Thankful I Be on This Day Again (or, "My Thursday Ritual")

HEY, YOU!!!!  Get Thankful!

















Yes, it's time for Thankful on a Thursday again.  As mentioned before, I normally do this on Facebook, but I figured the above photo was reason enough to post it on the ol' blog.

Thankful on a Thursday: for Hubs insisting that we get a gym membership (and the glorious 45 minute lunch time classes they offer), for the tastiness of holiday business lunches, to Neil Gaiman for being such an incredible and creative author, and to a little kids who are infectious in their wonderment over the magic of this time of year.

HD's holiday lingo has expanded to: nutcracker, snowman, baby Jesus, and Santa-Claus-is-coming-to-town.

What's up tonight?  Me merry crew will further our Christmas spirit by visiting Santa Claus.  Even better?  We're not doing it in the mall!!!  Our local fire station invites kids over each year to meet Santa and donate toys.  Way more fun, helpful, and Christmas-spirity than being charged $25 for a basic photo package.  Color the Cap'n stoked.

Yo Ho Ho Ho (or, "Christmas Tree Is Up!")

November was National Blog Posting Month.  The idea is that you try to post once each day for the whole month.  Let's just say that whoever picked November is masochist.  I was doing ok, and then the holiday and all its preparation kicked in.  So...glazing over the past couple of weeks?  The busiest time of year at work (for me, anyway) passed in a whirlwind, HD impressed everyone by chowing brussels sprouts at Thanksgiving, and teething incisors is the work of the devil.  You're all caught up! 

We focused this weekend on getting our Christmas on.  Heading out to get a real tree, we ended up getting dazzled at Home Depot by a glorious imitation 7.5 foot Black Hills Spruce, completely pre-lit with LED lights.  Both Hubs and I are from families with a known legacy of fake trees, so we jumped.  We put HD down for her nap, lit my mistletoe-flavored Yankee candles to complete the illusion of our faux tree, and got to work.  The beauty took about 15 minutes to put together (*choirs of angeles sang*), so we got to dive right into ornaments.  We thought for about 35 seconds about how to toddler proof the tree.  I personally think methodology should vary from kid to kid.  Our nugget?  Curious, but relatively obedient.  She puts stuff back if we tell her too...repeatedly.  Rather than go all out with a baby gate to block off the tree, we decided to stick it in a corner (protected on at least 2 sides without even trying!) out of her normal path of destruction (i.e. it's in the dining rather than living room).  

Upon waking from her nap, HD came down to behold the essence of merriment.  We even saved a few ornaments for her to put on.  She got so excited, she full-on attacked me.  I have the mussed hair to prove it.

But it's all good, because then I got her to say Merry Christmas for the camera.  Eh, sorta.

Kid has also taken a recent shine to that Santa Claus fellow.  She points him out everywhere, and repeatedly reminds us that he is coming to town.  Anytime she's thrown a fit this week, that song has talisman-like soothing qualities.  I think the "better not cry" line is what tames our beast.  HD also has rediscovered the same love of nutcrackers that she demonstrated this time last year.  We have a pirate one on our mantel (natch), which totally made her giggle last year.  Vid below was neigh on impossible to shoot -- me holding baby, maneuvering nutcracker and attempting to film all at once.  But I'll leave y'all on that note, so I can get back to my hot chocolate.

Ode to the Grand Admiral Madre (or, "My Mother is My Role Model")

Well, I certainly can't get all sentimental about my Daddy without touching on my Mama, can I?

My mother is one hell of a strong lady.  It takes an iron will to be the rock of a family that moved around as much as ours has. She has taught me how to be a better hostess, a decent cook, how to have good manners, and how to come up with a good zinger on the off-chance that someone's being horrid to you.  She taught me how important it is to stand up for yourself; that there's a big difference between being kind and being a pushover. 

