Archive for July 2007

Monday, July 30, 2007

Weekend without Fluff

  • Out to dinner on Friday. Mexican. Tried someplace new. Just OK.
  • Butterfly exhibit at our Botanical Gardens on Saturday. Vance loved the fish in the ponds.
  • Overall, not too many butterflies. Kept comparing it to the Butterfly House in STL.
  • But still, a good time.
  • While Vance napped, Justin and I washed the screens, windows, and @*!%* blinds on the lower level of the house. Would have done all, but Vance woke up early from his nap.
  • Will never outfit a house in wood blinds again. Have so many better things to do than dust blinds.
  • Drove to a little town to check out the hype. It's Troll Capital of the US and has a Mustard Museum. What else do you need?
  • On the way home realized I was out of balsamic vinegar - it's a staple at our house - and had to make a detour to Williams Sonoma to get more.
  • Two more stops later, one to the meat market and one to the grocery store, we were ready to head home to make dinner.
  • Beautiful weekend here. Ate outside and chatted with neighbors. Again, it was just the 4 of us outside that night. No other neighbors to be seen. Where is everyone??? Get outside and enjoy this weather! It's not going to last that much longer!
  • Justin golfed on Sunday morning.
  • Went to the grocery store late in the afternoon and will never do that again. Ever.

Bullets off for a moment. This isn't our normal grocery store. It's like a Super Wal-Mart of food stores. It's employee owned, not a lot of frills, and a cheaper place to shop. Kind of like Sam's, but without the oversized bulk items. I'll only go if Justin goes with. It's that overwhelming. I'm sure Sunday afternoon isn't the smartest time to be going if crowds aren't your thing, but that's how it worked out.

  • Made kabobs for dinner. Nice change for us. Don't think we've ever made them.
  • Nothing like meat on a stick to add excitement to your night.
  • Were going to go to a ski show that goes on every week here, but missed it again.
  • Maybe next weekend.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Exciting News!

I'm proud to announce that I've opened an Etsy store! Etsy.com is a site where people can sell their handmade items. This is all new to me, so my site is a little boring right now. Hopefully over the weekend I can do more to make it my own. I have only listed one thing so far, but will be adding more things soon. More cards, birthday signs, and other handmade items.

Check it out: 1420designs.etsy.com

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, July 26, 2007

MIS WIS



Guess who I was parked next to yesterday?

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Up to now, Vance's world has been closed to condiments. As long as I've been offering them, he's been refusing them.

Funny, he's always been into dipping though. He likes to "bip" his chicken in the cottage cheese, etc. When I tell him we're going to eat lunch with Daddy he starts singing, "Bip, bip, bip". Because he knows that most likely we'll be going to Chipoltle, again, and he'll get to "bip" in the guacamole.

There's a plus here. Meal times are that less messier. It's so easy to present a waffle to him, knowing the only thing he wants you to do to it is tear it in half. No butter, no syrup. Same goes with ketchup and BBQ.

Until a few weeks ago.

It started with a little syrup on his pancakes and now we're coating ketchup on chicken nuggets and hot dogs. He excitedly tells me over and over, "I like kesup!".

Right now he dips everything on his plate in ketchup. I've tried telling him that he doesn't need to do that and have directed him on what to dip in what, but I think it's one that he's going to have to figure out on his own. If he really feels the need to dip his grapes and green beans in ketchup, who am I to tell him he can't?

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

I was excited about this the other day and totally forgot to mention it...

I frequently shop online and the shipping charge always gets to me. Last month I ordered something from Crate and Barrel and the $14.00 shipping and handling fee just about killed me.

I ordered face stuff from Murad last week and saw that the shipping charge was going to be $7.00. Before I bought I did a quick Google search for "Murad Coupons and Codes" and found a promotional code for free shipping. And it actually worked! Saved $7.00!

Maybe this is old hat for everyone else, but it's a new practice for me and I thought I'd pass it along.

Yes, Vance locked me out last Friday.

We were playing nicely, having a wonderful time coloring at his little table outside. As it often happens, something snapped and he started screaming about an alligator. Confused, knowing nothing about the said alligator, I carry him inside to figure out what he's wanting. Guess my ignorance pissed him off because when I ran back outside to grab the phone that I had left on the patio table, he locked the back door. I'm fuming at this point and having to ask a 2 year old to "unlock the door and let Mommy in" in my best June Cleaver voice did not help. It also did not help that he was grinning from ear to ear. (It's a glass door.)

