Happy New Year and All That Jazz

We had a fabby Christmas, Santa found us in Houston after all, despite the warm, humid, rather nasty weather. I think he flies through south Texas in his skivvies. It was great, we really enjoyed spending time with our family. It was a relaxing week.

Now we're sitting on the couch with Mimi and Papa and watching the New Year's Eve festivities on TV and drinking champagne and thoroughly enjoying ourselves. Drew Bear is in the bed, and all is right with the world.

I'm looking forward to 2009. 2008 was good to us and I can't wait to see what happens in this new year.

I wish you and yours a very safe and happy New Year!!!

TOUCHDOWN!!!

'Drew, they just scored a touchdown!'

(His response):


Isn't he just the cutest thing? Don't you want to root for 'his' team?

Yeah, I thought so.

Coughing

There is nothing worse than the sound of a persistent cough. Especially if it's your child's cough. And especially when it sounds like a barking seal.

That was Tuesday. We promptly visited the dr. and got some drugs to fend-off the nasty Croup Cough. Which seemed to work, as the Bark went away by Thursday.

But the Bark has been replaced by the Chest Cough. It's raspy and violent and you can just tell it hurts him to cough. My poor baby. He's been coughing a lot the last 24 hours.

So here it is Saturday, and we have a touch of bronchitis in our house. Not good. Especially since we have social plans both tonight and tomorrow that we have now had to cancel. Oh well, those are the breaks. We're on antibiotic now, so hopefully he is better by Monday. Or at least Wednesday, because I don't want a sick baby on a major holiday.

Pure Joy

My Little Traffic Cone

As this was the last year that we could impose whatever we wanted our child to be for Halloween, Bubba and I chose a Traffic Cone! It was all Bubba's idea, I just made it a reality using my skills in cutting fabric and foam core, and wielding a hot-glue gun. I'm a stud, what can I say.

The straps were much shorter earlier in the day, before he wore it at school to trick-or-treat. So we had to pin them up before he walked down the street. But, he CAN walk in there, his little feet are poking out of the bottom, I promise.

He was the hit of the street, we were so proud! And he did great, didn't try to take it off once!

Random Thoughts

• I've been under the weather the past few days, but I think I'm finally over the hump. However, yesterday I was having one of those Scarlett O'Hara days. You know, 'I can't think about that right now. I'll think about that tomorrow.' Yep, that was me yesterday. Mainly because I was so fuzzy-headed and foggy that concentrating on anything was just not happening.
• I love that it's officially 'Fall' here in North Texas. The trees are actually trying to turn colors! GASP! And it's cool! In fact, I'm wearing a sweater today! But that could be because not only does my office need additional cooling in the summer from a window a/c, turns out it needs additional heating. Guess a Target run for a space heater is in my future.
  
• I watch these two squirrels in my back-yard chase each other and bury damn nuts in my flowerbeds and yard all. day. long. Seriously, where do squirrels get their energy? Must be from the damn nuts...
• I finally finished Munchkin's Halloween costume for this year. Pictures to be posted after the fact, but I'm quite proud of myself for making it all from scratch. Yes, BS. I have Scratch in full supply at my house. ;)
• Why do things seem to happen all at once?
  
• I almost never feel 'busy' anymore. Not like I used to. Motherhood has definitely made me slow down a bit. But when the above happens, it seems to overwhelm me more.
• However, I seem to be better at time management when I have lots to do. If I only have one thing to do, I seem to procrastinate more. Why is that?
• When was the last time you had a really passionate, earthy shattering kiss? Yeah, I can't remember either. Need to speak with Bubba about that.
• Have you thought about Christmas yet? Yeah, me too. It's inevitable.
• I haven't baked in forever. I miss it. I really miss my famous Snickerdoodles. Must resolve this before the holidays.

That is all. I know I had a few more of them up there in the recesses of my gray matter, but I fear the fogginess has taken over yet again.

Deck Project, Day 7

Friday, October 17th

We're done! Well, Jimmy's done. That's him playing guitar enjoying the new deck. Did I mention he's a fantastic musician? I love just sitting listening to him play and sing. Bonus if it's with my Mama and Papa. They used to all play/sing together when we lived back in Austin when I was a wee babe. That's how long Jimmy's known me.

Anyway, we are likely going to stain it, but that won't happen until next week, so I'm considering us done! I'm so pleased, it's exactly what we wanted, and better than we pictured. That second bench that Jimmy's sitting on is actually moveable, so we can put it where we want as we need to. Cool, huh?

Now we just need a few more chairs to welcome friends when they come visit! And maybe a table so we can dine al fresco on occasion. Or all the time. The weather's perfect for it now.

