Kids, Mountains and Bears! Oh, My!

Okay.

Yes, we saw bears.

In the woods.

On the mountain.

Behind a big wall.

It was a zoo.

We went to Bear Mountain and spent a majority of the day there. Everyone rode the carousel, and went to the zoo. Then we ate (this is the part when Goldilocks informed us that "today was not working out" for him) and some of us went to the ice skating rink. It is outdoors and cold. Goldilocks told everyone he was going to practice his skating on ice. The next day he wanted to practice his skating on snow. Code for skiing. Punka had a blast. Goldilocks did "great" (think Tony the Tiger). Gigi slept in the car with her aunt watching over her. (Thanks Aunt Tippen!) We tried to get a picture of me, Punka and Goldilocks on the rink, but all 3 of us couldn't stand up together! The kids kept falling. We just laughed and laughed. Needless to say, everyone was exhausted and went to bed early. So much fun. And by the way, the day ended up working out just fine for Goldilocks!

Over the edge and out for the night!

Me, Punka and Goldilocks (going down)!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

We decided to surprise Hottie's (Bro 2) family in NY for Christmas. Only 1 brother(Bro 4) knew we were coming. All four brothers came from the four corners of the earth to gather and celebrate the birth of Christ. It was so fun to keep the secret from Hottie's parents and 1 brother's family! We arrived at the airport Christmas Eve afternoon and met up with Bro 1 and his family (from Hawaii) at the grocery store. We figured we should buy some food for us to eat, although we knew The Ma would have plenty to eat. Then, we traveled to The Homestead caravan style. After passing The Homestead (on purpose and parking in the snow pile), we walked with 6 excited grandkids trying to keep them quiet through the snow and down the driveway, up the steps and across the deck to Grandma's house we go! Oh, sorry... got caught up in the song! We gathered around the sliding glass door (outside the dining room) and began to sing (in our mixed accents) We Wish You a Merry Christmas. And into the second verse we went because they didn't open the door! It was really scary because I don't remember anymore of the song than that! Anyway, Bro 3 opened the curtain and everyone sat there with their mouths opened and we were still standing in the FREEZING cold..with a locked door between us! Did I mention the islanders and southerners were outside and the northerners were inside? Yeah...we were cold! Anyway, it was exciting and fun and The Pa and The Ma were soooo shocked, surprised and excited to see us. We had a great time reconnecting with each other and meeting nieces and nephews. Here is a picture of The Ma realizing we were there!

There are lots of stories to tell and lots of time to tell them. We have had a busy day, so I'll tell you more tomorrow...but here's a teaser: it has to do with BEARS! Yes, the kind you are thinking of!

So off the internet and over the edge and down to bed I go!

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Last weekend we went to see Santa Claus at the mall. It was a very long line...lots of kids to see him. Punka was excited to see him, Goldilocks didn't want to take a picture (although you can't tell that by the picture) and Gigi didn't have a clue what was about to happen to her. Kind of like getting shots at the doctor's office a few weeks ago except she didn't cry when she got those! Shots: don't cry, Santa: Scream so security comes running, really. And would you believe the kids asked for things totally different than they told us! Why, someone tell me, do they do that? So, without further delay, here's the picture from our visit with Santa.



If I don't get a chance to post before Christmas (because I can't promise I will) we hope you have a very merry Christmas and God blesses you in the new year!

I'm over the edge with tinsel and wrapping paper! Goodnight to all!

Photostory: The Daily Commute

Hottie takes Goldilocks to school every morning. Goldilocks loves to take pictures. Here's Goldilocks view of the daily commute!

"Daddy, Can I take a picture?"

"I love apples in the morning."

self-portrait



rest of self-portrait

outside the truck

"These are my fast shoes!"



"That's where we were!"

THE END

The Dancing Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Bet you didn't know there was even a dancing Grinch. I'm here to tell you there is! Punka and Goldilocks are taking dance classes and Punka loves it. She seems to be pretty good considering it is her 1st official year. (She took lessons a few years ago, but I didn't last very long.) Goldilocks seems to be wishy washy about it. He says there are no boys in his dance class. Boys don't dance. Well...some of you may agree, but he is just too cute with his fat feet in those little black ballet shoes!

