Dinner Time Theatre: Starring NyCee Thompson

NyCee is gaining more independence everyday. The latest challenge has been to get her to eat with utensils. If I put the food on the fork and attempt to feed it to her, she shuts her lips tightly and refuses to open them. However, if I place the food on her tray table she will gladly eat it.

During dinner, she often entertains us with her antics of pulling her bib over her head and attempting to play peek-a-boo. Although she is playing peek-a-boo, she will let you know when she wants more food on her tray by pointing.

When she is done, she takes the bib off, raises her arms to be lifted out of the seat. And if you don't respond fast enough for her, she will attempt to get out of the chair on her own.


She is truly the star of her own show. I just wish she would use the utensils that I bought for her. I don't want people thinking I am raising a wild child.

Common Sense: When will I ever get some?

Not 24 hours ago, I had a conversation with my grandfather about how I lack common sense. Some people would take offense to that statement but not me because it is true. I can grasp the most complex ideals but have trouble with simplicity. Take this evening for example.

In less than 24 hours, I have to submit 1 of 2 twelve page papers. (As for the second one, I have not put word on page or done any research--that one is not due until Sunday at 1159 pm eastern time--I have plenty of time.) The one being referenced is due no later than 800pm eastern time on June 6, 2007 which is approximately 18 hours from the time of this blog entry and because I failed to save the file, I managed to delete all the contents of the paper that I had been working on for the past 5 hours.

Of course, that has not been 5 uninterrupted hours. Why would I have five uninterrupted hours when I have a 14 month old and a 37 year old running around the house playing, laughing, and chasing each other? Why would I save the file? Computers don't crash! Batteries to laptops don't die! 14 month olds do not want to sit on their mother's lap and help her type the paper and press keys that mother didn't want pressed! No! None of these things happen.

Well, even if these things did happen, had I used some of that "common sense" that my grandfather spoke about earlier today, I would not be starting my paper over from scratch.

He Got 'er Done!

After 1800 miles, 5 states (I didn't get pictures of New Mexico and Texas as I didn't think of this until I captured NyCee's photo at the Louisiana border) ,


and countless games of peek-a-boo,

we crossed the Alabama/Georgia border in record time.

Lewis did all the driving. In addition, to driving from Phoenix to Atlanta, while I was in Phoenix working, he kept NyCee and did not go stir crazy.

I worked Friday thru Monday and commuted back to Atlanta on Monday nights. He never complained about keeping NyCee. In fact, he suggested that she stayed with him so that I could get school work done when I got off work. He is truly an awesome husband and father! It was terribly hard being away from her four days a week. Although, I am NOT glad to be back in Atlanta, I am glad to be back home with my family.

"LJ, Why are you driving so fast?"

Lewis drove over 635 miles today covering the state of Texas. FYI--from the New Mexico/Texas boarder to the Texas/Louisiana boarder is 635 miles. (We noticed the exit when we left the state.) I offered to drive on several occasions but Lewis declined.

I woke up at one point and asked, " LJ, Why are you driving so fast?" LJ replied, "I am not doing 55mph. We will never get there." On several occasions, Lewis asked, "Can we hear some black music please?" I laughed and scrolled through the stations only to hear Winona Judd, Shania Twain, or LeAnn Rhimes. (Remember we are in Po'Dunk, TX.) I then connected the iPod and he was met by John Mayer, Pink, and No Doubt. No wonder he was driving so fast!

"What'cha Haulin'?"

Lewis, NyCee, & I left Phoenix, AZ this morning on our way back to Atlanta. My first thought was to chronicle our road trip but then I realized, not everyone appreciates the desert like I do and no one wants to see three days of blogs which displays scenery like this:

And again, just rock and catcus.

I grew bored. So I dished that idea.

My favorite part of the evening was when Lewis reached a border patrol stop in the middle of Po'dunk, TX (I don't know where we were exactly so I came up with that name.) The custom's agent stopped the car because he was driving a moving truck and pulling the Ford Explorer on an autotransport. (Sorry for the dark photo. It is just to enhance the story.)

