Cookie Monster

Yesterday we made cookies after dinner and before I knew it, Cookie was bringing her chair to the kitchen island to snatch one. I knew that I should have been a little more careful with a Cookie Monster in the house, because this is how I found her Sunday afternoon.



Over the course of the last couple of weeks, Cookie has become quit the problem solver and little monkey. She has learned to take her little chair from her table and bring it to areas in the house where she needs a little extra height.

I guess I am happy to know that she would rather be standing on a chair then dancing on her table.

T.G.I.F

With this much enthusiasm on a Friday morning I hope that her teachers are ready for her. Looks like she is going to be a handful today! Sesame Street was bringing down the hiz houze this morning and she was rocking out to Bert's song about number 6!



This one is just to sweet!

Wii Are Family

On Monday the Hubby and I had the day off in observance of MLK day. We decided that today of all days would be the day that we would find and purchase a Wii. We have wanted one for sometime but have been unable to locate one. Our mission for the day had been set.

After calling a few stores, we were able to locate one at Best Buy and the best part was that they were on sale! A impulse buy and a Sale, what a day it was shaping up to be.

Not only were we in the mood for the Wii system, extra paddle, extra nun chuck and of course the battery charger, I knew that my mission wouldn't be complete until I had the Wii fit as well.

What better way to exercise then to have 12 inch computerized characters as your instructors. Besides, I figured that the cost of the Wii fit was $90 and the cost of a membership to a jym is $50 per month and a three year contract. This way I can exercise guilt free, if I choose to skip a day, or a month, maybe a couple of months and I will not have to look at a membership pass that screams, "Go on, get off your fat dairy aire, and get to the gym. You know the place that you are PAYING FOR each month". Nope with the Wii fit I have the power of the on/off switch and no automatic debit from my bank account each month. Win, win in my mind!

After successfully completing our mission we headed home to become one Wii little family. The hubby got all of the pieces set up and then we waited patiently for the controllers to charge. We waited, we waited, and four hours later our Bowling match was on like donkey Kong.

Okay the hubby won the first round, but I will guarantee that there will be a rematch. Watch out Hubby, the Striker is coming after you!

While the hubby went to get Cookie from school, I decided it would be the perfect time to start my training with my Mii instructors. [Mii's are the little people who make up the Wii characters]. Besides, who could resist a step class like this where you can mute the instructors...



I stood on the Wii board as I participated in the body test and was just loving my new purchase that it until...

...my results came back and said that my Wii fit age was equal to 40! This is rather shocking considering I am only 30. All I can say is, "Bring it Wii Fit!"

Needless to say nothing can motivate a human more than an annoying 12 inch computerized character! I will roll with the challenge, so stay tune this is going to be fun.

Even Cookie got into the fun...

The Hubby and His Hog

Seven years ago after we were first married the Hubby called me at work and announced that he had just gotten the best deal on a brand new "Hog." This was his dream and that I should be really proud of not only the deal he had received but also that he had received a free helmet with his purchase.

That afternoon we went and purchased this said "Hog" and needless to say he has been riding it ever since. I have to admit that over the last seven years it has come in handy when gas prices were high and we needed to make quick trips to the grocery store.

On Saturday as I was nestled in the couch and watching a movie, the hubby came in for an impromptu fashion show and insisted that we have a photo shoot to capture the moment.

Here is the moment...





After all you have to have fire flames on your helmet when you are tearing up the open road on a "Hog" like this...



Don't worry if you are on the road and the Hubby passes you, he is actually a certified "Scooter" driver.

Now, for those who need a laugh this Monday morning here is a picture just for you...



Happy Monday!

A Doogie Marathon

For some time now, the Hubby and I have been enjoying the TV show How I Met Your Mother nights.

As I watched Barnie make up one of his legendary catch phrases, I got to thinking what ever happened to all of the Doogie Howeser, M.D. episodes? Did they just go to TV Heaven?

After doing a little googling, I came across the best site ever...www.Veoh.com. With one click my beloved Doogie and I were reconnected (oh, and you can't forget about Cousin Vinny). Looks like I will be having a Doogie marathon in the Hz houze this weekend!

Ever wonder where your favorite TV show went after it was cancelled? Chances are it could be right here. Check it out www.veoh.com.

