Welcome 2nd Grade!!

No more sleeping late for us! It's back to school time!

Friday, October 31, 2008

T's First Official Trick or Treating

This year was the first year that T has ever trick or treated. Last year it rained, and the year before she was too young. She had a blast. T was dressed as Wonder Woman, or as she said, A Super Hero. Every time we came to a house with a light, she'd yell "There's a trick or treat" and take off running as fast as her little legs would take her. Often faster than the rest of the kids, despite their being much older. I've never seen anything like it. After a few blocks, many of the other kids were getting tired. Not T. The kid doesn't know the meaning of the word tired. Although, she quickly learned the trick of claiming her loot bag was too heavy and make poor old mom carry it between houses.


Afterward, we returned to Marie's house and the kids enjoyed watching Enchanted, for the millionth time. We're home now, and T is busy eating candy and grilled cheese.




Lastly to finish it all up, here's a picture of T at home with her loot and a mouth full of candy.

All is right with the world!

Spookin' at School

T woke up so grumpy this morning, you'd think she was a senior in high school with a hang over. Refused to get out of bed. Old mom, however, had a trick up my sleeve. I sweetly whispered that "Its Halloween T, you get to wear a princess dress to school". Good Lord, the kid shot out of bed like a bullet, and couldn't get dressed fast enough. She was so excited.


All the kids in the preschool (i.e. the 3 and 4 yr olds) were invited to trick or treat the Miami-Dade county Mayor and all of his staff on the 29th floor of the Government center. What loot that kid scored. Miami-Dade County Parks & Rec frisbee, 2 beach balls, a stuffed dog with a bone named bingo, loads of candy and snacks...the list goes on.

After lunch and naps, the kids got back into their costumes, for a parade around the government center and a party. They were so excited and were so cute. Even the infants participate in the parade. They have 3 buggys that sit 8 kids each. So basically, you have about 100 toddlers and preschoolers in costume, parading around the place. We even walked by the early voting area to give them all a show.

After that, we came home for a costume change, and we were back out for dinner and trick or treating with Sophie and Nick. Stand by for pics of that.
The black kitty cat you see in this picture, is T's artistic work!

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Thursday, October 30, 2008

B/c everybody can use a laugh...

Once again, I've shamelessly stolen a post from another blog: The Williams Family. I love stuff like this. So, if anyone needs a little end of the week humor, please read on...


WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?

SARAH PALIN: Before it got to the other side, I shot the chicken, cleaned and dressed it, and had chicken burgers for lunch.

BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a change! The chicken wanted change!

JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.

HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.

GEORGE W. BUSH We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?

COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.

BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of chicken?

AL GORE: I invented the chicken.

JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now and will remain against it.

AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken doesn't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.

OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed access to the other side of the road.

NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.

DR SEUSS Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart-warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.

ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES: I have just released /eChicken 2008/, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of /eChicken 2008/. This new platform is much more stable and will never crash or need to be rebooted.

ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?

...so, any clever people out there who can think of more answers? Please post to the comments!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Change of Plans


...there'll be no mama party tonight. Screw the League of Prosecutors. The last thing I want to do is be standing around in a room with a bunch of lawyers, eating crappy hors durves (how do you spell that stupid word?) and making polite chit chat when tonight is Barack's big TV show. I don't care how deserving the Judge is who is being honored and how much I like him. We've got historic TV watching to do tonight. Plus, my handyman is here again tonight.

I've already struck a deal with T. We agreed that she would watch TV first while I played on the computer, then we'd switch to a mama show starring Barack, and she could play on the computer. She's thrilled with the deal. Her comment? "OK, that's wonderful!"

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

I Voted, Did You?

I'm very proud to announce that I did my civic duty yesterday and voted for whom I hope will be the next president of the USA. Took an early lunch hour, and went to the government center to vote. It took about 1.5 hours to stand in line. Luckily, there's a cool snap in Miami, and it was a balmy high 70's low 80's. Nice breeze, no humidity, and not a cloud in the sky. A beautiful day to vote.

Its interesting that the news reported last night that turnout in fla is slightly lower than 2004. Um, not in dade county its not. There were never lines in 2004 like there are this year. The average wait to vote is running 2 - 3 hours. 1.5 hour wait is quick. When dot voted on sunday, a famous actress was there, chit chatting with voters in line and encouraging people to stay in line and not get frustrated with the wait. I understand lots of celebrities are being dispatched to perform similar tasks in different cities and states. Governor Crist announced today that we'll lengthen our voting day from 8 hours to 12, to help accomodate the crowds (much to the Joker's dismay). That tells me that the turnout is going to be huge here.

