tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86065551531563659142011-12-19T11:53:57.404-06:00Destinations and Dedications <p><p> "Do you know what it means <br> To miss New Orleans<br> And miss it each night and day?"<br> --Louis Armstrong <p><p> "This roller coaster is the one I stood in line for <br> Hands in the air these ups and downs here are paid for"<br> --Blackalicious</p></p></p></p>Aretelanoreply@blogger.comBlogger2471100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-85640586377473766162011-12-19T11:53:00.000-06:002011-12-19T11:53:57.412-06:00

I always mean to keep up here... Anyway, Merry almost Christmas! My baby is one year old! From Winter 2011-2012 I have been learning how to run! How crazy is that. I'm up to 5 minutes chunks, which is good considering I started at 60 second intervals! Kitty is awesome and we are starting the kdg choice roller coaster. More soon, I hope.

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-28792965484787094582011-11-18T19:26:00.000-06:002011-11-18T19:26:40.659-06:00

Camping was awesome. Forgot the camera, but the cellie snaps are on FB. Kitty got a "cactus forn" in her toe on her first tromp through the woods with Theo, but she soldiered on. We did hiking and geocaching and cooked dinner outside. Everyone went to bed really nicely, but Teddy freaked out in the middle of the night and ended up going home with Theo. He just couldn't go back to sleep

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-5007285812703562372011-11-11T15:07:00.000-06:002011-11-11T15:07:03.818-06:00

We're going camping this weekend, just overnight. Kitty is over the moon. It'll be fun, but it will be even more fun because she is so jazzed. And no, we're not crazy. Overnight low 60, day time high 80. My poor baboo has an ouchy toe. He bonked it some crazy way that made his big toe nail loosen, but only on one side, so eventually the other side had to kind of rip off. And while that

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-61637635380311414152011-11-03T11:36:00.000-05:002011-11-03T11:36:33.148-05:00

It was in the low 40s when we left for work this morning. Kitty wore her wool hat and mittens. Halloween was loads of fun. We went trick or treating with a new friend who had kids just a bit younger than mine. Her daughter is quite shy, and last year ToTing was just a bust. She said they only stopped at the houses that had bowls out, and she still made her daughter knock and say trick or

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-22140708026943518762011-10-21T21:57:00.000-05:002011-10-21T21:57:14.431-05:00

How Teddy hilariously gets around. Teddy practices standing.

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-29280561998848400162011-10-21T21:54:00.000-05:002011-10-21T21:54:01.801-05:00

From Fall 2011 Doting sister From Fall 2011 Tall mama From Fall 2011 Happy Doodle From Fall 2011 Kitty makes halloween candy From Fall 2011 Tommorrow we have dance, diaper class, and then a party with the first run of the costumes. Probably lots more cute. (Lots more pics if you click the link under the photos, bt dub.)

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-69700808517667785132011-10-12T14:30:00.000-05:002011-10-12T14:30:46.299-05:00

I've got the best babies ever. This past weekend, I tossed them in a car at 4:30am and headed out. We drove to NO and arrived after lunch. At lunch in BR (Raising Cane's, yum!) my phone jumped into the toilet. But after two days in rice, it seems to be doing ok. The screen is interesting, but works. We got to Kate's and hung out. Then Kathy came over, and we took Kitty out for dinner,

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-66361872256764047582011-10-12T14:19:00.000-05:002011-10-12T14:19:41.969-05:00

Civic Pride... Hmm... I like this project because it makes me think about things I haven't thought about before. So, I think I am grateful for the Supreme Court. Not always right, but a pretty cool institution.

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-18227075626946926192011-10-03T13:24:00.000-05:002011-10-03T13:24:56.571-05:00

Day 2 ~ Your Health This is a good one for me right now because I've been frustrated at my inability to lose weight easily. I'm back at where I was between pregnancies, but still 30lbs over where I was before Katrina. But even so, I can go to the gym 4 days a week and do cool stuff and keep up in weight lifting classes and feel pretty competent in yoga, and it could be much worse. Then

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-40819242076971946362011-10-02T12:03:00.000-05:002011-10-02T12:03:20.608-05:00

http://www.30daysofgratitude.org I'm going to start with the 2009 list. Why not? Day 1 ~ Friend or Special Person I am very grateful that Theo is in my life. He is so different from me, but that is good. If I were married to myself, things could get ugly. He's funny and charming and smart in surprising ways. He's an awesome dad and makes parenting so much easier for me. Yay for Theo!

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-43788638836411205322011-10-01T22:53:00.000-05:002011-10-01T22:53:33.988-05:00

Congrats, Auntie V! We are going to NOLA next weekend to love on my kids' Auntie Kate, who is having a bad time with a back injury. Today however, I am ignoring the fact that Teddy is cleaning up after himself by eating all of the bits he dropped off his breakfast tray. In a little while we have Kitty's dance class, and then I'm going to take the littles to Costco and the fruit and veg

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-28141915637195047412011-09-29T15:23:00.000-05:002011-09-29T15:23:37.649-05:00

In the last two weeks: I have been to the lab for my blood test I have been to the dentist I have been to the hemetologist K has been to the dentist I have gotten my flu shot Both kids are going to the ped tomorrow for checkups and flu shots. In order, things are: Fine Two small cavities for me Fine-ish, but I am frustrated that there is apparently no end plan for my weird dumbass condition NOT

