The Maytags have landed

Washer and dryer were delivered at 8:15 AM this morning (no, I'm not kidding!). Already washed and dried two loads of clothes! LOL It is possible I am imagining things, but my jeans sure do seem cleaner than the old washer got them. Now we just need to get accustomed to a dramatically more efficient dryer and re-adjust our thinking on how long things take to dry. It will take some experimenting, but I'm sure we'll figure it out.

I'm not up for much else today. How about a meme? I bookmarked this on Stasha's blog ages ago, but I'm just now getting to it.

1.) Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.

Now what? LOL I had to go all the way into the living room to find one, sheesh! The computer area is the denizen of DH; books are scarce. The only other book was one of Luke's, and it didn't have 18 pages in it to start with. I suppose I should type it here, yes? "dueling rather than through reasoned discussion. However" From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

2.) Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you reach?

Well, the book right now. Before I brought that in here, it would have been the neon green chair (one of a pair) I inherited from my grandmother. In the chair is a LEGO catalog and an empty Office Depot bag (formerly containing the replacement black ink cartridge for the printer).

3.) What is the last thing you watched on TV?

Weatherscan. Not sure that counts, though. The last thing we watched on "live" television (i.e. not recorded on the DVR) was CSI:NY. The last thing I watched from the DVR was Blue's Clues this morning with Luke before school. (Last "real" thing we watched from the DVR was CSI from last night.)

4.) Without looking guess what time it is?

3 PM

5.) Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?

3:03 PM. Need to wake up DH from his nap. Oh, and pack!

6.) With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?

The air conditioner. That's really all. DH and all cats are asleep, and the neighborhood is pretty quiet at present. No dogs or trains or anything! LOL

7.) When did you last step outside? What were you doing?

About an hour ago to finish a cell conversation with my best friend.

8.) Before you started this survey, what did you look at?

Bloglines

9.) What are you wearing?

Jeans, embroidered t-shirt, sneakers.

10.) Did you dream last night?

Seems like I did, but I don't recall what about right now.

11.) When did you last laugh?

While on the phone with my best friend.

12.) What are on the walls you are in?

Cobwebs! And I do mean real ones, not the fake ones for Halloween. I have a whole stack of art prints sitting right here, leaning against the wall (does that count? LOL), but I've never gotten around to hanging them. Two Disney Villains Maleficent drawings, a watercolor painting of the St. Simons Island lighthouse, a Walt Disney World lithograph, matching sun and moon prints, and a print of Norman Rockwell's painting of the three umpires.

13.) Seen anything weird lately?

Nothing especially comes to mind.

14.) What do you think of this quiz?

I think it is refreshingly different from most.

15.) What was the last film you saw?

At home: The Queen. At the theater? Um, Transformers? I think that was the last thing we saw. We're so sad!! I miss the movies!

16.) If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?

Does repayment of our student loans count? We're almost done with those as it is. Should be finished, if not by the end of this year, then early next year. After that, a house, then a car.

17.) Tell me something about you that I don't know?

I'm so boring, I can't think of anything right now.

18.) If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt and politics, what would it be?

Stop the hate.

19.) Do you like to dance?

In my car, by myself, sometimes, maybe a little. Otherwise? No. I feel like I look way too stupid.

20.) George Bush

Is this a question? You know I don't do politics.

21.) Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?

DH wanted Alyssa. I'm okay with that, but would prefer other things. Like Brenna, or Lydia. DH hated both of those. Guess it's a good thing we had a boy!

22.) Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?

Well, we did call him Luke. If we had another one? Han! Or Chewie. (I'm kidding! I genuinely have no idea. Luke is the only name we came up with last time that we both liked. Guess we're done having kids then!)

23.) Would you ever consider living abroad?
No, not really.

24.) What do you want God to say when you reach the pearly gates?

Your family can't wait to see you!

Currently feeling: rinsed and spun, and dried!

