No humans were harmed in the lighting of the tree

Tree up, lights on, we'll see if it survives the inspection when Jason gets home tomorrow (doubt it will, one of the downfalls of living with an engineer). Get it done, if he wants to change it more power to him, but at least it's done and that's what I want. One trip through my Harry Connick, Jr. Christmas CD down. A little more Christmas shopping done and a trip to the park. It's been a busy day.

I had so many things on my mind that I wanted to add in here today, and they have all flown right out of my head. And they were good too, just so all of you know, I may have forgotten some of my best material ever.

Nice catching up with a friend over text last night. I NEVER call a new mom or about-to-have-a-baby mom to be if I can help it. They might feel like chatting but not getting wrapped into a conversation and I can appreciate that. Lovely to talk to Meg all the same though, out of everyone I knew that I left behind in RI, I miss her most. Annie, if you get mad at that, remember that YOU left ME in RI, dearheart!

I'm still wading through my options with my yoga training. Luckily, the funding has been approved so all I have to do is find a way to make it work for me. Or start the approval process over (which wouldn't be too big a deal). We know we aren't moving next year so no big deal if I don't start right in January. If I have to change the education plan then maybe I'll just get to do my massage stuff first is all. I'm ok with that. I will meet with the education contact at the studio this week, probably Friday, to try and hash all this out.

I'm also still chomping at the bit to get my hands on my new niece, can't wait to see her. I want the time to fly, but I also need the time to get things done. What a conundrum-filled world we live in.

Apparently, sharks love to eat pinecones. Who would have guessed, since they have access to NO pine trees. I listened to a fascinating dissertation on the subject from an adorable little 5 year old (I'm guessing) at the park. She had Munchkin's FULL attention during this lecture. It always awes me the absolute seriousness and sincerity (is that the same thing?) that children can put into their stories. When do we lose that full belief in what we say...even when it makes no sense?

Figured out the sway/plank bridge at the park. If I sit in the middle, I can bounce when mommy has to come out and get me. That's fun. Repeat as needed.

Haircuts and Holiday beginnings

Munchkin had her first haircut the other day, at a place called Pigtails and Crewcuts and we had a ball! She chose her own "chair" and sat in a police car (hey, as long as it's the front seat...), they gave her animal crackers to eat, and she watched Cars while her hair was cut. I will absolutely take her there again. Getting the back of it even cut a little more into the curls than I wanted but they'll grow back. And she picked out her own bow.

And this is her sneaking up on me before her bath. What a little whackadoo I have on my hands!

Thanksgiving was fun. Nana hosted this year, so I was worn out by dinner just keeping Munchkin from breaking anything. Why is it Murphy's Law that any kid is going to be drawn to ANYTHING breakable? My apologies to Nana, I had to rearrange her living room, and I'm not sure I got it all put back. But Lordy, do I LOVE me some turkey and dressing and all that jazz!!

Munchkin and Mom tried out the Black Friday shopping a tad today, but since we aren't in the market for anything that consumerism has deemed the "it" things to have this year...nothing I need is on sale (define need?). I did buy a dress that could work equally for any holiday parties or also for any spring/summer weddings and how many dresses in the world can do that? It was on sale for BF so that was my one buy today.

Never having a need to know this before, Toys R Us is CRAZY on Black Friday. I've never seen it before, and I went at like 10:30. Had I purchased anything, I might have been in line until about 1pm. They had it all over the store!!!

I don't get venturing into a store FILLED with toys, and not playing with or taking any of them home. What gives?

Under M for Muppet

Normally I'm the "Respect the turkey, no Christmas before Thanksgiving" but Jas will be at work the day after when I normally start all the Christmas movies. So we started it last night and Munchkin enjoyed it, she likes all the songs. I did have to watch the "Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas" which I think Jas and Kat have the only two copies in existence. I had never heard of it before meeting Jason. Anyway, he couldn't find it, flipped all the way through and took all the DVD's out...wasn't there.

