RN kimbo / the naughty nurse

"Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don't worry...I'm here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you." -Charlie Brown to Snoopy/[RN Kimbo to Emz]

This post is for my dear friend "Kimbo".  A post I've dreamt of writing for nearly two years. 

We have a bit of a volatile history.  Why?  I'd say mostly because of this one word:  competitiveness.

Not like "I want what you have" / keeping up with the Jones's kind of competitive.  but like this,  this [where I actually had to remove her comment it made me so mad], this, this, & this competitive.  She's pretty great.  Four kids.  Crazy [like crazy amazing hiker {rim to rim anyone?!}], great cook, a nurse [like in real life] and training for her second marathon in October.

But, you know what?  I don't even want to think about what I would have done without her these past few weeks.

I adore you RN Kimbo.

“Friends are like bras: close to your heart and there for support.” - I am sporting the best bra ever.

Who's your "bra"?

98 and ¾ percent guaranteed

And will you succeed?


Yes! You will, indeed!

(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
 
*I just love these lines [above] from Dr. Seuss's "Oh! The Places you'll go!"
 

I mean seriously, if you ever want to try and make sense of a struggle in your life . . . read a children's book.  I'm thinking this would be a pretty great book to read every morning before even getting out of bed.
 
I'll surely be reading this Saturday night before my marathon.
 
Here are my favorite parts [parts that are most pertinent to me today]
 

Today is your day.

You’re off to Great Places!

You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.

Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’t.

Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.

You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are, then, that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And if you go in, should you turn left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind? Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.

I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone!

Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.

You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?

Yes! You will, indeed!

(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you’ll move mountains!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So…get on your way!

it's a cruel....cruel summer

I know.

"Duh, EMZ, you live in Arizona"

Seriously, I dread running into anyone outdoors lately for fear they'll want to stop and chat [outside].  I've lived here my whole life [college and all] so why the heck does it always seem like such a shock when it's so hot, come summer?

Clothes stick to my skin.  Beads of sweat appear in places I'd rather not mention.  And by the time my car finally cools down I'm at my destination and I have to step out into the fiery furnace, yet again.  I hate suffering through these three months of sticky thigh sweat.

But this wasn't always the case.

I remember being a hot [like hot and stinky] 9-12 year old when hot days called for a Popsicle lunch and a 3pm crystal-light lemonade stand.

The outfit 6 out of 7 days was a bathing suit and jelly sandals [with yummy brown foot sweat].  The look was "burned white girl with freckles".  I rushed through daily chores, like a tornado.  Then I'd wait, while watching the Smurfs, for Shauna, Melissa, Amy, Brooke or Melody to call with the question. . . . . . . .

"can you come over and swim?" [we didn't have a pool]  Sprinkler under the trampoline . . . YES.  Pool . . . No.

So, I was off, like dirty chonies.  On my blue banana seat bike to any friend's place that would take me. 

We'd sometimes hop from house to house.  If we needed money . . . we'd go to the Harward's ---- they always had crazy amounts of change lying around.  awesome.  If we needed food right then ----- the Pierson's [she bought all the good name brand stuff and let us sit sopping wet on her couch].  We went to the Westover's if we wanted a gourmet lunch with little pieces of parsley in our ham sandwiches.  No joke.  But never allowed inside until we were violently dry. [I get it now, Mrs. W.]

We'd play right up until dinner time then plead beg to have each other stay for dinner.  [after figuring out who's mom was making the sweetest meal.]

These were the best days and nights of my life.

When the biggest stress was thinking about who's mom was going to fork out $2 to let us each get a snack at the Apollo pool.  No stress.  No drama.  No worries.  Just letting each day pass with freeze tag and jump or dive contests.

I'd donate my ROTH IRA to go back - for just one more day.

guest blogger [the very peanut, herself]

Yes it is, I, the awesomeness!

Here are some of my favorite things.

1.Mom and dad
2.All of my aunts and uncles AND THE AWESOME NANA AND PAPA!
3.My dogs and Jet [Of course]!And don't forget Bakers hamster that he used to have.
4.The Stardoll, Monster High, and MOSHI MONSTERS websites!You should go on these websites!REALLY COOL!!! If your a girl.

