So I did something...daring...this morning. I hired a babysitter and went to a real salon and got my hair cut. Everything would've been perfect except for the phone call on my cell from dear hubby wondering why the neighbor kid answered our phone when he tried calling the house. Oops. Seems I forgot one important element...tell the babysitter not to answer the phone. :) Kidding. Only kidding.
So let me explain myself. As I've mentioned before I hate almost every haircut I get. I've tried to find somewhere economical to get my hair styled, but I leave with cutter's remorse nearly every time. I've tried to correct it there at the haircut place, but it never works. They end up having to take too much off and then I'm angry and disappointed.
It's been a while--like 3 or 4 months--since I last got my hair cut. But, it got ugly. It was ugly down. It was ugly up. It was ugly when I spent 2 minutes or 30 minutes on it. Most of the time I put it up in a haphazard ugly ponytail.
I'm not one that cares that much about my hair. Clearly. But when you're ballooning out in other parts and feeling frumpy (people still comment that I don't look pregnant...so I must look frumpy right? That would explain the swelling midsection that wasn't there 6 months ago), it helps to have decent hair. So I caved. Yesterday, I called the local salon and justified spending that kind of money on a hair cut. They booked me for this morning.
I was going to tell my dear, sweet, loving husband. Really. But last night got crazy and then he was stressed out about some church stuff and I didn't want to pipe up and say "oh, by the way, I'm hiring a babysitter and going to get my hair cut tomorrow at a real salon." And then I just forgot until this morning when I woke up and the babysitter was going to be here soon.
So the verdict. I loved the experience. The lady had cute hair herself, so I felt safe. She cut it exactly as she and I agreed upon. There were no surprises. As a bonus, I love the haircut too. It's almost exactly like the one I got this time last year and then everyone else showed up to church with the same cut and I was a little peeved. I mean, a couple of weeks for me to be my own person, come on. Out of four ladies on the street, at some point, three of us had the same haircut. That prompted the great cut off in January which almost ended my marriage. But alas, I digress.
So, it's back to the a-line cut that was so popular in the neighborhood last year and I personally loved. So, in essence, I love my haircut. Yay! Maybe it's a new leaf. Perhaps, it does pay to up the ante for a nice haircut every once in a while. In any case, it felt great to leave Josh for an hour and do something for myself.
And as Wade's parting words on the cell phone told me "have fun spending all my hard earned money."
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Sensory Overload
We spent this weekend down in St. George. I, for the life of me, cannot figure out how people live there in the summer. It's like a very red, beautiful version of hell. I wonder if out-of-state tourists arrive in St. George, stunned by the magnificent scenery and step out of their nice, air conditioned cars to instantly fry in the motel parking lot. You'd think that at least, there would be some relief after the sun went down. Even hours after the sun went down. But no. It was still 100 degrees at 10:30 Friday night.
Now, I'm not stupid. I knew all this going in to the weekend. July is not exactly tourist season down south. But, nonetheless, this is where we found ourselves for a little getaway. Wade and one of his friends cooked up a plan to whisk their wives away for a nice weekend. We got tickets for Friday and Saturday nights at the little outdoor ampitheater that puts on some really great shows--this year it was Sound of Music and Les Miserables. Our friends took Friday night while we watched their 18 month old and we took Saturday night while they watched Josh. It was a good trade and a fun time for all, even the kids, who seemed to really like each other.
Saturday morning, the ladies went over to the outlet mall to do a little shopping. Since we're both expecting girls (Jamie in September, me in December) we "needed" to stock up on clothes for the babies. And of course, we had our sons to worry about. And there's always me--I deserve something don't I?
Wade's parting words to me were "shop as long as you would like. We'll be fine here." Of course, this implies "spend as much as you want", right? So off I went on a total shopping spree.
The first store we stopped at, I walked in and was instantly overwhelmed. I don't know how to shop for a girl. There's a lot that goes into picking out clothes for little girls. For starters, you certainly don't want them to look like a baby hooker. There are some clothes that don't translate well into little baby styles. Also, you have to take into account how chubby the little one might be. Of course, there's no telling how chubby baby's going to be until baby's born. There's definitely a lot more thinking that goes into buying little girl's clothes.
