Newby Newborn Nephew

I JUST realized I never posted pictures of my newby newborn nephew....in my defense...this week has been MAD!

Sunday is the new Friday

For me, Sunday is the new Friday. I always have Monday off... I love Sundays, especially in the fall. The weather here in Omaha, is beginning to cool off at night. The days have only been peaking in the mid seventies! Omaha is the reason I love fall so much, I will take pictures when the leaves begin to turn.

Tonight is date numero dos. It is different in these two facts.

1. He is cooking.

2. My whole family is invited. lol

Don't worry, my mom is going to leave with the kiddos early, so we can all chill after dinner in peace and talk some shiz.

Kids Say the Darndest Things Retro

One of my favorite 'kids say the darndest things' stories about Cierra happened last year when she was in 1st grade.
She and I were meeting with the speech therapy teacher to explore the possibility of Cierra in speech therapy. She has a little bit of a lisp. It seems to get better as she gets older. Never-the-less when we were done with the meeting, Cierra asked why she would go to speech class. When I told her that it would be to help her say her s's, t's, th's and ch's a little better. She looked at me kinda weird almost immediately. I asked her what was up. The following is what she had to say:

Cierra- "Do grown ups go to speech class at my school?"

Me- "Nope, just kids, why?"

Cierra- "Mister Martin needs to go to speech class, he has a lisp like me."

(Mr. Martin is a Fantastically gay music teacher at her school... I proceeded to laugh. laugh laugh!)

Intuitive Extroverted Dominatrix

Right now I am doing homework. For my communications course we took the Myers-Briggs type Inventory. I was the only lucky one in the class with my personality. SPAZ
It made me laugh...

ENTP

Dominant Extroverted Intuition

“Words, ideas and possibilities spew effortlessly from them. Words are their best friends. They dance around ideas, the more, the merrier. Imaginative, spontaneous, original and enthusiastic, they have a knack for seeing other possibilities, other dreams and options. The world is never as it is but as it could be, as if it were but an artists sketch begging for color. They initiate change and often are prone to trespassing a few known boundaries to take themselves and others where no one has been before. The status quo tends to lack inspiration.

When inspired, they are fearless and tireless. Their energy will know no limits unless red tape takes over. Routine drags them down. Their faith in possibilities and belief in the benefit of change often inspire others to follow. They are challenging, ingenious and innovative. They will give their best to what appears to be an impossible challenge, a place unknown to man or beast.
They use metaphors, stories, images and analogies to make their point. They love theories and often shape their own. They see patterns emerging. Keen improvisers, they are rarely caught off guard; there is always something up their sleeve. The sky is the only limit.

They are sometimes entertainers, artists or otherwise engaged in public demonstrations that allow their ideas to bloom. Their greatest difficulty is not in initiating projects but in choosing among so many possibilities, setting realistic boundaries, establishing priorities and correctly assessing resources.”

Kitchen Stripes!!!!

I finished the final coats of paint today/tonight in my kitchen. After the paint was dry, I took the tape off! wooo hooooo (this is my favorite part of al!)

How To Date a Single Mom

The following is thanks to blogger http://cathjenkin.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/the-single-guy%E2%80%99s-guide-to-dating-a-single-mom/

"So, you meet her – Funny, clever, busy, cynical and soft. She’s great. You date. Except there’s one thing about her that makes your ballsack twinge in fright.

It’s the Kid.

Now let’s be upfront, and serious, just for a second. When you’re dating a single mom, you’re really dating two people. Okay, so not exactly the ménage ‘n trois you were hoping for, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers.

Know this one thing – she doesn’t consider it serious until she introduces you to the Kid. Know one other thing – introducing you to the Kid is not a test. You cannot pass or fail it. It just is. Got that? Good.

The stuff you should know:

Knowledge of the Kid:

Any mother, anywhere, is going to talk about her kid. Your mom did, didn’t she? So, if the topic of the Kid only comes up way after you meet, you may find she’s ashamed of the idea of being a single parent.

My answer? Run. Now. Any person not okay with being themselves is not worth your time anyway.

Your date/girlfriend is going to talk about the Kid. Get used to that fact. Just as she’s also going to talk about her job, her friends, her life and her family. Just like you are about your job, your friends, your family, your car. Except her Kid isn’t an accessory and doesn’t come with fuel injection. No, wait, the Kid does have fuel injection capabilities, spawned from a myriad of bribery sweets and birthday cake, but does not require weekly buffing and an immobilizer. On that note, if anyone knows how to install an immobilizer on a Kid, let me know.

