Thanks Santa!

Flicks

I don't remember the last time there were so many movies I wanted to see!!

1. Marley and Me
Honestly - anyone with a dog, let alone a Lab must see this!!

2. Valkyrie
I will go see anything with Kenneth Branaugh in it - but this one actually looks really good and I hate Tom Cruise!

3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Sometimes I feel like Hollywood makes movies over and over again - this looks refreshingly new!

4. Frost / Nixon
I love political movies and this one promises to be excellent!


5. The Reader
Ralph Fiennes is another one whose movies I will go see just because he is in them. (I'm hoping Maid in Manhattan was a temporary lapse in judgement) I love anything to do with WW2 and this seems like it is handled with class and poignancy.

6. Doubt
The storyline itself is excellent, but with Streep and Hoffman, it takes it up a notch.

I still want to see The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (just finished the book 2 nights ago and HIGHLY recommend) and The Changling but I think I'll have to wait until those are released on DVD.....

How did the Pioneers do it??

Without this?

Sometimes all of the gadgets made for modern parents just make me feel insulted.

T-7 days

Until THIS!

Is anyone as excited as I am???

Vote Early Vote Often

I added a poll to my blog in which you can cast your vote for the sex of baby number 2 - due May 25th, 2009. We will find out on the 22nd but don't expect to see it here until after Christmas - gotta tell the family first!!

It's never too early!

How much do I love this??? Ok maybe 2 years old is a little young, but maybe by 3?

My favourite Christmas Songs

In Random Order:

1. All I want for Christmas is You
(I heard this about 2.5 million times while I was dating my husband)

2. Carol of the Bells
(Does anyone remember THIS version?)

3. O Holy Night
(I love those lines, "Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease. ")

The story behind the lyrics and music of the song are incredible..
And who doesn't love that hiiiiigh note at the end?

4. Santa Baby
Any song that mentions Tiffanys is ok by me!

5. The First Noel
When I was a kid I liked that people sang the last word as "Isss RYE el"

There are lots more...but these are the first few that came to mind right away...

What are your favourites?

If the right one don't get you, then the left one will

I have always found it interesting that certain smells or sounds or textures even....can bring back a sense memory from childhood. To this day when I smell Obsession I think of my big sister Joy. the funny thing is that of course I don't ever think about Obsession - but as soon as I do I look for my sister. It's just in some back part of my brain.

Today I was in CVS and I heard "16 Tons"

It was a nice change from Christmas music, but it also brought my mind back to being about 4 years old and sitting on my parents bed listening to my dad sing it. (Followed of course by an explanation of the entire coal industry, debt bondage, and unions.) It was just one of those things that was part of my childhood. My dad was often singing - he's a dead ringer (soundwise - he doesn't wear those Cronkite glasses) for George Beverly Shay(which I am going to wager about 2 people who read this blog know who that is). I hate to even say it, but when my father passes, I will invest in the largest GBS cd collection known to man. It will make me feel like he's right there.

And that's how I felt in CVS - just for a few minutes I remember everything about sitting on my parents' bed - the colour, the smell of the room, my dad's work clothes... all because of one very out of season song.

Isn't it ironic?

Lost in Translation

I was recently breaking proverbial bread with a Catholic friend of mine. Being that I am pretty WASPy I had to ask her to define some of the words she was using.

She was describing the details of a recent homily at her church.

"I don't know what a homily is. Isn't that something you eat like grits?"

"No Erin, that's HOMINY."

Chirp! Chirp!

I know that not everyone's lives revolve around Ball State University like ours tends to...but we got QUITE the shoutout on Letterman!

Things that go "D" in the Night

I don't consider myself a "scaredy cat" type of person. Every creak or pop doesn't unnerve me. Clowns - no big deal? Heights - bring em on! Peanut Butter sticking to the roof of my mouth - the more PB the better!

However, I have always been afraid of inanimate objects that act too lifelike. Talking dolls or animals - stuff that moves in a way that's too human gives me the creeps. If I had been "Belle" at that magic castle with the talking candlesticks and clocks I would have taken my chances of being eaten by the Beast than stay ONE NIGHT! I have a very horrible fear of Ventriloquist Dummies. I am mature enough now that I don't have a panic attack on sight of them, but I also don't look any longer than I have to.

One of the fun gifts Madeline got for her birthday was a talking puzzle of ABCs. It's a really nice wood puzzle that says the letter when you put the piece in and gives you a word that starts with that letter. "D is for Dostoevsky" Ok, I'm kidding about that, but that would be super cool for all of us Literature lovers out there! I digress....

I put the puzzle away at first thinking it was too hard for her right now. But after a hard day I pulled it out with the hopes that it would entertain Madeline long enough for me to, say, go to the bathroom by myself. She not only loved the puzzle, but learned quickly where some of the letters go. A few nights later the puzzle was sitting on the floor of the living room when I sneaked down to the kitchen for a glass of water. (Read: chocolate) As I flipped the kitchen light off I hear "O is for Olive" and about jumped out of my skin. What creepy person had gotten into my house and was reciting the alphabet? I flipped the light back on. "P is for Pretzel" I ran back upstairs into the safety of my warm bed and Mr. Smith and Wesson.

Obviously the next morning I figured out it was the puzzle but it still gave me the Heebs. I put it up on the bookshelf thinking maybe the floor moving when I walked was causing it to talk to me. But the next night as I flipped on the light - "C is for Carrot"

I guess it's something I'm going to have to get used to. Maybe I'll put it by the front door in case anyone breaks in to the house they'll get as creeped out as I did...

Fit for a queen! or...King

My husband and I recently took a wonderful trip to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Our parents kept Madeline and we got to enjoy long days at the beach, moonlight walks, shopping, and best of all - naps! We were blessed with a large King-sized bed to enjoy. We have a Queen size in our Master bedroom so it was a nice little (or not so little) extra!

What I realized was that I could sleep the entire night without once knocking into my husband. If you ask him, he will tell you I have "jimmy legs" which sometimes actualy morphs into "Jimmy arms" as well. Every day we have to tuck the sheet and duvet back in because of my nightly ballet. But in this - this paradise of space we didn't disturb each other a bit.

