a pain

Schmitty's biological father is being a pain about the adoption. I shouldn't name call but I'm tempted. He's making it far more difficult than it would be if he just came out and contested it. If he contested it we could move forward but instead he's not signing anything, he's making it impossible to be served, and he's being hostile to everyone. I wished I were surprised. Everyone looks back on exes and says, "What on earth was I thinking?" but this has really made me wonder. What was I thinking?

Mickity will be here later this week, that'll be fun. She's always good for some entertainment. I wish she could stay longer.

We have the Golden Gala at Schmitty's school Friday night, that's been a big deal for a while. I'm curious about how it'll turn out. I've never been to a gala before!

Cinco de Mayo was a bust yesterday. I guess I should have known but I was hoping for a lot of good food and drinks that weren't there. The dog came back so dirty I had to give her a bath. Wet dog.

I can't believe school's almost over, I'm excited.

ads

I don't know why but I just clicked on monetize on blogger. I could post advertisements and every time one of them was clicked on I could make money. (Fat chance with the whopping three readers I have... no offense.) It said the ads would be chosen based on my blog content. Now I'm curious. What company would read my content and decide this was the platform they wanted to use to get their company's name out there? Really.

calgon take me away...

I'm a grouch today. I tried to go to Schmitty's May Day event at school but it was apparently rained out, a complete waste of my morning. Then I came home and started dinner (I'm making a time-consuming dish for my parents) while cranky Ralph was crying and whining most of the time. Throw in a puppy that's not house trained yet and you have my day. I hope it gets better.

I have to go pick Schmitty up from school... Where the heck did the day go? My house is still a disaster and I've been busy all darn day. I really don't like that, if I'm busy all day my house should be clean.

lord help me

We got a goldendoodle pup.

jiggles

I had been doing so well with the exercise routine... I was doing something four or five times a week, taking weekends off. This past week has been busy and I'm creeping up on a week of not doing anything. That makes it harder and harder to start again because I know it won't feel good and I'll be sore afterward.

In related news, I've been wanting KFC for weeks now. This afternoon while out running errands I finally broke down and went. It was scrumptious. I read that KFC is the worst fast food you can eat, Taco Bell follows close behind. Luckily I only eat there once every year or two.

Friday's the French Market. I'm seriously trying to talk Schmitty in to smuggling a nutella crepe home in his pocket!

back to moby...

Yesterday afternoon I finished The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. I had been reading Moby Dick when Edgar Sawtelle arrived so I started reading Edgar and couldn't put it down. It was such a great book but I must say I found the end disappointing. You want all the loose ends wrapped up and the good guy to win but it wasn't like that. Now I have to go back to Moby Dick tonight. sigh

short trip

I'm going to drive Yago crazy, I know it. I won't mean to but it will happen. I talked to him last week about something giving him the opportunity to squash the issue once and for all but he gave me a teensy bit of encouragement. That was all I needed. (I can't get specific, sorry.)

Now I'm obsessed and researching like crazy. He's giving me eyerolls and I can see he regrets being open to the idea.

I feel sorry for him. He really shouldn't have married such a crazy lady.

peas

Ralphie just started saying, "Please." It's so funny, it sounds like "peas" and I don't think he has exactly put together what it means but it is the cutest thing. After a two-day battle trying to get him to say it, he now says it all the time because of the big response it gets. He just walked over in front of me, jumped and said, "Peas!" Cute as can be.

Schmitty begged me not to go on his choir field trip today, even though I had no intention of going. They are going to sing at an old folks home and at a city garden. He informed me that my attendance would embarrass him. I asked what would be embarrassing and he replied, "Your appearance." I'm not sure how to take that. I didn't ask any follow-up questions because I wasn't sure I wanted the answers. So soon? Really? I didn't think my presence would be humiliating for another three or four years.

post 9/11

I think I might be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill! Yippee!

As a dumb 19-yr-old in Basic Training I turned it down. When your base pay is about $600/month and they want you to give away $100/month, it seems like a lot. Especially when you're miserable and in day three of training. I was still wondering what the heck I was thinking signing up for the military! I thought there was no way I was going to be IN the Air Force for a year. I planned out separating as soon as I got out of basic training. (I'd considered drinking shampoo during training but our TI said it would just keep us in San Antonio longer because of the mental evaluation.)

But it looks like even if you've turned it down in the past you'll be eligible! That'd be great. I could take classes when the midget starts school and still be able to pay the kids' tuition! It looks like the VA will start taking applications next month, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.

gabby-gab give a midget the keys

That's what Yago calls it.

I was at football practice yesterday with Ralph. I was talking to another mother when Ralph saw the car key tied to my sneaker. He started pulling and screaming so I gave it to him. I have a strict rule that he's not allowed to play with my keys but Yago always lets him play with his. Since it was Yago's key and he was throwing a fit I decided to just let him have it.

About fifteen minutes later I realized Ralph didn't have the key in his hand anymore, I looked at my feet to make sure I hadn't taken it back. I asked Ralph, "Where are the keys?" He just looked at me until I got up and asked again. Then he waddled over to the manhole cover where he'd been playing. No no no. There were little cut outs just big enough to fit adult fingers. (no, please no) Sure enough, he pointed to one of the holes.

Some guys lifted the cover and the thing was full of water and cabling. That's how we lost a set of Yago's keys.

Replacement cost? About $200.

here comes waldo cottontail...

I was a complete idiot yesterday.

Schmitty and I had just finished up some calligraphy and he was putting the kit away, it was an Easter present. He closed the kit and said, "What do ya know, the Easter bunny spent $19.95 on my calligraphy kit!" I asked him where he saw that, because I knew I had taken the sticker off. He pointed to where it was printed on the back. I said something and he replied smiling, "Or maybe you did!" I smiled back at him and replied, "Maybe I did." I immediately knew I had made a mistake, his face turned red and his smile vanished.

I felt sooo bad. I thought he knew because the day before Easter he reminded me that I needed to buy Peeps.

He started crying and I started apologizing, profusely. I hugged him and told him that I was sorry, I thought he knew. I said, "You kind of knew, didn't you?" I felt him nod against my ribs. When he stepped away to get a tissue I told him I was going to change Ralph's diaper. I called him over after a couple minutes and asked if he wanted to talk about it or pretend it never happened and he chose the latter. I high-fived him and we haven't mentioned it since.

I took him to Sonic and bought him some ink.

jelly bellies

I left a trail of jellybeans from Ralph's bed to his Easter basket. Unfortunately, the only jellybeans at the grocery store were Jelly Belly. He hopped out of bed, tossed the first one in his mouth and promptly spit it out. From there on he just fed them to Yago and me. Turns out, the one he spit out was pina colada flavor.

I'm a little disappointed that his glider bike is a bit big for him, his feet don't touch the ground which really defeats the purpose. He is growing fast though so maybe it won't be too long.

Yago and Ralph went to the grocery store, nice and early on Easter morning. It was Yago's idea. I'll take this time to finish up some menu items and clean in peace.

the fat machine

That's what they should call The Pizza Machine. They have a buffet (to include a pizza bar) that was less than tasty. Luckily, I was starving so I ate a ton food that was not only really bad for me but didn't taste very good. We left and Yago said it was everything that is wrong with America, I found that comment apropos. It was like a casino for kids. It had the awful carpeting and games games games. There was non-stop noise, blinking lights, and kids running around. It would have been okay if they didn't have a different song blaring at each game or booth and if there weren't a bunch of loser adults there playing.

I made two pies today and it's taking everything I have in me to wait until tomorrow to cut them. It's torture looking at them all beautiful on the counter. I made sure I had the ingredients for the pies everyone else likes. I wanted a pecan pie but I don't have the corn syrup, that's a bummer.

I bought some $4.50 wine today and it tastes like $4.50 wine. I'm a trooper though, I'll drink it anyway!

Schmitty's spending the night at his friend's house. It's a little weird to spend Easter Eve at someone's house but he was invited and he wanted to go... That'll take the pressure off my preparations tonight. The midget doesn't even know that Easter is coming. I don't do a good job of building such things up. It always sneaks up on me.

Yago's bathing the midget right now. Those two are cute together. Yago just told me that the midget is in the tub sticking his penis in his bellybutton. That's funny. I don't care who you are.

We got midgy a glider bike for Easter. It's basically a little bike with no pedals. He just uses his feet and hopefully learns a little balance. It what the Europeans use. I was amazed in Germany, kids that lookes like babies could ride bicycles without training wheels. In fact, they don't even have training wheels over there. But seriously, four-year-old Schmitty looked like a little retarded kid riding a bike with training wheels because kids there rode bikes without training wheels when they were two.

I don't have much else to post. Waldo out.

Good Friday

I've horked down a bunch of meat on Good Friday, oh well. We went to Runza for lunch and we're meeting some of Yago's family at The Pizza Machine tonight. At least I got a little workout in today.

After lunch, Schmitty and I made pierogies. I can't wait to eat them Sunday. It's not my grandma's recipe but I thought it would be bad form to call my aunt while her husband is dying. I found a recipe on the Internet and gave it try, it's so time consuming. It was two hours work for three dozen pierogies, and that's with the filling prepared ahead of time. At least I had good company helping me.

I'm going to work on taking a shower, I'd love to squeeze in a nap afterward but that's asking the impossible. Ralphie's already up from his nap. (sigh)

spring break

Schmitty's spring break began today. So far we've spent the morning bickering over the television. I like watching The Golden Girls in the morning even though I've seen every episode a thousand times. There's just something about it I find amusing and relaxing.

It's supposed to be nice out today but so far it's just been dull and gray outside. I hope it gets more cheery, it's hard to summon up the motivation to do anything.

