Friday Random

-Wrong that I find this funny in the "boy was that stupid" funny kind of way? (no offense to any of my alum friends!)

-I abhor April Fool's Day and wish we could abolish the tradition. It's so mean spirited.

-Sammy has a cold. I can't begin to tell you how much that sucks.

-I've done woefully little this week. I didn't think it was a bad week, but I'm suddenly rethinking that.

-Isaac taught Sammy to say, "click it or ticket" and now it's his new go-to phrase. Added to 'freaky deaky', 'fluoride, take it easy' and 'ummmmmm...what's the word...ummmm....no' (said with his fingers drumming against his chin) and you have a pretty typical conversation with my kid lately.

-Speaking of Sammy talk, I had my head in my hands and he came up to me and said, "What's the matter little guy?" like it was the most normal phrase in the world. What a goober.

-Ring of the week:

This ring? Actually one of my mom's old earrings. Heh.

-Song of the week:

(red flag, russian radio...my favorite by them is a song called rain, which I couldn't find. Sadly.)

The Coolest Thing. Ever. No, Seriously.

My sister has one of those fabric ribbon boards above her desk. I've often coveted it. I like the ones in the stores ok, but most of them are too girly for both my taste and my home. Or cheap looking. And, well, we all know I'll never make one myself. What I WILL do, however, is buy all the stuff and bat my eyelashes and have my SISTER make one for me. I'd feel more guilty, but she swears she likes doing this kind of thing.

So, when you go that route, what you get is the coolest, BIGGEST plaid looking brown and orange, no quilt batting to make it froufy fabric ribbon board. Like this.

Right? It's huge. And perfect. And cheap! The frame was $3 at the thrift store, the material was hand me down from my mom (funky patterned 70s polyester white) and the buttons and ribbon - under $10. Sweet!

The only problem is, is that I had it made to go behind my door leading to the garage (to put coupons and tickets and whatever else usually clutters a fridge) and so no one will get to see it unless they specifically look for it. But it still makes me happy.


And, a bonus Sammy picture run because...well, because. See for yourself.
(modeling his new "baby cars" hat and tie and skull shoes)


(trying out his best album cover shot)


(check out the tie...)


(looking all cute, ready for church)

Crazy 8s All Around

Here are the rules:
1) Post rules on your blog
2)Answer the six "8" items

8 Favorite Shows (I will be doing from MOST importance to my existance to LEAST):
1. Castle
2. Chuck
3. The Amazing Race
4. Big Bang Theory
5. Life
6. 30 Rock
7. The Office
8. Private Practice (that's right...sue me)

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Acupuncture (my first session)
2. Dinner out (gyros)
3. Furniture shopped
4. A load of laundry
5. Watched The Mentalist and Chuck
6. Cursed the freaking weather
7. Told Sammy he shouldn't say 'I like sex' loudly. On repeat.
8. Um...Tuesdays are my nothing day. Clearly.

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
1. Warmer weather
2. Finding a big white desk
3. Fresh veggies
4. Losing a little more weight
5. Vacation
6. Isaac getting home (wait...that comes after he leaves? Shoot.)
7. Getting my to do list done
8. So You Think You Can Dance

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Center Street Grill
2. Firehouse Pizza
3. El Toro Viejo
4. Costa Vida
5. Logan Burger
6. In N Out
7. Allesandro's
8. Cheesecake Factory

8 Things On My Wish List:
1. Great health
2. Christian Louboutin shoes
3. Kate Spade bag
4. Nice weather
5. Having my book(s) published
6. Someone to potty train Sammy that isn't me
7. A cure for OCD
8. A guarentee that neither Isaac nor I will die until we're old and want to die

8 People I Tag:
1. Any
2. One
3. Who
4. is
5. Bored
6. Enough
7. Like
8. Me

A Whole Lotta Year

It's been a year since we moved. It seems much, much longer, but not in a bad way at all. We had very understated expectations for this first year and nearly all have not only been met, but have been exceeded by such a wide margin. Can't complain about that!

It's been strange to look back at this past year. I was so nervous to move and start our own practice, but so far things have turned out well. We're in a good position and because I have a brilliant husband, he's constantly working at making our name a good thing in the community. He works so hard at marketing himself and it's just paying off nicely. Knock on wood!

We've met great people and been adopted into a great group of friends. I love that. I'm feeling more and more at ease, here. It seems we're always busy and have places to be. I'm looking forward to spring and summer and having friends over - kids playing in the backyard and sharing food.

I'm happy about a lot of personal goals I set for myself this year. I wanted to get back into writing and yoga and photography and, even though it's on the later end of things, they are slowly emerging. I've learned to knit and can. I've converted to a clothesline. Local produce is consumed whenever possible and since I've joined a CSA this year, that will only increase (as will the opportunity to can more!). These are small things I wanted and am happy I've shifted our life in a way to incorporate them.

Sammy has thrived this past year. When we left, he was a shy nervous little baby who showed no signs in wanting to talk. At all. Now he's a crazy nearly three year old who never shuts up! I see pictures from last year before the move and simply have a hard time realizing that is the same boy that is now taller than most kids and is turning out to be quite the leader, making sure others have toys to play with, making sure everyone's ok. It's such a transformation and you cannot convince me that the move had nothing to do with it.

We feel very blessed. It's been a good year. Now. If this snow would just quit, it might bump up to great!