We have special kisses in our family when it comes to goodnight kisses...and we have just added a new one.
First, we have the "puppy kiss", where you basically fake your family member out like you are going to give them a kiss on the cheek, and instead you stick out your tongue and lick them like a puppy would. This kiss was courtesy of Grandpa Gary and Aunty Kathleen.
Next, we have "vacuum kisses". These were invented by Dave; where basically you suck in air close to the person's face, thus creating a bit of a vacuum pull. It tickles. *G*
Then, there's there are "zombie kisses". This is ALL Dave's invention again. He loves horror and zombie movies so he created a fun kiss for Alli where he pretends to gnaw on the top of her head while mumbling "Mmmm gooooooooood brains! Me like brains!" Of course, she giggles and laughs heartily.
Well, tonight, mommy invented a new kiss. The "chicken kiss" where you pretty much peck kisses on the person's cheek/face like a chicken would peck at corn. Yay, me! I finally came up with one .... and luckily she laughed in enjoyment. Tee hee hee!
May you hold your little ones close and invent new kisses and ways to make them giggle into sweet dreams! :)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
For those that are Socially Awkward, I salute you
How To Have More Social Success!
The above site was pointed out to me by my love, Dave. Yes, my geek man showed this website to me, laughingly.
To which I asked, "Have you read it yet?"
He pouted and walked away, muttering "have I read it yet!"
It features such wonderful reading as (don't worry, I've picked out the highlights!):
How To Be More Fun / How To Be Less Boring
Regular Logical Mode vs. Fun Partying Mode In Social Interactions
Thoughts On 'Connecting' With People
What To Do If Your Friends Suck
The Importance of Getting Your Appearance In Order
How Your Interests Can Affect Your Social Success
And other links you can click on the main page that made me giggle:
Geared More Towards Guys:
How To Dance - For Average Guys
My Advice For Any Shy, Awkward Guys Still in High-School
How I (Gradually) Became Less Obsessive About Playing Video Games
Geared More Towards Women:
Inside The Mind Of Guys Who Are Shy And Inexperienced With Women
Somewhat Controversial / Things You May Not Want To Hear:
At Times It's Socially Practical To Know About Things Other People Care About
Being Honest With Yourself About Your Social Problems
Are You Sure You Know What You Want Socially?
What To Do If You Can't Relate To All The Shallow People Out There
It's Fine If You Don't Drink, But Don't Be Too Uptight About It
Fantastic reading for those who live with, love, are married to the geeks, nerds, and dweebs of the world. It gives you a bit more insight. ;)
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Gettin' Back on the Horse
Well, really, more like getting back to planning the Handfasting/Wedding.
Dave and I have finally picked our colors - and they are based on this Godiva Chocolate tin that he gave to me for Yule. Frankly, I feel like a flake for saying that, but it's the truth. *L* I fell in love with the colors, and Dave has disavowed any real say in the color scheme, linens, flowers, etc. Believe me, I've tried to make him interested, but he at least realizes he's out of his element as the type of man he is.
I emailed my buddy who'll be catering the handfasting to see if we could get a jump with the new year on wedding details. We need to sit and plan the menu out, and then have a tasting meeting, and move along from there with payment, etc.
We really need to make an appointment with Midway Party Rental to spend a few hours with them and Dave. He may not care about colors and textures, but our pocket book will - and he DOES have say with that. ;)
I now have to find a new dress, too. The silver one I ordered and now have hanging in our closet won't match anything - the tin has copper, gold, yellow, green, and some doe brown hues. Really quite pretty. Dave doesn't have to worry - he has already picked out his clothes and he can get them in either soot black or doe brown. Easy choice.
And so.... we're picking up again and moving forward. I still need to reschedule with our choice of officiant. Gods, I hope she doesn't say no. We had to cancel the first time because of Kathleen's dad's accidental death and we just haven't gotten around to rescheduling again. Oy.
