Reasons to Wake Up Before 6:13 am, Reason # 2

Like Little Husk-Wrapped Gifts from Heaven

I love tamales. I love tamales. I LOVE tamales. I LOVE tamales! I LOVE Tamales!

But especially the homemade ones. They are lovely, and fresh, and wrapped inside a cornhusk, with all kinds of yummy masa, and meat, and a green olive (or if you're lucky, two) inside!

Red tamales are awesome, but a good green-corn tamale is just about as good as it gets...blissful!

I am pretty sure that tamales are little presents of joy sent straight from heaven. They are wrapped (just like a present), they make you feel oh-so-good inside (just like a good present), and have even more inside than you expect (like a really, really good present).

See...I told you they are like little, heavenly gifts!

In case you were wondering, if I ever need to choose a "last meal", tamales would be it. Well, maybe tamales with a big ol' helping of Italian: mezzaluna with a sun-dried tomato sauce would be perfect. Ummmm, ahora tengo hambre (oh, good, my Spanish class is finally coming in handy)!

O' Tannenbaum, O'Tannenbaum - Oh...Tannenbaum

I entrusted all of the Christmas ornaments (glass & metal alike) to the ever-steady hands of a 3- and 4 1/2 - year old this past weekend (well, all but my one or two or eight of my most cherished). Bold, venturesome, crazy...I know!

But you know what, they managed not to drop or break even one!

I hate to admit it, but the only casualty of the night was all me. And, truthfully, it would have been a "no-breaker" if my overwhelming need to replace all of the old, yucky hooks with the newer, more attractive hooks from Crate-and-Barrel hadn't taken over.

Don't judge me, Perfectionism is a disease. See I capitalized it, so it is. Really.

And I know if anyone were to look closely at my brand new ornament hooks, they will notice nothing special about them. But they are - really. I got them from CRATE AND BARREL and they were only $0.99 for 50, or maybe they were $1.99, or maybe...ok, I actually am not sure how much they really cost, but I know they weren't expensive. And they curve a little differently than my old ones. And they are just the right length. And...ok, now you can judge me.

Anyway - here is a picture of the kid's version of the tree. And, yes, immediately after they went to bed, I couldn't stand it any more and redistributed the ornaments evenly throughout the tree...Perfectionism is a disease!

Ornament Exchange Etiquette Tip

When attending a Christmas Ornament Exchange Party, do not bring the Lenox China Keepsake Ornament that you received as a wedding gift 3 years ago.

Especially when said keepsake ornament is inscribed with "Our First Christmas, 2004" - Really. I am pretty sure you will be the only one in the room who the ornament would be suitable for...think about it.

Jump into your Honda, and instead of stopping at Starbucks for an Iced Caffe Mocha for you and a friend, swing by Pier One - or Crate and Barrel - or Hallmark - or even Target, and use that $7 or $8 to buy a tasteful bauble that the recipient will at least be tempted to place on their tree this year. Thanks.

Reasons To Wake Up Before 6:13 am, Reason #12

Playdoh.

Mama, I'm Hungry...

You just ate.

But I'm still hungry.

You should have finished the food on your plate.

But I'm still hungry.

Here, have a piece of fruit. Yogurt? Raisins?

No.

Well, what is it that you want, then?

Chocolate.

No.

But I'm Huuuuuunnnnnnggggrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyy!

No! (as I inwardly curse the Trick-or-Treating festivities that gave way to this daily conversation)

Amazing Turkey Recipes

T's preschool teacher had her students (four-year-olds, mind you) provide us with their best turkey recipes. Here's the little man's:

"Go to a barn to get your turkey. Catch the one that is really clean. Shoot him! Take him to the oven. Pull the feathers off. Put a gallon of cinnamon all over the outside. Put 10 cups of juice around the turkey. Put it in an oven on ten. Cook it for thirty minutes. You can have turkey sandwiches. Have turkey custard for dessert!"

Yummy! Do you want some?!?!

"Catch the one that is really clean" - obviously, the poor child has inherited his mama's fear of dirty, disease-ridden birds.

"Shoot him!" - He's his father's son, alright!

"...a gallon of cinnamon..." Now that's just...interesting (and a little wierd)!

It's Friday...

That is my son...on Friday...at 12:13 pm...still in his jammies. Nice. The "Mom-of-the-Year" Award Committee will definitely NOT be knocking at my door this year! Oh well, at least Brynn was dressed for the occassion...afterall, the ball is just hours away!

