Sunday, November 30, 2008

The Ride Home

After spending 12 hours on the road back home from our Thanksgiving celebrations, I can tell you we visited many rest stops. The food is almost always the same: most likely fried and just plain awful. And can anyone tell me why and how people spray the toilet seat in the women's room? It's beyond me.

However, the three of us had a wonderful time snacking on grapes, singing along with our mixed tapes (our rendition of "Do-Re-Mi" is wicked awesome) and making rather silly jokes. Buttons is now a fan of Desmond Dekker and I really love singing "The Green Grass Grows All Around" with Bob Mc Grath.

Hubby and I shared driving. Buttons and I shared naps. Buttons shared her dream of being a horse rider in the circus and she plans to carpool with her friend S. (who will be an acrobat). We had a pretend wedding (she's been very into this topic) and asked many questions.

We also made plans for decorating our house for Christmas and when we're going to bake cookies. Buttons asked Hubby's help writing a letter to Santa that went along these lines "please help yourself to these cookies that I made with my mother". Now, if we could just get her to speak in a British accent, she'd be perfectly proper. And you know what? She doesn't sprinkle on the toilet!

Labels: , , ,

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Happy Birthday Hubby!


I've known him since I was 17 and I'm still crazy about him. He's sweet and thoughtful. He's a wonderful father and my best friend. He's smart, funny and soft spoken. He surprises people with his wicked wit and makes me smile all the time. He makes me want to be a better person. He's seen me at my worst and still thinks the best of me. He cares about others and is always willing to lend a hand. He is a good person.

Today I celebrate my Hubby.

Labels: ,

Friday, November 28, 2008

One too many

Buttons has been a real trooper since we've been visiting relatives. However, today was the fifth out of six days without a nap and yes, it was one too many. She doesn't want to leave all of our relatives and I agree it's been a great trip, but we need to get on a schedule.

She had 2 major fits today and that's not like her. And roaring at me? Not acceptable. So Mom, Dad, brothers, in-laws, grandparents, friends I enjoyed our time together, but we must be moving on now.

Labels: , ,

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thankful Thursday

My apologies to the vegetarians and those of you with taste (not that those groups are mutually exclusive), but I couldn't resist this picture to say Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you enjoy the day and give thanks for the people that make you happy and feel loved. I know I will.

Labels: ,

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Bittersweet Language

Buttons is growing. Her language is changing. She used to say "phlone" instead of phone and "Didah" instead of Dinah (our kitty). Her favorite cup was a Pooh cup but when she said it, it sounded like bull crap.

She's writing letters and putting them together in fascinating ways. I am now receiving many notes and being asked "what does this spell Mama?" Sometimes she spells "rooroa", but sometimes she spells out real words like "poop". Before we know it she's going to be reading and then a whole new world opens up for her. I'm truly excited, but it's bittersweet to watch her grow. It's going so fast that I'm trying to enjoy the moments while they're here and not looking back too much to revel in where we've been.

Oh, she still says "brefdast" instead of breakfast and she sings "I just can't wait to be a king" instead of "I just can't wait to be king", but she has mad language skills. She now speaks in complete complicated sentences that include words like actually and phrases like "as for me".

She still wants me to snuggle her in the night when she has a bad dream and the good thing about all this language is she can tell me about the things that scare her. I love listening to her and I try to imagine what it was like when she didn't say anything but goo-goos and gaa-gaas. We seemed to have plenty of ways to communicate then, but now? I can't even begin to tell you. We've started reading the original Pooh series at night and she will make jokes about it during other times of the day. It floors me and I'm thrilled by it. She's smart, funny and someone I'm very happy to know.

Labels: ,

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

You know the economy is bad when...

You go to your hometown and right off the highway someone has attached flashing lights to a white board sign that says "Help! No Water!" outside their house.

Stores are closing their doors, but discount chains and fast food stores are being added along with a rise in stock and profit.

Gas prices are half of what they were 3 months ago and still people can't afford it.


Hubby, Buttons and I are visiting family and we're amazed at the tangible effects of this recession in our home state. Unfortunately, I don't have any words of wisdom or humor about it, but it's on my mind. I'm hoping we reach the bottom soon so we can start swimming towards the surface. Obama has his work cut out for him, that's for sure.




Monday, November 24, 2008

Snow Day!

I can't believe we had enough snow to make a snow woman (yes, Buttons told us she was a she) before Thanksgiving, but here's our proof!
We're all a bit under the weather, but the snow called to us.
(Yes, that's my mom.)
The latest family photo with our newest member and I don't even know her name. However, she has beautiful radish eyes, a green pepper mouth, grape buttons and the requisite carrot nose. Boy did we have a blast.

