Sunday's In My City

As promised, more cuteness pictures. Baby Fin (and his mom!) came and visited this weekend. We all got some snuggle time and in between my schedule and naps (his, not mine), I was able to take a few cute shots. 

Adorbs! I cannot wait until they come back for Thanksgiving!!

Frag'n Friday

*What is better than the Friday of a 3 day weekend?!

*Don't forget to say a little prayer for our Veterans this weekend. Without them, I don't know where we would be. Probably still drinking tea in England.

*I took my car to the shop this week because it was making a weird noise when I pressed on the gas pedal. I listened to it for a good week before I took it in. 4 people drove it at the dealers and no one heard it. That annoys me in so many ways. They looked at me like I was a typical dumb blond.

*I know we are a ways past Halloween, but I have to share the cutest picture of my nephew. My brother is Star Wars (and Lego) obsessed, so I am pretty sure he had a large say in this outfit.

Little Chewy and his Mommy are down for the weekend, so there will probably be a few more pictures of him.

*My niece was a pretty adorable Little Miss Muffet (minus the spider!).

I know, I just saturated my post with cuteness.

*Meanwhile, I am listening to 3 teenagers getting ready to go to the new James Bond movie. Yes, I had to get you out of your cuteness coma and mention teenagers. Your welcome.

Have a wonderful weekend!

2 Weeks Until Thanksgiving (AKA: Black Friday Eve)

I have written about Black Friday before (here, here) because I love, love, love the idea of a bargain! It is not just a bargain, it is the thrill of the hunt. The Christmas music blaring, people calling each other from different stores comparing deals, the more or less happy store workers and the sales, oh the sales!

So as I have said before, my strategy is to hunker down on Thanksgiving in front of the fireplace and pour through the advertisements. I have pen, paper, glue and scissors at hand. I cut, I frantically write, I may even glue a picture of something to my list, I am at my peak of organization. I strategize on what store opens when and how I will go from one place to the other while making the most out of my time. No, I do not have all day. I go out at 5am and am home by 12. I can't even begin to think of staying later, too many people!!!

This is crazy and unheard of to some, but it works for me. It was even better when the girls were little because toys are on sale, often for less than 50%off!! Last year, I brought K. She is already raring to go again this year.

Now, yes, I could sit home on my computer and order everything online. (Boring) Or I could wait until CyberMonday and order things online (boring). I could just skip (oh the horrors) Black Friday and shop like a normal person. Yet, I like the exhilaration of being out in the crowds.

That said, this year is different. I have already received emails about Black Friday deals. What? 2 weeks before Thanksgiving and they are giving the anticipation away? I am disappointed. What about my traditions?! I need to cut, write, paste, map out a plan on Thanksgiving. Some people take a nap that day, not me, I spend it scheming and planning. I don't know what 2 weeks of scheming and planning will do to my ultimate goal.

What do you think? Should I start the strategizing now, or hold off for 2 weeks?
 

A Little Guilt and Wine Will Get You Bunnies

K's headache has really GOT. TO. GO.

I mean, really, going on 3 weeks just stinks (and for her hurts).

We went to the eye Dr. today only to be told that her eyesight is perfect. Yes, it is good news, but Sherlock, the mystery deepens.

So what do you do to cheer up a headache fraught girl? You find out that the new iphone5 that she ordered(and paid for you, mind you) has come in and you sit in Verizon for an hour and a half while the people figure the payment all out because the computer is saying you do  not have an upgrade even though you do have an upgrade.

Then, you go pick up the bunnies that a friend was giving away and you agreed to take. That's right, I am certifiable, but there was a method to my madness.. First, she wanted a pig (to live in the house= mom takes care of), then she wanted a small dog (to live in the house= mom takes care of) and then I thought, bunnies! (Because they will live at the barn and mom doesn't go there!) Win/win for me. However, I got to thinking (not usually a good idea, especially when guilt and wine are involved) that maybe we should keep the bunnies outside at my house instead of a mile and a half away at the barn. Then, the girls could see them anytime they want.

