My Sweet Baby

I asked Ella to please put away her shoes... I wonder where she gets these ideas?
Mother's Day and she looks so very beautiful. On her lap is "baby chick", who came with us to brunch at Fratello's
I am a very lucky Mom.

Feeling Inspired

Last night we watched some home movies. Ella sure was a cute toddler! It was cool to see how much she has changed, and how some things are still the same. We had big plans to send out tapes to grandparents in Iowa and California, but never quite got it done... Then today I went to LA's page with her baby's pictures and she had MOVIES posted! WOW! I signed up for one of the free accounts at the YouTube place that she used. Now I just need to figure out how to load a movie. I can't wait to get one posted! I think the first one I'll put up is of Ella's first few minutes of life. I hope I can upload from my camcorder.
Mother's Day weekend was pretty good. It rained all the time, but I did get to go shopping for sheets! Yippee! I also picked up a new three pack of socks. I am so lucky. We took G-Peg out for brunch and she said she enjoyed it very much. We got her a beautiful potted hydrangea. We sent my mom a charm bracelet with pics of all her grandkids. I wanted to get one in the mail for Grandma Esther, but my jewelry rep for those bracelets is off having a baby... drat. I guess I'll send her one for Grandmother's Day (or have I missed this holiday).
My summer work hours have changed. The director and I decided to work longer days Monday through Thursday and close on Friday. Now every weekend is three days long, unless there is a training or something that I need to do. My boss rocks! I am really going to miss her when she leaves in June. Who will the new Director be??????
Back to work...

Report to the General

Ma'am: I am down, but not way down. Feeling confident that my 5 pound loop of Feb/Mar/April has been busted! On to the next 10 pound loss!

More from our weekend and new stuff, too

Here is Ella's lovely Unicorn face painting.
And Eleanor and Sierra having a snack...
The cutest little sack racer in town!

So I was feeling so darn great on Friday with all my weight-loss progress and then I got on the scale this morning to a very frightening reality: Junk food makes me fat. I hope the 5 pound gain is due to PMS or something because besides that pasta for dinner on Sunday I didn't think I over indulged THAT much. Or perhaps my two pound loss was wrong? In which case I am only up three pounds? I think I need to restrict myself to Friday morning scale times ONLY to help counter little (or huge) day-to-day fluctuation. It's just so disheartening.

I pulled a muscle in my back. It could have been lugging around my bag on Saturday with all the extras in it, like juice boxes, sunscreen, sweatshirts, prizes, ballcaps, etc... Or from helping my friend Michelle on Sunday with some house project stuff, or from when Ron and I played catch with Ella (as the ball) over at Mandy and Justin's new place. All I know for sure is that it hurts pretty bad and I did not sleep well because of it. I don't even want to walk to work today because every step I take sends a shooting pain through the right side of my body. But I think I will walk, nice and slow with hardly anything in my bag, because I think a little gentle use will loosen up the spasm.

I have a million things to do today. Why are Mondays so darn busy? I bet I don't get to half my list. I better have a cup of coffee and rethink my list.

Saturday, May 6

Ella had such a big day that I think the pictures will speak for themselves... waiting for the bus

playing music with Sierra

Sack Races!

Hanging with Kay and Jenatta

Soccer! What a kick... She shoots and she scores!

Mommy got a sunburn even after applying and re-applying sunscreen, but Ella had a way fab afternoon.

Party!

Yeah, that's right, I am having a party. I am two, not a half or one and a half or 1.5, but TWO pounds down from my lowest weight. An all time low... Well, just since I got pregnant 5 years ago. So I have officially broken my five pound cycle and must keep on going. Unfortunately I am having a real party at my house tonight with lots of yummy food and drinks, but I'll just try to go the moderation route and then tomorrow be super duper focused on my goal again. I'll take some yummy food pictures tonight to share with ya'll.

Bird Flu

It is nice to know that we will basically have to take care of ourselves... Seriously folks, get a few extra weeks of food and supplies stocked up. And cold and flu medicine. It is just a good idea. I am not trying to say that you need to build a bunker and prepare for nuclear winter, but fill that pantry!

