LunchSupperDinner

Like my beautiful sil mentioned (here and here), eating schedules get a little mixed up when the breadwinner is on a funny shift schedule. No longer can the wifey take her sweet time deciding on a supper menu, preparing the ingredients throughout the day, and/or putting it all together between 5 and 7 p.m. Instead she must use her time wisely and plan a meal that can be put together with a minimum of noise and with ingredients already in her kitchen/pantry (because going to the grocery store with kid(s) AND preparing a meal AND teachingcraftinghousecleaningmothering before the H has to leave for work is just about impossible). Not only must this meal be fully satisfying and pleasing to the H, it also can't be too incredibly heavy, because keep in mind that for at least one person in the family, this is probably the first thing they've put in their mouths since waking up. The boy and I have adapted pretty well to this schedule, eating big breakfasts when we wake up, small lunches, and our main meal with mr. waaz between 3 and 4, with a late-evening snack of leftovers to tide us over to the next morning. Yes, that's 4 meals for us. Please remember that the boy is a tot and I am pregnant.
ANYWAY, today's main meal was absolutely wonderful. After devouring my own plate in about 3 nanoseconds, I forbid mr. waaz from taking a single bite of his meal until I'd photographed the evidence for this here blog entry. Baked flounder (mango sauce, margarine, olive oil, parmesan, fresh lemon slices, s&p), peas and pearl onions, and sourdough biscuits (I shortened the sitting and rising time drastically due to previously mentioned constraints, made no difference in quality). YUM. Oh, and that little bit of brown up in the corner? chocolate panna cotta for later. Yes I am bragging, just a little. Tell me you're not drooling and I might apologize.

worth the wait

***Let me preface this post by apologizing for the quality of the photos you are about to witness. Let me also say that the extreme cuteness of the subject(s) more than compensates for the lack of skill of the camera operator. (have I mentioned how difficult it is to take pics of a mile-a-minute toddler?)***

SO....the boy was driving me nuts today, primarily because I had a LIST and he was BORED. So, I being the loving yet rather crunchy mom I am, I set out to abate his boredom in a rather unique way. We played with pins and needles, scissors and wool, and at least one of us got a 30 minute nap before at last the boredom was abated.

the first meeting: eyes, nose, mouth, belly button!















"awwwww, baby (pat, pat, squeeeeze)"
















"look, mama!"












"lie down here, baby. I want to get a better look at you."












not bad for a few hours work with scrap wool and embroidery floss :) I have ideas for clothes in my head, but I'm not sure when they'll actually be cut and sewn, because the boy has not put the as-yet-unnamed baby down for more than one second since I first handed it to him, but at least he's got a blankie for warmth, thanks to Granny Boo!

ok...now where did I put that list??

pattern found here

Merry Christmas every-butt-y

This should be next year's Christmas card. Fair warning.

practically instant gratification

Snow Globes from Martha Stewart. I was just saying I wanted to see it snow here just once this winter...I wonder if my commissary/nex has any of the items on the supply list aside from olive jars...

Meal or No Meal

The t.v. was on in my house this morning, even after mr. waaz had retired to his lovely K.O.Q. bed. Most of you are probably aware that this is NOT a normal occurrence. I watch one or two shows in the evening on the days that mr. waaz works, usually after the boy is in bed so as not to dilute his still-forming synapses. Even during that hour or so, I am rarely on the couch knitting (though the idea is alluring). Instead, I am often fulfilling the portion of my overall job description entitled "housekeeper" that is purposely left off my daytime resume. During the day, we are so fully consumed with real life that I couldn't even tell you where the remote is unless the boy has just handed it to me--he's still at the stage where he typically hands me everything he's not supposed to be playing with as opposed to acquiring a strange glint in the eye and retiring to a remote corner to play with the forbidden fruit. Therefore, the only time the t.v. is on is if I happen to catch an interesting radio program (our t.v. has NPR as well as one or two local stations) or if, like this morning, mr. waaz has turned sports on to help his brain transition from work mode to sleep mode.

**sidenote** I often hear other moms of toddlers talk about how their child is delighted when the tune of various kids' shows comes on, and how he/she will sit entranced for an entire show, allowing the mom to "get something done", or I hear how the shows are "educational", so the moms don't feel bad about letting their kids watch. I mean, many of the shows have spanish words and conversations about sharing and pretty colors. That's gotta be good, right? And it's not like they can read, so why bother even pulling out the 5 board books on the high shelf and offering them instead, you know?(PLEASE read the sarcasm in the past couple of sentences). Ugh. **sidenote over**