Last Sunday was "the Performance". It was great! We had such a great time. Goldilocks was not, and I repeat NOT, going to go on that stage to dance. So, being the great mom that I am (or want to be), I pointed out to Levi every time there was a boy on stage. They really did a great job. Hip hop and acrobats...pretty cool...especially to a 4 year old. The routine right before(and I mean right before) Goldilocks's class, he decided he was going on stage. I grabbed his bag (cause I'm a good mommy I was prepared) and we RAN backstage. Once we got there, I seriously only had about 45 seconds to change a cowboy (remember he wasn't going on stage) into an elf. He made it on stage, although his shirt was on backwards and I didn't get his tap shoes on his feet, only brown and red striped socks. He danced and is still talking about going on stage again! I don't have a picture of him since he was in and out of his costume really fast!

Next, was Punka's turn. She was a star. I am the Mommy of a superstar. So I'm a little biased. So are you! Punka loves dance. She loves performing. She loves dressing up! I took her to the MAC counter to have her makeup done and that was the most fun ever. She was so excited when I told her where we were going, although I don't think she really understood until we were actually there! I did her hair while we waited our turn. Everyone that walked by looked and said something. Some people stopped to ask what we were doing. She ate up the attention (just like her aunt A)!


What fun we had! Everyone was tired but in a festive mood. You should try it next year...come see the superstars! I'll keep you posted!

Hey, this mommy is going to bed. Dancing over the edge...over and out.

I have video of their performances. However, I am having problems uploading it. Stay tuned for those!

Week in Review

Just want to forewarn you...this post may be a little long. It was a long week!

First, we had Punka's birthday party. Sleepover with 5 girls. Yeah...that's what I thought too, but it was fun. Fashion show, Kitt Kitridge, cinnamon sugar popcorn, pastries for breakfast, a lot of giggles and a little sleep. It was fun!


Then, Goldilocks needed "arm freshener" (code for deodorant) and Gigi loved looking at herself in the mirror. Runs in the family. The mirror thing not the deodorant thing, although we do wear deodorant. OK. Nuff said!

Hottie had an exam an made an 89.3! Yah! All the legal stuff gets confusing. We are happy with the score.

Gigi discovered the laundry room and her warm diapers! It was very exciting for everyone involved, I'll tell you. Now she cries if I close the laundry room door. She is all alone in that!



Thanksgiving Day brought A LOT of helping! We could have washed 100 pounds of potatoes for all they were concerned. They LOVED it!


Guaps and Grams, Honorable Readers of the day, reading the "thankfuls" and being the first to know!


Friday, the UPS guy (or the brown man as the kids call him), brought a package to the door. Who knew a new hand knitted hat could bring so much joy!


And I shopped Friday. Got stuff for the kids, friends, parents, Mom's stuff. It was good. Shopping usually is! Then, the youngin's got to spend the night with Guaps and Grams so Hottie and I could celebrate our 11th anniversary. Pretty cool, huh. Wish they could have stayed just 1 more night. Oh, well.

Hottie is the super best husband. No other could match him. We laugh. We cry. We pick at each other. We drive each other crazy. We couldn't live without the other. It's cool how God does that. We finish the other's sentence. I love him. He loves me. That's all there is to it! And that's all you need to know!

So, I'm off to bed somewhere over the edge. Maybe I'll crawl out tomorrow after the sunrise...I know...wishful thinking!

I wrote this on Thanksgiving Day and never published it. It looks like I started several post and never published them. I'll do that now!

I am up to my eyeballs in turkey, cornbread and kids!

They're everywhere! They're everywhere!

I asked Punka and Goldilocks what they wanted for Christmas if they could only choose 1 thing.
Punka: A Barbie house!
Goldilocks: Mittens!
Gigi: babble, mommy earrings, babble, babble, babble

Did I mention Gigi is really picking up the important words! And the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is fun to watch. Maybe one day we can go there "for real" as Punka says. That would be a blast!

My family is coming over for dinner. It will be different, but I think it will be good.

Big Friend P helped the kids make a Thankful banner and we added our own "thankfuls" to it. It was a fun way to remember what life is all about. Not stuff. Just family and friends.


Happy Thanksgiving Day to you.

Oh, and I am thankful for you too!

Back to the turkey over the edge...

CHAOS

This morning was utter chaos in my house...or was it just me?

This was my kitchen this morning:

The news playing on the t.v.

