Good bye 2008

Another year comes to a close and yet it feels like I blinked and the whole thing flew by. This year was quite mellow compared to the last few. However, it still went by too quickly. Isn't that odd how each day can seem to drag on endlessly. Stuck to the same routine counting down the minutes until tomorrow comes, hoping that it will bring some much appreciated rest, alone time, or relaxation (however that never seems to happen). Yet as we look back somehow the weeks and months seem to be a blur, quickly passing by barely allowing us to capture the moment. 2009 I hope brings many new adventures as well as time to relax and enjoy family and friends. I have not made any new years resolutions, because as many of you know once I call it a resolution it is sure to be broken. However, good luck to those of you who do... Best wishes and looking forward to 2009, bring it on!

SHOOT !

Okay, for those of you who know me well can attest that if I feel passionate about something, someone, or some situation I have been known to use a few choice phrases or words. However, with a walking sponge and recorder I have deffinately scaled back my sailor slang and only use appropriate language. So it came as a shock the other day when Braelee was at grandma's house knocked over a set of wooden nesting angels and cried "shoot." We all had to laugh and weren't sure if we heard correctly. She continued to use shoot if something didn't go the way she had planned all weekend long. (I wasn't aware that I said shoot all that much, I know of one instance when I used it infront of her and she repeated me, but I didn't know it would stick so soon) Needless to say my days of shooting the $%^& are over. :) Not that I will miss it.

Out to brave the weather

After several days of being stuck in the house(something I don't do very well, but have kept rather calm about lately) we are going to brave the weather and try and head to the cost tomorrow. I think once we get south of Salem should be okay. Should be interesting considering the fact that we dont' have chains. (may get some before heading out tomorrow, luckily les schwab is about 1/2 mile away. Well any who, wish us luck as we head out for the holidays.

Bed time not such a welcomed occasion

Lately bed time is a struggle, on a normal night we do bath, stories, and bed. However, lately i put Braelee to bed she is fine for about 10-15 minutes and then she decides to throw a fit until someone (usually me) comes to the rescue I have to sit with her until she falls asleep and then carefully put her back in bed. Thought it was going to get easier soon. I think we are teething so that is always fun. However, one plus is that she was able to nap amongst noise today. I got home today only to find her sound asleep on a bed of pillows on the living room floor. We had to snap a few pictures of this rare occasion.

Who are you?

Ok I tried the quiz who are you most like Jackie Marilyn or someone else and this is what I came up with. Crazy how after two questions it is pretty spot on with most things.

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be direct and clear
• * Listen to me carefully
• * Don't judge me for my anxiety
• * Work things through with me
• * Reassure me that everything is OK between us
• * Laugh and make jokes with me
• * Gently push me toward new experiences
• * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• * being committed and faithful to family and friends
• * being responsible and hardworking
• * being compassionate toward others
• * having intellect and wit
• * being a nonconformist
• * confronting danger bravely
• * being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

• * the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind
• * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself
• * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of
• * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger
• * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right
• * being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

• * are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn
• * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger
• * form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent
• * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel
• * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

• * are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty
• * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence
• * worry more than most that their children will get hurt
• * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at

I remember when birthdays used to be an exciting time. You went to bed anxious awaiting the next day to see if you felt any different the next morning. (you of course didn't, but at least it was your day) Now as an adult there really is nothing special about a birthday. It is just like any old day, same as yesterday, probably the same as tomorrow. Perhaps there still is that expectation that maybe today will be special, but inevitably reality sets in and one realizes it's just 24 hours and everything will repeat again tomorrow. The only bright side is you can eat cake and not feel bad about it. (However, now that you don't live at home you will probably have to make your own. ;) )

The other day we revisited the 80's in our own little living room version of flashdance. We had the onesie/leotard the socks and legwarmers, and the moves you can't forget those moves. Braelee actually does a fine impression of running in place. (she likes the noise it makes on the floor) I just thought it was too cute and deserved to make it on to film/memory card (now that no one uses film anymore) This is also a commemorative day because I am finally back on line, able to use a computer without the impending question: "are you almost done?" or having to wait 2 hours before I can log on, hopefully this means I can get back into the "cyber world" I have felt so unconnected. Crazy considering that I can access email from my phone, but it just isn' the same. So, I would like to just say "Welcome back self, the internet has missed you!"

Simple Entertainment

I think we all long for the days when we could simply be entertained with a box or perhaps a new pair of boots. We had such a day yesterday when Braelee found pure entertainment putting on and off her rubber boots. (still a little too big) However, she was able to clumsily make it around the house until bedtime when she was forced to take them off. It got me think about how I wish it were that simple to entertain myself, not that it is that hard. But, it made me long for a simpler time when I could find sheer joy in the simplest of things.

I have finally taken the plunge

Ok...I have currently decided to give blogging a try. Not sure if it is for me but hopefully will prove to be an interesting process none the less. I promise to not ramble about my mundane daily mishaps and experiences. I strive to create witty commentary on the quirky nature of my surroundings and give insightful discussion of my daily observations. Of which I have many. To those of you who care to read thank you and I hope to not dissapoint.