Mommy Has the Entire Internet Bookmarked
Anybody need info on Budgies? My 1997 wedding research links? How about vacations to San Diego? I have entirely too many bookmarks, so I'm trying to clean up.

First to go, those dead links that have been there for ages. Passworded blogs are out too--I'm just too lazy or something to sign up, I don't know. Also must try to stop bookmarking blogs! It is really out of hand, but there are so many witty and entertaining people out there (I hope to get a links page up soon)! That said, I'll be getting rid of those blog links with pop-up ads. No matter how much I enjoy reading a site, I cannot stand pop-up ads and Google Toolbar doesn't work on a Mac, let alone an old OS, so I'm stuck.

Some people don't even realize the ads are there because it is actually an add-on feature like a message board or something that is sending the pop-up. All I can say is, well I guess they gotta make their money somewhere. Just wish they could find less annoying ways to do it, like spam or something.

Another Reason Why Mommy and Joaquin So Totally Rock
So the guy said, "Your husband should be doing that," when he saw Joaquin and I outside pulling out a rosebush and tons of overgrown grass. Yep, Joaquin and I rock. We had shovels and cutting tools and gloves and yanked out that ugly rosebush and some of the grass. We still have tons to do, but at least it's a start. Hey mister, thanks for your concern, but next time you pass, you'll know we totally rock too.

I started writing this the otherday and was so bored, I had to stop...
Wait a minute! I don't get bored.

It rained all last weekend and one good thing about that is the bird poop has been washed from everything for a while. Dust has been washed off too. We went to the park and it had clear water flowing and I wasn't worried about Joaquin touching stuff. He ran and ran in an open space. Joy!

It May Be Time To Move
We saw a swing (it's more than that) activity set at Costco that I've been thinking about since, even though it's $1,000.00, okay, it's actually $998.99. It's redwood, eleven feet tall and has two swings, monkey bars, slide, second level deck (clubhouse), rock climbing wall, and picnic bench. It has a 12 year guarantee. It is better than our house! I can see Joaquin using this at least 8 more years, possibly longer but it seems a little outrageous. Would this make the playground at the park pale in comparison? Maybe we could move in.

The Plot Thickens
Joaquin is trying to set George up and George knows it, so he's plotting to get even. I can feel it. It started at Christmas, when Joaquin found out that dogs LOVES them some Nemo and Dory stuffed toys. Tio E's dog, Tyson, was all over them. Joaquin figured George would be too, so he discreetly placed Nemo near George's snout while he was sleeping. I didn't know this at the time. Then he came running to me saying "Where's Nemo?" Then he makes a shocked noise, like "Uhhhh!" and points to George, who at that point has woken up to discover, yea!, a stuffed toy and has begun playing. I scolded George and took Nemo away. Then I saw the events unfold once again, Joaquin placed Nemo near George's snout and I said, "Busted!" and even though he's been caught, he still tries to do it. Today, George started nipping at Joaquin's legs. I figured he's trying to get even. Can't wait to see what else he's got.

Leaving Toddlers
Some of Joaquin's little friends from daycare have moved to the next level. I miss them. I still see Malea and Marvin and Justin and Micah once in a while. Even though I'd like Joaquin to stay with these kids because they are the same age, I kind of like still having him in with the toddlers. His teachers are great and really care for the kids. I'm not too impressed with the teachers of the next age group. He can't move on until he's potty trained and they are really trying because they are accepting BABIES at the daycare in the next few months. I wonder how long before they tell me I need to take him out because he's not potty trained. Yikes.

Eliza Doolittle
Finally, Joaquin has been channeling Eliza Doolittle. He keeps saying in a cockney accent with what sound like marbles in his mouth: "I cawn't!" He says it anytime he doesn't want to do something. I can't. I've never heard two other words that can be so stifling!

Reading 'Mommy' Books
Someone told Mommy to read Life of Pi. So I'm trying. Someone also told me to read Memoirs of a Geisha, which I did and was glad that I did up until the end when I found out that it wasn't a true story. I felt sort of duped. Still, it was beautifully written, and was one of those books that I found hard to put down from the beginning. Life of Pi on the otherhand, has not become that sort of book yet. I'm only on page 49 and I admit it is starting to draw me in, but it is not there yet. I'll let you know.

