Friday, November 28, 2008

Dusting: A Full Contact Sport

I'm warming up leftovers in the kitchen and talking to my friend on the phone at the same time when I hear an ear splitting wail from the living room. I run in to see what's wrong and there's my son, sitting on the floor in his birthday suit with a feather duster in his left hand and his right pointer finger raised high. He was apparently dusting, well, who knows what, when the telescoping handle on the duster retracted and pinched his finger. I would say, considering his state of undress, that he was lucky to have only pinched his finger. It also might be the first time in the history of the world that someone injured themselves while dusting.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!




Well, we've successfully stuffed ourselves to the gills at my mom's house, and now we're back home resting up for round two at the home of a friend. We are indeed lucky and blessed. And also very full. Hope you're all having a wonderful day with family and friends! If you need us, we'll be the two sacked out on the couch in the corner...

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Awwwww....He's No Dummy

Lucas and I were sitting in the car waiting to pick up my mom from work (on my way to work) (doesn't it seem like a lot of my stories start out that way?) and I handed him a toy catalog and pen and told him to have at it. Go wild. Start making Your List. And then he sent the world crashing down around me by announcing that THERE IS NO SANTA CLAUS. I'm sorry, but 4 is simply too young to be so jaded. So I started gushing about how OF COURSE there's a Santa Claus if only you BELIEVE! I begged him to tell me what he wanted for Christmas. I offered to write his letter myself, so sure was I that Santa was REAL and that he NEEDED that letter. He said all he wanted was an xBox360 but Grandma was going to get it for him. There was nothing he was willing to ask Santa for. And also? If you say your wish out loud it won't come true.

It was like being on the losers team during a major debate. Not fun.

"Okay, we won't talk about it anymore for right now", I told him, "but Santa most definitely is real but only if you believe...and also, he's not a mind reader so we should just play it safe and make a list." I faced front and pulled out a magazine and turned up the radio a little so he'd know I was done pestering him about for the time being. It was then I heard a tiny little whisper from the back. "I believe. I believe." And that, my friends, is how you melt your mother into a puddle of goo with just four little words.

"Did you just hear me say anything?" he demanded from the back seat.

"What sweetie? Were you talking to me?" I replied, all nonchalant.

"Nope...I didn't say anything...but you can help me make a list, if you want."

Help Me Out With Some Advice

I have a Nikon D40 that I LOVE and I'm in the process of looking for a new lens. I think I'm looking for a macro lens? Something that takes extreme closeups? I'm hoping one of you out there knows exactly what I'm talking about (even though I, myself, do not) or can point me in a good direction on the web for information. I can't seem to find a website that's very helpful to me. I have a two lens kit that I bought with the camera, and I love them both, but I want something that can get clooooooser.

I've had my eye on this lens...anybody have an opinion? And how compatible are Sigma lenses with Nikon cameras? Anyone have either?

Anyone out there know what I'm talking about?


Saturday, November 22, 2008

Admitting it is the First Step...

Hello, my name is Anna and my son is addicted to the slot machine games on facebook.

There, we got that out of the way.

Now that we've outed ourselves, I can tell you. I just watched my kid kiss both biceps before diving into this morning's round of slot machine fun. I had to slap my hand over my mouth to keep from spraying my morning diet Pepsi straight across the room.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Same Old

I tweaked my back yesterday...again. Because apparently I'm old and decrepit and I have a completely unconditioned core. It happens to me every few months and can be brought on by any number of things like hauling the boy around or turning quickly or breathing. It stinks because I finally get a few days off and I'm couch bound and without good snacks or diet Pepsi. Grrr.

