We bundled up the kids to play while Marc shoveled the driveway. We didn’t last long, but it was fun. It is bringing back memories of early 2005.

Parents: the kids are getting so big! Sid turned two in July and is a talking machine. It is a great age where you can actually start communicating better with your child as they start to use words and can better express their emotions. Sid likes to jump up and down really hard and throw himself onto the floor – when he gets upset for you doing such parental duties such as keeping him away from a hot stove, taking away the scissors, scolding him for taking a gulp of your wine.  You know, those parental duties. He finally got his first haircut too. Not too much and I am told by a certain someone that he still looks like a girl. The comments have cut down a  bit about ‘her.’ Lola is going to turn 5 soon. Sometimes I think she is trapped in the body of a twenty year old. She knows it all! I promise, because she tells me all the time.  She doesn’t start kindergarten until next year, but she can’t stop writing or spelling. We S-P-E-L-L everything!  She still loves to dress up  and wear everyone else’s shoes.  I think some of it is rubbing off on Sid.

Business Owners: We just moved EcoReno into a bigger, more visible location. It has been great! We are able to get a few more lines and some different things in. Overall, things are continuing to be good and keeping us very busy!

Home Owners: Nothing new around that actual Tiar house. Well, a new car. We sold the Eurovan and bought a minivan. It has been a little adjusting and despite my hesitation, I really like it. It will be very handy with company in town or any additional passenger as anythign else will lend no room with the two car seats.

Me:  Busy.  Really.  I like it though and all for a good reason.  Just hope that it all pays off.

Recently though, it was starting to get in his face and eyes. Becoming a bit of a nuisance. We can’t put it in a ponytail. It is one thing to let you son have long hair, it is another to let him look completely silly. I took Lola to a kid’s themed hair place to get a trim and convince Sid that this would be an okay thing. I had every intention of letting my friend, Kelly, do it. But when it came down to it, I knew he wouldn’t sit still for her in his very own home.

She cut into what she called a ‘surfer look’ which looks more ‘page-boy’ like. He was very good as he ate is sucker and she trimmed away. Of course, I said not to cut it too short!

EcoReno is awesome. I love doing it and I love making a difference. I have also become very receptive to free publicity. You want a news story on green cleaners? You got it!  Anything to get the word out.

I got a call from KOLO a few weeks ago wanting to do a story on green cleaning products.  A very nice reporter called and asked if she could shoot footage and then come back to shoot live for their morning show. Yep, the morning show that airs from 5am to 7am. What time should I be here Monday? 4:15am. Again, free publicity.

We shot the some footage on Friday morning – a reasonable time of 10am. We confirmed for Monday morning at 4:15. (Let me remind you that even though there is a Starbucks across the lot, they don’t even open that early!) She said the only thing that would keep them is breaking news. I think she said something about WWIII.

I had been having problems with the cell phone, but never gave it a second thought. I drug my butt out of bed at 3:45 after a restless night. I kept thinking that I would over sleep. I got dressed, made myself presentable, and took off into the dark morning. There weren’t many people out, a few early morning people heading to work and passed a few guys probably heading home from a bar. Oh, and I got a full moon. Who does that? Okay, besides Kelly Ricciardi?  Seriously, a big, white ugly butt thrown in my face. Ewwwwww!  Got into the store, locking myself in quickly, and disabled the alarm.

BEEP.  BEEP. Ah, a message on the phone. BREAKING NEWS!!  Not WWIII, but a body found near Caughlin Ranch. No live shoot for me. There had a been a message left on my cell phone and she hoped that I had gotten it before I left the house. NOPE, because my cell phone is acting up and I didn’t do anything to try and fix it. It was a simple fix too – turn off and back on. I headed back home to bed. When I got into the bedroom, Marc asked if I had even left, that is how little time had passed.

The story did air. They used the previously shot footage and I am also happy to say that it aired again during the evening news. I heard it while cooking dinner. So, worth it, but I can tell you that I will be sure that cell phone is working before I head out for a 4:15am shoot!

Other updates: Dad was just here and we had a great visit including the Sacramento Zoo.  The kids are great – both getting so big! Sid’s sitter, Michelle, is telling us that he is very interested in the potty. Trained before his second birthday? You never know.

She exclaimed about 10 days ago that she wanted to go and see Santa and tell him what she wanted. She kept saying, “I won’t cry.”  I said that we could go on Sunday and she asked when she was going everyday after. So Sunday came and we made our usual game plan of errand running and other miscellaneous tasks that we tackle on this one day we have off together. We headed out and ended up eating lunch at Port of Subs in Shopper’s Square. As we were sitting there, I realized that they probably had a Santa and we could avoid the whole annoyance and turmoil of going to Meadowood and pick up our Christmas tree from the Boy Scouts. And yes indeed, there was a Santa who sat very alone and idle as we approached. We had to detour to wash hands, but Lola gave a wave and a big,” HI SANTA,” as  we walked by. She even asked the lady in the bathroom if she was going to see Santa and proudly announced that she was going to go and tell him what she wanted for Christmas and again, that she wasn’t going to cry.