I'll enjoy one more cup of coffee then get ready to go to my parents for a bit.

friends

I just heard that the average person has 100 friends on facebook. Are you kidding me? Maybe it's because I can count mine on one hand but I think that's stupid. Just stupid. I could solicit a bunch but for what?

Schmitty WON the mini Battle of the Books contest. To clarify, his team did. But he was the only kid in his class on that team so he feels pretty special. The winning team gets treated to a pizza party.

I think I found a cabin in the Ozarks for our vacation. Not Yosemite or Yellowstone but still has potential.

stocked pantry

Mickity pointed out that I didn't post about Schmitty and me working at the food pantry. Let me preface by saying I called the daycare to see if they had space available for Ralph that day but they did not so I took him with us.

When we got there the volunteer coordinator didn't want Ralph near anything for his own safety. Therefore, Ralph and I stood off to the side while Schmitty sorted boxes full of canned goods. He worked alongside some old fellas from the Kiwanis and younger guys that were apparently doing community service.

It wasn't what I had in mind. One black guy kept asking me why Schmitty was there. Was he being punished? Was he bad? I kept saying no. I recounted the story to Schmitty and he said, "Yeah, I heard. He kept asking me too." We stayed for two hours and then I took him out to lunch. We went to Runza, yummy. I should eat there more often.

sprinkler

This morning I sat Ralph on the toilet and he let out the littlest sprinkle. I was thrilled! I'm hoping this leads to something!

Schmitty's school is putting on a French market that will be fifth graders working as vendors to the lower school French students. Only French will be spoken and they'll use poker chips as Euro. We got the flier yesterday soliciting donations from parents: Gruyere, brie, cream puffs... Yum. They'll have a crepe station and a chocolate-dipping station for strawberries and other fruit. I would give anything to be a French student that day.

sans screaming midget

I was trying to research a vacation to a national park over the summer to go camping and hiking. I was looking at the big ones, like Yosemite or Yellowstone. I think we're going to shelf those plans this year though. It's torture driving the 8 hrs to OKC, I can't imagine a minimum of a 16 hr drive with Ralph. We don't have a big enough budget to fly anywhere and a long drive is out of the question... Maybe we'll just wind up seeing what Wayne Newton is up to in Branson, Missouri. sigh

Tomorrow Schmitty is off from school due to parent-teacher conferences so we're going to spend the morning volunteering at the local food bank. I'm excited, hopefully it will interest Schmitty too.

Yago and Schmitty planted to herbs last night. That should save us a bundle over the summer. I can't wait.

Working

Yesterday we went and saw the upper school's presentation of the musical Working. Sam insisted on wearing his suit, sans dress shirt and tie--he replaced them with his argyle sweater. He really loves "that look." He stood in front of the mirror looking at himself, pushing up his sleeves. He would have been a huge fan of Miami Vice and the 80s in general.

We bought a bunch of things to begin a modest garden. Although we're excited to garden we're reluctant to dig up the yard when we'll be selling in a couple of years. Not to mention the fact we'd like to enjoy the tiny fortune we spent last year getting the grass purty. We bought a bunch of herbs, a rose bush, berry bushes, hanging tomatoes and hanging strawberries. It'll be cool. We plan on buying more once the weather gets better, it's still early to do much here.

Yago had his "procedure" done Friday, I'm proud of the lil' buckaroo. That's all I'll really say about that.

Church didn't go well this morning. Schmitty and I got in to at the end of mass. It started with the nonstop tinkering of his velcro watch and snakeskin bracelet. After two warnings I demanded both items, he wasn't a happy camper. He tossed the bracelet at me which I wasn't happy about. I followed him up to receive the Eucharist and he was just leisurely strolling back to the pew swinging his arms like he owned the place. I told him his hands were supposed to be folded but apparently he didn't hear me. I won't even talk about the kneeler. By the time I got to the car I was pretty annoyed. I threatened him with staying for the 1100 mass that started in 25 mins. He threw a fit worthy of Ralph! I found it interesting that staying for the second mass was apparently viewed as a punishment worse than... Well anything else I can think of. I'll have to file that away in the ol' brain.

conquest

Ralph figured out how to open his bedroom door this afternoon while he was supposed to be napping. I'm less than thrilled. There was no nap today, needless to say.

I was flipping through channels this today and found a Gordon Ramsay show I hadn't seen before. (He's not yelling and cursing.) He's raising two pigs on his property with the intent to eat them. He showed us their pens and what they eat, then they showed industrial pigs. It was basically what I read about in The Omnivore's Dilemma but on film. They showed the pens, filth, tail-docking and castration. It was disgusting. I'm glad we don't eat as much meat anymore.

(I don't have a problem eating meat but eating animals raised in decent conditions.)

shy?

So I don't know why but I've been avoiding talking to people I used to work with. I see random people and try to ignore them or avoid eye contact. I saw Dudley and Purdy at the promotion party Friday and didn't say, "Hi." I did see Luz at Baker's and said, "Hello," but he didn't react at all. He just said, "Hi" and went about his shopping.

i'm it

I discovered something Sunday: Playing tag is hard, playing tag at 36 in sand is just begging to be humiliated. My eight-year-old tagged me and I wasn't ever letting him win. Just to make sure I knew he yelled, "I got your left cheek!!" at the playground. Not cool.

How do kids spend hours playing tag?

partying

Friday afternoon was Yago's promotion party at the club, here's a rare picture of all of us together. I was surprised by the food, they had freshly carved roast beef sandwiches, turkey, shrimp cocktail, etc. I thought it'd only be deep-fried appetizers.

Saturday we celebrated the midget's birthday. We had family over for hot dogs, hamburgers and Elmo cake. (See the poor house post.) I was pleased with the cake until I looked at the pictures and Elmo appears to have a harelip.

After all that "partying" we spent today just kind of laying around. Schmitty and I went to church early while Ralph and Yago went to Whole Foods but otherwise I've been hanging out on the couch.

or 26th street

I bet the "poor house" is located somewhere on Sesame Street.

I've been trying to figure out what we're going to do for Ralph's birthday and I decided to do an Elmo cake. I saw those cake pans everywhere and figured he'd love it. (Elmo is one of the few words he says. Still no mom but he says Elmo.) Ever notice how when you're not looking for something it is every damn where and when you want to buy something, it cannot not be found any damn where? That is the case with the Elmo cake mold.

After searching local Walmarts, Targets and the BX, I finally drove about half an hour across town to a specialty store. They had all kinds of molds, I found a cat mold that I considered for a few minutes. (Cat is another word he says, still not mom or momma or mommy.) The cat mold was less than $5. I found an Elmo mold, albeit not the one I wanted, but Elmo nonetheless. I hussled to the register and that darn thing came to almost $16 with tax. What the heck?

happiness

The HUGE news of today is I got an email from Schmitty's biological father, a snide one at that. But, it did serve to verify where he is since it was sent from his work account. I've been emailing and calling every number I've had for him over the last eight years looking for him. He finally responded to read me the riot act for having an attorney contact him. I don't care, I'm just thrilled that we can serve him now!

The weather was in the mid-70's today. It's so nice to see people out walking their dogs and playing with their kids. It makes you happier just seeing other people! I took Ralphie for a bike ride to the park and we played outside for a while. It was great. Now the boys (including husband) are all out kicking a ball around the yard, I'm supposed to be doing dishes. It's so much fun watching them play though, it really makes me happy.

Friday is Ralphie's second birthday, he's a lot more fun now than he was a year and a half ago. He cracks us up every day. We're going to celebrate his birthday on Saturday instead of Friday. Friday afternoon/evening is the majors' promotion party, plus I think it'd be easier for my family to come over on a Saturday than on a Friday night.

mmm, pie

It seems like a lot is going on right now. Today is Pi Day at school, because Saturday is 3/14. They're having a contest to see who memorized it the furthest. Yago found a website with a song but we didn't dedicate any time to it, he only got as far as 3.141592. There were other things going on this week, it was a struggle to get the homework some nights.

I made lunch for Ralphie, whole-wheat spaghetti with pesto sauce and steamed broccoli. I finished mine and started dishes only to catch Ralph trying feverishly to stuff a floret up his nose. It was so funny I couldn't yell at him, I mean I did tell him to stop but while laughing. What is wrong with this child?

Jessica emailed that it was funny I refer to him as Ralph over email. Fact is, I call him Ralph in person. Coworkers sometimes got confused. :^)

Well, I guess there's not really much going on after all.

bad waldo

I woke up this morning and weighed myself, 139. I was pleased, that's three pounds in a week. I haven't been starving myself or anything, just eating mostly vegetarian and exercising a bit every day. Then, I had to go and make homemade blueberry pancakes. I haven't made a good breakfast in a while... At first I thought I'd just make them for the rest of the family but of course I had to eat some too. I think we're going out to dinner tonight so that won't be a low calorie meal either.

I'd better get going if I'm going to run any errands today.

dear jcrew,

When you send me an email entitled "Private Sale" I expect something very wonderful. When I see that I have to spend $175 to get 20% off, I don't really consider that special or wonderful.

Kisses,
waldo

time crunch

This morning was a bit of a disaster. I forgot it was Tuesday which means Schmitty has to be to school 45 minutes early for choir practice. I remembered about 15 minutes after we should have left. We tore out of here hoping to get there before it was over. On the way Schmitty remembered it was also chapel day which means a different uniform. We had to come back home, search for the sweater and eventually pull it out of the bottom of the dirty clothes. He's a wrinkled mess but I'm really off my game. This is the first "normal" week I've had in a long time where I'm not working. It was a mess.

