International

I had to go to Mexico this morning to order a weird sized picture frame.  Cole has been planning his Mexico trip for a week, packing a bag of toys and wondering about the hotel.  I explained many times that it wasn’t that kind of trip, that we’d be back before lunch, but he still came prepared.  In his shorts he carried four golf balls–one in each pocket–and a Transformers band aid.  Just in case we got hurt or wanted to play.

We did find a Mexican wrestling style Spiderman mask which I think alleviated some of the sadness over the abbreviated adventure.  Note to self: never tell Cole about something before we do it, wait till it is actually happening.

New Hair

Sorry for the red eyes, our Photoshop is having problems.  I have mostly blonde hair for the first time since 2004.  It was time for some change.  Cole is a big fan; as he says, he used to have yellow hair but now when he looks in the mirror his hair is black like dad’s since he is growing up.  He will not be convinced otherwise.

Fun Surprise

Todd went outside to get some rosemary for dinner.  There he found a whole bag full of pomegranates left for us by the Antioxidant Fairy, or perhaps just the Fresh Food Fairy for alliteration sake.  What fun!

Because It Is All My Dad Wants

Cole and Addison (never Addy anymore, according to Cole) wanted to do homework together. First and last study date.

Owen playing video games while I slept in this morning. He loves being one of the boys.

A Society of Bicycles

I know I am not alone, but we had a car repair fiasco.  The place we have gone for at least the past seven years–and always been quite happy–has turned evil.  I should have known when my guy Joel wasn’t there, but I didn’t over analyze.  See, Joel was great because he and Todd have the same car so he knew everything in the whole world about it.

Anyway, I drop the car off yesterday morning at 9am and they say it will be a couple hours–I only wanted a tuneup.  At 3pm I call SINCE I HAVE TO GO TO WORK and it was still being dealt with.  My friend Jenna gave me her car which was a lifesaver.  This morning we walked over to get the truck and yet more drama ensued.  The secretary made a mistake and let me see the real price for parts, not the DOUBLE price that the owner was charging me.  He gave me some giant stupid explanation that we both knew was crap.  I paid and will never come back.  And will tell everyone I know not to go there.

In summary, ways this car experience was lamer than expected.  1. I didn’t know they were going to be losers or I would have been more prepared. 2.  No sense of time or that people actually use their cars.  3. They don’t know how to use a phone to call me with any information despite many assurances that they will call.  4. Triple the price I was anticipating.  5. To top it off, they stopped accepting credit and debit cars.  Silly me, I didn’t come prepared with a pile of cash.  I almost started laughing.

If you live in Yuma, do not frequent Auto Stop on Pacific.  Just because they used to be great and fast and reasonable and honest does not mean that any of those things are in place any longer.  Now I will have to find a new great car place.

Super Sad

We were talking about grandparents because Cole was making pictures for his.  He wanted to know how many grandparents he had; I said 9.  Todd kept saying 8.  Then I listed all of them and Todd gave me the most horrible face.  See, I forgot that my Grandpa Osborn died.  I was counting him.  It was terrible all around.

Christmas Gifts!

I checked this book out for Todd yesterday.  It is also available on Kindle for the tech dad.  I won’t go into how moms don’t get books like this because someone in a family has to be the grown up, though I am tempted.  I do think this is hilarious.  I always knew there was a  place to learn all the random stuff my dad and other dads knew; Todd does tricks with his tie during long church meetings for example.  I’ll keep you posted on whether or not this book transforms our whole life.

Unhealthy Habits

Etsy is a bad thing for me to have discovered.  I have never ‘done’ eBay because I know myself and my addictive nature.  This is worse.  I could browse endlessly.  I could buy endlessly.  I think of how my friend Kristine should design and sell stuff on it.  I think how I have no marketable skills and in an apocalypse will have to sell my kidneys since I won’t have anything else to offer.

Captain O

Owen is nine months old.  In summary:

• he eats about the same amount as Cole; not Cole as a baby, Cole now
• he got spoiled when he was sick and how only likes to sleep while being held
• he talks and sings a lot
• he is getting four teeth on the top all at the same time.  In related news, he really likes biting things.
• he adores the dog, his brother, and all men with facial hair
• he is freakishly short just like Cole
• he frequently has dirt under his toenails which confuses me
• he can stand for a few seconds on his own

Burning Question

Is it physically impossible for men to do two things at once?

Why is it an option for them–it isn’t like I enjoy folding laundry and cooking and taking care of the kids and answering the phone all at the exact same moment.  It just is.