[moshi monsters above]

Favorite color: Blue
My favorite place to eat is Chito Banditos.
If I could chage my name my name would be Taelyn.
Where whould I live if I could live anywhere? New Zealand.
My favorite sports are Volleball, Tennis and Basketball.
NOT FOOTBALL!
My favorite subject in school is reading.
My favorite shoes are Converse!
My favorite song is "Magic" by B.O.B
- PEANUT

got trials?

{This post . . .I have deleted and started and then started once again. I am not one who enjoys WRITING a less than upbeat post. But [a possible "sorry" to you readers] I need this today. For me.}



got trials?


"Life is the only art that we are required to practice without preparation, and without being allowed the preliminary trials, the failures and botches, that are essential for training." - Lewis Mumford

I have long spoken of my amazement of the human heart.

I am continuously reminded that the driving force of my anatomy is spectacular - both in matter and metaphor. I see the contrast daily when I step on and off my treadmill.


The past few weeks have taught me, it is fragile yet determined. It is simple yet oh so complex.


I know the "book facts" on the heart. I took superfluous [points for anyone who can name the movie that made that word slightly more usable] amounts of anatomy courses.......It is a chamber that pumps red and white blood cells, beating two and a half billion times in an average lifetime . . blah....blah...blah.... but where is the book, the class, pace recommendations, the instruction manual on the metaphorical & emotional function of this organ?


I am grateful for my gift of life - it is magnificent through every small and not so small heartbreak and certainly every triumph and trial.


I am grateful for my strong sense of self, my destination & my goals in life. I firmly believe I do not walk this path alone, and I am thankful for the confidence and comfort that instills even on the toughest of days.

I am grateful for my family and friends - I deeply love each and every one of them, for they make my life experience infinitely richer.

And my daughter . . . . she gets her own shout out. I mean, come on, how can she not rock my world?!

you've got a friend in me

I'm not high maintenance.


My toenails are naturally purple 6 months a year. My last manicure was in 2008. And my commitment to daily leg shaving ended in 1992. Make-up is more of a passing interest than a normal routine. And don't get me started on my "eyebrow upkeep". That's a whole other post.

But the hair - the hair

My name is Emily and I consistently schedule my salon appointments.
I schedule for some version of a highlight (full/partial/brushlight) two months in advance on or around the 12th of each month.

I am a bit OCD about my need to be shlaquered [yes, it's a word] in bleach and aluminum foil.

I have had the same hairdresser for 10 years. She moves locations....I move with her. When she says "jump" i jump. Then something happened [little thing we call life] and she said, "I'm quiting" [stopping doing hair sounds nicer doesn't it?!]and whammo .. I need a new hairdresser [and psychologist/councilor] STAT.  I love you J.N.!

So how'd it go? Somehow . . . . Fabulous.  "HH" is an adorable 25 year old, blonde. As she combed through my hair, sectioning out different clumps and pinning them up in hair clips. She was careful to comb slowly so as to not tug on my super thick fine blonde mane and sweetly streaked tendrils.


She was young - "HH".  A head full of thick golden blonde [of course, natural] hair and a fringe of platinum highlights just around the hairline. She spoke fondly of her mom & boyfriend.

And I thought she was cool.

Then she said she was so happy her boyfriend was awesome because her girlfriends "completely suck". She went on to say, "I do wish I had some really great girlfriends."


I sighed.

If I had met her a year and a half ago I would have marched right in with my, "I know girlfriends can be rough" comments - and that's when I did what I do best . . . went to blonde-land where I act like I am listening but I am so NOT "there". I started thinking about my friends.


I told her I used to wish for that very same thing when I was her age [no, I'm not 84 but 25 seems a while ago] - and I've since learned that they [new friends] are worth seeking out. I explained how I now have friends I'd certainly call "friends" [even in the blogging world] that I just simply adore. I would help them out in any way I possibly could. They are "loyal". And loyal, is BIG with me.

And that's when she asked it.

How old are you?

33, I replied.

"Wow. Well you don't look your age," she said without a thought or hesitation [well, I suppose the thought of her upcoming tip COULD have crossed her mind].

As much as I wanted to ask what 33 "looked like", I refrained.

Instead, I said what I felt.