Reasons To Wake Up Before 6:13 AM, Reason #31

6:30 am: Walk into bathroom to wash face.

6:30:23 am: Faint smell of something...what is that?

6:30:29 am: Really, what IS that...I know that smell but can't seem to place it. Weird.

6:31 am: Do a lightning-speed flip through the little rolodex of odors in my head. Cleaning product? No - not strong enough. Toothpaste. No - not sweet enough. Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. No - not minty enough. It is more chemical, more...

6:31:10 am: Then I look down. Oh - nail polish...that's the smell that absolutely does not belong in my bathroom at 6:30 am. In "Rose to the Occasion" pink. On my ceramic tile floor. With a little trail leading out to the hallway. Awesome.

6:31:19 am: Follow the bright pink trail of lacquer to the second bathroom where a little girl is frantically scrubbing her tiny little fingers with a tiny little piece of toilet paper covered in a whole bunch of Kandoo Jungle Fruits soap - extra foamy. Fantastic.

6:31:23 am: Process a plan of action to clean the streaks of "Rose to the Occasion" (and boy did she ever) off of her legs, her stomach, her face, fingers, and toes at a time of the morning when I can hardly manage the monumental task of actually removing myself from my down comforter that is oh so comfy...

6:31:30: A sponge bath with nail polish remover ought to do the trick. That and training myself to wake up before Brynn. Her internal alarm clock (which she never, ever hits the snooze button on) goes off at 6:13 am - everyday, rain or shine, late-to-bed or not - it's amazing! But early. Early.

I have to give the diva some credit where credit is due, however. She did manage to remove the nail polish cap without spilling it all over the floor (otherwise, this story would have a dramatically different tone). And if you look close, she did a fairly decent job of full coverage on her nails.

And the cuticles. And in between the fingers and toes...

Note to Self

Don't submit yourself to unneccesary torture. Before taking small children to a new park...please do a drive by (without children of course), taking the time to scope it out first. Most importantly, determine whether or not the bathrooms are more than 150 yards away from the gigantic treehouse play structure...if so, don't take the kids there. Ever. Ever. EVER.

Quote of the Day

"No."
-Anonymous

A Moment of Zen for All Y'All

Deep thoughts from a 4 year old:

"Why are you still here if you're not going anywhere?"

The kid's amazing. Such wisdom. Such insight. Quite enigmatic, this one. Our own little Buddha. Or maybe the 'Tao of T' is really just the nonsensical ramblings of a 4 year old...

Fashionista

Brynn can be quite the little diva...this is what she would wear to school everyday if left to her own devices. Well, she MIGHT put on clothes (but only if it's a dress or skirt), and she may even treat her admirers to some highly fashionable knit purple or pink polka dot mittens - worn on either the hands or the feet, and I am pretty sure she would don her crown so that nobody would mistake her for anything other than the princess that she is!

Trick-or-Treating with Davy Jones

Trick-or-Treating was fun...well, it was fun until we got to the, um let's see, second house. You see, there were some very well-meaning, fun-loving neighbors who were really into the spirit of Halloween. Maybe it was the fact that we had just come from a sweet older woman who was VERY interested in Princess B's story about the Cinderella costume, or maybe it was the strobe light and spider webs; maybe the creepy Halloween music; maybe even the risque "Policewoman", or MAYBE it was just the really tall man dressed up in a very realistic Davy Jones costume from Pirates of the Caribbean (otherwise known as "Octopus Pirate Guy" at our house).

Whatever it was, Princess B decided right then and there that Trick-or-Treating was a highly questionable event. No more running eagerly up the driveway for her candy, and definitely no more ringing of the doorbell - who knows who (or what) might open that door! She did finish her Trick-or-Treating escapade, because after all, candy was involved. But, she did so quite reluctantly, dragging her little feet along in her flashing Cinderella glass slippers...TRICK-OR-TREAT!!!!

Oh...and did I mention that T was bold this year and chose the Fireman costume for the THIRD time? He plays it safe...consistency is key with this one!

On A Good Day...

It is a rare occasion to have both of my children standing nicely together for a photo...it is even rarer to have both sets of eyes open, looking in the general vicinity of the camera, and an expression that is not on the verge of hysteria...so, PLEASE, enjoy - it may be a while before this happens again!

Oh...and please ignore the dubious hand placement and mischevious grin - he loves his little sister, really!

