The Dreaded THUMB!!

It’s been awhile. I have no excuses other than the normal “been busy” excuse. The oldest in the book. In the meantime, I recently read an article written by a mom about her thumb-sucking daughter. That almost sounded like a bad word! Ironic. I agreed with her article, so I thought I’d write about it. We had lots of parallels. She was a thumb-sucker – I was a thumb-sucker. Now her daughter is a thumb-sucker and my daughter is a thumb-sucker. I knew it would be this way. Addison was sucking her thumb in-utero, so no surprise here. Basically, what is most bothersome about the whole ordeal is how much it bugs OTHER people. As a former thumb-sucker, I don’t think the teasing, humiliation, and overall disappointment from other people was helpful. I’m not sure that’s what really made me quit either. I became a sneak-thumb-sucker. Like an addict. Not the message you want to send to a kid. Addison sucks her thumb as her Zen. Couple that with certain corners of her “blankie” and she’s in such a relaxed state that any Buddhist would drool over. It’s her lullaby. I commend her for finding her peace. Unfortunately, societal pressures will shame her from achieving that peace soon. I wish people would lay off her for now. It doesn’t bother me. Should it? Why? Because you say so? Meh. Whatever. She’s only 4…almost 5. Why does she need to go through that pressure now? It helps her cope with whatever is stressing her. I think she’ll find other, more “appropriate” ways in due time, but how do you expect a 5 year-old to know how to deal with her emotions and stressors. A 5 year-old shouldn’t have stressors, you say? To her, having a doll taken away from her for 10 minutes is the end of the world. Trust me, she has stress. Having to wear pants instead of a dress is sheer torture. Not being allowed to watch a movie at 8:30pm because it’s bed-time is cruel. She has stress. Let her have her thumb, for now…ok? Don’t let it bother you and she’ll quit when she’s ready and found another way to cope. In due time.

Shades of grey

So this one I think I'll put up on Etsy. It was a lesson though in what different kinds of pens look like. If you look closely you might be able to see that I used two different kinds of pens. One was a Sharpie pen (this thing lasts forever!) and the other was a Micron. I used different nib sizes and prefer the very fine point, but sometimes that's just not practical. The Micron is definitely a darker shade. It makes the Sharpie almost appear grey, which I don't mind too much here. It might make an interesting project in the future. My only complaint is that I can't get the Sharpie pen in different sizes. Maybe I haven't looked in the right place, but I think it only comes in Fine and Medium. I used Fine, but it's not quite fine enough for some spaces.

So, in the frame it will go (soon) and I'll load it up on Etsy. Go check out my Etsy tab at the top to see other stuff I've listed.

My initials tangled

This was a challenge I saw posted out there in Zentangle world...to take your initials and "tangle" them. I found this project very fun. I've seen other interpretations and hope to do another one with my whole name to see how it turns out.

Zentangle - #1, the very first

This was really my first attempt at this new thing I've discovered called "Zentangle". Not bad for a first try if I do say so myself. I love the repetitiveness of doing it and the freedom to just create without having to worry about the outcome. I think that's what intimidates me most about creating a new piece of artwork...the outcome. What if I spent all this time working on it and it looks awful? That's happened. I've scrapped paintings, torn out sketchbook pages (that's why I prefer a spiral bound - no evidence!). I've wasted time that I have so little of. With this, I feel like there's no expectation to the final product. It is what it is. It's the process that's the most rewarding, not the end. If it looks cool, yay. If not, it doesn't feel like such a wasted moment.

I'm scouring the internet for more patterns to use and for inspiration. I've seen some pretty cool stuff and for now am inspired. The problem with inspiration is that I think it's more of an aspiration - meaning I aspire for my work to be like that, not that you're choking on your own saliva. I've done that too and it feels ridiculous that you can't control your own slobber. Jeez. Anyway, I know I need to do less of that and more of my own thing, but that's hard when you don't really know what your "thing" is. I'm still trying to figure that out. This has been a long process for me and I feel that I get closer and closer to it, but just haven't quite reached it. I hope to sometime in this lifetime. Perhaps I'll be 80 when I figure it out - but I could sure use the money now. :) For now, I just play. Try to create something cool and hopefully sell some it along the way if not just to feed my habit.

Bedtime story

In the polite company of others

Yesterday after lunch, Addison asked to come play at my work for a few minutes. They have some visitation rooms with lots of toys and she loves to play there every once in awhile. In the midst of her playing, she abruptly stops and worriedly asks, “I need to fart, is there a place to fart around here?”. Stifling my laughter, I tell her where the bathroom is. She honestly just needed to expel gas. I’m sure she’ll appreciate this story when she’s older. :P

But that brings a thought to mind. Why don’t we have farting rooms? Most people just do it where they are to the displeasure of those around them, but if we had a flatulence room maybe this would lessen our exposure. There have been patents and inventions for special fart-pants, though I can’t help but think that having an air-tight pair of undergarments on would host a multitude of other issues, let alone the comfort value.

In America, flatulence is not acceptable. In other countries, it’s as common and acceptable as a cough. I remember a few years ago reading a news blurb about some boys kicked off a school bus for farting. A bit extreme, no? I’m sure there were other factors at hand – pre-teen boys can be quite gross and unruly at times. I suppose I wouldn’t have wanted to be on that bus either. If farts were more socially acceptable, this wouldn’t have been an issue. You don’t hear of many cases where a kid was teased relentlessly for coughing, do you?

Anyway, farts are gross and smelly and you shouldn’t do it in the company of others if at all possible (and I think it’s possible most times). My daughter has learned to not do it in the polite company of others. Although, my car hasn’t been the same since she used to leave stink bombs before I let her out for school. Thanks for that Addison. Karma.

Future famous dress designer

Carnie rides

I have a child who LOVES rides. She loves the carnival, and the more rickey and dangerous it seems, the more she wants to ride it. I also have a kid that's just a l-i-t-t-l-e too short for most of the ones she wants to ride and some of them require an adult or "responsible person" to ride with her. I love rides too - at least, I used to. Seems like the older I get, the less daring I'm willing to be. Carnie rides are especially scary because they just don't look secure. Also, when you're riding side by side with a small child, they are left a little exposed because while the belt or bar might be tight on you, it doesn't come near their tiny waist. I find myself hanging on to Addison. I'm not sure if it's my fear that she'll go flying out (I don't always trust science), or if I'm just holding on to her out of my own terror.
Yesterday we took her to the carnival at Ascension in Kettering. We get on this ride that she called the egg ride. Basically, it's like an open pod suspended from the top and it has two little seats facing each other. There's a wheel in the middle that you can turn around (think tea cup ride) while you're flying around in a circle. This ride was not made for adults and the only way she could ride it was with an adult. I approached this ride very uncertain. We even watched it first. I was hoping she'd change her mind, but alas, she did not. Greg can't do spinny rides - so I'm stuck doing it. Not only is the pod tiny, the seat belt wasn't coming close to buckling. A small teenager - maybe. A grown adult woman? No way. The guy just says "hang on". I imagined he'd walk back and get some kind of extender or something...but no, he actually meant hang on. The ride started and I didn't want to take my hands off the pole in the middle, let alone twirl the damn thing around. What the hell? I am literally flying around unsecured. Granted, it might have been more like a swing but when you're faced with your head possibly being planted in the ground or a sea of people, you're not really thinking logically. Addison loved this ride, but I was glad to get off. Next ride was a rocket ship. Come on people. If you're over 5 feet tall, this ride is too short! I'm by far not a tall person, and this ride was nearly too short for me. I spend a lot of time on rides like this just trying to figure out where to fold my legs into so that I don't lose feeling in them and can safely get off when it stops without falling on my face or getting a limb stuck. These rides need to quit saying adults can ride, when they really can't. Just make them more secure for little people to ride themselves. There was one a few weeks ago that we went on that went super fast and I was literally pressing my body in by pushing my feet firmly at the front of the car. My legs hurt so bad when I got off. How am I always the one stuck riding these things with her? So, we went on a few more rides and there was a big ride that she wanted to go on. No signs anywhere with a height restriction and I saw other small-ish kids, so they went to go on and they said she was too short. What a disappointment. She really, really wanted to ride. Next year for sure I think she'll be big enough for more rides. She's a daredevil! So, she spent the rest of her tickets going down the big slide. We had a great time, but am I getting too old for this? Yeesh.