I was so overwhelmed in the first store I couldn't buy anything. So we left and went to the next store. I relaxed a little bit and found some really cute stuff for Josh. He's growing out of his shirts (5T!) and pants and he needed some new stuff for fall. I meandered over to the girls section to try again and finally, I got into my element. I found the cutest dress for next summer and some t-shirts. But I realized quickly my greatest flaw...I want to dress my little girl like me and it's hard finding cargo pants and t-shirts. Everything's pink.
The last store we stopped at, I found a pair of jeans for baby and some more shirts. Relenting on the "no pink" rule, I picked up a pink hoodie for the winter. It was too cute to pass up. I guess a little pink here and there won't kill me.
I was done for after about 2 hours of shopping--good thing as the guys called to see how much longer we were going to be. So much for "shop as long as you want." All in all, I found some really cute girl stuff, but I'm still a little overwhelmed by all the stuff out there. Tights? Bracelets? Dresses? Jumpers? Bicycle shorts?
Now, I'm not stupid. I knew all this going in to the weekend. July is not exactly tourist season down south. But, nonetheless, this is where we found ourselves for a little getaway. Wade and one of his friends cooked up a plan to whisk their wives away for a nice weekend. We got tickets for Friday and Saturday nights at the little outdoor ampitheater that puts on some really great shows--this year it was Sound of Music and Les Miserables. Our friends took Friday night while we watched their 18 month old and we took Saturday night while they watched Josh. It was a good trade and a fun time for all, even the kids, who seemed to really like each other.
Saturday morning, the ladies went over to the outlet mall to do a little shopping. Since we're both expecting girls (Jamie in September, me in December) we "needed" to stock up on clothes for the babies. And of course, we had our sons to worry about. And there's always me--I deserve something don't I?
Wade's parting words to me were "shop as long as you would like. We'll be fine here." Of course, this implies "spend as much as you want", right? So off I went on a total shopping spree.
The first store we stopped at, I walked in and was instantly overwhelmed. I don't know how to shop for a girl. There's a lot that goes into picking out clothes for little girls. For starters, you certainly don't want them to look like a baby hooker. There are some clothes that don't translate well into little baby styles. Also, you have to take into account how chubby the little one might be. Of course, there's no telling how chubby baby's going to be until baby's born. There's definitely a lot more thinking that goes into buying little girl's clothes.
I was so overwhelmed in the first store I couldn't buy anything. So we left and went to the next store. I relaxed a little bit and found some really cute stuff for Josh. He's growing out of his shirts (5T!) and pants and he needed some new stuff for fall. I meandered over to the girls section to try again and finally, I got into my element. I found the cutest dress for next summer and some t-shirts. But I realized quickly my greatest flaw...I want to dress my little girl like me and it's hard finding cargo pants and t-shirts. Everything's pink.
The last store we stopped at, I found a pair of jeans for baby and some more shirts. Relenting on the "no pink" rule, I picked up a pink hoodie for the winter. It was too cute to pass up. I guess a little pink here and there won't kill me.
I was done for after about 2 hours of shopping--good thing as the guys called to see how much longer we were going to be. So much for "shop as long as you want." All in all, I found some really cute girl stuff, but I'm still a little overwhelmed by all the stuff out there. Tights? Bracelets? Dresses? Jumpers? Bicycle shorts?
Friday, July 25, 2008
Is the Curse Broken?
We went in Tuesday (I know, it's been a long time considering how monumental the news is but more to that later) for our ultrasound. I've been secretly (well, maybe not so secretly) praying that the baby's a girl. My reasons are pretty selfish--(a) I would like the opportunity to raise one girl (b) If I decide that two is enough, I'd like to be able to say, "see, I have one of each, so what's left?" (c) None of Wade's brothers have been able to sire a girl. There are six little boys and another one on the way, but no baby girls from the male lineage in his immediate family.
We got to see the first images of baby and my heart was beating fast. This was the moment of truth. Going in, I prepared myself by saying that it's a boy--and truly, I'd be just as happy with a boy as a girl. I have all the clothes. I know boys--and impatiently waited for the doctor to get to the real reason we were there.
As she started scanning around, it was obvious a very important piece of equipment was missing from baby. Though the doctor wouldn't say it out loud, both Wade and I knew that it was obvious--this was definitely a girl. While baby wouldn't pose just right for her, the doctor finally relented that she was pretty sure the baby was a girl. YAY! I get my little girl.
