I'm curious to know....

.... who decided this was a good idea?? I mean, it's not a bad idea, but doesn't it seem a bit redundant? I love caramel - those old skool Kraft caramel chews are the bomb. I love caramel with chocolate - I mean do you love anyone enough to give them your last Rolo? And there is nothing more satisfying than the classic Reese's Peanut Butter cup held by thumb and forefinger in the middle whilst first nibbling around the ruffled ridged edge leaving finger licking chocolate for the finale...mmmm....but the infusion of caramel...eh...it just does nothing for it in this case. The caramel flavor is barely evident and it just serves to make the bottom an oozy mess while diluting the dense peanut butter goodness. Now Reese's Crispy Crunch bars are an entirely different story - yeah, I could have just had a Butterfinger, but the interior is a little more toffee like in consistency and the roasted peanut crumbles in the chocolate shell just make it that much more complex... If it is not already apparent, yes, I did crack into the Halloween candy! Remind me not to buy any until Halloween day next year!!!

The Halloween Festivities Begin

So the kiddo may be completely burned out on getting costumed by Wednesday, but I am all for getting the most out of the cuteness that is this plush zebra!

Layton had the great idea to march our menagerie through the annual Del Ray Halloween parade Sunday afternoon. Eamonn brought out the monkey adorableness.
Of course, the festivities trumped nap time and mom still has a sore left arm from carrying this ball of plushness for most of the route!
And this is our second round of pumpkins after our aggressive and ravenous squirrels devoured the first weeks ago. They have already crunched and munched their way around the eyes in spite of my tossing the innards and seeds and good stuff to them.

?????????????????????????????????????

Now I love David Lynch as much as the next gal. Rather, more than the next gal, but, ummmm...INLAND EMPIRE??? Words escape me. And here I thought that nothing stranger than Eraserhead could come from this man's brilliant mind.


I hadn't noticed the caption "A Woman in Trouble" on the poster before now, but I guess that is pretty much what the film is about. "I guess..." being operative here. I can appreciate its ambition, and its pure, unfiltered Lynchian dreamscape. Would I go out and recommend it? Probably not to anyone who hasn't invested a lot of time into Lynch appreciation or at least taken more than a passing fancy with surrealism. I don't even think I could coherently tell anyone what it is about. Longtime Lynch muse Laura Dern plays a fading film star who gets a break at a romance co-starring Justin Theroux (hot) directed by Jeremy Irons (double hot.) She gets lost in her character and spirals into a nightmarish rabbit hole. Period. That's about all I can venture to describe the "plot." And there are Polish maffiosos/gypsies. And anthropomorphic rabbits speaking to a canned laugh track. And a posse of prostitutes who break into song and dance to Locomotion. And did I mention Justin Theroux/Jeremy Irons? Unfortunately their characters are pretty much dismissed about 1/2 to 2/3rds of the way through once Laura Dern's descent into madness (???? I'm really not sure....) takes over to carry the rest of the film.


Bottom line is, if you've got 3 hours on your hands and want to be completely confounded, check it out. But I'm not going so far as to recommend it. Well, maybe I am. I'm still not certain!

Dear Blog,

I have not forsaken you. Have just been sneaking off for interviews and researching for said interviews when not feigning interest in current professional responsibilities. I have not even had the chance to read Pink is the New Blog once this week...

HS Reunion

Can anyone spot Massi, Julie and I in our Sr. class picture?? Yikes!!
And here are all 12 representatives of the SSSAS class of 1992 from the weekend activities.

The Cuteness

OK, so I am just in a very random frame of mind today, but am I the only one out there who thinks that the Dalai Lama is the cutest thing ever? Seriously! I know I shouldn't describe a high holy man as 'cute' and I have such tremendous respect for his life and work, but he is precious and always so very smiley no matter the circumstance.
Here's hoping he's showing our 'leader' the way to enlightenment so that he causes no further damage to our nation, people and reputation in his waning months (wishful thinking!)

