Random useless tidbits

The last two weeks have been whirlwind and nutty. Lots o' traveling and time spent playing with E in the backseat of T's car. (Am about to confess something that I know will haunt me)...Given all of this time in the car, I totally get why people with kids buy mini-vans. Yes, they're totally heinous looking, but yes they hold a lot of crap.

****

Am slowly getting over death cold. Nose still operating at only 85% smelling power, but now running like a tap. Also, throat has turned scratchy. But not like a sexy Bette Davis, more like a smoked two packs a day since I was 12 kind of way.

When I was super stuffed up and had 0% smelling power, the pressure in my sinuses was putting pressure on my teeth and making them hurt. Big time. Although, pressure in face has lessened, my teeth still hurt. Am now wondering if I have a jenky tooth.

****

Things I feel lukewarm about:

1. Figure skating
2. Olive Garden
3. Jennifer Love Hewitt

****

We have a new cleaning person starting tomorrow. I am hoping she lives up to her promises with dusting and doesn't steal my china. Or my new US Weekly.

****

I put up our Christmas decorations and our tree last night. I turned on the tree and off the lights when I brought E downstairs this morning. We sat in front of the tree and he just stared at it for almost five minutes. He didn't touch it or try to put it in his mouth. It was fun to watch his little face taking it all in.

Incidentally, we're still sporting the fake tree at Casa de K. I wanted a real tree last year, but we went on the family cruise right before the holiday, so it didn't seem right. Getting a kitten this year, I didn't really want to wrestle with pulling it out of the inside of the tree after it climbed it. So, perhaps next year. In the meantime, I just had to Febreeze our tree since it kind of smelled like our basement.

Classy, I know.

****

T has capitulated and given a half-hearted thumbs up to doing a family photo card for our Christmas cards. I wanted to take a photo of us this week, but my skin has wigged out (I think it's the traveling) so it doesn't seem like the right time.

Although, tomorrow is December 1 and I feel the need to get crack a' lackin on things.

****

The newest candidate for Feline in Residence. Am hoping to go pick up said kitten next week Saturday. T keeps telling me that I should go to the Humane Society and just get it or place a hold on it, I told him that once you pick it out that, if it's old enough, that you have to take the kitty home then.

Am hoping this one is still around next week.

***

A belated list of things I am thankful for (in no particular order):

1. A husband who asks, particularly when I'm looking wound-up, "What can I do to help?"
2. A job where I am appreciated
3. Friends who make me laugh and are reliable
4. A son who was born healthy and without incident
5. Parents that I love and like
6. Vacation days
7. A warm house

Our forefathers

So, tomorrow we head to Ohio for a few days for Thanksgiving. By far my favorite holiday for the following reasons:

• The annual Turkey Bowl game. We've had t-shirts made, T still has a jenky finger because of a game related injury four years ago and one year we played dodge ball in the local high school gym because there was too much snow on the ground for Turkey Bowl.
• There is always somewhere to sit. My Aunt C has more couches and chairs and there is a room for all 25+ people to lounge and chat.
• That one year my brother A (on the right) and my cousin B decided to dress like a pilgrim and an Indian.

That's a good time, folks.

The uniform

Back in August I was super happy to be heading back to work and to have an entire closet full of clothes that I hadn't really worn in 9 months. It was as if I was welcoming back old friends and it filled me with joy. Well, I'm fickle and that joy has already fizzled out. I'm really kind of tired of it all.

Recently, a co-worker and I have been talking about developing a personal "uniform." Sort of your go-to outfit m.o. that you can rely on day in and day out.

Issues that we considered when choosing our uniform:

• The Itchiness Factor--wearing itchy clothes all day is very uncomfortable and very distracting.


• The Pinchy Factor--I personally take a pretty strong stand against all pinchy clothes.


• The Untucked Factor--we work in a library, so we kind of have to look stuffed and tucked-in on most days

Anyway, my co-worker, J, decided that her uniform would black skirt, tall black boots and a turtleneck sweater.

T has already crafted his uniform (and I may/may not have used to make fun of him for it): Black dress pants, colorful button down dress shirt, black dress shoes. Sometimes a tie or jacket if there's a meeting involving Rulers of the Universe, but usually not.

I decided that my uniform is the dress. Simple, easy, put it on and you're dressed. No fear of coming untucked, and if you play your cards right--no pinching or itching.

Some dresses I've bought lately:

From Isaac Mizrahi at Target. It's very comfy.

Also way comfy and it has pockets.

Kind of a splurge, but I dig it.

I loved the ruffled neckline.

Called the Radiant Receptionist dress.

So, I am wearing these newbies with some trusted oldies and hanging on until Spring when a whole new world of sassy dresses awaits purchasing.

What would your uniform consist of?

It's not like I can dryclean it; it's my booddy.*

So, we're back from visiting T's family and our friendly neighbors to the North. Lots of tidbits to share...

Things discovered:

1. Leaving right in the morning as if leaving for work/daycare was a good move. Yeah, it meant we were in the car and on the road at 7:30am, but it got E to take his morning nap in the car.


2. T has decided that he wants to become a Border Control officer. Because they carry tasers.


3. A hotel suite, when traveling with someone who goes to bed at 6:30pm, is sooo the way to go. We tucked E in the other room and were able to watch tv and eat room service without worry of waking him.


4. Toronto is cold, yo. Like make your forehead hurt cold.


5. 10 1/2 hours in the car is enough to make a) A six month old roll his eyes in the back of head with tiredness and drama, b) A forty year old need two ginormous bottles of Grolsch via room service, c) A thirty-two year old talk to herself and laugh hysterically at inappropriate things.

Things witnessed:

1. A sign at a Canadian McDonald's that offered a McMuffin with "back bacon." I screeched in horror. The rest of the day T kept offering me back bacon.


2. A concert poster advertising a band called "Infected Mushroom." Good name, but can mushrooms really become infected?


3. A company with the name "Charlie's Meat." I snickered, and then T asked me to join the rest of the group not in 7th grade. Heh.


4. A delivery van stating that it, "Delivers pork to the masses." I'm not even sure the masses really want pork.

Aside from those tidbits, the visit with T's mom and sister was great. I'm pretty sure they wanted to lick him he was so cute, but the runny nose was probably a bit of a deterrent. I loved that T's mom got to hold her grandson and snuggle with him. While it was tricky to get there, I hope that another six months doesn't go by before she's able to see him again.

Some pics...

Looking a bit omniscient; perhaps feeling as if the trip ahead is going to be particularly bleak.

Right before crossing the border. And right before the weather turned so heinous that it made Michigan winters look positively benign.

T's mom giving E his afternoon cocktail.

T trying to play possum and perhaps convince E that it is sleepy time. As you can see from the all-knowing look in his eye, E was not to be duped. T gave up about 10 minutes later and we then checked-out and headed home.

*From a Molson Ice commercial where a bear gets beer spilled on his fur while hanging out in a bar. I don't know, you had to be there. Anyway, because Molson is Canadian, T and I kept saying this line. Again, you probably had to be there.

Random useless tidbits

I have about 14 things that I need to get done before 4:59pm and yet I decide to: talk on phone with J for about 20 minutes, bitch about Workplace Christmas party with fabulously bitter co-worker, take a 90 minute lunch, blog, look out window at swirling snow.

Yeah, I may need to reacquainted with what my day-job truly is.

****

In the past week I've had mochas from four different area coffee shops. Some chains, some not. One was watery. One was mega strong with not much mocha-ness to it. One was just yucky. And one was fabulous.

I will be sticking with fabulous from now on.

And the gay barista who makes it calls me "Honey" which I kind of like.

****

We're heading to Toronto tomorrow. I've likened Toronto to a clean Chicago. Just as cold and with fab shopping, but no goo on the sidewalk. Don't even get me started on New York City. Serious grime. And New Orleans! Crikey. Catch the goo and an STD from sauntering down Bourbon St.

Anyway, my beef with Canadians is this: What is up with all the change? Are you against bills as a form of currency? Because a sister can only put so much change in her purse before she starts looking like one of the three Wise Men bringing gold to Baby Jesus.

However, the Canadians have this going for them: Timbits. If you don't know what a Timbit is, you need to head to a Tim Horton's to find out.

****

In coming back from lunch, I honked at two people driving like complete asses. I mean, really? If that's how you choose to drive, then I'm going to choose to honk at you.

I work with someone who says she just prefers to throw up the finger because she finds honking too abrasive. I told, "Look, cars come with horns. Think of it as a built-in middle finger."