Anyway, no matter who wins (although I'm admittedly HUGELY biased toward my candidate) its nice to see so many people exercising their right to vote. A woman in her late 20's behind me was with her grandmother. From their conversation which I was obviously easvesdropping on to pass the time, this was the granddaughter's first time ever voting. They'd come together to cast their vote and both were very excited. I thought that was nice.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Three Parties and a Funeral

...we've been attending a short run of parties lately and unfortunately, one funeral. I'm happy to report that T did very well at all, so far. A friend from work passed away the other day from Lung Cancer. He was 54 yrs old, and an avid smoker all the time that I knew him. He put up a valient fight that ended a day or so ago. We just blew in and out of the last hour of the funeral, to give our condolences to his wife.

T was very curious as to what a funeral was. I decided not to get into issues of death and dying, and kept it really simple. I explained to T that at funerals, we had to be very quiet like the library b/c people are sad. We go to funerals to tell them we're sorry they're sad and try and make them feel better. She was fine with that and all for making people feel better.

Wednesday, we're going to try and make a League of Prosecutor's reception honoring a local judge. Ran into the president at the funeral, and he gave the OK to bring T along. Of course its a given that we'll only stay a short time.

The highlight of the week as far as T is concerned is the upcoming Halloween extravaganza. A whole day devoted to costumes, parties, and candy. What could possibly top that?

Saturday, October 25, 2008

I've been Tagged


..for the first time ever by our friends at Chopsticks and Tabouli. So, here we go...

1. Like Carol McK, I too am hooked on diet coke. However, I've recently make a move toward Cherry Coke Zero. T calls it medicine soda. However, I've been known to add a cafe con leche to my caffiene diet, when I need a real boost.

2. I hate scary movies, unless they're the 1950's to 60's kind. They're just funny.

3. My favorite color is purple.

4. I don't make my bed unless company is coming over. My theory is why bother...its just going to get messed up in a few hours anyway.

5. Someday we'd like to live up north, where there are seasons and it snows...but not too much. I'm thinking around DC or Philly. Must be a big city, though. Hmm, maybe when T goes off to college.

6. My fav city in the US to travel to is NYC. God, I love that town.

7. In Oct-Nov 2011, we're planning to go to Europe on vacation, for dot's 50th birthday. Have yet to decide the city. Probably London. T will be 6. That's hard to believe. Let's hope that the dollar is stronger by then, so we can afford it.


In checking out other people's blogs, almost everyone I "know" has been tagged already. The other people I'd tag either don't have blogs, or their blogs are pass protected. So, I'm slightly changing the rules: I'm just tagging one blog ...the IttyBittyLadybug Blog. Let's see if Cece can come up with 7 random or weird shopping tips or gift ideas!

I'm also tagging the following people, who can place their answers in the comments section of this post:

Laura M.
Kara P.
Great Aunt Connie
Ceci
Dot
Taylor

Friday, October 24, 2008

Weekend update

  • We're anxiously awaiting Aunt dot's return. As of 3:00 p.m. EST on Friday, she was in Los Angeles, getting ready to board a flight to Detroit, then to Miami. Apparently she didn't score direct flights. She should be home around midnight.
  • A good friend from the State Attorney's Office had a going away party at a really nice bar in Coconut Grove. T was thrilled. She got to sit at the bar like a big girl, eat chicken fingers, french fries, and diet coke. She was in heaven. Mom was thrilled too. I haven't been out to a happy hour at a hip place in about, oh, 3 years or so. I discovered that hip places now have lots of comfy couches to sit in, big flat screen TVs everywhere you look, and 50% higher prices. Nice.
  • We're home now, watching Enchanted (T's favorite movie at the moment) and looking forward to gymnastics tomorrow, our new handyman coming at noon on sat., and hauling him and Leonor over to my mom and dad's on sunday.
  • We're hoping Great Aunt Connie is feeling better. She fell while trying to hang a curtain rod, broke 2 ribs and banged herself up something good. Now, what my 84 yr old aunt was doing trying to hang anything WITHOUT CALLING ME TO HELP is a mystery. Hopefully, she'll heal quickly.
  • T can't wait for Halloween. She's so excited that she can't stand it.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Leaving on a Jet Plane

...not 100% sure, but I think that Aunt Dot is starting the long journey home. Say a prayer that all goes safely and smoothely. She's supposed to get into Ft. Lauderdale at about midnight on Friday night/Sat morning. I think she goes Manila/Japan/Los Angeles/Miami.

I got T's new school pictures. LOVE THEM! Did you really think I'd say anything else?? They're not quite as fab as the spring photo with that flower, but they're good none the less. I've ordered some up.