My "friends" will always [first and foremost] be my family & God. AND [not BUT] lately I am finding just how much joy, fun, laughter & support can be offered by friends EVEN {gasp} the girl types. Not sure how I would have made it through the last one to two years without my friends. To some I am "difficult" to others I am "easy" and to Judi, I am "too low-maintenance" [I'm sure she's going to take that one back after the lunch we had today but . . .].

To get in my car [while still at lunch destination] and get a text [she IS the world's fastest texter, I swear] saying:

You've got a friend in me.
You've got a friend in me.
If you've got troubles, I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and can see it through
Cause you've got a friend in me

[she went on with verse #2 .."bigger/stronger too" because she's like 5' and 90 lbs soaking wet]

What I love most is that she rented this movie ToyStory [#1] on Thursday night because I told her she "wasn't American if she hadn't seen it".  I'm awesome, huh?  She thought not having kids gave her a "free pass" to NOT see it.  whatever.  she [of course, loved it]

So to all my "friends" out there. I'm trying. I'm trying to be THAT friend.
*COME ON - I know you love my deer in the headlights photo.  And "no" you may not know what she was holding. ;)*

T M I

Is there such a thing?

Someone asked me recently why I blog so much about my personal life.


I talk about my "deep" thoughts [for a blonde anyway], personal confessions and other reflections in a pretty TMI manner.  More often than not, I really don't give a flying fart as to what kind of judgment my reader will "bless" me with.  This is me.  Take it or leave it.

I think this blog is more cathartic than anything. I get out all my thoughts in a place where, if someone feels so inclined, they can call me on the cement (or give me a high five, depending on the topic.)

I think it's a bit intriguing too, having just random Jane Doe out there reading things about my life. I guess I kind of like the thought that I've made my ultimate Confession to the world through Blogger. Anyone who stumbles across this blog gets the real me. I've nothing to hide & no secret agenda.
Even if I meet a fun group of people to grab a protein shake with, that would make me blissfully happy.

I also like that having a blog makes me write about my life. Even if I usually only do it 4-5 times per week. Very rarely, do I think I crank out something amusing, soul baring or thought provoking.

I guess for me, having a blog fulfills a greater need than just sitting at my desk all day listing fancy [expensive] clothes for people to buy.

That's why I do it.

I surely don't use this as a venue to write about how wonderful I am as a mom, daughter, wife or runner.  And not how clever, or how needy or how (fill in the blank here) I am.

I write about the good, the bad and the ugly, and I adore every inch [or mile] of it.

stars

stars.

I've always loved them. always. always able to see them [these days]? No. But back in the 80's? yes. from a trampoline in Glendale, AZ? yes.


I spent a lot of time outside on that trampoline. [broke a lot of bones on that #@&%~`!# thing too]. great conversations happened on that trampoline. everything from spying on "happy" [eldest sister] with one of her 86 boyfriends to breaking up with one of my boyfriends [I wasn't supposed to even have] to having my dad swear [not literally] up and down that "your arm is NOT broken!". It was.


my favorite though . . .


when I was out there with my Mom at a very early age [this is from my baby book NOT my memory] and she said, "Emily, don't you wish you could reach up and touch the stars?". I said, "I can, I can just stand on the roof.". She then explained how that was good but not quite high enough. To which I replied, "I'll just stand on Daddy's shoulder's then."

roof = not high enough


but
Dad's shoulders = I've got the stars in my hand.


My Dad.

So many things to me . . .


my example
my go-to for advice [that I need to seek more of]
my comic relief
my motivator
my favorite email spamer forwarder
my biggest cheerleader
my loudest fan
my favorite TV yeller
my favorite Laker hater
my cooking [desserts] tester
my daughter's hero
my hero
my banker
my dictionary
my stock broker [sorry Pita, he takes less risk with my portfolio] ;)
my "Obama" news reporter
my husband's best example of what a father was supposed to be like
my best blog stalker [comment? what?]
my councilor
my friend


I love you Dad.


Happy Father's Day.

loy·al

loy·al - unswerving in allegiance.

I consider myself a loyal person.

I am absolutely loyal to my Hubby [Pita].

I am loyal to my daughter.  My awesome family.  My friends.  My church.  My "ED" Treadmill.  Saucony shoes.  My Thorlo socks.  My Muscle Milk.  Heck, even my Charmin.  Yes, Charmin [toilet paper].

