Category: Life as I know it

Posted on

And then there was a toddler in our bed

There must have been something in her milk Saturday night, because D ended up sleeping in our bed for the 1st time ever. We do NOT make this a habit, obviously, when she can’t sleep, and usually she will eventually go back to sleep in her crib after waking in the middle of the night.

But for whatever reason she just wasn’t having it Saturday night. Try as we may, she wouldn’t sleep more than about 10 minutes at a stretch back in her crib.

Feel my pain? Here’s an approximate timeline of how our evening went:

8:00-9:00  Trying to get D to settle down, put toys away, and get snuggled in for night-night. R and I were engrossed in Season 1 of Downton Abbey on Netflix, so we wanted her to nestle into the blankets on the couch with R and fall asleep, like she often does. She was restless.

9:00  D finally conked out in his lap, so he carried her into her crib.

9:00-11:00 R and I become addicted to Downton Abbey. Well, I’m addicted. He may have just been humoring me by watching all these, but I think he actually kinda likes it too.

11:00ish  D starts crying, so after it becomes clear she’s not just sleep crying R goes in to rock her back to sleep. I hear little cries coming from her room off and on.

11:15  R comes back out to the living room carrying D, who is still not back to sleep. He puts her in the blankets with him on the couch again, but she instantly pops back up and now wants to play after seeing a puppy on the tv. Wrong.

11:15-11:30  I take her back in her room to rock with her turtle projecting stars and moons on the ceiling, and she eventually goes back to sleep.

11:30ish  I go to bed.

11:45-12:30  D wakes up 2-3 times, each time I rock her back to sleep. Those “sleeps” last no more than 10 minutes each. I’m getting really tired.

12:30  R goes in to try to get her to sleep and says he’ll just go lie on the couch with her. I know he’ll end up having to spend the rest of the night out there with her if he does, so I say just bring her into our bed. Little did I know that was the beginning of the end of any hope for a restful night.

12:30-6:30  D sleeps between me and R. And coughs in my face all night long. R bails at some point before morning to take up residence on the couch. Lucky. At 6:24 I awaken to a small arm moving back and forth over my forehead, then a finger in my eye. Nice wake up call.

So yeah, that wasn’t the most brilliant solution, and I now know why we haven’t tried it before.

D took 2 naps yesterday for the 1st time in months.

 

 

Posted on

Happy anniversary to me!

Today marks 1 year exactly since my very 1st post on ScooterMarie. Now how do I go about celebrating that?

image source

I would have loved to show you screen shots from all the iterations of my blog design since last March, but unfortunately I was never trolled by archive.org so I can’t grab any of those for you. ‘Tis a shame, too, since this blog looks WAY different than it did when I 1st started.

It actually looks a lot different than it did just a few months ago. Damn you, Wayback Machine! Why didn’t you find me?

So hmm… What can I say about this 1 year milestone in the blogosphere?

I can honestly say it’s something I never really thought I’d do. For years, whenever I heard the word “blog” I just automatically assumed it meant a tech-based website that was going to be completely over my head in jargon. Not my bag.

Not once did I think this world was full of the humor, wit, class, emotion, ideas, and just all around sense of camaraderie that it has turned out to be. I think that’s the best part about this past year of blogging – all the wonderful blogs and people behind them that I have discovered.

People laugh when I say “My blogging friend so-and-so,” but it’s true. I genuinely consider all of you friends, all of you people who currently only live in the Internet for me, whom I haven’t yet met in real life.

But I still feel like I know you – I’ve read about your families, I’ve learned of your struggles, I’ve laughed at your stories, and I keep you in my reader for more. Now don’t you feel special!

But it’s true – I consider you girls (and guys!) my friends.

And I have a feeling that if (or hopefully when) we do meet in person someday, I will be proven correct. We will be friends.

Thank you all (both from the Internet and in real life) for coming to ScooterMarie and reading my words. It’s your comments and connections that make this so much fun.

So here’s to continued friendships through ScooterMarie. I love telling you our crazy stories, and I hope you’ll keep coming back for more.

1 year down, many to go…

 

 

Posted on

Hooray beer!

Happy Leap Day! I’m not really sure what the proper way to honor a day that comes only once every 4 years is, but how about with some beer? Sounds good to me – come on in!

Last Saturday we went to Bockfest at Capital Brewery in Middleton, WI, just on the west side of Madison. This was our 2nd year in a row, and it’s so much fun.

We go with our great friends E & C, and they’ve gone a number of years now. 4 I think? We got over there early (this year we met up at their house around 8:30am), head to a local bar just a few blocks from the brewery called the Hody, then mosey into the fest at 11.