What's your name again?

I have this disease that causes people’s names to leave my brain as soon as I see their face. When I think of a person, I can recall what they look like and immediately remember their name. But when I’m face-to-face with them, it’s like my brain goes blank and the name escapes me. I tried to be brave and conquer this by vowing to purposefully call a person by their name when they speak to me. This should help right? I’ve read that it’s a technique people use to remember new people’s names. Well, not when you have too long of a pause before you say their name and not when your brain gives you the wrong name. A person passing in the hall says, “Hi Christie!”. I say, “Hi - - - - Kkkkathy!” to a Karen. I even tried associations. There’s a guy named Lincoln. So I think, okay – when I see this guy, I have to remember he’s named after a city and a president. I should be able to remember now. I have 2 things to reference him to. So, he comes by and says hello and I want badly to call him Jackson. I know it’s not right, but by the time I try to remember BOTH the place AND the president, too much time has gone by. I've had that person who looks at me blankly everytime we've met like it's the first time and ask me "Who are you, again?" or "Do you work here?". After 5 or 6 times I start to wonder if I'm so forgettable. I don't want to be that person. Plus it seems a little, I dunno, like dementia or something.

I’ve given up. I won’t even try anymore. Save myself the utter embarrassment. It’s not that I don’t know you – I just can’t remember the name that goes with you. So if I see you and you say hi to me, don’t assume I don’t know your name, just remember that I won’t say it. I might know, I might not. No one will be any the wiser.

Maybe I need some kind of trademark hello like a wink and a point so it’s not so obvious. Maybe that suck of air between your teeth that makes the click sound would round it out nicely. I’ll try that.

Little stinker

Mural is finished!! (although I might make some alterations)

Piggy bank

Addison came to me with her little piggy bank and says "Piggy is hungry. He hasn't eaten all day. He skipped breakfast, lunch and dinner and he's really really hungry! We need to feed him quarters right away!". I remain suspicious of this story and $1 poorer. He somehow managed to weasel me out of .25 for dessert as well. Pig.


-- Post From My iPhone

First face painting

She wanted hair like Agnes on Despicable Me - she's soo excited to have bangs again!

Bike ridin'

Addison made an awesome plate for me!! <3

Me at 4 and Addison at 4

Close-up of the cutest astronaut EVER!!

Cutest astronaut EVER!!

Watching tv with a friend

My QR code...huh? What's that?

That's it. That's my QR code. Everyone should have one, right? It's the newest greatest thing and everyone knows I must have that. One day all business cards will be is a collection of blocks and dots. You'll have a reader that will automatically install it into your contacts or whatever. My QR code brings you right to my blog. I don't really understand the purpose of it other than being like a little treasure hunt, but that takes a lot of time - especially if you don't have a good signal on your phone. Then what's the point? I think mine looks kind of cool though, don't you? It's digitally artsy. :D

I read that Japan has them everywhere. It's a new marketing strategy that is supposed to be a link between print ads and online marketing. Interesting concept, just not sure how this will catch on. In case you were wondering, QR stands for Quick Response. You also need a Smart Phone with a reader to use them. I have a very smart phone, so of course I had to try it out. Currently, I've seen them a lot in magazines, and on sides of restaurants or businesses. It's been speculated that we'll be seeing more of those little QR codes popping up...so for all my readers (1000's, I'm sure) now you'll be in the know.

You're welcome. :)

The Hash Brown

Occasionally, as a special treat, I will go through McDonald’s to get a hash brown for Addison before school. At first, she thought she didn’t like them. When she asked me what it was I told her it was like chopped up French fries smooshed together and it was love from then on. It takes her about the whole ride to school to eat it and it starts the day off nice. A week or so ago, we made the trip. After eating about 9/10ths of the hash brown she decided that she really wanted to share it with her teacher, Ms. Beth. So for several miles she saved all of about a pinch of her hash brown. I tried to convince her that I was certain that Ms. Beth would appreciate the thought, but that she would totally understand if Addison ate that last little bit. But no, she wanted to share. I even told her that Ms. Beth would probably prefer her own hash brown and that perhaps she didn’t want to share. Finally, just as we’re creeping up the last curve in the road before school, that little pinch disappeared. Addison gave in and ate what was left. She quickly forgot about her desire to share. That is, until she remembered this week. Several days we passed by McDonald’s and Addison insisted that we should take her teacher a hash brown. Finally, we settled on asking Ms. Beth if she even liked hash browns and could we bring her one. I wasn’t sure what the rules were for teachers eating food their students brought. So yesterday Addison finally remembered to ask Ms. Beth if she liked hash browns. To her delight, the teacher said she did. We were on a mission today to get one. Of course the line at McDonald’s was the longest I’ve seen in a long time, but the glee from my daughter was worth the wait. We ordered 2 hash browns. One to eat and one to share. By the time we got to school, Addison had devoured hers. Just as we were getting out of the car, I gave her the extra hash brown for Ms. Beth. She carefully carried it into the building and we made a beeline for her classroom. She took it right over to Ms. Beth who seemed genuinely surprised and gave Addison a hug. (Where was my hug? I’m the one who forked out the money! Lol!) That made Addison’s day. Another good start to the morning. Thanks McDonald’s.

And yes, America…I give my daughter the greasy hash brown that can turn a paper bag clear with the grease that drips off of it. That’s my right and I take responsibility for it. She loves it, and I’m smart enough to know not to give her a dozen of them for breakfast. Nor do I take her to McDonald’s for every meal…but if I did, my right and my responsibility. Get off yer damn high horse and quit telling me what’s best for my kid. Another discussion for another day.
Look at all that bubbly goodness:

Happy Easter

Look what the Easter bunny brought!

Too OLD

It drives me nuts when people use age as an excuse to not know something or try something. I hear it so many times – especially at work. This is particularly disconcerting because you have to know stuff to be able to do your job. Mostly I hear this excuse in relation to technology. It’s lame. It’s lame that you haven’t taken the time to learn how to use the computer when you have to use it nearly every day. If you don’t know how to use the computer – take a class! I did! I wasn’t born knowing technology. In fact, I’d say growing up I was rather sheltered from technology. I mean, it was the 80’s mostly and there wasn’t a whole lot of stuff that we have today like cell phones and computers and such. I do remember our Commodore 64, but what the hell does that do?! I took typing in high school just like everyone else. I learned on a typewriter. And I wasn’t very good either. We did have computers, but we had a computer lab with like, 10 computers – MAX. It wasn’t even something that we spent a whole lot of time on. It wasn’t really until the mid-90’s that everything seemed to boom. Everyone seemed to either have a beeper or cell phone (if you had money) and computers were starting to pop up in everyone’s homes. The internet was starting to really establish itself for general public use. I didn’t “grow up” with these things. I learned to use them the same time everyone else did. I learned, first by trial and error, then took some classes in college. Despite already knowing a lot about Microsoft programs, I learned a lot in these classes. So, just because you’re 90 doesn’t mean you can’t learn too. They have free classes at the library! They even have them as basic as learning how to use a mouse. Get out there and learn what you should already know.