Happy May Day

Anyone affected by the National Day Without Immigrants?
I am trying to show my support for them by talking about the day and their plight, but have not been around or heard any news on whether or not it has been a successful display.

Well, I hope my sister had a nice time on her birthday (You so old, lady! Ha-Ha), and the rest of you had a nice weekend.

It was cold and rainy here. Ron was out of town for most of the weekend so it was just us girls. We went birthday present shopping for Jakob on Saturday, then had Thai food for lunch. Ella's idea. I LOVE her. Then Saturday evening we pulled out the ol' couch bed, made popcorn, and watched "Zathura". It was full of excitement and Ella seemed to get into it. We had to snuggle up on a few of the scary parts, but a happy ending made it all okay.

I woke up on Sunday to my ceiling dripping onto my bed. No Fun. We just spent a couple thousand fixing the leaky roof LAST spring, remember? I think Ron is calling the same roofing guys to come out and take a look. The leaks are in a different place this time. So, Ella and I had a work out first thing in the morning moving the bed. It's a huge-o KING sized number with a not-new frame so it kind of has to get disassembled, moved, and reassembled. I aint trying to bitch about it because it was free and all, but dang, that thing is a pain in the ass to move. And it is very lumpy. I think after JoAnn gives us her old bedroom set we are going to give back, sell, or somehow ditch the king size bed. But, then again, it may be nice to have two guest rooms. Oooh, we could put the king bed in a guest room. Yeah, that f-ugly blue tie-dye room. It would cover the whole floor! We could paint the room like outer space and Ella could jump around playing astronaut! I am seriously going to have to look into this idea!

Ron and I did some yard work this morning, in the cold rainy-ness, and I think that cherry tree is finally in it's home. When I left for work Ron was finishing up the weed screen and mulch. I bet it looks just beautiful when I get home.

The first case of bird flu has been reported on the East cost, but not the super deadly strain. Am I the only person who has emergency rations and household supplies? I am going to get the last few things for our stash this weekend. And to re-stock a few things we used. See, you have to keep them on rotation so stuff does not get yucky, and that's the challenge of keeping rations on hand. Who has time to use and restock all the freaking time?

The Decider

Every now and again I get a chance to read Jesus' General and get a good chuckle. Today I heard this. You may have all ready seen/listened to it, but it's worth hearing again.

Maybe next month?

No new Hardy's in December... Maybe another January one?

Ella survived her shots. We did the whole 5 year old check up early and she passed all the tests. I can't believe she will be five...Now she is at work with me for the afternoon. We walked here and she picked dandelions the whole way. It is beautiful and sunny and warm. I have my office window open. Yay spring.

Mumps

Yes, Mumps has come to Oshkosh. I am taking Ella in for her second shot (given between ages 4-6) tomorrow morning. The newspaper said a four year old was diagnosed yesterday and two college kids on our campus were tested last week. Shit. I hate taking E in for shots, but it is much better than the alternative. Have the Mumps come your way yet?

April 18

According to my baby making tracker it is day 23, so I decided to take a test and it was negative. I told Ron and he says he does not believe it because there's no "proof" yet.
Warning: Non-sequitur ahead!
Today is absolutely gorgeous! My walk to work was perfect. Not hot, not chilly. I took down the plastic from the dining room windows, too. Anyone know how to get the tape residue off woodwork? I have not removed the living room plastic because it still gets below 40 at night, but soon for sure because I really need to clean those windows. If anyone wants to donate some money to our "new window fund" please do it quickly. I really need them before fall. We are trying to save up the $3,600 on our own but are sure to miss the mark this year. Windows downstairs would be a dream come true...
Ron's aunt and uncle are coming to visit us this weekend. Ella is sure to have a grand time with them. I hope G-Peg does not stress out too terribly much. I wonder if I'll get my house clean on time? I do have Friday off so that will be a big help. I really need to dust.

a whirlwind of a weekend

Shopping was fun and I stayed under budget! Tornadoes are not so fun, but none of my family or friends were hurt. So that's good. I am heading out to work. No time to blog.