Also? Notice how everyone drives like an idiot when you're in a hurry? Yep. It took twice as long as usual to get to school. There was an accident where I had to merge right and some retard woman in her HUGE suv wouldn't let me in after I conscientiously signaled and started merging. She was being a total jerk and I finally started nudging over when she honked. That just annoyed me, I looked and she was talking on a pink sparkly cell phone. I hate cell phone drivers. Really.

I'm up to 142 so it's time to start the diet again. I've been working out for about a week but it's time to watch what's going in too. Ugh. I hate that since I've gotten older I really have to keep an eye on my weight. It's annoying.

Last but not least: My super-duper husband just found out he made major and got picked up for school!! I'm so happy for him. I'm excited he got school too, he's so cool.

not gettin' it

I'm just really not getting it. I can't hang with the myspace, facebook, texting, and whatever twittering is. It's all too annoying and a total timesucker. I'm just really not that interested but then feel like I should be interested because everyone else is. I'm just not.

what a trip

We went to Oklahoma last Friday night and got back Wednesday afternoon. The trip down was terrible because of Ralphie. He screamed and cried, basically drove us nuts. There's only so many renditions of Itsy Bitsy Spider I can go through before I give up.

I picked Schmitty up from school Friday afternoon, the last day before his winter break. I was talking to Schmitty and his friend when they said good-bye to Charlie. Schmitty's friend called, "Have fun in Hawaii!" Hawaii?! In third grade? Are you kidding me? Then I realized who we were talking to. I asked the friend what he was doing for winter break and he replied, "We going to our house in Colorado." Another house? In Colorado? What the heck? Craziness.

I'm done working for a while and it feels great. I got to work out and do stuff around the house.

I think I'm taking the kids to the Children's Museum today. We'll see. Maybe I'll even take a couple of pictures.

dumped via voicemail, kinda

We're heading to Tulsa tonight, we'll be back Wed night. I'm finally off today, yippee! What have I done today? Let's see... I made bacon and eggs for breakfast, washed dishes, got on the treadmill for a few minutes, took a shower (with a midget), made lunch, cleaned up lunch. Very exciting stuff but it's better than getting up at 5:45 and sitting in an office all day.

Oh, and I answered about five telemarketing calls today. I hate them. They're recordings so you can't even get them to stop calling. I guess I could sit through the five minute schpeel and then wait on hold for an actual salesperson but who has the patience? Very annoying.

I called to try to fire our lawyer today but he hasn't called me back. How's that? I can't even fire the guy because he won't take my call! I told the receptionist that I wanted to talk to him about getting the remainder of our money back. I foolishly thought he would call. Silly me.

and so it begins...

Schmitty spent Friday night at his friend's house along with a couple of other boys. The family has more money than I can imagine. Schmitty came home with an orange wristband and when Yago asked about it he explained it was given to him to remind everyone that Schmitty is the youngest, shortest, and poorest of the group.

I found this to be extremely mean and hurtful but Yago's response was, "He'll have to get used to it and figure out how he's going to deal with it." I was at first offended by his matter-of-factness but realized he's right. Schmitty still loves his school and he's going to have to deal with it.

penguin poo

I went to the zoo with Schmitty's class today. It was fun but it really stressed me out. I had Ralph BUNDLED up in a t-shirt, thermals, sweatshirt, winter coat and we spent the whole time inside! I thought we'd be wandering outside for four hours but NO! We were in an indoor jungle, an indoor desert, looking at penguins inside! My God, I was a sweaty mess with a grumpy baby. I'm glad we went, I'm just still trying to destress.

Schmitty's President's Day presentation at school was super! I was so proud of him, it was the cutest thing ever. I can't even describe it except it made me teary eyed to watch.

Schmitty's spending the night at his friend's house tonight, he couldn't be happier. It's the first time he's been invited to someone's house since we moved here. We'll pick him up for a basketball game in the morning and then he's spending Saturday night at Grandma's. We won't see him hardly at all this weekend but he couldn't be more ecstatic. Hmph.

Also? Three more days of work for FY09, thank God. I'm done next week!

quickly

I must hurry, I'm supposed to be in the shower so I'll be ready to go get our taxes done when Yago gets home from taking Schmitty to school.

The transition is going... Ralph was up for a long time last night crying. He'd pause for a few minutes, long enough for me to relax and think about sleeping, then start crying again. He's not what I would call excited about his "big boy bed." It's okay though.

Yago and I had a fabulous evening on Valentine's Day. We got a babysitter and dressed up for a night out. We saw, "He's Just Not that in to You." (Mostly because it was the only movie that fit in to our babysitter and dinner schedule.) Yago complained that his balls were still in the theatre after watching that chick flick but it was a decent movie.

We had reservations at Sullivan's, a valet parking and coat check kind of place. We sipped our martini's at the bar then were seated. We ate some oysters on the half shell, for entrees I had scallops in spicy Thai sauce with asparagus and Yago had a bone in ribeye topped with gorgonzola butter and horseradish mashed potatoes. Dessert was delicious. We had espresso, creme brulee for two, with a glass of dessert port that complemented the creme brulee. It was seriously the best creme brulee I've ever had. Mmm, just thinking about it!

Well, I'm off to the shower.

transition

We started today on transitioning Ralph to a "big boy bed." As you can imagine, it's going very well. We have a baby that really relishes new experiences and change. Not really. He was outgrowing his other sleeping arrangement so it's definitely time and he will eventually adjust.

We got a very cool snow day here. Schmitty was released from school early and the base closed at 9:30. Since I was on my annual tour orders I got to get out of there half a day early and don't have to make the time up. When I got home we walked to DJ's Dugout for lunch and a couple of beers with the kids. Trying to get there in 6-8 inches of snow with the jog stroller was fun, really. (Probably not as much fun for Yago who actually had the job of pushing the stroller.) We all came home and took a nap, well, Schmitty played multiplication games on the computer and read.

I'm so happy to be done with my annual tour! I have six more training days to complete for this fiscal year, they'll be done before March. I can't wait to get back to pulling clothes out of the dresser instead of the dryer. We have several loads of laundry that are washed and dried, just not folded or put away. Our bed hasn't been made in a week and I've gained about five pounds from the incessant eating out or eating quick (unhealthy) meals.

Maybe tomorrow we'll post a picture of a snowman!

opinion

I get annoyed when people refer to daycare-mates as classmates. When your kid is two years old they are not in a class, they don't have teachers, and they don't have classmates. They have all day babysitters. Sorry.

recital

This afternoon is Schmitty's first piano recital. He's only playing two songs and he goes first so after about three minutes I'll lose interest. I asked if he was nervous and he said no. He said getting nervous only makes bad luck easier to come by. The midget is standing by my side hollering, he hates it when I use the computer.

Yago has spent the weekend doing tedious chores. He has organized all my official paperwork, filled out our taxes, done the financial aid paperwork for 2009-2010, and planned the meals for next week. He's out buying groceries now.

My father-in-law left Thursday, it was a good visit. He cooked for us on the days I worked and watched the midget so we didn't have to take him to daycare. I think he changed his first diapers ever last week and he did it happily. While he was here Yago and I got to go out for a grown up dinner. It was the first time in a long while that we went to a restaurant that didn't have corndogs on the menu and we didn't feel the need to rush. We sat at the bar to wait for a table to become available. That's right, the bar. I was nervous that Yago wouldn't like Lo Sole Mio as much as me but he loved it too.

My blog entries will be rare this month because I'll be working, trying to run to all the after-school activities, and catch up on chores during the weekends. Like normal people. That'll stink.

opscomm

I was reading the... nevermind. Suffice it to say I get emails all the time from a network of spanish linguists. It's like a mass email system, the emails are sent to all the members. This is a fairly new thing to me and I don't even know most of the people that I receive these emails from but sometimes (rarely) it's interesting.

Anyway, someone was talking about getting together with another family and vacationing together. I don't really have anyone like that. I wish we had friends with kids similar ages that were about the same place in life as us. It's difficult because you also have to have about the same amount of disposible income and share the same interests.

how mad would i be?

Oh, I'd be VERY mad!

I just read Greek Tragedy today and the whole thing made me mad. If I was married to that guy, nevermind, I wouldn't be married to that guy. I don't care how much money he made, because really what else does he have going for himself? Nothing. He's not attractive, not kind, and he's a jerk. I'm fuming but feeling silly that I even care. That is not what I'd call a happy marriage. I guess that's what happens when you rush in to having kids and then get married when you're pregnant. Oh wait, I guess sometimes that can work out pretty well. ;^)

My father-in-law's coming up to visit for a few days, we just found out last night. He should be here this afternoon. He'll have fun with the boys, I'm sure. That reminds me, I need to make the bed.

Last night we went to Applebee's for dinner and I had cramps for about two hours afterward. (the gas variety) Man, my system isn't accustomed to eating that much fried food anymore. I really didn't feel well the rest of the evening.

I have a ton to do today and I don't think I'm going to accomplish much. I'd better get to work!

january madness

Yesterday we went to Schmitty's basketball game, he plays with the youth center on base. In the evening we went to his school's upper school basketball games. We watched most of the girls' game and half of the boys'. I think Schmitty was impressed with how the girls went after each other and how well the boys ran the ball down the court. It was fun and the midget behaved for about two hours.

Go Raiders!

jenny had a little lamb

It's supposed to get up to 24 degrees today, I'm pretty excited about that. It's been super cold. This weather has Yago talking about retiring to Florida, an idea I'm not crazy about.