Dave and I have finally picked our colors - and they are based on this Godiva Chocolate tin that he gave to me for Yule. Frankly, I feel like a flake for saying that, but it's the truth. *L* I fell in love with the colors, and Dave has disavowed any real say in the color scheme, linens, flowers, etc. Believe me, I've tried to make him interested, but he at least realizes he's out of his element as the type of man he is.
I emailed my buddy who'll be catering the handfasting to see if we could get a jump with the new year on wedding details. We need to sit and plan the menu out, and then have a tasting meeting, and move along from there with payment, etc.
We really need to make an appointment with Midway Party Rental to spend a few hours with them and Dave. He may not care about colors and textures, but our pocket book will - and he DOES have say with that. ;)
I now have to find a new dress, too. The silver one I ordered and now have hanging in our closet won't match anything - the tin has copper, gold, yellow, green, and some doe brown hues. Really quite pretty. Dave doesn't have to worry - he has already picked out his clothes and he can get them in either soot black or doe brown. Easy choice.
And so.... we're picking up again and moving forward. I still need to reschedule with our choice of officiant. Gods, I hope she doesn't say no. We had to cancel the first time because of Kathleen's dad's accidental death and we just haven't gotten around to rescheduling again. Oy.
Good Weekend? Mine was!
We were SO FREAKING BUSY this weekend! It was INSANE!
Friday night I bit the bullet and said "Screw it!" to all the cooking implements that had no place to live in our kitchen. I enlisted Alli's help and we went through all the cabinets that had pots and pans I knew were just sitting there, unloved, and unused.
My kitchen is clean! I have places that now lovingly house new cookies sheets, new pizza pans, my new crock pot and toaster from Kathleen, and ....well, I didn't quite get to the cabinet that houses the rats' nest of tupperware, but was pleased with the results. Tupperware is a plan for next weekend, methinks.
Exhausted, I then headed upstairs and started packing for Sandstone. Alli tried to help. I know she did. But all she really did was play on our bed in the sheets and hide while I asked her every few minutes to go and get things to put in her bag - which she did - and then she'd hide back under the sheets. Silly girl. After the bags were packed, she realized it was time for bed and ran to brush her teeth.
She gets really excited when she knows we're going to visit Aunty Kathleen and Uncle Charlie - especially since Kathleen's been pregnant.
Saturday morning began bright and early with showers, getting dressed, grabbing breakfast and taking leave. We arrived at Kas's around 11am and chilled for a bit before destroying her living room.
No, really - she asked us to.
We helped her and Charlie move around their living room so they could put the changing table in there for the baby. Yes, it makes sense - their rooms are upstairs, but everything else is on the main level and really who wants to be running up and downstairs all day when you're already exhausted from being up all night?
Anyways...Dave and Charlie spent about an hour trying to figure out how to re-hook the cables up once the entertainment center had been moved. Pretty hilarious when neither man knows how it's supposed to go because it was Kathleen and I who just ripped the cables out and threw them on the couch. hee hee hee. We're evil. Diabolically so.
I cleaned their kitchen while the boys played with the TV- because that's the kind of friend I am; Kathleen's back was hurting so bad. I can't say I remember being nearly 6 months pregnant, but her body has certainly changed shape and she is still trying to do things that she used to, although her center of gravity has changed.
We went out to dinner - minus Charlie who's back hurt so badly he came home early from poker.
Kathleen, her mom Linda, Alli, Dave, and myself all had a lovely dinner at Tobie's - Dave had a 20 oz porterhouse steak. Gah! It made me glad that we don't really eat that much red meat, that he could enjoy the steak without guilt.
Sunday morning we snuck out, not wanting to wake them. Yes, we frequently sneak out when they are still asleep and let ourselves out. Hey, we have a key to their house, we're allowed. *L*
We headed over to my parents' house and Alli was deluged with pressies while my brother Alex gave us his old Nintendo 64 and talked alot about moving in with us this summer, and going to Le Cordon Bleu in Mendota Heights which is about 25 minutes from where we live.
Think he was trying to buy us off a bit? Alex even pulled out his Guitar Hero 3 and let us crank on that for a bit. I have pictures I'll post later; it was pretty funny. :)
A good weekend. And now...I'll just watch some Keith Olbermann and chill with my honey.
Make it a good week everyone!
Friday night I bit the bullet and said "Screw it!" to all the cooking implements that had no place to live in our kitchen. I enlisted Alli's help and we went through all the cabinets that had pots and pans I knew were just sitting there, unloved, and unused.
My kitchen is clean! I have places that now lovingly house new cookies sheets, new pizza pans, my new crock pot and toaster from Kathleen, and ....well, I didn't quite get to the cabinet that houses the rats' nest of tupperware, but was pleased with the results. Tupperware is a plan for next weekend, methinks.
Exhausted, I then headed upstairs and started packing for Sandstone. Alli tried to help. I know she did. But all she really did was play on our bed in the sheets and hide while I asked her every few minutes to go and get things to put in her bag - which she did - and then she'd hide back under the sheets. Silly girl. After the bags were packed, she realized it was time for bed and ran to brush her teeth.
She gets really excited when she knows we're going to visit Aunty Kathleen and Uncle Charlie - especially since Kathleen's been pregnant.
Saturday morning began bright and early with showers, getting dressed, grabbing breakfast and taking leave. We arrived at Kas's around 11am and chilled for a bit before destroying her living room.
No, really - she asked us to.
We helped her and Charlie move around their living room so they could put the changing table in there for the baby. Yes, it makes sense - their rooms are upstairs, but everything else is on the main level and really who wants to be running up and downstairs all day when you're already exhausted from being up all night?
Anyways...Dave and Charlie spent about an hour trying to figure out how to re-hook the cables up once the entertainment center had been moved. Pretty hilarious when neither man knows how it's supposed to go because it was Kathleen and I who just ripped the cables out and threw them on the couch. hee hee hee. We're evil. Diabolically so.
I cleaned their kitchen while the boys played with the TV- because that's the kind of friend I am; Kathleen's back was hurting so bad. I can't say I remember being nearly 6 months pregnant, but her body has certainly changed shape and she is still trying to do things that she used to, although her center of gravity has changed.
We went out to dinner - minus Charlie who's back hurt so badly he came home early from poker.
Kathleen, her mom Linda, Alli, Dave, and myself all had a lovely dinner at Tobie's - Dave had a 20 oz porterhouse steak. Gah! It made me glad that we don't really eat that much red meat, that he could enjoy the steak without guilt.
Sunday morning we snuck out, not wanting to wake them. Yes, we frequently sneak out when they are still asleep and let ourselves out. Hey, we have a key to their house, we're allowed. *L*
We headed over to my parents' house and Alli was deluged with pressies while my brother Alex gave us his old Nintendo 64 and talked alot about moving in with us this summer, and going to Le Cordon Bleu in Mendota Heights which is about 25 minutes from where we live.
Think he was trying to buy us off a bit? Alex even pulled out his Guitar Hero 3 and let us crank on that for a bit. I have pictures I'll post later; it was pretty funny. :)
A good weekend. And now...I'll just watch some Keith Olbermann and chill with my honey.
Make it a good week everyone!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
December 25th
We still sort of celebrate Christmas, as well as Yule. This stems from the fact that I grew up with it and why the hell shouldn't I get two days of presents? Okay, not so much....but more really to do with Santa.
You know Santa, right? The guy in the red suit with white trim? Well we are still encouraging Alli to believe in him. And why not?! I equate her belief in Santa and the spirit of the season with innocence. I want her to remain innocent about the commercialism for as long as she can (this is why we have a DVR and fast forward through the commercials!).
We had lovely breakfast of cinnamon rolls and fruit, then took to the presents. Tally ho!
Our Trader Joe's Gingerbread house....look how the cat is stuck to the house.
These flowers are part of the lovely bouquet Dave got me for Yule- there's also a swag, and a LOT of Godiva chocolate. Yum.
Here we have Alli, with Rudy the Godiva bear she got from Dave with some of her own chocolates. She is waiting patiently to open presents.
