{tap tap tap} {feedback squeal} Is this thing on?

Um, yeah!  I certainly didn’t intend to be away from the ole blog for this long.  Whoops!  I tell you, it’s so hard to come up with the daily photo, and I admit to spending more time catching up with people via facebook than remembering that I started my whole internet presence here in this place, and therefore it deserves some attention.

Any-hoo, there’ve been a few things I’ve felt like writing about lately, and so I’ll cram them into one post because I’m not sure each should have a post of it’s own, and seriously, I clearly cannot be depended upon to post here regularly, so!  Before I forget everything, here goes!

1. Did anyone else see the most recent episode of The Deadliest Catch?  I have always loved that show (not least because Wanted Dead or Alive is the song over the opening credits).  Well, knowing that Capt. Phil passed away before this season started airing has made every episode a bit strange; I mean, we’re watching this guy’s last moments on earth.    And in the first half of Tuesday’s show they showed his son acting strangely, sleeping when he should be on deck, then once he got out there, I said to Timon, “He’s high.”  Timon didn’t think so, but the kid fell into the hole on deck where they put the crab in the tanks.  Then at the end of the episode, it showed Phil in pain, going below to get some of his pain medication, and he caught his son stealing his pills.  Oh, it was so horrible to watch the kid try to dig out of that hole, and you could see how awful it was for Phil.  The whole thing just made me really, really sad.  When you think that not long after this happened, Phil dies – oof.  I just hope they made things right with each other.
   
   
2. Summer vacation is upon us, and this is the first summer that Henry hasn’t had some kind of full-time care.  He’s going to come to work with me on Mondays and Thursdays; Tuesdays he and Maria will go to their surrogate grandparents’ house, Wednesdays they’ll go to Maria’s other caregiver’s home.  Fridays the three of us will go to the library and one of the city pools.  I’m hoping that we can get in a good routine.  We have a couple of trips scheduled and I CANNOT WAIT to get up to Connecticut in July for a cousin’s wedding!  Mainly to see this kid and these kids and that other kid (my niece Julia, who is internetally anonymous, basically).
   
   
3. Maria’s saying a lot of words now.  It’s time for another guessing game, dear reader mother readers!  I’ll put down the things she actually says, you guess in the comments what you think she means to say.  Ready?  OK!
1. Cup!
2. Bee-bee
3. Shores
4. pah-ee
5. mo
6. ee
7. pee-pee (no, it’s not what you think)
8. Ah-ooo
9. saw-saw
10. bess-ooo

All right!  And this post only took me 3.5 hours from start to finish!  (ok, so I took a considerable break in the middle to do Vacation Bible School.)  Be good to each other.

to whom it may concern: {LOST edition}

{I don’t think there are any major spoilers in the post below, but if you haven’t watched yet you may wish to wait on this.}

Dear Damon & Carlton:

No matter what anyone says, I think the finale last night was awesome.  It was very confusing, amazing, surprising, frustrating, and beautiful – just like (nearly) every other episode of the series.  Also:  Thanks for not resurrecting Nikki & Paolo.  SRSLY.

Truly Yours,
Fan who can’t understand people who haven’t watched for years but watched the finale “because it was the last episode and wanted to see how it ends”

*********************************************************

Dear Harold Perrineau:

I’ll never be able to thank you enough for killing Ana-Lucia.  Ana-LOO LOO had to go.  Oh, I know it was your character Michael that did the shooting, but I really appreciate it.  And I’m proud to have you as a fellow alumnus from SU.  Even though you didn’t graduate.

Go Hornets!
Alumna who wonders if you lived in Racey Hall

**********************************************************

Dear Desmond:

You are perfect.  Never change.  Oh wait, you can’t – you’re the constant.

Loved you in The Gospel of John!
Sistah

***********************************************************

Dear Sayid:

My cousin Mike hopes to name a kid after you one day.  I promise to help convince him he needs a perm.  And private butt-kicking lessons from Chuck Norris.  

Keep being awesome!
Friend who hopes you never break my neck using only your feet

catching up

• 
  
  This morning, Timon brought me towels warm from the dryer for me to use after my shower.  I think I would like this to happen every day of my life.  It was truly luxurious.  I imagine that it’s how people who buy things from the Sky Mall catalog must live.
  
