How Do You Spell Fabulous?

Question? How Do You Spell Fabulous?

Answer: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

IN THE MOMENTS OF OUR LIVES
BOTH THE JOYOUS AND THE TRAGIC

IF THE TRUTH IS TO BE TOLD

WE ARE ALL PURSUING MAGIC 

AND THE MAGIC THAT WE SEEK

AS WE'RE SURE YOU HAVE DISCOVERED

CAN BE FOUND IN CERTAIN PLACES

FAR MORE EASILY THAN OTHERS 

IN THE SAND BENEATH THE SPHINX

IN THE DREAMS OF CANDLELIGHT

BUT THE SUREST PLACE OF ALL

IS IN THE FORGIVING WORLD OF NIGHT 

AND OF ALL THE NIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

THAT COME AND GENTLY LEAVE

NONE HOLD THE DREAM OF MAGIC

LIKE THE EVENING, CHRISTMAS EVE 

AND SO IT'S ON THIS NIGHT

WITH IT'S PROMISE DEEP WITHIN

AS THE SNOW NOW STARTS TO FALL

OUR STORY DOES BEGIN

- From Christmas Eve

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), A Review

I have to be honest, when Fairy Grandmother asked me if I wanted to go see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, I said, "Yes," but I really meant, "No."  I like to go to shows, I like orchestras, I play 3 different instruments... blah, blah, blah... but... really... this tired preggo mommy really didn't want to (1) sit up for a symphony (2) until the middle of the night... (3) ON A THURSDAY.

Not having any way to get out of it, I went anyways.

The night started off right because our seats were front row balcony seats.  Wow!  At least I was gonna be able to stretch my legs while I slept listened to the orchestra.  Seriously!  The tickets were a gift from a friend so we didn't know where the seats were going to be!  Front Row Balcony (in my opinion) = Fabulous!!!  Fairy Grandmother is more of a 3rd-Row-Orchestra-Center seat person.  Me?  Seriously?  I prefer front row balcony.  Why?  (1) You don't have to stand up when the people in front of you decide to stand, dance, and sing through 75% of the show (drives me crazy)...and  (2)  Plenty of leg room - need I say more?

How would I describe TSO?  Um, imagine mixing up...

fairly hard rock

Pink Floyd light show

traditional Christmas carols

orchestra

Weird!  I know!

First Half of Show

TSO captured my attention at the very first note and I was not bored for one microsecond of the whole show.  The first half of the show featured rock versions of holiday carols... I am NOT a rock 'n roll person... but this was SO BEYOND fabulous.  The lights and the music... let's just say... and I am NOT kidding... I was almost in tears several times over, within the first 15 minutes of the show.  I was in awe of how they totally captured me... and the holiday spirit.  I felt like I could have actually been seeing real angels in heaven announcing Jesus' birth.  It was crazy!

Second Half of Show

I was a little deflated during intermission when the band announced that the Christmas portion of the show was over and that the second half of the show would feature songs from their new album.  My thoughts on this?  Blah, blah, blah, blah, blaaaaaah.  Um, I couldn't have been more wrong.  The second half of the show might have been even better.  I'm telling you - this was like nothing you have ever seen before... well, I haven't anyways.  It ROCKED!!!!  By the end of the show... the entire arena was on their feet and screaming and it was awesome... and yes, even Napmom, in my comfy front row balcony seats... dude...I was on my feet... I was screaming... it was amazing.  I have never, ever, ever felt so much energy in my life.  Seriously... people can stop doing drugs now... just go to one of these concerts instead... it's all the "high" you'll ever need.  And, it's totally family friendly... weird, huh!

Conclusion

A few days ago I started a list of my 13 Favorite Holiday Memories (for a Thursday 13 list).  Um... I need to update my list because this show was so over the top.  It's gonna be my new tradition.  I'm going back every year... I'm taking everyone I know.

Bits and Pieces

Other tidbits of information from the show.

Hair:  The violinist was awesome.  But, the hair?  Check her out in this 32 sec YouTube clip below.  Why does she have to keep flipping her head back and forth like that?  Imagine how knotty the hair was by the end of the night.  After all of that brushing and pulling... I am surprised that she has any hair left.  Ladies... I play the violin... I can play Christmas carols... in all of my years... I have NEVER been compelled to flip my hair back-n-forth like that.  Have you?       