The Promise of Krispy Kremes and Other things
So today we were at the mall before Joaquin made a scene and we had to leave and Mommy was remembering that Phil Gordon promised us a Krispy Kreme in our area, so I ask, "Hey! Weren't we promised a Krispy Kreme?" Then lo' and behold, as we turned the next corner, a new building. Daddy encircled it and Mommy saw the familiar green and red, and YES!, it IS a Krispy Kreme. Then we had a moment of silence. Now, if we get that Starbucks, I'm set for life.

Now that Joaquin is talking up a storm, he feels compelled to correct me about mistakes I make, like calling the video "the Thomas video" when it is obviously the JAMES video. Or telling him to put on his blue sweater (which is actually blue and orange) when it is called the ORANGE jacket.

He's also picked up the phrase, "Step back, Jack." somewhere and thinks it is hilarious. He's learning Curly phrases, like "Why soitenly." and "Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk," from Daddy and exasperation phrases from Mommy, like, "Ay chihuahua!" He does this fake forced laugh while throwing back his head just to make us laugh and says "The Hulk," between gritted teeth with his arms bent in front and hands in fists, which he learned from school. He's, you know, picking up all the stuff we NEED to know in life. I'm so proud.

Retro Image - Bathtime
Once upon a time, Mommy was going to try to make scrapbooks! Alas, I've never really gotten into it, I don't know if it is because I don't know how to get started or I don't have all the supplies I need (although I do have lots of supplies) or because I don't have the time, but it hasn't happened yet. I did, however start designing pages on the computer.

This is one of Joaquin at bathtime. I liked the quote. The pictures were taken around May, 2001, which would make him a mere 6 months! Have I mentioned I miss that baby? (Click image to see bigger.)

Pavlov Didn't Know Dogs Tell Time
It's around 6 o'clock, the time that George usually gets his dinner bone. You should hear him carrying on, sneezing, whining, anything to get our attention. Okaaaaay, George!

To Pee, Or Not to Pee. That is the question.
Joaquin had his SpongeBob underroos on today but it was too much pressure. Mommy kept telling him not to pee in them, to tell Mommy when he had to pee and constantly asking if he had to go pee. He eventually just gave up and asked for the training pants that feel like cardboard.

I Can Never Have Anything Nice
I've been planning this tea party for two or more years. I don't know when I'm going to have it, perhaps when the garden is just so, perhaps for Cousin Angelica's bridal shower or maybe even my fortieth birthday. I've just been planning it in my mind and have slowly been accumulating items like teacups, teapots, silverware, ideas, etc. This past Christmas, I was even bold enough to ask for tea party related items for gifts. Grandma and Tia Elva smirked a little when I told them. I didn't care, I asked for them anyway.

Grandma bought me a delightful eight cup teapot with a rooster painted on the side. Tia Elva bought me two beautiful teacups with saucers she'd found at an antiques shop. One had a harlequin pattern rimmed with gold on the outside and the inside of the cup was shiny gold. The other had a beautiful rose pattern and stood just off of the matching saucer on three gold feet. I rarely become attached to stuff, but I loved them as much as anyone could love a cup, especially the rose one. I'd also purchased a small two cup teapot for myself.

One day, Joaquin grabbed the lid for the small teapot and when I held out my hand for him to give it to me, he dropped it. It was only broken in half so I glued it back together. Today, Joaquin was playing with a balloon when I'd heard a pop and loud crashing sound coming from the kitchen. Joaquin was running out the other door as I walked in. One of my precious teacups was lying on the floor, shattered. There was just no way I could glue this back together.

Amazingly, I didn't get as angry as I had about the teapot lid even though I'd liked that cup so much more. I'm glad he didn't get cut and I think it happened as reminder not to get to attached to stuff. But gosh, it was nice. I remember when her kids were small, Tia saying she could never have anything nice because they would destroy stuff just by being kids. Grandma and I shushed her. Now it is my turn to say it. I just have to try to remember that one day, Joaquin will be grown and I can live in my nice house with my nice stuff. For now, I've got to be more careful where I put things and just try to let him be comfy because this is his house too.

Bored?
Where did I read about someone's grandmother saying "only stupid people get bored?" I'm vaulting that for later when Joaquin tries to use it. Note: I found it on this very cool site. It really got me to thinking about boredom and my lack of it. My mind is constantly filled with thoughts on things I could be doing at any moment, like now, I could be removing clothes from the washer. I don't remember being bored when I was younger either. Don't be fooled into thinking I'm bored when you find me slouched in front of the television watching that pilates workout infomercial for the third time. I'm not. I'm probably thinking of all the stuff I could be doing, like getting the clothes from the washer.

