For the Baby Book: Toddling Toddler

As of this morning, we officially have a Toddling Toddler!

First steps (prompted): October
First steps (unprompted): Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26)
First real walking sequence: Today! (Nov. 29)

(I get bonus points for posting video on The Internets of me in my non-matching PJs and glasses.)

This is Just Ridiculous

Here is a short list of Today's Things That are Ridiculous:

1. Trying to write a new post that is in any way appropriate to follow my last post.

2. The size of the piece of Portillo's chocolate cake I consumed last night--after driving 15 minutes out of my way to get it in the first place. (Stress eating much?)

3. The amount of time it's going to take me to record performance tracks for the show I'm music directing. Especially when you divide that time by the amount of extra money I'm getting to do it...Then again, time is suddenly not in short supply. You'll find out why in a minute.

4. The fact that I haven't really told you what's going on with the Other Stuff. Here goes. First of all, I'm not sure how thrilled my husband will be that I'm sharing this with The Internets, but since at least 50% of my blog readers already know, it seems silly not to write about it. And with all the build up, it won't seem like a big deal anymore, anyway.

We got a contract on our city town house a few months (yes MONTHS) ago. Remember? We've been trying to sell for two years? Riiiight. Well, the process has been tediously, painfully, and--naturally--ridiculously slow, as our buyers have some complications. We found a house in a suburban town that we love, but we have no plans to close on that house before officially unloading the town house. We've been on pins and needles for two weeks (or three months, depending on your perspective), thinking we were moving on Saturday. But we're not, as it turns out. So the 80% of the house that is packed and ready to go will remain mostly packed and ready to go for at least another two weeks. But I'm not getting my hopes up that two weeks is feasible.

But at least now it's out in the open and we can all commiserate together, right?

The Strongest Woman Who Ever Lived

Kristin Marie Spangler
June 29, 1970-November 12, 2009

It breaks my heart to write this post. My dear friend, Kris, is no longer fighting the battle against breast cancer. Yesterday in the hospital, surrounded by her team of friends/round-the-clock caregivers and her parents, she passed away. She was a fighter to the very end, unwilling to admit death was imminent, always looking for the "next" treatment option. She was an actor, singer, director, Euchre champ, theatre goer, Alexander Technique therapist and teacher, acting teacher, Net Flix watcher, plant cultivator, ruthless board game competitor, sister, daughter...and friend.

I will miss you, KSpang. You are the strongest woman who ever lived.

Love Scarf: 1st Installment

Here it is. In retrospect, I should have used solid colored yarn instead of the variegated, because the pattern is really lovely but tough to see. A nice ribbed look without the elasticity. (I always have trouble deciding on a solid colored yarn.)

In any case, it will keep someone warm and snuggly.



Oh, and, um, this might be the "1st"...of one. But I'll see how many more I can crank out.

For Grandpa Bob: More Buttons!

Insert big smile HERE.

Halloween 2009: The Final Installment

In a whirlwind weekend filled with visits from Uncle Scott and Great Aunt Sara, we did manage to get a few more pics of our little lion. I think he enjoyed his brief Trick or Treating experience, but seemed to be puzzling over why we were staying out in the cold, rather than going inside the nice, warm homes.





Bonus photo. Here's how the Pumpkin ultimately turned out: