{8.31.06}

myspace and family

Monday night I helped my brother set-up his profile on myspace. Oh my goodness, we laughed for hours and it was like we were kids again staying up past our bedtimes giggling over the silliest of things. I miss those days. He has been through so much this past year and it tickles my soul to see my friends reach out to him. He tells me daily how rich I am to have such great friends in my life. He's right. I love all my friends dearly.

Brenner received a nice bump near his eye from playing ball at daycare yesterday. After Adam told him that he was getting a black eye, Brenner kept disappearing to the bathroom. He thought his eyeball was going to turn black and was checking the progress in the mirror. I guess we'll need to explain things a little better in the future.

Minus a few road bumps, the wedding plans are coming right along. I have dozens of Martha Stewart magazines and books that Heidi let me borrow and I'm getting so many great ideas from them. Right now my ideas are all over the place, kind of like a puzzle...the pieces are there...just not put together. We have time...must relax.

I'm really looking forward to a three-day weekend with Adam. We need some "us" time. With all the wedding planning and getting Brenner ready for school next week we could really use it.

**If anyone knows of any good caterers in the local area that does not charge an arm, leg or my first born child, please let me know.

Words of Wisdom:  Live life without fear, confront all obstacles and know that you can overcome them.

{8.28.06}

weekend update

If today is Monday...where the heck did Saturday and Sunday go? I think I had a weekend but I don't feel recharged from having one. For sure!  

Friday morning I helped with the Redmond Chamber's Annual Golf Tournament by driving a golf cart and supplying booze to all the players. Getting paid to drive a cart around all morning, sweet!!! Unfortunately because of staffing issues I had to go back to work, not so sweet!!! After Brenner and I said our goodbyes to Adam and kicking him out the door for leaving us for a Red Sox game in Seattle (haha, they lost) we sat down for a Mother/Son heart-to-heart chat. He's been having troubles listening and doing things the first time asked at daycare and at home. Russ and I talk weekly and agree on the same parenting techniques but I think consistency is the key. I admit there are nights when I'm tired and I will let Brenner get away with more than I would if I wasn't. Brenner is a smart cookie and knows Mommy's limits and challenges them daily. However when Adam is around its like boot camp. He is awesome with Brenner and keeps him in line without raising his voice, something I'm slowly learning to do.

Saturday Brenner let me sleep until 10:30am. After getting up with him at 7:30am to get his Ovaltine, breakfast and movie started I quickly fell back to sleep and woke to Brenner standing over me saying "Mama, are you going to sleep ALL day?" I couldn't believe he let me sleep that long without needing or wanting something. We were scrambling to get out the door on time for Jamie's wedding in Bend at 2pm. The day was perfect and I had the best time getting to know her family, while Brenner had his fun cutting a rug with the flower girl. I was able to FINALLY meet Julie and Phil, local wedding photographers I've been chatting with via myspace. I hope to meet with them this week to discuss our wedding plans.

Yesterday while Russ took Brenner wake boarding I cleaned the Chamber and ran some errands that I've been putting off for weeks. After Adam got home I fixed a home-cooked meal...Hamburger Helper, salad and bread. Hey, that's home cookin' for me so stop your hackling.

I just got back from getting my bangs pixie chopped. Shorter than I wanted but I think I like them. With my track record I'll probably despise them by tomorrow.

{8.25.06}

clues

Do you ever have days when you know, without a doubt, that indeed aliens came down to earth, abducted your obedient and loving child and exchanged him/her for another not so obedient and loving child? Today was OUR day...

Clue #1: He didn't run to hug me after being at his Dad's house for a week.

Clue #2: He received a yellow day (on a scale from 1 to 10 that's a 2) at daycare.

Clue #3: He didn't take a nap.

Clue #4: He earned three time-outs before dinner for not listening.

Clue #5: At the grocery store he thought it be funny to expose my bum to the entire population of Redmond by lifting my skirt.

Clue #6: When asked to get dressed and brush his teeth, he decided it would be more fun to lather him AND the bathroom sink, mirror and toilet with my new body lotion. 

Need I continue with another? I think not. I'm putting in a request right now to get my son back and pouring myself a nice TALL glass of wine now. Ni-Nite.

{8.23.06}

how to annoy me

• 
  
  Tell me you practice what you preach, then don't.
  
  


• Block my drive-way with your company truck to use the port a-potty across the street. Poop on your own time. 


• 
  
  Tell me to have a nice day without making eye contact. 
  
  


• Fake hug me.


• 
  
  Call me Michelle...because that sounds so much like Melissa.
  
  


• Give my child a toy that makes noise. May you contract a flesh eating disease and have your innards be devoured by locusts. LOUD locusts.


