Here There Be Dragons

Braaiins

Fri, 10 Oct 08 08:44:00 UT

Gabriel is so weird. He knows what most animals say and will let us know that a cow says moo, a cat says meow, etc. The other night Rob taught him a new one when he was putting him in pyjamas after his bath. I was the one who had given him the bath, so I was getting dressed. He brought Gabriel in to show off what he had learned.
Rob: Gabriel, what does a zombie say?
Gabriel: Braaaaiiiins!

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

Last night we had to drive Gabriel around to get him to go to sleep. On the bright side, he stayed asleep when we brought him back into the apartment. On the not so bright side, we got home from the drive around 11pm. He stayed in his bed until the middle of the night and then came in with us again.

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You Scored as Air

You were born under Air. Meaning: your calm alot, at times you can have a temper, but not very often. you live life as it takes you.

Air

80%

Fire

60%

Water

60%

Light

60%

Earth

40%

Darkness

40%

Under What Element Were You Born?

This Is Amazing (Take On Me)

Thu, 9 Oct 08 10:04:00 UT

Ever wonder what a music video would be like if the song's lyrics matched what happened in the video? Now you know. Sent to me courtesy of Rob.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Bad Night

Thu, 9 Oct 08 09:15:00 UT

Last night was so bad, sleep wise. Gabriel needs to learn that sleep is a good thing and that Mommy and Daddy need it to function and stay sane.

So, Gabriel was spazzing out big time last night and we knew there was no way we'd get him to sleep without driving around for a bit. So, we headed out and about and an hour and a half later he was out cold in the back of the car. We got back home, laid him down, and within minutes he was up and wide awake again. We tried him in our bed, and all he did was jump around. We tried him in his room, and all he did was play. We tried him in the living room, and all he did was run around. He just did not want to go to sleep. He didn't fall asleep until after midnight.

When he finally did fall asleep, we put him in his own bed. Of course, he ended up coming in and climbing into bed with us in the middle of the night.

I am completely exhausted today. I can't wait until my Mom is out here next week (Rob has a business trip to Chicago and she's coming to help me with Gabriel). She's been dubbed "Grandma Pillow" because somehow, she can get Gabriel to go to sleep easily and at a reasonable time.

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You Are Fire

Oooh! Fire! You have a very stubborn personality and are very intuitive. You are constantly making imprints! You often yell out, but sometime are not heard! This bothers you and causes you to lash out at some people you love. But, when you're calm, you can be an ok leader. And when you're in an argument, you have the I'm-not-goin-down-without-a-fight attitude,and that's often helpful! And you love Winter because it gives you reason to sit in front of a hot, roaring fire! Not to mention perfect weather!

What Element Are You?

Trying Mom's Idea

Wed, 8 Oct 08 09:30:00 UT

We tried my Mom's idea last night (of having Gabriel come to bed with us). There were some upsides and some downsides to it.

The upsides:
He went to sleep for the night without needing to be driven around.
Once he was asleep, he was out for the night and didn't try to get up in the middle of the night and run all over the apartment.
Eventually, he curled up on me and passed out.

The downsides:
He spent some of the time bouncing around and wanting to jump on the bed.
He didn't fall asleep until around 11pm.
Once Gabriel's asleep there are things we like to do (sex) and need to do (dishes, garbage, etc.) before going to bed. It's harder to do the chores if he has to go to sleep with us and impossible to try and have sex.

He had some nighttime freakouts still, but they're a lot easier to deal with when I'm right next to him in bed. I did have to wake Rob up once in the middle of the night so he could help pry Gabriel off of me (his arms and legs were wrapped around one of my arms) so I could go to the bathroom.

This kid needs to learn to go to sleep at an appropriate time. *sigh*

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HFDS - The Coach

Humanity, Foreground, Detail, and Shape

You perceive the world with particular attention to humanity. You focus on what's in front of you (the foreground) and how that is affected by the details of life. You are also particularly drawn towards the shapes around you. Because of the value you place on humanity, you tend to seek out other people and get energized by being around others. You like to deal directly with whatever comes your way without dealing with speculating possibilities or outcomes you can't control. You are highly focused on specific goals or tasks and find meaning in life by pursuing those goals. You prefer a structured environment within which to live and you like things to be predictable.