In knitting news, each of us were wearing hats knit by yours truly. Wait until you see the progress on my vest! Ok, I have to go to bed now. I'm beat.

Well, maybe I'll just knit a few rows...

Labels: ,

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Thank you Bonnie!


I feel like I've been winning the lottery lately only I never play the lottery. However, I do read some fabulous blogs of people that I know in real life and others I only know through cyberspace. Sometimes these bloggers have contests and sometimes I enter. Bonnie Berry is an Austin, Texas based photographer with a blog filled with delicious photos and I entered her contest. Haven't seen her stuff? Go now to The Incredibly True Adventures of Lazygirl. I'll wait...

See? Told ya she's good. I really wish she would make a trip to my area of the country. Her photos are well shot, well timed and well chosen. She has a great sense of light and has the ability to make a wonderful subject out of something that may not stand out to most. LOVE her stuff. She's the photographer I want to be.

Well, she wanted some input on her web-site and I was happy to look around and give her some ideas simply because of all the inspiration she gives to me. However, she also made it into a contest and well, I won. So, I have $30 to spend at Amazon.com thanks to Ms. Bonnie Berry, who is not someone I know IRL, but gee whiz, I'd love to meet her. Yes I want her to take pictures of my family, but I'd really like to meet her. I think photographs tell something not only about the subject, but also about the photographer. She seems interesting, down to earth and kind. So, for those of you located anywhere close to Austin, Texas go have your picture taken by Bonnie. She definitely doesn't seem lazy to me.

Oh and the $30? I planned on putting the gift certificate towards the purchase of a telephoto lens, but Hubby bought it for my birthday. So now, I get to use it towards something else.

Thanks Bonnie!

Labels: ,

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Thanks Stephanie!


Stephanie is the first blogger I've met in person since "meeting" in the blogosphere. Both of us have daughters who were born in China and we both blogged about that commonality (Forks & Chopsticks). Stephanie then started a book blog (Stephanie's Written Blog) and that's been going really well with authors stopping by to guest blog and give interviews and she's even had several giveaways. I entered and won an advanced copy of Knit Two by Kate Jacobs. I never read the prequel, but perhaps I should now.

On top of these two blogs, Stephanie added a third ("C" is NOT for cookie...) after finding out she has breast cancer. She wants to help people by letting them come along with her on this journey. She will get her first chemo treatment shortly after Thanksgiving, which will be her first since losing her mother to complications from breast cancer.

Perhaps you could stop by one of Stephanie's blogs and send her a hello.
In the meantime, thank you Stephanie. I look forward to reading the book and reading your critique.

Labels: , ,

Friday, November 21, 2008

Thanks Gina!

When I was dating my Hubby, I would give gifts at Christmas to his family and it seemed like I received a thank you note in the mail the next day. I talked to my mother-in-law about her quickness and she told me that she wouldn't use the gift until she put her thank you note in the mail. She felt that by doing that she was always very prompt with the thank yous. I thought "what an excellent idea" and started doing that myself.

I must say I have strayed badly on that one and I'm hoping to get back on it because it's also a really good thing to teach Buttons. I have been so disorganized lately that I'm certain I would forget to bring my head if it wasn't attached.

So, here is a long overdue and huge thank you to Gina of The Mirthful Menagerie. Gina had a blogiversary contest and I was the winner. This contest happened a while ago (shame on me) and before I properly thanked her I started using the goodies (more shame). But let me tell you, the goodies are wonderful and I am very thankful.

I can't believe the amount of yarn and fun stuff that she gave away!
(Click on the pics to get a good look.)
The dish scrubber and washcloth are awesome and I feel lucky to have something made by Gina's very capable hands. And the colors? My faves. I've started to use the fabulous soap and have had several cups of that great coffee. The i-tunes card ($25!!!) will be used soon as we get ready to make some long car trips. most of the yarn I haven't used yet, but it's on the top of my stash, so it's calling to me.
I haven't tried the tea, but I might on this snowy day. It looks wonderful, doesn't it?
And the Moda Dea Cartwheel yarn? Yup, I started a vest for Buttons and I LOVE this yarn. I don't know if I would have chosen this yarn, but after working with it, I would definitely choose it again. The colors are great and the feel of it is wonderful. Gina wasn't happy with the thick and thin aspect of it, but I bet now that she's been knitting a while, she would like it. It gives such a nice texture and I can't wait to finish this (although I'm really enjoying the process).

So, Gina I know you didn't pick these goodies specifically for me, but it feels like you did.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
I'm very late, but it truly is heart felt. You are a sweetheart.

