What I want...

As the New Year approaches here's what I want... .

1. Safety and health for my friends and family. Specifically, my mom, who is having major surgery on January 21st. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

2. More money and job security. I can't help it... I am always nervous about money and this crappy economy isn't helping at all.

3. Speaking of job security... I've been contemplating a move. I've been thinking of Culinary School... I can get a full degree for under $10,000 (I think). The only problems... how do we live on one salary with daycare and a mortgage? And the expected salary start base is only $23,000. Who can live on that with kids? What to do? I love to cook, I love to cook for people. Hmmm.... any thoughts?

4. Speaking of money... I've been thinking about more kids. I don't think it's possible without more money. Plain and simple. And besides... Weston's perfect. Do we need more?

And What do I want right now?
Right now I want Greek Spaghetti! A friend brought in homemade Baklava this morning. It was delicious (though I'm on sugar overload right now.) But it reminded me of Yanni's (local Greek/Italian restaurant) which reminded me of how every time I'm there I love the food, but what I really want is Anousha's mom's Greek Spaghetti. Trust me, I sound completely insane, but you do not understand the deliciousness that is Greek Spaghetti. This is so fabulous that Jessica Eyskens (one-time Study group member and former Drake Roommate, the former being why we haven't spoken in years) requested this as a graduation gift from Anousha when we went to her party in 1997. She wouldn't let anyone touch it. Not one bite, not even for Ms. Boyd if I remember correctly, and every girl tried to suck up to Ms. Boyd - but that's another story for another time. Greek Spaghetti is a blend of salted spaghetti noodles covered with browned butter (hard to achieve, but I have succeeded thanks to Mary Ann Tahmasebi), and then covered sufficiently with a Greek cheese that has more letters that I know and starts with an "M". I can never remember the name. I bought my last round of cheese for $11 in a convenience store in Greek Town in Chicago last March, about 2 stores left of the Parthenon Restaurant where the Jeff-Goldblum-look-alike owner kept making me slightly dizzy while Shannon, Anousha and I grazed on all things deliciously Greek for 3 hours. One of my favorite days. Hmmmm.... Greek food, the Nerd-Factor and the possibility of Greek Spaghetti all in one day. Aaahhhh!!! (angels singing, I swear. At least in my head.) I made 3 dinners of the wondrous Greek Spaghetti, I even shared with people not in my family. And now, I haven't had any in months. And it's all i want to eat.
So... what I want for the New Year is a name... a name of the Greek cheese I used or a fabulous substitute. Anyone who knows... Anousha, Erika, anyone... I will reward you with anything... Baked goods, cake... if you are closer, I will cook a meal. Just help me find this cheese! Please!

Be safe, be happy, have a happy new year!

Sports and Exercise: Damon Style

So... my Aunt Linda and Uncle Dave, who obviously love us very very much, gave Scott and I a Nintendo Wii for Christmas! I was honestly so shocked that all of the blood rushed to my head and I had a headache from the moment I opened it around 2pm until well after midnight, even with the obvious drugs in my system. A Wii is not something you ask for. I never ask for pricey items. It took over 5 years of asking for my combined family to get me a Kitchenaid stand mixer (which I do not use enough.) I got an iPod Nano from my parents this year only because I mentioned how I was going to pool the birthday money and buy one myself and they were planning on buying Nathan one for Christmas, so they asked if I wanted one. Ummm... hell yes. You pick the color, I just want the iPod. (I received the Royal Purple... very purple, kind of fun.)

Anyway back to the Wii... My Aunt and Uncle thought that with the addition of Weston, we wouldn't (and aren't) going out much anymore. So they thought the Wii could be our new prepaid form of entertainment. And boy was she right! My whole family (ok, not mom, but she and Weston cheered us on from the sidelines) got in on the game! Here's a sample of the fun we had:

My Dad rocked the bowling! He had great form, just look at him. Fabulous. I won the first round and then Dad took the second. Then again, I never got off the chair for the 2nd round since I was playing as my Mom. :)

Aunt Linda was great too. Her and Uncle David and Shannon got so into it, that they had Weston laughing (and snorting!!!) out loud when the shouted and jumped up and down over triumphs or whined in defeat. It was high-larious.

