tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58092312011-06-07T23:34:22.146-07:00Ramblings of a self confessed geek who really just wants to go live in a yurt with some chickens, a yak, a couple of goats, a crapload of friends and a bunch of mostly naked children running around like freaks.Elainenoreply@blogger.comBlogger5781100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1144814689792739552006-04-11T21:02:00.000-07:002006-04-11T21:04:49.920-07:00

I'm happy to say that the hippies have moved out of the VW Microbus and into new, posh digs. Please change your bookmarks, bloglines, rss, atom, whatever, to reflect the following:www.WannabeHippie.comIf you click on over you'll see where you can get new feeds!

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1144730418979466872006-04-10T21:35:00.000-07:002006-04-10T21:40:19.070-07:00

Krystyn is a goddess. But then, you already knew that, right? This kick ass mama has designed me an amazing new website and we’re in the process of making it fly over the next week. If we’re lucky, things will only be freaky for a while. If we’re not, it could get to be crazy good fun. We’ll be transferring the archives over from the old site and spinning around on our office chairs singing,

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1144716384500078452006-04-10T17:45:00.000-07:002006-04-10T17:46:24.520-07:00

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1144561514323615712006-04-09T00:44:00.000-07:002006-04-08T22:45:14.336-07:00

Lily: 'Member that, Mommy?Me: What, Lily?Lily: 'Member when I was born?Me: Oh, yes. I remember it well. Do you remember it?Lily: Uh huh.Me: Really? What do you remember?Lily: We went to the store.Me: Hmmm, and then what?Lily: And then we went on the airplane.Me: Huh? I don't remember that part.Lily: I do. It was fun.Me: Glad you enjoyed it!

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1144534132245000842006-04-08T15:07:00.000-07:002006-04-08T15:16:44.763-07:00

We took the girls to an egg hunt today at the home of a playgroup friend. Lily had a blast running around with her friends and discovering the little treasures all over the tri-tiered yard. With the swings, slides, kids, food, activity and her ever precious Daddy, Lily pretty much thought she was in heaven. Anya wasn’t quite sure what all the fuss was about and when plopped in the grass mere

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1144381592617559202006-04-06T20:46:00.000-07:002006-04-06T20:47:18.236-07:00

Yesterday when Mark and I went to go pick up Lily from Grandma’s house, we were greeted at the door by a trail of seashells winding all the way to the kitchen. My mom had given Lily a tiny set of tongs and with them she had plucked the shells from the muffin tin provided and lined them all up. She could identify all the different types and was so proud of her shell train, I though she just

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1144214419328575572006-04-04T22:17:00.000-07:002006-04-04T22:23:16.733-07:00

Lily loves phones and will walk around blabbering incoherently for hours if given the opportunity and a complete and utter lack of a live person on the other end. Mark’s mom will call and we’ll put Lily on the line and there she’ll sit, silent while Grandma does her best to get a response. Lil will smile but won’t utter a single sound.Until today.Mark handed her the phone and said, “Say Hi to

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1144187879006530052006-04-04T14:55:00.000-07:002006-04-04T14:57:59.066-07:00

Tonight, 62 minutes after it turns tomorrow, the time and date will be oh one, oh two, oh three, oh four, oh five, oh six (aka 01:02:03 04/05/06).Told you I'm a geek.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1144105401538436482006-04-03T16:02:00.000-07:002006-04-04T22:20:58.920-07:00

Lily has an older second cousin who is all about the girly stuff. Because of this little bit of good fortune, we’ve had to buy Lily about three items of clothing her entire life. Recently my cousin pulled out all the 3T’s from her daughters closet and set those aside for Lily. Through some random twist of fait, that bag made its way to Goodwill, effectively rendering my rapidly growing toddler

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1144082328362390972006-04-03T09:37:00.000-07:002006-04-03T16:04:35.886-07:00

They're saying nice things about me over at Mommy Bloggers. Go set them straight.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1143873676688820722006-03-31T22:40:00.000-08:002006-03-31T22:53:46.663-08:00

I had a margarita with dinner and since I so rarely drink it made my cheeks flush red and my whole body hot. I felt a little silly as we approached the car and when I fell off the curb, it was pretty clear I needed to not drive. Mark took the keys and we headed for home. Traffic slowed down approaching our exit and we started talking about what would have traffic in such a snit at 8pm at night

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1143769094952944952006-03-30T17:35:00.000-08:002006-03-30T17:57:10.873-08:00

Housekeeping: While the house isn’t a mess of peanut butter and feathers, it’s not what this panel would describe as “neat” or “tidy.” It is, indeed, average with piles of papers scattered about, kids toys on somewhat hazardous locations, and one rather scary clatter of dishes in the sink. CCooking: Out of a total of 21 possible meals a week, Elaine has cooked about seven of them. Points for

