Thing(s) I learned this week about raising my daughter...

I think this will probably be the theme of most of my blog posts ... and I have no idea how often I will do these ... if I get enough interest, maybe I'll post more (not a threat, by the way). So, here we go ... 1. My daughter was able to say the words "pizza" and "cheese" before she was able to say the names of any healthy foods ... hopefully, not a lapse in parenting on my part! 2. Elmo and Mickey mouse are apparently gods in Lydia's life right now. 3. It's going to take a little more effort on my part to convince my daughter that songs by the Rolling Stones are awesome ... although she is already able to do a pretty good Mick Jagger impersonation. 4. My daughter has already learned to imitate daddy's fart sounds ... again, a lapse in parenting? 5. Bobbleheads no longer scare Lydia ... and she has already broken two of them (my Nittany Lion bobblehead and Dwight Schrute bobblehead).

Where've I been?

Well - it's been 9 months since I last posted ... just haven't had time to post - I apologize! In the last year, we've gotten our house on the market, and purchased a new one ... then, of course, there's my daughter, Lydia - she is now 13 months old and is a terror (but in a good way!). I'll try to get back in the swing of things, but for the meantime, I'll share some pics of my beautiful daughter below - enjoy!


My daughter in the summertime - happy baby!



Liddy playing with her mommy's laptop.



Liddy enjoying her birthday cake (hmmph ... cake mittens!)



Liddy enjoying the Christmas tree.

Baby Thought of the Week ...

We just introduced cereal to Lydia's diet ... and I've realized that things won't get any easier from here ... poop is smelling a bit stronger now ... sigh.

Wacky News Stories

We've gotten so much rain around in the past month, that I've begun to grow webbed feet ...

1. On a man being in a critical condition after being shot in the head with a potato gun in a forest:
"According to sources, his brain is a littled 'mashed...' - a-thank-ya!"
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/man-critical-after-potato-gun-discharges/story-e6frfku0-1226043645734

2. On a retired bus driver who loved comic books dying in a house fire that virtually gutted his modest home ... except for his comic book collection:
"My guess is that he probably didn't have a wife ..."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1379697/Comic-book-collection-worth-millions-thing-survive-rips-enthusiasts-home.html?ITO=1490

3. On a substitute teacher who was arrested for drinking at school ... police found a bottle of Grey Goose in her drawer:
"Hic ... now, who in here wants to learn how to add using shot glasses ... hic!"
http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-news-westlake-high-school-drunken-teacher-arrested,0,5326128.story


4. On a man who ran into a school because he had to evacuate his bowels causing an entire school evacuation:
"Wow ... that must've been one heckuva growler!"
http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-jefferson-co-elementary-school-evacuated-20110421,0,2604250.story

5. On beavers being blamed for Harrisburg water snafu:
"This sounds like a plot in a porno ..."
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/04/report_beavers_blamed_for_harr.html

80's Corner

Oliver North's name was part of a big political scandal during the Reagan years of the 1980's. In a nutshell, this is an overview of the situation, according to Wikipedia:

"North was at the center of national attention during the Iran-Contra affair, a political scandal of the late 1980s. North was a National Security Council staff member involved in the clandestine sale of weapons to Iran, which served to encourage the release of U.S. hostages from Lebanon. North formulated the second part of the plan: diverting proceeds from the arms sales to support the Contra rebel groups in Nicaragua (funding to the Contras had been prohibited under the Boland Amendment amidst widespread public opposition in the U.S. and controversies surrounding human rights abuses by the Contras). North was charged with several felonies and convicted of three, but the convictions were later vacated, and the underlying charges dismissed due to the limited immunity agreement granted for his pre-trial public Congressional testimony about the affair."

But I'll always remember him with that goofy smile in the military outfit ... he seemed like he could've been friends with Gomer Pyle.

Dope or Nope ...

Pabst Brewing company is promoting a new "drink" called Colt 45's Blast. It's supposed to taste a little like soda, and it is marketed heavily that way. Plus, it is much stronger than regular Colt 45. So, is this a good idea - you know, for those people who don't really like the taste of alcohol but want to get drunk anyway? Or, is this something that is really being marketed to kids?

What are your thoughts? Colt 45 Blast - Dope or Nope?

Song of the Week ...

You've undoubtedly heard this song in a popular beer commercial recently (hint - from Amsterdam). The song, by a band named Brazilian Girls, is called Good Time ... the chorus is like an anthem - "All the Time ... All the time." The song itself is quite simple, with a "4-on-the-floor" disco-style drum beat, a rumbling base line, and simple guitar backing, with some creative keyboards weaving in and out of the song.

But what makes the song work is the chorus - it's simplicity is what makes it work - the lyrics are also quite simple, which can be refreshing in a complex world. The band states that all they want to do is have a good time ... all the time. Sometimes, that's what I want too.