Ticket holders are granted entry at 11, general public is allowed in at noon if there is any space available, taps close at 4, and everyone is kicked out by 5. It’s always held the last Saturday of February, so you’re guaranteed to be cold in Wisconsin at that time, and it has become our annual beginning of the beerfest/pub crawl season.

I drove us home again this year so didn’t indulge quite as much as everyone else, but I still had plenty of fun. R took his usual plethora of pictures, so here is a nice rundown of the day, photo style…

The line is always long, even for ticket holders. Fortunately it moves quickly once they open the gates.

That doesn’t put a damper on our good times, though!

Once everyone is in and ready to go, they hold the traditional running of the blondes – it’s a 1k jog around the block. Very taxing. I’ll have to remember my blonde wig next time. It’s also a little play on words, since their Blonde is the featured brew at Bockfest – highly delicious, highly potent, and you only get half a mug full. And everyone only gets 1.

You always see a multitude of crazy costumes and hats at Bockfest, and R found the banana guy again this year. Turns out he’s one of E’s little brother’s friends. Small beer world.

Workers of the brewery and their family/friends throw stuff off the roof of the place all day long. Why? Who knows. But if you toss anything into a crowd of drunk people they’re guaranteed to go nuts.

This time they threw beads, little plush dinosaurs (a new addition this year, but they matched the green brontosaurus statue that resides permanently on the brewery roof. r caught one for d!), and smoked chub. Yes, those are fish, and it is totally disgusting. I made sure I was far inside this year before the chub came out – if I got hit with one of those nasty things I was ready to punch someone.

By the time they kicked us out of the place we were more than ready to head downtown for some delicious grub on our way out of town, but not before we stopped off for a few quick shots in the oversized tailgating chairs.

And that makes another successful Bockfest in the books. I think I like this tradition. Cheers!

 

 

Posted on

Lil ol’ me, a Hall of Famer!

D and I got back from Tucson last night, so a full recap post will be coming soon. Stay tuned for that excellence.

But in other news, I had a surprising, yet decidedly awesome, letter waiting for me when we got home. R told me I had received a piece of mail from my high school, and I thought big deal, wonder what that’s all about? A reunion or the alumni association looking for pledges?

Neither. It was something much, much better.

They’re inducting me into the Peoria High School Athletic Hall of Fame!!

Me? Seriously?? I’m going to be in a Hall of Fame! Wahoo!!

They are announcing my selection for the Hall of Fame at a luncheon in October, so all of you in the Peoria area please feel free to swing by and hoot and holler when they call my name. You can even make signs if you want. Lots of glitter, as long as it doesn’t get anywhere near me.

I’m so excited, and honestly couldn’t be more proud. For as little as I really keep in contact with anyone/anything having to do with my high school years, an induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame is a huge honor. I always saw those plaques hanging in the walls and thought what a cool feeling that would be, but I never in a million years thought it would actually happen to me.

Now I’ll just have to make sure they spell my name right, since the envelope was addressed to “Joselyn”. Um, that would be J-o-c-e-l-y-n, thank you very much.

 

 

Posted on

Happy Hearts Day

As an adult, Valentine’s Day has never been one of my favorites.

To me, it’s much more of a made-up “Hallmark holiday”, created mainly to inflate prices of roses, candy, and paper goods.

Plus I never had a boyfriend over Valentine’s Day until I met R, so I usually didn’t have a reason to make it a big deal.

Sure I enjoy getting a card or an extra “I love you” every February 14, but I don’t really hold it in high regard or eagerly anticipate it each year.

It was great as a kid, though. Who doesn’t love a mug covered in pictures of candy hearts and brimming with said sugary confection waiting for you on the kitchen table first thing in the morning?

But as an adult, I can pretty much take it or leave it. Plus we had to send valentines to daycare for D’s party today.

Dumb.

I mean, it’s cute that they’re having a party, but dumb that parents send a dozen valentines for a group of 18-24 month olds who have zero idea the meaning of the day. Ah well, I guess it’s a small sacrifice for a classroom of cuties.

However, I am quite excited for our heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy’s that R’s mom gets us each Valentine’s Day. It has become our Valentine’s Day dinner tradition, usually paired with our favorite tv show at the time. A few years ago it was Lost. Tonight we might check out the new show The River, since I’ve heard it’s very Lost-esque. Anyone catch its debut last week?

We usually see R’s family each year the weekend before Valentine’s Day for one of our nephew’s birthday party, and that is how we always get the heart-shaped pizzas. Some may laugh, but I love it!

Plus, look at this adorable shot of D playing in a bounce house with her cousins at the party this past weekend. That’s my little valentine!

So Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone, however you like to celebrate (or not)!

 

 

Posted on

Friday Funk – 11 things edition

So I’ve been tagged to do an “11 random things about you” post. When I saw that I immediately groaned and thought, “Ugh, I hate these things.” They always remind me of chain letters. Yuck.