The agent asked,"What'cha hauling?" Lewis replied, "Furniture and the truck." "Okay," replied the agent. And he let us go. I laughed at the question because it was ridiculous. What was Lewis suppose to say? "Oh, we are transporting 15 pounds of heroin, 6 pounds of crack, 8 pounds of meth, and for kicks we thought we would sneak a couple of illegal aliens across the New Mexico/Texas border to work in our sweatshop that we are opening in Atlanta."

Personally, I sleep better at night knowing that our borders are so closely guarded by stellar agents such as the one we encountered this afternoon. What a wonderful use of our tax dollars, eh?

Thought of the Day!

When you are in Phoenix, AZ and it is 102 degrees in the shade at 2:00 in the afternoon, and you have just left a resturant where you had your lunch boxed for later, and you decide to stop at the grocery store to pick up a few items, and that quick trip turned into a 30-45 minute expedition, and when you return to the car you are met with a horrific stench that nearly pours through the windows to the point of nausea---needless to say, it was not a good idea to leave my lunch in the car!

The latest baby fashion

Diaper Thong!

Now I have the camera curse...

My cousin Cari wrote a blog about her camera curse. Well, I think she has passed it along to me. The digital camera that Lewis bought me for Christmas two years ago, just died. I replaced it with a much better model. In fact, my new one does not require batteries as it has an adapter for re-charging. But I have lost the USB cord which allows me to post pictures on the blog.

Hopefully, I can just buy the cord and not have to replace the entire camera.

It almost worked

For the past few days, I have been trying figure out how to get NyCee to go to sleep without me holding her and giving her the bottle at night. I laid her in the bed with the bottle and walked out of the room. I thought that it was working until I heard her wailing shortly after.

I have never had a problem with NyCee sleeping through the night. She may wake up once or twice if she is wet but then will go right back to sleep. Now, I just have win the challenge of putting her in the bed without holding her.

Any suggestions?

So there's more...

So I told the tale that I drove all the way to the library and it was closed. That was coupled with my daughter's upset stummy (stomach and tummy combined), and the mountain of school work that I have to complete this week as been some what overwhelming.

Today, I got up and drove to the community college library. Only to find that it was closed. I drove to the university library--you guessed it--closed. Finally, I called a friend to find a library in the vicinity of where I was. After passing it several times, I finally found it. I go inside and find a quiet work area. So I think.

I am immediately surrounded by talking teens and tweens who do not respect the sign that clearly reads, "Reading and Ringing do not mix." I have to listen to both ends of the cell conversation because the phone is so loud coupled with the sucking and crunching of a lollipop.

I decided to give the girl a private moment to finish her conversation and go to the reference desk for help for my research project. The reference librarian told me that I would not find the information that I need in a public library as it is not tailored toward college academia. Am I being punk'd?

What Else?

I got up this morning with the intention of going to the library all day to start research on two 12 page papers that I must complete.(By the way, 1 of them is suppose to be "FUN!!!") I don't know of a person who finds writing a 12 page paper fun. But whatever!

I drove all the way to the library only to discover that it is closed because new carpet is being installed.

NyCee has diarrhea(TMI, I know).

The other library is nearly 25 miles away and online sources are not permitted.

This is not a good day!

Outrageous!

I received an email which asked that I not purchase gas on May 15, 2007 as part of a gas boycott. I suggest that we not buy gas for a 2, 3 or 4 days. They will really fill the difference then. If we don't buy on May 15, 2007, people will just fill up on either side of that day so no impact will be felt. These prices are ridiculous. I remember when gas was 99 cents a gallon.

Retired

Since discovering her new found freedom of uninhibited movement, NyCee has neglected her once beloved exersaucer and walk 'n' ride toy.

I guess these two will join the collection of other unused items gathering in my garage with her father's toy (Nissan 300X) that he can not seem to part with.

Finally

I caved.
The air is on.
Much cooler.
More comfortable.
Imagine that.