I was all the sudden jealous of all my friends who had king-sized beds. My husband could sleep through the night, and I could do my triple axles in peace. However, I am an "edge of the bed" sleeper. No matter how big or small the bed is, I always snuggle right up to the edge. Steve said he spent a few minutes each night, fishing around in the enormous bed trying to find me. Although we're sleeping, the 8 (ok 6 in his case) hours in our bed is the most time we get together and - though it may keep him from perfect REM, I like knocking into him on occasion throughout the night. On the rare occasion I have the bed to myself, I can't sleep right. I need his cold feet and his sleep noises. I like knowing my best friend in the world is merely inches away. Though I will always enjoy the vacations to Lots of Legroom Land, I'm content for now, being a queen.

Someone special who could it be?

Well, my little Republican heart is hurting this morning... ironically more that my constant Indiana went Democrat than the Preseidential win which was NO surprise to me....

I do have one small ray of light at the end of my tunnel.

Upon Us

I simply cannot believe that it is Halloween already! The summer has truly flown by, and I think we totally missed fall! Our pumpkin is carved up and we have our Trick or Treating plan all mapped out!

Steve and I are both HUGE fan of Charles Shultz. We both loved the cartoons as kids and still love them and make sure we are home for their airing. (We are the only people left in the world who don't have DVR and I'm proud of it....) However, this year my MIL purchased the Great Pumpkin video for us so we broke it out a few weekends ago when we carved our pumpkin.

We told Madeline how much we loved the video, thinking she wouldn't be very interested. She sat through it and that was that.

However, now she says " Watch Charlie?" about 47 times a day. So - ONCE a day I cave and we watch Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin. But I have to wonder if it'll be as special to her as it was to us since she can have it "on demand." There's something to be said for a little wanting.

Less is More

My husband turned me on to a Hemmingway story I've never heard before. I'm not the biggest Hemmingway fan . . . The Old Man and the Sea turned me off pretty quickly . . .

I was intrigued because he told me that one of Hemmingway's friends accused him of being too verbose, and challenged him to write a story in only 6 words.

In my Creative Writing classes in college I had a professor who made us write stories with only one syllable words, or make everyone start their story with the same line. I thought these were tough! I don't feel I can express myself in a Haiku let alone 6 words. So - here it is - Hemmingway's little masterpiece. I wouldn't have believed you could effectively communicate an entire story (let alone rising and falling action and denumount) in six words.
I stand corrected.


For Sale. Baby Shoes. Never Worn.

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

As many of you know, we don't live in a traditional "neighborhood." There are a grand total of 5 houses on our street and I've come to really like it that way. Thus my growling at the 2 houses being built across the street... I miss the sidewalks and sometimes the noise, but for the most part I like it out here.

It's interesting, I don't know if it's because we live out in the country or what - but we have a really fantastic relationship with our neighbors one one side. Let's call them Ken and Barbie. They're pretty much like our second set of parents. I couldn't even begin to describe all that they have done for us - from watching Madeline when we were in a jam, to helping up weed our garden or mow our lawn. Steve and I constantly talk about just how lucky we are to have these neighbors. They adore Madeline and we trust them with her implicitly.

They have a gorgeous home, an impeccable yard (I would dare you to try to find a weed!), yard upon yard of gorgeous garden, and a pool they let us swim in!

Now contrast them with our "other" neighbors. Let's call them the Skys. They built their house only shortly after we built ours. Does it have curtains yet? No. If Steve and I have the hankering to sit out on our balcony or porch - we can see right into the children bedrooms. They take care of their yard, but have let these really odd looking weeds grow up just along the driveway. At first I thought they were some type of exotic tree or something. Then I saw them sprouting up all around their house. I told Steve that I"m just going to go over there one night and weed wack them all! I think we've maybe said 10 words to them this year (5 of those being "Hi.") It is just such an interesting contrast to have neighbors that we truly count as close friends, and neighbors - equidistant, whom we don't.

I'm not assigning blame - I know they're busy and I could have gone over there with muffins or something. It's just that we clicked with one set of neighbors and certainly not with the other. I guess that's just the way it goes.

"Before I built a wall. I'd ask to know What I was walling in or walling out, And to whom I was like to give offence"

Kids Kids Kids

I've always been one of those people that believe that there are a LOT of people in this world who shouldn't have children. I mean, you have to pass a test to learn to drive, but just anyone can have a child.

I know it probably goes against everything I believe about living in a free society, but I kind of agree with this judge's decision.

When I first saw the headline that a judge mandated that this women not to have any more kids, I thought it was because she had like 17 kids or something (a practice that part of me wouldn't oppose) imagine my surprise.....

What do YOU think?

It's a rich man's world?

OK, I can't hold it in anymore. I have to admit I don't understand why some people are SOOOOO against privatization. I'm not saying everything in the entire United States needs to be privatized, but seriously...... isn't it competition that has made this country great? That has kept us on the edge? That has kept us from becoming stagnant?

It wasn't all that long ago that the US Postal Service *ahem unionized monopoly* told us they couldn't get something across the country overnight. That is was impossible? But - what do you know? Some competition pops up who CAN get it there overnight, and - BAM so can the USPS.

Remember how expensive long distance calls where? When it was the government who regulated it? You couldn't have an answering machine or caller id! I remember my mom giving my sister an egg timer to watch when she talked to her boyfriend in Florida. But, once again - competition steps in - quality increases and prices fall.

The last thing in the entire world that I want is the government stepping in and telling more of what I can and cannot do on issues that have nothing to do with other peoples safety. Big government doesn't want to allow stupid people to be stupid. Do I think people should wear seat belts? Of course! Do I think I need a law telling me that in my state that I live and pay taxes in, that I cannot CHOOSE to NOT wear a seat belt? Gag me! If someone is stupid enough to not wear a seat belt, I believe that is their right. I just happen to believe that the government has better things to do than spend thousands of taxpayers' dollars passing a bill that they really shouldn't have any right to pass.

Adventures in CoSleeping

For anyone whose had a baby in the last - m - 5-8 years knows all about "Attachment Parenting." It's basically holding your baby as much as humanly possible while they're light enough to hold. Cosleeping, breastfeeding etc etc etc......

Everyone does certain amounts of attachment parenting - but others take it to quite an extreme. That's fine with me as I think it's everyone's personal choice.

The choice was however, not for me. YES I held my baby all the time, YES I breastfed and practiced positive discipline. I drew the line at co-sleeping however - for many reasons. 1) I was too afraid of 3 people in one queen sized bed. 2) Um, I would like to have one private area of my home where I am an island unto myself. Of course Madeline and I snuggled there and we all spent many a Saturday morning playing as a family on our big bed. But nighttime? That's mine! Yes I (happily?) nursed 2-3 times a night, but by the end of a day at hoom with my daughter, I was "touched out." And treasured the few minutes when I could have total peace and quiet alone or with my husband. Nighttime was the time he and I got together and keeping that as our own kept our marriage strong and my sanity in tact.