I'll blame my brother

It's really all his fault. He's the one who convinced me to start watching Heroes. We'll ignore the fact that I haven't actually watched any of it. It is being recorded on my DVR. In hi-def even (thus taking up an insane amount of space). I don't want to start in on Season 2 until I've seen Season 1. Yeah, I'm weird like that! LOL But how are we going to do that? Well, Jacob sent out a "family invite" from Netflix, which gives me a one month free subscription instead of just two weeks like normal. I now have all 7 discs of Heroes Season 1 in my queue. I have no earthly idea what else to put in there! LOL Well, that's not true, I did add two movies, one of my own choosing (Miss Potter) and one on Jacob's recommendation (Bobby). After that, who knows.

We probably won't keep the subscription once our free month is up. Haven't decided yet. Should probably discuss it with DH, no? We already have a pay channel that we quite enjoy. Don't use it as much as we used to (or as much as we should to justify the cost), but I don't see having a pay channel *and* Netflix. One or the other, sure, but not both. I suppose Netflix makes more sense in many ways. I do believe it is the more "logical" choice (insert pointy ears and eyebrow raise here). But I also know I'm more likely to go "hey, look, that movie I wanted to see starts in 10 minutes!" than to have to wait three days for the movie of choice to arrive. I just need to ponder it some more.

Oh, and new washer/dryer arrive tomorrow!

Currently feeling: flixed (yes, I know that's not really a word, and I don't care! LOL)

Dead dryer

Our clothes dryer is dead. It lived a long and giving life, serving in at least four cities and two different owners. MIL gave us the washer/dryer set when we got married, since she was moving to a place where they were included around the same time. It lasted us a good 9+ years, and DH swears they are at least 25 years old, and it is possible they are over 30. A good long life.

But that doesn't make me any happier when I have a huge pile of wet clothes (thankfully the very last load we washed this weekend, so every other thing we own is clean; and even those are clean, just still damp). And I'm also rather miffed that it couldn't decide to do this, you know, back when I had a JOB! GRRR Given that the washer and dryer are the same age (i.e. ancient), we figure we may as well go on and replace both, rather than having to go through all of this again in the near future (probably sometime super-inconvenient, like Christmas). There are just better times to get hit with a $1000 expense (give or take) than now. Then again, I suppose there are worse times as well (we *can* afford it, it just means we have to put off paying off DH's student loan another couple of months). It could also be much much worse; it could be the car instead of the dryer! Guess I shouldn't complain.
Currently feeling: piled

Blue clouds

My father has had a saying for many years (one of many, in fact): kids keep you young. I figured I would understand when I had one. Ha! I've spent the better part of the last three years feeling nothing but old and tired from attempting to keep up with said child.

However, there have been a few brief shining moments when I truly understand what my father meant. I can't tell you the last time I carried on a conversation with a stuffed animal. Or conducted an entire conversation in "kitty." But my favorite moments are when his very unique perspective on life takes me by surprise. Like Friday on the way to dinner.

It was cloudy, and rain was in the air. There were some very dark gray clouds, and some fluffy white ones. Only a few small patches of sky were showing. Luke looks up and says, "it's raining!" No, Luke, water isn't actually falling from the sky, so it isn't raining. It might rain, though. See, there are white clouds and gray clouds in the sky. So he started pointing. "White clound!" Yes, Luke, that cloud is white. "Gray cloud!" Mm-hmm, that one sure is gray. "Blue cloud!" And it took my brain a moment to click. As I looked into the sky above, I couldn't help but smile. He was right! It certainly looked a whole lot less like "sky," and a whole lot more like a small blue cloud floating there among the white and gray.

Thank you, son, for keeping me young, and reminding me to see the world with fresh eyes.

Currently feeling: pleased

Baggy pants

Those baggy pants that show your underwear are making news quite a bit right now. Several cities are looking at making laws against them, and the ACLU is now involved. Joy. But that's not what I want to talk about.

I have my own theory about that particular style, the shorts in particular. I think it is the male version of capris. No self-respecting "man's man" would ever be caught dead in capris. But, if you buy huge long shorts and hang them below your butt, they strike you just about mid-calf. Voila! Capris for men! LOL

But really, in all seriousness, I read an article where a guy said he wears his pants like that because he doesn't like "tight jeans" and it makes it easier to get his money out of his pockets. First off, DH *hates* tight jeans, and his stay up and cover his (non)butt just fine, thank you very much, with or without a belt. Secondly, I can directly refute that it is easier to get money out of your pockets with that kind of pants on. I wish I had video of the guy we saw the other day literally bending over backwards trying to reach his wallet in his back pocket that was hanging at roughly his knees. It was too funny!