The Perception Personality Image Test

Gabriel's Sleep Issues

Tue, 7 Oct 08 09:58:00 UT

I am so completely exhaused today, it's not even funny. Gabriel has some serious sleep issues - those being that he doesn't sleep.

If we don't drive him around at night, he doesn't go to sleep until at least after midnight. So, we pretty much have to drive around every night to get him to fall asleep.

Once he falls asleep in the car, that does not guarantee that he'll stay asleep. He also doesn't want to sleep in his bed anymore, so he's usually with us.

Last night not only was he in our bed, but he kept waking up and having screaming fits during the night. Most of these times, he wasn't even awake for the screaming fits. And every time he had one, he HAD to have Mommy. Most of the time he'd cuddle up to me and be all right, but if I turned over or went to the bathroom he would freak.

Ugh. This kid needs to learn to sleep.

And yes, we've tried almost everything. He's been using the bedtime wash and lotion since he was born. While it smells really good, it does nothing to help him sleep. We've also tried white noise, it doesn't help him sleep, it justs stimulates him to stay awake.

If he naps today, (and that's an if because he doesn't always nap) and if I have the time (also a huge if), I'd like to try and sneak in a nap as well. I'm exhaused to the point of feeling sick from sleep deprivation.

----------

Errands and Nana

Mon, 6 Oct 08 09:34:00 UT

The Mickey Mouse version of The Three Musketeers just came on the Disney channel. Gabriel is entranced and dancing all over the place. He loves Mickey and while his favorite lovey is his grimy stuffed piggy, he's also taking to carrying the Mickey Mouse doll my Mom got for him wherever he goes. I wish that we were still in driving distance to Disneyland. He would love it there (not to mention the selection of Mickey Mouse stuffies that they have for sale there).

Saturday we ran all over the place doing errands. We grabbed lunch at Five Guys and then headed to Wauwatosa to the Mayfair Mall. Rob waited in the car with Gabriel and I ran into Baby Gap. It was insanely crowded in there, but I was able to finish off his fall/winter wardrobe. Last weekend I got him long sleeve tops. This weekend I got him jeans, pyjamas, a winter hat, and a pair of dinosaur slippers which he loves.

From there we went to the Fresh Market for our weekly shop and to get kabobs to cook for dinner. We then stopped off at Ulta so I could get some shampoo, but they were completely sold out of the Redken Extreme line (so I ordered it online when we got back home).

We stopped off at home to drop off the food and then headed back out to Walgreens and then to Pick N Save for our main grocery shop.

Saturday night we grilled out kabobs (we each had one chicken and veggie one and one steak and veggie one) and watched Saw 2.

Sunday we also grabbed lunch at Five Guys and then we headed to Fresh Market to pick up the ingredients for a stir fry that we were going to cook for dinner. We dropped the food off at home and then headed out to see my Nana at the Sterling House.

It was nice having the time to visit with Nana, she's looking good. We were there for about forty five minutes and Gabriel was very well behaved. Her constantly giving him cookies and chocolate might have had something to do with that. My Uncle Kim stopped by for a bit and we all headed out when it was time for her physical therapy.

We then headed home. Last night we gamed, watched the Amazing Race, and made stir fry for dinner.

My Mom's having a tough time right now, so any good thoughts sent her way would be appreciated. Not only is she unable to sell her house, but her cat is very sick (to the point where he had to spend the entire weekend at the vet's office). He's having diarrhea (and ended up crapping it in every room of her house last week... including on the walls), vomiting, and foaming at the mouth. So far, they don't know what's wrong and he has to stay at the vet so that he can keep hydrated and nourished. Every time he eats, he vomits. Not good.

----------

Which Nintendo Character Are You?

You're Yoshi
You don't like to take the reigns and lead the pack, but you're definitely there to lend a helping hand. Sometimes, you can be a bit passive and physical strength is not your forte. But, you use your mind to solve things and that's invaluable to your friends. They know you'll be there to carry them, physically and emotionally, through anything.

Video Games Quizzes

Banned Books List

Fri, 3 Oct 08 14:09:00 UT

How to play:

1: Copy this list.
2: Highlight the ones you have read (or at least remember reading).

1. Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
2. Daddyâs Roommate by Michael Willhoite
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
8. Forever by Judy Blume
9. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
10. Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
11. Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
12. My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
13. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry
15. Itâs Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
16. Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
17. A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
18. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
19. Sex by Madonna
20. Earthâs Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
21. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine LâEngle
23. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
24. Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
25. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
26. The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
27. The Witches by Roald Dahl
28. The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
29. Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
30. The Goats by Brock Cole
31. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
32. Blubber by Judy Blume
33. Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
34. Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
35. We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
36. Final Exit by Derek Humphry
37. The Handmaidâs Tale by Margaret Atwood
38. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
39. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
40. Whatâs Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras
41. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
42. Beloved by Toni Morrison
43. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
44. The Pigman by Paul Zindel
45. Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
46. Deenie by Judy Blume
47. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel KeyesM
48. Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
49. The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
50. Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
51. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
52. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
53. Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
54. Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
55. Cujo by Stephen King
56. James and the Giant Peach by Roald DahlM
57. The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
58. Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
59. Ordinary People by Judith Guest
60. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
61. Whatâs Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
62. Are You There, God? Itâs Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
63. Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
64. Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
65. Fade by Robert Cormier
66. Guess What? by Mem Fox
67. The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
68. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
69. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
70. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
71. Native Son by Richard Wright
72. Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Womenâs Fantasies by Nancy Friday
73. Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
74. Jack by A.M. Homes
75. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
76. Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
77. Carrie by Stephen King
78. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
79. On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
80. Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
81. Family Secrets by Norma Klein
82. Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
83. The Dead Zone by Stephen King
84. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
85. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
86. Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
87. Private Parts by Howard Stern
88. Whereâs Waldo? by Martin Hanford
89. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
90. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
91. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
92. Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
93. Sex Education by Jenny Davis
94. The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
95. Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
96. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
97. View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
98. The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
99. The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney
100. Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Being A Duck (quack, quack)

Fri, 3 Oct 08 09:55:00 UT

When I'm feeling down, Gabriel always knows just how to bring a smile to my face. I don't know what I'd do without this little guy.

Yesterday, we saw some ducks on TV. He saw how the baby ducks follow the Mommy duck and he wanted to pretend to be ducks. So, for the next hour or so, we paraded around the house being ducks. We quacked back and forth and he followed me wherever I went. We pretty much waddled all around the apartment. It was fun. When he was finished being a duck, he decided he wanted to be a cow.

On the odd side of things, he likes to play with (clean and fresh) tampons. *sigh* I have to take him to the bathroom with me or he squeezes through the railing and tries to climb the stairs up into the loft on his own. I have to watch him constantly. Whenever he's in the bathroom with me he grabs a tampon, unwraps it, and proceeds to play with it marvelling at the "flower". I'm glad I was on the toilet at the time (because I would have peed my pants) when he called it a flower, smelled it, and pretended to sneeze.

He's adorable, but really weird.

Today I'm pretty much exhausted. He didn't want to go to sleep last night, so Rob and I drove him around a bit until he fell asleep. We brought him back up to the apartment, and he was wide awake once more. He didn't fall asleep until close to midnight! We need to find a way to get this kid to go to sleep at a normal time.

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Whats Your Personality Colour? Your Result: Green Green is the colour of nature and can commonly be accosiated with money. You have a Green thumb and your not afraid to do that little bit Extra to help the environment no matter what people think. But sometimes you need a little bit of money to help you along the way...
Blue
Your colour is Red.
White
Orange
Yellow
Black
Whats Your Personality Colour? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Gabriel Pictures

Thu, 2 Oct 08 09:14:00 UT

As you may have noticed, there's a new picture of Gabriel on his birthday ticker. That means I have new Gabriel pics loaded onto the computer. Here's the best of the batch.

Gabriel riding in the Teletubbies Noo-Noo:

Close up of Gabriel in the Noo-Noo:

Gabriel in Baskin Robbins:

Gabriel with his cone:

Gabriel eating ice cream:

Gabriel posing for the camera:

sigh

Wed, 1 Oct 08 08:56:00 UT

I was going to put something up so that my journal flips over to October, but seeing that it's already October got me down.