It's a good thing he knows how to unlock the doors as well.

Better start hiding keys outside just to be safe.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Weekend Highlights

Friday

  • Learned the hard way that Vance can lock the doors
  • Casually went to the book store not knowing it was Harry Potter Day

Saturday

  • Went to the County Fair. Vance loves to see animals, but wants no part in petting them
  • Neighbor that we talk to the least dropped by a piece of our mail that was in their box by mistake and mentioned that this usually happens at least once every week...This has been the first time she has physically walked the mail over. What is she doing with our mail?
  • Spent a lot of time outside - the weather is beautiful here
  • Edited to add: Saw JT's Dick in a Box skit on SNL. I had heard how funny it was but had never seen it. Justin and I both thought it was hilarious!

Sunday

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Took a walk and more playing outside

Again, the weather couldn't be better here. We dined al fresco Saturday and Sunday and were amazed that others weren't doing the same. The people to our left were out on Saturday, but that's it. Where are all these people? (We're pretty much packed in like sardines in this neighborhood. We can see many patios from ours.) They should be enjoying this weather! I was almost compelled to grab the video camera and take a panoramic shot to prove it. Oh well, their loss. It was a nice weekend. Hope yours was too.

And a big shout out to Mr. Carter who is turing the big 2 today! Happy Birthday buddy!

Friday, July 20, 2007

Population: Not Too Many

Last night we visited the "Sundaes on Thursdays at the Gazebo" in our little town. Ice cream is sold for $1.50 and you get to add your own your toppings. I don't know why but I thought my dad would get a kick out of that.


Reminds me of the story when Mark was still playing ball and my parents flew out to help my sister drive back home from the west coast. It's been a long time - was it even the west coast? It was somewhere far away. It was the end of baseball season, so there was a ton of stuff to bring back, including a bike, a dog, and a child. Ryan was there, wasn't she? Anyways, they had to stop and stay the night in some small town and chose the hotel because it was the only one that allowed dogs. The hotel lobby featured a Pantry where you could shop using the honor system. You wrote down what you took on a provided form and left it there and it was charged to your room. This excited my dad immensely and he bought a can of Dinty Moore stew and I'm sure numerous other snacks. I can't look at a can of Dinty Moore without laughing now.

I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when that group checked in. A mom, a dad, a questionably young looking daughter with a baby of her own, a dog, bike, and luggage came rolling in. That, my friends, is another post worthy of itself.

Getting back on track. Usually some type of band plays music while people are enjoying their sundaes, but last night it was dancers. The weather was perfect and it was a nice small-town night.


Thursday, July 19, 2007

Appleshashe



This is absolutely adorable. A giant cupcake cake.
Kind of goes against the whole cupcake theory, though. Small and single serving.
But it does embrace the idea that making things extremely big, or extremely small for that matter, is fun.
Exactly why I carry a miniature rubber chicken in my wallet.

Daisy has broken me and I'm ashamed to admit I've caved. Two days ago I went to her doctor and bought 3 cans of food for her. The total came to $8.25. I imagined that once she got a little food in her stomach she'd start feeling better and start eating her dry food again. The canned food was supposed to be supplemental.

That is not how it's going. I'm really confused about the whole situation. Every now and again she will eat her dry food if she's hand fed. (Vance finds this hilarious.) But she will not eat it out of her bowl. I've done all kinds of experiments to find out why and nothing has brought me to a conclusion yet.

Holy crap, right now Daisy just went over and took a bite of her dry food! I'm afraid if I move she'll stop. I don't believe it! Ok, it was just one bite, but at least it's a start.

Shifting gears, Vance woke up 2 hours earlier today than he did yesterday. Mama was not ready for that. He's demanded that we go to the playground every other minute since he's been up. I've spent the minutes in between explaining that the playground is still sleeping. Around 7:30 he told me he wanted to take a nap. About 30 minutes ago he was listening to the Hokey Pokey on his MyPod, trying to get Daisy to put her right paw in. It's going to be a long day for everyone around here.

Must go and fight the madness.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

What's For Dinner? Pork Chops alla Pizzaiola

Last night I made Giada's Pork Chops alla Pizzaiola. I've made this twice now and each time it's been really good. I would stick to the recipe and use the bone-in chops. I've tried it with a different cut and it wasn't as good. Here's the link for the recipe, give it a try and let me know if you do!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

I think I really like Katie Holmes' hair. Hmmm....wonder If that'd work for me???

