Ok, so this story is for my dad.
Dad and I are two peas in a pod sometimes. We have the same interests, the same hobbies, the same illnesses and ailments.
So this evening, I'm suffering from a cold. My nose is raw from all the dripping and draining and sneezing and I finally got to the point where I shoved tissue up my nose because I couldn't handle it dripping or blowing it anymore. Of course, Billa saw me.
"Mommy, you have [mumble mumble something slightly unintelligible] boo-kers?"
"Yes, Mommy has lots of mocos {boogers, en espanol}."
"Mommy have big boo-kers?"
"Yeah. So Mommy shoved tissue up her nose to keep them from coming out."
"Oh." [Pause] "Like Papa?"
Michael and I burst out laughing then. Like I said, Dad and I are two peas in a pod. When our allergies get really bad, the kleenex plugs come out. (Hey, don't hate! Appreciate!) I hadn't realized she'd ever seen him do that, much less make that association.
Leave it to the kiddo to know how to make mommy laugh.
And there ya go, Pop. Hope you enjoyed that little nugget!
Cheers,
Kelly
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop: Thief in the Night
I lay in the dark, listening to the digital clock tick away the seconds.
What's that you say? Digital clocks don't tick? I beg to differ. Pregnancy heightens one's senses, allowing a woman to perform feats of strength that would leave Superman sobbing like a little girl.
Digital clocks tick away the seconds (I dare you to challenge a pregnant woman's logic–you're either extremely sadistic or extremely stupid).
I lay there, listening to the digital seconds tick by when my mommysense detected a noise outside. I sat bolt upright, every muscle in my body on high alert. The clock read 4 a.m. and I was alone.
My imagination raced, trying to determine the source of the noise. Somewhere in the back of my head where rationality hibernated, my practical self was churning through an old research paper I'd studied in college about the brain's processes when determining unknown noises, reminiscing about synapses and data assimilation. Practical Self tried to soothe Pregnant Self, that it was probably a possum or raccoon, they're common in this rural area of Texas, and nothing more. Pregnant Self shot Practical Self "The Look" and Practical Self mumbled about something in the oven before hightailing it back to the inner recesses of my brain. Pregnant Self then determined the source of the noise to be a burglar.
I sprang from bed and turned on every light in the apartment, electric bill be damned. I checked, rechecked, and re-rechecked every lock and window to make sure they were secure. My mind racing and unable to fall asleep, my blurry thoughts turned to arming myself. I waddled back to the bedroom and dug under the mattress for my shillelagh. I crouched under the covers in the blazing bright lights of my bedroom, shillelagh in hand and waited.
The mind is a terrible thing to waste, you know, and despite the irrationality of my Pregnant Self, it was loathe to waste it's mind. In those wee morning hours, my pregnant brain slapped together a plan of action should a burglar enter the house. I just needed to hold out until daylight. But wait, I thought...when daylight came, I'd leave for work. And what if the burglar came then!? Holy crap, what if the burglar was waiting for me to leave so they could steal all my stuff?! Then what?!
I waddled out of the bedroom and surveyed our tiny apartment and quickly appraised all of our worldy goods. The Xbox, TV, DVD player, our year old Apple computer, the printer, my straightening iron (those things aren't cheap, you know!), all just sitting there screaming to be taken. I'd be damned if I was going to let anyone think they could take advantage of a pregnant woman! I racked my brain and stumbled on an idea--I'd record all of the serial numbers and carve my driver's license number into the back of everything. That way, if the burglar made off with it, I'd be able to recover it since the cops would be able to trace it at the pawn shops. And just to be safe, I was going to backup all of our files from the Mac so that if the burglar got mad and broke the computer in a fit of anger from not being able to guess my password, I'd at least have that.
