Know your audience.....

This is a thought I have on occasion....when I'm talking to someone I think to myself "know your audience" meaning are my feeling on this topic so opposite from the other person's that I might offend them...if so than I probably should discuss that topic with them.
This is a general thought, but obviously more prevalent in my mind when discussing politics, religion and a few other things.
During election season, I knew that my feelings on some of the propositions and presidential candidate differed from those of some of my more conservative family members...so I refrained from discussing politics with them. These are the same family members who I don't discuss religion with because we have vastly differing opinions on the subject.
BUT as much as I try...I apparently don't get the same courtesy. I was having lunch one day last week with a family member and we got on the topic of church...just general talk about people in this person's church etc. Not going to church, cause this person doesn't broach that subject with me anymore...they know the response they'll get.
Anyhow, apparently along with the discussion of church they felt that this was an appropriate time to tell me their thoughts on women's roles.
Um..hello have you met me, this is not a topic you want to discuss with me. I'm pretty pro-equality in all aspects of life not the least of which is gender equality. So I sit back and listen to this person's explanation of why men and women were created different, and what their purposes were meant to be, and how women aren't equal to men and really shouldn't try to be.

I literally had to keep my hand over my mouth to keep from yelling, I asked for clarification a couple times, ya know like "are you saying different anatomically, or in another way" and "so you're not saying different but equal...just different" to which the answers continued to preach that women are different from, not equal to and shouldn't try to hold positions of power over men. Um yeah...again, do you know me?!?

I was proud of myself for not "sharing" my beliefs, as clearly I knew my audience.....I just wish my lunch mate would have know their audience....

Something funny for Monday...

My brother's girlfriend is great, she's cute and smart and funny...even when she's not trying to be.
Case and point...one day while at their local Starbucks she decided to try some of the new food that they have. So she and my brother stroll up to the counter and she orders a Turkey Punani. The Starbucks guy looks back at her stunned and my brother leans over and tells her that she meant a Turkey Panini...she blushes and re-orders, at which point the Starbucks guy starts laughing.
So next time you order a Panini...make sure to remember to call it by the right name...

And on a side note, this makes me doubt my actual relation to my brother, because if I had been there when she said that I would have been laughing so hard that I would have had to leave or risk being kicked out of Starbucks. He is much nicer than I am.

Fun with Grandma S...

So you may remember that Furlough Friday = pamper mommy day and it was wonderful.

So I thought I'd share what Natalie was doing while I was galavanting about getting massages and such....

First there was some play

Then there was some lunch! And finally some sillyness!

Hello my name is....

Bat Shit Crazy! Yeah that's right, I've gone and lost my freaking mind. Oh I'm not being melodramatic I'm serious!
I have done the list for Natalie's birthday party (ACK it's in less than a month) and I have come up with....drum roll please......ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR PEOPLE!
Yup that's right, the number was so audacious I needed to write it out to emphasise my insanity.
So, you ask, Kelly where are you going to host ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR PEOPLE (I'm channeling the deep voice of doom there in case you don't hear it). Oh good question....at my house. Wait what?!?! Yup that's right I'm having it at my house.
If I go missing for a while, don't be alarmed...just assume that Dan had me committed.

To block or not to block....

Apparently that IS the question. Last week all of a sudden blogger and blogspot was blocked at work, so basically all of the blogs I read were blocked. I could see them in google reader but I couldn't see any pictures. Now I know I shouldn't be reading blogs at work (so don't post a comment telling me that) but I only pop on occasionally and quickly run through google reader to see what's up with my friends...and then back to work it is! (LOL!!!)
But now blogger and blogspot aren't blocked...hmm weird?? I think so. Maybe they're watching me.....uh oh.

An observation.....

