Just now realizing the irony of the book title...

The terrible two's have officially arrived. I actually thought they were here a few months ago, and looking back I LAUGH at how ignorant I was. How can I possibly battle this hard with such a tiny person? Every meal is an ordeal. Foods he used to love? Now he acts like I'm poisoning him. Naps? I'm torturing him. And don't even get me started on computers/cell phones/remotes. They are ALL for his person convenience and entertainment. Remind me to tell the story about him ripping a dozen keys off of my keyboard. Plus side - I now have the marketable skill of reassembling a Sony Vaio laptop key hinge, which is nothing to sneeze at I might add. But I digress. As I watch him grow and develop into this little person with such a strong sense of will, I have a hard time recognizing him. Where did that quiet, laid back little boy go? Well, he is still quiet except for the screaming. I guess the one plus to all of this is that he is not talking yet.

I do find it so charming and sweet that the one thing, besides his blanket, that gives him comfort and transfixes him for hours is a book called This Is The House That Jack Built by Simms Taback. Apparently the story has been around for hundreds of years in various forms. He loves that every page has his name on it. That boy LOVES his name. Thank God I didn't name him something weird like Maurice or Ferb, because as far as I know there are no This Is The House That Ferb and Maurice Built books. He sleeps with this book - that is how seriously he loves it. Stuffed animals he can take or leave. But he cuddles with a book. I told Michael the other day, "you do realize he is smarter than both of us, and we are in big trouble?" Oh yes, yes we are. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Motivation required

Obviously I need some kind of motivation to post a blog regularly. So I've decided to give it a makeover and a purpose. My blog will now be a home for Dagny's Box, my jewelry company, and will not only feature my designs but my favorites of all sorts of stuff. Favorite jewelry, favorite toys, favorite books, favorite music...you get the idea. And I will TRY to post something every single day.

Today's post will feature my personal favorite (or should that be favourite) of all the preschool shows. Charlie & Lola makes me wish I was British so terribly much. If you have never seen it, please oh please watch the following video. So much cuteness your head will explode. And the illustrations are fantastic - makes me wish I had majored in Graphic Design.

Good grief it's May?

I am terrible about keeping up here. I'd much rather read Pioneer Woman than write something of my own. Anyhoo, here are some quotes from the little minions I have had the honor to substitute teach.

"Why do you write in all capitol letters?" Answer: "Years of Drafting classes. Now be quiet."

"Am I on your list?" (list of misbehaviors for the teacher) Answer: "Wouldn't you like to know. Now be quiet."

"Is this the first time you have subbed?" Answer: "Nice try. You wish. Now be quiet."

"I can't read. I have a short attention span." Answer: I didn't have an answer to this. Just "Try your best and BE QUIET."

"Weren't you on Wife Swap?" Answer: "DF&#*($)#FHJER(W#JBJKHVKW#(#$&*#$(:??????"


These were all seventh graders. I had 15 detentions in the seventh grade. I believe this is what they call Karma.

I hope my nose doesn't stop working.

Isn't it weird how smell can be the most powerful sense? I can smell a cologne at Walgreens that will take me back to the 8th grade and a boy I hopelessly liked (and I do mean hopelessly...I was fugly back then). Right now I am smelling the cool night air, which is my absolute favorite. But it is intermingled with the Migas that my husband is making. I am probably just smelling onions in olive oil, but I'm ok with that. The combination of the two is...fantastic. Like a jolt of caffeine. I love it when he cooks. It's like smelling a hug.

I'm such a slacker...

Guess I'm falling asleep on the job. February? I haven't blogged since February??? Well I'll post a favorite link for now. This website is AWESOME! Wonderful gifts, and even better treats for yourself. Check it out http://www.oldtimecandy.com/index.html

And here is my favorite pic of the day:

This is so adorable.

I have a confession to make.

I watch soap operas.

Let me explain. I've watched them off and on for years, starting in junior high maybe? Back then it was General Hospital and Days of Our Lives. My favorite memories of watching soaps were in college - they would be on in the Student Union and the resident halls, and people would be packed in watching them, yelling at the screen when people were stupid. Which was often. And now with the abundant amount of time on my hands (which will end soon hopefully), I have taken them up again. Days of Our Lives is so easy to watch. I can go - literally - 10 years between viewings, and pick up where I left off. They must be slipping the cast formaldehyde cocktails during the breaks because it's the same people, same story lines. Stefano is STILL tormenting the Brady's. It is comforting to know that some things never change. The Bold and the Beautiful is only a half hour, and has a baby named Jack, with a mother named Taylor (who is not really his mother because the eggs were switched in the lab - classic), and his TV dad is named Jack in real life. So Jack and I have to watch of course.

Soaps serve a purpose. They can make your stressed out, crazy lives seem so normal and mundane. And with my history, that's really saying something. Viva La Soaps!!