Introducing Bubbles (previously known as "BabyGirl")

Bubbles in profile with Daddy's hand

Bubbles, looking peeved with the flash, with my pale, pale hand in the back

Our sweet Bubbles

Bubbles (no, that's NOT what she's really named ... though, for a blog name, it came to me within a couple of hours) came into the world after an induced labor and 41 weeks of gestation.

She weighed (at birth) 9 pounds, 2 ounces and is 21 inches long. She had the cord wrapped around her neck as she made her exit from the birth canal, but was in fine shape about a minute after being under the warmer.

Her first APGAR score was a 5 (she was so pale and it took them about 45 seconds or so to suction out her lungs and stomach and get her breathing), but the second score was a 9 ... Yes, she's working at being an overachiever already. ^_^

Why is her blog name Bubbles?

• It's a sweet name ... just like her.
• She blows bubbles in her sleep.
• She's got gas. Mylicon drops are our friend.
  She gets out some great little baby burps ... and some great little baby not-burps.
  That first night at home? She was in quite a bit of pain from all the gas, poor girl. But she's doing better. So we're getting more sleep. ^_^

Her hair was rather dark at birth (Yes, she did have more hair than Bruise or Bucket ... And, yes, it is related to the wild amounts of heartburn that I "enjoyed."), but has started to lighten a little. Her eyebrows are blonde. Her eyelashes were lighter, but have started to darken a little.
When you can see them, past her chubby, chubby cheeks (We think she carries all her weight in her cheeks), they are longer than they appear at first.

When ALL the nurses and doctors comment on how pretty and sweet-tempered your baby is ... Well, it's validating. Makes me feel like I'm not COMPLETELY biased. ^_^
Even though Bubbles had stiff competition for looks (Bucket was gorgeous from the start ... I'm still in awe that these gorgeous kids come out of my ladybits!! ... Glad that I've found a great use for those organs. :P), she's done really well. Her head was nicely shaped, especially considering that she had to blaze her way down the canal after 6 years of not birthing babies. Probably because she stayed nice and high until the last possible moment, really. :P

Bruise, as a proud big brother ... He's so sweet.
"Look at her FINGERS!" He marveled. "They're so SOFT and SMALL!! Oh! There are BONES in them! The bones are so soft!!"

Yeah, I just about melted into a little pile of mush on that.

Bucket is liking being the big sister, too. She's taken her responsibility of, when there's a dirty diaper and she's around (and not in bed or at school), running that diaper out to the outside garbage (and then washing and DRYING her hands).

They (Bucket and Bruise) both like to have an opportunity to hold Bubbles. They like to give her kisses and stroke her soft hair. ... They're not thrilled when she cries, but they know that babies DO cry. And poop. And eat. A LOT.
And they're aware that, when Bubbles starts crawling and walking, that they need to be VERY careful with their toys (We NEED to figure out what to do to help Bruise protect his Lego collection. At least until Bubbles is old enough/big enough for him to teach her how to appreciate Legos. ^_^)

I'll get the post about labor and Bubbles's birth up. Sometime this week.
But, as you can understand, I've been a little distracted. And tired.
(Between blogging and napping?? Well, napping has won out. Or watching episodes of Burn Notice on Netflix with my mom as she's up to help out and make sure the kiddos get plenty of attention. ^_^)
But I WILL get the birth story written up. I promise.
Especially since it has so many differences from Bruise and Bucket's entrance into the world ... Quite a few similarities (both induced, in hospitals, some of the same nurses, both made use of drugs [including epidurals ... Hey, YOU might be able to go all-natural, Earth-Mother. I obviously can't. And I prefer not to withstand pain that I don't HAVE to. I already dealt with a kidney stone two months ago. And, well, I don't care. I just want healthy babies and happy moms. Better living through pharmecutical/medical science gives ME healthy babies and the ability to have them AND be alive. I'm good with that.).

Okay ... now to find the Drano.
I have a kitchen sink that's obviously feeling neglected and needs some extra attention. Stupid thing. *shakes head*
O, the joys of home-ownership! :P

Day 16 - Another picture of yourself

This picture is a few years old ... Judging from the play kitchen behind me, it's probably circa 2009.

