Monkey See, Monkey Do

T can now be officially categorized as a monkey.

She has discovered how to climb up onto the kitchen counters. I caught her up there, sneaking cookies. Later this evening, she came out of the kitchen with bandaids...that are kept in the cabinet. I think I'm now going to have to rethink what I keep where in the cabinets.

...its always something!

Federal Do Not Call List...vs Taylor

Despite being on the federal "do not call" list, I still get solicitation calls from time to time. Its quite annoying. This evening, I've stumbled upon an answer to their annoying calls...I let Taylor answer the phone and speak with them. She enjoys answering the phone and talking to people, and sneaky me encouraged her to speak with the rep that called this evening. I was so thrilled when I finally came to the phone...after about 5 minutes of her exposure to T...to find a slightly annoyed rep.

Hehehe.

I know Dot, who works in the customer service field will probably object to this tactic, but its amusing me for now, so we'll keep it up!

Taylor's a Stalker

Well, as you may remember, we have had a house guest for the past few days. Spencer is 18 and T is in love. Won't leave him alone. Luckily, he's a really cute and good kid, so he indulges her.

Spencer has been going to work with me, and I found him a nice juicy murder trial to watch. Stabbing. 52 times. He's been enthralled.

Meanwhile, I would like to know just why everybody we passed in the courthouse, asked if he's my SON instead of BROTHER!

What's up with that???? The child is 18 for god's sake! Of course, I then did the math and realized that yes, it is not outside the realm of possiblity that I could be his mom, since I would have been 26 at the time of his birth. Talk about feeling old!

Tonight, we went after work today to Lincoln Road Mall, ate a little dinner, then walked down to the beach. T loved putting her toes in the water and had a great time.

Spence will be picked up at 6:15 tomorrow morning, to go off with his mom's cop friends. I think they'll be serving warrants all day, so he should have lots of fun.

Meanwhile, my mom got a new hearing aid last thursday. I was over on Sunday...a mere 3 days later... and put it in her ear. Two hours later it was gone. This one lasted 3 days. This time, I think I have to blame myself, though. I think I put it in her ear wrong and it fell out. We're still trying to find the dumb thing. Luckily, I mailed in an insurance policy on it last friday, so it will be covered if we can't find it. ....which would be hearing aid number 3. Say a prayer that we find the dumb thing.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Nothing much going on around here today. As you can tell, its basically been raining all day long. So, we've run a few errands and are going to have a quiet day and night at home.

Since Dot and I are still recovering from our colds, that's the perfect thing to do.

Waterplay Fun

T decided to take a dip in the pool to cool off, this evening...

Trial Continued!

Well, my trial was continued today after about 2 or 3 days of courtroom drama, which included the defendant temporarily being thrown in jail for contemptuous behavior. The defendant, who supposedly has a PhD and was a probation officer for 17 years, announced at the 11th hour that she was nuts and didn't understand what was going on. Of course, I don't believe her for a minute, but I was duty bound to order up 2 psychological evaluations...which caused the trial to be continued. So she'll get herself evaluate and we'll meet in about 3 weeks to set a new trial date, assuming she's competant to stand trial, that is. Never a dull moment!

We're very happy to be home and starting our weekend. No real plans at the moment, but I'm sure something will come up.

Voice Getting Better and other Misc. Ramblings

I'm happy to report that my voice is getting progressively stronger by the day. I may actually pull off this dumb trial next week. Of course, what with the daycare closed on Monday its a bit of a logistical nightmare. Most of my backups are sick. Since the last thing I want is for T to be re-infected, I have a call in now to Leonor, to see if she can come not to clean, but to look after T. She's trying to re-arrange her schedule as I type this.

We're very excited to have the son of an old friend of mine coming to town to stay with us for a few days, to get an up-close look at the criminal justice system. His parents are police officers. Back in my dope days, when there was a possible hit out on me, I fled the state to go live with them for a few weeks in the Berkshire mountains. Nothing makes you feel safer than staying with a former firearms expert of the metro-dade p*lice dep@rtment and the first woman to be certified swat...and sniper shooter... with another department. Anyway, last I saw Spencer, he was all of 8 or 9. He's now 18 and interested in law enforcement. His mom has arranged a few ride alongs with agencies and then a "ride along" with me in the courthouse, to see how the system works. Should be fun. He arrives on sunday evening.

In other news, I'm feeling retarded. Dot calls up to tell me to tune into S@y yes to the Dr*ss, a show on TLC. Its strangely riviting to me, and is about brides shopping for their dresses at a high-end shop in Manhattan. Each episode features about 3 brides and their soap-opera-like story. The show Dot had me watch featured an Asian bride with Non-Asian parents. Even showed her wedding at the end. Had me bawling like a baby. In my defense, I'm still under the weather and therefore a little emotional, but still. It was ridiculous. All I can say is that T can't get married for at least 35 - 40 years or so, otherwise I'll be a basket case.