Compared to the rest of the family, Scott, Shannon, and I were pros, having played once before. But we had a great time. And this is honestly how we spent the night of my birthday. Jammies, cake and Wii games. It was awesome. We had Rastrelli's for dinner (I should have had the Seafood Ravioli Alfredo instead of the generic Fried Chicken, but oh well.) And then we came home to games. The only thing that could have been better was for Nathan to be with us, but he was sick with the flu, that he had spread around the house Christmas Day. I was sick by Sunday and Aunt Linda had it by Monday. Thanks, Nathan!

Best new game? Definitely Tiger Woods '09. I do not play golf, and am pretty lame at mini-golf (though I do try), but this was actually fun. And the commentators are hilarious. I wish I could purposely brain one with the golf ball sometimes. Best Commentator Quote, "This is ridiculous. If Tiger doesn't improve, I may as well just leave."

-Enough said.

Coming up...

An Ode to Christmas. Presents, games, Wii Contests and food. Plus a thank you to friends for their wonderful Christmas gifts to Weston. Who took Christmas like a champ.

Here is a preview:

The Power of Homer's Deli

So... while in Clinton for the Christmas holiday, I was supposed to meet 2 of my favorite people for an early lunch on the 24th, Beth (Gansen) Knight and Sue Buelow (soon-to-be-White.) Beth, her husband Alex, and their daughter Bella became trapped in an Ice Storm in Cedar Rapids. (No one can leave CR once they arrive. It's ridiculous.) So, Weston and I met Sue and her fiance Bryan for lunch at Homer's Deli. I love Homer's. I try to eat there every time I go home. Best deli sandwiches anywhere.

Ok... back to point - everyone who knows me or my family well, knows that we can generally "read" people, especially my dad and I. We know when someone is worth knowing or not in about 5-10 minutes. It's just a feeling. I met Bryan White, Sue's fiance around 1220pm on Wednesday the 24th. First impression... I had the urge to hug him. No kidding. Which according to my internal diagnostic basically means that he is a wonderful person for my friend.

And when they visited the family later (yes, I bribed them with fudge for the road) my family really seemed to like Bryan too. So... Thumbs up, Bryan. You are in with the Iowa friends. Now... just make sure to take very good care of our Sue... there are too many people who will not be happy with you if she is unhappy. See you guys in July!!! (Yes, I stole this pic from A Gal Named Sue.)

Another Homer's weirdness... I remember eating there all the time when i was younger or visting during college. I never run into anyone unless they work there... until this week. We saw a lot of people... Andy Grotelueschen and Joe Rogis to name 2... a few more. It was weird and interesting all at the same time. Homer's Deli... Clinton gathering place. I guess that's better than the Lion's Tap (which was actually closed on Christmas Eve!)

My family

I generally live every day on a hour-to-hour or day-to-day basis right now. I am just too tired to do otherwise. But then there are some occasions when fate takes my hand and forces me to stop and appreciate the moment. I've had a few of these lately.

Yesterday, Weston ate rice cereal for the first time. Three times! He sat in a high chair last night and literally ate from a spoon, honestly getting 92% of the cereal into his tummy. He's getting so big! Sometimes he looks like my little baby and I remember how tiny he started out and soft and surreal he used to feel, and there are times he gives me this looks that says, "Mom... I know what you're up to and it is not going to work."

My favorite moments lately... lazy Saturday or Sunday mornings when we bring Weston into our bed and he just laughs at us while standing on us or laying between us letting us make funny faces at him... Saturday night church services when he "sings" during the songs and keeps going after the song is over... early mornings when I go in to get Weston up and he grabs my hand and licks it, then sucks on it... when I move him to the changing table first thing in the morning and he finally figures out that he is awake and gives me the biggest smile ever... when I sing to him (which I do a lot and we all how horrible my voice is) and he just laughs at me, but seems to like it... when my husband loves me enough to get up with Weston and let me sleep.

We got our Christmas pictures in yesterday... a sampling scattered throughout for your enjoyment. Have a wonderful day and enjoy the moments.

Hum a little, Mr. Bones

So... my illustrious and somewhat evasive "Little Sister" Erika (little sister of my best friend who may as well be my sister too) clued me in to the fact that she is blogging. Hum a little, Mr. Bones (aka handkerchiefsandwich at tumbler) is an interesting name... and honestly, it's funny. It's like reading TMZ, but actually understanding what's being said 94% of the time. And there is some insightful commentary on world events as well. Definitely check her out. If no other reason, than to waste time at work. :) Check it out in the sidebar.



