{5.31.06}

lingo

Happy Hump Day! I'm so glad this week is already half over. For having a short work week it sure is dragging. Last night after dinner Adam, Brenner and I went for a nice walk and played at the park for a few. Something about my son suggesting that I sit on the swing with the biggest seat was a tiny bit unsettling. As soon as we got home I immediately went to my full-length mirror and stared at my bum to determine if I should get back into a exercise routine....aaaaand I start today. Exercise is so over-rated. Ugh.

Brenner's latest lingo:

Refrigerator = Rabribabator

Silver = Bilber

Fruit in yogurt = Singies

Yogurt = Ogurt

Chocolate Milk = Sicka Mil

Skid marks = Skippers

20 49 = The highest number he knows and uses ALL the time.

Contacts = Tonknets

Lightening = Whiteee

{5.30.06}

lacking motivation

I'm at work today, sitting at my desk knowing that I should be doing something work related but I'm lacking motivation, so I blog. Even this morning at the Sunfest committee meeting everyone was gabbing about their weekend and drinking Marty's yummy mochas. It's lunch soon and I wonder if going home to take a nap would be a good idea. Will I want to come back...to...um...work? Hmm.

Memorial Weekend was fun, super relaxing and just what I needed. Friday night Lauren, Nathan and Justin braved a night with Brenner so I could go to the Ben Harper concert. Lauren, Brenner slept like a champ until 8:00am. What is your secret? I must know! Saturday was a relaxing day at home with my Brenner. We watched movies and snuggled lots. Sunday morning Brenner and I went to my Aunt and Uncle's to get the rest of Brenner's toys and furniture before they move next week. It finally hit Brenner while we were loading up the car. It truly broke my heart when he asked why all his stuff was coming home with us. I wish I could protect his innocent heart forever, but I know life doesn't exactly work like that. Jennifer came over after Brenner went to bed to hang out and watch a movie. The night ended with Dan, Adam, Jennifer and I ALL sitting on my futon, drinking wine, eating cookies and watching Along Came Polly. Too funny...and GOOD times. Yesterday the weather was too perfect not to have an early bbq before Dan and Whitey had to drive back to Portland. It was good to see everyone together and can't wait to see everyone again in July.

Ok ok back to...um...work! Ha.

{5.27.06}

mommy hood

Bren and I had a great day together, a mommy and son day. We went shopping for a card for Brenner's Great Grandmother currently ill with cancer and leave it to Brenner to find the perfect card with the perfect words. He never ceases to amaze me with his generous heart for others. Everywhere we went today he wooed hearts and behaved like a perfect gentlemen, well short of the gigantic booger he picked in the video store, but hey, he's only five...a five year old boy! He even sat patiently while I had my first ever pedicure. What a treat.

Brenner just asked me if I would like to join him on the futon to watch his movie together...in those exact words. How cute is that? I must go now...mommyhood calls.

Fun fact #1 - Brenner will only eat the pink Good N' Plenties, the white ones taste icky.

{5.25.06}

brenner's latest creation

{5.24.06}

gloomy

I'm over these gloomy days...over over over! Where did you go my wonderful happy sunshine? Come back! Adam is in Portland picking Dan (friend from Maine) up at the airport today and won't be home until tomorrow...I miss him already. I can hardly stand the Mondays we spend apart as is and wonder how I'm going to survive without him for the three weeks he will be gone for Australia. Erk.

We really don't have definite plans for this weekend, which is nice because I have a feeling the weather isn't going to play nice anyway. Friday night is Ben Harper with Adam, Eric and Dan and hope I can find a sitter for Brenner, if not, I won't be able to go. 

I'm getting new neighbors moving in the main house soon. Thank the good Lord in heaven! No more doggie pee and poo to contend with. Seriously, why would you have four dogs if you're not home to take care of them? Grr. The daughter is 18 and I'm hoping and praying she loves kids and will babysit for me if need be. How convenient would that be?

Tonight I'm meeting Lauren at 7th Street for taco night and I'm sure I'll see the rest of the myspace gang there too, bonus!