You know . . .

Executives at T.P. companies gather in big, fancy, glassy conference rooms to figure out how they can keep us coming back to the store for their version of the fluffy soft stuff wrapped around a little cardboard roll.

We learn loyalty to some extent growing up.  I remember shopping with my Mom.  I'd bring back Colgate tooth paste but we were buying "AIM".   I didn't ask why, I just went and got the AIM. 

I'd say, Political parties are definitely [a brand] statement of loyalty - and for me and my super-conservative house.  We were republicans.  So, I supported the Republican party when I was ohhh probably 8 years old. 

Current events can change one's loyalty too.  BP anyone?  And how many of you went running for some chili at Wendy's after the "finger" incident?!  yummy.

But for today, I am so thankful to my loyal "followers".  This blogging journey has done so much for me.  Sorry to make it all about me.  "Princess" who? [that's a whole other post]. ;)

Thank you for sharing this journey of life, of living, of running, of doing, of blogging with me.

Emz

let's make a deal

If I show you mine first.

Will you show me yours?

Grab your camera.

Open your fridge door and take two photos.

One of the inside [main] & one of the inside door.  Ahhhh, crap, Kovas do you see what I see?!

No tidying up.  No cleaning.  No hiding [unhealthy or illegal] things.

Then mention:

*a few things you like in there. 
*What you can't live without in it. 
*What you should live without that's in it currently.
*What you wish was in it.

This is my version of "cribs" - the best part.  I love when they show what's in their fridge.  WAY better than when they show their bedroom and say, "this is where it goes down".  So lame. 

Thanks for playing!

**post edit**

Ok, Melissa caught me . . . Here are my answers:

~ a few things I like:  powerade zero, muscle milk shakes and my not-so-little wedge of Stilton Cheese with tiny bits of dried apricot.


~What I can't live without:  see above oh and eggs.


~What you should live without:  see above minus eggs and soda.  And possibly the gynormous brandy glass scorpion holder on top of my fridge.


~What you wish was in it:  my mom's bran muffin batter and a chopped salad from Sammy's Wood fired Pizza.

Suggestions

Today I would like to suggest: [that looks weird, hope I spelled that right]

1.  That you take a moment to enjoy something little.  Maybe buy some flowers when you are at the store.  Take 5 extra minutes and actually taste your lunch.  Look at a loved one when they don't see you looking. [what do you love most about them?] maybe their scorpion collection?! ;)

2.  Be this happy at some point today.  Okay, you don't have to look as stupid as me doing it, but do it!  Smile.  Smile big.

3.  And if your Hubby got your TV up and running last night too.  Give him a big one of these [crowns].  Or a huge smooch.

4.  And if you went to Costco and got a bunch of these [that are going bad way too quickly].  You'll want to make these . . Lemon Raspberry Streusel Muffins.

Amazing.

Muffins:


2 cups all purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar - I use splenda

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 8 oz container of lemon yogurt

1/4 cup oil & 1/4 cup apple sauce

Grated lemon peel from one lemon

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries (do not thaw)

Topping:

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup all purpose flour

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter


Heat oven to 400 F. Grease about 16 muffin tins or line with muffin wrappers. (I also spray my wrappers with non-stick spray to help ease the removal.)

In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix well.

In small bowl, combine yogurt, oil, lemon peel and eggs. Mix well. Add to dry ingredients just until wet [I can't use the "m" word"].  Gently stir in berries. DO NOT OVERMIX.

fill to 1/2 -3/4 full.

In small bowl, combine sugar and flour. Using pastry blender or fork, cut in butter till crumbly.  Sprinkle over batter.

Bake at 400 F for 18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Happy Wednesday!

what's grosser than gross?

I'm going with these awesome photos of our "newest addition".

A very pregnant scorpion the Pita found on our back outside wall last Thursday.

Yippee, lucky us - - - they started hatching [or whatever they "do"] last night!

Don't worry, we have "normal" pets too.

Can it get any grosser?  I literally dry-heaved.

So does your hubby/spouse or significant other collect anything you wish she/he wouldn't?

I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

I loved this line in the song "pain" [by Three days grace] when I heard it this morning while running.  "I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all"

I am an emotional being.