I told you she was beautiful didn't I? I stole this off her Facebook page, so it's her fault if she hates the picture.
But honestly, it eerie how much she looks like Kim Kardashian. Done up right, they could be sisters.

Shout Out!

So I recently heard that my friend Anousha has my blog bookmarked on her computer. And that occasionally her sister Erika gets to enjoy reading it with her. So... this is a huge

SHOUT OUT

to Anousha and Erika saying hi!!! I wish you would give me a call once in a while or return a text message so that I know that you are alive and well in the sunny happiness of California. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of my lost ones that probably miss the snow.

Anousha with the Bee Gees on Hollywood Blvd when I visited in June 2006.

I don't have any Erika pictures on this computer, but she's gorgeous. She looks like Kim Kardashian, trust me. But you'll just have to settle for a picture of her adorable puppy!

And last, but certainly not least... a SHOUT OUT to my original "girls"
Sue, Anousha, and Beth
even though thousands of miles separate us, I'm grateful for all of you every day.

Nightmare before Christmas... Iowa Style

To the left you see my view of the world today. This is what it looks like from our front windows at work today. And it's 6 degrees outside, and only 61 degrees in our building. So basically it feels almost as cold inside work as it does outside of work. (One of our boilers is broken.)

Now... look at this picture. It's incredibly dreary and depressing. And that's the way it looks outside! Less than 10 days until Christmas (and my birthday) and I want to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head and nap. Winters like this make me want to hibernate! I think I was a bear in a past life, large and sleepy in the winter. I think we are up to 3 inches as of right now, and it's still falling. It should only snow on the weekends when I have nowhere to go and I can sleep in, all cuddled up with Weston, my cats, and probably Scott. Stay warm and try to drive safe... I'm driving with my most precious cargo this evening!

Merry Almost Christmas!

We had a wonderful Spring-like Saturday with Santa! Weston did wonderful and actually smiled right before his picture was taken. I hope that you all are having a wonderful holiday season and are anticipating Christmas as much as we are. We had a miraculous year and hope that 2009 has as much to offer!

Predictions and Salutations

In the Land of Erin... there will be a Blizzard. Or at the very least a Severe Winter Storm Advisory. We're expecting anywhere from 3-5 inches of snow between 3pm today and 6pm tomorrow night, starting with rain. Which means ice under the snow. I am not very excited. I hate driving in snow. I never know which route to take, all I know is that I need to avoid the highway as much as possible, which leaves 2 possibilities, neither of which are plowed very well. Snow scares me. There is nothing I like better than snow when I am sitting at home with nowhere to go. It's cozy then. But in the middle of the week when i have to go to work, or tomorrow night when I have dinner plans with the Chi Os... it just plain sucks. Enough said, I dislike snow and ice, I don't care how pretty it is.
So... I put up our Christmas decorations yesterday. And I will admit, I took the easy way out. I only put up the 3' Christmas tree from my apartment days. The funny thing is... after placing various small bulb ornaments, I only decorated with snowman ornaments. I figured it was easier to pick a theme than to decide on my favorite ornaments. I think it turned out kind of cute once I placed it on the trunk and decorated with the tree skirt. I also decorated the house with the wreath and various trinkets, and i put a gorgeous tablecloth on our table. It looks lovely, though I still feel somewhat guilty about the small tree. But we will only be home this coming weekend. After that, we're out of town until January 5th. I love family holidays!
I hope you all have a wonderful few weeks until your holidays. Enjoy the candy!

A Clinton Thanksgiving

So, we drove back to Clinton for Thanksgiving. We try to evenly divide up holidays among the families, and Scott's mom used to spend Thanksgiving with her husband's children. This year I felt incredibly guilty since Hugo had passed November 2nd, and we had already committed to Clinton. But Scott's nephew and sister stepped up and had a traditional holiday with Lila. And we called during the day. And Weston sent his Grandma a card with pictures taken 3 days before the big day so she could have a recent look at his gorgeous face. I hope we did ok.

We arrived in Clinton around 11pm. Very late. And I actually stayed awake for most of the ride. Shocking, I know. Weston did awesome, barely waking up at all.

We enjoyed our wonderful dinner about 2 hours late, and Nathan's girlfriend still didn't show. She came later as we were cleaning up and then filled her and her daughter's plates... I'm not so sure about her motives sometime, but that's a different tyrade for a different time. Trust me on this.