But I like this one. Even though I'm blonder in it than I've been for a while.
But I kinda like my emo-bangs. And I love my eye makeup in it.

Day 14 - A picture of you and your family

Our favorite take from our 2009 Christmas photo shoot.
Taken by Michael's lovely sister, T2.
The kiddos were almost 4 here.

Can I just say that I love my family?

This also includes my in-laws and my extended family. Just so you're clear.

But, yeah, my immediate family (the ones that I married or birthed)? We are a special, special, little bunch.
And that's what makes life fun.

Even if it makes reading a chapter of story-story (what we call bedtime story ... as opposed to reading Scriptures, which is also part of the bedtime routine) take about twice as long as it should. :P

But, hey, the family who can laugh and make wonky faces for posterity together stays together.
And has a darn good time in the meanwhile.

I mean, really. You can't argue with SCIENCE. :P

Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends

A picture to my Bri. I ran into her little brother at a church dance (Michael and I were chaperoning.)
He agreed to take a picture with me and text it to her.
Even though it was nearing midnight her time.

My HS girls and me (in blue) at my Senior Prom 1999.
I have awesome friends.

So, here are some more pictures ... for some reason MOST of my pictures of myself with friends are on Facebook (go figure) ... and I can't easily find them on my hard drive to post (and they won't post to my blog, since my blog is PUBLIC and my FB is PRIVATE ... so ... yeah.)

But ... there you go.

I have awesome friends. (And siblings of friends. I really didn't expect Bri's little brother to be so gung-ho with my idea to send her a pic of us at the church dance. ... It was a LOVELY, pleasant surprise that he was TOTALLY on board with the idea. ... And it was great of Michael to take that one with my (old) crappy phone camera. ^_^)

The results are in!

So, I wore my cool new shirt yesterday. Got quite a few compliments (from the Pharmacist, the receptionist at the clinic, lots of people at rehearsal ... It's nice to be complimented).

Our ultrasound tech saw it and he stated, "That's a very appropriate shirt for today!"
(Thanks, Bri, for encouraging me to wear it! ^_^ And thanks to my mom for buying it for me! And thanks to Rachel for finding it and posting it to Facebook! I couldn't do it without y'all!)

Excuse my messy mirror.
The kiddos like to KEEP. TOUCHING. IT.
Also, my shirt glows in the dark. ^_^

So, Bruise is still having some issues with his tooth. He was fine Monday and Tuesday ... but Wednesday evening, he was feeling it again. :( But we had our appointment with Dr. K. Thursday after school. It looks like Bruise does have a small infection in that HUGE cavity he has. So he'll be taking antibiotics 3x/day for the next week. ... At least he gets the yummy one. Amoxicillin, I think is the name. The pink one.

I think I may have to call, though and get the pain medicine prescription (Tylenol with codine) for Bruise, though. He spent last night in our bed after his nighttime dose of antibiotics.

Then, we went to Target and I picked up his prescription and my generic Zofran. And, since we were running late, I went to the bathroom and drank a bottle of water and a bottle of VitaminWater (this is so that they could get a look at my cervix during the ultrasound. Thank goodness he did that first! Oh, I was ready to burst with those 40 oz of liquids in me!

The only thing I was really worried about, going into that ultrasound (well, besides, peeing my pants) was that maybe the placenta wouldn't be high enough. Nope! It's riding nice and high! It's looking good that, if everything else goes swell, I won't have to have a c-section (Hey, I give myself ENOUGH scars through my clumsy ways ... and I need all my energy for taking care of a kiddo, not recuperating from major abdominal surgery.

Regardless, we got to get lots of measurements done during the ultrasound: arms, legs, head, stomach ...
And we have found out the gender.

                                

                                              You can see her head with profile and her chest.
                                 No girly-bits shot for you.

Bruise carried out his threat of facepalming ... because he isn't quite thrilled (yet) that they're getting a little sister.
Bucket had said before that she wanted a little brother, too ... but, really, she faked us out. She's excited to have a little sister.