However, Lucas has been keeping me entertained by working on his Oscar nomination. He walks around the house bellowing "Just ask me, Mom! I'll do anything for you! ANYTHING!" Unfortunately all I want from him are BBQ chips and ice cold soda, but since we have neither in house and there's no way I'm going to the store, I'm sort of out of luck. By morning I should be suffering from caffeine withdrawals and it won't be pretty. Pray for me, would 'ya?
*********
SWEET!!! The second I posted this my friend Becky showed up on my doorstep with cheesecake. That's what you call an awesome snack...and an answered prayer! Thanks Becky! My mouth is full of strawberry cheescake as we speak type.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Just When You Think That You're Surely Smarter Than Your Four Year Old

We spent the morning playing computer games on the new laptop. I thought for sure that I'd have to buy Lucas a kid friendly mouse so that he could work his way around NickJr with ease, but no. Turns out that cute little chubby four year fingers are just exactly right for navigating the cursor pad. Is that even what's it called? That little pad you swirl your finger around on in order to move the mouse? I should ask Lucas...he probably knows.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Barnacles!!

I took the BEST pictures today of the kid playing in our first snowstorm and they came out SO GOOD. Except, I experimented shooting in RAW and now I can't get the [bleepin'] pictures to download. That is frustration at it's finest...a few of those pictures were in the running to grace this year's Christmas cards. Bah-hum-bug!

If any of you out there know what I'm doing wrong...LET ME KNOW! Otherwise...just feel bad for me. Heh.

edited:
I still haven't figured out the whole shooting in raw...but I did manage to switch a couple of my favorite pictures to a jpeg. file...yay!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Late Breaking News

Gas is now being sold for the low low price of just $2.25 a gallon. They're practically giving it away!

That is all...I couldn't keep it in...I was just that giddy.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Out of the Mouths...

So I was back at Target this week (because I'm weak in the knees for that store and the mere fact that I have to travel to another state via an overpriced ferry ride cannot keep us apart!!) Sorry, that was overly dramatic, I apologize.

Anywho.

I was shopping for a new purse while I was there because my coworkers seem to think the one I'm carrying around now is akin to a "murse" aka man-purse and should be burned. They are a tough crowd, indeed. I was browsing in the handbag section and told Lucas to sit on the floor beside me so that I could concentrate on the inventory without having to worry that he might wander off on me. He was chopping on ice cubes and more than happy to plop on the carpet and chew on his ice.

"I want to 'rake up with you, Mom."

Huh? "You want to wake up with me? You want to sleep in my bed tonight?

"No...I want to 'rake UP with you."

"I still don't get it, buddy...swallow what's in your mouth and then tell me again."

"I want to break up with you, MOM!"

"Well, I'm sorry, you can't break up with me...like or not we're together forever. I'm gonna be your Mama for the rest of all time. No breaking up aloud."

"Well, then, I want to date you 'cause I love you so much!"

That's better...still not quite right, but better. I think he's been eavesdropping on my brother's conversations with his buddies...people forget that for the most part he understands everything he hears. And his ears? They are big.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

It's a Toss Up

I can either play the drums...or my flute.

Lucas is starting a rock band. A song came on the radio this afternoon on my way to work and Lucas declared it the "most perfect song for my little kids rock band". I was offered a spot in the band and he told me to pick an instrument to play.

Him: You can play whatever you want Mommy...you chose!
Me: Anything? Wow...I think I'd like to play the electric guitar.
Him: Uh, no...you can't play that...pick something else.
Me: Okay, then I'd like to play the keyboard.
Him: Uh, no...you can't play that either.
Me: Well, you just told me that I could pick anything I want...so that means I should be able to pick anything.
Him: Well, you can play the drums...or the flute.

I bet Jethro Tull would be proud that a little four year old boy in 2008 is hoping to score a flute player for his rock band...but it'd probably still be cooler to play the drums...doncha' think? And Grandma was invited to play in the rock band as well...but he charged her a dollar to join. As least I didn't have to pay, even if I end up having to play the flute.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Parenting...

Just when I start getting good and stressed about my kid's recent behavior issues he ups and acts like a sweet little angel boy. All opening doors for me and planting wet kisses on my hands and telling me "I love you 100 Mommy!" like a good son should.

I surely have the patience of a saint (don't most single moms?), but when I finally hit a wall, I hit it hard and the fall out is not pretty. So anyway, we're back to being fun and happy, and we'll just see how long that lasts...let's hope it lasts longer than just today though, okay?

Saturday, November 8, 2008

I Call UNCLE!

