by the show's writers after they found it difficult to gain license to write in an actual bedtime story into their story line.

It was moving to me personally... for a lot of reasons.

Baby Star
Once there was a baby star.
He lived up near the sun.
And every night at bedtime that baby star wanted to have some fun.
He would shine and shine, fall and shoot and twinkle oh so bright.
He said “Mommy, I’ll run away if you make me say goodnight.”
And then his mommy kissed his sparkly nose and said,
“No matter where you go, no matter where you are.

No matter how big you grow and even if you stray far.
I’ll love you forever, because you’ll always be my baby star.”

Most Quotable Friday


Quotes and Quotables from my Twitter Timeline. Enjoy!

1. Shining like a star is not important, just glow like moon and be a light in a dark for others.

2. Faking a smile is the most painful lie, but the most effective way to hide from all the questions.

3. It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not.

4. Vision is the art of seeing the invisible.

5. Normal is just a setting on your dryer.

6. Face your problems. Don't Facebook your problems.

7. "We each do the best we can. My best may not be as good as your best, but it's my best. The fact is that we know when we are doing our best and when we are not. If we are not doing our best, it leaves us with a gnawing hunger and frustration. But when we do our level best, we experience a peace."  ~ Marjorie Pay Hinckley

8. The early bird gets the worm, but the angry bird gets the pig.

9. Life is like a storm, the strong may survive, but the wise know where to turn when the turmoil is over.

10. “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” ~ Mark Twain

11. If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done…

12. Just when you think you’ve finally hit the bottom, someone tosses you a shovel.

13, When I say “wow, that’s crazy”, 99% of the time, it means I haven’t been listening to a word of your conversation.





Thursday, November 03, 2011

Thursday Blurbs

1. Funniest, "out of the blue," random, text from my cousin, ever:
Hmm. Just noticed our nanny has a personalized license plate that says "GR8TBUNZ"...
2. Followed up with...
She is a 65 year old great-grandma
Apparently with great buns!

3. Then another one today:
Didn't need to know that this exists: boobiebeanie.com 
Enough said.

4. I had a very rude awakening last weekend. I don't want to get into it here. But let's just say that a brand new perspective was born and I will never be the same again.

5. While the awakening was shocking and rude it had nothing to do with my 49ers who came off their bye week with a bang and now have the 2nd, yes, SECOND best record in the NFL. LOL! It is only week 8 (halfway thru the season) and their magic number to clinch the NFC West is, 6! I hope they can keep it up. GO NINERS!

6. Well my friends you are hearing it here first (unless of course you saw it on Twitter), I am officially losing it. There is no explaining it a way, there is no laughing it off and there is no denying it. Last night I was making dinner for my family and had a few things going on the stove. While I had a few minutes in betweein stiring, sauteeing and baking I decided to prepare my coffee for the next morning. I put the filter in the coffee maker and then proceeded to open the flavor packet for the rice-a-roni I was about to make... and put it in the filter. *sigh*

7. If Starbuck's comes out with at "rice pilaf" flavored latte anytime soon... please let me know. I might need to invest in a good copyright infringement lawyer.

8. There are so many reasons I love my husband, but one of them is the following: After telling him my story about making pilaf flavored coffee his reaction was classic. He could have laughed at me (well, he did a little) and made me feel stupid... but instead he told me a story of when he bought an instant noodle soup from the catering truck at work and when he opened it up to eat it he realized instead of filling it up with hot water he had filled it up with hot coffee. LOL! We are both losing it!

9. Oh and if Starbuck's comes out with a "beef ramen" flavored coffee... well, you know what to do.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

A Day in the Life of My Pet - Writer's Workshop

Mama’s Losin’ It




 From the writing prompts, I present:

5.) A day in the life of my pet...how bad does he have it?

This is me, Nico. I don't like to take pictures. The following  is a typical day in my life:


Oh my God, it's 4:30am. Why does this man have to get up so early? Let me burrow deeper into my blanket so the light doesn't bother me.

An hour and a half later...

I smell coffee. *sniff* That weird machine-thing goes on by itself every morning....which means, My mom should be coming out soon! Yippee! I can't wait!. Here she comes. Here she comes, I can hear her waking up Alex, here she comes, here she comes here she...where did she go?

25 minutes later... 

There she is, there she is, there she is!. She's opening the door to my kennel, yes! Aaahhh, looooong stretch (It's kind of cramped in there), Oooh, now the other leg.Streeeeeeeeeeeeeetch. Can you open that sliding door, please? I have to pee. Thank you thank you thank you...

What's that smell? It's kind of cold out here. Hmm... Something has been over here near the garbage can. Hey, that garbage smells kind of good. What just jumped over the fence? Is that a siren?

"Bark, bark-bark-bark-bark, bark."

Time to go back inside. Score! Mom is putting out the food. A peperoni stick, broken in half, just the way I like it. My moist & meaty and two milk bones... Oh and fresh water. I'll drink that later. Oh, there she is! The most wonderful, perfect human that ever walked this earth! Hi Mommy! I must feel you scratch my ears the way that no one else can.... yes, yes, yes, a little to the left, yes, yes, yes, the other side, oh right there. Best. Mommy. Ever.

Ugh. There is that gate thing again blocking my way into the living room It's not fair you know. I used to be able to go wherever I wanted. Now? When no one is home I have to stay in the kitchen. It is so BORING in here. Ever since they got that new furniture I've been stuck here. No one asked me if I wanted new furniture. I thought the old stuff was fine. They said it smelled bad, especially MY couch where I used to sleep all the time. I liked that the stuffing was coming out of the hole that I made in the cushion. Look, It's not my fault that I may have barfed there a couple of times and didn't tell anyone. They eventually figured it out. And? I only peed by the T.V.  a couple of times. It's my nature... I have to mark what's mine. Especially when I'm mad at someone for not taking me on a walk. It's not my fault they don't like the smell. Humans and their delicate sensibilities. Sheesh.