However, as Madeline's gotten bigger, Steve and I both enjoy the few moments where she'll actually stop and cuddle with us. They are few and far between so they're a treasure. Sometimes as night when we'd check on her we'd say "Oh let's put her in bed with us!" and then we'd go on with our night. But the other night I told him that we really were going to do it.

It was around 11 so we were both ready to turn in. Steve slipped into her room and brought her into ours. We all snuggled up into bed, and as I inhaled her I thought, "Why haven't we done this for a long time?" She was quiet and still. We were all huddled in for our night when we heard "PAN! PAN!" as she pointed to the fan going. Then she proceeded to go through every word in her vocabulary.

KEN! BETTY! MAMA! GRAMPA! CHEESE! OCTAPUS!

She Shhhhhed her and she rolled over and koala-ed onto Steve. I was a little jealous but felt myself start to get sleepy. Then her noggin smashed into mine. "Mama" her little hot breath on my face. I gave her 491 kisses and told her I loved her. I wrapped my arms around her and thought we had discovered the best little secret in the world.

"PAN!PAN!" "YIGHT! YIGHT!!!!!"

After about 5 more minutes of non-stop talk, scratching of nails, and getting whapped in the head with her various limbs, I decided Cosleeping was STILL not an option for us. Steve deposited her back in her crib and we, once again, enjoyed a nice night's sleep all by ourselves.

Everybody knows everybody

When my husband first told me he lived in Pendleton, I said, "Where is THAT?" I can't say that I was in love at first sight with the house and the 5 acres. (Ok , maybe the house.....) Things like "tractors" and "composting" were not in my vocabulary. Passing combines on the road was not something I was particularly excited about.



I've never been that good with change. I like what I know and I see no reason to go about upsetting that balance. Moving from an apartment complex where I could hear (and smell) the neighbors' Chinese take out order, to moving to a street with 5 houses on it was one of the larger changes I've made in my life. I'm surprised at how quickly what was so far out of my comfort zone is now my status quo. As I walked to the garden tonight to pick some fresh tomatoes and peppers from my garden, I realized that I was walking the equivalent of some people's entire front and back yards. It was so quiet and Serene - no neighbors encroaching on me with their loud dogs and burnt barbecue. The few people who actually drive by our house on the street are all people we know by name. It's just the norm. I'm certainly not saying that this life is better than those in a suburb (I totally miss sidewalks) or that "country" life is for everyone, but I'm surprised that it's turned out to be for me.

Perfect 10!

So we got what we THOUGHT was a bounce house that Madeline would enjoy, but it ended up being this waterslide. I insisted on trying it anyway. I don't think I'm going to the Olympics anytime soon.

That funny little girl

It's been an insane last few weeks and for that I shall blame my tardiness in posting. Tonight is the first night I've sat down and caught up on things on my computer. ~Sigh~

As we close in on Madeline's 2nd birthday (Is that even possible? Really?) I find myself looking more and more at her newborn pictures. I remember my sister saying, "They're newborns for such a short time." It didn't register at the time, but it has proven so true. The days are long but the months are short. They go from farm fresh babies like above to little people who ask to talk to their little friends on the phone!!

I recently had the wonnnnnnnnnnderful luxery of attending a Girls Night Out with some of my Momma Friends. We went and saw Mamma Mia! and ate at the Cheesecake Factory. It was so much fun to be out with them all and cram about 6 months worth of conversation into as many hours. The food was sooooooooooooooooooooo good and I left with belly and heart both full.

It was my first exposure to this musical and the girls on either side of me were kind enough to help me with the plot and provide me with napkins during the unforewarned excruciatingly sad parts.

It made me feel lucky to have such wonderful friends to whom I didn't have to explain why I was crying and with whom I could, for the first time, close down a restaurant.

Walk the Dog

Dear Mr. Ma,

I just wanted to let you know that I will be seeing you in about a month. I am sure you are wondering where I have been! I, of course, being your greatest fan.

You may thank my sweet sweet husband for sneakily getting us tickets and a hotel room so that we could enjoy some time away from our baby whilest enjoying the greatness which is YOU!

Sincerely,

E Fulton

Baby it's loud outside

I know I am a grown woman, but I HATE thunderstorms! What's funny is that I Haven't always hated them, and I still don't hate the cozy kind you can curl up and read or snuggle to. I just hate the loudy crashy ones that come out of nowhere in the middle of the night.

Last night I had the worst headache known to man, and after a loooong neckrub from Steve and half a Tylenol PM I was ready to sleep. Sweet exhaustion! Then - all the sudden it was like God decided to cook and he was cracking the cosmic eggs on the top of our house!

One minute I'm dreaming of being back in college, and the next I'm nearly jumping out of bed with each thunderstrike. Steve knows I hate them so he was giving me those comforting pats..... we watched the monitor for our little monkey to wake up but she didn't. (But don't you dare flush the toilet or bark during her nap - it's her proverbial "Reveille.")

What is it about a thunderstorm, do you think, that makes rational people get freaked out? We have a strong brick house, we have a basement, we even have a weather radio! It just seems like it's Nature getting really miffed about something and I don't really like to tick off Nature. That never ends well for people.

Too Late

Have you ever picked up a book and, before you even read it, you know it's going to make you feel bad? But, in a good way - by stretching you and reminding you what's really important? Tonight while I was at the library beefing up my reading list (We Need to Talk About Kevin) I stumbled upon this.

I'll be up late tonight!

Kiss me and Smile for me

Well I leave tomorrow for 4 days with my family in PA! I am sad to leave my daughter and husband behind though. But we didn't think subjecting Madeline to a 10 hour car ride was going to be fun for anyone. Not when she hates the car more than just about anything. So - it'll be just like I'm 14 - going on vacation with my parents in the RV. `sigh`

My niece is coming along, and my gramma. In fact - this whole sha-bang is for my Gramma's 90th birthday. She was born on the 4th of July. So, we are all going out to PA to be with her and her side of the family. I need to pack yet - but I have the important things done - like my books and my ipod.

Steve will be taking care of Madeline all by himself for 4 days. That is a LONG TIME! She's been grumpy lately so it'll be extra laborious. I'm going to tell him to write in here at least once, so if he does be nice to him and leave lots of nice comments. ;)

A way to a woman's heart

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE the diamonds! MMMMMMMMMM sparkly!

