Blah Blah Babycakes

Stuff

Not only is there some type of natural law about Henry getting sick whenever Nick travels for business, but also that it snows.  Living on a corner lot means that in addition to my driveway there are two sidewalks to be shoveled.  It's too much for me to deal with on a cold morning. 

Two weeks ago I waited patiently for someone to come by looking to make some extra cash.  I even taped 20 dollars to my window, hoping it was an international sign for "Snow Shoveler Wanted", but no one came.  Last night I was home alone and sure enough, it snowed again. I decided to be more proactive this time and secured snow removal on Craigslist.  Man, I love that site.  Within 10 minutes I usually have an inbox full of emails from people wanting to do the stuff I don't want to do.  Awesome.

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I'm glad everyone is so excited about the Blah Blah Giveaway.  I'll have a few more in the upcoming weeks, so check back for more fun stuff.

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We had our 11th annual Fondue party on Saturday night.  My sister was here and she ranked this year's fiesta in the top 3. I have to agree.

Last year I made everyone dance.  Things were even more lewd this year with an over sized mistletoe and lots of wine.

Happy Halloween

Since our neighborhood sucks when it comes to Halloween I didn't even bother to try this year.  I couldn't take the disappointment again so we crossed the tracks and went to our friend's house.  They live among people who understand the rules and customs of the holiday and can afford cool things like smoke machines.   The also hand out beer and wine to the grown-ups, which is only polite.

I let my little Clone Trooper stay up too late and eat too much candy and so today he's actually more like Darth Vader.

Happy Mother's Day

We are celebrting with the lobsters in Newport,
Rhode Island. It's a beautiful day and I wish all my mom friends peace and love on this most lovely of Hallmark's holidays.

Posted from my blackberry.

Typhoid Mary

It was 8 degrees in Minneapolis the morning I left for Puerto Vallarta.  Henry and Nick had left the day before, leaving me behind as I was curled up on the bathroom floor with a stomach bug so nasty you could catch it just by whispering Norovirus. (Just ask any of the 14 people I infected!) Say it three times while looking in a mirror.  I dare you.

I still felt a bit dodgy on the airplane, but once I landed in beautiful Mexico it all melted away. It's amazing what a little sunshine will do for your body and soul.

Henry and Andrea in the sun

Henry had a hard time on our trip.  He screamed, whined and yelled more than he laughed and smiled.  He was petrified of the ocean and didn't want anything to do with anyone, but me.  He would only eat frozen pancakes and tortilla chips. He yelled that he wanted to go home, except for the last day when he yelled that he wanted to stay.  I even overheard our chef on the phone talking to someone about the "problemo niño" that was staying in the house.

We had an occupational therapy appointment this morning and through tears I confessed what an awful child Henry was on our vacation and how I was afraid to ever go anywhere with him again. Henry's therapist in her patient, calm manner, told me that she wasn't at all surprised.  Henry has been out of his element and routine for several weeks and it's no wonder that he regressed into being an impossible toddler. Change is especially hard for Henry and he couldn't possibly anticipate all that he experienced and so he freaked out. Even if it was all a bunch of lies, she made me feel so much better and I left feeling less like a total failure then when I walked in.

And also, the ocean is big and scary.

Now we are home and things are getting back to normal. Henry is no longer acting like a problemo niño and I am ready to take on 2008.  Happy New Year!!

Fa la la la la la. la la. la. la.

Merry Christmas.

Henry and the presents

Henry knows every present under the tree by heart, because he sits and stares at them for long periods of time.  When we're home alone I ask if he'd like to open just one (we could re-wrap and no one would know!) and he tells me that we must wait for Christmas.  Who is this young man with self control?

It's 2am and I can't sleep because I'm so excited for Christmas morning.  The presents and waffles, champagne and new pajamas...  Henry made sure we put out the fire before he went to bed tonight.  He didn't want Santa to get burned.

I hope I don't get burned either, because we're off to Mexico...

Asta luego! See you in 2008.

"Umm, Tonight Got A Little Weird Towards The End"*

It isn't the easiest thing to throw a party in another city, at someone else's house.  Some might even say that I didn't, considering I showed up after all the prep was done and earned myself the "Fondon't Award", which I don't think has ever actually been awarded before...

My gracious and wonderful co-hosts put together a fantastic 10th Annual Family Fondue and I put together this totally awesome video to remember it by:

It should be said that there was only one light bulb with which to light my production.  We need better art direction next year. (It's a step down from last year's video, featuring me making three whole Christmas cookies.)

