Tuesday, February 26, 2008
um...
I just looked over our blog, and it's really turning into a JuJu scrapbook. This is the one way I keep track of her photos. I have included other subjects matters...just scroll on down.
Trying to have fun
Every Saturday I take Juliette to the library downtown, and then to Crown Center. It's the least I can do, as I have been a cranky and inpatient mother lately. I always try to balance insanity with fun! Here a few pics from our day trips, Gymboree, etc. There's also a picture of Juliette and Adrian asleep. Lately, Daddy has been falling asleep during story time. So this is how they end up.
Update....Juliette names all of her animals Chloe, until today when she named her doll Dahtay, or something like that. She loves to "decorate," which involved tying ribbon or string to anything. Last week she literally spent 45 minutes in dead silence, working on tying all of her hair ribbons into one big ball of knots. She loves it. My Dad suggested that I take this opportunity to teach her how to tie her shoes. Dance is going well, and she sings constantly...today she sang about poop in the car for about ten minutes. I hate this word, but she and Daddy think it is too funny!
Adrian is getting into coins, like his Dad, only just as a hobby. I call him an old man, because he is always checking my change for old copper pennies.
I was able to go to the jazz club last weekend all by myself, and sing with a great band. It was so nice, but I admit I wished Adrian was there as my date.
Winter is almost over, even though it is snowing right now dang it! That's all for now.
Goin to see Randi!
Randi, my dear friend and stylist extraordinaire, gave JuJu another trim. We ARE growing it out, just keepin it clean and preventing the mullet. We love going to the salon!Monday, February 25, 2008
12 weeks!
I'll make it official via blog. I'm pregnant with our second child and finally beginning to be happy about it. The first trimester is over, and I'm cursing less and less...so I think I must be feeling better. Still, I'm pretty terrified of the whole process.
We heard the baby's heart today. 158. Thankfully there is just one baby in there. Juliette was pretty sure there were three babies in my belly last week. We all had breakfast together afterwards at a local cafe, and Juliette voiced her opinion of the baby's sex. She insists we have a girl. We'll take what we get!
Getting the hang of going local
So before I post another monthly blog with the pix, I thought I'd blog for a cause...that is, supporting locally owned businesses. Adrian and I are making a real effort to do this, and it is a welcoming challenge we should have met fully long ago.
I ventured out today with Juliette, and I was NOT going to stop at Target. Avoiding Wal-Mart is a no brainer..avoiding Target is a little harder. No dollar spot? No red bargains? No impulse purchases?
So the first item on our list for the day was a pair of footless tights for Juliette's ballet class, a small purchase easily acquired at well, Target. But instead we made a small detour to Lillibelle on the Plaza, a small boutique with trendy threads and highhhhhh prices. So I picked up the tights, 12 bucks for one pair. Cheapest thing in there, but didn't hurt. The next stop was the local music store where I picked up a jazz chart book for gigs. 21 bucks, normal. Off to ballet. Finally, this was the hard one. We stopped by Green Acres market, the posh locally owned organic grocery store in Briarcliff. Here's the tab...31 bucks for four items. But part of that was the organic apple pie that the pregnant lady in me could not pass up.
Sooooo...the verdict? I need more practice and know how before I go all the way local, but I know the journey is well worth it.
The tights I bought for JuJu ended up being trendy leg warmers which she immediately stripped off of her legs within five minutes of wearing. The music book was a good purchase and I love supporting local music stores. The organic dinner items I bought were actually very good, but I'm still a little pissed about the price. However, seeing Juliette eat something other than cheesy chips or McDonald's was thrilling.
Here's where I failed. Back to my day....After buying the tights at Lillibelle, I just happened to drive by Gymboree Clothing on the Plaza. I hate this store, but I was tempted by the Easter dresses and the 30 % discount card I had in my wallet. I decided to go in, knowing I was breaking my promise to Adrian not to give in to the hype. So I found a green dress with white polka dots, which I am SICK of...polka dots. But I bought it. Why? I didn't even use my discount card, because it was already on sale. I just bought it like a hypnotized suburban super mom. Hook, line, and sinker situation.