I was giddy the rest of the appointment. We told Josh that he was getting a baby sister and he seemed excited though I'm sure he doesn't know what a baby sister entails quite yet.
As we left the hospital, a sense of dread came over me. Bows? Dresses? Hair? I don't know anything about this. I mean, look at my son's current hairdo now? When I get tired of it, I buzz it. What am I going to do with a GIRL? I started to panic. "She's going to be the most homely looking girl out there because of her mom. Maybe I can just raise her like a boy and she won't know she's a girl until she can do all that stuff on her own." I know, I know. It's unrational thinking. Sensing God's sense of humor, I will probably get the most princessiest girl out there who insists on wearing neatly pressed dresses to Walmart. But at least it will present a new challenge.
As for names, girl names are hard to pick out. There's so many and so many variations of oldies that we're overwhelmed and haven't begun to talk about it. Most likely, the name will be picked out of urgency so they can release us from the hospital. We'll try to stay away from something dopey. :)
We got to see the first images of baby and my heart was beating fast. This was the moment of truth. Going in, I prepared myself by saying that it's a boy--and truly, I'd be just as happy with a boy as a girl. I have all the clothes. I know boys--and impatiently waited for the doctor to get to the real reason we were there.
As she started scanning around, it was obvious a very important piece of equipment was missing from baby. Though the doctor wouldn't say it out loud, both Wade and I knew that it was obvious--this was definitely a girl. While baby wouldn't pose just right for her, the doctor finally relented that she was pretty sure the baby was a girl. YAY! I get my little girl.
I was giddy the rest of the appointment. We told Josh that he was getting a baby sister and he seemed excited though I'm sure he doesn't know what a baby sister entails quite yet.
As we left the hospital, a sense of dread came over me. Bows? Dresses? Hair? I don't know anything about this. I mean, look at my son's current hairdo now? When I get tired of it, I buzz it. What am I going to do with a GIRL? I started to panic. "She's going to be the most homely looking girl out there because of her mom. Maybe I can just raise her like a boy and she won't know she's a girl until she can do all that stuff on her own." I know, I know. It's unrational thinking. Sensing God's sense of humor, I will probably get the most princessiest girl out there who insists on wearing neatly pressed dresses to Walmart. But at least it will present a new challenge.
As for names, girl names are hard to pick out. There's so many and so many variations of oldies that we're overwhelmed and haven't begun to talk about it. Most likely, the name will be picked out of urgency so they can release us from the hospital. We'll try to stay away from something dopey. :)
Book Review Friday 7/25/08
Book: Last Rituals
Author: Yrsa Sigurdardottir
Pages: 314
I was initially very excited for this read because I thought it was going to be a true crime book about the bizarre murder of a German college student in Iceland. When I picked it up at the library and read the inside cover, I realized that it's a fictional account and my enthusiasm waned. However, it did turn out to be an okay book by most standards and I did finish it fairly fast considering, so I guess it was a good book.
Thora, an attorney in Iceland, is contacted by the parents of a murdered German student to reopen the investigation. They believe that the wrong person is behind bars for his murder and that there's more to the story. They send in an investigator of their own to work with Thora and they set off on a hot trail of secret symbols and witchcraft to uncover the truth behind the murder.
Their investigation leads them all over Iceland--from what I can tell, not the most picturesque of landscapes--to different places that may have been a factor in the untimely, and gruesome, death of the student, studying history at the University of Iceland. They uncover a lot of history of their own, putting pieces together and eventually finding the real murderer.
I thought the premise of the story was good, but the plot left huge holes. The subplots--meant to introduce a human side to the characters--were weak. There's no tie up at the end that exonerates the man originally held in the murder and just leaves that part hanging. Apparently, no happy ending for him.
I thought the book was going to be a lot more gruesome than it really was. Many chapters ended with gasps and looks of horror, but only revealed something seemingly minor. While I'm not disappointed with the lack of brutality and gore, I was taken back when the sources of such feigned horror were revealed. Apparently, I've been desensitized over the years.
For a debut author, this was a good first novel. I liked the characters enough to pick up the next one in the series when it comes out, but I could see myself abandoning Thora for something more interesting if the writing doesn't engage and the plot lines don't match up.
