Ten on Tuesday.

1. A barn spider had been taking up residence on our sliding glass door for the past few days. Built quite an impressive web. A few times. Ron learned last night (Oh the wonder of the internet) that they eat their web when it gets messy (neat little things), and then build anew. Unfortunately we went out back after dinner so that pretty much destroyed the web. Sorry little guy. Feel free to come back.

2. Today I noticed a beautiful garnet-colored bloom on the marigold plant from the neighbors.

3. Three days til Nana & Pappi come! Hello, date night!

4. It was a balmy 72 degrees here today, blue skies shinin' on me.

5. Why do I have a Target list every week? I literally feel the need to go there at least once a week and it takes waaaaay too long to get the 5 things I usually need. On today's list: pork tenderloin, big crayolas (thanks, Amanda), black printer ink, a lightbulb, and a cheese grater. And I did, of course, pick up some 50% off clothes for Miss Al for next spring/summer. Why isn't clothes shopping as easy for me?

6. Found a cool website: a sketch for $1.

7. I'm selling a few things on ebay. Thanks for the encouragement, Miss Erin.

8. Alla pulled at my nose today and said "pretty." She didn't do it again, so I have no idea what the heck she meant by that. She might have said, "potty."

9. We need some artwork for over our fireplace. Any good ideas?

10. I need something framed for over my bedside dresser. Any ideas?

Happy Tuesday, all.

Look at me now.

One year ago, visiting Nana & Pappi in Seattle, she was four months exactly. And, today, she's a big ole 16-month-old. How does that happen?

We celebrated by taking the little one to the Minnesota State Fair. I mean, you can't get more Minnesota than that, I don't think. We're hoping that our two hours there will entitle us to our own personal lake, the lake we thought they handed you upon buying a house here, the lake of which we've been waiting to claim ownership for two months now. I'll keep you posted. But for now, some State Fair highlights. One of them was NOT waiting 30 minutes in line in the car just to park, but one of them (for Ron) WAS the [filthy] fried Snickers. Yes, I did say fried.


Next year we're taking Al on the giant potato sack slide thing. This year she was happy to see brand new baby piggies and one-day-old lambs, all nursing, thankyouverymuch. (Not sure if she got that, though!) But I digress...on with the rest of the highlights!

This makes me happy.

Just this.

27:12.

That was our stellar time for the 5K we ran on Saturday. Mind you, it's no Amy Shertzer (fyi: the top female 10K time was thirty-two-something-crazy), but it was a fun run around Lake Nokomis.

We strapped Alla into the jogger and gave her a graham cracker. As soon as we crossed the start line, this is what we found.



The first attempt at getting someone to take our picture didn't go well.



Luckily the random person we picked to do it post-race was a little more aware of keeping such important things as noses in the viewfinder. The race finished on the 'beach' of this lake, which also had a park overlooking the water. Not quite as cool as Veteran's Park but you take what you get, so we got Alla in the swing, which was really overshadowed by the gazillion airplanes that flew over. We must have heard the word 'airplane' about 50 times in 10 minutes.

Ten on Tuesday.

Inspired by Susie, I'm doing Ten on Tuesday today. Can't commit to every Tuesday, but I'm glad Susie has. (You have, right, Suz?) Cause sometimes I have ten random things to say.

1. Alla woke up with the drippies: drippy eyes, nose, and drool.

2. The dishwasher guy didn't have to come out after all. He called before he was to show up (and charge me $65), told me to push HI TEMP WASH-HEATED DRY-HI TEMP WASH-HEATED DRY, and sure enough the darn thing reset itself. I am giddy, I tell you. You would never know that I am only 6 weeks into owning a dishwasher. Using a real plate for dinner tonight - thrilling.

3. Today I finished my mango from Costco. Yum. If I were rich I'd buy a pack of it every other day. Just for me. Oh, wait, it's just for me now. I don't share.

4. It's still light outside.

5. I need a haircut. Luckily, Susan told me about Juut Salon so I can get this mop trimmed.

6. I am so thankful for Tara and Ashby. Alla loves her some Ashby, and Tara has been keeping me afloat in this new life.

7. How is it the exact middle of August already? We'll be on Christmas countdown before you know it.

8. Yesterday Alla recognized Elmo on a friend's daughter's diaper. She pointed to the Elmo on her diapered butt and said, "Elmo."

9. My daughter's latest sign is "clean." Not that she is ever, well, clean.

10. Alla is getting into dress-up. Mostly just this red velvet headband and purse from Aunty Loey but she generally will put anything with a handle on her arm and say to you, "Buh Bye!" very enthusiastically, like she really means to go somewhere.