Fast Food Corner

Chick Fil-A has some really good options for people watching their fast-food caloric intake. I haven't had a chance to sample their chicken wraps yet, but I did recently try their Chargrilled Chicken sandwich the other day ... and yes, I skipped the fries, opting instead for the fruit cup (which is very good, by the way). So, here's the description of the sandwich, according to Chick Fil-A: A boneless breast of chicken, marinated in special seasonings, grilled to perfection and served on a toasted Golden Wheat Bun with dill pickle chips, Green Leaf lettuce, and tomato. Served with 1 package of Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce.

And folks, let me tell ya - at this point, this is the best grilled chicken sandwich from a fast-food restaurant that I've had ... yep - it's that good. So, it runs about 290 calories - not awful. And it has 29 grams of protein - which is excellent for people looking to lose weight. The carbs are a bit high, but not bad for a fast-food restaurant. All in all - a good healthy choice.

Baby Thought of the Week ...

Lydia is going to be introduced to some "real" food shortly ... she is now 4 months old, and at this point, it is ok to feed the baby some rice-cereal, and maybe even some other baby food like pureed carrots.

So, here's the thing - I hear the diaper poopie gets smellier at this point ... Liddy's poop is smelly enough for me as is ... Not sure if I'll be able to handle additional stench!

Wacky News Stories

Caught a couple of trout on bass lures a few weeks ago ... yes, I'm proud of myself!

1. On Gasoline prices, on the rise for more than three weeks, potentially topping all-time highs by Memorial Day:
"Thank goodness it's happening during Memorial Day, because with that kind of news, I'm going to need a vacation ..."
http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/article/187394/250/Gas-prices-could-soon-break-July-08-record

2. On a teenager using a candle to search for his dog igniting a fire that destroyed his house:
"That story is a dog-gone shame ... hey-yo!"
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/04/15/20110415florida-boy-burns-house-looking-for-dog.html

3. On an Oregon mailman being suspended for defecating in a yard on his route:
"Talk about special delivery!"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42614045/ns/us_news-weird_news/

4. On a Scottish butcher laying claim to 'the world's hottest sausage:'
"No word yet on a potential grievance filed by the estate of the late Johnny Holmes..."
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/Scottish-butcher-lays-claim-to.6752699.jp

5. On a study finding diet plus exercise is more effective for weight loss than either method alone:
"Next thing they'll tell me is that there is no Easter Bunny ... or that Marv Albert wears a tupee."
http://www.labspaces.net/110230/Study_finds_diet_plus_exercise_is_more_effective_for_weight_loss_than_either_method_alone

Dope or Nope

Michael Scott (Steve Carell) is leaving The Office this season. The show became immensely popular over the years in the U.S. (after it was originally done in England), taking every office-setting stereotype imaginable and weaving them into the show's characters and storylines.

The show is apparently going to go on without Carell and nobody's really sure who, if anybody, will be replacing him. So, dope or nope - on the show going on without its main character?

80's Corner

GI Joe was originally created back in the 1960's (I believe) ... I remember my older brother owning one of those 12-inch GI Joe figures - he looked more like a true Army GI, and had removable Army fatigues and guns - he even came in his own Army box.

GI Joe was revived in the 1980's, but became more ... um ... sci-fi ... his main enemy was Cobra (and eventually Destro), and these characters were much more Super-Human than the original iteration. The action figures sold like wildfire, and they even had a cartoon that was wildly popular in the 1980's. Heck, at one point, even wrestling legend Sgt. Slaughter became part of the GI Joe machine.

I remember having a few figures back in the day, but for the most part, GI Joe had passed me by.

Song of the Week

The Twighlight Singers are a band I follow less than I should. Gregg Dulli, from the Afghan Whigs leads the band (and I'm a huge fan of the Afghan Whigs). The band's new album, Dynamite Steps, is another strong effort, and features a song called "On the Corner."

This song sounds very much like some classic Afghan Whigs work - it is dark, starts quiet and gets loud, and features some strong violins in the background. And Dulli shrieks and yells like it was 1992 again - just awesome! Great guitar solo in the center of the song, along with some catchy semi-choruses.

It's what rock and alternative rock should've become (not the main-stream emo-crap that has hijacked the airwaves ... I'll get off my soap-box now!).

Fast Food Corner

Last week, I tried the Grilled McWrap at McDonalds ... This week I tried the Grilled Chicken Wrap at Wendy's (as promised). So, here's the comparison:

Honestly, there isn't that much difference. I would say that the tortilla wraps themselves are almost identical, and the "toppings" are about the same. If I had a gun pointed at my head, I would say the grilled chicken tasted a little better at Wendy's than at McDonalds. However, Wendy's price is a little more expensive - the wrap sells for $1.99 at Wendy's and only $1.59 at McDonalds

Wendy's Chicken wrap has about 260 calories, while McDonalds McWrap also has 260 calories ... with a little less fat (at least the Honey Mustard one does). So, they are almost at a dead heat ... now I have to find another fast-food joint that serves wraps to see if I can break the tie! Any suggestions?

Baby Thought of the Week ...