I also tried to get everyone to kiss under the mistletoe and woke up the next morning with enough social remorse to last me until next year.

*said by the last party guest as they left the after, after party at 5:30am.

Thanks

I am thankful for:

Family
Friends
Organic Turkey
Brussel Sprouts
Seating Charts
Snow
Red Wine
and
Secrets
and
You
For reading and caring

Happy Thanksgiving

Henry Playing in the Snow

Tricked

The neighbor across the street warned me that I'd be disappointed. She told me that not one person has ever rang her doorbell on Halloween.  I ignored her and carved my pumpkins anyway.  I even bought a membership at Costco so I could buy the full-size candy bars (so kids would remember me for next year.) This was my first Halloween in a real house and I wanted children to ring my doorbell so I could give them candy.  As soon as dusk hit, Henry and I had the house lit up like Christmas with candles and lights.  I told him that ghosts and goblins would be coming to our door so he'd better watch out. We did some trick-or-treat role play to practice for the real thing.  We sat back and waited.

And waited.

We peeked out the window and "oh, someone's coming! Get down!  DON'T LOOK SO EAGER!", but it was only Nick returning from New York.  The three of us waited around for another hour.  Henry gave up first and then I reluctantly and sadly blew out the candles. We got in the car and took Henry trick-or-treating in a more festive neighborhood.

Happy Halloween!

Baby Daddy

Happy Father's Day!

Ice cold water from the hose doesn't bother Henry.  Perhaps he knew that he'd soon pee in the pool and it would warm things right up. 

I'm not pictured, because I was:

a.) Doing poolside yoga

b.) Eating bread and pasta while wearing a bikini

It's your guess.

Wish You Were There

One of the items on the pro list of moving to Minneapolis was "can buy a house".  Owning property seemed like a grown-up thing to do and Mpls seemed like a decent, affordable place to do it.

So Winter 2007 begins the season of house hunting.  My realtor may disagree, but I don't believe that I'm picky.  I really just want a lovely home that someone else has already thoughtfully re-modeled with gas fireplaces and stainless steel appliances.  Oh, and it has to be near commerce.  A store, restaurant, bar...anything.  Two bathrooms would be nice.  A front porch would be cool.  A doorbell is a plus.

Because of the impending home purchase there will be no winter vacation for moi.  No sand.  No tan.

Instead we'll go play in the snow.  This weekend we're heading North and teaching Henry how to downhill ski.

Henry loves snow.

I'll be back next week with less blah and more babycakes.  Until then, don't forget to say "hello". There are a couple more days to delurk and I want more, MORE. We don't have to talk about me.  I want you to talk about YOU and I want to know what you're wearing.

Resolute

It's that time of year again.  The time when you make promises about the gym, about smoking, about eating healthy, about being less of a drunk...  It's the time of year for a new version of you. 

I fared pretty well with last year's resolutions, but this year I'm keeping them private.  They're mostly about some ugly things inside me and If I showed you my list you might not want to be friends anymore. 

If 2006 was about holding on, (I went to New York seven out of 11 months) then 2007 will be about letting go and moving on. It will be about better hair and better conversation.  It will be about Henry sleeping in his own bed.

We're heading to Chicago, where we'll meet up with my sister, to celebrate New Year's eve at the House of Blues.  Henry is very excited for the plane and train ride.  He doesn't really care for midnight.

So cheers to you and cheers to 2007.  May it be a healthy and wonderful year.

Get Gorgeous in 2007.  Republic of Tea.

The Henry Show - Christmas Special

Merry Christmas

From all of us at Blah Blah Babycakes

Last Minute Philanthropy

Gift Ideas for the person who has everything:

Truly Inspired Charity Gift Ideas

Instead of a sweater, buy a llama in your uncle's name and have it sent to Peru. 

They're Not Strangers, They're Angels

I think the 9th Annual Family Fondue may have been the best yet.  Of course, doubling the guest list added to the fun, but my sister flew in, as a surprise and having her here made the evening absolutely perfect.  Although it wasn't a total surprise when she showed up. People were acting weird all day and I had major suspicions.  There's no surprising me.  I can't be fooled.

From the pre-party with oysters and champagne, to the after party at the local VFW, it was an evening to remember. Or not remember, if you're me and drank too much wine.

Now the New Yorkers are gone, the house is clean and I have a mild case of post-party blues. 

Maybe next year we'll actually have a place for people to sit

Thank you to all that celebrated with us and especially those that came from far away.  It meant so much to me and I've not felt so happy in a long time.