Mama, I'm indebted to you for so many reasons:

• When I was maybe 5, you asked for my opinion before deciding your work schedule (working weekends = no biscuits for breakfast, working weekday afternoons = no Mama/snack time after kindergarten).  That made me feel so very important. 
• For dance lessons, letting me read aloud to you, letting me dress up in your old stuff, and all the other little ways you encouraged your budding actress years before I ever even stepped on a stage.
• You remember when we got locked out of our flat in Barbados?  We decided to stack up the neighbor's patio furniture and you let me climb up onto the balcony to get back in.  Funniest example in my mind of creative female problem solving.  And sheer enjoyment of celebratory Coca Cola.
• Always bopping around and singing goofy songs.  Because of you, I have zero shame about dancing and singing along to the muzak at the grocery store, in elevators, or department stores.  By myself.
• For pushing and working so hard for me to get to experience the things you didn't have in your own childhood.  Thank you for summer camp, swim lessons, band, and never making me clean my plate (other than the veggies). 
• Giving me A Tree Grows in Brooklyn at age 11, and telling me how important it was to you at that age.  You remember how battered my copy became?  That's a true testament to how well you spoke to my heart from behind the scenes, at a time when I was definitely a difficult kid.  To this day, I consider that book to be a love letter from a mother to a daughter.
• Thank you for all those random trips to the pet store to look at puppies, just because.  And thanks heaps for being a huge softie for a little red-head Chow Shepard mix with a neurological twitch.  And thanks most of all for making up a story that we were puppysitting so Daddy would have a whole week to fall in love with her so he would let us keep her. Your suggestion to Southernize her name from "Blue" to "Bonnie Blue" sure didn't hurt.
• You were so candid with your stories about how you were teased as a kid for being so skinny.  Thank you for constantly reminding me how it would suddenly becomes an enviable trait as an adult (you so nailed that one!).  And
• For raising me to just assume that I would go to college.  Not only that, but for constantly reminding me during the middle school and high school rough patches that college was going to be so much more fun, open-minded, freeing, and interesting than anything I had yet experienced (it totally was).
• When HD was born, I know you were so excited to see your new grandbaby.  But I know that first and foremost you wanted to make sure that I was ok.  Thanks for kicking it for hours in that waiting room, just in case I needed you.  Knowing you were nearby was a huge, huge help.

 I feel like more than any person in my life, you and I have managed to change, adapt, and grow the most together, always for the better.  I love that we get to be adults together now, and that you can be my friend as well as my parent.  Everyone should get to be friends with someone as honest, funny, and caring as you.

Ode to a Sandpaper Pappy (or, "My Father is Awesome")

There's nothing like being a parent to make you really reflect on your own childhood.  I don't have any illusions that I had the perfect childhood or the perfect family any more than I believe I was the perfect daughter.  But I have no doubts whatsoever that my parents always tried their hardest to do what they believed was the best for our family, and that they did (and continue to) love the bejeezus out of my brother and me. 

My father has always been one of the hardest working people I know.  Cripes, the man managed to get his masters while holding down a full time job and raising 2 kids while his wife also worked.  He had to travel a ton for work, but he still managed to be a very actively involved dad.

Daddy, thank you so much for the following (and lots more):