Sweater Complete

I have finally finished Ella's sweater! Yeah! She tried it on for about 5 seconds last night and it fits funny, is a little too bulky, looks odd, but was made with love. I do not think she will ever wear it again because it's too short and wide plus the weather is much nicer these days, but I think I am going to make another one for the fall. I'll pick a lighter weight yarn and use her measurements instead of a kooky pattern from the back of a yarn package.

The other project I did this week was to put Ella's pictures in my new charm bracelet. I really love it. I know, I know, this is a blurry picture, but it's hard to get a close up of such a small thing with my camera. I have high hopes to one day upgrade to a new camera and give this one to Ella. She loves to take pictures. Sometimes when we are on longer car rides I give her the camera to take pictures of the "world" we are driving through. She enjoys it and creates funny stories about the "world" to go along with the pics. I really should get her to blog about it. That thing has not been updated in ages. We have just been so very busy! Maybe after Easter stuff on Sunday.

Oh, and my report to the general will be right now as I am going to Chicago tomorrow morning: the same. Always the same 5 pound loop... It's getting old.

Have a great weekend everyone! (I guess that means the small handful of people who actually read this thing)

Report to the General

I have decided that I have an unreliable and un-trustworthy scale. But it does say I am at -1, three out of five times, so I'll go with that this week. I just think it should be a little more of a loss... Onward ho!

The Sweater

Well, I did not finish the sweater yesterday... I did not have double point needles OR round ones, so I need to go to the craft store today. Bummer. BUT the only thing left is the ribbing around the v-neck. Here is a picture of the almost completed project. One more Wednesday and I think I'll be able to call it done for real!

Knitting Update

Tomorrow is stitch-n-bitch and I am very pleased to report that I will be, if everything goes according to schedule, finishing Eleanor's sweater. I don't have a picture of it right now because I am at work, but all that needs to be done is sewing it together and finishing the neck. Done. It does look like it's home made, by a beginner, but it is and I am proud that my very first knitting effort did, in fact, yield a sweater for my child. I think for my next project I will make her a matching hat and scarf set. Maybe I'll attempt mittens! I figure I had to learn almost every skill to do the sweater, so I should be able to figure out most patterns. As long as I don't have to change yarn or make animal patterns. One color and I'm capable!
I'll post a picture of the finished job Thursday.

Rainy Cold Monday

Well, the weekend turned out to be rainy and cold. Not freezing, though. And we, mostly Ron, got three more bags of leaves and yard waste filled. We have decided to make the yard a bit of a priority this spring mostly because that damn fence is so ugly and we have to clean out around it before we can paint. And we need to fix our gates. I just think it would be nice if I could send Ella out back to play and not worry about her finding some strange piece of garbage, broken glass, or a stranger who takes her away from me. In other words, I want her to have a pretty and safe place to play with her friends. I am hoping that the weather will allow us to have a few evenings of yard work this week to clean up outside the fence and around the rest of the house. As mentioned before, we get a lot of garbage from the street due to our corner location. And people in Oshkosh are messier, much much messier, than other places I have lived. One nice thing, though, is they have free yard waste pick up once a month! And for our neighborhood it is this Friday.
Oh, I have some good news and some bad news. It's really the same piece of info that can be interpreted either way... We found a fantastic Pizza place this weekend, Glass Nickel Pizza Co. Oh my goodness! I had a half Feta-Licious half Mediterranean pie and it was superb! This could most definitely pose a problem on those days when I am tired and cranky and just want hot yummy food delivered to my door. You see, previously there just wasn't any place I was interested in ordering from so I was more likely to cook something healthy. And, if I get knocked up, that pesto pizza business is going to be too hard to resist. It's a good thing they have yummy salads or I would really be screwed.
I wonder if we have any left-overs in the fridge.... No, I must resist! Breakfast today will be cantaloupe and pineapple! Here is to a week of self control!

What? It's really here?