This too...

...from our future Attorney General on waterboarding:

"...it depends on how one defines "torture."

Holy Moly! Even the CIA has supposedly banned waterboarding from its interrogation techniques. Not so sure about Jack Bauer...

This is striking...

I'm not going to go all Pete Stark, but still:

For the cost of just 41 days of war in Iraq, the nation could insure 10 million children for one year.

Miss Independence

Wow! When the toddlers hit the independent stage, they really hit it hard. No turning back to those little lumpkins who relied upon a parent/caregiver for everything. Leila's favorite phrase in recent months in retort to anything I've tried to help her with (pulling down a pull-up, putting on shoes, pouring juice in a cup...) is: "NO, only me!"

This morning included one of those epic battle of wills that leave me rattled to the point of blasting The White Stripes on my iPod while hoofing it to the metro after the daycare drop off. Who would have thought getting dressed in the morning would be so bloody difficult when one's child WEARS A UNIFORM to school?? Yesterday, she was a little angel getting dressed because we had the rare chance to wear our Sunday best for picture day, but today was a doozy. I did have to cave and let her wear her pink Disney Princess Mary Janes with her red sweatpants, as offering her the reward to make some minor choice does have to trump wise fashion on occasion.

Sorry I missed this!

I'm kind of wishing Leila or I had a sick day today so we could have watched AC help Oscar host the Grouch Network News. That is some quality kids' educational programming right there! But instead, I'm just on my way out of here to get the kiddo and I flu shots. Which is exactly how I'd like to start my Tuesday evening...

No more pacifiers (a.k.a. Baas!)

So we've been talking up the whole you're a big girl now Leila, only babies use pacifiers, when you're ready we'll pack yours all up and mail them to the babies who need them (in Africa - for some reason, I decided that babies in Africa were deserving of her baas and every time she heard something about Africa on the news or else where, she'd perk up and say "Africa is where the babies are!") then we'll go to the toy store to pick out a special big girl toy (ahhh...the powers of bribery) for a while now. She has nodded and assented, but then has not quite been ready to give them up. She has not used one at school for a nap in ages, but ALWAYS used them to sleep at home - nap and bedtime - and she had also discovered that she could stroll right into the kitchen and reach one on the drying rack any time something (like mom saying "no candy corn before dinner") frustrated her.

So last week I decided we were going cold turkey this weekend and we would talk about it every night before bed and she would agree that Saturday morning, she would go to the post office with mommie to mail the baas to the babies and then we would go pick our special toy. Even though Why Not would have done for a suitable toy, I promised her we'd go to Kinderhaus in Clarendon to make it even more of a special outing. Friday night we put all the old baas lying around in a padded envelope and wrote a note for the babies. She even took the one out of her mouth and put it in the envelope, but then she had second thoughts and took it back and I told her that was fine, we would seal it up in the morning (there is still one hidden in my spice cabinet for emergencies!) Saturday morning she had no problem giving me her last one and helping me seal the envelope, then we went to the post office (mailed them to my mom as a stand-in for the the babies) and to Kinderhaus and returned with this Melissa & Doug fold and go doll house. I consider it a starter doll house as I'd like her to have a full sized Victorian one when we ever get that house with a basement/play room, but much nicer than nasty old pacifiers, no?
I think mom's withdrawal/remorse was way worse than the resilient 2 & 1/2 year old. She was just fine w/o the baas Saturday except for boycotting her nap, but I broke down with the full realization that she's not a baby anymore as I looked at her sucking on her lower lip a bit as she slept Saturday night. Yesterday she napped (reluctantly at 3:00 for an hour & 1/2) and went to bed w/o asking after baa, and she very mater-of-factly stated this morning when we returned her sippy cup to the kitchen "we don't have baa anymore." My girl's all growed up! Now we just need to get more consistent on the potty training thing.