Priorities:

You see, dude, you’re going to have to accept that you score at a number two on the priority list in Single Mom’s life. Once it’s serious, you’ll reach that point. You don’t comprehend? Look, I’ll show you:

Single Mom’s priorities before she dates you:

Kid.
Self.
Job.
Family.
Friends.
Everything and everyone else

Single Mom’s priorities once you two reach serious stage:

Kid.
You.
Self.
Job.
Family.
Friends.
Everything and everyone else.

Notice that subtle change? Thought you might.

So, in the grander scheme of things, scoring number two ain’t so freaking bad, after all, is it? What are your priorities, then, mmm?

The Ex:

If you’re really lucky, the Ex will be a nice enough guy, with whom your girlfriend has an amicable relationship. Do NOT fuck with it.

If you’re not lucky, the Ex will be a vilified arsehole, with whom your girlfriend has a relationship of vague tolerance and vitriolic sucking up of his BS. Once again, do NOT fuck with it. Unless you are asked to.

If you’re middle of the road lucky, the Ex will just be around for parties, family events, the every-other-weekend-pick-up-and-drop-off, and be generally unobtrusive, and is someone with whom your girlfriend has a mild, sometimes tenuous, generally okay relationship. Seriously, do NOT fuck with it.

Be nice, be polite, exchange idle banter about cars and leave it at that. Remember something rather important, dude. His wang was in there long before you were, and made a Kid. The very Kid who is now a part of your life and who undoubtedly hero worships their father. So, like, accept that and be polite.

Kid and tantrums:

The golden rule is to walk away, go into the kitchen, make tea and let mama sort this one out. Grit your teeth and do it. But, be helpful in an indirect fashion. Trust me, mama doesn’t need your help sorting this one out, and your “advice” is invalid unless you have a kid yourself.

The Kid:

The Kid is going to be shy at first. The Kid is going to fall in love with you too. You may find you do the same in return. Try not to be a complete wuss about it. Don’t be afraid to dig out your old Lego and channel your light-sabre years. You have full rights to watch Gummi Bears now and you absolutely can eat ice cream with your fingers, and all the cake you like. Don’t all therapists tell you to channel your inner child? There it is, right there, and you didn’t even have to pay someone five hundred bucks an hour to remind you.

At some point, the Kid is going to love you. Just because you are. Just because you exist in their world. Isn’t that a good thought?

The Dates:

So the Kid gets sick on Date night and your girlfriend has to cancel so that she can sit up all night being puked on and doing 42 cycles of laundry, whilst still trying to get some sleep and soothe a crying child. Your job? Quit whining about it. Move on. So the vomit-game got in the way of your laygame? Sorry, mate, but tomorrow is another day, and another date night will roll around and the Kid won’t get sick and all will be well. Offer empathy. And don’t think your girlfriend is not feeling like a piece of total turd for having to cancel. She already is. Don’t make it any worse.

The Friends:

Your Single Mom Girlfriend will come with a set of hideously close, fantastic friends. They have been there from the beginning and probably before, and, should you ever make a grand exit, will be around to pick up the pieces afterwards. Alternatively, should you stick around long enough, you’ll become part of that regular tableau around the dinner table. They can tell you everything you ever want to know about your girlfriend. Well, at least everything she will let them. They are her support structure and are family to her and the Kid. They’d also be the ones singing your praises and making speeches at your wedding one day, should that happen. Don’t ever ask her to choose between you or them. It won’t end well and you will lose.

Her Family:

Are probably a close-knit bunch, a little crazy, and completely supportive. Respect that. One day, they might be your family too. Make her laugh not cry and they will love you forever like she does.

Her Job:

Is just as important as yours. If not more. If that stings, deal with it. You see, you get up every morning, get yourself ready and dressed and go to work. On the other side of the spectrum, she gets up every morning at sparrows fart, gets herself ready and dressed for work, gets the Kid ready and dressed for school/daycare, feeds them breakfast, cleans the house, makes sure whatever’s needed for dinner is defrosting, throws coffee down her throat. At lunchtime, you’re at a lunch meeting, or you’re having a sandwich at your desk or you’re getting a bit of fresh air. She is making sure the bills are paid, running to the bank because it will be closed when she is off and she is most definitely chugging back another coffee and hoping that muffin she ate on the way doesn’t show up too badly in her hips. You see, if she loses her job, everyone suffers. If you lose your job, um, you suffer.

