this is not a hat thing

this is sub zero weather & we were all wearing hats inside that day. See the remnants of hot chocolate? Just kickin' back in the magazine basket; enjoy those small, unusual resting places while you can dear little one. Tomorrow you'll be two & before I know it, you'll be suffering from senioritis & trying to play off that you don't know why the attendance line called to tell me you were absent (busted Snick!)

it's a hat thing; you wouldn't understand

t shirts & puppets courtesy of Aunt Lindsay (go raibh míle maith agat!) Princess Fi liked the shirt so much she asked if she could wear it again tomorrow -she's never said that before, never has put any thought into tomorrow's wardrobe before today. Geez, she's getting big.

for your & my viewing entertainment

fun with static electricity

But you already knew that about me

You are a Social Liberal (75% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (10% permissive) You are best described as a: Socialist Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

24 hour customer service my ass

I can't take it. I am having the worst experience (or at least right up there in the top 5) w/ a credit card! Who the hell would ever want to have an account w/ Capital One?!?!?!?!!? There is no activation phone number for me to call to activate the friggin card. I tried the customer service number & it is COMPLETELY automated with no escape button to a live voice. To top it all off, the woman's voice in the automated system is by far one of the most annoying I have ever heard! I'm talking grating on my nerves so bad I have to hold the phone away from my ear...dreading having to ever call again, that bad. Yes, I've turned the phone down as low as possible. But it doesn't help. And I'm trying to book flights/b&b for London. BUT I can't use my friggin' credit card b/c I can't activate it and I can't get through to a real person to even get me to the correct automated phone number. AAAAAAAAAARGH!

chez moi

Libby has learned from Maddie's example; she now asks for "fresh water" every night at bed time.

We have pets straight out of a cartoon: the cat literally chases the dog around the room. She's a decent sized dog too. She could, if she wanted to, eat the cat. Bizarre.

Why did I spend x$ on winter gear? We've only had a couple weeks of subzero weather. Thank god it all gets passed down. I knew there was SOME good reason for having all girls. Other than the daily drama that is oh so mildly entertaining -until the 5th (by no means the last) freak out of the day -at 10 am.

I had the girls out in the bike trailer today! Yay! Tomorrow promises to be even warmer. You will find us on the bike path. Hey, I may just lose some weight b4 the wedding (no, not mine ya freaks -it's the cutest couple in Ireland's wedding).

I so badly want to go to the eggs & kegs St Paddy's day party in LoDo. The Fray is playing -for free. Alas, children & a later in the day plane ride to RI will dampen that happy thought.

I am enlivened by the simplest things in life: I bought a wet/dry vac yesterday. Today I vacuumed the minivan. I am beyond bliss at the sight of the clean interior.

I have watched this week: North Country -it was a fabulous cinematic creation. Every actor put forth an above average performance. Sissy Spacek had minimal lines & she was impressive -not to mention Charlize Theron & Frances McDormand who deserves a supporting actress award. The only person for whom his role was not a stretch was Woody Harrelson. The story itself reminded me why I took on a second major in Women's Studies.

We also watched the Chumscrubber. Interesting and not bad for an indie flick.

I am miffed that I spent time watching women's curling up until the end & then didn't get to see a medal ceremony. I truly feel curling is the next big thing -but that's another story. I felt ripped off by my inability to partake vicariously in the culmination of the event. WTF. We saw Sweden win. Break away to commercial then an interview w/ the team's skip. End of the day's events. Anyway. Am I just mistaken & the actual award ceremony is some other time not immediate to the end of the gold medal round? If so, why is it not advertised as such? There were sooooooooooooo many commercials. Out of 11 ends, I don't think we saw any of the 1st two shots. We saw the 1st end, break to commercial, back to the event on the 3rd shot. EVERY time! No wonder viewership was at an all time low this year. It's not like the SuperBowl that some people watch specifically for the new commercials. The commercials during the olympics weren't entertaining; they were annoyingly too frequent.

I also thought maybe it was because the US was long gone out of the race. Even still, I would feel ripped off. I enjoy the medal ceremonies -hearing the various national anthems, seeing the teary-eyed winners (or whatever their individual reactions would be). I believe I saw one medal ceremony & it was tonight. Let's just say that there were plenty of advertisements but not nearly enough for the actual olympics as to when I -or anybody else- might want to tune in.