I wonder sometimes if people see me as unwilling to help simply because I’d rather teach you how to do it yourself so you can be self-sufficient…but I guess that’s how I’d like to be treated. Some people just want things done for them. Granted, there are times when I just want something done and don’t want a learning moment, but for the most part, if it’s something I might be doing often, I’d rather learn how to do it myself than to continually ask someone else to do it for me. I think I’m pretty good at recognizing those moments and don’t push lessons on people and would appreciate the same. Maybe I’m in the wrong line of work then. I mean I guess the Assistant is supposed to “assist”, but I feel like there are things people need to learn to do on their own.

I’ve become known around work as the “techie”. I do have a lot of gadgets, so I guess I know a lot. I learn by doing, so when I get a gadget I play. That’s how I learn. I don’t think I have a pre-disposition to know ing technology, I think it’s just that I know enough to not make it explode. I can fix phones, computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, shredders, projectors – you name it. At least that’s what people think. What they don’t know is that I don’t know anything either and I’m usually not doing anything that they couldn’t figure out themselves. Maybe I just have more patience.

I can’t think of anything that a person would be “too old” to do. I have reached that milestone where it’s no longer socially acceptable to wear a mini-skirt, so perhaps I am too old for that…but really it’s a personal choice and I think it’s because people’s knees start looking funny after 35 and nobody wants to see funny knees. Perhaps I’m too old to start taking drugs, but I think that’s because it would interfere with my heartburn, cholesterol, thyroid, high blood pressure and diabetes medications. I mean, nobody wants to suffer through heartburn. Again, personal choice. I watched a show a few weeks ago about people over 90 and all the awesome things they are accomplishing. One guy was a multi-medal winner in the Senior Olympics. He even does pole vaulting. I’ve NEVER been able to do pole vaulting. The long jump - I’m just scared my knees would end up coming out the top of my head from the impact. I’m convinced my bones will turn to dust if I jar them too much. Music is another thing. Is there an unspoken rule that once you turn a certain age you can only like or listen to certain kinds of music? Is there an age limit – so once I turn 36 I can’t like music from anyone younger than me? Yikes. That sounds terribly boring and I’d miss a lot of good stuff.

All that being said, age should never be used as an excuse to NOT do something – so get out and DO something! You CAN teach an old dog new tricks. (Disclaimer: I would not recommend pole vaulting unless you have consulted with a doctor first. I will also not be held responsible for any injuries you may sustain while trying something new. You are old – not my fault.)

Paper dolls

Mo' money

Addison got $5 from her great-great aunt and $1.50 from an Easter Egg hunt. She was more excited about getting the quarters at the hunt than the massive amounts of candy she got. So, when we went to Meijer she had gathered her money in preparation of buying a new toy - her very favorite thing. So after much deliberation, she settled on a Strawberry Shortcake set with lots of tiny parts. When we got up to the register, I made her pay for her purchase separately so she could pay with her own money. She handed over her $5 and 5 of her quarters. She got one of her quarters back and a bunch of other change. He delightedly exclaimed "I got MORE money! More than I had!". Then started chanting "money, money, money". Looks like I have a little more teaching to do about money.


-- Post From My iPhone

Puddle jumping

Why TV is good for kids.

I will admit we are a tv-watching family. At times, I get a little irritated with the tv on so much...we watch a LOT of it. I see articles about how bad television is for kids. It fries their brain, ruins concentration, leads to ADD, etc, etc. To a certain degree I think some of this is true. Addison will not pay attention to what you're saying most of the time when she's staring at the screen. She concentrates much better with it off as well. I'm not dumb. I know these things. BUT, we do monitor what she sees. I carefully pick shows to DVR which I think will be about something she needs to learn about. For instance, PBS has great shows for kids and so does Disney Junior. They all teach something. WordWorld teaches words and spelling. All the characters are made of letters and they put letters together to create objects. Another show she watches on PBS is Arthur. This is one of my favorites. It mostly teaches everyday experiences and interpersonal relationships. Arthur is a smart kid and a good role model. SuperWhy is another word show. The characters go into books and read stories. It's also about problem solving and choosing words. Lots of letter identification goes on. Special Agent Oso teaches us how to do things like tie our shoes and water the plants-all in 3 special steps. Handy Manny shows introduces self-sufficiency by problem-solving and fixing things. A new show we've gotten into is The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That which is how I know my kid is actually learning from tv. A few days ago Addison and I had a lengthy discussion about flowers and bees and pollination which I would not have had if not for this show. She knew that bees made honey from drinking nectar and that they stick their tongues waaay out to drink it up. We talked about how pretty dandelions were but that they were a weed and the reason they were so pretty was to attract the bees so their pollen would spread. She also knew that rain was for the plants to grow. My kid is a genius because of tv. Granted, she's probably learning a lot in preschool :), but they are both mirroring each other and it gives me an opportunity to have discussions with my kid and I know she's getting pretty accurate information. Disney Junior is taking a different approach with programming and encouraging exercise and healthy eating. They have exercise and dancing bits between some of the shows and cooking skits. Many of the role models introduce healthy and international foods that kids may not otherwise be exposed to. It's a new day and while I appreciate the opportunity and see huge benefits to Addison getting out and playing, there is also much to be said about the benefits of tv as well. These times do not allow for kids to just "go outside and play" unless you have a secured backyard and even then you have to have a watchful eye. Television has been both a bonding experience (in our discussions about shows) and a refuge (when I need to get some work around the house) because I can't send my kid out to play without supervising her. That's okay. We still make time for the park and other projects without the tv. The community resources don't offer much for working parents and their children after work and school, so we have to make up our own fun. Once summer arrives we'll spend more time outdoors and less cooped up inside. It's all good.

Abu the stowaway

This morning I was putting Addison's boots on for school while she was watching tv. She was very engrossed in the show so she was only halfway paying attention to me. I tried putting her boot on and she casually kicked it off with her other foot. I tried again and the same thing happened. Not really like her, so I attempt a third time and I see her other foot inching over to kick the boot off again, so I asked her "What's the matter with your shoe?". She casually said, "It doesn't feel right." and continued watching her show. Lo and behold, I look inside and there is Abu (the monkey) staring up at me being a stowaway. Well, no wonder it didn't feel right. If she would have just told me in the first place I wouldn't have tried to shove a monkey-filled shoe on her foot.


-- Post From My iPhone

Columbus Zoo trip

Digital scrapbook customized with Smilebox

The girl who escaped

So as to protect the innocent, I will tell a "story" about a girl who escaped.

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Addysen. She was in a tumbling class. In this class was a crazy girl. We'll call her Tabitha since I don't really know her name. Well, Tabitha came to class one week and actually got kicked out because the coach could not handle her running from one end of the gym to the other without compromising the lessons for the other kids. All the parents were thinking "boy, I'm glad that's not my kid." Well, Tabitha went home that day, but came back again to the tumbling class. She was eager to begin. So eager, in fact, she was unable to restrain herself and started running around the gym again. Tabitha's mom was no where around to see her. She ran and ran and ran. She jumped on the gym equipment with no supervision. The parents sat and watched wondering if she was going to hurt herself. Still, her mother wasn't around. After awhile, Tabitha decided she needed to use the bathroom. She ran to the door and pulled and pulled, but it was too heavy to open. Since her mother was still no where to be seen, another mom opened the door to let her out to go potty. Tabitha made a mad dash like letting the lion out of the cage to freedom. The mom that let her out didn't know what to do. Tabitha wasn't going to the bathroom. In fact, she left the room altogether. The mom sat down, hoping for the best until her guilt overcame her. The mom had to go look for the crazy escaped girl. She looked down the hall and didn't see the little girl. She went down another hall to the lobby and lo and behold - Tabitha and her mother had been reunited. Relief came to the mom who had let Tabitha out, but Tabitha's mom did not look happy. She was wondering why her daughter was not in class with the other kids. The mom who let her out decided to go back and let them resolve the problem...wondering if maybe Tabitha's mom was mad that Tabitha was running around unsupervised - someone had let her out of the cage. The mom who let her out went back to the room to watch her own daughter in the tumbling room. Shortly after, Tabitha's mom brought her back to class and put her back in the cage. This time she watched. Tabitha started playing on the equipment like she was supposed to, but she was so excited again she began to misbehave and run all around. Tabitha's mom had a frown on her face. She finally went in the cage to catch Tabitha. Shortly after that, Tabitha and her mom left. Tabitha's mom still wasn't happy, but the mom who let her out was relieved. Will they be back next week? We'll see. The End.

American Idol Season 10!

It's that time again! I loves me some AI. I'm not hating the new judges either. I haven't heard much opposition from my fellow fans either. Stephen Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are brilliant additions. So vastly different from each other, but it makes sense. Why didn't we do this sooner?

Clint sings "Superstitious". He's good. I think he'll make it to top 12.

Jovany. "I'll be" He's got some nice guns, and not bad to look at which is good because his performance did NOT blow me away. He may be going home just based on that, but his look might get him through. Stephen Tyler and JLo have not yet experienced the "listen back" where everything live sounds soooo much worse.

Jordan. No idea what song he was singing. I don't like him just because he's cocky. And WTH is everyone going so crazy over? He ain't all that. And the song sucked. Too bad somebody MADE him sing it. If It's not your style why would you pick a bad song for yourself in this stage of the game?

Tim - good thing he had background singers cause that mostly sucked. I don't know this song either. Meh, he's not a favorite. He could be on the chopping block. His face reminds me of David Archuleta.

Brett - "Baby light my fire" Waaaay too low for him at the beginning. He pulled it out though. He has a Phil Collins kind of sound. I like him because he's quirky but cute. He's good.

James - "You Got Another Thing Coming" I want to like him. I do. I have a hard time not comparing him to Adam Lambert. They have the same sound, but Adam is a performer and a showman. James is not so much. They are different. It's going to be hard not to compare.

Robbie - "Angel" - wow, that was S-L-O-W. And a little all over the place. I've never heard a boy singing Sarah McLachlan either. I don't think it was the worst. I want to see how they change his look though, so he can stick around a little while longer.

Scotty - he is a remarkable singer. It's kind of nice to have a county singer on too. He's got a great voice. That's all I can say.

Stefano - "Just the Way You Are" he's not a stand out for me yet, but he's got potential. He'll stick around for awhile too.

Paul - "Maggie" I like Paul. He's different. Of course he'd sing Rod Stewart...it's perfect. But I wonder if it wasn't a mistake because he sounds a little too much like him. He is certainly unique from the other contestants which makes me like him a little more. Sounds like Rod, looks a little like Kenny Loggins. I like him.

Jacob - what can I say about Jacob? I can't. It's not nice. No. Please. I can't take him for - - how many more weeks? Put him on Broadway. That's where he belongs...but no. Not here. Please?!?

Casey - "I Put a Spell on You" I like him too. He has such range and he doesn't look like he would, but he's a favorite of mine and it's going to be fun to watch him. He's got the chops. Best by far of the night. He's the American Idol that embodies the talent that we look for, not the looks which is what the competition is about. I love him!!

-- Post From My iPhone

The mystery of the socks

For months now, Addison has been leaving things outside her bedroom door after she's laid down for bed. Kind of an oddity and we had no idea why she was doing it. One afternoon I found several stuffed animals after she was "supposedly" laying down for a nap. Usually it's been socks at bedtime. So last night it happened again. We went through our bedtime routine of potty, brushing teeth, and story. I had gone about my business afterward and happened to pass by her door awhile after she had gone to bed. There were two pink polka dot socks laying just outside her door. I asked Greg if he had seen them when he left her room earlier and he said no. So she had gotten out of bed to put her socks out. Kind of like a reverse St. Nick's night. Tonight, after reading her story to her Greg came in to tell her good night and our mystery was solved when she told us exactly why she was putting her socks out. One thing you should know about Addison is that she does not like to sleep with socks on. So that was part of the mystery. If I don't remove them before leaving her, it's almost a sure thing that I will be summoned to return in about 10 minutes to remove them. Anyway, she told us tonight that she had taken her socks off last night and put them out of her room because they were stinky and she didn't want to have to smell them while she was trying to sleep. Huh. I guess that makes sense. She's a smart kid. That doesn't explain why the animals were out at naptime, but she did tell me then that they were making too much noise and bouncing around on the bed. I guess they didn't understand about quiet time. That's the trouble with animals stuffed with fluff.


-- Post From My iPhone

Facing $10,000

Well, a little more than that actually…but how does one walk away from $10,000. I’ve been wondering that myself for a few days. But as someone who did it, I can tell you. Mind you, if someone was going to give me $10,000 no strings attached, I could do whatever I wanted with it, I think I could do some good and get some killer lipgloss to boot.  That’s probably the harder decision. What to do with that money. But what to do without it? Go on. Move forward. That’s what I’ve been doing. After turning away from it, it doesn’t consume nearly every thought anymore. It’s a memory. Every now and then I think about it now and for a brief nano-second wonder why I did it…then I remember. “Oh yeah. Right…my sanity.” That’s important. More important than $10,000.

I was faced with a decision. Some think it should have been an easy decision. Some may think it would be a hard decision. I found it difficult. Once I came to my decision though, after many discussions in my mind, it all made sense. It could be no other way. Then I felt released.

The decision was about a job. I have a job. I have a lovely job that I searched 2 ½ years ago for. I almost took a job that would have killed me. Maybe the people would have made it okay, but I doubt it. The distance was a challenge and the job – not ideal for me. Then, within days of my considering accepting the offer, I got another call-back. And it was for a different job that I applied for and that I could enjoy! Something I’m good at. Something I can use my own expertise in doing and it was much closer! Bonus since I’ve got a little tot to consider. I was giddy with excitement. This wasn’t going to be so scary. I worked at the same place for more than 12 years. I liked what I did, but the environment wasn’t becoming ideal anymore. I was dragging to work and was crabby. I was unsatisfied and dreaded the next day as much as the last. Not an easy decision to make to start searching for something else and I was naïve about how hard the search was going to be. After casually sending out resumes for ideal jobs for awhile and not getting any calls, I finally got to the point where I was desperate for something to take me away. That’s how I almost took the job I would have hated. It was going to move me backward instead of forward, but I would have taken it. Luckily, that didn’t happen. The perfect job fell right in my lap. It was hard to leave all the people I had worked so long with. They were friends. I’d lived with them a long time…but they were happy for me. After I left, they fell on challenging times themselves and were unable to hire a replacement for me. But my new job, it was better than I expected and I had no regrets.