I love family holidays. Generally we are all happy to see each other, but as the day wears on and on, emotions come to the surface and everyone takes everything personally. And then we yell, fight and cry. This year... none of that really happened. It was awesome. Some people were kind of touchy, but I actually did my best to hold in my snide comments (that usually run out of my mouth of their own free will) and I think things went ok.

We generally try to watch movies or play dice or hang out... but if we are doing something, then the happiness seems to continue. We usually play dice... basically you roll 6 dice, 1's are 100, 5's are 50, and then 3 of a kind = that number times 100, like three 3s - 300. three ones = 1000, and rolling 1,2,3,4,5,6 on a single roll = 10,000 and the game is over. As long as you roll at least one counter die, then you can continue rolling the remaining dice. My grandparents used to play this, and it's great especially for groups and for talking around a table. I rarely win, and hardly ever lose, but when I do lose, I lose horribly.

So, the point is, we usually play dice. But this time, I brought home a few games... and shockingly, they picked one! My Mom, sister and aunt chose to play Scattergories! And my Dad joined in about 1/2 way through. It was high-larious! I generally play board games with Scott's family (and I usually win) so I am usually rated PG or PG13. Not my family! For the list starting with the letter "P"... name "Something Soft" I put "Plush toy." My adorable, sweet Aunt Linda started giggling and wrote "Penis"!!!! Seriously! Same letter... name "Something played with" I said Puppets, my Dad wrote the same answer as my Aunt Linda's "Something Soft"!!!! What kind of game are these people playing?!?!? I very rarely ever laugh that hard at anything. But this Thanksgiving reminded me of the time that my Dad stopped by for dinner on his way through town. Our power was out and we were grilling and playing board games. We played Cranium Pop5. My dad did a charade of Paris Hilton that would kill you with laughter if you had seen it. It still cracks us up.

I had a wonderful holiday. Weston seemed to enjoy himself. I can't wait for Christmas, I left the games with my parents. And the best part? My birthday is the 26th, I think we will be having Chinese takeout and cake and sparkly bubbly beverages and a family game night! Because it's my party and that's what i want! And my Aunt and Uncle are living with my parents while their new condo is being completed, so it will be like a slumber party!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are headed home to Clinton for Thanksgiving... it should be interesting. We'll have Weston, and Nathan's girlfriend/baby-mama Jeramie and her daughter Zoey. 3 New people, if you leave out Nathan's Great Embryolio, Paisley.
I am very excited. The older I get, the more I like spending time with my family. We still tend to argue, but I think we have more fun together than most people.

Weston's Thanksgiving Outfit! Doesn't he look thankful?!?

Weston has learned to roll over! Granted he does it mostly in his sleep, and when he realizes that he is on his tummy, he gets so mad! He hates Tummy-time. It's so funny to us. I can't wait to show the family how big he is and what he can do now. And I can't wait to see pictures of my almost-niece!!!

I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving and that you enjoy the long weekend. If you have to work Friday, I'm sorry, it sucks, but I've been there. Just put in your time and go home to the leftovers. :)

Before I was a Mom...

I got this forwarded to my email today... and it expresses everything I am thinking every day.
On a very happy side note, my brother Nathan is expecting a perfectly healthy baby Girl (!!!) in April! Thank you to all that prayed for her health and well being!

Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on.

Pooped on.

Chewed on.

Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

Weston - 3 months

So, I forgot to put Weston's 3 month pics up. He turned 3 months old on Halloween. I also have more pics at home... Trick or Treating, playing with his aunts/cousins. Here are the 3 month pics though:

our country

So I voted today. Surprisingly, for the first time I voted Straight Democratic ticket. I usually try to pick the best person for the job, this time it just seemed a lot easier. For the first time ever, I was not 100% for either candidate. I am always more Democrat than I am Republican, I always vote against Bush, I loved Al Gore. This time though... I'm not saying that I was pro-McCain, goodness no. But I am by no means 100% comfortable with Obama. There's just something uneasy about him. But I will say this: I made history today. And so did you if you voted for Obama. Today, for the first time in history, the United States has chosen a president who is not a middle-aged white man. Barack Obama has become the first of 43 men to be different. And what does that say about this country? We have elected a President who over 100 years ago could have been born into slavery (or at least servitude with a white mother,) who over 50 years ago would have had to sit at the back of the bus, drink from a different water fountain and attend a different school. In World War I & II, Obama could have enlisted but he would have had to serve in a segregated unit. This is an amazing day if for no other reason than that we have changed the history of our country. From this day forward, race will no longer have an impact on our politics. We could soon have a Hispanic- or Asian-American president. This is amazing, this is the first step. Soon, gender will not matter either.
I hope that President-elect Obama keeps his promises. I hope that the changes he wants to make can be accomplished and that he can make America a better place for all of us. I wish him well; I wish him good health, and I wish him luck. For John McCain, I also wish good health; but I also wish that he keeps his promises about bipartisan dealing. I think he could continue to be an influential and important part of the future of our country.
So... God Bless America and Good Bless our President.

He's growing up!

My favorite picture ever! 9/28/08 He is just gorgeous!

Weston attended his first wedding October 25th! Shannon's BFF Dee Ralston married her long-time love, Eric Dickerson. It was an awesome wedding! To check out the amazing video, click here: http://mediainnovationsblog.com/2008/10/27/deanna-eric-highlights/

This is the best wedding video I have ever seen and it's just the preview!

Our family in front of the church!

He looks almost 3 years instead of 3 months old!

Scott and I dancing our only dance.

Shannon and I fooling around. Shannon was a bridesmaid and she made all of the bridal party jewelry! Isn't she amazing?

Weston with Eric. There's a great pick of him with the bride, but it's still on my camera. Oops.

Weston and I enjoying our first dance! He's got more rhythm than Scott and I put together.

a tribute...

I'm going to be MIA this week. Scott's step dad, Hugo, passed away early Sunday morning. Hugo had been fighting a weakened heart for many years now, but it's still a big loss for Scott's mom, Lila. We were able to go to Cherokee last Thursday through Saturday night to spend some time with Hugo and to say our good-byes.
Hugo lived 82 years and had a very full life. From what I have heard, it took a heart attack 40+ years ago for him to truly appreciate his family, but once he saw the light he became a wonderful father and grandfather. Hugo was there for Scott and I whenever we needed him. I will admit that for the first 2 years of my relationship with Hugo, he was a little "touchy-feely." Everyone knew about it, and we laughed about it. About 3 years ago, Hugo became too weak to do much of anything, but his persistence and perseverance to live his life as he chose was a great inspiration. I was looking for pictures of Hugo last night and became aware that I didn't have a single picture of Weston with "Grandpa Hugo." I about cried. It still makes me sad. Weston has been held by Hugo every time we went to Cherokee. Hugo looked forward to Weston's birth just as much as Lila did. This was the only Grandpa that Weston would have on Scott's side, and we have no proof of them together. It's the most upsetting part of this.
I know that Hugo went onto a better place where his body could finally keep up with his spirit. We're very sorry to see him go, but we're also very relieved that he is finally free of the pain his body caused him.
We will be in Cherokee Tuesday evening through Sunday morning, with a brief Friday in Sioux City for West's first hockey game (planned before all this.) Thank you for your thoughts.

Twisted Fairy Tales

Still on a reading kick...

I love Fairy Tales. I think that they are the building blocks for society.

But, I also love the Twisted Tale... it's the fairy tale told in a different manner, either in the opposite direction or from a different point of view. Or from different source materials. Everyone in the reading community has heard of Gregory Maguire, and if you haven't, then you've heard of his most famous work... Wicked. Basically the more in depth story of the Wizard of Oz from the Witch's point of view. I love this book. I want to see the Broadway show, I am loving that marching bands have been acting out this book/play for over three years now. Any time a book can take the world by storm like this, it encourages reading. And I love that.

Gregory Maguire has taken on other fairy tales too... Snow White, Cinderella, etc. You just have to look for them. He has also written a sequel to Wicked - Son of a Witch, which is amazing.

So, I was obviously more excited than surprised when I read on the South Side Confidential blog this morning that Maguire had written a third book in the Wicked series. A Lion Among Men is brand new and available (I hope) to move into my house as soon as possible. It is obviously written from the point of view of the Cowardly Lion (real name? Brrr.) Check it out.

www.gregorymaguire.com/books/lionamongmen.html

Red Rover, Red Rover, send a good book right over!

Anyone who has known me for any given amount of time (even the early years) knows how much I love to read. I am voracious with books. And I hate to part with a good book, it's the main reason that I don't go to the library. Sad, I know. You can always tell when I am really poor and really desperate for a new read... I'm at the library and not Target or Half Price Books.
I was so excited when Scott and I started dating (over 6 years ago!) and I spotted a book on his bedside table. First thought, "He reads!!!" Next thought, "He reads a lot!!!" (It was a series book.) Scott and I talk about books a lot. I've read his, he reads mine. I'm a speed reader who can read, watch tv, and talk to people at the same time (which drives him nuts.) He's a slow reader who mutters the book out loud (which drives me insane!) Scott and I have been reading to Weston since before he was even born. We started his library when I was 6 months pregnant with Scott reading to him all the time. I'm sure Weston loved it, since he always kicked when Scott was reading. Weston's library is growing too. He got 6 books as gifts from friends and family. He got knight-head bookend banks from our friend Traci just the other day. He's well on his way too!
Along the same line of thinking... if you haven't heard, I loves Weston's daycare. They are wonderful, brilliant and by far the best a mother could hope for. Weston and all the other kids are so happy there and I can see the progress each other them makes daily. So obviously, Kris and Todd read to the kids every day. But, they also have someone come into once a month to read to the kids. A program called Red Rover comes into their home and reads a few books to the kids every month. Sometimes she drops off bags of library books for the kids to enjoy until she comes back. Red Rover is a group effort by Scholastic Books (where I just bought Weston his first shipment!!!), local public libraries and Children's Services. It's a wonderful program, and if I didn't need more money to live on, I would so totally do it as a career. Get this - they also leave one book for each child to take home to build their library! Very exciting!

PORK

When the political humdingers... or Republicans, talk about "PORK" are they referencing Iowa? Or is this something completely different? No one I ask seems to know. And honestly, every time I hear the word "Pork" coming from a Republican mouth, I think I feel a little offended.

Can anyone help me out? What's "PORK" other than "the other white meat?"


ANSWER:
Ok... so after asking almost everyone, and not finding any answers, I went to the one person that would know. I went to Onthank's owner and Super-Republican, David Fisher. And I honestly think he was very excited to answer my question! So... here is the answer for "PORK."
PORK is a political term used by both parties and all independents to describe a popular practice in government. Everyone does it, some better than others. David made it sound like PORK was an acronym for something, but couldn't think of it.
PORK is the art of "You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours." Better explained by, if I were and Iowa Senator in session and the Alabama Senator had a bill in Congress asking for $50 million to build a dam in Alabama, I would tell the Alabama Senator that I would give my vote to his $50 million Bill if his Bill gave me $500,000 for the museum I want to build in Des Moines. Basically filling his Bill with my stuff to get it all passed.
Thanks, David!!!

Time For Some Campaignin'

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Happenings in the Land of Erin

Ok... I am sitting at work, where due to the economy I have had to revert to my original job at Onthank plus my current jobs with a few modifications. The problem with this is the fact that they had to lay people off. I know that if that hadn't happened, we all may have had to take a salary cut, or worse, I could have been the one laid off. So, I am still thankful to have a job given this economy. But... here is the most current problem: it's not that I find myself above my old job or above the customer service people, it's that I was only on the Order Desk for six weeks two and a half years ago (!!!) the first time around, and the last 2 weeks of that I was learning my Purchasing position. So, basically what I am saying is that I feel sort of under-qualified for my Customer Service position. That, and I hate being on the phone. Since business is basically as slow as it can be, I am generally just bored. I mean, it's a completely vicious cycle.
Speaking of vicious Cycles: our economy sucks. People are spending less money due to rising energy, food and what used to be gas costs. Companies are selling less due to lack of consumer demand. Because their sales are down, companies are forced to lay off employees and streamline all of their work in order to stay afloat. More people become unemployed as lay-offs rise. So now, people have less money and what little money they have, they aren't spending because you never know when the next round of lay-offs will occur. Less people doing more work, so general morale is down - people don't even have enough money to drink! And now we're back at the beginning of the cycle. Welcome to the New and even Suckier Millennium Depression. How will the world dig itself out? Who knows... I keep hearing that the US owes China tons of money... is that true?


So... next week is Scott and my 4th wedding anniversary. We usually celebrate by going out. And this year, we actually have 2 sitters lined up, so tradition can continue. But will we have the $ to do anything? Who knows? Let me get to the point... does anyone have any brilliant, yet inexpensive, ideas for what Scott and I should do on our special day? We need a refresher coarse on the fun of being married... if you know what I mean.
By the way... Save the Date for Halloween Next Year. It's our 5th Anniversary, Scott turns 40, I turn 30 and Weston turns 1, it's a big year for us!