Yes, I'd rather you not show me your underwear. No, I don't really care about your ethnicity or your gender. I don't want to see that from plumbers (though would it apply, when they stereotypically don't wear underwear?) and women showing g-strings out the top of their ultra-low-slung jeans as well. If you can't bend over (much less stand up straight!) in your pants without showing your underwear, then you need either different pants or a shirt that can cover your rear and your undergarments when you do. JMHO But if you're going to try to explain why you wear them, just say because it is the style, or because you like them, or because you feel like you have to "to fit in." Don't make up dorky excuses like "it's easier."

Currently feeling: both amused and annoyed

Luke's first homework

We're still chugging along on speech therapy. Today we got our first specific homework assignment: a worksheet for the "D" sound. Apparently, this is pretty common: when he tries to say words that begin with a D, he pronounces it like a G (as in "go," not the J-like sound). If she is going through words and asks him to mimic her, he will make the D sound. So, if she points to a picture and says "Luke, these are dots. Can you say dots?", he says it correctly. She will move on and ask him to say a couple more D words, but when she then comes back to dots not even a minute later and says "Luke, what are these?", he responds with "gots." So it's not that he can't say it (since he does successfully mimic the sound), it's that he isn't doing it spontaneously on his own. He does do it correctly for some words (like Daddy), but not most of them.

They are also working on some of the more conceptual stuff. Right now, it is the concept of all, some, and "the rest" (meaning those remaining). Man, all the things you forgot that you actually had to learn at some point! I don't know how people do this for a living. Just watching her work with him, I'm ready to pull my hair out. I know it is a difficult concept, I do! He gets "all" and "the rest" just fine. It's "some" that is tripping him up, and understandably. If I sit and try to think how to explain it, I can't really, certainly not in a way that a nearly 3-year-old can understand. It's the small things like that that we don't even remember having to learn; they are so much a part of us they are second nature. And it frustrates me to watch him struggle with things like that. I'm not frustrated with him, I'm just frustrated that I can't think of a way to help him, other than just to practice (which makes me frustrated as he struggles.... it's a vicious cycle).

Sorry, y'all. I know this isn't the most chipper post in the world. I'm just feeling really bummed today. The fact that he is suddenly having sleep issues certainly isn't helping any (those on the board have already heard about them). I nearly ground my teeth to nubbins listening to him scream and cry in his crib for the better part of 90 minutes last night (yes we checked on him).

And then my brother and I had to cancel lunch plans *again* today. We've only been trying to go to lunch together for, what, 5 weeks now? And one or the other of us has had to cancel the day of every single week (for perfectly legitimate reasons). Sheesh. So I come home to make myself some risotto for lunch, but I use a new parmesan cheese I bought, and it is practically flavorless (the cheese, and thus the resulting risotto). That will teach me to stray from a brand that I adore! And it was a whole lot soupier (is that a word?) than normal; I guess I didn't wait long enough between additions of broth. I was so disappointed! Don't get me wrong, I still ate it, but it wasn't the wonderful indulgent escape I thought it would be.

Edited to add: The day isn't a total loss. It is stunningly beautiful outside! Comfortably warm in the sun, but the breeze is cool, and dry leaves are starting to skitter around and go "crunch" underfoot. Fall is just around the corner! Guess I need to get Luke some pants and a jacket, no? LOL

Currently feeling: bummed

Ack! Only three weeks!

How did that happen? I've been semi-planning Luke's birthday party for the better part of three months now (and the party isn't that fancy!). Now there are only three weeks left, and I don't feel anywhere near ready! I see a bunch of baking in my future. I have some recipes I need to test! ACK!!!
Currently feeling: not ready!!

It's a girl!