Fall Fashion

Now that it is finally fall, I can take a second to address fall fashion. I love the wide-leg pant trend if I can find some to fit my rear without going up a size. For some reason, I can still fit in 8s that I bought last season, but now when I try them on in stores, 10s are stretched taut in all the wrong places. It's a conspiracy I tell you. Retailers have shrunk their sizes in the past year (and, ummm... I've gained 10 pounds.)

I wasn't quite getting this whole dolman sleeved sweater thing until I tried some on and realized how cute and comfy they are. I was kind of resisting them like I resisted the $200+ jeans craze until I realized what wonders those jeans can do for the bootie. Today, I'm in one similar to that pictured, but it's a Marc Jacobs brown belted cardigan. That's right: Marc Jacobs. Thank the Lord for TJ Maxx! And when the temperatures take their next plunge, I'll be prepared with my knee length, fitted, black Calvin Klein down coat ($78! TJ Maxx. $78!!!)

Today is...

...our 4 year wedding anniversary! We will be celebrating it at Taqueria Poblano with the kiddo. At least I get a margarita or two out of it. I think I want to go to Morocco next year for our 5 year.

Weekend Outings

And, in spite of the fact that it was 90 degrees, we had a fun summer/fall weekend with quite a bit of scrambling about. We started Saturday at Del Ray's Art on the Avenue festival, then went to Tio Pepe's for some 30th Birthday Redskins Cake and draught Sam Adams from his very own keg-o-rater. Leila and Pepe played some rousing games of catch as seen below.
Monday we ventured out to Cox Farms in Centerville. It is quite the extravaganza. I'm glad we only have to go once a year, but it was a great day's entertainment for the 2s and up. Even I got a rush out of their larger slides and Leila showed no fear, wanting to come down by herself of course. The scads of characters lining the hay-ride path range from your everyday witches to Sponge Bob and Patrick and everyone in between. It's... interesting... Maybe next year at this time the temperatures will be more seasonal. Or maybe, it will be 100 on October 8th by then.

This one is just prior to a meltdown because Mommie came down the slide when it was still "my turn!!!!!!!" because there were 30+ people behind her.
And the other fun that I missed capturing on film was grocery shopping at our new Harris Teeter. For real. Their mini "shopper in training" grocery carts for kids are genius!

Edward Hopper Show at the National

And in other "cultural" news, I played a bit of a truant Friday and sneaked off to the National Gallery to blitz the Edward Hopper show after doing a gopher run to the Hill.


It is lovely and here through January, so check it out. Just try to hit it at a time when it's not full of busloads of people with loud-talking, over-analyzing guides. I identify him so much with works like Nighthawks and other large oils of public spaces. I wasn't really anticipating all the watercolors of New England landscapes and houses. They were a treat and his perspective is really quite striking up close.

The 300

This. Is. SPARTA!
I confess. I watched this on Friday. And enjoyed it. A lot. Mostly for Gerard Butler's torso. It is an awe inspiring work of beauty. Seriously! But, I did also enjoy the sum of 1 part Lord of the Rings, 1 part Clash of the Titans and 1 part Rome. My brother accused me of being a fantasy geek. I guess I kind of am. And Rodrigo Santoro should not have even gotten a credit as he is so unrecognizable as Xerxes. I tried really hard. Reeeaaaallly hard to pick out his pretty features and it was near impossible. Occasionally I could trace his lips and nose, but don't go into this thinking you'll get to lust after him.

Grey's is back!

Maybe? Hopefully? I thought last night's ep was great stuff all around. Well, minus the whole Gizzie thing. Aside from them it was a classic.

Boob Tube Blabber

Haven't talked much TV this week, so here's a quick wrap-up.