Lastly, I can't mention it here with specificity due to the identity of some of my loyal readers, but I've found the nifty-est item at CVS in the "as seen on TV" section. Bought one for me, LOVE IT, and will probably get them for everybody for xmas. I like to start my shopping now, to take advantage of sales and so that I'm not screwed 2 days before xmas rushing around like a madman. I revelled in that type of thing before T. But since getting T? No way. The thought of that just scares the hell out of me, so my shopping starts in July!

That's all for now...

Still Sick

Nothing much to report. Still sick. Still have next to no voice. Contemplating how I'm supposed to go to trial on monday, with an unsympathetic judge and no voice.

The Pantomime Method?

The Pictionary Method?

I think I've decided on cue cards. Luckily, I can get through most direct examinations with just two cards: "Please explain to the members of the jury what happened?" and a second, "And then what happened".

I can probably get the judge to reset it for a few days, maybe a week or two. However, due to all the talking I do in trial, I usually start to lose my voice when I'm healthy. So even if I regain my voice soon, I figure I'll only have it for the first day or two of trial.

So, I'm at home preparing. Luckily, this is not that important a case, in the big scheme of things. So this should be interesting. As much as I'm bitching about it, I really do want this case to go away, as its over 4 years old and I'm so, so sick of it. Even if I try the thing and lose, I'll be happy b/c it will be GONE!

In more news, I approached the daycare's door to go inside on Monday, and saw a sign that strikes fear and terror in the heart of all single moms....

"The daycare will be closed on Monday for administrative training".

The jerks. They couldn't give me more notice than this of their stupid training? Now I have to scrounge up somebody to look after T, since I may be in trial. Sigh. I'm so mad at them I can't tell you, but can't give them hell b/c I'll need them in the upcoming school year to look after T on the christmas and easter vacations...which are at least 2 weeks apiece.

So, after this piece of bad news on Monday and with me being sick, I decided I just couldn't deal with dinner. Off to Nordstroms we went. T nearly gave me a heart attack when she said she wanted spaghetti instead of her beloved chicken nuggets. In over 2.5 years, she's never ordered anything other than chicken nuggets. Ate the whole thing with no catsup in sight, plus she swiped my she-crab soup.

We're off to the doc for a follow up visit for T, then its back home to prep.

Hope everybody has a great day!

Infirmary Report

Well, no fun reports here today of our exciting life. Instead, I'm officially sick. Went off to the doctor yesterday, who said that I probably have a virus that's going around which has affected my asthma. Felt like crap all weekend with absolutely no energy. As of Monday morning, I still had a fever, albeit very low. Guess that's why I felt like crap all weekend, too. I failed miserably the breathing test so as I suspected....

I'm on frickin steroids to knock it out of my system. This time, though, she gave me a very low dose and only for 7 days. Both she and my very good friend who has asthma and been on the drug on and off all her life, assure me that I shouldn't get moon face. Time will tell.

New fun fact yesterday, as the day went on I lost my voice. T alternately thinks its both funny and curious. I think she's beginning to secretly like this fact, as its really hard to chastise a 4 yr old, when you have no voice! I think the sneaky girl has figured that out, but thank god is too young still to really know how to work that to her advantage.

I'm hoping to regain my voice before she does.

Sunday Update

Well, my cough is back with a vengence, which is a symptom of my asthma. Its aggravated when I get sick. I can't sleep tonight (sat night) b/c my cough keeps waking me up. I'll be going to the doc next week. I'm really bummed b/c last time, she prescribed a steroid to knock it out of my system, and I gained about 10 pounds. What's worse is that I looked like I had gained like 30 pounds for a number of months, b/c a side affect of the drug is "moon face". Say a prayer that I don't have to go back on that terrible drug.

T is still on antibiotics and is doing well. I'm actually happy she's on it, b/c her daycare had their first confirmed case of H1N1 virus. Lovely. Luckily, it was a child in the Toddler B room, and not T's room. T never mixes with those kids, and they even have a different play ground.

Lately, T has been sleeping in her own bed. Not 100% of the time, mind you, but at least 70 or 80. That's fine in my book. I think she's discovered that if she's in her own room at bedtime, she can sneak in some play without my knowing it. Currently, she's not really interested in toys. Her love at the moment is drawing. She's quite busy drawing hearts, cars, vacuums for some odd reason, fireworks, and most recently, happy/sad/mad faces. Her favorite word to write these days, other than "Taylor", is "Oreo".

A Mother's Reward

So, what's a loving, caring mom who thinks only about the welfare of her daughter get after nursing her back to health for the past two days? That's right....

A sore throat and low-grade fever.

Lovely.

T went back to school today. I had been debating that since she wasn't eating much. But then, she never eats much, so its hard to know. To test whether she was well enough, we went off to nordstroms for dinner last night. Figured if she could eat her chicken nuggets with no pain, she could go to school. Yep, I was right! She chowed down like a hungry sailor.