Credit: Black Hearted Wolf

Connie finally called me today. I got an email from her late Friday night saying that her water had broken late Thursday night, and her contractions were coming hard and fast, so she would be on her way to the birthing center soon. Someone would call me over the weekend with details. So you can imagine my concern when all of the weekend and then most of today had come and gone, and I hadn't heard a peep from Texas. I was giving her until tomorrow, then I was going to start hunting down family members for news. Let's just say things did not go as planned, resulting in a c-section, and leave it at that. And yes, even in this day and age, no one knew what she was having (including her) until she was born! LOL Mom and baby are doing well, and she hopes to go home in the next couple of days. No pictures yet, so you'll have to make due with vital stats:

Sofia Toalson Sierra
Born Sunday, September 9, 2007 at 1:58 AM
8 lbs 7 oz, 21 inches
full head of black hair

Congratulations to all of you!

Currently feeling: glad she's finally here!

Glad I said "almost"

Remember yesterday, when I said that I had received *almost* the bestest news ever (about Josh Groban's new CD)? Sure am glad I put the almost in there, because yesterday evening, I did in fact receive the bestest news ever:

I'm going to be an aunt! Remember BIL who got married in March? He and his wife are expecting. She's due in April. We all knew it would be quick. Everyone has been expecting it pretty much since April. ;-) There was a bit of a pool going at the wedding for how long it would be for an announcement, and I pegged it almost exactly (I said six months, and it was six months and three days). It will only have been 18 months from proposal to child! But they are both over 30 (she 32 and he 34, IIRC), and I know his biological clock has been ticking for several years now. I had never seen baby lust on a man before until he met my son! LOL Congratulations to them!

Now, if I could just get the second bit of bestest news ever (that my best friend has finally given birth), my week would be complete!

Currently feeling: doing the aunt happy dance

Media Bliss

I think I have more or less returned to human form, though I wouldn't quite call it 100% yet (chocolate still does not sound appealing; this should tell you something). Definitely a few steps up from roadkill now, though.

I meant to post this a month or so ago, but I got sidetracked, and then I got some additional great news to add to the growing list. The last three months have been very kind to me in terms of media announcements, and I don't mean the press. I mean media, as in books, games, music, etc. First came the announcement by J.K. Rowling that she will almost definitely be doing a Harry Potter encyclopedia, including all sorts of info from her notes that never made it into the books. Woo-hoo! What a nice birthday present that was. After that comes word that there is a new Lego video game in the works by the same folks who created my beloved Lego Star Wars; this time up: Indiana Jones!! Coming 2008, IIRC. Then, Diana Gabaldon announces that she will have not one, but TWO books coming out this year! Granted, they're both Lord John books, and one of them is a compilation of short stories that were previously released, but still! Some Gabaldon is better than none. (And I love my family so much, I missed her appearance at the Decatur Book Festival last weekend so I could visit them instead.)

And last, but most certainly not least, comes almost the bestest news ever: a new Josh Groban CD!! Better yet, it is a Christmas album! ::swoon:: You bet your sweet bippy I'll be breaking my "no Christmas music before Thanksgiving" rule for that one!

Currently feeling: gleeful

Roadkill

That's about what I feel like right now. Had a great holiday weekend, then came last night. Be back when I'm feeling semi-human, but it may be a few days.

Currently feeling: ill

August 2007 Round Up

Monthly Round Up idea borrowed from Katie the Scrapbook Lady.


Credit: Pinky Blinkies

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
Parenting magazine, lots of catalogs (started Christmas browsing, if not actual shopping). I started and stopped Inkspell (again; why is it so hard to read?), and I read most of Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood (a gift from my parents; hopefully because they thought it was a good book, not because they think we need it!). Almost done with that one.

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
Picked up two new television shows (both short seasons, not full shows). When I first heard about Mad Men on AMC, it really piqued my interest. The main character works for an ad agency in New York in 1960. It is quite interesting, I must say. I love seeing what was "normal" behavior back then that we would never allow today! Like a little girl playing with a clear dry cleaning bag over hear head; she was reprimanded for throwing the cleaning on the floor, and then ran off, still with the bag over her head (down to hear knees!). Also showed a very pregnant woman both smoking and drinking alcohol at a neighborhood get-together. It has slowed down some since the first episode, but it is still very interesting.

