Flat Stanley…Saturday? A Visit with Natalie! April 12, 2008

I am so sorry that this post is a day late (in fact, I might even post it again next week because it’s so stinking cute).  Natalie even made a VIDEO!  So head over here to read about Flat Stan’s visit with her and her family.

Second, as you may have guessed, the reason this post is a day late is that we made it up north on Friday!  Can’t say it was pleasant driving, but at least we didn’t have to turn back again.  So I’m going to be vegging out here, letting my mom cook for me, wait on me hand and foot, and entertain my baby while I veg doing very productive things. 

A Two-and-A-Half-Hour Drive to Nowhere April 10, 2008

I rushed home from work today (Well, as much as one can rush in the pouring rain at “rush hour.” Isn’t it funny that it’s called that?), picked up Anja at the sitter’s, and started packing suitcases, food, baby gear, etc. as soon as we got home. I made a quick supper, fed the baby, and cleaned up poop (hers, not mine). When Husband arrived home, we ate, he finished packing some of his stuff and loaded the vehicle, we made a stop for gasoline, and we took off on I-94 (that’s “The 94″ for you south-westerners).

We had planned to leave on a trip to visit friends and family tomorrow morning, but with the forecasts (up to 2 feet of snow in central MN), we figured we’d best head out tonight if we were going to make it. We didn’t make it. After driving 1 1/2 hours, the rain, which had fallen all day over the Twin Cities, progressed to sleety-slush, to snow, and then…to an outright blizzard. Sigh…

Finally giving up, we got off on the nearest exit and turned around. I’m bummed. We haven’t been to my mom’s since Christmas, and we were also planning on meeting a friend’s new baby and visiting two couples who are expecting babies this summer/fall (one couple hasn’t met Anja yet, either). We may give it a go again tomorrow, but today was supposed to be the nicer of the two days.

One of my not-so-favorite things about Minnesota. You can’t plan on snow not intruding on your plans, even in April and May.

This reminds me of a story from high school (a quick one, I promise). I was on the golf team in grades 7-12 (and not half bad, in case you’re wondering). Our practices usually started up in late March to early April. We practiced in a large pole shed. Sometimes we would be chipping, putting and driving into a net for over a month. One year in particular I recall our “practice” for several days involved shoveling glaciers off of the golf course. In mid-May. Yessir, we left our clubs at homes and brought shovels to the golf course. Ah, Minnesota, how I love thee.

p.s. Be sure to tune in for FS Friday tomorrow–it involves VIDEO!!!

Betcha Bite a Chip April 6, 2008

I met my husband coming down the hallway with a drink in his hand and a cookie in his mouth last night. I was carrying my laptop, but I drew toward him and tried to take a bit of the cookie. He stretched his neck out so I couldn’t reach him. I backed him completely against the wall and said, “I want you,” and started licking his neck like a dog. He was laughing/crying at this point, so I was able to snatch a bite of the cookie.

He scampered off, whimpering, and said, “You raped my cookie!”

Older Sister March 11, 2008

At the age of almost three, I was blessed with a younger brother.  We’ll call him…Scooter-Boo, SB for short.  That was actually a nickname of his that my mother still uses on occasion, believe it or not.

 

SB worshiped the ground I walked on for about 3 or 4 years.  It was quite pleasurable having someone who thought everything you did was incredible.  Today I will be relating one of my not-so-inspiring moments as an older sister (oh, there are many).

———

 

The cast:

Me
SB
A very realistic-looking baby doll named Electra

 

The drama unfolds…

SB: What are you doing with Electra?

 

Me: Oh, we’re going to go to the store.  See, she’s got her little red purse!

 

SB: Can I come?

 

Me (seeing opportunity for manipulation): Well, I suppose, but we’ll probably only be able to look at things, since Electra doesn’t have any money.

 

SB: She doesn’t?

 

Me: Nope.  See, poor Electra.  Her purse is empty.  Look! (holding up empty purse)

 

SB: Awwww…poor Electra.

 

Me: Yeah, it’s too bad, isn’t it?  You must feel really terrible, since she’s your sister and all.

 

SB: She’s not my sister!  She’s not real, Heidi.

 

Me: Yes she is!  Mom had her not too long after she had you.  She just lets me take care of her (you can see the absolute genius at work in my 6-yr-old mind).

 

SB: Nuh-uh.  I’m telling.

 

Me: You shouldn’t tell or you’ll make Electra CRY.  Remember, she’s so poor…

 

SB: Well, what if I gave her my money?

 

Me (acting shocked): Well, that would be awfully nice of you!  She’d be so happy.

 

SB runs to get quarters from his Velcro wallet.  He returns promptly and places them in Electra’s (read: MY) little read purse.

Me: Wow, thank you.  That was very nice.  What do you say, Electra?

Electra (in a voice strangely like mine only a little higher-pitched): Thank you, SB.  You’re such a nice brother.

SB (blushing a little bit and glowing with pride): You’re welcome, Electra.

Me (thinking): Triumph!

 

———

So as you can see, I was not the nicest sister.  Not even the second-nicest.  There will be more of these lovelies to come on days when I’m feeling overly-proud of myself.  Keeps one humble to remember how disgusting one can be.  Even when one was but six at the time.