So, we are going to see the house still. Today. We figure – what the hell, you never know. The price is right and, right now, that’s a big deal. Fortunately it’s humid and rainy outside. So, we’ll smell all there is to smell and that will be that. Maybe I can Kinnear the house? The dog? The piles of poop? Stay tuned…you all know how crazy I am.

In the meantime feast your eyes on one of my crazy family members.

My Father-In-Law

You see my in-laws hold this football pool every year. Every week we go through the match ups and pick the winner. You get one point for each you get right. Pop won last year. This was also the year that my sister-in-law committed to obtaining a trophy for the winner. Upon finding out he was the winner last year Pop insisted that she buy the biggest trophy she could find. Look how proud he is! He emailed this picture to us all with the note,

HI ALL, I’VE GOT IT !!! I NOW HAVE THE “SOPHY TROPHY” FOR WINNING THE FAMILY COMPETITION LAST YEAR. IT WILL BE PASSED EACH YEAR TO THE NEW CHAMPION AND AN ENGRAVED PLATE FOR THAT YEAR WILL BE PLACED ON THE FRONT AND THE OLD PLATE MOUNTED ON THE SIDE. PICTURE ATTACHED WAS TAKEN AT THE ANNUAL PRESENTATION DINNER RECENTLY.

The trophy has been dubbed the “Sophy Trophy” after Sophia who was born just before Superbowl 2007. I love it! So much so that I’m not going to blink and eye when I win and steal that trophy out of that man’s hands. Sweet daughter-in-law pshaw…this is competition and I will win screw. Southern Hospitality.
Speaking of Southern, this is how my Brother-in-law responded to Pop’s email,

That is way yonder too cool…and a great trophy.

This family speaks like true Southerns (which they are), it’s so fun! The sayings I hear! Whew…the crack me up for days.

Hmmm, now that I think of it, we are headed down to visit him in December…I wonder if it would fit in my suitcase?

Our Realtor: “I have clients that would like to see your property.”

Selling Realtor: “They want to see it?”

Our Realtor: “Yes, that’s the idea.”

Selling Realtor: “Ohhh, it’s going to be a few days. The person living there right now has a Great Dane that isn’t house broken. We’ll have to get it ready to show.”

Our Realtor: “Okay, let us know when you are ready.”

Note to self: House on Market. Not ready to show because of dog excrement. They told us this?! Great Dane’s have big poops.
PS: Don’t ever hire the selling Realtor.

We are headed out of town for the weekend. I can’t wait! We have not been anywhere fun and interesting in a Very Long Time. And me? I’m a “Need to be Somewhere Fun and Interesting All the Time” kind of gal.

We are traveling to Cleveland for the East Coast version of my friend Adam’s wedding reception. He was married in L.A. over Memorial Day and we, very sadly, could not attend because we were: moving, selling a house, packing, crying, feeding, not sleeping, and/or poor – you fill in the blank. There a few really GREAT things about Cleveland.

1 – Adam will be there. I haven’t seen Adam in about 3 years.

2 – My college roommate and fellow Knitter in Crime, Marne, will be there. I love Marne.

3 – Our friends Mike and Rosie, who I lived with for a bit in Georgia are there. We haven’t seen Mike, Rosie or their kids in many years (hell, we haven’t even MET one of the kids). We will stay with them and I am sure there will be good. times.

4 – Cleveland Browns. This weekend should shut Rob up for at least a few months. “Honey, when can we go to Cleveland.” “Honey, there are no stinking good places to find Brown’s paraphernalia here, I want to go to Cleveland.”

It promises to be a weekend of long waited for reunions and many giggles. Man, do I ever need it!

But this whole – find a dress to wear to a wedding reception thing?! Stinkers. I needed something that would fit me, allow me to nurse baby, and not make me look like the postpartum cow that I feel like. Fat face, fat boobs, fat tummy. I finally settled on this dress…

Except I don’t look anywhere near as hot in it. The rolls aren’t so apparent in this picture, but they are there.

