So - my neighborhood is more urban than sub-urban

Even though I technically live in a suburb, Minneapolis is across the street.

We get our fair share of crime (mostly non-violent) and, because we are near a hospital with a trauma department, we also get lots of ambulances.

About a year and a half ago my husband was home working on a car - 10am on a weekday - and someone stole a saw right out of our garage. He threw the part he took off my car and shattered their back window as they drove off... (The cop who came asked him why he did that...ummm, he was pissed off?)

This rambling leads me to the story of the morning. We have a neighbor, nice enough neighbor that says hello, asks about your family; but you see - he is an alleged CRIMINAL.

Like seriously.

Since we moved in there have been people coming and going at all hours, a woman smashed up his garage by ramming it with her car repeatedly - I helped provide a statement to his insurance on that one, drunk stupid girls who waken my five week old child need to be punished! - his car has been towed by the police or finance companies about four or five times, and there have been at least two raids by the police on his residence where the removed computers, etc.

This morning I come down and see a strange white car idling by his garage and stop in my bay window and see a guy in a big puffy jacket trying to open his garage...WTF? Should I call the police? Damn it is so early, like not even 7am and its dark...Maybe that is one of Bernie's buddies.

I go downstairs to fire up the computer to work and like five or ten minutes later there is a

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK"

at my door that makes me JUMP!

I tentatively go up the stairs and lift the curtain on our door - PRAYING it is my husband and he forgot his key or something when he went to the gym.

Nope.

Dude in strange white car and puffy jacket.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"NO!" - thanking god we have the alarm system, and noticing he has a clipboard like delivery men usually have...that is odd.

"I can't ask you a question? Do you know your neighbor over here B---- H----?"

ummm, you just asked me a question when I said NO, but playing along here. "Yes, I know him"

"Well he is behind on his car payments and I am here to reposses the car. I was wondering if this was a good address for him?"

WAY TO BURY THE LEAD BUDDY - THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST DAMN THING YOU SAID!!!! Idiot, wish I knew what company you worked for I would call and bitch them out...but no I am so PHREAKED THE FUCK OUT by this incident I just say...."Well, I have seen him a few times, but he comes and goes so I have no idea if he is living there."

"Okay..."

I promptly drop the curtain and go downstairs to shake for ten minutes.

Damn people.

Santa Claus will chase you through town....

So on Christmas Morning (thanks to Supah!) my dear Boo Boo La La was handed

photographic PROOF

that Santa Claus came to town.

T-bone felt the need to embelish:

Yeah, Santa was not very happy that Daddy took his picture. He chased Daddy all over the house trying to get the picture back.

OHHHH!!!

Yup, but then I gave Santa the reindeer food. The reindeer were really hungry. He was happy then and let me keep the picture.

REALLY???? Did the reindeer eat the food...

That hubby. ;)

This video is from when Boo Boo La La was about to turn 3 years old last year. We were talking about the holidays and she kept saying "Crazy Christmas"!

The last few days I was thinking about my neighborhood. I do not live in the "suburbs" per se. I live in more of an urban neighborhood with a neighborhood coffee shop, restaurants, the Minneapolis Parkway System, a corner gas station and the best thing of all....

The Bunny Store!

The store is actually called GOLD MEDAL but there are a boy and girl bunny on the sign - so most neighbors call it the Bunny Store!

We often find on holidays that we need something. And the regualar stores are farther away and may be PACKED with people (or closed), so we try the Bunny Store first. This time we needed WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE.

sounds fancy right?

I thought "No way The Bunny Store will have WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE."

But guess what? Not only did the Bunny Store have WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE -

it was $1.49
and I thought it was fancy....

My bro emailed this to me - responding here. Enjoy!

This was originally posted 11/28/2008 at 2:38PM

It is snowing and I was thinking about this post - I got my Christmas wish last year; this year we may be without my parents when my hubby makes the meatballs he has planned.

Depends on how much snow we get! Enjoy!