Author: Yrsa Sigurdardottir
Pages: 314
I was initially very excited for this read because I thought it was going to be a true crime book about the bizarre murder of a German college student in Iceland. When I picked it up at the library and read the inside cover, I realized that it's a fictional account and my enthusiasm waned. However, it did turn out to be an okay book by most standards and I did finish it fairly fast considering, so I guess it was a good book.
Thora, an attorney in Iceland, is contacted by the parents of a murdered German student to reopen the investigation. They believe that the wrong person is behind bars for his murder and that there's more to the story. They send in an investigator of their own to work with Thora and they set off on a hot trail of secret symbols and witchcraft to uncover the truth behind the murder.
Their investigation leads them all over Iceland--from what I can tell, not the most picturesque of landscapes--to different places that may have been a factor in the untimely, and gruesome, death of the student, studying history at the University of Iceland. They uncover a lot of history of their own, putting pieces together and eventually finding the real murderer.
I thought the premise of the story was good, but the plot left huge holes. The subplots--meant to introduce a human side to the characters--were weak. There's no tie up at the end that exonerates the man originally held in the murder and just leaves that part hanging. Apparently, no happy ending for him.
I thought the book was going to be a lot more gruesome than it really was. Many chapters ended with gasps and looks of horror, but only revealed something seemingly minor. While I'm not disappointed with the lack of brutality and gore, I was taken back when the sources of such feigned horror were revealed. Apparently, I've been desensitized over the years.
For a debut author, this was a good first novel. I liked the characters enough to pick up the next one in the series when it comes out, but I could see myself abandoning Thora for something more interesting if the writing doesn't engage and the plot lines don't match up.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Colors of the Rainbow
I've mentioned before that I've been slightly concerned over Josh's inability to grasp what color objects are. For a while, everything was the color of a car from the movie Cars, albeit, the right color car. I showed this trick to the doctor at his three year old check-up in May. She looked at him and exclaimed "that's really smart."
"But it's not the right name. He's suppose to say what color the item is." I explained.
Her explanation--and she's the one with the degree--"Oh, that will come later. This, though, this is really smart."
We've been working with him a little over the last few months to see if maybe we could lessen the amount of learning that has to be rewired when he starts preschool in the fall. He seemed to pick up the colors really fast, so I was relieved. The other night, at dinner, we were quizzing him. We've been sticking mostly to the basic colors but decided to add in black. We showed him what black was and then told him to find us something black. He was right on top of the game, running back to the computer chair and yelling, "black, mommy and daddy. The puter chair is black."
Josh came back into the kitchen and asked me, "mommy, what color is water?"
I said "blue" because that's the color of crayon we use to draw water.
"No. This is blue." He said innocently, pointing to something blue on the table.
I was stumped. When did my three year old become smarter than me?
"But it's not the right name. He's suppose to say what color the item is." I explained.
Her explanation--and she's the one with the degree--"Oh, that will come later. This, though, this is really smart."
We've been working with him a little over the last few months to see if maybe we could lessen the amount of learning that has to be rewired when he starts preschool in the fall. He seemed to pick up the colors really fast, so I was relieved. The other night, at dinner, we were quizzing him. We've been sticking mostly to the basic colors but decided to add in black. We showed him what black was and then told him to find us something black. He was right on top of the game, running back to the computer chair and yelling, "black, mommy and daddy. The puter chair is black."
Josh came back into the kitchen and asked me, "mommy, what color is water?"
I said "blue" because that's the color of crayon we use to draw water.
"No. This is blue." He said innocently, pointing to something blue on the table.
I was stumped. When did my three year old become smarter than me?
Friday, July 11, 2008
Book Review Friday July 11, 2008
Book: Fearless Fourteen
Author: Janet Evanovich
Pages: 310
I was so excited to see this book on the night table of a friend's. I've waited a long time for the next installment in the Stephanie Plum series and the timing was perfect.
I got into Stephanie Plum shortly after having Josh. I was trying to read all the books on the New York Times Bestseller's List and came across number 11 of the series on the list. I figured that I should probably start with number 1 and make me way up the ladder. Three weeks later, I was finally there. I read them like mad.