It's 65 degrees and sunny. I have walked to work every day this week, except today because of errands I had to run, and all the little flowers are coming up. I know the weather people are warning that this weekend will be cooler, but I am just loving today. Yes, indeedy.
Has anyone checked out Ron's blog lately? It, and the comments, have been quite good these past few days. And the local elections are coming up. I encourage even you out of towners to participate in his pool, because the prize basket is entertaining.

I think I'll give up

Maybe I should just quit trying to lose weight... It's just NO fun, I feel guilty every time I eat something I shouldn't, and I am tired of feeling hungry. It's so much nicer to sit around on my fat ass and eat nachos.

I just feel so discouraged that I have been stuck for a few weeks. And then the whole womanly thing hits and I am all bloated and gross again. F*ck it. Oh, and about those womanlies... Ron and I have to get busy this month if we hope to have another wee one during this tax year. If it doesn't happen in two weeks I think we'll give up for good on that. I am getting way too old to be thinking about having more babies. And the one we have is just fine, so it's not like we are missing out on anything. I just like the idea of two. For when they are older... they can take turns dealing with their parents.

Thankfully, the weather has been much more tolerable lately. Little flowers are starting to poke out of the ground and there is not much ice left in our little pond. We spent Sunday cleaning up around the yard and that was fun. I need to get more yard waste bags so we can finish this weekend. There is so much crap in our yard because we live on a corner and people tend to throw their crap out the window at our house. Bastards. We want to paint our fence white. Right now it is red and very annoying. Blue house, white trim, red fence. Terrible. So if we start painting now maybe we can get the job done before the grass, weeds, and plants get too high.

blah, I am in a bit of a foul mood. I hope the sun breaks through these gray, gray clouds soon.

Report to the General

General Ma'am: -1/2. This is a great feet when one considers how much Spring Break damage I had to over come. A week ago I was UP over 4 pounds!

I only have to work a few hours today so Ella and I are spending the day together. It's always so much nicer than having to deal with the after school snotty attitude. Man, those kids must get baaad attitudes there because sometimes when I pick up my child I don't even know who she is! She turns into a viscous, rude, whine-bag (not to be confused with a wine "bladder" manufactured for some of the better wineries, like Gallo).

Ron is feeling sick. He has an interesting assortment of symptoms and has been spending most of his time on the couch yesterday and today. I hope the fella gets feeling better by the weekend because the weather is going to be (it better be) sunny and warmer. Maybe even 40 degrees! We have some yard plans and need to get the garden ready soon. And I really need to be outside. I have a serious case of Spring Fever. Last weekend it was nice enough for E and I to spend time at a playground.

So. Back to work. I really like this job.

Ready, Set, Spring!

Two Girls Ready for Spring

Although we have some snow flurries today, we are fully prepared to have some sunny fun!

Snacks

I am snacking today. I just feel like it. Maybe because I was not feeling so great yesterday, or the day before, and I managed to lose all the weight I gained over Spring Break. I am looking forward to weigh-in Friday because I just might have another weight-loss milestone. I've been on a plateau for a while.
On to other things. Ella is fantastic. She is always great, but lately she has been fantastic.
It has been very sunny and it has caused me to want to clean and organize. Oops, I must get back to work...

Spring Break 2006

Sorry it has been such a long while between posts. Here's the General Report... The same on March 10 and up 4 yesterday, due mostly to lots of beer, pizza and road food up in Two Harbors MN.



We had a great Spring Break! We picked up John Bucher in Minneapolis then headed to the North Woods. We went sledding by the beach! We totally enjoyed our visit with Jenny, Henry, Carl and Dale & Paula, Fred, Gullietta & Jan (oh, and Mike the dog) then had a very nice visit with LA, Steve, and Esther. That is one cute baby! We drove through a blizzard and came out alive. All and all it was fun filled and tiring.

It's good to be back home in balmy Oshkosh.

