Sesame Street

There's nothing like driving in to work on a clear day, windows down, listening to the Crystal Method cranked up loud (except maybe driving anywhere else but work). We've got tickets to Jazz Fest on Sunday with Governor's Lounge access, AND Chiamom has graciously agreed to babysit (an order of crawfish bread is on the way!). Our vacation is falling into place. Our Houston mini-vacation is falling into place. I thought when I went in to get Molly ready and the crib was a poop-a-palooza that it was going to be a bad day. Not so much, so far.

BB update: J took her to the orthopaedist yesterday (thanks babe!). Basically he said she jammed her finger into her hand and that's how she broke it. He put her into a new splint and told us not to take this one off (the old one smelled and I HAD to wash it - and her!) and come back in two weeks. The new splint has her pointer and middle fingers up and the rest of her fingers loose. Her arm looks like a periscope or one of those box-things that you make to look at a solar eclipse! So, I drew a face on it and now it looks like a cat. Eh, she's happy.

Vacation Ahoy!

We got the tickets! We got the hotel! We turned in our vacation requests! Only 47 days to go!!!

Addiction's a bitch. Then you die.

I was perusing the ol' Times-Pic this morning, and saw a story about a liver patient who can't get a transplant b/c he used medical marijuanna. Whether this is fair or not is open to debate, but it got me thinking on another chain of thought.

I once worked with a woman who had a lung transplant several years before I met her. Now, during the time I knew her, this woman smoked at probably 2 packs of cigarettes a day. Mores to be exact. The most vile-smelling ciggies they ever made. Her fingers were stained nicotene brown and her teeth matched. How she managed to get a lung transplant I'll never know.
But here's the thing: She used to bitch about fat people and how they moan and whine about how hard it is to diet. "Just stop eating so much food," she'd say, "how hard is that?" I would just ignore her. Hypocrite much?

In a perfect world it's easier to quit cigarettes or alcohol because you don't need them to live. Food, however, you can't just quit cold turkey. You have to eat to live. And that's where it gets tricky, making the right choices and portion sizes. I know we don't live in a perfect world. Let me stop right here and say I know it's VERY difficult to stop smoking or drinking. Some would say almost impossible. And I understand because I've seen firsthand the trials and tribulations of family and friends trying to quit. And what's funny (not really) is that the first thing that happens for most smokers trying to quit is that they gain weight. It's like trading one addiction for another.

I'm sure I'm going to get a lot of flack for this blog, but I am not saying it's easy to quit any addiction, whether it be smoking, drinking, drugs, or whatever. I guess it doesn't matter what you're addicted to, the addiction itself is a powerful thing.

Demons.

I'm flailing in my efforts to be healthier. I'm stuck at a 28 lb loss (which I know is good). I've "fallen off the wagon" over the last few days, and if it involves sugar I'm probably eating it. A lot of it.

I don't understand where this is coming from. I've been so happy with my progress and not having any real "craving" problems. I've had to shelve 3 pairs of work pants because they kept hanging down and bagging. So WTF? Why am I sabotaging myself?

I'd like to lose another 15 lbs by our Disney vacation. That gives me 7 weeks. I can do this, damnit!!

Cow-abunga, Dudes!

BB and I go back and forth over how many stuffed animals (SAs) she can keep in her bed. I like to keep it down to one or two but she wants a gazillion so we compromise at five. If she gets a new one it's agonizing watching her decide which current resident has to move. She's got this SA that she caught at a Mardi Gras parade. It's a blue and white cow with it's tongue sticking out. Here's the thing: every time I look at it I'm reminded of Mooby the Golden Calf. I don't know if that's good or bad. Hmmmm....

Doing what I do best.

Well, we are actually planning a summer vacation this year. One item on the agenda is a trip to Disney this summer. I mean actually planning it, not just dreaming about it. We're looking at hotels and counting our pennies. Do we still have a broken pipe that needs to be fixed? Sure, but you know what? It's still going to be there when we get back. We're going to split the week into two halves - first Disney, then Universal. For Disney, we are planning on staying in a hotel on the property for the first few days. Then, we'll check out and check into a hotel near the entrance to Universal until we leave. I feel like a little kid - sooo excited!!!

