For God's Sake - Boycott WalMart!

I knew WalMart was evil, but then I found www.wakeupwalmart.com and it helped my shaky resolve not to shop there. Check it out. Sign the petition. Please go somewhere else to shop. KMart, Target, thrift stores, sales and clearance racks. Just pretend the option isn't there. SuperTargets are just as cheap, or cheaper in some respects. Especially for groceries.

WalMart pays their employees very little and their health plans are very poor. So why should we care? Why can't we just think, "those stupid saps could just get a job somewhere else" and go buy a slew of $3 mini-fridges? Because we, as taxpayers, are paying for the benefits that WalMart isn't willing to. These "rock bottom wages and benefits cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year in basic housing, medical, childcare and energy needs."

A WalMart just went in a mile from my home. If it was a Costco, or a Target, I would shop there. But it's not. It's a WalMart. A corporation that will cost more than benefit the local taxpayers. My dream is that the doors are closed within 5 years. But from the full parking lot I see on my way to Cub every week, it doesn't look very likely.

More than you ever wanted to know about MOI

I've been getting these e-mails for awhile and finally sent one back to my peeps. Decided to share. Enjoy.

100 THINGS ABOUT ME

1 I am female.
2 I will be 32 in six days.
3 I am married.
4 I LOVE MY HUBBY VERY MUCH.
5 I first met him when I was 17.
6 I thought he was HOT. Very Robert Smith cool without the makeup and ratted hair.
7 We started dating 7 years later.
8 We were married 1 year later.
9 We have a son.
10 He was a surprise. The best I ever had.
11 I LOVE BEING A (stay at home) MOM.
12 I have a roommate.
13 I have known him for 10 years.
14 My roommate is my ex-boyfriend.
15 I don't like to tell people we dated.
16 He's more like a brother to me, or son, depending on the moment.
17 He's my best friend, besides my hubby.
18 He's my hubby's best friend too.
19 I have two sisters.
20 I am the middle child.
21 My older sister just got engaged.
22 My younger sister lives in Hawaii.
23 I don't talk to my parents.
24 They're evil.
25 I have a great therapist.
26 I love wine.
27 I am addicted to Davanni's pizza.
28 I love popcorn with lots of butter and salt.
29 My favorite band is The Beastie Boys.
30 I graduated with a B.S. in Psychology.
31 I am a massage therapist.
32 I have a bad back.
33 It doesn't hurt when I'm in shape.
34 I'm not in shape.
35 I want to get back in shape.
36 I used to be a runner.
37 I used to use the exercise tape "Callenetics" religiously.
38 I use "The Core Program" exercise book.
39 TCP helps my back A LOT.
40 I've only done it once this week.
41 My back hurts right now.
42 I'm a blurker.
43 My favorite swear word is "fuck."
44 My favorite color is violet.
45 In high school my favorite movie was "Lady Hawke."
46 I listened to mostly Christian contempory music as a kid.
47 I only drank alcohol twice in college.
48 Both times I drank beer.
49 Once I risked getting kicked out of college by drinking a Zima.
50 I drank more in high school.
51 My beer of choice then was MGD.
52 My taste has improved.
53 I have always liked vodka & cranberry juice.
54 I used pot (mostly) in high school.
55 The last time I got stoned was in 1998 with my little sister in NYC.
56 I used acid three times in high school.
57 Once was at "The Doors" movie.
58 Once it didn't work.
59 I will never do drugs again.
60 I have smoked occasionally.
61 I am not a "smoker."
62 I might smoke again sometime.
63 But I don't miss smoking.
64 I lost my virginity when I was 16.
65 My parents watched "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" with me when I was 12.
66 My religious parents said that sex was only for marriage.
67 I was confused about sex.
68 I am still confused about sex sometimes.
69 I would like to have or adopt another child one day.
70 My hubby is a programmer.
71 I don't know a lot about programming.
72 Or computers.
73 But I pretend I do.
74 I wear contacts or glasses.
75 I hate them both.
76 One day I will be able to afford laser eye surgery.
77 I have brown hair.
78 I have blue eyes.
79 I am about 30 pounds overweight.
80 Cool shoes are important.
81 I love my Dansko black clogs.
82 I used to love my Doc Marten's grease boots more.
83 I usually wear jeans.
84 Skirts win over shorts.
85 I have a lot of stretch marks from my pregnancy.
86 I will never wear a bikini again.
87 I burn easily in the sun.
88 I am very pale.
89 Even in the middle of summer.
90 But I do freckle.
91 It's very cute.
92 I love to read.
93 In 10th grade I could read 1200 WPM with 98% retention.
94 I have a good memory.
95 I love to swim.
96 I love a good storm.
97 I hate being cold.
98 I live in MN.
99 Ironic? Yes.
100 But I do like playing in the snow.