****

Have recently decided that I love sequins, sparkles and anything BeDazzled a little bit too much.

****

Totally just remembered that I packed myself a pocket piece of pumpkin pie with a teeny dollop of Cool Whip as an afternoon treat. Heading to fridge!

****

Lastly, I leave you with two pics of sleepy E.

3 days

5 1/2 months

Yeah, not so much

Ways I am not so cool:

1. I use Chapstick. I think that cool people either a) already have fab lips or b) have other more cool things to think about than well moistened lips.
2. I sometimes tuck my shirts in. I'm pretty sure (as evidenced from frequent reading of US Weekly) that cool people never tuck their shirts in.
3. I cannot handle drinking whiskey or tequila. Unless they're in some sort of fruity punch. Offered with an orange wedge. On a little plastic sword.
4. I love "Meerkat Manor."
5. I wear tights. And not cool, jazzy, super patterned tights. Just tights.
6. I get cranky if I stay up too late.
7. I like to put on my pajamas right when I get home. Because I'm staying home. And not going anywhere until the next morning. And, yeah, I did this before even having a baby.
8. Having too many accessories (earrings, necklaces, bracelets) is confusing to me and sometimes too much work to coordinate effectively.
9. I like to wear a watch. I think that cool people perhaps are too slick for timekeeping.
10. I make to-do lists with little open boxes next to the line items so that I can check them off when I'm done.
11. I like to eat pigs-in-a-blanket. My general impression is that cool people would perhaps scoff at this delightful snack.
12. Those "Messin' with Sasquatch" commercials make me laugh. Like, super hard.

Oh well.

Kickin' it

About three years ago (a year after we bought our house), I had an epiphany, "Holy crap, if T dies--I don't think I can afford to stay in the house." Since that sounded like getting the shaft and a half (no husband and no house?), I got crack a lackin' on the life insurance.

While I'm pretty sure I'd be a hot mess of wallowing and emaciated sorrow (and probably sniffing his clothes in a dramatic fashion) if something were to happen to T, I don't really want to have to think about how I'm going to eat or pay bills and especially now, care for E.

Same thing for T. He shouldn't have to eat Ramen in Section 8 housing if for some reason I expire.

Anyway, so we took out a bunch of insurance on the both of us (which I increased this year to cover the highway robbery that will be E's college expenses in 18 years) and it kind of makes me feel better and more secure. At least now I'll able to take some time from work and not worry how E and I are going to exist.

And maybe I could get the pink stove from Cottage Living that I've been coveting.

Just sayin'.

A weekend pictoral

Here is the weekend via pictures.

You may notice that the majority of the pictures are of E--that would be because the majority of our time spent on the weekends revolves around E. In addition to the other names we call him (Small Fry, Senor Baby, Hombre, Sir), T pointed out that he's kind of the house CEO. Calling the shots and not giving a crap what happens as a result.

Anyway...

Friday evening: After work and playing on our bed.



Friday evening: After a shower.
E can now fold himself like a little pretzel and gnaw on his toes. Rodney Yee would be so proud.



Friday: Post-yoga glow.



Saturday morning: Early.
Playing downstairs in the living room so that T can sleep. He caught some sort of death cold earlier in the week.



Saturday afternoon: Sitting up.
E can pretty much manuever sitting up on his own. The only wrench in the system is that he wants to put everything in his mouth. So, when he reaches for something...



...he kind of topples over.




Late Saturday afternoon: T has slipped into a cold-induced sleep.



Saturday evening: Pre-squash dinner.



Sunday morning: Kind of early.




Late Sunday morning: Two naps under his belt and hoping for a trip to Costco for free samples.



Sunday afternoon: A familiar sight, no?



Late Sunday afternoon: A sit-down post-Costco.



Or not.



Sunday evening: It's complete!



Sunday evening: Pre-carrots dinner.

Vacation in my mind

A picture T took when we went on a cruise with my family last December. I think this is in the Bahamas.

Waiters would deliver fruity drinks to you right in the chairs.

It was lovely.

Random useless tidbits

Have decided that the tone of my last post perhaps intimated something other than I how actually feel about having E. I would have spent three times that amount to be where I am today. What I guess I was trying to point out was: a) Medical care is ridiculously expensive and b) If you don't have insurance, I'm not sure it's all that fair that you shouldn't be able to try and get pregnant, stay that pregnant and keep your baby healthy.