Speaking of Big years and birthdays... check out this article on the Slate. Hilarious and totally true! Though, no one ever paid for my birthday dinners or even offered. Then again, I never expected it of my friends. But the general idea is true and it's very well written.
http://www.slate.com/id/2202646/

Mid October Blues...

This week has been... uneventful? no... thrilling? not exactly... depressing? a little. I don't know what's going on exactly, but this week has gone on forever. The beginning of the week was very promising. Work was going fast, and there seemed a lot to do, but then someone was out sick for 3 days... 3 whole days! That's like being on your death bed (or maternity leave) for Onthank. Then West got sick with Croup. (Basically a nasty cold that settles around his tiny , still growing, vocal cords.) He never appeared sick other than the congestion and the barking cough. He really seems on the mend right now. Today has been the longest day of my life. I swear. I'm covering for another sick person on the order desk, so you'd think I'd be busy doing another person's job... but alas, it's not quite busy right now. Hell, it's not even steady right now in the distribution business. Get this... the economy is so bad now that Scott's job at the State Liquor Warehouse is slow! And October is their busiest month of the year. Yeah... as a state, Iowa is so poor that the people cannot afford to drown their sorrows in something stronger than beer, and the stores are barely buying. Now that's when you know America is in trouble.

On a side note... I really feel that my whole life right now is completely wrapped around a tiny little boy. I feel like I used to have something to say, but now everything is about Weston. And not that there is anything wrong with that, but I feel like I used to be more involved in the world. And now? Now I just don't care. I'd rather sit at home and look at my son. I don't even care who wins the election. I don't want a republican, but I'm not sure if I trust Obama or more precisely, Obama's experience. I don't feel like I know enough about either of them, and if either of them can do anything to fix our problems. I also have this sick feeling, that one way or the other, whomever is elected President will not be able to serve his 4 years, so I am almost ready to choose a President based solely on the VP candidate. In which case, I hope Sarah Palin is ready to head back to Alaska... you know, Russia's neighbor. I might just go to the library and vote early tomorrow, just to be done. So I can stop thinking and talking about it.

1 minute until I can leave work. Phew, another week of my life gone. Sad, really.
If you get a chance, please check out the South Side Confidential blog... my boss Ed's daughter Kelli is the author. She is high-larious! and very conscientious. trust me... read her blog. She's the type of write I used to dream of being. Now... I just dream of writing a cook book.

Work...

Ok... so I am back at work. Day # 2.

They have rearranged my responsibilities, supposedly for the better. But I have to learn how to do all of the Pricing for our system... as a back-up! This is a huge undertaking for me, it's a lot to learn, only to be a back up. I personally think that they are afraid that the man doing Pricing is going to get hit by a bus (God forbid!) and they will lose all knowledge of their system. I am also taking on Samples for flooring... also a lot of work. The funny thing? I am once again taking on portions of a manager's job (just like I did 2 years ago) just to alleviate the pressure off of him.It's insane. And he doesn't even have the time to teach me his job!

But when I came back yesterday, I brought lots of pictures of West along. Check out my office! Still reasonably clean! I did come back to an easy day in all fairness... everyone had done my job well enough to get by.
West did great at daycare. They love him, saying he is just the easiest baby. Which is generally true. He gave me the biggest smile! And he has a little girlfriend!

West had his first round of shots Tuesday at 2 months old. He screamed so badly. We both cried. It was horrible. But he was such a good baby all day. Smiling, sleeping, eating - on and off all day.

Uncle Nathan kept propping West up on the couch taking pictures... for almost 30 minutes! This is my current cell phone wallpaper.

Reflections

I'm gearing up for my 10-yr high school reunion this weekend. One... I feel so old! Two... I feel like I'm 17 again. You know what I mean. Worrying about what to wear, what everyone will be thinking about me, etc. Why is it that after 4 years of pretending to have tons of self confidence, another 4 years in college trying to claim that self confidence, that after an additional six years I feel exactly the same as I did when I was just pretending? I think it would be different if my closest friends were coming... but for various reasons, I seem to be doing this alone. And I'll admit it - I'm a little scared. The 3 women I've grown up with, the ones who won't judge me or the person I've become, the ones who will understand my "observations" and comments and will respond accordingly, will not be there. They won't even be close, each is 2,000 miles in a different direction. Yes, my husband will be there, but he didn't know me then. He met me after I had matured, quieted down (I was very loud in high school), after I had made the decision to be happy inside instead of career-successful, after I had found it sort of natural to smile - rather than fake it. And then there is the worrying over clothes... ugh. I actually returned the dress I had been planning to wear for months yesterday. Trying to dress more indiscriminately I guess. Ugh! Why is high school so threatening, even 10 years later? I can see why people stop going. But, I'll be there, sending reports back to my friends.

