Overheard at the Casa (take 2.X)

Back by popular demand, here's what a fly on a wall might hear on any given day in these here parts...

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What's that mama? A gorilla? Are you wearing a gorilla? (Referencing my faux fur collar on my winter coat)

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(Someone sneezes at restaurant) God bless you honey! I mean, God bless you my friend!

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It's rough, mama. It's real rough. (Whenever she doesn't want to do something, like nap.)

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G: I don't like home!! I don't like home anymore. 

M: you don't? Where do you like?

G: I want to go back to Nonna's!

M: oh...does Nonna let you do whatever you want?

G: yes.

M: really? Ok then. Let's ask her...

G: no! Wait! I like home now mama!

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G: (puts clip in her hair) How I look? Gooood? Do I look beautiful?

M: you're beautiful because God made you! You were born beautiful!

G: no, I was borned in the airport. 

M: (silence)

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M: listen here, little lady...

G: no! I don't want to be a lady!! 

Sigh.

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(Reading anything she doesn't have memorized)

Oh! This says "Mommy (or daddy) I LOVE you!"

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(Seeing a package that was delivered for daddy) 

Oh oh oh! This is a BIG ONE! It's a tower!!! No! A mountain!!

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(Upon seeing me come back from a quick trip outside.) I'm all done picking my nose! Wanna see my mirror?

Fabulous.

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And that's all for this edition. I'm sure we will be back. Quite positive.

WIWS: A Forgotten Level of Hell

Linking up with the ladies at Fine Linen & Purple (www.finelinenandpurple.com) for this edition of What I Wore Sunday, in which there isn't a pic of what I actually wore. Instead, I'm subbing pics of the almost same outfit I wore for Li'l G's birthday party...just imagine a brown v-neck sweater under the jacket, which you really can't see anyway. See?

Jacket: Resale $6

Jeans: Resale $1 (for real!!)

Boots: DSW

Sweater not pictured: Kohl's (I think) many moons ago.

Jewelry: Payless. Crazy, no?

Why the subbed photos instead of actual ones? Let's just say we had a rather harrowing experience getting family photos done at an in-store studio. I shan't get specific, but let's just say I spend a lot of other time at this place and usually they're right on target.

In the studio they were over an hour late, not terribly good at keeping a toddler's attention, and just plain exasperating. So many variables wrong it wasn't just a comedy of errors. It really was bad business. We wouldn't have gone except that Groupon tricked me by having a steal of a deal. 

Now that we have identified a never-before-seen extra level of hell Dante somehow missed, we are wiser for the wear and shall never go back. Not even if someone offers us sweet cash and a long sabbatical at a foreign location of our choice says the Hubbers. If I even consider it, as I said earlier in the day, beat me...beat me good.

In other news, it's Advent next week y'all! (I don't know if I've secretly been hanging out with Paula Deen or checking up on fellow Aggies, but I've been dropping the "y'all" a lot lately...) I'm getting close to having our DIY Advent mantle calendar done. If only we didn't spend half a lifetime at the photo studio I might have picked up more tape to finish the prep! Here's a sneak peek...

Now imagine it filled with rationed Halloween candy and a daily Scripture slip. End scene.

With all the mayhem, we didn't even celebrate Christ the King with any real hoopla. My bad. I just figured we'd already be dressed up for church so easy peasy photos and out. Wah waaaah.

Here's hoping y'all had a wonderful celebration of Christ the King! And psst...Jesus is almost on His way! Happy dance!

Now, to leave you with a little literary/pop culture mash up humor, here's a tidbit from Seeing The Word:

You're welcome.

Overheard at the Casa

(Smelling something a bit foul) Li'l G, did you pass gas??

Li'l G: No, that's just silly! Gas is for cars!!

 (Bedtime prayers)

Mama: Who else should we pray for, honeybear?

Li'l G: my baby! 

Mama: anyone else? 

Li'l G: Pope Francis!