Curse of the Oleander

Who plants an oleander because it would "just be so pretty here"? Definitely not a native Arizonan! We know better....they are poisonous, allergenic masses of ugly! It has about all the glory of gravel - you can walk all over it, probably drive all over it, and it doesn't seem to mind.

We have three huge ones in our front yard that came with the house - I have hated those things since we moved in. We finally bit the bullet and paid a landscaper to remove them for us, but the darn things are so stubborn that they just about pulled his truck bumper off as he was attempting to pull them out with a chain.

Vegetation killer, gasoline (can't burn them though because the smoke is toxic), maybe a shotgun??? Regrettably, I think the only thing that will get rid of these awful speciman of a plant will be hours and hours and hours upon more hours of digging (by my husband, of course)!

Best Invention Ever

...well at least one of the best inventions ever: the BLEACH PEN!!!

Case in point: the yucky white handles of white appliances...if anyone has white-on-white, you probably know what I am talking about...and all I have to say is thank goodness my special little secret weapon...the Clorox Bleach Pen!

The Wonderful World of Disney

Even the most well thought out plans have unknown variables. Case in point...the Treiber's first trip to Disneyland!

We started with a solid foundation: a great rate on airfare...two really nice two-room suites at the Doubletree...a comfy rental car...five days: 2 for travel, 3 for fun...a great deal on all of our 3-day Disney tickets for only $500...and 2 very excited little ones!

We ended up with all of the above plus an added bonus: 5 days of 100+ degree temps in Anaheim...in addition to the extreme heat, add high-humidity and you have a super-grouchy mom, cranky kids, a hot granny, and a grumpy dad! On top of the heat-induced bitterness, add a little princess want-a-be who now wants absolutely nothing to do with her friends Cinderella, Snow White, and Belle and you have a slightly unpleasant Treiber experience at the "Happiest Place on Earth."





However, the little man was a real trooper and went all out in his first amusement park experience: Thunder Canyon Railroad, Space Mountain, the Tower of Terror, and the Grizzly River Run...Hubby and I are still not sure what he actually thought...but he said he had fun. The only one we really know he was absolutely thrilled about was the river ride...he thoroughly enjoyed Mama and Daddy getting absolutely soaked!





The wonderful world of Disney...not so wonderful this weekend, but maybe next time!

Happily Ever After...The End

Phew...we just completed a three day celebration of Brynn's 3rd birthday...I did not realize until this evening that my daughter (at least at this age) will never grow weary of princess themed clothing, toys, stickers, napkins, plates, cups, utensils, coloring books, shoes, etc, etc. I didn't know there was really that much "princess" stuff out there!

She partied with the Treiber's at Aunt Lori's house: pizza and a blue-and-pink Cinderella ice cream cake...lots of adorable ballerina-themed outfits and gear, two really pretty dresses, and Ariel the Little Mermaid!

Daddy and brother took her to see Ratatouille on Sunday - wonderfully kind thought, but without any really girly characters, and definitely no princesses, she was sorely disappointed (but she got to wear a pink tutu skirt out with Daddy, which has never happened before...I still don't think Daddy was to keen on the outfit, but hey, it's her birthday)!

We rounded out the celebration at Granny's house with a pink cake (inside and out), pink ice cream, and the winner-of-the-most-cherished-gift-by-Brynn award: a big, poufy, Cinderella gown with matching glass slippers that have blinking blue lights in the heels...she already asked if she could wear it to school tomorrow!

Pink...Princesses...Ballerinas...Dresses...Shoes...what more could a little girl ask for?!?!?!

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Things That Do Not Go Together

Bananas and mayonnaise...chocolate and mustard...white shorts and green grass...diet coke and mentos...libraries and three-year-olds...a pretty pink & white boutique party dress and royal blue icing from a Cinderella ice cream cake.

Divide and Conquer

After much thought and consideration, and an unbelievable amount of stress, I have decided to wait and apply for the Fall 2008 BSN (Nursing) program. I was going to apply for the one starting this coming January, but that would have meant carrying 18 credit hours this semester, along with studying for an intensive assessment exam, taking a CPR course, and aquiring at least 8 more hours of volunteer time. My pride and perfection wanted me to go for it, but finally reason took over. It is only a 7-month setback - and what is 7 months in the grand scheme of things, right? Now I have a few extra months to divide and conquer the huge list of application criteria before the deadline of mid-March...phew!

And Then There Were Five

Five days until we are walking through the gates of the happiest place on earth! The kids are down to the last five links on their paper countdown chains and are becoming so excited...Disneyland here we come!

