My Bravo TV Obsession

My obsession with all thing Bravo reality seems to be spilling over to Aubs. She has asked that I wait until we can watch the "Runway Girl Dress Making Contest Show" (Project Runway) together. She also loves the "Hair Cutting Show" she is so funny. Top Chef was also a big hit. I didn't know it at the time but it is relatively high rated show for 2-14 year olds (or something like that). It proved to be so popular for Bravo that I read they may even make a Kid's Top Chef.

I don't know if I can make it to Friday for Project Runway.

Movies From My Childhood Week

After Annie was such a hit with Aubs, I decided to share another childhood favorite. Tonight we watched Muppets Take Manhattan. I love Jim Henson and miss him as much as one could miss a person they never met. He was responsible for most of my very favorite movies as a child. All of the Muppet movies, Labyrinth, and The Dark Crystal still have a special place in my heart. Here are the thoughts I had while watching this movie:
- I still know this movie nearly word for word. Same for Annie.
- Watching the Jim Henson shows/movies make my heart sad.
- I am thankful for the digital media that allows me to share these films with my darling girl, and that she loves them as much as I did. (She has not yet seen Labyrinth and Dark Crystal, they may scare the crap out of her)
- I remember seeing this movie in the theater with the Binders.
- IMDB is a treasure trove of knowledge. Did you know that Dr. Crusher from Star Trek TNG was first a muppeteer, choreographed scenes in Labyrinth and the Dark Crystal, and is originally from Cuyahoga Falls?
- Thanks to IMDB I also learned that Uncle Traveling Matt is in the wedding scene.

Watch Out Uncle Danny My Uncle Danny*

I think Aubs may grow up to be a bit of a choreographer. She is watching Scooby Doo and has a whole dance for the theme song. It comes with a tumbling pass, cute plays on the words, and of course pointing at the audience. It is absolutely adorable.

*Uncle Danny My Uncle Danny is Kristen's husband. Uncle Danny Your Uncle Danny is Aunt Mary's husband.

Baby A Update

Our daycare providers grandson is doing really well. He is now breathing on his own, and eating. When I have more I will update. Thanks for all the prayers.

What A Great Day

Today Aubs and I spent a wonderful day together we made muffins, chicken and broccoli casserole, and popcorn. We also watched Annie. Aubs had not seen this movie yet and I convinced her it would be a great idea. She wasn't sure but decided to humor me anyhow. She has decided that it is a wonderful movie and has been dancing around all evening. It is amazing how a movie that came out when I was her age can bring the two of us such a great evening.

Happy 4th Everyone

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July. On the Fourth I really get a bit homesick, Stow had one of the best parades ever. I also want to take the time to tell Jesse and Jake how proud I am of them. They made the decision to join the Armed Forces. Thanks guys.

New Milestone

Mom you may need a breathing treatment handy for this one and put down the coffee.

I have started a new job that requires I work some evenings. Yesterday was one such evening and when I spoke to Shawn this morning he asked if Aubs had told me what happened last night. I told him that she had not and he went on to recount the following harrowing tale.

Aubs was reading a catalogue that had come yesterday. She found a discount card that was stuck in with the sticky glue, kind of like the glue dots for scrapbooking, and pulled out the card. She took the stuff off of the back and must have thought it looked like snot because the next thing she did was stuff it up her nose.

She then went in to see Shawn in the next room and said "I have to tell you something" In our house those are the six most feared words. If they are followed by "and your not going to like it" one should run quickly away. She then explained to Shawn that she had stuck this stuff up her nose "and it won't come out".

Shawn had her lie down on the bed so he could look up her nose. He didn't see anything (probably because the stuff looks like regulation boogers). Aubs decided to just blow really hard out her nose while Shawn was looking and the glue came flying out at him.

Man am I ever sorry I wasn't here to see it. Aubrey has now joined the ranks of kids that stick things up their nose. Somewhere in Heaven my mother-in-law is laughing so hard I am surprised we cannot hear her.