     

Near Death Experience

Fire:  Pink Floyd concerts (now, Pink Floyd Tribute Band concerts) are very well known for their light shows.  The first time I went to one of these tribute band concerts, with Dear Husband of course, I found myself in a small and old room that was standing room only... for this concert/light show.  I was TOTALLY consumed with fear that we were gonna die in that place because the pyrotechnics were gonna catch the place on fire and we weren't going to be able to get out?  Don't believe me?  It happens. 

I since learned that Pink Floyd was lasers and not real fire and so now I can go to Pink Floyd Tribute Band concerts without fear.

Well, shortly in to the TSO light show... I started to get a little nervous that they would use fire and not just lasers.  I was very relieved to see fire images on the large screens behind the stage, a few songs into their show.  Whew!  Uh, wrong!  Next thing I know, they are shooting up fire behind them.  It happened only once.  Then, I could smell the smoke.  I was planning my exit.  I spent the next 25 minutes planning my exit and calculating how long it would take me to get out of that building.  We were lucky because we were near an exit and near the stairs... I don't know HOW all of those people on the first floor would get out of there... uh... they wouldn't.

Luckily, they didn't have any more fire for most of the rest of the show.

Somewhere midway through the second half of the show, they started shooting up flames.  Large and VERY HOT flames.

I looked at Fairy Grandmother, "Um, just so you know, if this place catches on fire... it's every man for himself.  We are getting the hell out of here."

"I'm not leaving without you honey... the exit is right there," she assured me.

"Uh... yeah... I already noticed that... I think that we have a pretty good chance of making it out of here before all of those people {{looking down}}," I noted.  "But, I'm leaving...  I'm not waiting... if the need arises... fire is NOT my thing."

I only wish that I had a twitter account that I could update live from the concert because if I could... this would have been my account of the last few minutes of the concert... as I was on my feet clapping and screaming in awe and lovin' life...

"OMG - why are they shooting up those sparks?"

"Now they are shooting red flames"

"Now they are shooting green flames"

"OMG - they are spitting fire all across the stage."

"HOLY CRAP - THERE ARE FIREWORKS GOING OFF IN THE BUILDING FOR CRAPS SAKE!"

THESE PEOPLE ARE FREAKIN' CRAZY!!!!

End of tweets.


But guess what?  After all of that, I'm goin' back... you can't stop me!

Have you ever been to see TSO?  Did you love it?

Give the gift of... Safety

We interrupt this holiday fun to bring you an important message...

Seriously folks, some people are scared of drowning to death... other people are scared of burning to death... I am scared of all of them, obviously... but I am most scared that someone is going to take me or my kids and harm one of us.  This is a real and ever-present fear of mine.  Um... for example... my middle schooler is NOT permitted to wait at her bus stop (even WITH other kids) unless one of her parents is present (NOT just merely watching from a distance).  This type of overprotective behavior was easier to justify when Lulu was young, but not so much as she is getting older.

For years and years I have been wanting to enroll in the RAD Kids self defense class.  Unfortunately, these classes ALWAYS conflict with cheer practice (or soccer or theater... you get my point).  This year we didn't have any excuse NOT to attend and I am so glad that we did.  We learned sooooooo many tips on safety and what to do if you find yourself in a bad situation. 

Each session was divided into two parts: (1) how to avoid bad situations and (2) how to physically protect yourself if you end up in a bad situation.

The students got to put their physical techniques to the test at the last class.

Up next, we are going to do a "locked in a trunk" simulation... I'm NOT kidding.

I'm still going to follow Lulu around wherever she goes... but if she happens to get abducted in the one minute per year that I am not holding her hand standing right next to her, I hope that she remembers some of these techniques to avoid a bad situation.  I, for one, learned so much in the class (more than just the obvious groin kicks)... I can't say enough good things about it.  Some areas also offer a mom-n-me class for older girls and moms (or female chaperone) as well.  She'll be old enough to attend that one next year. 

Also, in our area, there is a one-time fee to attend the class.  Yearly refresher classes are free.
If you have a Rad Kids class in your area then I would definitely recommend that you take it.  They do ask that parents attend with the kids.  But, this doesn't have to be a kid-parent thing.  I saw aunts and uncles with nieces and nephews... grandparents with grandkids.  It's up to you. 

On a funny(ish) note... one of the moms did NOT sign the "photography waiver" agreeing that her child's picture could be published in the paper should a local newspaper come to cover the class.  She told me she was apalled that anyone would sign such a "waiver" letting their kids picture be in the paper... for ALL to see.  Um... needless to say... I didn't mention my {{whisper}} b-l-o-g.  I felt like such a hypocrite.