I cry a lot.

To others I know, I present a picture of contentment. Most people would assume I am happy with the circumstances of my life, [don't get me wrong, I AM] but I attribute my disposition to something else - my awareness of how fragile life is.

Some people hide their feelings - I embrace them.

There is something so real about experiencing pure, unadulterated emotion. Don't get me wrong, I delight in the tingling warmth of joy, but I have to say, more often than not, it's the pain and sadness that remind me most of my humanity.

Sometimes its a realization - a strong sense of love for my family, an appreciation for my life and it's gifts.  Sometimes a memory will flash through my brain, other times, a simple moment of empathy.



Whatever it is, I'll take it.

I'll take that feeling and suck on it like a Werther's Original candy, wanting, hoping to prolong the experience.



I think that's one of the greatest gifts I have been given - the ability to [intensely] feel.



I feel they give me a better take on life - and that's what keeps me going.



Do you ever take the time to consider the emotional path traveled by other individuals?  The guy in front of you at the post office?  The grouchy lady at the grocery store?  Some of us are walking wounded - carrying inside the fear, heartbreak, loneliness, disappointment of diminished dreams.  Others may be full of hate & anger.


I had lunch with a new-ish friend last week.  I'd compare her to a M & M.  Slightly hard, thin, outer candy shell. . . . but once she knew she could trust me . . . she showed me a side of her that could only be described as wonderful, warm & friendly.  Her "story" hit me like a ton of bricks.  .  .  the pain she has experienced in her life.  But it is a part of her.  Who she is today.  She embraces it.

I am an emotional being.

I embrace it.

Hallelujah . . .

. . . who knocks on my door while I'm trying to bang out my 16 miler this morning?

My.  new.  best.  friend.  Mr "TNT" [NZ company] delivery guy.

Giving
me
this
back.

My L i f e!  [I know, I know, it's a sad, sad life].  so. completely. happy.

So after retrieving 16 [no joke] voicemail from [ALL boys] for Peanut.  yikes.  I started up the treadmill to finish my run.  Seriously, long runs go so much faster when you text and run.  [I'm sure this is doing really bad things for whatever "form" I have].

whatever.

I have my phone back!  Who freaking cares!

So I finished this.

Yippee!

Then, I got back to my phone.  We have photos people - - photos!

That you want to see!

Like the sweet ride we had the whole time we were there. [please remember the Pita is 6'8" without shoes].

awesome.

It was like a go-cart on wheels.  Yes, dad it got great gas mileage.

And this seriously had me rolling on the 2X2" floor of the car.

Made Pita pull over & stop the go-cart for this one.  The pita:  Em, they are just pink sheep.  Me:  just pink sheep?!? Like that's normal [tears of laughter flow].

This was sad but noteworthy.

Where the last episode of the Bachelor was filmed.  The "eagles Nest".   

Pretty sweet place.

There is just no explanation for this.

We saw 8 total while driving.  Yep, pig skins.  So.  Gross.

You know only a man would do that.  I have pig skins - hear me roar!  oink.  oink.

The trash can I loved.

I was a tidy kiwi spouse.

Well, that's all I'll bore you with today my friends.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

I'm beginning my countdown to this.

I.  Can't.  Wait!

Emz-ology

Let others know a little lot more about yourself, repost this as your name followed by “ology.”




Q. What is your salad dressing of choice?

A. Balsamic vin


Q. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?

A. Chipotle


Q. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?

A. Hana [sushi].


Q. On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant?

A. 20%



Q. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick off of?

A. carrot cake



Q. What marathon would you run if you could run ANY one you wanted?

A. NYC



Q. What are your pizza toppings of choice?

A. Canadian bacon & mushrooms



Q. What do you like to put on your toast?

A. almond butter



Q. What is your favorite type of gum?

A. The whitening kind



TECHNOLOGY



Q. Number of contacts in your cell phone?

A: if I had my cell phone, I could tell you. [ugggggg!! - Pita's sister -- PLEASE SEND IT!!!!]



Q. Number of contacts in your email address book?

A. 146



Q. What is your wallpaper on your computer?

A. This picture.  My favorite family photo. ;)

Q. How many televisions are in your house?

A. 5



BIOLOGY



Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed?

