June 30, 2009

Bliss

Clean sheets + clean jammies + freshly-showered skin = a tiny piece of heaven on earth.

All Better!

The Boogie is miraculously well today. She was feverish all day yesterday, though fairly happy. Food didn't interest her. Juice didn't interest her, not even out of a real cup with a straw (her favorite.) Freeze pops didn't interest her. Even crushed up ice didn't interest her. When she finally conked out on the couch at about 11:00 last night her entire body from the knees up felt like it was on fire. For all that she slept well and this morning seems completely back to normal! She ate half my bagel and a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, and is now inhaling a bowl of pasta salad. That girl loves pasta, just like her mama.

Tuesday has rolled around again and here we are at 52 doing laundry. Outside the sun is shining and a breeze is blowing. After lunch we might just head back out there for a bit. This morning there was the tiniest baby turtle swimming in the goldfish pond out back!

I feel as if I have writer's block. Or rather, blogger's block. When I am blogging every day or so I have no lack of subject matter. Everything that happens throughout the day is tucked away as possible blog material. But I haven't been keeping up much this month and the blogging part of my brain is sluggish. I guess it just needs some exercise, therefore my posts for a while might be pretty boring as I try to get back into the swing of things.

Lately I've been re-reading a lot of books that I loved growing up. I've gone through most of the Betsy-Tacy books, all 8 of the Anne of Green Gables books, and am now working my way through the Little House books. The Little House series has been by far the most fascinating to me this time around. It's been years since I read them and I'm viewing them from a very different perspective. As a young person I looked at everything from Laura's perspective. Now I see things more from her parents' viewpoint. They labored so hard, day in and day out, every season, year after year, just to survive. For many years they barely made it by. They would settle somewhere, start building a farm, and then leave.

They spent a year on the Verdigris River in Oklahoma, unintentionally building near some Indian camps. Laura wrote that toward the end of their year the Indians had a huge war-council in the camps. The family could hear drums, singing, and war-cries night after night. In the book she describes the sound of the war-cries as "worse than your worst nightmare." They lived in fear for many days, just waiting for an attack. Could you even imagine? As a child you would feel a measure of safety thinking that your parents would protect you. But as an adult you would feel so helpless. You would know that there would only be so much you could do to save your family. There wasn't anyone nearby that they could go to for help. Eventually the war-council broke up and the Indians left. Shortly afterward the Ingalls family went back east.

Later they moved west again, this time to South Dakota. They barely survived a terribly hard winter their second year there. At the end they were burning hay for heat, spending hours in bed to keep warm, and eating only bread at every meal. Again, my perspective is so different this time. As a child you would think that of course your parents will provide for you. But as an adult you would feel helpless. How could you help but wonder if your children were going to starve to death? It is amazing to me grasp a little bit of what the family went through.

All the same, I am enjoying each book, and am looking forward to reading them to the Boogie some day!

June 29, 2009

Oblivious Mama

This morning while it was still nice and cool the Boogie and I went for a walk. When we got home I put her in the tub where she played happily for quite a while. When it was time to wash her she started whining and crying and complaining ... which continued long after I dressed her. Exasperated, I asked her repeatedly, "What is wrong with you? Stop crying!" Finally I gave her a snack and put in a DVD for her to watch and went about my business. Some time later I picked her up to give her a hug and she was burning up! Poor little girlie, had a fever and Mama didn't even realize it. She's had a dose of Tylonal and I'll give her one of those throat-soothing freeze pops once they freeze. H-man was sick last week and so was SIL1 so maybe she picked up some germs from them. Hopefully she will feel better soon. Meanwhile I called out from work and get to spend the whole day with her at home, an appreciated rarity. :)

June 28, 2009

Surprise!

Yesterday we threw a surprise birthday party for SIL1. Her hubby has been planning it for a few months and lots of folks helped to decorate and cook. We had it at church under the guise of a Family Fun Day. Everything worked out perfectly and she had no idea what was going on ... until she got sick and decided to stay home. Uh-oh! BIL1 had to coax and convince her to come which made her realize that something else was going on. She was a good sport in spite of not feeling well. Family and friends came out and there was lots and lots of really good food! I think everyone has a nice time. It was a perfectly beautiful day and later in the afternoon My Man and the Boogie and I went for a nice long walk. It was so lovely we didn't want to come inside.