Not much planned for this weekend. A friend emailed me the name and number of a handyman. Reliable handymen's numbers are like gold around here. I called him immediately, as my Frank has been awol lately. Carlos is coming to my house on sat and my parent's house on sun. Therefore, we'll be spending lots of time at home depot in the near future. Hopefully, T won't interfere too much. We'll see.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Another Milestone Reached...

T is growing up so fast, its truly astounding to me. I recall my parents saying it quite often about my sister and I when we were growing up, and I'd just roll my eyes and think they were dorks. I'm now starting to get a little glimpse of what they were feeling, and let me say that I don't like it at all.

I've found that its the little things that lead me to these "growing" realizations. It happened just tonight while watching TV. T was watching Return to Neverland, the tail end of it. I was on my laptop. Finally, I realize that a new show is on. One she usually doesn't watch on Jetix. Pucca. But I still didn't have my realization until later in the evening. I have developed the useful knack of being able to tune out cartoons that she watches (all except stupid blues clues which I HATE and can never tune out). Anyway, I came to this earthshattering revelation when I realized that she was totally engrossed in watching the Incredible Hulk cartoon, and not asking to change it.

In the past, she'd always say, "I don't like that show" or "I don't like that man", or something similar. This evening? She was engrossed. I even asked her if she like watching it, and she said yes. Sigh.

She's growing up and moving on from baby cartoons to big girl cartoons. All in the blink of an eye.

Make it stop!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Here I Come to Save the Day...

Look what I found on sale at Target. Its crappy quality. Its dubious whether or not it will last through Halloween, and T absolutely ADORES it. The main part fits her perfectly. The cape is a bit too small. The belt way too big but is ok due to velcro. The "boots" slide down her skinny little legs as she runs around. The boots also come up to her crotch due to the shortness of her little legs.

All in all, Adorable. She's now found some gold rope curtain pullbacks, and is running around like they're her magic lasso.

Too Cute.

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Sunday, October 19, 2008

I Can't Believe What I Said...

...thank God T is still a little too young to call me on the ridiculous things I say, when I'm in the Haze of Lunacy that descends upon me given her Mischief and Mayhem. T did not mess with her soap last night. She also didn't mess with my soap, shampoo, conditioners, or face wash.

What did she get into? Take one good guess. What could possibly be left??????


The Fricken Hand Soap!

T comes running into the living room nude, demanding a bath. I go in to fix it, blabbing on about her use of the soap, when I smell the lovely smell of vanilla shea butter. The handsoap was spread all around the sink, onto the wall behind the toilet, and onto the top of the toilet tank. (My toilet is very clost to the sink, and T stands on it when she washes her hands and brushes her teeth.) Anyway, I recall how she had gone to wash her hands after her fingerpainting foray.

I lost it.

"Taylor XianYi Jordan"! That's it, young lady, If you get get into any bottle of liquid in this room mone more time, there will be no more baths for you! Blah Blah Blah I went on about how wrong this was and not nice, etc. After I just had to laugh. Huh? Did I actually threaten her with "no more baths"? Thank god she's too little to call me on it! Does anyone else say idiotic things to their kids in these situations?

So today there's no surprise, we're off to Publix.

Take one guess as to what item holds a prominent spot on our list.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

The Dress Arrived

I'm thrilled with how her xmas dress fits her and looks. Doesn't she just crack you up how she's not mugging for the camera?? She insisted on putting it on immediately, and spinning in it.

When T woke up from her nap, I decided we needed to get out of the house. Off to Lincoln Road on Miami Beach we went. Had dinner at Miss Yip's Chinese Restaurant and quite enjoyed it, myself. T barely ate a thing except white rice. I ordered her up some ice cream, but they only had exotic flavors. The safest seemed to be Coconut. Unfortunately, it had lots of bits of coconut in it, and my orally defensived little girl didn't like it at all. I could tell that she like the taste, but just couldn't get over the texture of the coconut.


After dinner, we strolled around Lincoln Road. The place was hopping, even at 6:30 p.m. , which is WAY early by SoBe standards. We ran into a police officer I know, and kindly pointed out 2 drag queens to me. I thought they were just particularly tall, over-dressed ugly women, but no. Its always fun to people watch the beach. You literally never know what you'll see.

Now we're back home. We spoke to Dot today. She's been making friends in her hotel, and venturing out a bit with them. She bought a cell phone there with their help. Funny thing, though, it rings on caller id with a totally different number. A NJ area code, too. Hope its not bootlegged.


The last picture of me was taken by T tonight. She really is getting to be a fairly good photographer. I just may start looking for a sturdy, yet real camera for her for xmas. My grand scheme is that with that, she'll stop nagging me to use mine.

Ciao for now, I'm off to watch Spongebob with T


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Guess Who's Been Hanging Out In Her Room?

