Leopard Spots

Kitten's Crazy Night

When it comes to being sick Cub has been a pretty easy kid. Aside from one hospitalization when she was a month old, the run of the mill illnesses have been pretty easy on me. Especially during the night. 

Perhaps Kitten was trying to warn me when I had "morning" sickness every day for the duration of my pregnancy. 

Cause her thing is turning out to be the "sickness" in the middle of the night.

I was going to write an unrelated post about the fact that she has been spending almost every night in my bed for last week or so. I know she hasn't been feeling her best so I've allowed it. Actually it's a lot easier than her waking me up in the middle of the night to crawl into my bed. 

So last night she woke my up with the sickness. Yes, put two and two together and you know where she was! 

Things I learned last night/this morning.

Adrenaline at 2:30 in the morning rocks. I so felt like I had a good night's rest. 

That hair of Kitten's and the sickness do not get along. At all.

Two year olds do not understand the concept of a barf bucket. 

When you get two hours sleep on a night like this, really, it's just preparation for the grand finale. 

Grossed out yet?

You're all moms. You shouldn't be :-)

After bringing Cub to school, Kitten and I slept until 11 am. But we're both still dragging. Thankfully I had the presence of mind to buy a four pack of sugarfree Rockstar at Target yesterday.

If you're a single mom, seriously check this out. Way better than Mountain Dew! And perfect for days like this. 

Yes, that's her smiling and holding a cracker. I'm a brave one! 

Also, I have another leopard. She's very busy, but a more Cub oriented post is coming soon! 

magic

I have a confession to make.

I am an absolute moron when it comes to grocery shopping. I have no idea where anything is. At all. Telling you how long it took to find graham crackers yesterday would probably get my mom license revoked. 

The little leopards and I made s'mores yesterday. There was a fire in the fire place and we ran out and got the chocolate, strawberry marshmallows (because regular ones just won't do) and the evasive graham crackers. 

I love spending quality time with my babies and I always feel like I don't spend enough time with them. 

Even though since Thursday I've had more time than usual. We had an eye appointment, everything is the same, but we're watching the eyes a little bit, because if they turn in this would be the time it happens. Then I took them out to lunch, because Cub was missing lunch anyways since I had to pull her out of school for the appointment. On Friday, and perhaps this is a statement to how I have in some ways lost my mind, we ran errands I took the little leopards out to eat again. It was a school release day for Cub and it was a perfect day to kind of run around at a mildly lazy pace. But then I get to so used to it. Feeling their weight in my arms. Preparing for the running and slamming hugs (because regular ones would just be too boring).

And on Sunday at work, I had to leave early, I hadn't spent much time with my leopards since Friday morning and my arms ached. Physically ached because I yearned to much for them. Walking through the door two hours early when your children don't except you is about the coolest thing in the world. Okay, IT IS the coolest thing in the world. 

We watched a movie and cuddled and made dinner and s'mores. It was one of those afternoons I never want to end. They fight a little harder when bedtime comes, and I give in, but just a little because it is a school night. 

And the energy still holds in the air. Those are the best nights, going to sleep still feeling the magic of the day. 

Thursday: The Start

If you want to know about my adventure getting to San Francisco read this post. 

So I got in a few hours early. I tried to sleep on the plane, but I don't think I slept that much. 

F.Y.I Peet's coffee is hella good.

Way better than Starbucks. 

Then we were off to check-in to my hotel. The Seal Rock Inn. It's not really close to anything. Except for the Cliff House and Ocean Beach. Really, the view rocked and all I did was crash there. So I was happy. 

Then to the Beach Chalet, I've heard of this place but did not realize it was a micro-brewery. Hello. Me + micro-brewery = true love. 

Yeah, and catching up with the brother. That was cool too. 

Called back home to talk to the little leopards. They weren't sad yet, they were distracted by the nearly 20 inch blizzard. 

Minnesotans, I'm going with 20 inches. I'm not sure, I haven't been able to get a straight answer out of any of you! Our snow stories are almost as bad as our fish stories!

We went across the road to Ocean Beach.

Ahhh...ocean love. It's ridiculously windy at this beach.