Grits in the microwave.

Eggs in the frying pan.

(Starting to sound like a country song, isn't it?)

Hottie telling me what was going on today at work.

Goldilocks playing cars (with sounds, of course).

Gigi crying for food (please, someone give her a cheerio!).

Punka reading her book really loud because she couldn't hear it in her head.

And, don't forget the dogs barking at the neighbors dog!

This was my kitchen this morning.

This morning was utter chaos in my house...or was it just me?

Happy Birthday , Punka!

Our first born turned...breathe...breathe...7 today. It is amazing how fast they grow. How much they change, yet don't. Punka does so many of the same things she did when she was a baby. The comfort things babies do. It's those things that bring me back to this moment and so many others like it.

Punka is an amazing girl herself.

She is smart.

She is beautiful.

She is talented.

She is brave.

She is strong.

She is sensitive.

She is peaceful.

She is funny.

She is life.

She is love.

She is mine.

Happy birthday.

I love you, Punka.

Forever.

Love, Mommy

Oh, Happy Day!

Last night, Punka had a friend (SD) spend the night. They had a blast. We let them go outside after dark (brave you say!) with flashlights. They thought that was sooo cool! Who knew! When they came in they thought it would be a great idea to put shaving cream on Hottie. Only problem was he needed to be asleep. I talked him into "going to bed" as only a loving wife could do and Punka, Goldilocks and SD sprayed 2 whole cans of shaving cream on him! It was the most fun they had I was told. The girls played outside for about 2 1/2 hours this morning. Punka informed me they were building a fort. I suppose to protect them from the dangers of Goldilocks. Unfortunately, the 2 foot brick wall (without mortar mind you) will not keep him from taking their baby dolls captive. But... it was a good try. We went to the mall after dropping SD off and shopped for her birthday gift without Daddy knowing (or so she thinks)! Very mad I didn't purchase something from Limited Too. She'll get over it. I did. I wore her out. She was begging to go home. Sweet!


Have you ever been lived in or been to a house that has an obvious horizontal line about 3 feet off the floor? The only things under that line are toys belonging to a small child, the rugs and the legs of furniture. You know where I'm going with this , right? Welcome to our house. Gigi has figured out how to pull herself up and get herself back down to the floor again. We are constantly saying "No, Gigi." Rather, I am constantly saying that. The kids are constantly say, "Mommy, look at Gigi" or "Mommy, Gigi is eating my stuff." Yeah, that's always good to hear. PICK IT UP ALREADY! Okay, got that out of my system. Gigi is always smiling. She has this real high pitch squeal that reminds me of my Grandma S. Maybe that is where she gets it from...just so we won't forget.


Goldilocks got to ride his bike, which is one of his favorite pastimes. He and Hottie went to the race tracks too! The go cart race track. However, if you mention it to Goldilocks he will politely (hopefully) inform you it is the RACE CAR TRACK in which you are referring to and to please refer to it as such when discussing such matters with him. Learned this the hard way. Just giving you some pointers. When they got home I was making Baked Apples to go with our dinner. Goldilocks wanted to help. He decided he would help me by eating the apple peels (because they don't like them on baked apples) while standing on my left foot. He told me he loved me and he was never getting married. Hearts are breaking wide all across the world tonight (from Top Gun if your from that era, if not go rent it), especially Big Friend P's I'm sure! Word to melt a mama's heart. He is asleep now. Looks like he was waiting for me. Kind of propped himself up with his hand holding his chin, squishing the left side of his face up. Just perfect for kissin'. It was a happy day today according to Goldilocks. I have to agree with him.

Finding my bed over the edge.

I can't upload pictures from Photobucket.

What am I doing wrong? I am copying the blog link in photobucket and pasting it into the URL space in the upload pictures button. It won't come up. I must be missing something. And until I figure it out you won't be able to see the picture. So if I'm missing a step please let me know!

Hello Stranger...

I'm back. I know...story of my life!

I was out of town and this week has been CRAZY!

Hottie just told me Goldilocks was caught helping a friend put a tricycle at the top of the slide at school today. When asked what they were doing, their reply was "going down the slide." DUH! Who asks 4 year olds that question? Then they tried to do it again! And you ask "Whose in charge?" Actually, I would not trade his teachers in for anything. They are great and are doing more than I could do. Thanks Mrs. V and Mrs. E!

Punka wants to move...upstairs. She told Hottie to move his stuff so she can move up there. I think she spotted a new bedspread she wants. We'll see what happens.

Gigi is standing. Pulling herself up onto whatever she wants to pull up on. She laughs a lot...happy baby. Those are the things you want to bottle up and save for another day.

Well, I'm signing off. It's late and I'm tired. This post is dedicated to Raquel...thanks for reminding me I hadn't posted in a while! Love ya!

Over the edge and out.

photobucket is cool!

Chicki: Photobucket is cool!

You: Where have you been?

Chicki: Over the edge washing diapers, playing pirates and cowboys, and painting finger nails for the 73rd time today.

You: Oh...yeah, photobucket rocks!

Chicki: Sweet. Check back for some cool stuff created with photobucket.

You: I will. Can't wait!

Chicki: See you then then.

Pumpkin!

We had a crazy busy week last week! I'm sure everyone else did too! This is apicture of the pumpkin Hottie carved for the pumpkin carving contest at our church's event. He didn't get 1st place there but we (the kids and I)still think it is amazing! It took over 3 hours to do! I would have quit at about 30 minutes. Oh, wait...that's why HE carved it!Gigi is ready to eat again. Post more later...over the edge!

It's raining..literally!

Everyone is entertaining themselves right now and the internet connection is "very good" too...something is really weird! That rarely happens and when it does..it's not for long! I walked into Gigi's room the other day and this is what I caught her doing:

Not cool.

I told her to sit down and she laughed at me. I should be used to that by now, huh? I'm not sure what to do about that one. If you have and suggestions I'd gladly listen!

Goldilocks received some "night light glasses" from a good friend for his birthday. He loves to wear them to bed and we have shadow puppet plays. Great fun. Looks really cool on film too!


Punka is expressing her disapproval about doctor's visits and birthday parties in a way only she can do. About birthdays: "It's not fair Goldilocks gets to get a lot of presents. I'm the oldest. My birthday should be first." About doctor visits: "I want to get my shots too. It's not fair he gets all the attention." What? Hottie took her to Goldilocks appointment and she screamed and cried the whole time because she did not want to hear him cry about his shots. Whatever.

The natives are no longer entertaining themselves.

Gotta get back to my life over the edge.

Kid stuff!

This is Gigi in her tutu I made.
"There are just so many ways to wear them mommy!"

PRETTY GIRL!

We get a kick out of most of the things the kids do.
Here are 2 videos Hottie keeps on his camera to get a laugh.

First up, Goldilocks and his "Body Dance".
Watch for the jig (looks like the shivers).

Second, Punka getting her tooth pulled.
Watch what Goldilocks does before wiggling Punka's tooth.

HA, HA, HA, HA! We usually watch these 7 or 8 times in a row!
They are so funny!

Gotta laugh when you are living life over the edge!

Baking, Baking, Baking!

I don't know what it is about the fall, but when the air starts to turn cool I get the hunkering to bake. Don't get me wrong...it is still 85 degrees here! I just needed to get this train moving...ready for some cooler air!

So..the kids and I baked these cookies yesterday. The recipe said it would yeild 36 cookies. We were able to squeeze 20 out of the batter! Oh, well. I made then with wheat flour and turbinado sugar. Of course, we had to put candy corn on them or they would not be called Candy Corn Cookies! They were still good. We also made Pumpkin Brownies. I would show you a picture but they were too good to last!

Next on the menu...Chicken Pot Pie, Salad with Apples and Monster Cookies.

Life over the edge isn't too bad when you throw in some home cooked meals!

Hello there.

I've been gone a while. Well, not really gone..just gone from here. It seems that life takes over and by the time I can stop to breath I'm too tired. Anyone else know what i mean? Hottie starts school in about a week and a half. It seems as though internally I am ramping up to "take over" some of the responsibilities. Not that I don't have any mind you (although that would be nice some days), but mentally I am preparing for not being able to tag team as much as we do. Also, the kids sense a change and they HAVE TO test their boundaries...AGAIN! It will all be worth it when this road merges with the next, I'm sure.