I should quit now b4 I start into a tirade about the evils of advertisements. It could get lengthy & I have a cold double shot of Brendan's waiting for me.

friend

I got a call last night from my good friend Jenna whom I met @ CU. She moved back to Chicago a while ago & we talk periodically -not nearly enough. I haven't physically seen her since she moved & I miss her dearly. The funny thing is, Maddie answered the phone & I didn't see the caller i.d. BUT as soon as I heard her voice, I knew it was Jenna. Are you fortunate enough to have friends like that? You know, the kind where you don't speak for long periods of time, but when you do, it's like no time has passed whatsoever? The kind of friends whose voices are like "home" -comfortable, familiar, welcoming. It's hard to explain. I'm truly blessed to have a few more than one friend like that.

I was talking to my brother the other day about his dislike for electronic communication because all the humanity is missing. I disagree simply b/c I have those few good friends whose voices resonate in my mind -whose voices I can hear as I'm reading their emails. I have one or two friends with whom I haven't spoken in years. I miss them too. Electronic communications will have to suffice for now. I'll take that over no communication any day. At least I can still hear their voices -even if it is only in my memory.

get a life

So I've been on this "life is not a dress rehearsal" kick. Something, anything to motivate me to climb out of this ever deepening rut. In my quest, I found this post.

You only get one

It's not the most original thought (who hasn't had these thoughts?) but it is astute nevertheless. And it was what I needed to hear today.

my word cloud

go here to get yours...

and then she melts my heart

the 7 yo is a true gemini...she is like night & day incapsulated within 1 person. The friggin' temper tantrum stuff, acting more like the little sister than the big sister. For a few days in a row. THEN she has the audacity to ask for $3 so she can donate to some fundraiser at school. After her poor behaviour, I was miffed & said no. So she said she would just use her "share" money (which, ultimately, is the better idea). She comes home w/ 3 carnations & hands them to me -she's got the biggest "I'm so happy to see you mom" look. She spent her own $ to get flowers for me. I was floored. Then today while I was online, she crawls behind me onto the chair & proceeds to give me (her version of) a neck massage. As well as hugs & stuff. I tell you, gemini's have a split personality. It's like the other, bad kid moved out & MY daughter is back.

ugh

I am at my wit's end w/ the 7 yo lately. I am this [] close to being accused of child abuse. Okay, not really. I could never do more than threaten bodily harm. And even that is limited to those "if you were me & you had my parents, you'd have such a sore bottom right now" kind of speeches. It's been a very trying last couple days. Don't know what it is. Or rather, why it is. Growing pains? Testing her boundaries/my limits? (yeah the very outer limits of my sanity) Problems at school manifesting in ugly forms at home? I am seriously considering sending her to a different school. I've always wanted to send my kids to catholic school. With this one, it's almost a necessity. I can't stand to listen to one more complaint about "there's nothing to wear" when her dresser is FULL of clothes that she's insisted on having. I think the mandatory uniform policy would be wonderful. At this point, though, I've given up on that idea & have moved on to the military school option. I kid you not. It has been that bad. Just total disregard & disrespect. Selfishness beyond belief. Hurtful, spiteful, downright mean spirited behavior. I fear you will see us on Dr Phil or some such daytime t.v. dramarama in the not too distant future. You know the episode "good kids gone bad". Or "parents who are afraid of their children". Or "Boot camp for brats". Something along that vein. Maybe it will be SuperNanny. Of course it will be all my fault (thank you dr. freud). It couldn't possibly be inherent in her personality. Punishment doesn't work. Ever. She's too big for spanking. (yes she is...she's as big as the eldest daughter was at 9 yrs -almost as tall as me). Rewards work sometimes. What_is_the_deal?????? Seriously, maybe therapy. At 7, for crying out loud. Now I know what my parents went through -with my brother (not me, sheesh). And if I have to hear one more time about how much she hates school, doesn't care about school, doens't want to go to school, I will send her to the nearest 3rd world country to see what exactly she's taking for granted. Oh yeah, and she's "running away" -about every day. That's the other thing. I have this sinking feeling that this kid will be the one to experiment w/ drugs/alcohol/cigarettes/running away, etc etc etc. I don't want to curse her w/ the pygmalian effect, but it's a worry in the back of my mind. I mean, I don't "expect" her to end up like that. Heavens, I EXPECT her to behave a lot better than she does now; but I can see little signs in her personality that lead me to think that is how she will be as a pre/teenager. So, how to nip it in the bud now?!? That is my short prayer tonight. That and an extra dose of patience.

