Made in Richmond

I meant to write this weekend, but I spent it enjoying my now healthy son and not reading my email. It was pretty great. But, alas, I now have some catching up to do. Womp womp womp.

So! A list it is…

Guys, Jersey Shore. I know I’m way late with this one (as I was with Lady Gaga) but Oh Lord, I love it so. I can’t even explain why. Wait, yes I can: fist pump.

Also: Caprica. I was hesitant because seriously, why mess with a good thing? I’m not *totally* hooked at this point, but it has my attention.

My skincare obsession has now ventured over into makeup. Specifically foundation. I’ve been using a tinted moisturizer, but that just isn’t cutting it anymore. I want something that gives decent coverage but doesn’t get cakey. Tell me, what do you use?

Last Christmas Ross and I just gave each other books. He ended up giving me The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America. It follows the construction of the Chicago World’s Fair while ALSO following a serial killer who used the huge crowds attracted by the fair to scout out his victims. Not my typical cup of tea but, man, I loved it. You should read it. But don’t read the last chapter before bed because GUHHHHHH.

I toured another day care center last week. Not because I’m unhappy with where JR currently is, but I had already called this place and scheduled the tour before he started, so it made sense to go look. It was AMAZING. The waiting list if 6 months to a year, so we’re looking at that as our long term plan while his current center is working just fine for now.

Ross and I watched Inglorious Basterds this weekend. I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also realized that I am not at all fazed by movie violence. Wanna show someone’s face getting shot off? Sure, I can take it.

We also watched The Hurt Locker this weekend (because I am either 1) the best wife ever or 2) turning into a dude). I enjoyed this one, too. I also realized that the *suggestion* of violence (or fatal wounding) is much more disturbing to me than *actual* violence. Also, (SPOILER MAYBE) why does Ralph Fiennes get almost top billing when he’s in the movie for like 45 seconds?

My sister and I are taking my mom out to lunch for her birthday tomorrow. I told her she we could go wherever she wanted. She picked Chipotle. This is hilarious to me.

***

That’s all I’ve got for now. We will return to more coherent ramblings soon…

So apparently a while ago, the young lady behind MagPie Photoworks (which sells prints and stationary, etc. on Etsy) contacted Ross to see if she could use on of his pictures of me as a demo for her new project of making custom silhouettes.

He said yes, and she did.

Here ’tis:

I think it’s pretty swell (although I believe she might have been kind to me in the chin department).

Her Etsy shop isn’t stocked yet, but you can check out some of her other stuff here.

Here’s a confession for you:

I have never broken up with someone face to face. Look…

Boyfriend #1: Over the phone
Boyfriend #3: Over the phone
Boyfriend #5: Over the phone
Boyfriend #6: OVER IM
Boyfriend #7: ALSO OVER IM

(Boyfriends #2 and #4 dumped my ass first.)

I’m particularly appalled at those last two, but I’m blaming those on the fact that I was seventeen. Seventeen-year-old girls are crazy, they just are.

How about you?

• Almost all of JR’s Christmas ornaments from last year are inscribed with “Jack.” We switched to calling him JR about month after he was born, but apparently our friends and family (ok, even us) had already jumped at the chance to get the Baby’s First Christmas ornaments.
• I’m not thrilled with doctors right now (except for JR’s pediatrician… and really, it’s not just because he reads this. Hi, Dr. Iwashyna!). I had to go to a specialist this month (after waiting for 6 weeks to see the specialist, I might add). When I got to his office, he talked to me for all of 3 minutes before saying that there really wasn’t much he could do for me. Then my primary care doctor got in touch with me saying that test results had come back and he most certainly could do something for me. So I wasted $50 and 2 hours (really 6 weeks and 2 hours) of my time for nothing.
• I finally finished our Christmas shopping today. I feel like we should be carrying a “This Christmas Brought To You By Amazon” banner with us to every holiday celebration this year. Oh, Amazon, I love you and your lightning-quick shipping habits.
• Ok, so I understand that 19 kids is a lot, but is it really necessary/the time to post comments like “this is a sign from God that you should get your tubes tied” on articles about the Duggars’ baby girl being born so early?
• Ross and I are watching LOST from the beginning. Dudes, season 1 of that show is SO GOOD. But really, Sawyer, I can’t take you seriously with those dimples.
• We took JR to see the lights at Lewis Ginter tonight. I dare say, it was quite magical.
• While I sometimes miss short hair, my current length makes it much less obvious when I haven’t made it to the shower.

Our new(ish) movie theater does this awesome thing on Saturdays and Sundays called “Movies and Mimosas.” You show up, have a little drinky-drink, and then head into the theater to watch a classic film.

This weekend’s movie was “White Christmas” (snow, snow, snow, snoooooooow!) so some Twitter friends (shut up) and I headed out to see it.

Turns out we weren’t the only ones in town who had that idea, as the theater was packed by the time we got there. Consequently, our only seating option was in the second row.

All was fine and dandy throughout most of the movie, but by the time I came home, I was in so much pain I fully expected my brains to start leaking out of my ears.

At first I thought it was the champagne. I don’t drink much and figured the alcohol had gotten to me. But even after large glasses of water, a healthy dose of Advil, and some greasy food, nothing was helping.

I finally went upstairs, closed the blinds, covered my head with the blanket and a pillow. I got up at one point the throw up because it hurt so bad. Once I got back in bed and stayed still for about 45 minutes, everything was fine again.

Anyone ever go through something like this? Was I just drunk and didn’t know it? Or was it the sitting too close to the screen thing, like I think? If so, Ross will be so excited because this further confirms his feelings that one must arrive at the movie theater a full hour before the film starts.

Rain jackets, rain boots, and umbrellas should always be brightly colored.

If you’re going to buy Oreos, you might as well go for Double Stuff… because who are we kidding?

Children should only wear shoes when absolutely necessary.

Tylenol is useless.

There’s nothing wrong with not raking your leaves.

“Tell us how you really feel” should be officially retired from use in any and all conversations.

Lorelai Gilmore is completely responsible for all misfortunes in her life.

Pee-Pee Teepees are unnecessary (although fun to say).

Fear is a lousy motivator.

The best episode of Dawson’s Creek is the one when Joey gets everyone to come back to Capeside to film Dawson’s movie.

Hooded sweatshirts are essential to every wardrobe.

The omission of the Oxford comma is a bit of a travesty.

Now over to you…

Remember when I used to post every day? Sometimes even twice a day? Well, now it seems that I’m struggling to write even once a week. I have no excuse other than my life, my kid, and way to much watching of Gilmore girls.

I don’t know what my deal is. I have plenty to say. Ask anyone who sees me in real life - I just won’t stop yammering. But then I go over here and it’s all “Hmmm… well I could… no… uhhhh” and so on.

I’m guessing it probably stems from my fears of being 1) boring and 2) obnoxious. I have a little boy who is very cute and, because of his age, also a major time suck. Who wants to hear about that all the time? I don’t, and I’m living it.

A few people made comments or sent emails shortly after JR was born saying things along the lines of “Yes, your baby is very cute, but ya got anything else to say?” And that sent my “Oh God, please don’t be mad at me” sense into high alert. It’s like Spidey-sense but full of much more furrowing and hand wringing.

So, I’m left being totally unsure of what to write about. Hopefully you’ll help me.

Which would you rather hear about?

A. Why Gilmore girls (see?) might be the secret to improving all relationships
B. The ridiculous conversation I had on the phone with the receptionist at the dermatologist
C. Why I even have to go see a dermatologist
D. My current fretting over the h1n1 vaccine
E. How bangs have changed my life, both for the better and worse
F. All of the above
G. None of the above, and jeez, woman, shut the hell up
H. Please no one pick option G because I will develop an ulcer (see aforementioned “Oh God, please don’t be mad at me” sense)

A couple weeks ago a reporter from one of our local TV stations contacted Ross and I to see if he could interview us about what we do over at RVANews.

After thinking, “What? Why?” and having a mild anxiety attack, I agreed. And then Ross agreed because he does what I tell him to.

So here it is.

Although my hair looks terrible (I got it cut mere hours after the interview), my desk makes it looks like I have a slight hoarding problem when it comes to beverages and cell phones (it’s a long story), and I apparently always speak like I’m asking? a question?, I think he portrayed us well.

But I can’t be sure because I still have to watch it through my fingers while going “Eeeeeeeeesh.”

We left Richmond on Saturday** and I’ve already lost track of what day it is. I’ve also only sent maybe two work-related emails, which is monumental.

And I haven’t been able to do more than that because I’ve been busy witnessing things like this..

(Ross will be adding more pictures here throughout the week.)

I’ve also been reading, napping, joining my in-laws as they finish watching Battlestar Galactica (Ross has been opting out of that because it pains him too much to get sucked in once more and just have it be over again), and eating ridiculous amounts of chips and cookies. I’m quite sure I will weigh approximatel 743 lbs. when we get home next weekend.

In fact, my legs might end up looking like this…

Funny how it’s so cute on a baby but “Uh WHOA” on an adult.

(I’ll be back at least by Thursday because it’s the 17th, marking JR’s 10th month of living outside of my womb. How crazy is that? AYEEEE MAH BAYYYBEEEEEEE.)

*Ok, that’s a lie. I’m sure we’ll be back. I just don’t have to be happy about it.
**All you Internet-savvy burglars out there, don’t get any ideas. Our house is occupado to the max by two big dogs and two people who wouldn’t hesitate to beat the ever-loving mess out of you. And I bet there’s a dragon there, too.

I haven’t posted for eight days. I think the longest I’ve gone is five days, and that was after I birthed a baby. I don’t really have any excuse, other than being insanely busy trying to get ready for vacation. I’ve basically had to do two week’s worth of work in five days. Well, four really, because I did take a break on Monday.

And to further disappoint you, all I can give you right now is this video. But I think it’ll keep you entertained.

I promise more frequent updates next week when all I have to do is eat, nap, and cuddle mah beh beh.