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-45817526895984339632011-09-23T11:28:00.000-05:002011-09-23T11:28:49.831-05:00

Kidlets say hi! From Fall 2011 We like the park. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PROGGUBKus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSmWDQ_a_1U Sorry if those links don't work. I'm at work and have to log into youtube, and didn't want to watch them to get the real links. Our youtube name is aretekitty if you want to go find them. Went to the dentist yesterday. Had a getting old moment, because

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-4425498614913373712011-09-17T09:08:00.000-05:002011-09-17T09:08:09.257-05:00

Today Kitty has dance, and then we're going to check out a plant sale/veggie stand at a local farm. I'm probably not going to buy any plants because the drought is still going gangbusters here and I can't even remember to water a couple potted plants. I think both my potted sweet olives are dead. I'll try again in a couple of years when a) the kids are older and more independent and b) we've

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-68110222414254081122011-09-11T17:34:00.000-05:002011-09-11T17:34:15.118-05:00

I took Kitty skating today! It was different than I remember. I remember it being really easy to clomp around in the off-ice area, but that was the hardest part! I nearly fell more there than on the ice. Kitty tried really hard, and by the end we left the wall and crossed the ice a couple of times. She wouldn't let me pull her and let her glide. She said, very crossly, "If you're *pulling

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-29310929520897129972011-09-10T10:18:00.000-05:002011-09-10T10:18:10.034-05:00

Yesterday, Teddy volunteered to participate in a child development study at UT. They are doing a longitudinal study of younger siblings of kids with and without autism. So he got to play with toys for a couple of hours on videotape. We said we would go back for further study. It should be fun. Also, he has started to dance in that hilarious baby way when he hears music he likes.

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-655959576304476952011-09-02T15:24:00.000-05:002011-09-02T15:24:14.933-05:00

In no particular order Raw almonds Chips and salsa Mad Men Costco York peppermint patties knitting Ravelry Having cut up veggies in the fridge for snacking Dr Who Having a preschooler who loves Dr Who Groupon, et al Teddy's gummy 2-toof smile Making new friend through facebook Video chat Android Gaudy sunglasses Compatible coworkers Autonomy Small grocery stores More to come!

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-58348515150681253332011-08-31T10:37:00.002-05:002011-08-31T11:27:34.272-05:00

So I joined 24 Hour Fitness a few weeks ago. It's been good. I got into the habit of early morning exercise when I was doing my circuit training class, but it turns out I can go other times as well! There is an aqua fit class I did last night that was really good that I am going to try to do more often. Here's a random picture of Kitty coopting Teddy's exersaucer. From Spring/Summer 2011

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-23985678425096896012011-08-26T11:46:00.001-05:002011-08-26T11:47:10.236-05:00

Kitty: Mama, what's hell? Me: What? Like when mama sometimes says, What the hell? Kitty: No. Me: Ok, so how else have you heard it? Kitty: yeah, ok, like when you say what the hell. Me: It's a thing people say when they're mad sometimes. Kitty: But what is it. Me: Um, it's the opposite of heaven. Kitty: But what is it. Me: Well, ok, some people believe that if there is a heaven for souls to be

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-59896931929340014942011-08-24T14:44:00.003-05:002011-08-24T14:48:35.229-05:00

So I took this random video of Teddy eating dinner because it cracks me up that he has exactly two teeth, but he attacks that rice cake with such determination. Also, at some point I pull back so you can see his feet still wiggle all through dinner. More randomness. Then Kitty came to play.

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-26552040040051148692011-08-24T13:27:00.002-05:002011-08-24T14:36:08.612-05:00

Just left a message with the scheduler at my oncologists office. I had an appointment in March, I think it was, that I cancelled and didn't reschedule. And then I'm supposed to have a CBC every month or so, and well, it's been a few months. So, I'm owning up and need to get back on the stick. But if this is going to be chronic, monthly is just toooooo often. So we will address that when I

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-54558133460960250592011-08-19T08:20:00.002-05:002011-08-19T08:28:53.198-05:00

Teddy started to whine at 4:45, and I usually feed him around then, so I went and got him. At 5:15 my alarm went off. And at 5:25. And at 5:35. I got up, puttered around, and realized that Teddy didn't have a midnight bottle! Go go sleeping through the night baby! Head out for the gym, still feeling awfully sore from Wednesday and hoping that the workout today will bust the lactic acid out.

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-87284895049067397862011-08-16T18:42:00.002-05:002011-08-16T18:51:03.128-05:00

I have PD groupies! I have been presenting at our district wide staff development days for a couple of years now. They're conference style--keynote in the morning, then open choice breakouts, and then a closing. I was told multiple times today by participants that they chose my session regardless of what it was, because I've always got good stuff for them. What a compliment! Especially

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-67204307201500294992011-08-15T12:49:00.003-05:002011-08-15T12:56:47.410-05:00

My sweet fatboy is 8 months old! Crazy how the time zooms by. Here's my baboo, in motion. http://youtu.be/U6v01EYHIxU We celebrated by having Theo's favorite semi ho dinner, Sausage stuffing with cream gravy. Cook a pound of bulk pork sausage in a big pot. Drain all the fat into a smaller saucepan. To the pork, add 1 pepper and 1 onion, diced. Cook for a while. Look at the back of a

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-52918975150956137952011-08-09T20:09:00.002-05:002011-08-09T20:15:33.695-05:00

Lately, every representation of me that Kitty makes or chooses has dark skin. Making heads on the Futurama head-makin' app? I'm black. Choosing pictures from magazines for a collage of her family? I'm black. Coloring a picture of me with crayons? Nubian. Of course, the Disney princesses often end up with dark skin in Kitty's hands. The most interesting thing is that the magazine collage had her

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-29817558078009748692011-08-07T15:52:00.004-05:002011-08-07T15:59:50.260-05:00

Tomorrow we are going to pay off Theo's car, which means that for the foreseeable future we have no car payment. I have to whisper, or the universe will hear me. Or maybe the universe already got his, because our mortgage payment is going up (assessed value, and therefore taxes, going up.)It's funny. We agreed that we are going to keep "spending" the $250 car payment by directing into savings.