My Name Is Earl...

When I was managing apartments in Prescott, one of my service guys was named Earl. Earl B...from Ely, Minnesota. I loved Earl - he had the best Pollock jokes (he was Polish, which makes it ok), was a great storyteller, had a heart of gold, and played the bass guitar. One night we went to watch him play at a local bar - he was really great, and according to legend, may have toured in the 60's and 70's with some renowned rock bands. Anyways, he played "Mustang Sally" that night and it was the best rendition of that song that I have ever heard...I've never forgotten it.

I was at Starbucks this week, and they were playing "Mustang Sally" covered by Wilson Pickett - it reminded me of Earl and I've thought about him all week - when I left Prescott, he was going through some rough times, I think with drinking, a DUI, and job/marital problems. I wish I had taken the time to keep in touch with Earl - he is one of those people who, even though only a part of your life for a brief time, stays with you forever...."Ride, Sally, Ride."

My Friend Cinderella

Brynn has started greeting ladies at the mall, the grocery store, and pretty much anyone we meet with "My name is Brynn...do you know my friend Cinderella?"

It's funny, but most of them just kind of look at her, head tilted to the side, and don't respond - really, it's a simple question, but I think many adults just forget how to engage in imaginative conversation with a 2 1/2, almost 3-year old...it's kind of sad in a way...

Anyway, she loves her Cinderella - the stories, the movies (yes...there are at least 2 sequels to the original), and dolls - I really hope she loves the real-life Cinderella just as much when we meet her at Disneyland in a few weeks! She can be unpredictable, though, and I would not be surprised in the least if she either ran away screaming or hit the poor princess!

Anticipation

So we let the cat out of the bag and told the kiddos we are planning a trip to Disneyland - although it's not that far away, each morning we are greeted with an enthusiastic "Is today the day we are going to Disneyland?" The daily inquisition borders on being very cute and very frustrating - what was I thinking!?!?!?

The "Target on Oracle & Roger"

I don't like "The Target on Oracle & Roger" - it's the worst (and oldest) Target store in the entire city of Tucson, and each time I go there it is such a monumental disappointment.

I try time and time again to avoid going there, but somehow, that place always ends up being closest when I'm in need of a Target (and if you know me, that is often - at least three times a week!). The place just sucks you in and then succeeds at ruining the whole Target experience everytime!

If you live in Tucson , please, take my advice and avoid "The Target on Oracle & Roger" - you'll thank me for it one day!

White Clothes

Why is it that I have an aversion to folding the "white" load of laundry? We don't even have the dreaded whitey-tightey chonies in our household, but this group of laundry just drives me crazy! It is not uncommon for them to sit in the laundry basket all week long...just waiting for that silly laundry fairy to show up!

Pay It Forward

Scenerio: Schlotzsky's Drive Thru (does anyone in Tucson still go to Schlotzsky's?)...2 Hot, Hungry, Tired Children...Order of 2 cheese pizzas, a soda, and 2 chocolate chip cookies...$7.65...Lady in front of me with a really nice BMW (so shiny and so pretty and much, much cleaner than my Explorer and probably with really, really, really cold air that feels like heaven)...I pull up to the drive-thru window to pay for our purchase with the last $8 in my wallet...was told that said lady in said BMW had so generously paid for our lunch...Purposely....not on accident...she didn't just drive off, forgetting her change...such a little thing, yet so big. I can honestly say that I have NEVER done that for anyone. I don't even know if the thought has ever crossed my mind.

This is the first time I can recall a complete stranger actually doing something nice for me...I tend to notice the slights and the wrongs - the lady cutting in front of me in line, the car that is following me way too closely, the kids at the park who throw sand on the slide just as my little boy is going down, the man who haphazardly discards his shopping cart next to my car and allows it to roll into my fender. I forgot that random acts of kindness do exist...even in Tucson!

So...thank you, nice lady in the Beamer who bought us lunch for no reason whatsoever! You made our day and reminded me that we all get so caught up in our own circle of life that we forget to see those around us...

The Laundry Fairy

I wish she would visit my house this week...

That Guy

I have "That Guy" in my Human Development class...oh, you know the one! He is a fifty-something, ex-military, pompous, the-downfall-of-society-began-when-women-were-given-the right-to-vote, bore who feels the need to bring the rest of us down. Seriously...why is he taking the class? He moans and gripes that he "he wouldn't be taking the class if he didn't have to" - but does he have to? He made the choice to go to school, he made the choice to pursue a nursing degree which he knew required ECE 107. No one is holding him down in his seat, no one is forcing him to be there...so why ruin it for the rest of us? "That Guy..."

