Some of My Favorite Jonathan Words

Eyebulb = eyeball

Bubbadum = bubblegum

Nonee = Carena

Noo = you

Sunbeep = sunbeam

Tuppy tape = cupcake

Jonathan's Week

A trip to the park to feed the ducks:

Jonathan hoped for some good playground time, but alas, the insane rains we had made for very wet playground equipment. This turtle was dry enough:


Jonathan was super sad that he couldn't play more at the playground, so I suggested we go to the mall and play at the indoor playground. But first we made a stop at the pet shop to see the cute puppies and then headed to get a lemonade and pretzel bits:

We also went to the toy store and a few "boring" stores like Bath and Body Works. We finally made it to the playground. I think both of us had a really great time. It was nice to get out!


Then on Thursday Jonathan started preschool at EMECEC. He goes three times a week for 2 1/2 hours each day. Both of us were very sad. But he needs help with his speech and this is the place to be for that. When I asked Jonathan if he was excited, he said "no." I asked why. To which he replied, "I'll miss noo." Noo is his word for "you." Oh sweet J. I'll miss you too.

His teachers described his first day of school as "sad." Interesting, because that's exactly how I'd describe MY day without him. His second day was less sad. He starts riding the school bus on Tuesday. My tiny boy on a school bus!! He's excited about that - to be a big boy riding a school bus.

The traditional first day of school poses: front and back:

To Costco or Not to Costco?

That is the question.

I've been debating getting a membership at Costco. I guess I should just go down there sometime and wander the store (do they allow that?) to see if a membership would be worth it.

My concerns are thus:

With the cost of the membership ($50 smackaroos) will I still be saving money? I don't want to shell out $50 and have it not be worth it. Sure, cheese is cheaper, but add in the cost of the membership and what do I have? That's right . . . really expensive cheese.

I typically shop generic. I hardly get any brand name stuff (unless it's on sale for less than the generic). So, telling me that they have a really great price on Quaker oatmeal does me no good because I can get generic oatmeal at WalMart for a whole lot less than the great deal Costco might have on Quaker oatmeal. And even if I buy the Costco brand, is it cheaper than WalMart's brand? Remember I still have to figure in the cost of membership . . .

There are a few "brand name" items that I get. I'm thinking that getting them at Costco would offer a savings . . . but how much? Does that savings take into account the membership fee?

I'm not interested in anything else Costco has to offer. Don't care about the big screen tv's or the clothes they might have. I just want to save money on the stuff I already get.

What are your thoughts/experiences with Costco? Do you feel your membership is worth it? Do you have a magical formula that I could use to figure out if it's worth it?

Why Saturday was an Awesome Day

1. For Christmas Carena got me the coziest, softest bathrobe EVER. And with it a note inviting me to a Spa Day - provided by her! It included a foot massage, shoulder rub, getting my hair done, fingernails painted, ice cream and a movie. Saturday we determined would the the Spa Day. It was so much fun. What an act of service too! She painted my nails a pale shade of pink - perfect! My feet were rubbed with some mint foot cream (smelled good enough to eat), my hair was put into pony tails that were then pulled back into one pony tail. We watched Pete's Dragon and then The Princess Bride while eating neopolitan ice cream. It was a wonderful gift.

2. I made out dinner menus for the next 2 1/2 weeks.

3. I got some major grocery shopping done. I'm usually way too tired to do too much but I got my tough face on and faced the WalMart crowd on a Saturday. Thankfully Carena tagged along and helped me out. We got quite a bit. One of the nicest parts was that I didn't have to pay for all of it! I got a WalMart gift card for Christmas so I got a ton of groceries and only had to pay a little bit. Do you know how wonderful that feels?

4. Carena decided SHE wanted to make dinner AND dessert. She also determined that she'd like to be in charge of dinner and dessert from now on on Saturdays. Sounds good to me. She made the most wonderful tortellini with ham and broccoli. Hands down delicious. For dessert, she made peanut butter graham crackers dipped in chocolate. Throughout it all, she wore a cute little apron. I cannot wait for every Saturday - not only for her fabulous cooking, but to spend time with her in the kitchen and pass on what little knowledge/skills I may possess. It just sounds like some great quality time - mother and daughter.

Who I Am

Required reading for anyone who is in my life (click below):

Caring for Your Introvert - The Atlantic (March 2003)

What Am I Doing?

Sometimes I wonder what the heck I'm doing. And usually the answer is, "nothing." I'm doing nothing and it's frustrating. What's even more frustrating is that I don't want to do anything. And sometimes I want to do something but for some reason, can't. Perhaps depression has grabbed a hold of me a little harder than it usually does. Maybe it's my cold that keeps me from doing. Maybe it's my back. Maybe those are excuses.

It's a sunny day out there, probably warm too. And it makes me feel guilty that I should be out there enjoying the sun. In truth, though, it's January. It's supposed to be gloomy and cold outside. That's what my body tells me, that's what I'm used to and so I can't shake that feeling. I don't understand the sun in January.

I have a list a mile long why I don't do stuff . . . costs - even the cost of gas getting to/from, fatigue - this one never quits, illness, loneliness - even though if I had a million people surrounding me right now, I'd just want to disappear and not be with them any way, pain - chronic headaches, depression - a constant companion, weather - it's never quite right, resting up for the next onslaught of responsibilities, the list goes on.

There's no magic cure. I'm not looking for one. I'm not looking for sympathy or pity or someone to force me out of my hole. Sometimes I just want to say that I'm doing nothing. Sometimes I just want to be honest. I don't want anyone to get the idea that I'm an actual functioning and "go get 'im" type of person. Just in case there's anyone else out there like me - at least you know that you're not the only one. It doesn't mean we'll get together or anything, just that there's another person like you.

Pictures in Paradise

Pictures will have to do until I'm ready to share my wonderful Christmas. Needless to say, it was worth every ounce of drama we went through to get there. There's no place like home for the holidays . . . for any day, and I was so blessed that I was able to be home.