Gross!

Every morning when NyCee wakes up, I remove her diapers and let her "air out" from the night before. I believe this is one of the reasons she has never had a diaper rash.

This morning was no different. I removed her diaper and placed her on the floor to walk to the bathroom. When I turned around, there was a wet spot on the floor. L.J. laughed and said, "When will you ever learn to stop doing that? You better put a diaper on her before she makes poopie." I cleaned the floor and motioned for NyCee to follow me.

She began walking toward me and then stopped. When I didn't hear her little footsteps, I turned around and noticed that she had squat down. Then you can guess what happened next. After she was done making poopie on my bedroom floor, she proceeded to walk toward me as if nothing had occured.

L.J laughed, Nycee smiled, and I had to clean up the mess. Moral to the story, don't let your unpotty trained baby walk around naked 1st thing in the morning.

It's Hot!

It's hot!
I'm half naked sitting at the computer taking mid-term exams.

The windows are open, no air is blowing.
Thus is why I am half naked sitting at the computer taking mid-terms exams.

"Turn on the air," L.J exclaims.
I refuse, it's only May. No central air before June.
So I sit, half naked at the computer taking mid-terms exams.

"She put her left leg in, She took her left leg out.."

Nycee decided to play "Hokey, Pokey" with the suitcase. She climbed into the suitcase, she climbed out of the suitcase, and at one point...

She attempted to close herself up in the suitcase.

Notice the ring of toys sitting next to the suitcase on the floor. Did she want to play with that? Of course not as it is much more fun to close yourself up in a suitcase and play peek-a-boo.
She did this a few months ago and I told her that I would ship her to Minnesota with her cousins if she did it again. I am going to call my cousin Cari and advise that she is on the way!

Graduation Day! Well, Sorta.

Today, I participated in the 2007 commencement ceremony for my undergraduate degree. The Georgia International Convention Center was filled with family and friends who came to support their loved ones in this auspicious occasion. It was very exciting to see all the graduates, from the various programs, donned in their caps and gowns celebrating their accomplishments. Cheers filled the air as the graduates crossed the stage.



I was recognized as a Magna Cum Laude graduate for my scholastic achievements. I will not complete my undergraduate studies until June but was allowed to participate in the commencement because it was held in Georgia and I only have the 2 classes remaining for the summer session.

My journey is not over. Listening to speakers and seeing all the graduates helped me to see that I can accomplish any goal that I set for myself. I am only limited by the limits I place on myself. This journey has been long and hard. Filled with disappointments, trials, ups and downs, but at the end of the day--God gave me the strength to see the race to the end.

To everyone, who prayed for me, cried with me, listened as I fussed and cussed--Thank you! No words can express my gratitude. Stick around for the best is yet to come!

Body Aches

My body aches,
My thighs are sore,
I have pain in places I have never felt before.

My body aches,
My back is sore,
I will do yard work--NO MORE!

Finally, The Finished Product

Several months ago, (Okay so it was January), I began a landscaping project because the front of my house had ugly straw in front of it. Today, my husband and I completed our landscaping project. It was hard work but I think for a couple of amateurs, it looks good.

I have discovered why people pay so much for landscaping as it is extremely hard work. I had to take a nap afterward.

I am not too quick to jump at another outdoor project. I just wanted a little curb appeal. Next, we have to figure out what to do with the side and back of the house that still has the ugly straw. Maybe Lowe's carries a product that I could just use to cover up the straw instead of having to dig it up.

Let the mischief begin

Not 24 hours after I made the announcement about NyCee walking, the mischief has begun. I finished writing my blog and turned to find her crawling around with a tee shirt on her head.

But the true highlight of the evening was when I removed her clothes in preparation for bath time. I sat her down on the floor while I gathered the towel and a few toys for her to play with. When I turned around, all I saw was her little naked butt scurrying away towards the bathroom.

Who knew a naked baby who just began walking could get so far so fast?

Milestone Moment

Sound the alarm, blow the trumpets from the mountain tops, ring all the bells. Why?