Then, in July, Ian is going to fly out to H-town to visit with H1 & SIL(H). He'll stay a week and then the rest of us will drive out, spend the weekend, and come home Monday. I'm very excited about this trip too. We've already got the "apartment" and Ian's flight is all set up. He's leaving the day after his 15th birthday, so I think that will be a great birthday gift for him - a whole week without his sisters!!! The only item on my agenda for this trip is that I am fascinated by the Houston Tunnels and I'd really like to visit. However, it looks like they're only open on weekdays so I guess we'll see.

Everything looks like it is falling into place, which is when I do what I do best - worry. I think it's a Herrick trait, worry. Passed down like eye color or being tall. I don't know. What I do know is I've been a worrier all my life. It's part of who I am. I don't want to worry about something happening to prevent this trip - I'm really looking forward to a real vacation.

I need something else to focus on and worry about!!!!!

Just for Laughs

I mean, no, that's not funny. At all.

Now you KNOW that would NEVER be me!!!

(click to enlarge for full effect)

Would this work in the workplace as well?

Spending time with my Baby…

Oh how I’ve jonesed for my computer all weekend! I haven’t touched it since I left work on Friday. Which is where my story begins….

When I got home Friday I decided we should go to Outback, which ended up having an hour wait so we went to Mo’s Pizza. Yummy!!! (Yes, at this point my diet went right out the window!) We were going to go to the black hole known as WalMart, but decided to just chill out at home and spend time together.

Saturday, BB had a birthday party. After our regular Saturday chores, we went out to buy a gift for said party (nothing like waiting ‘till the last minute, right?) then headed straight over. It was a backyard party, with games and food and a giant inflatable slide. They had attached a hose to the slide, and the kids were having a blast. It did get a bit slippery, and occasionally a kid would come flying out the entrance (as opposed to the exit) who had slipped climbing up the stairs/ladder to the top of the slide. About an hour into the party, BB ran up to me and said “I broke my finger. Bye!!!” and ran off to play for another 1 ½ hours. We left the party, came home, did the dinner thing, and off I went to a jewelry party. When I came home, J asked, “Why didn’t you tell me she broke her finger?” I’m thinking, what’s he talking about? Then I looked at her left hand…the pointer finger was striped with black and swollen and slightly crooked. The hand was a bit puffy and bruised too. Hmmm…looks like it’s time for: A Trip To The Emergency Room!!!!

Oh. My. God. We got to the ER at 10:30pm, were triaged and sat down to wait. And wait. And wait. We didn’t get called to the back until 2:00 am. Then x-rays and a splint. We got home at 4:00 am with instructions to call Monday for an appointment for follow-up. Last night her thumb started to look swollen and discolored, so I am anxiously waiting the call-back from the nurse. While we were sitting in the ER waiting area, J turns to me and says “If you wanted to spend time with me, we didn't have to go through all this. All you had to do was ask.” Ha. Ha. Ha.

Sunday Molly-moo let me sleep until 9:30, so that was good. In the afternoon while Molly napped J and I went to WalMart, and spent more quality time there together. Hmmm…what I’m seeing here is: quality time with J = hospital visits and grocery shopping. I think we need to spice it up a bit, eh? Then, we capped off the weekend with a BBQ, FIL(J) came and brought friends, and M/M Chiapop came.

Strangely enough, I think I'll mark this weekend in the “good” column.

Love Letter to my Husband

Now, I totally stole this from the Red Hot Chili Peppers - Hard to Concentrate from their Stadium Arcadium CD...but it sums up how I feel about you, my dear. I know it's kind of corny to copy lyrics, but every time I hear this song I want to marry you all over again. I love you. We've been married almost 16 years, and I love you more than ever.

