Mostly-Mommy

I was on the website for the Kansas City Zoo and stumbled across this warning:

“Visitors are asked not to chase or torment the free-roaming peacocks. They are known to attack when provoked.”

I would like to share some pictures from our visit to the zoo almost a year ago (note the peacock chasing and torment).

Erin tried to scare the peacock, but it scared her instead.

Mike getting up his nerve to scare the peacock.

Peacock successfully scared, then retaliated with a show of aggressive plumage, which scared us and we ran away. Point goes to the peacock.

This is a list of some little (or well) known things about me.

1. I am unbearably cheap. Mostly out of necessity considering that I am an unpaid worker (notice that I did not say unemployed) but also because, sadly, it is in my nature.

2. I have a paralyzing fear of spiders.

3. I like snakes. Because of this fact Mike deals with all the spiders and I take care of the garter snakes in the yard. We will definately be seeing “Snakes on a Plane.” Yeah!

4. I talk in my sleep. I also sometimes sleepwalk or get the jimmy-legs.

5. I love the ocean but will only go out as far as where I can still touch the bottom.

6. I love to make lists.

7. I don’t like movies or books that are emotionally challenging.

8. I don’t like most plays or any movies that seem like plays (anything by Woody Allen).

9. I loooooove to ride horses. Fast.

10. I am the least musical person I have ever met, which is funny because my Dad is the most musical person I have ever met.

11. I cherish my family above all else. I don’t see them as much as I would like, but some of my fondest childhood memories are of family gatherings.

12. On my 18th birthday the “Old Timer” (old-timey radio show that used to be on WEFT) sent the whole show out to me, and probably several other people too.

13. I love working with animals but I am also terrified of it in certain circumstances, even after all this time — anesthesia, restraint of angry dogs and cats, etc.

14. I adore Nick but I also remember life before he arrived and I miss it.

15. I love ice cream. Too much.

16. If I could I would be a perpetual student. I love learning new things, although I don’t like being graded on them. I like the idea of becoming an expert on one or many things but the idea of taking that knowledge and using it in one career for the rest of my life is very scary.

17. I don’t like to drive, especially at night.

18. I have to take the stickers off of every new thing that we buy. I am not satisfied until every bit of paper and goo has been completely removed.

19. I don’t like cooking unless it turns out really well, then I’m very proud of myself. I would prefer to eat out for every meal.

20. I hold out great hope that I will win the Lottery. My Dad calls it the “Idiot Tax” but I truly believe I can win.

21. I don’t eat bananas, eggplant, mushrooms, caviar, raw fish, beef, pork (except bacon), green peppers, or anything that has a funny texture. It gets spit out quite unceremoniously to Mike’s displeasure.

22. I don’t eat butter on vegetables.

23. I love to read but I hardly ever do it.

24. I love rap — new awful rap and old school goofy rap, but especially any that mixes rap with old beats.

25. I like to watch other people play video games.

26. I have a phobia of nail files. I could never get a manicure or pedicure because I would go into convulsions. It’s like chewing sand.

27. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

28. I remember what teething feels like and I have to resist chewing on Nick’s rubber toys.

29. I love big dangly earrings.

30. I wish I could go back and do it all again.

31. I am only ticklish in one spot.

32. I don’t know anything about history or politics.

33. I don’t like the number 3.

34. My favorite flowers are orchids, pansies (for my Grandpa Dick) and roses (for my Grandma Rose).

35. I love to make pottery on the wheel.

36. Horror movies scare the crap out of me.

37. I didn’t get my first car until I was 21, a very sensible Toyota Camry, which I have recently inherited back from my sister who was its owner after me.

38. I love crossword puzzles but only from the News-Gazette in Champaign,Il and written in pen.

39. I never let the car’s fuel light come on.

40. The farthest I’ve been out of the country was going to Rocky Point, Mexico, which hardly counts.

41. I love tiny spider monkeys.

42. I could go to Target every day.

43. I am terrified of Gremlins. My Aunt Mary took me to see the movie when I was 4 and I have never recovered from it. I am still scared that they will get me every time I go in the basement. (That one was for you Mimi!)

44. 4 is my favorite number.

45. I used to stutter when I was a kid. And I had a lisp. Charming.

46. I fear technology much to the dismay of my husband. He drags me kicking and screaming every step of the way towards learning new things. Now that I’m doing it I really enjoy blogging and creating the websites.

47. I have grand aspirations about planting flowers and gardening. In reality bugs freak me out, I don’t have time, and I’m allergic to everything outside.

48. I’m tired.

49. I can be opinionated, stubborn and bossy (shut up Mike).

50. When I was pregnant I threw up in a box of Cheerios, on my sister’s sweater, and during labor, all over my sister.

He is walking! That crazy baby can walk! Last night after Mike got home from work the boy stood up from sitting on the floor and shuffled over to us as we cheered and clapped our hands. How great would that be huh? You find 10 minutes to shower and your baby jumps up and down and cheers for you. You bring dinner to the table and are showered with applause and roses. You get a load of laundry done and the cats carry you around on their backs as you wave at your adoring fans. Sounds good to me!

Those molars have been pretty nasty to the boy these last few days especially. Not much has made him happy until I discovered the two-handed teether approach. Poor, poor crabby baby.

In related news I have decided not to go with Mike to Switzerland in July, in part due to recent difficulty with teething and thusly weaning. I am sad but I told Mike I reserve the right to take a replacement vacation when the time is right, and it will be somewhere tropical. I hope this vacation happens sooner rather than later because the critter is driving me out of my mind!

The boy is teething HARD CORE! Those molars are treating him very badly. This causes him to put everything in his mouth, including many things inappropriate for human consumption. Note the collection of objects in the lineup below: a wad of dirt and grass from the dog’s foot, 3 pieces of cardboard backing of assorted sizes, and the crowing glory, a chunk of tile grout that he worked loose from the bathroom floor.

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