NyCee is walking! Yipee! I am so proud of her. She just started taking steps and now she can stand for longer periods, get up from the sitting position without holding on to something, and turn around to go in the opposite direction.

Why do I get the feeling that she will attempt more mischief now that she is more mobile?

Valley Virgin No More

I finally convinced my husband to make a trip to the valley of the sun--Phoenix, AZ. Of course, he thought the plane ride was long (it's about 4 hours from east to west) but he had people around him to talk to. He met a pilot and they literally talked for nearly 4 hours.

Upon landing, he noticed the mountains and the sun was setting on the horizon. He commented about how serene and peaceful it looks from the sky. He admired the mountains and of course the cactus. He is a long way from home but he seems to be enjoying himself thus far.

Toliet Paper Tirade

Why is it that my daughter tends to find joy in playing with everything in the house except her toys? I am sure that parents across America feel the same way. Collectively, we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars buying toys to teach and entertain our children. Yet, they find the most pleasure in unrolling the toliet paper,

and ripping it to shreads.

I purpose that for Christmas this year, we buy our toddlers a roll of Quilted Northern, which will cost us about $5.00, and let them play with that. Even the empty card board roller serves as a useful entertainment tool.

What's wrong?

What's wrong with this picture?


I had a cup of juice at approximately 8:00a.m. When I went to retrieve the hot sauce out of the cabin for dinner, I noticed the orange juice in there. My statistics class is really taking a toll on me.

Pulling out my hair!

Does anyone have a clue how to do statistics? Speak now, please. It is 2:20 a.m. and I am trying to complete this homework assignment. I am so far beyond confused it is not even funny. This is only week 2 of school. I have 10 week to go. Please pray for me.

Wrestling Match

Last night, NyCee was a little fussy so I let her sleep in the bed with me. I know that is really bad but I was exhausted. How is it that someone so little can take up so much room?

Once I got an elbow in the eye,
Twice I was kicked in the stomach,
and for her grand finish this morning,
she managed to butt me in the mouth with her head.

I have come to the painful realization that for my safety and well-being, she needs to sleep in her own bed.

Strut that stuff, Girl!

NyCee has really gotten the hang of her walk 'n' ride toy. She really enjoys it.

The only problem is that she can only go straight. She literally runs while pushing the toy but then she crashes into the fireplace and looks around for assistance.

Yesterday, she tried to push it up the stairs. Why? I have no idea. She doesn't play with any of the noise making toys on the walk 'n' ride. She just crawls up behind it, pulls herself up and begins walking. My husband thinks that she will be walking by herself soon. If that is the case, I need to gate off the entire house!

Mommy's Little Helper?

I load the dishwasher,

She unloads the dishwasher,

And then looks completely surprised and attempts to return the dishes to the dishwasher when I ask her why she is unloading the dishwasher.

Toddlers, Go Figure!

Only 8 classes remain

Only 8 classes remain until I am done with my undergraduate studies.
Only 1 TI-83 plus calculator to try and master before the end of
my 11 week class.
Only 3 days in the week to drink heavily. After which leaves
Only 4 days to try and recuperate to concentrate on the 6 classes that I have this quarter.

Only 1 crazy question:
"What made me think that I could complete an undergraduate program in 5 quarters and keep my sanity?"

Waste of Money

I had to buy a TI-83 plus calculator for my Decriptive Statisitics Math class.
Cost: $99.95

I still haven't figured out the purpose of this class or how it relates to my major--Human Resources, yet it is a required course. The instruction manual for the calculator is as thick as the book for the class. My instructor emphasized that this model is required and she will not attempt to explain the use of any other model and the problems cannot be solved without this specific model calculator. Then she should be required to purchase the calculator for the students in her class.

I can think of better things to to with $99.95(plus tax) rather than purchase a calculator that I am only going to use for 11 weeks and then put up somewhere and it will collect dust.