Then I looked and found it right where I thought it would be. Under M. "WHY the heck did you put it there?" Because if I'm looking for muppet movies it's likely I'd want them to be all together. He didn't agree.

And yes, I am that chick who alphabetizes her DVD's.

A quick addition.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the frazier fir scented candles from Thymes. They are awesome. Just enough fragrance and not too overpowering. Love them. Munchkin, however figured something out for me.

I'm in the office (where the candle is not). You can smell it even when it isn't burning if you are in the room. All of a sudden it was very Christmas-y smelling in here! I looked at her and smelled her hands. ALL Frazier Fir.

I ran in to the bedroom. The candle is gone. I patted the dresser where it had been and said "Munchkin, where is the candle? The one that was here?". I am worried to death she has eaten it. She leads me right to it. Where she's placed it in HER room. And discovered that it's a soft candle. I have rescued it, but it now has two Munchkin finger holes inside it.

It's been a LOOONNNNG week

It's just been the girls (and Boo) this week. And I have taken the time to do a little Christmas shopping, yes, but mostly to CLEAN the house top to bottom. And I mean not straighten. I mean take everything out of each room that doesn't belong there and put it in the room it belongs in. I mean make all the rooms organized now that they have all of their things back (some they didn't know they'd lost because they were STILL in moving boxes).

A little aside, here, but when you are a military family I challenge you to have not ONE single box that either hasn't been packed from the last move or is already packed for the next one. I don't know if anyone can do it but I'd sure like to know how!

Munchkin treated me to another water trail in the kitchen and den. Still no idea what the purpose is but I hope to catch her one day. She is about to embark on a Goodwill trip with me to donate a lot of items I uncovered that I no longer need or want. Some warm clothes that no longer fit that I know someone can use as the days get shorter and colder.

Some surprises around the house:
Our home is apparently where spiders go to die. Who knew?

We own about 15 decks of cards and 4 cribbage sets. Wow.

I'm NOT a medium anymore. It's time to face facts, at least for now.

Jason has spent a small fortune on uniform items...a lot of which I'm pretty sure he already has because I have created a box FULL of ribbons, medals, "chest candy" boards and such.

Our room is SO much more peaceful without all the crap in it!

Jason's clothing CAN all fit into either the closet or dressers. Mine does.

Library more. Barnes and Noble less.

Wow, I can actually breathe in this house now. Amazing. I hope it all stays where it's put.

I know how to get those fantastic little fuzzies in my hair! All I have to do is dump out the hair thingy holder (with about a million small thingys in it). Pick ONLY 2 out and bring them to mommy and say "hair". Voila! I have what Mommy calls "pony tails". I must say they are the cutest.

My new neice is on her way!!!

Baby-in-waiting is on her way to the world today! I got the call from Nate earlier this morning...and we need to coach him on calling with GOOD news. Love you, man, realize you were probably up all night...but try either prefacing with "we're all ok" or just blurt out the good news...you had me scared something had gone wrong! So our family's newest little girl is appearing today, on her Granddaddy's birthday no less.

The waters have receeded in the area, and people are taking stock. For a non-hurricane this nor'easter packed a wallop! Housebound for 5 days, Nana and Papou lost power so they came over...in what I always intended which was a storm shelter run by family! It's why I mandated not having a home closer to family...so there would be a port in any storm to go to. We had a good time and Jason cooked a great dinner. Sometimes easy comfortfood is best.

In my mundane to do list of today, it is really awe inspiring to think that while I go through the monotony of another day, my sister's life is being changed right now as I write. Just an amazing thing.

Storms are NO FUN...if I didn't have a birthday party to go to today, I'd probably be REALLY ticked off! As it is, I get to see my "Jackit" today.

