LAST DAY!!!

You probably won't hear from me for a few days after ending NaBloPoMo but you will hear from me more often than before. I think this has helped me get back into blogging. I do promise that I will wait for more interesting things to blog than my to do list. Although that can let you into a certain section of my brain that I'm sure is amusing.

I am getting over the strep today and should be ok for work tomorrow. This weekend we worked on the house, I got my new washer and dryer and got the NEW Christmas lights hung. This time I went for more energy efficient LED. I don't believe this was an option last time I hung the lights. I even sprung for a timer so they go on and off automatically.

Above is a picture of Xander helping to paint.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to you mom. You are the best mom I could have ever asked for and I love you very much. I hope you are having fun on your cruise.

I managed to get strep throat this weekend. Fun for me! Tomorrow my new washer and dryer will be delivered so that is kind of exciting. Tonight I am laying in bed kicking back with a little early 90's Julia Roberts in the form of "Sleeping with the Enemy." Boy, styles sure have changed.

Also a sad day...I turned on the Christmas lights that have been hanging up for the past 3 years and they no longer work. Thankfully my GF says she will help me hang new ones tomorrow (bless those who are not scared of heights)

Black Friday

I have nothing to blog. I was trying to pretend but do you really want to hear about my new washer and dryer? My guess is no.

But at least I didn't forget to blog.

Thanksgiving

The food:

Awesome wheat rolls
Brussel sprouts with walnuts
Carrots
Green bean supreme
Pineapple and cheese casserole
Broccoli rice and cheese casserole
Burgandy mushrooms
Whipped sweet potatoes
Mashed potatoes
Apple, Sausage, Sage dressing
Mushroom gravy
Cranberry sauce
The big bird
2 Pecan pies
Pumpkin cheesecake
Coconut cream pie
Key lime pie
Rum cake
4 seasons pie
Blueberry pie

Now = FOOD COMA

Preparation

Completed Today:
Central Market for all produce and pre-brined turkey
Cranberry sauce
Sage Butter for Turkey
Brussel Sprouts - prepped
Table and Chairs - picked up and set up
House cleaned - 95% done
2 closets cleaned out/ CRV full of stuff delivered to Goodwill

Still left to do:
Dressing
The Bird (not the finger kind)
Blow leaves off patio
clean toilets
Mashed potatoes
roast the sprouts
mushroom gravy

Now:
Sleep!

I will try to post pics tomorrow.

Twilight and Indian food

The traffic in Austin was CRAZY today. We headed down to the Clay Pit around 5:30 and gorged on naan, samosas, mussels and mixed grilled meat. All of it was yummy. We decided to dessert at the Alamo Drafthouse but we were way too stuffed to even contemplate food. Instead we settled into "Twilight" with a pitcher of iced tea (yes, teetotalers with tea).

The movie was kind of cheesy but it also seemed to be aware of its own cheesiness. All in all I liked it but didn't love it. I kept wanting to play with the main guy's hair. Also, I have a not so secret desire to be a vampire or a witch. Neither of which I have become yet. SIgh.

Goodnight all - the good news is my daily blogging will be ending in just a few short days. We can all rest a little easier knowing that.

Blue's Clues

Every night (assuming we are home) at 8:30 Xander and I watch Blue's Clues. At first I couldn't stand it (the current can't stand show is Go, Diego, Go) but now I find i look forward to singing the songs. Blue's Clues has had two hosts - Steve and later on Joe. I have developed a preference for Steve. It is a major let down when it is a Joe night. I think it's because this Steve guy (who is also Steve in real life - unlike Joe who I think is really a Donovan) left Blue's Clues, shaved his head and tried to become an Alternative rocker. To me that lends a bit of irony to the years he spent chasing some blue dog prints around. By the way Blue, the dog, is a girl. My boss told me that one. I never knew.

The bad thing about Blue's Clues is the songs get stuck in my head all the time! I will be walking around work singing "we just figured out Blue's Clues, we just figured out Blue's Clues cuz we're really smart."

Anyway. Just thought I would explain my feelings on Blue's Clues because I can't think of another thing to blog about...

