Lollipop, lollipop

In honor of Erica's 18-month birthday today, I'll share a little story her mommy chatted to me tonight.

Me: hi sissy! did your night go smoothly after i left?

Jeanette: smooth as silk... all b/c of a smart evil genius mommy and a lollipop!!!!

Me: what?

Jeanette: I tried in vain to get her to be still to take her onesie pic.

Me: is that where the lollipop came in?

Jeanette: then i remembered the lollipop Dad gave Erica for Christmas and I gave it to her! Hee hee hee. She was putty in my hands. I fixed her hair, sat her in the chair, and actually got a few pics....before she started rubbing the lolli everywhere on herself, the chair, the carpet, ew gross!!!

Me: uh-oh! i'm glad you got some pics. any "after" pics too?

Jeanette: So then I had to figure out how to get the lollipop away from her without a fit. Didn't want any fits tonight home alone. So this is how I got the lolli away: ready for MORE genius?

Me: waiting on baited breath.

Jeanette: I gave her a little bowl with FIVE white chocolate chips in it. She was fascinated, gave up the pop, and when the chips were gone, they were gone and we moved on to something else! The lollipop seriously would have lasted until midnight. I couldn't wait it out She was hardly licking it.

Me: you ARE a genius. did u have to throw away the lolly?

Jeanette: No, i rinsed it off and saved in a ziplock bag.

Me: that's good. it might come in handy another time.

Jeanette: It is a valuable tool. I will not throw it out yet:)

My friend's give-away

My friend, Suzanne, posted her February give-away on her Keep In Touch Stationery Co. blog. Run on over there to check it out and enter to win! Of course, if you win, I'll be jealous . . . but I'll get over it!

Random thoughts

It's been an emotionally-draining week, with sad news coming from several sides (friends and acquaintances dealing with cancer diagnoses, and the death of a child). I know that God is in control of all of these circumstances and that He is a God of hope. I believe in the promise from Romans 8:28 that says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." And I am thankful.

Today I read a comment from the wife of a friend who has been diagnosed with cancer. She said that they appreciated all of the prayers and messages, and especially liked the funny ones. That made me start looking for funny things to pass along, and also that would make me laugh as well.

One thing I thought of was a scene this week that took place in the Kroger parking lot as I was walking in to get a couple of things after work. I passed by a man (a rather large man, I might add) who had a cart that was VERY full of groceries. He was standing beside one of those "smart cars". You know, the kind that looks like someone cut off the back end. To say there's not a trunk is an understatement. At that moment when I passed by, I decided to let what I was thinking come out of my mouth: "Are you going to be able to get all those groceries in there?" The man just laughed and said, "I hope so, or else I'll be carrying them home in this cart!"

I'll leave you with one more funny picture. Since it was such a pretty day outside today, a lot of people were out and about. One friend posted on her Facebook status that she'd just seen a nun riding a scooter. My comment to that was, "Girls just wanna have fun!"

The Winter Olympics

Da da da-da da da da, da da da-da da-da da da-da da da daaaaa!

I love the Olympics! I can remember first watching them back in the 70s. Back when Dorothy Hamill was winning medals in figure skating. I even had a Dorothy Hamill haircut (but that was the end of any comparisons between me and she . . . I can't stay upright on a pair of skates for more than 1.2 seconds).

I'm not partial to Winter Olympics over the Summer Olympics. They are both equally exciting to me and I pretty much stay glued to the TV during the two weeks that they are on.

More recent memories include Daniel learning what the Olympics are all about. Whether tryiing to emulate Apollo Anton Ohno outside on the driveway with his inline skates or asking to take swim lessons so he could swim like Michael Phelps, it's been fun to watch Daniel become as enthralled as I am with the Olympic games. And now, we get to watch some sort of Olympics every two years. "Back when I was a kid" we had to wait four long years between the events. Man, these kids have it so good nowadays!

The 2010 Winter Olympics have already had some memorable moments. I've been baffled by the strange weather they're having in Vancouver, pondering how odd it is that the mid-Atlantic states keep getting dumped on with snow, but they're having to import snow to the Olympic ski slopes. And I'm sure one thing the organizers and producers of the Opening Ceremonies would like for everyone to forget is the malfunction of the torch caldron!

My heart is saddened by the death of the luger from the country of Georgia and my prayers go out to his family and his teammates as they deal with this tragedy. I hope that there will not be any other tragedies and malfunctions in this year's Olympic Games, and that the memory of this athelete will be honored by all who compete and break records and win medals in Vancouver.

Happy February!

I love February! First off, the obvious reason is because I was born this month--TODAY to be exact! So the month just starts off on a good note for me! Today was no exception. Thanks to friends and family, I was THOROUGHLY celebrated and loved on, via phone calls, Facebook wall posts, emails, cards, flowers and gifts! WOW! I was blown away and am so thankful for the people God has placed in my life!

My second reason for loving the month of February is that I am a hopeless romantic and love Valentine's Day, even when I don't have a particularly special Valentine. I just love the idea of giving gifts and cards to those you love. Now, I know that it is important to show love to those around you every day of the year, but I think it's fun to have a special day to do that, too. Some may beg to differ, and if so, that's fine (just keep your opinion to yourself--just kidding!).

My third reason for loving February is because it's the month that my parents chose to be married. On February 28, 1964, they tied the knot, and have been demonstrating a loving relationship to us ever since. You can read more about their love story here.

I guess three reasons are plenty enough to explain my love for this month. I have many friends who were born in February as well, so I know I must share this affinity for it with others. At the risk of unabashedly copying from another, more famous blog I read today, how about everyone leave a comment telling what is your favorite month and why. Come on, it'll be fun (and it's my birthday)!!