Vday

Usually I am loath to celebrate Vday; it can prove to be a disappointing day. HOWEVER, I will say that this year took me by surprise -in a very good way. I have been known to call a certain someone "the most unromantic person in the world". I have been proven wrong. Or perhaps I knew it was always there, under the surface -deep under the surface. But it's there regardless. I had on my bed satin sheets & cases -something I've always wanted but have never indulged in. AND 2 new luxurious pillows. AND on the bed were 12+ long stem pink tipped white roses -very pretty. AND a gift certificate to a local spa for a facial, massage & makeover. I was blown away, to say the least. I was partly joking when I said "now I know why you're never romantic; now that you've started, you can't stop. What what can you do to top this next time?" Seriously. This was by far the best Vday I've had. And the icing on the cake? not a drop of chocolate. (I know some will scoff at this; but I'm not eating chocolate these days, so yes, this was very thoughtful). Wow. I'm still blown away.

minor update

So I haven't posted in forever. I crocheted scarves for Princess Fiona & Madster for xmas. They coveted the scarf my mom crocheted for Snick (which she actually gave to Lib b/c it was a little short for her taste). They all wanted to wear it. I figured out the pattern. It was definitely homespun yarn so I used that as well. They're soft & pretty & the girls wear them when it's cold. (will post pics soon)

I've been slacking in the knitting/crochet dept. I'm ALMOST finished w/ the prayer shawl I started, what, last summer. I still have the scarf for Lindz otn. BUT all is not lost: I've joined Team Colorado http://teamcolorado.blogspot.com/ for the Knitting Olympics. Tonight at the opening ceremony (well, not "at" but in front of my t.v.) I will start my new project: a pair of felted slippers in a purple Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride wool. I'll have 16 days to finish. Sounds motivating doesn't it?

I've also decided to join a group of knitters on every other Sunday. That should prove to be motivational as well.

I have started a pair of pajama pants for G. They're easy enough. I just need an hour to myself to finish them up. Yay for me! My first sewing project in years! I had forgotten how much I really enjoy sewing!

The very best news for last: I have enrolled in a "professional sewing" course & am going to "beginning sewing" class 1x/week. It's been fairly easy so far but definitely informative. It's a small group & I'm really pleased w/ it (that & getting out of the house sans bebes).

view the slideshow

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/pmupdate/s_421096.html

we are the champions, my friends

and we'll keep on fighting 'til the end.


What a game! It's like a dream come true. No wait; it IS a dream come true. I suppose I could die happy now. Ah the sweet taste of victory. To all those naysayers in my house (what? there was only one?): kiss my grits, mo fo, kiss my grits...you may prevent me from seeing the final 3 minutes of the game & the post game celebration, but you cannot deny that the Steelers are the world champions. Ain't that superbowl ring pretty? Don't ya wish your team had (this)one? or Five? Pucker up & kiss 'em. My grits, that is.

6 of one, a half dozen of the other

my mom said she smelled a skunk today (in western PA) & that regardless of what Phil says (6 more weeks of winter), her nose tells her spring is just around the corner. But you know what? There's six weeks and a few days 'til spring (20 March) either way.

from the crowds @ Gobblers Knob in Punxutawney...

it's not just pittsburghers who believe.
You will be hard pressed to find anyone in western PA who isn't a steeler fan. It is a source of pride that our hometeam is going to the SuperBowl...as it should be in ANY region that has an NFL team!

watch the video

notice what Phil is wearing? Not that he would wear anything else considering geography.... Happy Groundhog Day!

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WEATHER/02/02/groundhog.day.ap/