Except:

1. I got Xander to wear real clothes yesterday - jeans and a shirt instead of his favored pajamas (he is trying his hand at being a little Hefner)

2. I am going to see "Twilight" tomorrow night AND going back to the Clay Pit. I will give my review of both tomorrow night.

3. This morning Xander was looking down so I put on some Beastie Boys and played his favorite "Mark on the Bus" and then introduced him to "Girls." He was bopping his head around and smiling as we pulled into Habibi's.

In search of food

I headed to the office today so I could quietly work on some homework. It didn't occur to me before I left home that I was hungry but a few minutes after arriving at the office, the most INTENSE hunger took hold of me. I looked for the keys to Sinda's office thinking there may be a stash of nuts in there. Couldn't find them. Then I thought maybe if I just drank some water I would feel better. Then I felt some cash in my pocket - EUREKA - snack machines! i could get some water and something to eat.

I headed downstairs to the machines but they only took coins or $1 bills. I had a five and a ten. UGH! Defeated I looked in the fridge downstairs to see what people might have stashed. Nothing much but an Amy's Organic Indian frozen food. Not interested. I gave up and headed back to my desk. I looked in my desk drawer to see if there was any food, anything... Then I found some change - enough for a snack. I headed to the upstairs break room to get some water in my tea mug first (not enough change for a bottle of water and a snack). I decided to look in this fridge and saw some string cheese. There were several packs of them...I did it. I took a stick. I devoured it and drank my water. Still hungry I headed down to the machines again. After debating which would cure my hunger better, Snickers or Lay's Potato Chips, I went with the chips.

I headed back upstairs, sent an email to my boss and finished my homework. Now, I just have to remember to buy someone a stick of string cheese tomorrow.

Holiday Season

Things I am looking forward to:

1. Cooking a big meal for everyone on Thanksgiving. Having a bunch of people over (I know weird but I am excited)

2. Stefano's Karoake party - because I have never been to one. I mean sure we SING at all the others. And because I got a babysitter. The big question is - Will SInda do it?

3. The annual Trail of LIghts. I went last year for the FIRST TIME EVER. Can you believe it? It is amazing the number of things I had never done before Xander. He makes me want to explore my surroundings more. Last year we pulled him in a wagon and he enjoyed it. We spent some time on the Zilker Zephyr today and saw it being set up. He is excited to go back. I am excited for his reactions.

4. Katie's annual party - I skipped last year because I am a dork. I can't wait to see her. It's been over a year.

5 Sinda's annual party - I always have a good time and I can bring Xander, who also has a good time. This year bonus, I might get to bring my GF if she can get off work early. The white elephant gifts are always a hoot. Though I am sad to hear P.C. got rid of the midget porn she "won." I did see the Leslie magnet set she won the year before midget porn on her fridge though.

6. The Nutcracker with my GF. I LOVE the ballet. It is my absolute favorite of the performing arts (minus rock concerts).

7. Turning on the Christmas lights. I love them. I love the way they make me feel. I am sad when they have to go (ok...mine never really go because I am lazy they remain on my house but I would look freaky turning them on after New Years)

8. Seeing Xander's face when he opens presents. It made me shed tears of happiness last year.

9. My garden - I guess the squirrels don't like my mustard greens as much as the tomatoes and melons but I do!

10.I can't think of a tenth one but I hate to end with an odd number so I am just writing something here anyway because it's not like more than 2 people read my blog anyway.


Anything you are looking forward to this holiday season?

things your kids say

There are a few words that Xander says that are pronounced in such a cute way I ask him to repeat the word. Yellow equals Lellow and I can't express it but he says ceiling in the most sing song way. He has also been telling stories that usually start with "when I was a little baby..." They grow up so fast.

What things do your kids say that you find irresistible?

Found

These were found in my old digital camera. Xander a couple years ago and my mother.

Concerts and Indian food

I tried the Clay Pit for the first time tonight and it was delicious. I am not a HUGE fan of Indian food (meaning I like it well enough but rarely crave it) but after my foray monday to the Whip In with Jodi, Mason and Sinda, I was up for another go round. I had the most amazing steamed mussels in this broth that should be served as a soup it was so good.