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy (not forward) this entire email and paste into a new e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you......Tis the Season t o be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Gift bags- unless the hubs gets hold of the gift, I do not wrap.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial!
3. When do you put up the tree? The weekend after Thanksgiving we decorate inside and out.
4. When do you take the tree down? For sure before SuperBowl.
5. Do you like eggnog? Sure a glass or two.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? The year I got a cool sled and Atari was pretty good, but we almost always got what we wanted from my mom and dad – pretty spoiled I know.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Mom
8. Easiest person to buy for? Me- I am happy for any gifts as long as some thought was behind them.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, but lots of snow globes.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail photo cards first week of December.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? My first Christmas with hubby got WORST and BEST gift – Worst from his mother, a sweatshirt, navy, with snow scene featuring deer. Ummmm, sorry MIL. BEST was from hubs, he got me earrings to match my engagement ring, I cried because I did not expect a thing!!! It was awesome.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? started already – and know mostly what everyone else is going to get.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, but I am selling the Brookstone gift card I got from the broken item last year. There just is NOTHING in Brookstone I want.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Those Russian Tea Cake cookies – even the Keebler ones.
16. Lights on the tree? Should always be white, hubs disagrees.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Do they know its Christmas – I was a Senior when it came out. LUV IT>
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Everyone lives here except my Sister’s in-law.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? You Betcha!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel – ALWAYS!
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People that seem to forget it is about peace and spending time with those you care about. The gift is the last thing I am worried about- I almost wish we gave it up, but I love watching Boo Boo, Snake and Sair open…, now Nora too!!!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? White – I used to do an all purple and gold tree – Go Vikes, NOT!
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Fondue steak with green bean hot dish and rice with slivered almonds toasted in butter on top! My parents thought up this tradition to stay home instead of going to grannies I think on Christmas Eve.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? My hubby to make sliders on Christmas day, lay around and watch movies with my parents.
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Anyone?

Merry Christmas - Have a COOL YULE!

I created another video - I was INSPIRED by the awe of the kids at the Holidazzle this year to bring you another of "My Terrible Photography" creations.

ENJOY!

Holiday Light Tour 2009 - Victory Neighborhood

Last week my lovely T-Bone and Boo Boo La La indulged Mommy with a trip around the neighborhood to photograph lights. Last year we did a home tour and I wanted to switch things up a bit. (I will probably go back to the video next year- my photography is terrible!)

I had the whole thing created and ready to roll for last week's Friday Video - but then I could not figure out how to get PowerPoint into Blogger with the audio intact. I found this solution on Sunday night.

So without further ado - here is my terrible photography set to a lovely Tori Amos holiday song...

Throwback Thursday in pictures

This is my Grandma Bye and Me - the pictures came from piles of her old stuff after she passed away over a year ago. I finally scanned them into the computer last night - well this pile anyway...

This is my first PROFESSIONAL Photo - I think I recall my mother saying one of my grandmothers paid for the session.

My dog Rufus and me in what looks like a TOGA around the time of my first birthday...

There was no baby bathtub Mom???

This is my Great Grandpa Bye and me - I must have been about one...I think he lived until I was five or six.

These all say they were from April of 1968 and seem like they are around Easter because of the gift of a desk and my dress...but I am not sure.

What is really interesting about these pictures is that some I was sure were NOT me until I saw the dates and they must be me. They look like my brother when he was little AND his daughter Nora too. But, they are ME.

Hope you enjoyed this trip. I have more from the pile and will scan them in for you soon.

Totally Charming...

One of the blogs I read - The Blonde Episodes - posted today about a giveaway for a $75 gift certificate to Lisa Leonard Jewelry.

She makes absolutely *charming* things - for a daughter with a new car???

Or a mother who's daughter is about to graduate???

Can you see where my mind is today? J-dogg gets a truck on Sunday and my Sair is graduating in JUNE!!!

Off to college at Winona...

But she has lots of cute stuff for MEN, women and children.

Check out the giveaway at *French Charming* all you have to do to win is comment!

Good luck!

Pic-Nik Tuesday Stickies! Supah Style!

"Picnik Show"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

Thanks SUPAH! That was SUPAH-ez to do and FUN!

except Mommy messed up and missed the best sticky! I had a free latte from Starbucks at 8:02am - I love surveys! ;)

If you are not aware yet of POST IT TUESDAY head over to Supah's place and check it out!

Boo Boo did not get in the Top 25

And Mommy is a fatA%% so I am going to join up with the

Skinny Girls in Sumo Suits

Like them I wish I was a skinny as I was when I "thought" I was fat. I currently weigh about FIVE POUNDS more than I did when I gave birth to Boo Boo La La.

I have been working out three times per week minimum - except last week when we had strep and stress - and trying to write down what I eat. I have lost MOSTLY inches and not nearly enough pounds.

My goals for week one are:

1) Squeeze in an extra workout
2) Pay more attention to what I put in my mouth - really ENJOY what I am eating or drinking
3) (RANDOM NOTE) figure out how to put my slideshow up on my blog!! HELP. I have it in Flash and PPT and just cannot figure out how to get it on here...

I went out in the snow and 5 degree chill to get the photos and they are just sitting there! ;)

Onward!

VOTE FOR ME!!

OH - and you can vote ONCE PER HOUR!

OH - AND I promised Supah a donation if we win...so help, because I would like to donate to Jaden and his family for Christmas.

Forgive me a few days - I will be back!

Hey, to update you:

• Boo Boo La La got strep and they gave her a shot of penecillin (did I spell it right?)
• Hubby promised to come home early and forgot to call when he remembered he promised his class a drink after their last night of class
• Ate McDonald's - UGH!
• Got lots of snow and had to drive to work in it - to our new office FIRST!
• Have to turn in my final paper by 5pm central on Friday and I need to keep my 4.0 with only one class left before I earn my B.S. - insert your own joke here.