• When I was a teeny kid, and how you would lay down and let me crawl onto your belly and up to your propped knees so I could slide down your shins.  That was really fun.
• Making our backyard fort, complete with tire swing. 
• Always finding loose change for the ice cream truck.
• Taking me to the Young Writers' Conference at EWU.  That totally cultivated a hobby that I still enjoy today.
• Always making sure that no matter how much you traveled, that you could see at least one show of each of my various high school performances.
• Stacking me and the bro on your back when we would sled down the street.  Even though it was probably dangerous as all get out, it was sooooo much faster than going down by ourselves.
• Cultivating my love of horror movies and teaching me that being afraid is the biggest part of the fun (I'm referring specifically to watching The Shining at age 13, NOT The Exorcist at age 14 -- yikes)
• I owe you entirely for my taste in music.  You taught me to be open to new bands in addition to our old favorites, to love seeing bands live, and that pop music is an important part of American history.
• For being a cuddly daddy, who was never to busy to hold my hand or put an arm around me or give a scratchy mustache kiss.
• Every single early morning before you would fly out on a business trip, you would sneak into my room in the wee hours of morning to say you loved me before you left.  Me being a light sleeper, I'd wake about 85% pf the time, but I never minded.
• For teaching me the green eggs and ham theory -- that you have to try something before you can say that you don't like it.  Because of you, I love to eat.
• For teaching me the importance of knowing and remembering where you come from, and the idea of family as legacy, a linked chain with a shared history.
• Taking me to UCLA Scholar's Day, and subsequently convincing me to ditch the next day's scheduled USC visit to go to Disneyland instead.
• And for that Thanksgiving when I first came home after starting college, you invited me to enjoy a beer with you.  That completely stands out in my mind as the moment you first acknowledged me as an adult (even though I am so obviously still your little Weet Weet).  

You helped me to understand from a very early age what a father and a husband should be.  That I should have very high expectations of the man that I would marry.  Well, you were right and I do.  And I look at the amazing man that I chose to spend my life with, and the way he loves our daughter.  And weirdly, knowing that I have that makes me want to thank you, Daddy.   

Festivities and Menageries (or, "Man, We Was Bizzay")

Crazy weekend!  A gorgeous 11/11/11 wedding at the lovely Ferry Building in SF (congrats Omar and Alex!).  An overnight stay with Hubs's bro and his wife, minus Miss HD (she had a sleepover with the grandparents).  An awesome morning back at the Ferry Building to brunch it up with them, adults-only style.  Blue Bottle coffee + oyster po' boy + pumpkin tamale = breakfast of piratical champions.  Hightailed it to the grandparents' home to retrieve the kid and have lunch, then swooped on down to the other end of the Bay to the Oakland Zoo with my bro and his wife.  We saw our entire local family in the course of 4 counties and 1 day.  *phew*

This attempt to climb into the animal pen happened at every single exhibit.

There are zebras in the background, I swear.

Hubs and I unknowingly in matching outfits for a family pic (we will NEVER do that to our child on purpose)

The Zoo taught us many lessons, including the following:
1)  We don't need a stroller as long as we're in a fenced-off kid-friendly area with no cars (bah, like those are hard to find!).  It was truly awesome to let HD run free. 
2)  Like Madeline, HD also says "Pooh, pooh" to the tiger in the zoo.  But she was very impressed with the spider monkeys (which made Hubs and I nostalgic for our Costa Rican honeymoon). 
3)  Giraffes do communicate with each other verbally, but their voices are on a low enough frequency that most humans don't hear it.  What?  I thought that was fascinating.
4)  My brother and I, unbeknownst to one another prior to this weekend, shared a secret nerdy passion for Meerkat Manor.  Talk about weird sibling connections.  BTW, I'm still sad about the split of the family after Flower's death.

Agenda for next weekend?  YO GABBA GABBA LIVE (natch)!

Thankful I Be on This Day (or, "17 Months")

 I normally do my Thankful on a Thursday posts over on Facebook each week, but figured it wouldn't hurt to pull it out over here on the blog.

To those of y'all new to the idea, ToaT is all about focusing on the little things that make you grateful at that given point in time.  In my heart, I'm always super thankful for the big guns -- health, gainful employment, my family, freedom, the Tivo.  But as each week brings its little stresses and problems, it's nice to have a stop and smell the roses moment where I focus on much smaller things.  Usually those things tend to be food related, but I may be thankful for the funny kid who made me laugh on the train, or for Joshilyn Jackson novels (sidenote to my Mama -- read Backseat Saints if you haven't yet).  Here's this week's submission:

Thankful on a Thursday: for Honeycrisp apples, to my work for FINALLY ditching Lotus Notes for Gmail, for the prospect of wedding dancing/drinking after a long week, and to a little girl who's given me 17 months of the most fun I've ever had.