But, sometimes it's the sweet, non-three-month-salary- presents that mean the most.

I've been yucky and sick most of the week - so has the baby which has compounded the situation. Steve, being a few days ahead of us in the cold, has been taking great care of us.

Tonight, as I sat sniffing on our bed poking around ebay, he presented me with a beautiful little box!

Can you smell it?

An all cheese pizza from Hungry Howies. (aka the best pizza place ever)

YES the pizza was delicious....but it was nicer that he went out of his way to do it.

g'job baby!

Buy me some peanuts and Crackerjacks

You, gentle readers, are getting a rare treat by getting a picture of me. Everyone knows how I feel about the camera, but I wanted to pay homage to Steve and my yearly picture at Victory Field. We got a lightening show and ended up ducking into the Ram with some friends to wait out the "horrible storm." ;) It was nice to be away from the baby for a few hours and get back to our roots. Like falling in love at a baseball game.

I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls brought me here

It's been a crazy week in the Fulton household. As many of you know we've been in the midst of our first ever basement flood.



I have heard people talk about having their basements flood but I have not ever had true empathy until now. Steve woke me up about 6:00 on Wednesday telling me that he needed my helping bailing out the sump pump. Our electricity had been out since 2 in the morning and the battery backup couldn't keep up with the gallons of water coming into the house. We got every available bucket, trashcan and towel in the house and commensed trying to save the basement. What we couldn't see (literally because it was still dark) was that the damage had been pretty much done. One generator, shop-vac, and helpful family members later we surveyed the damage. Every square inch of carpet in the basement was squising with water. The theater was the worst. I tried to go in and rescue one of the subwoofers but seeing as it weighed 2.5 hundred pounds I couldn't get it far.



Steve's brother came up and helped bail out with buckets and my father came and shop vac-ed for most of the day. I was really struck my how lucky we were to have so many amazing family members come to our aid!



It was truly depressing - even after the water sucker people came. They have drained the basement two times, put 15 fans in the basemet, 2 dehumidifiers, and pulled one cabnet totally off the wall. (so far.....there could be more) Steve and I were just beside ourselves devistated. This same basement I had been so happy to have during the Friday night Tornado scare, I was now cursing. I kept saying "I HATE NATURE!"



I know we are lucky - I do - so many had it far worse than we. It's just frustrating to see something you view as your greatest asset have something so horrible happen to it.



Grrrrrr



It had been an exhausting few days for us - especially Steve.



Thursday night we sneaked away to a hotel downtown. My MIL came to watch Madeline and we enjoyed some PF Changs, Cinnabon, shopping, and sleeping in! It's amazing how just being out of the 4 (soggy) walls of your own house can lighten your mood. It wasn't long before we were laughing and able to really relax. (Especially since we had a king size bed so big I could do a triple axle in my sleep and not even come close to Steve.)



We went to an Indians game last night with Ball State to top off our little holiday. Victory Field is quite special to us since we met there. It was rainy and humid and I couldn't have looked worse if I had been in solitary confinement for a week.....but Steve didn't see to mind. Between the lightening and the fireworks we had quite the show.



I feel so lucky to have someone who loves me enough to think of me, even when he is 100 times more stressed.



"Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be - the last of life- for which the first was made."

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

UPDATE

Mama bird who has decided to live under our balcony is short 2 eggs. I walked past the nest as I turned on the sprinkler and saw only 2 eggs where there had been four.

I suppose it's too much to hope that her little birdies hatched early, learned to fly, and took off for their own little pad.

Post hoc ergo Propter Hoc

This morning while I was feeding Madeline breakfast I decided to catch up on some news. Since the 11 o clock news is only filled with children dying and people being murdered and horrible earthquakes, I've boycotted it for a while. Instead I make my husband watch America's Funniest Home Videos with me so that at least we go to bed laughing, not thinking about horrible the world is.

Anywho, my husband has a penchant for CNN (ick) or shall I say Robin on their morning show. (ha ha) It was on so I just left it on. She had a story about how the more lead that children have in their systems the more violent they were. She went on to site how some new study showed that the more lead in your system the more violent you tended to be. So, as I brunched with Madeline on some bananas and oatmeal, I wondered how that could possibly be true. What on earth could be in the led to make you violent?

Then, I remembered this little book I read recently called Freakonomics. The author states that so many times the media will get all HYPED up over something like this when they aren't looking at the entire picture. So I started thinking..... ok - led. YES there's been a HUGE media freak-out about toys filled with led from China. And I agree it's shameful! But, there's never been a documented case of lead poisoning in a child that came from toys. Most of the cases of lead poisoning came from - you guessed it - old paint. Lead dust to be exact. So houses built in pre-78 will most likely contain paint with lead in it.

As I considered this I thought about the fact that many of my friends (born in the early 80s) lived in new construction. However I realized that many children who grew up in older homes or apartment complexes would have been exposed to lead dust even though I may not have been. Unfortunately, the people who would be forced to live in extremely old, sometimes decaying homes would be the underprivileged. They have enough to overcome as it is without worrying about lead paint inhalation. It is many times those complexes- those "areas" of town that, as soon as they get run down, turn into havens for criminals. And it often repeats itself. Also, there are often muti-generational households in those areas so even children the age of mine could be dealing with true lead danger.

I just thought it was a little ridiculous for CNN to not look at such an obvious link. Not one person thought....."Hmm are there any OTHER possible links between lead paint and violence? Any other socioeconomic or cultural factors?" Nope - might as well just scare every person out there that if they've so much as held a contaminated toy from China their children will be destined for Juvy.

Ironically, my husband send me this article a few hours ago. I don't mean to go all Libertarian on you but - we parents have ENOUGH real things to worry about. I'm so tired of wasting time worrying about stuff that really doesn't matter.

Didn't leave nobody but the baby

We discovered this little nest under our balcony. It made a nest awfully low in our climbing vines by where we keep the wood. I was hooking up Madeline's sprinkler and decided to trim some of the dead vines when I saw this little nest. I immediately backed away so that Momma bird could return. I pointed it out to Steve and we both worried that I had scared her away.

BUT - we saw her the next day, sitting happily on top of her babies -to -be. (phew) There are 4 little eggs in there that I just can't wait to watch hatch! I don't know what type of bird it is so I have decided it is a Mockingbird since they are my favourite.

"Shoot all the jaybirds you want if you can hit 'em. But don't you shoot a mockingbird. It's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

I am now checking on her every day and am afraid either the dogs or I will scare her away!