• Suggest I drink tea to cure my insomnia. Drugs only, thanks.  


• Don't invite me to the Red Sox game. You suck. ;-)


• Use the phrase “Log on to our website.”


• 
  
  Try to convince me that the reason I’m so constipated is because I just need to relax. MAY YOU NEVER POOP AGAIN!!!
  
  

{8.22.06}

signs

Letterman's Top Ten Signs You're Doing Business With The Wrong Bank.

10. When you make a deposit, tellers high-five each other.
9. After you get a free toaster, bank president shows up at your house begging for toast.
8. Your monthly statements are handwritten, in crayon.
7. When you want to make a withdrawal, clerks suddenly don't speak English.
6. You notice Kato Kaelin is sleeping in the vault.
5. Your safety deposit box is a Dunkin' Donuts carton wrapped in tin foil.
4. All cash deposits go directly into teller's pants.
3. Lobby is waist-deep in Mexican pesos.
2. Toll-free customer service line is: 1-800-GET-HOSED.
1. Four words: Bank President Rosa Lopez.

{8.21.06}

wide awake

It's almost 2:30am and I'm totally wide awake. I need drugs and drugs fast, please and thank you.

This weekend was busy and fun. Saturday morning I met Heidi at Shari's for breakfast to go over our game plan for the wedding. She is amazing and gave me so many good ideas. After breakfast we drove to her new house that she'll be moving into shortly. It's awesome and I can't wait to see all the amazing things she will do to spiffy it up. I offered to help paint, something I love to do. In the evening we had Adam's company summer party. The theme; "Orphaned Configuration Killers Summer Tour 2006." Don't ask, I haven't the slightest.

Today was an awesome fun, shopping "let's spend money day", eat out day. After my mundane grocery shopping, running my car through the car wash and doing loads of laundry Adam and I headed into Bend to get some shopping done. Required, no...fun, yes. Needless to say I totally blew my 50/50 dough I won at the MAC counter. I love all the new limited edition colors...yum. Let's just hope Brenner doesn't flush them down the toilet this time. At dinner we made our engagement party list for Jen. After making the list I realized how funny friendships can really be. There are all different types of friendships; steadfast, casual and familiar friendships. I know I'll offend some for not inviting, but really, what is the point? I don't know.

Off to bed...again...wide awake.

{8.17.06}

lean cuisines and bed checks

Last night I made my son a Lean Cuisine for dinner. I know I know, don't lecture me...I'm a horrible Mother. There was nothing in the house to fix and going to the grocery store was out of the question, so I opened my freezer and sent by God was one Lean Cuisine left - cheese and pasta (a.k.a. mac & cheese). Brenner jumped up and down with excitement - SCORE. A part of me feels guilty for giving my child a low calorie meal, but on the other hand at least it wasn't a McDonald's Happy Meal, right?

Today I received confirmation from the school that Brenner is all set to start Kindergarten next month, which is like two blinks away. I'm already a basket case. Wasn't it just yesterday he was learning to ride his bike and pronouncing his last name correctly? How can he be starting school already? He is so excited and we started the count-down on his calendar in his room.

Last night's routine bed check and kisses to my baby's forehead.

{8.16.06}

what i'd like to do to my toilet

{8.15.06}

floating cherries

When I came out of the bathroom this morning I found Brenner in the kitchen packing his own lunch. I guess the "lunch" competition with the other kids at school has begun. He packed my low-fat yogurt, low-fat string cheese, 100 calorie wheat thins, and a baggie full of cherries floating in water. When I asked him why the water, his reply, because cherries can swim, right? I have no clue where that came from, all I know is that he has the most vivid imagination and everyday is like receiving a gift listening to him talk. Also, I'm wondering if Charla (his teacher) thinks I have Brenner on a diet, it's not like he can spare to lose any weight, the poor guy only weighs 40 lbs!!!

Last night I experienced the most amazing thing. After my run in the Canyon I came across a crowd of people in the park petting and taking pictures of a doe...maybe a fawn, she couldn't have been older than a year. Anyway she was super tame and let everyone pet her without flinching. I suspect that she was raised by someone and either got out or was let go. We all stood in silence and enjoyed the moment. I just hope some idiot doesn't decide to use her for target practice.

I want to know on an average how much sleep a bride-to-be typically loses over choosing the colors for her wedding? I tossed and turned in frustration because I can't decide. Just when I think I have them picked, I find other possibilities. I know I have 10 months, but I can't move forward on anything else until I know what I want. Ugh. Maybe it will come to me in my dreams tonight, wouldn't that be peachy!

I'm so excited for October. We get our engagement pictures taken by our famous Jen Thompson. Also Jen and Jake offered to host an engagement party for me and Adam. We are so blessed to have such good friends in our lives. I can't wait!!!!!!!!

