"Curly"

My daughter, whom I lovingly refer to as "Curly" is well, let's just say aptly named. The child has remarkably curly hair. It is beautiful. I don't know where she got it from, I mean my hair is curly and hubby's hair is curly, but we've got nothing on Curly herself. Wherever I go with her people have to stop us to comment on her hair. It's gotten so that we both just mumble a polite "thank you" as if someone had said "Gesundheit" to our sneeze. She has a head full of the tightest, golden blond curls you've ever seen. When her hair is dry it doesn't even touch her shoulders, when it is soaking wet it sports a tight wave and falls below her shoulder blades. I have never cut it. The child is truly blessed with an amazing mane.
So, what pisses me off? I'll tell you. There are so many people who comment about how beautiful her hair is, and then, without taking a breath go on to say "she's gonna hate it when she gets older." That is just so rude! Who the hell are you? Are you wishing for my sweet 3yr old to be an unhappy adolescent? You don't know her, you don't know us, do not presume that you know the slightest thing about how she is going to feel about herself when she is older. Just because you were an ugly, pimple faced teenager with frizzy hair and crooked teeth does not give you the right to project your own low self-esteem onto my beautiful child. If I have anything to do with it, my child will not judge her self-worth based on her beautiful hair or lack thereof, what will be important is character, integrity, and kindness.
So, if you like her hair, thank you. If you have any further comments, shut the hell up, because nobody asked you.

Waxing Endodontic

I have Irish teeth. They rot out of my head despite my best efforts at oral hygiene. Luckily I also have dental insurance.
Today was the last day of my second root canal on the same tooth. (incidentally, I do everything twice, had my ears pierced 2x for one hole, got tattooed 2x for one tattoo, and now root canal 2x on one tooth)
Walking into the endodontist's office (root canal specialist) was like walking back into 1987, complete with blue and silver metallic wallpaper, big hair, "The Golden Girls" playing in the waiting room, I mean, the only things missing were my black spandex pants, scrunchie socks and side ponytail. The place is really bizarre. For one thing, they keep their used "sharps" in an empty milk jug! Not one of those indiscreet red "bio hazard" containers, but a milk jug! Alas, I want my tooth fixed and my dentist has sent me here so, I proceed. The Dr. himself doesn't really give me the warm and fuzzies, more like the heebie jeebies, but he comes recommended, and most importantly he takes my insurance, and I figured, hey, he was wearing gloves. (OK, so one of them was white with sequins and he kept holding it up in the air, but again, ...he takes my insurance).
I have been to the office twice before today without incident. Other than the time warp thing, and two large needles jammed into the roof of my mouth, it's been okay. Well, today I realized I should have trusted my intuition and turned myself right back out as soon as I arrived the first time.
Caution, the following is not for squeamish readers.
After catching up with Rose and Blanche and Sophia, my turn came, and I sat back in the ever so welcoming reclining chair of torture, accepted the needle jabs and embraced the numbing of what felt like my entire face. Dr. Heebie Jeebie took his place next to my head and began his procedure. I decided to close my eyes because with all that is going on there's so much back and forth and technical talk and really I 'd rather not see all the instruments and what have you that are being shoved into the recesses of my skull. Dr. HJ starts singing off key (and if I can tell it's off key then you know it must be BAD) to "Good Vibrations". That is exactly what I am not having - good vibrations. I am a little uneasy, it is after all, root canal. I open my eyes every few seconds though, just to check on things a little bit, and so I don't appear to have gone to sleep. So there I sit, in 1987 having my root canal "retreated" by Dr. Heebie Jeebie and his assistant, Big Hair, and I open my eyes to see... are you ready? Dr. HJ pulling a big fat wad of orange ear wax out of his ear (still humming Good Vibrations) and then tossing the "cotton swab" across his tray of instruments onto the counter. The only thing that kept me from vomiting was my absolute fear of choking on my own vomit and dying in that God-forsaken place.
Thank God my root canal was pronounced "finished" today. On my way out the scary receptionist whose denim jacket almost definitely had a Def Leppard patch across the back, said to me, "you have 2 more teeth that need to be retreated, should I make you an appointment?"
"NO."

Caberet or Cabernet?