Precious Moment

And Lewis claims that she does not look like him. Give me a break! NyCee looks just like him. But what gets me, is that she crawls in the bed next to him and cuddles up. What am I chopped liver? She didn't even approach me when I am the one who put her on the bed.

Twin Talk

Lewis: "Girls, How is school?"

Imani: "It's good. But sometimes, I don't like to go."

Lewis: "Why not baby? Did something happen at school?"

Imani: "I try to be nice to everybody but this girl named Janice keeps messing with me. I don't know why she is mean to me."

Nia: "You can not worry about her. God controls the earth and He will get people for being mean. Just like Jesus put the devil in the ground. He will put her in the ground too, if she keeps being mean. Don't you do anything to her just walk away. Just walk away because God controls the earth."

Did I mention that the twins are five years old? Personally, I did not have a response. Lewis and I just looked at one another and mouthed, "Okay then."

Got Fuel?

A few days ago, I told Lewis that the truck had been studdering a little when I would apply the brake. Lewis stated that he would check it out to determine if we need to get the truck tuned up or not.

Yesterday, while driving on the freeway during rush hour traffic, the car cut off twice. I shifted to neutral and restarted the car.

Dayna: "See L.J. this is what it was doing last week."
Lewis: "I don't know why it is doing that. The car has never done that before."
Dayna: "I don't know either. Maybe we should have it serviced."
Lewis: "The gas hand looks low from here." As he glances over from the passenger's seat."
Dayna: "It doesn't need gas. The light is not on. There is plenty of gas. It just under a quarter of a tank."
Lewis: "Did it ever occur to you that the light may not be working?"
Dayna: "It works because it will illuminate when the tank is low."
Lewis: "Get off and get some gas as I will not be walking with my baby because you think we can keep going."

I pulled off at the next exit and into a gas station, filled up the tank, and rolled on. While pulling out of the gas station, I was attempting to adjust the sun visor and hit myself in the head with it. Lewis exclaimed, "You are so goofy!"

After about 10 minutes of driving I hear, "Amazing what a little gas can do. The car has not studdered or cut off since putting fuel in it."
You know my motto: "If the light ain't on, we can continue to roll!"

"I don't like that!"

What would you do if you were eating lunch and you tried to tell your mother that you didn't want to eat the Mandarin oranges that she continually tried to feed you even after you had closed your lips as tight as you could and turned your head from side to side?

Spit it out in daddy's hand while seated at a table in the center of the restaurant- of course.

What a view!

NyCee has begun practicing standing with out holding on to something to pull herself up. So today, this was the first thing I saw when I woke up:

Now there are two questions to be addressed here:

1. After consuming 1/2 a bottle of wine, did I wake up at some point in the middle of the night to change her diaper and forgot to put her pants back on? Or
2. Did she manage to take the pants off and I was too "relaxed" after my 1/2 bottle of wine to notice?

"How do you work this thing?"

As a birthday present, NyCee received a walk 'n' ride toy. At first, it seemed that she had the hang of it. (It converts to a little scooter if you let the handle down.)

But then I noticed, that her feet were not moving. She simply pushed the toy out in front of her and willed her feet to move.

When that attempt was unsuccessful, I guess she resorted to what she knew best--crawling & pushing the toy.

Whatever works!

Bummer!

I just finished my exam for my Legal 100 class. I am a Human Resources major, why I am taking legal is beyond me. I took it as a 5 week course so it was brutal. I logged into the exam feeling very confident. Until 5 hours ago, I had an "A" in the class. I did so poorly on the final exam, which was worth 400 points, that my final grade is a "C". I want to cry!

My GPA is shot to (you know where) all because of that "C". The exam was ridiculously hard. I could not even locate half the answers and didn't understand the questions.

NyCee has finally stopped nursing so now would be the time to pour a glass of wine to drown out my sorrow. Better yet, a glass of Grey Goose Vodka would do the trick. Pass the bottle please!

The Saga Continues..

Remember the story of how I lost the check in the ATM. As of today, it has still not been recovered. Apparently, I was suppose to file a claim with the electronic claims department who would have issued a credit to my account for the amount of the check.