Snot nosed brats

Last night my throat started hurting. At 3AM Noah woke up crabby with a stuffy nose. By then the head cold was also taking over my body. He refused to go back to sleep so I made him some microwave popcorn, got him some OJ and put the Buzz Lightyear movie in we got from Netflix. Almost 2 hours later, he finally agreed to go back to bed. He was up at his normal time though. Damn, but I was hoping I could sleep in. Stan ran and got us some OJ before he left for work at 8:30AM and I laid on the couch, stuffy and tired, for most of the morning.

It was an okay day though. Noah was getting major cabin fever, so I had to work to keep him entertained. He wasn't that crabby though, and took a good nap. I got some cleaning done, whenever I got a spurt of energy. I also made chicken and stuffing for dinner with lots of garlic, onions and peppers. Good cold-fighting food.

Stan got home a little after 7PM and took care of Noah for the rest of the night. I tried to sleep, but ended up just hanging out in bed and then on the couch.

JIN had a show at The Dakota with Ted Nash. I was supposed to go, but obviously wasn't up for it. Why is it that I always get a sinus cold when I want to go to one of Boot's shows? It happened when Wynton was in town, when Wessel was in town (although I made it to that show) and now when Ted is in town. I should start taking more Zinc a week before these events!

Noah loves him gymnastics class and hanging out at the indoor playground. But interaction with kids always comes before a cold. Why do moms take their kids out when their noses are running like faucets? Ugh. They probably can't stand other minute stuck inside with their sick kid, so they take them out and expose MY KID to their kid's germs. Selfish biaches makin' my kid sick! How I loathe you and your apathy!

Me vs. Butcher Knife

I think I was too tired today to focus on cooking, let alone with two 2 year olds running around the kitchen (I was babysitting Noah's best friend Ella). But I threw caution to the wind, tried to distract the little ones with non-alcoholic slushy margaritas and broke out the butcher knife. I considered using the food processor, but decided against it. BIG MISTAKE.

I was chopping, making guacamole, chopping, prepping veggies for a quesidilla lunch, chopping, getting the rest of the veggies done so they would be ready to use (and hopefully not rot in the fridge) before I got around to using them. I was 3/4 of the way done when tragedy struck. I sliced into my thumb vs. the green pepper. About halfway through my digit, I was able to stop myself. I grabbed a dishtowel, wound it around my finger and held it above my heart.

The kids were clueless. I managed to get out the gauze and first aid tape and bind it tightly all with one hand. So my right hand was free to get them some Tostitos and turn on the TV to distract them until Stan got home to take over so I could hit Urgent Care.

I ended up not needing stitches. Yea! They were able to use steri strips to hold it together and bound it with gauze until it was 4 times it's original size.



So I'm off for at least 2 weeks. I had to cancel my clients and told them I'd let them know when I was ready to work again.

I guess I need to slow down, huh?

Little Man's First Fort

Why is it that I can't fall asleep when I want to? Did my mother keep it too quiet when I was a baby? Was I dependent on a favorite doll or rocking to get to sleep? Or was it that I was raised in the pit of Hadies and had to sleep with one eye open, ever alert for attack? Yea, it was probably that.

Last night Noah kept waking us up with loud sounds and talking. I think he was having some weird/bad dreams and was talking in his sleep. We even turned the monitor off, but he would yell for me. When I got in there he would toss and turn and then simply go back to sleep. Quickly, effortlessly. Lucky kid. Then he got up at 7:30 - a full hour earlier than usual. Stan set him up with breakfast in front of the TV and let me stay in bed for almost an hour. Have I mentioned how much I love my hubby lately? 'Cause I do.

Today his nap was 45 minutes long. Usually it's 90 - 120. Needless to say, I didn't get a nap either and I was so looking forward to one! So I was stuck with a tired, crabby kid to entertain for 5 - 6 more lonely hours. Sigh. I decided to try something new. So I wrapped some toys in newspaper for "presents." That worked for almost an hour. Amazing how the same present wrapped over and over again doesn't lose it's charm.