Mama: Awww, you love Pope Francis don't you?

Li'l G: Uh huh....I LOVE JESUS TOO!!!

Li'l G: Mama! Can I watch the chicken?

Mama: The chicken?

Li'l G: Yes, I want to watch the chicken. Can I please? PLEASE?

(Scratching my head...realizing she means the new Audrey Assad album we listen to through Apple TV)

Mama: You want to listen to the chicken music?

Li'l G: YES!

(I know, the cover isn't really a chicken, but we roll with it here. My sincere apologies to that graphic designer.)

Li'l G: (singing) Four kids that fall...four kids that fall...

Mama: Whatchya singing, honeybear?

Li'l G: Chicken music!

Mama: ahhhh... (Four kids that fall = fortunate fall. It's kind of close...right? Only two off?)

And that's it for this edition of Casa talk! There's plenty more where that came from, but mama's gotta learn to write 'en as they come. My memory isn't what it used to be...

Stand Up at the Casa

Our little Gigi has lately started telling knock knock jokes. She cracks herself right up, just like her mama. Here's a couple of her gems:

Gigi: Knock, knock, knock! (Yes, she says it thrice)

Mama: Who's there?

Gigi: [indecipherable babble word]

Mama: [indecipherable babble word] who?

Gigi: IN THE DOOR!!! [unbridled giggles]

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Gigi: Knock, knock, knock!

Mama: Who's there?

Gigi: Tissue.

Mama: Tissue who?

Gigi: Tissue's in the box! [giggles]

So then I taught her some of these goodies:

Mama: Knock, knock!

Gigi: Who's there?

Mama: Lettuce.

Gigi: Lettuce who?

Mama: Lettuce in it's cold outside!

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Mama: Knock, knock!

Gigi: Who's there?

Mama: Boo.

Gigi: Boo who?

Mama: Awe, don't cry baby!

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Mama: Knock, knock!

Gigi: Who's there?

Mama: Who.

Gigi: Who who?

Mama: Is there an owl in the house??

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Mama: Knock, knock!

Gigi: Who's there?

Mama: Atch.

Gigi: Atch who?

Mama: God bless you!

After rolling his eyes at us, even daddy joined in!

Dada: Knock knock!

Gigi: Who's there?

Dada: Donkey.

Gigi: Donkey who?

Dada: Don Quixote!

If you wanted more quality comedy, you should have treated yourself to a night with the Cos at Orchestra Hall in Detroit. This is as funny as we get at the Casa... :)

In other news, we done good garage sale-ing it today! The hubs found himself a golfclub cart thingy, we got an old oil painting for $5, some pretty frames, a doll stroller which has been a big hit, a bunch o' toy trucks, a rocking horse, a folding kids table, an old light up globe still sporting its USSR style, and a few sundry other items including an alphabet poster that Gigi calls her alphabet map. Not too shabby!

That's life at the Casa for now! Buona notte!

Lessons From Daddy

I'll bet you thought this was a pre-Father's Day sentimental post, didn't you? Psych!

Here's what Li'l G learns when she is home with daddy. Apparently he is Michael Scott, and we're still doing that.




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Morning Conversations at Casa McCormick

Mama: G - are you playing in your dresser drawers again?

Li'l G: Yes, mama!

Mama: Please put your clothes back in the drawer.

Li'l G: But Bob needs to get dressed!

Mama: (walking into Li'l G's room to see her putting her bathing suit bottoms on a stuffed Bob the Tomato) Bob the Tomato doesn't wear bikini bottoms, honey bear.

Li'l G: Oh, ok, mama. But Bob needs to get dressed.

Clearly. How could I possibly let Bob the Tomato be undressed for all this time! Life with a toddler includes so.many.things you never dreamed would come out of your mouth.

Pillow Talk at Casa McCormick

Don't worry, it's Rated G...Li'l G, that is.

Mama, tucking in Li'l G at 2nd bedtime last night: Ok, it's time to go to bed and sleep, honey bear.