In the pictures you can see if you really look. In the second picture you can see the nest at the top of where the vines are. The third is really blurry, but shows the eggs well.

I don't know why such a small thing like a bird's nest is giving me so much joy but - oh well.

Inside Erin's studio

1. What is your favorite word?

Juxtapose

2. What is your least favorite word?

Moist

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Beautiful Music

4. What turns you off?

Negativity

5. What sound or noise do you love?

Fire crackling

6. What sound or noise do you hate?

Whining

7. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

(I am going to exclude Teacher since I will always be one of those even though I'm a SAHM)

Acting

8. What profession would you not like to do?

Retail

9. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

"Well done."

He who dies with the most toys . . .

. . . still dies.

I was perusing babble.com recently (it's one of my fave parenting sites) and came across yet another good article on saving.

I especially like the line: "We're going to have a lot of peers suffering through retirement with $200 diaper bags they can't trade in for prescriptions."

I'm guilty too, not of 200 dollar diaper bags (I can't even imagine, and even if I could my husband would thankfully bring me down to reality), but of just wanting. There's always a new toy I want for Madeline or a cute little outfit I'd love her to have. But, like the author says, "There's no way to fix it other than to re-define what makes us happy."

I truly have more than I could ever want and more than many in other countries could ever dream of. Shame on me.

Bookie

I know I haven't been the best about writing in this blog. I don't really have a good reason. I could say I am busy, but I am no busier than usual. I do think the nice weather has a little to do with it. Why hole up inside when Madeline and I can be outside chasing ducks or playing with rocks? Perhaps it's because the few things that have been on my heart aren't exactly lighthearted, ergo they don't seem like nice light things to blog about.

On another note, I've been tearing through my reading list like nobody's business. I have some book recommednations that are absolute must reads! Others that almost made me die of boredom...

1. The Poisonwood Bible
I am a little late to the game here, as it was Oprah's book club book like 10 years ago. I don't know what even possessed me to pick it up. But it was SO GOOD! It's long, but it took me under a week to read. It's the story of a conservative religious family who spends one year in the Congo in Africa. A husband, wife and 4 daughters take turn narrating the book which gives it a nice perspective and keeps the pace up. I can't put my finger on why I liked this book so much, but it was a life changer.

2. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
This was a recommendation from my librarian. I am SO glad she told me to read it. I would put it as a "top 5" greatest reads of mine of all time. I want to read it again as it's sort of like the movie "Crash." It'll make better sense and I'll love it even more the second time around. It's about a child whose father dies on 9/11 and he's working through both his grief, and a little mystery that his father leaves behind. Gripping is the one word I would use to describe it.

3. A Wolf at the Table
This is a Burroughs book. I've read all of his books (except Sellevision which is on order for me at my library) A memoir of his Father. It's hard to believe that people grow up so terrible here in the United States. It made me want to hug my dad, and to thank him for what a great father he was.

4. No Country for Old Men
I wanted to read this before I saw the movie. It's the first McCarthy book I've read and was prepared to have my mind blown. Instead I was having to pump myself up to keep turning the pages. First, it's set in the West which always turns me off. It's also told in 3 voices which is fine, but it doesn't tell you whose voice is whose. Perhaps he was following in the steps of James Joyce, but Ulysses this is not...

5. The Blessing of Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self Reliant Children
I *HEART* THIS BOOK. It is the best parenting book out there in my opinion. In an age when every child rearing book is telling you too look at your child's throwing a tantrum as a good thing, to make every chore a game, to hardly ever tell them no - this book was refreshing! She not only goes against the grain, but tells WHY she does - which I love. (e.g. Don't try to make every single hard thing your child does fun. - Picking up clothes, picking up toys, waiting patiently. Instead, let them know that there are certain things that are expected of them, like picking up their toys, and they will not be rewarded for it. It's simply something you do as part of your family and out of respect for your parents.) This is something every parent should read!

6. Rich Dad, Poor Dad - What the rich teach their children about Money, and what the poor and middle class do not.
I got this because of the title. My husband snatched it away from me and read it right away. He has proselytized the book to nearly everyone we know. It's a slow start, but full of good principles that may not seem like the "normal" ways to teach your children about money.

7. The Year of Magical Thinking
This is a book about a woman's life during the year after her husband's death. I thought it would be splendid - a memoir about grief and healing. I couldn't follow it and it seemed more like a college lecture than reading material. I didn't finish this one...

8. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
This is a memoir by the former French Editor of (I believe) Vogue magazine. He experienced a terrible stroke and then "Locked in" syndrome. Wherein, he could only blink one eye. That was the only way he could communicate with someone. A nurse took it upon herself to come up with an extraordinary way to let him "speak" with his eyelid. It's unreal.... a true tale of persistence and what it so enjoyable about life. A movie was made last year by the same name and they did a great job with it in my opinion.

That's all for now....I actually have a baby in bed and a husband out of the house so I mustn't waste any more time!

Everyone in their place

I was minding my own business. I was wrestling with Madeline on the floor when the phone rang. It annoyed me. I HATE it when people call my home phone. That's the reason we don't give it out. It's SO loud and people seem to be prone to call during naptime, bedtime, or think that 10:30pm or 6:00 am is an okay time to call. I rolled my eyes and picked up the phone. I knew immediately that it was some type of telemarketer because I had to say "Hello" 98 times before they answered.



This is what I heard, " ofjsfna;skfj ;asldkfjaowjkjasidufya ewr fassf;laskjdfasj Hillary Clinton asdflaksdfjasudyr dna;oksdfydkchfuhd alkjsdfid vote asfjapsierhawnkdppslenfp primary. Count on you?" (Ok, maybe there weren't that many semicolons...) I said "I'm sorry sir. I won't be voting in the presidential primary."



"Why not?" (Said rudely)



"Well, I'm a registered Republican." (Said nicely)



"OH!" (Said in sincere shock)



Yes, sir, I know you aren't calling a primarily Republican area, but please don't act so shocked that there are still some of us who have escaped extinction. You can take the girl out of Hamilton County... (thought quietly)

"Sorry..." (Said nicely)

LONG PAUSE

"Well, I won't keep you . . . you go out and spend all that money of yours."

Now, is it just me or was that totally inappropriate? If you're calling ME representing the Democratic party or even Spam for that matter, don't smart off to me as that will only make me dislike you and permanently despise whatever it is your pushing. And if you want to go drudging up archaic stereotypes then . . . you'd better be prepared to have a long telephone conversation.