We'll be picking up a lamb tomorrow (butchered, not a pet or anything). Finally something to put in our freezer downstairs. We have a few free range chickens but we've been looking forward to buying a more substantial amount of meat. Yago found some grass-fed lamb from a farm in South Dakota and they're making a delivery to Omaha this weekend. I'm anxious to see what I'll do with it. There's an Iraqi dish called Tepsi we like. Yago used to eat it (in Iraq) and brought home a recipe. I served it for my parents once and they liked it too. It takes hours to make by the time you fry all the eggplant and whatnot.

The midget's awake. We started putting him to bed at 7:30 which means he now wakes at 6:30, darn early.

Speaking of darn early, Yago's been working 6 am - 6 pm the last few days. I started out getting up and making him breakfast and packing his lunch, even sending him off with a Thermos full of coffee. Things quickly deteriorated. This morning I popped some waffles in the toaster for him and didn't realize we were out of syrup so he ate honey on them. Yuck. Then I nearly forgot to make him coffee to take in. Luckily, it was the last morning I'll have to do that for a while.

a cold drive

I need to work on my driving skills, I think. Schmitty keeps getting carsick on the way to school. I'm usually in a hurry and there are a bunch of rolling hills and stop lights. With the hills and my deceleration and acceleration, it's not a good combo. I try to keep him talking and distracted but it hasn't helped much. I wish he could ride in the front seat.

It's cold as can be, -13 this morning. It got up to -8 by the time I dropped Schmitty off. Eek.

The midget is offering to help me type so that's my cue to go...

wasted

Half my day so far has been wasted. I surfed the Internet forever looking for the bio father (BF) but I can't find him. I'll have to wait for the NE lawyer to contact the FL lawyer so the FL lawyer can sit on whatever he finds out for another two months. He told me in our last conversation he will call me. In other words, don't call him anymore. I'd be fine with that if we weren't exactly where we started five darn months ago. Back when I told him this would be a problem and he might have to subpeona the state of NE. I would pay whatever fee on a website if I was positive it'd be useful information. I don't want a list of 20 addresses without dates so that I don't know which one is current. I've been very preoccupied with this. Lawyers. What did I pay this guy $1500 to do?

I just heard on the radio that Andy Rooney is 90! Holy crap, I knew his birthday was coming up but I thought he was turning 80. When Ed Bradley died I was emotional, I can't imagine how I'll feel when Andy dies. You know, I always assume he's rich but he's so... cheap. Maybe five minutes on television once a week doesn't pay what I thought it did. Or maybe it's his generation, living through the Depression and all. He sure does love to save some money though!

This afternoon is parent teacher conferences, I have my list of questions typed out and ready to go. Unfortunately they got stepped on so there's a brown footprint on what is now a crinkled piece of paper. I can't use that. Since we don't have a printer I'll have to neatly write them on a clean piece of paper.

I'm so mad. (back to my opening paragraph) BF and I share custody. What if Schmitty just wanted visitation, which is perfectly within his rights. Why would the state not provide us contact information? It's such crap. The BF is supposed to provide health insurance, but isn't. What if there was an illness? Why the heck should I have to retain a lawyer in NE to subpeona his darn address and phone number?

apologizing in advance

I'm sorry Mickity but I hate lawyers.

Our lawyer is useless. In his defense, the state of Nebraska doesn't help. He got the paperwork together for the adoption, he's only been "working" on it since August, but realized he doesn't know where the bio father is. I've only been telling him that since, um, well, AUGUST. He finally looked in to getting the information from the state of Nebraska (that's where the support order is) and Child Services says they have to have a Nebraska-issued court order to release address information. It's such crap. The lawyer was bewildered that it wasn't a matter of public record. Whatever.

Yesterday was Schmitty's first basketball game, his team did very well. He even made a basket. There's a girl on his team that we knew from Laughlin, I didn't realize it until I saw her mom at the game. (She and Schmitty were only two so they don't remember each other.) It's a small AF.

Yago took the midget grocery shopping, he's a good husband. He told me not to run any errands while he was gone, I should just relax. He, on the other hand, hasn't relaxed all weekend.

We went to the nature center for story time yesterday. We turned out to be the only family there which was kind of awkward. Schmitty was busy with a display in a different area so the Naturalist read a story about a momma duck and her ducklings and a story about a family of owls. Ralph wouldn't hold still so essentially the naturlist read the stories to Yago and me. Like I said, awkward!

my day

Today my mission was the recycling center but I never made it, maybe they're open on Saturdays.

Instead, I took Schmitty to school. Then I took a shower and took Ralphie for his FIRST haircut, I haven't told Yago yet. I returned some audio books to the library. (They were for the drive to OKC.) And I went to the commissary to pick up some stuff to make homemade granola, it's currently baking.

Ralph sensed I was doing something I wanted to do and woke up from his nap, I gotta run.

first day

Today is Schmitty's first day at his fancy new school. He had his new Brownell Talbot shirt on, snazzy shoes, new sneakers tied to his backpack, and all. Ralph didn't behave one bit but Schmitty was calm and took it all in stride. His teacher said he could start French today, that was great news because it was his preference. I was afraid since the other kids have taken it since preschool that they wouldn't let Schmitty jump in with the rest of the class but it'll be fine. If he changes his mind he can switch to Spanish later.

We looked up his schedule yesterday, he was excited about having French, Science, and PE today. Speaking of that, we were looking up math and science camps for the summer. He wants to do the Amusement Park Robotics and the Earth Science camps. He tickles me sometimes.

love/hate shopping

Hey, shopping venues, take a little note from Victoria's Secret when it comes to dressing room mirrors.

I went shopping a couple of days ago to spend my Christmas and birthday money only to be horrified in the dressing rooms. Overhead flourescent lighting is a NO-NO when you're trying to get someone to spend money on your clothes. You want them to feel fabulous, not fat and wobbly when trying on merchandise. Let the customer get it home and wear it a few times before they feel like ten pounds of poo stuffed in a five pound sack. Really.

Also? After holiday sales stink... Unless of course you're a size 00, 0, 2, or XL. Those were the only sizes I found. I never was that size, ever. I went from a girls 14 to a brief acquaintance with 5 then straight to a 7. 00? Never have been and never will be.

Another thing. What on earth happened to pant legs since I last went shopping? I knew wide legs were coming back but everything I tried on felt like each of my legs had its own swinging skirt, I wasn't prepared for that. I'm so out of what's in fashion it's not funny.

I officially started a diet today, I want to lose 10 lbs in two months. I opened the diet with an omelet, perhaps not my best decision but I'll be good the remainder of the day. What else was I supposed to do with 32 eggs in the fridge? Really. Thirty two eggs.

the friend hunt

I feel like I haven't had a moment's rest in the last couple of weeks, it's been non-stop. It'll be nice to just sit and relax for a day. (Not today, but soon.)

I'm discovering that married couples making friends with other married couples is kind of difficult. It doesn't seem like it should be so complicated but it is. We had some people over for dinner last night and the kids got along great. (An added complication in befriending a couple, it helps if they have children about the same age as yours.) Yago works with the guy so they have a lot to talk about but the wife is a homeschooler which I initially found interesting until I realized that's about all she talks about.

I was thinking about someone I met at work recently, we used to work together years ago when we were both active duty. Her husband commissioned and is a major now, I thought maybe we could have them over but I really didn't like her husband fifteen years ago and I doubt I'd like him now. Really doubt. I found him to be an egotistical jerk and he could only have gotten worse.

Yago's home with our grumpy baby, I'll post more later.

Happy New Year. (late, of course)

get crackin'

We're on our way to OKC again. When Yago gets out of work (hopefully early) we'll head out. I'm supposed to be showered and mostly packed by now but I'm drinking coffee and catching up with my Internet instead. I'll go shower in a few minutes, promise.

I ate pumpkin pie for breakfast, someone has to. I always try to tell myself if it has fruit in it so it's like eating a danish. That's not so far off, is it? I gained all my weight back that I lost from the diet a couple of weeks ago. Yago insists we need a middle ground, a healthier overall diet. He's right but it's very difficult around the holidays. I made cookies and four pies last week. I know when we get to OKC his mom will have candy, cookies and pie. I'll feel obligated to eat them because Yago won't. I guess that's what the New Year's resolution is for.

I'm still working a couple of days a week, it's going pretty well. I'm considering trying to get a full time position for three months to pay Schmitty's tuition but I don't know if I could do it. I feel bad for Ralph in daycare, they're never good days for him. He's not happy. Plus, I don't feel like I spend any time with him on the days I work. It's a couple of hours, that's it. I hated that with Schmitty but I didn't have much of a choice then, I do now.

A guy at work told me a story that I can't get out of my head, I can't stand it. He told me he chipped his tooth when he was a kid doing something stupid. He clipped the corner of it with nail clippers! I hate tooth stories, they give me the willies!! This guys just plunges in to a nail clipper/tooth story without warning. It can't get it off my mind. Ick ick ick.

Time for the shower and my third cup of joe. Merry Christmas to everyone.

busy holidays

We're supposed to get freezing rain this afternoon so the commissary was packed full of people. Yuck.

I did my PFT yesterday and passed, two and a half points lower than last year but I passed. I would say the best part of working is being able to eat lunch with Yago. We bring leftovers for lunch and then meet in the cafeteria to eat them. Yesterday he met a couple of people I used to work with. He commented that everyone I knew was old. Most of them were my trainers when I was an airman.

I'm trying to transition Ralph to his bed for naps but he's not having it. I put him down an hour ago and I can hear him playing in his room. He never behaves! That reminds me... We went to the BX today and he was playing on the tricycles until he spotted the big pink Barbie Jeep. He got in there and loved it! I helped him in and out several times and let him play for a few minutes. When I told him it was time to go he threw a FIT!!! Very embarrassing.