But it will forever be one of my favorite beaches. This is where I took Kitten when she was three weeks old. Her first view of the ocean was this view except it was a lot colder, cloudier and windier. 

Then back to the hotel so I could rest and unpack some more, then off to visit a couple of places where my brother hangs out and a quick lunch with his mom (we have the same dad, different moms). 

In case any of you are counting. I had two beers at the Beach Chalet, a wine and Absolut Martini at dinner and then it was off to a club where the brother works.

We stopped at AsiaSF to see the Ladies of Asia show. During the middle of the show he leaned over and asked me why I wasn't taking any photos, because he whispers, "You know they're not really girls."

Thanks, I knew that. I'm not THAT sheltered in Minnesota! 

For those of you keeping up with the drink count. Add a bottle of Corona. 

We also met up with one of his friends. I don't remember how he knows her.

Judge me now for that, but in the next couple of posts, you'll find that I met over 100 people that weekend.

For those of you that know me. Yeah, totally not good at names at all!

After AsiaSF, it was off to the bar. 

Yeah, I said the bar.

Quick sidenote: I did talk to one of my friends tonight. The one I normally "go out" with and she confirmed that I really don't drink that much. I absolutely never have liquor in the house and when I go out, I'm really good about sticking to a low drink limit. Don't judge me by these posts! Also, I blame the brother and whoever bought me all these drinks, I only recall paying for one drink during my entire trip!

I say "the bar" because I don't remember the name. Pretty sure it was Finney's Green, but they don't have a website to link to, so they don't count. 

However, they did have Boddington's. This is where I met the work friends (from his main job). Also, this is where the drink count went out the window and also where I started forgetting names. Or not processing them to begin with.

Thank god for Facebook and photo tagging!

The bar was great and I had a wonderful time. I was able to get my spiel down. When did I get into town, when was I leaving, had I been to California before, blah, blah, blah. 

Sometimes I bore myself. 

So day one over. Met around 10 people. Drank more than I should have. Little leopards at home and happy.

Photo of big brother and me...

Notice our squinty eyes. Mine are squintier than his. I have had a COMPLEX about my squinty eyes for years. Okay, my ENTIRE life. Met him, don't have the complex anymore. Also, pretty sure Cub's eyes will wind up being the squintiest of them all!

Day one: Check.

Come back tomorrow for the adventures of Friday. 

Chi-Town

Due to various life circumstance and other business I haven't really made it to Chicago in about, uh, three years. And I miss that place. A lot. Mostly because I miss one thing...

Deep dish pizza. 

Yum.

I'm planning a trip with one of my friends for her birthday this coming summer. But that's six months away. Still kind of a long wait.

But then. I remembered the last time I was in Chicago. For Cub's 3rd birthday. 

As luck would have it Kitten is turning three in less than two months. I've asked her not to. She knows she's going to break my heart by turning three. I might as well mend my broken heart with deep dish pizza. You know. In Chicago. 

I'm working on a plan. It involves me, a 5 hour road trip, two little leopards and one weekend in Chicago. 

And just so it's not a total bust for Kitten's third birthday I suppose we'll visit the Shedd Aquarium. It should be safe for the animals considering the dolphins are gone until June!

Sidenote: For my Mom's cousin...click the email link on the sidebar under my photo. I don't have your email addy, but would love to see you while the ladies and I are in town! Preferably at some place that serves deep dish pizza! Talk to you soon! 

Cozy Wednesdays...

With the cold weather (abnormally cold) and snow days (abnormally snowy) upon us, The Baby and I have holed up in the house during our days. Normally, that day is Wednesday. I have it off every week (yay, retail schedule!), but during the holiday season I have most of Friday off as well. Don't get too excited, it's cause I work until midnight. 

Anyhoo, today after we got back from dropping Cub off at school (woo, a whopping 2 degrees our for that jaunt!) we snuggled back in our own beds for a little movie watching. After a little bit though, The Baby always crawls into Momma's bed for some snuggle time and we hang out there until our day absolutely has to get started. Normally, around the time of that first poopie diaper! 

