Finally some reviews...

I have snapped out of my hormone-induced funk to actually finish a few (light) books and a movie!

If you are like me and not ashamed to read chick-lit (it has become a dirty word in some circles), then you might enjoy Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA. It was light entertainment and funny at times without being too over-the-top, which often happens with chick lit. But it is hardcover, so maybe borrow my copy or try the library.

Have you read much Adriana Trigiani? I devoured Big Stone Gap and Big Cherry Holler, the third in the trilogy, Milk Glass Moon, was getting to be a bit much. Then she moved away from that series and published Lucia, Lucia, which I loved. Then came a few books that were just OK, and finally she has returned to the Stone Gap stories with Home to Big Stone Gap. I feel somewhat indifferent towards it. Still, if you are fan, you are free to borrow my copy; I wouldn't invest in the hard cover.

Last Saturday, Joel and I watched A prairie Home Companion. We both enjoyed it, mainly because of Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline. They really are superb. I know it is nothing original to say, but Meryl Streep can replicate an accent like no one else. All the other actors in the film who used a Minnesotan accent were just a tiny bit overboard, but she was pitch perfect. However, if you are not a fan of the late Robert Altman's style, you won't like the film. (Overlapping dialogue, a story that defies traditional plot lines, and an ambiguous ending...) If you like it, and haven't seen it...add it to your queue.

Copycat...

Liza got me interested to find out what people had searched to find my blog. The following searches will lead you to me...

crude joke :(
Christmas in Kilarney
Jennifer Paddock

and my personal favorite:

stacked high school boob!!!

(Don't get any google search ideas cousin Michael!)

What will Thelonius look like?

I have been searching through all of Joel's stuff (which I am sure he loves) for a picture of newborn Joel. I can't find one, so here is one of me. Do you think our baby will be bald-headed with chubby cheeks? Odds are likely. Doesn't Rory look like Jen?

Crazy bag o'hormones...

Yep. That's me. I am trying really hard not to take it out on friends and loved ones, so I found an easy target: the evil folks in charge of merchandise at Disney. (Wow! I suck at hormonal rages. I wanted to call them whores, but I deleted it because sometimes grandma reads this.)

What's up with the most hated Disney princesses? I revile them in the way that others despise Barney. I know that I may have a girl someday and will sell my soul and purchase Disney princess merchandise so I can have a moment's peace with my margarita, but they don't even make senese. The ladies are from all different areas and time periods. Why are they friends and starring in videos and sleeping bags together? I just don't get it.

Useless trivia from the Strong girl archives...

Back in the early eighties, my sisters and I liked to watch Son of Svengoolie on Channel nine (?). One time there was this special event showing of Creature from the Black Lagoon. You had to go buy your 3D glasses at 7-11. My mom had to explain what 3D was to me. I was scared the whole week that the monsters were going to jump out at me from the TV. In the end, it was pretty lame and I have been skeptical about 3D ever since, but we did get this great photo out of the deal. If you read our blogs and don't believe we are that cool, here is photographic evidence to the contrary.

Give me a slice of the good stuff...

So I haven't had any weird cravings yet or anything. But the other day Joel was talking to me and a commercial for Baker's Square came on. You know the one where the lovely French Silk Pie spins around in a tantalizing circle?I couldn't even pretend to respond to him. I just sat there, mouth agape Homer Simpson style. I went out the next morning and bought one. I gave two pieces (not very big) to the neighbors, and one to Joel, but I ate the rest. (In only three days.) I don't know if that is considered a craving, but it was definitely rationalization. (I am eight and a half months pregnat and I WILL have some pie, damnit.) Now all I want is more.

The not-so-desperate housewife...

I hope I am as cute and fun as my mother when little Thelonius arrives.



The camper my mom is sitting on in the first picture is the source of some of my favorite childhood memories. There was a bed right over the cab where my sisters and I would hang out and play barbies during long rides. (I guess you probably couldn't do that anymore because everyone would have to be buckled in.) We didn't even mind when the camper broke down or overheated every hundred miles because we had plenty of stuff to do to keep up busy. When it no longer worked we moved it to Woodhaven where it served as our makeshift cottage. As a frequent nighttime pee-er (see almost any other entry in the last few months). I would always almost (and one time did) step on Jen's head as I climbed down from the bunkbed. (Maybe that explains some of the posts at LaSirena... just kidding lovely sister.) Of course I have been trying to convince Joel for the last several years that we need an RV. For some reason he thinks it is trashy. I have found a way around it though...I have started calling it a tour bus. Now I think he is on board.