Knitting

The knitting group meets today and I am so glad! I only have a few skills to ask about and then I can finish Ella's Sweater. She says she wants me to knit her a pink skirt. I think not.
I have been working hard and have managed to undo the weekend snack attack damage. If I stay focused (and hungry and a little cranky) I can check off another pound for this week. Go, Amy, go! Wouldn't it be great to be down 23 pounds for spring break? Yes.
Okay, here is the run down for next weeks plans:
Drive to Minnesota on Sunday night and stay at a hotel. Swim with Ella. Pick up John on Monday morning at the Minneapolis airport. (insert visit with Esther if schedules permit) Drive to Jenny's house and have piles of fun. Drive back to Minneapolis on Wednesday (insert visit Esther if schedules permit). Drop off John at airport. Drive to a hotel somewhere in Wisconsin. Swim with Ella. Drive home and go to work on Thursday. Ella is going to have sooooo much fun seeing Henry! I am terribly excited because I get to see all my favorite people.
My sister called this morning asking me to go shopping in Chicago in April. She mentioned something about staying in a hotel. I wonder if Ella is invited? I wonder if JoAnn is going to pay for the room? I am spending all my money next week in Minnesota! But Ikea does sound like fun...

Eye-ye-yeye

Why did I eat all that snack food over the weekend? Jeez....
We are trying to figure out some plans for next week but may just write the whole idea off as a bust and wait for better timing and better weather. We'll see.
Ella spent the day with me yesterday. Man, I am lucky to have a job where she can come with me. She's such a great girl. She just left with her daddy for school and I miss her all ready! If I had a gazillion dollars I would never send her off to day care. I might hire a helper, but for sure she would be with me. And with that gazillion dollars I would not send my husband off, either. Nope, no day care for him.

Report to the General

General de Cline: I know you have not been posting here lately, but I still need to share the progress. Minus one.

I am starting to believe that spring weather might actually be making an appearance around these parts soon. It has me in the mood to ponder home improvements, again. Does anyone have a magic wand that takes down old wall paper? Until I get one I am going to skip that half done project, close my eyes as I walk past it, and move on to the upstairs hall. All that space needs is a little wall patch and sanding, then paint the walls and trim. I could probably do it in a weekend, if I had a nanny. Ron has been clearing out his "Neptune Suite" and moving all his stuff to the basement area he has claimed. I like this idea because his room was bigger than the guest room and with some TLC it could clean up nicely into a new and improved guest room. Of course, there is more heinous wall paper, but I might just primer that shit and paint over the top.

The mid-wall boarder could be a problem. I was thinking of painting it an accent stripe color. Maybe a calming 3 tone taupe/light brown affair. Here is a pic of the pure evil the previous owners created in there.

Should I perform an exorcism first? It's just soooo wrong to do this to a wall.

Is it Thursday all ready?

What a busy week! I feel like I am forgetting something, but just don't know what it could be... I am sorry to say I have nothing to report. But thanks for stopping in! Tomorrows Report to the General is up next!

Report to the General

General de Cline: Minus 2.5 this week. Thanks for the ass whooping! (my total is now minus 20.5 lbs.)
There's hope for shorts this summer!

My new permanent position starts on Monday! Same job, better title, a tiny bit more money, job security! Whew...

Yippee

Yeah, that's right, I got my job!

Goals Set, Ready to Take Action

Okay, Our trip to S.D. is over, I have splurged
on road food, and am now ready to start climbing
down that mountain of weight. Or to be puny,
"Scaling" to lower heights. Thanks for all the
encouragement! I sure do have great friends!
I got all my job stuff in on time and believe I
made it through the resume review. Hopefully
I will get called in for an interview this week
and have this whole thing done soon. My boss,
who is doing the hiring, cannot discuss any
details with me, for obvious reasons, but I am
feeling confident.
Ella is having fun with her new blog.
If you have not had the chance to check
it out, go here.
I am going to take her to work with me today
just because I can. Ron is working the election
polls all day. From 6am to 10pm. He packed a
big bag of snacks and left before sun rise.
He just loves election stuff. What a weirdo.
Here are some pictures of our trip:
Ella enjoying some fanastic licorice

Ella in her sexy new swim suit. Complete with
tattoos on forearm










The rest are from the Science pavilion.
Ella excavated some dinosaur bones, played
Astronaut and had fun with tornadoes.
We did lots of other stuff there, too, but I am
out of room and out of time. We also went to see
the Curious George movie.
It's not on my list of recommendations.