Afterward the GF and I headed to La Zona Rosa to see The Spill Canvas. I told Xander this morning that I would be going to the show and he gave me the pouty lip and said he wanted to go. So I think 7 for an indoor rock concert - what do you think? I saw a couple kids near that age with their parents and a bunch of teens with their parents. I will be that parent - for better or worse. My mom attended concerts with me I am sure she could have lived without (Motley Crue anyone?) but I got to go because she was willing to tough it out for me BUT unwilling to let me go alone. These are actually some really good memories I have growing up...my mom and me at various concerts - starting with Rick Springfield, Madonna, Bon Jovi, etc. I did tell X man that I would take him to ACL Fest next year (at least part of one day).

The Spill Canvas was one of three opening acts for One Republic. I wanted to leave after they played and the GF was game so we went back and watched a little Veronica Mars before I went home. Yes, I have become THAT old! We did see some interesting "kids" at the show including one couple where the guy had very emo hair and was wearing skinny jeans, a studded belt, black and white box Vans, a tie and argyle sweater. He kept looking in his cell phone to effectively muss his hair up. I wonder if his girlfriend is aware that he is SO GAY. I wonder if he has figured it out...hmmm...We saw them leave the same time we did but he had to stop and look in a mirror on his way out and play with his hair again.

Ok. I am toast. Goodnight all.

Lucy says Hi

It's the old girl's turn. Oh - and here is a picture of my newly completed bedroom floor. Obviously I am not an interior designer!

Rex

Rex says "Hi!"

FAIL!

I. FORGOT. TO. BLOG. I just flat out forgot yesterday, the halfway point in NaBloPoMo. I was so busy putting my bedroom back together and taking the opportunity to clean everything before I put it back. I have to say what a relief and a genuine good feeling it is to have things in order. I feel this feeling when I look at my bedroom and living room. The rest of the house is still a mess but at least I have a small oasis of clean and orderly.

I started at 7am putting the room together. Yes, this woke everyone up in the house but I just couldn't help myself. I was excited. I was also exhausted from the night before. Just so you all know (all two of you who read my blog and I know I already told you) but there is still a wait at 10pm to get a seat at Uchi. When we got there they said the wait would be 30 minutes but thankfully it was only about 10.

Anyway, back to my excuses... After putting my room back together and cleaning up the living room, I finished up laundry, washed my bedding and hit both HEB and Central Market. It was also the alternate week that I get my CSA box from Johnson's Backyard Garden so I picked that up and surveyed my bounty before stuffing it all in the garage fridge to deal with Sunday (today). I also picked up Sinda's box and dropped it off at her house around 4pm. The party was already starting! Sadly, I had to leave to await my babysitter before returning at 6:30.

Head over to Sinda's blog to read some burning questions from the party. Hopefully (or not hopefully depending on the evidence) there will be pictures soon.

My new class starts on Tuesday. I am excited and scared!

Tonight Tonight

Bond. James Bond. But he never did say it. I went with the "girls" to see the second installment of luciousness, err...I mean Daniel Craig. After I dropped everyone off, me and the GF hit Uchi. Yummy Yummy. Now I need bed. Tomorrow I have a big day moving all my stuff back in my bedroom and then a party at Sinda's!

just for the record...

Since Agent X Rae is out of commission this evening, I am guest blogging for the sake of the NaBloPoMo promise. You may remember me from the Friday, November 7th entry entitled "The Story". I was the one that gave Agent X the killer grapes. I thought I would take this opportunity to shed some light on that post and the event itself.

After the incident, she surveyed her current chairs and found them all to be too tall. - This kind of makes me sound like a little person, or maybe that I live in a giant's house. In reality, I have tall chairs. I don't currently know anyone that is tall enough to throw their body over the back of any of my chairs. And given what had just happened to me, this was a perfectly logical concern. So yes, I am searching for one single standard issue kitchen chair to keep in a convenient place for the next time the killer grapes attack. I am not alone in my mission. I was just telling Agent X about how I was sitting at a stoplight the other day and I look over to my left and there is woman in a jeep, top peeled down, and what did she have in the back but one single standard issue kitchen chair! In an instant I knew that this stranger and I shared a connection. She, too, had a self-Heimlich opportunity in which she realized her chairs were taller than average and something had to be done. Deep, I'm telling you.