My daughter Lydia's smile can melt me ... no matter what mood I'm in ... I long to see her smile at me ... especially, when I'm at work.

Weekly Homework Assignment

It's time once again for Mama Kat's Weekly Homework Assignment! This week, I chose the following prompt: A time you covered your tracks and avoided punishment. My cousins and I were playing a game in my parents' basement when we were growing up ... the game involved jumping on furniture and avoiding touching the ground. My has some semi-expensive plates she hangs on the walls around the basement - most represent a town in Germany ... you probably are getting where this is going.

As I was jumping on a piece of furniture, the back of my head hit one of the plates, dislodged it, and if fell to the floor, and shattered into 3 big pieces. I held my ears, as I waited for my mom to inevitably scream and run down the stairs to punish me ... but mom never came. As it turned out, she was outside, unaware of the plate problem.

I quickly surveyed the damage and came up with a contingency plan ... I would use Elmer's glue to glue the 3 pieces back together ... the plan HAD TO WORK ... and you know what? It actually did - to this day, the Elmer's glue has held the plate together ... I still don't think my mom noticed the cracks in the plate

Wacky News Stories

So, if the democrats and republicans can come to compromises, shouldn't the NFL players and owners be able to do so, too?

1. On a French physician who says his design for foldaway toilet is biodegradable, lightweight and would be useful following natural disasters:
"Um ... after a natural disaster, if your main concern is searching for a foldaway toilet, maybe you need to reset your priorities..."
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2011/04/08/Cardboard-toilet-could-be-disaster-aid/UPI-84951302288120/

2. On a report that finds that drinking too much alcohol is blamed for a "considerable proportion" of cancer cases:
"Since I don't curse on this blog, I can't really express my true feelings about this ..."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/04/08/alcohol-cancer-deaths-europe.html?ref=rss

3. On a woman accused of attempting to circumcise her baby at home using a box cutter and a pair of pliers:
"Even McGuyver probably would recommend against this ..."
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/119482484.html

4. On a state senator wanting N.J. students to 'opt in' to paying activity fees for college campus events, following Snooki's Rutgers visit:
"Especially if Snooki doesn't even know how to spell Rutgers ..."
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/following_snooki_visit_ro_rutg.html

5. On a bill passed in the state House of Representatives in Texas raising the speed limit to 85 miles per hour on certain long stretches of road or designated lanes:
"Gives a whole new meaning to the word Fahrfegnugen!"
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/04/07/texans-need-speed/?test=latestnews

Dope or Nope

Baseball doubleheaders are apparently a thing of the past. Back in the day, double-headers were played almost every weekend! Now, they are only scheduled when there is a rain-out. This contributes to the season being ungodly long ... my guess is that we got to this place for two main reasons. First, the players union fought for this (no need to have overpaid players over-exert themselves). Second, owners, being as greedy as they are, don't want to give their fans any opportunities for a 2-for-1 deal ... pay for each game, darn-it!

I remember going to a Phillies double-header with my dad ... it was awesome! A full day of baseball, hot dogs, and soda ... what could be better? Well, I guess my daughter won't get to find out.

So, what are your thoughts on baseball double-headers? Dope or nope?

Song of the Week

Bands in this era have crazy names .... maybe all the good ones have already been taking. This is definitely the case with "Two Door Cinema Club," an indie band from Northern Ireland. The band has been semi-popular in the indie community, having even toured with indie heroes Phoenix. The band is poised to gain more popularity as their songs have the right mix of "catchy," and "simplistic-yet-complex."

Their song "What You Know," has almost a tango-like undertone mixed with an alt-poppy sound. It almost sounds like Duran-Duran mixed with Phoenix ... I can hear Rio in this if I listen closely enough. A very cool sounding guitar laces the entire track, along with some synth-elements ... just a great mixture ... this is a song I could listen to over and over again.

80's Corner

Rob Lowe was at the top of his game in the 80's ... he starred in some great movies like Youngblood and St. Elmo's Fire ... he was the teen heart-throb of the time, and he seemed to have no ceiling ... until a sex scandal... I remember it vaguely, so I had to look it up on Wikipedia.org.

Here is what they had to say about it:
"In 1988, Lowe was involved in a sex scandal over a videotape of him having sex with two women, one of whom was 16. She was filmed with Lowe during the night before the Democratic National Convention. Lowe has asserted that he did not know that the second girl was underage, and it was confirmed that the two had met at a bar.[13] At the time, Lowe was campaigning for Michael Dukakis.[14]
Another part of the same tape was leaked at the time, showing Lowe and his friend Justin Moritt, later the line producer, both having sexual intercourse and oral sex with a young American model named Jennifer, in a hotel room in Paris. This part of the original tape was sold as one of the first commercially available celebrity sex tapes, damaging his public image.[15] He later entered a rehabilitation clinic for alcohol and sex addiction."

The funny part is if this happened today, he would've probably become even more popular! At the time, he basically was black-balled and took him years to rehab his image ... I think his role in Waynesworld was probably the start of this.