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-70063746215609421852011-08-05T08:12:00.002-05:002011-08-05T09:01:32.657-05:00

Every day I'm so glad we have them. I've been reflecting on how glad I am that we have both of them. I know you're not supposed to compare them, but I can't help but compare the experience.I love and adore Kitty and enjoy her so much. She's so smart and goofy and special. But I think Theo GETS her in a way that I don't. It's not better or worse; it just is.And I think Teddy is my baby in the

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-20619261159354921052011-08-03T09:13:00.002-05:002011-08-03T13:09:32.548-05:00

(Warning, pop culture spoilers)So, I think I have a different level of sensitivity than other people. Two examples:Toy Story 3. I can't tell you the number of people I've interacted with who were all like, "oh, what a sweet movie!" I sat through that movie horrified and dumbfounded. Just one example: The whole series sets up the idea that the toys are essntially immortal and have souls. And

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-31201667916835824762011-08-02T09:24:00.002-05:002011-08-02T10:08:25.582-05:00

Yesterday I hosted a half day training for 350 teachers. I wrote the presentation, wrote the presenter notes, recruited the presenters, trained the presenters, coordinated the creation and transport of all the materials, and stepped in and presented at the last minute when one of my presenters froze up and bailed. Whew. But, an ego boost, because other people have half days subsequent to mine,

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-68650812765212323252011-07-31T19:48:00.002-05:002011-07-31T19:53:31.047-05:00

https://picasaweb.google.com/victoriaoneal/SpringSummer2011And https://picasaweb.google.com/victoriaoneal/Beach2011We went to the beach for the 4th of July and it was awesome. Definitely want to go back next year. Kitty is 4. Theo and I both noticed that her diction has matured in the last couple of months. It's so much fun to watch. I can't believe we have to start figuring out kindergarten

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-1900106938264080572011-01-03T11:25:00.002-06:002011-01-03T11:35:13.727-06:00

Teddy had his VCUG this morning to check his kidneys for reflux. It was a pretty simple procedure and he was annoyed when the cath went in, but it didn't seem to hurt. They let me stay right by him and hold his hands and head. Altogether it was less traumatic than I feared. We find out the results on Thursday.In other news, I need to start nudging his schedule just a smidge earlier. He seems to

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-89052285262980297992010-12-06T10:27:00.000-06:002010-12-06T10:28:07.241-06:00

Friday Kitty had her first sleepover at a friend's house. It was all the girls' idea, so even thought she is only 3.5 (and her buddy is 4.5) the other mom and I decided to give it a try. I slept with my phone, but didn't need it. She was entirely a cool cucumber and can't wait to do it again. The evening felt pretty normal, but waking up without her in the house was a little odd!Then we had a

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-41469124204292090072010-11-03T20:07:00.001-05:002010-11-03T20:08:38.921-05:00

SpringFrom kitty schoolSummerFrom kitty schoolFallFrom kitty school

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-13028510381114706342010-11-01T09:06:00.002-05:002010-11-01T09:13:33.750-05:00

Kitty is cracking us up with her almost reading. She is able to say the letter sounds for all the consonants and short vowels, but doesn't quuiiite get how the sounds blend to make words. So she say, duh awh guh and then throw up her hands and exasperatedly say, "Oh, I don't know!" for the word. And only knowing the short vowels leads to funny things like heh eh luh luh awh (hello). And she

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-41548375267125887562010-10-17T17:06:00.002-05:002010-10-17T17:16:48.394-05:00

I had a great miniconference with Kitty's main teacher a little while ago. Kitty has really moved forward in the last little while, and has moved to a whole new level of Montessori "work." Her teacher said it was like she just made up her mind and here we go. She wanted to speak with me because if K keeps progressing at this rate, they may want to move her to the next class in January instead of

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-16774410178243488922010-10-16T18:54:00.003-05:002010-10-16T18:55:37.582-05:00

Here I am! With the new baby coming, I want to try and get back in the habit again. I have a bunch of new Kitty photos to get off the camera, so I'll post those soon.Brother baby news...I'm what, almost 33 weeks? Everything is mostly good. I'm the mostboring high risk pregnant lady ever--no diabetes, no high blood pressure,my blood disorder went into remission so I'm off the drugs for that(

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-65594941150337830312010-04-12T14:33:00.001-05:002010-04-12T14:34:54.159-05:00

We're going to try an experiment in night training. K has been telling us that she pees in her diaper in the morning, so I thought with pull ups and a potty in her room, we could see if she was able to stay dry at night. We've been talking it up this weekend, and we'll try as soon as I can get to the store for pull ups. We're also encouraging more potty independece at home with a couple of M+Ms