Dave - not sharing his roasted chestnuts.
And to that I say "I didn't want your nuts anyways!" So there.
It was nice to be home with my family Christmas day. Food, cheese, chestnuts, and love. Mmmm. And not in that order necessarily. May yours have been as good as mine! :)
Yule 2007
Our family celebrated Yule with members of our extended family - Jenn and Beckah.
We had a non-traditional meal of yummy proportions (although I still think that the cornbread stuffing made in the low fat way was a bit dry):
Yule Dinner:
The one splurge where no fat was spared was with the Pannetone Bread Pudding. 5 whole eggs, milk, sugar, brandy.... Have I told you I'm a master bread pudding maker? I had the recipe down back in high school for what I called my "Man Catcher" bread pudding. Simply delightful and ultimately sinful. Alas, since I have my man, I no longer need to stoop to such fattening lows...that often. ;) Topped with Butterscotch Caramel sauce.... heaven in a bowl (we had Schwans' low fat vanilla frozen yogurt as well).
I however, won't discuss the Chambord incident. Nor how tipsy I was from a bit of Rum and orange-pineapple juice from the night before. I'm such a non-lush.
We opened pressies after our late lunch/early dinner....
Here we have Jenn and Alli on the couch; I believe this was after dinner - Jenn went into an alcohol and food induced stupor.
But seriously, aren't they adorable? I happen to know one is over 18 and single....heh.
And I also have a feeling she'll seriously maim me if she ever reads that.
Anywho....
Alli in front of the Yule tree. Like the decoration? Dave and I (well, mostly Dave, acting like Mr. Monk) made it last year for 2006. It's held up pretty well. And no. I don't know or remember why Alli was holding an empty wrapping paper tube.
All in all, Yule was fun: we ate, we drank, some of us threw up a little in our mouths from time to time, and pressies were had by all.
We had a non-traditional meal of yummy proportions (although I still think that the cornbread stuffing made in the low fat way was a bit dry):
Yule Dinner:
- Relish Tray: pickles = sweet & dill, olives = black & green, devilled eggs, and beets
- Pineapple/Honey glazed Ham - 7 lb
- Sweet Potatoes from Schwan's Man
- Honey Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
- Green Beans w/bacon
- Cornbread Stuffing
- Cranberry Jelly
- Pannetone Bread Pudding w/Butterscotch Caramel sauce
The one splurge where no fat was spared was with the Pannetone Bread Pudding. 5 whole eggs, milk, sugar, brandy.... Have I told you I'm a master bread pudding maker? I had the recipe down back in high school for what I called my "Man Catcher" bread pudding. Simply delightful and ultimately sinful. Alas, since I have my man, I no longer need to stoop to such fattening lows...that often. ;) Topped with Butterscotch Caramel sauce.... heaven in a bowl (we had Schwans' low fat vanilla frozen yogurt as well).
I however, won't discuss the Chambord incident. Nor how tipsy I was from a bit of Rum and orange-pineapple juice from the night before. I'm such a non-lush.
We opened pressies after our late lunch/early dinner....
Here we have Jenn and Alli on the couch; I believe this was after dinner - Jenn went into an alcohol and food induced stupor.But seriously, aren't they adorable? I happen to know one is over 18 and single....heh.
And I also have a feeling she'll seriously maim me if she ever reads that.
Anywho....
Beckah, the author, is holding a mighty scary shirt. She's already told me that I'm partly in her novel as it is.... some of me is manifested in the main character. Yikes. Jenn is supposed to be a smarty pants in her professional job, so I thought that the shirt fit. More people SHOULD be taking notes when Jenn opens her mouth. They should so bow down and worship her.
And here we have Alli opening her pressie from Beckah ~ yes, she asked if it was okay first.
Beckah got her THE cutest deck of Tarot cards! Seriously, cards are fine (but Ouija boards are out of the QUESTION; those things creep me out and I have found that they let more bad things near than good). They are adorable - check the instructional book out here.