Then I broke out the big guns. I gathered packing tape, a king sized sheet, two kitchen chairs and brought them to the couch. Then I made Noah a fort that only HE was allowed in. He loved it. We usually play "fort" with Stan under the comforter on the bed, hodling up the covers and Noah attacks him and destroys it. Although I have logged many hours playing the game as well. We've even had all 4 house members involved. So this brings new dimension to the word "fort" for Noah. Yeah, that's right. I'm throwin' it down old school, G.

Right now SpongeBob is saving me from having to entertain the little tike. But the fort is also here, waiting to entertain when the child demands. Only 3 more hours to go. . .

No sex for the marrieds

I caught part of an Oprah episode last week where moms were talking about the attention their hubbies got vs. their kids. It seems that ignoring your mate is okay as long as you are a super mom in today's society. When did this happen? I know that parenting takes most of my time and energy, but I'm not going to deny myself and my hubby of a relationship because I have a kid. We don't have much time together, and yes, we don't have that much time for lovin'. But we do have a date night once every 2-4 weeks. And we try to connect at least once a day for a couple minutes at the very least.

One woman thought it was okay that she watched TV during sex. And another woman spent ALL of her time with her kids. In 3 years she hadn't so much as gone to the bathroom without them because it "freaked the kids out too much to be separated from her". SERIOUSLY. Man, that's messed up, dude.

Having an infant is HARD. Having kids is HARD. But as they grow, and you learn how to relate to your little one, it gets easier. Taking time out for yourself, especially at first, is HARD, but it is so worth it. It recharges you and helps you to be a better parent and a better mate.

It made me think about how exhausted I am at the end of the day. Entertaining Noah, cleaning, cooking, etc. for 10+ hours a day is a lot of work. And part of it I do for Stan. I like to have dinner ready and the house clean if at all possible when he gets home. But does he appreciate it? I think so. Would he rather I not work as hard and save energy for nightly sex? "Sadly, yes," was the reply.

We had a long talk about "us" and our "relationship" and the daily ruts we fall into we'd like to change. It made us feel so good to know where each other were at and that we are focused on the same goals. And that's the difference between me and the women who appeared on Oprah. I'm not in this alone. I have a partner who is willing to work with me and hold me accountable to taking care of myself and my spouse as well as my kid. Every woman should be so lucky.

WHAT THE HECK, MOM!?!

Last night we were brushing our teeth, which here is a family event, all four of us packed into the tiny bathroom. We growl, show our teeth and help Noah learn to brush his teeth well. Jeppa started poking me in my stomach, and I said, "What the heck!?!" Without missing a beat, Noah said, "What the heck, Mom?" I laughed so hard. His cute little voice saying that phrase with such attitude just cracked me up. I couldn't help it.

He realized it was a hit, so of course he kept repeating it. But then somthing must have triggered in his memory and he changed it, without any provocation from us, to "What the hell?" Thankfully, that didn't last. But Stan and Jeppa kept getting him to say it so I would keep laughing. Their favorite was when they got Noah to poke me and say, "What the heck, boobies!?" That one did not amuse me.

It's not the worst thing, but not the best either. Although I told Stan that he will have to be the one that explains it to his parents when they hear it!

We're off to his gymnastics class now. Hopefully he won't say it to the teacher. . .

Sum, sum, summertime!

The past few spring/summers have been cold and rainy. Seattle weather without the amazing scenery to go with it. But this summer, this summer, it's been fabulous. The rain has been sandwiched between blue skies and long visits from the sun. And it's been warm enough to hit the park with every sunset. At least when it's not raining. Noah got his dinosaur rain boots in the mail just in time for us to be able to splash and play in the puddles and mud. I love plastic shoes you can rinse off. I've decided that all kids shoes should be made out of plastic or rubbeIr. Although I still love the little Kenneth Cole black dress shoes. Very urban toddler cool.

It's also been nice to remeet all our neighbors again. Soon it'll be time to fire up the grill and break out the beer coolers for some good old neighborhood hang out gossip sessions. We're so blessed with a safe, quiet neighborhood. And a new family with kids just moved in on our street. Yea! More moms to visit during the day!

I've been doing some spring cleaning too. Jeppa's Mom is having a garage sale in a couple weeks, so we want to get rid of some junk. It's a nice feeling to declutter.