  
• 
  
  Speaking of Sky Mall, my sister and cousin and their sweet babies are coming to visit us next Monday!  I’m so, so happy about this.  The thought of their arrival is almost all that is sustaining me through this week.  That, and warm towels. 
  
  
• 
  
  I realize I didn’t make a clear connection between Sky Mall and my sister and cousin coming to visit just now.  Allow me to explain - You see, usually whenever one of us travels to see the others, we peruse the Sky Mall catalog on the plane, and fold down the corners of pages featuring items we think the others will particularly enjoy.  And by “enjoy”, I mean “find totally ridiculous.”  That little publication never lets us down.  What, you don’t do this when you’re traveling?  Boy, are you missing out.
  
  
• 
  
  The Olympics are KILLING.ME.SOFTLY.WITH.THE.TIRED.  All you people with DVR don’t know how lucky you have it.  I either must stay up thanks to Bob Costas and his teasing me with the major events kept to the very END OF THE BROADCAST, that’s midnight, people; or miss the action entirely and catch up on results the next day via the internets.  Internets aren’t as fun when it comes to the Olympics.  Bob Costas, you are a mean, mean man, with your inexplicably dark hair that used to be blond.  Am I right, dear readers reader?  Am I RIGHT?!
  
  
• 
  
  Speaking of raven-haired Bob, we turned on the tv at 8pm, like faithful little lemmings following Bob to the edge of the CLIFF OF MIDNIGHT (v. v. tired) and saw this:
  
  
  
  I have no words.  Except to say I could use fewer features about polar bears and instead, could you please move the pairs figure skating finals up about an hour, Bob Costas?

eleventh

Last night my family was given a gift. It's hard to put it into words, but I'll try.

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you probably know that my cousin Greg died in 2006. This wasn't a guy with nothing going for him. He had plans - big ones. One of them was to do a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, all 2,175 miles of it, with his friend, Aggie (seen here holding Greg's photo). Last night I got to see a show on the National Geographic Channel on the AT, and at the end, the summit, was Aggie, known by her trail name Moon Shadow (given to her by Greg as they planned and dreamed about the journey). She carried some of Greg's ashes on her trip, sprinkling them along the trail as she walked.

I knew she might be on the show, but it was getting late and at 8:55 I had just about given up. But then I gasped, "That's Aggie!" and burst into tears - because she looked so healthy and happy and fulfilled. Because Greg should have been there with her. Because he WAS there with her. Because they made it, the whole way.

tenth

Yeah, I am 14 years old and read the Twilight books and saw the first movie and enjoyed them all. But this is still HILARIOUS. How adorable is Taylor Swift?

fourth

GAH. We're only 4 days into NaBloPoMo and I'm already struggling. Here goes nothing:

• Henry tied his own shoes this morning! Just one more thing that will render Timon and me obsolete in a matter of a few more years. Love that boy.
  
  
• Maria's acting so big. Today she's 14 months old and it feels like in the 2 months since her birthday she's matured LIGHT YEARS. She said and signed "shoes" the other day and it was super cute and sweet. Love that girl.
  
  
• I'm still not feeling 100% well. I still have lots of sinus pressure and congestion, plus sore throat and slight cough. If I haven't improved within the next week I will for sure be headed back to the Dr., because I can't think of anything better to do with $80.
  
  
• I'm really wanting a steak dinner right now. (Hi, HONEY!!!)
  
  
• I'm avoiding talking or thinking about the accident right now, and I push those thoughts aside every time they pop up. I've become a very fearful driver and see potential accidents all the time. It's really fun.
  
  
• It's SO nice to walk outside and not feel bodily assaulted by the hot and humid air. It's by no means what I would consider Autumn, but it's tolerable.
  
  
• Anyone watch the series premiere of V last night? I thought it was really cool and that it will be a suitable fill-in for LOST until it comes on, and then after LOST ends this season I can see V taking its place.
  
  
• [A special personal bullet] Amber, thanks for reading! The picture you're looking for is in a post from September 2008... happy hunting! Now, go do your homework and get yourself back to youth group soon! We miss you, too.
  
  
• It was fun a while back to get and give interview questions from and for other bloggers... if anyone's up to it, I'd appreciate it! Let me know in the comments.
  