Wide awake again...

Heartburn and my bladder woke me, and Thelonius' crazy dancing won't let me get back to sleep. Perhaps one part of the problem is that I went to bed at 8:30, so I have been sleeping for nearly six hours.

At the risk of sounding schmaltzy so early in the morning, I wanted to write about how blessed and lucky I am feeling (it's true...and you are blessed and lucky too... for the 10,000 Maniac fans... oh and yes, I do ALWAYS have song lyrics in my head that match what I am saying/ writing/ thinking). Anyway, first, last week I had a thirty-six week ultra sound. It turns out my "placenta issue" (thank you substitute Doctor) is not an issue. Everything is fine. Thelonius is healthy and exactly where s/he should be. Weighing an approximate 6.5 pounds. Will I give birth to an 8+ pounder? Let the pools begin!

Also, this weekend, my mom, sisters, and aunties (with help from dad) hosted a lovely shower for me that was just perfect. (Relaxed, filled with good food, and some of my favorite people.) Joel and I felt really, really spoiled. Of course we came home and set up all the strollers and everything, but it will be more fun when there is actually a baby to put in all the gear.

If that weren't enough...my teacher-friends surprised me with dinner last night at Rosebud. (I was almost bratty because Joel told me he was planning date night. I whined a lot about how all I want to do right now is stay home and be lazy, and almost refused to go. What an ingrate.) The teachers never fail to make me feel appreciated. I can't believe my luck that I get to work with such kind and gifted (funny) people every day.

Well, Pete, I hope this doesn't make me sound like too much of a Polyanna, but I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I can't wait for you to all meet Thelonius (remember this is not the real name, though, despite Joel's lobbying). But when you do, can you mention to him/her that the mama you know is NOT this much of a night person? Thanks.

Grrr...

Dear Pimply faced brat who egged my car last night,

You are a total loser. Find a girlfriend or a hobby. It is not difficult, nor is it impressive to throw four eggs at a car parked in a driveway from the sidewalk and still miss the car twice! You throw like a girl, sissy boy, and you run like a duck as evidenced by the wussy manner in which you ran when we turned on a light.

Regards,
The owner of the adorable car you bombarded last night.

Nicknames...

are fun. Well, when they're given by people who are kind and they mean it in an endearing way. Here are a few that I have been called over the years that make me smile...

Disaster Sister (Ellie)
Nora-girl (a college friend who still sometimes calles me that)
No/ NoNo (Sarah)
Dr. Strong (a co-worker in STL, I think because I am a know-it-all)
Dr. Barr (a maintenance worker at school who always raids my Ibuprofin collection)
The trollope (Pete)
Barbie (guess who's Ken? also from Pete and my mom)
Shoog (You know sugar cut in half? That's Joel...)

I think my students have worse names for me...but I won't print them here.

What are yours?

Insomnia

It has set in again. I have been awake since 2:30. At 3:30 I gave up and got out of bed for fear that my tossing and turning would wake Joel. Little Thelonius is wide awake with me and keeping me company while I do laundry and tidy up the house...'cause what else are you going to do in the middle of the night? Certainly not watch television.

Which reminds me...I haven't yet talked about the new TV season, and anyone who knows me knows how important "my programs" are. I have been a little disappointed with former fave, Veronica Mars, this season. I still love the show, but not in that "can't wait until Tuesday" way that I loved it last year. I think they are dumbing the show down a bit so that it will appeal to more viewers, but instead they aren't staying true to the characters.

My new favorite, because I am so fickle, is Studio 60. Have you been watching? The dialogue is very clever and the show is funny one minute and then heart felt the next. It will probably be cancelled because I like it so much.

Tonight I have yet another parenting class. This one is Baby First Aid. Now, while I'm all for First Aid for babies, I wish I had been more realistic about all these classes at Northwestern. I signed up for everything this summer, while in trimester two and feeling great, and while I wasn't working a full day. Now I am dreading the commute, and beginning to loathe all the labor videos. I know labor is not like High Tea at the Drake, but there is no turning back now, so stop trying to scare me with your gore fest videos NMH!

Sunday Bloody Sunday...

I hate Sundays. Isn't that ridiculous? Once there was a quote on My So Called Life about how the clock on Sixty Minutes is so horrific it sounds like a warning bell reminding you about work or school tomorrow. To me it is like The Tell Tale Heart. Maybe it is because I am a teacher and have never had to grow up to the cruel world of a real schedule. Since I get to experience utter elation in late May and early June I have to deal with the down side of the Sunday Night Blues.