Li'l G: I'm TOO BUSY to sleep!!

Mama: Too busy?!?

Li'l G: YES! I have TWO THINGS to do!!

Mama: Two things? What two things?

Li'l G: I have to go in the closet and get the guitar!

Mama: You have to get the guitar? What else?

Li'l G: I have to get the guitar and play it! Yeah!

There was important work to be done before bedtime. Apparently this kid has rockstar genes.

Five Faves: The Great Escape

,This post has been over twelve hours in the making. It is not a twelve hour good post. If we can use today as an example, I'm pretty sure Dante forgot an additional level of hell that is naptime at Casa McCormick. So today's five favorites are brought to you by dreams of making a break for it and escaping the madness. Here are five of my favorite places on earth...if I go missing, I may be hiding somewhere down the list with Carmen Sandiego...

~1~

Rome

Ever since I first set my eyes on Roman Holiday, the eternal city has captivated me. Gelato on the Spanish Steps, dancing on the barges, Vespa rides through the narrow streets...you had me at ciao! I was blessed to be able to honeymoon there, though we barely even scratched the surface even after 10 days. Add its proximity to Vatican City and Papa Francesco, and you might very well find me nibbling on a panini sipping some vino. Maybe.

~2~

Assisi

Oh, Assisi. I could happily hide out in Assisi for a few weeks or lives...however long it takes me to plumb he depths of the wisdom of St. Francis and St. Clare. We took a "day trip" there during our honeymoon, and I don't think I need to tell you that a few hours is just a cruel teaser. If you don't find me in Rome, check the lower chapel or paths of Assisi!

~3~

Connemara Region of Ireland

I couldn't pick just one little town. This whole region has a way of charming me, be it the lush green hills, green marble crags, smell of peat moss fires, bright colored quaint houses, tea, proximity to Croagh of St. Patrick...I could get lost quite happily for many moons here. If I'm eluding you in Assisi, bring your walking stick and see if you can find me in the beautiful countryside of the Connemara.

~4~

Estes Park, CO

This is a peek into the vacations of my youth. The reality may not hold a candle to the flames of nostalgia that remembers the crisp air, clear water, no allergies, fishing with my dad, and eating at a grand hotel. I think it was the first time I was outside without allergies plaguing me, and that made an indelible mark in my memory as a place I would gladly visit again and again. Sadly, I fear that the fires recently may have left their mark on Estes Park, though in my mind the air is still crisp and the water clear. If you didn't spot me in Ireland, grab your saddle and take a look on the trails around Estes Park.

~5~

Sydney

Who doesn't want to go to a land down under? From the iconic Opera House, to its many beaches, to the Blue Mountains nearby and general hospitality, Sydney was a great experience even in the madness of a World Youth Day. I would love to go back and visit sans madness! The outback intrigues me as well, though we never made it there on our trip, but I'd happily trounce around Sydney visiting the Bendictines we were hosted by, searching for kanga and roo, taking in the Pacific on its other shores and maybe even taking in a show. If I was MIA in Colorado, you may want to grab your opera glasses and some Vegemite, mate!

~Honorable Mention~

Puri, Orissa - India 

I didn't spend much time here, and it was when I was quite young. I do remember thinking how beautiful and simple it was though, so it doesn't make my top five, but needed a mention regardless.

Here's hoping I don't need to renew my passport anytime soon! For more favorites, head on over to Hallie's at Moxie Wife! Hopefully we will return to some more sane favorites here next week.

I Share Because It's Funny

C'mon...you know you want to laugh! You gotta love Facebook for its sheer humor quotient sometimes...

Overheard at Casa McCormick

Me: Why is the tv stand wet??

Li'l G: *blank stare*

Me: Li'l G, did you get out a wipe without asking and use it on the tv stand?

Li'l G: *huge cheesy grin* Aww, pretty mommy!!