So all in all, I'm in a positive mood today! I had a good session with my counselor this week, which has a lot to do with it. And I've been active. Yes, I've finally gotten off my lazy ass and it's made a big difference in my attitude to get those endorphins moving. Excercise, sun and a clean house. Very important ingredients in a SAHM's life.

Noah's best friend just showed up so I'm logging off to babysit and play with the kids.

Laters.

Dental Dam

When I was living in my first apartment after college, my manager was an employee of Planned Parenthood. One day she slipped pamphlets on safe sex under all of the doors in the building. We had a great time laughing at the suggestions and illustrations in it. This is the first time I had ever heard of the term "dental dam." It was hillarious!! Especially since, as far as I was concerned, an unlubricated condom was an unusuable condom. (To you who aren't "in the know" a dental dam is a condom cut in half and used as a shield during oral sex.)

Not that I had a lot of sexual experience at that time. Or that I stood up for myself and what I wanted, or didn't want. I would pretty much shut down and put on the "yes, I want this too" act if a guy wanted to fool around or have sex with me. Thankfully (in retrospect) not a lot of guys tried to take advantage of me. So I have far less therapy to pay for than I could have.

It's so weird that current sexual issues now make me think of my son. My 2 year old son. I worry about the messages he's growing up with and the hormones he'll have to fight in puberty. I worry about him having sex at a young age, or having unhealthy sexual issues. Man, talk about mind fucking myself over something that is WAY out of my control and WAY in the future. Of course, I have a lot of current things to mind fuck myself about, but there's nothing like adding to the gigantic pile, right?

Very heavy stuff. So let's end with a fun story, huh!?! One morning my PP manager told us that she had to take a "sample" into the doctor in the morning since her new boyfriend kept giving her bladder infections. That night we heard her and her boyfriend in her apartment and decided she might need a little present to stave off another infection. The next morning she found a bottle of cranberry juice and was PISSED. I guess she was advanced enough to tell all her tenants about it, but didn't have the nerve to tell her boyfriend.

Ahh. . . good times!!!

Rambling

I haven't really been motivated to post lately. Maybe I've been busy. Maybe I've just not been in the mood.

I have wanted to write about some cute things Little Man has been doing. I love the way he says stuff. Stuff like:
Patorn (popcorn)
Pizza-Eddie (spaghetti)
Schloschlicle (popsicle)

I loved when he was nursing one day last week and put his hand on my heart, like he was grasping something precious to my chest for me, which he was. He held it there for a long time and it dulled the pains of life for a moment. This sweet, simple gesture.

I am happy that the weather has warmed up and we have been able to take walks and bring Little Man to the park. Don't get me wrong, at times I still would rather sit my ass on the couch for a few hours, but I've been mostly successful in battling the beast of laziness this week. The lawnchair has seen a lot of my ever growing ass, but hey, at least I'm outside.

Hubby and I have been more affectionate as of late too. Spring is definiately in the air. We've been doing a lot of romantic things this week. Like raking, dishes and tag-team poopy diaper changing. No lingere, candles and soft music for this couple! I guess it's better to love each other and still have spontaneous kisses and love fests in reality, but a movie set romance scene would be most welcome. And I would like to be movie star buff in in it too. I'm talking ultra-sexy. No extra padding or strech marks. Every hair would be in place that wasn't whisked away with hot wax and I would wear makeup. Perfectly applied makeup. Not just lipgloss for our family outing to the park, but full out makeup with blush and at least two shades of cleverly blended eye shadow.

It would be nice to have time to shower every day, let alone do my hair and makeup. Even if only me, myself and my family see it. I would also like to kick my ass in gear and loose my winter weight. The phrase, "My pants are tight!" have been uttered too much from my humle little lips the past month . . . or two . . . or three. And, of course, I need to get my ass in gear professionally. I have to take my AMTA membership test in December, at the latest. And I don't feel ready. I'm sure I can get ready quickly, but again, it's this whole motivation thing. And I need to finish the website I started 4 MONTHS AGO! Once I get into the groove, I'll be fine, but it's starting the groove that's the kicker. I just pout, kicking and screaming like a spoiled child who wants what she wants "Now! Damn it! Now!!!" without having to work for it. Gee, guess I am human after all. . .

Cookies are done. Timer is ringing. Lunch needs to be made. Time for this gal to be movin' on. Don't worry though, my friends, I will ramble again for you sometime (hopefully) soon.