Perhaps our new President will be able to wrangle this issue down.

****

Things I will be trying to accomplish this weekend:

--Scouting out potential feline housemates at the Humane Society and essentially seeing if any of our throats close up due to allergies. No? Well, then Senor Cat will be welcomed to the Casa de K in early December.

I've kind of been eyeballing this character from the Humane Society's resident:

Ahh! I just went to find the black kitten I've been stalking and he's no longer on the website! Damn. Well, hopefully some other family is enjoying him.


--Chatting with a new housecleaner to see if she's willing to take on our house of dust (I was going to say "house of wood," but that sounded dirty)

--Resting

--Trying out new games on E that I discovered in this book that my friend J gave me back when E was but a lump

--Buying a highchair for E

--Helping T get over his head cold

--Perhaps taking E to our gym's indoor, super heated swimming pool for some water action. Of course, this means exposing an unsightly amount of pasty skin (mine, not his) to other unsuspecting gym goers. Poor saps.

--Grocery shopping

****

I received the Gap Holiday Gift giving catalog in the mail yesterday and am thinking of trucking to the mall to buy a couple of these. And this. T is not such a fan of the Gap, so he gets zip.

****

Okay, I am off to eat a petite pizza and watch In Bruges with the Husband. If it sucks, I'm going to bed to watch my DVRs of "Real Housewives of Atlanta."

Bill of goods

I was checking some things out with my medical insurance online late last night and discovered that they have available a list of claims going back to early-2007. Dr. Eccentricbutfreakishlysmart figures prominently during that time.

The insurance I receive through Workplace is super steller. So good, in fact, it gives T the shakes when I occasionally talk about looking elsewhere for employment.

When going through the bizarre-o world of infertility, T and I continually wondered how other families do it. What if we were the ones with slightly less-than-great insurance sitting next to each other in the doctor's office, each internally digesting the cost of things and wondering if that alone would keep us from having a baby? What if we were the ones who lost a job and didn't have insurance and even though we were pregnant, couldn't afford to go to the doctor to see how things were progressing? What if we were the ones who spent nine months worrying about how we were going to pay the hospital bill once Baby did come? And then...how about caring for your baby afterwards with the regular appointments, ear infections and flus?

Those are HUGE stress things, people. Worrying about money and health will shave years off your life.

So, I added everything up that our insurance paid for:

Total spent at Dr. EBFS (labwork, constant monitoring, office visits, etc.) from February to November:
9963.87

Total spent in obstetrical care at my OB/GYN for the remaining seven months:
1773.00

Total spent on the delivery and hospital stay (epidural, Tylenol, nursery stay, food, etc.):
9201.15

E's doctor visits (check-ups because he wasn't feeling well and 2 month, 4 month, 6 month shots) from June-November:
2159.25

23,097.27. To get pregnant, stay pregnant and have a healthy baby.

Craziness.

Because I'm, all, "Huh?"

I'm kind of a creature of habit. You know, I don't mind that most of my days kind of resemble each other because that makes me feel okay. Don't get me wrong--it's not like I eat dinner at precisely 7:03pm each day, must brush my teeth at 9:33pm and set my alarm for 6:05am. It's just that I have a pretty normal groove and I like that. Today?--not so much. It's almost 2:00pm and I feel kind of discombobulated.

Wednesdays I usually wake up early and get ready, play with E, put him down for a nap, get him ready for the day, leave the house at 10:30ish, volunteer, grab lunch and then head to work from 1pm-9pm.

Thus far, today has gone as following:

2:00am-4:00am: Awake and quietly laying (lying?) in bed like possum. E chatting away from his crib and seemingly ready to start his day. Doctor recommends that we let him lay there so that he knows it's nighttime and not playtime and I'm cool with that because I'm not feeling the playtime vibe. Drop an f-bomb at 3:45am and decide to rock E to sleep. He passes out instantly.

6:30am: Decide I can't possibly face the day this tired but hear E start to stir. Do stealth turn-on of his Rain Forest player (which involves creeping down below his line of sight but extending hand creepily over crib rail to hit 'on' button) and buy some time to randomly vacuum the living room and kitchen (Wednesdays are Grandma-time evenings at our house while T and I work late and there was a militia of crumbies throughout the house). Am not usually a fan of vacuuming this early, but this was my window of opportunity.