And, yes, I did ponder the choking possibilities in my current diet but the only adamant change is the eating of grapes in solitude. It's not that I don't trust my own abilities to chew; rather, it's that I don't trust those deliciously deceptive grapes...
(just for the record...I still eat popcorn ALL THE TIME)

Busy Day

Wow - what a busy day! I spent most of the day at a senior center teaching seniors how to use their cell phones. The people were so nice. That was much nicer than sitting at my desk all day!

Turns out the tilers will be here tomorrow to finish the floors. So tonight we had to empty two bedrooms and move the displaced furniture to other parts of the house. I am blogging from my king sized bed that is sitting in the middle of the living room. Looks like I will be sleeping here through Saturday.

Our neighborhood also had a potluck and neighborhood association meeting. I also met some great people who I have only seen walking up and down the road. I loved that they emphasized keeping an eye on each others kids (though many of my neighbors are older folks). This makes me so happy to live somewhere everyone cares about the well being of others.

Ok - WAY past my bedtime. Xander and I have to get up early for his 4 year old checkup. I hear there might be many shots in his immediate future. Sorry sweetie!

Finishing up - Part 2

I left work early today so that I could drive to the Home Depot in Seguin, TX. Why would I go to that Home Depot instead of the 20 or so around the Austin Metro area? Because sometimes I am stupid. Very very stupid. Last February I decided to embark on a household tiling project - I would tile two bedrooms and two bathrooms in my house. I picked out the tile and started the project. Then I didn't finish. Nor, did I buy enough tile to finish the job. I figured it would be at the HD when I needed it. Nope.

I am going to be paying someone to finish the tiling job and replace a damaged portion of Pergo in my hallway. When we tried to get the rest of the tile last weekend we found out that not only are they out but they are not able to special order the tile because - well just because they said so. They called on Monday to say they located a store that has 19 cases of the tile left - in Seguin.

So I got the tile and got back in town right as night was falling (hate to drive rural roads in the dark - too many deer). Hopefully the guys will be able to lay the tile this weekend and that project can be finished...albeit not by me. Which I feel not a drop of guilt about.

Finishing up

Back in 2001 I started my MBA at the University of Phoenix online. I did pretty well for awhile but grew tired of servers always over capacity and the stress of getting papers in, not having fun, etc. I went back for a class in 2006 at the campus in Austin but was bored stiff sitting in class for 4 hours (true only once a week).

Flash forward to 2008 and I am going to try and go back. I only have 7 more classes to complete the MBA degree. If I can get into a class as early as next week, then I can have 2 classes started (1 finished and another started) by the end of 2008 to take advantage of my companies tuition reimbursement. Then I can take 3 classes in 2009. The other two will either have to wait until 2010 or I will have to suck it up and pay for the additional 2 classes out of pocket (which at $1970/class is a major expense).

I am determined. This time I will finish.

I will repeat it to myself many many times.

Reconnecting with old friends

I got an email from one of the mom's at Xander's old school asking if Xander could attend her son's birthday party the next day. Yesterday we went to Zilker Park to attend Eliot's birthday party. Eliot turned 5 and as you can see by these pictures, Xander was very happy to see him again. He even lost his shirt!

Xander's Song

Xander has been singing a bunch of songs lately including some stuff I listen to (Spill Canvas "All Over You") and some stuff he listens to at school.

He has been singing this one song all the time. It goes like this:

Good morning time to get up and go to work
I ride on the bus into the city everyday
I sit on a seat and I dream myself away
I dream I'm on an island with that foxy lady

So, I looked it up this morning and it is a Beastie Boys song. I am so proud! Hearing my 4 year old say foxy lady is pretty funny. Anyway, I downloaded the Beastie Boy song and added it to my Xander playlist in iTunes.

Just saw 3 military fighter planes fly over my house...hope we aren't getting invaded. :)

The story

I can’t help it. I have to tell the story. I warned her that I would because well…at lunch today she just continued with it.