He screamed and hollered while I tried to finish shopping, even in line at the register. Finally, an older couple behind me started talking to him and he got shy. (shy = quiet) Then another kid started a tantrum near the registers. Someone in another line yelled, "Shut up!" very loudly. I thought that was more obnoxious than the tantrums. Little kids are little kids, deal with it. The other mother finally left her cart and took her kid outside. I felt bad for her. When it's close to the holidays and you have a list of things you have to accomplish sometimes you just have to ride out the tantrum along with the embarrassment. It's one thing when a seven-year-old acts up and another thing when it's a toddler. You can't control a toddler, I don't care how fabulous you are.

meat & dairy please

It's Thursday which means just four more days of our cleanse. I'm REALLY looking forward to Monday. I think we're going to have dinner at Don & Millie's, which means greasy burgers and $.99 margaritas!

we're in, i mean he's in

Sammy got in to BT!! I was very excited but we haven't had a chance to tell him yet. He had a friend come over after school and spend the night, now he's out geocaching with his dad.

After school yesterday I helped the PTO President and VP decorate a board for Christmas. I was chatting with both the women and said I needed to talk to the office staff real quick and I'd be right back. When I returned the VP told the President that Schmitty was changing schools next year. The President looked surprised and asked me if we were moving already. The VP said, "No, they're just changing schools." As if I were an infidel or something. Mind you, the President was talking to ME and the VP answered. I was shocked that anybody knew, much less was blabbing. The VP is the same woman that announced at my first PTO meeting that I bought Susan's house.

When Yago came home I recounted the story. He said he couldn't wait until Schmitty changed schools and people could talk about how we didn't belong because we weren't good enough. "Why?!" I asked. He said he'd rather deal with that than people talking like we thought we were too good for the school. I must say, I agree.

We started the cleanse last Sunday night when we got home from OKC and have stuck to it pretty well except for the birthday beer Yago received as a gift. I've lost seven pounds by cutting out meats, sugars and gluten. It's crazy. I don't know if I can make it another week though.

I'm going to shower and clean while all the boys are out. Have a good weekend.

report

Oh my goodness, so much to report. It seems like forever since I've updated.

We went to OKC for Thanksgiving, it was awesome. Lots of good food and the family is always happy to see the boys. Yago and Schmitty did a lot of GeoCaching and even took Big Daddy with them. We've been picking on Yago because it looks like he got a GeoRash. Maybe poison ivy or something...

I worked Tues and Wed, the people all seem okay but the job seems a little overwhelming at this point. My boss is looking to me to be the technical expert on architecture since I'm the only bonafied comm officer. Um, BCOT didn't really make me an expert in anything. I feel stress about his expectations. Also? I feel stress about my PT test in less than two weeks. Oh well. I won't do great but it'll be over. I'll be working a couple days a week until March, then I'll do my annual tour.

That means Ralph had two days in daycare. Yago dropped him off Tues and when I picked him up he was standing in the middle of the room crying his eyes out. He ran over to me as soon as he saw me, that always makes a momma feel good. The caretaker said he had a rough day and he didn't eat lunch Tues or Wed. I guess he prefers my cooking! We hope it'll get better for him.

Schmitty had his test and interview today at Brownell-Talbot. We should know something... TOMORROW! I think he'll get in without a problem. He was excited about going this morning. The admissions director walked me out and said, "He's so mature, he'll fit right in here." The school times are different and I keep looking at the clock in a panic because I'm afraid I'll forget to pick him up!

boogie man

I have my own boogie man, I named him Ralph. He's got a runny nose that won't quit. The tip of his nose is raw from being wiped, poor little guy.

We're going to OKC this afternoon and last time I got in trouble for not being ready on time but having an updated blog. Since I'm making a blog entry today I have to be sure to be ready on time.

This year is flying by. It's strange because it seems like forever since we've been in Germany. Home is home now.

I'm on to the boogie man, he poops himself every time I get on blogger! Shoot.

frozen buns

I walked Schmitty to school today and froze my buns off. It was about 28 degrees outside, I thought it'd be fine once we got moving. I did work up a bit of a sweat but my face and legs are frozen! Poor midget, he was glued to the stroller.

The diet program is back. We lost it in one of our computer crashes so Yago got the 15 day trial and we'll probably buy it again. I lost a pound yesterday so that's good.

We're heading down to Okalahoma tomorrow for Thanksgiving. I dread the drive with the baby because after a couple of hours he just hollers. I wish you could let kids out of their carseats these days but you can't. I think he'd do better if he could just MOVE. Pinned in a five point harness for eight hours isn't fun for anyone.

It looks like Schmitty will take his test and interview at B-T a week from Thursday. I know he has mixed feelings about changing schools.

Well someone messed their pants and needs to be changed.

mrs garrett

This afternoon we're touring Brownell Talbot. I'm excited, I'm not really sure why. It's not like I get to go to the school! I'm trying to come up with intelligent questions for the admissions director. Yago asked what I was wearing to the meeting, it seems like we should dress up to make a good impression. I want to look good without looking like I'm trying too hard.

I can't wait to see if it's what I expect. The school has a Headmaster which conjures up imagines of Eastland from The Facts of Life.

privacy please

Well, Friday Yago and I are going to look at a private school for Schmitty. It's more expensive than in state college tuition. I'm just so displeased with the attention he gets at his current school and the test scores of other nearby schools.

If we wind up paying thousands of dollars a year for this school I'm going to blame Mickity for sending me the link before we moved. ;^)

turn off the radio

Why does Sean Hannity hate public transportation? Why is he opposed to Americans being able to receive basic medical care? Why is he opposed to affordable college education? How is that American?

to our house grandmother comes...

Yago is at the airport picking up his grandmother, she's going to visit us for a few days. We're excited to have her come. I can't believe Yago still has grandparents! They're always so happy to see the boys.

Ralph said "orange" today without prompting! He has a book of colors and I've been working with him to learn orange and yellow the last couple of weeks. Today Yago was reading the book to him and he said "orange" on the orange page. FINALLY! That is one stubborn kid.

Gotta go finish sprucing myself up before Grandmother gets here!

Et tu, Oprah?

Mickity called me yesterday to tell me about a great offer on oprah.com. She said it was a show about organizing your house. I dvr'ed it and watched it this afternoon.

Here's the thing... I was curled up under a blanket on the couch watching a show about messy houses. I couldn't stop looking at the baby toys scattered around the living room. How am I supposed to relax and watch Oprah if she's doing a show about housework?? It just makes me feel guilty that I haven't done the housework yet! Thanks for ruining my hour of relaxation!

It was like trying to eat a bag of potato chips while watching The Biggest Loser!

cheesy creezy

Yesterday Yago and I MADE cheese. We freakin' made mozzarella cheese! How cool is that? We bought some organic milk that wasn't ultra-pastuerized and got to work.

The article we read a few months ago claimed it only takes an hour and is delicious, it was true! We ate it all last night in a risotto I made but we're excited to do it again. We're going to look in to making different (more complicated) cheeses too. It's just so neat to turn a gallon of milk into a little ball of fresh mozzarella.

forgotten innocence

Last night we watched Air Bud on the Disney channel while Yago worked his mid. I popped popcorn and everything. Schmitty cried when the dog was taken away from the kid by the evil antagonist. I felt bad for him and put my hand on his leg to try to comfort him. At the end there was the inevitable championship game and he sullenly said he knew what was going to happen... The team was going to lose the big game. It hadn't even occured to me that the team would lose. I know that the dog will come back and the team will win when the kid takes the winning shot in the final seconds. I thought of how nice it would be to actually be surprised by the happy ending.

the new mids

Yago found out Thursday that he has to work mids over Veteran's Day weekend and Thanksgiving weekend. He spent about five minutes convincing me that he wasn't putting me on. I thought it was a joke or something.

He left tonight right after an early dinner and Schmitty actually teared up. I reminded him that it was only three nights and at least it wasn't Iraq. With wet eyes he said, "It feels like Iraq. Will I see him tomorrow?"

linus(ed)

I was officially pumpkined out yesterday. I bought my third and final pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. I spent $4.50 on a darn cup of coffee. Really, paying for it was I moment I decided never again. I should mention we have a super-snazzy expresso/coffee maker at home. When we're watching every dollar we spend I can't justify spending nearly $5 on a coffee. And? The syrup was at the bottom of the cup so I couldn't drink the last 4 or 5 ounces. So, like Linus on Charlie Brown, I'm not waiting for the Great Pumpkin again. (Well, maybe next year I'll be suckered in again.)

i hate the weekend a month, two weeks a year

I've been busy working out my Reserve schedule and looking for daycare. What a pain! Yesterday Yago and I went to the MOST depressing daycare I've ever seen. It was horrible, I can't even explain it. Yago said it had the saddest playground he's ever seen. You'd only have to step inside the door to understand. I think we've found an acceptable place and a workable schedule, two days a week for about three months and then my annual tour. I should be starting in December.

Yesterday while I was inprocessing I ran in to someone I used to work with years ago. It's an odd friendship/acquaintanceship. He invited us over to his house Sunday, Schmitty asked why we weren't going. I explained that although we're friends I think he would spend the afternoon/evening saying things to embarrass me in front of Yago and it would make me feel bad. He'd joke and try to be funny but eventually it'd be mean. I asked Schmitty if that made sense, if he understood. He said he understood perfectly. He's a good little guy.

