Cinco Drive

Wii Play!

2008-08-26T21:17:00.002-04:00

When it comes to video games, I'm not much for the epic sagas. I like the quick, short games.

That's why Wii Play is perfect for me. There are 9 games ranging from shooting objects, to pool, to riding a cow and knocking down scarecrows. Love it!

My favorite though is the game where you have to find the identical Mii look-alikes. It's tricky. Sometimes you're finding them with a flashlight...sometimes you're finding them swimming or on the escalator. Tricky. Very tricky.

One hint they give you is to create as many Miis as your friends so that it's easier to recognize them in the crowd. So I did just that.

Sorry Mom. Sorry Nic. I just had to.

It's me...with a little more mascara than I typically wear.

Mom is on the left. Nic is on the right.

Another Guilty Pleasure

2008-08-26T07:54:00.002-04:00

Awhile back, I think this may have been last year even, I wrote about a TV show that is totally embarrassing to say I like, but I do.

When Oprah isn't good and I've already seen Ellen, then I switch to ABC Family and watch What I Like About You with Jennie Garth and Amanda Bynes.

Well that ABC Family has another show that I've always secretly wanted to watch but was too busy chuckling it up with Amanda.

Greek.

Yes, I want to see that show and now season 2 comes out tonight. So what does ABC Family do? Put a WHOLE MARATHON on today of season 1. Oh, DVR will be burning the midnight oil tonight!

Go Greek. I'm excited to watch it.

Yes, I'm a dork. But I did have a perfect Rush...

Big Idea

2008-08-25T08:01:00.002-04:00

I don't often get the "Sunday night blues" anymore because I don't have to get up early to go to work...I just have to get up early to get a laughing baby who has pooped in her little turtle PJ's.

However, lately I've been getting them because I know that Joel's work week starts. That means no help with diaper changes or feeding or even 10 minutes of watching Sophia so that I can use the bathroom. My Sunday night anxiety gets worse when I know he'll be leaving town for a couple of days. Luckily, he's only gone one night this week. (I'm not saying which night so that my Internet stalkers won't come over...)

So my big and wonderful idea is that I think companies should cut back hours to four days a week.

Think about it.

If you only work four days a week, I'm sure the office utilization percent spikes because the worker knows that they have to get things done in four days as opposed to five. And seriously, who really works on a Friday?

Isn't that movie day or something?

Plus, with a four day week, you're not having people call in sick too often AND vacation time could be cut back to a week instead of two. With a three day weekend, think of all the great trips you could take. You could come to Toledo!

I think it's a grand idea. Who's in?

It's Working

2008-08-22T08:03:00.002-04:00

It's been close to two weeks since I've been taking my daily medication for my thyroid and I've noticed a HUGE difference.

My hair is shiny and beautiful...or that's because I just had it cut. I love hair cuts. There still is that chunk of hair that even my hair stylist goes, "hmmmm. That's so odd." I'm crossing my fingers that my pills take care of this over time.

Sweating? Well, it's reduced a tad. But having say it's reduced a tad is like saying the Niagara Falls puts out a gallon less of water each day.

The amount of energy is higher. Two days ago was my breakthrough day. Instead of sitting in a chair crying, wondering how on earth I was going to even make it for the day, I actually enjoyed most of the day. I walked. I showered. I did deliveries for the cookie shop. I made hair clips. I played with Sophia. I napped. I did a landscape design plan. I got my hair cut. I took care of a friend's dog.

Yesterday was even better. I even had a job interview. (We'll discuss that at a later date).

But the biggest symptom that is decreasing is my out of focus vision.

I always felt that I didn't have clarity and that my blood was concrete. My eyes couldn't stay open and I could barely see because they couldn't focus on objects. It was very difficult to describe but it was horrible.

Yesterday I actually started to tell a difference on the way I saw things. It was wonderful.

There are some illnesses that I think don't require medicine and I actually try to avoid taking medicine as much as possible, but I tell you what...

This is life changing. I'm glad I got tested.

What Is Going On?

2008-08-20T08:12:00.000-04:00

Why is everyone dying?

Month Eight

2008-08-19T10:06:00.002-04:00

Sophia turned 8 months on the 9th, so I am a wee bit behind on informing everyone.

Her biggest accomplishment this month?

When she crawls, she stops, sits and look at us and then will scratch her bum. This happens almost every time.

She sure takes after her daddy!

Sleepy

2008-08-18T09:46:00.002-04:00

I think my medication has one side effect that was not mentioned to me.

Exhaustion. Worse than before.

I did get 12 hours of sleep last night though. That's also because I went to bed at 7:30.

Hmmm...4-6 weeks before I start to feel normal again? It's going to be a long month if this is the reaction.

Baby's Best Friend

2008-08-14T20:16:00.001-04:00

Word of the Day

2008-08-14T07:53:00.003-04:00

The word of the day today is:

Adore.

Try using it in a sentence, such as "I absolutely adore this color on you." or you could say, "I just adore you".

I think you'll find great results when you use this word on people, so go ahead and try it out.

(Can you tell I might be watching a little too much Sesame Street?)