Now they tell me. 4 days later!

12 months later

NyCee decided that she wanted to celebrate her birthday early. She began celebrating at 1:58a.m. Of course, that was not going to work for me, so around 2:35 she went back to sleep. The party commenced later that afternoon.

Before birthday cake, --- Clean, happy, playful


While everyone was singing, "Happy Birthday"--- Bored, confused, eyeing the cake.


Eating birthday cake, --- Concentrating, trying to stuff as much as possible into her mouth.


After birthday cake, --- Excited, on a sugar high, "More please."

It is hard to believe that on this day one year ago, I went to the doctor for my normal weekly check up and gave birth 12 hours later. Goodness, time does fly. I love you NyCee! Happy 1st Birthday!

How much farther?

NyCee, of her own accord and without prompting, decided to climb the stairs. She crawled from the family room, over to the stair case and up the two stairs to the landing area.

After making it that far and up one stair, she turned around to see where her father was. She cried out to him and he came and stood behind her thinking that she would continue to climb the stairs to me.

That didn't happen. Instead, she laid down on the step and began yawning.

If climbing three stairs took that much out of her, I don't know what she is going to do when she has to start walking around and not being carried by me.

Unfortunate Mis-hap

So today, I was out running errands and needed to go to the bank. It was approximately 5:30p. I pull up to the ATM in preparation to deposit the check that I had. Well, Bank of America has these fancy new ATM's that you can make a deposit without the envelope. I have used them before. They are pretty cool. Your receipt shows the image of the check you deposited. So I am not new to the machine or how it works.

I pull up to the drive thru ATM, insert my card, select deposit check and when the slot opened, I inserted my check. I paused, only to discover that the machine captured my check. It tried to spit it out several times but it got stuck in the machine. I could see it so I grabed a paperclip and tried to get it out. (I know what you are thinking. Why did she have a paperclip in the car? Was it for such a time as this?) Moving on, the machine thought that I was doing something naughty to it and closed the little door on my check. So I retrieved my card and pulled off discouraged. I parked the truck and went inside to the branch and explained what happened. I was advised what to do so that the check will be credited to my account. It will take about 3-5 business days but no big deal.

The irony to the story is that I used the drive up ATM because I thought the bank was closed due to the time I attempted the transaction. I forgot that it was Friday and most banks stay open until 6:00p.m.

100.5

100.5 was NyCee temperature at 2:08a.
100.5 is still her temperature at 10:45a

At 2:35a NyCee spewed vomit all over the floor, ottoman, and clean clothes on the ottoman. This is why clothes should be put up immediately after leaving the dryer. Moving on.

2:45a- After being cleaned up and donned with fresh jammies, NyCee decided to laugh, wave bye-bye and play.

2:50a-play time was over and she began whining and crying.

3:00a-she decides to start playing again.

3:10a-she winds down and finally falls to sleep.

4:00a--Mommy is wide awake from cleaning vomit, changing jammies, waving bye-bye, and trying to put her daughter to sleep.

6:25a-NyCee wakes up crying so I retrieve her out of her bed and rock her back to sleep in the chair.

9:20a--NyCee wakes up crying. Burning up from fever. She has a doctor's appointment at 1:45p

If I were the gambling type, I would try to figure out how I could play these numbers in lottery to win $300 million. That way, I could pay someone to be up in the middle of the night while I get some sleep.

1159p-EDT Sunday--5 exams due. This is going to be a long week.

UPDATE:
145p- Dr's appt. Bi-lateral ear infections. The dr. prescribed the normal pink amoxicillin.

7:08- Still cranky and whiny.

THE CAUSE:
8:45p-A pamper full of poopie makes NyCee feel all better.

Oh, how stupid!

I cooked shrimp scampi and if you have ever had shrimp scampi then you know that the sauce looks alot like melted margarine. So after eating dinner, I was cleaning the kitchen and poured the sauce into what I thought was the trash bag.