I was SO proud of myself for not snapping back at him. I opened my mouth to say something to say something equally smarty back (it was really good too . . . ) but decided cognitively to be the bigger person. I hung up and put it out of my mind.

Until now...

grrrrrrr

At Last . . . my love has come along

Daft Punk

Don't feel much like writing so I'll share a unique video that my hubby showed me.

Because I could not stop for death

It was a normal Saturday morning. Steve had gotten up with the baby while I caught up on some Zs. (I know, he's wonderful!!) That night we had both caught a whiff of something that smelled "hot." When I plunked downstairs a little later, I noticed that the furnace was making a horrible squeaking and whirring noise. "No!" I said to myself "It can't be the furnace!" It can't be the top of the line furnace that was put into our home 3 short years ago by one of the "best" HVAC companies in Indiana. Not the "best" unit they make so that we wouldn't have to replace it for 30 some odd years! Not THAT furnace! Yep, that furnace!

We ignored it for a while, thinking that it was just cold and would work itself out. Ha! Within 10 minutes we both noticed that horrible smell again. I told Steve he was going to have to call them on Monday because this was nuts! We have had NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS UNIT SINCE IT WAS PUT IN! However it became clear that something was going to have to be done ASAP. He called the company in question and was.....promptly put on hold. Meanwhile, I walked back upstairs and was greeted by smoke coming out of each and every vent! It smelled like burned rubber! I shouted down to Steve and we started turning on all of the fans in the house, and opening up doors. Apparently we didn't do it soon enough. The fire alarms went off. I say alarms because every single fire alarm in our house is linked together. If one goes of - they all go off!

The dogs start flipping out. They hate the fire alarms even more than the dryer. They're barking and whining and trying to climb up our legs. I am trying to cover little Madeline's ears while pulling her out of her high chair. Steve finally gets taken off hold and tells the *very caring* secretary that we need someone to come out because there is smoke coming out of all of our vents. She tells him to call the fire department and hangs up. (Yeah, if you have never seen someone literally spit bullets before you should have seen us!) I called my neighbor and asked her if we could come hang out at her house for a while. She of course said yes so we traipse over there with some snacks and toys. Meanwhile Steve is on the phone with the local fire department explaining that nothing is on fire, at least that we could see, but the house was filled with smoke.

The PFD, being overjoyed that it wasn't just a "cat in a tree" (it's a reeeeeeally small town), sent out a firetruck et al . . . I saw them wheeling in all kinds of "gear" to the house. They did a through investigation and found that the motor in our "top of the line" furnace had basically blown up and caught on fire. That's just great! And yes, this is the same "top of the line" furnace that had the Mother Board go out, the damper fuse shut, and the thermostat stop working. If this was a car it would be a lemon, no questions asked! They set up some industrial fans to blow out the smoke so that our clothes and walls wouldn't smell like rubber smoke. One fireman said to Steve, "The good news is that there's no damage to the house, the bad news is that we're going to have to take your Camaro with us." Ha ha! They were nice folks and very helpful.

Meanwhile, Madeline and I were camped out at Ken and Betty's house playing with beanie babies. Betty was SO AWESOME and just let Madeline wander around looking at and getting into everything. About 45 minutes later we got the all clear sign from Steve so we came back home. The HVAC company was going to send someone out to look at the problem (after Steve called back and reminded them about our smoke issue). He ended up coming (2 hours later than they said he would be there) and basically saying there was nothing he could do for us until Monday. YUM! I can't wait until we need another furnace because we are TOTALLY getting one from you! (NOT!!!)

So, we had quite the start to our morning! I had some errands to run so I packed up the car and left Madeline and Steve home to deal with the HVAC man. I dropped off a load at Goodwill (why does that always feel SO good?) and returned some things at Kohls while meeting up with Emily to return Gabby's precious lovey. We drooled over baby clothes for a while, and then after she left I wandered over to Juniors to see if there was anything on the 80% off rack I couldn't live without. I got a text from one of my former students, asking if I had "heard" about another student of mine. A million things raced through my mind, most of which were not very good. I answered her with a "no" and hoped that maybe it was something good. Maybe he got into Harvard or something. A few minutes later she called me back and I could tell from her tone that it was not good news. I think I knew it my bones right then that it was the worst possible news, but I kept "hoping" for something else. Maybe it's just some gossip - maybe he got a DUI or got kicked out of his house. But, she isn't one to spread rumors, so there wasn't much hope in my thoughts.

"He killed himself yesterday."

You know how in the movies when someone gets really bad news they always like fall to their knees in slow motion? You always hear their pounding heart and see them clutch their chest. It always seems just a little melodramatic. Right as she said it I felt my knees start to collapse. I sort of limped over to a display and sat down. I notice some people look at me as I peppered the phone with questions. My chest felt like someone had blown up a huge balloon inside of it and I couldn't come up with a pin to relieve it. If I had had anything of substance to eat, it would have all come up I'm just sure of it.

She filled me in with the little information she knew and told me she'd call back when she found out more about funeral arrangements. I just sat there stunned. I had him in class for one year. He took British Literature with me. He was a good kid. I remember that he wrote an excellent research paper on government subsidy of farmland, and that he was the only member of the basketball team who could dunk. He had a real sweetness to him. His mom was also a teacher and his dad worked at the school as well, so even after he graduated he would still hang around here and there. He would poke his head into my classroom and say "Heeeeeeeeeeeeey Miss Van" real silly. I believe the last time I saw him was at another former student's funeral.

I called Steve and told him the news - needing to try to relieve some the pressure in my chest and pain in my heart. He didn't know exactly what to say, but tried his best to let me know he understood. I came right home and pretty much just went to bed and cried for a while. he let me be, which was exactly what I needed. After a while, he suggested we all get cleaned up and go to dinner at Panera. It was nice to go out alone as a family and Madeline ate more broccoli soup than I did!

As I have tried to make sense of all of this in my head over the past 48 hours, Steve has been as strong, as sensitive, and as supportive as ever. He listened to me when I talked, and didn't push me when I didn't want to say a word. He took over Madeline responsibilities 100% and didn't mention a thing when I left my dirty dishes out, or decided to eat taffy and pretzels for dinner. I feel very fortunate to have him during this hard time. I am very blessed.