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-89913145059990593922010-04-09T09:49:00.002-05:002010-04-09T09:54:26.800-05:00

I had a funny and perplexing conversation with Kitty. The backstory is that we canceled the cable this week, and she's getting used to it. "Mama, what shows are On Demand?" "We don't have On Demand anymore, sweetie, sorry." "NO! I am TALKING TO YOU, Mama! What shows are On Demand?" "I'm talking to you too. But we don't have On Demand anymore." "MAMA. I. AM. JUST. TALKING. TO. YOU. What kind of

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-3238117417873761612010-04-05T15:22:00.004-05:002010-04-05T15:28:23.789-05:00

I'll post photos as soon as I get them...Dan and Kim came to visit for a few days, and we had a jam-packed weekend. Thursday, we went for the first snowballs of the season (snowcones to most of you.) Friday we went to the Austin Zoo, which is actually a rescue sanctuary, and got to see the tigers fed, and got to feed lots of sheep and goats ourselves. Then we went and ate at one of my favorite

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-49620365659363790972010-04-01T09:46:00.003-05:002010-04-01T10:40:23.570-05:00

This week has been tough at work. I "need" this long weekend more than I "needed" spring break!Dan and Kim are in town, so we have some fun stuff planned. Zoo tomorrow if it's not raining, some Easter stuff. We didn't get enough done around the house, but it's ok. Kitty has been hitting the big questions this week: "When did God make us?" "Ok, but was it March? Or April?" "Who made God?" "

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-59384582040144155702010-03-28T09:02:00.001-05:002010-03-28T09:07:27.149-05:00

Kitty and I had a great jam-packed spring break. You can see the photos at the picasa site.I've had an up and down weekend. Theo goes to work on his book on Friday and Saturday nights, so Kitty and I have a couple quiet solo evenings that we enjoy. Friday night was fine. Except I had a reoccurance of that back spasm I've been battling for a while and a bout of stomach upset. Basically, if I

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-63177180039567318052010-03-12T11:46:00.004-06:002010-03-12T12:23:06.172-06:00

Kitty has been bugging me this week to let her stay longer at school. Apparently my desire to scoop her up at 4pm is cutting into her playing time. We've come a long way since they were "dose wadies at dat schooooool." I love the way she can make herself clear when we're being dense. She asked me, "Can you pick me up NOT after nap?" I thought she was asking to come home early, and said that

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-35155120348329513502010-02-24T11:04:00.000-06:002010-02-24T11:05:06.265-06:00

Sorry again... More frequent updates are on Facebook these days. I don't have a lot of time at work to compose posts which is where I usually did and at home I just forget.What's new?Theo's job continues to go really well. My job continues to go well, and doesn't make me too crazy. But when I think of how things have changed since my first year teaching in 2003--I mean about me and my habits

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-68290852843020349102009-12-22T12:26:00.001-06:002009-12-22T12:26:14.220-06:00

10 things I'm grateful for today...1. Programmable thermostat.2. New family schedule that allows us to take full advantage of programming features.3. Dishwasher (nothing fancy, your basic lower-end Whirlpool) washes all dishes with no rinsing, no matter how grody.4. Homemade playdough keeps 2.5yo busy 5. I still love my Dyson6. Am going to go buy myself/family large, not too expensive, Xmas

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-77647962065496943912009-12-03T18:13:00.001-06:002009-12-03T18:13:56.410-06:00

Things I am thankful for today 1. Theo's new job 2. That Kitty has been really cooperative in the mornings, even as we're getting her up 3 hours earlier than she is used to. 3. That I have a job where I can get K from daycare and run a pretty leisurely shopping errand and still get home right around 5pm. 4. The crockpot ensured that dinner was ready when we walked in the door 5. Kitty loves her

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-34186649512041698462009-12-01T09:00:00.000-06:002009-12-01T09:19:51.863-06:00

Only updating sporadically. But work is really kicking my ass this year, in a mostly good way. We're attempting to make a radical change this year (going from 60% of kids passing the test to 80+% and beyond), so we're doing a lot of things differently. Most of which eat into my mental downtime at work. And then at home, it's play on the farm with the Yo Gabba Gabbas with Kitty, make/eat

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-78355739194233258782009-11-04T11:50:00.001-06:002009-11-04T12:04:06.421-06:00

We got over being sick, eventually, and had a great Canadian thanksgiving. Since then, I've been stressing about the GREs. I took the general test October 21 and it was fine. Not as good as it COULD have been, but just fine. Since then I've been freaking out about the math subject test.Y'all, I am so stressed about this test. I have never been more deep down upset about a test in my life. I

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-74840832746832653072009-10-10T09:03:00.002-05:002009-10-10T09:32:44.689-05:00

Let's see...I've had a cold all week. Thursday it turned into pink eye, but I was vindicated because it was viral and didn't need the drops my insurance wouldn't cover. (Thanks, union, for screwing up everyone's health coverage!) Friday I stay home from work due to potentially contagious pink eye, learn to take derivatives and shop for our camping trip. Camping trip cancelled because Kitty

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-85302835580227271912009-09-28T11:23:00.001-05:002009-09-28T11:25:36.244-05:00

Saturday I went to a soup swap. Everyone brings 6 (plus or minus) quarts of one kind of soup. Then you drink wine, chat, hang out, eventually draw numbers, describe your soup, and then grab what you want in number order. I ate an entire quart of tom kha myself for dinner that night. Yum. It was a lot of fun and we may host one at our house sometime soon.Kitty did an amazing job in church

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-54969355548460010472009-09-24T22:10:00.002-05:002009-09-24T22:16:05.112-05:00

Kitty picked the colors and helped color the yarn, which is good because it's destined to be a winter blankie for her.