Meet Jenny and Peter. They will be living in the house for a few days due to the fact that the outdoor hutch is not here yet. Of course I am allergic to them, but they are so damn soft and cute. So there will be a lot of Allegra in my future, too.

And can't you see that headache going away little by little with a snuggly bunny?

The Never Ending Headache (No, that's not a political joke)

This writing every day is hard.

I guess I could have written about the election, but I have no desire to open that can of worms. You are welcome.


I took K to the emergency room today. I thought, you know other than making her feel better, that I would have something classic to write about. Hmmm, other than the woman at the snack shop giving me some strange cookie instead of the "holiday" one I asked for, nothing too out of the ordinary happened.

K has had a headache for 2+ weeks and finding out it's source has turned into something of an episode with Angela Lansbury.

We are just chipping away at reasons.

Antibiotics for a potential sinus infection,
Eye Doctor for potential glasses,
Family history for potential migraines,
MRI for potential brain tumor...

Now, some people might find that last one a bit extreme. Unfortunately, it is not extreme here. We know way too many people with cancerous brain tumors and quite honestly, it sucks. When I hear headache instead of thinking "take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning", I think, "Oh no, a brain tumor".

So we waited (and waited and waited) and then she was taken in for the CAT scan. I should have gone with her and taken a picture because she said that they wrapped her up like a taco. Then we waited (and waited) for the Doctor to come tell us the results.

All I could think of was a good friend of mine who was told that her son had a brain tumor after a similar bought of headaches and nausea last November. Her family has been on a journey that has not be very pleasant or expected, but at times filled with wonderful gifts. I wondered how I would react to that news. I wondered if the Doctor would tell us right there with just the curtains separating us from the woman with bronchitis and the woman on the other side with tennis elbow.

Thankfully, the kind Doctor cut straight to the chase and told us that the scan was normal. I am pretty sure K's headache went from severe pain to less severe pain. It was a huge relief and we were very, very grateful for the positive news.

One more thing checked off the list, one more step closer to the solution.

Truth Is

On Facebook, one of the games that people play is Truth Is: That is "like my status and then I will say something about you on your Facebook wall". Typically the truth is something about how nice you look or how pretty your profile picture is or that you and the person should hang out together soon.


I wonder how Truth Is would work in the real world. For instance, my mom always taught me that if I did not have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all. I adhere to that rule to a fault, but there are times when I would like to say:

Truth is? I do not like all your political posts on your wall.

Truth is? Could you please use a mint.

Truth is? Pig tails are for the under 10 crowd, not for the over 40 crowd, UNLESS you are going to a rodeo.

Truth is? You totally just hurt my feelings and now I want to kick you.

Truth is? Why are you staying with him/her?

Truth is? You really need to say thank-you once in a while.

Truth is? Your picture is pretty because it seems like you air brushed 20 years off your age.

Truth is? You are not really nice, and I cannot understand why people don't see through you.

I don't think this is a game that I will play on Facebook anytime soon.
However, if you want to rate my status, feel free. Anyone who is reading this is a 10 in my book :)

Sundays In My City

Last night we went out to dinner at the Noble House to celebrate my nephew, Sam, moving to Colorado for the winter to work at the Winter Park Ski Area. The Noble House is a Japanese restaurant where they cook on a hibachi right in front of you. It's the place my nephews pick when they are allowed a "special" restaurant. 

I love when all the cousins are together cracking each other up!

Who knew rice could be so fun to cook?

The chef loves to cook up some eggs and then try to get a piece in everyone's mouth. The first pic is Sam trying to catch it. Carlos, the chef, tried to have a little fun with B and told her to close her eyes while he filled up a spatula of egg. 

The high point of the night is the onion volcano. It may have singed someone's eyebrows. Just kidding.

It will be weird not having Sam around for the winter, but I can pretty much guarantee a return trip to the Noble House when he gets home in April!