Daisy is doing a little better each day. My only complaint is that she's not eating. She wants nothing to do with HER food. I felt sorry for her yesterday and I made her scrambled eggs and she wolfed those down. So, I know she's hungry but just not sure why she doesn't want her food.

Vance is not doing too much eating either. He's always been a good eater, so it's driving me that much more insane. And he's cranky. Normally I'd say, "Fine! Don't eat!" but crankiness is a side effect of being hungry in this family. (He gets that from his daddy) He asks for certain foods, I deliver them, and he takes a bite, spits it out, and says, "I don't like it". But, of course, he wants all the food he can't have...cookies, chocolate milk, etc.

Maybe Daisy and Vance are in cahoots. Both holding out for better food. I'll let you know if they start forming picket lines and making signs about the management.

Vance goes back to the doctor today. When we went back last time, only his right ear had totally cleared up, so we're going back to see how Ol' Lefty is doing today. I'm secretly hoping that it hasn't cleared up so I can blame all this crankiness and bad behavior on the ear in question. I really doubt that's going to be the case.

I knew the Terrible Two's were around the corner, I just didn't expect them to show up one day, unannounced, and with a suitcase big enough for a years worth of clothes.

Monday, July 16, 2007

So, we're outside eating dinner on Friday night when I see a young couple on a walk. I get excited because I haven't seen them before (could be new to the neighborhood and potential friend material) and they're each pushing a stroller (great! they have kids too!). But, wait...those aren't normal strollers...Holy crap, they're pushing their pets!

They had one dog stroller, kind of like Tori's and one double decker cat contraption, kind of like the picture, but theirs was bright pink. (I'm thinking they made the cat one themselves because I couldn't find a picture of it on Google, and come on, you can find everything on Google.) I guess if I had a handicapped dog I might consider this. And, OK, the dog stroller isn't that unusual looking. But cats? Are you serious? That contraption is just silly and awkward looking. I'm not a cat lover, but even if I was one and had cats, there would be no way in hell that Justin would walk two steps out the door with me, pushing that. I have so much else to say about this, but not enough time...Crap.


Sunday, July 15, 2007

7/14/07

For the record, I just wanted to mention that Vance said his first curse word yesterday and he did not hear it from his mother's mouth. It was Daddy who influenced our little baby to speak so colorfully.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Friday Freebies

Friday Freebies!

Haven't even checked them out yet...hopefully there's some good ones this week. Sucky ones last week, didn't even bother to remind everyone.

Daisy Update


Daisy's condition still hasn't changed. The Vet thinks she has Old Dog Vestibular Disease. They don't know what causes it and it's one of those "wait and see" things.

It messes with their coordination, balance, and spacial awareness - so, Daisy feels like she's going 'round and 'round and has no idea which way is up. She has a hard time getting around, her head hangs to one side, and her eyes constantly twitch upwards.

The good news is that most dogs recover with time. I read today that it's important for dogs to be in a calm environment while they recover from this. Unfortunately for Daisy, Vance picked yesterday to start acting like a real 2 year old. Sean Connery Jr. was running around this morning, drum stick in hand, singing, "Appleshashe! Appleshashe!" No idea why, just 'cause.
Every day Daisy should be feeling a little bit better. If not, back to the Vet she goes on Monday.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Friday the 13th visited us a day early today.

Vance was off his rocker all day long. One continuous melt down all day long. I'll spare the details.

Our Daisy Fuentes is sick. Long story short she's had some kind of stroke or seizure. The Vet did blood work, nothing wrong with her liver, kidneys, or blood, so just waiting on the tox screens. Have another appointment tomorrow morning. She's sleeping now, thanks to the Valium they gave her. She's regained movement in her back legs, but still having trouble getting around. You can tell she's really dizzy, her head looks like one of those bobble head figures. Please send good thoughts her way!

Someone remind me later to talk about the Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies that Vance and I made today.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

This is one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time.

Random

It's a beautiful day here.

(My mind is totally not working today. I first typed "heer". Delete, delete. Then typed "hear". Crap. Delete, delete.)

No humidity, high 70's.

We started the day with a dip in the pool and playing in the backyard, then headed out for a walk, ending up at the playground. During the weekdays the neighborhood is like a ghost town. No one in sight. While at the playground I notice a car pull up, so I'm excited that I might have another adult to chat with. Yea.

