Szia!

My sister, Reka, was born and raised in Hungary. In fact, the first time she came to the states, she was married to my brother. Naturally Hungarian is her first (of many) language, my brother speaks Hungarian, and although my Hungarian is limited, I can say hello and tell you that there is a very, very fat person nearby. I can also ask where my bra has gone.

Useful, I know.

As I sit here, I long for travel. I long to be lost in a rainbow of languages I don't understand. I long for a country I've never been, Hungary. Or maybe I just want to walk around and ask where my bra is! *Snicker*

True Friendship Lasts Forever

I moved a lot as a kid. A lot. A lot like 5 different high schools. And I always had an easy time finding a best friend, even though most of them have fallen off my radar; it happens.

Cue Facebook. Facebook is the greatest invention for people like me. Through Facebook, I found two of my bestest friends ever (from jr high in Chicago): K9 and Uzi (names have not been changed, seriously, because there is no need to protect the innocent ).

Suddenly, years melt away and I find myself giggling like I was 13 again. I love these girls. And then I received a package in the mail. With Mike Ditka salsa (to say that K9 and Uzi are Chicago Bears fans is the understatement of the year). The salsa is only available in Illinois and is super good!

I cracked up the whole evening. Mike Ditka, you have the greatest fans. And I have the greatest friends!

Bail Me Out!

The recent bailout plan seems a lot like paying bills with a credit card. It takes care of the immediate need but adds to the debt overall (which will cost more in the long run).

Thank you NObama Obama.

Today

Pants on Fire!

You remember kindergarten and that boy that always told lies? Or that girl who had a different story every day? Children are natural liars, and ya know, it’s kinda cute. It’s funny to hear their stories and the look in their eye when they think of something else to make up. The charm, however, ends after kindergarten. Apparently, some of us haven’t gotten the memo. We will call her “Cupcake Lady”. And this story is so pathetically funny, I can’t resist sharing it.

Cupcake Lady was a friend on my Facebook. She added more than a few professional pictures of cupcakes (the caliber that you'd see on Ace of Cakes or Martha Stewart) and claimed they were her own creations. A quick google image search proved otherwise. When I accused asked her about it, she unfriended me! Actually, I am very amused by this. But seriously!

The Only Time He Yells, Part One

My dear husband is a very calm person. He never yells at me, well, he's never yelled at me while awake. Brenden is a sleep talker with absolutely no volume control. Sometimes it's scary, sometimes startling, but it's always hilarious.

Last night, I quietly slipped into bed while Brenden chattered in his sleep gibberish (the only thing I could understand was "Jack in the Box"). And then he screamed "HEY!"

I stood still, holding my laughter very concerned.

"WHAT THE HELL?" (yes, he was still asleep)

I started to giggle.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" He bellowed.

My laughter woke him up.

Dreams, Part Two

For those of you who don't know, I lived in a trailer in San Diego. Not only was it a questionable part of town, it was a "condemned" trailer park. It was a white ghetto. But I liked it, it served me well.

Last night I dreamt that I broke into my trailer to see what the new tenants had done with the decor (this isn't the first time I've had this dream). And it was painted bright orange (which is what it looked like when I moved in) and trashy (again, it looked like that when I moved in).

I am sad to hear that the condemned park is finally being torn down. And my trailer is long gone. In fact, I was probably the last person who lived there. Some part of me is sad, some part of me is amused.

And then I woke up chewing my ear plug! How strange.

Miscarriage.

Miscarriage. I hate the word. It sounds so...casual, like dropping your fork on the floor or causing the smoke alarm to go off because you forgot to check on the brownies. It should sound more like what it is: a death. Miscarriage is not only a death of a little life but of a dream and a life imagined. It's the death of dreaming about who this little person will be, imagining little booties and socks and hats, bike rides and birthday cakes with little ponies or trucks, Christmas morning and little squeals of laughter and joy. It's a death of all these things. And it's so completely 100% unfair!

To my dear sister, I am so sorry!
To my dear friend, I am so sorry!


It just plain sucks.

Sick!

I wish I could take a picture of myself right now. I am still in my pjs. My hair is slicked with day old gel and grease. I haven't brushed my teeth yet. The kitchen is a wreck. If you knew me, you'd know that this is highly out of character. Even when I am sick, I have to clean and be clean. But I just don't have the energy to move. My laptop is propped on my lap, over a blanket, on the couch. My head hurts. I am struggling with waves of nausea and dizziness. I told my dear husband that I am afraid we might have to cancel our Valentine's Day trip to the beach. He smiled at me, kissed my head, and said he has a surprise for me. And now he is cleaning the mess in the kitchen while putting away the groceries he just bought (he bought ALL my comfort foods). Not being one to brag, I have the best husband who loves his smelly, whiny, exhausted wife.


And now, I need to go back to sleep.......

Be the Hero

I love to sleep. My mom said I slept through the night when I was just a few days old (please Lord, give me a child who loves to sleep). I look forward to bed time. I never pulled an all-nighter during college (well, not for studying). I love my sleep. My teacher's have always told my parents that I have a big imagination. And if my dreams are any indication, "big imagination" is an understatement.

I remember my very first nightmare. I was 2 and I dreamt that my mom accidental chopped her head off in my dad's hobby shop (a little room in our basement where he made our toys). She chased me around the yard without a head. Yeah, that's creepy and I didn't mean to write such a creepy blog. (I never watched any scary movies when I was little-this was purely imagination).

My dreams are usually adventure packed. The other night I was fighting Lord Voldemort (the arch-enemy in the Harry Potter series). Through battle and much toil, I conquered and banished him forever. Brenden and I returned home as heros.

Last night, Brenden and I were on our motorcycle driving to Mac when we noticed a robbery on Arlington and 23rd street (I wonder if there is such an intersection). Being the heros that we are, we chased down the criminals. As I approached like a ninja, they shot me twice! In a quick movement, I tackled them to the ground and they were arrested! How exciting!

I have loads of funny dream stories! And don't even get me started on all the things Brenden says...errr...yells during his sleep! Now that's a topic for another post.

Woe is the Economy

You can't turn on the news without hearing the word "economy" at least a dozen times. "Because of the economy" is the most popular excuse these days; a rightful excuse indeed. Our savior, err, um, I mean, our beloved president has just passed a 800 billion dollar stimulus. Our country will never recover, "change we can believe in" is a change for the worst. We are borrowing money we don't have.

America used to be a production nation. We exported more than we imported and "made in America" was more common than "made in China". Nowadays, however, I would wager that 90% of what we own is produced somewhere else. This has killed us. Big companies like TrashMart...er...Walmart have driven out locally own, locally produced businesses and products. We've sold our children's future for a cheaper price/cheaper product.

This country is too set up on "credit". Want to own a home? Well, you have to get your credit score up! Get a credit card as early as you can. Don't have good enough credit? That's ok, I'll sell you a home on a variable interest rate, and in two years, you won't be able to afford food! How fun! Did your car break down? If you can't afford to buy one, let's look at your credit. Borrow, borrow, borrow, and pray that you don't lose your job or get sick! This whole mess makes me sick. When did owning a home, errr um, a mortgage increase one's worth? Being debt-free should be more valuable.

This country values debt and until we change directions, no amount of stimulus is going to change that.

There are people in my life who can pay cash for everything (including their 5 bedroom house). They earned their money through years of hard work, savings, and a little luck. We need to return to that standard. It's a harsh lesson for the typical American consumer but so is this downturn economy.

Just Don't Quote Me

Normally I'd complain about the rain. Normally I'd wish we didn't live in Portland. But today, the rain feels great. I passed under a dozen pine trees on my walk to my car. The smell was fantastic. I wanted to linger. And suddenly, I don't mind Portland so much. It's a perfect day to rain.

The Baby Boom

The baby boom is in full swing. I can't throw a rock without hitting at least 6 pregnant friends. Not that I'd actually throw a rock at them (it wasn't me, I promise!). C'mon, it's just a virtual rock anyway. Hehe.

Anyway,it's been a blast chatting with them and looking at their registries and exchanging emails with cute little baby things and name possibilities. I am over the moon with excitement for them.

They've all told me how they can't wait for Brenden and I to have babies. Our families say they can't wait for our babies. And I feel very complimented that so many people want us to reproduce. I just had to share this picture with you all. I LOVE this nursery. I want to duplicate it when we do have babies (you'll just have to be patient for that, America). Apparently, the crib and the bedding are both homemade! I am so impressed! I know my Brenden could make that crib and I know my mom could make that bedding! Isn't it beautiful?

Ok, enough of this baby stuff. Where's my Harley? *Snicker*

Phew!

Within a few days, both our cars scooted under the radar of disaster.


First up-
Last week, Brenden's Jeep began to shake uncontrollably at high speeds (40 mph or more). We suspected it was out of alignment and hoped it'd be an easy fix. Les Schwaub determined that we needed to replace the front brakes for $400. Normally, $400 is nothing but since we've been on a strict saving/paying off debt plan, $400 is just a pain and a kink in the plan. However, to our surprise, our warranty (from YEARS ago) was still good!
Total cost: $40

Next disaster avoided-
Yesterday, we braved WinCo (We both dread WinCo). We surfed through the crowds and loaded my car without a hitch. Key to ignition. Nothing. We checked the oil, fine. We checked the battery, fine. The engine wouldn't turn over. Nothing. After about 45 mins. of checking, we figured out that the alarm had been set against the key and killed the ignition. We grabbed our stuff and walked home.I prayed. Brenden prayed. We were both stressed. Brenden called around to see if anyone could help. No luck. As we were driving back to the car, I wanted to try it one more time. Maybe it needed an hour to reset. I was right. The car started up with no problem and hasn't had an issue since. I hope it stays that way for now.
Total cost: $0

Knowing you avoided a potentially expensive week: Priceless.

And all we can do is sit back and smile.