Hustle, bustle,
And, so much muscle
Cells about to separate
Now I find it hard to concentrate

And, temporary this
Cash and carry ‘em
Stepping up to indicate
The time has come to deviate

And, all I want is for you to be happy
And, take this moment to make you my family
And, finally you have found something perfect
And, finally you have found…

Death defying this
Mess I’m buying its
Raining down with love and hate
Now, I find it hard to motivate

And, estuary is,
Blessed but scary
Heart’s about to palpitate
Now, I’m not about to hesitate

And, want to treasure the rest of your days here
And, give you pleasure in so many ways dear
And, finally you have found something perfect
And, finally you have found…

(Here we go)Do you want me to show up for duty?
And, serve this woman, and all of her beauty
And, finally you have found something perfect
And, finally you have found…

Yourself…with me, will
You, agree to take this man
Into your world
And now, we are as one

My lone ranger
The, heat-exchanger
Is, living in this figure eight
Now I do my best to recreate

And, sweet precision
And, soft collision
Heart’s about to palpitate
Now I find it hard to separate

And, all I want is for you to be happy
And, take this woman and make you my family
And, finally you have found someone perfect
And, finally you have found…
All I want is for you to be happy
And, take this woman and make you my family
And, finally you have found someone perfect
And, finally you have found…
Yourself

8 Again

I’m feeling listy (list-y? listee? listified?)

Here’s a list of my favorite actors in no particular order:

1.Johnny Depp – who’s list is he NOT on, I mean really?
2.Alan Rickman – it’s the voice. THE VOICE. Plus, he’s a great Snape.
3.Christopher Walken – I can’t explain it. I just like him.
4.Kevin Spacey – LOVED him in The Usual Suspects. I don’t necessarily like all the movies he’s done, but he sure can act.
5.Alec Baldwin – I’ve enjoyed some of his movies, but honestly 30 Rock cemented his place on this list
6.Nicholas Cage – he’s quirky, I think. Loved him in National Treasure, and, of course, Valley Girl.
7.Stanley Tucci – usually a supporting character, great underappreciated actor.
8.John Cusack - successfully transitioned from teen flicks to more mature films. As an added bonus, often his sister Joan (see below) will be in the film!


And top actresses (again, in no particular order):L

1.Toni Colette – I can’t help loving her. I first noticed her in Muriel’s Wedding and she had me at ABBA.
2.Drew Barrymore – riches to rags back to riches story. Plus she’s so cute what’s not to love?
3.Liv Tyler – probably (in my opinion) one of the most beautiful faces on the planet.
4.Kate Winslet – very believable actress. I won’t hold Titanic against her (DO NOT insert penis joke here)
5.Sandra Bullock – no explanation, I just love her!
6.Joan Cusack – as mentioned above (#8). Something special about her, not your typical Hollywood starlet.
7.Julia Roberts – can’t help it, that smile!!!
8.Julianne Moore – she’s got that “something”, she’s timeless.


Honorable Mentions:

Tina Fey – hasn’t done enough big screen stuff, but I’m expecting to see much more from her!
James McAvoy – again, not much out yet, expecting great stuff from him too!
Ian McKellen – my favorite movie line ever (from LOTR): “YOU. SHALL. NOT. PASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

And Actors/Actresses I’ll avoid at any cost (and I refuse to link):
1.Vin Diesel – Ugh.
2.Antonio Banderas – okay, he was good in Shrek.
3.Sylvester Stallone – what’s the attraction? He was Rocky, so what?
4.Russell Crowe – seems like a pompous ass.
5.Leonardo DiCaprio – don’t know why, just ick.
6.Jennifer Lopez – who told her she’s an actress?
7.Lindsey Lohan – no explanation needed.
8.don’t have a #8, sorry.


Who did I miss? And why?

Let the Festivals Begin!

This weekend started off on a questionable note. I've been battling allergies for over a week and Molly started with a runny nose and fever on Wednesday, and by Friday I decided she needed a doctor visit. So I took the day off as I was also feeling poorly, and we visited her pediatrician, who said she has a virus and slight croup. (Croup! Is this the 1940s? Should I be saving War Bonds and food ration stamps? Jeez - who gets croup in this day and age?) But as of today she is doing better. Still got a runny nose, but really, how else can I honestly call her my "snot-nosed kid"? Friday ended on a good note as J brought home crawfish and we pigged out in the backyard. I really like eating out there - it's peaceful and relaxing.