Vance is in the height of his social awkwardness. Loves to be around other kids, but chickens out when they approach him, thus clinging to me like wet clothes. When his grip can be loosened he stares. Stands and stares. Like a statue. While I'm stuck there in the middle of it all. I try my best to get him going again, but it's awkward for all parties.

Anyways, I wasn't sure at first if Isaac and his mommy spoka de english. Turns out they did (gotta love a bilingual 2 year old) and they were in the process of moving from the East coast to the West coast and stopped here in the middle to see grandparents.

Isaac was dressed in jeans, a long sleeved T-shirt, and a floppy bucket hat that hid his face. So was his mom. I overheard her say to him that it was almost time to get going because the sun was getting a little too hot to be outside.

It was 10:30.

I'm dressed in running shorts and a tank top, Vance in shorts, a T-shirt, and sunglasses. I will state for the record that we were both wearing sunscreen.

I'm thinking there has to be a good reason why they were so covered up. Was the little boy on a certain medicine that doesn't mix well with sun? Did a family member have skin cancer? Or are they just overly cautious about everything? If so, I'm wondering how these people live their daily lives? Hmmm...just something else to think about.

Zona

As I mentioned earlier, it is a dry heat. And I wasn't kidding about the whole leg hair singeing thing either. That's what it feels like when walking across asphalt mid-day when it's 116 degrees out. There was almost always a breeze, which made it worse because it's hot wind coming at you.

Besides the heat, we had a great time in Scottsdale. The Resort was absolutely beautiful, in fact I only took 6 pictures while there, and they were all of the room. Think of a modern Westin hotel, but expanded into a villa. And everywhere you go the Westin smell is filtered in. It's very light and clean, and very much for sale. Your home can smell like the Westin too! and only for a small fee! I'm trying to find a way to fit this into the budget. I was hoping that when we got home and unzipped our luggage that it would still have the smell, but no. Just smelled like airplane.

We didn't do too much while out there. Which is fine by us, because with Vance, we're always doing something and that something is never usually what we really want to be doing. We saw two movies, had lots of pool time, and did lots of eating. Had a few cocktails and watched the bagpiper wander around the golf course. The bagpiper, Mike, lovely Scot he is. I wonder if there is a diffrence between Irish and Scottish bagpiping? Hmmm...something to Google later. We wanted to climb Camelback and see Frank LLoyd Wright's Taliesin, but we'll do that next time.

Next time??? Yes. We liked it so much that we have bought another week out there. So, sometime in the next 18 months we will be visiting Arizona again, but hopefully not in the summer, dry heat and all.

P.S. Happy Birthday Leaf!

Monday, July 09, 2007

Baby Need...

Vance started to verbally communicate his wants and needs many months ago.

At first they were very basic, for example,"Baby tired".

Then it was, "Baby need juice".

He told me this morning that "Baby need cossee" (coffee) and "Baby need back beans" (black beans) at lunch.

Wonder what he'll want for dinner...

And yes, he still refers to himself as Baby in the third person.


Vance (not enjoying himself at all) at the Chicago Children's Museum

Friday, July 06, 2007

we're back.

it is a dry heat.

a dry heat that will singe the hairs right off your legs.

more to share, but later.

enjoying the weather, wine, and company right now.

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Chicago, Day Two

started out with breakfast at the west egg. good food and fast service - wonderful when eating with kiddos.

headed down to navy pier and spent hours in the children's museum. i believe everyone enjoyed themselves, what a cool place! walked around the pier for a bit, until it was time to head back for vance to take a nap. looked like a movie was being filmed there because there was a huge green screen and roped off areas. we couldn't have asked for better weather.

ate dinner at the rainforest cafe. vance was thoroughly scared by the whole experience. pretty much sat on my lap the whole time in a hugging position. got back to the hotel and he was energetic vance again. decided he wanted to eat dinner that we brought home for him and acted like a clown for the rest of the evening. tried to see the fireworks from the hotel but too many buildings in the way.

vance fell asleep a few minutes ago as did justin. tomorrow we're heading out to shedd's aquarium, will grab lunch somewhere, and will head home hopefully around noon or so. must make it home in time to do laundry, pack, and pick up daisy. leaving early monday for the desert and all its dry heat.

late.

 

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