Let the Games Begin

When you live in my house in Miami, you come to realize that there are only 2 seasons in the year, Football season & non-Football season. It is also clear that Football season has begun. This is a time when Steve ensures that the television is stuck on ESPN all week. He listens to talk radio and reads the newspaper like a drug addict looking for a fix. The home games that he attends are big events. He plans for days. His friends have the traditional tailgate party and an additional after game bbq. They are like psycho Red Sox fans. It is a good thing that I like sports and I am sure that Lexi will too. To be honest, she has no choice.

Tags: Miami Dolphins, Sports, Fans, Football

Happy Friday!

Lexi isn't the only one that is excited about it being Friday. I am looking forward to an uneventful weekend. I just wish Steve didn't have to work tomorrow. Plus, I am not too thrilled about organizing my house again. I guess we can't have fun all the time, but it is certainly nice to try.

Diagnosis Brain Cloud

The other day, I caught about 2 minutes of that movie Joe Versus the Volcano on HBO. It was just long enough to see that he had been diagnosed with a brain cloud. Even though it was completely fake, I have come to realize that I have it, but mine is caused by severe sleep deprivation (coming up on a year). How else would you describe foggy thinking, memory loss, lack of my normal drive for life, no concentration skills, being ridiculously unorganized, and a general disinterest in things I normally like? I guess I could blame it on being a blonde that just became ADD, but I have a new diagnosis that is more suitable...brain cloud.

Tags: Joe Versus the Volcano, HBO, Brain Cloud, tired

An Interesting MeMe

I got this Meme off of Misha's blog:

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?

No, I can't even imagine what that is like.

2. Do you close your eyes on roller coasters?

Nope

3. When's the last time you've been sledding?

Probably winter 1995/1996 while attending BYU

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?

Some nights right after my crazy sleeping husband whacks me in the head, I think sleeping alone would be nice.

5. Do you believe in ghosts?

Sure

6. Do you consider yourself creative?

In some areas

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?

I didn't watch any of the trial or get sucked up in it, but I tend to think he is guilty.

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?

as a Friend??? - Jennifer Aniston (get it?)
for interesting dinner conversation - Angelina Jolie

9. Do you stay friends with your exes?

Most of them for a while anyway. I have never been dumped, but I have always been a polite dumper. No ill feelings, but time goes on.

10. Do you know how to play poker?

No, I totally suck at it.

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?

Yep, several times for workaholic deadlines

12. What's your favorite commercial?

Unfortunately, I don't remember things like this - Probably one of the Superbowl ones.

13. What are you allergic to?

Cat hair (after several days of being around one my eyes itch).

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around do you run red lights?

I live in Miami, everyone runs read lights day or night. There is no other way to make left turns. As far as nobody being around, that NEVER happens here. There is always traffic.

15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?

It's a secret. Just kidding - nothing comes to mind.

16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?

Not a fan of either, but I'd rather see the Red Sox win just to spite the Yankees & their ridiculous payroll.

17. Have you ever been Ice Skating?

Yeah, several times. It is fun, but I am not good at it.

18. How often do you remember your dreams?

I dream every night & if I think about it when I wake up, I can remember. Usually, I just get busy with other things & forget.

19. When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?

I laugh a lot, but rarely cry even out of joy.

20. Can you name 5 songs by The Beatles?

Yellow Submarine
When I'm 64
Sgt Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band
Eleanor Rigby
Nowhere Man

21. What's the one thing on your mind now?

My baby is dosing off to sleep and I wish I could.

22. Do you know who Ghetto-ass barbie is?

No - lil Kim?

23. Do you always wear your seat belt?

Yes, when I'm driving
Not always, when I am sitting in the backseat even though I know I should

24. What cell service do you use?

MetroPCS: extremely cheap local one that I think is best for teenagers, but hey it's cheap & has unlimited minutes.


25. Do you like sushi?

Sushi is ok, but I prefer California rolls.


26. Have you ever narrowly avoided a fatal accident?

Where do I start...MANY, MANY, MANY I can think of 5 times during the summer after my senior year in high school.

27. What do you wear to bed?

Comfy pjs

28. Been caught stealing?

It has been a LONG time. I guess not even when I was 5. I admitted taking candy to my mom & she dragged me back to the store to confess & apologize.


29. What shoe size do you have?

6.5 to 7

30. Do you truly hate anyone?

I can think of 2 people that I dislike immensely, but that is about as far as it goes.


31. Classic Rock or Rap?

Classic Rock - goes along with the ugly big bangs of my younger years

32. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be?

The whole idea of sleeping with someone because their famous or rich doesn't appeal to me.

33. Favorite Song?

Just like commercials, I can never think of one off the top of my head. It depends on what I just heard.

34. Have you ever sang in front of the mirror?

Oh sure, who hasn't?

35. What food do you find disgusting?

Most reptiles & pork

36. Do you sing in the shower?

No (in the car)


37. Did you ever play, "I'll show you mine, if you show me yours"?

No! With who??? My childhood friends were girls & I definitely wouldn't have done that with my brothers!

38. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?

Sure in a playful way, just like I know they make fun of me.


39. Have you ever stood up for someone you hardly knew?

Definitely, I can't keep quiet if I completely disagree with something.


40. Have you ever been punched in the face?

Joking or by accident, not in a serious fight.

Finally an Acronym that Fits

Yesterday, I received a fax from a county department. I won't list which department, but I will say that when it comes to idiotic ideas, they take the cake. The latest one is the acronym of their new division - B.A.D. Can you believe that they actually put the acronym on their fax? You could if you lived here.