In less than a month, I will be 34 years old. In my mid-thirties. And yet, I still don't have a job. I'm a 34 year old who is married with a child and still getting money from my parents. It's not for a lack of trying to find a job, I've been working my ass off on that all year, but it seems that no one is interested in hiring me.

I'm a pathetic loser. Seriously. Think about it - a 34 year old who is married with a child, can't find a job to save her life, and is still getting money from her parents. Can you think of a word other than pathetic to describe it?

Don't say things will turn up, that it will get better, or that I will find a job soon. I've been hearing that for a long time now and it hasn't happened yet.

Yes, this economy sucks. Yes, it makes it harder to find a job. But that doesn't make me any less pathetic.

Gabriel is the best thing I've done with my life. It it weren't for him, I would be truly worthless.

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You Are 65% Normal About Sex

When it comes to sex, you're somewhat normal.
You tend to have an average sex life... which is no where as boring as it sounds!

No one would probably consider your sexual experiences or preferences to be really unusual.
But you probably do have a few interesting surprises up your sleeve.

Are You Normal About Sex?

57 Questions from Wanaki

Tue, 30 Sep 08 09:29:00 UT

Taken from Wanaki.

1.What time did you get up this morning?
7:00am, I decided to take a quick shower and skip washing my hair, it gave me an extra half hour in bed.

2.Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds.

3.What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Cloverfield.

4.What is your favorite TV show?
I'm assuming this means I have to choose one out of the crap that's on TV these days and not an all time favorite, right? If so, then probably House.

5.What do you usually have for breakfast?
Scrambled eggs with fresh mushrooms seems to be what I'm making as of late. If I'm lazy, I go with a granola bar.

6.What is your middle name?
Lea.

7.What food do you dislike?
Onions and raw tomatoes.

8.What is your favorite CD at the moment?
I don't really listen to any of my CDs currently, I usually use the iPod when I'm in my car. If I had to pick one, it would still be the Queen of the Damned soundtrack.

9.What kind of car do you drive?
2008 Lexus 400h in brandywine (a dark red/brown). It's name is Bel.

10.Favorite sandwich?
Tuna on wheat bread.

11.What characteristic do you despise?
Stupidity.

12.Favorite item of clothing?
My blue sleep shirt with sheep on it, because if I'm wearing it it means I get to go to sleep!

13.If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Romania.

14.Favorite brand of clothing?
Whatever fits, probably Avenue or Lane Bryant.

15.Where would you retire to?
I'll be starting work so late in life (if I ever get a job, at this point it's just a pathetic joke) that I don't think I'll be able to retire.

16.What was your most recent memorable birthday?
My 30th birthday was the best birthday I've ever had. Shannon, Rob, and I went to Sunset Strip tattoo and I got my egyptian hieroglyph of Bast done on my left shoulder. Shannon got a purple rose to cover a scar. We then went to the mall for a bit and then headed to Dave and Busters where we had dinner and played with Al, Berek, and Pita. It was amazing.

17.Favorite sport to watch?
Gymnastics.

18.Furthest place you are sending this?
I'm not sending it, I'm just putting it on my journal.

19.Person you expect to send it back first?
See above.

20.When is your birthday?
October 26.

21.Are you a morning person or a night person?
Night!

22.What is your shoe size?
9 1/2 wide.

23.Pets?
Sydney, a 13 year old red male Abyssinian cat.

24.Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
Heh, I wish.

25.What did you want to be when you were little?
First an actress, then an astronaut, then a veterinarian, then an acrtress again, then a director, then a writer.

26.How are you today?
Tired and stressed.

27.What is your favorite candy?
Rice candy.

28.What is your favorite flower?
Roses, I love the ones where the petals change colors (like from a deep red at the ends to a white at the tips).

29.What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
October 26, it's my birthday, I'll be out at my Mom's place, and I'll be getting my fish tattoo touched up.

30.What is your favorite pastime?
Playing Dungeons and Dragons.

31.What are you listening to right now?
Clifford the Big Red Dog.

32.What was the last thing you ate?
Scrambled eggs with fresh mushrooms (my breakfast).

33.Do you wish on stars?
Sometimes.

34.If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Light purple.

