Preppy Girl's Guide

I just have to tell y'all a story about when we were in Orlando last Monday. We spent the day at Disney and decided to stay overnight near the park so we wouldn't have to drive the 3 hours back to my mom's place. Mom kept the kids while Galoot and I headed off for some dinner (we had some EXCELLENT sushi by the way). Afterward, we decided to head back to the hotel bar for a drink. It was kinda a sad, sorry little bar, very fitting of this Best Western where we got a $69 rate. But I digress... As we sat at the bar the waitress and the bartender had the following conversation:

10:00 pm
W: "Did you hear what happened?"
B: "No what?"
W: "A 6 year old girl just came up to the front desk. She woke up in her room alone and there was a note from her parents."
B: "What did it say?"
W: "In case you wake up, we are at Pleasure Island."
B: "Did you call the police?"
W: "Of course, we had to. We gave her some dinner and she's playing in the office now."

Sure enough, about ten minutes later we walked into the hotel lobby and and saw the little girl sitting there playing a game with a sheriff's deputy. What is wrong with people?

Then I started to really think. Do they leave her alone all the time? Were they left alone as children? ARE PEOPLE REALLY THIS FUCKING STUPID? It disgusts me.

One more reason to be happy about who I am and what I have.

As promised, here's a few more Disney pics. I didn't take too many (mom had her cam too). It was a gorgeous day... wish I was there right now!

Thanks to Guinness Girl for this cool idea. Get your own word cloud here:

AWESOME WORD CLOUD

Here's mine, ENJOY!

What happened to dressing up for church? On Easter Sunday I was so disappointed at what I saw. We went to our old church in Florida, and naturally expected to see people in their Sunday Best - what a let down.

Don't get me wrong, most were dressed somewhat nicely - but being Easter Sunday (and all) I was expecting men in suits, women in hats, and little girls in foofy (is that a word?) dresses - it was kinda sad. I'll tell you right now, only a few men were wearing suits (hubby included), my mom and I were the only women wearing hats, and my daughter had the biggest, foofiest (I'm making it a word) dress in the whole darn church. What's up with that? Mind you, this church is in a very affluent area where dressing up shouldn't be an issue. I actually seem to remember now that even way back when we attended this church regularly, warnings had to be issued in the church bulletin about being dressed too casually - no shorts, mini skirts, bathing suits (yes I'm serious), or bare midriffs. Do people really have to be told stuff like this? Uh ya apparently.

Sometimes I would overhear people making the argument that "We are on vacation and these are the only clothes we have." Hey - I had to bring an extra suitcase just to fit this foofy thing (there's that word again) - plan ahead people!

Well the trip was great. We're all well rested and re-energized (well sorta...) As is the case with most vacations, I now feel like I need a few days off just to recover. I only cried once yesterday about how dirty and cluttered my house is (anything will seem cluttered after you've spent a week in a sparsely decorated and furnished vacation condo).

It's easy to get depressed after a vacation I suppose. First of all, Florida is just beautiful. Sunny, warm, clean, and thriving. We were treated by my mom a good portion of the trip and my aunt & uncle also invited us to their "yacht club" for a couple of meals. A special meal for us usually means a trip to Mickey D's so , we definitely felt spoiled. It's nice to have relatives who like to share the wealth!

Disney was great too, the kids were actually well-behaved (they were probably too overwhelmed to even think about acting up). We saw old friends, ate LOTS of seafood and got to act like single people again while grandma took the kids overnight. Can't complain about that! All in all, a well rounded trip.

Here's a couple of pics. My mom got the kids these great wet suits with built-in flotation (we kept calling them Hans & Franz) - I highly recommend. Plus a Disney pic. It can be a hassle, but it's always worth it in the end.

If you'd like to see how my trip has been so far check out hubby's blog entry here: GALOOT. David Sedaris was amaaaaahzing! The weather's great and the kids are swimming up a storm. I'm sure I'll have plenty to report when I get back. Thanks for your well wishes and Happy Easter Egg!

Okay fellow bloggers. I'm off to Florida for a week. We plan to:

a) Do Disney (when "Grandma" pays, you do what she wants)

b) See old friends (we lived there for 10 years and have been away for 5 so there's a LOT of catching up to do)

c) Visit the old haunts - though I suspect I will be depressed at how little I'll be able to drink and how early I'll be too pooped to party

d) Relax and have fun (as much as is possible when you're staying with your mom!)

I'll probably get a couple of opportunities to blog while I'm there (at least I hope!) If you don't hear from me, don't tune out - I'm just on vacation.

Have a happy Easter! All you "Lenters" pig out on whatever you sacrificed and enjoy!

So, here's something that really peeves me. Every morning, I drop off the kids at the Pre-School/Day Care/Children's Center, what have you. WELL... lately I have noticed this new mom - and something about her just rubs me the wrong way. I'm not sure why I feel this way, I mean I don't even know her (you're all saying - "it's called being judgmental!" - right?) Well let me just tell you what bugs me about her:

a) She drives a BMW SUV and NEVER parks the right way. Seriously, There is a 10 minute drop off section right in front of the doors that only allows about 4 cars at a time and she CLEARLY parks right in the middle of two spots every morning.

b) She always stays for like half an hour both when she drops off and picks up the kid. Hello? 10 minute parking! And don't you have a job? I know this because she is always there when I arrive, and STILL there after I have dropped off child #1 in his room AND child #2 in her room on separate floors of the school.

c) Not only does she park incorrectly, she can't seem to follow the flow of traffic. It is like a big circle. In the parking lot ONE WAY and circle around to the exit. It's not that difficult. The few times I HAVE seen her leave she has almost hit me coming out the wrong way.