No, really, literally "hanging out". Look what I discovered in T's room. Clearly, someone has literally been hanging off the shelf. Unfortunately, the shelf apparently can't support 30 pounds of Mischief. The books and dolls have slid off. All that's left is T's original, empty formula can from China. I kept it b/c it said "Nan" on it, which was her last name.

Anyway, somebody is in BIG trouble.

Especially since last night, she followed my rules exactly about not using so much of her soap and only used a little bit (comparatively). Problem is, the little stinker used up almost all of MY shampoo and conditioner. She also got into my perscription face wash. Its almost empty.

The shelves? I blame myself. When I was having frank hang them for me, I recall thinking that if I was a kid, I'd be hanging on them. I just thought they were high enought that she couldn't do it. Silly, silly me.

The soap is another story. Usually, I'd take the thing away from her, but how can one say "No more baths for you" to a child?

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My Budding Picasso

...we're playing with paints today. Somehow, I sense a catastrophe coming on...




Luckily, we all survived...even the furniture and rug!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Friday's Fix

Here's some news for Aunt Dot, in no particular order:

  • Went to Nordstom's for our Fri night dinner. T ate 1 chicken finger, and proceeded to knaw the batter off the other 2. The chicken looked gross. She looked really cute, in her Target trick or treat outfit that Aunt Dot bought her. The 18 mo pants fit slightly big in the waist and slightly short, but they're OK.

  • I was shocked when I filled my tank up today. I got over 15 gallons for just under 50.00. Gas was $3.09 / gal. Since Dot drives either 30 or 60 miles per day (I always forget which), she emailed me today asking about the price. Personally, I suspect the Republicans, namely Bush for both the recent escalation and drop in price. I suspect that Bush and his Big Oil co-conspirators were keeping the price aritificially high so that they could reap the profits. Now that the economy is in the toilet and the Joker is losing, Bush, Rove, et.al. are lowering the price to try and appease all the angry constituents.

  • I made a big score at Pottery Barn Kids tonight. Some readers may not know this strange fact about me, but I have a dish fetish. I confess. I have an odd obsession with buying dishes. Its odd, b/c as everyone knows, I dont cook and have limited cabinet space. Why I think I have to have them, I have no idea. Anyway, I have almost every color of fiesta-ware, which are my everyday dishes. Then I have lots of other patterned plates to mix in. One of my favorite patterns is my Xmas dishes. I have the Rudolph the Reindeer pattern from Pottery Barn. Scored them at an after xmas sale and LOVE them. Well, tonight I was in PotBarnKids and what do I see? The same pattern but in plastic! Score! They'll be perfect for T and any other kid that's here during the holidays, and it will all coordinate perfectly. I only bought 4 dinner and 4 salad plates, since they were NOT on sale and cost a FORTUNE, given they're just stupid plastic dishes, but I couldn't resist. I'm hoping I can buy the other 4 of each after xmas. Wish me luck.

  • Colin Powell is on Meet the Press on Sunday. I think he may be endorsing Obama. BIG NEWS. We'll see what happens. Hope you can get it in Manila. A number of historically Republican newspapers have just endorsed him as well.

  • Early voting starts Monday. Take one guess who will be there casting her vote for Hope??

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Mr. Clean...or should I say Miss Clean?


T fans may not know it, but now that T is 3 yrs 7 mo old, she takes a bath "all by herself." I go in and turn on the water, get her in, then she plays. I come in at some point to make sure that her hair is washed, but otherwise she has a grand old time playing and getting clean. When the water starts running cold, she starts screaming that she's done.

Well, T has started taking it to an extreme with the soap. No surprise there, huh? She tends to take everything to an extreme. Within the last 3 days, we have gone through 2.5 bottles of johnson and johnson soap. The 20 oz. size. Each night I've chastized her about using all that soap and how she should only use a small amount, but she can't help herself. Plus, she's tall enough to reach the soap bottle now, so how can she resist? The soap is sitting there like an attractive nuisance, taunting her. She has a ball getting everything all sudsy. So, I'm now in the market for a bar soap appropriate for toddlers. I figure the bar soap won't be as sudsy.

Anybody got any suggestions for a bar soap? I think I need something fairly mild, as she gets excema. Therefore, I probably need something that's moisturizing, too, but won't burn out her eyes.
UPDATE: What did mom's, or frankly anyone, do before google? Just found this online. Anybody got experience with it or other comment?

Back to Normal

...yep, things are back to normal around here. T is happily eating spaghetti for dinner, drinking chocolate milk, and talking about being a princess for Halloween. I'm happy to report we have survived the brief 24 hour foray into the twi-light zone world of robots and superheroes.