Saturday we did our chores, Ian got to have lunch with the grandparents andn I took BB and Molly shopping for baby clothes. Got some cute stuff, then home to go to Church. Since we moved 5 years ago, we now live in a new Church Parish (SAS). However, we have still been going to HNM, our old Parish. J and I were married there, all of our children were baptised there, Ian made his 1st Communion there. BUT, now that BB is at SAS school, we have to be parishoners at that Church. So I decided we are going to start attending weekly Mass at SAS and only go to HNM when DeaconDad is preaching. As a plus, SAS has a cry room (HNM does not). Or so I thought. Mass started out okay, but about 15-20 minutes in I took Molly back to the cry room. She was kind of loud (let's face it, lots of adults find Church boring, babies find it unbearable!), but I figured no one could hear us so she's okay. Except that the lady in the last row kept turning around. And there was only one other person in the room besides us. One lady with no kids, which I thought was odd. And obviously Molly was disturbing her as well. So I ended up outside. Again. As I do every Sunday that I attempt Church. I remember going through this with the other kids, I know it's a stage, but I wish they'd just sleep through Church or something. Anyhoo...Mom told me later she could hear Molly too - the cry room is NOT soundproofed.

Sunday dawned bright and beautiful. We had a lazy morning, then decided to head over to the French Quarter Festival. We drove over, but could not find parking anywhere. At all. So, we ended up calling one of J's guys to drop us off and pick us up when we were done. That was great! The FQF was fun but really, really, really crowded. We never sat in one place to listen to music but walked around and heard snippets here and there. The kids had a good time, we discovered a "bistro" we had never been to before and will surely go to again, and all in all had a great time. We're all a bit sunburned and that's okay by me!

Great family weekend!!!

We Are Family, I've Got All My Brothers With Me!!!

April 10, 2008 Happy Siblings Day!!!!

I know, I know, this photo is 7 years old but I don't have anything recent. We need to remedy that next time we're all together. I love you guys (and your wives - I never had sisters before and they're wonderful!)!!!

To Ian, BB, and Molly-Moo: I know that now you think you hate each other, but as you grow older you will realize what a gift it is to have a sibling (or two). My brothers used to drive me up a wall, but now I wouldn't trade them for the world!

Quick update....

Got everything returned at Home Depot. The service was a million times better last night. J got the terlet all fixed and ready to roll. Yay J!!!!! A big

thank you for all your sweat and hard work:

Home Depot Sucks Like A Porn Star

So let me tell you what happened after my last blog post.

First a little history about our original trip to Home Depot: When we bought the toilet, the first one we looked at didn't have any "insides" at all, even though it clearly stated on the box that it did. So we asked the HDG (Home Depot Guy) and he said "well, you could buy them". J very politely asked why we would buy them when they're supposed to come with the item? "I dunno, because they're not there?" was HDG's response. Big help. So we found a box with "insides", grabbed a toilet seat (why they don't come with a seat has always puzzled me) and some tubing-like stuff and home we went.

After J got up from his nap he started working on the toilet. He started on the valve-thingy and realized he needed a new one, so he sent me to Home Depot. I had our old valve with me so I'd know what to get, but there were still a lot of choices, so I narrowed it down to 4 valves and bought them all because the store was closing and I knew I wouldn't be able to go back that night. I get home, J looks at them all and opens the box of the size he needs. Wouldn't you know it's used. It's very clearly been tampered with (glued or puttied or something at the connection) so we can't use it.

While I was out at the Home Depot, J had taken the old toilet out and put the new one in. There was just one problem. The toilet is a Pegasus brand, the "insides" that came in the (already opened when we bought it) box were Glacier Bay brand. Which means the handle doesn't fit. THEN, we take the toilet seat out of the box to install it, and BOTH of the hinges that connect the lid to the toilet are broken off. WTF?

So now we get to go back to Home Depot to return all this shit, which of course they are never gonna believe we didn't break. In the meantime, we're a family of 5 down to one bathroom. Let me tell you that really sucks in the morning.

The Juice is Loose!!!

Sunday evening is upon us, and while J and Molly nap I'm surfin' the net. It was a nice weekend. Got our dryer Friday and Jerrod had it hooked up before we went to Chez Herrick for homemade pizza.

Saturday I got up and got the kids ready and was in "The Pernt" by 9-ish. Did a lot of walking around the neighborhood, got some neat stuff (a couple of outfits for Molly, some nicknacks for the back yard, and a few other small items), and was home by 2:00. The Rock-N-Bowl birthday party was okay. BB had a good time. Ian actually asked to go, so I brought him too. I was a little surprised that a game of bowling is $18. I thought that was a bit steep, am I right? I don't know, I haven't been bowling in years. Then, back home and crawfish was upon us. Literally. On the first batch the pot fell over. It was the weirdest thing, like it happened in slow motion. BUT, it was still tasty. Had a nice, mellow evening. Ian got to hang out with the adults for a few hours and let me just say this: Hours of entertainment. I don't know if maybe I shelter him too much or if I just have a family full of rude, crude, raunchy people. Either way, it was pretty damn funny!

I did make it to church for Dad's homily, and then we had meatloaf and said goodby to H1/SIL(H). The only other bit of excitement today is a trip to Home Depot to buy a new toilet. It may not be exciting to you, but trust me, after a week of changing towels three times a day under the leaking toilet, it's VERY exciting to me!

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho......

Okay, I'm supposed to be working but I've run into a brick wall and hopefully a little blogging will shake things loose a bit so I can get back to it.

I'm looking forward to a great (and busy) weekend, so of course my allergies are acting up (freakin' oak pollen - everything here is covered in yellow dust!) H1 and SIL(H) are coming in from Houston tonight. Homemade pizza at Chiamomandpop's house!! I've been very good on my diet so I can have a bite or two of pizza and not feel guilty - yummy! Before that, however, J and I will go to an electronics store (rhymes with WestWuy) to purchase a new dryer. Yes, in addition to new tires and breaks for my car, and still having to fix the washer pipe, and the toilet, we now need a new dryer. Lucky for us we're made of money - NOT!!!

Back to topic - this weekend. Tomorrow is the Treasures from the Point neighborhood garage sale. Can't wait!!! KenEllie, SIL(H) and I, (and the kids), Mom, and SIL(E)'s mom will be going. Too. Much. Fun. Must. Contain. Excitement. YYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!! (sorry, couldn't contain it!)

Then, BB has a birthday party to go to at Rock-N-Bowl. I've never been but I've heard it's fun. We'll see how it goes as I will have Molly-Moo with me. THEN, it's back home for crawfish. Mmmmmm...H1 and J will be cooking up a storm! Then possibly a night out, or maybe just hangin' out.

Sunday, Mass at 11:00 - DeaconDad is preaching so I can't miss it! Then good by to H1 and SIL(H). Boooooo!!!!

And, I got my hair cut at lunch today and I love it!!! Hopefully I'll be able to make it look this good tomorrow and every other day after that. You know how the salon people make it look great and you go home and try to do it and you look like a poodle! SIL(E), I see a highlighting date coming on!!!

Somebody call Orkin...

I'm being overrun by the Beatles! We saw "Across the Universe" on Saturday night and loved it! The kids especially loved it. The music and symbolism were incredible. But now, you can't come within a 50 foot radius of the house without hearing someone singing Beatles tunes. BB is usually singing "Dear Prudence" or "Happiness is a Warm Gun" and Ian has been singing "Hey Jude", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", and "I've Seen a Face". BB and Ian asked J to put the soundtrack on their Ipods. In a funny coincidence, one of BB's dance recital songs is also by the Beatles, "Ain't She Sweet".

I don't know if I should say this out loud, but I'm not necessarily a Beatles fan. I mean, I like most of their stuff, but I like other stuff just as much. But it is kind of exciting to see a new generation of Beatles fans at the beginning of their musical journey. (Although, I should probably mention the casualty we had as an indirect result of this new musical journey - BB left her Ipod in her skirt pocket and I didn't check the pockets before washing it. J is trying to save it but there is a good possibility that it's dead.)

So, to anyone who might be "dropping by" over the next few days, put your "Beatles hair" on and get ready to rock-n-roll!!!!