Generally when people (aka men) have a mid-life crisis, they go out and buy a new car, or maybe a motorcycle, go for a new look, get a new hobby etc...but sometimes they decided that a good outlet for a mid-life crisis is a hot young girlfriend. That my friends is generally a fatal error.
Take for example this guy....well call him....eh it doesn't matter. he had what I can only assume was a mid-life crisis, but rather than get a convertible which would have been the smart move, he began courting a gal in his office...well call her...oh who cares. (I'm not really good at coming up with names that wouldn't be totally obvious)
Anyhow, these two began a relationship, which ultimately ended his marriage (shocker huh?)...and now instead of a hot red convertible for his mid-life crisis he gets to drive a ...drum roll please.....a mini-van.
Oh yeah, mission accomplished. He wanted to feel younger and BAM he is now playing daddy all over again! That's young!

Friday recap...

So I posted last week about "Furlough Friday = Pamper mommy day", and although many times in the past I have canceled pamper mommy day at the last minute...Friday was not one of those times.
I started the day with some Starbucks drive-through on the way to drop Natalie off at Grandma's house, then off to the Spa! I had an awesome massage, I always think 90 minutes would be too long so I go for the 60 minutes...but man on Friday I could have used that extra 30 minutes.
When the massage was done, I went to the local (read the only nail salon in Sebastopol) nail salon for a pedicure. They had a bit of a wait, but that was okay cause I had brought a book and since it was a beautiful day I sat outside on a bench and read....with no interruptions. It was awesome!
When I got to Grandma's house Natalie was fed and playing and ready for a nap! YAY! So I took her home and she took a great nap and I got to watch Oprah. Dan had to work late but he did bring home a bottle of wine...so that made up for things!
All in all it was an AWESOME day.

Fun at the park.....

Last weekend we took Natalie to the park....at first she wasn't all that thrilled. She liked the swings but the sand was another story....until she figured out that you can eat it...then it was on! YUCK!
We are so fortunate to have an amazing park just a block away....so I see many more park visits in our future.

Birthday party planning....

Let the countdown begin!

I ordered Natalie's invites which were designed by the fabulous Donna over at Swish Designs, and I think they turned out amazing if I do say so....

We'll be doing a cupcake theme, cause well I think cupcakes are cute, and Natalie is cute so it seemed fitting. I've been scouring the Internet trying to find cupcake decor for the party, and ideas for favors....I'll post more about that later.

But I just had to share how freaking cute the invites turned out!

Furlough Friday = pampering mommy day...

Because of my 9/80 work schedule and State Employee's being furloughed I've been having every Friday off. It has been AWESOME to say the least. I get an extra day with Natalie, I only have to work 4 days a week....the list goes on and on. (However I still can't seem to stay caught up on laundry...but that's another story)
So my Mother-in-Law, emailed me yesterday asking if she could pick Natalie up from daycare on Friday to spend some time with her. Well since Natalie doesn't go to daycare on Friday's I decided I'd let grandma have some Natalie time and I'd take some time for myself *gasp*. I haven't really done anything for myself since Natalie was born with the exception of a few haircuts (mom has to look somewhat presentable), which is completely fine, I'd rather spend every spare moment with her. But this time I figured "eh what the hell...I could use a massage"
So I booked a massage at my favorite spa since I still had some left over gift certificates from my birthday 2 years ago, and plan to spend a few hours alone (with the exception of the masseuse that will be there) getting pampered. I think I might book a pedicure too...it's warm enough to break out the flip flops right?!?
And I may even hit up the wine bar that is next to the spa...with a book...ahh sounds fab!
Anyone care to join me?

Growing up so fast.....In less than 8 weeks Natalie is going to be ONE! Seriously where does the time go....it seems like just yesterday we were driving home from the hospital with a little blobby baby who just ate and slept, and to think I complained about things being "hard" then...
Now at 10.5 months, she's amazing mastering new skills everyday. From feeding herself to cruising to mini-tantrums everyday is a whole new journey....and I wouldn't trade one minute of it for anything.
But still OMG one year old! Let the party planning begin...Dan has already put in a request for a keg, while I'm not entirely sure that it's appropriate for a one year old's birthday...we'll likely be having a nice keg of silver bullet.