Aunt Maury

Happy Birthday Aunt Maury.

Yes I do realize that you may very well want to "Kick My A**" for posting this picture. However I thought that since your favoritest Great Niece had taken it you may forgive me. I love you. Have A Great Day.

Prayers Please

We have been very fortunate to find a daycare provider for Aubs that is really more like an extension of family instead of just a place she goes every day. Her daughter's son was born very early Monday morning. He was born somewhere between 8 and 12 weeks early. They had originally thought he was 12 weeks early but since he started breathing right away and is quite wiggly they think that she may have been a little further along. He is doing well and has a breathing tube for rescue situations. He is a little over 3 lbs and 16 inches long. They say that he is doing very well for a preemie. His father is currently a contractor overseas and is rushing back and hopes to be home by tomorrow.
Please pray for this family that means so much to us and wrap them in prayers and loving thoughts, just as they do for Aubs on a daily basis.

Conversations With My 5 Year Old

Aubrey is painting today. Here is what occurred while she was trying to mix colors.

A: What happens when you mix black and red.

M: Since Black is the darkest it should still be black.

A: Oh.

A few moments of silence later this took place:

A: Mama, mama if you mix a little black into red it turns brown. It is a lighter brown than I already have. I have to tell everyone about this.


I stand corrected. In order to help Aubs tell everyone about this I thought I should post it.

Nothing Much

There hasn't been too much going on around here. I thought I would post a few pictures that I have taken recently.

My Daddy

Dear Daddy,
I am so glad you are mine. I love you more than you could ever know. I love the fact that you drank out of the same coffee mug for year just because it was from your first Father's Day gift. I love the fact that I was your first Father's Day gift, sorry for scaring you in those first few days.
You have raised us to be faith filled, fun loving, most excellent parents. I know that the things I do with Aubs and the person she is becoming are directly related to the lessons from you and Mom.
This past year has been quite an adventure. We have made it this far and I am sure we will be stronger on the other side. You gave us quite a scare this year, I guess we are even now. I am glad that you are doing so well and hope and pray you continue that way for a very, very long time. I am sorry for the other rough stuff we have faced and know that if I had the power to stop it all I would, because I would do anything for you.
You are the most amazing grandfather to Aubs. She just absolutely adores her Papa. Thank you for loving us all unconditionally.

I love you Daddy.

Your Nunky

30 Project Year 1

Today marks the close of the first year of the 30 Project. I thought I would list the items I have crossed off and the ones that are in progress.

Completed Items
#11 To take tap dancing lessons. I have taken one year of lessons and will be going back for more next year. I have also been inspired to try lyrical. September 07 to May 08.

#21 To see my mother preach at her own church. October 07


In Progress, some of these by nature are continuous goals.

# 4 To explore cultures through food. I have tried both Indian and West Indian food this year.

#5 To read one classic per year. June 08. I came in just under the wire on this one but I finished Jane Eyre last night.

#6 To explore the places where history happened. We went to the Alamo. January 08.

#9 To be less wasteful. I have switched over to reusable bags, If only I could find a filter that actually worked on our water I would be able to give up the bottled water.

#13 To be there for family events. I made it to one wedding, One health crisis, Two Military Graduations.

#14 To raise a happy well adjusted child. Aubs has had an amazing year. She is reading and writing and excited for Kindergarten

#15 To pass on a love of music to Aubs. The kid can't sit still and must dance to any music she hears. She also plays the drums and constantly wants to play the piano.

#19 To remember it is okay to play. My mother's day gift was a Wii.

#26 To learn something new everyday. I am sure I have done my best on this one. While most of it is probably useless info, I have learned to sew this year.

#27 To lead a healthy lifestyle. I trained for and completed a 15K. Next up is a 10K and a half marathon.

#28 To see all 50 States. I can now cross Texas off the list.

How Did I Miss This?

Snacktime

Current Favorite Links

I thought I would share a couple of my favorite websites that I have found quite entertaining.