Stephanie Plum is a bond enforcement agency for her cousin Vinnie in New Jersey. She always manages to snag a few weirdos in every book--and most of the books have a couple of nutjobs to contend with--however, she didn't have a lot of skips this go round. I think that's part of what makes the books so funny--these people she's trying to apprehend because they've missed their court date.
In every book, Stephanie manages to find herself in heaps of trouble because of something she involves herself in that goes awry. This book was no different. After Loretta Rizzi misses her court date, Stephanie shows up on her doorstep to escort her back to the police headquarters to reschedule. Since no one will bail her out a second time, Loretta ends up back in jail and Stephanie is selected to pick up Loretta's kid from school. There's no where for him to go, so Stephanie ends up bringing this kid home with her. Then Loretta goes missing...Now Stephanie is stuck with a teenager and a group of other weird people who seem to latch on.
Meanwhile, she's still trying to deal with her own screwed up personal life. There's her cop on-again-off-again boyfriend, Joe Morelli, and then Ranger--a securities expert who Vinnie calls in to help every once in a while. Both guys are hot and she wrestles with the pros and cons of each relationship.
Of course, no Stephanie Plum book would be complete without Grandma Mazur making an appearance. Grandma Mazur is a little senile, but is easily one of my most favorite characters--although I really like Plum's sidekick, Lula.
I was a little disappointed in this book because I'm looking for a resolution between Joe and Ranger and for Stephanie to move on to a different chapter in her life. Also, Ranger didn't show up nearly as much this time as he has in the past. He's usually tailing Stephanie to keep tabs on her so she doesn't end up getting herself killed and that didn't happen this time. He was all but nonexisitent. Also, Grandma--nor the rest of the family, who are hilarious--were in the book all that much. It was mostly about Stephanie, and while still good, I like the books that explore the other characters better.
I'll definitely be picking up book 15 next year...it's not enough to detract me from the series as a whole, but I'd definitely recommend starting at one and working your way up to the top.
Author: Janet Evanovich
Pages: 310
I was so excited to see this book on the night table of a friend's. I've waited a long time for the next installment in the Stephanie Plum series and the timing was perfect.
I got into Stephanie Plum shortly after having Josh. I was trying to read all the books on the New York Times Bestseller's List and came across number 11 of the series on the list. I figured that I should probably start with number 1 and make me way up the ladder. Three weeks later, I was finally there. I read them like mad.
Stephanie Plum is a bond enforcement agency for her cousin Vinnie in New Jersey. She always manages to snag a few weirdos in every book--and most of the books have a couple of nutjobs to contend with--however, she didn't have a lot of skips this go round. I think that's part of what makes the books so funny--these people she's trying to apprehend because they've missed their court date.
In every book, Stephanie manages to find herself in heaps of trouble because of something she involves herself in that goes awry. This book was no different. After Loretta Rizzi misses her court date, Stephanie shows up on her doorstep to escort her back to the police headquarters to reschedule. Since no one will bail her out a second time, Loretta ends up back in jail and Stephanie is selected to pick up Loretta's kid from school. There's no where for him to go, so Stephanie ends up bringing this kid home with her. Then Loretta goes missing...Now Stephanie is stuck with a teenager and a group of other weird people who seem to latch on.
Meanwhile, she's still trying to deal with her own screwed up personal life. There's her cop on-again-off-again boyfriend, Joe Morelli, and then Ranger--a securities expert who Vinnie calls in to help every once in a while. Both guys are hot and she wrestles with the pros and cons of each relationship.
Of course, no Stephanie Plum book would be complete without Grandma Mazur making an appearance. Grandma Mazur is a little senile, but is easily one of my most favorite characters--although I really like Plum's sidekick, Lula.
I was a little disappointed in this book because I'm looking for a resolution between Joe and Ranger and for Stephanie to move on to a different chapter in her life. Also, Ranger didn't show up nearly as much this time as he has in the past. He's usually tailing Stephanie to keep tabs on her so she doesn't end up getting herself killed and that didn't happen this time. He was all but nonexisitent. Also, Grandma--nor the rest of the family, who are hilarious--were in the book all that much. It was mostly about Stephanie, and while still good, I like the books that explore the other characters better.
I'll definitely be picking up book 15 next year...it's not enough to detract me from the series as a whole, but I'd definitely recommend starting at one and working your way up to the top.
