This and that

I've been a slacker when it comes to blogging. But there are so many other venues for informing friends what's going on in my life that I just get lazy when it comes to my blog. I try to be creative on Twitter, on MySpace, on Facebook, in my writing group. Leaves me too tired for anything else.

So, what's new?

Jersey, 4-1/2, and Aaliyah, 2-1/2, are both getting baptized tomorrow morning into our Lutheran church. Which reminds me, I need to buy some white tights. Uh, for the girls, not for me. My legs already look like white tights.

We're having a small lunch afterward at my grandparents' house. I will be making my magically delicious crab salad. It's Mmm, Mmm good. I know, I'm mixing my food slogans, but I'm really okay with that.

Went to Rachel's (work Rachel) house last night for some Guitar Hero. Her dog is psycho, btw. Then we watched The Dark Knight. It was my first time watching it since opening night in the theaters, so I was anxious to see if it was as good as I remembered. It was better. There are very few times when "villains" actually do their job in scaring me, and even though I'd seen the movie before, Heath Ledger still creeped the bejeezus out of me. The Dark Knight kicks The Watchmen's ass down the road and back again.

And I may start taking a closer look at moving on. From this town, I mean, not the world. haha. *fingers crossed* My grandmother's Alzheimer's is progressing steadily worse. If--when--she goes to a nursing home, I'll need to find somewhere else to live. I'm pretty sure I'll head north, back to Superior. I miss it up there.

I wish I knew how to post videos from my phone to the blog. Ya'll are missing out on some cute Jersey & Aaliyah moments. Especially Jerz's "old chap!" clips. HUHlarious!

Tonight I'm meeting my Facebook Book It! group for the first time in Eau Claire! I know most of the people already, but I'll make some new acquaintances. Plus, hello? There will be pizza, and it will be goooood.

Jerz on parade! (obviously to be sung to the tune of "Bulls on Parade.")

Amanda, Jersey, my aunt Linda, and I went to the Fourth of July parade Friday, as did most Americans, I guess. Anyway, it was a pretty fun day. Jersey was all smiles.



Even when she saw the old man and his skunk, which has been a part of the July 4th parade as long as I can remember. I can still remember my sister getting excited to pet the skunk when she was little.



British clown police? Albino Native American? Foppish mime? All of the above?





Jerz in action. Gotta grab that candy before the other kids do!

No matter what we did, we could not keep that kid's pants up. She mooned just about every float that went by. The ones throwing candy, anyway.

We also saw some bizarre things this year:

After the parade, it was off to my mom's house for an old-fashioned cook-out, after which the girls went swimming.

Today is also my mom's birthday. I'm sure she'd appreciate me telling this little anecdote:

Jersey brought Gram (my mom) a "note" that she'd scribbled for her.

Gram: Oh, thank you, Jersey! *reading note* "Dear Gram, happy birthday. I love you very much. Love, Jersey."

Jersey: *stares at Gram with strange expression* But, Gram. That's not what it says. It says "Shark-infested waters."

Gram: *starts laughing*

Jersey: I think you need glasses.

Your daily cute

The circus came to town today. Aaron took Aaliyah and Amanda took Jersey for their first glimpse of circus life, complete with elephants. Aaliyah fell asleep. haha

I let Amanda borrow my camera, but she's apparently really terrible at photography. They're all blurry. But here are some shots of the girls after Auntie April came over later in the afternoon. Grandma (my mom) had found an old trampoline that she used to use for excercise. Now it's for toddler-cise.

Don't you wish you had this kind of exuberance?

I don't know if she was in the middle of a sneeze or what, but Jersey's face cracks me up.

Aaliyah Bediah (kinda like Amelia Bedelia)

Ready for a trip down the slide ...

And climbing right back up again!

Jersey's new Scooby-Doo that her mama bought her at the circus. She carried it around all afternoon ... even down the slide!

It was a good day.

A teenaged girl flipped me off this morning on my way to work. And no, before you comment, she wasn't someone I'd kicked off a computer at the library. I'd never seen her before. I was just minding my own business at the stop sign, patiently waiting for the car she was in to make their turn, when she stared me down and gave me the finger. And after I'd just defended how well the teenagers in my town had behaved on Halloween night. Stupid skank.

I will be starting new work hours at the newspaper next week. On Monday, they'll be setting up my new desk and Mac computer (cuz I gets ta start typesettin' press releases, yo!). And I have a fancy desktop nameplate. I'd post a pic, but I can't be displaying my full name on the Internets. I haven't actually seen my own yet, but I did see my boss' nameplate. Very nice.

So, last night while my brother went to work (full-time! benefits! 401k!), I helped take care of Aaliyah. She's finally accepted me and doesn't pull away if I try to hold her. In fact, I'm the silly aunt who likes to make funny noises and play "So big!" and give her little bits of Cheetos.





Also, while I was taking care of Aaliyah, I was peed, pooped, and puked on. In hockey, they call that a hat-trick. So, as I was leaving for the evening, wearing a cast-off pair of Amanda's jeans because mine had been soaked in baby poo, I serenaded my mother (who was cleaning up another mess) with my own version of "Proud to be an American."

"And I'm proud that I'm not a parent,
'cuz at least I know I'm free.
And that I get to go home
while you clean up that pee."

And how did I forget to post this pic of Jerz with the fake teeth that one family gave instead of candy? Would this make her the Grim Vampire?

Also, as a woman was leaving the library this morning, she stopped, turned to look at me and said, "You have incredible eyes, by the way." It was much nicer than being flipped off, I must say.

My Preciouses

This is my cousin Andrew's son Zayne. Zayne's grandma brought him over to visit today. Yay for digital cameras!




Boo for April's shaky hands. He almost looks like he's gonna flip me off. Andrew's son, indeed.




Me and Jersey. Yes, that is a picture of ice cream on her shirt. And despite the look on her face, she wasn't trying to get away from me.





Yesterday was my grandpa's birthday (81) and my grandparent's 58th wedding anniversary. We had a little picnic outside. Jersey was fascinated with all the pinecones and counted them endlessly.




I don't know what she's doing, but it makes me laugh.



Amanda holding Aaliyah last week at my cousin's graduation party.

Aaliyah tried many times to take Auntie April's camera away.

Aaliyah's favorite game is to toss keys on the floor, have Auntie April pick them up and hand them back, then throw them on the floor again. Oh, the hours of fun we had.

"Son of a nutcracker!"

The other day at Goodwill, I was writing out a check while the cashier tried to talk with Jersey. Suddenly, Jersey says, "Son of a nutcracker!"

The startled cashier looked at me. "What did she say?"

Amanda and I were giggling in surprise. "Um, I think she said 'Son of a nutcracker,'" I said.

The cashier nodded once and turned away. Amanda and I hustled out the doors, guffawing loudly. I don't know where Jerz comes up with this stuff.

Anyway, as promised, here are a few pictures of Jersey and Aaliyah from Easter.

This one makes me laugh a lot!

Aaron and Aaliyah.

My mom with Jersey and Aaliyah.

Also, my cousin Andrew and his wife Jessica had a baby boy on April 20th. Welcome to the world, Zayne Andrew!