As I Suspected

2008-08-13T08:28:00.003-04:00

The results from my tests came back and everything looked good except for my thyroid. It's working a little slow, so I've been put on some replacement hormones.

It sounds like the miracle drug, so let's hope in 4-6 weeks I'm back to bubbly self.

My grandmother has had this issue, so has my mom and my sister. I've always known I had it, just never checked it out. And now I am pretty positive that Sophia will deal with it eventually.

I'm just excited for my hair to stop being so weird.

Somewhat Cured

2008-08-12T07:41:00.003-04:00

I used to be terrified of going to the dentist. Then I had to get braces and I went to the orthodontist on a weekly basis, or at least it felt like that. Maybe it was daily, who knows.

My fear was calmed by constantly doing something that I hated and now going to the dentist is just one more errand that I need to mark off my To-Do list.

Giving birth was one of my proudest accomplishments because I am Number 1 most squeamish person in the world. OK, number 2. My sister is number 1. I did very well during labor and only threw up once and I never cried or passed out. Shoot, I barely broke a sweat and I am one sweaty person!

So yesterday when I went to get my blood checked for diabetes, thyroid, hypoglycemia, anemia and two other tests I don't know about, I didn't flinch or get cold sweats or feel faint.

I was one proud girl...

...until I got home and my arm knotted up the size of a golf ball at the injection site.

Then I passed out.

Such is Life

2008-08-11T08:32:00.003-04:00

Life is as beautiful as it is ugly.

Yesterday we celebrated our niece's baptism, which was beautiful. We spent the day with Joel's side of the family and we enjoy that, since seeing family isn't very often on our schedule. This past weekend, we also had a mini reunion with my old roommates on a street corner in Chicago. I love that randomness part of life and look forward to situations such as those.

On the other side of the spectrum, today is our friend AnnE's brother's memorial service in Missouri. He was on vacation in Colorado getting ready to celebrate their sister's wedding and he had a tragic hiking accident. That part of life is uglier than anyone would ever hope for.

As far as tomorrow, no one knows but I'm sure all around the world people are celebrating and grieving.

One reason why I keep up with this website is to have everyone know what is going on in our lives. I also want people to know that just because I don't speak to you in person on a daily basis doesn't mean I'm not thinking of you.

So today, this blog is for Phoebe. And Ryan. And everyone else in the world that is reading.

Life is Fragile

2008-08-08T07:57:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I was reminded of how fragile life is and I think sometimes we can forget that.

So give everyone you love a hug or a call today because tomorrow they might not be there.

To my dear friend, our thoughts are with you and your family and we're thinking of you at this time of loss. Our deepest sympathy and we're sick over the news.

Fairy Tale

2008-08-07T10:02:00.002-04:00

I have been flattered and honored by being asked to be Godmother to my niece, Phoebe.

We're going up this weekend to her baptism and I'm very thrilled to be her Godmother.

I mean, I get to turn her car into pumpkins and make her a dress of gossamer, lace and satin...and if her prince ever lays a hand on her that he shouldn't, I'll take my wand and turn him into a toad.

That's what Godmothers do, right?

Well, maybe I'll just take her prom dress shopping instead.

Crazy Girl

2008-08-05T19:54:00.002-04:00

Sophia will put anything and everything in her mouth.

From Millie's hair, to toys, to cabinets, to the TV to shoes and seat belts, she'll eat it.

The one thing she won't eat?

Cheerios.

It's the craziest thing. She'll grab hold of them and she'll mash them to powder. She'll throw them around the high chair and she'll push them around but she will not eat them.

I don't understand babies very well.

Ironic Observation

2008-08-04T22:08:00.002-04:00

I think it's pretty funny that some of the slowest cars on the road have NASCAR bumper stickers.

And the fact that they're vans. Vans with NASCAR bumper stickers. Vans with NASCAR bumper stickers that go slow.

Pretty funny, huh?

Not Much to Offer

2008-08-03T22:29:00.005-04:00

Joel and I have been in this city for over 4 years now.

FOUR YEARS!

I am a person of change. Four years is a long time. I'm ready for the next move.

Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love the friends I've made here and I love things like my house...the Italian restaurant down the street...the cookie shop and the flower shop that I spend some paid time at...the fact that Joel enjoys going to work every day (he's crazy!)...how I don't have to work (just want to on occasion)...I love my dog...I love my daughter...

But it's time to move on. I feel it in my bones.

I'm ready to be an extra on a soap opera. I want my home featured in Cottage Living or HGTV. I'd like to co-host an episode of Barefoot Contessa. I want to open up a gift wrapping store and "stage homes" for a living. I want to become a top hair stylist for the stars. I want to open up a martini bar and serve my specialties. I want to become a designer for a clothing company. I want to serve popcorn at The Moxie.

So much to do. So little time and so not the opportunities to do these things in the Glass City.

However, as Joel mentioned the other night, 5 years ago I never thought that I'd be married (especially to the guy that sat next to me in class) or have a baby. So who knows where the next 5 years will take us.

I just hope it's in a different state.

