Sunday, March 26, 2006

Women's Stories, 31, Bandaids

Photo of Isabelle enjoying Usborne Books!


Freeport Arts Center - 13th Annual Women's Stories. I attended the performance today because I submitted two stories (The Scent of a Doll & Our Three Legged Knight) for the commemorative booklet and I was surprised that they were actually perfoming/reading one of my stories (Knight) at the event! It was really such a pleasure to listen to the stories including my own! After the performance, one of the readers shared with me how much she enjoyed and was inspired by my story since she is going through some painful struggles with her own dog. Today reminded me of how good it feels and how important it is to be a writer!

This month I offically turned 31. I must admit Im not accepting that number well, because I still have not accepted 30 yet! Plus I have this one gray hair that just wont go away. I cut it , it comes back. joy. Ive been keeping busy starting my Usborne Business and also working on a couple scrapbooking projects. So thats been so fun and great. Also in good news...Today I started feeling my first offical baby kicks! Ive been feeling them very lightly for days now, but not strong like today, so today is the offical kick start! Today Isabelle is obsessed with wearing bandaids and drawing apples. Today the sun is shining and the grass is finally turning green. I can actually feel Spring in the air. I even wore sandals for the first time this year! I forgot what grand attire that sandals are!

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

The Grocery Store Socialite & misc.

It's not in every household that you get to walk through a path of hi-ho cherrio cherries and candyland cards to get to your computer.

I had a Dr. Appt today. The Dr. Said all is perfect. Measurements, heartbeat. Yay! My next appointment in April will include an ultrasound in which we could find out the gender but Noah and I have opted to wait until the baby is born. It will be hard to resist when we have the opportunity to find out...but I am going to try my best to stay strong.

So after the doctors office, we attempted the Grocery Store, which is always quite challenging and I must admit , I venture into this task with a high level of dread...especially today, on senior citizen discount day (extremily crowed and slow moving). But, you have to do what you have to do to get the things done that have to be done. Isabelle insisted on bringing her little purse into the store, so right away, she pulls out her disney princess camera and starts taking pictures of the shoppers. Say Cheese!

Next, she had a huge fit because for some reason she wanted to go in the liquor department. She kept saying Play, play and pointing to the freezer. I am like no way kid! Believe me kid, I wish I could go into the liquor department right now! After a small fit in front of all the elderly citizens...we continued our journey... She threw misc items in the cart, I took them out. She ran a distance away...I chased after her leaving my purse, cart and mind behind. (It's an amazing miracle that I ever come home at all with enough ingredients to make up any entire meal without forgetting something). Then we proceed to the deli counter in which the nice deli lady gave Isabelle hard salami and a Cookie! Isabelle put the salami in her purse as soon as the lady whipped out the cookie. As everyone knows, Cookies take priority in that situation.

Early on in our journey Isabelle picks up a stuffed animal cow that is being sold at the store. Fine, I tell her, you can carry him around for the time we are here, but then you have to say good bye when we leave. Shes whipping the cow around by the tail, dragging it on the floor, etc...so I decide to ditch the cow. When she regains interest in finishing her cookie, I make my move. Well, wouldnt you know it we are in the next isle and Isabelle realizes THE COW IS GONE.

Oh my. Well, she took it upon her self to ask every single person that we came across: Where's the Cow? Where's the Cow? Hands up in the air in wonderment, Where's the Cow? Pig tails in her hair, her purse on her arm, she was on a mission. Standing in front of carts, blocking walk ways, Where's the Cow? I feared we would never be able to leave this establishment. Constant questioning of fellow customers. Stopping in Isles in despair.

On the last leg of our trip, Isabelle sees a little girl about her age, goes up to her and says Hey Kid, Where's the Cow? They ate a candy cane together (a nice old man gave them each one) and then I told her we had to GO! So.. Isabelle said, BYE Friend! and we got into the checkout lane, loaded, unloaded, paid and Exhaustidly (<--is that a word?) finished our grocery shopping trip. But not before she got to ask the very last person we saw in the store, "Where's the Cow?"

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Irish Elviss' & real pineapple

Photos my brother sent me. A self portrait of my brother--------------->


A photo of Irish Elviss -->
It's kind of blurry but you get the picture!




So I recently purchased and ate a real to goodness, fresh pineapple! (Fact: Bette Midler used to work in a pineapple factory). It was super. When I was little I used to believe I would get slivers in my tounge if I ate real pineapples. I dont believe that any more. Talking about fruit, I really must say that I am so disappointed in the Strawberries that I have been getting from the store lately! Not only are they not that sweet (I know its not the greatest season for their grandest tastes) but they have gotten quite rotten quite quickly. Like bam, I turn around and theres mold growing on them and I didnt even get a chance to try them. Oh well, I guess I must wait for proper timing to be statisfied in this department. Speaking of Strawberries, our garden produces great ones in the summer. So that's something to look forward to. I remember this one song called: Strawberry Fields Forever, well that doesnt really make sense cuz strawberry fields exist only late summer in my opinion, but maybe I just don't understand.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Snow Magic

I can't believe how much it is snowing this Sunday. Yesterday, it almost felt like spring! Today, Winter is reminding us that it is just not ready to let go yet. I looked outside today and I was suddenly reminded of one of my favorite gifts of winter. I gazed out the window into the cold wet world of white and I saw a beautiful flash of BRIGHT RED fly by and land not too far away. Seeing the Northern Cardinal is always a little magical to me, but especially in the background of white! It's such an amazing & beautiful bird. So, if the snow must come and stay for just a little bit longer. I guess that's o.k. with me.

Friday, March 03, 2006

Usborne Books Consultant

I have just signed up to become an Usborne Books at Home Consultant! I have been thinking about doing this for awhile and now felt like the right time to explore this business opportunity. Ive never done anything like this before (sales) and to be honest, I am a bit unsure of my abilities in this department, but I am excited to give it try. The reason I choose to do Usborne is because I truly love their product and I know that it is something that I believe in and feel passionate about: Educational & Entertaining Children's Books! Im still waiting for my supplies/materials to be delivered, but so far I have gotten some wonderful information & support from the company and I wanted to share my website with you, so you can see what the products are! My website is: www.ubah.com/E2791

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Adopt A Gnome

Adopt a Garden Gnome today!
This Gnome (his name is Mary) is available for adoption for a mere $2.35 a day! For less then a cup a coffee, you can feed, cloth and educate this poor country gnome. With your contribution you will not only recieve a warm heart from knowing that you are making a difference in someones life, but you will also receive (about once a month or every 3-4 months or so) a color photo and a letter from your gnome in regards to his process. With the funds you provide today, you are giving hope for tomorrow to the the Gnome population and to gardens around the world.

(disclaimer: this particuliar gnome has in the past been incarcerated for insane behavior that included a garden rake, hoe and shovel. This garden gnome has a tough time getting along in society and tends to like to get lost in cornfields. But this gnome is always wearing the color red, so eventually we find him and bring him home. If for some reason your adopted gnome has gone missing for a long period of time, your contribution will be saved in a jar until his safe return.)