  
• If any of the non-blogging readers (all 2 of you) want to ask questions for me to answer here, ask away.
  

big things happening

Yeah, yeah, yeah.  I never post anymore.  10 whole days.  Moving on.

• There was a snake on the walk/steps leading to my house.  A BIG SNAKE.  (although, when it comes to snakes size does not entirely matter) I’m a bit skittish when it comes to entering and leaving my house now.  Which is weird to be skittish about, considering that a week ago, there was…
• A MURDER ACROSS THE STREET.  Yes, really.  An unsavory character was driving down our street when an even more unsavory (unsavory-er?) character apparently shot said 1st unsavory character and he drove his truck into a house a few doors down across the street.  Timon heard the shots and the truck radiator hissing.  Lovely.
• Mom/Nana came to visit last weekend and we had a lot of fun.  Maria and Henry were on full display of their talents and abilities and insanity.  It was really good to have her here.  In the few days she was here…
• Maria learned to crawl and pull up!  We keep finding her in her crib like this:

She’s obviously very proud of herself.  Look at that hair!  And isn’t that dress just to DIE for?  We then brought her into our room where Henry was sleeping.  Here’s what happened:

*sigh*.  Nana and her two Floridian grandbabies:  (Henry’s showing off his new watch WITH HANDS that he ALREADY KNOWS HOW TO READ.  Is there no stopping him?)

• We got a rare chance at a family photo of the four of us:

• Now we are on TOOTH WATCH.  No, Maria doesn’t have any teeth yet, at almost 9 months.  I can feel the tip of one juuuuust under the gums on the bottom.  I bet it won’t be long. 
• What is UP with that Merlin guy on Bravo’s The Fashion Show?  Is he for real?  If it’s a joke, I truly do not get it.
  
  

doing fine, thanks *updated*

Yeah, I'm tired. But, who isn't when they're a little over 2 weeks from their baby's due date? Things are shaping up around here for Bertha's arrival - I feel like I've got a handle on work stuff and having everything ready for the volunteers who'll be working with the kids while I'm out. We've got car seats, we've got cloth diapers, we've got pink clothes, I picked up some stuff I'll need post-delivery today on 70% clearance at a grocery store that's going out of business ($45 worth of stuff for $13.50 - now that's what I'm talkin' about!)... And not that it means anything is imminent, but I lost this today (don't click if you're not interested in TMI) and that's encouraging. Of course that could be a result of the rather, um, vigorous cervical check the OB did on Monday, but I choose to believe it's because I'm making progress. We shall see...

I've been loving all the Bertha guesses - keep 'em coming!

***UPDATED***
My doula, Robyn, just called to check in with me. She seems to think differently about the labor beginning sooner rather than later. She thought if I lost the mp because of the OB visit check it would have happened sooner than today. She has a feeling it will be this weekend... can you imagine having a baby on LABOR DAY?!?!? Timon has joked all along that we're due near the most aptly named day of the year...

Also, this has NOTHING to do with my current state, but the Oprah show today has been completely brilliant. (This is hard for me to say, because I think she is so self-absorbed 90% of the time.) Bill Cosby and a psychologist have been on discussing their new book. Absolutely brilliant.

the last one

I've conquered Nablopomo!

We're watching season one of Flight of the Conchords. Seriously, RUN and rent this show. It's hysterically funny. I'm getting ready to have some leftover birthday cake and work on my craft project. Timon and Henry are snoozing in the tent and tomorrow we're driving a couple of hours to cut down the Griswold Family Christmas Tree. I'm pretty sure the farm has their own saws though, so we won't have to rip it out of the ground by the roots.

"Yep, it's a little full... a lot of sap."

well, I might as well...

... finish out the Nablopomo. I started a craft project today and am amazed at the progress I've made in just a couple of hours. But since my hand is getting painful again, I'll have to take a break until tomorrow.

Hey, yesterday was a great birthday. Henry and Timon had an angel-food cake waiting for me after youth and we ate it while watching The Grinch. Henry really liked it, and I was happy to share something I loved so much as a kid (and still do) with him. Christmas will probably be the most fun with Henry this year that we've had- he really gets it and is super-excited about Santa. However, when I told him that we have Christmas to say Happy Birthday to Jesus, he pitched a fit because "it was not Jesus' birfday, it was supposed to be MY birfday!!!" I'm sure he'll come around.