And anyone who reads this, could you go to Gina's blog and give her a cyber hug? She just had to say goodbye to her wonderful kitty, Mr. Chesterfield. Gina has a big heart and her cats live inside it and right now her heart is aching.

Labels: ,

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Thankful Thursday


Today I'm thankful for my family. Hubby and Buttons brought me breakfast in bed this morning for my birthday.Now, I'm going to go out and enjoy the rest of the day instead of making this a long post.

Labels: , ,

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Wordless Wednesday

Labels:

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Blogging and Facebook are the new passive aggressive...

I am not good with conflict. I want people to like me. Often times I give in if someone disagrees with me because I don't like to fight. I'm not always sure I have everything I need to back up my point of view and I generally don't feel confident when I'm in a disagreement.

So I think some people may assume I never get mad or I don't see that what they've just said to me is totally inappropriate. Erm...no. I get it. Patronizing? Check. Disrespectful? Check. Am I angry? Check.

So here's the thing, how do you have conflict that is productive? I've watched very few people do it well, but I keep trying. Sometimes I succeed, but often I seethe and then explode after a while. Then I just feel worse.

Of course there's always the passive aggressive way to handle it: blog about it or put something on your Facebook status. I'm trying to avoid that for many reasons, the biggest one being because I don't think it really helps. So I'm searching for the answers to this.
(Any advice is welcome.)

Monday, November 17, 2008

The Cheating Post (now with knitting!)

I'm doing a cheat post today. I'm linking to other blogs. However, I do think they're worth it.

First, this post from Tales from a Keyboard Biologist has a great tutorial about fixing knit socks that have a large hole. I don't know if it's something I would do, but then again if you've put all that work into a pair of socks, it would be nice to be able to fix them.

The Blue Blog had this post today. It's pretty sad when even the women wearing knits are objectified. Hmmmph.

Well, since this post went so quickly I'll have time to knit myself that bikini I've been planning.
Ha!

Labels:

Sunday, November 16, 2008

You Better Watch Out

Buttons is 4 now and understands that Christmas is just around the corner. In past years she has wanted nothing to do with Santa. Her first Christmas with us I was able to take her and get her picture with Mr. Claus and me, but the next year, it didn't go as well. Last year we were able to get her in the same room with him and caught a quick picture and she waved to the jolly old elf from far away.

A few weeks ago we were in the mall and saw them putting up the "Santa photo studio". I asked Buttons if she would like to get her picture taken with Santa this year and she replied that she might if daddy did it with her. I asked if I could join too and her reply was "but Santa only has 2 laps". My reply was "yes, but perhaps I could just stand next to him". Now, she wouldn't commit to actually doing it and wanted to keep her possibilities open so she included a maybe on all of these possibilities.

Cut to today when Hubby and Buttons went to the mall (on a "secret" birthday present mission for me). When they arrived Santa waved to them and apparently Buttons was really excited about it. As they left they saw Santa getting ready to leave as well and Buttons waved goodbye.

Then out in the parking lot, the wheels started turning.
"How is Santa going to get home? There must be reindeer!!! Where are the reindeer?" Hubby explained that the reindeer are resting up for Christmas. When the two of them came home and shared this story, I asked again if she would like to get her picture taken with Santa this year.
"Yes...maybe all by myself."

We better watch out. Our girl is growing up and getting braver every year.

Labels: ,

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Be Careful Out There

When we put Buttons to bed she will tell us to check on her. If I put her to bed it's always "Mama, check on me and tell Daddy to check on me". Most of the time she'll say it several times and lately it's the mantra that she tells us again and again and will get out of bed to do it. So, this evening I put the kaibosh on it by asking her to just tell us each one time and we will remember. I reassured her that we always remember even if she doesn't tell us.

Tonight was hubby's turn to put her to bed. She remembered to tell him only once to check on her. However, she came up with something new.

"Be careful around breakable objects, Daddy."



Labels: , ,

Friday, November 14, 2008

Fun Friday: Easy Recipe


Ok, this is actually inspired from a recipe from Marsha (heavily featured on this blog over the past 2 days). It's come to be my "go-to" recipe when I need something quick but I want it to be good.

Cook some pasta. Saute some olive oil and garlic. Add some capers along with some of its juice. Add in black olives, artichoke hearts, lima beans, peas, edamame or any combo until it's nice and hot. Add the drained pasta and cook it together for a few minutes until everything has a toasted look to it. Add parmesan cheese and some pepper to it if desired. Serve it with a salad or another vegetable dish and you're done. Buttons is crazy for this recipe and I hope you'll like it too!