But then I realized I’ve never really done an “about me” post. I mean, I have an About Me page up there that you can go check out, but I’ve never actually been prompted to break much down for you out here. Especially with totally random questions. So I guess you’re now in for a treat!

The rules of this tagging involved me reposting said rules and then tagging others, but I’m skipping that part. ‘Cause I can.

So I present to you “11 Random Things About ScooterMarie”:

1: Wine…Red or White? 

Hmm. I like most all wine, but I’m actually gonna have to go white here. And sweeter white at that. (i can hear all you red wine lovers shrieking and shattering your wine glasses from here) Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Prosecco, and most especially ice wine. I am hugely partial to champagne, too, but I guess that’s not technically a wine? Whatever.

2: What is your favorite wine or libation? 

Oops, I guess I just listed a bunch of wines in #1, but one in particular I love is Door Peninsula Winery’s Summer Splash. Oh yes – white, sweet, fruity, cold, delicious. Perfect summer wine for me. And I am a huge fan of good microbrews as well. Not too picky there, and I’m becoming more and more fond of stouts and porters when I used to loathe dark beers.

3: Have you been to any wineries or wine tasting? 

I have. I’ve been to a couple wineries in Door County, WI, which are actually quite excellent. You can find a list of some here. Have I been wine tasting? Does Saturday night at my house count? 😉

4: Favorite pair of shoes? 

Right now it’s my Blowfish Brille booties. These things are awesome. I’ve wanted them for a couple years since I saw a similar pair one of my sisters has, and she got them for me this past Christmas. Score! They are really quite comfortable, and the wedge heel makes my size 11 feet look TINY!

 

5: What is your morning drink? 

Well it used to be an iced chai latte, since I’ve always hated coffee. But then I discovered pumpkin spice creamer and that all changed. (i still don’t like the taste of coffee, just the creamer) I’ve been trying to lessen my caffeine addiction though, so right now it’s a homemade Dunkin’ Donuts decaf latte with pumpkin spice creamer, until it runs out. Then I might cry.

6: Tattoos, body piercings, or both…and where? 

Both. I have 3 tattoos (dolphin on back of right hip, Kokopelli on front of left hip, University of Wisconsin motion W with a wave underneath it on inside of left ankle) and 4 piercings (2 in each ear, 1 ear has 1 low and 1 high). I almost pierced my eyebrow in college, but the shop was closed the day I went. Maybe that was a sign…

7: Favorite dessert? 

Umm, you’re making me choose? Yeah right. Oh, actually, I’ve got it – birthday cake from Trefzger’s, a bakery in Peoria, IL.

8: What is your dream vacation…money is no object! 

Full tour of Italy, on my own schedule.

9: If you won the lottery… 

I’d pay off our house, sock away a bunch for future college payments, then never go to work again!!

10: Do you talk to yourself?  If so, do you answer yourself too? 

In my head, yes. It’s usually conversations/arguments I’d have with someone in real life, so there isn’t much answering of myself needed. I’m always right in those.

11: Would you ever sneak a giant metal rooster into your house?

Nope!

 

So what’d ya think? Fun stuff, eh? That was actually much less painful than I expected. Yes, I am a pretty random (yet highly entertaining!) individual. Have a great weekend!

p.s. this list of random came to you courtesy of the lovely Suzanne over at The Wine{a}be.

 

 

Posted on

Oh well, I got a story

I’m not sure what it is about me and R, but it seems like bizarre things always happen to us. Always. It’s as if our lives are governed by Murphy’s Law of Whiskey.Tango.Foxtrot?!

And never do things go “just right” or “as planned”. Never. There are always wrenches flying into our spokes, causing us to go veering off in some wild direction and usually crashing. Or at least ending up at our destination with a nasty scratch.

Fortunately this story I’m about to tell falls more into the weird stuff category than the painful crash category, but it made me laugh and think “yeah, that’s about right” when I heard it nonetheless.

Hopefully you will too. Laugh, that is. Not shake your head at the oddity that is our existence. Ahem.

This conversation transpired one afternoon last week over IM. R had been looking to buy a juicer for a little while and finally found the one he wanted that morning. He had just returned from making his purchase when the following was relayed:

R:  pretty sure I just bought a stolen juicer

Me:  wha? uh-oh

R:  dude was sketchy as shit

Me:  yikes

as long as they don’t track you down

R:  showed up in a beat down mini van

smoking a swisher

very “eccentric”

definitely not someone who “has two and is selling one for his fiance”

Me:  ha!

is that what he said?

R:  yea

Me:  dang. yep, totally stolen

R:  I overpaid knowing that

oh well, I got a story

 

Now let’s hope we don’t get a knock on our door from the cops looking for that hot juicer.