Thanks again, Jimmy!

Deck Project, Day 6

Thursday, October 16th

It rained off and on all day yesterday, so there was a bit of a delay, but Jimmy still managed to finish the decking and build the bench! Now all that's left is the build the steps and put up the lattice on the bottom so that critters can't get under there.

Deck Project, Day 5

Wednesday, October 15th

We sat out last night while Jimmy played guitar, drinking wine and enjoying the lovely view of the full moon. Ah, bliss.

Deck Project, Day 4

Tuesday, October 14th

Jimmy's got the decking all done, and it's only the middle of the day on Day 2 of construction! I told you he rocks.

Deck Project, Day 2

Sunday, October 12th

I pulled up the shrubs that were ugly and I didn't like anyway. Bubba and Papa (who happened to be in town this weekend) re-routed a pipe and spigot that were smack in the middle of the proposed deck plan, so we can still get to it once the deck is built. It was desperately needed, because it was the only water we had in the backyard. Once the hole was dug, we discovered that the pipe had been cut that leads to the only other spigot in the yard, way at the back of the yard, so we connected it, too! Two water options! Yay! Oh, and while digging up those dang shrubs, I dug up what my mom and I think are daffodil bulbs! Score! Now I need to plant them somewhere else.

I also dug up the 2 sprinkler heads we will be covering over, and capped them. There are 2 other heads that needed different tops on them, to change the spray angle so it won't hit the deck. So I did that, too.

We have the muddiest mud, EVER. Very dark, dense clay. Fun stuff.

PROJECT!!!

So the Bubba's are moving up in the world....we're RENOVATING!!!

We are having a deck built in our back yard. So all this week, I'll be posting pictures of the progress! Our family friend, Jimmy, who's known me since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, is coming up from Austin to build it for us. He helped my dad build the house I grew up in, as well as the awesome deck they built after I left home (of course). We're really excited, as it will be nice to finally get to use this space now. (We think it's rather ugly and boring right now.)

Friday, October 10th

Existing condition

The Needless Experiment

I have a new friend at church (her and her husband are the matching pair, names and everything, to our beloved and much-missed NYC friends....yes, that's you A&MV) who's blog is inspiring me.

Go check her out. She's a kick-ass photographer, too.

http://beneedless.blogspot.com/

Politics As Usual

For some reason, I can't get enough of this election this year! And I have never been interested in politics. I guess that's what Barack Obama does to you....gets you EXCITED about things!

That, and Sarah Palin gives me a pain I can't locate.

********************VOTE OBAMA!!!********************

Hunkered Down

Mayor Bill White told Houstonians to 'Hunker Down' and wait out Ike, but Bubba's Mom and Sis, who live in Houston city limits, were in a mandatory evacuation zip code, so they finally decided to come up here to Richardson to wait it out with us. Hooray! They had no problems getting here yesterday afternoon, thank God, and we are all doing fine. Even the doggies, who are not quite sure what is going on, but have only pooped in my house once, right after they go here. We have yet to determine the culprit, however. Drew is enjoying all the extra people to play with!

We're having a Hurricane Party, y'all come on over!

First Hair Cut

Drew visited his daddy's barber today for his first ever haircut! He did great, didn't cry once and was very still. My little man. The barber was awesome, he gave Drew a sucker and even took his picture with a polaroid camera when he was done for his 'wall of fame!' And he gave me a certificate with the date and Drew's name on it, and taped a lock of his hair to the top corner. It's going directly into his baby book!

Last week at my parents house (this was the best view of his hair from the back I could find).


In the barber's booster chair, getting ready.


Getting the top and sides done.


All coiffed and ready for the ladies!


Look at how short it is! It was WAY long in the back, he had a mullet!


Thanks, Mama!

God Winks

I realize I'm a bit behind with updates on how Drew is doing in school and how my new job is going. Both are fine, so I'll gloss over those and get to some really eerie things. Well, they are either eerie, or God Winks. Or just things that happen to me all the time. Just ask Bubba's Mom. I could play Six Degrees of Separation on myself!

God Wink No. 1:
I take Drew to his first official day at his new school, and as we are pulling into the parking lot, I notice a woman on the sidewalk who looks very familiar to me. I see her again inside, and sure enough, it's a girl I sang with in Longhorn Singers in college. She knew exactly who I was and we both just laughed, as we hadn't seen each other in over 10 years. Turns out this is the church she grew up in, and her kids both go to the school here, and I met her son Austin the week before, as he just got moved up to the class above Drew. AND, AND, AND!!! They live very close to us, in the other neighborhood we were considering when we moved here. She even gave me the numbers of all her doctor's and we hope to have a regular breakfast date after dropping the kids off at school.