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-2590909785290458272009-09-20T18:05:00.001-05:002009-09-20T18:07:19.335-05:00

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-18839544300892160022009-09-19T18:01:00.003-05:002009-09-19T18:08:37.630-05:00

Kitty and I went to Old Navy, Bed Bath and Beyond (the Kaboom foam bathroom cleaner really was worth the special trip), the library bookstore, and an unfortuntely closed farmstand, all without leaving our little corner of East Austin. Now dinner is in the oven and we're picking up a little because we're babysitting a friend's 11 year old this evening. I figure we'll make cookies. That's a good

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-26166928910668892232009-09-11T20:03:00.002-05:002009-09-11T20:06:55.124-05:00

I picked up a little pumpkin kit for a dollar at Target. Maybe it can restore my faith in flora. They're growing!! Tomorrow we are going to repot the little seedlings, even though they're only 2 days old because I have to go to Vegas Sunday morning and I think they'll be hyooge by Wednesday at the rate they're going. Hope I don't kill them repotting them! Though now that I think about it, I

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-69496129324923832482009-09-04T10:53:00.000-05:002009-09-04T10:54:37.268-05:00

Wednesday Theo broke his glasses, so yesterday we trooped off for eye exams and frame picking. I had been planning on one this fall for both of us anyway, as our glasses were of a 2003ish vintage. Turned out much cheaper than I was expecting because my health insurance covered most of my exam (we don't have separate vision coverage) and the 1 hour glasses place was having a 2 pairs for $99 (or

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-17825528148821152342009-09-02T10:24:00.002-05:002009-09-02T10:32:57.528-05:00

This school year has been a much harder adjustment. I could use a drink. Kitty is doing better, that's good.But today, I found out that my grandmother had a stroke, I dumped an entire 20 ounce soda on my clothes after I got to work, I was late to work because I had to stop for a water bottle because all of mine disappeared all at once, the students schedules still aren't finalized, and my

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-29589422982866110482009-08-26T19:49:00.002-05:002009-08-26T19:58:32.807-05:00

Kitty has had a hard time adjusting to me being back at work. She's resentful and angry as only a toddler can be. So I've been spending lots of focused time on her in the evenings. Just now we were playing Hide and Seek, which Kitty has started calling, Sneak. It's totally cute. "I want to pway SNEAK wif you, Mama!"The funniest thing is that she apparently has zero ability to reverse the

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-79512543664759062142009-08-19T16:30:00.001-05:002009-08-19T16:31:02.908-05:00

You have to read the title in a playground singsong teasing voice.I'm coming here to crow. I did it! They said I couldn't, and I DID.Backstory--I work in a portable building on our campus. There was no plan for wireless internet out here, so we got whatever the wind blew over from the main building. For most of us, this meant one inconsistent bar, and for others, nothing at all. We all

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-57913853621349481192009-08-19T11:29:00.002-05:002009-08-19T11:40:38.477-05:00

I'm back at work this week. Professional development and long lunches, mostly. If I were worried, I'd be working in my room, rearranging furniture, papering boards, etc. Anyone want to come help with the cranky arts and crafts part of my professional life? Right now my coteacher and I are counting down the minutes until we get to go to lunch. *sigh* Cute baby story:K normally sleeps through

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-28752765360748796832009-08-16T11:51:00.003-05:002009-08-16T11:57:01.606-05:00

Do I want another Masters or a PhD? I have an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction that I got in 2003. The first thing I need to do is find out if there is an info session for the program I'm looking at, so I'm emailing the grad advisor right now.UT has a bunch of programs that fit in with me--a summer masters in math education, a summers masters in math for teachers, a full PhD in math

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-39198510739364224702009-08-13T13:10:00.003-05:002009-08-13T13:37:27.550-05:00

It took until Tuesday afternoon, but we eventually got satisfaction from the cable company. Now Noggin works again! All of you with tv watching small people know our pain. Monday afternoon we went to Hamilton Pool with Jamey and Jim. It rocks! I'm cranky we hadn't ever gone before. It's a half-collapsed cave that makes a lovely swimmin' holler that's a gorgeous 1/4 mile hike from the

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-60624595998117274992009-08-10T12:11:00.000-05:002009-08-10T12:12:42.899-05:00

Due to the way our travel plans ended up going, we left a boxful of stuff at my mom's to be sent back down to us. I left K's small handful of videos, figuring she had just seen all of them, and we'd get them back soon. As these things always go because people get busy, etc, the box was delayed until today. Kitty had asked for her Laurie Berkner video a time or two, but didn't seem to make a

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-83487880542807879402009-08-09T12:07:00.002-05:002009-08-09T12:26:22.198-05:00

We had a pint of tart blueberries and a desire to have a little project with Kitty, so we made semi-ho blueberry corn muffins. They're SO GOOD. We did one muffin tin and then the rest of the batter in ramekins. The ramekin version is so good it's company worthy. I'll just call it cobbler.2 boxes Jiffy cornbread mix2 eggs2/3 cup milkscant 1/4 cup honeyMix all of the above and let rest 5

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-78823859458821080732009-08-09T10:55:00.000-05:002009-08-09T10:56:21.802-05:00

K: "I want to go to the garage f'eezer and see if dere are popsicles in the garage f'eezer in dere, OTAY DADDY? Does dat sound otay, Daddy?" T: "While I commend you on the industriousness of your ideals, I cannot recommend a solo adventure and as such, your departure will be delayed until suitable accompaniment..." K: "What you sayin', Daddy? What you sayin'? No, no, Daddy. Stop dat righ' now!"

