The smelly mist. . .

Nothing says America more then a Rodeo and your own herd of kids to accompany you there. Although we didn't stay long enough to enjoy the traditional Rodeo events, we did get a chance to peruse various side shows of pig, sheep, and donkey contests. The pigs really amazed me. Here were these oversize swine waltzing around on stiletto looking hooves.


Before we made it into the dollar day rodeo side show fun, we were bemoaning the chilliness. February has been particularly charming with 70-80 degree weather that the 50 degree temperatures felt unbearable. Armed with little more then light jackets, we braved the cold. (Now, I understand that most of you are dreaming of 50 degrees as relief from the snow, but imagine dropping 20 degrees in a day and you'll understand why we were so cold.) After getting to the first "misty" area, I was more then grateful for the chill. The mist was cause by the cold air and the warm animal by products that were more then abundant.

We munched on over priced hot dogs and enjoyed a few pig races. That's right. Little piglets raced around a track while we cheered them on. The kids each got 3 rides of various carnival amusements which seemed unfair to Mia. I have never been a carnival lovin' gal and felt like a dollar was a lot to ask for to spin around in the air. I couldn't believe that people come on normal/non-dollar day times and pay as much as $5 per 2 minute ride.

We found an area which was more to my liking, free bounce house fun. The kids seemed to enjoy it too. Free samples, free bouncing, free dough boy picture. Life was good.

Some how we missed all the other animals that you could pet like a llama and such, but found joy in the various tractors and farm equipment on display.


Unfortunately we missed the obvious fact that tractors are not toys nor should they be sat on by children. Luckily some random tall levi wearing large brimmed hat cowboy let me know. This was more upsetting to me then the kids. The most they said about having to get off was "why". I on the other hand was fear struck that some powers that be would to something nefarious since I broke some rule. (This happens anytime someone tells me I broke the rules). Oh well, the kids found some massage chairs and began loudly singing "Cowgirls, Cowboys" by the Backyardigans.




This picture captures Talia's thoughts on the day. Yee-Hah!

Biggest Loser or "Is your tummy getting Big? "

(Mia Valentine's Day dressed up as "An angel that shoots people in the heart with arrows." aka cupid as explained by a 5 year old. I was digging on DTY bow)





"Don't worry, my mom is coming to eat lunch with me today." said a hopeful Mia to her kindergarten teacher this past Friday. And so sat Mia, waiting resolutely for a mother who wouldn't show up for another 40 minutes. You see Friday was not only the day before Valentine's day, but also an early release. I don't know if you are aware of this, but it turns out that the classes all function on a truncated schedule. So the kindergartners that normally eat lunch at 10:45 (when I arrived with Tiago holding a V-day themed lunch) had eaten in their classroom at 10. I guess this information is known to most mother's since the office help was bewildered why I would show up so late with lunch. Her teacher at least had enough persuasion to get Mia to eat some goldfish snack and offered her two sugar cookies to help ease the stomach pains.

One might think that I was attempting to level the playing field since Mia self invited some friends over for a valentine's party at our house before letting me know. In all reality, it was a glitch. I am glad she forced me to do a little party for them. I kept it to the people she told and planned a simple get together. A fun breakfast with heart shaped pancakes and strawberry syrup. Mia couldn't wait for the party to start. I thought that 8 am was early enough, but I think she would have liked it to have started at 7 am.


We had to rush the party since we had an appointment in Austin (a good hour and a half away) to test drive a van. When we let the kids in on our plans, Mia turned to me and asked, "Is your tummy getting big?" I had to compose myself for a moment. The question unleashed a slew of emotions: humor, self-deprecation, affirmations etc. I wanted to make sure I heard and understood her correctly so I asked, "Why did you ask me about my big tummy when i told you we were looking to buy a van?" Mia, "Are you having a baby?" No baby. . . and it turns out, no van. I am not sure we really thought through the pros and cons of the situation. Long drive up, short test drive, short bargaining time, kids are hooked, parents not impressed, dealer not budging, long drive home. 5 hours with nothing to show but disgusting fast food half full feelings and irritated kids. I didn't realize how amazing a van is to my kids. The whole drive home was spent pointing out vans that Fernando and I should buy and then grumping about the long drive for nothing. I don't blame them. I felt the same way, but was not ready to plunk down serious cash for a vehicle I didn't love.