I am lucky though because Joel is making my favorite dinner and it smells so good I don't want to be anywhere else right now.

We had our first birthing class on Friday night. Just when I had adjusted to the fact that I would have to experience labor I went and watched several on video. I almost changed my mind. But they know us crazy, hormonal pregnant ladies at Northwestern because they ended with footage of adorable babies being cute. Brainwashing? Perhaps, but I am getting so excited. We are still having a hard time agreeing on a boys name. I may just open the Bible and point randomly to words and see what we come up with. Jesus Wept Barr? Deuteronomy Barr? Gomorrah Barr? Yay! I found a fun new game!

Eastern Senior Day...

Mary's second to last game is Saturday, October 28th at 2:00pm. It's also Senior Day. Party to follow. Come cheer her on...

I raaatherr feel like expressing MYSELF.

I hate this commercial with a burning passion. I love Audrey Hepburn, but even find her annoying this way. And really Gap, the skinny black pant? Ya sure? Like five women in American can pull that look off. If you have any sort of hips at all, the skinny black pants make you look hugely pear shaped. Warning.

An excellent weekend...

One year ago we were living in my dad's condo waiting for the family of ten to move out of our house. You all probably know our nightmare story of the fight to move into this place, but I like to try and remember how powerless and frustrated we felt at the time. It makes this feeling of loving the house that much sweeter now. As a one week delay turned into two months many people told us that we might have to prepare to let this house go, and we almost did. We didn't want to make a stupid decision. I am so glad we fought for the house though. It is shaping up to be such a beautiful place. Although it is a money pit, it is also, definitely a home.

Wasn't this a great weekend? I love a three day weekend, and one where you have almost nothing to do is even better. Joel and I did projects around the house, watched some movies and TV, and enjoyed each other's company on three very sunny days. And we finally got around to stenciling what will be the nursery. Not the most professional job, but I think the dragonflies turned out pretty well. You can't tell from the pictures, but their wings are iridescenct.

Seven months...

and I am huge! I can't believe how puffy I look and still have two months to go. Honestly, the photos are harsh because I don't feel this big when I look in the mirror. I barely recognize myself...

Still, none of this matters. I couldn't be happier. We had one of those perfect days yesterday. Joel's mom and stepdad were visiting and a friend, Suzanne. We (meaning, they, mostly) worked on the house taking care of dreaded projects such as hanging art work and photos on our walls. The house looks so much cozier now that our "stuff has been strutted". (Suzanne's decorating business where she works with the things you have is called Strut your Stuff.) Then last night Thelonius was kicking so forcefully that you could see it make my stomach move through my shirt. Joel started talking to the belly, and the baby was kicking even more to the sound of his voice. Sorry to get a bit emotional on you, but the sound of Joel's laughing and the feel of the baby fluttering in my stomach is a memory that I am tucking away to remember on an unforgiving day.

Though right now I am hiding out because I am having heart attacks while Joel is perched precariously on a ladder in our stairwell as he tries to move our stained glass up to the atrium window. Yikes. I am kind of afraid of heights so even watching it makes me nervous.

Fall frolicking...

What a fun weekend at the farm! It was perfect campfire weather and I got to visit my former place of employment (What's Cookin') for a Chicken Fajita on Pita. Yum.

A crude riddle...

What happens when you cross Fiber One cereal, prune juice and Activia yogurt, and call it breakfast?


Turns out at thirty weeks pregnant, not very much.

When did Chicago Ridge Mall become a place so filled with dollar stores and people who hit their kids? Yikes. I had to go there this weekend to buy ugly granny panties at Motherhood and was scared away by the "Beautiful Baby" scholarship contest. I wonder how high the entry fee was? I can't wait to go a few years from now, put ruffles and a glued on bow on little Thelonius' head and take a portrait similar to this one at Glamour Shots.

Where's Nora?

Obviously not blogging. Otherwise, work, work, turoring, work, Home Depot, work work, tutoring, Home Depot, Wisconsin and work. We're having our second experience with contractors and it is rather unnerving. Of course, costs keep going up, which I am sure seem like no big deal to the contractors, but my swollen feet and I can vouch for where every dime of their large bill was earned. But still, soon our entryway/ hallway will be stripped, replastered, and painted. Goodbye Haunted House Chic!

In other news, trimester three is bringing along some lovely lower back pain. But also, seeing me so obviously pregnant has brought about an increased sense of enthusiasm and protectiveness in Joel. He's been excited all along, but I think it is starting to seem like much more of a reality to him. (Maybe it has been feeling the baby kick more often?) Anyhow, less than three months to go!