Hubby and I actually had a date last night! It has been a long time since we've really been able to do that. I had to farm the cherubs out in different directions, (really who is going to take three of them, especially when three is the new five) but it was well worth the finagling. We went to see Norah Jones. I really like her sound. She was great, beautiful vocals. Generally, listening to Norah Jones, I could be stone sober and feel like I've just had two glasses of cabernet. Good feeling. The problem last night was that I really did just have two glasses of cabernet. Sleepy feeling. I would go see her again if it were more of a caberet setting rather than in a cramped theatre. Until then, I will keep Miss Jones were she belongs, in my CD player whilst I lounge by my fireplace with a big glass of red wine and some candles.
First Son did make me chuckle though. Norah Jones had done a skit on Sesame Street some years back, where she parodied her song "Don't Know Why" singing instead "Don't know why "Y" didn't come" she then explains to Elmo that she is sad becuse she was supposed to have a playdate with her friend, the letter "Y". Coincidence or otherwise our friends at CTW aired said skit yesterday morning. So when First Son asked why I was going to New York City I explained that I was going to see a show, and told him that it was the girl from Sesame Street. He said "Oh!!, is Elmo going to be there too?" chuckle..chuckle.. Then, this morning I told him that indeed, Elmo had not shown up. He then said with a straight face "was the letter "Y" there?"
My life, I love it.

A dues paying member

It is absolutely official. I have paid my dues. I am now a PTA Mom. (Still not a soccer Mom!)

Embrace the "Now"

Here’s to good women –

may we know them, may we raise them, may we be them!

I went to a lovely ladies' tea today with my sisters, nieces (now that Mickey D and the Sunshine Girl are engaged, I have 2!), mother-in- law, and some friends. The food and service were really mediocre, but the speaker was fabulous! Sr. Pat Duffy, an Amityville Dominican gives the best talks. I really gained a lot from it which I hope is going to help me make the adjustment from mom, to mom of a kindergartner, something which I have confided to you all I am quite anxious about.
The first thing I got from Sr. Pat was to trust my intuition. My intuition tells me that Kindergarten is going to be great for First son, and that I am going to survive too.
The second thing that I got from Sr. Pat is to be present in the "now". I love that advice. I have heard it before, but it is definitely the kind of advice that I can benefit from hearing over and over, as I do tend to get ahead of myself from time to time. I am going to do my best to
"not be anxious for tomorrow", but to enjoy today. Hey - I have until September 5th to worry about kindergarten. In the meantime I still have my morning shnuggles, my leisurely schedule, and the whole day to spend with my beautiful First son. So I am going to just take every day and enjoy it, and enjoy him. When September rolls around I will cry a few tears, and then jump in with both feet. I know you're all taking bets that I will be class Mom. (and a damn good one too - you saw my cupcakes! LOL)

check out Sister Pat for yourself!

http://www.womansoul.net/index.shtml

Art Appreciation

Although I personally have no real artistic talent, I do have an appreciation for pretty things. I enjoy spending an afternoon at the art museum. Look at these two masterpieces. I believe they are called: Mona-Aidan and Nola-Lisa.

Nose Candy

Here I am sitting at my computer this morning sipping a cup of tea and doing a little research on the surprise trip to see The Mouse that I am planning, when suddenly Curly walks in and makes it abundantly clear that my life could not be more glamorous. She says....are you ready?..."Mommy, I have a shoe in my nose." Seriously. A shoe, stuck up her nose. (Thank you to UF for the Polly Pocket Easter gift! ) So I quickly put her up on the kitchen counter, and look into the shnoz. There it is, a very fashionable turquoise mule, shoved into one left nostril. So I tell her - "Don't breathe!" Well, that's not good. So I show her how to breathe through her mouth. Then I decide I will try to get her to "blow it out". This isn't working very good, and all I can think about is the phone call to the pediatrician that I am seconds away from having to make. This is great. I am starting to sweat. Curly is remarkably calm. I start to think that maybe the shoe isn't really up there, maybe I saw something else, or nothing. Then First son says, " No Ma, she does have a shoe up her nose! I don't know what happened, mine came right out!" I can not make this stuff up. What possessed you people to stick doll shoes up your nose??

A pair of tweezers and some very dexterous nose picking and the shoe was removed. Curly's biggest concern? "Don't throw it in the Jarbage!"

salt & lemon

I have to pull myself together. I have been sobbing for an hour now. Tomorrow is kindergarten orientation, and I just can't bring myself to accept it. The thing is, I really, really like first son and I resent having to share him. Especially with teachers. I hate teachers. (yes, several of my best friends are teachers, so?) I would seriously consider homeschooling, but it would be for purely selfish reasons (plus, then I would be a teacher). The thing is that he is going to love it. He is going to thrive. I guess I will come around. I'll go join the PTA or something (wait, what does the "T" stand for?)
I have known for 5 years that this day would come. I have been in denial. I have begged him to just stay little. He refuses. He just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
My friend the other MrsP has one starting High School and her baby starting Kindergarten all in the same day. I forsee 2 MrsP(s) and a bottle of tequila.

Check back soon!

I haven't written for a few days. I have been super busy. Everyone who knows me, knows that I am always busy, but lately I am on overdrive. I apologize to you, my 3 loyal readers. Tonight I am not only busy, but I am not feeling too good. (BC3, my tactile sensation is just fine, thank you)
So, this is a lame post to say, "Sorry, but I just can't post right now." I will in the near future however. I mean, I have a lot to say, this week is, after all, Kindergarten orientation. Did somebody say Tequila?