To help ease the pains, I made lasagna (thanks to a good friend it looks like my curse for making heinous lasagnas might be lifted) with "I love you" bread sticks. Whatever. Like Italian food could ever make my kids forget their beloved Honda Odyssey with DVD player up in Austin.

Mom humor

A friend sent this to me today and I had a good laugh. I say it is up there with mom jeans.

How About A Little Honesty?

Internet shopping is so convenient. Who really wants to shove their kids in the car to shop for x amount of hours. The downside comes with shipping charges. Most stores have some pretty great policies like buy a certain amount of product and the shipping is free.

Fernando has bought several things via the internet. (I bet you thought this was going to be an awkward husband bashing post, but it's not.) We have even sold several things ourselves via the internet. It is like garage selling minus the hours waiting out in the heat of the sun.

Just the other day, Fernando got this "fantastic" idea to buy the kids toys just because. I think he still has a vivid sorrow locked away from childhood when his dad wouldn't buy him a G.I. Joe. Anyway, Mia wanted a lion and Tiago wanted a plane. Unfortunately, Fernando is a perfectionist when it comes to buying items and the stores didn't have what he felt was quality aircraft toys. Well, Fernando did find a few Star Wars vehicles. But, even with motion and cool sound effects provided by Fernando, Tiago wasn't interested.

Fernando fell back on his reliable, gas saving shopping source: the Internet. Finding planes of quality was simple and time saving. The site offered bulk shipping rates on multiple items. The quoted price was $7.10. Great! Transaction completed and wait for delivery.

Somehow the price of shipping jumped from $7.10 to $13+. When questioned, the seller states via email:

" You must not be familiar with the continuous increases in postal rates, or the transition to zoning costs similar to UPS. A couple years ago 7.10 may have covered the shipping but now the rates are very different. A package under 2 pounds going from the east to west coast costs over 10.00 for shipping. I assure you, I'm not overcharging for shipping. The shipping rates just went up again on january 18th in case you weren't aware. The last increase before that was last May, the one before that was the previous may, the one before that was a couple years earlier. They are increasing the postage costs at an increasing rate. There's nothing I can do about that, I wish I could."

Ok, is it just me or is the seller a bit bugged that I questioned his shipping increase. After Fernando heard an earful from me (I know, shocking. Like I would ever rattle on about one specific thing such as this mile long blog affectionately called a milog by Fernando.) What's embarrassing about his "hey you dumb girl" email was that he didn't take into account that may be he isn't the only human who mails packages or that USPS has ways to calculate shipping online or that shipping an item from Florida to Texas is not exactly what one might refer to as east to west coast shipping.

Too bad Mr Seller. I appreciate your fake apology, but that doesn't stop me from rubbing in the lameness of your email. So here is my emailed reply to him:

"I apologize for offending you. It seems by your response that you felt my question was unfair. I ship items quite frequently all over the US and was more then surprised by your price quote. I took the liberty of looking up a generic possible shipping scenario of someone shipping a 2 lb package from FL to TX. The USPS site allows you to calculate your shipping. I picked Tallahassee just for good measure, but the TX zip code is ours. As you can see here (click on the word here and it will take you to the page)

Now, I am sure that there was just a misunderstanding on postage rates or you may not be aware of the various options. We will be willing to pay the originally stated $7.10 for the shipping or we would like to receive a refund. The $7.10 will pay for priority shipping of a 2 lb package from FL to TX. As you said in your email below, it is actually under 2 lbs, you will have more then enough money to buy shipping supplies as well. Please let us know what we can expect."


I should have told him my expectations from a business: How about a little honesty?

NEWSFLASH:
So while I was writing this post (as you might have guessed I just barely finished dealing with this hence the ranting post), the seller responded to my emails with 3 rapid responded emails. The first stated that

"Ok, I used a 2 pound package as an example, the ships alone without the shipping box or packing materials way over 2 pounds. I'll pack it up and weigh it momentarily to get the exact weight. I'll resend the invoice with whatever it then works out to be rather than refunding the difference afterwards."