I went into work for 1/2 the day. If I still have the fever tomorrow, I'll do the same. That way, I only burn 4 hours of sick leave instead of the whole day. We'll see how I feel.

Meanwhile, I roused myself from the sick-couch this afternoon, to go get T. What greeted me upon entering the schoolbus? The lovely aroma of dead dog. I couldn't figure out what it was. T entered the van and immediately pronouced "Mommy, it stinks". Further investigation revealed an old, congealed sippy cup with about 2 inches of solidified chocolate milk. Yuk.

Luckily I survived the drive without puking.

Is it Friday the 13th, or just Monday?

Well now, lets review what trouble, mischief, and bad luck has been befalling us lately.

1. When told T could not have potato chips (b/c she just ate some brownie) and we were saving the chips for when friends came over later that day, she turned around and went to her table to pick up a glass of juice. I figured she was thirsty. Nope. Instead, she turned around to face me, looked me right in the eye, and turned the thing upside down, dumping the contents on the floor.

2. She did something that caused me to take away all of her DVDs...now I can't remember what, but it was big. I think it involved hitting and spitting.

3. T was sad and mad when we left her friends' house last night after playing in the pool. In retaliation, she took her seatbelt off while I was driving the car. Sneakily. I comfort myself by trying to convince myself she did it when we were almost home on 37th ave, but I have a sneaking suspicion that she did it on the highway.

4. My mother has lost her hearing aid again...this time I suspect for good. We'll be ordering up another.

5. Woke up this morning to an email from aunt dot. she was driving along the interstate when her tire totally came off the rim. Luckily, there was no wreck and she's OK. She's driving a rental while they determine if they have the tire in stock and if she damaged her rims.

6. T woke up saying she wanted to go to the dr, b/c she had a rock in her cheek. Sure enough, her cheek was swollen under her ear. Dr diagnosed ear infection, throat infection, possible swollen gland or the faux mumps again. Time will tell. We're home about to start a course of antibiotics. We'll be home tomorrow as well. Say a prayer that nothing more is wrong, and that we'll be back at work and school on wednesday.

7. There's more I could add to the list, but I have mommy-brain right now and can't remember...

T's newest stats: 40.5 inches tall and 32 pounds at almost 4 yrs 4 mo.

T does the Macarena

Apparently, somebody's been teaching T the macarena...and it wasn't me! I just noticed her doing some suspiciously familiar dance moves this evening, started humming the song, and she took it from there!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Here's proof of T sleeping in her own bed...surrounded by a bevy of "friends" and every bella (small baby blanket) in the house.

Meanwhile, what's a girl to do on this holiday, when its storming every few hours? We made a Target run, of course, then went to home depot to return a few things. While there, we discovered that they were having a kid's activity. Making and painting tool boxes. T got an official home depot apron with her name on it and everything. Unfortunately, we got there late, so only had time to build the thing before they shut down. We took it home, and are painting it at home. This has actually turned out better, b/c we can incorporate all kinds of crafty stuff into this event. Stand by for some pics of the finished product.

Meanwhile, T has been busy with her other craft stuff and we hope have a dip in the pool, and perhaps eat some snowcones...that we've never made since Aunt Dot insisted on buying the stuff.

No plans for fireworks, except for the ones on TV, as we expect rain...and its also hot as hell. The rain is just a convenient excuse!

My Girl's Growing Up

I'm almost afraid to type this in fear of a jinx, but...

T voluntarily slept in her own bed twice this week: Tuesday and Thursday night.

All night.

She's funny, when we sleep together in my room, she shuts the bedroom door. When she sleeps in her room, she's very insistent that both our doors remain open. Fine with me!

Luckily, she hasn't outgrown her dress-up clothes. Last night's ensemble included snow white dress, with Pocahontas boots, and cinderella gloves.

She looked so stinkin' cute I couldnt' stand it!

Breaking Blog News

I have some breaking blog news of vital import. As background, I think everyone has realized is that about the only thing that T eats while out is chicken fingers. Well, today while blowing through the Mickey D's drive through guess what T asked for in her happy meal?

A Cheeseburger!

I nearly fell out of the schoolbus! While very doubtful of her actual desire for a cheeseburger, I ordered it anyway. The kid ate the whole thing, pronouncing at the end that, "That was yummy".

Now while some moms would not consider their child ordering a cheeseburger a culinary break through, I do!

Meanwhile, operation bathroom redo at my parents house is well under way. I'm thrilled with how its all turning out. Tomorrow is painting day.

Its also my mom's hearing aid appointment day wherein they'll turn up the volume. I'm happy to report that the thing has been in one of the hearing aid boxes, everytime I've looked for it. That's the upside. Downside is that she forgets to put it in or can't remember how to. Still working on that.

Lastly, its also T's parade at school. They're having a 4th of july parade and party. First, I hope they don't get rained out and second, I hope I can make it to some of it. We'll see.

That's it for now!