I need to clean my house and get things started for dinner.

more treats than tricks

We had dinner guests a couple of weeks ago and someone mentioned their affinity for pumpkin spice lattes. Later that night I told Yagopuchae that it sounded disgusting. After a week or so I couldn't help myself and I ordered one, it was delicious! Now I feel guilty about my insult.

I went to Schmitty's Halloween parade yesterday. What a zoo. You get a bunch of excited third graders together dressed up and costumes and it's pandemonium. I finally gave up on trying to keep order just went with it.

I found out that we are the ghetto house on the block. I bought the cheap bags of mixed candy for Halloween for a couple of reasons: 1) I didn't want to spend the money and 2) I didn't want to be tempted to hork it all down. Turns out our neighborhood gives out the good candy bars, I think our neighbors even take a little bit of pride in it. One house was giving out little Cheetos snacks in special Halloween themed bags. We gave out mostly Tootsie Rolls!

from both sides

I went to the courthouse today to get an official copy of the custody and child support agreement for the adoption case. Don't get me started on why I'm doing what I paid a lawyer to do... it's just easier.

I called to order the documents yesterday, they were ready for me today after noon. I had Yago come home to watch the midget while I drove to the courthouse. I'd like to know what it is that makes a person feel guilty just going to the courthouse? I had to go through a metal detector which is widely practiced but still makes me feel weird. I just felt like everyone assumed I had either done something wrong or was associated with someone who broke the law. It wasn't pleasant.

I found the office I was looking for. The clerk asked if I wanted regular copies or certified copies, "Certified, please." It occurred to me after the request that I'd have to pay for them and I didn't have any money on me. I found an ATM and went back up to pay $7.50 for the certified copies. I left the building from a different door than I entered so it took me a few minutes to find my car. I finally found it... with a gosh darn parking ticket on it! Three minutes. Are you kidding? $16. I guess that's why everyone feels like a criminal at the courthouse.

fall

Last weekend the inlaws came up for Schmitty's birthday (parents, brother and sister-in-law). We all went to Vala's Pumpkin Patch for the party. It was really fun, we rented a campsite for a couple of hours. We roasted weenies and marshmallows for s'mores. I stuffed myself beyond belief. It was kind of a harvest theme park. There were train rides, pig races, bouncy pads, all kinds of things to keep everyone entertained.

This Friday is Schmitty's Halloween party at school, I volunteered to be a room parent. I'm supposed to bring a canister filled with candy and have the kids guess how many candies are inside. Gumballs painted like eyeballs were recommended so I've been searching all over for stupid eye/gum/balls and can't find them!! I'm taking Ralph with me to the classroom, we'll see how that goes. I'm dressing him in Schmitty's old dinosaur costume. He'll be in to everything, I'm sure.

That's about all I've got going on this week.

tmi

Schmitty had a friend spend the night last night, he's still here. I feel like I've gained a whole other insight into Schmitty's life. He has a "girlfriend" in his class and other such things. I see his innocence diminishing before my eyes, he's almost like a different kid. Why couldn't he just stay five?

I'm preparing dinner for another guest this evening. It's really difficult with the friend still here because the place is a wreck! I have them pick up but it just gets destroyed again as soon as they're finished. I mean that's what boys do, right? There are tinker toy weapons strewn across the house.

I'm going to go continue my futile attempt at cleaning and picking up.

lil' shopper

I went grocery shopping with Ralph today, which is always an adventure. We got the kiddie car cart because it usually keeps him entertained, he steers and honks the horn. Today he couldn't keep his little hands inside the cart, he pulled item after item off the shelves. He smuggled two pad thai bowls, a bag of dried beans, and a can of yams into his front compartment.

Sam's having a friend spend the night tonight, there's no school tomorrow. He's very excited, I hope they have fun.

i'm a jerk

Last week I totally blew off the piano tuner. I had an appt for him to come over and tune our piano last Wed morning but was so preoccupied with my suspended license I forgot. I didn't realize it until Thursday night when Yago asked me how it went.

It took me until today to screw up the courage to call the tuner back and try to reschedule. He wasn't happy or eager to make another appt with me, I can't say I blame him. It was an uncomfortable phone call and I couldn't decide if I should launch in to the ridiculous DMV story or just bite the bullet. I mean, does he really care why I wasn't here? Probably not. I just sounded a little pathetic.

I'm not sure what's wrong with Blogger but I'm going to try to post this for the second or third time.

there was a gorgeous lady who lived in a shoe...

I met my neighbor three doors down last Friday. She saw Jacob staring at her jack-o-latern one morning and came out and introduced herself. While making small talk she disclosed she'd recently miscarried at 32 weeks. She told me the story about how she went in for a regular checkup and they couldn't find a heartbeat. They induced labor and she had to deliver the baby stillborn. Her memorial was on Sunday. We both stood in her front yard with tears in our eyes, it was a strange moment we shared. We apologized to each other profusely and she invited the midget and me in.

Since we have the same floorplan she asked what I did in this room and that room. They (her and her husband) had turned in the keys to their apartment the day before and he'd invited 15 people over that evening so she had a lot of unpacking to do. I told her I'd kill my husband if he ever did that to me!

I invited her over to our house to look around and she said she'd come over when her husband got back from the hardware store. I hurried home to clean up the breakfast dishes and waited like a girl on prom night. She never came.

This morning when I saw her she explained she planned on coming over but was so busy with everything she didn't have a chance. She said maybe she'd stop over today after school but she hasn't. It's weird to feel stood up by someone you barely know, I think I'm too eager for a neighborhood friend.

I'm sure the moment my house is in a shambles the doorbell will ring. My mistake is probably picking stuff up, no one ever stops by unannounced when your house is tidy.

i don't believe it

I went to the DMV this morning to get a current Nebraska license. (I still have my Texas license with my maiden name on it.) I was feeling unusually lucky this morning because the clerk reluctantly agreed to use a photocopy of my marriage certificate showing the name change since I also had my military ID. Plus, when I got there I was the only person in line.

Things changed when she entered my information in to the data system. She asked if I ever got a ticket in NC and I couldn't immediately recall. Let's be honest, I could have an outstanding ticket in several states and a couple of countries. I said, "I don't think so." Turns out someone with the exact same name and birthday (except she was born in '73) got a ticket (or something) in NC. On a military installation.

The clerk couldn't verify it wasn't me and I'm not sure she really believed it WASN'T me so I couldn't get my license. She gave me a phone number of the DMV in Onslow, NC, to call. I have to prove to NC that it wasn't me who got the ticket. How am I supposed to do that? I don't know, they don't know. I called and after getting passed around three times the supervisor said she'd call me back. It might be tomorrow before she has an answer of what I need to do.

My main concern in this whole thing was registering to vote. The Nebraska clerk said I needed a clearance letter from NC before I could get my license and god only knows how long that would take! I asked about voting and she said no problem and took my registration form without question. I thought that was odd. I can vote without proving who I am, and I can keep my TX license and drive around until 2010 but I can't get a current license.

say no to gnocchi

I spent HOURS making homemade gnocchi yesterday just to have it turn in to a pile of mush last night. That kind of stunk.

Last night was Schmitty's first CCD class, he wasn't impressed. It was 3rd and 4th graders together, a large group of kids. It sounded like they just sat there and played a quiet version of Simon Says most of the night while the 4th got their instruction. Oh well.

no-key

I'm a litte annoyed, okay more than a little. I've searched high and low in probably half a dozen different grocery stores for gnocchi and can't find it.

from the mouth of babes

We got the framed portrait of the boys back on Saturday, it's beautiful. Yago spent the weekend hanging things on the walls and making it look a little homier in here.

Schmitty spent last night at my parents' house. It's always weird when he's not here. We were talking the other night, sometimes he says the most interesting things. We were on the couch and he'd just finished clearing the table, I still had to do the dishes. I said something about how I didn't feel like doing the dishes and he offered to help. I smiled at him and told him that was really nice of him to offer. He said, "Well, I think when you help someone it leaves a little spot on your heart." I thought that was just about the sweetest thing I'd ever heard. I smiled and joked that I bet Yago doesn't know that. He replied, "I think he does. I also think that when you lie it leaves a spot on your heart, at least it does on mine." Geez, Mr. Philosopher.

not a word

We took Ralph for his 18-month well-baby visit the other day and there's a teensy bit of concern over the fact that he refuses to talk. The doctor tried to help us out with a, "But he says mama and dada, right?" No. "Is he in daycare?" No. "Does he watch a lot of tv?" No, not a single word. Hmph. I think he's just stubborn.

open house

A conversation overheard at Schmitty's open house last night:

A mother looking at an assignment hanging on wall...

Child: "That's for you to look at, not to be criticked."

Mother: "Critiqued."

Yago says I have issues but it was more for my own amusement. I thought it (I) was funny.

not very interesting

Lately my blogging has not been prolific but it's mostly because I've been swamped. It seems like there's always a task (or two) of the day. There's so much I want to do but right now I'm swamped with the mundane.

Yesterday I went to a frame store and chose a frame for a portrait of the boys that Yago had done in Iraq. It's a beautiful painting and I'm really excited to get it framed and hung.

Ralph is STILL in his empty-all-the-cupboards, watch-mommy-put-everything-away, and empty-all-the-cupboards-again phase. It's fun. (or it was for the first week)

there goes peter cottontail

Schmitty and I have a little routine in the morning on our walk. We know all the dogs that are out and say good morning to them. There are three dachshunds in one yard and we call one of them Sadie, "Good morning, Sadie." Then there's the most well-behaved boxer I've ever seen. We look for him every morning and say, "Good morning, Boxer." Finally, there's a bunny we see every morning that hops in to the same bushes. All we see is her little tail.