For the past several weeks I've been telling my class that they were going to sing a memory verse in front of the church. I've been hyping it up by telling them that if they stood up there nicely and sang OUT LOUD they would get a surprise. (I'm never above bribing 4- and 5-year-olds.) Today was the big day and don't you know they all did exactly what they were supposed to do, even EK who has only been in the class for a few weeks and isn't even three yet! Their surprises were puzzles (from the dollar spot in Target -- gotta love $1.00 bribes) and of course I lavished praise upon them. We'll have to do it again soon.

Tonight we had a little graduation ceremony at church. There were 2 young men who graduated from eighth grade and 2 kindergarten graduates. HJ did a presentation of the Pledge of Allegiance, memory verses, a little doctrine drill, some math, and a song. She was nervous at first but did so well once she got going! Afterwards we had more cake. Next Sunday is EK's birthday (more cake) and the weekend after that is a wedding (more cake!) It's been a good weekend and My Man only has to work four days this week -- since July 4th falls on a Saturday he gets Friday off.

Almost nine o'clock, time for a small person to go to bed ...

June 25, 2009

A New Neighbor

Our newest neighbor arrived on Monday via c-section. Congratulations to the R family downstairs! This little guy is very very cute with a nice round head and a straight little nose, lots of dark hair, and some super chubby cheeks. He hasn't actually moved in -- he's supposed to today -- but we got to go see him Tuesday night. We took H-man with us who seems pretty tickled with his baby brother for the time being. We'll see how his attitude changes when that little person takes up residence! I don't have any pictures of him to share yet. I'm sure it won't be long before I do, though.

Speaking of new neighbors, we also have new neighbors downstairs. As far as we could tell they actually took possession of the apartment in the middle of May and sort of gradually moved in. We've seen several people: 3 or 4 young women ranging in age from late teens to mid-twenties, a baby, and an older couple. It seems that only some of the younger women and the baby actually live there, but they are there maybe half the time, if even that. They obviously have somewhere else to stay. They've been very quiet so far, when they've actually been home. The unit next to us is still empty and I'm sure the R family appreciates not having anyone live above them. I've said it before and I'll say it again -- the floors in this building are creeeeaky!

Today is Thursday. Thursday is errand-running day. The Boogie and I will pick up some lunch to eat with My Man today -- it's been a while since we've done that. Thursday is also my day to help Mrs. S get her husband Mr. S into his wheelchair. I always ask the Boogie, "Do you want to go see Mr. S?" and she gets excited and says, "Oh! Yes, please!" She's still a little bit shy of him but I've noticed lately that she warms up more quickly each time we go. After we do that we will do some grocery shopping. Church tonight! That reminds me, I need to get started on next month's nursery schedule ...

The other night the Boogie looked at me and said, "Rachel. Hi Rachel!" Ha! I could see the wheels turning in her little head as she put two and two together. Sadly enough, she doesn't call me Honey much anymore. I will admit that I am bummed about that. I secretly hoped she would just call me that forever. Now she is back to calling me Mommy which I still don't like so I'm back to correcting her every time she says it. She catches and corrects herself now, like this, "Mommy? Mama?" I realize it's probably silly to even care about it, but I do, and I figure if she can go from Mama to Mommy to Honey to Mommy she can go from Mommy to Mama and eventually it will be a habit. :)

Time to do the checkbook! Gotta see how much money I can spend on groceries, don'tcha know.

June 24, 2009

Things Boogies Do

They wear cute little slippers that their Lela made for them ...


... or they wear other things on their feet like, you know, cups.
They sing the Hukilau Hula song with their Lela.



They take silly pictures with their Mama.
They find creative ways to use pitchers.


They find the hand soap in the bathroom, squirt it all over the toilet, and then try to clean it up with toilet paper.

They learn how to turn crooked somersaults on the bed.


Life is never dull when you are a Boogie!

June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day!