Ravelry This is a site that I stumbled across recently. It is an online community for knitters and crocheters. They have tons of patterns and inspiring people.

Craft Gossip This site is hilarious. Most people who know me know I have a small habit of reading the celebrity gossip sites. It is a sickness, I know. This site does not contain celebrity gossip but seems to be written by "Not Your Grandma's Crafter" types. Their sidebar contains a link to crafts I didn't even know existed. I especially like the recycled craft section.

Passive Aggressive Notes If you have ever worked in an office or lived in a dorm you will definitely appreciate this site. It is definitely a good laugh.

Hello Kitty Hell Whether you love or hate Hello Kitty this site is awesome. Anyone who has ever lived with a collector can relate to this poor man's personal hell dominated by "the evil feline". Not that anyone I know has gotten to this point but still very funny.

My First Ten on Tuesday

1. I have never done a Ten on Tuesday post but have some rather random thoughts and since it is Tuesday this seemed like the best way to do it.

2. Shawn found me a Wii Fit for my birthday and I am not allowed to touch it until Friday.

3. I loved the Sex And The City movie and didn't really give it much thought until I read a review saying that it just made the writer miss the show more. This got me thinking.

4. I found out the episodes are on twice a night so Tivo has allowed me to become reacquainted with the episodes.

5. After reading the review about it making you miss the show made me start thinking about other shows I missed which led to me rewatching Friends. We are going to watch some of our old favorites during the summer. The last five will be my very random observations after watching seasons 1 and 2.

6. How in the world did I find a husband dressing like that. I am quite sure that at the time I thought I was hot sh**, but come on. The waistbands on those pants may very well have been cross marketed as bras.

7. I do still really love a giant coffee mug.

8. I miss Ronda.

9. Knowing how the show ends some of jokes are actually funnier now. Especially the Monica/Chandler scenes.

10. Aubrey thinks the theme song is the best dancing song ever.

Oh Baby Girl.

Dearest Aubrey Girl,
Tomorrow is your last day of Pre-K. I don't know why this is such a difficult transition for me. It is just that being the mommy of a kindergartener makes you sound so grown up. You have had a great year and I couldn't be more proud. Mrs. P. has been a better teacher than I could ask for. When I told you I was going to write the letter you asked if you could read it yourself. This is a first for you, I usually read your birthday letter to you. You can read almost anything, it can cause a bit of trouble sometimes. When you get older I will tell you about the coffee shop with the donkey name bumper sticker that you nearly read. We can no longer spell secrets unless we do so very, very quickly and even then sometimes you catch what we are trying to keep from you. You can count to over one hundred the goal for VPK is twenty. I am amazed by you everyday. Today as you were painting you were so pleased with your project that you told me "I must be an Artist". You have the most amazing imagination even if the programming is not quite what you are in the mood for. I love you always my baby girl. As you so lovingly reminded me "I will still be your baby even when I am big and in Kindergarten".

Love,
Mama

Question

Is there anyone else out there as addicted to the Bravo reality shows as I am?

I have recently discovered Top Chef and Step It Up And Dance. I am already a fan of Project Runway, Work Out, and Shear Genius. I also wonder how I have made it to season three on Top Chef without watching. I love this show. I am finding these shows much more entertaining that the scripted shows that came post strike with a few exceptions.

AAAHHHHH!!!!!!

I. am. sitting. on. the. floor. section. 1.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK. OH holy holy cow.

Conversations With My 5 Year Old

This child is just too much some days. The things that come out of that sweet little mouth of hers. By the way if anyone and I repeat ANYONE is around when Aubrey wants a blue Icee make sure she does not get said Icee. I am sure they put some sort of kid speed in them. If I should forget remind me of the day we saw Indiana Jones. She has been a riot all afternoon. She got upset when we got home and told her not to turn on the TV. Here is what came next:

Shawn: Why don't you use your imagination?

Aubrey:What?

Shawn: Use your imagination.

Aubrey: There is nothing on in there.

I don't think I can make it to six at this rate.