Happy Fall from Weirdos

Several nights ago, I snuggled next to R and said R, you know who I love? I love the Pioneer Woman.

Are my feet in dirt?

Numerous times throughout the day I tell Squirms that she is The Funniest Girl In The World and The Prettiest Girl In The World, then we giggle about how funny and pretty she is....but when I'm rocking her to sleep and she looks so innocent and sweet, I whisper, in a very loving way, in her tiny ear, Squirms, you're disgusting. 

No, really, my feet are in dirt.

I probably should also tell R about my slight crush on George Smiley. But George is old, and fictional, so I don't think he'll be worried.

Why are all these people here?

When R and I talk to other couples at events - volleyball games, Sunday luncheons, dinner with coworkers - it becomes obvious to us both that we watch a lot of TV. I think canceling cable and just using Hulu and Netflix has actually increased our TV watching.

Why am I sitting in the front yard now?

The Squirms has discovered it's fun to make noises with other objects - dancing with her musical Einstein toy, banging her hand on the table, playing with the edge of garbage bags, and as of today, throwing her back and head into her dresser drawer to hear the thud.

Oh, you want me to smile!

R and I have been using a new handshake. We used to try Gus and Shawn's (Psyche) and Abed and Troy's (Community), but then we laughed so hard at Sheldon and Leonard's (Big Bang Theory) that we're now shaking an offered fist bump. Please reference my earlier comment on TV watching. I think secret hand shakes are good for marriages.

Look, this pumpkin has a scar.

The Squirms is a better dancer than Beyonce. And I like Beyonce.

My mom is hilarious....and too high above the lens that dad is holding.

We went to a local pumpkin selling place - I can't call it a pumpkin patch, because they don't grow pumpkins there....I miss Alabama - and I felt socially obligated, as a parent, to take pictures of our sweet daughter with pumpkins. R took the pictures and I tried, and failed, to get her smile in most of them. And the dress is courtesy of Aunt L.

Happy Fall

Shelby Ann Tries

Shelby Ann, our dog named after the name R's mom had picked for him if he was a girl (Shelby, I added Ann), is our girl dog. And by girl dog, I do mean biologically, but more than that, behaviorally. Even our neighbors know, Shelby Ann can be loved, but she cannot be tamed. She does what she wants, and is usually successful at getting others to do what she wants. I've seen her run to the kitchen for no reason other than to make Tanner follow her, thinking she knew something he didn't, and then her rush to the soft dog bed he just abandoned due to following her. She stands dangerously close to R in the kitchen, resulting in him tripping over her when he turns around; and when she escapes her leash, she waits for R to get his bike or keys so she can be chased through the neighborhood.

Lately I've also noticed, she is trying to make me a better person.

She wakes up and starts barking between 5am and 6:30am to encourage me to go for a jog.
Of course what actually happens is R gets up to let her outside and I keep sleeping.

When I try to take a nap on the couch she sits by my ear and produces a very high pitch whine to ask to go outside. 

I think she's been trying to tell me that I should be folding laundry or dusting.

She digs in the garden and along the fence line, seemingly just for fun. 

I really should go outside and pull weeds more often. In my head, I'd like to be good at gardening.

She is constantly patrolling the yard when outside.

Allowing me to venture out with limited lizards and other reptiles, so Squirms can play outside.

She licks the kitchen floor whenever I spray Pam. She runs across the house when she hears the spraying noise, hurrying to help clean.

I should use the wet swiffer more.

I'm sure I'm her most difficult project yet. I'll keep trying Shelby Ann.

Outer Bands of Sandy

On Saturday morning we visited the beach to watch the waves, which were approximately ten feet high due to Hurricane Sandy.

I learned that instead of "snow" days in central Florida, the schools have "wind" days, or "hurricane" days.

A shopping cart attacked my car in the grocery store parking lot and Tanner has been very sad all week due to the rain and sounds of the wind.

But the waves were rather majestic, and we've been super excited to have temperatures down in the 70's!! (Central Florida, where you pretend like it's Fall when the thermometer reads 78 degrees)

Happy Birthday C

Happy Birthday C!

Happy birthday to R's little sister! To the girl who skipped class to go with me to meet Squirms and her birth parents, To the girl who studies too much, To the girl who knows how to wear a scarf and tiny fashionable belts....

Happy birthday to the young woman who can make pottery and wreaths, quote old law cases, wear her hair straight or curly, and never uses recipes.

We are happy we were able to spend the weekend with this fabulous girl at one of our favorite places - Amelia Island! C shared her birthday weekend with the family and we followed her to look at classic cars, visit an Irish shop, and had ice cream and cake. We are now all fans of Avondale, in Jacksonville, and I've looked up houses for sale in the area*. Thanks C!!

*I just enjoy looking at houses. And Avondale is beautiful.

Different Pot Pie

1. We have a dish called Cuban Black Beans and Rice at least once a week at our house (minus the rice). 

2. I read a book called Adopt Without Debt and decided to make a meal plan and grocery list for two weeks, using a couple of coupons and the Publix buy one get one free deals of the week. We've only eaten out once (Sunday lunch) in a week and a half, so I'm encouraged by that. Plus, it was kind of fun to use a couple of coupons - that was new.

3. R and I started our marriage six and a half years ago (I keep reminding myself we're almost to seven years of marriage; seven just sounds so cool) and we had very generous wedding guests. I have a lot of fun cook books that I like but rarely use. 

Adding the random list equals a meal plan that includes one new dish from a cook book! Yes, I am excited about this.

First choice, from a book that has to be wonderful because the name is Southern Boy Cooks: Good Grits! It's from Jim Shirley, the executive chef of the Fish House in Pensacola, FL. The recipe is Chook Pot Pie Way Down Under.

It includes a pastry crust (made from Bisquick, which is pretty much why I chose this recipe),

Filling that includes lots of vegetables, chicken, and some ginger (which was a new ingredient for me).
 

And because this is a "southern" recipe from a book from Pensacola, we used our wooden plates.

This may make into permanent rotation. So far I'm a fan of Mr. Shirley.

Eight Month Activities

I need to stop eating candy corn.

Shelby Ann has treed something in the back yard. Tanner is snoring.

The Squirmers is eight months old (yesterday). R took some photos during play time.

Which toy shall I play with?

I can crawl now....my mom is scared.

I warn the toys by growling at them as I approach.

Oh Yes....

Toys! 

Eating things is my favorite.

Pose for Auntie L - keeping the chin tight

Mmmmm Pooh Bear....

Dad, are you still taking pictures?

I'm still eating toys.

Eating things is my FAVORITE.

Hi Dad!! You're my favorite too. Can I eat your beard?

Last Week...and This Week

Ah, Panama City Beach....beautiful sand, warm clear water, a two bedroom condo filled with at least three families and my grandparents....the place I was thrilled to spend one week each summer with my extended family.  

Last week the Squirms and I went to Panama City Beach to stay in the same condo - with my parents and H. R joined us for the weekend, and his parents came over for dinner one night. 

The visit could be described in one word: relaxing....or desserts....or joy-at-watching-my-mom-take-Squirms-to-see-a-sand-castle....

Is K* eating another donut?
*K = me, the author, older sister, and mom

One of my favorite things as a mom is seeing my parents, sisters, in-laws, and sister-in-law spend time with the Squirms. Both grandfathers are like putty in her hands, and the grandmothers love to show her new things, like the ABC's, sandcastles, and sea gulls.

Group shot!

It was also really exciting to think my daughter will have her own memories of family vacations....even though the Miracle Strip is gone and KHA's husband and kids might not like her getting offers of free jet ski rides or dinner invitations from every boy that walks by, Squirms can still go on a walk to the pier with her grandpa.

Why won't anyone give me ice cream??

This week back home has included lots of giggling, rocking in our giant nursery chair, and reading the Winnie-the-Pooh book. Oh, and I've finished reading Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy - it's a wonderful story, very well written. I have stopped myself from reading the next one this morning, because otherwise this post, some laundry, and unpacking Squirm's bag wouldn't have happened....but I may start it this afternoon. If I don't post for another four days, that will probably be why....

PCB - from my phone

The Squirms and I are hanging out with family on the gulf coast this week; H is coming tonight and R is coming tomorrow!
We are having fun; but I will admit it feels odd to be here without at least a dozen cousins, aunts, uncles, and my grandparents.