6:45am-8:00am: Play with E, feed him a bottle and put him down for a nap.

8:00am-8:40am: Race to get ready not knowing if he is going to sleep for twenty minutes or two hours. Game appropriately titled "Crapshoot of How Long Do I Have to Get Ready in the Morning?"

8:40am: Check on E and subsequently step on creakiest board of wood floor in entire house. E's eyes shoot open. Damn! Trying rocking him back to sleep. Too late for that nonsense.

8:50am: Push Rain Forest player again so that I finish putting my face on. Get him up, dressed and out the door.

9:30am: Decide to visit librarian friend before taking E to daycare. She's not in, so I take E to daycare.

10:15am: Have an hour before I volunteer. Decide to randomly go to Cracker Barrel and eat breakfast and read my book.

11:15am: Head to library to volunteer except she's not there. Leave a note. Now what the hell am I going to do until 1pm? Run errands to bank and post office. Decide to just go home and kill time there. Being home feels wierd because I've been alone in the house precisely all of 40 minutes since May 27.

Noon: Pay bills, finish reading my book, fold some laundry, head out to get a coffee since it now feels more like 5pm instead of 12:30pm.

1:05pm: At work under the guise of being productive for eight hours when in reality it already feels like I've done enough running around to count for one day.

Sigh.

Oh, I know--woe is me, right? Sometimes I feel like telling own self to stop the complaining.

But, dude, my groove is off!

Verbal gaffe o' the day

Workplace Computer Lab...about 20 minutes ago.


"So you can use a root expander at the end of a word and the database will then pick up all the variations of that word which will enhance your search results."

(Blank stares)

"Okay...take the word skiing. If you use a root expander in place of the -ing you're essentially whacking off (snickers from back of class) the end of the word and allowing the database to search for skied, ski, skiing, etc."

Dude, I totally said "whacking off" while teaching.

Let's hope that doesn't make the evaluations.

The Weekend via a checklist

Friday

Give babysitter another call in hopes that she'll call back and be available
Check!

Make a list of the daily nonsense that I didn't get to talk to T about this week so that we can go over it sometime during the weekend
Check!

Pack up work that I didn't get to on Friday so that I can tackle it on Saturday or Sunday when E is sleeping
Check!

Whisk a sleepy, snotty nosed E home after work
Check!

Stare at contents of fridge in vacant fashion, eat cereal for dinner
Check!


Saturday

Offer T one million dollars if he gets up with E at 6:45am instead of me
Check!

Become alarmed from comforts of bed when sudden crying is heard followed by eery silence
Check!

Whisk E off to Babies R Us to buy diapers and pacifiers and allow T to take a nap
Check!

Putz around house while both E and T take two hour naps
Check!

Put laundry off until Sunday
Check!

Stash laundry in basement so that babysitter is not alarmed
Check!

Run off with T into the sunset for a tasty dinner. At 3:30pm.
Check!

Have adult conversation over an obscene number of tapas
Check!

Get home and love that E had fabulous time with fabulous babysitter
Check!

Watch "Run Fatboy Run" with T--head to bed at 9:30pm
Check!


Sunday

Offer T an additional million dollars if he gets up with E instead of me
Check!

Stumble downstairs at 8:30am, look at weather in disgust and plan on going to museum
Check!

Finagle leaving around alleged nap times and bottle
Check!

Wonder why E has suddenly given the middle finger to anything resembling a nap
Check!

Have the most wonderful macaroni and cheese at museum cafe
Check!

Suck snot out of my son's nose in front of fabulous Avedon photograph of a Dior dress
Check!

Go grocery shopping and almost fall asleep in international foods aisle
Check!

Chew fingernails and stare at T in horror when contemplating that perhaps E won't sleep at night since he didn't sleep during the day
Check!

Bake bread, make dinner, do three loads of laundry, pick-up house, pack work bag for Monday, take shower, wilt into bed at 9:20pm
Check!

Love/hate Friday

Love: It's Friday

Hate: The weather is supposed to be je.nky this weekend. My friend A in Minnesota said that it currently SNOWING there. Criminy.

Love: Am finally getting my act together to go see the Avedon exhibit on Sunday

Hate: Due to jenk weather am not sure there will be any walks

Love: In lieu of exchanging Christmas gifts, by friend J and I have decided to spend some time together at a spa. In fuzzy robes.