35.How is the weather right now?
Somewhat cloudy and weather bug says it's 48 degrees out. In other words, it's GORGEOUS weather for me!

36.The first person you spoke to on the phone today?
I haven't used the phone today. I generally try to stay as far away from it as possible.

37.Favorite soft drink?
Ito En Tea.

38.Favorite restaurant?
The Melting Pot.

39.Real hair color?
Dark "dishwater" blonde.

40.What was your favorite toy as a child?
Gregor the Bloodsucking Bat.

41.Summer or winter?
Winter.

42.Hugs or kisses?
Both, but if I have to choose just one then kisses.

43.Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla.

44.Coffee or tea?
Probably tea, though I really like them both.

45.Do you want your friends to email you back?
I'd like it if they put this on their journals.

46.When was the last time you cried?
A few days ago when a song came on in the car that made me think of Eleanor. God, I miss her.

47.What is under your bed?
Cat fur and dust bunnies.

48.What did you do last night?
Gamed and watched Heroes.

49.What are you afraid of
Spiders and other creepy crawlies.

50.Salty or sweet?
Depends on my mood.

51.How many keys on your key ring?
Three. My car key, my apartment key, and my safety deposit box key.

52.How many years at your current job?
Heh, yeah right, like anyone is willing to hire me. If my "job" is being a stay at home Mom to Gabriel, then 2 years and 7 monts.

53.Favorite day of the week?
Friday.

54.How many towns have you lived in?
Eight. Here's the list (and I'm not counting double if I lived in the same city twice). Chicago, Western Springs, Hinsdale, Chicago, South Central Los Angeles, Studio City, Claremont, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Pewaukee.

55.Do you make friends easily?
No, I'm pretty shy and uncomfortable around people that I don't know.

56.How many people will you send this to?
Whoever reads this journal entry.

57.How many will respond?
No clue.

Weekend Wrap Up

Mon, 29 Sep 08 09:56:00 UT

Friday night we watched the Netflix DVD of Saw. We had seen it before (back when it was in the theater) and wanted to see it again because we're going to watch all four of them. I liked it better than I remembered liking it the first time around.

Saturday morning I got up early and headed over to my hair appointment. Same color, same cut. I then headed back home and all three of us headed out to do errands.

We made a stop off at McDonald's for lunch and then did our errands. We went to the Stride Rite in the Brookfield mall so that Gabriel could get his feet measured (size 8) and then I bought him a pair of sneakers and a pair of crocs that had a cozy warm lining in them.

We then headed to Fresh Market for some groceries and then to Babies R Us for some diapers and a new toothbrush for Gabe. Then we went to the game store so that Rob could get a new D&D book and then we headed home to drop things off, use the bathroom, and change Gabriel's diaper.

Gabriel had fallen asleep when we got home, so we let him nap for about an hour before we headed out again.

Once Gabriel was awake again we headed back out to Walgreens and Pick N Save for our main weekly grocery shop. After coming home we put away the groceries and headed out once more so that we could get dinner. Later that night we gamed and let Gabriel watch some of the new DVDs that we got him at Babies R Us.

Sunday we spent the morning lazing about the house. In the afternoon, we headed out. We grabbed lunch at McDonald's and then headed to the Mayfair Mall. We had wanted to look around the whole mall, but Gabriel wouldn't stop screaming so we just got in and got out.

I ran into Baby Gap and got Gabriel a whole bunch of long sleeved shirts. He should be good on shirts for fall/winter. I need to look around the house before I buy him any pants or pyjamas because I don't yet know what he needs. Rob ran into Pottery Barn Kids and got Gabriel a cute cloth spider trick or treat basket.

After the mall, we thought it would be a good idea to drive around for a bit and calm Gabriel down. So, we did a drive through Glendale and part of Whitefish Bay and Gabriel did indeed stop the screaming fit.

We then headed back to the mall and Rob made a run in and got me some Godiva chocolates. How sweet is that? We then picked up dinner from a new Asian restaurant and headed home.

Last night we watched the premiere of the Amazing Race. We then drove around and stopped at a Starbucks so we could get Gabriel to fall asleep for the night. For some reason, he won't go to sleep if we're at home, he'll only go to sleep in the car. Meh. Oh, and he'll no longer sleep in his bed at all. He has to be with us. Though I'm not really complaining about that. I don't know why, but having him in bed with us helps me sleep at night and gets rid of some of my usual insomnia.