I have been trying to reconcile everything in my head. Why someone so young with so much life ahead of him would make such a drastic decision. My memories of him are not of a morose, unhappy teenager, but a shy, sweet kid who worked extra hard. I had to admit that my thoughts over the past days have been mostly selfish and only a few times have I paused to think of his family - perhaps because when I try to put myself in their shoes, I literally feel the weight of something that is truly too much to bear. I know now firsthand the love you have for your children and I do not know how I could find the strength to put one foot in front of the other. I guess I can only pray for them to have strength and that I will try to never overlook possible signs in my own child. It just sort of makes a fire that didn't destroy anything seem a little trivial.

Gather ye Rosebuds While Ye May
Old Time is still a'flying
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will e dying.

Not the Mama

Yesterday I got to spend the ENTIRE day with my mom. We went shopping, ran errands, ate a nice lunch, and just generally enjoyed spending time together. Mommy got lots of new clothes for her upcoming vacation, lots of deals on clothes for Madeline (including the CUTEST Easter dress EVER for next year) and even a few things for Steve! :)

Madeline spent the whole day with her Gramma Ellie and she said that Madeline was a very good girl and was walking up a storm! (YAY!) I got home so late that Steve had allllllmost put her to bed, but I swooped in just in time and got to cover her with kisses. I missed being away from her all day SO much.....I just don't know how working moms do it! Steve even said she said "Momma?" when the back door would open which made me feel awful good....

It was nice to be the "daughter" again and have my mom dote on me. I was totally responsibility free! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh....... I feel very fortunate to live so close and be so close to my mother, she is one of my closest friends.

Mommy came home so exhausted she fell asleep around 9:30. Too bad Madeline decided she wanted to get up at 6:00 this morning!

The more the merrier?

I have a secret indulgence, and that is - SuperNanny. I LOVE this show. It's not my husband's favourite, but I can usually talk him into watching it with me. I am just constantly appalled at how horribly these children act. Lately, every family she has visited seems to have a baker's dozen! I don't feel like anyone (including the government) should "regulate" how many children a given family has, but yet . . . is there a point where "enough is enough" ? I know this sounds cold, and I don't mean for it to. I just.....I wonder how families do it! Ok, John and Kate is one thing - they had half a dozen at once and obviously didn't plan for it. But I've known many a family to have 5,6,7,8 children, and usually they're very close together. First of all, the expense has to be enormous. The bills alone for the delivery and pediatrician visits! Between ear infections and reflux we've paid a king's ransom for Madeline's medicine alone! Clothes, food, laundry . . . never mind trying to pay for school or college. I am amazed and really curious at how families can do it in this day and age.

I watched a documentary once where one family had 16 or 17 kids... they seemed SO happy and SO well adjusted. They were insanely organized and they were debt free! I was in awe!! However, even that being said, what about personal time with their parents? How can you possibly give your children the attention and affection they need when you have so many?

Come back to me on this. Many people say there is a "socially acceptable" number of children. Do you believe that? What is that number? Does/did the dictate how many children you want or have? Do you think there is such a thing as "too many" ? How many is too many if you think there is such a number? Am I way off base?

If it ain't broke...

I just read the best article over at Babble.com. It's a site I frequent often because they have very witty and informative articles for parents. This article was about how much money today's parents are spending on their children. If its not toys, then it's music lessons and horseback riding, gynastics and ice hockey, private school tuition and private tennis lessons. This article explores why today's parents, "Spend their 529 at Target." It's a must read if you ask me.

I love the commercial on right now (it's some bank, I don't remember which) where you see a guy in a older model car saying goodbye to his colleague in a nice car and then going home. The narration says that yes, I could be spending my money on things I want, but there are more important things in life to save for. At the end you see his wife with a cute little baby bump. It makes me happy to see a commercial unlike every other one we see encouraging us to buy buy buy! It makes me feel just a little bit vindicated for not overindulging my child. Truth is, YES I feel guilty when I don't buy her the latest and greatest of everything, but I know we're preparing for her future as well. It's all about balance. It's not so hard now, but it'll be hard not to feel like a "bad" parent when I am the only one who doesn't have my child in 4 different sports with private instructors, 3 different types of music lessons, and the latest ipod by the time she's 5. But that's ridiculous. I want to teach her temperance and appreciation for all she DOES have. I want her to get involved in giving to children in need, instead of the focus always being on her.

The article quotes one woman as saying, "My husband and I were just talking about this with friends. You can make $300,000 a year and you're just getting by. You're not saving anything,"

300,000 a year and "just getting by" !!! How does this happen??

I didn't realize how fortunate I was to have my parents pay for my entire college education. (I know I know.....) I didn't realize what a blessing it was to graduate from college debt free. Steve and I may not be able to or want to do that for Madeline, but at least we've tried to think ahead as to what was best for her. Granted, you can go too far the other way too - I'm not saying she should play with cardboard boxes and toilet paper rolls because every dime goes to her future. (We just bought her this and I'm very jazzed, though it's more a present for us than her!)

It just feels good to read an article that extolls the virtues of not only telling your child "no" once in a while, but being good stewards of what you have, and teaching them to your children.

Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers

So, I have decided to make these cookies for the Ides of March. I'm going to make them tomorrow and let them harden for Steve to take into work on Friday. Of course, I will be making them sans red hots.

The Ides of March are when I seem to miss teaching most. It was one of the fun activities I used to do with them. I'd make them all crowns out of fake leaves, and let them dress up in sheets (over their clothes of course!) and act out the death scene (aka only good scene) from Julius Caesar.

Sigh.

When I find myself in times of trouble...

Have you ever had someone say something to you - usually in passing - that just sorta sticks with you? They say it, and have NO intention of hurting your feelings or having you dwell on it for the next week or month or whatever..... but it just floats around in your head and you diagnose it every which way?

Hmmmph.

Why is that I wonder? Why can't I just "let it be"?

Boo Who?

My nephew came over this evening in a sort of last minute change of plans. I always enjoy having him here and I think he enjoys coming. I know my husband enjoys having him because, as I type, they are 2 floors below me in the theater watching "Transformers" which I have out and out refused to watch. It is so loud my floor is literally vibrating. Boys.

We were all in the car getting gas and Steve was concerned with teaching Nathan a little parable about saving money for college and expensive things like gas. Meanwhile, I was concerned with more important matters - namely what he was reading in Freshman English. He said he was currently embroiled in "Animal Farm." We talked a little about it and then he said, "Well, we have another book we have to read....something like.....How To Kill a Mockingbird?"