A. right



Q. What’s your best feature?

A. Well......the body part I am least unhappy with are my abs.


Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?

A. no, unless a teacher pulling Peanut off my leg at age 4 counts?!



Q. Which of your five senses do you think is keenest?

A. SMELL - without a doubt -- SMELL



Q. When was the last time you had a cavity?

A. three years ago



Q. What is the heaviest item you lifted last?

A. a filing cabinet



Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?

A. no.  I pass out pretty good on my own.



BULL[CRAP]OLOGY



Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?

A. No. I want to live for today, not tomorrow or November 14, 2014.



Q. Is love for real?

A. Absolutely.



Q. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

A. Savannah



Q. What color do you think looks best on you?

A. Blue or green but I am true to my black & white.



Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?

A. No comment.



Q. Have you ever saved someone’s life?

A. Maybe.



Q. Has someone ever saved yours?

A. In an emotional way . . . absolutely.



DAREOLOGY



Q. Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000?

A. Sure, if that street was in Waipu, NZ.  I'd only have to worry about the animals seeing me.  What?  It's still public.  It's a city!!



Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000

A. No.  way.



Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000?

A. Not after the blog-friendships I've made - no way.



Q. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?

A. ehhhh, why not.



Q. Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000?

A. Yes, If I can watch Modern Family on Hulu.com



DUMBOLOGY



Q: What is in your left pocket

A. Uh, nothing.



Q: Is Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie?

A: Abso-freaking-lutely



Q: Do you have hardwood or carpet in your house?

A: Neither.  Concrete.



Q: Do you sit or stand in the shower?

A: Umm, what kind of freak show sits in the shower?



Q: Could you live with roommates?

A: ummmm, apparently, I can.



Q: How many pairs of flip flops do you own?

A: 5 [it's AZ folks!]



Q: Where were you born?

A: Phoenix, AZ



Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: what I am today [just a better version]



Q: Who is number 1 on your top 8

A: Pita



LASTOLOGY



Q: Friend you talked to?

A: hmmmm, "talked" - I emailed Kim & Judi this morning.  Talked to would have to be my sweet Mum, last night.



Q: Last person you called?

A: My Mamma!



Q: Person you hugged?

A: The pita as he left for work



Q: Person you kissed?

A: Peanut, she just woke up.



Q: Number?

A: 4  [is there any other number?!]



Q: Color?

A: blue



Q: Season?

A: winter [winter in AZ is spring for the rest of you]



CURRENTOLOGY



Q: Missing someone?

A: Cassandra



Q: Mood?

A: sore.  [is that a mood?]  calm/quieter than normal and sore.



Q: Listening to?

A: sponge bob in the other room.  man, I hate his voice.



Q: Watching?

A. I'm not that talented.  It takes all my concentration to type.



Q: Worrying about?

A: I'd change it to "thinking about" . . . . future plans.



RANDOMOLOGY



Q: First place you went this morning?

A: funny.  McDonald's.  On Thursday's, I don't make breakfast for the Pita.



Q: What can you not wait to do?

A: Go to back to sleep tonight.  Stopped taking ambien after 2 months.  I swear I am going through detox.



Q: What’s the last movie you saw?

A: Edge of Darkness



Q: Do you smile often?

A: a lot, actually



Q: Are you a friendly person?

A: I think so.



Q: Now that the survey's done what are you going to do?

A: Hurry and get ready to get my hair done --- yippee!!



Let others know a little more about yourself, repost this as your name followed by “ology.”

You're MY brown eyed girl

Dear Peanut,

Ten years ago today . . . .There I was, a brand new mother cradling my new bundle of love. You were perfect, and so beautiful. After [what felt like] a lifetime of wondering what motherhood was all about, my moment had finally arrived. I was ready to mold and shape and inspire and do all those wonderful life-changing things mothers are to do.

But I quickly realized that you didn't want to start doing all the mother-daughter things with me just yet. You couldn't bake with me. And you weren’t ready to run or even swing on the swings. In fact, all you really wanted to do was eat, and sleep. And then eat, sleep & poop. And finally, you’d eat, and then sleep.