So there I was at 4 am, clutching my shillelagh and burning CD's like a madwoman, chortling to myself about how clever I was. I heaved and pushed and pulled all of the heavy electronics equipment and diligently recorded all of the serial numbers, product numbers, and hand carved my driver's license number into the back of it all. By the time dawn stretched it's rosy fingers across the hills, I was crawling back to bed, shillelagh held tight in my swollen hands, my mind finally at rest.
That burglar must have decided I was just too clever for him, because he never did break in.
He broke into my trash can instead.
Yeah. But hey, at least I'd finally backed up all of my files!
This post is part of Mama Kat's Writing Workshop. When I saw this prompt, I died laughing, because what pregnant woman DIDN'T have a moment like this? The prompt is: "Barefoot and hormonal...describe an incident that upset you when you were pregnant, but now looking back makes you laugh." And for the record, yes, I really did wake up at an ungodly hour and proceed to document the serial numbers of all our electronics and back up our computer before heading back to bed. Bless my husband, when I showed him my handiwork the next day, he just shook his head and told me to call him at work next time I was worried. And also for the record, I learned that handy little trick about serial numbers and DL's on your stuff from the cops. Growing up, my house was broken into twice, and after the first time, they told us to do that to all our stuff. It actually worked, because that was how they caught the thief the second time around!
What's that you say? Digital clocks don't tick? I beg to differ. Pregnancy heightens one's senses, allowing a woman to perform feats of strength that would leave Superman sobbing like a little girl.
Digital clocks tick away the seconds (I dare you to challenge a pregnant woman's logic–you're either extremely sadistic or extremely stupid).
I lay there, listening to the digital seconds tick by when my mommysense detected a noise outside. I sat bolt upright, every muscle in my body on high alert. The clock read 4 a.m. and I was alone.
My imagination raced, trying to determine the source of the noise. Somewhere in the back of my head where rationality hibernated, my practical self was churning through an old research paper I'd studied in college about the brain's processes when determining unknown noises, reminiscing about synapses and data assimilation. Practical Self tried to soothe Pregnant Self, that it was probably a possum or raccoon, they're common in this rural area of Texas, and nothing more. Pregnant Self shot Practical Self "The Look" and Practical Self mumbled about something in the oven before hightailing it back to the inner recesses of my brain. Pregnant Self then determined the source of the noise to be a burglar.
I sprang from bed and turned on every light in the apartment, electric bill be damned. I checked, rechecked, and re-rechecked every lock and window to make sure they were secure. My mind racing and unable to fall asleep, my blurry thoughts turned to arming myself. I waddled back to the bedroom and dug under the mattress for my shillelagh. I crouched under the covers in the blazing bright lights of my bedroom, shillelagh in hand and waited.
The mind is a terrible thing to waste, you know, and despite the irrationality of my Pregnant Self, it was loathe to waste it's mind. In those wee morning hours, my pregnant brain slapped together a plan of action should a burglar enter the house. I just needed to hold out until daylight. But wait, I thought...when daylight came, I'd leave for work. And what if the burglar came then!? Holy crap, what if the burglar was waiting for me to leave so they could steal all my stuff?! Then what?!
I waddled out of the bedroom and surveyed our tiny apartment and quickly appraised all of our worldy goods. The Xbox, TV, DVD player, our year old Apple computer, the printer, my straightening iron (those things aren't cheap, you know!), all just sitting there screaming to be taken. I'd be damned if I was going to let anyone think they could take advantage of a pregnant woman! I racked my brain and stumbled on an idea--I'd record all of the serial numbers and carve my driver's license number into the back of everything. That way, if the burglar made off with it, I'd be able to recover it since the cops would be able to trace it at the pawn shops. And just to be safe, I was going to backup all of our files from the Mac so that if the burglar got mad and broke the computer in a fit of anger from not being able to guess my password, I'd at least have that.