Mom's taking it well (She's not wild about the name we've chosen. YET. She'll get used to it. And she's happy to know who this new grandbaby will be). Mom and Dad C are excited. (Mom C called it months ago. ^_^) Dad and L are happy. Nana's pretty estatic, too. Within six years, she's gone from never thinking she'd be a great-grandmother to having three great-grandchildren (and this one on the way will make four: two boys and two girls).

In the tradition of my blog, we're not going to put this kiddos real name on it (since I like having a public blog. It's easier. And it gives my kids some modicum of privacy and protection). But, if you're on Facebook, I'll get to a reveal there ... sometime this week, probably. We've had names picked out for a while (almost six years with the boy's name ... a few months with our girl's name. We'll see if we get to use the boy's name sometime in the future. I told Bruce that, if we're lucky, maybe next time it'll be a boy).

In all honesty, I wouldn't have minded another boy. This generation has been a little girl-heavy.
So it'd be kinda cool to be the family with more than one boy ...
But ... I am excited for this girl. Her name is awesome.
(Nana said, "It's unique ... People are going to be saying, 'It's different.' Then they'll get used to it." She's right. Most people haven't heard it used. Or, if they have, it hasn't been often-used at all. ... I still feel a little bad that Bucket's name is kinda popular. At least she doesn't have another [First Name] in her class yet.)
And, it is true that little girl clothes are ADORABLE ... It'll be good to get more use out of Bucket's old clothes (and knowing family, this girl won't be limited to hand-me-downs, either).

I still ... I'm not used to knowing who's in there.
Michael's called me out on the fact that I still haven't called my fetus by name.
I'll work on that.
He prayed for her BY NAME this morning. Very sweet.

And ... I guess there might be some truth in the theory that girls cause morning sickness.
(*knock on wood* I haven't thrown up for a few days ... Maybe I'm finally getting over it. *hope hope!*)
Now, in a few more months (like 3.5 or so), we'll find out if the old wives' tale about heartburn = hair has any truth to it.

I still am not really looking pregnant all the time. It depends on that shirts I wear. When I wear a regular t-shirt style shirt? I just look ... regular.
If I wear some of my maternity shirts, I can look like I've finally popped.

I still fit into my regular jeans right now. (All that morning sickness had me lose some weight. ... If my old scale was correct before it broke, I was around 218 when I got pregnant. Then I started puking. LOTS. And I'm around 203 right now, and that's after gaining a little weight. So ... yeah, I fit into my regular jeans. The waistband is a little diggy-inny, though, since I'm going to be losing my hourglass figure for a bit. Again.

So, today, I need to clean up the front rooms a bit. (Do dishes. Clean counters. Pick up the floor. Clean the table. Vacuum. Clean off my desk. Clean off the junk counter. Fold a metric crapton of laundry that's living on the couch. DUST. Feed the hedgehogs ... poor prickle sisters. ... I'm sure that I'll find more to do. *sigh*)

And I think we're going to get pumpkins. And maybe a stroller ... since we only have double strollers. And I won't need one of those for a while (if ever, really, since the kiddos have outgrown them.) ... I could look at diaper bags, since my last one? Well, I pretty much wore that one out ... including a few of those freebie ones from the formula companies (Hey, I don't mind taking freebies. Doesn't mean that I really feel obligated to those companies. But I appreciate free, helpful things).

But, yeah ... that's most of what's going on around here lately.
So ... yeah.
So, wish me motivation on getting the front rooms cleaned up.
And not needing a nap (and keeping from snipping/nagging at the kids when they get squirrelly).

Oh! We tried one of the local self-serve frozen-yogurt places. Got to try mochi on mine. It was ... chewy. But not unpleasant. And the raspberries? SOooooooo good. Oh my flip. Amazing.
I had the cheesecake yogurt/strawberry sorbet swirl. Michael opted for cheesecake and cake batter yogurt. The kids went with Thin Mint and tangy (well, Bucket had Thin Mint and tangy swirled with cranberry hibiscus) ... And they learned that gummies don't do well in frozen yogurt. They get REALLY hard to chew.