See you Friday morning!!!

All about ME - and BOO BOO VOTING! updated at 10:20 am

with
MommyBrain
and
SupahMommy

Five Laps You'd Rather Sit on Than Santa's.

In no particular order I decided to get a lean on toward the British studs I love to watch...like THE ONLY BOND for MOI - Pierce Brosnan.

And we all KNOW I love me some Adam Sandler - I bet he would even dress up like Santa Clause for me...

ColinFirth?

Oh yes, he is probably VERY naughty and would try to bend you over his knee for a Holiday Spank!

And Tom Colicchio - or Padma...just sayin' (better wait until she has that baby though?)

Then of course there is this handsome devil.

I would sit on his lap ANY day of the year.

sigh.

What I am really hoping for this Holiday Season though is for you YES YOU to vote for my BABY!!! She is in a holiday kid photo contest and the voting is ONLY Friday December 11 at 10 am central until Saturday December 12 at 9am central.

(idiot STRIB, they told me Round 1 initially!)

Please come out and VOTE!

What a busy day...

Sunday School - check
Shopping at Cub - check
Make and eat lunch - yum
Take Chicken out for dinner - defrosting!
Homework - check...five more days until my final paper is due!
Upload pictures and Videos? - well, the videos are up and emailed.
Finish addressing Christmas Cards - don't rush me I will get to it!!!
What about putting away the laundry? Have you done THAT? nope.

Okay - I took a break dang it and sent my Boo Boo La La a personalized Santa video email. Sue me! No wait, don't sue me...I don't have any money to give you anyway.

It is Christmas Time after all.

...and what have you been up to you good little girls & boys?

Update on the battle of William the Conquerer!

So my friend Chris is doing sooooo well that he has been interviewed here and here.

And since Chris said he had on an Adam and the Ants t-shirt...let's have a Saturday video too!

Shake it...ssshhh shhh ssshhh Shake it!

The Friday Video comes with a TALE OF THE T-BONE...

Around the nest we call the hubs, T-Bone - and he refers to himself that way too.

Think Seinfeld.

If you do not understand the reference then "The jerk store called and they are running out of you!"

(I am kidding of course!) But the story dang it.

Last night we were crawling into bed - well, I was there it was T-bone crawling in...

He rolls over and says, "Night honey, mmmm your skin is so soft." as he is rubbing my leg.

"Ummm, honey. I am wearing velour sweats."

"HUH?"

Yes folks, that is what you get from a hubby who works with his hands. He cannot tell bare skin from velour.

And seriously, I DO shave my legs. :)

Throwing caution to the wind...

This is Boo Boo La La the morning after Halloween.

She looks like she is getting to be such a big girl doesn't she?

But, that is the point - looks can be deceiving. She is still just my little baby. I see the baby on her face when she is sleeping. It makes me want to pick her up and cuddle her like I used to when she fit snugly in my arms.

now when I pick her up her legs hang down practically to my knees

I do not want her to grow up too fast - I say to her all the time,

"Will you live with Mama forever?"

"Yes Mama - I live you forever n' ever. And when I am big and you are the baby I will take you to Jackie's house for daycare."

"That sounds nice."

I know she won't live with me forever, at least I hope we do not end up like Big Eddie and Little Eddie.

But this morning I found something in her backpack that made me want to cry.

a PERMISSION SLIP for a FIELD TRIP?

she's too little to go on a bus without mama...am I wrong to not want her to go?

Our daycare lady agrees with me - and the field trip is on a day we typically do not go to pre-school - but, am I wrong?

Will she actually be missing out if I don't let her go?

WHAT IS IT????

Okay, just found out that we need to keep praying to my post-it gods.

Another dear friend from college has her mother in surgery today to remove a kidney that has two tumors in it.

All the good karma/prayers/thoughts/love we can get!

You BET I can bake Martha!!!

SEE - I ain't blonde no more!

COVERED in cranberry sauce and blueberry pie - it did get clean.

We will pose for ONE picture.

Me and my Great-Granny!!!

And Great-Unca Billy too.

DADDY!!!

Roofis says, "HELP!"

Here are my PIES!

Blueberry and Pumpkin, thankyouverymuch.

And this is how I got through the time spent baking them...

YUM. Happy Holidays everybody.

Did she inhale?

This is a video I just saw that surfaced that they say depicts Marilyn Monroe smoking pot.

What do you think?

The one where I could not wait to get sticky!

SupahMommy & MommyBrain

invite you to participate in

POST-IT TUESDAY!

Visit this blog for all the details and play along with us - the fun part is you meet new friends. And even better for me today is I can use this to sticky the universe for an old friend who needs your thoughts, prayers, and good karma in general.

Leaving no stone unturned as a friend begins his journey with a new kidney later today.