As we prepared for our meeting, Lola was asked by the gentleman working Santa’s Workshop if she knew what she wanted for Christmas. She told him she wanted a trampoline. He told her to go ahead and go tell Santa. She quickly answered, “You go tell him.”

We made our way over to the man in red and as we approached, I felt a bit more weight and tugging on my shirt. I looked down to find Lola clawing at me and whispering not to leave her. I encouraged her and told her it was fine. I even plopped Sid down on Santa’s lap to prove how easy and okay it was. Uh, no. Sid started to get red and slowly looked around to take it in. I knew he was only going to last about another 20 seconds before he reached break down. He just quickly put his arms out to be picked up and every attempt to put him back on Santa’s lap for a picture was more clawing and grabbing on for dear life. Lola was still hanging on one leg and refused to even stand alone at the side of Santa’s chair. There was no way she was going to sit on that lap. There were some AWFUL photos taken of me with the kids, neck bent in an awful position, with Santa. Lola was finally bribed with three candy canes (she calls them candy cans) to sit on Santa’s lap, but only after they put a stool six inches away so that I could sit right there. We got two quick shots and she was off in the blink of an eye.

These are the pictures that we got:

Yay. Done and easy. No lines or crowds.

As soon as we hit the parking lot, Lola asked if we could go see Santa again!

I was so lucky to stay home with both kids for as long as I did. I also feel lucky to take this opportunity to start a business for the benefit of their future – both environmentally and (hopefully) financially! But with this great endeavor has come a lack of sleep. Who cares that I fall asleep at 9pm right after Lola goes to bed and am facing away from Marc, convince him that, no, I am really not sleeping. I don’t care that I drag myself out of bed and let the shower wake me up or that I depend on caffeine. Even being told that the microwave breaks down the caffeine molecules (thanks, Paige) has led me to drink cold coffee as to not lose any source of energy. What does bother me….blood shot eyes. Gross. At first I thought I might have to fight off a nasty eye infection as I have done it before. I am horrible about my contacts. Nope. No pain, just a lot of redness. A lot. I had to stop and think about it. I thought it was a mythical thing. Something that some people experience, but for me, it only existed in cartoon format. That was until yesterday. And going to bed, I crossed Marc’s path ask him why his were so red….same thing…tired.  I tried to get to bed even earlier, and the half hour really helped and the redness has subsided, thankfully.

When McCain picked Palin as his running mate,  he picked the stupidest person possible. Let’s be honest and to the point.  Why? Who in their right mind could think that this woman is even close to qualified for ANY political position?  I think this is one of the best clips of things that she has said that only proves my theory….stupidest person……

Really? Never heard of Time or perhaps Newsweek?  The News-Miner perhaps?  This is just one of MANY stupid answers she has given.

And just to reinforce the fact, McCain is old. He has had melanoma – you can still see it in his face. He could fall over dead VERY soon and that would make Palin your president. I say yours because I am moving to Canada if this happens.

Here are my thoughts as I have pondered as I have watched the show:

Terri:  Lay off the pants. At first I was such a fan, but as a short wider person, I could never wear your pants anyway.  Can you sew a skirt? Finally when you did, you were kicked off. Maybe pants is the safe bet?

Jerrell: How can anyone not love you? I thought you were very innovative on the Saturn challenge. You used things that totally did not look like car parts. Awesome.  Really, you are very creative. The win for the Elle shoot was fantastic. You deserved to win.

Kenley: efor you, I have never liked you. Never. Not for a second. I never thought you deserved to win any challenge. I am completely annoyed by you and think everything about you evolves around 1950 or 60s and your hair that goes with it. Ugh. Yuck. You have done nothing else.  Mostly, you are self centered and annoying. Get over yourself. I would never wear anything that you have made.

Leanne:  Man, you can really tailor a garment. I am really surprised and impressed with the detail that you put into everything. The tailoring is unbelievable. Seriously. Perfect. A little marmie, but always looks impeccable.

Suede: Morgan hates third person. Come on!  You are fun, creative, and I know that you are Suede.  You remind me of Zach Taylor from Saved By the Bell with blue hair. Nothing about you Morgan really hates or likes. I kinda liked the dress from this week – without the jacket. A cute pair of light, flowy pants under the dress would have been super cute.

Korto:  Super cute and cool. Mostly cool.  You have such a smooth vibe about everything. Your fashion reflects a comfortable, easy look that we all strive for. I really think that you are my choice as an overall winner. Congrats! I have not disliked anything you have done.

Blayne: I never thought I would see you again after the first episode.  No, really. You are so far out there, I know that the sun must have an affect on your brain. Fun, creative – but just too out there sloppy and overall not committed.  This is exactly what sent you home last week.

Joe: Ugh. I am over the straight sports look that you pull with everything. You are too safe and straight. Are you sure that you’re not gay? It might help. Most of what you made was not done well.

Stella.  “LEATHA.”  No, I LOVE “LEATHA.”  I am taken with your innocent biker strength. Something is very appealing about your leather work. I don’t think you over work your style as much as Kenley. I was sorry to see you go.

I think this includes everyone that is still on….I am still cheering for Korto and Leanne. And now after two wins, Jerrell has sure stepped up the competition. Please have mercy on me and send Kenly home next week. I can’t take it anymore.

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