My Second Love: December 2011

It Wouldn't be the Holidays Around Here...

Without a good ugly cry.

My sister got this book for the kiddos. I was reading it to Melese. It is a sweet book. It is about a chameleon who is sad because he doesn't have a color of his own. He is always changing. He is distraught until he meets a chameleon just like him. Then they have each other- forever. I turned to Kate and said, "It's Meazi and Melese's story."

We all had a good cry.

Steven thought it was funny, and managed to take a few photos.

Steel yourself- here comes the ugliest...

You're welcome.

purple face

Bye Bye

Just for a bit. Off for a little family vacay! I don't know how much blogging I will be able to do from Costa Rica, but I'll try to tweet if I can. I spent all day yesterday thinking it was Wednesday so I have yet to pack or do laundry or dream up some posts for the time we're away. I did, however, make enough food for "the rest of the week" so that's awesome. I'm excited to luxuriate in some warm weather. Like the beautiful zaftig elephant mommy above, I'm pretty sure I will be spending a lot of time wrangling the little munchkin. He's not really into the whole relaxing thing. Hope everyone has a happy New Year! xo

fish

Fresh Blue and White

The other day Mrs. Blandings, a blogger whose posts I wait for with great anticipation, did what she does best and forced me to stop what I was doing (which probably involved perfecting my cookie monster voice) so I could go peruse the Carrier and Company portfolio. See her post here pointing out some simple but fab window treatments.

They had some gorgeous, fresh design and I thought I'd share my favorites.

See more Carrier & Company here.

See more of Mrs. Blandings and her fabulous taste here.

* This post was brought to you between Elmo tickles and Cookie monster feedings

in red conte

Wordless Wednesday

cars and sleep

Wouldn't this be lovely?

I know many of you have seen this before, but my head is here right now. Imagine cozy PJs, a bowl of spaghetti (my comfort food of choice) and a TV playing a marathon of some mind numbing awesomeness like Real Housewives or the Kardashians (I mean, I'd like to think I would read, but that seems like a lot of effort). I could also sleep here. Sleep, eat, stare at the wall, sleep. The perfect post-holiday time out :)

Edward had a wonderful Christmas and the funniest reaction to Santa's delivery. He was so overwhelmed with excitement he couldn't even come into the room! He spun around in circles and danced and hid behind a table and laughed for about 5 minutes before he could actually approach his new toys. I have it on video and if I can ever figure out how to share it with you I will because it was amazing. Christmas is so much more fun as a parent.

We're getting ready for a trip to Costa Rica! I'm going to work on a few simple posts for that week. Hope everyone had a happy holiday weekend!

* Also, I'd love any recommendations on books to read on the beach or things we must see or do in Costa Rica!

empty couch

observing

Merry Christmas

noses

from E.A.Poe- "As we grow rich, our ideas grow rusty."

Lucky Now

The lights will draw you in
And the dark will bring you down
And the night will break your heart
only if you’re lucky now

I listen to this album over and over. I love it. I love him. Meazi's favorite track is Lucky Now. She belts out the words in the backseat as we drive back and forth to school. I am feeling very lucky today. This week has been a real mixed bag of emotions. We had to put Teddy down. Even though we knew it was coming, it was still heartbreaking. We have gone from three dogs to none. The house feels empty. Meazi took Teddy's stocking down and brought it to me, a big sad grown-up look in her eyes. Melese keeps babbling about how Lummi, Moses, and Teddy are all going to come back home very soon. We didn't have the vet come here this time. If you recall, we have been through this together pretty recently. The truth is we had more time with Ted than we expected, but it still sucks.

I also got a call from my doctor about a routine blood test I took six weeks ago. He said the results indicated a possible recurrence of cancer. I had to quickly get a neck ultrasound, and repeat the blood work. It turned out to be a LAB ERROR. Those few days waiting for the results sucked the living life out of me. I imagined the impossibility of caring for my energetic kidlets while going through treatment again. I was an anxious ball of nerves. Fucking lab error- give me a break!

Luckily, Uncle Mark arrived- in one piece! He is the ultimate tonic for all that ails. Everyone should have an Uncle Mark. The kids are too busy to be sad about Teddy, or worry about why their mother was muttering about lab results in the corner.

We had snow! Ok, well, Hollywood style- mall manufactured soap flakes, but SNOW! Who gives a shit if it isn't real! It was sixty degrees!

And if the lights draw you in
And the dark can take you down
And love can mend your heart
only if you’re lucky now

We just took an easy hike, and then ate burritos the size of our heads. We are waiting happily for the arrival of the Royal Wedding, Prince and Princess- The royal wedding of Madison that is.

I hope that you are surrounded by the things that make you feel lucky.

I hope Santa brings you this Ryan Adams album.

Not What I Expected-Everything I Ever Wanted.

For the two people who read this blog and are not on Facebook, I wrote a new column for InCulture Parent. It's not all Wordless Wednesday people! Well, mostly. Thanks for reading.

Merry Christmas Y'all!

'Tis the season to be merry!

* My original picture disappeared, which gives me an opportunity to share Edward's meeting with Santa. It did not go so well despite all my prep work (which involved making him hug and kiss the little Santa we have at our house). This Santa was not thrilled that we interrupted his nap so he could hold our screaming baby. But you know what? This picture will get lots of laughs at his graduation slide show, which makes it all worth it.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah y'all! Thank you for visiting me and taking the time to comment and read my silly little blog! xo

waiting

Indian Summer

12/23/77

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

- Cole Porter

Merry Christmas!

collaged

playing around with digital collage of photographs and drawings

Winter Solstice

... brought to you by the fabulous world of Slim Aarons.

Snow Round the Pool

Princess Bianca

So fierce, that Princess Bianca.

So fab.

Only in my dreams ...

... as real as it may seeeeem, it was only in my dreams. Do y'all remember that Debbie Gibson song? The one where she's on a bed on the beach, but she's wearing like old man pajamas as opposed to the barely there negligees of today's tween popstars. I was a huge Debbie Gibson fan so it's no surprise that when I see beautiful homes like this, my head fills with bubblegum pop of yesteryear. Ok, maybe it's a little bit random.

Anyway, this gorgeous home comes from the same 2005 Southern Accents issue as yesterday's post and it is just so beautiful I had to share it. Again, sorry for the image quality. It's, of course, a New Orleans home (I'm still convinced the fancy New Orleans homes are some of the most beautiful in our country) and it looks like its straight out of a Dickens novel.