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1143617187095898202006-03-29T07:23:00.000-08:002006-03-28T23:33:42.846-08:00

Dear Anya,I’m having a little trouble with this whole double digit thing. How can you already be ten-months-old? As your first birthday rapidly approaches, I find myself slightly shell shocked, sitting with you asleep in my arms and trying desperately to figure out how you got so big. Already your body drapes across my lap when nursing, no longer the delicate little curl I one gathered into my

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1143430586733663552006-03-26T19:31:00.000-08:002006-03-26T19:36:26.756-08:00

Before Mark and I had these silly urchins in our lives, we managed a small, informal hiking club. We'd get together once a week to hike a local park with friends from our theatre lives which gave us an excuse to have really cool hiking books from REI. We’ve gotten back to the trails sporadically, but not nearly as often as any of us would like. And with this extra baby weight just hanging

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1143345000662252782006-03-25T19:46:00.000-08:002006-03-25T21:19:39.290-08:00

This morning I got up and made myself some breakfast and then scooted my booty out the door with Anya to attend a Pampered Chef Party (drastically different from a Pampered Chief party, lemme tell ya). While there I was appropriately dazzled by the fancy, yet functional cookware and even agreed to host a party of my very own. Seriously, I wanted to buy everything. I limited myself to $20,

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1143244571636914302006-03-24T15:54:00.000-08:002006-03-24T15:56:11.636-08:00

To be honest, I already thought she was a little odd. It’s just kinda fun to collect photographic proof of her oddness. I love her quirkiness, though. To me, it’s a sign that she is self confident and responsive to the inner creative voice that, while it may be talking smack, pushes her to think of the world as a canvas. Dressing herself is creative expression. Stacking coins is site

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1143244449820683882006-03-24T15:53:00.000-08:002006-03-24T15:54:09.850-08:00

We took a trip to the lake today so I could be less of a sloth and the kids could feed the ducks. My camera crapped out after a very short time, but I did catch the following fun shots:

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1143177568098487992006-03-23T21:16:00.000-08:002006-03-23T21:19:28.130-08:00

Mark taught Lily about favors.“Lil, will you do me a favor?”“Sure, Daddy!”“Would you help me pick up the blocks before bedtime?”“Yes!”The other night I was getting Lily ready for bed and after I had read her a book (Go, Dog. Go!) and given kisses, I booked it out of there to get Anya to bed. Mark was on a gig, so I was single parenting bedtime. Just as I was getting Anya down I heard, “Mommy!

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1143069734580553982006-03-22T15:17:00.000-08:002006-03-23T19:59:25.390-08:00

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1142982321364796232006-03-21T15:03:00.000-08:002006-03-21T15:05:21.430-08:00

Driving to knitting last night, I got to thinking about some random thing and suddenly found myself on a whole ‘nother freeway. I was going to take the proper exit but it appears I am unable to use my brain properly since I had kids. But hey! I can knit! I finished project number two in record time and put it into the mail for Krystyn before I bothered to take photos (see? Not thinking!). I’

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1142792171314219692006-03-19T10:14:00.000-08:002006-03-19T10:24:34.853-08:00

Yesterday we checked out the Build A Bear Workshop at the mall. On a Saturday. In the Mall. Nothing like standing in a long line in order to spend too much money on a bunch of fluff. And my girl? Yeah, she can pick out the most expensive animal offered, without even being able to understand the concept of money. It’s a special talent many claim is inherent in the X chromosome. In fact,

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1142621070443328012006-03-17T10:40:00.000-08:002006-03-17T10:51:33.636-08:00

I submit for your approval my very first knitting project: an eight foot long scarf* I’m already half finished with project number two, which I can’t show you because it’s a gift for someone who reads me. She’s just gonna have to wait, yo.All I can say is that I may just finally loose my domestic drop-out card! Weeeeeee!* Can anyone enlighten me as to why a Southern California girl would knit

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1142526702720940392006-03-16T08:29:00.000-08:002006-03-16T08:38:20.676-08:00

Yesterday I went to Whole Foods (called by many “Whole Paycheck”) and had a little shopping spree. That place has everything and a large percentage of it was Organic. THRILLING, I tell you. I spent a bit too much money, but I was overcome by all the fabulous things housed in that marvelous store. My biggest score, at only $1.99, was Lily’s first coconut. This morning I hacked at it with

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1142440553967749312006-03-15T08:35:00.000-08:002006-03-15T08:35:53.983-08:00

Sorry to leave a depressing note and then go la la la-ing off into the night for a few days. I was determined not to write another annoying/bad/frustrating thing and so had NOTHING to say for days. But last night, Lily gave me something worth blogging, so I am at the computer this fine morning to share it all with you. I’m assuming you have all noticed the gorgeous full moon the night sky’s