Fast forward 2 ½ years later…my old job got the money finally to replace me and my old boss was trying to woo me back. Things have changed a bit there in the last few years. Mostly the new CEO with new plans. It was sounding much like the old place before it was poisoned by the previous CEO. Even old co-workers were saying how good things were getting. So, in comes my old boss. She’s offering about $7500 more than what I’m making. She says things are better. Things are looking up. It’s all sunshine and rainbows now. And for a moment, it all sounded good. But, I keep going back to the fact that I wasn’t looking for anything. Things are tough where I am, but not because of the people. It’s the economy. Nothing we’re doing wrong, it’s funding issues. It’s the government and how social service agencies are becoming the dinosaurs that are dying. But, the people make it great. The work makes it great. Even my job has changed. I love what I’m doing. I love who I work with. Leadership is awesome. Why would I leave that? Was $7500 enough to make it worth it? That’s a lot of money to walk away from. I can catch up on things a little easier with that. Bills could maybe get paid off…maybe we wouldn’t be living paycheck to paycheck much longer. But, no. I have it good where I am. I was fortunate to be given this opportunity. Where I came from is chaotic and unpredictable daily. I liked the clients and my co-workers and yes, things sound great and wonderful…but it’s not for me. The job is still the same, the boss is still the same, the problems would still be the same. I have nothing more to learn there. I went as far as I could. So, I said “thanks, but no thanks”. She counter-offers making it $10,000 and I knew in that moment that I had made the right decision. I think I have much to learn from where I am. Being happy and satisfied is worth me giving up $10,000. I don’t know what my future is going to be…I wish I had that talent, but for now – it’s all good. I think we’re destined for great things and I’m ready and willing to ride the ride to get there. My boss is innovative and forward-thinking. If anyone can do it, I believe she can. If it leads me down a different path in the future, so be it, but for right now, I’m where I’m supposed to be.

Addison's Album

Make a scrapbook

Blankie time

We made this video for my boss' birthday. She's so stinkin cute!

Doctor Addison checking her beeper.

Resolutions

Overall I think resolutions are silly.  Typically, one announces what their resolution will be for the “New Year”.   To me, this implies that if you fail, you don’t have to commit again until the New Year comes around again.  When watching the New Year’s Eve celebrations on tv, the common theme was asking random people in the crowd what their New Year’s resolutions were going to be.  I was surprised and a little alarmed that there were multiple people who said their resolution was “to be nicer”.  What?!  Shouldn’t that be like a value?  How can you resolve to be nicer?  Just do it.  How do you “intend” to be nicer?  And why are so many people out there mean?  So, if by February 1^st you haven’t been nicer you don’t have to try anymore until January 1^st again.  Seems silly.  What other things do people resolve to do every year?  Exercise, eat healthier, drink less alcohol, do less drugs?  Why don’t we all just resolve today to be the best we can be.  Failure is acceptable.  We are a human race.  When we fail, try again.  Being better people doesn’t seem like something you can truly fail at unless you intentionally do so, or maybe you have a mental illness.  Generally, we may stray from time to time, but ultimately we get back on our path and continue our way through life.  So, let’s all just be good to one another.  What do you say?  If you’re mean today, just have a go at it again tomorrow...and the day after that.  So,  don't drink too much, don't do drugs, and BE NICE!

Why I like gift cards...

So getting a gift card for someone seems impersonal.  It doesn’t require much effort on the buyers part which doesn’t give you the satisfaction of knowing that you spent time thinking of the person you’re buying for.  HOWEVER, my thoughts about being on the receiving end of a gift card are quite the contrary.  Not that I don’t appreciate a hand-picked gift, but a gift card has infinite possibilities.  Getting a gift card starts my mind reeling about all the things I COULD buy that I wouldn’t normally buy for myself.  For instance, last year I received a Target gift card.  I could have used it to buy necessities like shampoo or detergent or whatever.  Instead, I said “No, this is a gift just for me and I can get whatever frivolous thing I want.”  I ended up getting an electric water kettle and a popcorn popper like we had when I was a kid.  It was all for me!  And no guilt for spending money I didn’t really have on myself.  That’s the best part.  Food cards are nice too because it’s like a special treat whenever I want.  If I’m low on cash one day, but really don’t want to eat at home again, I can whip out my gift card!  It’s a free meal!  Right now, I’ve got a Sephora card and an Occasionally Yours gift card burning a hole in my pocket.  I can use some of it now and some of it later if I want.  It’s a gift that keeps on giving.  I can use it all year long.  Plus, (not that I would ever do this) it’s not inappropriate to re-gift a gift card.  It’s just money passing hands, really.  I sincerely use up my gift cards, but if you have one you don’t want, feel free to pass it along my way.  I’ll find some use for it.  I do remember when someone gives me a gift card and think of them when making my purchase...though I may not remember what occasion it was for, but that doesn't make any difference to me.   Last year either for Admin. Professionals Day or for my birthday, my team gave me gift certificates to Milano's - one of my favorite food places.  I used those certificates many times.  I was even able to pay for a friend's lunch that wouldn't have been able to pay herself.  So I even "payed it forward".  My good deed thanks to your good deed.  Win-win for everyone.

What's in a name?

Addison is in her trying-out-names phase. Both for herself and for us. Lately, she’s been calling Greg and I “brother” and “sister”. It feels a bit like I’m walking around in a convent or something. And it’s usually just “Brother, can you zip my dress?” or “Sister, can I have a snack?”. Very strange. Yesterday she was telling me that daddy was her brother and I was her sister, so just to see what she would do I said, “Are you my brother then?”. She looked at me like I was the dumbest person in the world and basically chastised me for being so ridiculous. I got a lecture on how only girls can be sisters and only boys can be brothers. DUH! As for herself, she will announce on her way to daycare that she is no longer “Addison”. A few times she has tried on the name Kathleen. Sometimes she makes up a name that sounds kind of German or Russian…lots of hard consonants. I could never repeat it because I can barely understand it. Forget about spelling it. I’m sure it’s short of vowels. Sometimes she will have a secret name that no one can know. This makes it very hard to ask her to do anything because I never know her secret name. It’s a secret after all. Once or twice she has called us by our proper names. It’s very weird to be called my name by a small child, especially when it’s your own. I understand when people will introduce adults to children as Ms. FirstName or Mr. FirstName. I would hate to be called Mrs. Linard. Nobody calls me that. Calling me by my first name is just a little too casual for a child though. Kind of funny when it’s my kid. She’s so serious when she does it. I swear something possesses her from time to time.




Names are a strange thing. There is so much meaning behind a name and how you address someone, but it’s really just a name, right? Why is it so complicated? There are rules about addressing letters and envelopes. Other rules about addressing people in authority positions. Rules about how you address people you know well and don’t know well. And it’s so easy to offend if you choose the wrong one. Wouldn’t it just be easier if we called each other by our given names? Who decided we needed to add a Mr. or Mrs., or Doctor or Judge? We live in a weird world.

The new daycare

We switched Addison to a new daycare mostly because of issues we were having with the old one and Addison’s general unhappiness there. She cried and clung to me when I dropped her off and seemed glad to be going home most of the time. It was a battle every morning. We took a break over the summer, and perhaps she matured over the couple of months she was home, but I’d like to think it has more to do with her just being more stimulated and nurtured at her new “school”. She calls the old one the “Black Daycare” because they made all the kids wear all black pants and shirts. She’s excited to go into her classroom and talk to Ms. Beth. I only had an issue where I had to drop her off early and she had to have breakfast in the cafeteria and she had a fit about that for like, a second…and we had an incident last week where another student in her classroom got mad and pushed Addison which resulted in her face-planting into a chair. No injury other than a red mark which lasted the day and some hurt feelings, but I felt like they handled it appropriately and I was just relieved that a) it wasn’t her that was doing the pushing and b) they actually told me about it and wrote up an incident report. The other girl got a time-out from the group and her mom was going to get told. Ooooh! So glad it wasn’t me. Addison relayed the story to us several times and said how next time maybe she and the girl could put the doll away together so the other girl wouldn’t get mad. Who is this kid of mine? Anyway, her teacher is awesome and they encourage family to come to read to the kids, do projects, bring snacks or have lunch. I’m very excited to see her progress this year. She’s starting dance at the school on Fridays and if they attend consistently they’ll be in the Spring Program in May! How exciting!

