The best kind of day...

22 pound turkey

Thanksgiving was a wonderful day.  Feasting with friends and family is truly one of my favorite ways to pass precious time on this planet.  The day AFTER Thanksgiving, though, was by far, the best day of the year...so far.  We woke up, had pancakes and tidied.  We spent most of the day putting up the Christmas tree and decorations.  Papabear made

"kiddie table"

 amazing leftover lunch sandwiches.  While Littleman napped, Papabear and I took advantage of the "free movie channel" weekend our cable provider offered.  We pretty much watched movies all afternoon.  In the evening we ordered a pizza and watched more movies.  We were in our pajamas most of the day.  Aside from a dream vacation on the beaches of Greece, I cannot honestly think of a better way to spend my time.  Me, the hubby, and my boy, relaxing and loving each other.  

Today hasn't been all that different.  We left the house to pick up some more lights for outside and a few more ornaments.  I found a cupcake one!!!!  Totally love it.  The three of us had a picnic at a park.  Littleman ordained me "dragon-mommy" and I had the honor of chasing my boys through a playground maze roaring and attracting stares from other grown ups.  I think I'll go watch Atonement now while the little cherub is sleeping. 

I am so thankful to be healthy and happy.  Thankful that my husband and child and most of my friends and family are the same.  I am thankful for this weekend of peaceful laziness.  I will savor it and keep it close.

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Holy Apple Pie

Making apple pie for Thanksgiving is kind of a religious affair for me.  It's sacred.  As I rolled out the crust this afternoon, I was channeling my mother - all the years I watched her bake, her instinct and experience.  Apple pie is Papabear's favorite dessert and I always want it to be perfect.  I have never been 100% happy with my pies - the crust just doesn't look right or there's too much liquid or the apple combination wasn't sweet enough.... While I peel and cut and mix sugar with cinnamon, I am striving for perfection and it truly feels like a holy experience.  And while my definition of perfection may never be achieved, every pie is delicious.

One could pull out some heavy metaphors here, but really, I just love baking apple pie and Thanksgiving is sort of the apple pie "showcase" day.  I hope every one has a filling and yummy day surrounded by loved ones.

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Sweet little happiness...

So I am babysitting the two children of a friend.  Ava is outside in the back playing with Littleman, I am watching them through the window and listening to their hilarious three-year-old banter.  Ava's little brother, Sutton, is asleep on a blanket on the living room floor.  He fell asleep in my arms...he must be around 6 or 7 months old.  I forgot to ask.  I remembered to ask how much formula and when, emergency numbers, nap and diaper details, and where's the extra change of clothes.  Anyway, this adorable, warm bundle of fleece-covered boy has been smiling and cooing at me for the better part of an hour.  He fussed a little when I put him in the bouncy seat to help the older ones with an art project. (What was I thinking letting them use glitter???????)  Once the kids moved on to markers and crayons, I cradled the little guy and he just fell asleep on my shoulder.  It's been such a long, long time since my shoulder had that honor.  Littleman and Ava are playing so nicely I almost can't believe it.  I am waiting for the alien to burst out of his stomach or one of their heads to explode.  Well...I'll keep my fingers crossed...uh oh...the little bundle is stirring.

Such a sweet little happiness...my house full of happy children.

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Like the old, OLD days...you know, when I was young

I went to bed at 3:16 am.  (Sadly, even though Littleman is sleeping over at his grandmother's and I could stay in bed all morning, I was up at 7 to use the bathroom...and well...couldn't get back to sleep.) ANYWAY, why, pray tell, was I up into the wee hours of the morning?  I was at a rock show....but this was a REAL rock show.  Last night we saw

Nadasurf11

Nada Surf.  (If you go to iTunes and want to hear a sample of their sound, try The Blizzard of '77 or See these Bones, totally amazing.)

It was an unbelievable night on so many levels.  This was the first show (of the many we have been to recently) that friends joined us.  We met at a bar before the show and I was wasted within an hour.  (Mother nature assured me a few hours prior that there was nothing other than brain cells to harm in my body - TMI, I know.)  You guys know me...well, you know the B before Littleman and the B after.  I was never a big drinker - but there were some Gobhi shows and pumpkin parties where I was laughing myself to tears and smiling bigger than day thanks to Malibu and diet coke. (Yes, I still drink that nonsense I call a Barbie, and yes, I am embarrassed to order it.) 

Seeing a rock show while "under the influence" was a totally different experience.  I know most of you are probably saying, "duh."  But this stuff doesn't occur to me, simply because it just doesn't occur to me to drink.  However, since I HAD been drinking, this show was other-worldly.  Instead of people watching, I was entranced by the music.  Instead of checking out the musicians and their gear (a habit from my dear husband), I was FEELING the musicians and their music.  There were moments when I had to hold my hand over my heart because I was sure it was going to burst through my chest.  It soared as I sang out the songs and danced along with the crowd and my husband and my friends with all that I had. 