I heart Family Newsletters

OMG – Wednesday’s writing prompt for Holidailies is… “Write the family newsletter that you’d never dare send.”


I love this. What a fun writing prompt. Immediately my mind started swirling, but the problem is, I am not really gonna post something that I wouldn’t “dare send.”

I have to admit… I am not a family newsletter fan. Truthfully, as hard as I try to interpret the little pieces of bragging as merely informative… I have yet to read a humble family newsletter that has ever come my way. And, some of these newsletters come from EXTREMELY nonbragging households.

Thus, I have some tips on how to be a bit more humble about your holiday newsletter this season… a newsletter that friends and family will look forward to reading for years to come.

The Dos and Don’ts of Holiday Newsletters

By Napmom

Don’t say… Lulu has been continuing in theater this year. Always wanting to be the center of attention… she landed the starring role as Alice in her summer play. Girl Scout is going well; she is the only scout in her troop to earn her bronze award so far, the highest ranking Junior Scout award. Middle school has been fabulous. As always, she was on the honor roll this marking period (taking ALL advanced classes) and was so happy to see her name mentioned in the paper. We are so proud of her.

Instead, try… Lulu has been continuing in theater this year. She had a blast participating in Alice in Wonderland play through her summer camp. As one of the older kids at the summer camp, she was given a larger speaking part this year… and she really enjoyed the challenge. Girl Scouts is going well. Most of the troop is working towards earning their bronze award (a community service based award)… making blankets and toys for local homeless animals. The transition to middle school has been great (yikes). She has been trying to keep her chattering to a minimum and had lots of great work in her portfolio which she showed to us during the Student Led Conferences last month. We are so proud of her!

Don’t say… This Fall brought on a sudden surprise… A NEW HOME! When I saw this home, in this community, for this price… we couldn’t turn it down. It is in one of the few water privileged communities in the vicinity that also includes a beach… meaning that the kids will spend their summers with sand between their toes when they aren’t water tubing on the river. We have been down to the beach a few times and Bro now asks for, “Beach? Beach?” on a regular basis. We hope that you can stop by to visit this summer. Pack your bathing suit!

Instead, try… This Fall brought on a sudden surprise… A NEW HOME! When I saw this home, in this community, for this price… we couldn’t turn it down. It is a split foyer style house… meaning that I’ll gain even MORE weight this year because I won’t be climbing up and down the stairs all day long. We are very excited to have a yard to run and play in and hope to enjoy the water access during the summer. Even though we lovingly refer to our new home as a “bungalow,” the Christmas tree is up in the front window… and it is starting to feel like home! We hope that you can stop by for the “Grand” tour sometime soon; we’ll have hot apple cider waiting!

Let me break it down to you in a chart style…

 
See the difference?


Disclaimer: For some reason, I don’t put “blogs” into the same category as family newsletters. (I really think that it is fabulous that your kid can pee in the potty and mine can’t - seriously, I’m actually interested in this stuff… keep feeding me this kind of information. And, I was over the moon thrilled when your shy(ish) son got the most improved award – seriously, I was so proud of him… his beaming smile… priceless.) In blogs you get the bad and the good… most of the mom-driven blogs I read are blogs of the great achievements as well as some hardships. I don’t perceive blog achievements as bragging… I don’t know why.

Now I’ll know for sure which of my friends read my blog, because they’ll be sure to NOT include their holiday newsletter in my Christmas card this year.

If you are still receiving holiday newsletters, Elbowglitter has a fabulous holiday newsletter game that she mentions in the last paragraph of this post.  (Example, "Every time someone brags about their child, drink. If someone brags more about one child than another, drink.")  I'd play, but I probably won't get many newsletters this year {{wonder why}}... and I'm pregnant.

What are your thoughts on holiday newsletters?

Name

Now that we all know that it is a g-i-r-l… the next question is… "do you have any names?"


It absolutely drives me crazy when someone has picked out the name but, “won’t tell anyone.” What is the point of that? There is no good reason to say, “I have a name, but I’m NOT telling you.” It’s preposterous (in my mind).

In truth, we didn’t have a name for Bro until the very last minute. We couldn’t agree on a name and so we kept a running list of favorites names that we could both agree on, on the refrigerator. I was scheduled to be induced at 3:00 a.m (I know, I know… something about spacing out the hospital staff workload). As we waited to go to the hospital, we searched the internet for baby names and found “Brody” and added it to the list.