And here we have Alli opening her pressie from Beckah ~ yes, she asked if it was okay first.Beckah got her THE cutest deck of Tarot cards! Seriously, cards are fine (but Ouija boards are out of the QUESTION; those things creep me out and I have found that they let more bad things near than good). They are adorable - check the instructional book out here.
Alli in front of the Yule tree. Like the decoration? Dave and I (well, mostly Dave, acting like Mr. Monk) made it last year for 2006. It's held up pretty well. And no. I don't know or remember why Alli was holding an empty wrapping paper tube.
All in all, Yule was fun: we ate, we drank, some of us threw up a little in our mouths from time to time, and pressies were had by all.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year Goals
Happy New year!
It seems like every year a friend of mine (Beckah!) will make a list of 100 Things to Do...or something of the like. I decided to attempt that. Maybe not 100 though. Hmm.... we'll see how far I get.
Things I would like to do in 2008:
1.) Spend more quality time with my family.
(1a.) Remember to make time for Dave, time for Alli, and separate family time!)
2.) Try not to be such a spaz about the little things.
3.) Finish planning our wedding (before the ceremony! tee hee hee :)
4.) Eat better/more low and non-fat into the diet.
5.) Walk more.
6.) Make Dave walk.
7.) Communicate more with loved ones and friends (phone, email, snailmail, etc).
8.) Meditate.
9.) Spend more time studying Wicca and rites.
10.) Return to Tarot (thank you for the faerie cards, B!!)
11.) Be more involved with Alli at school - as much as possible.
12.) STOP PROCRASTINATING on doing necessary things! (See how far down the list this is?)
13.) Make sure no more than $500 in debt is on credit cards at any point in time.
14.) Make sure to use Upromise for Alli's benefit. :)
15.) Plan for baby #2 to be conceived this coming summer - get body and mind in shape!
16.) Get Dave ready for baby.
17.) Get Alli lots of "Big Sister" style clothes after confirming pregnancy has reached 3rd month. ;)
18.) Make at least one trip to the theater as a family to watch a family-friendly show.
19.) Have a date night with Dave at least once a month.
20.) Find a regular sitter.
21.) Find time to write.
22.) Listen more to my body and mind....empowering internal and external intuition.
23.) Blog more.
There. That's it so far. That's all I got. For right now.
Have a Happy and SAFE New Year my friends. Be well. May this be your best year yet! :)
It seems like every year a friend of mine (Beckah!) will make a list of 100 Things to Do...or something of the like. I decided to attempt that. Maybe not 100 though. Hmm.... we'll see how far I get.
Things I would like to do in 2008:
1.) Spend more quality time with my family.
(1a.) Remember to make time for Dave, time for Alli, and separate family time!)
2.) Try not to be such a spaz about the little things.
3.) Finish planning our wedding (before the ceremony! tee hee hee :)
4.) Eat better/more low and non-fat into the diet.
5.) Walk more.
6.) Make Dave walk.
7.) Communicate more with loved ones and friends (phone, email, snailmail, etc).
8.) Meditate.
9.) Spend more time studying Wicca and rites.
10.) Return to Tarot (thank you for the faerie cards, B!!)
11.) Be more involved with Alli at school - as much as possible.
12.) STOP PROCRASTINATING on doing necessary things! (See how far down the list this is?)
13.) Make sure no more than $500 in debt is on credit cards at any point in time.
14.) Make sure to use Upromise for Alli's benefit. :)
15.) Plan for baby #2 to be conceived this coming summer - get body and mind in shape!
16.) Get Dave ready for baby.
17.) Get Alli lots of "Big Sister" style clothes after confirming pregnancy has reached 3rd month. ;)
18.) Make at least one trip to the theater as a family to watch a family-friendly show.
19.) Have a date night with Dave at least once a month.
20.) Find a regular sitter.
21.) Find time to write.
22.) Listen more to my body and mind....empowering internal and external intuition.
23.) Blog more.
There. That's it so far. That's all I got. For right now.
Have a Happy and SAFE New Year my friends. Be well. May this be your best year yet! :)
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