{5.23.06}

little things

Do you ever get to a point in your life when you finally lose the will to care? Not about the big stuff that matters the most, but the little things that grind on your everyday routine and wear you down? Well apparently I've reached that point today. I can not possibly be all to all or worry about the little things or people that inevitable lead me to question my self-worth. Not worth it! Now the hard part...letting go by true convictions, not by "feelings".

This week has been nutso busy at work. My supervisor is gone on vacation driving cross country to pick up her new fancy-smancy sports car that she purchased on eBay. Really? Buying a car on eBay? Anyway, so with one man down I've been filling in as a teller...yes, they gave me money! Scary isn't it? So far I've been balancing to the penny, well give or take a few.

It's 8:00pm and I still haven't changed into my comfy pants or thought of dinner...what to eat, what to eat?

{5.21.06}

first sleep over

Receiving a phone call this morning from Brenner to tell me all about his first birthday sleep over hit me HARD. I can't believe my baby is old enough to start going and having sleep overs!!! What's next...first crush...first kiss? Excuse me while I go to my happy place...

What a weekend. Good and busy. Friday night Adam took me to dinner at Merendas in Bend. I had the most delicious Artichoke dish that was to die for...no lie! Spending the evening together was a perfect ending to a very busy week and the start of a fabulous weekend.

Yesterday we made a short trip to Costco then to the Old Mill so Adam could do more shopping for his trip, which by the way was postponed until June. He found a few things and insisted on paying for what are now my most favorite jeans I own. Big deal?...oh yes! Let me just tell you that if you had the size of bum that I have, you'd be doing the happy dance that I was doing in the dressing room after finding them. He spoils me too much. After shopping we strolled down to where the PPP was going on. I was trying to find Miss Molly, but failed. So sad, I miss you Molly Sue. Great job on your first PPP event, did you cry? You cried, didn't you? LOVE YOU. As soon as we got home John, Amy and baby Jaxon came over for a bbq dinner and to attempt to reclaim their championship title at Cranium, which they did NOT. Ha, in your face John!!!

I spent this morning and afternoon helping Jen shop for a mountain bike, treadmill, tv and patio furniture. After hours of shopping I came to the conclusion that good customer service doesn't exist anymore. Gone, bye bye. I swear I walked out of the stores shocked and irritated. Grr. For lunch we called Minta to meet us at Johnny Carino's. Aside from the waiter thinking he was super funny (poor Minta) and ALL THAT, lunch was yum. I'm home now from cleaning the Chamber to get ready for another fun work week. Yay for laundry and ironing. Dinner = v8. Back on track.

{5.18.06}

the dalles

Traveling to The Dalles every week this month has been totally exhausting and I'm done. It's not like we get to have lunch outside the "compound" to check out any of the local favorites in town. Oh no...only working bland lunches that are usually catered by some charity in town, yum! Today was a six hour class about merchant services, six loooooong hours reading word for word our merchant manual, agreements and applications. Ugh, I'm pretty proud of myself for only nodding off twice. I'm boycotting anymore training until I'm absolutely required to go. Despite the awesome over-time rolling in, 11+ hours including travel time is for the birdies. 

Last night Adam, Brenner and I met a few friends at 7th Street for taco night. I made a brief toast to Adam's new promotion as Operations Manager for his company. He's so deserving and I couldn't be more proud of his accomplishments.

{I'm so NOT having a bowl of yummy chocolate peanut butter ice cream right now}

{5.17.06}

perks & peeves

peeves

a.) fishing for the chain thingy in my toilet tank after each flush. i'm now contemplating using the port a-potty across the street. b.) adam's phobia with shopping carts. c.) my neighbor moving until 1:30"A.M" in the morning. d.) committees - make a decision people and move on. e.) the large amounts of pea gravel brenner brings home in his shoes and pockets from daycare. f.) driving to the dalles again this week. g.) carson daly's eyebrows. h.) night four, neighbor still moving.

perks

a.) living a block from the dry canyon trail and park. b.) the view of the mountains from my living room/bedroom. c.) fasting with v8 juice, yum. d.) having an organized garage. e.) brenner's clean-up kick. f.) my african violet's new blossoms. g.) knowing that our vacation back east is less than two months away. h.) friends who find motherhood fulfilling, not a chore or burden.