Labels:

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Thankful Thursday

Yes Nablablah seems to force me to bring out the themes, so I'm keeping up with last year's theme for Thursday. Today I'm thankful for friends. I was feeling really under the weather today and needed some soup (yes, needed) and when Marsha found out about this, she gave me some delicious homemade lentil soup to get me feeling better. Thank you Marsha.
I hope all of you have friends like I do.

Labels: ,

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Wordless Wednesday

Labels:

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Red + Blue = Purple


The following link made me very happy today:
Love letters between 48 & 52.

Labels:

Monday, November 10, 2008

I asked for it...


Ok, I'll admit it. Everyone around me was getting sick. I was feeling immune to it all after having my flu shot a few weeks ago. I was feeling powerful fighting off all those germs. Guess what I'm feeling now? Yeah. Bucked off the high horse.
I'm sick.

Labels:

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Sunday

We went to see some friends in a local production of "Beauty & the Beast" and then we all went out for dinner and then to the new house of two of the friends. I was tired and crabby after staying up too late at the final cast party the night before, but I did enjoy the day that went well into evening. Buttons had trouble sleeping because the Beast was good in his role of being scary but she eventually slept and we were soon to follow.

I enjoyed seeing my friends who were marvelous in their roles onstage. However, my favorite parts of the day included watching Buttons and one of her best buddies conspiring to tickle various people in the room and then running around having a wonderful ride. Then on the way home Buttons fell asleep and I shared with my hubby some of the disappointments of the day. He held my hand the whole way home and made me feel better. Mmm...Sunday.

Labels:

Saturday, November 08, 2008

The Biggest Time Suck Ever


Ok, it's NaPoBlaBla this month and I want to post everyday without being too lame. However, it's closing night for my play and I'm getting ready for that. The other thing that has taken over my life is Facebook. Have you been sucked in to this thing? It's crazy. So, I will try to limit my on-line time on FB and spend some more time thinking about posts.

I did spend the day with Hubby and Buttons going to lunch, Trader Joe's and then we played some games. Good stuff. What's keeping you busy lately?

Labels:

Friday, November 07, 2008

Fun Friday: Yearbook Yourself!

Posting everyday is hard when you've been really lame about it for a while. So, I decided perhaps we should have some themes to keep me on track. So I'm naming today Fun Friday, so I'm decided to share this site with you: yearbookyourself.com. I'd love to see what y'all do with this, so if you'd like, upload a picture, post it to your blog and let me know in the comment section.

May I present to you the class of Maylee Beezir...
Hubby
Buttons
Katie

Labels:

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Work To Be Done (in which I talk about gay marriage)

It is hard for me to fathom. Why can't we allow (celebrate) all people who love each other to marry? The arguments against it just don't ring true to me. How does giving rights to a group of people take anything away from another group of people? The people who want to marry are people who love one another and just want to make it official and proclaim their love to each other in front of their family and friends. Yes, I know many people will throw the bible in on this one and I have to say a few things about that. First, the bible can be viewed in many ways and can be infinitely distorted. Second, our country was supposed to be founded on a separation of church and state. Third, doesn't the bible say "judge not lest ye be judged"? I am not in any way saying that I'm a biblical scholar, but I do believe in a separation of church and state.

Racism kept a ban on interracial marriage for a long time. How long before this country realizes that keeping gays and lesbians from getting married is taking away what should be their right too? Wouldn't it be wonderful if President Obama had an openly gay woman or man in his cabinet? That might be a start. This country made me proud on Tuesday with the election of our 44th president. I look forward to the day that this country makes me proud on this issue.

Labels:

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Our 44th...


President Barack Obama

His victory speech was flawless.

I'm so proud of our country right now.

I also thought John McCain's concession speech was wonderful.

I'm grinning and teary and tired.

And happy...

Labels:

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Voter Tuesday...This is it!


Have you voted?

Here's another reason to visit the polls...



Labels:

Sunday, November 02, 2008

NaBloPoMo

I've always signed up for NaBloPoMo, so I'll try it again this year. I find that while sometimes I'm really stretching it to find a post every day, I often find that it makes me be present and deliberate in my day. This being the month of Thanksgiving, I think I will post a good deal about what I'm thankful for and try to keep the craziness of December at bay.

Today, I'm thankful for spending time with my family. We raked leaves together yesterday. It was wonderful watching Buttons jump in the big pile of leaves Hubby had made while wearing a sweater I had made. This morning on our way to church we sang "Peace Like A River" and I watched Buttons hold her baby and sing to her like I did when she was a tiny peanut.

Hmmm...stopping to blog about the things I'm thankful for is a great reminder.
Thanks NaBloPoMo!

Labels: ,

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Happy Halloween!


Meow!

Labels: