Moderation

The weather here is incredible. Blue skies, close to 80 degrees, fresh air. Amazing.
It feels like so long ago, but I sure do remember not wanting to go outside in China.

Chase is out of 18-month-old clothes. She is now wearing size 2T and 3T (depending on brand). The cuffs on the pants need to be rolled up, but other than that, the clothes seem to fit her.
Why is she 18-months and wearing clothes for 3-year-olds?

Her hair is getting longer. Much longer. I am now fighting her at night to comb through her tangles. And so Hubs bought product. De-tangler to be precise. Seems to be working so far.

She names things all day long. And if she doesn't know the name, she always gets the syllable count right.

She loves the TV program Little Einsteins. Don't get me wrong, I don't think the program makes her smarter, on the contrary, there have been a lot of studies that show that they do just the opposite. But there are times when Mom needs a break, so a half hour here and there - without commercials, with classical music, is okay. (My mom would argue against this statement).

For those who don't know, I was only allowed four hours of TV a week. I absolutely understand why my parents did this, but I sure did miss out on a lot of pop culture. And I'm not sure it made me any smarter. I'm sure it made me more creative. But it's not like I can compare my now self, to a self that was allowed to watch TV. What I do know, is that I experience deep, inner conflict as soon as I turn on the TV.

Funny how those things come back to haunt you.

Same thing happens around food. I was not allowed to eat cereal that had sugar in the first three ingredients. Do you have ANY IDEA how many cereals that eliminates? Like, all of them. Except Cheerios. So I stopped eating breakfast. I developed an appetite for sugar, but I think we all have that anyway - it's just when you don't have parents telling you not to eat it.... Anyway, I am now looking for quick snacks for Chase, and everything has sugar, fructose, and other sugary ingredients. I have decided that I am using the 9 gram rule. Nothing with more than 9 grams of sugar per serving. We'll see how that works.

Moderation, moderation, moderation...

Poop

So Hubs asked me how my day was, and I just couldn't bring up the fact it was filled with poop. Just when I thought Tag had the "gotta go outside to do his business," he went and pooped inside. Twice. After he had spent a long time outside, no less. Maybe he got inside and outside mixed up? It wouldn't have been so bad, if I hadn't stepped in it. In bare feet.

And Chase spent a good part of today without a diaper on. It was so warm and beautiful outside. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Let's just say I'm glad I was looking down.

It's days like this that make me want to go back to "work."

What A Stinker!

When I heard Bush chose to veto a bill that would have provided 10 million American children with health care for the next five years, it put stepping in dog poop (in bare feet) into perspective.

Now I know $35 billion for five years sounds a little expensive, but to date, U.S. taxpayers have spent over $387 billion on the war in Iraq - that's $13,750 per Iraqi in the country - although most of the money has gone to U.S. soldiers. And did you know that if you divide the money by the number of U.S. troops stationed in the country - it equates to over $2 million per soldier?

I'm not saying one is more important than the other, I'm simply comparing things. Dog poop. And where money is being spent - and not spent.

For more information on where money is spent on Iraq, check out Foreign Policy In Focus - http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4106

Walmart

So I was in Walmart today, picking up art supplies for my favorite lass.

At check-out, I was mortified by what the lady behind me (with three kids) was buying. She had a dozen instant noodle boxes, some kind of crazy fruit drink with a faux flavor, cookies, and chicken that comes in different shapes. It made me sad. Really sad.

I wanted to report her to the child welfare department.

Today

So I am not getting any Mommy-of-the-year awards this week. With a new puppy, loads to sort and unpack and a toddler running a-muck, I broke down and turned on Sesame Street and put Tag in his kennel for a little while, just to find time to go to the bathroom, clear my head and make a couple calls (to register our new car, old cars, and track down two checks that have gone missing).

I've gotta run, Chase's 3 minute attention span is up - and I'm sure Tag could use more playtime.

Puppy Notes

So we picked up Taggart yesterday. He is SO mellow in comparison to our last Boxer. It may be because he's stressed at the moment, but all he seems to want to do is sleep. Chase cuddles up close to him and he puts his little puppy paws on her head. It is super sweet with sweet on top.

With Hubs not available next week to help with Tag, I've got my fingers crossed he will start to sleep through the night. Last night, Hubs got up twice to take him outside.

It's like we have another baby, but at least this one only gets up twice a night, rather than Chase, who was awake every two hours.

Moving Day: Take 2

Today our things arrived from China. Strangely enough, everything seems to go together. Weird.

Our neighbor stopped by and said, "I saw the moving truck and so I made you lunch, because you can't possibly be able to make lunch right now."

I was floored. We have been blessed with a neighbor who has owned her own catering business, so "throwing something together," is something that comes easily to her.

About a half hour later, she brought by risotto with spinach, a fresh olive bread loaf (from our local bakery), pork tenderloin in a maple glaze with baked apples - and carrot cake for dessert.

I am SO not kidding. It was amazing.

The Name Game

Every time Chase wakes, she immediately starts naming things. Or at least tries to come up with names for everything she sees. It's pretty cute. It's like roll call, but for objects, not people. Just making sure everything is there....

Hey Good Lookin' - What You Got Cookin?

Overheard At The Kiddie Park

"So I have to take care of Mona's twins and brand new puppy this weekend," one mom said to her group of mom friends.

"What? Mona has a new puppy? Is she insane?" One mom replied.

Meanwhile, I just agreed with Hubs last night that we would pick up Taggart this weekend.

Crazy is my apparently my middle name. Who else takes a small child to a remote city in China? A puppy just doesn't seem like such a big deal when one compares it to traveling to over 20 cities (ok, so I'm sure it's more than this, but I stopped counting after 20) in the first 18 months after having a baby.

But enough about me, I'm thinking that the crazy person in this scenario is the mom who agreed to watch the twins and the dogs in addition to her own child and dog.

Seriously. Pot calling the kettle black.

Chase's Big Words

Today Chase said, "Go Dog, Go." Over and over again. Amazing.

The Work Continues

Still unpacking. Chase has started to whine a lot. Like she wants to say something but can't. I think she might be getting molars, because she is extra cranky with crank on top.

Home Sweet Home

I can't believe we have been unpacking for a week. And we're still not through it all. And there is more to come. We still await our shipment from China. And I don't know where it is all going to go. Seriously, we might as well just tell them to take it back.

Funny how after one purchases a home, one finds things one missed during the home inspection, like that the previous owners painted over wallpaper. UGH. Or that the foundation under the kitchen addition isn't as solid as you hoped. Or that a queen size bed spring set doesn't fit up the stairs (yes, I broke a window trying to make it fit).

So we called around and found - yes, it's too good to be true - queen size split box springs. They went up the stairs so quickly and so easily. Oh if only we had the smarts to know about the beautiful split box springs BEFORE we tried maneuvering the queen set upstairs. We would still have our window. Live and learn.

Speaking of learning... Chase is amazing. She is talking all the time. She doesn't know a lot of words, but the words she does know, she uses all the time.

We're pretty sure Chase thinks her dad drives a truck all day. She is always saying "da da" and then making the sign for drive. I guess it makes sense, because she sees him drive away to work every day. But she doesn't know where he goes. So for all she knows he just drives around all day.

She has grown out of her 18-month clothes. She is now wearing slippers that are size medium (we had to cut the toes out of her PJs last night - her feet are about 6" long!).

And she's the cutest, smartest, little girl we've ever seen.

Red Head

Our new neighborhood is crazy about garage sales. There is one on every other block.

So I decided to drop in on one...

A boy and his mother sat outside a gorgeous old home. There was no one else there. I walked up to them, looking around at what they had on offer (rubbish).

The little boy said loudly, "Look mom, she is so white!" (I suddenly felt like I was back in China)

I explained that I wear sunscreen every day, that I stay out of the sun because it's better for the skin. That too much sun is bad for the skin and causes wrinkles. I decided to leave the cancer part out.

His mother, who was clearly not in agreement with my sun-free lifestyle choice, said to her son, "She has to stay out of the sun, she is a red head."

I wanted to tell her I'm not. That my hair color may have a tinge of red due to my stylist. But then I thought better of it. Her boy was clearly brainwashed to think bronze is better.

And if there's one thing I've learned by being a mom, it's not to contradict another mother.

Inspired = Distinct Lack of Eyebrows

I blame my tiny eyebrows on "What Not To Wear," an oh-so-fabulous television show where two people who are moderately stylish take people who have no eye for fashion, go through their closet, publicly humiliate them and then give them $5,000 for a new wardrobe.

I was inspired because the hosts took a mom, who was still in maternity clothes - a year after she had her son - and gave her a makeover. She looked great. I thought there was no reason why I shouldn't look great, too!

And so I decided my first step to a new Lang was to get my brows waxed. I went to a woman recommended to me by my Realtor (because I know nobody here).

It was my worst brow experience ever.
I left with half the brows I came with - and not in a good way.

So I guess part of my makeover is going to have to involve an eyebrow pencil - until my brows grow back in!

Day Care Mom

So I was at the zoo yesterday with Chase, and while we were waiting for a friend, we met a little girl. She was one of four kids in a Radio Flyer wagon. She introduced herself, her brother and the other two kids (all names I have since forgotten), and then she said, "and this my Day Care mom. She wants me to call her mom."

The woman who was with them, who had been quiet up until this point, turned to her and said, "that's not true."

The little girl turned to her, surprised, and said, "but that's what you said this morning."

Finding A Job

I was browsing through Craigslist looking for freelance opportunities and came across the following job, which I just had to post.

MISS U.SA. wants scheduler

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Reply to: job-421222900@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-09-13, 3:59AM MDT


wow! funnnn! easy!

MISS U-S-A (former) gives presentations for our company, along with several other professional reps.

Her 'celebrity status' makes it sooooooo easy for you to schedule meetings because EVERYONE wants to meet her!

We'll give you more details if you pass our 'telephone audition.'

This is a work from home job, part-time, 4 hours a day (Monday thru Friday… during normal business hours)

Flexible hours (you can divide the 4 hours, as you please)

You can live anywhere in the USA and do this

call this voicemail 24/ 7

562 - 223 - 1000

Leave us at least a two minute message so we can hear the 'quality' of your voice. Please be specific and tell us about the types of jobs you have in the past. Thanks so much for your interest and MISS USA will appreciate your phone audition.

Building Plans Nixed

Our plans for the house have been nixed, thanks to Dave, our friendly, neighborhood contractor - and multiple issues with our house and Denver zoning rules and restrictions.

This morning we were talking about adding big dormers, a bathroom upstairs, a huge master bed suite. Tonight, we're talking a kitchen remodel - and adding another bathroom under the hall stairs. The revised plan will still add value to the house, but it won't double the value of our home, as we had intended to do with the upstairs remodel.

All things happen for a reason. I guess the upstairs remodel wasn't meant to be.

Insurance

So the woman in the billing dept of my doctor's office called me today. She called me "hon" and "sweetie," throughout our conversation, which went something like this...

"Hi, yes, I called yesterday and I think I spoke to you about a double-billing issue."

"Sweetie, I speak to so many people each day."

"Well, my insurance company indicated I owe you X amount - and I'd like to pay it."

"OK hon, are you sure you don't want to resubmit and see if they pay? We should at least see if the payment they made comes through." (Interesting how her memory is coming back now)

Me, wanting to hang up the phone on her - "No, I'd just like to pay you what I owe."

"OK sweetie."

"I'll put it in the mail." - Me.

"OK hun."

Medical Insurance

Today the finance department of my doctor's office hung up on me.

I saw a doctor here (no worries, nothing is wrong), and the doctor's office billed my insurance company TWICE. For the same amount. So of course I got a slip in the mail from the one that was denied. So I called my insurance company and they said they paid one and denied the other. And then they told me the amount that I needed to pay the doctor's office. And that the rest would be "written off" by the doctor's office, which I seriously don't understand. It like, "let's bill them x amount and see if they pay. If not, no worries, we'll just take what they pay and forget about the rest."

So I called my doctor's office, told them there must be a misunderstanding, that my insurance company had been billed twice. The finance lady, on the other end of the phone, told me that she had no record of the payment from the insurance company, that the amount she had billed had been denied and that the denial meant they didn't cover my visit - which wasn't true, they had simply already paid the office for the first bill. She also told me one of the bills must have been for lab work - which is rubbish - as they were both for-the-exact-same-amount.

So I tried to explain this - over and over again - to the finance woman. And she kept telling me she would re-submit the bill. And I kept telling her it wasn't about re-submitting. It was about the fact they had already been paid. And that I wanted to pay her the difference. So I told her she needed to figure out who billed the insurance company (twice) from her office, and she said "okay, ma'am" and then hung up the phone abruptly. Didn't even let me pay.

I was livid. I wanted to walk over there, track her down, look her in the eye and tell her that's no way to treat another human being.

But instead, I'll take her hanging up as a sign that she must have realized the billing error was on her side, otherwise there would be no reason to be so defensive, right?