Damages on FX was recommended by my brother. Since it is rated TV-MA, I was concerned about the possible violence level, but it is fine. The rating is mainly for language (which I think they could do without, but I usually think that). It reminds me a lot of John Grisham, which is what my brother said to get me to start watching. It is rather edgy, don't get me wrong, and I'm not sure if the main antagonist is Ted Danson or Glenn Close! LOL This is NOT a show for children, in any way, shape, or form. But it is quite gripping, and the twists are great. It, too, has slowed since the first few episodes, but I am still anxious for it to come on from week to week because I'm still not quite sure how they are going to get where they are going (it is mainly told in flashback mode, so you know the end, so to speak, when you watch each week). Very very interesting!

Never made it to the movies, despite really wanting to see the new Jason Bourne movie and maybe the latest Rush Hour. There were also a couple of great premieres on our movie channel, but we haven't gotten to watch them yet.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
DH turned 31, but we didn't do anything special. Oh, well, I made cupcakes. And DS wouldn't eat one, the little booger! Apparently mine aren't as good as those from Golden Corral. ::snort:: Anyway! BIL turned 34. We sent cards to him, as well as belated cards to his bride, whose birthday is in July (sorry Jennifer!). I mailed a gift to Annette's son for his birthday. I was supposed to take my brother to lunch for his 27th birthday, but we had to bump it to next week.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
Annette sent me a book (The Thirteenth Tale) and DVD set (Dresden) as a late birthday gift. I don't even think I've emailed her to say thank you. Bad me! I've boxed up (but not yet mailed) baby gifts to best friend in Texas, who should be about ready to pop any minute now (if she hasn't already; I'd like to think she would have called, but I also remember what being a newborn parent is like!). And a wedding gift for my cousin.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
Luke's tubes. Luke developed a cough late in the month, and I've thought on and off that he was running a fever, but he's getting better. Besides that, all is well. Thank goodness for small blessings, a light medical month! (Great, now I've doomed myself for the rest of the year, LOL).

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
We took Luke to the beach again, pretty early in the morning, and it was still rather warm. It's been too hot to do much else. Oh, cousin's wedding! Had some extended family in town for that, so we met up for dinner. And found out another cousin is expecting with his wife. That makes it sound like I have a lot of cousins, but there are only 7 total first cousins from both sides of my family. I did see four of the seven at the wedding, though!

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
Made brie en croute for myself. Another of those "I tried it at Christmas but someone else actually cooked it, so this was my first time actually making it" recipes. Picked up a couple of new ones to try, just haven't done it yet. I'm envisioning several sugar cookie recipe experiments in September (tell you why later).

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
After searching for several months, I finally bought a new wedding band for myself, since it will be a while before I can wear my original again. I also want to return my father's original band to him that I've been borrowing for the last 3+ years. Got Luke two new pair of shoes (again! I swear he goes through more shoes than any other child).

What were this month's disappointments?
Lost out on two jobs in two days. Been kinda floundering since then, but it hasn't even been two weeks. I'll get with it after the holiday (I hope).

What were my accomplishments this month?
Losing my job without losing my mind. That should count for something! And actually staying as outwardly calm as I thought I would for Luke's tube surgery. All the doctors and nurses commented on how calm and laid back I was about it all. They were just amazed! We'll ignore that my pulse rate was well over 100; thank goodness they didn't take my blood pressure. (I said *outwardly* calm!)

What were Luke's accomplishments this month?
Tubes! Not sure that counts, though, since he slept through it, LOL. Started speech therapy, and we are seeing some improvement. He can now hear you when you whisper (it wasn't the volume that made it hard for him to hear you, it was the tone or pitch of the whisper; noticeably better since tubes!). And he now mimics what he hears on television much more than he did before. Not necessarily sure that's a good thing! But it is interesting to see. No progress on the potty training front. If anything, we're backsliding some. ::sigh::

Anything else noteworthy to record?
The insane heat! Finally broke around August 25. Until that point, we'd had more days over 100 degrees than under. Made the upper-80s we had at the end of the month seem almost cool.
Currently feeling: trying to be cheerful