This has been kind of a crappy week, behavior wise. And I mean both Lucas's behavior and also my reaction to it. I am so sick of the sassy backtalk and the disrespectful tone AND THE WHINING AND THE CRYING! I don't know what I'm doing wrong these days, I really don't. A big part of me thinks I making too big a deal out of the past couple of weeks of constant sass and all the tears about absolutely nothing, because honestly, he's usually a very chill kid and our days are easy. I am praying that the good times have not fallen by the wayside and I am praying even harder that this miserable attitude is just a phase. Someone please tell me this is just a phase.

I understand that "four" is all about exerting one's independence, and yup...we're there. Every time we go to Costco he flips out in line because I won't just hand him the money to pay and go wait by the door. Because he wants to DO IT HIMSELF! He's been removed (by me) from several stores lately for inappropriate behavior, and just yesterday barked at a store clerk to "stop following him through the store!" (I did make him apologize, but jeez, how embarrassing.)

Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill? Am I expecting too much from him? He is only four but I refuse to let him be disrespectful, no matter the age. And also? How do I make the whining stop? That has been thorn in my side from day one...

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

A Vote for Luke Skywalker is a Vote for Change


We went to the polls this morning, and as always, it was an adventure. And maybe also a lesson in using your indoor voice.
I may not have mentioned it here before but Lucas is OBSESSED with Star Wars right now. We were in GapKids not long ago and they had these awesome long sleeved tees that said "Darth Vader for President" on them, except that Lucas took them very literally and started getting worried that Darth Vader much actually become the next Leader of the Free World. Long talks followed about how Darth Vader shouldn't get to be president because he's EVIL and also NOT HUMAN so we should just CHOP OFF HIS HEAD and vote for Luke Skywalker instead! And he retold his theories to anyone who would listen today at the voting polls. Good times.

Once we were checked in and handed our ballots we chose the next available super secret voting box (is that what you call a grey plastic suitcase with cardboard sides?) It was pretty shaky and the long line of them would shimmy back and forth as all of us voters tried to color in the lines. Lucas, forgetting his library voice for a moment, yells out, "Boy! This thing is piece of junk!". It was probably less of a yell and more of a regular voice but in a roomful of silent and serious voters he might as well have been shouting it out on a bullhorn. Again, good times.

Hope you all had a happy and successful trip to the polls today! And remember...just because Luke Skywalker isn't offically on the ballot doesn't mean you can't enter him as a write-in.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Help Me Out

Someone made a comment to me the other day that I must have ALL KINDS of single mom friends that I hang out with. Even as I started nodding my head yes and mentally flipping through my Rolodex of good buddies I was realizing that, in fact, I have no single mom friends in real life. Not a single person that parents their child(ren) alone. None. And it surprised me. All my friends (with very few exceptions) have husbands and houses and children. How I ended up as a solo parent in a sea of partnered-off friends, I have no idea. Not that I would trade in any of them...not at all, but it would be nice to have someone around in the same boat as I am. Even if by "around" I mean someone I've never met but who's URL I stalk know...

So here's my plea...if any of you has a favorite blog on your blogroll that's written not just by a single mama but by a solo parent (mom or dad), let me know.

Thanks!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

I Cannot Wait to Cast My Vote...

and this is the first election since I've been able to vote where I didn't feel like I could just skip it altogether.

“I am not a perfect man…I will not be a perfect president. But I can promise you this…I will always tell you what I think and where I stand. I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you when we disagree. And most importantly I will open the doors of governement and ask you to be involved in your own democracy again.”

-Barack Obama


It's about time.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Post Halloween

Well, we didn't actually go trick or treating last night. Lucas decided (and was very vocal about) not going "door to door". I tried to convince him to change his mind, but as usual, he won the war.

Whatever.

We had a grand old time sitting on my mother's front porch steps handing out candy to the "customers" and snacking on Steakum sandwiches. Seriously, those were GOOD sandwiches. Not going trick or treating was a bummer, because now I have no good chocolate stash to hold me over til Christmas. It's also a blessing however, because now I have no good chocolate stash before the holidays.

It'd be sweet to post a picture here...you know...of my kid in his costume. But we didn't really get that far...so you (like me) will have to pretend he was the cutest little Thomas the Tank Engine you ever did see!