A Wii Little Update

2008-08-01T07:54:00.003-04:00

On Sunday it will be two weeks since I fought off an eight year old for a Wii Fit at 7:45 in the morning.

And how has it been?

Pretty good. Joel and I really like the aerobics but could do without the strength training. Who wants to do lunges and plank positions when you can beat the record in hula hooping. (You try hula hooping for six minutes and then tell me how your heart and thighs feel).

The best part about the Fit is that you track your BMI, weight and activities.

Do you want to know what I started at?

I'm not shy. My weight began at 190 lbs. I mean, I did gain 55 pounds with Sophia and whose kidding, only 35 pounds of those were from pregnancy. We all know what the other weight was from. Arby's. McDonald's. All the steak that I craved...

As of last night, my weight was down to 179 and I've dropped one dress size. I'm pretty excited about the whole thing. I still walk every day for about 35 minutes and I'm continuing doing my push ups for the 100 push up challenge. I forget to eat when Joel is out of town because who has time to eat before 8pm when you're chasing a little hobbit around the house? When we do eat, we've just been better about portions. I'm not going to give up my steak, I'll just eat half of it. Yummy yummy steak.

In September Sophia will be 9 months old and that is my goal to be pre-pregnancy size. I think I can do it. I know I can.

So was it worth stalking every store for 3 weeks and hitting that eight year old with Sophia in her infant carrier? Let's give a big Heck Yeah.

Cheating

2008-07-30T10:55:00.003-04:00

I'm having horrible thoughts.

It's a major ethical decision on my part and I don't know what to do. Do I let this person know that I'm thinking about seeing someone else? Or do I just not say anything?

So let's say that I do go and see someone else, and then I run into my ex at the grocery store? It'll be awkward.

How do you switch hairstylists?

I'm at a moral crossroad. I love mine. I really, really do. However, with one less income coming in, I just can't afford a level 3 designer anymore. I can afford a student who will do the cut and color a fourth of the price of my current stylist.

Plus, I feel that I need a new look all together. A new look means a new stylist.

Oh the drama in my life.

Little Punks

2008-07-29T20:23:00.002-04:00

No, I do not want to buy a newspaper.

And no, I don't need to buy one at 8:30 at night.

And now that you've rung my doorbell and banged on my door, my dog Millie has gone berserk.

And now that Millie has gone ballistic, she woke up Sophia...my seven month old daughter WHO TOOK OVER AN HOUR TO GET TO SLEEP.

So now we're going to start this process all over again and I really don't have the energy.

Thanks for the offer, but I don't need a newspaper.

The Urge

2008-07-28T07:59:00.003-04:00

Lately, I've had the urge to be artistic and to create things.

I want to paint. I want to sketch and get back into charcoals and pastels. I want to mold objects. I want to make jewelery and magnets.

I also have the urge to cut my hair. I want to color it in 20 different colors. I want to pierce something.

I want to fill up ten different sketch books. I want to decorate a house. I want to sew and learn how to style hair really cool.

I want to redecorate the dining room (which Joel said I could repaint).

I want to bake lemon coconut cupcakes. I want to create small desserts that are two-biters.

I want to design a zoo. I want to garden and create floral arrangements and sell them at farmer's markets.

So much to create. So little time. I need to get started.

People Are Crazy

2008-07-25T13:51:00.002-04:00

So my question today is, why would you take pictures of other people's children if you didn't know them? And then what do you do with the pictures?

Tough Day

2008-07-24T09:26:00.003-04:00

I know that there are people out there who are dealing with illnesses. I also know that there are people out there dealing with starvation. Homelessness. War. Disabilities.

All those things that I am fortunate enough not to worry about.

However, on days like today, when the air around me feels like it's suffocating me, I don't really think about other people and when I do, I feel even worse because here I am complaining about nothing.

But on days where I'm so exhausted that the blood in my body feels like concrete, feeling compassionate is the last thing on my mind. And the loneliness that I feel at times...it's crushing and unfortunately, these days are beginning to outnumber my good days.

This is way harder than I ever thought it would be.

Mimic

2008-07-23T10:22:00.001-04:00

Since I am no means an expert on babies, I don't know what they typically do.

So when Sophia takes toys in her mouth and crawls around the room with them, is she mimicking Millie? Or is that just an easy way for babies to transport plastic, socks or stuffed animals from one destination to the next?

Man, that girl is cute.

Fall

2008-07-22T13:11:00.004-04:00

I used to be a girl who loved, loved, loved the heat and the sun...but that was back when I had a body that would let me wear a bikini. Those were also the days where my summers were free from worry and I could lay out by the pool all day long.

Now I hate the heat. The sun makes me highly paranoid and I spend most of the summer indoors.

What happened?!

So now I am counting down the days until fall. Ah, fall. How I love fall.

Leaves changing colors.
The cool briskness in the air.
Going to pick out pumpkins and bringing out all the fall decorations.
Making my meals of soups, jambalaya and baked spaghetti.

Of course, then comes winter and I hate winter. Oh, how I hate winter.

I need to move to a climate with two seasons. Spring and Fall. I don't think Ohio can offer me that.