Yesterday my girlfriend gives me some grapes. She says she can’t keep them anymore because she almost DIED the night before choking on one. I was momentarily concerned but then she started telling me the thing that saved her was the 30 Rock episode where Tina Fey starts choking on something and realizes she could die and no one would know because she lives alone. Tina Fey aka Liz Lemon saved herself by flinging over the back of a chair doing a self Heimlich sort of move. My gf saved herself by thinking of 30 Rock. The thought made her start to laugh and the offending grape slid down. She vowed to never eat grapes alone again. She is also looking to buy a chair that is just the right height for her to self Heimlich should this happen again. After the incident, she surveyed her current chairs and found them all to be too tall.

NOW she has taken it even further. Apparently she spent yesterday contemplating all the chokable foods she needed to avoid. She was telling me this at lunch today and I said I had to tell the story. Now she has also vowed to stay away from popcorn as well. I told her I used to worry about carrots, hot dogs, popcorn and yes grapes when Xander was younger (ok – I still worry about all these things when it comes to him, I will never stop), but I thought popcorn was safe for her because I hadn’t heard of any ADULTS choking and dying from popcorn.

Anyway…since I have exposed her to the internet as a choking worry wart, I will let her guest blog if she wants to refute any parts of my story. It’s only fair.

Pancakes for dinner

Last night I made a semi healthy linguini with arugula and cherry tomatoes. Tonight, I didn't feel like cooking AT ALL so we took X man to Kerbey Lane for dinner. I had enchiladas and everyone else has pancakes for dinner.

I should have chosen pancakes. Now X is riding around in the dark (darn daylight savings time) on his tractor and I am working to fulfill my NaBloPoMo obligation. This is hard...and I am sure tedious for others.

Tasks completed on list:

bought tickets on credit card to avoid cancellation.

I have a funny story to tell but my girlfriend says I can't. LAME!!! Give me a call, and I will tell you (SInda - already told you).

Update

Turkey ordered
work bill sort of taken care of

Obama still the president elect!

I talked to my grandmother in Missouri tonight who said "Our guy won." I love that my 86 year old grandmother is true blue.

Goodnight...I need to catch up on my sleep tonight. I was way too excited to get much last night.

WE WON

WE WON WE WON WE WON!!!

Thank you Barack Obama for the Hope you gave our country. Thank you John McCain for the gracious concession speech. It's the first time in months you have shown v.2000.

I am so happy for our country right now.

Today I didn't get a job I was up for but this makes up for that loss. Also today, I only completed 2 things on yesterday's To Do list. I found out the neighbor was having a party (which I attended) and I convinced my girlfriend to take me out for a premature congratulations dinner (maybe positive thinking really is the secret).

Anyway, good night. I am up WAAAAY past my bed time.

I will leave you with another picture of my beautiful son (this is for you mom)

To Do List

Ok, maybe if I post it, things will get done:

1. call table and chair rental place for Thanksgiving
2. Order pre-brined turkey at Central Market (they are awesome)
3. pay mortgage bill so I don't need a bail out
4. work out 4 times this week (1 down, 3 to go)
5 order tickets to the Santaland Diaries using credit card I never use so that it doesn't get cancelled and affect my credit score
6. Google correct usage of work affect vs. effect to see if above usage is correct
7. pay that work bill that has been on my desk for a month and figure out new expense reimbursement process
8. convince girlfriend to go eat out tomorrow night to celebrate Barack Obama winning the election (HOPING AND PRAYING)
9. check with neighbor to see if there will be an election day party


That's all. Maybe tomorrow's post will be more interesting.

Halloween Redux

And just when I thought all the fun had ended...Saturday night Xander and I went to the Halloween Party/Silent Auction held at his pre-school Habibi's Hutch. Xander decided to go as a fireman for party. This was a pretty cool party, they had a DJ (who played some old school Michael Jackson), then a band. There was much food and merriment among the parents (also much wine and beer drinking, which added to the merriment).

A promise...

Ok...so to say that I have been a lax blogger would be a gross understatement. I am working on it. To help kick start my blogging, I told Sinda that I would do the NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) with her. That means I promised to blog EVERY. DAY. in. November.

So, this is post #1

Halloween was fun. We attended the neighborhood Halloween Party at Paula's house. I went as Joe the Plumber and Xander went as the black Spiderman. Here's a picture of most of the people who attended the party.