I got a notice today that the preschool has been invited to trick or treat the Mayor, on the 29th floor of the 111 building. She's very excited to be going up so high. Later that day, they'll have a party and parade. She's been given the OK to wear her costume to school, with the proviso that no monsters, superheros, or other scary costumes are allowed. Apparently the school puts the nix on superhero costumes b/c the superheroes apparantly start fighting each other. The poor boys are relegated to being cowboys, indians, and sports heroes.

Looks like I'll be whipping out the sewing machine, which I bought over a year ago and have never used. I'll be attempting to repair T's poor Snow White costume that didn't survive the weekend party. Wish me luck. I've only used a sewing machine once in my life, at my Aunt Connie's house. Don't remember much, only something about "tying off the ends".

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Still too big....

in my current quest to find a costume that is not a princess, I had an epiphany. I remembered that I had bought Princess Pocohantas over a year ago, in my mad-dress-up purchase from the Disney Outlet. The ones that were too big went under the bed in storage. While Pocohantas and Violet from The Incredibles are both still too big, we're getting there.

The big problem we're going to have with any costume is that "toddler-sized" (the smallest size costumes seem to come in without being an infant costume), is that the waist as stated in the size-chart is 22 - 24 inches. I just measured T's waist. Its barely 17 inches. Boy, wouldn't it be nice to have T's problem?

The Quest continues...

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Big Night Tongiht

Both T and I are gearing up for the big debate tonight. We've ordered in some spaghetti, are about to have our baths, and I'm contemplating breaking open a fine bottle of white Zin. The only thing missing is Aunt Dot. Here's hoping that she can get it in Manila. Problem for me is that I think the great debate conflicts with the Project Runway Finale. Crap.

Meanwhile, how does a 3yr old put a big crimp in her mom's halloween plans?? I've been sitting very pretty, quite complacent in my knowledge that T would never ever consider being anything other than a Princess for Halloween. Occasionally, I'll ask her what she wants to be, as we talk about the big holiday. I always get the same answer....except for tonight!

T announces out of nowhere, that she wants to be a Robot. Huh? Then after some rethinking as I'm googling "robot toddler costume" and other costumes are popping up, she spies a superhero costume. I haven't heard the end of it since then. We'll see whether or not this is a fluke in the coming days.

Hmm, could a Wonder Woman costume be in our future? It would thrill me. ANYTHING besides the incessant princess theme would just make my day. Finally! Relief!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The Land...

...turns out that the land may not be as easy to sell as first thought. Like in the case of a messy divorce where you can get the divorce order, but the SOB is still a member of the family, it seems The Land isn't so easy to divorce ourselves of as well. The potential purchaser is attempting to change the rules near the end of the game. Not sure where that will leave us. I just know that we're in a much better position now, than before we went to Deland in September. Luckily, I insisted on getting our original sales/purchase contract amended in writing. Yet even with that, we now may be having to hire a local lawyer to assist us and preserve our rights.

Its all quite stressful. In the criminal practice of law, your word is very much your bond. If I make a plea offer on an armed robber who I think has no prior convictions of two years, and then I find out while the offer is outstanding that he really has 3 prior murder convictions, rule is that I stand by my offer. If the defendant accepts it, so be it. Nothing says if rejected that I have to offer it again. But during that crucial time when the offer is outstanding, we stand by it. Our word is our bond. Remember when that used to be the usual way of doing business? Apparently, its not anymore.

At least not in the civil arena, I'm finding. Today I tried to get written confirmation that our purchaser is rejecting the offer, and he wouldn't give it. So, we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Que Sera, Sera.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Misc. Bits to Entertain Aunt Dot


Yep, you may recall that Aunt Dot is stuck over in Manila, working at night and sleeping during the day there. Sucks. So, T and I are endeavoring to post things fairly often to keep her entertained when she's stuck in the hotel.

So, what else can I think to post??

1. T has figured out that if she moves a side table into the kitchen, she can stand on it and get into the cookies and chips for herself. She then sits on the floor in the kitchen eating them. So, if you ever see one of the three little tables missing, check the kitchen.

2. T was very excited to go to Dot's apt to check the mail. However, she was quite disappointed when she figured out that Dot wasn't there. Then all I heard on the drive home was "I miss Aunt Dotty".

3. Does anyone else's bras disappear in the laundry?? Mine apparently do, as I have just 2 left. I don't understand it. So, while T was in school, I headed out to JCPenney and found a few on sale.


4. I've become hooked on Project Runway. Its a show on Bravo, where up-and-coming clothes designers compete to win and have their clothes appear in a real fashion show in New York. They had a marathon on this weekend, and I got hooked. The finals are Wednesday, I think.
5. Sophia gave T this outfit. Here she is jumping on her bed in her bedroom.


