My house is a black hole
It has the ability to suck to energy out of it’s inhabitants. I’m not even joking. I used to think I was just excessively lazy, but Tony’s feeling the effects too. And he is not lazy. He’s just been home too much.
I keep thinking if I can just get up and take a shower first thing in the morning, it would motivate me to get off my butt. But at 6:30 in the morning, I don’t have much get-up-and-go. The best intentions, not executed so good. I’d much rather lay on the couch while Eliana plays with her toys. The I lay on the couch while Tony feeds her breakfast. Then I lay on the couch while she plays some more and then Yay! naptime.
I don’t think I really get up for the day until 11:30-ish. Then, of course, Eliana needs lunch and then email must be checked and various other internety type things. Maybe Tony and I have lunch and Eliana might watch Signing Time and after a while it’s time for her to have another nap. The entire day just slips away. By 5:00 I have to start dinner and we kick ourselves for not accomplishing SOMETHING.
Then it’s hanging out with the baby some more, then bath time and bedtime. Then we clean up a little (for not doing anything, we do manage to keep the house looking decent most of the time) and get sucked into more various internety type things. We stay up far far too late (It’s 1:30am right now), which is why we can’t get up with any energy in the morning.
So you see the problem right? Obviously my house just sucks it right out of us.
A few suggestions
With the economy being what it is and gas prices being insane, I think it must be pretty hard to sell cars these days. Tony and I are in the market for a minivan. We need the cargo space and it’d be nice to put Eliana in her carseat without breaking my back. We’re not actually planning on buying until the end of the year (hoping to get a good deal), but we’re weird about research. I hate regretting purchases, especially big ones. So we never rush into these things. So last week we went to a few dealers to check some out.
First of all, I’m an idiot. It was 96 degrees and I was wearing pants and a black shirt and I have no idea what I was thinking. Eliana was with us and being a crazy girl trying to run around all over the place and getting hot and sweaty. She sucked down most of her sippy at the first dealer. We didn’t bring any water for us because we are dumb.
So I have a few suggestions for any car sales people that might come across this.
1. When a potential buyer is wearing pants and a black shirt and it’s 96 degrees and sunny and is very obviously pouring buckets of sweat, offer her a cold drink. Perhaps invite her into the office area where the air conditioning lives. I guarantee she’ll stay longer.
2. When you are dealing with a married couple who are looking at minivans, don’t ask the woman which color she likes and proceed to talk to the man about horsepower. It’s insulting. It doesn’t matter that I don’t know much about cars. Frankly, neither did the man in this situation. And furthermore, no car will be bought without MY approval, so getting on my bad side just lost you your commision. WTG, jackass.
3. When someone declines a test drive because of the carseat/baby hassle, don’t keep harping on it. No means no.
4. Just because someone informs you that this is just for research and they won’t actually be buying a car TODAY, doesn’t mean you should act bored and too busy to help. I will conveniently lose your business card and give the sale to someone else when I do choose to buy.
Talking to customers about options and features they’re interested in? Good! Having a play area where the baby can burn some energy? Good! Inviting them into the wonderful, wonderful air conditioning? Good!
I’m just sayin’.
200
It was my 1 year blogoversary a few days ago and this is my 200th post. I think the 100th post sneaked by me and I completely missed it. Eh. It happens. I’ve spent the past couple of days trying to think of something special to celebrate this semi-milestone. And I got nothing.
Well, I do have a couple of blog topics, but they just don’t seem 200 worthy. And then I was all, “But what if I can’t come up with anything and then my 200th post is all about nothing. That would suck.” And since I typically suck that way, that’s just what you get. Nothing.
And not that you asked, but here’s what I want. I’ve been feeling a little sorry for myself lately and I desperately need the ego boost. So, just this once, I’m asking that any lurkers and nonlurkers alike leave a comment. It doesn’t even have to be anything. You can just say hi. And then I’ll be all, “People really do read my blog sometimes! Yay!!” And then I’ll do a happy dance.
You really do want to see my happy dance. It’s pretty awesome.
Last night
Current time: 10:44pm
Laptop power level: 65%
Temperature in house: 81 degrees
Status: Hot and Sweaty
The electricity has been off for almost 5 hours. The power company doesn’t know when it will be back on. There was no storm or accident to cause this. We wait patiently. The temperature has gone up 5 degrees since the power went out. That may not sound like much, but it’s a lot. The only way we managed to get Eliana to go to sleep was putting a lantern in her room and a battery operated fan facing her crib. It’s working well for now.
Current time: 10:53pm
Laptop power level: 58%
Temperature in the house:
Status: Hotter and sweatier
Tony is home with dinner and ice and drinks and another battery operated fan. He tells me I have to help bring everything in. I help and am feeling very bitter. He got to sit in an air conditioned car and go to an air conditioned store. I got to sit in a hot house and sweat. Very very bitter. Hey! Why do the neighbors across the street have power? I think Tony will call the power company again soon.
Current time: 11:33pm
Laptop power level: 55%
Temperature in the house: 81 degrees
Status: Enjoying the fan
Tony called the power company and they said it should be back on around midnight. Counting down the minutes. Something about a cable under the pavement whatever. Eliana is crying off and on, but I can’t tell if I should go back there. I have a battery operated monitor, but I am a useless parent without my video monitor. Must learn to rely on that less or never ever lose power. I pick the second one. Blackberry lets me visit the internet, but takes forever to load. Also, tiny screen. Time to check on the baby.
Current time: 11:53pm
Laptop power level: 52%
Temperature in the house: 81 degrees
Status: Kissing the fan’s feet. Love the fan.
Eliana was thirsty. Remedied with half a sippy of water. Possibly asleep. Can’t be sure without the video monitor. 5 minutes until midnight. I have very little faith in the power company. I don’t think they’re going to make it. Thinking of ditching the house for an air conditioned hotel. Maybe a cool shower. I don’t function well when I’m hot. I tend to whine like a 3 year old. I might cry. Send ice.
Current time: 12:05am
Laptop power level: 45%
Temperature in the house: 81 degrees
Status: Hot, tired, and bored
I kick spider solitaire’s ass. The power is still off. They lie. I hate liars and lack of power. Would not have made it in the olden days. Tony and I are going to play cards. I hope the power comes back on before I die of heat crankiness. Send more ice.
Current time: 1:00am
Laptop power level: 42%
Temperature in the house: 81 degrees
Status: Hot and tired and hot
Tony called again and they don’t know anything. They never know anything. Tony is mad and says things like “displeased” and “do your job”. It makes me giggle when Tony gets mad. I remembered a way to keep cool from my no power for a month straight on Guam days. Cool, damp washcloth on the head and neck. Much much better. Going to try to sleep now.
Current time: 2:43am
Laptop power level: Charging
Temperature in the house: 81 degrees and declining
Status: happy and sleepy
The power is back on. I woke up because my fan came on. I woke Tony up too to tell him. We are happy people. Back to sleep.
Happy Blogoversary!
Is that how you spell “blogoversary”? I mean, I know it’s not a real word and all, but if you were to spell it, is that how you’d spell it?
A year ago today I started a for real blogger blog. I had been blogging a little on Myspace, but I don’t even know if that counts since it’s Myspace and I’m older than 14. I think I moved to WordPress in October, but I’m counting today as my blogoversary. Yay for me!
I considered doing a list of my favorite posts. The biggest problem there is that I didn’t write my favorites, and I don’t steal. So I guess that’s out. Am I supposed to do something memorable and special? Reflect on how I’m changed and grown, maybe? Eh. I’m the same.
