Foodmomiac

Through thick and thin

  At Hot Chocolate restaurant 
  Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac.

Monday is the 11 year anniversary of the day I met Michael. We had spoken on the phone before that day, though. He called me as soon as he received my resume.

I found the job in the Sunday NY Times, and sent in my resume and cover letter immediately. "Dear Mr. Wiley," I wrote. He liked the pretension inherent in my resume. The fact that I mentioned the topic of my senior thesis. The fact that I spoke French. If he hadn't been so enamored of the French language, actually, we might have met even earlier than November 6, 1995. The night I went for my interview, he was at a class at the Alliance Francaise, learning beginning French. Instead of meeting Michael, I met with the creepy VP. I sat in a swiveling chair that had been raised to its highest level, which created two major problems: 1. I was looking down at this funny-looking man. 2. My feet didn't touch the ground, so I couldn't control the swivel. The interview went well, regardless. We talked about my skills and talents. We talked about astrology. He told me he'd chat with Mr. Wiley and get back to me.

The next day, creepo VP gave me a call. "Why don't you just come in to work next Monday. Show up at 9:30. Don't worry. I'm sure Michael will love you."

Two weeks after I started work at the small company, Michael and I started dating. Less than two months after that, we moved into a studio apartment together.

We have lived in New York, Ann Arbor, Toledo and now Chicago.

We have had two kids, two dogs, and three houses.

We were separated for three months, but compared to 11 years, that's just a drop in the bucket.

This Love Thursday is dedicated to perseverance, trust, stubborness, and a relationship that endures.

Photo courtesy of Tammy

Jokesters

  dyladaddy 
  Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac.

The other day, I had Dylan's Parent/Teacher conference. We were talking about Dylan's unque attributes; her leadership, her sensitivity, her need to be busy at all times...

I asked her teacher if she had noticed some strange stories coming from Dylan. She hadn't, and was a bit confused by my question. I had to give some background. Michael and his dad have a thing for teasing people. Specifically, they make up crazy stories in an effort to trick others into believing them. I think the best one his dad ever got me on was a couple of months ago. He is slightly narcoleptic, so the story was believable. He told me that while watching Max, he fell asleep. The next thing he knew, Max had crawled all the way upstairs. I believed him, and I was appalled. I vowed never to let him watch the kids on his own ever again. He was teasing, of course. Max DID climb up those stairs, but his Poppy was behind him every step of the way.

Dylan has inherited this love of teasing, but because she is still so young, she hasn't quite caught on to the difference between teasing and lying. She also has yet to realize that with the tease, you eventually let the teasee in on the joke.

The other day, she came home from school beaming. She said, "Mom, I did the BEST tease at school today."
"Oh yeah? What was it?"
"I told all my friends that when I'm in a time out, I get ice cream."

She started chuckling.

"You DID?? Did you tell them you were just teasing?"
"No! They all believed me too!!"

Like father, like son. Like father, like daughter. And so it moves on through the generations. Gotta love it.

Happy Love Thursday everyone.

Puppy Love

  Buddies 
  Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac.

Though she acts like a puppy, Friday is now over eight years old. My 25th birthday present, she is truly a part of our family, mostly because she thinks she's human (as evidenced by this photo).

When I was pregnant with Dylie, I was so worried about how Friday would respond to the baby. I read books, I researched online, I tried to teach her to stay off the bed, I brought her one of Dylan's onesies from the hospital...

I had nothing to worry about. Friday just adores the kids, even when they are clearly driving her crazy. She has always been super tolerant of Dylan. And now, she is tolerant of crazy man Max. She lets him crawl into her crate. She lets him steal her food. She lets both kids lay on top of her. She is honestly the sweetest dog I could have ever asked for.

Friday has been sick ever since we moved with some sort of kidney/urinary problem. We've tried treating it with antibiotics and then with a special food, but she is still not feeling right. Today I'll call the vet to schedule some more tests for her. I worry, because with each treatment we try, the actual cause of her problems becomes more serious. The vet is trying to rule out the easy fixes first.

This Love Thursday, I ask everyone to send some positive thoughts Fri Fri's way.

Love is...

  The back deck 
  Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac.

Being so excited about living in Chicago that seeing this out my back door on October 12 just makes me laugh.

Today is Love Thursday.

Love Thursday

  Drowsy Doll - All Tucked In 
  Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac.

I am not the best at remembering the words to songs. However, I kick ass when it comes to making up new words. And something I've realized is that when you make up words to songs that you sing to your kids, those made-up words can suddenly become the real deal.

The song I sing to Dylie and Max every night is one example of this. Sung to the tune "Lullaby and Goodnight"

Lullaby and Goodnight
Go to sleep little baby
Lullaby and Goodnight
Go to sleep little girl (boy)
It's late and you're tired
And it's time to go to bed
You'll have lots of dreams
Dancing around in your head

This is a picture of Dylan's Drowsy doll. She put her to bed this morning just the way I put Dylan to bed every night.

She lay with her for awhile.
She sang to her.
She tucked her in in the far right corner of the bed.
And she gave her a kiss and a hug.

This Love Thursday, love is all about routines.

The Famous Grandma Ana

  CIMG0549.JPG 
  Originally uploaded by daltsh.

In honor of Love Thursday, here is one of the women I love most, and who just celebrated her 94th birthday.