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1142223708293337752006-03-12T20:21:00.000-08:002006-03-12T20:21:48.310-08:00

Am hanging out in a funk lately, overwhelmed by all that is happening with growth and curiosity, dragged down by this cold that will not end. I slept for several hours today in the middle of the day, groggily accepting Anya when she needed to nurse, tucking her into the crook of my arm and sleeping with her nestled in, mouth working at milky dreams and hands stroking my bare skin in an almost

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1142108768054752302006-03-11T12:13:00.000-08:002006-03-11T12:27:07.326-08:00

Thunder rolled in last night accompanied by a health dose of fat raindrops alternating with tiny pebbles of hail. It looks like it’ll be following that pattern throughout the day, although the thunder has moved through the valley and found other people to rumble. My girls are still in their jammies, despite the fact that it’s almost noon. The girls stand at the door, watching through the glass

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1141963864115276792006-03-09T20:10:00.000-08:002006-03-10T17:40:38.270-08:00

This child is going to be wild good fun when she’s two. I just got off the phone with poison control; and then my midwife, because I call her for EVERYTHING these days. Let me start from the beginning: earlier today I found a daffodil volunteer in my yard, pulled up a couple of flowers and stuck ‘em in a vase. Pretty! Lily thought so too and so pulled one of the heads off and played for a

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1141939421897913672006-03-09T13:23:00.000-08:002006-03-09T13:23:41.913-08:00

Me: Hey, I don’t want the baby playing with that.Him: What, the ax?

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1141927902443520202006-03-09T10:09:00.000-08:002006-03-09T10:14:45.160-08:00

I just fed Anya a pancake for the first time (made from scratch and without any butter or syrup on top, of course). She took one bite and grinned wildly, giggling and stuffing the treat into her mouth. I guess the girl likes her some pancakes. Since those top two teeth finally cut and she can now rip at things, I’m being a bit more adventurous with what I offer her. The kid really is crazy

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1141854638074021902006-03-08T13:46:00.000-08:002006-03-08T19:28:29.096-08:00

Guess what’s happening, dear Internet.Come on, guess!Think, Elaine’s worst nightmare.THAT’S RIGHT!Another freaking hive of bees is trying to move into my house! This would be the FOURTH hive in two years. FOUR! HIVES! In TWO years! GAH!Seriously, what lesson am I supposed to be learning here? What the hell is going on that bees love me and my family so much? If I wasn’t afraid of them, they

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1141689013003003472006-03-06T15:47:00.000-08:002006-03-06T15:50:13.016-08:00

So I'm walking back from the kitchen with two big glasses of water for my sick family (all of us are going down now with me working on a sore throat, Lily with 103 temp, Anya in teething hell and Mark coughing up a lung) when I notice Anya holding something in her hand. It looked just out of place enough and small enough that I got down next to her to look, right about the time she started

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1141675579792870422006-03-06T11:09:00.000-08:002006-03-06T12:07:56.876-08:00

Click the photo to jump over to the full photo set over on Flickr.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1141614065825868212006-03-05T18:59:00.000-08:002006-03-05T19:01:05.840-08:00

I apologize for not giving a post trip wrap up and pictures loaded to Flickr but I’ve been trapped on the couch most of the day by a very sick little girl. If Anya isn’t sleeping fitfully, she’s screaming. Seriously unhappy and unwell. And I just found something very disturbing in her diaper, of which I will spare you the details. Her cough is awful. I’m worried, but not enough to rush her

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1141091970240539892006-02-28T17:58:00.000-08:002006-02-28T17:30:40.186-08:00

This month you get a two-fer! Today Mark turns 38 and Anya turns nine months… kinda. She actually turns nine months on the 29th but we’re not having one of those this month, so I’m smashing them together. Hey, I’m on vacation, give me a break!Dear Anya and Mark,There is something so final for me about a baby turning nine months. Somehow I got the idea that a baby spending as much time topside as

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1141094338142353812006-02-27T18:38:00.000-08:002006-02-27T18:38:58.176-08:00

This morning we got up, had a bite to eat and then sat around waiting for the ducks. The hotel we’re staying in has this cool little tradition where every morning at 11am they roll out a red carpet and about half a dozen ducks make a grand entrance, race along the path at breakneck speed, up a set of red carpeted stairs and throw themselves into a fountain in the middle of the lobby where they

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1141004668861520092006-02-26T17:40:00.000-08:002006-02-26T17:44:31.930-08:00