Tagged.

I was tagged by Tara!

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
Redondo Beach. Spain. The North Shore in Hawaii. French countryside. Take your pick.

2. What's your favorite article of clothing?
My Rainbows.

3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex?
Smile, eyes, strong hugs.

4. Last CD you bought?
The Weepies, 'say i am you'

5. Favorite place to be?
With my family. At home. At the beach.

6. Least favorite place to be?
Not a big fan of the home improvement stores, but I guess there are worse places.

7. Favorite place to be massaged?
Back.

8. Strong in mind or strong in body?
Both are important. I'd like to think I work on both.

9. What time do you wake up in the morning?
Surely you mean what time does ALLA wake up in the morning. So that means 5:30. So I better be getting myself to bed here quickly.

10. Favorite kitchen appliance?
Coffee maker. No, Ron, it isn't the gizmo.

11. What makes you really angry?
Being frustrated with myself when I don't know the answers.

12. If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
Piano.

13. Favorite color?
Red.

14. Sports car or SUV?
C'mon. I'm a mother. SUV.

15. Do you believe in an afterlife?
Yes. Many people I'd love to see.

16. Favorite children's book?
Corduroy.

17. Favorite season?
It's been awhile since I had seasons, so I'm going to admit here that I'm a little excited for fall. If you look real hard there are a few leaves that are already bright red. I cannot wait to see all the trees such colors. But I am only half admitting this, since I know the cold is right behind it.

18. Least favorite household chore?
Vacuuming.

19. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Endless patience. A breath of fresh air always in my back pocket.

20. If you have a tattoo, what is it?
I have two: a sun and a little magician.

21. Can you juggle?
I would be the worst juggler known to man.

22. Person from your past you wish you could go back and talk to?
Lots of old friends from junior high.

23. Favorite day?
Absolutely Friday. Even though I clean that day. Just because I know it's the weekend. By the time it gets to the weekend, it's already running out!

24. Sushi or hamburger?
I'm going to have to go with hamburger here. Yes, I know I'm from California.

I'm tagging Erin and Megan!

And leaving you with this. Just a snap of my daughter and her new friend, Ashby. Because we are missing all our old friends right now. Thankfully Tara and Ashby have snatched us up and look out for us. Thanks, friends.

What 98 cents will buy you.

It will buy you this darling hat from Target that you could not put down once you put it on her head. It will not, however, get you even close to her sitting still in it. Not for one little picture.

If you spend $2.99, you get this darling baby doll that we had to get her lest she steal Ashby's forever. This one apparently will do. It even has those eyes that close when the baby lays down and open when she gets up. First thing Alla asks for in the morning, after 'na na na na na na,' is 'baaaay-beeee.' Sure thing, sweetness.
If you spend $2.98 a pound, you will discover when you have eaten almost the very last cherry, that she likes them. Wonder of wonders. The child that likes only dip dip and ice likes cherries. (No her mouth isn't bleeding. Though she is cutting molars right now.)

More cherries, mama.
Again, sure thing.

Did you know?

Did you know that when you leave in the morning, she goes right to the window to watch you drive off and she waves bye bye.

Did you know that this morning she was able to put her two thoughts together and make one complete sentence, "Ba ba di," which of course means "Bye Bye Da Da."

We miss you lots on Mondays.

In other news, we got to TJ's this weekend! Hurray! Unfortunately no wine is sold on Sundays so we missed out on our 2Buck Chuck, but we will be heading back so so soon. We stocked up.
And, lastly, I'm not sure how it's possible, but I think Russell has followed us. Ugh.

On this day...

...in 2005: We snuck out for a lovely 9pm reservation at Zazou in Redondo, and after one glass of champagne I realized Alla was fine with Megan. Thanks, Meg.

...in 2004: We celebrated at The Melting Pot. Yum. And we were pregnant, but wouldn't know it for another 7 days.

...in 2003: We delayed the true celebration til September, when we went to the Hale Koa with The Derenzos.

...in 2002: We tied the knot!

Happy Four Years to us.

Nine years. Wow.

Today we celebrate nine years of us. We spent the first two in separate states, the next three in Ohio, the next four in California, and are now beginning this new adventure in here in Minnesota. We have been a lot of places, shared a lot of life so far, been through all of it together.

We're lucky to have our anniversaries back-to-back (yes we planned it that way), so tomorrow is an even more special day.