Well, the kiddo is awake and swimming. Almost just in time to take the kids to the bus.
And ... I'm still working up the motivation to tackle even my desk and the dishes. Oh well. I'm going to get it done. I NEED to. This way I won't be FREAKING OUT when Dad, L, and Nana come up to a messy, messy house on Monday. I can do this. I can.

Good thing that this weekend is Stake Conference. That gives me one extra hour on Sunday. Unless I get stuff done Saturday ... which'd be really nice.

Okay. Time to stop blathering on (and on and on and on) and to get a move on and DO STUFF.

30 Day Challenge - Day 20

Day 20 - Someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future

At first, I thought this would be the STUPIDEST entry. (Well, besides the "who would you want to trade lives with.) Because, you see ... schmoopy as it sounds, I've found and am with the one person that I want to marry and be with in the future.

It's really true. 

When I was in my teens (probably around 15 or so), my mom had me make a list of the attributes that I wanted in my future mate. And I made a list. And misplaced it for years. After I married Michael, I found it again. And I was glad that my mom had me put into words all that I had been looking for. Because he fit EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

• Worthy Priesthood holder
• Would take me to the temple
• Returned Missionary
• Intelligent (I desperately wanted someone smarter than I am.
  And, regardless of what he claims, I really did get it. ^_^)
  (It's a bone of contention, really. We both claim that the other is more intelligent. But we KNOW that I'm right on this one. I don't have to talk down to him on most subjects. Which is lovely.)
• Taller than me
• Tolerates cats
• Good kisser
• Likes music
• Handsome
• Would take me dancing
• and a few others

Really, and I know it sounds all hokey, but I have the perfect man for me. He loves me -- in spite of my myriad failings, gives me what I need, is a wonderful husband and a terrific father to two adorable and smart children (see?? He's got AWESOME DNA). 

He's ... perfect for me. And I really can't imagine life without him.
So I've forbidden him to die before me. And he's agreed.

Well, here's pictures of us. Because ... well, ... it's my blog and if I want to plaster gushy stuff about my man, I can.

"For you see, each day I love you more

Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow."

Rosemonde Gerard

"kisses are a better fate than wisdom."
e.e. cummings

 "Anyone can catch your eye,
but it takes someone special to catch your heart."

Unknown

"You don't marry someone you can live with -
you marry the person who you cannot live without."
Unknown

"If I had a single flower for every time I think about you,
I could walk forever in my garden."
Claudia Ghandi

 "We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."
Unknown

"What I need to live has been given to me by the earth.
Why I need to live has been given to me by you."
Unknown

"I've fallen in love many times...always with you."
Unknown

"Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly."
Rose Franken

"Are we not like two volumes of one book?"
Marceline Desbordes-Valmomre

"Grow old with me! The best is yet to be."

Robert Browning 

"True love stories never have endings."
Richard Bach

Love quotes found here: http://brainz.org/101-best-valentines-day-quotes/

30 Day Challenge - Day 16

Day 16 - Another picture of yourself

Now to go through my archives ...

One of my favorite pictures of me. Ty-ty took it on my first (crappy) digital camera, while I was unprepared.
He claims that it makes me look like a manga-girl.
Which makes me love it.

One of many self portraits. So what if it's about seven years old?

I still don't know how I managed this. It's from the reflection from the mirror on our bedroom door,
back when we were in the apartment.
My Nana gave me that shirt (Today's her birthday.)

I still have body issues. And, really, I need to take more pictures with me in them. Even though I don't think of myself as wildly photogenic.

A last mirror self-portrait. Since I seem to think that I look better reversed.

But, yeah ... I am who and what I am. And I'm still getting used to being in my skin.

I can't really think of anything else to say. Soooooooo ... yup. Pictures of me. Mostly taken by me.

And a last couple taken by Michael:

At the Sea Lion Caves.
We were camping. ... Yes, I did photoshop out my acne.