I must say I’m surprised I made it this long. I get very into something, invest time and money into it, and drop it a week later. Just ask Tony. There was scrapbooking, glass painting, stamping, knitting, sewing (though I haven’t started that yet). Well, you get the point. I’m sure he thought the same would happen to this little blog. To be honest, it’s probably come close to biting the bullet a few times. I get insecure and wonder why anyone would bother reading anything I have to write since it’s all stupid and I never get it out right anyway. There are so many talented writers out there that could crush me with their space bar. So I take a break and stop writing and wallow in my insecurity. Then I come back because Eliana did a funny something or I need to complain or, I dunno, maybe I broke a nail or something. Something draws me back and I keep going.
I can’t help but wonder what I’ll be blogging about this next year. What blogs will I stumble across and start reading. Who’ll stumble across this little blog and stay awhile?
I can’t wait to find out!
Kick kick kick!
Since Tony is home all the time now, we needed something to fill it up. There’s not really a lot of activities offered around here for babies, but we found out the community center does swim lessons. So we signed Eliana up for 2 weeks, 4 days a week.
She’s been swimming a couple of times and did pretty well in the water. I wasn’t too worried about her freaking out. Most of the class was dumb. The ages ranged from 5 months to 19 months old. They gave us little plastic balls and tried to have the babies blow the ball through the water. Uh. Yeah, right. The child couldn’t even blow out her birthday candle. I tried, but she just looked at me like I was an idiot, picked up the ball and put it in her mouth.
We also tried to teach them to blow bubbles in the water. Once again, no. Not gonna happen and I get the “idiot” look again. She did fine floating on her belly, but wasn’t interested in kicking. She hated floating on her back, didn’t fuss if she could lean against us (Tony and I took turns being the parent in the pool). She LOVED jumping in. Well, she didn’t really jump in as much as step in. But she had a huge smile on her face the whole time. And then at the end we all get in a circle and sing songs. It’s very cheesy.
But Eliana liked it. So I guess it was worth it.
**Side note: OMG I am so glad it’s over. The only class was right smack dab in the middle of nap time, and we all know that does not equal a happy baby. We are all damn lucky she didn’t scream the entire time. Also, I really like being able to nap in the mornings again.
Snip Snip
The child has some crazy hair. You’ve seen it. It’s all over and especially in her face. I wanted to wait until she turned one to have it cut and oh look! she’s one, so it was time. I looked online for a place to take her and couldn’t find anything that said “we can cut your child’s hair while their head is bobbing all over the place and we won’t make them cry and also we won’t chop their ears off.” Why does no one advertise this way?
When we left the house, I decided we just wouldn’t do it. I’d keep putting a bow in and she’d just learn to live with her hair in her eyes. I’m sure that’s not why she’s been falling so much lately. And anyway, she’s a girl and she’s supposed to have long hair.
So we went on our merry way to have some lunch and oh look! there’s a place called “Happy Cuts” right next to our lunch place. It’s like fate or something. So we might as well check it out.
There were a ton of kids inside and after a little while, they called Eliana. The lady took her to a seat that looked like a motorcycle. She took our picture for the “before” shot.
Notice the shaggy craziness that is her hair.
Then she started cutting. Eliana did really well with this part. She was more interested in grabbing at her apron and trying to steal the comb. She only got upset for a second about half-way through because she wanted down.
After it was all over, they gave us a certificate and a lock of her hair. I think she did a great job. I asked for her bangs to be trimmed and the sides to be cleaned up, but to keep the curls. I didn’t want her to lose her baby-ness. It turned out pretty well and I’m sure Eliana is glad to get the hair out of her face.
Just one more “first” gone.
Georgiaaaaa
(You know. Like the song.)
I had a teacher in high school that would sing that every time someone said “Georgia”. She was shaped like a triangle and I think there was more than coffee in her cup.
Ahem.
I mentioned our trip to Georgia to visit Coty and then never brought it up again. I had every intention of doing a full on “lookie what we did” blog filled with pictures of 2 adorable babies. But I never got to it. Mostly because, you know, Eliana went and turned one and then we had to celebrate that and get pictures taken and go visit the doctor and I was very tired. So I know it was a month ago and all, but look! pictures!