So I went out and got…a girdle (or, as the department store calls it, “Shapewear”).

Wait, here’s something cute to make you forget that picture.

Fat rolls on baby = cute

Fat rolls on mama = not so cute

A girdle.

Lord help us all.

I am one sexy mama I tell you.

You must laugh…

Flight of the Conchords – If You’re Into It

A thousand thanks to Laura A for the link. This video has become my new go to video for instant giggles, replacing Pearl, the Landlord.

What can I say? I have a very refined sense of humor.

* a million besos for the person who can guess where this quote is from.

So glad to know that I am not the only heel about heels.

Hahaha.

I bet you didn’t realize you would be reading the website of the funniest girl alive, now did you?

*There’s that damn t-shirt agin.*

A long, long time ago there was a meme that traveled the intranets that urged participants to show their cars. My favorite was Carole’s (I can’t find the original post) as, to me, her car is very much like her personality – fun, free loving, and super cute. I never got around to showing my, or rather, our car. We are a one car family which was great in the city and is working out okay in the suburbs. I actually dread owning another car…they are damn expensive. But, I digress.

There are different “camps” when it comes to cars. My husband and I subscribe to the “we will drive you until you die” camp. My father bought my current car new in 1992, I obtained her in 1998, Rob adopted her via “the big move in” in 2003, we expect Sophia to assume possession in 2023. Hell, my first car was a diesel station wagon – Sophia will be way better off with a 31 year old car!

This car has seen me through seven moves in five states, too many road trips to count, one break in (we lost her stereo, although the perp was kind enough to unscrew the dash rather than tear it off, wish they had jimmied the lock and not broken the damn window…but beggars can’t be choosers I suppose), and 2 minor accidents. We dropped collision on her years ago so her blemishes have largely gone unpatched. Until now.

I believe I may have mentioned this here – but poor Robby got in an accident his first day back after Sophia’s birth. The accident was *technically* his fault as he failed to see a car before he took a legal U-Turn. Thankfully there were no injuries and both cars were relatively unscathed. Ours had a smashed in door – fiberglass body means that it essentially cracked.

Well, Robby and my Dad hit the junkyard and found her a new door – in a different color.

You can barely tell in the photo – but the gas cap is a totally different color as well. That fell off at the mercy of Rob’s hand who, in a fit of frigged winter terror, forced it open in below freezing temps. And open it did – permanently.

Not only did Robby do this but he also bought her some $5 mats

And a super wopish accoutrement. (Those two words together are making me giggle. I bet they never expected to meet each other).

All of this in time for the biggest, bestest, coolest thing in the world.

The rolling of the numbers.

…SUCCESS.

We love you little car. And we love that you cause us to get all kinds of looks as we travel the streets looking for a new home. Man, any house would be lucky to have you as a neighbor!

I am lying on an air mattress in our bedroom.  Sophia is hiccuping next to me, trying to drift off to sleep, Robby is asleep and both dogs are at my feet.  The room is empty but for a half disassembled bassinet, a swing and our random cloths.  Everything else is contained in a 28 ft (!) truck sitting outside our home.  Our Home.  Our belongings inside or out – this is still Our Home.

We close on the sale tomorrow.  Today will be spend gathering the little stuff up, cleaning, and relishing our last day here.

It will also be spend honoring the Dads in my life.  One of which is a first timer and has excelled and reached a new level of championship knowledge.  The other has been a champion for years and years and now takes on the role as Grandfather.

Very lucky I am.

See you all on the flip.  You all will likely only notice the background change in my photos and a shift in content ever so slight.  I however, will be different and changed and transformed.  Onward!

Just like me to post and run huh?

We’ve been busy with Aunt/Godmomma Juli and Uncle Chad…

Sophia says: “Moooommm, Chad is going to kill you for posting a picture of him without his shirt on.”