This morning, however, I actually am the one responsible for the t.v. staying on past mr. waaz's bedtime. Let me explain. Last night there was a small accident of the liquid variety involving my very wonderful microfiber loveseat which resulted in the denuding all the cushions of their covers--why stop at just one--and tossing them into the washing machine. I did this at night because the back cushions are full of actual stuffing as opposed to a pillowform like the seat cushions. Having that stuff out while the dog, cat, and boy are awake sounds like a recipe for a "snow"storm to me. Unfortunately, I didn't get the cases washed, dried and restuffed last night, so this morning I was faced with one pile of fluff in the book/toy corner and another in the dog bed corner of my living room, and a very antsy boy and very confused dog in between. So, the dog is outside, the t.v. is set to Sesame Street, and I have just finished putting the couch back in order. Of course, my child did not actually watch the show until just this very moment (they're doing songs with real kids and he's dancing and humming, quite cute), preferring instead to "help" me stuff, but the fact remains that it was on in the background and one of the humans in the room was paying a modicum of attention. Enough attention to note (and this is the real impetus for the post...did you wonder when I was going to get to the point?) that Sesame St. has adapted to the times over the years. You know what I saw this morning? Elmo has a computer that alerts him to "elmo mail" (just like the aol "you've got mail" alert), and they are not above doing spoofs of popular gameshows. Today it was "Meal or No Meal", complete with a Howie Mandel puppet, the ladies, and all the quirky tidbits that make up Deal or No Deal. Are they serious?? They tried to educationalize it by asking whether the foods on the trays were meals or not, and bribing the contestant with cookies instead of $$, but all I could say was "wow". I had no idea it was such a popular show. Although, I guess if the Italians can have a version--with shoeboxes and a crazy-haired host--then kids are entitled to their version as well. sheesh. Click here for a full run-down of the episode, complete with MANY more signs of the times (Outkast music, "Traction Jackson", and a Law and Order character appearance, among others).

Maybe this no-t.v. thing isn't such a bad idea after all. On the bright side, after turning Sesame Street off we were able to go on a very nice walk to deposit the recyclables and pick up a box of clothing I'd noticed the night before. We also scored a very practical kid-sized step-stool for the boy and a knockoff nalgene. Most of the clothing was size very very fat, but there were a few very cute name brand little boy items, the most immediately useful being was an 18m. white button-down shirt that will complete a certain Christmas outfit perfectly. Hooray! I saved two of the humongous shirts to turn into diapers and/or wipes*, and the box has been topped off with a few items from my own closet and re-labeled "thrift store". I cannot imagine what wonderful kids' programs we missed out on, but somehow I'm not too disappointed.

*check! might update with a pic, but in case I don't they're cushy brown velour and newborn sized. Baby#2 is already spoiled.

Wanna have a sleepover?

You can even have your pick of beds! Here are the options. Hardware and mattresses are sold separately. Also provided: one metal frame to fit a single bed.

1) This lovely model fits a single mattress, and is only missing two of the finials!









2) Behind door number two we have your basic toddler bed, which fits a crib-sized mattress (and we happen to have a brand new one in the closet!). This bed would probably need to be sanded and painted, perhaps with one of the 3 cans of white paint we scored from the WIC lady who is PCS-ing in a few months.











3) Your third option is the prettiest. See the close-up of the detail? Missing finials and a bit of trim on the footboard. Would be perfect for the girlish cousins and aunts in the family! (of the younger variety...this one is crib- or single-sized as well)























For the babies, we have the "jail" options, as seen here, and for the adults, we do have the old standby pullout version, as seen here. Grandma says it's comfy, and it comes with a plethora of pillows. Or, if you really are picky and don't mind climbing over the queen-sized side rails to get to the double sized mattress, we have the sixth option, our bed (which needs rails and a mattress that fits). I was planning on providing a picture, but as it turns out there is always someone in the bed during the day, and terrible lighting (thank you tinfoil-ed, duct taped, and curtained windows) at night. So go watch King of Queens and keep your eyes peeled for a bed(room) scene. That's our bed. Minus the scene.

So, whaddya think? Is it time for me to stop slowing down every time I see a headboard by the dumpster? (the following poem has little to do with anything, but it did make me laugh and has the word bed in it, twice)

As Soon as Fred Gets Out of Bed by Jack Prelutsky

As soon as Fred gets out of bed,
his underwear goes on his head.
His mother laughs, "Don't put it there,
a head's no place for underwear!"
But near his ears, above his brains,
is where Fred's underwear remains.

At night when Fred goes back to bed,
he deftly plucks it off his head.
His mother switches off the light
and softly croons, "Good night! Good night!"
And then, for reasons no one knows,
Fred's underwear goes on his toes.

Clean Green

Reduce: I'm attempting to reduce the amount of chemicals in my house, especially now that my toddler has discovered how to operate a spray bottle and decided that anything with a screw-on lid must be drinkable. normal household cleaning is done with Simple Green and water, but anything requiring disinfection gets the special treatment.
Re-use: If I can avoid throwing something away by finding another use for it, great! Can you tell what my new (well, I've had it up for months now, but never blogged it before, so new to you guys) kitchen curtain was made from? And this knitted cloth from my mother? still looks brand-new after 3 years of regular use. It may have been a sweater in a former life, but I can't quite remember.
Recycle: Yeah, you can buy empty spray bottles from the store. But why bother when I've got one right here?