Feeding Lorikeets with Bucket at the Zoo.
I had a Facebook friend recognize me IRL from this picture.
(Made me feel good, since I wasn't wearing makeup when she first saw me in person. :P)

And a last, LAST one by my Dianne ... Michael says that it looks the most like me (or, at least, it did when it was taken:

30 Day Challenge - Day 14

Day 14 - A picture of you and your family

One of the shots from our first family portraits.
The kiddos were about, what, two or three weeks old.
Ignore the huge zit I had. Ugh.

Christmas 2009 ... Not the portrait that we sent out to family
... However, really, it's the one that really CAPTURED us.
Sister-in-law, T2, took this.

Last Christmas' portrait ... again, not one of the ones that we sent out.
But I think it captures more of our personalities than the others
(And hides my gut. :P)

Here's  ... US!

• Michael - oldest of five children, descendant of Pioneer stock and Southern hospitality. Good at math, physics, science ... Knows how to deal with all sorts of people. Served a mission. Makes me laugh and keeps me grounded.
• Allanna - only child of divorced parents. Mostly from Yankee stock (so it's funny that I'm the one who likes okra and grits). I'm the one who's more trenched in literature, grammar, and Broadway musicals. I like to chat with people and make new friends. I'm the flightier, more emotional one.
• Bruise - Our boy. Adores LEGOs, Star Wars, video games, Larry Boy, and funny videos on YouTube. Started off as a sleepy, silent type. Now, he can chat as much as his sister and WILL demand your attention. He's smarter than he wants you to know. He's a cute, funny boy who makes me laugh every day.
• Bucket - Our precocious princess. She dresses up like a butterfly (or Cinderella or Rapunzel, etc.) and can wield a light saber as well as her brother. She loves to talk and to read. She's eager to give the right answers in Sunday School. I remember her, tiny in my arms, the day she was born -- she opened her eyes, took a peek, then ROLLED HER EYES ... as if to say, "REALLY. This is not living up to the description I was given. Oh well. I suppose I can make the best of this situation."

Like I've said before, I really had no mothering experience (barely any dealings with babies at all) before I became a mom. I think that Bruise and Bucket are learning to be patient with me as I figure this all out.

And, you're probably sick of hearing about it ... but I'm going to say it again, I'm so grateful for my husband. He really is the perfect guy for me. And I'm dang lucky to have him. He's better (WAY BETTER) than I deserve. And I'm so happy that he enjoys slumming with me. ^_^

It's awesome, getting to watch movies with him. We can snark together, laugh together, ... and he doesn't make fun of me (on purpose) when I get all teary-eyed.

My family is awesome. It's true. ... And it's completely due to God's grace (and wonderful extended family -- siblings, parents, and grandparents). 

I am blessed to the point of being totally spoiled. It's true.

(Also: Happy Valentine's Day. I hope that you are aware of how loved you are. ... If you don't feel loved, ask me. I'll give you reasons why I adore you. For realz.)

30 Day Challenge - Day 11

Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends

Okay, I actually prepared for this one. I SCANNED THINGS IN!
(Practically a miraculous occurrence. I've been meaning to do it for MONTHS. How terrible is THAT??)

Okay ... get ready for picture overload ... because it IS coming!


I've TRIED to get these into chronological order. Mostly, anyways.

Cousin Sarah and me ... I'm guessing 1987?
You can just see her little brother, my Cousin David, in the back.

Mom, Aunt Ju, and me at Mom's wedding to my stepdad. 1997.

The Three Musketeers - Terra, our Jessima, and me at the Portland Temple
I miss those temple trips. I think this was 1997 or 1998.

Comedy Troupe - 1999 ... I'm the one in the middle, strappy dress. I promise I'm not topless!
GOSH, I miss my troupe. BUT, on the bright side, I have ALMOST all of them on Facebook! ^_^

Terra and me. Jessima took this picture.
Yes, I was wearing that dress to church. I'm a rebel. And it was VINTAGE!

My amazing roommate K and me.
And our wrapped dorm room door.
Merry Christmas!

Terra, Jonnie-Bean, and me at a church dance.
My psuedo-roomates. Since I was ALWAYS at their place. Good times.

Michael and me ... Our Wedding Announcement Photo.
It was a great day. Kenny and Terra were our photographers.

Bri and me, being goofy. This had to be back in ... 2003? Or January 2004.

