You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May 2008.
I LOVE severe weather. It really excites me to see a severe weather warning of any kind for my county. I have been known to watch the weather reports all night if there’s a good chance of a tornado, flood or blizzard. Which is why I am genuinely irritated that tonight’s system keeps teasing me, staying just slightly north and east of here. Argh.
If you’re not satisfied with the major party presidential nominees, this guy might be worth checking out.
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- We had a great anniversary. The hotel we got married at has been remodeled, so we stayed for a night and loved it. Michael accidentally ordered a horror movie. We’re wimps – we didn’t watch it.
- We don’t like calamari that actually looks like squid – which, I suppose, defeats the purpose.
- I love the Old Market. It holds a lot of mine & Michael’s history as a couple.
- 99% dark chocolate bars are nasty. Because (guess why?) there’s only 1% for everything else that makes a chocolate bar good! You might as well stick your tongue into a can of cocoa powder. Not the way I like to indulge my chocoholism.
- Rock Band might be the best video game ever. I hate video games (really. I can’t stand ‘em.), but playing this one last night at Rob & Jane’s was fist-pumping good fun! I got to indulge my inner rock star, since I’ll clearly never be one. (My punk-rock alter ego’s name is Stevie. She plays lead guitar and she has pink pixie hair, in case you’re wondering.) We are wondering if we can get away with forming a church small-group around this.
- I can listen to NPR and actually enjoy it. I may have finally grown up.
Ah, David Cook. We knew you’d pull it off. Of course, we like to think it was our manic voting frenzy that pulled it off. On Tuesday night I participated in two American pastimes: voting and potluck. And, according to our unofficial research, those with Verizon phones got through to vote more, while we Sprint folks wanted to throw our phones across the room. ‘Twas a fun night - but Wednesday night, when David Cook (reminder: Michael’s pick since his tryout in Omaha) won, I felt like I had, in a way. At least that’s how I felt, jumping up from the couch at 8:59, as if the confetti was falling down around me, too. Your average local rocker, tending bar to pay the bills, can go after his dream (with a little brotherly nudge) and nail it. Rock on, David, even if I can’t.
I totally, completely and absolutely blame Ranae for my ridiculous obsession with A.I. this season, and now have til January to cool my jets (don’t worry, I’m not about to search for American Idol Summer Tour tickets – even I have my limits!). You know it’s bad when your three-year-old knows the full names of the top ten contestants (“Look, Mama – David Cook and David Archuled-za!”). I probably need to get a life.
This week has been a progression of my kids slowly wearing me down. I was yawning at 10 AM this morning. The ‘paci fairy’ visited Reese last weekend, and she’s done great without her pacifier….except for naps. I didn’t realize how much I need Reese to take a nap each afternoon until she decided not to take them. She’s started reluctantly taking them these past few days, thank the good Lord. Liam had shots on Tuesday and has been one cranky dude since. All of this, coupled with staying up too late just to get a little conversation in with Michael, has contributed to a moment of weakness….I went and bought some tanning minutes and so have been periodically subjecting myself to the peace, vitamin D and premature aging of the neighborhood tanning bed. We all have our vices, right? 
I might take my session tonight with a whiskey sour. I sure feel like I need it.
So, if you see a crispy version of me toodling around town, just know its because I’ve taken more than my share of R&R in an effort to keep my wits and not because I’m trying out for The Hills, Part Deux. It hasn’t been all bad, though – my good friend, Alicia, delivered her uber-cute daughter, Ella, who is everything a little baby girl should be – darling, delicate, sweet. A truly beautiful baby! Ah. Don’t get any ideas.
Looking foward to: a long warm weekend, celebrating our fifth anniversary on Sunday (complete with a stay at the hotel where we got married!), and another set of hands, eyes & brain to deal with these lovable rugrats. Now, where’s my bottle of Rich Sexy Tan with Firming Triple Bronzer?…
*song of the day: “Working for the Weekend”, Loverboy
I am kinda sheepish to admit it, but Ranae got me watching American Idol this season…and as you can see, I’m hooked. I do still cringe a little at the whole “Idol” thing….call me Old Testament if you want. Ha.
This is me & the kids watching in Michael’s absence (he’s hooked on it too, don’t let him fool you). Reese can sense “Idol Night”…she asks to watch “Merig-idol”.
Oh yeah. And, the One Who Will Win this year….Michael called this one from the beginning (aka, Hollywood Week).
And now you know what we’ve been doing on Tuesday nights…the bartender from Kansas City had better win it!
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He can! Been able to do so for a couple of weeks, but he refuses to do so for any sorta camera, so you’ll just have to take my good word on that one.
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Been listening to “The News From Lake Wobegon” podcast (a snippet of A Prairie Home Companion radio broadcast) this week, and LOVE it. I watched the APHC movie last fall and hated it, but was fascinated by this Garrison Keillor fellow, and the concept of an old-timey variety-show radio broadcast, complete with faux commericals. If you’ve never listened in before, its broadcasted live from St. Paul, MN (you can go to the theater and go see it in person). Lake Wobegon is Mr. Keillor’s made-up hometown, and he delivers a delicious little monologue about the happenings of this town each week….things like the cancellation of the high school musical, the glories of a homegrown tomato (“eating a homegrown tomato is redemptive”, and small-town Lutheran congregations (“we don’t have altar calls…sin in something you deal with on your own time”). I’ve laughed out loud at every one, and as I’m listening to his lilting baritone prose, I feel like I should be sitting on a porch in a high-back rocking chair, in a cotton dress, embroidering or shelling peas on a hot summer evening, listening to the radio and the mosquitos. This little podcast is seventeen minutes of serenity in an otherwise boisterous day around here. Liam loves listening to it too – he goes into Zen mode when I turn it on, which is great during cranky hour. If you never have, give it a listen. Almost makes me want to go see APHC on the Rhubarb Tour at the Iowa State Fair this summer…but I ask myself, would I be the only person under 60 there?
Was a good day. Quiet and just us’ns. I wasn’t quite ready for kids at 25, but three years later have found it to be a supremely gratifying, challenging, maturing and joyful experience. Didn’t know I would find out so much about myself in the process. I love learning my children. I love all their quirks. I love seeing their early together-play. Seeing them hold hands, seeing them laugh together. I love all four of us cuddling in bed in the morning. I love that I have a husband who makes it sublime to be a mama – I’m well supported on all sides.
Let me quote my friend, Caron, again: “Motherhood is a wild ride – hold onto the Savior.” I’m buckled in, hands in the air and screaming with terrified delight! Thanks, Lord, for letting me become a mom.
Reese turned three last saturday. We partied in the park. It was beautiful and windy. She had a great time, and decided to celebrate by doing a freefall skydive, triceratops in hand. (click on my photos link to the left for more)
I love this little girl. She and Michael are two peas in a pod. I just love to hear her spin a yarn, to dance, and sing. Currently, her favorite songs: Move Along (All-American Rejects) and Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (Wham!).
*PL, that photo is just for you!