We joked about the baby name while we were in the hospital. The joke was, “After seeing Napmom work so hard to deliver Bro (oxygen and vacuum extraction) Napmom could have named him Gertrude if she wanted to.”

After delivery, he was known as “baby {insert last name}” until we both hinted that we liked the name Brody. Dear Husband was at the house overseeing the carpet that was being installed in Bro’s room while I was being discharged. On my discharge papers I listed him as “Brody” and we left with a baby with a name.

We have only had a few days to think of girl names, but things are not going well. Dear Husband has his favorites (yuck) and I have mine (fabulous). Thus, I have decided that I am going to drop the name issue for now. I’ll bring it up again… oh… about 30 minutes AFTER I deliver his little bundle-o-joy. mkay??

How did you get your name?

Is It Love?

How To Stop Your Neighbor's Dog From Barking...

Today I googled the following search terms... "Dog Free Neighborhood."

When you google "dog free neighborhood," the first site that comes up is a message board with the question, "Would you move to a neighborhood that completely banned dogs?"  The second site... is the federal sex offender registry.  Ha - I thought that was funny. 

I respect people's rights to love dogs... and that's fine with me.  I, as some of you well know, am NOT a dog lover.  I'm not going to get into all of the details... and I can be around dogs, but I do not feel the attraction like others do... I just don't.  I mean, I like dogs more than I like snakes... but I am NOT a dog fan.  Weird, I know.

My last community was a townhouse community.  Thus, people really didn't leave their dogs outside in the so-called yard because there really wasn't room for the dogs to exercise.  Thus, we didn't get lots of loud dog barkers just hanging out outside because the dogs were normally either on the leash with the owner or in the house. 

Oh, but there was this one time... I'm soooo rotten... that we had this one family who walked their dog down the street at like MIDNIGHT and their dog would jump and bark and holler like nothing you have ever seen or heard.  They could NOT control this dog and the family was the talk of our street because of this nightly disruption.  This was even worse on nice days when we would sleep with our windows open.  Did the people NOT know that they were walking the dog in front of our bedrooms and letting it bark at the top of its lungs????? Hello???

So, this one night... as the dog was waking up the neighborhood... I put my head ever so slightly in our window (at midnight) and yelled... "People are trying to sleep, you know!"  And, we actually NEVER had the problem again!

Fast forward a few years... I pulled up into our driveway and saw someone walking their dog right past our house (fine).  As I was getting out of my car... the dog walked into my yard and pooped in our grass.  IS IT EVER OKAY TO LET YOUR DOG (or any member of your household) POOP IN SOMEONE ELSE'S YARD... AND RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE HOME OWNER.  I looked at the owner like he had two heads and said, "Do Not Let your Dog Poop In My Yard."  For the love of Pete -- what are people thinking???????  It wasn't on the side of my yard... the dog was clearly up in my yard... Hello???????

Now, we are in a new neighborhood... kinda at the corner of some streets... kinda.  My neighbors let their dog out into their yard every morning at 6:40 and it runs to the edge of the fenced-in yard and stares at Bro's window and barks for like 10 minutes.  Obnoxious!

Readers?????  I really need some help here?  Is it really okay for the dog to be barking at 6:40 a.m.... even on a SUNDAY!!!!!!!???  Is there some way that I can approach this family without offending them.  The way that the street is situated... they are GOING to know that the complainer is MOI.  Drats! 

I did think about slipping them a sweet anonymous note... really... they might not realize how disturbing this is.  I am hoping to bite my tongue for the time being and maybe get to know them in the Spring and then casually make a joke about it one day... hoping that they get the hint.  Maybe??? 

I did some research and in our county the dog barking rules are...

12, Title 4, Subtitle 9-904 Animal Disturbance Prohibited

It is unlawful for a person who owns, keeps, or has possession of an animal to permit the animal to disturb the quiet of a person or neighborhood.

And, apparently this law is pretty general and has been enforced and dog owners do NOT like it.  I really don't want to get into it with my neighbors.  And, I am sure that I won't have to, but at least if push comes to shove... the law is on our side.  :-)

Apparently I could complain anonymously... but I just wish that the dog would do his barking after 7:30 in the morning... is THAT too much to ask???