So yes, we’re moving.  We made the decision to put our house on the market at the end of April.  We expected a long time on the market, as we had that experience last year when we tried to sell (and never did).  However, this time around the fates had their hand.  We listed and sold within two weeks leaving us with some big decisions.  In the end family won out and we are headed to Rochester, NY.  I grew up in the suburbs of Rochester but have not lived there for about hmmm, 14 years (wow! time flies).  And have not lived there as a real adult (18 graduated from highschool does not count as a real adult).  So, this is going to be an interesting experience.  Going back, facing my youth, measuring myself against expectations set then.  Fortunatley I am extraoridinarily lucky and happy with my place in life.  However, there are ghosts in them there hills…albeit friendly ones.

“Ghosts, did someone say ghosts?”

When do we move?  The movers come June 16th, the closing is the 18th.  Yeah, this was the other kicker – a relatively short closing period.  The buyers are relocating and starting a new job so they were inflexible on those date.  Can’t say I blame them but kind of puts us in a weird place.  Not one box has been packed and none will before my parents get here next Monday.  I just don’t have the time or energy.  Work is kicking my butt and Sophia isn’t sleeping great.  My mom (who left a very sweet comment on my last post *hi mom*) and dad have been great – booking all of the necessary trucks, movers, storage, etc.  We couldn’t have done this without them.

Where will we live?  With my parents.  Let that sink in.

US = two adults, one baby, two dogs, two cats.

Them = two adults, two dogs, one house.

They are crazy to allow us to do this and we are crazy for taking advantage of it.  It will be one crazy fun mess and Sophia (the only one that really matters) is going to have a great time!  And, honestly, so am I – I am desperate for some more hands around the house.  This is a temporary measure to give us time to find jobs, find a house, and get back on our feet financially.  I’m sure I’ll have some good stories….(*hi mom* *hi dad* love you. thanks).

Thanks to all of the ROCS that came out in the comments…. I need friends, apply within.  No, I’m kidding.  It is a freakin small ass world.  Kate Gilbert left a comment that she was originally from the ROC.  Further conversation ensued and she graduated the same year I did from a neighboring high school.  Her roommate in college was a classmate of mine.  So weird.  So, I think I found a new friend for Sophia and a friend for me…although Kate and her little one only visit and actually live across the border.  Kate, I swear I’m only a little crazy….and Sophia, she’s nice as can be!

The great thing about blogging is that I can keep all of my girls here at my fingertips.  I was lamenting to them the other day that I actually am going to have the POST my exploits because I can’t just tell them about it all in person.  Bah-humbug.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…Sophia turned 4 months old!  I’m not sure what her weight is right now – her Drs appointment isn’t for another week and a half.  She’s likely close around 11 lbs.  She is awesome – starting to laugh, has rolled over a few times (front to back), and is a little cutie patootie We lub her.

Happy 4 month birthday my sweet love…time to start sleeping at night…lub you…

When I was younger than I am now one of my favorite snacks was Ice Tea Mix stuck to a Melty Ice Cube. I would take the cube and dip it into the mix (usually right out of the container) and suck off the mix. Yum. For some reason I have the taste of it in my mouth. It’s been years and years since I have even thought about such a thing.

On to other random thoughts -

I have found some super cool links in the past few days, and months, and years. I thought I might share.

• Here is a link to a site that outlines the methods and numbers for a variety of sock heels. So. Cool. (via Big Sister by way of Ravelry’s discussion boards.
• Sock sizing Tips
• DIY BabyLegs. BabyLegs are just about the cutest things since sliced bread. Leg warmers for your wee one. Now you can make them yourself. By the way – Old Navy has knee-highs. (via Pumpkin Mama)
• Gnooks. You can put in the name of an author and it will return a word map with authors who are similar
• This Next. Yet another cool site to catalog your material wishes and get ideas from others. This is incredibly easy to use and is highly functional. I love it. I have not gotten around to making recommendations yet but I have started a wee bit of a wish list.
• Cook’s Thesaurus. There is an ingredient of the month! Kind of like a playmate of the month for the foodie. Ohhh, braised red cabbage you are so fine, you make my heart race.
• One Look Reverse Dictionary. You know how you can think of every other word to describe something but you can’t actually think of the name of that something? This is for you. I have not used it enough to figure out if it actually works
• The National Archives website directory of America’s Historical Documents. Wanna see Elvis’s letter to President Nixon? This is the place. One of my all time favorite posters (below) is part of the Powers of Persuasion Exhibit. So Interesting.
  

