Today I might be ... "Debbie Down-er"

So - [for today] I hate my iPhone. It reminded me today at 5am [in alarm form] which I'm quite sure, I just figured out how to set 3 months ago [?] - that today was the day I was due to deliver our second child.

Why is this so hard for me? I was only 9 weeks along. Nothing in comparison to what my sister and a dear friend of mine endured. [Which is why I almost didn't even write this.] I feel like a total wimp.

But feeling like a wimp hasn't stopped me from crying [more times than I'll admit].

I can't help but think of how different my life & way of life would be so different today. goals - natural childbirth [now running a marathon]. bedrooms - baby room [now a spare room]. purse - diaper bag [now designer bag]. etc. etc.

Sorry to be "Debbie Down-er" - I'm really not "down". Emotional? Yep, but I am most days. ;) It's just amazing to me to think of the priorities in my life now compared to what they would have been had I been delivering today. However, as I write this - I am realizing - this "wake up call" was actually a great thing that happened this morning.

Just wish I could tell my phone [should there be a "next time"] - that 5pm works just as well.

Shiny happy Peanut

Guess who came out of her room all "smiles" this morning?

Any why shouldn't she be?

She . . . .

Got a sweet new scarf from Aunt Happy [check].
Found the "missing" smiley shirt [check].
Is hiding a piece of "breakfast" chocolate behind her back [check].
Did her ponytail herself [check].
Remembered it is her last day of school for three weeks [uggg ...... I mean.... check].

Happy Happy - - Joy Joy!

My [not so little] little list of "peeves"

Believe it or not [I'm actually having super a great day].

You can thank the oh so inconsiderate shopper at Nordy's for this rant. Feel free to add your best ones.

• shoppers who walk up to a rounder of clothes, get to their size then shove all the clothes over to you - so you now have 1/8" to view the clothes. Merry Christmas to you too sweetheart!


• loose hair on some one's/any one's back.


• eating off wooden utensils.


• that cars don't have "u-turn" lights/indicators.


• walking around barefoot then having crumbs on my feet --- yuck.


• people who don't use soap in the bathroom.
• That I can't read Ang's blog on my phone due to her ever changing [yet festive] DARK template.


• people who talk on their phones in the bathroom.


• people who talk on their phones at the table.


• food remnants left in the sink.


• men who wear way too much cologne.


• the smell of baby powder.


• anything "bubblegum" flavored.


• people who say, "via" - I will ship via USPS....ugggg.


• the need to combine things into one word [Brangelina, brocoflower, TomKat]


• seeing people cut their nails at red lights.


• seeing people cut their nails on the freeway.


• safeway employees.


• Home Depot


• the way my cream cheese all squirts out the butt of my bagel upon first bite.


• smelly "earthy" after a 5 minute walk to my neighbor's house [good ole' AZ dirt air].


• skinny jeans on boys/men


• men in little shorts [nope I don't care if you are a "runner" - I do not want to see your buttocks.


• When people text something mean - then chase it with a ;) or :) like that'll lessen the "blow".


• ALWAYS TEXTING IN CAPS.


• the phrase "think outside the box".
• adults who wear "Tigger" clothing.


• knuckles. Detest seeing grown men give each other "knuckles".


• people who use the phrase 110% - seriously?!? when did a 100% become NOT good enough?

It DOES actually happen Papa!

The conversation usually goes like this:

Papa: Hey Em. How are you? How's my little Sweetie? [fully knowing "sweetie" is NOT me]
Me: I'm good Dad.
Papa: Ohhhhh good. Ummmm so how's Ellie?
Me: Ya, Ya - she good. Always is.
Papa: I tell ya. That kid. She is so good. So obedient. So kind. [I've tuned out by now - I forget all the 5-7 other positive things.]
Me: Yep. I'm lucky.
Papa: You sure are. I mean - what a great kid. ..... .... [I might be ADHD as again I must have gotten bored with all the "she's great" comments.]

Don't get me wrong. He's right 99.99999% of the time. And I love that he notices what a terrific kid she is.

However, I got this attitude after school.

Mom, I feel like Cinderella. "clean up after the dog?" - ummm ya it's your dog.

"help with cookie dishes?" - yep, it's for YOUR activity days tonight.

"put away my clothes?" - shall we donate them instead?

"clean the sliding door?" - unless you want to put cling wrap all over it from your dogs nose/tongue.

Then in a [failed] attempt to make "light" of the drama I beckoned, "Cinder-Ellie, can you please sweep up the crumbs from your salami baguette sandwich since your other dog apparently won't eat a crumb smaller than a golf ball."

Total breakdown - tears .... drama .... drama .... drama ....

My little "Cinder-Ellie" at 2.

Believe it or not Papa, she does have an "off" day - once every year. ;)

buzz light-year ...space raaaaaaanger

So in my hunt for the perfect running watch, I found this:

...........if I had only known how much grief I'd incur for wearing this watch, I'm quite sure I would have purchased another. Nevermind that it is bigger than my wrist width & I can't wear it with heels [wait that might be very interesting ...... hmmmmm...... ] - I loved this monster!

Only had it 5 days and so far these are the comments I have received [family, strangers & postal workers alike]:

• star command - come in star command.
• hey - do you know where captain kirk is? [I don't even get that one.]
• what's the square root of 244?
• does that have Internet?
• does that measure air pressure/tell you weather conditions?
• are you a member of starfleet? [again, no clue]
• do you have a calculator on that thing?
• Where's K.I.T.T? [my personal fav]

Maybe I over shot [just a wee bit] on my purchase?!

m o r g a n [Chicago stealer niece]

Morgan is my ever witty, smart, beautiful, funny [ok - - hilarious] niece. She sent me these from the sleepover Peanut had with Emma-Shmemma on Friday night.

I love how you can actually sense their personalities - just from these photos.

This one was my favorite:

Don't be a hater Morgan. One day, Peanut will let you have Chicago for 3 months.

what I learned in 100 minutes

Being a "helper" in the 4th grade

• that I am "tall".
• that my cell phone has a "cool ring". - Sorry Mrs. Wenger
• that I had the "sweetest nails" - OPI "Greenwich Village" - I'll agree with this one! Who else's mom turns up in green nail polish?
• that I "look ummmm maybe 21". When do they learn age? Let me know so I don't be a "helper" from that year on.
• that I should not wear perfume.
• that I do not like seeing my Peanut look/giggle at boys. Remember Peanut, they are still gross and have cuddies.
• that I "look nothing like Peanut".
• that I "laugh like Peanut".
• that I "don't dress like a MOM". [jeans & a tee kid?! - what does your mom wear?!]
• that I spelled a word wrong. [hey brainiac - it won't be the last one either].
• that 2 boys are planning to drop off C-mas presents for my daughter. Uggg.
• that I'm better at "helping during tests". wooops.
• that most kids will be getting a good grade on their math test today. You're welcome!!
• that Mrs. Wenger has the patience of JOB.
• that I am soooooo thankful I am not a school teacher.