It was pretty fun.  Driving home (Papabear at the wheel, of course) I felt like I could have been driving back to Gale Hill or even Green Street (my first college apartment).  I ached a tiny bit for all the friends who shared this kind of night with me before, but reveled in knowing that I have lots of wild rock shows in my future.

I didn't feel "old" (or simply older) until my relentless bladder woke me with its impeccable timing.

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What I hate/love about cooking...and a dino photo

What I LOVE about cooking at home:

-fresh/often organic ingredients

-portion control

-little to no cholesterol, absolutely no trans fats or high fructose corn syrup

-makes Papabear happy when I make something that actually tastes good

-I can eat it barefoot or in my pj's

-cheaper than eating out

What I HATE about cooking at home:

-the menu must come from my mind after endless hours in front of cookbooks and/or cooking websites.

-not only do I have to buy, prep, and cook the food, but clean up afterwards

-I SUCK at improvising, so if I forget to buy an ingredient, the meal has the potential to taste very wrong (this has happened...more than once - that's why I keep organic pizzas in the freezer)

-I frequently undercook fish and we end up eating 40 minutes later, cranky and starving

Ahhh, that feels better.  It just feels good to get that off my chest.  This weekend we took Littleman to an outdoor dinosaur exhibit.  Over 15 lifesize, animatronic dinosaurs cleverly arranged along a one mile path through the woods.  It was totally awesome.  It was also only 50 degrees, so it felt great to be bundled up and tromping over leaves and dirt and "discover" a roaring raptor or t-rex around the bend - one even sprayed "venom" (water) - Littleman's favorite.  Of course I forgot the camera, so the only one I have is from Papabear's cell phone.  We're sitting on a lame little dino set up for photos - the exhibit ones looked real - even their eyes moved.  Super fun.

Dino

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Craft crazy and a funny FUNNY story...

I'll tell you the funny story first:

Today Littleman's preschool had a puppet show on recycling.  All the three year olds participated - which means, my class and Littleman's class were present, along with ALL the teachers I've been working alongside since September.  Before the show began, the presenter gave a little talk about what things can and can't be recycled.  She held up a newspaper, an apple juice bottle, and then a can of hairspray.  She asks the children, "Do any of your mommies use hairspray? Or your daddies use shaving cream?"

Little kids all around the room are murmuring a collective, "Yesss," when I hear Littleman from across the room pipe up, loud and clear, "MY mom uses shaving cream." 

Yep.  That's what I get for letting my son take a shower with me when I need to shave my underarms.  (Sorry, was that TMI?) 

As for the crafts, I have been craft CRAZY.  Little man and I have been making turkeys and Indian corn like its our job.

Craft4

And, here's what I am most proud of.  I got the idea from a catalog and knew I could make it myself.  It's an advent calendar so Littleman can SEE how many days until Christmas.  I'd be happy to make one for you...for 10 bucks - simply because it takes so long to cut out all the "balls."  I also painted a little "treasure" box to store the balls - and velcro strips so you can see all the numbers clearly. 

Craft1

 

Craft2

 

Craft3

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Super awesome post!

SO, I gave the bosses my  resignation letter, effective this Friday.  I will be training my replacement (they finally found one!) tomorrow through the end of the week.  I feel like an enormous weight has been lifted and I am joyful again.

Papabear is going to Virginia to spend a few days with his best buddy in December, which means Liam and I get to spend a LOT of days in Arizona visiting with my Dad and my family there. I need their hugs more than ever and I am so happy that I can count the days until we are in their warm embraces.

Papabear has been doing crafts with Littleman when I wash the dinner dishes the past few evenings.  There aren't too many things out there cuter than a grown man showing a three-year-old how to apply puffy paint to a t-shirt or the best way to swirl watercolors.  Papabear has been a bit distant lately and I needed to sort of get the two of them "together" doing fun things.  Fortunately, Papabear can't resist an opportunity to be creative - he hangs his artwork up on the fridge right next to Littleman's!  I know, adorable, right???

Finally, a photographer friend needed some family photos for her new website.  Can you believe she asked us?  I was starting to feel good about myself again - until these photos!  My legs are usually so skinny...why do my calves look so huge??? Ug.  Anyway, my husband and son look awesome.

Family1

I personally like this next one the best.  Aren't we so urban chic? Papabear says I look pissed and too "posed."  What do you think?  My legs sure look better here!

Family2

 

Littlebus

Awww, don't you just want to eat him up????

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Tidbits

Littleman enjoyed his "big boy" playdate so much.  On the way home I asked, "So, would you like to play at Bilal's house again sometime?" His reply, "Oh yes, can you turn the car around?"

Currently, my house is destoyed.  Six preschoolers went to town this afternoon.  It was a great playdate, most went home with turkey crafts and I had fun chatting up with the mamas.  Littleman it exhausted, but quietly refusing to nap. Ug.  I need to clean.