Today, and because I'm not sure if my mom reads my blog, so you'll just have to click the link to read on...that is unless you're my mom...then don't ruin your Christmas surprise!

Wordless Wednesday: Evolution of a Homemade Pizza

It was, of course, proclaimed, "Yummy!"

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom.

Christmas is Fancy and Other Musings From Kitten.

My work schedule has settled down slightly this week and Kitten and I have been spending the mornings together again. This is truly my most favorite time of the day. That and the precious moments I get to spend with Cub, but she's five going on forty so they are increasingly intellectual rather than sweet. 

Somehow, Kitten has gotten word that it is the Christmas season. This scares for two reasons.

1) I did not tell her it was Christmas. Where is this child getting her information and who is this person who will paying for all her presents she is asking for now that she knows what season it is? This. Is. Scandalous!

2) It is not quite Thanksgiving yet and she is already telling me it is Christmas. She is clearly on a retail schedule. Oh, dear I am concerned for her future vocation. Not that there is anything wrong with being in retail management, I just didn't realize she settled on her vocation at such a young age! 

Aside from being scared of my daughter's extensive knowledge of Christmas we having been musing about this wonderful time of year. 

We already have our advent calender hung on the fireplace. We have never done one before, but my aunt sent this wonderful calendar our way and the girls just can not wait to start using it! 

Christmas means Holiday movies. I don't know if any of you have caught wind of it, but Kitten likes her movies. And she loves her holiday movies. Especially Polar Express, she didn't stop watching that one until February of last year!

Christmas means winter, and winter means lazy days with Momma. We love us our lazy days. Cuddling and running only a couple errands. We don't even care about our field trips to the zoo anymore, mostly cause there aren't any dolphins. 

Winter means, school breaks and adding Cub to our lazy days. Just the three of us leopards, hanging out, being our silly selves! 

And lastly, 

Winter means hot chocolate and on our lazy days we make hot chocolate for lunch with marshmallows AND whipped cream. We hate to play favorites in this house and so we use both generously!

Just so you all know, that's fancy, as in marshmallows are fancy, which means winter is fancy, which means Christmas is fancy...

Just so you all are aware! 

Guacamole Anonymous...

Hi.

My name is Momma Mac.

And I'm a Guacamaholic.

It all started innocently enough. Really. There was a time in my life when I did not even like guacamole.

I miss those days. Truly, I do. 

But as I grew up and started to appreciate the avacado, things changed...

It started as a simple little dance, you know...I just had it during lazy days by the pool in summer and perhaps you know, a few dips at a party I was at. 

And then I started making guacamole, because you know, it was yummy and I appreciated it. It started to become clear I had a problem, becuase you know I just needed to make more. Always more, go on kids keep playing, Momma needs to make the guac...

But as summer ends, so did my guacamole making. See I can (and have quit!) any time I want.

Except, these past two weeks my addiction has reared its ugly head. 

Long holiday hours have kept me away from the kiddos and at home meals and I have been scavenging the mall for the best chips and guacamole combo they have. 

EVERY DAY I WORK. 

I take my break as early as possible to find another place...

I'm hoping it's just the stress of working retail during the holiday season. Really, I am.

Or, I have a problem.

So please, help me ease my addiction, when out shopping this year be nice, you could be sending someone off the guacamole deep end! 

Coffee Grinder

I am passionate about coffee. Often people wonder how I keep up with
my little leopards, manage a large retail store, advise a high school
newspaper and yearbook and keep my perky demeanor...well, the answer
is coffee. Lots and lots of coffee!

Kitten understands this need. Always making sure MommaCat has her
morning brew. I, of course, reciprocate by making sure she has her
morning juicy. We make quite the morning pair!

When running morning errands, I almost always carry two travel mugs
filled to the rim with my java! I grind my beans, work my french press
and give the local coffee shop a dirty look when they ask if I want my
beans ground.

Ahh, ground beans. The crux of my dilemma. My current grinder is
actually one my mom gave me. And it does not give me the even grind I
so desire. So I am looking at new grinders, one that is reasonably
priced...say under $100 or more ideally $50. Apparently, as I look, I
am asking for too much.

Sent from my iPhone