So there I was at 4 am, clutching my shillelagh and burning CD's like a madwoman, chortling to myself about how clever I was. I heaved and pushed and pulled all of the heavy electronics equipment and diligently recorded all of the serial numbers, product numbers, and hand carved my driver's license number into the back of it all. By the time dawn stretched it's rosy fingers across the hills, I was crawling back to bed, shillelagh held tight in my swollen hands, my mind finally at rest.
That burglar must have decided I was just too clever for him, because he never did break in.
He broke into my trash can instead.
Yeah. But hey, at least I'd finally backed up all of my files!
This post is part of Mama Kat's Writing Workshop. When I saw this prompt, I died laughing, because what pregnant woman DIDN'T have a moment like this? The prompt is: "Barefoot and hormonal...describe an incident that upset you when you were pregnant, but now looking back makes you laugh." And for the record, yes, I really did wake up at an ungodly hour and proceed to document the serial numbers of all our electronics and back up our computer before heading back to bed. Bless my husband, when I showed him my handiwork the next day, he just shook his head and told me to call him at work next time I was worried. And also for the record, I learned that handy little trick about serial numbers and DL's on your stuff from the cops. Growing up, my house was broken into twice, and after the first time, they told us to do that to all our stuff. It actually worked, because that was how they caught the thief the second time around!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Summer Project - Kitchen Cabinet Redo
Apartments are great, especially if you're not ready to commit to a house and take care of your own lawn, pest problems, and fix the AC when it's broken. They're not great if you like to decorate and customize your home (unless you live somewhere, like NYC, where you actually BUY apartments instead of rent them).
I've been living in apartments for the last ten years and I think I've gotten pretty clever at learning how to adapt my space and floorplan into something less college dorm and more Better Homes and Garden worthy. My current floorplan in one of the best I've lived in–it may be small at approximately 700 sq. ft, but I've managed to make it work so far. We got rid of a lot of things and rethought how to do certain things, like a desk space (we have a built in desk, but it's awkwardly placed across from the kitchen that it's just not feasible for much beyond a bar and craft supply storage) and creating 'rooms' out of a large common area (living, dining, and play).
Since Michael and I got back together and he moved back in late last year, we've been on a quest to organize and downsize, since the space is so small and room is limited. I decided to start with the kitchen and while the majority of it is organized, I felt it needed just a little bit more color and oomph. Since it's an apartment, I can't really take out or paint the cabinets, so I did the next best thing...decorate them!
I measured my cabinet fronts and then took some pretty contact paper I found at Target and cut it to fit. Then after cleaning the cabinet fronts (to remove any grease...it is the kitchen afterall!), I peeled it off and stuck it to the front. I think it made a huge improvement and my kitchen is so much happier now!
What do you think?
Cheers,
Kelly
I've been living in apartments for the last ten years and I think I've gotten pretty clever at learning how to adapt my space and floorplan into something less college dorm and more Better Homes and Garden worthy. My current floorplan in one of the best I've lived in–it may be small at approximately 700 sq. ft, but I've managed to make it work so far. We got rid of a lot of things and rethought how to do certain things, like a desk space (we have a built in desk, but it's awkwardly placed across from the kitchen that it's just not feasible for much beyond a bar and craft supply storage) and creating 'rooms' out of a large common area (living, dining, and play).
Since Michael and I got back together and he moved back in late last year, we've been on a quest to organize and downsize, since the space is so small and room is limited. I decided to start with the kitchen and while the majority of it is organized, I felt it needed just a little bit more color and oomph. Since it's an apartment, I can't really take out or paint the cabinets, so I did the next best thing...decorate them!
I measured my cabinet fronts and then took some pretty contact paper I found at Target and cut it to fit. Then after cleaning the cabinet fronts (to remove any grease...it is the kitchen afterall!), I peeled it off and stuck it to the front. I think it made a huge improvement and my kitchen is so much happier now!
Yes, my kitchen is a little cluttered....work in progress, people!
What do you think?
