Yay! Robyna Is HERE!!

Robyna* and her new beau, Willard*, are staying with us for the week. We're having a wonderful time eating late-night brownies, happy green stuff (aka guacamole), and telling stories to catch us up on R+W's whirlwind match.com romance. I'm starting to regret buying new pants in a size smaller than I normally wear. Dang the holidays and delicious sweet eats!

*Not their real names.

Bye, Bye Sweet Pie. I'll Miss You.

I already miss you. I love pie. Pumpkin and Cherry Pies are my favorite. But with everybody gone and a boy who won't help eat them, I had to dump them down the disposal. Otherwise I could have just added them to my butt.

Some of you will be shocked to know I've started running. I pretend a big black bear is chasing me on the treadmill and that keeps me motivated. Three miles overlooking beautiful hill country with Gnarles Barkley screaming, "CRAZY!!" in my ears roughly 2-3 times a week. I love the way I'm feeling -- I can get through a basket of laundry, washed, dried AND folded in no time.

Still, I love pie. And I miss you.

Cousins

Eleven kids rounded up for a very short time. You wouldn't believe how exponentially the volume increased when they were all together. Some had travelled from as far away as Las Vegas and Denver to all the way across town. It sure was nice to see them all together.

And the beat goes on . . .

Happy Turducken Day!

Yes, the cajuns have influenced their way and now we no longer celebrate "turkey day." Instead it's the new hybrid chicken, duck, turkey concoction of deliciousness with crawfish jambalaya thrown in for good measure. My cousin Becky and I did most of the cooking with Honey pinch hitting for the stuffing and giblet dressing. YUM!

It's an important part of being Two

This toilet training business and we've definitely been spending a lot of time on the pot, but I've struggled with wanting to write about it. For privacy's sake. But then this afternoon, Rosa Jane said that Baby Sara wanted to sit on her toilet. So I helped her get the toddler toilet out from the cabinet and she stripped Baby Sara down to her birthday suit. She's reading to her right now and she waits oh so patiently for Sara to do her business.

On Rosa Jane's front, we've had three successful times and each time has been very exciting and full of pride. She now has little tolerance for a wet/dirty diaper but doesn't demand to always use the bathroom.

We're going with the flow and we'll see if we can wear big kid pants soon!

Just when I thought we were back to normal

RJ awoke with 104 degree fever yesterday afternoon. I was all ready to tell you how she's sleeping late -- 6:30 and taking regular naps. So we've been homebound while running a few errands. I don't know how kids do it, or especially RJ. With her high temps, I just know she has to be feeling bad, but she's still singing songs and playing and running and skipping and wanting to go for long walks around the block.

On Monday we went to a playgroup event and it always makes me question whether I'm doing the right thing. Since there are so many other mothers out there doing the fulltime stay at home with absolutely no outside help, i.e. preschool/daycare, whathaveyou.
Then comes a day like today. A day when RJ is regularly scheduled to be at school and while I enjoy the time with her, I'm still chomping at the bit to get more done, whether that's mopping the floors or putting together outstanding photo work.

Balance. It's so delicate and delicious when accomplished.

my workspace

click on the picture to see what inspires me....

The Stomach Bug Strikes Back

Since the middle of October, the Roedner clan has been struggling with a stomach bug that won't die. On top of that, Rosa Jane wakes us way before the crack of dawn, sometimes before 5 even. Nobody goes back to sleep.

I wish we could just blame it on the time change and write a love note to Mr. President to please have mercy on households with children and forego all future time changes, but alas, this pattern has been going on since we left for Chicago.

Please, Lord, let this be just a phase and but a fond memory.

So if you've been checking in on us and wondering why haven't they updated...well, we're just plumb worn out.

My horoscope today

Aesthetically pleasing Venus is your key planet, making you sensitive to her current visitation to your sign. The days and weeks month ahead remind you how important it is for you to take care of your need for beauty. Start out by making a commitment to yourself to make new friends, be more social, and to indulge your senses. Don't let anyone talk you out of your pleasures.

Three Cheers For...

First and foremost for my sweet husband for standing by his woman throughout her creative urges.

Second for that purple dinosaur that kept Rosa Jane from putting nail polish on my new carpets or finding some other trouble while I was busy painting over the weekend.

Third for my sweet friend Sally who inspires me to create.

Four for Mika Beth who told me about the dill pickle color in the first place.

The cutest Little Red Riding Hood This Year

Francis was Little Red Riding Hood last year so we don't want to take away from her by saying that Rosa Jane is the cutest EVER, but I think you know what we're thinking anyway.

We had a wonderful time telling everyone "happy Halloween!" and "The Candy's up there ===>" as we directed the some 200 people who must have stopped by Matt & Sally's during the 60 minutes we were at the house still getting ready.

After carrying around three unwrapped Tootsie Roll lollipops like a bouquet for hours, Rosa Jane finally decided to eat one. Boy, was she happy she did! She really loves chocolate the most.