I trust all you dads out there who read my blog (I can think of three) are having or have had a wonderful Father's Day. I hope your children have honored you with gifts, cards, and/or phone calls to let you know how much you are loved. I didn't get to see my own dad today but I talked to him on the phone, plus of course I just got to spend several days with him earlier this month. I love you Pops!
And, though I don't have a picture of myself with him, my father-in-law is a pretty swell guy, too. I am doubly blessed in the dad department!

(Gotta give credit where credit is due -- SIL1 took this cute pic.)

June 18, 2009

So, What's Up With You?

There is not much going on around here:
  • The weather has been cool and rainy -- those Warshington folks have had our weather and we've had theirs.
  • My Man and I are back in the swing of things at work after our staycation.
  • The Boogie has been enjoying some time with My Man's cousin whom the Boogie calls Kaykin. Kaykin is staying with MIL and SIL3 (FIL is away at teen camp) this week. She loves the LCs and they adore her.
  • We've been watching lots of old movies lately because my parents brought us some, which has whetted my appetite so I've been searching them out at the library as well. It's so fun to introduce My Man to great black and white films, as prior to our marriage he had been under the illusion that B&W = dull. Not so, my friends, not so.
  • If my brain has returned I am unaware of it. Perhaps it's around here somewhere ... in hiding.
  • I made some really really good spaghetti for dinner, with garlic bread made from fresh, soft Italian bread. Yum!
That's all for now. Tune in next time for more boring updates.

June 13, 2009

My Brain

It has left the building. Actually I think it may have left the state. If any of you see it would you please send it back my way? Or better yet, put it on ice and bring it to me?

This afternoon I needed to wash dishes. I turned on the faucet and added dishsoap. I watched the sink fill to about half-way, considered turning off the water, and decided it needed just a leeeetle bit more. I walked out of the kitchen and promptly forgot about it. Yes. While the water was running. When I came back a few minutes later the counter was flooded and water was on the verge of overflowing onto the floor. Praise the Lord I came back in when I did. I didn't even think, "The water is probably all over the place!" I just sort of meandered back into the kitchen. Good grief.

This afternoon we went to little DR's first birthday party. It was at 52 and everything was decorated in construction zone stuff. There was a cake for everyone and he had a little cupcake all to himself. The look on his face when he saw the cupcake was hilarious -- he got this cute little grin and looked around at everyone as if to say, "For me? All right!" It was a fun party and I think everyone had a nice time.

June 11, 2009

Funny Kid

In the car on the way home from church tonight we told the Boogie that Daddy is a man, Mama is a lady, and the Boogie is, well, a Boogie. We asked her repeatedly what Daddy was and what Mama was and she answered correctly almost every time. Just now while putting her to bed we prayed together and then she gave us kisses. After she kissed her Daddy she said, "I love you, man."

That kid cracks me up.

See What My Man Can Do?


He can grow a mustache and beard in a week! Amazing! He has mad facial-hair-growing skillz. When I met him he had a nice goatee and mustache and I really liked it. I think it suits him very well. His current place of employment has a no-beard policy, though. Boo on them. So he shaved it off two summers ago but when he goes on vacation he grows it back. :)
I love him. He is my favorite!

June 10, 2009

Hurray!

Baby Specktacular made her appearance today! Congratulations to Mrs. Specktacular (who did all the hard work of growing and delivering Baby) and Mr. Specktacular and, not to be forgotten, big sister Miss Specktacular. We love you guys and can't wait to see pics!

June 9, 2009

Goodbye, Pops and Lela


We had such a wonderful time with you. We were so sad when we had to drop you off at the airport -- as you went inside and we drove away the Boogie wept loudly and called for you over and over, which made me cry even more than I already was. Please come visit us again as soon as you can!

June 7, 2009

It Is Late

I should be in bed. I just thought I should write something to, you know, keep in practice with my typing skills. Make that my mad typing skillzzzzz.

Yesterday we did nothing. It rained all day. DiDi came over for a few hours. We did more nothing. It was nice.

This morning we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Our friend whom we call Reenie met us there. Then she and Mom and I went to the doctor's office so that Mom could get all adjusted, while the menfolk brought the Boogie home and made her take a nap. After the adjustment we girls came home and did more nothing and talked. It was nice.

