Blog: FAIL

So, seeing as it's been months since I posted something new, I think it's clear that I FAIL at this blogging thing. I do love the dashboard on blogspot, though, so I'm going to leave Clay Mama up. Maybe someday I'll be ready to commit to this regular blogging thing, just not now. I do have a new appreciation for all of my regular blogger friends, that's for sure!

Books

I'm loving that Connor is loving books so much right now. He comes up to me many times a day with a book and says, "Read?" It's too cute. It's nice to know that even though my active son has the attention span of nothing, he's still interested enough in books to try and sit still for a story. His favorites are all about vehicles, of course. Top two: The Big Book of Things and Go and Freight Train.

On a more adult note, I just finished two really interesting books: In Defense of Food and The Culture Code. Add them to your list, they're great!

Library Monster

So, today I was looking for something free and inside-air-conditioned to do with Connor, so I took him to the local library. We waited outside for the library to open and Connor found another toddler boy to play with. So far, we were having a great time. The library opened and we went inside. Connor was amused with the kids section, but couldn't really sit still to read a book with Mommy. That was fine. Then, he started running down the stacks away from me. I grabbed him and told him that was not okay. For awhile, he was cool again in the kids section. Then, he started to seem really crabby, so I decided it was time to leave. I picked him up along with the DVDs and books that I wanted to check out. We started to walk up front because I needed to get a library card. Well, Connor was not having being held by Mommy. He started to fuss. I told him no. He fussed more and got louder. I tried to bribe him with a fruit leather. That worked for about 5 seconds. Then Connor BOLTS from where we're standing in line. The sympathetic mom behind me told me that she's save my place. I ran after him, but before I found him I hear this scream. Connor had run to the quiet adult (read: grumpy library types) section and had bumped his head before I got there. He's so fast these days! Well, now he was screaming/crying at the top of his lungs in the middle of the library. Everyone was looking at me like I was the worst mom in the world. I truly wanted to crawl under a rock and die. I managed to comfort Connor enough to get him to stop crying, and finally got our freaking library card (while continuing to endure looks that could kill). Eventually, we made it to the car where I looked for any sharp implement I could poke myself with. Finding none, we proceeded home.

Conclusion: PARENTING SUCKS THE DIGNITY OUT OF YOUR LIFE.

Not so good

So, it's turning out I'm not so good at this regular blogging stuff! I think it will be better when D gets his laptop for his business. Then I can steal it and blog while I'm supposed to be watching Connor (Mom of the Year).

News:

My friend Judith and I have been accepted as vendors to the Big Brothers Big Sisters 19th annual art fair for October. I'm trying to work as much as possible and build up inventory for this 3 day event. It's over Halloween, so I think that means that I'm going to miss Connor Trick or Treating, which is really sad. I'm hoping David will bring him by in his costume to see Mommy.

Connor has been really fun lately. 23 months is a great age. He's talking so much. The White Trash splash pool is a favorite activity, which he does naked, of course. I love sitting out in the warmth and watching him loving the water. I so wish we had a pool!

I've been reminded of a summer pet peeve of mine: Over air-conditioned stores and restaurants in the summer. Why is this necessary?! I don't understand why my body must endure such temperature extremes. It seems bad for economics and the environment.

I'm going to NYC in 3 weeks with my best friends. I can't wait!!!

Travelling sans toddler

So, this past weekend I went to Davis, California for my stepbrother's graduation. D stayed behind with Connor, didn't feel like it was worth it to take him since none of the activities were ones that Connor would sit well through. Graduation ceremony? I think not. Long family dinners in nice restaurants? No again.

After leaving my boys with supplies (baked goods and a vat of soup), I set off on my solo trip. Right off the bat, I got delayed for 3 hours in LAX. Everyone around me was super pissed-off about the whole thing, but I cared not. I went and bought myself some food and a book. It was probably the most relaxing thing I've done in weeks, waiting in that airport. I felt bad for all the families around me chasing toddlers and lugging their mountains of shit. But, not me! I'm sure people wondered why I was smiling so much.

Once there, I was picked up by my wonderful stepbrother and checked into my Motel 6 by myself. Motel 6 is the shittiest chain on the planet, but to me it felt like the Ritz. Seriously. Did I mention I was there by myself and did not have to set up a pack 'n play and then locate the local playgrounds? That night I had a late dinner with my mom, stepdad, and stepbrother at 8:30. I cannot remember the last time I ate after 6. Afterward, I went back to the Ritz 6 and slept in the following morning. Aaaah!

The rest of the weekend was more of the same: complete liberation. I even went drinking with the college students and didn't puke! Hells yeah for the old mommy!

Needless to say, the weekend was super fun and I can't wait for my next solo adventure!

Working

1) I'm having a terrible time finding a red clay that I love. I've tested three or four different kinds, and they are either anemic or crack easily. What gives?

2) I started putting black widows on my black pieces. They're going to be nice and creepy. Have to get some pics up soon!

Wrists: Update

So, I went to the hand specialist today to see about my wrists. He says that although I'm "very young" for it, it sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome, and that I'll need to have a nerve study done by a neurologist to see how bad it is. He also said that I appear to have two problems going on, the second being ganglion cysts in my wrists. This is what's causing my pain when I make 90 degree angles with my hands. Super fucking duper! If this were caveman times, I would most certainly be bred out of the gene pool. I try so hard to take good care of my body, but I consistently have problems. It's very frustrating to say the least. So, I'll know more after the nerve study is done in a couple weeks. I wouldn't be so completely anxious if MY PROFESSION DIDN'T INVOLVE ME WORKING WITH MY HANDS!!!