Gangsta Baby

Weston turned 7 weeks old today. It's amazing how fast the time really goes. And how you don't realize how big he is getting until you look at the pictures from the day he was born... He's so long now! West was initiated into his first Sorority dinner on Monday with my Chi Omega sisters - April, Jayme and Melissa. So, of course he had to sport an Owl onesie and beanie hat in honor of the sisters! (For those that don't know, the Owl is the symbol of our Sorority.) West was rockin' it old school... he looks so "Gangsta!" On a side note, he was the perfect baby, I don't think he cried once. And he just hung out while we ate, let everyone hold him, and even tried to have a conversation with April. It was a blast, and very relieving to know that he is such a social butterfly. Just like his Mama!!!

A Day in the life...

Who knew it could be so tiring just to be at home?

I love hanging out with West, but seriously, if I were a "stay at home" mom, I'd probably age at 4 times the normal rate... I'd be 40 in 2 years. Your life just flies by hour by hour. I mean... there are the reruns of "ER" while I feed West. There are the Soaps in the afternoons while I try to get in a load of laundry, and oh yeah - feed West. You also can't forget trying to plan dinners, because i feel like I should still be the Kitchen Goddess, since I am home after all, but then again, it's hard to coordinate anything while holding a squirmy baby.

But, I have to say... I really do think that we have the most brilliant baby in the world. He can almost control his head (he holds it up by himself almost all of the time, and he's only 6 weeks old!) He's been "talking" for a week straight, and today we had a conversation for almost an hour. I taught him to do the "Indian Yell," You know, when you sing/yell and tap your hand over your mouth. He opens his mouth, and about once or twice a day, will actually manage to make sound while I'm tapping, usually his timing is off. He smiles... he plays... he dreams... and my favorite part? He laughs! A full bodied laugh that begins just above his diaper and "rolls" up to his mouth, usually when he is asleep, but it's the best sound ever.

I'm adding more pictures... most are from the past weekend. We met my parents in Iowa City, just to hang out. And we saw our friend Beth, and her baby Sybella (Bella), at the Coralville Mall. It's odd to see your long-time friends with babies... and to have her holding yours. I mean, we talked about it for years... but it's still weird. I mean we've known each other since we were 11 or 12 years old. Whatever, I'm dealing with it. :)

West & I with Beth and Bella in Iowa City

West and I in Iowa City, posing for Grammy

Scott, West and I in Cherokee over Labor Day Weekend

West with Grammy and Grandpa in Iowa City

West in Auntie Shannon's laundry basket... he just wanted to help!

West posing in his Baptism outfit, so I could take pictures for the invitations!

Welcome to September!

ok... so i have been so bad about blogging. And it's not the baby's fault. i swear. Our computer is being ridiculous and so it takes days to upload photos and navigate the internet.

But, one month into Mommyhood, and everything is generally going well. Weston is a very good baby. He doesn't cry without reason, i.e. diapers, hungry. He's mastered the Power Nap, sleeping for 15 minutes, then is up and going for an hour. He is eating all the time. And i swear he has to weigh at least 10 pounds now. Here are some of the latest pictures from our day to day life.

1st bath! He's not very fond of bath time yet.

3 weeks old, watching the Cubs with Daddy!

My new Deacon's Bench, handpainted by our friend Eva Maria, who did this all free hand!

Enjoying my 1-month birthday with my Great-Uncle David!

Look, West can kick the ball!!!

It's been a crazy, busy month, but we love it. On a side note, I'm going to be an Aunt for the first time! My brother Nathan is expecting his first baby next year. It was a shock, but we're very excited!

The 10 yr reunion for the CHS class of '98 has been set for September 26th and 27th. Football game on Friday, and the big shindig at Buck's Barn on Saturday. It should be a blast. I already have a new dress (much smaller than the size i was wearing back in November when i got pregnant. Very exciting!!!!)

Well, West and I need to leave Shannon's and get home. I'll try to update more often.