P.S.  Greg reminds me that she also called her old daycare the "Bad Daycare" because they yelled at her.  You know, now that I think back on this, it really makes me mad because I thought she was being a bad kid...when in reality she may have just been getting yelled at for nothing...and really, no one needs to be yelling at my kid but me.  Especially someone who is supposed to be mentoring young children.  Thanks Greg. 

Costa Rica - Day 7

We're heading home today.  We got up at 4am to get the rest of our things together and grab our 5am taxi.  When we went to the front desk to turn in our room key, there was a hotel shuttle waiting.  The driver asked us if we needed a ride to the airport and we said yes.  He had 2 other guys he was taking and offered to drive us.  I told the guy at the front desk and asked him to cancel our taxi.  Didn't make sense to have to take 2 vehicles to the same place when there was clearly plenty of room.  The hotel guy got mad at the driver and basically told him not to do it again.  This didn't make much sense for many reasons.  The main reason was that the day before when we ordered the taxi, we were told that the shuttles don't run until after 6am.  Another reason was the hotel guy told me that the shuttle had been ordered.  So why did they order it for those two guys and not us too?
Anyway, we made it to the airport and just as we're walking away, the guy stops Greg and says the hotel doesn't pay for the transport.  So, Greg hands him a $20 and asks for change and the guy gives him $2 back.  Sheesh.  Taking a taxi would have been cheaper for sure!  We walk into the airport and have to pay our $26 tax to leave the country.  You have to do this before you can even get your plane tickets.  We wait in a relatively long line to get to the Delta counter.  Lucky us, we're picked for a random security check for our luggage.  Lucky again, they pick the worst bag to go through because it had all the rest of our food and was the most unorganized of all 3.  Apparently it met standards because they let us go through.  Then we stand in another security line where we have to go through the metal detectors.  We make our way to our gate and wait.  The Delta check in desk closes an hour before boarding and we weren't sure why until we saw all the same people show up to do boarding and perform another security check.  We had to have all our carry on bags checked, then went outside to be patted down, then got on a bus to get to our plane on the runway.  (It's a very small airport)  Finally we were up in the air heading to Atlanta.  We made it on time.  We then had to go through International check-in, pick up our bags and take them about 100 feet to drop them off again, go through customs and all that jazz, then we made it to our gate.
Off in the air again heading to Dayton and it was the bumpiest ride I've been on in a long while.  They had to stop drink and snack service because we were practically flying out of our seats.  They resumed service 20 minutes before we landed.  Finally we were home.  I'm glad to be home, but miss being on vacation and being in Costa Rica.  It was an awesome trip.

Slideshow of Costa Rica

Personalize a slideshow

Costa Rica - Day 6

Sad day. It was our last day at the most gorgeous place on earth. No more chirpy geckos, no more howling howler monkeys, no more ocean view, no more sloth eating his mid-morning snack in a tree near the spectacular pool. We head back to San Jose today. Greg, Addison and I will be heading home early tomorrow morning.
After our last meal from Stefan (banana pancakes and fruit), we had our last ride with Juan. Juan was our driver, mangrove tour guide, and waiter at one point. He was amazing. He passed us on to another driver who took us some wacky way back to San Jose but got us there in plenty of time for mom & dad's tour of the city. Little did they know the tour of the city that the rest of us would get later.
After we arrived at Country Inn & Suites, Greg arranged through the concierge for a driver. Rather than a taxi, the Hotel contracts with a company that will drive you wherever you want to go for free. Can't beat free, right? Well. Maybe you can. The deal is two stops for free then you have to start paying. We loaded up in the van and headed for our destination. Or so we thought. Pablo, our driver who claimed he didn't speak very good English took us on a mini tour around the city. He showed us their Central Park and some other highlights of the city. He told us what to watch out for and seemed generally helpful. Then the fun began. We drive though some back streets and end up on some very shady looking, not heavily trafficked streets. He points out his parents house and says he lives right next door. Ok. This is getting weird. He said he knew of a place that he was taking us to - he's sure we'd be interested and not to tell ANYone because he could lose his job. This place, he says, has no signs an looks like a house from the front but inside is worth it. "Oh, God. This is where we make headlines" I thought. Sure enough, we pull in front if a double-gated white house and we get out of the car. A too-beautiful girl greets us at the gate and we walk into the house. If I wasn't nervous before, I'm certainly nervous now. We walk into a gallery of jewelry and. knock-off paintings. Two girls in this tiny house waiting to pounce at the slightest bit of interest. He explains to us how gold is made, then we have to watch a video. My skin is crawling and I want nothing more than to leave right now. I even considered just walking out the front door to wait outside, but I couldn't trust what was out there any more. They offer us free drinks - which thankfully no one took him up on and any slight interest in anything they were practically dressing us with it. I disappeared to the patio out back with AJ, Addison and Molly until everyone was ready to go. Then I made a beeline straight for the van.
Our next and final destination was the city. On the way Pablo takes us down a street where some guys were just walking up to cars begging for money. He says they are druggies and not to get mixed up with them. As soon as the sun goes down, they apparently get volatile and start using weapons. Ah, nice. Can't wait to get of this street. He drives us down a few streets instructing us to stay on this street and not go down this other street because of robbers and such. He apparently told Molly and Laura that they could leave their cameras and jewelry in the van if they liked but he had other people to pick up. Huh? Plus he had already pointed out the taxis to us indicating that we'd need them to get back. The whole thing was bizarre. Nobody ended up leaving their things, we took a very short walk through the city and found pretty much nothing but shoe stores everywhere. Greg and I got a taxi back to the hotel and thought Laura, Jim, Molly and AJ would be right behind us, but apparently they didn't get a taxi as easily as we did. Eventually we met up again and went to the cheesy souvenir shop we were looking for - only we walked there...and back. We got everything we needed, ate, showered, and packed. We're ready for our early morning flight and I pray for no troubles.
It's been a crazy day. We're almost glad to be going home mostly because we can't wait to get out of San Jose. Yucky! We're certainly not in Kansas anymore.
It's been a wonderful experience that I can't imagine ever doing this on our own. It was great to spend time with family and I had a blast. An experience of a lifetime that I'll never forget. Thanks to Brian & Kathleen for planning everything and making us feel like royalty and thanks to mom & dad for making it all happen.


-- Post From My iPhone

Costa Rica - Day 5

Today we awoke to the sounds of howler monkeys practically right outside our room. They are quite loud and ominous sounding. 5 am is when they get up in case you were wondering. They really should institute daylight savings time here. The sun comes up around 5 and sets around 6, so while you try to adjust to the time difference, you really can't because the sun is telling you otherwise. The geckos in our room making their silly kissy sounds are the sounds you hear before bed and when you awaken. This sounds like it would be a comforting noise - being kissed at, but if they are loud enough to hear then they are somewhere close. Like in your room, and I didn't find that very comforting.
Anyway our morning started with delicious French toast and fresh fruit...to be revisited later. We were leaving mid-morning for a boat tour near Manuel Antonio park. There was a lovely lady waiting for us when we arrived. She offered everyone motion-sickness pills (maybe that's why I call her lovely) and on a precautionary move accepted her offer. I thought "oh, I shouldn't need it, but just in case...cause it would suck to be sick on a boat". Our hosts greeted us cheerfully and immediately offered us drinks. Ah, another good idea. Perhaps if I load up on alcoholic beverages, I certainly won't get sick. I start off with a Piña Colada. I didn't get much further than that. I declined the next round and wondered if I was actually feeling queezy or if my mind was trying to psych me into thinking I might be sick. I'd soon find out because as everyone went to one side of the boat to watch mating turtles, I ran to the other side and rid my stomach of the yummy breakfast I had. Oh joy. To top it off, I think the driver was laughing at me. I don't speak a lick of Spanish, but even I could tell he was chuckling and telling the other guys. Mr. Drink-maker immediately came over and offered some Ginger ale and the other guy instructed me that if I laid down I wouldn't feel so bad. After I did, he gently rubbed a cold washcloth over my forehead. Such a simple gesture and yet it was such a comfort. Poor little Addison said her belly hurt too, though I couldn't really tell if she was having sympathy symptoms. She laid next to me with her head on my arm and she fell asleep while I dosed in and out of consciousness. We missed a lot of the boat tour, but honestly I didn't care by that point. We woke up when they anchored the boat for swimming and snorkeling. Everyone got in the salty water. Surprisingly bouyant! I mean it takes very little effort to stay afloat.
I felt better, but certainly not well enough for the fish and shrimp they prepared. I could hardly handle the smell.
After everyone finished eating, the boat guys wanted to try to sail. I've never been so glad for no wind. Since the sail couldn't catch any wind we boated back to the dock.
Thank God for dry land. We came back to the house and I tried to nap off the effects of the Dramamine, but woke up fuzzy and still with my sea legs, so everything STILL is in motion. I'm afraid I'll have boat rocking nightmares tonight.
It's our last night in the house. We head for San Jose in the morning.





