Eerie, I tell ya.

God Wink No. 2:
I met the gal down the street who has twin babies last week, and she invited me to the neighborhood mom's club. I am glancing down the roster and spot the wife of one of my ex-coworkers, whom I knew lived 2 blocks up and would be involved, as she's a SAHM. Not a surprise at all. Then I notice another name on the list, a long-lost friend who Bubba and I lost touch with when we moved to NYC. She has a very unusual last name, so I knew that it had to be her. Her husband actually married Bubba and I! The last we'd heard from them they lived in another part of Dallas and had just had a baby. Now, come to find out, they live 2 blocks up from us, and I pass their house EVERY DAY on the way to Drew's school. Let alone all the times we pass their house with Drew in the stroller on our evening walks. Gives you chills, huh? WHAT a small world, and what a way for God to bring us back together! I promptly email her to confirm that it is, actually, the person I'm thinking of, and we walked over there that night!

God Wink No. 3:
The house next door to us went on the market about the time we moved in, and we didn't know it had sold until we met the new neighbors 2 days ago. We've been hoping that another young couple would buy it, mainly so we could make friends with them and make use of their pool. We're shallow like that. :) Well, it IS a young couple, and they have one little boy who is a year older than Drew! We are so excited!

--

All of these occurances just prove to me that we are in the right place for us, that God has indeed been watching out for us and is in control.

And thank God for THAT!

First Day of School

Update on that job....

It didn't work out. As I expected, it was more of a courtesy meeting than an actual interview. Oh well. He was nice about it, they just don't have work.

BUT!

I have ANOTHER opportunity that just popped up out of the blue. I'm going to work for my dad's firm! It's something I've always wanted to do, but it the timing has never been quite right and the circumstances favorable for all. But now they are! I'm going to work from home on projects out of the Amarillo and Lubbock offices, so I won't be working directly for my dad (which is probably good). I'm a bit nervous, as I haven't been working in so long and I won't have an office environment to encourage my productivity. But hopefully they'll be enough for me to do that I don't have to worry about that!

So wish me luck! I start after Labor Day, and Drew starts day care the week before that, so I'll have some time to set up my office, etc. I'm excited!

Man, That Was EXCITING!!!

Did you see the race last night? The men's 4x100 relay? OMG, it was TOO exciting! I have never jumped up and screamed at the TV like that over a swim race, but I just couldn't help it! MAN! What a photo finish! I couldn't believe Lezak managed to over-take that cocky Frenchman. If you missed it, you really missed a fantastic performance. And, Phelps quest for 8 Golds is still intact. Whew! It's all about the medal count, ya know.

I am really enjoying the Olympics this year. I'm even watching the weightlifting right now on MSNBC. Hmm, maybe I need something to do?

My Son The Economist

Clearly he is bothered by this news.

Back In The Saddle Again

I have a job interview this afternoon. It's right up the road from the New House, so super-convenient, and I used to work in their Austin office before I became Mrs. Bubba.

For some reason, my biggest worry leading up to this is what I'm going to wear! I don't know yet whether or not the man I'm meeting with is just meeting me because I used to work for the company, or if they truly have a desire to have me. My old job at The Firm doesn't seem to want me anymore, so I'm not sure about this one. At least I have an interview. Well, that's what I'm calling it. It could be a 'nice-to-meet-you-but-you-are-over/under-qualified-for-what-we-
have-available' meeting. Which will just suck.

So, that brings me back to the wardrobe issue. I have not worn work clothes in 18 months. Heck, I really haven't worn any of my old clothes since right at 2 years ago, thanks to my early-bulging belly and need to wear maternity pants early-on. I haven't even tried on some of these clothes to make sure they fit. Yikes! And, it's way too damn hot outside to even attempt nice dress pants, all of which are lined and that shit just sticks to your legs WAY too easily. So, skirt it is. Thankfully, the first few I pulled out are a bit tight, but will work. Whew! Pair it with a new shirt my Mama got me way back in January, when I was SUPPOSED to be going back to work, and I will hopefully look pretty snappy. If not completely over-dressed for casual Friday. Oh well, better to be over-dressed than under.

I was able to swing it for late-afternoon so Bubba can come home from work early to watch the Munchkin.

Hopefully it all goes well! Although I still can't figure out why I'm not nervous. That is SOOO not like me....

We're Home!