Friday night Mark went to work at about six pm and didn’t get back in until after midnight. He had to be back in the hotel ballroom by eight am Saturday and 15 hours later he stumbled into bed. Then he had to be back again at eight am Sunday. By the time Krystyn, the kids and I made it back from the Science Center around four pm, he was dressed, somewhat rested and ready for dinner. I get to

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1140809221933622802006-02-24T11:25:00.000-08:002006-02-24T11:27:01.953-08:00

For those of you who don’t know, we all got up Thursday morning at 4am to catch our flight, only to sit on the tarmac for two hours until they finally gave up on the “navigation” problem and cancelled our flight. We managed to catch an uncrowded flight to Phoenix but had a heck of a time getting a flight to Orlando. Settling for three single seats, we finally managed to get seats together

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1140722059036639272006-02-23T11:14:00.000-08:002006-02-24T11:32:53.780-08:00

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1140654194659409922006-02-22T16:22:00.000-08:002006-02-22T21:41:19.650-08:00

There are piles of clothes everywhere: some fresh from the laundry, other hauled out of drawers, small ones, little ones, ones that climb on rocks. The laundry is still rolling, thankfully there is an end to that in site. On my dining room table sits a small stack of keys, notes, checks, my camera and its cable, random bits of paper, lists, a painting Lily and I made, Lily’s teapot… let’s just

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1140548824522546272006-02-21T11:05:00.000-08:002006-02-21T11:07:04.550-08:00

We’re getting ready to take off on a 10 day vacation. Mark has a gig in Florida and since one my fellow Mama Says Om mamas lives in that sunny state, the girls and I will be tagging along. While I enjoy being on vacation, getting ready for one makes me crazy. I hate packing, always convinced I’m missing some vital element without which our good times will be thwarted. Mark has to remind me

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1140414463360063262006-02-19T21:37:00.000-08:002006-02-19T21:47:43.453-08:00

I used to have this reoccurring nightmare where I’d be driving up a hill and it would get so steep the car would eventually tip over backwards sending us ass over teakettle down the hill. I actually saw it happen once on TV and I haven’t had the nightmare since. The last thing I have to do before I fall asleep is make a bathroom run. If I lay awake too long, I have to get up and pee. This makes

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1140323075629120822006-02-18T20:23:00.000-08:002006-02-19T09:57:48.773-08:00

Time to get caught up on some of the crazy stuff of the past week I haven’t had time to blog. Wednesday we went to go check out the new sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art. I had heard about it on public radio that morning and since we didn’t have any plans for the day, we stopped by. Turns out it’s closed on Wednesday’s, but you can see the sculpture garden from the street near the beach. It

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1140280279270554812006-02-17T08:28:00.000-08:002006-02-18T19:15:40.066-08:00

When I was a little girl I'd crawl under the covers at night with a stolen flashlight and a library book to read quickly and hungrily, hoping against hope that I wouldn't be discovered. My brother, asleep in the bed across the room was all about music, but I was all words. My parents must have known what I was up to, but they turned a blind eye to my little habit, fostering in me a love for

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1140141561149431912006-02-16T17:56:00.000-08:002006-02-16T17:59:21.186-08:00

Mark: 1am trips to comfort Lily Elaine: Sore throatLily: Gross stuff in the pottyAnya: Evil teeth from hellAll: NO SLEEP FOR THE WEARYJust waiting until the world looks like this again:

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1139931498928179842006-02-14T07:32:00.000-08:002006-02-14T07:40:14.330-08:00

After this tirade on the evils of teeth (and a new poop story, this one not so cute), Anya gave me an early Valentine’s present and slept for six hours straight. And here’s the kicker: she did it while I was also sleeping. Of course, I was woken by Lily crying for Daddy about half way through that six hours, but hey at least the baby slept! Weeee!Now she’s got the teething snots and drooling

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1139504858167976952006-02-14T07:02:00.000-08:002006-02-14T07:38:40.416-08:00

We kiss kiss kiss in this familyholding each others hearts and hands and wetlyloudlypassionately showing our love for each and every one of the peoplethat form our happy messWe kiss at transitions We kiss as a welcomeWe kiss as we playWe kiss to heal a tiny owieWe kiss kiss kissbecause we can’t help but lovethese crazy people we callfamilywritten for Mommybloggers Valentine's Day Rumble

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1139882547428179762006-02-13T18:02:00.000-08:002006-02-13T18:02:27.443-08:00

Anya hasn’t slept for more than an hour for three freaking days. Seriously. SERIOUSLY! She has spent the last handful of nights crying out, arching her back, wiggling and crying loudly (something she never does, btw) all night long. She’ll even sit up, spit out the binky, yell at me until I insert said binky into screaming maw, and then fall over comically, dead asleep. I say comically, but

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1139717405442148882006-02-11T20:08:00.000-08:002006-02-11T20:10:05.476-08:00

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1139639870100644422006-02-10T22:33:00.000-08:002006-02-10T22:37:50.113-08:00

Last night after Lily had gone to bed I heard crying and headed over to her room to investigate. Through the glass I saw her standing in the bathroom near her potty and as I came through the door she started screaming as though, instead of her mother, a horrid beast bent on eating her was coming in. I had been going on the assumption that she "missed" the potty and was deeply unhappy about that

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1139379576714047872006-02-07T22:18:00.000-08:002006-02-08T09:16:41.926-08:00

Wrapped around my daughter’s sippy cup as I clean up after a day of girls running wild and a steadily growing mess I will never gain control over, I can’t help but consider my hands as I carry things too and from the kitchen. I sucked my thumb until I was seven years old and when I finally quit, I transferred this urgent need for a habit to my fingernails. I have picked, bit and destroyed them

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1139200172140668642006-02-05T20:20:00.000-08:002006-02-05T20:31:47.663-08:00

Don't bother to adjust your volume, there isn't any!

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1139102740647922272006-02-04T17:21:00.000-08:002006-02-04T19:48:48.123-08:00

Me: What are you doing? Did you turn up the heat?Mark: Yeah, it’s cold in here.Me: So in the house, you’re too hot and want all the doors open but in the car, it’s too cold?Mark: Yeah.Me: You are such a girl.Giving thanks that there are no bunnies in my hair conditioner. You really do have to check labels, I guess. Of course, it mentions nothing about rocket ships, or buffalo wings."This is

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1139030610142038312006-02-03T21:23:00.000-08:002006-02-03T21:23:30.160-08:00

...Lily taught Anya how to clap. It is the cutest thing in the whole wide world.End of story.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1138749605018487982006-01-31T15:19:00.000-08:002006-02-01T08:32:00.330-08:00

When Lily is acting up or not listening to me, I often call her Lillabeth. It’s somehow easier to sound stern and commanding when exclaiming, “Lillabeth, get your tiny monkey butt over here this instant” than when I say, “Lily, sweetie, come here before Mommy pops your head off your shoulders and starts bellowing like a howler monkey.” Both have their levels of effectiveness and both include a

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1138774834434611842006-01-31T15:18:00.000-08:002006-01-31T22:22:27.650-08:00

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1138669988691002082006-01-30T17:11:00.000-08:002006-01-30T17:13:08.706-08:00

Kiss: take out the trashSmack: don’t reline the can with a new bagKiss: take down the holiday lightsSmack: except for one strand, left hanging down the wall… going on a weekKiss: clean up the kitchenSmack: leave at least one dirty dish sitting in the middle of the counter topKiss: put Lily to bedSmack: forget to brush her teethKiss: install a new shower headSmack: fail to attach the ring plate…

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1138515302296916462006-01-28T22:02:00.000-08:002006-01-28T22:16:17.306-08:00

Dear Anya,You spent about one week being happy that you could crawl, joyously roaming around the house and throwing yourself down stairs. You lulled me into a false sense of detachment, allowing me all this time to sit without someone in my lap and make dinner with both arms! Then you noticed that your sister, who had been crawling along with you to show you how to do it, was a freaking biped!

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1138411527245882012006-01-27T17:14:00.000-08:002006-01-27T20:28:29.600-08:00

I got caught up in a fire theme and made a series of postcards with pastels for the upcoming swap. I learned a valuable lesson about fixative: too much puts a funky coat on your work. Weeee! Good times, this whole learning as you go stuff. Speaking of fire, does anyone know if it would be a bad idea to use a vacuum to clean out your fire place? Part of me wants it to work as it would be so

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1138323589966024882006-01-26T16:53:00.000-08:002006-01-26T17:10:57.256-08:00

Just now, found out I was interesting... eight months ago, anyway. Scroll down about half way to see what I'm talking about. And when did interestingness become a word?

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1138227665208015822006-01-25T14:18:00.000-08:002006-01-25T14:21:05.223-08:00

After our weekly Chiropractic appointment this morning, Lily really wanted to ride the old elevator (or elegator, if you ask her) down the three flights to the parking lot. It’s an old thing, rarely works and I was surprised by her request since only last week she was afraid of the darn thing. Something told me to take the stairs, but the sparkle in her eyes was just too much for me and so I

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1138159224066882092006-01-24T19:14:00.000-08:002006-01-24T19:21:36.876-08:00

This morning I took the girls and my cup of Throat Coat Tea out onto the deck to let the girls play in the sun. We’re all sick and I have this odd belief that sunshine makes you better. Anya is so eager to walk, insisting always on standing, crawling only when there is no person or thing to help her balance. It was a beautiful morning, so warm and with a light breeze ruffling my mop top hair,

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1138144844875057682006-01-24T14:44:00.000-08:002006-01-24T19:51:43.720-08:00

1. Wannabe Hippie can only be destroyed by intense heat, and is impermeable even to acid! 2. It takes a lobster approximately 7 years to grow to be Wannabe Hippie. 3. The first toy product ever advertised on television was Mr Wannabe Hippie Head. 4. White chocolate isn't technically chocolate, because it doesn't contain Wannabe Hippie. 5. The average duration of sexual intercourse for

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1138057322473681602006-01-23T14:52:00.001-08:002006-01-23T15:02:02.476-08:00

We have some kick as new merchandise over at the Mama Says Om Store. Click the link to see more of the goods, modeled here by me and the girls.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1138039274001650552006-01-23T09:58:00.000-08:002006-01-23T10:01:14.016-08:00

HaikuCramp! Cramp in my legOh why did I hike to the mailbox on Sunday?

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1137888974385015462006-01-21T16:02:00.000-08:002006-01-21T16:26:33.070-08:00

My husband is finally home. He doesn’t have another gig out of town until late next month and for that, we go with him. Afterwards, who knows? Maybe no more gigs away from his family. Maybe more than I care to acknowledge. Right now we are flush with touch, smile, support, and comfort, my twin spirit wrapping his strong arms around my big girl or cradling the tiny one off to sleep. This

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1137776791096035782006-01-20T09:05:00.000-08:002006-01-20T09:06:31.110-08:00

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1137691639654560632006-01-19T09:22:00.000-08:002006-01-19T09:27:19.666-08:00

For the longest time, Lily wanted nothing to do with us at night time. She had her own room, her own routine and we could just get out of the way, thank you very much. When she wasn't feeling well or had too much going on in her head, sometimes Mark would sleep with her but in her room, not in ours. Recently, however, she has discovered the joy of sleeping in our bed. Most mornings I wake to

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1137540736420630002006-01-17T15:29:00.000-08:002006-01-17T22:07:10.106-08:00

My Great-Great-Grandpa Wilbur 1909I cannot help but laugh every time I see this face; he looks like the ultimate old fart. But he is kin and that means that the blood in that man’s veins also runs through mine. I don’t ever want to make a face like that. Unless it’s for laughs; then it might be alright. In any event, every time I find myself getting too serious, all I have to do is look at

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1137516525063106172006-01-17T08:47:00.000-08:002006-01-17T08:48:45.083-08:00

“Not pasta, Mama. It’s s’getti [spaghetti].”“Not crunchy eggert [yogurt], Mommy. It’s crunchy cereal with eggert!”“Not sleepy time, it’s bedtime.”I don't know what I'd do without her.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1137450593241479332006-01-16T14:24:00.000-08:002006-01-16T14:31:16.296-08:00

Moonlightwe sit quietly on the deckunder the full moonwith radiance kissing our skinyour breath rising and fallingunder my chinas you snooze to the beat ofprecious moonlightpregnant in the night skystars spinning manicallyaround our hurried livesdreaming of tribal drumsand thousands of full moons to comePainting by one of my talented partners in Mama Says Om, Christina. Visit her on Om or on My

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1137287790111237932006-01-14T17:15:00.000-08:002006-01-14T17:16:30.130-08:00

You learn so much about yourself by how your kids speak. Apparently, I am prone to telling Lily, firmly, loudly and often with a clipped tone, to do something RIGHT. NOW. “Mommy, I want to go to the park. RIGHT. NOW.”“I’m hungry RIGHT. NOW.”“I am going pee RIGHT. NOW.”This last one is often directed at me from the floor while she plays with her books and is clearly not peeing right now. She

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1137167260310706482006-01-13T07:43:00.000-08:002006-01-13T07:47:40.313-08:00

Last night I dreamed my kids had wings. That one flew off to Grandma’s house for the weekend. And that one to the top of a tree where she slept quietly for hours & hours & hours & hours.Click the photo for a larger version.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1137131245206791612006-01-12T21:34:00.000-08:002006-01-12T21:47:25.280-08:00

E-I-E-I-O, with a MOO MOO there and a MOO MOO there and a MOO MOO there! Do Hokey Pokey and LEG-LEG in and a LEG-LEG in and TURN AROUND! Up above the sky so bright, twinkle twinkle A-B-C, now I know my E-E-E’s, next time won’t you sing ah me!YAY MOMMY, YAY!!!

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1137018337282171952006-01-11T14:24:00.000-08:002006-01-11T14:25:37.296-08:00

We found Georgia!Now the country is complete.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136996754842239832006-01-11T08:25:00.000-08:002006-01-11T08:27:35.263-08:00

This is a shot of me at 5 weeks.And this is Anya at about the same age (being annoyed by her sister). All I have to say is, “My Goddess, look at the difference in hair.” I blame my husband. You can find other self portrait bloggers here.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136962467257759412006-01-10T22:46:00.000-08:002006-01-10T22:54:27.283-08:00

Mark took off for a gig today and Lily spent a fair portion of the day taking about how Daddy was in an airplane and we’d see him again later. I think she’s under the impression that he’ll be spending the better part of the week in the air doing the elusive “work” we’re always talking about. If anyone or anything is out of her sight, they’re “working.” Anyway, we went to story time at the

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136877509953099532006-01-09T23:14:00.000-08:002006-01-09T23:19:16.966-08:00

We went to a birthday party this weekend and Lily got her first taste of candy. She was so enthralled by the experience that she allowed me to take pictures of the whole thing. She was so impressed with the cake that when I asked her the next day what I should make for dinner she thought for a moment and said, “ummmm… CAKE!” We did not have cake for dinner, despite my theme for 2006: Eat More

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136788425712115372006-01-09T00:01:00.000-08:002006-01-08T22:33:45.733-08:00

Inappropriate thoughtsIt is moments like these while holding my sleep rumpled daughter in my arms gazing down into her perfectly still face and studying the veins running across her closed eyelidsenraptured by the fall of her eyelashesacross her cheekslike feathered pine leavesbrushing the cool dewy forest floor holding her lightly as her backarches and her face turns away in a silent stretch to

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136662070722985672006-01-07T11:26:00.000-08:002006-01-07T16:17:14.166-08:00

But we’ve lost it in this puzzle. I don’t think it simply “went to work” like Lily thinks it has. There’s always the possibility that the dog ate it. Or Anya may have shoved it down the heating ducts. One down, 49 to go: so many possibilities.Let me know if you find it, kay?And do you have any idea how hard it was to resist a GWB joke here? Serioulsy...

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136618845842041292006-01-06T23:26:00.000-08:002006-01-07T08:14:54.110-08:00

NO, it’s not what you think.I’ve never been to a drive-in movie and tonight all that was changed. A friend at playgroup mentioned that she and her family would be attending the 6:30 showing of The Chronicles of Narnia tonight and did anyone want to join them. Lily’s only been to one movie in her life and that didn’t go so well. Anya doesn’t like loud noises, so I’ve never even tried to bring

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136525646490495462006-01-05T21:33:00.000-08:002006-01-13T07:42:58.336-08:00

SO! I’m doing this whole postcard swap thing and I was totally clueless as to artistic inspiration. I’m a theme person and if I don’t have a direction I can’t do ANYTHING! I thought and thought and thought and thought and thought and thought and then I ate some CAKE! AND THEN it hit me, yo. What kind of funky dreams does one have when they are a stay at home mom? Sad ones. Odd ones.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136426276475346062006-01-04T17:53:00.000-08:002006-01-04T17:59:06.793-08:00

I’ve been having a lot of frustration lately. I’m starting to think this is because I don’t have much of a creative outlet like I did when I was working full time in theatre. So, for 2006 I am going to attempt to share in some of the amazing online options for creativity that are out there. I’ve never considered myself an artist but I figure the best way to be one is to act like one. Not that

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136393868348984042006-01-04T08:53:00.001-08:002006-01-04T08:57:48.350-08:00

Lily’s been having some sleep issues these days. She’s night waking and then making the trek down to our room for comfort. Mark’s been getting really good at hearing her wake and will simply go up to her, cuddling her into her narrow bed and sleeping with her there so she doesn’t wake me or the baby. She’ll ask as I tuck her in to “sleep a me!”“I can’t, baby. I really wish I could but I need

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136328321830765782006-01-03T14:44:00.000-08:002006-01-03T14:45:21.856-08:00

Anya can now climb stairs.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136323397351627792006-01-03T13:22:00.000-08:002006-01-03T13:23:56.123-08:00

This is Mark’s favorite photo of me as a child. He does not love it for my chubby cheeks or my adorable little outfit or even the smile gracing my lips. He loves it for the barrette so bravely loosing the battle with my hair. Do you see it? Pink and plastic and oh so ridiculous. My hair was a force to be reckoned with as I grew and refused to be tamed.This is my favorite photo of me as a

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136248722579836632006-01-02T16:36:00.000-08:002006-01-02T16:38:42.593-08:00

Me: Lily, don't go outside right now; it's raining pretty hard and you'll get your jammies all wet.Exit: one naked toddler, running circles in the rain.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136247269011830222006-01-02T16:12:00.000-08:002006-01-08T22:34:27.570-08:00

HaikuPockets full of gooSnotty children whine & fussI signed up for this?