And there I was, alone most days in our quiet condo. Your Dad was working four days a week from 6am-6pm. So we had a lot of time to spend together. Everyday, I'd clean the house (that took all of 20 minutes.) I'd bake something. I’d clean the one VERY big window that looked out over the parking lot. I'd have our dinner plans organized by 9:00am. I'd color coordinate your baby clothes. I'd straighten your diapers...again. And again. And then I'd look out that one big window. Sigh. So much for changing the world.

One thing has certainly changed - -  you are now ten years old. You have beautiful long, brown hair and you’ve always been daddy’s little brown eyed girl. You are smart, [insanely] funny, and have a wickedly serious imagination. And I miss you everyday as you bounce off to day camp this summer.

I found a paper you wrote last month in school. Here is a portion of what it said:

"I love my Mom. My Mom has two jobs. Her first job is being my Mom. Her second job is buying a lot of clothes to sell. However, even though my Mom does very well at job #2, she does a better at job #1. HELPING ME!" And then, in her [then 9 year old] wisdom, she said, "I can help change the world by being a Mom. Mom’s teach children."

Your words pierce through me [especially today]. I think back to those simpler, condo days. How quickly time has slipped through my hands. Now, especially, as I long for the time [back] to look into your eyes without any other responsibility or interruption. As for dinner? You know, I'm usually scrambling to get it on the table by 6:30. And you certainly know I do not color coordinate your clothes. You’re lucky if I fold them!

But today as your father &I celebrate the life of you ---- my healthy, funny, talented, emotional, understanding & thoughtful Peanut. I cannot help but feel grateful. Blessed. Loved. Lucky to have you to share my life with.

You are my #1.

I am proud to be your Mom.

Happy "Double Digit" Birthday Peanut.

Love,
Your Mom
[ok, fine, and Dad too] ;)

8 days & 1 rant = not bad

Peanut:  Ummm, we're staying here?  This is no resort.

Ahhhh, my little Peanut.  Run.  Run for your life.

Oh man, how she should have begged to take that statement back.

[little info to help]

We love Priceline.  We should own stock in Priceline.  Seriously.  A resort for $55 a night?  With a flat screen tv/bubble jet bath tub/a tv to watch while in the bathtub/slides at the pools/fun little sample size offerings in the bathroom [her fav]/etc.  Love it.

Hokianga . . . . let me just say . . . .  beautiful.  amazing.  breath-taking.  they have no idea what resort means.  We were in NZ in the "off" season = great rates = happier wallet for us.  So when we found we could stay at the "resort" for an insanely great rate - we swooped it up.   Much to Peanut's dismay - this in all fairness - did look like a motel 6.

Then it hit. 

Well, his words hit. 

For like - e v e r. 
or
7 minutes that felt like the most hilarious 7 minutes I had ever witnessed. 

A father.  trying.  to.  explain.  what.  life.  was.  like.  for.  him.  growing.  up.  without.  resorts.

Rant:

"did you really just say that.  you can sleep in the car.  when I was a kid [Me - thinking-ahhhh crap, here it comes]  we didn't get to stay in hotels we were broke.  I didn't have an ipod or mp3 or napster or cable.  heck, I hardly even got to watch TV I had so many chores to do and when I did.....it was usually whatever he [step-dad] was watching and even then I just had to stand up every 2 minutes and change the channel, by hand!
 
it continued [I had to go into the bathroom at this point, sorry kid.  I was crying I was laughing so hard and it wasn't making the Pita any happier]

..... no playstation 3, no atari even!  No frogger, no mario . . . ya guess what we didn't have a computer or internet or [gasp] google?!?  no microwave popcorn [not sure what that one was about], no caller ID, no call waiting, no call declining, no voicemail, no texting, no cell phones.  No DVD's no blu-ray.  You are spoiled Peanut.  So SUCK IT UP and enjoy the resort life in Hokianga!" 

HOLY ________!

I peeked my door open to see the damage - in true Peanut fashion - her first words were.  "oooooooooo kkkkkkkkk aaaaaa yyyyyyy.  got it.  So Mom, wanna go to the beach?"

Ummm, you better believe it.  I'm outta here!

So this is how we got these sweet pictures - Peanut has a thing for flowers in her photos.  Yep, she took them.

Enjoy!

Man, I'm just happy he left out that "walking 5 miles, up hill both ways" part.