HELP????  Do you have a barking dog in your neighborhood????  What should I do?  Apparently there aren't any "dog free" neighborhoods to choose from.  I'm looking for some real advice here.  And you can also feel free to tell me to "get over myself."

Baking

I do sooooooo love to bake.  Mostly, I do not have the time or patience for baking cupcakes or cookies... I'm more of a bar and cake type of baker.... cobblers too.  This year, I had/have the opportunity to make several batches of cookies, for various events: 

1.  Over the weekend we made these semi-homemade cookies (as seen at According to Kelly) for our "first snow of the season" celebration... or... maybe... admittedly... it was just because I wanted to and it just so CONVENIENTLY happened to snow over the weekend.  :-)

Modifications:  Kelly made hers with gel icing.  I made mine with Wilton decorator icing because I wanted the icing to harden so that I can stack the cookies (if need be) or pack them in Em's lunchbox.  I recommend using decorator icing if you can.

2.  I have been invited to a cookie exchange.  I have ALWAYS wanted to go to a cookie exchange... I have NEVER been invited to one... I am too chicken (for lack of a better word) to hold my own.

I want to make the delicious cranberry chocolate cookies that my mom brings over from time to time... IF I can go to the party.  I hope I can go.  Life is so hectic but THIS COOKIE EXCHANGE is the one holiday event that I am most looking forward to (is that being too shallow?). 

Cookie Madness says that these cookies are "guaranteed" to be good at any cookie exchange.  Hmmm... I think that I still want to make Fairy Grandmother's cran/choc cookies.

There is one problem though... of all the cookies mentioned on this post, these cookie exchange cookies are the cookies that will actually require the use of the oven and my oven is NOT cooking at the correct temperature right now.  For example, it took me an HOUR to cook the rolls that were supposed to cook in 11 minutes.  So, I might try baking my cookies at a higher temperature and see what happens.  ;-)  Wish me luck.

3.  I volunteered to bring two types of homemade cookies to Lulu's scout troop Winter Wonderland holiday party. 

I am thinking about bringing the snowman cookies (seen above) and these oreo dreams that I have been meaning to make for over a year now.  Everyone (all of the bloggers I stalk) says that these truffles are easy and, most importantly, delicious! 

I know, I know... I could have volunteered to bring 3 boxes of Capri Suns... but why make my life easier??? Ya know?


I cannot find my dress-me-up plate (for presentation), but as luck would have it, I did give one to Fairy Grandmother for Christmas one year and I hope that she will let me borrow it (hint, hint).  (I can't find a picture of the dress-me-up plate, but it is a plain white plate with holes around the side.  You weave any color ribbon in-and-out of the holes to... dress up the plate.)  Just darling I tell you, just darling!


As the days fly by... Santa is less and less inclined to make a fairy house... a little off topic, I know... but, I'm just sayin'.

Are you accomplishing everything on your holiday to-do list?

Visit Holidailies

Appropriate or not?

I saw this Ask Amy question in the paper today and thought that I would pass it along.  You can follow the link or view the question and answer below.

Ask Amy

Monday, December 7, 2009; 12:00 AM
DEAR AMY: My 10-year-old son attended a classmate's birthday party held in a public venue. Afterward, food was served at the birthday boy's home.


Video was taken of the children in both places, and the video was posted on YouTube.


We don't know the family all that well, and we were surprised to see very clear images of our child on YouTube.


I called the mom and politely expressed my unhappiness with this disclosure.


Am I mistaken to believe that they took this a bit far without the parents' permission? -- Somewhere in Suburbia

DEAR SOMEWHERE: While your shock would be completely justified if this home video were broadcast on your local television news without your permission, YouTube is a video-sharing site, and many people see the site as a benign way to enjoy and share footage without going to the trouble and expense of reproducing and distributing it.

Video of your son will end up on YouTube when he appears in his school's holiday concert, basketball tournament or Boy Scouts awards ceremony. He and his friends will make films and post them on YouTube for school projects or for fun.

While I understand your rational parental concern about use of your son's image without his (or your) consent, you should use this opportunity to educate your child about the risks of video sharing.

I think all concerned parents regret the loss of privacy our children will experience as they grow up in our virtual world. But it is your son's world to inherit, and you should work with him to make sure he is cautious -- and aware of the consequences.

Tell him that when there is a camera around, he should assume that you are watching -- along with the rest of us.