Good thing I was in the backseat so he couldn't see my eyes bug out. I wasn't surprised at this "ignorance" - I mean he's only a Freshman, but I couldn't believe he wasn't overjoyed. Ok, I can't expect that either. I taught TKM (which is my favourite novel of all time) to my Sophomores every year, and even the ones who hated reading usually like it. I told him these encouraging words, to which he replied, "I just don't know how reading is going to affect my life. I mean, I know I know how to read, but I won't read once I don't I have to read." A fair statement. But I noticed my heart quicken. If Madeline ever said that to me I think I could cry a river. I never understood how people could not want to read. I was always so voracious for it. I tried to encourage him with out sounding too "teachery" or "out of touch" but I'm sure I was both.

Oh well.

"Neighbors bring food with death, and flowers with sickness, and other things in between. Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good lucky pennies, and our lives. But good neighbors give in return. We never put back into the tree what we had taken out of it. We had given him nothing, and it made me sad."

That's MRS. Cleaver to you!

Here is what I am making for my surprise dinner guests this evening!

Chicken Parmesan

Olive Cheese Bread

Broccoli with Garlic Sauce

Apple Dumplings

Bread Pudding

My dress of choice

Well worth the Pneumonia

Last week, I had the privilege of attending Conner Prairie's "Hearthside Suppers." My MIL got sick the day of the event so my husband had to stay home with the baby :( but it was nice of him to offer because I was DESPERATE to get out of the house! So my brother was my date instead. It was actually nice to go with my brother and my parents. Sort of a throwback to family vacations 15 years ago. So anywho....we get there and meet the rest of our "party" (they cap the dinners at 12) and we got lanterns and walked out to our home for the evening. We were served smashed cheese or something (it had been chopped up and mixed with a bunch of other things that I couldn't see - it was very dark of course) as well as popcorn made in lard, and some spiced cider. YUM! We made small talk with each other and were then put to task in the kitchen. They gave each of us a job. Mine was to churn butter - literally - with that bucket thing and the stick. So I sat in a chair and pulled the stick up and down for about 15 minutes. The lady told me I had to sing to the butter to make it come out right. She asked me if I knew "Yankee Doodle" to which I answered, "I know God Save the Queen!" I opted not to sing at all. ;)

My dad's job was to grind the coffee, my brother had to peel potatoes with a dull knife, and my mom had to make dumplings (we grew up calling them Wolvers but that's another story) for the soup. It was nice in the kitchen doing all those old-timey things. I love to cook, but it was a good reminder of how GOOD we have it with electricity! It was actually kind of cool to feel the whip cream turn to butter, and to do things by candlelight in front of a huge roaring fire....

So we then went back to the dining room and chatted a bit and they brought out the soup course. It was some kind of chicken brothy soup which I thought tasted like a Thanksgiving turkey. I pushed it around my bowl a little. Next - the main course! We had "Shoat" which is, according to Wiki, a recently weaned piglet. (Yeah, I know) I of course didn't have any. There was also some chicken - but it was both one the bone AND dark meat so I passed on that as well. HOWEVER! I did make up for the 45 dollar price tag by stuffing myself with dill pickled green beans, mustard potatoes, and brandied peaches. The catch was - we had to "set" our own place as well as eat with our knife which they apparently did in 1836. It was a big fat steak type knife. The only thing that resembled a fork was a 2 pronged (SHARP) thing. I wasn't about to put that in my mouth. So the dinner was filled with the wonderful din of talking people and the "plopping" of food back onto the china.

After dinner we took a tour of the house which was very very interesting - and this from someone who pretty much hates American History. Afterward, we came back to the dining room for cheesecake - which tasted more like cheese than cake. (Can someone say "spoiled with processed food much?") we then played some games of the period. The first one entailed reading from cards. One was a question and the other was an answer. The person to your left asked a question and you answered with the answer on your card. For instance:

"Do you find consternation to be a problem among erudites?"
"I plant my corn in the summer"

Hahahaha opera laugh.

It was way lame and made me feel sorry for the pilgrims or settlers or Prarieans or whatever."

The second game was the "Telephone" game called something like "Village Gossip." No one could think of a starting phrase that was even remotely close to the time period. I finally came up with a Thoreau quote. "The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation." (I *heart* Thoreau!) The only problem was - that I had to "whisper" this to my mother who is 100% deaf in one ear, and about 50% deaf in the other ear. Even shouting it - it ended up something like "Women are desperate!" ha ha

Thus ended our evening and we walked back in the freezing cold, lanterns lit, to the main building where we all utilized the very modern bathrooms.

It was fun. I don't know if I'd ever do it again, but it was different which made it very very nice. It wasn't dinner and a movie, or shopping, or grilling out. It was totally different than anything I'd done before and it was nice to do it with my family. So, in the end, I have to give it a thumbs up.

Everything we need right here and everything we need is enough

I have to officially say that my husband is Superman. He had been taking care of Madeline and me nonstop since Thursday! I'd been ordered to bed with no real choice about the whole thing. He took lots of time off work, made all the meals, did all the cleaning, even took Madeline to the doctor and held her during the helacious screaming that comes with the Doctor looking in her ear. (Ear infection!) He hasn't complained or grumbled ONCE! He's constantly checking on me to see if I need anything, bringing me breakfast and snacks in bed. He brings Madeline in for little visits and knows when I've had too much.

My parents kept Madeline overnight the first night, but Steve's been Momma and Daddy both since then. It's hard enough taking care of her all day - especially when she's sick and grouchy - but 2 of us that way can just be plain awful!

I know not all men are like that. He's been so loving and supportive, I hardly know how to begin to thank him. He, on the other hand, won't let me take care of him when he's sick, so it's not like I can exactly return the favour......but I do think some paella is in order!

Sometimes, we "old married folk" can get caught up in what each other does wrong, or in better words - not the way WE would do it. He did as good a job (or better actually) taking care of Madeline as I do AND was able to get other stuff done as well. I don't tell him enough that I appreciate everything he does. I am very very fortunate.

I don't get many things right the first time
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls brought me here
And where was I before the day that I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday
And I know
That I am....The luckiest

What if I'd been born fifty years before you?
In a house on a street where you lived?
Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike-Would I know?
And in a white sea of eyes I see one pair that I recognize
And I knowThat I am.... The luckiest

I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you


Next door there's an old man who lived to his nineties
And one day passed away in his sleep
And his wife; she stayed for a couple of daysAnd passed away
I'm sorry, I know that's a strange way to tell you that I know we belong
That I knowThat I am The luckiest