Don't get me wrong, I am totally understanding if you've just started bringing your child and it's all NEW to you... but this has been going on since January. WTF lady?

I am probably so annoyed because:

a) she drives a beemer so clearly has more money than me
b) she has time to "lollygag" - while I am scurrying to my job
c) no one calls her on any of this crap

Maybe I should call her out next time see her... ya rite, I'm too much of a wuss. I'll save the complaining for y'all!

The subject of baby names seems to be buzzing around in my life lately. I just read Jen's blog who reported on the naming of the Paltrow/Martin children -(can I just say WTF?) Also, yesterday I talked to an old friend and found out she's 5 months pregnant. She knows it's a boy and she and her hubby have already started to argue over a name. They just can't seem to agree. He keeps pushing the names Aidan & Gavin - which my friend doesn't really like (no offense to all you Aidans & Gavins out there).

Last night, I was reading to my daughter a chapter from "Barbie's the Magic of Pegasus" (one of those pink and foofy girly books) which she just got at her school's book fair. I chuckled as I came upon the name of the book's "hero" - Prince Aidan. Here is his manly picture (alongside Shiver the polar bear):




I sent my friend the pic figuring this might sway her husband's opinion of Aidan... but what about Gavin? Suddenly I remembered what every good Kid's in the Hall fan should- THIS is why you shouldn't name your kid Gavin:
GAVIN

This is all in fun of course. I'm sure I could come up with a reason NOT to use just about any name you throw at me. Gwyneth & Chris should've consulted me - I'm just sayin'...

Why is it that I can watch a sappy movie over, and over, and over again? Maybe a better phrase to describe these movies that suck me in are "romantic comedies" but in any case, I have an addiction to them. Some are great movies, while others are just plain awful - but if they end up together in the end, I'm all over it. Here's the short list of movies I can't get enough of:

The Classics:
Bull Durham - Kevin Costner = yum
You've Got Mail/Sleepless in Seattle - same movie, right?
One Fine Day - Clooney plus cute kids is mush on a stick
Say Anything - no explanation needed

As of Late:
The Wedding Date - Dermot Mulroney, need I say more?
The Notebook - Sap city (I turn it off before they die)
Fever Pitch - it has flaws, but it's cute

Honorable Mention:
Dave - Kevin Kline, the total package
Groundhog Day - don't like her much, but love Murray
While you Were Sleeping - Bill Pullman cute in this
Serendipity - John Cusack usually guarantees a good flick
Love Actually/4 Weddings/Notting Hill - gotta love Hugh
Pretty Woman
An American President

I think I've watched the Wedding Date & Fever Pitch 3 or 4 times each in the last two weeks (though admittedly I don't usually catch the whole movie in one sitting). Damn you satellite TV - I can see a movie on HBO then watch it again 3 hours later on HBO west. I need to get out more.

Lately, my son has been very proud of his newest little trick. It seems that when he's done going potty, he'll play with his little "fireman" until it disappears. That's right folks, he has discovered how to invert his peener into oblivion (or atleast into his little scrote). I can't imagine where he learned this. He's still in diapers so it's not like he walks around exposed or has a lot of time to "play" in the buff. All I can think is that he saw a boy at school doing it (during potty breaks) and thought he'd give it a try. My husband thinks it's hilarious and asks him to perform his little magic trick for others. While I can't say I'm thrilled about it, it is pretty damn funny. Kids have no shame. It's great.

On the subject of no shame, I happened to breeze by the bathroom door the other night to find my daughter looking very comfortable on the potty. She proudly posed for the pic you see below. I assume the presence of her Easter bonnet means she's performing the "chocolate egg drop." Enjoy.


(I just noticed she's reading "No Depression?" Excellent musical taste for a pre-schooler - Go Kate!)

For years when I was little, I was under the impression that "Musko" was a special recipe of my mom's. Many nights I'd ask my mom what was for dinner and she would reply, "Musko." For some reason, I had it in my head that Musko was some kind of goulash-like, hamburger casserole-looking concoction. It was not until my early twenties that I actually realized what Musko is. All those years, my mom was saying "MUST GO" - or in other words, the food that must go - LEFTOVERS. Wow, I really must not have been paying attention at all on those Musko nights.

So last night at my house, we had Musko. Somehow my son ended up with a bowl full of noodles in spaghetti sauce with cut up hot dogs and a pancake on top (believe me, I suggested my husband give him a separate plate for the pancake, but the kid really wanted it on top!) It made me think of the scene in "Elf" when he's making spaghetti with syrup on it. Damn you Will Ferrell, king of the insanely hilarious. I need more cowbell!

Went to my in-laws for a couple of days. It was nice. Kate got her Easter dress and Petey got a little seer sucker jacket. I'm going to need a separate suitcase just for their Easter outfits when we go to Florida.

The weekend was fun - I got new sneakers and I bought my husband some bright green saucony running shoes on clearance (hey, when you find size 15, you buy them no matter what color!) Here's a little piccie of the fam from this weekend.