What you will get in return:

An abundance of love. Like I said, it’s not the ménage ‘n trois you were looking for, but it still is one. Sure, it has some limitations, boundaries and getting-used-tos, but what relationship doesn’t at first seem to have them?

A space at the dinner table any time you like. Seriously. If the Kid’s gotta be fed, then mama’s cooking. Which means, she’s happily cooking for you too anytime you like. I’m willing to bet what she’s making beats last night’s pizza leftovers.

An experience to relive your very own childhood. Enough said.

The privilege and honor of being a fundamental part of someone’s developing life. Think about that. Seriously. Who wouldn’t want that honour? To know they truly made a mark in someone’s life. Do you have that feeling now?

Absolute support. It’s true. Single moms thrive on the support they receive from the people who love them, and will give it back 100 times infinity. It’s always there.

A challenge. A challenge to yourself, for yourself. You’re going to learn so much more about yourself, more than you ever, ever knew. Ask your girlfriend, she knows, because she’s learning about herself too.

Heart-winning. You will win the heart of someone so hurt once, that you will become the hero without even fighting for it. You will be believed in, above all people. And you will be a prince among plonkers.

A sense of belonging. Once you’ve become part of the family others may deem strange, but is actually becoming the norm nowadays, you’ll always know where you can come home to. Bad mood, good mood, bad day, good day, it doesn’t matter. You’re just there. That’s what makes the difference to them.

Laughter. So much laughter you cannot contain yourself.

You don’t believe me?

Try farting in front of the Kid.

Seriously.

Live...

Take chances. Tell the truth. Date someone totally wrong for you. Say no. Spend all your cash! Fall in love. Get to know someone random. Be random. Say I love you. Sing out loud. Laugh at a stupid joke. Tell a stupid joke. Cry. Get revenge. Apologize. Tell someone how much they mean to you. Tell the asshole what you feel. Let someone know what they're missing. Laugh til your stomach hurts. Be inappropriate. Be sincere. Have fun. LIVE

Kitchen Paint Projectoid

Before there was paint...there was tape...lots and lots of tape!

Dirty Bar Feet

SO the other night I went on a date. I dressed casual, but with my off the shoulder top and good jeans. Layered under the eggplant colored top was my white, long-line tube top from Charlotte Rous (every woman should own one, or two...or three). Since I only have a little over a week left to wear white shoes, I wore my favorite white peep toe stilettos with eggplant toe nails.

Long story, short...my date wore his flip flops. After a couple of drinks, I got the chance to showcase my pool skills. I missed a shot and blamed it on my shoes,because I rule-clearly! This was the point at which my cute white heels got kicked under the table and left for the remainder of the night. I was most definitely NOT channeling my inner Britney Spears, because I didn't go to the bathroom at a truck stop with no shoes on...I just walked around an empty bar without them on.

When I got home that night... my feet were stained a weird rust color. You can't really see it in the picture.. but you get the point! Just be happy that I actually blogged about my dirty bar feet; don't you feel much more enlightened now? For Sure!

How Jenny Got Her Groove Back

Today was perfect. Went to work, C went to school. We were home by 4:30. Cierra had her after school snack and did her homework while I made dinner. Some of my family came over for dinner at 6. Gettin back in the groove of things feels sooo nice! I love cooking dinner (most nights) after I get home from work...there is something very calming about it.
Below is Cierra who is contently doing her first homework assignment of the year..

Take a look at the table...My sister and Jason got this table for me as a surprise. I had my eye on it (Salvation Army for 30 BUCKS!). It is so beautiful. I will show you all later once I have the bench built in. I am going to maximize the space I have, it's gonna be rad!
Here's what's for dinner..well PART of it anyway! (The lasagna was gone before I could take a pictures of it)

Cierra's First Day of School

It's all about the right backpack-clearly!
Waiting for the bell to ring.
C started school last week. I JUST uploaded pictures tonight. I am slowly but surely getting back into the groove of things and COULDN'T BE happier! Who woulda thought moving to a new States would've eaten away a summer like that? Anyhooser, here are the pictures from my not-so-baby girls first day of third grade (Oh yeah! I took pictures...I am THAT mom). lol

Good News Bears...for ONCE

Good news is oh-so-much better then bad news. After one helluva weekend, things are really looking upity!