9 until 30

A word that I really think is funny; although, admittedly, it may not actually be a real word: razz-ma-tazz

A show I really love, even though it's rather silly: Dancing With The Stars

Something I'm particularly gosited about: traveling to my sister and brother-in-law's house tomorrow for Thanksgiving.

What I'm especially proud of tonight: fitting bulky winter clothes for 2 people for 4 days, toiletries, outerwear, Lost seasons 1 & 2, in-flight entertainment for a 3 year old, etc. into one backpack, one small rolling suitcase, and one small tote bag/purse. Also I made homemade pizza for dinner.

the delicious dish

Remember that hysterical sketch on SNL? Good times, good times. Anyhoo, I believe that this recipe for Sausage, Peppers, and Onions from Everyday Italian is what they were talking about. It was SO delicious. I made one minor substitution that I believe probably made it better - Hunts now has "Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes" that I used and holy moly, was this dinner good. I served it on hunks of baguette with some provolone cheese. Ladies, make this for your man, ASAP - he might just remember to put the toilet seat down tonight. Men, if you want to make your woman swoon, lose their senses and actually offer to rub your feet without having to be asked, make this recipe for her. It's easy, quick, and reeeealy good.

an embarrasment of riches

Good dinner - recipe here.

Excellent inspiration for retreat devotions - book here.

Blessed discovery on some random tv channel - reruns of this.

It could only be better if I lived above an ice-cream shop and worked at a balloon factory.

wayback machine

Yesterday while at home with Henry who had a mild virus, we watched about 40 minutes of an awesome new DVD Timon bought with his birthday Amazon gift certificate - the SchoolHouse Rock full set! I have owned the cd set of all the SHR songs for about 8 years, but I was SO excited to see the actual cartoons that aired in the 70's and 80's. We didn't watch much tv growing up (boy, do my brother, sister and I try to make up for it now), and by the time I would have remembered things I was watching, SHR was no longer on. In fact, I really didn't know anything about SHR until my lovely and talented cousin Anni was in a production of SchoolHouse Rock... LIVE! during my college years. Henry liked the funny characters and giggled frequently. The animation isn't fancy but it's quite clever and I can't get over the song-writing. I marvel over the fact that they were able to use these words in the lyrics to a couple of the songs: 'taxation without representation', 'Manifest Destiny', 'suffrage', and 'judiciary'. As you probably can tell, we mostly watched "America Rock" today. One of the "Grammar Rock" bits we watched is below - it's one of my faves. Enjoy!

the votes are in!

My friends in the John Kelly Band won their round of the "Living Room...LIVE!" contest on CBS' Early Show with 47% of the votes! Two more rounds of three bands each will take place in the next 2 weeks, then the JKB will go up against those 2 winners to become the 2nd finalist. Then the whole 4 week process starts over for the 3rd time to determine the 3rd finalist. Those three finalists will compete to perform live on the Early Show in NYC. This has been great publicity for the band and I'm SO excited that they are doing well and that people enjoyed their music enough to vote for them... although really... they were up against a band called Zombie Bazooka Patrol. They wore zombie makeup. Nice.

If you voted, THANKS! If you missed your chance, you can still help them become finalists in a few weeks. I'll let you know when you need to vote. If you live around here and want to check out the JKB, click here.

suffrage

It's not just a privilege, it's your RIGHT to go here (click on the orange word) and vote for my friends in the John Kelly Band to move on in the "Living Room.....Live!" contest on CBS' The Early Show. It appears you can vote as many times as you have time to sit there and click. You have until Wednesday night, and the winner will be announced on the show Thursday morning. The segment aired this morning at about 8:45, so set your VCR's and TIVO's for the 8:00 hour of the show on Thursday to see the winner. Don't forget to vote vote vote!!!

In other events around the country, there's a Hen Party at my house this week, starting whenever you fine ladies want to show up. All ladies who like: a) to laugh at pictures of yourself during your most awkward stages of life; b) enjoy a good board game; c) like good food; and/or d) all of the above are invited. Transportation from the airport is included, along with luxury accommodations on various couches in the area. Lavieri DNA recommended, but not required. RSVP in the comments section.

oh my stars!