Saturday Thoughts
I wish I could come up with something profound about clothes so I wouldn't hate washing them so much. Something like, "it is nice that I have more to wear than mere rags," or, "at least we have clothes to keep us warm," or, "it's a good thing we have clothes or we'd be arrested." Nope, it doesn't work, I still hate it. Sometimes there are up to eight loads a weekend. FOR THREE PEOPLE! Problem is that I would never hire someone to wash these clothes because I wouldn't want them to see my unmentionables.

We took the bus to the lolly (library) again today, always a treat for Joaquin. We're getting pretty good at public transportation. Of course, it's just down the street so that may be why.

I've been thinking about my roses for a while. It is time to plant and prune here. I have five bushes in front and haven't cared for them very well since Joaquin was first born. I've been thinking of removing one and moving one over about a foot because it blocks a faucet. I got a steroid shot when I went to the Doctor this past week to try decreasing the inflammation in my lungs, so I'm itching to cut and move those suckers. Steroids do that to me for some reason. At least I haven't become obsessed with removing weeds. I think that only happens on a longer course of steroids.

The family is finally feeling better. Joaquin seems all better, I just have a little more congestion to deal with, and Daddy has finally started taking his antibiotics. We're on the mend.

Happy Birthday, Barb!
I have not spoken to Barb in too many weeks. She's been through so much lately. I miss her dearly but since I've been sick, I haven't had the energy to phone. I will very soon. Just know that I am thinking about you as I do often. (A birthday shoutout to David too!)

It's Biological Warefare, I Tell Ya!
Bah! We're all sick again! I just went through this in July. Know what I think? If we just continue to procreate, we have our own biological warfare defense. We just let the kids do their thing. Anybody see The Simpsons, Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays, last night? The babies made everyone so sick they couldn't vote! I'm telling you, it is so totally true! Here I am, not able to work because I'm hacking, feverish, sore, mainly because of three year olds, possibly one three year old. And he keeps stealing the box of tissues, saying, "Mine!"

Happy New Year! or When Owning a Gun is Deemed 'Stupid', Then Only Stupid People Will Own Guns*
It must be New Year. We heard lots of gunshots last night. People aren't supposed to shoot guns in the city because of "Shannon's Law," a law passed in 2000 after a little girl got killed by random gunfire. Some still do. What is the big deal about shooting in the air? I just don't get it. There are car horns to be honked...air horns to be blown...garbage can lids to be banged...glasses to be broken...so many other ways to be annoying.

Joaquin is sicky again. Started Saturday with a cough. Then it was a cough and fever early Wednesday morning. I took him to see his Dr., mainly so he could listen to his lungs. I've had a thing about lungs since I was diagnosed with Asthma as an adult. His Dr. thinks it is only upper respiratory infection, gave me some OTC cough syrup so I wouldn't feel silly bringing him in for nothing. I hope its nothing, the jury is still out at this point.

I really thought I'd eventually get a feel for when we should take him in to see a doctor, kinda like my sister gets with her dogs. Everytime she shells out the $61, the veterinarian finds something wrong with them. For my $61, the vet tells me to stop him from scratching the spot...Wha? That's why I brought him in; so you could give me something to MAKE him stop stratching the spot. I guess it doesn't work that way. By the way, George has developed a heathy scab in the spot and we do stop him when we catch him trying to scratch.

I was reading other blogs and lots of people wrote what they want to accomplish in 2004. Here's a couple of mine. Sure, they don't seem very lofty, but I think there are some pretty good reasons behind them.

I want to take a watercolor class. When I was young, I used to enjoy drawing and such and haven't had that outlet for a while, never really have learned to paint. I've bookmarked a lot of artist blogs and just love the work they do. I've purchased watercolor kits hoping I could get started with those--I never did. While I don't want to pursue this as a profession, I just wanna see what I got and if I'll enjoy it as much as I think I will. My other goal is to have Daddy join me for some salsa dance classes. Mommy and Daddy don't really have common interests anymore, other than eating and Joaquin. I want us to have that. The classes are given at the local community college, just gotta decide what to do first.

So that's it for 2004. Bring it on.

*I don't normally post my politics here and I guess I really don't have a problem with guns as much as I do with many gun owners. C'mon, you gotta admit that is just plain stupid, right? Just remember, after you've fired a bullet, you can't take it back...hmm, I'm gonna see if the PPD wants to use that as a slogan next year.