Veoh is a revolutionary Internet TV service that gives viewers the power to easily discover, watch, and personalize their online viewing experience. With a simple broadband connection Veoh gives you free access to all of the great TV and film studio content, independent productions, and user-generated videos on the Web. From hit CBS, ABC, WB, ESPN and Comedy Central shows to your favorite YouTube clips, Veoh turns the vast universe of Internet video into an easy-to-use, high-quality, personalized experience that TV fans everywhere can enjoy.

No excuse me while I catch up with the Doogster and hang out with Cookie!

103.7 And I Don't Mean The Radio Station

Yesterday afternoon as I was leaving for Cookie's school I received a phone call saying that her fever had jumped from 99 to 102. Within ten minutes I arrived a 4:54 and headed straight for our medical clinic.

As I arrived at five pm the clinic was locked tighter than Ft. Knox. Since there is an after hours clinic down the road I thought I would run home and take Cookie's temperature and then head to the clinic by the time they open at 5:30. When we arrived home and I took her temperature, it had sky rocketed to 103.7!!

As you can imagine when you are flying solo it is easy to become overwhelmed and a little frightened at a temperature that high. I immediately packed Cookie into the car and off we went to the after hours clinic. As, I tried to keep my composure, I checked into the front desk and received a mound of paperwork to complete.

Apparently, each time you go to the after hours clinic you have to fill new paper work. I politely asked the front desk worker if there was any way that we could get Cookie into the Dr. while I filled out the paperwork, because her fever was increasing. You can only guess what Ms. Non-Personality, Compassion Lacking front office worker did...

She sent a Nurse out to tell me that, "Ms we CANNOT bring your daughter back, until all (what seemed to be) fifty pages of waivers, history, blah, blah, blah are completed." In complete shell shock, I felt as if nurse basically told me, "Ms. in order for us NOT to get SUED you will need to complete all of the paperwork, before we can treat your daughter, regardless if her fever is that high and could put her into shock."

After a millennium had passed we were finally in back to see the Dr. Needless to say when the nurse saw how high her temperature was on their machine, they sent the Dr. back right away. My reaction to the Dr. was, "You mean to tell me that because your machine clarifies how high her temperature reads, you will be highly attentive to her, what if it had gotten out of control while I was completing the paperwork?"

After the exam the Dr. explained that Cookie had a bi-lateral ear infection and that with medicine and Motrin she will be okay. After, I collected myself for a moment all I could do was express my concerns to the Dr. on how compassion less her staff was until my co-pay was paid and my insurance was confirmed.

Of course she was apologetic but it didn't help to replace the overwhelming tsunami of emotions I was experiencing. I was just relieved to know that it wasn't anything more serious than an ear infection that was causing her fever.

Within a matter of two hours I received one of the biggest health insurance reality checks of my life. At the end of the day when all of our physicians offices are closed and it comes to sick children we are ALL A LIKE! During my visit to the clinic I was no different than those with or without insurance, the have and have nots, the employed and unemployed. It that waiting room we were all equal and deserved the best medical care and compassion.

Yesterday, I felt as if I was in a room full of workers who lacked the compassion for our sick children. The nurses response will forever be embedded in my mind and I hope that she and Ms. Non-Personality front office worker one day will find the compassion they lacked for their patients at that moment.

Last night as I went through the mail, I came across one of my monthly newsletters from St. Jude. I cried as I read the caption to the child who I was sponsoring for the month I thanked God for the wonderful blessing of good health he has bestoed upon Cookie.

I am grateful for the organizations that put their heart and souls into making our Little ones lives better in the time of medical need and offer their parents a moment of ease. I am appreciative for the ability to donate to organizations such as St. Jude and Compassion.

These organizations are using their faith and compassion to give the children of the world a chance! Even though we are in a recession now is the time to give what you can. There are always those less fortunate that are grateful for our prayers and what little we can give to their children. A little can go a long way!

So this Valentines day when you are thinking about the perfect gift for your loved ones, what about a donation in their honor to one of these fine organizations.

Cheers to compassion and those who devote their lives to it each and everyday!

To my family and friends, CookiE is doing much better today and she is looking forward to getting back to her normal, spunky, curious self!

My Future is So Bright...

...I gotta wear my shades, up side down of course!



Here is her Stevie Wonder impersonation.

Cookie Tested Daddy Approved

On Saturday we spent most of the day trying to figure out how to Cookie proof our doors with lever handles. We succeeded in Cookie proofing our bedroom, but when it came to our laundry room, well that was a little tricky.

We couldn't get the device to align correctly; that is until Cookie walked into the laundry room, slammed the door and basically said to us, yep it's aligned now Daddy!

I guess you can say it is now Cookie tested and Daddy Approved!

The second half of the day was just as amusing. I had the brilliant idea that we should start introducing Cookie to the potty. Since it was raining, I thought why not? The idea wasn't to have her master potty training at sixteen months, it was more or less to get her excited about the idea of having her own little throne.

I found myself rather amused when I was reading the instructions. In black and white it illustrates that even children should be equipped with their preferred reading materials when going to the potty. Take a look, I had to do a double take as well...

Good thing I have her potty here...

I would just hate to think that Cookie wasn't following the instructions and not reading while she goes potty. I guess we are in for a wild ride and teaching Cookie about the potty as she catches up on the latest celebrity gossip and hottest fashion trends.

Needless to say after we introduced Cookie to her potty spent the rest of the afternoon playing Queen of the hill on it. Baby steps for now I guess. She was happy as a peach when she came off of her hill, the rain disappeared and was able to go on a bike ride with her Daddy...

I guess now is the time to ask for potty training advice. If you have it we will take it!

Thanks for the Invite Sarah Palin

Yesterday, we received the following invitation from Sarah Palin in the mail all the way from the great state of Alaska. My scanner is on vacation so luckily I was able to find the same invitation on the web as well.

So it got me thinking, I wondered what this message would have sounded like if she had actually written it and used some of her famous catchphrases from this years election. Maybe a little something like this...

Dear Joe Six Packs, Mavericks and Hockey Moms,

As Governor of the great state of Alaska with the hopes to one day have the bridge to no where, I am pleased to welcome you to the Alaska Travel Industry Association's website. You betcha, Alaska is different from every other destination in the world where we get er done. Every day offers an unforgettable memory: a mother moose and calf, glaciers and mountains, our unique Native cultures, our Russian legacy (which by the way I can see from my house) and Gold Rush days. Even lifelong Alaskans are amazed! And we have a wide range of accommodations and dining to suit every budget and we can ensure you that you won't be palling around with any terrorist here. Enjoy your online visit to Alaska, and I hope you'll come to visit the "Great Land" soon.

Sincerely,

Sarah Palin

Governor

Do you think it sounds a little bit more like her? Yep, I thought so too. I guess now is the time that I enter my disclaimer.

Disclaimer: This non-political Rookie Mom enjoyed being creative with this post and if you do not like it, well then just scoot along to another blog. Oh and by the way I do not have a Obama sticker on the back of my minivan.

Again, thank you Ms. Palin for the invite but we will have to regretfully decline this year.

Truth or Consequences

Yesterday as we headed down to Las Cruces we saw the strangest exit...



Curious to know how a town could be named Truth or Consequences? We were. So, I referred to my friend Mr. Wikipedia.

The town took the name of a popular radio program in 1950, when Truth or Consequences host Ralph Edwards announced that he would do the program from the first town that renamed itself after the show. Ralph Edwards came to the town during the first weekend of May for the next fifty years. This event was called the "Fiesta" and included a beauty contest, a parade, and a stage show.

You can read more about T or C here.

I wonder what is the preferred side of town to live on?

With a town named T or C it got me thinking what would be some other funny town names, so this time I referred to my friend Mr. Google. Apparently there are several to chuckle at. Take a look here and see what funny towns are in your state.

Mr. Purple People Eater

I recently was visiting with a client and during my visit I noticed that one of the workers was kicking off the New Year, with a sassy new purple hair do.

I wasn't fearful of it because after all it didn't resemble anything like this...




The fine fluorescent lighting really made it shine. Now that is a Lawyer with a personality. I wonder if he was channeling his inner Purple People Eater persona?

What A Year It Will Be

Looks like little Miss. Cookie is turning into little Miss. Thang! It is pretty much guaranteed that she will be keeping us on our toes. From dancing on her princess table to rocking out her pig tails and sporting Mommy's sunglasses, little Miss. Thang is going to make 2009 a pretty fun and interesting year.






Wishing you and your families a safe and wonderful 2009!