This is me and Coty. She will probably hate that I picked this picture of us since she thinks she looks like crap in this one. And to that I say, “Karma!” The picture she posted of us makes me look like crap. It all evens out.
The babies took baths together. It’s hard washing 2 babies at once. Especially when we’re trying to take pictures and convince them to not cry. Isnotsoeasy, actually.
Nothing will be in order. There are 1,412 pictures from the visit. I’m not exaggerating. They’re all jumbled and I don’t feel like figuring it all out. You don’t care anyway.
We met up with another July mommy and went to the Jacksonville Zoo. Eliana was sick that day, so some parts didn’t go as well as they could. Not as bad as it could have been though.
The zoo had a carousel. Eliana did not love it (cuz she was sick).
The zoo also had a little kiddie splash park.
Eliana also did not love that (cuz she was sick).
At least she wasn’t miserable the whole time.
We also fed the giraffes, but flickr seems to have eaten those pictures.
While we were there, Charlie turned one! He had a great birthday party. The kids loved it!
And of course the grown-ups got to hang out.
Coty and I even managed to escape for an evening for a pedicure and dessert!
We actually did a bunch more, but holy cow I’m so tired. We had so much fun and I can’t wait until Coty and Charlie come visit.
This is what rots my brain
I know I have blogs that need to be written. My Georgia trip, for instance. And I want to write it all out. It’s just. The pictures. There are so so many. And I’d have to copy and paste until my mouse falls over dead. So I’ve been putting it off. I’ll get to it. Really. I promise.
Today, you get a list! Lists are fun! So this week:
TV shows that live in my TIVO
1. Jon and Kate plus 8- Those kids are so cute.
2. Dogfights- This belongs to Tony
3. Hogan’s Heroes- Also, Tony
4. House Hunters- I love picking my favorite and yelling at the buyers when they don’t agree. Tony watches this with me. It reassuring that we usually choose the same one.
5. Ground Breakers- See #4 only with landscaping
6. Army Wives- I just added this today. I’ve only seen it off and on, but I thought maybe I’d give it another go.
7. Supernanny- This just mostly makes me feel like an awesome mom. And it gives me ideas about what to do when I am not an awesome mom.
8. The Moment of Truth- Because I love the nail-biting, embarrass your momma kinda drama.
9. Signing Time- For Eliana. Because she will watch it and shush you if you try to talk when she’s watching. And that may be the cutest thing ever.
10. Gene Simmons Family Jewels- They crack me up.
11. Survivorman- Just in case I’m stuck in the woods and I need to know which bugs to eat.
There are a few shows I would like to live in my TIVO, but my cable company kinda sucks. So I don’t get Bravo. Yes, I am quite sad.
Why do I do this to myself?
In case you didn’t already know, I’m a big big chicken.
I hate being home alone at night because I’m sure someone is going to break in a do horrible things like make me wash dishes by hand. When Tony was deployed I would sleep with a lamp on. I’m not afraid of the dark, but I figure if my light is on, “they’ll” think I’m awake and just go pick a sleeping victim. I am constantly playing out scenarios in my head. I always plan my escape route ahead of time. I picture grabbing my phone, running to Eliana’s room and climbing out her window where we run to the neighbor’s and bang on their door. I don’t know why I grab my phone. Maybe it’s just in case the neighbors don’t answer and I need to order pizza.
This isn’t really news to me. I’ve been this way for a long time. So I don’t know why I would watch a scary-ish movie after midnight. I know it’s gonna give me a creepy feeling at least until morning and maybe make it hard to fall asleep. And once I start watching, I can’t stop. There has to be a resolution. A happy ending. A funny sitcom to follow that will maybe make me less chicken.
For the record, the movie was Disturbia. Don’t laugh at me and we shall never speak of this moment again.