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136166774416507052006-01-01T17:11:00.000-08:002006-01-01T17:52:54.530-08:00

Finally had a chance to upload some photos from Holiday Events! Check out our Solstice Party (14 photos):Then take a gander at our Christmas Eve family bonanza (12 photos):Don't forget Christmas Day and the craziness that goes along with it (20 photos):Now go outside or something, you computer geek. Geez!

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136140845866453162006-01-01T10:38:00.000-08:002006-01-01T14:20:45.780-08:00

New Years Eve saw us at Oreet and Johns this year, enjoying homemade pizza and a mean chocolate fondue with a handful of friends. Other than the hosts and our little party of four, my sis and her family (Rebekah, Chris and Nichole) were there, newlywed friends from out of town (Ken and Mary) and the sushi and tequila authority (Bill) were in attendance. Hey, that’s more than two handfuls! Kick

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1136063415948701002005-12-31T13:09:00.000-08:002006-01-01T14:21:29.593-08:00

Things have been a bit crazy over here in the Wannabe Hippie household. We’ve had family in from out of town, two sick girls, two sick parents, a dog who is having some odd health issue we can’t figure out and countless home projects that just haven’t been done. Right now my husband is trying to fix a roofing issue before the rain comes while I bake brownies for a party we are going to tonight.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1135919308371361162005-12-29T21:03:00.000-08:002005-12-29T21:08:28.386-08:00

Dear Anya,You were busy this month, girl. You were all into the skills, figuring out how to sit up, crawl, get a couple of teeth, try solid foods, pull yourself up to stand (!) and win hearts all over the place. You have become so much more than a baby in these last couple of weeks, developing a sense of humor and finding your voice. You love to touch my face, pinch my lips, pull out my hair

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1135731743302768292005-12-27T16:59:00.000-08:002005-12-27T17:13:11.266-08:00

In the car... completely alone. No kids, no husband, no dog. Just me and some very loud music. Hell yeah.More self portraits by clicking the logo below:

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1135664385757863382005-12-26T22:08:00.000-08:002005-12-26T22:22:04.230-08:00

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1135571002583098382005-12-25T20:11:00.000-08:002005-12-25T20:23:22.596-08:00

You know that song, “All I Want for Christmas Is My two Front Teeth”? This morning after we opened the last present, Anya gave us all the final gift: her second tooth. She now has two front teeth poking outta her lower gums.And those of you not familiar with the song check out this version sung by the ever-so-talented and handsome Count von Count. Yes, from Sesame Street.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1135535855723970332005-12-25T10:37:00.000-08:002005-12-25T10:41:28.676-08:00

Open that one Lily. Ohhhh! Nice! Can you wipe the baby’s nose, hon? Lily, don’t wipe your nose on your dress. Lily open one? It’s Daddy’s turn, Lil. Wait. YAY! Underwear! Stop sitting on your sister. Anya, don’t eat tissue paper. Nose! That’s MINE! Not Mommy’s turn, LILY’S TURN! Do you need to go back to sleep? I hungry. Lily,

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1135401395868513782005-12-23T21:16:00.000-08:002005-12-23T21:16:35.886-08:00

Let the squash sit around until it starts to mold. Look at it and hurmph a bit, and then put it back in the basket in the kitchen.Realize that although you just went to the grocery store, you have nothing to eat for dinner.Pick it back up and get out a knife.Screw the cutting board, it’s no big deal.Split the squash lengthwise, gouging a hole in counter top and/or hand, ladies choice.Start

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1135301085932572642005-12-22T17:23:00.000-08:002005-12-22T17:24:45.946-08:00

Daddy, I gotta go potty.Well go on then.Daddy?Yeah, darling?My feet are getting wet.

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1135215073877808102005-12-21T17:30:00.000-08:002005-12-21T17:31:13.896-08:00

Lily had a little trouble getting to sleep last night. About half an hour after Mark tucked her in, we found her sitting in one of the Lily sized chairs on the deck, feet swinging while she looked up at the moon. I’m all for star gazing, but if there’s one thing we know about Lily, it’s that she needs her sleep; she’s a cranky bear without it. So Mark took her back to her room and got her back

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1135183550366706282005-12-21T08:45:00.000-08:002005-12-21T08:45:50.383-08:00

Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809231.post-1134702537977260472005-12-20T16:07:00.000-08:002005-12-20T16:02:01.756-08:00

How the heck did another year go by? The whole time I was growing up I thought people were insane for prattling on and on about how the years go by so fast and “my, how you’ve grown!” Guess what I do now? I caught myself in mid sentence with a child I know and apologized for being grown up. Seriously, it’s kinda freaking me out. But then, all this stuff about becoming an adult is freaky, so

Elainenoreply@blogger.com