{5.16.06}

regrets

I just returned from the gas station to painfully empty my entire life savings to fill my gas tank. I own a Honda Civic for crying out loud, seriously! Man do I feel sorry for those SUV owners, ouchie!!! Tonight I took Brenner to my Aunt and Uncle's so I could take a Mommy break to get my nails done. I do love to pamper myself every once in awhile, and yet here sits on my desk a gift certificate for a massage to Eagle Crest that I've had for months. I hope it doesn't expire, oh bother.

This week I'm feeling more calm and less stressed. Greatly needed and required. Just ask Adam. The weather we've been having has been good for me, in more ways than most know. Sun is Good!!!! With my Aunt and Uncle moving to Arizona I'm looking forward to visiting them during our gloomy winter months, for sure! I can't believe they're moving in two short weeks! I'm not only losing my only family I have in town, but the only sitters outside of daycare Brenner knows. I know I'll regret not spending more time with them as I should or could have. Oh regrets! I love them so much and I can't describe how supportive, loving and giving they have been to us.

A Random Melnism: Why is there a security barcode on my Metamucil container?

{5.15.06}

brenner's personality type

{5.14.06}

yard sale

The moving/yard sale went relatively well, definitely could have been better but I think having it on Mother's Day weekend probably had something to do with it. The weather was perfect and we did happen to collect over $600...all of which will go towards Brenner's college fund. Brenner enjoyed selling lemonade almost as much as he enjoyed drinking it!  

This morning Brenner surprised me with a card and necklace for Mother's Day (with help from Grampy). And I can't forget the darling delicate rhinestone hair clips my Mama gave me, a subtle hint to keep the hair I'm so desperately trying to grow, out of my face. After Mom made her yummy breakfast we all jumped in my Dad's truck to scout around for the best deal on bark mulch for Adam's back yard. So after Brenner wakes from his nap, guess what I'll be doing? Yay, just what I want to do on Mother's Day! I'm certain the three of us will be good and hungry for another great meal with my family tonight...always good food and too many calories. Maybe after dinner Brenner and I will go on a bike ride in the Canyon, break in my 1950 Spitfire Schwinn cruiser I scored in a yard sale last weekend for $50...what a steal!!! I have an awesome treadmill, but exercising indoors is such bore. Why, when I could be outside enjoying this awesome weather while spending time with Brenner. It's a win win.

I'm not certain what this look is all about...

His drink...my drink.

The toy Brenner couldn't part with...

Brenner and Olivia...

Awwwww, days like these i love.

{5.10.06}

i blame the gingersnaps

Saturday I'll help host my Aunt and Uncle's moving sale. We originally had planned to have it the following weekend, but this weekend works with everyone's schedule, plus I'll have Brenner and he really wants to have a lemonade stand during the sale. Last year he cleaned house and collected over $50! He's smoooooooth with the ladies, one smile from Brenner and they all comma flockin'. I hope everything goes before 12pm, if not a good tan is sure to be promised for my family...we rarely burn! It'll also be peachy to have my Mama in town to celebrate Mother's Day together!

Last night I fixed dinner at Adam's house (rice pile, our fav) while Adam finished bordering the patio in the back yard. He has the stepping stones, grill patio, steps to finish, bark to spread, flowers to plant and he'll be set for this summer. We made a quick trip into town last night to purchase the stone fire pit we've been fancying. We can't wait to kick back and enjoy the finished product, that seems like is taking forever! 

Last night I had the strangest dream and wonder if eating Gingersnaps just before bed was such a good idea! It starts with Jennifer and me hanging out together. Her family invites me to the latest and greatest salon for a pedicure. I get there and the room looks like a disco party. I sit in the chair and the guy starts to shave the hair on my toes (ew) and file my toenails down (just like on Dumb & Dumber). He tells me with great excitement that he will paint two pistols on each of my big toes. But he gets distracted and starts to shave the back of my head. After massaging my head for an hour with oil, he sends me off with a $3,000 bill that Jennifer’s parents refuse to pay; my toes an ugly beige color and my head partly shaven. Groovy dream, eh?