Report to the General, or, Holy Cow!

We have so much snow! And more is falling! My report for the day is "no discernible weight changes". I think I need a weight loss coach to come and kick me in the ass! How is the General doing? We are supposed to go to S.D. tomorrow morning, but may cancel if the snow is drifting too much. Back to work...

The start of a busy week

Well, we did not get to go to the movies on Sunday because I didn't get my resume done in time. Boo Hoo. But the good news is that I get to turn it in today! I will hopefully pass the first application inspection, and be called for an interview. Application deadline is Wednesday, so maybe I'll hear from them by Monday?
Tomorrow is Valentines day and I got a cute little present for Ella. It's two pink monkeys hugging, made by Ty. This morning I am going to pick up a book to go along with it. Let's hope she is pleased.
We head out to S.D. early Friday morning for a conference in Sioux Falls. I looked up the info there and found an aquarium, a theater that has the Curious George movie, and a family arcade type pizza joint. I figure it will be enough fun to keep us busy. And I hope that Ron joins in on some of it. It's going to be cold.... I am dreading getting into my swimsuit, but look forward to swimming with Ella in the hotel pool.
My Friday Report to the General will be on Thursday and I am hoping to be -2. You'll just have to check in and see if I make it. Think good thoughts for me!

Sunday

This afternoon Ron and I are going to the movies! We're gonna go to the gay cowboy movie while Ella spends some time with Clio. They play so great together, and I think it helps that they don't spend all week together at the YMCA anymore. On Friday Clio was here while HER parents went to the movies (cowboys, again) and it was big fun. We went to the Planetarium, had hot chocolate, took a big bubble bath, and watched a movie. While in the bath the girls covered themselves in bubbles and said they were "snow monsters".
Also, by the end of the day, may resume and cover letter will be ready to turn in. If I don't get this job then I am seriously going to have to re-think my value in the world. It would be crushing and would suck a lot.
On to other things... Ella's new blog is about to hit the streets. Ron is hooking it up to the babblemur site. She's calling it "Sparkle Pockets" and it will include photos, letters to friends and family, stories, funny parts of her conversations, and whatever else she tells us to type. She has really been into telling us stories while we type them out and then saving them to read later. Sometimes she draws pictures for them. It's cool and funny.

Tranzliate this Shiznit to Jive!

Thanks to askthegnome I got the Jive! See sidebar and click da Spinn'n rim.

Report to the General

General de Cline: holding steady. I think it's due to the "womanlies" this week.
Ms. Jojopeeko claims she is not getting on a scale today. How's everyone else?

Knitting 2

I have started knitting a sweater for Ella. This is the first 7 inches of the back side, but I can't go on because the pattern calls for me to start casting off for the sleeves and I don't know how. I'll post more pictures of my progress when I make some. I should get a book on how to decipher a pattern. It's all in a strange and wonderful code.