Me: *leave room to laugh my head off*

In other news, based on this morning, I am once again considering renaming the blog "House o' Poo"...... Ok, maybe not for real.

No Beauty Sleep for Me!

Though the little boy slept a full 8 hours...that's right - EIGHT HOURS - there was no beauty sleep for this mama. Someone is conspiring against me! At this rate, the luggage under my eyes may be there as long as the lost luggage on Saturn! 

Whilst the babes all slept peacefully, praise God, we were up due to a carbon monoxide detector that wanted us to test it so it could tell us that we were at 0ppm CO. Did I mention that it was at 1:30 in the morning. By the time we figured all that out, we went back to bed around 2AM. I then felt it necessary, just in case the detector was faulty, to spend the next hour monitoring my symptoms and researching carbon monoxide poisoning and the features of our detector online. Once I heard that alarm, all I could think of were the news articles about the families who didn't know and then ended up dead. Yeah, I'm that girl - I worry even though the detector really detected  nothing. 

I am thankful, though, that it was nothing at the end of the day (or rather the beginning of it). Plus, the whole ordeal made me think of Phoebe's altercation with her smoke detector which made me giggle and then look up the episode, though we did not throw ours out or get a visit from a fireman in the middle of the night... Click on the photo if you want to see the clip!

Confessions of a Mom with a Toddler: Take One

...the proportion with which I dole out Cheerios is the measure by which I want to pick them up off the floor.

Running With Sharks

Ok, ladies, I know this is many of you. You're trying to get back in shape. You're on a new health kick. You have a little way to go to get to that goal, but you are on your way. Picking yourself up by the gym shoes, you march your slightly wider behind on over to your local exercise palace, only to be scorned by the queens of the machines. You know the ones I'm talking about. They're the ones who look you up and down with the knowing look that says "you don't belong here, but clearly you need help." They appear more like a sculpture than a woman, clearly residing at said facility because they certainly don't look like they need to be there at all. Yes, they're who I mean. Sadly, some of us may be those women (no fingers pointing at anyone specific!)...stop!

We talk about the mommy wars, but those are really just a subcategory of a much larger sickness - the woman wars. Clothing, work, marriage, sex, and yes, the gym. We judge, we gossip, we gloat, we lament, when what we really should be doing is supporting one another (in all things good and healthy, but that's another post).

My good friend and über-talented writer Nancy Vitale has written a short comedic film inspired by her own experience with the piranhas of the pool. These aren't your middle school bullies - they've had experience...about eight decades to be exact! Produced by Nilou Safinya, Running With Sharks is about a woman making a fresh start against the odds. Knowing Nancy, it is sure to have us laughing and rooting for victory in the end.

Nilou Safinya, producer

Nancy Vitale, writer

The pair and their new production company, Eyes Up Here (I think many of us can relate to that name!) are currently working to secure funding to produce their film for entry in festivals as well as a pilot presentation to pitch to television networks. If you think you might enjoy the show, check out their pitch at http://vimeo.com/m/62112973 and Indiegogo campaign at http://igg.me/at/runningwsharks. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

Best of luck to you, dear friend! I for one am hoping you get this going sooner rather than later - I can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve and in your head. PS - when you make it big, don't forget who let you live with her for free - please send good hummus and red wine. And if you happen to run into Colin Firth, you can bring him with you when you deliver the goods. Smooches!

Worship Wednesday: Vol 3

So, with all the chaos over the last week, and the kind of Friday I had at the beginning of the day, I thought this week would be a perfect week to feature a little Francesca Battistelli with "This is the Stuff." It's a great anthem to get me through those moments where I feel a little bit overwhelmed and forget that God uses all things for the good of those who love Him. All things. Even the stuff I hate and makes me react in a not so God loving way. Sing this at the top of my lungs in the car with the windows down, and the "stuff" just seems to melt away. Mostly.

Here it is - Worship Wednesday with "This is the Stuff"...