Hate: Wanted to take the day off to get some things done at home, but had too much to wrestle at Workplace instead

Love: Babysitter just called back! T and I are off for a few hours tomorrow afternoon. Suh-weet.

Hate: Suddenly feel guilty for wanting to spend time with T away from E.

Love: Caramel Cider-type drink from Starbucks

Hate: Am going to try and make the Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread recipe tonight but can't remember what's in it in order to stop at the store and buy ingredients

Love: Google

Hate: T has worked late almost every night this week.

Love: When he does get home, he's bearing treats and we go to bed to watch DVR.

Hate: Our weekly dry cleaning bill

Love: Clothes I don't have to iron

Hate: Am desiring some new clothing items

Love: The thought of shopping with a 5 month old is an excellent way to save money

Hate: Feeling so tired

Love: Knowing that my sheets are waiting for me

Some random photos

Sporty Spice




Yet another Saturday morning where E ends up with no clothes on. The boy has a closet full and yet somehow is always stripped down to his diaper. Or...wearing toddler clothes. I've told T, "Look! The closet is organized by size. Just grab something from the left!" Yet somehow he refuses and he grabs from the right. Or doesn't grab anything at all.




You'll notice how the burrito is slowly heading south (perhaps back to Mexico, you wonder). At daycare he is totally sleeping in his crib without being wrapped tight. We're easing into at home and it's going well. For whatever reason, he still likes his little legs in a sack. I don't know.




T snapped this so that I could see it in the morning. I missed it due to being doped up on Tylenol PMs (pm-ies as we call them in our house ).





Picture of me and the hombre. I look a little out of it here. Perhaps residual pm-ie effects.

You better get crackin'

I've been accused by my Husband--mainly when packing for a trip--of being a product junky. "Why do you have so many potions?", he asks.

I don't feel that I use an excessive number of products; each has its own task--a niche, if you will. And if one isn't performing up to snuff, it is axed from the line-up and quickly replaced with one who will rise to the task. It's tough world in my bathroom and no product should assume too much job security.

To really see if I use too many potions, I decided to list everything that I use from start to finish. Now there are some pitch hitters--mud masks, specials creams, liquid eyeliner, red lipstick--but those only come out on a "as needed basis" so they've not been included here.

1. Crest Whitening toothpaste in Clean Mint
2. Target brand saline solution for my contacts
3. Neutrogena Oil Free Foaming Face Wash
4. St. Ives Apricot Scrub
5. Kiehl's Amino Acid shampoo
6. Kiehl's Rice and Wheat Volumizing Conditioning Rinse
7. Dove soap
8. Olay Quench body lotion
9. Clinique All About Eyes cream
10. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
11. Secret Clinical Strength deoderant
12. Tigi Bed Head Cocky
13. TreSemme hair spray in light hold
14. Arbonne concealer in Light
15. Stila Gel Cheek Color in Cherry Flush
16. Bobbi Brown Sheer Finished Pressed Powder in Sunny Beige
17. Rimmel Eyebrow pencil in Soft Brown
18. With mascaras I have too many to be really acceptable--Rimmel, Dior, Lancome, Cover Girl, Clinique and Maybelline--so I'm not really going to bother here.
19. Clinique Very Berry lipstick
20. For perfume it's either Vera Wang or Moonlight Path body spray from Bath and Body Works.

So...twenty products. I don't think that's too heinous. I mean, lots else gets thrown in when I travel--q-tips, earrings, hair dryer, other lipstick options, etc.--so it does tend to take up an entire bag. But that's what they make travel bags for, isn't it?

Do you have a product you can't leave home without?

Election Day miscellany

At dinner last night,

Me: "I'm nervous about tomorrow."
T: "Me too. Like with little pits in my guts."
"Because what if we wake up on Wednesday..."
"I know. And another douchebag is in office."

****

T decided that if he was President that he would make Election Day a national holiday so that everyone could go out and vote and not be hindered by work and whatnot.

I thought this was a good idea.

****

Starbucks was offering free tall coffees to anyone who said they voted, but they had to pull the Scooby Shuffle and rethink that approach due to various state laws the prohibit providing goods or services in return for voting. What a Debbie Downer.

****

This morning while trying to get ready and get out the door by 7am:

Me: "Do you think they'll have cookies. Because I could get behind eating a cookie right now."
T: "Sure. Old ladies always have cookies and old ladies always work the voting table."
"Good point."
"You better hurry because what if you get behind the person who takes the LAST cookie?"
"Then I'm taking his voting sticker so that he doesn't get other free crap throughout the day."
"Nice."

****

Kind of like with Christmas lights, I'm interested in seeing how long some of the election signs remain in people's yards. A few weeks? A few months? Forever?

T has been tempted to snaggle the signs, straight out of the yard, for the candidate he is less fond of. When he says things like this, I tend to call him Old Man K.

****

Am currently trying to decide how stalker-esque to be with the news feeds and what to eat for lunch.

I consider it multi-tasking.

Weekend redux

Friday:

A veritable whirlwind of Hallween-ness. Snuck out of work 20 minutes early to pick-up E and race on over to the R household as well as to my mom and dad's house. Then raced home to put E to bed and man the front door. In the four years we've lived in the house, we usually receive a crapload of trick or treaters (200+). Less this year.

After I ran out of candy I turned off our front light and went upstairs. Despite the drapes being closed and the porch dark, some desperate/obnoxious soul rang our doorbell about 10 ten times. I was about to chuck them a bag of frozen peas when it finally stopped.

T picked up dinner on the way home and we tried to watch "The Heartbreak Kid." It wasn't funny and it made T tense (movie/tv themes he avoids: spouses cheating, spouses thinking about cheating, children being kidnapped), so we turned it off. I passed out shortly after.

Saturday:

I slept in and am now suddenly finding it hard to remember what else I did. Oh! E and my mom and I went to Costco. I sampled their white cake with chocolate mousse layer (it rocked), their lasagna (also mucho tasty) and their version of Vitamin Water (not shabby). All of this in lieu of lunch. Score. We filled the cart rather quickly and had to kind of evaluate whether it all would fit in the VW. We put back the 100 rolls of toilet paper (mine) and the two cases of bottled water (hers). We were good.

After unloading everything at home, E took an unprecedented two hour nap while I ate lunch, took a shortie nap and then started twiddling my fingers with free time. Poor T spent four hours raking leaves. Only to feel more despondent upon looking up and seeing that 2/3 of the leaves are still on the trees (damn oaks). T looked war torn, so I tucked him down for a nap and took E on walk to the grocery store (to get the toilet paper).

We then hauled biscuits back home where T and I had to get ready for the Halloween party and E ready for bed. My parents came over and wrestled with E while we finished getting ready. While the Halloween party was fun, we a) were ready to leave at 9; b) would have preferred to go out by ourselves instead. By the end of the evening--T was wearing my halo and I was swishing his faux dagger around. I stated that surely vengeful angels carry daggers, so it worked.

Sunday:

After playing the waiting game with E between the hours of 4:00am and 6:00am and putting him back down for his morning nap, I slept in. I then somehow managed to wrangle in six loads of laundry, a two hour walk, pajama shopping for E, a visit to my parents house and dinner with my book club. All between the hours of 10am and 9pm. Like I mentioned below, longest day known to man.

I curse you, DST

Yeah, so Daylight Savings Time pretty much sucks in the fall. Not only does it create the longest day KNOWN TO MAN but it also throws off the schedule of all those known as E in the K household.

Dang.

I started sweating it back on Monday when I realized that our delicate ecosystem of sleep could get effed up come Saturday night. T's advice, "Let's just roll with it." Well aren't you slick.

While we wouldn't really be able to account for that Mystery Hour come early Sunday, I could however pull some clock/body trickery at 6:00am. So, E started chatting at about 5:00am (6:00am to his body), but I decided to let him talk it up until it showed 6:00am on the clock. He started getting a little pissy but made it until 6:00am.

The rest of day went fine--naps and eating not off so much--but then I realized that a potentially jenky bedtime could be waiting for us. What if he crashed at 5:30pm, woke up to eat 10:00am and started the whole vicious circle over again?

So, we went on a MEGA walk and pumped him up full of fresh air and a stroller nap at 4:00pm. That held him off until the usual bedtime of 6:30. Phew. I think we're going to be okay.

While this post may be a sad commentary on how much I overthink things, I am still having a hard time dealing with the lack of control I have over how much (or how little, really) sleep I am able to get. Am not sure I'll ever get used to it.

He is pretty cute, though.