Recipe:
1 T Borax (note: this is toxic if ingested for babies, but is better than many alternatives. I wish I could find washing soda here, it's a slightly more environmentally sound alternative, but alas.)
1 c water
1/4 c vinegar
10 drops of your favorite essential oil, especially if it's got antiseptic or aromatheraputic qualities. OR, you can use hot water and add your own fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, lavender) and let steep 10 minutes before removing and adding the rest of the ingredients to the spray bottle.

more cleaning green ideas here.

high chair happenings

top: working on a Secret Project (second time playing with finger paints, and I think he's starting to get it),







and bottom: "ah daohhh" (all done) with black beans and rice.








Funny, I just noticed in both pictures that the right hand is the really dirty one, whereas the left hand is the one waving. Don't know what that means, but it is mildly interesting. Also noticed recently that when he walks/runs, the only arm that swings is his left arm. And in order to make up for the right arm remaining at his side(or attached to an adult hand), the left arm swings with ZEST.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)

House with Flag, Warren Kimble

wish we were ^here^, and you were with us!

(well, there with a huge porch added onto the front)

"Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got--
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.
God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study-- endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
His miracles are his memorial—
This God of Grace, this God of Love.
He gave food to those who fear him,
He remembered to keep his ancient promise.
He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift!
He manufactures truth and justice;
All his products are guaranteed to last—
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:
He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
The good life begins in the fear of God—
Do that and you'll know the blessing of God. His Hallelujah lasts forever!"
Psalm 111:1, Message translation

Our Neighbors like us too...

My neighbor had two of these so he gave me one.















Pretty cool, huh? now I have to learn how to drive race cars with a wheel instead of with a stick.

They like us, they really like us (sob)*

*that's a quote from...somewhere, right? name it and you'll satisfy my curiosity.

A package arrived a couple of days ago from the Blue Star Military Support Group. They've sent us a few packages now, and I blogged about the first one here. Each package has one thing that really makes it special. The first had letters from school kids. The second had two really neat "helmet liners" that Dan's looking forward to using the remainder of the "winter" here in Sicily. They each contain a rather random assortment of things a soldier on the front would find really wonderful: wipes, toothpaste, canned tuna, playing cards, word search books, and plenty of candy. This package's treasure was a current copy of Rifleman magazine. Continuing in the literary genre, we also were gifted one Louis L'Amour novel, two trashy romance novels (!) and one beach read. Completing the library was a July '97 issue of Ellery Queen, the "world's leading mystery magazine." Um, thanks guys. No, really, we appreciate the thought!

ps: in the background: a sneak peek at a recent (as in 10 minutes ago) dumpster find. Did I whet your curiousity?

multi-use pot

The day the potty took up permanent residence in our living room, it was doomed. Not only has it been used for its intended purpose by the human little(and thoroughly washed and sanitized after each use, thankyouverymuch), it has also provided many minutes of entertainment for all three littles in the house. It's been filled with blocks, toted around as a convenient spot to perch for a minute's repose, and chewed on by the biggest little. Lately, however, it has been overtaken by the littlest little. And I don't think she's moving out anytime soon. FWIW, the boy did try to sit on the potty anyway, with her in there, and got a nice couple of scratch marks in a rather sensitive area for his efforts. The dog was quick to come to his rescue, but gave up after a bite to the ear and a swat to the nose. Hmm. At least there's always the back yard ;-)



































OH, and for those of you bemoaning the lack of boy pics lately, I present to you the face I get every time I pull out the camera (and don't automatically hand it over). if you could only hear the accompanying sound effects.

Market Day

Saturday is Market Day in Caltagirone, so we took some friends and headed out. We purchased some normal market things like produce.


















We also found some odd, yet useful items for the dog and her upcoming, um, girlish events.


















Then we went to the butcher shop and bought these.













They are also for the dog. Before we gave them to the dog we cleaned them up a bit and got this much usable meat off of one of them.













Now it looks like this













Then it went to the dog













She was quite excited to receive such a treat and I have never seen her get into her crate faster.













I think she likes it.

How do you like your granola?

all mixed up with plain yogurt, a big dollop of pumpkin puree (!) and some craisins on top, please.
"Yum yum, Max. Say yum yum."
"Delicious!" said Max.
~Max's First Word by Rosemary Wells

*snort*

Within the past month or so I've had several women say variations of the same comment to me:

"wow, your kid is so independent/well-behaved/tough/precocious, and you are so laid back and still have time to DO things, I thought you'd have him attached to you 24/7 until he was 18 and I thought he'd be a whiny brat who got away with everything! I mean, you do all those crunchy and christian things, I wasn't sure we were even going to be able to be friends, but you're not half bad!"