T's Xmas Dress


My latest Ebay score. T's 2008 Christmas Dress. I had seen it at Gymboree last season, but after it was placed on clearance, it had sold out before I could get my hands on it.
Its so hard to find a xmas dress, that doesn't have long sleeves or is not designed for cold northern weather. Our Christmas holiday weather down here is usually a hot 85 degrees. Consistently.
Real dupioni silk. $9.99. LOVE IT!
Now, if she'll just cooperate with the picture taking!
Meanwhile, T has taken to watching the Princess Christmas DVD. Over and Over. I confess that its kind of getting me in the mood to put up my 2 fake xmas trees. That Aunt Dot better hurry home, so we can have a tree decorating party! Day after Halloween, its going up!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

OH MY GOD

The party is over, thank god. I say that b/c it was the hottest party I've ever been to in my life. As you can see from the first picture, we were the first ones there. If T had had her way, we would have arrived at 9:00 a.m. this morning. It was held at a friends house of the parents of the birthday girl. It was at a large house in coral gables, which sat on a humongous lot. Yes, that is in fact a tennis court you see in their side yard. I suspect that they could have fit 3 in just the side yard alone.


The birthday girl is holding belle's hand in the 2nd picture. She was having a great time. I must confess that T showed great foresight in insisting on the 2nd dress. Snow white didn't survive the bounce house. The red ribbon on the bottom is now 1/2 off. I tried to get T to change into princess shorts and Tshirt, but she would have none of that. Insisted on wearing Aurora...long sleeves and all. I was certain HRS was going to come and arrest me for torturing my child, but there you go. T's hair was actually wet. For the last 45 minutes we were there, I was sure she was about to "turn", and melt down into full tantrum. Luckily, that didn't happen, thank god.
Anyway, I finally bribed her into leaving the party at around 3:00. Told her that if she got into the car and got into her shorts and t-shirt, she'd get a present (the Princess laden loot bag) and an Ariel Cookie. That was that. Into the car she went and she was out cold before we were a mile away from the place. Of course, she not before she filled the car with cookie crumbs that I now have to clean up. She's blissfully napping now.

Pre Party Drama

We're getting ready for our big Princess Party today. I almost have T convinced that she's going to change into her dress in the car, after we get there. Stuffing tulle, taffeta and sparkle into a five-point harness of a car seat is a next-to-impossible feat. T is still very suspicious that I'm going to pull a fast one and she somehow won't get to wear her beloved dress.

So, what has my little Ball-of-Determination decided?

She's insisting that we bring two dresses. Yes, you read that right, TWO. Both Snow White and Sleeping beauty. I think she's planning a costume change midway through the party.

I'm just grateful that she's not insisting on Four dresses.

I put nothing past the child.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

What Reptile are You?

My cyber friend Lori who turned me on to rating my blog and the other crazy quizzes has done it again! Shes found yet another site with more quizzes. She took the quiz "What animal are you?" and discovered she's a cat. Turns out so am I. For my blog, so as not to be a total copy cat, I found this Reptile quiz.

Turns out I'm a snake. So, if I'm both a cat and a snake, what does that make me? Click on the question below, to find out what repile you are or to take some of their other quizzes.



You Are a Snake



You have extraordinarily sharp senses.

You sense what's going on almost before it happens.



You connect with the world. People instantly feel close to you.

You are a natural protector. You take good care of your friends.



You are an ambitious person. Your ambitious drives you.

But while you are ambitious, you are also humble. You are thankful for everything you have.



Friday, October 10, 2008

Thank God for Good Friends

My trial is over. Guilty as charged, all 14 counts. Def. was finally taken into custody, and sentencing is in November. Jury came back around 7:45 tonight. This is the part of my job that I love. Surpisingly for some, the guilty verdict is not what makes me happy. Frankly, its always a bitter sweet kind of thing for me. Gee, I've just proven that someone has done a terrible thing. There have only been about 3 guilty verdicts in about 17 years, that truly made me happy happy and want to celebrate. They were truly evil people. Anyway, I find satisfaction in the fact that this guy has stolen properties from countless others, and would continue doing it in the future if not stopped. That's what gives me satisfaction. Not the fact that this man, who has 6 children, will be going to prison for a very long time. Frankly, that's just sad.


Anyway, on to the point of my post before I digressed. Our friend Jack has been picking T up from school every day. I can't tell you what a relief it was to know that t was happy and being taken care of. As a control freak, its very difficult to admit that I can't "do it all". With our beloved Aunt dot out of town, that sad fact is abundantly clear. I truly have no idea what single moms do who don't have close friends. Who have perhaps recently located to a new town, and have no friends and family. Funny how having kids so changes one's outlook on life.

Anyway, I went over to Jodie and jack's bar and grill, and had a celebratory cocktail and dinner, courtesy of them. Jodie is a delish cook. Dinner, a cocktail, and baby sitting services all in one. How could a girl get so lucky?