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-74751104731438366452009-08-05T15:52:00.004-05:002009-08-05T16:07:46.862-05:00

We found rides in Austin! There is a little tiny place that has five mechanical rides (baby ferris wheel, boats, cars, etc), a train, and real. live. ponies. Wednesdays are discount day, so everything was a buck, except for the ponies which were three bucks. A twenty will get you two rides on everything, a train ride, a pony ride, and cotton candy. Whew.I struck up conversation with a grandma

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-86676975031544588772009-07-29T10:03:00.002-05:002009-07-29T10:18:56.597-05:00

Playing with the little kid drums at my MIL'sMeeting cousin MillieGoing on abenture to the ArchPlaying with cousin Madison on 4th of JulyBubbles!Boat ride!Visiting IMSAVisiting KiddielandMy little girl

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-37641167610245767882009-07-28T15:50:00.002-05:002009-07-28T15:54:36.742-05:00

We're coming up on 40 days this summer over 100, and will likely hit 50 in the next ten days. Ie, it's not going to cool off. I've got a little heat lover. We went to the outdoor outlet mall today, and even so when we got home all she wanted to go was go outside. So we've been hanging around in the shady part of the back yard blowing bubbles and playing with my little ponies. I'm acclimated

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-84434268121833559042009-07-26T13:06:00.002-05:002009-07-26T13:09:15.265-05:00

Yesterday, we went to a farm market this morning near my house to investigate their fall CSA. A friend and I are going to split it 1/3-2/3 because she's single and worried about the amount of food. The owner said that the fall is the best season here because we get all the hot weather stuff for the first half and cooler weather stuff up until Christmas. I'm excited! Kitty adored the farm dog,

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-86066965332900143782009-07-23T21:45:00.002-05:002009-07-23T23:09:17.169-05:00

Photos tomorrow...Kitty is happy to be home, and covered herself in fingerpaint tonight. Unfortunately, she also has a cold and has been very stuffy since yesterday. The highlight of today was watching a giant digger (K called it a Screaming Banshee; name that toddler reference) take down the church behind our house. It took down the building by climbing the rubble pile to get to the next part

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-3074382346576198342009-06-29T11:56:00.002-05:002009-06-29T11:59:36.175-05:00

We went to a friend's pool party last night, and spent hours in the water, and got home much too late. Kitty's irresponsible parents didn't pay much attention to how much she ate, so when she woke up wailing and inconsolable at 3:30 it took too long before I realized that she was probably starving. She ate a fruit bar and a stick cheese laying down in her bed like an invalid, telling me, "I'm

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-55969587888966689532009-06-24T11:35:00.002-05:002009-06-24T11:45:12.233-05:00

My small person is currently stretched out flat, face down on the floor, making the most fake sobs for "daddddddy." Here's how the conversation has gone this morning. Kitty wakes up way late. K: I want to go outside! Me: Ok, sounds good, let's take your jammies and didy off! Jammies come off. K: NO! Didy on! M: We have to take your diaper off so you can get dressed to go outside. K: NO! I need my

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-23480648782170233412009-06-21T19:25:00.002-05:002009-06-21T19:33:36.677-05:00

A small selection. Click the photos to see all the ones from her birthday week.Goofy smileOpening the presents from Uncle Jack and Auntie Katie. (Click photo to see more)"You talkin to me?"

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-19750156837238060542009-06-13T18:43:00.003-05:002009-06-13T18:48:27.593-05:00

Auntie Caroline and I spent all day building Kitty's birthday presents from Ikea and Lowe's components. It's not 100% done. I still need handles for the oven and fridge, and Caro is making a curtain for the undersink area. And it'll look cuter when all the cups, plates, pots, pans, etc are unloaded (with thanks to Uncle Jack and Auntie Katie for them!) But we're going to wait until birthday

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-87192728165522474802009-06-12T07:26:00.002-05:002009-06-12T07:31:38.211-05:00

Yesterday, Kitty shimmied up on a kitchen chair, stole the remaining uninflated punch balls from the package, brought one to me, said, "I'm making a red one for you, mama!" attempted to inflate it, and when she couldn't, thrust it at me saying, "DO IT MAMA."We went to her regular Thursday playgroup and had lots of fun. There was even another girl there! The regular crew is very boy heavy. Then we

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-72156453276099912012009-06-09T14:57:00.002-05:002009-06-09T15:02:23.855-05:00

Kitty and Theo at the free concert we went to Sunday nightFlirting with 20somethingsWith me at the snoball standAt Tim and Angie's wedding a few weeks ago"What? You want a piece a dis?"In a pretty dress Auntie Adrienne sentSometimes the after-church doughnuts are blue frosted. You can see why I took her dress off before giving her the doughnut.