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You Should Live in Alaska

If you don't want to live in Alaska, you might also consider:

Idaho
Iowa
New Hampshire
Wyoming
Arkansas

What State Should You Live In?

Cheese!

Thu, 25 Sep 08 08:56:00 UT

Gabriel is so freakin' cute. He made an adorable scene on the TV stand in front of the TV with his Wow Wow Wubbzy figures. I brought out the camera to try and take a picture of it and he ran over and started posing for the camera and saying "cheese!". His camera whoring is absolutely adorable and so is his yelling of "cheese!".

Ugh, I have a horrible migraine and my meds are doing nothing for it. I've noticed something. I get migraines all the time, but the worst ones (and the ones where the meds do nothing) are during the times when I take the iron pills instead of the birth control pills. I'm wondering if it's because of the hormonal crash. The horrible migraines that don't respond to meds are usually on the days when I don't take the regular birth control pills (whether or not I'm bleeding yet). Anyone ever have this happen to them?

I'm exhausted, but that's nothing new. Gabriel is a spaz, but that's to be expected with a 2 year old. But he's such a cute spaz. There always seems to be laundry piling up that needs to be done. It's getting more and more difficult to take care of household chores while watching Gabriel because if I turn my back on him for a second he tries to get up the stairs to the loft. Yes, we have a baby gate, but he can squeeze between the bars of the railing. *sigh* So, I always have my eye on him. Which means I can't do as much household chores. Also, he's not napping much anymore. That was the time when I was really productive.

I want to get a tattoo on my birthday. I'm not sure if I'll get my fish fixed or get a new one yet. For a new one I was toying with the idea of getting a Chinese dragon or phoenix up the side of one of my thighs (and then getting the other one done at a later date). I think it would look amazingly cool to have a Chinese dragon up the side of one of my thighs and a Chinese phoenix up the side of the other thigh. Or, I could always geek out and get a Cthulhu tattoo or the von Zarovich family crest. *winks* Yes, I am indeed a geek. So, I'm not sure what I'l be doing. I might just get the fish fixed up. We'll see.

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You Scored as Old School Democrat

Old school Democrats emphasize economic justice and opportunity. The Democratic ideal is best summarized by the Four Freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

Old School Democrat

80%

New Democrat

60%

Libertarian

50%

Pro Business Republican

45%

Green

40%

Foreign Policy Hawk

25%

Socially Conservative Republican

25%

What's Your Political Philosophy?

Questions For Us Older Folks

Wed, 24 Sep 08 08:51:00 UT

Snagged from Netter.

*âWhat bill do you hate payinâg the most?â

Probably the electric/gas bill. This year I've used less than I did last year and the bill is much higher. Besides, credit card bills I have control over what I rack up, landline phone isn't too bad, I choose to have a cell phone so I can't complain about that bill, and rent is high but still better than it was in Los Angeles. Rob covers the cable/internet and the water softener.

*âWhereâ was the last placeâ you had a romanâtic dinneâr?â

That would be a few months ago at the Melting Pot. It's a fondue restaurant.

*Do you regreât losinâg your virgiânity to who you lost it to?

Not at all. I'll fully admit that I was 26 when I first had sex and it was with Rob. I'm very glad I waited.

*âName of your firstâ gradeâ teachâer?â

I have no freakin' clue.

*âWhat do you reallây want to be doingâ rightâ now?

Sleeping.

*âWhat did you want to be when you grew up?

At first, an astronaut. Then a veterinarian. Then an actress. Then a screenwriter or a director.

*How many colleâges did you attenâd?â

Two. I did my undergrad studies (in cinema television) at USC and then law school at Pepperdine.

*Why did you choosâe the shirtâ that you have on rightâ now?

Because it matches the pants I have on.

*If you couldâ move anywhâere and take someoâne with you whereâ wouldâ it be?

I'm perfectly happy where I am. I absolutely love living in Wisconsin and wouldn't want to move.

*Do you miss beingâ a childâ?â

Yes, very much so.