Tomorrow is gymnastics, then the big Princess party. And the biggest news, monday is a holiday and I think that the daycare is open. ITS A MOMMY DAY!!!! WHOOOO HOOOO!!!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Hunger Pains

48%
Boy, does this makes me laugh. Not b/c of the score, but b/c of some of the crazy questions this site comes up with on which to calculate the "scores". I've been surfing the net the last hour or so, trying to clear my mind that is obsessing over my trial. During trial, you concentrate so much that when you get home and try and go to bed, its hard to do so. Your mind is racing with what you should or should not have done during the day, or are planning to do the next day.

Here's a fact only my trial partners know...I get VORACIOUSLY hungry during trial. I constantly want to eat... and do so. What's strange is that I either lose weight or stay the same, despite the added calories. Too bad I cant be in trial 24/7! Some attorneys get sick to their stomaches and can't eat a thing. Nope, not me. Plus, I want meat. Preferably red meat... Like a good juicy hamburger! So, while playing with the various evaluations one can take on this crazy site, this little quiz caught my eye.

Perhaps for me, a more apropo title would be, "How many of your friends would you eat if in trial, and denied food". Marie better be careful! Of couse, if Marie were to take the "How many cannibals can Your body feed" quiz, I suspect that she would score much lower than I.

Dot's Daily Fix

...gotta keep Dot from going into T withdrawal. Here's T, aka Snow White. Another Ebay score. I swear, that Ebay is a dangerous thing. I'm going on restriction for the near future. No more bidding!

Meanwhile, T is now torn as to which dress to wear on Sunday to the princess party. While techically not a princess, I'm campagining for the Snow white dress, as she looks so damn cute in it. Maybe b/c snow white has black hair, too.

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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Misc stuff continued...

Not much to report today.

1. My trial continues. My current favorite Crackhead testified today, and did as well as we could hope. She could have done a hell of a lot worse, so we were thrilled.

2. T enjoyed being picked up by Jack today. They both had on Red shirts. I think they planned that yesterday ;).

3. Had a delish dinner at nordstoms, as I didn't feel like fixing anything after my long day.

4. This Obama-mama is home tonight, greatly anticipating the "debate" tonight.

Ciao for now

Monday, October 6, 2008

Naughty Girl

...the house was quiet. Too quiet.

Guess who was found in my bedroom, playing with my make up?

I think she ate mascara.

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The Trial has Begun---and other misc. stuff...

Here's the news update for Aunt Dot in Manila.....

1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I tried to get T to sing it on video, but she's not cooperating.

2. My trial has begun. I picked the Jury and my partner did opening statements. Tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday is scheduled for testimony. No court on Thurs., due to the Jewish holiday.
Anyway, this case involves the defendant stealing houses by filing forged quit claim deeds at the clerks office. He used Crackhead Cecilia, my star witness, as a straw purchaser to take title. Then had her sell the houses to innocent third parties. Nice, huh? One of the real owners of one of the houses was a 90 yr old woman in a nursing home. She's since died. The defense seems to be that he was an "innocent victim" and crackhead cecilia did it all. We figured on that. We'll see how it goes.

3. Uncle Jack picked T up from school. They rode the train back to his house, and hung out until I could pick her up at about 8:15 p.m. They both report that they had lots of fun.

4. T's new Sleeping Beauty dress arrived just today. Its not too long, but I think I do need to take up the spaghetti straps so that it doesn't hang down so far. Sometimes, you can see her non-existant boobs. She'll wear this to the party this weekend.

5. My roofer who blew me off this weekend, showed up before work when I was trying to get out of the house. Can't tell you how annoyed I was at that. Anyway, thinks the problem is my a/c sweating and causing the mark. He's going to come back and do some maintenance work on the roof, and check it out further then.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Mission Accomplished!

Poor T was pawned off on my trial partner Marie and her kids. They had lots of fun and I got some work done. No one died or was injured in the process! Unfortunately, the picnic was cancelled due to rain, that never really came. So, Marie took the girls off to the mall with another friend, who needed to buy a princess dress for her daughter. Said daughter, K, is turning 3 and her party is this weekend coming up.

We've been to some parties that this family has thrown in the past. I can't tell you how elaborate they are. There's usually about 100 people attending, I kid you not. Its usually in a park. Here's an array of things they have had in the past at just ONE party:

  • three bounce houses, the biggest kind,
  • a train,
  • clowns,
  • ferris wheel
  • snow cone machine,
  • cotton candy machine,
  • ice cream machine
  • hordes of food and drinks
  • prof. photographer to photo each kid. You're then given the photo in a frame at the end of the party.
  • Don't get me started on the loot bags. She must spend about 20.00 apiece on them.