7SDQT (SuperDuperQuickTakes): Version Two - Full Steam Ahead

So, as I was driving, I was going through my morning and realized I could do an entire Quick Takes just on my morning. Indulge me - I gotta vent. Be warned - this is not a "Life is Good" post (though it is, it really is). There aren't even pictures. You know that's not normal!

-1-

Just for once I would like to feel like I am not behind the game and stressing to get out the door relatively on time without drool on my shirt and hair and makeup done. Just once. I'm guessing that's not in the cards for a family with littles or cats who throw up just as you are walking out the door. Sorry Hubbers, we'll have to clean that up when we get home - I wasn't coming back in the door!

-2-

I am sick sick sick of clutter. Too many toys, too much everything! I was reading some other 7QT posts and a few people were talking of our perpetual Lent as parents (and especially parents of littles). Yes yes yes! This Lent, my goal was to detach from my iDevice and be more present. You know what would help me be more present? Let's just take everything in the house that is causing clutter, put it in a large pile in the yard and take a match to it. No, really. Is that detached enough for you? Hey Scott - I'll even let you light the match that gets to engulf my frivolous books! (Note to all my bibliophile friends - no, I'm not actually going to burn books. Note to Hubbers - in this case, "what's yours is mine" does not apply - please breathe.)

-3- 

This is partially due to #1 on the list, but why, oh why, must the Devil aggravate me with bad drivers when I'm already late? Seriously, if I am the only car coming, and you need to pull out into traffic to turn left in the direction I am going, WHY must you cut me off and then drive >10 MPH slower than me? Would it have killed you to wait 10 seconds and pull out after me? NO ONE IS BEHIND ME! I am, of course, as I get ready to indulge myself in a bit of road rage and tailgate, reminded that time - all time - is created by and belongs to God and there must be a purpose greater than my little mind can comprehend. Yeah yeah, I hear ya Holy Spirit - stop whispering.

-4-

We are at THAT stage with Li'l G. The one where she latches on to one thing we say and then repeats it over and over and over and over and over and over until I want to stick my finger in my eye to relieve that headache that is beginning. It's not enough that she doesn't stop talking EVER during waking hours, but once she latches to a word or idea, game over. Kids were going over to Nonna's this morning....around noon, mind you. Well, she remembered and from 7:45 when she woke up until I contemplated finding a fifth of whatever was lying around the house, that was ALL I heard. Well, that interspersed with "watch Veggie Tales" over and over and over and over and over.

-5- 

Stress eating leads me to McDonald's. Heaven help me, all I wanted to eat (since I didn't have five seconds to put together a meal) was a Filet-O-Fish meal from McD's with a chocolate shake. You bet your bum that's what I am having for lunch. "Lose It!" gets shelved for today before mama loses it for realz.

-6-

I miss my mom and am rather frustrated she is not around. Granted, when she is here she typically drives me nuts, but I'd rather she were here anyway. We are incredibly blessed to have Nonna helping us with the kids well beyond what is probably acceptable with our Lenten and Easter conference/work schedules, but as much as she is my second mom, it's just not the same as my own mom. Besides which, my mom is missing out on precious moments with these kids who may never really get to know her, y'know? Does someone else want to take up the banner of "move your behind to Michigan" with her? I'm spent.

-7-

I'm spent. I mean hanging on by a thread spent. Prayer life - mediocre at best. Eating - yeah, pretty much whatever is convenient...what's healthy? Health - yeah, starting to worry that's suffering a little too. I'm so thankful for the mommy blogosphere and other mom friends who read my posts and let me know I'm not completely nuts. However, something has gotta give. Hoping this weekend conference/retreat will provide some major breakthroughs and miracles. I need to live in my gifts and struggling every day to find ways to do that is draining. I need light within the tunnel, not just at the end of it...

I told you. All just this morning. Mommy needs a real vacation.

Saturday Silliness

A little laugh to start your weekend...

Enough said.