Knitting

Yesterday was the first meeting of our Stitch-N-Bitch group and it was nice. I really didn't get to learn anything new, but I had fun taking Ella along. I got her these really cute kids needles that she seems to enjoy. Unfortunately she really isn't quite ready to learn how to knit. I am going to see if Ron can pick her up next Wednesday so that I can have the chance to work on my skills.
Ella is feeling much better. I think she is just about done with all her icky sickies, and I am thankful that I did not have to suffer through getting sick. It's so easy to catch her crud because she uses me as a tissue and needs all kinds of snuggles and love when she is under the weather. Any mom will know how this goes...
This weekend I am going to put all the finishing touches on my resume and cover letter for my job. It's weird because I really don't know what so say or write. I am sure that when I sit down to do it all will come together nicely, but for right now I am a little stressed out. L.A., you are so smart, maybe you could proof it for me if I e-mail it to you? I am looking forward to this being done! My boss is interviewing in Madison tomorrow and I just know she is going to get her job and leave. It's really quite sad because my boss is totally great. But, because she is so great she needs to move on to a great new job. I really hope she gets it.
Next weekend we are going to a conference in South Dakota with a student group from campus. Will Ella be well behaved? Will I do enough pre-planning for her to have a successful car trip? Let's keep our fingers crossed. The conference is Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday morning. I hope the Curious George movie is playing there so I can take E to a matinee. I am going on-line to look up fun kids things to do in the area. Being stuck at a hotel is no fun for either of us, but I am looking forward to taking her swimming at the pool. Do I have a swim suit that I can stuff myself into? Hmmm... I hope so because I am not going to buy one.
I made a promise to myself to focus on weight loss goals this month and have let myself down. Not terribly, but I am just not doing the job very well. I know it can be simple, I proved that to myself in October-December, but I seem to be at a stand still. I can blame it on the frigid weather and desire for warm cozy foods, but really it's lack of will power and sheer laziness. And these damn womanly cycles. I shall just give myself a pep talk and persevere for the remaining three weeks of February. And no more excuses!
Time for coffee

TuTuTuTuesday

I am done with winter. Done, I say. Finished. I want it over right now. I am sick of being cold all the freakin' time. If I had any money at all I would spend it all on insulating my damn cold drafty house. Brrr. And I need some more new windows for the main floor of the place. Basement windows would be swell, too. As crazy as it is, I am going to get another lottery ticket. I know my odds are piss poor, but is there any other conceivable way to get 50K? No.
Driving to work today in my Nissan reminded me that we really need to start budgeting for a car. I might be able to get a few more years out of that one, but it's over 12 years old and is due for brakes, some clutch work, and a tune up and oil change. I can barely afford to put the gas in it so am not sure when all this work will get done, but at least I know I need to do it, right? It still runs great and I want to keep it working well.
Oh, I need to have all my stuff together this week for my job. If yer sending a reference please get it in the mail tomorrow! I have to have everything turned in Friday. Thanks again to everyone who is helping. It's going to be a relief to be done and hired for real.
Besides winter, the other thing I am done with is my period. I am so sick if doing this every three weeks! I should just get pregnant again to take a menstrual vacation. I'll get a babysitter on the 20th and 21st and see what Ron and I can achieve.
Blah, back to work. I am sleepy and cold and want to crawl into a cozy bed.

Report to the General

General Ma'am: I am down again! My total since September 27 is Minus 18. How's your progress? What about you, Chris? And Ms. Jojopeeko? Come join in the Friday fun of reporting! And, LA, you can play, too, since you have joined the "cult" as you say.

Where are you, Phil?

Is it Ground Hog Day? Did Phil see his shadow? I have not heard a thing about it today...

Birthday Season

It's birthday season on the friend front... So to LA, JFish, and Johnny Boy we would like to send official Best Birthday Wishes and hopes for many good things to come!

We love you all so very much!

Reference?

I need some references to get permanent job status. Any one who is not a family memeber is eligable... Any one want to help me out?

POW!

Ella received a wonderful package in the mail containing a very special POW! T-shirt. Thanks John and Christine. It has an attached cape... SUPER!
Here's our girl getting ready to hit the street.

Sorry, Not a Winner

I did not win the lottery. It's a bummer and all, but I guess it is kind of impossible odds. There has got to be some way to get $50K given to us, right?

yeah, I am a little nutty

I bought Baubau one of those fancy water dishes today that runs like a fountain. I think it's called a "freshwell". I am just so darn tired of him jumping into the sink every time I am brushing my teeth. Or trying to get in to Ella's bath, or my sink full of dishes, or the toilet when I flush... And he leaves little muddy footprints all over the house from spilling his water dish. He paws at the dish until the water starts to slosh around and then he drinks. So the fresh well thing cost $41 bucks with tax, but I think it will be worth it. And Baubau needs a little pampering sometimes.
I also bought a lottery ticket. It would be nice to be able to get myself a "freshwell". Or some property with a beautiful view, a vegetable garden, hot tub, green house, fire pit, nature trails, privacy, fresh air... I can go on and on. Also, my super friend Jenny has a birthday coming up and a couple thousand bucks would make a nice gift. And maybe I could take her out for lunch and a day at a spa.