It is absolutely impossible to try and compete with her and these parties, because they are just so outlandish and ostentacious and downright fun. A true kid fantasy come true. No one even attempts to try compete! How can you possibly beat the perfect party?? The kids have a ball though. Poor T, she's lucky to get a cake, ice cream, and pin the tail on the donkey!

This years theme?

Princesses. What else, huh?

The birthday girl will be festooned in Cinderella gear. Ergo the trip to the mall today. Hopefully, T's sleeping beauty dress will arrive in time, and she'll be in that if it fits.

That's it for now. I'm off to do some more work. T is sleeping at the moment due to her big day with no naps.

Lord, She was Born a Ramblin' (Wo)Man...

...tryin' to make a livin' and doin' the best she can.... (The Eagles, circa 1974?)

Dot jetted off this morning to Manila, the Phillipines. We're going to miss her greatly. She's not scheduled to come back unitl October 24. That is, if all goes as scheduled and they don't extend her.

We went out to dinner last night, so she could get her T fix and one last kiss to last her these next few lonely weeks. I'm under stict orders to post everyday, with a picture of T. We'll see how well that goes, with me in trial, but I'll try. I'm now truly a "single mom" every day of the week, not just during the week.

I'm pawning poor T off on a friend this afternoon, so that I can go to the library with my laptop and get some work done. T will be going to a school picnic, barring any rain that is. T gets very annoyed when I'm working and not paying enough attention to her. She even has the audacity to come up to me and start hitting buttons on the computer while I'm typing, among other things. I can't tell you how annoying that is. I'm ready to KILL her! GRRRR.

So, in the interest of peace and serenity and my sanity, its best she goes off with little Sophie and Nick.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Here's a Surprise...


Guess who T is going to be for Halloween? That's right, Sleeping Beauty aka Princess Aurora. BTW, since when does she have a name? I don't recall her ever having a name when we were young? She was just Sleeping Beauty. Does anyone else of "a certain age" remember differently? I just scored this little number on ebay. Comes complete with shoes, crown, wand, and Doll. Now, lets hope that its not too long, which is always a risk with my little shrimp.


T was tripping over her Belle dress in Disney, when I let her wear it for dinner. She had been talking about wearing that for Hall'n, but after see that tripped-up display. Belle is a definite NO.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Pending AWOL Alert...

Its true, I may be going bloggy AWOL for a while, as I'm about to enter trial hell. I say that, not b/c my case sucks, but rather its more of a logistical hell. Trial starts monday, and this judge has a rep of sticking to a firm schedule of 10:30 to 6:00 p.m., every day "unless the jury elects to stay later". While normally I'd love the consistency and reliability of the schedule, its hell when you have to pick your kid up from daycare by 6:00 p.m. Its even worse when your steadfast backup, Aunt Dot, will be in Manila for the duration of the trial.

Luckily, I have some great friends. My friend Jack will be picking her up everyday. He and Jodie live in the Brickell area, which is right next to downtown. T is excited b/c she'll get to ride the metro mover everyday. Now that's a treat!

Though my case isn't the strongest in the world...my star witness is who we endearingly call Crackhead Cecilia...b/c, well, before going to jail she was a MAJOR crackhead. Luckily, she's dried out in the last couple years she's been spending in the jailhouse, so that's good. Anyway, I'll regale you all with the juicy details of my case another night. For now, I'm busy prepping...if one can call it that with a 3.5 yr old in the house. Perhaps I should say I'm "attempting to prep".

Anyway, tomorrow is gymnastics, then my roofer will be stopping by to check out my suspicious ceiling. Say a prayer that fixing it won't bankrupt me. I don't think that my personal portfolio is big enough for Washington to have any interest in bailing me out!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Home Sweet Home

yep, we're back in good old Miami. As we left Orlando, we were slightly annoyed that a "cold front" was scheduled to come through. Why is it that we always miss those?? The drive home was blessedly uneventful. its back to work tomorrow, and I'm trying to figureout what to dress T in on friday...its picture day again.

T is currently in princess-garb, eating dinner. I had to laugh. T came into the kitchen and noticed a pot on the stove boiling (with the spaghetti i'm cooking). T exclaims in a surprised tone, "Oh, your cooking like Dotty!"

Boy, this kid doesn't miss a trick!

I've added pics from the trip, so scroll down if you want to take a peek.

A marvelous plan was made in the stars,
to create a miracle across the ocean so far....
Then entwine and weave all the hopes and labor,
it would take to bring us this joy called "Taylor"....
Now three lives are blessed and somewhere in the stars,
the planners are smiling, as we all are.
-Anon.




Taylor's Gal Pals

How Long We've Been a Family: