The Minivan Curse

As I went to drop off Leena at her "Achievement Day" yesterday, I pulled into the Church parking lot and noticed something. I was one of TWO people, dressed in Jeans and a t-shirt. Everyone else was in sweats or hoodies, or athletic gear of some sorts. And I was one of THREE cars, out of about 20+, that wasn't a minivan.

I have beef with minivans. Not only am I willing to admit, that a good portion of women, are bad drivers, but women in mini vans, are almost even worse. At least that is from my observation in this state, and in California. Those are probably the 2 states I've driven in the most, next to Oregon.

Props to the soccer moms that love their Odyssey, or love their Sienna.
But, I'm pretty content with my 2002 VW Passat. I find myself annoyed when someone asks "What, you don't have a van with 2 kids?" I'm sorry, but TWO is enough to put in the back, with one more soul to spare.

If I am going to get a vehicle for my small army of souls, it would be either of these; Dodge Journey, Nissan Pathfinder, BMW X5





Here is something to consider if you're expecting quintuplets, or even multiples. These cars can have 3rd row seating. No excuse for a minivan! It can seat as many people as your little Sedona can. And, usually, in most cases, can be more cost efficient. Some of these SUV's with a few miles on them at your local dealership, will cost you about 10K less than a minivan.

So, think twice before you come one of those drivers that have the bumper stickers saying you're proud of your eagle scout, or the "baby on board" sign in the window, it's always good to think twice before you sell your soul!!

Dear Julie Andrews-

I'm feeling a little hyper today. I thought about cleaning my house, but that didn't seem fun. Or appealing. But, singing this, did!



And then, I thought...maybe I need a nap. And then I IMMEDIATELY started singing this in my head! Oh Audrey Hepburn, I miss you!


PS. Thanks mom for making me watch these movies as a kid, they're 2 of my absolute favorites now ;)

I love, this.

Ever had one of these? I call these a PHC. Or also known as, bliss in a cup. Starbucks has these drink called a peppermint hot chocolate. They're HUGE during winter time but I get them year around. (hence the festive cup) They make my tastebuds sing higher notes than you hear in the phantom of the opera.

Amy, Matt. We shall journey the 2 miles to the closest starbucks, and partake of this goodness.

Totally worth the 2-3 bucks!

Weekender!

Jeff and I hit the big 2-year, last weekened. So, we booked a night at a B&B and headed off on up to Anacortes. (said like: anna-core-tis)There usually is a tulip festival in the spring nearby out in La Connor, but we missed it by a week or two being that spring came pretty dang early here this year (early March or so!) so alot of things came and went and we missed it. But, we did get to go up to Roozengaarde, which was neat! So many pretty types of tulips up there! Anyway, we went from Saturday to Sunday, came home mid Sunday night. Wasn't half bad! It was a nice day and the place we stayed was really nice. Easily a million dollar home, the innkeepers were insanely nice and made sure we were more than taken care of :) The whole interior of the house was just tons, and tons and tons, of antiques. It was impressive!

I simply can't hide it anymore

I absolutely freakin' love Barbara Streisand in the movie, "The way we were", back from 1975 or '74. It's totally cornball of me, I know. But I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I get this in my head, and not to mention....it STAYS in my head for weeks!



Barbara, I love you. Unfortunately just in this song and movie...ok, and maybe in What's up Doc?

Falling!

So my little Landon Jeffery is a walking machine. This is good and also, BAD NEWS. He's so clumbsy! He's also turning into a small, handful. He will be in his high chair, and take his food and if not throw it AT you, he'll throw it onto the floor. We don't give it back to him not only becuase that's just gross, but he needs to learn not to do that.

Yesterday as I sat here watching Oprah talk to "Octo Mom", Landon was supposed to be taking a nap when I heard a massive thud. I sprinted up the stairs as fast as I could, to go into his room and find him laying on the floor, by his crib. He'd fallen out. The noise was so loud, I was convinced the crib had come down with him too. I was expecting a horror scene when I went into his room, I was happy that he was only out of his crib and no injuries or blood were present. It just goes as a reminder that he's a busy toddler now, and into EVERYTHING. Just this week, I've pulled a small spool of thread out of his mouth, a penny, a quarter, a large piece of lint, and I can't remember what else. He is my little pirhana. He also, now bites. If we don't firmly say "NO BITING", prior, he'll bite as hard as he can, until he shakes in some cases.

I will admit, it's cute to see him walk in circles, and stand up and go wherever his little heart desires (usually to one of his wheeled toys, he has an obsession with cars/trucks) but at the same time.....I want my little non mobile boy back that diodn't fall out of his crib, that didn't tear down his gates (we have a mounted one, and un mounted one, he yanks the un mounted one down..cause it's not drilled into the wall) that didn't throw his food on the ground, and that didn't bite his Mom.

He's so cute and sweet sometimes, have to remind myself of that because he's a handful now!

I'm not going to answer my phone

My grandparents have been failing in their health the last few weeks, We're "waiting for the call". and that makes me HORRIBLY sad. I think of it and cry, honestly.

A few nights ago....I heard sobbing coming from Leenas room. It was after bedtime, and late. I go in there, and poor Leena is a mess. She was sobbing, and hard. And when I asked her what was wrong, she said "I'm worried about grandmaleen". It broke my heart. That's my moms mom, who is 87.

We had a talk that grandmas body is old and frail, and she's in A LOT of pain.
I told her she's old and in pain, but her spirit is still young and the same person she's always been, and she will die. We just don't know when. But, we need to remember that they'll both be pain free. I told her how awful it would be to suffer everyday.

With that said, I hope my grandpa goes shortly after her. I don't know what he'd do without her. I can only hope it's like this, and if you DO NOT CRY during this, you have a heart of stone! Even I don't cry, and this makes me weep.