-- Post From My iPhone

Costa Rica - Day 4

We decided to stay at the house instead of going ziplining today. As much as I think I might have liked ziplining, we've learned over the years that (especially with a little kid) we need some down time with no expectations and total relaxation. It was quite rainy so we started with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit that I made. I thought I nearly ruined the pan because: a) French chef, I am not... And b) I don't think I've ever used a gas stove let alone one that is clearly designed for a professional, which clearly I am not. We saved the pan however and the eggs were good anyway. After breakfast, we went to the cinema room and watched a movie - or most of one. Very cool and Addison loved being able to go right up to the wall where the movie was being projected and followed the lines of animation with her fingers and touched Ariel and danced with her shadows. We continued our morning pretending the house was ours by just wandering room to room and chilling wherever we wanted. The cleaning people were there so we tried to stay out of their way as much as possible.
I did take a video tour of the entire house which is quite challenging when you're trying to avoid the staff. I actually didn't get the main level done until everyone arrived back at the house. Then the skies cleared and everyone was in the pool at once. For lunch, Stefan made a delicious salad with chicken, corn, black beans, cilantro, an assorted other brightly colored and finely chopped vegetables. I really need to start incorporated black beans into more of my foods. At dinner he prepared the fish that the deep-sea fishermen (Molly, Jim, Brian and dad) caught. I believe it was mahi-mahi.
Although we didn't have the fun ziplining stories that everyone else had, we had our own private bliss in a house way never get to experience again. For a few hours, we owned that house and no one else will have that experience.


-- Post From My iPhone

Costa Rica - Day 3

Day 3, we woke up early to get ready for our trips. Dad, Brian, Molly and Jim were going on a deep sea fishing excursion. Mom, Laura, Kathleen, AJ, and the three of us were going on a boat trip through a mangrove forest. It was quite leasurely and we saw a snake right off the bat. A little while later we saw white faced monkeys that came right up to the boat looking for food. One even got on the roof of the boat and looked each one of us in the eyes to see if we might have a scrap of food to give him. They are quite cute and expressive (until they bare sharp teeth). We saw some birds and the smallest anteater species sleeping in a tree. Finally we came back to our starting spot and I got some pictures of a lizard before we left.
Next we ate lunch at a little roadside stop that had awesome smoothie kind of drinks. Addison got a banana one which she devoured.
After that we came back to Casa Fantastica. Kathleen drove Greg and I into town with her so we could check into a couple souvenir shops. While on the way back we saw a sloth hanging off of a telephone wire. It was very cool to watch him slowly scratch his head and look around at a pace so incredibly slow. We then came back, enjoyed the pool and had a lovely dinner and went to bed at a relatively normal hour. Although, Greg did jump at a certain point thinking something had joined us in bed. I made him turn the light on to check and instructed him never to do that again.

-- Post From My iPhone

Costa Rica - Day 2

We had a delicious breakfast of French Toast casserole, fresh fruit and local chicken sausage then our driver came to take us to Manuel Antonio which was about a 4 hour drive. We stopped at a place called Crocodile Bridge on the way. This is kind of a touristy place which was a long narrow bridge with very narrow walkways on both sides and very fast moving cars and busses. You look over the edge and can see crocodiles hanging out in the murky water or sunning themselves along the river's edge. Kinda creepy with all the crocodiles, I think we saw about 7 or 8 of them. Plus it's a little harrowing to try to cross the bridge against traffic adding to the element of danger. We all piled back in the van and were off again to Manuel Antonio.
Next stop was a restaurant called El Avion. Right off the bat we see a spider monkey following along with us up the stairs. Soon, more show up and I think I counted about 6 of them. All looking for a morsel or two. One thing I notice here is that nearly everything (especially eateries) are open space. I haven't eaten anywhere yet that has windows.
El Avion is a restaurant designed with an old C130 that was shot down during the Reagan administration. Something like that anyway. So they've converted it into a restaurant and bar. The meal was pretty inexpensive too and I was a little thrown when the waiter gave me my change back in colones. I got something like 3,500 colones back. I used it for our driver's tip.
Finally we were on our way to the most beautiful place I've ever seen and might ever see. Our new home for the week was Casa Fantastica. It is absolutely amazing. It's like somewhere you'd see celebrities stay. 7 amazingly huge bedrooms each with it's own beautiful bath, a theatre, recreation room, exercise room, huge kitchen (with chef), bar/lounge area, and a gorgeous infinity pool with solar hot tub all overlooking the ocean! Heaven. We ate dinner, swam, and rested.















-- Post From My iPhone

Costa Rica - Day 1

Our flight was at 6am so we had to awaken at some ungodly hour. I think the only other time I had to get up that early was when we delivered papers. My body does not like me at that hour.
We got all our stuff together, fed the child and were on our way. Now, normally I am the one who gets hung up at security check points, but not this time! Yay me! It was finally Greg who loads up his bag with every electronic device invented. This time, it seems it was an issue with the camera, but after a LONG time, it was resolved and we were on our way.
We arrived at the gate very near the end of boarding, so little time to spare and I think my parents thought for a moment they may not see us.
The flight was fine (about an hour?) and we landed in Atlanta safe and sound to catch our next plane c-l-e-a-r across the airport. Why does it always work out that way? The gate was originally in the terminal in which we landed, but they changed it last minute according to Greg and his iPhone app. These things are ridiculously handy.
The next leg took about 4+ hours. It was quite bumpy! I left my seatbelt on for fear of getting knocked out into the aisle! Lucky me got stuck behind a man who immediately reclined his seat and left it that was the entire flight. This makes everything challenging. I got to read my People magazine VERY closely - literally. I made sure to bump inti the seat appropriately so he wouldn't remain too comfortable.
Finally we arrive in Costa Rica. Wow. Now I'm completely in a different country and I can tell. Everything looks different an I can't read anymore.
We get our bags and as we're leaving the airport and there are lots of men pressed up against the window with signs and such. Looked like drivers, but also looked like a place you wouldn't want to get stuck in. We went across the street to the predetermined pick up spot but didn't see our driver. I offered to go look for our driver and dad came with me. Somehow we ended up with like 5 guys pulling our bags. Apparently these guys just wait for tourists and have a smooth way of acting like they are the person you need. One guy even wrote our B&B's name on a paper and came at us acting like our driver. Then you have to tip them all.
Finally we made it to our bed & breakfast Casa Bella Rita. Note: the driving down here is harrowing to say the least. Crazy drivers and no rules! Anyway, the B&b was beautiful! In our room Addison had her own bed in a little nook in the room. It was awesome. Not much longer and the rest of our crew joined us.
The time difference is 2 hours. I think it's the first time (besides being sick) that I went to bed at 7:30!