It's taken a few days to get settled, but we're slowly getting there. My Mama and I had to spend the first 2 days cleaning our new house because it was DISGUSTING when they delivered our furniture. Seriously, there was hair in the bottom of the fridge. How does that happen?

Anyway, after a few long days unpacking (half of which I SWEAR was the kitchen!), we're getting there! Bubba had his first day of work today, and Mama and Papa are leaving tomorrow, so we're about to get into the swing of things.

So, time for me to find a job. Wish me luck!

(Pics of the new place to come soon, I promise, as soon as I get some off of the camera.)

Just a Few More Hours

'That's all the time we've got!' (That's a quote from a song in My Fair Lady, FYI.)

We are closing on both houses today! It's a bit later than we had expected because the buyer's bank sat on the paper work for 4 weeks and then an issue came up that they had to deal with. Of course. So it's going to be today at 2pm, or close to it. Whatever, it will be done.

Tomorrow the packers come and work their magic on our house.

Wednesday the movers come and load it all up!

And Thursday they deliver us to Richardson! Woot!

It's going to be a crazy week! But I'll try to post some pics of the new house at the end of the week.

Load off my mind

We got approved for our loan and are now OFFICIALLY official! Hooray!

Whew! We were starting to worry as it's getting VERY close to Move-Time and we hadn't heard yet! God forbid they hurry when lending you money.

Benefits

Ya know the best thing about all the stuff from the last few weeks?

No longer having to keep my house spotless and picked up every time I leave the house. It is very freeing. I look at the dishes in the sink and just thumb my nose at them on the way out the door.

New Digs

We are officially under contract on our new house in Richardson!

Under Contract

WE SOLD OUR HOUSE!!!! (Just imagine me doing a little happy dance over here.)

Got an offer yesterday, and we accepted last night! WOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!

We close on July 22nd, which is SOOO fast when you think about it. We've got to get up to Big D and find ourselves a house! So we're going this weekend. I got Bubba tickets to the Astros/Yankees Friday night for Father's Day, so we can't go until Saturday. Wish us luck, that this all goes smoothly!!! We hope to find something this weekend and put down an offer so we can get this ball rolling!

I'm so excited!!!

He's a Tough Guy

I have one tough little boy!

Drew was out tonight with his Daddy in the backyard swinging. I came out to water my extremely thirsty plants (time to start the twice-a-day watering already), and Drew came down the side of the house with me to fill up the watering can. On the way back to the backyard, he stepped in the big hole he always manages to step in right on the edge of the driveway. He cried out because he fell, and I was really afraid he'd twisted his ankle or something. I pick him up to check it out and comfort a bit, and he starts struggling to get back down so he can climb up the stairs to the deck again (we're into up-and-down the stairs, over and over again). That's when I notice the blood on my arm. Where did THAT come from? Turns out, Drew busted his nose! I have no idea how, as I know he didn't hit the driveway, or any other solid/concrete object because I was watching him. He must have just busted it on the ground. What is amazing, though, is that he DIDN'T CRY. Just the initial crying/yelling/protest sound. And, blood was gushing out of his nose, so he got himself pretty good. Bubba and I couldn't believe it. Just went on about his business like nothing had happened.

I guess this is a good thing.....there will be no 'crying wolf' if he's truly hurt! Hopefully, this behavior lasts....

Ta-Da!!!

We spent most of last week fixing up Drew's new room, which used to be just an office. We are very pleased with it, and he seems to love it. Hopefully a prospective buyer will, too!

We installed refurbished antique doors where there were no doors before. They match the door to the other spare room, which is very convenient. We had to paint them, as well, as they were very well loved by previous owners and had many previous coats of paint and scratches that needed to be covered up. And we painted the room blue, as it's a little boy's room. Here's some before and after shots.

Before:








After:

10 on Tuesday

10 Things You're Really Good At
It's self-promotion day!!!

1. Singing really high, first thing in the morning. It's hereditary, my Mama is the best singer EVER! I'm not as good as her (she has perfect pitch, like Julie Andrews....however, I don't), but I can hold my own with people who do it for a living.
2. Being a mom. It is my true joy, and I love it. Too bad I don't get paid to do it!
   
3. Baking snickerdoodles. They are my signature cookie!
4. Cross-stitch. Bubba's Mom is always commenting on how neat the back looks!
5. Typing. I can type really fast.
6. Designing a road. I can design the CRAP out of a road! Too bad I'm unemployed at the moment. But, I've got Mad Skills!
7. Cooking. I love to cook, and I have yet to find a recipe I couldn't do. There are some that I choose NOT to do, but that doesn't mean I couldn't if I wanted to.
   