Desperate Housewives: Silly, silly, silly. And not in a good sense of the word. I don't think I can bare to watch Susan go through a pregnancy or get up the energy to care about a new family with a new dark past and a new locked room to hide family secrets in on Wisteria Lane. Were it not for Kyle McLaughlin and that hot guy who looks like Jason Bateman who played Kate's short-lived husband on Lost last season (he has a name, it's Nathan Fillion and he's on Ellen today, but I never watched any of his cult shows like Firefly and Buffy, so I will continue to refer to him as that hot guy who looks like Jason Bateman), I'd call it quits.

Brothers and Sisters: So glad to welcome the Walkers back! The B-day party for Kitty planned by Rebecca was riotous. And on Rebecca, I actually warmed up to her a little in her final video to Justin ("the heart of this family" cue tears!) Kevin + Jason McAllister = McDreamy to the nth degree, and their exchange of the L word....awwwwwwwwwww....again, cue my tears.

Journeyman: With all due respect to Lucius Vorenus, I have already given this one up. I didn't find the pilot as painful to watch as the critics, but just can't do a 10:00 show Monday following Bros. & Sis. Sunday. Yeah, I'm old. And remain DVRless.

Ugly Betty: Finally watched it on the computer Tuesday night. Hands down, this remains the best show on TV (until Lost returns.) It is the only show that takes me from LOL to bawling in split seconds. Amanda in a fat suit! Priceless. The timing and delivery of Mark and Wilhemina's lines. Also priceless. I think I'm going to adopt the "N..." b/c I'm too tired to say No w/ Leila. I knew Santos's fate from advance reading, but I loved the way Hilda's privately letting him go was spliced in. Yeah, yeah the whole dream sequence idea is a bit hokie, but it worked for me! Justin at Mode after narrowly escaping crafting macaroni necklaces. Priceless again. And.....HENRY!!!!!!!!!

Private Practice: Watched last night while reading the captions while on the phone with mom, so it didn't get my full attention. I'll stick to it for now. The stripper piece was ridiculous. The switched sick baby tugged at my sentiments a little. I hope Pete was for real when he told Addison he liked his women natural with lines around their eyes to show they'd lived like her, because that was a good one. And I'm glad Cesar doesn't watch, because he'd probably like the idea of poisoning me with mushrooms after I've had a little too much wine.

Top Chef : So, so very tired from staying up 'til 11:15 to see Hung declared victor. I don't think I knew Todd English was such a hottie. Mmmmm...I still dream of his gnocci at English is Italian.

Pushing Daisies/Dirty Sexy Money: I would really, really like to watch both of these, but have not been able too b/c PD falls at Leila's bedtime and DSM again is a 10:00er. I will try my darnedest to find time to catch up via computer soon.

"THAT Mom"

Yes, I am that mom...the one who puts her child in a Bob Dylan concert Tee! She does enjoy listening to him though, so it is not just a case of me trying to express my tastes through her...well, it is, but I'm kind of OK with that.


The Dylan show was great, but with all due respect and praise for his Bobness, I was almost more wowed by Elvis Costello. It was a great treat to see him solo and he played a very strong and politically timely set (of course, I was most excited about Veronica, Alison and (What's so funny 'bout) Peace Love and Understanding.) I always forget that he's British. Dylan's set was solid. It took quite a little bit of time to figure out that his opener was Rainy Day Woman #12 & 35, which led me suggest we create a little bit of a drinking game around how many verses it took to guess what he was singing, which led to perhaps one too many $8 24 ounce Stellas, but it was all in good cheer. His voice is strongest on the newest tracks from Modern Times, and they each sounded great. I was feeling a little cheated about not getting All Along the Watchtower as an encore, but w/ Thunder on the Mountain and Blowin' in the Wind, I didn't have much ground for complaint. It was also an absolutely divine night weather wise, so was a good time all around.

And further to the kind of parent I am...this gear was not worn to perform ollies on a skateboard. It was worn to ride the tricycle - that I push her on - at a pace of about 1 mile/hour. BUT her father bought it for her, and she ASKED to wear it.