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-60003904967461847642009-06-09T14:22:00.004-05:002009-06-09T14:30:02.516-05:00

Kitty isn't used to having me home all day yet. She probably assumed that the extra days so far were a long weekend, as far as she thinks about it, because when she woke up this morning she called for Daddy. When I walked over, she said with indescribable delight that made my WEEK: "MAMA! you ah HEAH, Mama! You ah HOME, Mama! How ah you doin', Mama?"My garden isn't going so well. My herb patch is

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-77761512157183199632009-06-06T16:54:00.003-05:002009-06-06T17:03:33.169-05:00

I'm celebrating summer with lots of naps, apparently. Wednesday was the last day of school, and our trip to the zoo was great. My apologies to those of you who donated but have not yet received a thank you note from a student. The person I delegated that to flaked. Apparently all the notes are written, but unsent. Thursday I had a little bit of work in the morning, and then the party boat, where

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-1723641591401371742009-05-30T21:27:00.000-05:002009-05-30T21:28:37.875-05:00

I have eaten so much bad pizza this week I don't even know what might happen to me. Wednesday, I chaperoned a field trip to the local gocarts and putt putt type place and had bad pizza. Thursday was pizza hut as a reward for our kids who got commended on their big test. Friday I was so busy and work and so so tired I ate the bad cafeteria pizza. Today I took two other kids to said gocart and putt

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-32045387859702306462009-05-26T18:15:00.002-05:002009-05-26T18:23:34.754-05:00

We've been eating ripe cherry tomatoes from the backyard for a couple of days now--not a single one has actually made it into the house. Kitty has been watching two of the earliest globe tomatoes turn red with great anticipation. Today they're ripe, and I let her pick them. She touched one and said, wonderingly, "It's hot!" She was just literally dancing at my feet singing, "Dere ready for me!

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-88738909545931239822009-05-22T15:16:00.001-05:002009-05-22T15:17:58.888-05:00

One of my forums has a thread where you can post 10 things that are good that day. I'll start sharing mine, which I don't do every day, just when I need some perspective.1. Work friends who respond to pitiful all-call for drinks after work. 2. No one laughed at me (yet) for quoting Jimmy Buffet in pitiful all-call. 3. Current access to very good medical care. 4. Only minor and emminently

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-3941570568722617692009-05-20T21:59:00.003-05:002009-05-20T22:14:41.627-05:00

After years of pining, it turns out we're not a dog family after all. I'm honestly flabbergasted, but it really is the right decision. The rescue has a two week audition period, and Carlos didn't get a part in the O'Neal saga. I'm sure he is on to bigger and better.It's not him, it's us. He's a totally great dog. Smart, calm, not too destructive... But I'm tired from the new meds and T is the

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-91700484433189925512009-05-19T09:20:00.002-05:002009-05-19T10:02:12.174-05:00

Well, my first shot on Friday was actually pretty easy. Caroline came over to watch a movie and also help with Kitty if I was really bad off from the side effects. But the shot itself was fine, the instructions with the injector pen were clear, and all I felt was a little lightheaded immediately after and minorly achy in the middle of the night. Nothing a little ibuprofen couldn't handle.

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-16529698865725958112009-05-14T09:24:00.002-05:002009-05-14T11:51:32.623-05:00

Let's see what's going on... Well, in the continuing saga of my platelet disorder, I am 100% stable on my current medication. So obviously, now is the time to switch things up. har har. Actually, I need to switch to the new meds in order to try and get pregnant safely. And hey, bonus, I get to inject myself three times a week! It isn't actually as bad as it sounds--it's subcutaneous, not IM

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-57708910803932736672009-05-07T13:31:00.002-05:002009-05-07T13:34:20.431-05:00

Quote from a sixth grade student who just doesn't get it."Why would anyone skip school and stay at the house all day just talking to their boyfriend? That's dumb."Quote from a sixth grader responding to the prompt, "A time I learned something important.""A time I learned something important I was four years old. I learned that I should not carry my baby brother because he was too young and might

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-23324448112086147362009-05-05T11:33:00.001-05:002009-05-05T11:35:18.900-05:00

So here is my favorite part about travelling with Kitty: it seems to prompt development. Theo first noticed this. She transitioned to walking full time on a weekend away, she picks up new skills and words, etc. Or maybe it's that we're paying attention more.I took her to NO for Jazzfest this weekend and so we had two 9 hour cartrips. She's such a trouper. Two hour nap, almost 3 hours of

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-81789285272763202342009-05-05T08:56:00.002-05:002009-05-05T10:51:34.264-05:00

Home from Jazzfest! Pictures and video to come.Jazzfest Jazzfest Jazzfest!Highlights:Kitty handled the car ride just fine, and so did I, which means that 3 day weekends are possible again. It's a 9 hour ride and I left after work on Friday, so if K mutinied, or if it was just too too much, then it would be a nonstarter.Beyond the car ride, Kitty is a total charmer when travelling. Adjusts well,

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-42234671596003949302009-04-27T12:02:00.000-05:002009-04-27T12:04:19.970-05:00

Too busy!I know I've been absent, but we went to Chicago for the wedding and now it's Crazy Week(tm) at work, and next weekend Kitty and I are off to NO for Jazzfest, so it may be a little while before a real update.Toodles!

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-38726161950708114562009-04-13T06:32:00.003-05:002009-04-13T06:56:02.271-05:00

Kitty being weird....She continues the fantasy, also. The other day we were headed out and I asked her if she wanted to bring Desi, and she said, "get Desi outta da pool!" and trotted off to her room. She also does a lot of imaginative play in the bathtub. She sometimes acts out involved stories where some of her ducks are sliding at da park and others are going to work in "Pippi car!" (Theo's

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-6968158385569351882009-04-09T07:04:00.002-05:002009-04-09T07:06:15.046-05:00

We colored eggs last night! Probably could have waited until Saturday afternoon, but we were all together tonight, so we went for it. Auntie Care-yine came over too.From January-April 2009Daddy goofin'From January-April 2009Kitty had a lot of fun. We all did! From January-April 2009I have no school tomorrow, so I'll get to test my theory that waking up, going to exercise class, and then

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-62599748618372515722009-04-08T08:52:00.002-05:002009-04-08T09:13:20.193-05:00

Work has been SO. BUSY. This is the crazy busy season, where I'm tutoring kids during the day when I'm supposed to be planning and tutoring kids afterschool, running the program where we've rearranged every kid in the 6th grade to put them in a math class tailored to their achievement level for the last three weeks before the big test... It's all just crazy.I've also joined an exercise class

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-5795683611833673302009-03-25T07:17:00.000-05:002009-03-25T07:19:37.817-05:00

Kitty on Rachel Maddow. All said while essentially talking to herself. "Is a man? Is a lady? Is a lady. Prob'ly a man. No, lady. No, man." Poor Rachel Maddow, confusing toddlers, irritating wives. I don't much like her, but Theo seems to enjoy the program and sometimes has it on during jama time.**********Theo reports that while I was out, Kitty picked up a padded strapless bra I left out and

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-63648261873814068972009-03-21T22:23:00.000-05:002009-03-21T22:24:56.952-05:00

Here's Miss Kitty trying on her flower girl dress for my brother's wedding next month.And today at SXSW.Think she's ready for Jazzfest next month?

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-52756281089391340242009-03-16T22:55:00.001-05:002009-03-16T23:01:03.477-05:00

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-2364819535174401702009-03-16T18:18:00.000-05:002009-03-16T19:16:22.127-05:00

Today we went to the UPick berry place. We picked five lbs of strawberries and got to pet horses, donkeys, and goats. The animals definitely have a taste for strawberries. The horses were literally mugging children for their berries. Kitty was very good at only picking the red ones, but she was less good at putting them in the box, so she spent most of the picking time with the same four "

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-62768668173646363522009-03-15T19:32:00.000-05:002009-03-15T19:33:24.889-05:00

Kitty at dinner tonight was playing with a dishtowel while she was eating. It picked up a mushroom she had discarded from her pizza. "Ohhhhh, it's got boogie on it!"And then a bit later, T and I were teasing each other. I made a crack about him getting old, and he said something like how I'd always be right behind him. And since I'd be in better health, I'd have to push him up the hill.

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-23212365978355682612009-03-13T12:58:00.003-05:002009-03-13T13:14:17.212-05:00

Spring Break starts today, and is starting with a fizzle. It's been cold and rainy for the last several days, but I'm not complaining because we desperately need the rain. Guess now we'll have to buy a lawnmower. We're going to go electric because the only lawn is in the front of the house and it's not very big. Plus, better for the environment. The power plant has scrubbers on it's

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-78152956495820430202009-03-01T17:45:00.003-06:002009-03-01T18:02:07.302-06:00

So we set off this afternoon to go to the annual Kitefest, but when we got to the free parking/shuttle site, the lines were LONG. Wrapped around and around long. And we didn't know how often the shuttles were running or how many there were. So we bailed and went to Central Market for lunch. K loved it--she got to eat sushi and pet dogs. Then we went to Mount Bonnell and climbed up to the

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-42369581670421359932009-02-28T18:15:00.002-06:002009-02-28T18:25:36.978-06:00

So I took Kitty to church for the first time since probably Thankgiving what with all the moving, etc. Plus the interia of finding the new place, etc.We went to our local church (I almost went to a local Maronite parish thinking it was just the name, but it turns out it's a whole different thing), and found out that the church was being renovated so mass was in the parish hall. Conveniently,

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-37528648653825989782009-02-27T09:19:00.002-06:002009-02-27T09:28:52.131-06:00

Theo's teeth are fine... He had a gum graft recently. Smoking for 15 years and then chewing gum 18 hours a day literally every day for more than a year after he quit did a number on his gums. The dentist assumed he was grinding his teeth in his sleep, which he doesn't do. So we were baffled until we made the gum connection. He's got abx, NSAID, vicodin, and special mouthwash.So the other

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-33833415666469980192009-02-25T12:23:00.002-06:002009-02-25T12:39:39.548-06:00

I'm sure it's just a phase, but for a couple of nights now Kitty has been waking up in the middle of the night and demanding attention every 10 minutes for a couple of hours. Blankies on you kitty, need watah, bitsy spidah, pee a potty, clean didy peeeeeeese. We've tried ignoring, but she just ramps up, and I'm sure I give in more at 2am than I do at bedtime in the hopes that THIS one will

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8606555153156365914.post-22990262233739397822009-02-24T11:51:00.001-06:002009-02-24T12:05:14.208-06:00

I've realized something about myself recently, and I'm trying to think about how it would fit in with my weight loss goals. In general, it appears with new habits that the fewer choices I have, the more likely I am to follow through. Some examples: When I got promoted at work, I decided it was time to step up the polish a little bit and I resolved to (and this is embarassing to admit I wasn't

Aretelanoreply@blogger.com0