Ok, so they weren't quite that blunt, but that's very definitely what they meant, and all I could do was snort (hopefully just in my head and not out loud) . I mean, what do you say to that? "yeah...I did what I thought was best for our family, and it's working out pretty well so far, thanks" hehe.

ps: not really a rant, but that was the closest label I could come up with.
pss: oh, you want a picture or else this post isn't even worth looking at? well, don't twist my arm, I've got them right here. Random, but that's what you get when I'm only on the computer about an hour a day.

1)apart from chasing flies/cat/dog with his very own fly swatter, this is one of the boy's favorite pastimes. He's actually doing this as we speak, except from inside the dog's crate. with the door shut. I maintain that HE is the one who did the shutting. "hah ya dooah? eh. ah?! mm-hmm. GOOOAA!"
2)hello pretty volunteer squash. mmmm...3)Unfortunately, as soon as I took this pic, he/she disappeared, and our yard is still covered in flies. Maybe I could buy a whole family of praying mantises?
one more ps: anyone want to bug me for a secondhand goodness post or a crafty post? I'm tired of all the hockey on this here blog ;-)

Name This

Hockey update

Hey sports fans!
I just got back from Arcireale where the Sigonella Sun Devils handed out an impressive beating to the Catania Flames. Led by stellar goal tending from yours truly, Sig pulled out to an impressive seven goal lead after the second period. I then decided to let one of our other guys play a little net minder and I skated out. Apparently I forgot how to skate. Anyway, the 'ol Sun Devils still managed to win by 7 or 8, but who's counting?

Sorry for the lack of pictures, I forgot the camera.

lunch with dad

Quesadillas, woohoo!!
As always, start with good ingredients. Mmmmm, tastes like chicken
The taste tester approves.
Now onto the skillet
That's a pretty good quesadilla

Sorry for the bad spanish.

remember the roses?

The one in the left corner that was planted mainly in cement finally bloomed this summer. One or two of the other bushes bloomed last summer, but were rudely de-dirted so many times that I'm not sure they'll make it. so sad. At least this one's a trooper :)

Bonus

Patrick "Roy"-sdorp*
I just realized that I named my child after a professional athlete and got away with it.
I don't think the missus will go for naming the next boy Michael Richter W.
* Patrick Roy is french and therefore his last name is pronounced Wa

Final Score

Ok, here it is:
B&E -2
Dadw -2
E.G. -2
Momw -0
LilB -0

Now the awards,
MomW gets the award for originality.
LilB picks up the most concise answer award
B&E and DadW split the first place points prize.
Mrs G. takes the Bob Barker award for guessing closest to the price of the equipment without going over. In case you were wondering it was in the neighborhood of $1400. Hurray MWR!!

Prizes that have no monetary value:
First place:
a picture of $5000! Yay!

Second prize:
A broken hockey puck, to be hand deliverd when I visit in February.

Enjoy your prizes!!

look, I made something

So I keep asking my mother to knit things for me, specifically diaper related. Knowing my mother, I had a feeling her compliance would come with an expiration date and sure enough, my last package from her contained, among other wonderful goodies, several pairs of knitting needles and some fisherman's wool. I did some googling and found the pattern that required the least amount of knowledge and said "can be completed in about 2 hours." HA. Three days and a cherry kool-aid bath later, I present my first ever finished knitting project, a newborn sized soaker for the fat of stomach and skinny of leg. And no, this is not a strange way of announcing that I'm pregnant again. In case you wondered.

"not bad for a first try....." is about the best we could come up with for a reaction in this household ("Kinda ridiculous" is about the worst, so far). I've got some wool that has been coffee-dyed (rather poorly, but still) drying for my next project, a soaker that (hopefully) will fit the boy right now. It'll look great over his training undies that someone is going to send me in the mail because they don't carry them here at the NEX. hint hint.

Your tax dollars at work, er.. play.

Christmas came early for the Sigonella in-line hockey team. Our local MWR has seen fit to use of a large portion of their budget on new goalie equipment. As you may already know, that's me. woo hoo! Look at all this cool stuff:


Free points if anyone knows what any of these items are called. Points will get you some cool prize. Prizes will be selected by me and will more than likely have no monetary value whatsoever. The wife says bonus points awarded if you know how many of your tax dollars was spent on said/pictured equipment.










will I model it for you? Of course.

So I am huge now and goal tending should get a lot easier. Look for future posts about the Sigonella team pummeling Catania and other Italian and European teams in the near future (of course led by some stellar goal tending from yours truly.)






Patrick approves wholeheartedly. he would also like you to see how big the stinkin' bag is that they gave me to lug all this stuff around in.



























That's all for now folks!