{5.9.06}

the unshakable funk

Ever get into a funk and no matter what you think or do you can't seem to shake it? Ya, I'm going on a month streak and it's really kicking my bum. I'm wound tighter than a tick and if I don't chill soon I'm going to lose it...seriously. Now the tricky part, finding what I can bag to free up time and simplify my life. Today doesn't look like the day this will happen. This morning I have a Sunfest Kid's Alley committee meeting to get the orders out and ready for July, meetings with two business clients to set up their accounts, lunch with Minta, arrange travel to The Dalles for Thursday and OMG I'm making that pesky boring list again. You get the point. Daily I remind myself of all the good things I'm blessed with, great family, fabulous friends, awesome awesome boyfriend and the son I dreamed and asked for. This is what matters in life...the rest is just static and emptiness.

I miss my Brenner...bunches!!! Friday please come soon, my heart aches for his kisses and hugs.

{5.5.06}

hobbies

My Mother seems to think I should get one of these...I do believe I laughed in her face. Like I have the time for a hobby...riiiiiight. Wait, does blogging constitute as a hobby? Hmm. I won't bore you with the list of the things I do on an average day or how "too busy" I am to have one, because really, who gives a rip? Really!!!!

Brenner has become quite the little negotiator lately...to the point of earning many time-outs in a day. Regardless, I love this stage. He's learning so much right now and I can literally see everything he learns soak in...like a sponge. I love to see him interact with other kids and adults...he's such a little man and I'm so proud of his giving heart. The other day I caught him digging in the red licorice container and carefully counting out a piece of licorice for each of the kids at school. He was precisely sure not to leave out anyone. Could I be any more blessed with such a healthy and happy child?

My Mama is in town this weekend to help me price and get things ready for my Aunt and Uncle's moving sale that is just around the corner. All benefits will go towards Brenner's college fund!!! Too cute. I hope to spend some good quality time with my family while Adam slaves away in his back yard. Yep, I totally scored and escaped yet another weekend of pulling out bark slivers and nursing blisters. Sweet.

{5.3.06}

on hold

I hate HATE the phone tree and waiting game I get when I call any government and/or state agency! Seriously, why can't they just give me the REAL time expectancy I'll have to wait so I can do other things, like...take a nap, repaint my toenails, make a grocery list...for next month, write Brenner's birthday thank you cards (way way past due) or call to make my next neck massage appointment that I'll need after holding the phone to my shoulder for the duration of the call. Ridiculous!!!!

Yesterday I put in 11 long exhausting hours traveling to The Dalles for more PB training. Adam was a peach to pick Brenner up at daycare, fix dinner and entertain him until I got home. He is so good with Brenner and is always asking what he can do to make my life a little easier and less stressful. I'd be so lost or crazy (maybe both) without him.

{5.1.06}

skippers

I'm always amazed how fast the weekends zoom by when it's warm and sunny outside...why can't the week days do the same? Oh well, it's not like I pretend to glamorize my weekends into something they are not. I live a simple yet content life, beats all the drama that comes with the other, for sure! I had a fun and relaxing weekend with my boys, Jennifer (aka Jen W.), Cheryl and her son, Zach.

Saturday, Jennifer and I read our magazines and sunbathed our pasty white legs and toesies while Brenner napped. I'm finding that if he doesn't get a nap during the day, by 7pm he turns into this child I don't know or care to claim. Anyway, we had a great visit and captured a few fun pictures for our scrapbooks. While the artichokes were cooking for dinner Adam, Bren and I went over to Lauren's to check out her new back yard....snazzy!!! It looks great and for a short but brief moment I had lawn envy...that was until I remembered all the work that comes with one. I'm content with my little patch of grass that is well maintained by someone else!

Cheryl, Zach, Brenner and I spent Sunday morning strolling downtown Bend, sipping on our favorite coffee drinks from Bellatazza and feeding the ducks at Drake park. Cheryl and I had a great visit while the boys played baseball and constructed boats from our empty plastic cups...too cute!

{Brenner's new word: Skippers - the marks in the toilet after he goes poop}