Looking at all these pictures makes me realize how much I miss getting to hang with my friends. I really need to plan some awesome reunion parties, huh?

30 Day Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 - A picture of you and your friends

Now, really, I had these HIGH ASPIRATIONS of getting some great photos and scanning them in.

But, between the fact that I have a terrible sore throat, no energy, and TWO children with THREE examples of Pink Eye between them ... Yeah, just accept these offerings from Facebook. *attempted grin*

Here is my Comedy class, Junior Year.
Gosh, I REALLY miss my troupe. I try and keep in touch with them. Some I do better than others. Especially my Cynthia in Belgium and my Roxy (who's wearing my clothes in this pic. And she makes them look GOOD. Dang it! :P)

 

This is prom, my senior year. I went with my Emi-Chan (who I've since lost contact with. HELP!!!! Anyone???) But these are most of my girls from high school. A lovely, wonderful bunch of girls that anyone'd be lucky to hang with.

My Terra Dawn!
And, NO, I'm NOT groping her! Pinkie-swears!!

 

Pie and me, FINALLY getting together after, what, EIGHT YEARS??
She's lived too far away to visit. :(
And our schedules usually didn't work out when she was in the state.
But fate smiled upon us and we had a playdate.

 

 

A (not at all great) picture of my mom and me.
We talk almost every day. And she loves me even when I'm unsufferable (like ages 0-20, for example.)

 My husband's side of the family. We're in the front of the boat.

I hope that they'd agree that we're friends.

Somehow, I don't have a picture of Bri and me on Facebook.  Or of Bret. Or Ty ...

Or of A LOT of my wonderful friends. (Please don't be offended! I know I'm a screw-up! Send me pictures for the future!)

And Michael and me. Because he's my best friend.
He's the most absolutely perfect man for me.
And I'm glad that he loves me for what I am.

So ... yeah. I do have some great hard-copy photos ... but I just didn't get energetic enough to scan them all in. Hope you still like me!

30 Day Challenge - Day 1

The kiddos and I at the Aquarium on their fifth birthday.

Yes, that is the most recent picture I have of myself.

I NEED to take one of the CUTE haircut that Bri gave me ("a sassy bob"). But I haven't done it yet.

Oh, wait, I DO have some pictures from the YW Retreat. ... Wait a tic!

I know that it doesn't show off my cute hair cut ... but Sharon and I were having too much fun.
Please ignore the facts that I wasn't wearing any makeup and that I do not weigh the same as I did in high school. I'm a little sensitive about that. :S

Okay, so there are the recent pictures of me. Now to fifteen facts. Hmmmmm.