Rainy days and Lush baths

I almost NEVER get to take baths anymore, so I never get to enjoy my bath bombs that are a recent love from LUSH. I used the bumblebee looking one today...only gripe is that it can stain the tub...but it smelled and felt heavenly...my skin feels great too. Bonus, no sound in the house but the rain splattering the windows. Everyone is asleep and I'm loving it. Wonder how long it will last?

Happy Veterans Day and Thank you to all who are honored by this great day. MunchkinDad is celebrating with a nap on the floor in a fluffy blankey (he HATES rain).

I need to MAKE time to take baths more often...at least once a week even if it has to be late at night.

Kind of a groggy day, I am not in the mood for any new tricks, just an early nap.

Sometimes you just wonder...

...what in the world they are up to. Munchkin is a water baby. If there is any open body of water or container of it (save the toilet, thank you, God) she MUST be into it or fight like heck trying. She is obsessed with the dog's bowl (Nelson, or Boo, to those who don't know). The past few weeks, whenever I run upstairs really quick to change over laundry or get something she or I need, I return to the sound of the bowl being dropped back in its holder, and a look of pure innocence on her face. Nevermind that the Great Lakes are now on my kitchen floor and there is a telltale trail of large water spills into the family room. But to this day I have NO idea why she takes it in there. Same path every time. One of these days, hopefully my curiosity will be appeased. The curious part of me hopes I catch her before she gives up the behavior because I really do NEED to know.

Munchkin also gained AGAIN today at the doctor so they are backing off. How wonderful a feeling that is. We celebrated by visiting her Nana and Papou, watching "Pinkerdoh", and having girls' night in in my king sized bed (MunchkinDad had to work). Just me, Munchkin, and bunny...and Boo too but he prefers the foot of the bed. I love that clean baby out of the bath smell!

I never realized I'd be this obsessed with my daughter's weight at less than 2 years old. Lordy help us.

Mom seemed really happy today. And I didn't get poked or prodded at the doctor's office. Weird, but I am liking that kind of weird.

Some days, one tutu just isn't enough!

Munchkin cracks me up lots of days...like when she keeps saying "tutu" and bringing me more of them to put on. She will not be deterred...she WILL wear all of them and no hiding of the tutu's is allowed by Mom. I think I've created a monster!

Not much going on today, just re-learning how expensive it is to reinstate or apply for professional licenses...and knowing how expensive it will continue to be unless they extend the purpose of the Spousal Relief Act.

Good day, got to play, Daddy left for work late so I actually got to see him this morning...what a treat!

Belated birthday

To me. I will be able to add clearer videos from here on after since MunchkinDad bought me a new camera! File it under the heading of things I didn't know I wanted that I really want I guess. And it's eggplant purple which for some reason seems to be one of my favorite colors this year (I swear mentally I'm some kind of designer).

No word on orders, but we hadn't expected any just yet. That info will be coming within the month I think.

A purple pocket video recorder that also does still and is only slightly bigger than my cell phone? How did I not know how much I needed this thing?

Flu medicine is awful. Makes me sleepy. I have fallen asleep to Pinkerdoh TWICE today.

Pinkerdoh

At our house, this means TinkerBell and she has replaced a certain furry red monster as Head Honcho (should it be Honchess) of all characters. I haven't watched Elmo for days, which is wonderful, fabulous and indescribable.

Disney needs to get on the stick making more TinkerBell movies, we already have the 2 that are out now.

Who would have thought there could be someone more fascinating than Elmo?

Halloween pics

It was a great time. MunchkinDad had duty so we went to see him at work so he could see her all dressed up. It's hard to anyway, but you just can't get enough of her all ballerina-fied. She is still obsessed with the cat.

Munchkin is ever the polite guest, she seems to feel that it is unseemly to just accept treats from people without coming in and visiting awhile. She actually managed to get around the door and into two housees. She also has the energy of the Energizer bunny and was still running circles around her mommy after about 2 hours!

Candy? Just for being cute? This rocks, why the heck don't we do this every day?