Softball, Woftball
I've been counting down the days until we're finally done with the softball season and I can cross it off the list (number 18) and never embark on such a dumb idea again.
So at 6:35, I'm informed that we are down another couple. That makes three couples. So far, I'd only been able to find replacements for one couple. We have to have at least 10 people to play and so I was a little worried we were going to have to forfeit.
Wade and I arrived at the field at 6:50 and we were the only two people from the team there. At 6:55, four more people arrived and we were now down only 4 players. Right before we had to call the game, another couple showed up. We shoved in the couple's two sons, a barefoot 16 year old and a 10 year old, and proceeded to play.
Unlike other teams we've played in the past, this team was more our skill set, so it was pretty evenly matched. Right before we began the last inning it was 6-4, us, but they scored three runs. Wade ran in the tieing run for our team and put the game into extra innings. The other team scored a whooping six runs and I figured it was all over. However, I pulled it out for us and scored the tieing 6th run before the next batter hit a pop fly and we were back to the outfield. The next inning, neither team scored and so we had to keep going. They were up to bat and no runners got in. It was up to us to score. Wade was on base and I had just gotten our second out. The next person up to bat hit a line drive. Wade sprinted to third base. The batter after that isn't known for her hits reaching much further than second base, but we all channeled our positive energy. She managed to hit the ball into a pocket midfield and instead of trying to get her out at first, they threw the ball to second base, missing that runner and Wade was able to score.
In the end we pulled it off 14-13. YAY! We also went 40 minutes over the time limit. The umpire was not thrilled with that and took every chance to remind us of it. I told him we were okay with him calling the game because of time, but he said he couldn't do that. It's not our fault. We were just playing the game. I finally told him this was the most action we've seen all season so he should just let us play.
If every game was like this--and I wasn't the one stressing about whether everyone is going to show or not--it'd be a lot of fun and I'd play again. However, as it stands, we have exactly one game left and I'm not feeling too bad about the season ending.
So at 6:35, I'm informed that we are down another couple. That makes three couples. So far, I'd only been able to find replacements for one couple. We have to have at least 10 people to play and so I was a little worried we were going to have to forfeit.
Wade and I arrived at the field at 6:50 and we were the only two people from the team there. At 6:55, four more people arrived and we were now down only 4 players. Right before we had to call the game, another couple showed up. We shoved in the couple's two sons, a barefoot 16 year old and a 10 year old, and proceeded to play.
Unlike other teams we've played in the past, this team was more our skill set, so it was pretty evenly matched. Right before we began the last inning it was 6-4, us, but they scored three runs. Wade ran in the tieing run for our team and put the game into extra innings. The other team scored a whooping six runs and I figured it was all over. However, I pulled it out for us and scored the tieing 6th run before the next batter hit a pop fly and we were back to the outfield. The next inning, neither team scored and so we had to keep going. They were up to bat and no runners got in. It was up to us to score. Wade was on base and I had just gotten our second out. The next person up to bat hit a line drive. Wade sprinted to third base. The batter after that isn't known for her hits reaching much further than second base, but we all channeled our positive energy. She managed to hit the ball into a pocket midfield and instead of trying to get her out at first, they threw the ball to second base, missing that runner and Wade was able to score.
In the end we pulled it off 14-13. YAY! We also went 40 minutes over the time limit. The umpire was not thrilled with that and took every chance to remind us of it. I told him we were okay with him calling the game because of time, but he said he couldn't do that. It's not our fault. We were just playing the game. I finally told him this was the most action we've seen all season so he should just let us play.
If every game was like this--and I wasn't the one stressing about whether everyone is going to show or not--it'd be a lot of fun and I'd play again. However, as it stands, we have exactly one game left and I'm not feeling too bad about the season ending.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
What Yellow Birdie?
I took amuch deserved bath last night. While soaking, I was engrossed in the book I was reading and wasn't paying much attention to what was going on in the rest of the house.
Suddenly, the bathroom door flew open and an exasperated husband asked if I know where the "yellow birdie" is. Seeing the slight grin on my face, he huffed "I'm looking for an imaginary bird, aren't I?" I tried to come up with some reasonable answer but finally just surrender that I think he is indeed looking for an imaginary bird.