The next morning, I lifted the bag out of the trash bin in preparation for disposal only to find that scampi sauce was in the bottom of the can and not the trash bag. Immediately, I took the entire trash can out to the dumpster. As I was hurling it into the bin, I thought to myself, "Self. Why didn't you just remove the trash bag and wash out the trash can?" Myself answered, "Because that would have been the most logical choice."

That actually happened about two weeks ago. Why am I telling this story now? Because I am still without a trash can and have been to a Kmart, Walmart, or Target I don't know how many times. But each time, I walk out with everything but a trash can.

Look how much she has grown

NyCee has really taken a liking to the camera. (She gets that from her granddad Fred). Recently, she has mastered the art of waving "Bye-Bye" on command. Whenever she hears "bye-bye", she opens and closes her fist as most baby's do. But she gets the flight attendant smile and wave from me.

She is truly a techno-baby. She is not even one year old and has already mastered the concept of talking on a cellular phone.

Whenever I see her do something new I am so amazed. I watched her just stand by herself without holding on to the couch or chair for support.

It's hard to believe that she will be one year old on the 20th. If she is anything like her cousins in Minnesota, I am sure that her antics will keep us laughing.

Back in Business

Yesterday, I went to BestBuy to have my digital camera repaired. Well, they politely told me that I have a credit and that I need to go select a new camera. I thought, "OK, I am glad that it broke before the warranty expired." Well, I walked back to the camera selection and picked out a new shiny toy for myself. It was $10.00 more than the original camera but it has such cool features.

The main feature is that the date will print on the pictures. My last camera was designed to only print the date with their picture printer and their memory card. (It was an Olympus brand). Oh convenient was that. This one is a Fuji and they make reliable products. I use to buy the disposable cameras made by them. Hopefully, NyCee will perform grand stunts now that the camera is working again and not become camera shy.

Camera Catastrophe

Did you notice in this blog there are no pictures of my reunion with my huband and child after nine days of separation? That is because the camera malfunctioned. Okay, so it is just flat-out broken. While talking to Lewis one night, he told me that it was not working but of course I thought that it was due to operator error. However, I tried last night and sure enough, it doesn't work. I can't even view the pictures stored on the memory disk. I am so disappointed. I do not have any pictures of Lewis and NyCee's father-daughter adventure. Bummer!

But on a happy note, I am glad they are back. I missed my little one dearly. She seems to have grown while they were gone. I am going to BestBuy today where Lewis purchased the camera to exchange it. I am glad that Lewis bought the extended warranty plan. Stay tuned for more updates regarding this camera situation.

I feel like my cousin Cari who has the worst trouble with camera's. She left one on a plane, dropped one at the park, had one stolen--my gosh. While I only had one incident, it was during a major event.

Mismatched

So this morning, I get up and begin to follow my morning routine. I wash my face; brush my teeth, pop in the contact lenses. In preparation to shave my legs, I get out the razor, pop on the new blade, run the water in the sink basin, and begin looking around for my shaving gel. I stood for a couple of minutes pondering where it could be. I looked in the shower, under the sink, in the linen closet but no shower gel was to be found. Again, I paused and re-visited all the places that I just looked.

So now, I am in a dilemma. I said to myself, "Self." Myself said, "Yeah what's up? Do I:
A} shave with soap, like when I was a kid and didn't know that shower gel existed,
B} forgo shaving my legs again and continue to walk around like a hairy beast, or
C} use something called "Beard Buster" that I found in my husband's cabinet?"

You guessed it! I chose "C." Men's shaving gel smells so strong. The manufacturer really should make a brand with a unisex scent for cases like this when a wife runs out of shaving gel and needs to use her husband's.

But is worked wonderfully and my legs are as smooth as silk. Fancy that!

"Chew, Chew. That's all I do."

Is it possible that NyCee could chew on her chew toys that I bought? No, apparently it is not. She will chew on a shoe string, the cord to my camera, or anything that she can find.


Her eyes are what gets me. Just look how innocent she looks as if it is perfectly okay to chew on the cord to my camera.