Cheers,
Kelly
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Summer Afternoon Fun
Since we only have one car right now, I work from home on Tuesdays since Michael has really long (and early) shifts at work. That means that Billa is with me on those days and it can be hard to keep her occupied while I'm busy managing my projects. By the time 4:30 rolls around and I log off, I know I need to do SOMETHING to occupy the munchkin while Daddy takes a much-needed nap...she's usually bouncing off the walls!
On one such recent Tuesday, we built tall towers with our blocks.
We went downstairs and drew with sidewalk chalk. Then we raced around the building and up and down the stairs several times.
Finally exhausted by all that action, we came home and sat on the patio to enjoy a popsicle.
To my knowledge, it was Billa’s first ever popsicle and she was in LURVE! I bought a popsicle mold last summer when they were on sale and I know now that I need to start coming up with some fun recipes for us to try. I know she’s going to enjoy helping me making and eating them!
We had a fun afternoon killing some time and now that we live in a building with lots of shade around it, I’m actually looking forward to summer afternoons outside now!
Cheers,
Kelly
On one such recent Tuesday, we built tall towers with our blocks.
Yes, that tower is nearly as tall as she is!
We went downstairs and drew with sidewalk chalk. Then we raced around the building and up and down the stairs several times.
Finally exhausted by all that action, we came home and sat on the patio to enjoy a popsicle.
(By the way, the tat on her arm is "giant purple horse" aka a purple unicorn–kid loves her ink!)
To my knowledge, it was Billa’s first ever popsicle and she was in LURVE! I bought a popsicle mold last summer when they were on sale and I know now that I need to start coming up with some fun recipes for us to try. I know she’s going to enjoy helping me making and eating them!
We had a fun afternoon killing some time and now that we live in a building with lots of shade around it, I’m actually looking forward to summer afternoons outside now!
Cheers,
Kelly
Monday, June 6, 2011
Bloggety Bloggety Blog
I've been a bit of a terrible blogger lately. I only have four followers, half of whom I question whether they really follow me or not, so I figure it's not that big of a deal. Not that it really matters in the grand scheme of things; I would love more followers, but I guess one has to post more often (and more interesting material) in order to garner a following. I've always marched to the beat of my own drum anyway, so forgive me if my tune is a little more chaotic than normal right now!
I have lots of pictures I need to post, but I keep finding things to distract myself with instead of working on uploading and editing them. Work, mommyhood, playing chauffeur (having one car in our family is humbling and wonderful and frustrating all at once), more work, baking stuff, birthdays, cleaning, Pinterest, reading, work, and random nothingness. I'm pretty good at that last one. No matter how hard I try sometimes, I often find myself easily distracted from something that I really want to do. Some wise person out there might say that the task in question isn't something I really want to do, but that's not it. It's fear, really. I don't do what I want to do, because I'm afraid of failing miserably. Or succeeding and then failing miserably. Blech. I've been working on that with my therapist, but I still have a long way to go.
I've been thinking lately, that I'd love to take the blog in a new direction. I love sharing Billa stories, but with so many other mommy blogs out there, it's kind of hard to make oneself stand out. That, of course, begs the age old question as to what the purpose of standing out will serve, but it's nice to be validated. I'm not, by the way, looking for validation on my Billa stories or my own existence. Ok, well maybe a little, but I don't need a blog to do it. Besides, as entertaining as my daughter is, I'm not nearly as good at relaying the stories in written word as I am in person. Blogging killed the live performer.
I know, I sound so cryptic. Forgive me. It's just one of those evenings, where everything was so nice and peaceful, and then that little niggling thought crept into my brain and tickled something there that made me introspective and thoughtful and a bit morose. I do this a lot, actually, just not publicly on a blog. I figure, what the hey, it doesn't matter. I'm not running for president anytime soon. Believe me, I'm the last person you'd want in office. I think my efforts to change the world would be better spent speaking softly (something I'm still working on, ha!) and carrying a big stick. Maybe I won't carry the big stick. I never did like violence much, despite my past propensity to yell and throw things.