I have struggled with this same issue... specifically when it comes to Lulu's play productions. While I am thinking that these moms would just shoot me if their kid's pic was on my blog page... it seems that there isn't any problem posting similar pictures from the play in the local papers. What's the difference? And, yes, I am sure that clips from this year's chorus production are going to be on YouTube.

Hmmm...

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Lulu loves the new house.

She calls it her "dancing house."

Now that we have established that we are having a girl... or at least, we are having a baby with female body parts... I am sensitive to Lulu's feelings about sharing her home with ANOTHER princess.

Before I went to bed last night I said, "Night Night Princess," and kissed her sweet little head. 

Then in my sweetest and dearest mommy voice, "Lulu... when we have another princess, can I still call you my princess... will you be my princess too?"

She looked up at me with those soon-to-be-a-teen eyes, "Oh mom, don't worry... because when this princess gets here... {{pause}}... then I shall be QUEEN!"

Oh my!

Remembering...

There is a slight chill in the air and I am remembering where we were at this time last year...

Fairy Grandmother?  Do you remember?

A walk down memory lane...

Getting there.

The start of the Tinker Bell obsession and the penny collection.

The Osborne lights.  Admittedly, I didn't even really want to see them but they will probably be some of my fondest holiday memories ever!

All good things must come to an end.

It was the best of times.  I surely had a blast and a great time with two of my most favorite ladies... {{sniffle, sniffle}}.

It's a Girl

Let's face it -- it is very obvious that there is a significant age difference between Lulu and Bro.  I had Lulu when I was young and unwed (although her dad is fabulous and we are all... one big happy family now).  A few years into my marriage, we made a decision that we were not going to have children... and then we found out that we were pregnant with Bro.  Once I got used to the idea that I was actually pregnant (to say the least), I knew that I was very excited to have a baby brother for Bro someday.  I knew that Lulu would sprout her wings and leave my nest... and I would be home... happy as a lark... with my boys... we would play outside, play with swords, get dirty (and NOT care), go camping, and more.... me and my boys... Bro would get the same-sex sibling friend that Lulu never had.  Perfect!

Then, today we had our comprehensive sonogram gender determination ultrasound... and the tech said... "Here we are looking between the baby's legs and there are three white lines here... which means that it is a girl." 

OMG - tears of dread started streaming down my face.  This is NOT what I had planned.  For the next 15 minutes, as the tech measured the baby's head and thigh and arms and we listened to the heart beat... I was sobbing... I mean really sobbing... {{couldn't even look at Dear Husband}}... then there were some little jokes between us about the differences between boys and girls and so on... ha ha ha... soooo funny {{loads of sarcasm here}}... the tech reminded Dear Husband that he created this drama... that it is the man's sperm that determines the baby's gender...and that he's REALLY gonna have to think of some way to make this up to me... I told him that I knew what he could do... breastfeeding.... ha ha ha ha ha ha {{awwww - come on -  THAT really IS funny}}... and we left... and I wondered how I was going to get my act together before I had to go to work... and I even contemplated calling in sick.

How very pathetic of me.

A few weeks ago, I had picked out this really cute picture to include on my facebook page when I made the "it's a boy" announcement.  See?

{{sigh}}

Admit it... girls are high maintenance... washing hair... combing hair... fixing hair... special occasion dresses... and shoes... and tights (ugh, the tights)... and matching ribbons... "mom I'm HOT"... "mom, I'm COLD"... "can you tie my shoe?"... "there's dirt in my shoe"... and on and on and on...

Once, when Em was about 3, I think, she was sitting at the table as I brought over her lunch and she said to me, verbatim, "Thank you kind servant."  {{and she didn't even crack a smile -- she was serious}}

{{sigh}}

The glimmer of an end to my pathetic pity party came when I remembered... that we just recently moved... and I went through a childhood of dresses from Lulu's closet... and saved most all of them... I couldn't bring myself to give them away... those memories... those precious memories... the dresses... I saved them...

... and I have Sarah (bitty baby) and all of her beloved acccessories... those precious memories... and a lifetimes supply of dress-up... and a fabulous doll house that Santa brought to Lulu one year... the memories... oh the memories... and I have saved my favorites of Lulu's sweaters... could NEVER part with them... and I think that I have it in me to go to the American Girl Place just one more time (too bad I wasn't a blogger then because that was a fabulous Girls Trip - just fabulous)... will she dance and sing like her sister... life with a girl is very different... and very wonderful... so... I am excited now...

and... by the way...

It's a Girl!