Dry Heat

I don't like the phrase "...but at least it's a dry heat..." in reference to Arizona summers. It is applicable for most of the year, but right around the end of June/beginning of July is when the monsoon season arrives, thus the dramatic increase in humidity....it is most definitely not a dry heat. It is sticky, muggy, and HOT!

I do not like being hot. I don't like the heat (dry or wet). Not at all. My plants die, my evaporative cooling stinks (both literally and figuratively) , and wearing my hair down is just not an option. Why do I still live here?

Blue Fireworks

How do you explain to a 4-year old that the pyrotechnists were not trying to personally insult him by using mostly red, green, and yellow fireworks last night and only 2 blue ones...it was a very sore spot throughout the display, on the ride home, before getting into bed, and first thing this morning - the kid can hold a grudge!

The Gold Crown

I have just added Hallmark to my blacklist. This takes the cake in the "Most Unfriendy Staff When It Comes to Understanding the Urgent Nature of a 4-Year Old Who Really Needs to use the Restroom" category.

This is pretty amazing given the fact that I was the brave (or maybe just absurd) mother who chose to take an almost 3-year old and a 4 1/2-year old into HALLMARK...seriously - glass figurines in all shapes and sizes, porcelain dolls, knick-knacks galore all just begging little, sticky, fumbling fingers to rescue them from their safe perch on the glass shelves. Honestly, how much glass does one store really need - if I didn't know better, I could have sworn the walls were made of crystal!

In fact, I am marveling at my children's ability to follow my explicit instructions: "Do not touch anything without asking my permission." They followed it to the "t" - asking about every 10 seconds if they could touch this or that - but at least I was monitoring the potentiality for disaster! Princess B even managed to not play one of her favorite games - pulling greeting cards out in a random fashion so that she can watch Mama try to play an adult version of Memory.

So...I made my selections: some tissue paper, a bow, and a card for a Baby Shower, and proceeded to the front of the store when I notice the little man lagging behind, knees together, holding his pants - telltale signs of urgency! I quickly ask the clerk if we could please use their restroom - she gives me and my children the once over (of course this was the day we had gone to Costco and they just had to have the penne w/ meatballs sample all over their shirts); she looks down her 19-year old, has-obviously-never encountered-a-toddler-who-HAS-to-pee-nose, and exclaims "we don't have public restrooms." I understand, but there is certainly one here, can't we just use it this one time? "No."

Really? (I don't know if I was more bewildered or angry...it is just a toilet, right?)...I literally tossed the items on the counter, pulled both children by the hand, and walked 150 yards in 110 degree heat to Albertson's (they may not be the cleanest, but at least they accomodate small bladders).

Silly me for thinking that Hallmark would be understanding of such a predicament in motherhood - their sappy, sentimental, and affectionate waves of greeting cards sure put on a good ruse! So, anyone expecting a greeting card from me will have to settle for the red bullseye selections instead of the gold crown ones!

PS - "red bullseye" = Target, my saving grace (toys, toilet paper, snacks, dog food, stationery, plants AND a Starbucks...really, who can compete?)

"Maybe You Look Good In It...Who Knows"

Orange is DEFINITELY not my color...

http://www.nataliedee.com/

Perfectionism

I have a new mantra: "Don't let perfect get in the way of better." I have had to devise this cue to remind me that as a perfectionist, I am also a procrastinator...it can't be done right now unless I have the time to make sure it is done perfectly, right?!?!?

Tonight I have let my perfectionism get in the way of my studying...do I complete the 10 page, 25-extra credit point paper and study for my 4th Exam and Final so that I can prove to be the exemplary student, or do I forgo the extra credit and better use my time to ace my exams, or do I complete the paper for a buffer and not have as much study time for my exams, or...honestly, I can go (and have gone) on for hours with this decision!

Perfectionism is definitely not all it is cracked up to be!

Why Thirty Summers?

My life spans through thirty summers...going on thirty-one, and I hope to live through at least thirty more. Thirty years seems like so many, yet not enough - I know that true wisdom comes with age, but that seems so far away...clarity is just now beginning to show itself in my life.

Here you will find my musings...my quips...my daily oddities; well, maybe...if you are a savvy internet queen like me! Enjoy...and please, please feel free to share yours!