Hi, I am Tricia and I have a shopping problem.

So, my last post, total bullshit. There was absolutely no sauce in my house today. No, we settled for store bought rotisserie chicken and Stove Top. And hubby made it all, at that. Why? Well, see the title of this post. It's true. I started out this morning to go to the grocery store and I got a little side-tracked. I decided hey, since I am alone (left all 3 with sick, snotty, been in FLA for a week Hubby!) let me just run to Michael's and try to get a little glittery something to add to Curly's birthday invitations which I will be making later this week. Ok, easy enough go in to store, get a glitter pen, pay and leave. Yeah right! Me, in Michael's? Easy hour. And that's me "rushing". They were having a big sale, and I can't resist. I did get a lovely housewarming gift for my niece, an accent table for my living room (14.99 - yes, really.) and some basket fillers for Bunny duty. When I left Michael's I decided I would just run in to Dollar Tree because they tend to have a lot of good Easter stuff- mind you I finished my Easter shopping a week ago. Half an hour and 14 bucks later I was finally on my way to Pathmark. Well, on the way to Pathmark I pass a Party City. It's almost like Rosie just pulls off the road all by herself. I did want to get some confetti for those Birthday invitations so... another 45 minutes goes by, as does another 20 bucks! I have been gone 2 hours to go to one store and I still haven't even made it there yet! See post title. So, I decided not to stress myself out with the sauce. I still had to do the egg coloring (so fun!), the giant cookie egg (came out pretty cool), bunny cupcakes (a B- effort compared to last weeks litter) and Easter Bunny duty. Well, it's all done now. (oh yeah, bathed all three cherubs too!) Now I sit back and wait for the magic to happen, or for Paddy boy to wake up screaming at 2am, either way I need to get to bed!!

A big day in the kitchen

Hubby is home! Yea! A day early too, but now he's all snotty and sick. Poor guy. He's really not your typical sick and whiney guy either, so if he's complaining it is because he really doesn't feel good. I will go buy him some sudafed.

Today is the day! I am going to tie on the apron strings and do my best to be a good Italian wife. Of course, I am not the least bit Italian but I have great appreciation for all things Italian. Especially food! Jack's Mom gave me her recipe for sauce - some would call it gravy. She makes a very yummy meat sauce and she has entrusted me with the family secret! I have purchased all of the ingredients and am set today to make history in my kitchen. In just a little while I will be making the meatballs and stirring the sauce! (Hubby will have to keep checking for that damn helicopter that's been following me around all day)

Also today is Holy Saturday - the day before Easter so there will be lots of Easter preparation going on as well. Egg coloring for one. I love decorating eggs. First son is beside himself at the moment. He can't wait to start "painting" eggs. I hope he doesn't really think we'll be getting out paintbrushes. We'll be plopping those babies into little cups of vinegary food dye. I do have one of those wax crayons though, and some stickers. I will also be attempting to make a giant egg shaped cookie and decorating it with M&M's and mini Twix to look like an Easter egg. I will post a picture later. If everyone is lucky those cute bunny cupcakes may make another appearance as well. A busy day in the kitchen. I love it! I love just being home with the family and not having to run all over the place. Well, I do have to make a trip to the store to get a few things not the least of which are carrots for the large bunny who is expected to arrive later this evening.

My bleeding heart

Husband is off to FLA this morning for no less than 5 days. I know he's working, but really, when he calls to tell me what great meal he had to eat at which restaurant, or how many great waves he caught while he was surfing, my heart bleeds for him. I don't know how he manages it, the poor guy.
Seriously though it's tough for him to be away from us and our glamorous lifestyle. I mean, think of all the mac n' cheese he'll miss. And all the late night feedings and diaper changes. Think about all the toys he won't be stepping on on his way to change those diapers. Think about all the clothes he'll be wearing that don't have baby throw-up on them. Of course for the next five days he won't get to partake in any ticklefests or freeze dances either so, I guess there are tradeoffs.
Well honey, if you read this we miss you and we love you . Don't forget your sunscreen!

It's not a cup of coffee!

Dood! What is up with designer dogs? Seriously, yesterday I saw this family with two rather large dogs, one was very obviously a standard poodle, nicely groomed and oddly enough rather well behaved. The other was the shaggiest crimpiest haired mess of a dog I had ever seen. When I asked what kind of dog it was I had to lean in to hear it a second time "golden doodle". Excuse me? Cheese doodle? What the? Didn't there used to be a time when a dog was of mixed breeds and it was called a mutt? Certainly nobody ever bought a mutt dog for $1500+., which is what I have seen "golden doodle" puppies listed for. Come on people, it's a dog, not a grande half -caf low fat mocha frappucino, for crying out loud!