Harder on Me

This morning, I sadly handed my sweet little baby over to strangers. It is something that I have been dreading since we started trying to have kids. I was half depressed half trying to force myself into denial all weekend over the situation. My sorrow intensified as I was sitting in the parking lot of the daycare. I did NOT want to take her in. I sat in the backseat of the car moving at snail speed and looking for ways to prolong the inevitable.

When I finally took her inside, I could tell she was going to love it there. She was so thrilled by the other children. She studied them intently and seemed to fit right in. I was so relieved. Later when I called to check on her, they told me she cried a little but was fine. At 11am, when I went to pick her up, I saw a very happy little Lexi playing on the floor with a couple of other cute babies. She was as delighted as ever, which will make tomorrow much easier on me (very thoughtful right?).

Tags: daycare, first day, sad

Last Night in Miami for Paige

Friday night, we decided to take Paige to Bahama Breeze. She had never been there and it is definitely one of our favorite chain restaurants. They have the best appetizers. We usually order coconut shrimp and island onion rings, which basically filled us up. For dinner, I had Jerk Chicken Pasta. Steve had Mahi Mahi. Lexi had imported bananas (we brought Gerber). I can't even remember what Paige had, probably because Lexi was using me as a jungle gym throughout dinner. I took bites between wrestling matches. We all had a good time though.

Tags: Bahama Breeze, Jerk Chicken, Coconut Shrimp

Blogging's Addictive Nature

Non-bloggers don't have any idea that blogging is completely addictive. At first, I didn't think it would be either. In fact, I almost quit several months into it. Now, I can't even imagine living without blogs. I have several blogs, my old one (ArtemisGaia), this one (Freckle Face Girl), a design test site one, one for Lexi, and an anonymous one that I rarely post on. You may be wondering why one person would have all of these sites. I can't say other than it is addictive.

What's that you say? You don't believe me? It is a simple truth. My sister, Paige, has more blogs than I do and she is on MySpace. I only have links to 3 of them. She has Queen Pegness, Wize Up McPaige, and Purring Towards Perfection (a new one for her cat). Ok, so I have to take the blame for the last one. I mentioned the idea to her because I am now addicted to designing sites and I wanted to do a new one. I know she is crazy about her cat, so she would go for it.

Ok so, I have only mentioned my sister & me. It is not just a family trait. There are other addicts out there too... and some will admit it.

Why am I confessing about this addiction now (besides the fact that it has gotten worse)? One of my old friends from my teenage years has started her own blog, The Murphy 6. Actually, she has dabbled in blogging before. She just hasn't gotten past the stage where the addiction kicks in. I am so happy she is trying again. If I could, I would get most of my real world friends addicted. They live all over the place and this just seems like the best way to keep in touch. So, to all my friends who secretly lurk and occasionally send me e-mails, please jump into the fun! ...Because as bloggers know, part of the addiction involves reading other blogs. I'll even help you with your own unique design (please feed my growing addiction).

By the way, I completely blame cousin Emily for my craziness (at least when it comes to blogging).

Tags: blog addict, blog designs

Miami Gringa Spin

Lately, news about Miami is all about celebrations of Castro's failing health (some think he is dead). To be honest, before I moved to Miami I knew very little about Cuba. Sure, I had heard about the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis, but not really in detail. History classes usually run out of time before modern history is explored. I basically knew that Castro was communist and a horrible leader and consequently there were many refugees who had escaped to Miami.

Since moving here, I have heard detailed personal accounts of friends and co-workers. What they or their families have been through is heart wrenching. One of my favorite co-workers was arrested at the age of 19 simply for being anti-Castro. He spent over 20 years in jail being tortured and beaten before being sent to the US in the 80s. His horrible physical scars are not nearly as deep as his sad stories, but he continues to smile and make me laugh. Even today, he told me that he cannot wait for that SOB to die, but not with the kind of anger most would be feeling in his shoes.

I can't pretend to be an expert on the subject or to even write about why his death will be a good thing. I do know that he must be completely evil. How else could a leader, who was listed as a billionaire in Forbes magazine last year, oversee a country where the necessities in life like soap and toilet paper are hard to come by?

Tags: Miami Gringa, Fidel Castro

Whirlwind Weekend

Before the blessing at the church

Lexi with her Granddad George & Grandma Margie

Lexi posing with her cousins (Kaylie, Zak, Amon & Miriam)

Steve's birthday UM Hurricane shirt in Seminole Territory

Lexi & Miriam

Miriam, Lexi, Kaylie, Zak, & 2nd cousin Regan

This long weekend was a whirlwind of activities from Steve's 39th birthday to Lexi's blessing and of course loads of family time, which you can never have too much of. On our way up to Tallahassee, Steve called his dad and found out he really wanted to go. We weren't far from his house, so we stopped off and picked him up. It was good for him to get out of the house and be around other people. I was surprised to find out that in his 40 years of living in Florida he had never been to the capital.

We stayed at my Aunt Sue's house, which is amazing. They own 40 acres about 20 miles east of Tallahassee. They designed and built a big Key West style house on a lake. We had Steve's birthday party there. I ordered bbq from a local restaurant and a cake with a picture of Lexi and Steve on it. It was also a mini-family reunion.

I enjoyed the weekend, but I wish we could have spent more time with my brother's kids. That is always my favorite part of being around family. Lexi got a chance to see her cousins and actually be with kids. At first, she was a bit put off by their in-your-face & hyper ways, but she warmed up quickly. All in all, it was a great trip for all of us.

Tags: Tallahassee, Mormon, Blessing, Nieces, Nephews