WOW. That's all I have to say about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was a great read. I plowed through all 750 pages yesterday from 9 am - 5 pm. My wonderful husband took care of our son so I could concentrate on the book. I loved it. I'm going to start over this afternoon, taking my time to absorb the details. JK Rowling really wrapped things up for HP fans, answering a lot of questions and finishing out the series with an amazing book. I sort of can't believe there won't be another one. But, leave 'em wanting more, that's what I always say. (I'm not sure when in actuality I have ever said that.)

Occasionally I sing with my friend John Kelly and his band, creatively named The John Kelly Band. Tomorrow morning, they will be seen on CBS' Early Show sometime between 7-9 am. They're in a contest and you can vote to help them get to go to NYC to perform LIVE on the show! Follow this link for directions how to vote sometime after 9 am tomorrow and vote as many times as you can. You can see the video here if you miss the show tomorrow morning. They deserve this big break - I'm so proud to know them.

And, my friend and summer intern Matthias has started his own blog. You should read it!

planet heroes

We got a free DVD today that I signed up for - it's a promotion by Fisher Price for their new show/toys called "Planet Heroes." It's all about "Saving the Universe". I thought oh, this looks cute - each planet (including Pluto) is represented by a different hero - Earth's is called Ace who is supposedly a 10-year old boy who likes to skateboard, although on the DVD he sounds to be about 17, complete with changed voice. These heroes are saving the universe from this: "Ruthless, scary, and bad to the bone, Black Hole 'Professor Darkness' is a hulking nightmare of twisted ambition and seething destruction. He wants to destroy the universe! From Alpha Centauri to the North Pole, nobody is safe from Professor Darkness, the Black Hole!" (quoted from the packaging) Sounds just right for ages 3 and up, right? First of all, this show has already been done, and done well - it was called Captain Planet and it was awesome. Besides the questionable age-range, while watching the DVD I was amazed at the cheap-looking computer animation and poor writing of the episode. There's nothing wrong with lines like "The only ones who never fail are those who never try.", but it sure is cheesy and a bit over the head of my three year old. Inexplicably, the Mars hero, Digger, has a Scottish accent. I grant that Professor Darkness isn't quite as frightening as his description would suggest. But I definitely would never watch this series with Henry until he's about 8 or so. If I had some money burning pocket-holes I might get him the action figures, but since he has more toys than will ever be necessary (I think they might be breeding) that won't be likely anytime soon. Remember when there were good, wholesome kids' shows on tv like Jem and the Holograms, and DuckTales?

vertical limit

So.... it's saturday afternoon, Henry's asleep, the house is straightened and swept, dishes are washed, lunch is on the stove, and Vertical Limit is on Fx. It's a little cheesy, but I do love a good outdoor adventure story. I absolutely love all of Jon Krakauer's books - the drama and hyperbole of extreme sports (or in the case of Under The Banner Of Heaven, extreme religion) is so interesting to me. Not that I would under any circumstances participate in such a wack-a-doo excursion as climbing Everest or Denali. I'm content to read about other's experiences from the comfort of my own home.

Yesterday Henry and I went to the beach - it was the MOST gorgeous day ever. Not too hot, breezy and warm by the refreshing clean water. Beautiful smells, sounds, and sights at the Gulf yesterday. Henry really loved playing in the sand and shallow water, and for a 45 minute period he literally just sat on the shore, watching the surf, people, and boats go by. It was a sweet moment (or 45).

Then last night Timon and I went to the opening of the latest play at the t-h-e-a-t-r-e company he works for. It was that absolutely HILARIOUS Shakespeare play. You know, Othello? Boy, that's a real pick-me-up. It was a decent performance though. Loooong.

Okay, my lunch is cooked, the movie's back on, and I have to see if Bill Paxton will remain as annoying in this movie as he is in EVERY.SINGLE.MOVIE.HE.HAS.EVER.BEEN.IN. Anyone ever seen Frailty? Holy cow, that's bad. Oooo, they're falling into the ice cave. Gotta go.

general loveliness

1. It is GORGEOUS outside right now - 78, sunny, a little breeze.

2. They're showing swimming on NBC right now... my favorite!

3. I just had a delicious bowl of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.

4. It's a good hair day!

5. My friends, G & T, are getting married in a few hours!
Yay for LOVE!