Tomorrow is church and hopefully Rita's. I need me some frozen custard before my vacation is over. Before my staycation is over. Monday is back to work for this mama and her Man ... but I don't want to talk about that right now.

Now I'm going to bed. Now that will be nice. :)

June 5, 2009

***WARNING! PICTURE OVERLOAD!***

Pops and Lela have been here for a week and so far it has been wonderful. It took the Boogie about thirty minutes to warm up to both of them. Now she adores them and can't get enough of them. She is a bit confused as to who is who, however. They are interchangeably Pops and/or Lela which we all think is very funny.

They arrived late Friday night and we spent Saturday relaxing and Sunday at church. On Monday we kidnapped FIL and all went to New York City (the Boogie stayed with aunties.)

Waiting for the train


It was a nice ride although toward the end the train was delayed and we had to transfer to another one.

Our first stop was the Winter Gardens to look over Ground Zero.

We saw the September 11 memorial ...

... then made our way down to Wall Street ...
... where we had our picture taken with George Washington.

Then we got hungry so we found a little hole-in-the-wall pizza place where we all enjoyed calzones ...
... and heros. Everything was delicious and plentiful!
Our next stop was the Brooklyn Bridge. We made sure to walk in the pedestrian path because if you stray into the bike lane the cyclists will ring their bells and yell at you!

After that we went underground to the subway.
It was Pops and Lela's first ride on the subway.

We went to Battery Park -- see the Statue of Liberty in the background?

Back on the subway ...
... to Columbus Circle. Columbus doesn't look very happy, does he?

Don't they look like tursts?
On our way into Central Park we discovered this guy and his menagerie.

We got lost in Central Park and the men climbed up to see which way we should go. As you can see they had differing opinions.
This was Pops's favorite place in the park.
We saw a bridal couple having their pictures taken!

After Central Park we saw Atlas and Saint Patrick's church (cathedral?). We were all starting to drag so we found a Barnes and Noble with a Starbucks in it. After the coffee break we went to the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) which was amazing.
Central Park
Empire State Building (don't mind our perplexed faces, we were trying to get everything into this self-portrait.)


Then we went to Times Square!


Right in Times Square there was an area cordoned off with lawn chairs, etc., in it. We thought it was something exciting like a silent protest but it turned out to be a place for people to sit and relax. There were lots of people doing just that and there were some other nifty-looking seats, too, like this one ...
... and this one!

We went into the M&M store and wandered around Times Square a bit before going to Junior's for dinner. They had amazing battered onion rings and fabulous burgers and sandwiches. On the menu we saw egg creams. If you've read Harriet the Spy you know that she loved egg creams. Mom and I were very curious as to what it was so we ordered one. Mom thought it would be kind of like a custard or pudding and I thought it would be like a milkshake. But this is what it was. We were all so full after dinner that we couldn't order any famous cheesecake. Next time we'll just have a side order so that we can try dessert!
We made our way to Grand Central Station and then caught our train home at Pennsylvania Station. We were all exhausted ...

... except for our tour guide!
NYC was so much fun but so tiring that we had to spend Tuesday recovering. :) The Boogie enjoyed the down time.

On Wednesday MIL/FIL took us to Ocean City where we ate at The Crab Trap (YUM!) and then walked up and down the boardwalk. The Boogie loved to see the ocean!

It was a cool, breezy day so the boardwalk wasn't too busy which was nice. Not all of the shops were open but we didn't mind. MIL bought us some cotton candy (my favorite) and some famous caramel popcorn.


On all of our excursions anywhere we were all constantly on the lookout for bathrooms because between all of us it seemed like we needed one every thirty minutes!

Time to go home!

Thursday was some errand running and Chick-fil-a for lunch, church in the evening with an hour spent afterwards at BIL/SIL1's apartment for brownies and ice cream. Today we are being laaaazy. The weather is cool and rainy which is perfect for staying around home. Pops and My Man went over to 52 to spend some time with FIL and our friend DiDi is here for lunch with us girls! It has been a wonderful week so far!