This morning we didn't see the bunny and commented on it. A little further up the road there was a squirrel that had been hit by a car. I told Sam not to look, just keep walking. Turns out it was a little bunny. I didn't have the heart to tell him. I was sad enough for both of us.

Last Saturday we drove up to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to visit Yago's best friend since kindergarten. We spent the night there and had a good time just hanging out. They have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and Ralph loved playing with the baby dolls and princess toys. It was funny. It was a little more difficult for Schmitty to entertain himself. After digging through Dora and Barbie Princess videos he finally found Schrek, Cars and The Fox and the Hound. We invited them down for a weekend and I hope they come.

going solo

Last night was Skate Night at Schmitty's school. I took him after his piano lesson and it was there that I learned (again) my little boy is growing up.

We went in and I paid for admission and skates for both of us. When we got to the counter to get our skates I asked if he wanted me to skate with him assuming he'd say yes. I was so confident that I'd already paid for my rental. "No, that's okay. I'll skate with my friends first." Oh. He went out there and I sat near the snack bar watching. I waited all evening for an invitation that was never extended. Gone are the days of the two of us holding hands and skating around as fast as we can, giggling wildly.

I spent his early years dressing him in argyle sweater vests and reindeer sweaters around the holidays. His hair was cut and gelled just so. Now he reads greek mythology books about vampires, wears a dragon necklace and his favorite school shirt is a t-shirt that says "Caverns of DOOM" under a bat. Throw in a flaming skull tattoo and he's ecstatic. The nerve of my little boy.

I couldn't help but laugh at the skating rink when they started playing YMCA and Schmitty thrust both fists in the air with index, pinky fingers, and thumbs extended. That was too funny. Oh and at the end when he tried break dancing, I nearly busted a gut.

ollie ollie in come free

Last night Yago and I searched and searched for the remote. I was upstairs looking in our closet, thinking maybe Ralph snuck it up there to play with while I was in the shower. Yago searched the pantry and kitchen cabinets. After much searching, Yago found it placed neatly inside our front loading washing machine. All I could think was, "Thank God I'm not the one that misplaced it."

In other tv adventures I called the cable company this morning to ask if there was an outage. Turns out Schmitty changed the input on the tv when he turned it off before school. A little embarrassing but at least I'm a girl, that's always a good excuse.

Tonight is Skate Night at Schmitty's school so we'll be heading over to the roller rink after piano lessons.

Ralph thinks he's funny slurping the broth from his noodles. He's got his face buried in his bowl. sigh

all over the place

I'm listening to Dr. Laura, as I always do. She's reading a letter from a woman in the Army who is separating to be a stay at home mom. She's describing her family care plan, I hated doing those. I've still got several years in the Reserves but I'm so happy I'm out.

I met some neighbors today They have two boys, a 3-yr-old and 18-month-old. I was happy to talk to them.

I went to the PTO meeting yesterday and everyone knew whose house we bought. I didn't know anyone but was introduced as the one who bought Susan's house. (it was weird because I didn't tell anyone that) Apparently, Susan was the PTO President last year. Is there anything this woman couldn't do? She kept an immaculate house, worked at the school and was the PTO President. Sheesh.

I'm reading one of Schmitty's books because he was so excited about it. Ugh. It's about vampires and half-bloods. I don't know if I can slog my way through it. He's always asking what part I'm on. blah

I hate those giant black crickets we have in Nebraska. I don't know how but they always manage to get in to basements which gives me the willies everytime I head down there. I killed one yesterday but they're big and gross. Yuck.

what's the word?

Forgetful. Sam forgot his lunch yesterday and today he forgot his shoes. He wears rubber boots in the morning for the walk to school and changes in to his sneaker. I got home this morning and found a message from the school nurse that he didn't have any shoes. I drove up there and dropped them off for him (thereby negating any carbon footprint reduction this morning's walk had accomplished).

I'm trying to go back on a diet and gained two pounds! I hate diets.

Oh! I have my first PTO meeting today after school. I have to take the kidlets but it should be fine. I'm sure it'll be a colossal waste of time but I'm going, nonetheless.

We had someone pull over and offer Sam a ride to school again. I think it's really nice and I feel bad for saying no. I also feel bad because I think they assume I don't have a car and I'm walking because I have to and not because I want to. The woman today got out of the car with her daughter and had her daughter translate for her. I thought that was muy amable. She even gave me her name and number.

I've got to mount my license plates and change a headlight while Ralph naps. I'd better get crackin'.

a while

It's been a while since I made an entry, not on purpose or anything. It's just when you skip a few days you feel like there should be a ton of news and a zinger entry but there isn't.

We bought a piano last week and that's been our exciting news. It's a mahogany finish upright, nothing fancy but a piano nonetheless. Jake, as you can imagine, loves it.

We went to the reunion in OKC and that was good. Nothing much to report from the trip though, just eight hours in the car with a grouchy baby.

Pretty boring. Sorry.

peach soup

We took my parents out to dinner last night to thank them for letting us use their van while we waited for our cars to make it across the Atlantic. We went to China Road and came back here for dessert and show them our house.

My peach souffles turned out to be more like peach soup in little ramekins. While they were baking Yago chased the midget through the kitchen and they collapsed. There were two left standing when Schmitty ran through, he took care of those. They bubbled instead of cracked but I finished baking them, sprinkled them with sugar, and served them anyway. I didn't mind too much, I like my rambunctious boys.

Tonight we leave for OKC, we're going to a family reunion. It'll be a long drive but we always have fun. I'll be back Tuesday-ish. Happy Labor Day weekend!

lacking

Today I'm lacking. Lacking in motivation to work out, put things away and recycle.

It was storming out this morning, complete with thunder and lightning so I drove Schmitty to school. Ralph has been a bear since he woke up and when I put him down for a nap I didn't feel like running downstairs and, well, running. I should though.

I've been trying to figure out how I require so much closet space when I don't feel like I have a lot of clothes. I can't find a way to neatly organize everything. Why do we have so many blankets? What are we going to do with them all? It's ridiculous.

I'm also lacking a lemon to make peach souffles for dessert tonight. I'll have to pick that up later because I don't feel like going out in public right now. (Note: I'm not very good at making souffles. They never turn out right but that doesn't keep me from trying.)

Tomorrow we're leaving for Oklahoma City to go to a family reunion. I should be doing laundry and packing. Ugh. I've done a lot but I don't feel like I've accomplished anything. There are still huge piles that look only slightly diminished.

I really love our house though. I really think it's perfect for us, I just wish everything was unpacked and decorated. (We got rid of the boxes but not all the piles.)

secret's out

I guess it's not really a secret that kids can be a giant pain in the behind. After enduring and afternoon of errands with Ralph yelling at me almost the whole time, I got home and discovered he'd lost a sandal somewhere along the way. I'm not even attempting to retrace my steps.

This morning on the walk back from school he threw his sippy cup out of the stroller. Of course I don't know where it is, I just know it wasn't in his stroller when we got home.

I really don't think he likes me.

i did it!

I finally finished reading The Three Musketeers! Holy crap, it took a long time. I was reading that book when I was pregnant. Most of my readers will remember me lugging it around last summer when I spent a couple months in the states while my husband was on vacation (in Iraq).

I want to run (on my treadmill) today but I'm seriously lacking energy and motivation.

Oh, something else we did that I didn't think was possible... we emptied all the moving boxes. That's not to say everything is in it's place yet but we're having all the boxes picked up this afternoon. It's mostly credited to Yago's herculean efforts.

Well, I've only got a few more minutes of Ralph's naptime to enjoy so I'm going to go do something.

complete chaos

I hate moving. The initial euphoria felt after receiving the phone call that our stuff was here has been replaced by inundation. I feel like I'm drowning in crap, my crap.

Yago has spent hours posting books and DVDs on swaptree. That makes him happy but I'm still feeling completely overwhelmed.

We found our scale last night. In two months my hair has grown about 7 lbs. I can't think of any other explanation. Ugh. Yago and I are starting the ol' diet program today but he is much more fastidious about it. He logs every calorie consumed or burned where as I procrastinate and forget. He also burns 600+ calories riding his bike to work which means he can eat a lot more than I can. It really stinks come dinner time when I don't feel full and he's drinking a beer and eating his second helping. Sigh.

big day

Yesterday, we went to the airshow and saw the Thunderbirds. It was a lot of fun, mostly because Schmitty had such a good time. Ralph startled when a jet flew by and ran to Schmitty, hugged him and buried his head in Schmitty's belly. It was very funny.

I got a good sunburn on the backs of my legs. Yago noticed I was burning and I applied SPF 50 but it was too little too late. My ears and neck got it pretty good too. The boys were slathered up good and early so they're fine.

Today's the first day of school. We walked. Oh my goodness. We left at 8:15 and I got home at 9:30. Pushing Tubby in his stroller, on the grass, at a side incline, up and down hills... not the best way to start my day. And I'm supposed to do it again this afternoon? I'm reconsidering my options, already. We showed up all sweaty and panting. It was actually a little humorous.

I enjoy the mornings with Schmitty and don't want to spend it with him sitting behind me in a car. I think it's mostly because of how much I hated dropping him off at daycare when he was two and three years old. Now I enjoy our talks in the morning. Eventhough Ralph is there, he's usually pretty quiet in his stroller and it feels like it's just Schmitty and me.

There was a parent that was walking her child in to the school wearing pajama pants. I absolutely hate people wearing pjs out in public. We went to Panera Bread for breakfast yesterday and a guy was wearing his Husker pajama bottoms. It's so tacky, I don't understand it. It doesn't pass as clothes and it's not cute. Please, let's put a stop to it.

waffle wednesday

Last night after dinner Yagopuchae attached Tubby's bike trailer to my bike and so began Waffle Cone Wednesday. We rode our bikes to the ice cream parlor/Subway down the street on the corner. (It's a Subway restaurant that has an ice cream counter.)