Strange, his first reply made it seem like he had already figured out the weight. How else could one calculate shipping. This sudden awareness prompts him to readjust his figures and he emails me a new invoice with a lower shipping price. Finally, in the next email he states

"Ok, I just packed and weighed them and sent a new invoice, the ebay calculated cost was off more than expected, usually it results in undercharging for shipping. Anyways, it's correct now."

New price: $9.10 not $13. Wonder what else I've been over charged for? Should I really trust this character?

So nights aren't all bad

Depending on the given rotation, Fernando gets to see the world with or without the sun. Right now he is living a nocturnal semi charmed kind of life. Work starts at 6pm and ends supposedly around 7 am, give or take several hours. He comes home in kind of a walking trance and tries to have conversations with us. If he is lucky enough to keep his wits about him long enough, he makes it into the bed.

I can only imagine how hard it would be to sleep for long periods of the day, no matter how tired you are. Tiago seems to get the idea that Daddy needs to sleep some of the time, but that doesn't prevent the normal boisterous play he engages in most days. By 3 pm, Fernando is up for play time, and workout time.

I confess that I am not the biggest fan of this schedule, but it does allow me to leave Talia home for naps while go to the gym or other activities with Tiago. Stink is that all night activities outside of the home that are just for moms are a no go. Oh well, he gets to see the kids for at least 2 hours and that's a super bonus for them and me. Thanks Fernando for all your hard work and sacrifice.

Bargain of the Year

I confess that I am a cheapskate. I never like paying full price for anything. My mom even bought me a book that reminder her of me and how frugal I try to be. It tortures me to find out that some item I bought could have been cheaper if I would have just waited. Nothing thrills me more then finding fantastic deals: free admittance to events, too good to be true coupons, and many other things that I'm not going to list because that's not the point. (oh wait, it is, but moving on anyway). Our family has discovered Family Night at Carino's. The Italian restaurant is nothing that original. How can you be original with a classic food group? Still, the food is pretty fantastic especially for the price.

$23! That price included 4 large mozzarella sticks with a enchanting marinara sauce, tantalizing chicken penne Gorgonzola family sized (enough for at least 3 adults who aren't calorie counting), a refreshing unlimited refilled blackberry Italian cream soda, and tip. I should say that they bring out endless loafs of fresh herb bread to dip in their version of kicked up olive oil. It just so happened that we made it in time for Happy Hour which made our appetizers half priced.

The only let down of this whole phenom was the fact that Fernando had to leave for work before our food came. It wasn't because of slow service, just bad planning on our part.

Do you have some terrific deals I should know about?

Oh, and I am sure your wondering about the picture and its relevance to this post. Nothing. No connection just a cute picture of Tiago when we were at Niagara Falls in 2007. He was almost two and chugged most of the Kefir drink himself. This is why we didn't have much left over from dinner tonight. Tiago (and Mia and Talia) can put down some serious portions. My question is where does it go?

Other aside. . .Talia has the most unique food preferences. Or I should say she loves all food. Yesterday we were munching on spinach and artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and peas. Her first "word" is Ma. Twice indicates myself. When said once, it means more.

Constant Smiles

I am often curious about my natural face. You know, the automatic fall back look after some external stimulus has changed your expression? I also wonder about my automatic responses. Sometimes I wish I could be observing my life through a camera viewpoint as well as my optical one. My favorite is when I regain awareness of my expressions while lost in the experience. Like in Zumba class, when I song has carried me away to some tropical hide away and Fernando and I are dancing (we won't go further with that image.) Smile. Or when I reading a clever blog and try to limit my comments so as not to seem too creepy, but silently reveling in the words and moments of their lives. Smile. And when I watch my children in their element and really listen instead of pretending in that state of multiprocessing motherhood. Smile.

Ah, this life has so much to absorb and love and taste. I can't see why I slip so often into that natural state. I suppose that's why we should be more childlike. Unfettered love and curiosity with the willingness to obey = pure joy. (with a few exceptions like cleaning their toy room or folding their clothes). Smile.