HD is 17 months old today.  She talks a blue streak, already using short sentences to ask questions ("where Daddy go?") or issue proclamations ("Mama read book").  She can count to 10, always skipping the number 7 for some unknown reason.  She's so social, always ambling up to other kids or babies to say hi.  Definitely tenacious, very inquisitive, and occasionally a drama queen.  Loves puppies, playing outside, running and hiding under blankets or make-shift forts, and coloring/painting.  Still prefers to be rocked and sung to before bed.  She's rough and tumble, with that awe-inspiring yet heart-stopping toddler sense of invincibility.  It probably sounds like I'm describing any old kid.  But my kid is fearless...except for vacuum cleaners.

HD's "say cheese" face.

Heavens, Mama, it is a bit early for the paparazzi.

She went from patient...

...to "GIMMEOUTNOWMAMAWHY?!"

Sea Shanties for Rough Waters (or, "Songs to Make It through this Week")

It's a really rough week at work, I'm all thrown off from the time change, and pre-holiday stress is starting to kick in.  I miss my extended family and friends that are far away.  Throw in too many bad hair days and a teething kid, and I slowly begin folding in on myself.  Music always helps me get through whatever troubles or worries are plaguing me.  Here are a few songs that are on heavy rotation this week:

1)  "It's a Fact (Printed Stained)," Matt & Kim -- peppy, short, heavy on the percussion!  The chorus "yes, yes, no, no no..." makes me giggle.  This is THE OFFICIAL theme song of toddlers everywhere.

2)  "10. A.M. Automatic," The Black Keys -- this song is so seriously badass.  It's a crank-at-full-volume-and-attempt-to-dance-while-driving kind of tune.

3)   "Save It for Later," The English Beat -- consistently one of my favorite songs of all time; one of those weird ones that I don't tire of no matter how often I listen.  This song completely sums up what it's like to be young and crave independence, while still sort of seeking your parents' support and approval.  And background violins make any song more profound, right?

4)  "Mystery Train, Pt. 2," Steve Earle -- The end of summer put me on a really big bluegrass/country kick, and ol' Stevie's a leftover from that.  This guy is incredible; I have an entire Pandora station devoted to him that I listen to at work when my afternoons revolve around spreadsheets.

5)  "My Way," Frank Sinatra -- This is the very epitome of "&$#* you, I don't need anyone, I'm awesome and can rely entirely upon myself."  It's the theme song for cantankerous old bachelors who drink too much Canadian Club.  But it's also the song that was played by every single street musician (I'm not even exaggerating) in spring of 2007 when Hubs and I went on a trip to Europe together.  That was back in our dating days, and that trip basically convinced us each that we had to marry each other.  It became "our song" as a result of that trip.  We even danced to it at our wedding, despite the fact that it's probably the most unromantic lyrical content ever.  I grin ear to ear every time I hear it in passing.

6) "Message of Love," The Pretenders -- Is there any goddess of rock who ranks above Chrissie Hynde?  Hell no.  Incidentally, this song also made an appearance at our wedding when we were announced at our reception.  And we (I) completely flubbed our big high-five intro, which totally doesn't still cause me embarrassment when I remember it.

7)  "Higher Love," Steve Winwood -- THIS IS MY JAM.  For reals.

8)   "Do You Love Me?," The Contours -- I know, right?  This song always makes me think of Teen Wolf Too too!

9)  "Take Me to the Pilot," Elton John -- EJ is incredible.  I even like his cheesy "That's Why They Call It the Blues" phase.  And don't get me started on my love of The Lion King soundtrack.  But very early EJ is the best version of himself, when he's all gospely and can hit those falsetto notes, hammering away at his ivories.  Plus, he's super duper live (HD was in ute when we saw him in concert, but judging from all her squirming, I gather she enjoyed as well).

10) "Love that Girl," Raphael Saadiq -- Everyone needs a little groove-happy in their life.  This man is one of the most perfect sources.

Happy listening!