I have to say I was nervous about riding my bike, especially towing Tubby. I also don't think I've ever ridden along a road with real traffic. (And as stated in yesterday's post, there's no shoulder.) Anyway, we all got there and back in one piece and Ralph loved it.

I got my windshield fixed today and I'm really happy with the result. Now I can get my car registered and people can stop staring at my European plates.

Tomorrow is the last day of summer vacation, I'm a little sad. I'll miss hanging out with Schmitty.

you must be kidding

I've had a relatively busy day. After I went to lunch with my sister I stopped by Schmitty's school to see who his teacher was going to be. I also wanted to talk to someone about the bus situation.

I politely asked the front office what I could do about getting Schmitty on a bus. I found out the back corner of my subdivision is over 1.5 miles away and gets transportation. I asked if it would be possible for Schmitty to get on the bus if it wasn't full. Nope. I can try to enroll him in a different school outside our district that is further away. Then I could qualify for a bus. But, I argued, I want him to go to this school for several reasons that I researched and I live in this district. He's seven years old and there's no sidewalk or safe way for him to walk. There's not a shoulder or anything and it's 1.3 miles each way. If I walk with him I'll have a baby and a stroller and still no sidewalk. I don't get it. There's a bus that runs a few blocks from where I live that comes here that would be safer. Why can't he get on the bus is there's room? Nope. Liability issues. Is there a waiver process? (Can you tell I'm former military?) Nope.

It really doesn't make any sense to me. I'm trying not to think about it too much because the more I think about it the more extreme my thoughts get. (Keep reading.)

I also took Sam to a piano lesson today. Mrs. Meyer complimented him several times on being a good listener. She said, "I bet you like to read, don't you?" He said it was one of his favorite things. She asked him if he had all his school supplies ready for school and I told her that the school said they're providing everything this year and didn't give me a list. Mrs. Meyer said it was because of a lawsuit a few years back where a father said if he paid taxes and sent his kids to public school everything should be provided. He apparently won. That got me to thinking about suing for a safe walk to school.

I know it's not a big deal, I should just suck it up and drive him everyday like everyone else does. But I don't want to do that. It's not that I'm lazy, I walked him probably half a mile to the bus stop every single day in Germany. Happily. It's that they think it's okay for a kindergartener to walk 1.3 miles to school without a sidewalk? They keep harping on me about carpooling but I don't have a huge SUV or minivan. There's space for one more kid in my car, that's it. And when I walked Isaiah to the bus stop last year his mom was always late. Serenity now. I need to stop thinking about it.

son of a .... gun!

I went to St. Louis with Schmitty yesterday to pick up my car, woohoo! We flew out at 7:30 and arrived at 8:30. I'm not really sure why but I was on edge all day. It was an effort not to lose my cool for no particular reason which isn't the day I wanted to have. I got my car and we drove to the arch but there wasn't any parking, it was all roped off and plastered with no parking signs. I was thoroughly annoyed and left, I decided to just drive straight home (443 miles). I think I was cranky because I was tired, I can't think of any other reason. Maybe sometimes I don't need a reason...

Saturday afternoon/evening Yago and I tried our hand at canning tomatoes. We bought a big box of them at the farmer's market that morning and looked forward to preserving some fresh food for later use. We also shucked, cut from the cob and froze a couple dozen ears of corn. I just read Greek Tragedy and she canned fresh tomato sauce. She made it sound idealic and homey, she left out the part where you drop a slippery tomato on the floor and make a huge mess (stain) on an area rug or where you ruin a t-shirt. (It looks like I tried hacking a small cat to bits.) She also forgot to mention the part where at the end you wonder if you're doing it right and yell at your husband. Will the jars seal? Is it going to spoil because I accidentally touched something after it was sterilized.

And lets not forget about the pesky baby that wants to be in the kitchen with four pots of boiling water on the stove and all sorts of things to get in to. I guess her twins are more boring than my Ralph.

I almost forgot the best (worst) part of my story about picking up my car. I was within NINE miles of home when a construction vehicle in front of me kicked a rock up on to my windshield. I have a big ding and crack in my windshield. Grrr.

My Aunt Rita came to visit for the weekend. I wish we'd been able to spend more time together, she's pretty funny. Sometimes I'd like to go back to NY to visit but I don't have anyone to stay with, I'm not really close to any family back there anymore. It's been years since I've been back and seen people.

Time to make Schmitty breakfast and enjoy the few moments left before Ralph wakes up.

i called it

As predicted, I've been compulsively checking my email to see if the biological has responded with updated contact information. He hasn't. I need the info to have him served with paperwork but I know he doesn't much care.

I'm trying to just relax about it. I'll give the lawyer the address from Dec 06 and we'll take it from there. If he doesn't respond it probably won't matter anyway. The lawyer said even if he tried to contest it (which I REALLY don't anticipate) it'd be hard for him because he hasn't been involved whatsoever in the child's life.

In other news, my Aunt Rita is coming to town to visit for a weekend. We're all going to Mistress of Moomoo's house for enchiladas, I'm bringing stuff for peach mojitos. Yago and I realize we can't drink the whole pitcher ourselves this time, that was one nasty hangover!

I got Schmitty a couple of 3rd Grade workbooks to do, he's less than thrilled.

who says lawyers are all bad?

We found a lawyer in Florida that will take our case and says he can start right away. I'm VERY excited, I'm mean we're very excited. The only thing now is getting the biological father to email me back with updated contact information. That'll be a challenge.

I got Schmitty enrolled in school a couple of days ago. It's 1.3 miles away and the bus won't pick him up if he lives within 1.5 miles of the school. There isn't even a sidewalk for him to use, he'll have to walk along the side of the road. That irritates me. I guess a normal person would just drive back and forth everyday but I don't want to do that. I'm trying to teach and live conservation which leaves me one other option. I could walk with him to and from school everyday, a total of 5.2 miles everyday. That doesn't sound so great either, especially with Ralph.

I got a MESS of chigger bites a couple of weeks ago and I'm still scratching. I've never had chiggers before, it's awful! I can't even describe my misery a couple of Sundays ago. I had fullblown hives and was in tears it hurt/itched so bad.

We're meeting Yago for lunch today so I've got to get in the shower. Ciao!

adopting frustration

I'm spending the morning researching stepparent adoption. Yago and I started talking about it two and a half years ago and found that we couldn't do it while stationed overseas. I find it very frustrating that we could have adopted a baby from China but Yago couldn't adopt Schmitty while we were stationed in Germany. It ticks me off. (Seriously. My former boss adopted a daughter from China while we were there. There are provisions for that but there isn't a state that will consider jurisdiction in stepparent adoption while overseas.)

In Nebraska we have to wait until we've lived here a year, so we can start in 49 weeks. Ugh. I heard Oklahoma has some of the easiest adoption laws in the country and since Yago's from OK I called. The child has to live in OK for six months. Hmph. Now I'm waiting for a call back from an attorney in Florida, Yago is a legal resident of FL. This stinks.

It really irritates me that the delay is caused by Yago being in the military. If it weren't for that the adoption could have been done a couple of years ago.

Whew

We finally made it after many adventures and missteps. I can start with our last mass.

Schmitty and I were all psyched and ready to announce to the congregation that we were attending our last mass, they always ask new people to introduce themselves and leaving members to stand and say goodbye. Anyway, Schmitty was very excited and afraid the priest wouldn't ask if it was anyone's last mass before leaving. I had to reassure him several times that they always ask and we would stand up.

We didn't have our regular priest but toward the end of mass he asked the Huff family to come forward. Huh? Crap! I have no idea what you're supposed to do when you go up there! Everyone always bows when they approach the altar but I don't know if it's because they're part of mass or if you're supposed to bow within a certain distance of the altar... I go to church every Sunday but I have no idea what people are doing most of the time and don't know half the prayers. I just show up and take Schmitty to CCD.

Anyway, I got all nervous and flustered when the "Huff Family," consisting of only Schmitty and me, went up there and I started bowing and making the sign of the cross out of nervousness. I did't know what to do!!! The priest presented us with a plaque and thanked us for our service to the church. He said he felt a little strange because he didn't normally serve our church so he didn't know us but could tell we must have contributed an awful lot and been very involved for our congregation to want to say goodbye to us in such a way. Nope. Like I said, I don't even know half the prayers we say during mass. It was VERY embarrassing. I spent days thinking about it afterward, kind of kicking myself for looking like a retard up there not knowing what to do. Ugh.

Then, there was our last evening out in Germany. Yago and I went to the spa up the street from our house. That? Was an interesting night. It was a textile free sauna, I can't even describe it. Lots of naked people roaming around. Inside. Outside. You name it. There was an indoor/outdoor pool that you can go in. Basically skinny dipping in front of a couple hundred naked people. There were all sorts of different saunas, with different infused scents. One was a pretzel sauna, we went to that one and they poured some liquid on the hot rocks that really made it smell like a baking pretzel. Another one was chamomile or something and then you step back outside and rub rock salt all over yourself (for exfoliating purposes) and then go back in. It was crazy but fun.

Well, I'll save the Alburquerque and Topeka stories for another day.

We still don't have our furniture but we got our household goods so we have pots and pans and stuff like that. We really like our house, it was a good choice for us. I'm going to go look at a couple of schools today and figure out where to enroll Schmitty. I have to get on the ball because school starts next week!