{8.13.06}

shepherds pie

I found this website that appeared to have some pretty easy recipes, ha, maybe for Martha Stewart. After about 10 pots and pans and several (actually all) of Adam's cooking utensils I finished baking two Shepherd Pies. One for us and one for some friends that just had a baby. I wasn't thrilled about the three hour process and the dishes that followed. The boys gave it two thumbs up, but I'm guessing they knew that if they didn't that heads would roll - they were probably right.

Friday night was good fun playing charades/pictionary with Eric and Jen. Here is the best sketch of SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick that I've seen yet. The artist is none other than Eric James Ridlon, age 30...

Saturday morning Adam made the best blueberry cream cheese crepes ever! Yum. In the afternoon we dilly-dallied around town shopping for baby gifts and Cooper's birthday present for his party that was in the evening. Jen and Jake hosted a terrific party, as usual, and we got to see and catch up with friends that we haven't seen in forever.

Today after my joyful morning of cleaning the Chamber and grocery shopping I spent a lot of time surfing the net for color ideas for the wedding. Jen T. helped me via Instant Messaging with a few ideas. She has incredible taste and I hope to tap into her creative mind for more down the road. I'm also working on putting together our wedding web page but waiting on a few more details before posting the address. Stay tuned...

{Brenner's new favorite drink: Superfood Micronutrient fruit juice drink. a.k.a. super colon blow}

{8.11.06}

mistaken identity

So the funniest thing happened to me last night on the way home from Jamie's bridal shower. I was at the gas station and on the phone with Adam, my fiance (I love saying that) when my passenger door opened and this chick totally gets in my car!!!! She looked over at me and instantly screamed and jumped out of my car and ran to the car she thought was mine. Adam on the other line was wondering why the heck I couldn't stop laughing hysterically. The lesson to be learned...always lock my car doors...I know Mother, I know.

Adam and I started running together about a week ago and I absolutely love running with him. He motivates me, even though he's been given strict instructions not to. It's a long story, but basically the more people push me to do something I do the complete opposite. For example; if you tell me not to walk over to the yummy plate of cookies that are for Customer Appreciation Day and eat one, I totally will...bet on it. I'm a stubborn stubborn girl. I think gymnastics was the perfect sport for me; it forced me to push myself to new limits and set individual goals. I miss that part of my life, constantly challenging myself daily. I do this now, just in a more slow and "ehhh, I'll get to it soon" kind of way. Ha. It's funny how people's personalities remain the same but their temperaments alter over time.

Today is a good day and you want to know why? Cause it's Friday and I get my sweet Brenner...pause...doing my happy dance. Yay. Tonight Jen and Eric are coming over after work for a night of eating really fattening pizza and playing board games. I can't wait to see my Jen...it's been like a whole five days...some serious withdrawal going on here.

{8.10.06}

things i won't miss being single

• Having two garage door openers on my visor.


• Grocery shopping for two households.


• Living out of a bag when I go over to Adam's house.


• Schedules...schedules...schedules.


• Making my bed into my couch.


• Cleaning two households.


• Pulling weeds in two yards.


• Sharing a tiny closet with Brenner.


• Living out of boxes in my garage.  


• 
  
  Being single.
  
  

{8.9.06}

bridezilla

If you receive a wedding invitation that includes a deposit slip to my bank account or if you're my bridesmaid and I ask you to go on a diet for the big day....RUN...RUN FAST and then later kick my butt. Actually I've become more of the organized version of a Bridezilla, which would explain how much actual "work" I've actually accomplished lately. When I get my mind set to do something, watch out! I can be pretty stubborn and I don't like to be told no. Ha. The planning is going well. Tonight Adam and I have our first wedding appointment to look at the Historic Church of Redmond. I'm very excited. The reception site is still a work in progress. We're waiting to hear back from a few places for the details and availability. I'm also getting an idea for what I want my gown to look like and the color scheme for the bridesmaid dresses. Last night Heidi came over to help me look online for dresses...dresses...and more dresses. And tonight after our appointment I'm heading over to Lauren's to look at more magazines and get more ideas. She, my bridesmaid, is also planning for her big day which is on New Year's of this year. Tonight should be fun times...magazines...giggles...wine and good friends. Yay.  

So to sum up this entry...I pretty much eat, sleep, shower and work thinking and planning for the day I become Mrs. Adam Ridlon. Can you tell I'm SO excited? Just a little...

{8.7.06}

my fancy

things that tickle my fancy:

a.) california red plums. b.) having brenner's school shopping nearly done. c.) organizing brenner's side of the closet with his new digs. d.) my engagement ring...I can't stop staring at it. e.) sunday morning breakfast with my girls. f.) evening walks with my fiance. g.) wet kisses from cohen. h.) sleeping until 9am on weekends. i.) instant oatmeal. j.) spending oodles of time in the bridal magazine section.

things that annoy my fancy:

a.) people who won't answer their phones at work. b.) brenner starting school in less than a month. c.) my lawn boy (actually he's like 80 years old), they are called weeds so PULL THEM already! d.) director client reports e.) the cost of our county fair, what a rip-off. f.) the piles of work on my desk with little interest to finish. g.) being passed by a four year old while hiking. h.) my treadmill collecting dust. i.) photoshop not working on my computer. j.) back fat.

{8.6.06}

misery ridge

I just logged into my knot and we have 22 past dues. Ok, we've only been engaged 10 days and I'd like to know how it is possible to be past due on 22 items already for planning our wedding? Ugh. This site is either going to be a blessing or a curse. Whichever, I'm dead set to remain on task. It's my nature and calling to be organized. I bought my first wedding magazine today. Wow, so much to do, plan, and agree on. Adam wants to be very involved with the planning and I think it's sweet. I can see this is going to be like building a house or wall papering together. Either we'll grow stronger or kill each other.

Saturday morning Adam thought it would be a great idea to go on a "nature walk/hike", I agreed and after packing a lunch we were off to Smith Rock. Now keep in mind that I thought we were going on a nice relaxing nature walk. Ha, so I thought. We started up this hill called Misery Ridge and I should have known by the name that I was in deep deep trouble. After about an hour of walking straight up hill and actually hearing my heart beat, feeling dizzy and wanting to toss my biscuits from breakfast we reached our destination. The view of Monkey Face was incredible and for one brief (very brief) moment I felt that my near death experience was well worth it. Another hour of walking the river trail and running out of water I was thankful to reach my car. Needless to say, I could barely get out of bed this morning without moaning and groaning. I'm getting old.

Today I met the girls for breakfast in Bend. What fun and we plan to make this a weekly tradition. Good times. After I did my weekly grocery shopping and laundry I headed over to Adam's where we received a dinner invitation by Jen and Jake. There is something about having other people cook for you that tastes so yummy and better than your own cooking....wait, I don't cook. No matter, it was good and always a treat. Oh Monday, why must you be so near...?

{8.2.06}

roto-rooter

There are some people in life who you hope you'll never have to call and Roto-Rooter is one of them. I'm quite positive. My toilet was completely clogged this morning. I tried the plunger, nothing. So I made the call. Two hours later and Brenner and I doing the potty dance the guy shows up at my door wearing boots with questionable "stuff" on them. So 45 minutes later and a whole lot of noise coming from the closed bathroom he emerged with the culprit; my face bronzing powder compact holder. I looked over at Brenner and he said. "Mom, I have to tell you the truth." So $85 dollars later and one filthy but functioning bathroom we said our goodbyes to the nice man with pooh-pooh covered boots. Ew.

June 16, 2007. Our wedding date. We thought about having a September or October wedding, but decided on June instead. No real reason, other than I can't wait that long. Ha. So mark your calendars.

{8.1.06}

things i'm not

1. Jaded v. intr. To become weary or spiritless.

2. Bitter adj. Marked by resentment or cynicism.

I'm not perfect. When I get hurt, I hurt. But I refuse to let what happens or what I've done beat me down. I face it head on and deal with it. Sometimes this can get me into trouble, especially when I pick the wrong timing to tackle an issue. Patience, I have not. Compassion, I have. I'm always learning and treasure the lessons I've learned in life. My gymnastics coach once told me, "The only thing you get by looking back is a stiff neck." This may not have depth or sound poetic but it's always stuck in my thick stubborn noggin through life.

Today I would have been married 14 years. No regrets, merly a sentiment memory. I was on my new favorite website yesterday www.theknot.com and I realized that I get to plan my wedding. You see, my Mother, bless her heart planned my entire wedding back in 1992. Do you blame her? I was 18. Who at 18 knows what she wants entirely? I have to admit I was a little overwhelmed and had to close down to regroup...just a tiny bit. I'm so excited to start my lists and gather ideas on little scraps of paper. Jen and I plan to head over to John Day next month to stay with my Mama for a girls' weekend to plan plan plan away. Martha Stewart watch out, these two ladies are simply amazing. I can't wait to hit the local scene with Jen, show her what country life is really all about.  

**This afternoon I had lunch with Jamie from Cascade Publications. We were on the Sunfest Kid's Alley committee together and missed seeing each other on a weekly basis. She is getting married in 26 days and gave me some great advice. She is so easy to be around, calming and such a great listener. I'm looking forward to getting to know her more on a personal level.