Mom just left to drive Alex to the bus stop. Well, now what do I do? I guess I'll plop on the blanket. She'll be back in a few minutes.

10 minutes later...

There she is again, mommy! mommy! and... she's gone. Oh wait! She's waking up Jacob! I wonder what he's having for breakfast? I hope it's one of those breakfast burritos again. How awesome was that last week when he dropped half of it on the ground? Yum! Here he comes. He's putting something in the microwave, what, hey! Watch it! You almost stepped on me! I just want to see what you're doing... What? Don't yell at me. You watch where YOU"RE going! So, what is it? what is it? what is it? what is it? Are you going to share? Can I have some? can I have some? can I have some? can I... Yes! Thank you thank you thank you.... is there more? is there more? is there more?

30 minutes later...

"Bark!" Doorbell! "Bark!" Doorbell!

Hey! Someone is at the door! Are you gonna get that?  Hello? I can't go over there because I'm sequestered over here in the kitchen! Hello?
It's Raul (Jacob's friend)! Hi Raul! Come over and say hi. Please? please? please?

What? Where are you going? Wow, that was fast. You guys are leaving me already? What am I going to do all day? Well, alright.  Bye... have a good....(door closes) day. *sigh*

7 hours later...

Oh man, what's that noise? Is it... It is, it is! Jacob's home from school! Wow where did the day go? I was in such a deep sleep for most of it. I don't remember anything after dozing in the morning sun. How did I get back on my blanket? Oh well, never mind. Jacob's home and he's going to open the gate. Happy dance, happy dance happy dance... I'm so happy to have company again... I love my Jakey poo! Oh, yes. I do need to go outside. Nice! Thank you Jacob!

1 hour later...

Alex and Dad are home! More company! I'm going to go hang out with Alex in his room. I hope he brings chips.

1 hour later...

It's almost time. She's almost home. I can sense it. My heart is beating so fast... I can't wait to see her. Is that her car? It is, it is, it is... I know it, I know it. SHE's HOME! MOMMY! I love you, I love you,  I love you, I love you! Aahh, that feels so good, yes, now scratch my neck, now my ear again.... I've been waiting for that all day! Can we go out? I know I'm not allowed in your room, but I'm following you down the hall anyway to remind you that I need to go out on a walk. Are you gonna... can we...(door closes in my face). Okay. I'll just wait here. Take your time! *sigh*

I hope she's changing her clothes. If she puts on her sneakers that TOTALLY means we are going on a walk. Here she comes! Omg! Omg! Omg! let me spin around to show my joy! Spin! Spin! Is she going to grab the leash.... YES! I AM THE HAPPIEST DOG E-VER! LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO!

I love being outside! Oh, I remember this bush right here... oh, uh huh, this mailbox smells the same, good.  la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la. I'm so happy, I'm so happy. Smell that fresh air. Excuse me a minute while I do some business, right over here. Oh, yeah, that's the spot. I wish I could whistle. I feel like whistling right now. Why yes, I am prancing. I didn't know there was a name for it, but I like it. Pant, pant, pant, pant... I love you but you walk way to slow. Who's that over there? Can we go meet him? Why is he barking at me? What did I do? C'mon, just for a second... I want to smell his... what? why? I never get to do anything fun.

Okay, back home. Dinner time! I'll just sit right here, very patiently, next to my food dish until my mom realizes it's time to unlock the deliciousness that is my Caesar's dinner. I really hope it is fillet mignon. Or? Maybe chicken. Haven't had that in a while. Dupety-doo, dumpty- dum. If I had fingers I think I'd be twiddling them right now. Why yes, I do want to eat! Thank you much for asking! You are so amazing. It's like you read my mind.! Yum, yum, gulp, gulp. aaahhh! That was good!

I Wonder what they are eating for dinner?

2 hours later...

Oh man, that smells so good. What are they making? Can I have some? Can I? What's that? Did something drop? Oh, gross. *sniff sniff* That's an onion. Disgusting. What? Dinner time. Let's eat! Let me just take my spot over here under the table so I can observe everyone. Let's see, who is going to drop something first? Ouch! Hey watch it, that was my nose! Don't act like you didn't know I was here. I'm ALWAYS here. Where else would I be during DINNER TIME?  Waiting, waiting... yes, there it is. The hand of the most awesome-est lady around, and what does she have? Meat? For me? Oh, I am humbled by your kindness. Yes, I will accept your kind offer and gulp it down without chewing. Yum!

1 hour later...

Well, it looks like everyone is kind of settling in for the night. I'll hang out here on the floor by the couch and hope for some attention. It's not like I'm allowed up on the couch anymore and can fall asleep on next to someone's leg. Why don't they feel sorry for me? It is so unfair! Oh wow, is that Jacob fresh out of the shower? Omg, he smells so good after the shower... I must nip at his toes and spin around in excitement. Wait, what are you doing? Ugh. You know I don't like it when you pick me up.

"Grrrr..." Put me down. I said, "GRRRRRRRR."

Okay, that's better. Well, it is getting kind of late. I'm not feeling very social anymore so I think I'll go into my kennel and go to sleep. *yawn* Let me just arrange these blankets the way I like them, okay, just like that. Goodnight.

1 hour later...

What is that? Oh, you're putting the door on the kennel. You had to wake me for that? Jeez, a guy pees under the table a few times and you have to put him in jail for the entire night?

"Grrrrr..."

Whatever, leave me alone. I'm sleeping.