I drove away with buyers remorse. It wasn't that the dress was too expensive or unattractive, it was the fact that I gave in to the bright colors in the window of the corporate display, and failed to stick to my guns. Stupid Gymboree. Stupid me. By the way, I do teach music classes for Gymboree Play and Music, but that is at least a family owned franchise seperate from the clothing store...still, grrrrr!
Supporting local establishments may not always be the most convenient or even the most frugal choice, but I have to say, I feel much better about where my money goes. We've become a people obsessed with convenience, and in the process have become a bit lazy, indulgent, and oblivious to what is happening around us...everywhere.
I've always felt like a zombie when I enter the sterile environment of concrete floors and florescent lights. I don't get this feeling after making a necessary purchase at a small family owned business. People are friendly, customer service is paramount, and the product quality is a sure thing, usually. I just feel better doing it, because I know I'm making a difference and putting aside my selfish ways for a change. I may not always be able to avoid the big household names, but I can do my best.
There a million websites on this subject, but I'll post an easy read for anyone interested.
http://www.tradelocal.org/why_local_bus.htm
Now if any of you see me at the Super Target or Children's Place in the near future, you can spank me. I better go ahead and pad my rear.
I ventured out today with Juliette, and I was NOT going to stop at Target. Avoiding Wal-Mart is a no brainer..avoiding Target is a little harder. No dollar spot? No red bargains? No impulse purchases?
So the first item on our list for the day was a pair of footless tights for Juliette's ballet class, a small purchase easily acquired at well, Target. But instead we made a small detour to Lillibelle on the Plaza, a small boutique with trendy threads and highhhhhh prices. So I picked up the tights, 12 bucks for one pair. Cheapest thing in there, but didn't hurt. The next stop was the local music store where I picked up a jazz chart book for gigs. 21 bucks, normal. Off to ballet. Finally, this was the hard one. We stopped by Green Acres market, the posh locally owned organic grocery store in Briarcliff. Here's the tab...31 bucks for four items. But part of that was the organic apple pie that the pregnant lady in me could not pass up.
Sooooo...the verdict? I need more practice and know how before I go all the way local, but I know the journey is well worth it.
The tights I bought for JuJu ended up being trendy leg warmers which she immediately stripped off of her legs within five minutes of wearing. The music book was a good purchase and I love supporting local music stores. The organic dinner items I bought were actually very good, but I'm still a little pissed about the price. However, seeing Juliette eat something other than cheesy chips or McDonald's was thrilling.
Here's where I failed. Back to my day....After buying the tights at Lillibelle, I just happened to drive by Gymboree Clothing on the Plaza. I hate this store, but I was tempted by the Easter dresses and the 30 % discount card I had in my wallet. I decided to go in, knowing I was breaking my promise to Adrian not to give in to the hype. So I found a green dress with white polka dots, which I am SICK of...polka dots. But I bought it. Why? I didn't even use my discount card, because it was already on sale. I just bought it like a hypnotized suburban super mom. Hook, line, and sinker situation.
I drove away with buyers remorse. It wasn't that the dress was too expensive or unattractive, it was the fact that I gave in to the bright colors in the window of the corporate display, and failed to stick to my guns. Stupid Gymboree. Stupid me. By the way, I do teach music classes for Gymboree Play and Music, but that is at least a family owned franchise seperate from the clothing store...still, grrrrr!
Supporting local establishments may not always be the most convenient or even the most frugal choice, but I have to say, I feel much better about where my money goes. We've become a people obsessed with convenience, and in the process have become a bit lazy, indulgent, and oblivious to what is happening around us...everywhere.
I've always felt like a zombie when I enter the sterile environment of concrete floors and florescent lights. I don't get this feeling after making a necessary purchase at a small family owned business. People are friendly, customer service is paramount, and the product quality is a sure thing, usually. I just feel better doing it, because I know I'm making a difference and putting aside my selfish ways for a change. I may not always be able to avoid the big household names, but I can do my best.
There a million websites on this subject, but I'll post an easy read for anyone interested.
http://www.tradelocal.org/why_local_bus.htm
Now if any of you see me at the Super Target or Children's Place in the near future, you can spank me. I better go ahead and pad my rear.
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