Pinterest has tickled my crafty creative side quite a bit lately. I even went out and got some lumber for a project I wanted to do. Guess where it's at? Yep, sitting against the dining room wall. It's not a huge complicated project, but my energy puttered out. I got distracted. Welcome to the story of my life right now! Now if I could write an award winning and million copy selling book on that, I'd be made.
Speaking of books, I've been trying to read 111 books by the end of the year, but now I'm seriously doubting if that will happen. I could cheat and read kid's books, but there's no challenge in that. Last year would have been easy. But with all my distractions and everything else, I am finding myself lacking in time to get anything done. I need to really buckle down and get organized because the quiet chaos that is my life is getting kinda crazy. Oy!
Well, I suppose I've created quite a post now. Not much of one, but again, my four followers aren't complaining, lol. I will resolve to try and get those pictures at least uploaded, even if I don't put them in a post. And I'll think about the direction of the blog. And my writing. And my life! Yeah, definitely, all of the above.
Good night, dear friends! May flights of angels sing thee to thy sleep!
Kelly
I have lots of pictures I need to post, but I keep finding things to distract myself with instead of working on uploading and editing them. Work, mommyhood, playing chauffeur (having one car in our family is humbling and wonderful and frustrating all at once), more work, baking stuff, birthdays, cleaning, Pinterest, reading, work, and random nothingness. I'm pretty good at that last one. No matter how hard I try sometimes, I often find myself easily distracted from something that I really want to do. Some wise person out there might say that the task in question isn't something I really want to do, but that's not it. It's fear, really. I don't do what I want to do, because I'm afraid of failing miserably. Or succeeding and then failing miserably. Blech. I've been working on that with my therapist, but I still have a long way to go.
I've been thinking lately, that I'd love to take the blog in a new direction. I love sharing Billa stories, but with so many other mommy blogs out there, it's kind of hard to make oneself stand out. That, of course, begs the age old question as to what the purpose of standing out will serve, but it's nice to be validated. I'm not, by the way, looking for validation on my Billa stories or my own existence. Ok, well maybe a little, but I don't need a blog to do it. Besides, as entertaining as my daughter is, I'm not nearly as good at relaying the stories in written word as I am in person. Blogging killed the live performer.
I know, I sound so cryptic. Forgive me. It's just one of those evenings, where everything was so nice and peaceful, and then that little niggling thought crept into my brain and tickled something there that made me introspective and thoughtful and a bit morose. I do this a lot, actually, just not publicly on a blog. I figure, what the hey, it doesn't matter. I'm not running for president anytime soon. Believe me, I'm the last person you'd want in office. I think my efforts to change the world would be better spent speaking softly (something I'm still working on, ha!) and carrying a big stick. Maybe I won't carry the big stick. I never did like violence much, despite my past propensity to yell and throw things.
Pinterest has tickled my crafty creative side quite a bit lately. I even went out and got some lumber for a project I wanted to do. Guess where it's at? Yep, sitting against the dining room wall. It's not a huge complicated project, but my energy puttered out. I got distracted. Welcome to the story of my life right now! Now if I could write an award winning and million copy selling book on that, I'd be made.
Speaking of books, I've been trying to read 111 books by the end of the year, but now I'm seriously doubting if that will happen. I could cheat and read kid's books, but there's no challenge in that. Last year would have been easy. But with all my distractions and everything else, I am finding myself lacking in time to get anything done. I need to really buckle down and get organized because the quiet chaos that is my life is getting kinda crazy. Oy!
Well, I suppose I've created quite a post now. Not much of one, but again, my four followers aren't complaining, lol. I will resolve to try and get those pictures at least uploaded, even if I don't put them in a post. And I'll think about the direction of the blog. And my writing. And my life! Yeah, definitely, all of the above.
Good night, dear friends! May flights of angels sing thee to thy sleep!
Kelly
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