Goldilocks turned 4 on Saturday! Arrgh...not ready...can we have a "do over" please!? He is too big. Had to have a "dress up party." His words not mine! Hey, he has 2 sisters and we got away without having a Pirate party again this year. YES! Goldilocks really has a funny personality. He just says what he thinks and that's it. Very open to letting you know how he feels! "I'm just cranky" when he is coming off a sugar high and is tired. "This eye wants to go to sleep" when he is really tired. "My tummy says it NEEDS chocolate" when he is really trying hard to convince me to give him chocolate. He is going to marry Paige-y, they're going to have fried fish at their wedding 'cause she loves him. When he puts on his "bones" pjs, you can see his bones and they glow in the dark. Some nights this is the blame for him not able to go to sleep..."My bones won't go to sleep." Right. Just a few one liners from our Goldilocks this past week:
1) Hottie was taking him to school and there was a dump truck in front of them.
Goldilocks: What's that smells in my nose?
Hottie: Exhaust, buddy.
Goldilocks: cough, cough I need some country air.
We don't live in a metropolis, in fact they were driving by a farm at the time!
2) Hottie had taken Goldilocks to school and picked him up one day. They spent the day together at work and got home late. Goldilocks was already asleep when they got home, so I didn't get to talk to him ALL day. The conversation that took place at breakfast the next morning:
Mommy: Goldilocks, I didn't get to see you all day yesterday and it made me sad.
Goldilocks: Well, I'm here now.
Yes, he was!
3) Hottie was taking Goldilocks to school (are you seeing a pattern here?) and they were eating bananas. Yes, they were ripe..perhaps a little bruised.
Goldilocks: Daddy, you know what these spots are called?
Hottie: What buddy?
Goldilocks: DECAY. It's DECAY!
Where does he get this stuff from?
4) I have been giving him a hard time about getting older..you know telling him I was so excited about him turning 3 (really 4) and I couldn't believe he was getting sooo big like a 3 year old. This had been going on for about 4 days. Goldilocks telling me that he was 4, he's big, now he can make good choices (who know?), etc. Well, my bubble was burst when during his bath time this went down:
Mommy: I'm so happy you are 3 now, Goldilocks. You are getting so big.
Goldilocks: Mommy, I wish you'd be happy that I'm 4.
Bummer. I really thought I'd be able to convince him. I don't want to be happy my baby boy is 4. Next year he probably won't want to have anything to do with me.
So, my baby is 4 and he had a blast at his party. We were looking at pictures (thanks, Krista) after the party and he told me it was his best party ever! Thanks to everyone for coming and helping us make it a very special day to celebrate Goldilocks's life.

Gigi is crawling. Why do they have to do everything all at once? Can't children get together and plan these things out? She's eating solids and really wants nothing to do with the bottle. If I'm eating she wants to eat. Her favorite thing to do is press her face against the side of the pack-n-play and lick it! The other 2 didn't discover how much fun they missed. Gigi loves her brother and sister. Smiles every time they walk into the room. How sweet. Could just eat her up!

Punka is cruising through school. So much so that she is bored for the most part. She has declared her desire to be a mommy. "And it is going to take forever to get out of school so I can't be a mommy until forever." Oh, the drama! I turned on the t.v. yesterday and Ellen was on (which I usually don't watch). She was talking about what people wear to bed. Nighties, t shirts, etc. Then she said, "Some people wear their socks to bed. You know..because their feet get cold. I wear my dancing shoes so when I get up in the morning I can say 'Tony, give me that beat.'" Punka was standing there looking very confused. She said,"Is she going to kick herself? Does she wear her ballet shoes?" It reminded me that she is still my little girl. Most of the time she acts so old. Like an old spirit stuck in her little sweet self. Love much.

The dogs drive me nuts.

God has been so good. He is blessing us in this time of uncertainty and we just praise him for it. Placing our trust in him, and knowing in our hearts he will be with us always is the best feeling although sometimes scary. But it is good. He takes care of the sparrows and He will take care of us.

Here I am!