8. Finding my way around. I have an EXCELLENT sense of direction, and I love maps, so I am never lost. Plus, I think I'm a good driver, although that is a matter of opinion for some people.
9. Making lists. Now, accomplishing everything on those lists is another story, er, blog.
10. 
    

What about number 10? What do YOU think I'm good at?

100 Years of Celebration

Happy Mother's Day, Y'all!!!

10 on Tuesday

Ten Places I'd Love To Travel To
(But Haven't Been To Yet)

I am jonesin' for a vacation about now. We haven't been anywhere that wasn't visiting family or for a wedding since we moved to Houston, and I have the travel bug.

1. Germany
2. Zihuatenejo, Mexico
3. Southern France/Northern Spain
   
4. Copenhagen, Denmark
   
5. Destin, Florida
   
6. Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland, etc.)
   
7. Bahamas
8. Montreal, Canada
9. Scotland
10. Alaska
    

Hopefully we'll get to visit No. 5 pretty soon, as the others are a bit outside of travel by car with a munchkin.

End of One Chapter, On To The Next

I am officially done nursing Drew. It's been 1 year, 2 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days. I know it's time, he is loving cow's milk and getting to be just too busy to snuggle and nurse with me anymore. And, we were down to once a day anyway, in the morning when we were both half-awake. But now it's over, and I'm wistful. Wishing I could have one more day. I know this is mostly because it means my baby is no longer a baby anymore, but a full-blown toddler. But I will miss that special bond I had with him. Breast-feeding is the best feeling in the world, and I absolutely LOVED it. I'm so blessed that I was able to do it for so long.

And, I think I'm ready to be done, too. It's time. No more worrying about not taking any type of drug for fear of what it will do to my milk supply. No more nursing bras (although I think they are rather comfortable! Just not that sexy....). No more having to get up with Drew on the weekends, Bubba can do that now! I'm happy to have my body back. Except now there is nothing to take my extra calories, so I'm going to have to start watching what/how much I eat again. Boo.

This is going to take some getting used to....

I did it! I did it!

Stolen from cjh, who stole it from Bubba's Sis. I'm a clepto, that's for sure.

Have you ever…

( ) Gone on a blind date
( ) Skipped School
( ) Watched someone die
(x) Been to Canada
(x) Been to Mexico
( ) Been to Florida
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been lost
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country
(x) Gone to Washington , DC
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
( ) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only?
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t?
( ) Made prank phone calls
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose - or other places!
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x) Danced in the rain
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
(x) Been skinny dipping outdoors

Well, have you?

Open, Open, Open

Now you're all thinking of that old Mervyn's commercial, aren't you? Heh, heh.

This post does have a purpose, besides taking a trip down TV-land memory lane.

We are having an open house tomorrow, because our house is still on the market. I realize that an open house is not likely to get us a buyer. But, as our realtor pointed out, it couldn't hurt. He also suggested burying a statue of St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of real estate, in our yard. Also couldn't hurt. Now if I could just figure out where to buy something of that nature locally (instead of the Long Island Catholic supply store....LI is a bit far). If only I was in Italy, I'm sure I could buy a cheapo statue of Joe from a street venture selling that kitschy crap to tourists. But in Houston? Where?

In light of all this, today is cleaning day, and Bubba is edging the yard now that we finally got a new edge blade for the edger we borrowed from our neighbor. Gotta dust and vacuum and clean bathrooms and the kitchen and just make sure everything is just perfect. Anyone have any good tips for staging? Should I bake some cookies? Have fresh flowers all over the house? Bribe people with fruit? Bubba thinks we should do nothing, as no one is likely to show up anyway, but I'm trying to be optimistic about it.

Send us some positive vibes, people!

WALKING!!!

It was bound to happen sooner or later. We would have been embarrassed by our son crawling off to college.

This One Is For Pigs

I wanted to have an * next to my name on Pigs blogroll, so here ya go!

That is all.

I Don't Know How I Did It

The orchid my mom gave me last year as a housewarming gift came back and bloomed again this year! It's just been sitting on the window sill in my kitchen, and I water it when I remember it's been a while since I watered it last. Here's some pics in sequence:

March 13, I notice that there is a long, slender stem with buds on it coming off of the once-empty stalk. I don't have a picture of the stalk prior to this, so just picture it without one. Needless to say, I was shocked!


April 1, buds getting ready to bloom!


April 6th, 1 blossom with another on the way


April 9th, with 3 blooms!


Yay! I'm so proud of myself, I've always wondered if it was a once-and-done kind of plant, or would come back year after year. Hooray!

FYI, cjh's orchid came back, too! Go check it out!