Scene: Yesterday. Sophia’s Pediatricians Office (who we lovingly refer to as Dr. Tool). She’s here for her two-month check up, although she is just over 10 weeks now. The Doctor hasn’t yet entered the office.

Bookish Girl: Robby, look through the drawers and find some Chux Pads.

Robby: Are you asking me to steal these?

BG: The lactation consultant told me to do this. She said that they will come in handy when I am pumping in my office at work. They’ll absorb any spills, you know how clumsy I am. Besides, it is not really stealing…our insurance is paying an arm and a leg for our visit and these supplies are part of our visit. Just grab them!

Robby gives Bookish Girl “the look”. Clearly he doesn’t approve of this rationalization. He reluctantly stuffs three Chux Pads into the diaper bag as he stares at the door out of the corner of his eyes.

Robby: What if Dr. Tool walks in?

BG: He won’t care – we’ll just tell him why we need them.

Meanwhile – I am nursing Sophia. She had a bit of a melt down as soon as we walk in the door. I think she knows she is going to get stabbed with a needle during the visit.

The Dr enters with a third year med student who will take our initial information, he is about 12 years old. I continue to breast feed throughout the exam with both Drs. present and in full view of my boob.

We finish the exam, Sophia is stuck with the needles (as a side note: I don’t think I’ll ever be the same, that scream will live with me forever.), and the Drs. leave. I am trying to calm Sophia who has reached epic levels of panic. I look over at Rob who is stuffing MORE CHUX PADS into our bag.

BG: What are you doing? You were barely able to grab those before!

R: The doctors got to see your boobs. This is a give and take relationship and they have to pay up with SOMETHING. They see your boobs. We get to take home more Chux pads.

Our marriage has reached a new level.

A look at my boobs is equal in value to a stack of Chux pads…super absorbent hospital grade Chux pads.

Watch out girls – the jealousy may kill you.

The Scene:  My living room, I call my college roommate to wish her a happy belated birthday.

Me:  Hi Allie, Happy Belated Birthday, I’m so sorry I didn’t call yesterday.  I completely forgot.

Allie:  You called.

M:  I did?

A:  Yah, you left a message.

M:  When?

A:  Yesterday morning.

M:  Are you sure?
A:  Yes!

M:  No way.  I have zero memory of doing that.

A:  Welcome to motherhood.

I have been “out of the world” now for 12 days. The weather here is keeping me indoors most of the time. It’s just too cold for baby. We have ventured out to the park to let the dogs romp a few times. Sophia gets a ride in the sling (thank you Melanie, for lending it, it has been a god-send) and I get some much needed exercise and fresh air. Today we have sleet/snow so I will likely remain indoors and surf the blogs. Which, by the way, I love all the lurkers come out over here. There are so many blogs out there that I have never come across. Talented, interesting woman. You go girls!

What I have learned about myself so far…

I’m addicted to Dunkin Donuts hot chocolate and glazed stick donuts. I partook in this treat a few times a month during my pregnancy. I had no way of knowing that I had become dependent on them. Robby is on his way home for lunch with donut and hot chocolate in hand. My knight in a broken car.*

* A broken car. Poor Robby got into a bit of a fender bender this week. Good timing huh? So far we think it’s drivable. We haven’t had collision on our policy for years. We drive a ’92 Saturn with close to 200K miles on it. The blue book cost of it is less than any potential collision repairs we would ever have to make. However, when you’re looking at going from no car payment to a payment in one easy accident…after having a baby and taking time off work (some of which is without pay)…well, life gets stressful. In a weird twist…the guy that hit him? His wife is due with their first on Monday!