Today at work, I was granted a GREAT opportunity as the Training Lead for the Midwest region of stores. I am excited! Things in the job arena are amazing. I don't think I've ever loved a job this much- truly. Then again, I've always had to stress over how my schedule was going to affect my child. being close to my family has its benefits and I am so grateful not to be alone in that anymore.

Today I ALSO had the privilege of talking to my girlie's Valency and Ashley from New Mexico. It was so nice!

The hotrod phase is over, finito...not that it was ever started in the first place. I thought it was more than what it was. Plain and simple... I had a rude-awakening. It sucked, but I learned something. Trust. Trust is important..there cannot be love without it..plain and simple. I will find somebody who loves me for me....or I'll just buy a puppy. lol

Day Off...F I N A L L Y

I feel like I haven't had a day off in AGES! It has only been five days..but feels like TWICE as long. I am so very happy to say that today is the first day since the move that I've given myself some time to veg. Currently, I am sitting on my floor, in sweats, and drinking coffee with my computer. I am contently typing away while listening to The Slackers on Pandora! le sigh

I need a computer desk, but am contemplating getting a bunch of cushy pillows and a low Ikea-ish table so that I can keep the pseudo floor set-up (I kinda like it).

Here is what my lil piece of paradise looks like so far:

This wall will eventually be chalk full of pictures.. literally every single blessed square inch. That space is directly between the living room and dining area/ kitchen. I made beans...I am going through New Mexico Food withdrawls-seriously.


There was a dude that lived here before. I had two Gameinformer mags and a Playboy awaiting me in the mail today.lol

The guinnea pigs have their old home back and are very happy now (even though you can't tell because they are hiding).
Fridge before the groceries!

Poop Chronicles

I do not know why I find the word SO very entertaining when a man says it... but poop has the ability to bring me to hysterics more than any ONE subject.

Tonight at O'Neils I felt the need to do a 'poop at public places' poll. I felt the need to ask perfect strangers if they were a 'poop in public kinda guy'.
Good stuff! I... yes, I.. will poop anywhere.

I find it amusing that women will go to great lengths to mask the fact that they are pooping in public. They will strategically cough, drop things and flush the toilets to hide the fact they are public poopers. My favorite, is the girls who turn on the faucets first, so no-one will hear them.


I always play dumb and turn them all off.....

I know what your thinking...

If you are a woman, you are probably thinking back to how many faucets left on you've run into. Maybe you think I'm mean. I'm not mean... you're just a sissy! lol
If you are a man, you are probably surprised that women do that sort of thing. Come on guys... we are crazy, you know this. Ha!

Moving Madness

After five months...and four different homes; let the moving madness begin!

Before I go on any further, let me tell you that my original 'perfect' apartment ended up being far from it. When I finally viewed it before signing the lease, I (along with the my sister, my Grandmother and hotrod) found that it was COMPLETELY destroyed. There were internal doors where external doors should have been, a fifteen year old RENTAL property carpet that they had no intention of replacing and a broken dishwasher. If that wasn't enough, the mold on the shower had been cleaned but still peeked through each tile space, the outer window screen was being devoured by some sort of pill bugs that had grown through it on an ivy and the linoleum was patched in the kitchen (if you want to call it that). Long story, short...NO GO! I picked up my deposit this morning and swiftly went to a huge, older apartment complex that had much nicer facilities (along with a $99 move in special)

The downers:

I now have to drive little one to school every morning.

I am on the third floor...there are lots of steps.

I have less cabinet space and loads of kitchen shizzle.

I promised C that she could get a dog when we moved...no pets are allowed in these apartments.

The uppers:

Move in special...always nice.

Fixed electric and gas bill+no surprises.

Now that I get to take kiddo to school every morning, I can go to the gym...after all I'll be up anyway!.

The torture of third floor steps everyday = a nicer ass, thank you very much.

Less cabinet space means I have the perfect excuse to order the Pottery Barn space-savers I've been wanting.

Though this apartment wasn't at all the instant love I found in my previous apartment, it is different circumstances and I am grateful to finally, finally have my own home...even if it doesn't look like it at the moment.

Oh! I MUST apologize for the poor quality of pictures lately. Quite frankly I'm not feelin it and all I've had handy is my handy dandy cell phone camera!