I have a cold

Sniff, sniff, snniiiiffff, cough ,cough, sigh.

What a World

I was browsing around on http://www.babblemur.com/ and read the article Radical Professor Watch List. It is so wrong, and mind boggling, that I really can't properly describe how I feel about it. But offended and appalled both come to mind.

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Minus 1, and exercising every day. How about you?

What is the Deal?

I have been pretty good this week with my health and fitness, but for some reason my scale is not being very encouraging. Perhaps it's because I have been getting more exercise? I am going to make an appointment with my doctor or something. I think my insurance might cover a referral to a dietician or something, also I absolutely have to quit smoking. Smoking is totally gross, always has been, and I would like my daughter to have a healthier set of parents. Can you imagine all the crap she will have to deal with as an adult when both of her parents are on oxygen tanks, living in a nursing home, and dying of emphysema? Sucky, sucky, sucky. I really want to avoid that.

JOB?

Hopefully I will know today if anyone else will get my job. I have a little feeling of dread... But the sun is shining, and it is almost (3 months) spring, so perhaps I can work on my house in all the free time I might have? Or go get another job... Or go back to EduCare. Of course, we wont be able to turn on the heat or buy any food, so maybe I should polish up the old resume? I would just like to keep the job I have. I really like it. I'll let you all know how it goes later in the day.

Post Party Post

Ella had a very fun time at her birthday party! Here she is sitting between Friend Henry and the Divine Miss Clio. Behind them are Clio's most awesome parents, Michelle and Jeff. Here is a pic of Ella before the party. She's so cute!
Now, these are odd pics, but Ella loves to play doctor. She is such a fine little actress that her "sick patient" routine is quite convincing. I was the doctor, Ron was the nurse, and Ella needed a lot of "care".
"I need a wet cloth for my head" She says...
To all who may be concerned: She was not actually ill. Just very good at playing the part. Also, she has only shown interest in playing "doctor" in the parent sanctioned way. When/if she starts playing the other kind of "doctor" she will be locked in a high, high, tower or sent to an all-girl Catholic school.

Sorry I don't have more party pics to post. So far four has been a ton of fun. Ella got four dollars from her aunt Sally and picked out a cute little gray kitty named Fluff. She got tons of art supplies and books and a few games. She got a fairy doll. She got some walkie-talkies and we play hide and seek in the house with them. She got a beautiful new jewelry box... And a ton of other stuff that I can't remember right now. So thanks to everyone!!!

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General de Cline, Ma'am: I am in the same spot... I guess that's just fine for now, but I am a bit behind on my goals. Maybe it's all the birthday cake? How are you doing?

Changes

I felt like changing my template today... What do you think?

Happy Birthday, Ella!!!!

Ella is already to start her day as a Four Year Old Girl!
Yummy, yummy 4!

Ella woke up in a super duper good mood, got herself all dresses and gussied up, and headed off to greet the world as a four year old. I am trying to get some streamers and balloons up so that when we get home we can have a family party. So far, four is pretty wonderful. And I love my baby more and more every single day. I am a lucky Mama.

Four years ago today

... I was in pain, but happily awaiting the birth of my daughter. At 12:36AM, January 11, she will officially be Four Years Old. Yeah!

Watch Yer Back, Charro

Ella just loves playing dress up in her purty Spanish Dress and Jewels. And I love watching her try to walk in heels with all those ruffles!

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I am back at minus 15. The holiday damage has been neutralized. Happy Birthday! (I'll try and call ya tonight!)

Thank You Sophie

Ella loves all the cool clothes from Sophie, and so do I! We have not put them away yet because Ella just walks over to the box, picks out an outfit, and voila! She's ready to start her day. Sophie's 'ol clothes are the best! It's like playing dress up! Isn't this fuzzy coat fuzzy fun?