1. I'm an only child. Which, in my church, is rather odd. And, since you tend to look at life from your own perspective, I thought that I'd NEVER be an aunt. EVER.
   Somehow, I never considered that I could marry a man with SIBLINGS. 
2. I started reading manga in high school. This led to me being known at Hero's Haven (one of the two comic book shops in Roseburg at the time) as "Sailor Moon Girl." ... Since that's one of the series that I'd always buy. (Though I did branch out. Really!!)
3. I have stubby thumbs. There's actually a real name for it -- brachydactyly. NOT "Stubby Thumb Syndrome" like my Jr. High Science teacher told me. And I BELIEVED HIM. >.<
4. I freely admit to being addicted to the internet. BUT this works out for a variety of reasons!
   My family will come to me for computer support. Or for internet searches. ... See??? It's USEFUL!
   Some of my friends also ask me stuff ... so I feel less like my brain's turned to mush.
   ALSO, I like to have things to share with Michael (like Neatorama or Mental_floss), so I can still be INTERESTING. ^_^
5. I always feel better when I've painted my toenails.
   (My toenails don't chip nearly as much as my fingernails. Is this the same for everyone?)
6. I'm a perfectionist. Which explains why I DON'T do a lot of crafts. When it's not going well, I REALLY want to throw it across the room. And then stomp on it for good measure.
   I only wish I were joking.
   (Seriously, how do I ALWAYS manage to miss a row when I cross-stitch? It's CRAZY!)
7. I've never had braces. And I've been asked by a dental hygienist if I had.
   I thought, growing up, that EVERYONE got braces and glasses. And I was always kinda sad that I never got them. Until my friends would tell me how much they sucked.
   But I still kinda want glasses. Someday.
8. I can read in the car and not get carsick. (Except going to the Coast. Those roads are a little too windy.) The things you do as an only child. ^_^ I really like to read in the car. But I usually miss the scenery. 
9. I don't watch a whole lot of television anymore. I usually am on the computer instead.
10. I need to read my scriptures more. Like to actually make that habit of doing it, by myself, EVERY DAY. ... There's lots of things that I need to improve on. But this is the one that bugs me the most.
11. I prefer to bake cakes from scratch. Cake flour, sifting ingredients? I think they make a really awesome cake. I make a mean Nutmeg Feather Cake. ^_^
12. I usually don't talk on the phone much. I mean, I talk to my mom almost every day. I talk to my dad and uncle about once a week ... but, since having kids, it's easier to chat online or email ... since I don't have to talk OVER the kiddos, you see? But, if you call me, I will talk. I might not call YOU out of the blue (What if you're taking a NAP? What if you're in THE BATHROOM??? What if you're .... um ... *mumbles* otherwiseoccupied ...ahem. ???? I mean, it might not be totally convenient!! ... So, yeah. I kinda suck at calling people.)
13. If I could get laser hair removal from the neck down, I would. But I might not have the hair on my lower arms removed. Except for the few dark ones there. I have very shiny arm hair. So one of my guy friends told me. "It looks like plastic!" ... And, from there on, I could deal with it. (I had removed it with Nair months before that. Which was different.)
14. I am getting better about being so crippled by nostalgia. I don't always deal with change. Especially unexpected change. I do long for how things used to be a good deal of the time ... but I think I'm finally adapting. Bit by bit. (Examples of my resistance to change: How upset I am about the Necco Conversation Hearts. How badly I deal with death. How I mourn the fact that I'm not the same size I was in high school.)
15. I'm not wearing any pants.
    (Chill!! I'm in a bathrobe. Yes. I do need to get a shower, get dressed, and be productive. I'm aware.)

Okay ... there you go!

Bummer ...

So, it's been 181 days since my Gingi-kitty died.

No, it's not really any easier.

Sometimes I do okay ... I succeed at putting the fact that I don't have her anymore here from my mind.

And then I'll remember. And I lose my breath and find myself with watering eyes.

If I had had the money, would I have succumbed to the temptation of having her stuffed? Yes, it WOULD be creepy to have a taxidermied (is that even a real term? Who knows.) cat around. ... But, but ... I'd be able to pet her.

Of course, if I did have her stuffed, then if Michael ever died before I did, I might just follow my own precedent and be the crazy, creepy lady with her husband's corpse on display (however well preserved).

And I don't want to be THAT crazy. I mean, a LITTLE crazy is one thing. But crossing the line into WITHER-THE-FRIES-WOMAN-THAT'S-SOME-CRAZY-SHIZZLE ... well, I think that wouldn't be a good idea.

Still, I want my baby-cat back, dammit. I slept better when she was alive.

The only really good thing is that she's not incontinent anymore ... Poor baby cat.

But, yeah. I still miss her.

Maybe more than is healthy.

...

But that's just how I roll, I suppose.

Cynthia's going to be jeeeeeeeeaaaaaaalous!!! :P

So, I was trying to do one of these for ME .... but obviously, MyHeritage likes Michael better (and, really, who could blame them??)

But his #1 Celebrity Look-alike made me laugh. Because my Cynthia loves that man, so. ^_^

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

What can I say? I know how to pick 'em, huh?

And, here's mine.

The two celebrities that wouldn't fit on that were Gillian Anderson and Katie Holmes, if you wondered.

It makes me laugh that one of Bruise's celeb-twins is Colin Firth. ^_^

And, last, here's our princess:

It tickles me that most of her matches are Japanese. :P Good for her!

So, there you go! If you do some of the Celebrity-lookalike collages, let me know! These always are fun. ^_^