-- Post From My iPhone

3 restaurant reviews all at once.

I’m so behind on restaurant reviews! I need to catch up.

So, a few weeks ago my mom and I went to Oregon Express. There was a band playing downstairs and it was quite loud, so we decided to go upstairs to the patio because it was much quieter. Normally, on a cooler day I imagine the patio wouldn’t be so bad, but it was warm and it had been raining all day, so the bugs were out in full force. It took quite a while for the waitress to come and acknowledge us and give us menus and all that jazz. It seems they are more used to the seasoned customer who knows where to get things, not newbies like us. We finally got to order and we went with the pepperoni pizza since they claim to have the best pizza in Dayton. Drinks were not filled as often as I would have liked. I can’t even remember if I got a refill at all…granted it’s been about 4 weeks. I just remember very slow service.



The pizza was good. I’m not sure it’s the best in Dayton, but it was good and I would gladly eat it again. It IS pizza afterall. How bad could it be, really? Oregon Express isn’t a place I’d crave to go – though I might crave the pizza and would be likely to get it to-go, but it’s not a place I’d choose to go to sit down and eat. I’d rather get the pizza and sit somewhere else to eat it. I’d go again, but as my mom says “only if someone suggested it first”.

Blind Bob’s. Oh, Blind Bob’s. I’m so confused by your door! When approaching Blind Bob’s there are two doors. Which one to pick? Which one? Oh, I’ll pick the WRONG one. Luckily (or not) our future waitress was right behind us as I picked the wrong door and directed us to the right one. Seriously. Is this a test? I get it. Blindly try doors until you find one that opens. It was pretty empty so we had our choice of tables. It’s a seat yourself kind of joint. So we picked close to the door so we could find it again.  No, really it was close to a big window and I preferred that to the dark bar-ish feel of the rest of the place. They had a pretty big stage, so I imagine it gets loud in there too with a live band.



We ordered the fried pickles to share and the ¼ pound burger. The pickles were soooo yummy. I had a taste for them for weeks afterward. Not as good as the ones you get at The Pub, but it is a very close second. The burger was not much. I mean, literally it was small compared to the giant bun they put it on. I was definitely eating more bread than burger. It might have been a 1:4 ratio of meat to bread. I’d try something else before I got that again. They did however have tasty looking “stuffed” burgers on the menu that I might try if I had a little extra time (they required more cooking time). Anyway, we both got the homemade chips on the side and a special dip – which was a sour cream and onion kind of dip. YUMMO! Just give me a plate of that and the pickles and roll me out ‘cause that’s all I needed. This is a menu that needs further exploration for sure…if not just to get the pickles again.



Last week we went to Franco’s. This is an Italian restaurant just across from the library and across the street from the Oregon District, but I think it’s still considered O.D. I occasion Franco’s. Like, I think I’ve been there 4 times in my life so I think that speaks of my opinion of it. I forget that I’m never blown away by it. I had the pizza (surprise, surprise) and my mom had spaghetti. We shared garlic bread. Nothing was spectacular. The spaghetti was just spaghetti, the garlic bread was just garlic bread and my pizza – while good and probably had more flavor than the spaghetti – wasn’t amazing. I remember now why Franco’s isn’t my first place to go. We did arrive late, but the check took way too long to get back and nearly made us late to the movie even after we asked for it. The staff was very prompt at taking our plates away though, which I appreciated. Nothing like a plate of uneaten food staring you in the face and tempting you to eat more. In my opinion, Franco’s is way overpriced for what you get.

It'll be a few weeks before the next installment of restaurant reviews because we won't be going to the movies for a few weeks...so until next time...(I'm not going to say bon appetit 'cause that'd be cheezy).

What's that smell?

So I'm talking with a co-worker about my frustration over the copy machine not working. Suddenly she's holding her nose and says "Oh my God. Do you smell that? It's so strong it's making me nauseous. I feel like I want to throw up!". This is pretty much verbatim. A little nervously (since we're the only two in the area) I say "No, I don't think so...what do you smell?". Still pinching her nostrils she says, "that cologne! The copy guy that just left had way too much on and I can't get it out of my nose! It's making me sick.". I say, "Huh. I don't smell anything." as I discreetly step back. She says, "Seriously, you don't smell anything? Must be my allergies making me sensitive.". "Maybe that's it.", I reply. Then I give her a sympathetic look, act busy and back away trying not to blush. I quickly slink to the bathroom to wash my hands because I realized she was talking about ME! I had just put on some hand lotion which apparently has a very strong cologne smell.
I wish that were the end of the tale, but it's not. She comes to my office a little while later and almost immediately pinches her nose again. Christ, I can't get this crap off my hands!! It's like friggin glue. My scarlet letter. "Oh wow. It's over here too. You really can't smell it? It's everywhere!". Now you might think at this point she might be obviously sending me a message, but she's not the type. She would be as mortified as I was if she knew I was the one carrying the offensive odor. But geez, let it go already. I moved out of the line of my desk fan so as not to blow the stench further in her direction. I'm dying partly of embarrassment and partly of laughter because an officemate of mine to whom I had revealed my mortification was snickering as she walked by when I was talking to the offended. I just sat there and giggled inappropriately to my co-workers odiferous woes and vowed to get rid of the lotion that has caused me so much grief. All this over some dry hands. I'd rather have cracked knuckles than go through that horror again.
In case you're wondering, it's B&BW's Breathe/Energy, Exhilarating Ginger Verbena. Ironic, wouldn't you say? I still think it smells good, just be warned you should only wear it in a breezy open field about 10 miles away from humans.

-- Post From My iPhone

Restaurant Review - Boulevard Haus, Oregon District

My mother and I decided that we were going to eat “around the Oregon District” this summer before our weekly movie night. We’ve also decided to not go to every Victoria Theatre movie this summer because some just really didn’t interest us at all, so we won’t be going out to eat each week…so this is a some-Fridays restaurant review.

The first place we ate was Boulevard Haus. This restaurant was formerly the Café Boulevard, which was a French restaurant. I had been there and the décor has not changed a great deal from the original place except I think the patio may have been expanded, German decorations and there is a little bit of a clearer view of the kitchen which I always appreciate. I think I like a view of the kitchen because it shows they really have nothing to hide…with the exception of Submarine House on Brown St…I’d rather I didn’t see that mess. Anyway, the menu has changed from French to German. You will find things like brats, sauerkraut, wienerschnitzel and cabbage rolls. And burgers. YES, burgers. They advertise traditional and contemporary German food, which I interpret to mean American Fare with a German influence. I thought a lot of things probably wouldn’t be found in a traditional German restaurant (which was fine with me), and they’ve even carried over a popular French dish from Café Boulevard onto their menu. Galettes – which they claim is made with a French/German buckwheat pancake. French/German? Oh, kay.  Must have been harvested right at the border.

Mom ordered sauerkraut balls for an appetizer and I will admit they weren’t bad. Quite rich, but not bad. Then she ordered some kind of bratwurst something or other. Basically grilled brats with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. Just what you’d expect (from a German place, not from my mother).

I decided to go in a completely different direction and ordered the Pretzel Burger. Not to be confused with the very American Americano Burger which was probably pretty traditionally a typical American Burger. The Pretzel Burger on the other hand had crispy German onions, sweet German mustard mayo and served on a German pretzel bun. Delish. Of course, complimented by very tasty German Pommes Frites.

This is definitely a place I’d go back to. Perhaps explore more on the menu – although that burger was very good.  :)  The staff was very friendly, it's relatively quiet (inside anyway), and I never felt rushed.  Rating: A+.