*âWhat erranâd/âchoreâ do you despiâse?â

Anything having to do with poop (changing Gabriel's diaper, dealing with the cat box, etc.).

*If you didn'ât have to work,â wouldâ you volunâteer?â

I don't know.

*Get up earlyâ or sleepâ in?

Sleep in!

*âWhat is your favorâite cartoâon charaâcter?â

I'm very partial to Pablo from the Backyardigans.

*âHave you foundâ real love yet?

Yes, I think I have.

*âWhen did you firstâ startâ feeliâng old?

After I had a baby.

*âYour favorâite lunchâ meat?â

Tuna.

*âWhat do you get everyâ time you go into Wal-âMart?â

There's nothing that's standard. If I go into Wal*Mart, it's not for the same thing every time.

*âBeachâ or lake?â

Lake.â

*Do you thinkâ marriâage is an outdaâted rituaâl?â

Not at all.

*Do you own propeârty?â

Nope, still a renter.

*âFavorâite movieâ you wouldân'ât want anyonâe to find out aboutâ?â
I don't think I have any secret favorite movies.

*âWhat'âs your drinkâ?â

Ito En Tea.

*âGrey'âs or 'The Officâe?â

I've never seen either of them.

*âWorstâ relatâionshâip mistaâke that you wish you couldâ take back?â

I'm not posting that sort of thing on here.

*Do you like the persoân that sits direcâtly acrosâs from you at work?â

No one sits across from me, my current "job" is being Gabriel's Mommy.

*âWhat famouâs persoân wouldâ you like to have dinneâr with?â

Bill Clinton

*âIndooârs or Outdoâors?â

I'm an indoor girl.

*âHave you ever crashâed a vehicâle?â

Nope.

*âHave you ever had to use a fire extinâguishâer for its intenâded purpoâse?â

I've yet to use a fire extinguisher for any purpose.

*âLast book you read?â

I have no clue, I don't have the time to read anymore. *snifflewah*

*Do you have a teddyâ bear?â

I have tons of stuffies and teddy bears. Most of them are stuffed into bags and stored.

*âStranâgest placeâ you have ever brushâed your teethâ?â

I don't think I've ever brushed them anywhere odd.

*âSomewâhere in Califâorniaâ you'âve neverâ been and wouldâ like to go?

San Diego.

*Do you go to churcâh?â

No.

*At this pointâ in your life,â wouldâ you ratheâr changâe up the careeâr or changâe up the relatâionshâip?â

The career, I'm getting desperate for an attorney job.

*How old are you?

33, but only for another month or so.

Conversation

Tue, 23 Sep 08 09:02:00 UT

Gabriel is such a boy. It's really cute.

The other day we were out and about and I was waiting to make a left turn. The oncoming traffic just wouldn't stop, so we waited awhile and Gabriel wanted me to go.

Gabriel: Gun it! Gun it! Gun it, gun it, gun it!!!
Rob: I think he wants you to gun it.
Gabriel: Yes! Go!
Me: No. There's still traffic coming and if I go we'll get into an accident.
Gabriel: (begins to pat his legs) Pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat... BLAST OFF!!!!!

For those of you who have had to watch the Little Einsteins, you'll know what the blast off thing is. For those of you who have not, they pat on their laps faster and faster and then say blast off to get their rocket to start moving.

As the light turned yellow, I did indeed gun it and Gabriel was very happy. Of course, at our next stop he started telling me to get going again.

Oh, and any time he's at the Lexus dealer with me (like if I'm getting my car serviced) he likes to walk around the show room, touch the Ls on the front of every car, and then say "mine". We're in trouble when he's old enough to drive.

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Jung Explorer Test
Actualized type: ISTJ
(who you are)

ISTJ - "Trustee". Decisiveness in practical affairs. Guardian of time- honored institutions. Dependable. 11.6% of total population.

Preferred type: ISTJ
(who you prefer to be)

ISTJ - "Trustee". Decisiveness in practical affairs. Guardian of time- honored institutions. Dependable. 11.6% of total population.

Attraction type: ESTJ

(who you are attracted to)

ESTJ - "Administrator". Much in touch with the external environment. Very responsible. Pillar of strength. 8.7% of total population.

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