Papabear helped me draft a letter stating my last day of employment, Friday.  I did not go to work today, so I will be giving it to them tomorrow.  Ug.  I just want to be done with it. 

I think I hear quiet in the little boy's room....always a moment to savor....

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So this is weird...

Forty-five minutes ago, the father of Littleman's best buddy at preschool called and asked if Littleman wanted to come over and play for an hour or so.  They live four minutes away, so I said, "Sure, we'll be right over."  When I got there, every one was all smiles,the boys literally giddy at the sight of each other outside of school, and then the mom said, "Does Littleman have any food allergies? No? Okay, well, we'll see you around 5:30."  She has an older son, so I think the "drop off" playdate is nothing out of the ordinary for her, but this is Littleman's first "big boy" kind of playdate.  Also, it was totally unexpected.

Now, of course there was much more dialogue, but you get the idea.  I've met the mom multiple times and I spend two days a week with her son and daughter who are both in Littleman's class.  They live just down the road, so I feel safe leaving him there.  It's just so strange...to have this hour and a half FREE.  Hmm...I think I'll go see what Papabear is up to. 

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I finally voted for a winner...

but, more importantly, for the first time since I have given a remote hoot about politics and the world outside of myself, I truly feel like our country is going to change for the better.  I am lying, I'm not really thinking about the world outside myself, I am thinking about the world we are going to leave for my little boy.  I don't think Barack Obama can fix everything, but I do believe he can get us on the right path.  I hope so with all my heart.

What an amazing night in history.  What an amazing time for our country.   I cried tears of pride for our country this evening.  Obama fills me with hope.

On a funny note, did any of you notice the man Oprah Winfrey was leaning on at the rally?  Seemingly a nameless white dude.  Papabear called him Oprah's "crowd couch."  As in, she is so wealthy she can pay a dude to lean on.  I cried again, tears of laughter, at my very funny hubby's observation.

If only Tim could have been here to witness this amazing election....he would have been SO, SO excited.  I can just hear him in my heart...

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I am a spineless wimp...

So, the bosses are back from Africa and scrambling to find a replacement for me.  Luckily, they have three interviews this week.  However, I was called into the office today and they begged me to stay just "a few more weeks."  They promised that if they could find a replacement by the end of the week, I only had to stay a couple of more days to train her.  They also said I could have multiple days off during the week....bizarre...but, you should have seen me in the office.  I have a pretty nasty headcold, so I was practically shaking when they were speaking to me.  I think they thought my sanity was on the line - so I let them think that - I am trying to keep my husband from falling apart and the stress involved there is enough to make me insane. 

I know what you're thinking - WHERE'S THAT BACKBONE???  Well, you guys know I never really had one to begin with.  And here are two things to keep in mind: First, a little extra cash for the holidays will help a LOT.  Since I don't really have any steadily paying babysitting gigs at the moment, this will do...Second, I really feel bad for my seven students and their parents - they don't even know I'm going yet!  I like them all so much...it's not their fault I can't stand working as a preschool teacher.

SO, I will work for a few more weeks...probably only three days a week...the only thing that worries me is when I said, "I'd like an actual END date," the director sort of grimaced and said she couldn't give one.  WTF????  Let's just all say a prayer that they hire someone on Thursday and I can be done by Wednesday of next week, okay???  I am just a giant wimp.

In the meantime, take a look at the most recent Upstart catalog (the one that sells my game).  Here's how they are advertising my game.  Pretty cool, ay?

 

Trio

And, here's a photo we received from the White House.  It was taken at Tim's wake.  I know...it's weird...weird that they took the photos, weird that George "autographed" it and sent it back...weird...still...you don't get to see this every day.

 

Bush2

They must have thought that was Bill's wife, not sister....anywho...

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The most delicious brownie in the world....

Howdy, friends.  A few weeks ago a friend gave me some "high fat dutch process cocoa."  She told me one can make the best brownies with it.  Well, last night we had some neighbors over for dinner and I decided to try out the cocoa.  This was also the first time I made brownies from scratch (instead of from a box).  Well, these were the most lucious, amazing brownies EVER.  I'm sure my cholesterol shot right back up to whatever it was after I ate my share last night.  Absolutely amazing.  Perfectly baked - chewy inside, the slightest crisp on top...mmmmmmmmmm.  Why can't I feel this way about salads or cooked carrots?????  I gave (most) of the leftover brownies to my neighbors...and I finished the rest this morning.  I will be at the gym an extra half hour every day this week....TOTALLY WORTH IT.  Email me if you want the recipe. 

And, here's a castle Littleman and I made the other day.  I cut out the flower shapes, but he glued all the parts together and taped them to his castle.  The drawbridge goes up and down - it's pretty cool, if I must say so, myself.  He's been stashing his Halloween goodies in there.  I'll creep up on him and find him counting lollipops.  He has 14!!!!!!  I've only let him eat one since Friday.  Halloween is fun, but all that garbage!  (No, he's not wearing pants - I'm lucky he had any clothes on at all!)

Castle

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