WOW! Have I been AWOL for a while or what?!
We went to JAARS in NC for a week to help remodel a house on their property. It was great and we went with some awesome people. One family is getting ready to go into the mission field. They will be going to a non-disclosed country to do church planting. We are very excited for them...they have been patiently waiting on the Lord for 2 years!
Getting back into the routine when we got back was challenging. Punka decided she might want to go to school instead of home school. and then just as fast as the idea entered her pretty blonde head it disappeared! She is in such a hurry to grow up. Yesterday she said,"Mommy, I want to be a momma NOW!" She will only be 6 for another month and a half. Then she will be 26 and on her way to being a "momma". I'll hope for the days to go slower.
Goldilocks just can't stop entertaining people. He loves his dance class, especially Ms. Mindy! Very much an actor and drama king. He can produce some big alligator tears at the drop of a hat! He has a new pirate costume and wanted to wear it to bed. Hottie convinced him to wear pj's so the pirate costume would be clean for him to wear tomorrow. Gee, thanks...the belt is going to cause problems when the potty calls!
Gigi thinks it is great fun to roll over while getting her diaper changed. How is this funny? Especially when she needs "scumscreen" as Goldilocks calls it. She is rolling over, sitting up, scooting, low crawling, and is getting too big too fast. She will be 7 months tomorrow. So sad. She is a squealer too! Loves to laugh and get this, can pull herself up from lying down to sitting up if I'm holding her legs. Also makes diaper changing time challenging! Any suggestions for keeping them this age?
Hottie is going back to school! I think he is excited...can't really tell. I'm sure he is stressing with the economy since we own a service business. It isn't a luxury service so to say but people are cutting back and we are starting to feel it. I have been after him for almost 11 years to do what he is going to school for. It will take a few years to complete but, hey, that's okay. What a journey it will be! He is asleep in his regular spot (the sofa) at the regular time (after praying with the kids)...gotta go move him to his side of the bed.
Just loving life over the edge!

Start of another week...sort of!

So, I haven't written since last Monday. I have been inspired this week by another blogger who has experienced major tragedy involving her sister and brother-in-law. Just to hear her speak of her sister...you can feel her love for her family. And the same for her sister's blog. (Sorry, I don't know how to link blogs yet.) She has a passionate love for her husband and children. It got me thinking if something were to happen to me what would my sister say about me to the blog world? How would my friends respond? You re-evaluate your life and put the important things first. Like...do you clean your house or play on the swings with the kids? What do they remember and what really matters? I live next door to an older couple that had 1 child and he did a year ago. She has told me many times the dishes will always be there but your children may not. Live today the way you want to be remembered. Have fun. Go off the edge and be crazy. Our kids will love it and I'm sure we'll live longer..right?

Well, another Monday crossed of the calendar. Sometimes it feels so good to do that but then most days...well...it's another day gone. I wonder did I make it matter? Especially as a wife, mother, friend it is tough to please everyone and yourself and where do you draw the line? You could get so wrapped up in it that you forget who you are. I'm on a quest to remember who I am, what I like to do, where I want to go, goals I want to fulfill. This will be a long journey and a tough one because I want to be everything for everyone. I need to learn how to say no and not feel guilty. I need to learn how to say yes to myself and not feel guilty. I want to be who God made me to be in the light of the cross. So for my first goal...I am going to declutter my home and my heart. I cannot focus on God, my husband, my children with stuff and issues blocking the way. Tomorrow's dawn will be fresh and fruitful! (It's all in the attitude, right?) We went to Goldilock's open house for school today! I can't believe it is here. He is sooo excited...hugged all of his friends when we got there. We get to pack a lunch everyday in our pirate lunch box...too cool! Punka has been homeschooling for almost 2 weeks now. It is going well. We have been taking it pretty easy until Goldilocks get back to school. That will give us the time we need to work while minimizing the distractions. She lost her 5th tooth today. One more on top and she will look like a "jack-o-lantra" in her words! Gigi turned 6 months old today. I can't believe it! Time has flown by and I just want to put everyone into slow motion until I can catch up. They are so yummy...I want to linger in these days longer than they will let me...how sad. Soon this season will be over and I'll want to come back to the days of no sleep, craft projects everywhere, Buzz and Spidey, Barbie and babies, snack time, "can we play in the rain" while it's lightning, PBSKids, reading time, pirates, nail polish (ok, maybe not that!), "I lost a tooth", "I want to loose a tooth", and "I cut a tooth". Oh, what a day in my life over the edge.

Here I Am!

So I have been contemplating this for a while. And I decided that I should just do it! I think of things that I want to tell people...ideas, designs, frustrations, etc....and this way you can hear them without all the "bonus" conversations (meaning the ones I have with my dc) included. So I'm going to create and write and enjoy my life over the edge!