Luckily for all parties involved--including the "yellow birdie"--Josh found the "yellow birdie" shortly thereafter and all was well. When I asked Wade where it was, he pointed to the thin air. "Right in front of us."
It's moments like these that make me smile. It's easy to get impatient with a three year old and his "yellow birdie", especially when you have to make two lunches and "Birdie" spills it all over the floor. But it's just so darn cute.
Suddenly, the bathroom door flew open and an exasperated husband asked if I know where the "yellow birdie" is. Seeing the slight grin on my face, he huffed "I'm looking for an imaginary bird, aren't I?" I tried to come up with some reasonable answer but finally just surrender that I think he is indeed looking for an imaginary bird.
Luckily for all parties involved--including the "yellow birdie"--Josh found the "yellow birdie" shortly thereafter and all was well. When I asked Wade where it was, he pointed to the thin air. "Right in front of us."
It's moments like these that make me smile. It's easy to get impatient with a three year old and his "yellow birdie", especially when you have to make two lunches and "Birdie" spills it all over the floor. But it's just so darn cute.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Book Review Friday July 4, 2008
Ha! It's Monday. It was a great weekend though.
Book: If You Could See Me Now
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Pages: 320
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I happened to pick it up because I noticed that she wrote P.S. I Love You, which turned out to be a good movie. That was my only motivation to read this book.
I thought the book was very original and the plot line a little on the quirky--though pleasant--side. I flipped to the back to see a picture of the author and was astonished to see that she was merely 24. Also, the daughter of the Irish Prime Minister--which lead to a thought-provoking conversation with a friend as to if Ireland was under British rule or not. From what we gathered, just six counties in Northern Ireland remain under British control. The rest is the Free Republic of Ireland. Really, they should teach you this stuff in school. What would we ever do without Google?
Anyhoo...Elizabeth is a tightly wound 34 year old who is reluctantly raising her sister's 6 year old son. She's taken the weight of her family's problems on to her shoulders and is alone and miserable. Abandoned at 12 by her mother and left to essentially raise her baby sister, Elizabeth has always held a grudge against her free-spirited sister and her grieving father.
Enter in Ivan, who is not what anyone thinks he is. He shows Elizabeth an entirely new way of life and the small town in Ireland can hardly believe it's eyes when a new woman emerges. If only they could figure out who and what Ivan is.
The best part of the entire book was when you find out who Ivan is. It took me completely by surprise and I loved that aspect of the story. The book itself is cheesy, but it's what makes a good, no-brainer read. I found Elizabeth to be a bit overindulgent at times, but it was easy to forgive her. I can't say that I liked the ending. It didn't tie up loose ends and left a lot to be desired, but overall the book was a good one.
Book: If You Could See Me Now
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Pages: 320
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I happened to pick it up because I noticed that she wrote P.S. I Love You, which turned out to be a good movie. That was my only motivation to read this book.
I thought the book was very original and the plot line a little on the quirky--though pleasant--side. I flipped to the back to see a picture of the author and was astonished to see that she was merely 24. Also, the daughter of the Irish Prime Minister--which lead to a thought-provoking conversation with a friend as to if Ireland was under British rule or not. From what we gathered, just six counties in Northern Ireland remain under British control. The rest is the Free Republic of Ireland. Really, they should teach you this stuff in school. What would we ever do without Google?
Anyhoo...Elizabeth is a tightly wound 34 year old who is reluctantly raising her sister's 6 year old son. She's taken the weight of her family's problems on to her shoulders and is alone and miserable. Abandoned at 12 by her mother and left to essentially raise her baby sister, Elizabeth has always held a grudge against her free-spirited sister and her grieving father.
Enter in Ivan, who is not what anyone thinks he is. He shows Elizabeth an entirely new way of life and the small town in Ireland can hardly believe it's eyes when a new woman emerges. If only they could figure out who and what Ivan is.
The best part of the entire book was when you find out who Ivan is. It took me completely by surprise and I loved that aspect of the story. The book itself is cheesy, but it's what makes a good, no-brainer read. I found Elizabeth to be a bit overindulgent at times, but it was easy to forgive her. I can't say that I liked the ending. It didn't tie up loose ends and left a lot to be desired, but overall the book was a good one.
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