Hello, My Name Is

Today I had a great meeting with my writing group. We're all a little behind where we had planned to be, but we each met part of our goal for the month. So that's good. It's also good that we get to talk with pals about similar insecurities and successes in this lonely business we call dissertation writing. And we eat quiche at every meeting. Basically, this group is a lifesaver.

101

Sam really enjoyed the weekend at the cabin. Whenever he pointed at an item he wanted (which was pretty much any item, anywhere) and said "Dat!" someone would grab that item and hand it over. Naturally Sam assumes this will continue at home. Tonight, he refused to nurse until I handed him the TV remote (Dat! Dat! Dat!) and then he pushed buttons while suckling away. In retrospect, that was probably bad parenting.

It's On

We're heading to the cabin today and leaving this behind. 

I can't imagine anything worse than coming home to a dozen dead mice. Except coming home to a dozen empty traps.  This must be done.

The Season

I'm feeling a little bah humbug about gift-giving and receiving this year. I think it's because my family does a very minimal gift exchange while my husband's family does a very maximal one. So while I'd rather be gathering gifts for my most intimate peeps, I am instead researching possible gifts for a cousin-in-law whose name was drawn by my infant son (who has, as far as we can tell, no concept of holiday gift exchanges).

I think we can all agree I need an attitude adjustment about this. Even I can see that.

And It's Only 9:18

Two things of note are going on at the coffee shop right now. First, Tim Pawlenty is sitting just 20 feet from me. He's wearing a full suit and is working away on his iPad. What does a former governor do with his time once his bid for the presidency is over? Maybe I'll get up the nerve to ask.

Second, a man at the table next to me is being interviewed about an acquaintance who is seeking employment at the CIA. I know this because I was once interviewed about a friend who was doing the same. I would say more, but the details are highly confidential. Actually, they're not. She got the job and did our country proud. You're welcome, America.

He Was Born in a Polar Vortex

We thought it would be fun to bundle Sam up, take him out in the snow, and pull him around on the sled.

At first, it looked like he was going to love it.

But once we got moving, it looked something like this.

Wonderland

We had a fabulous Saturday over here. It started with brunch at the Egg and I with my college pals and their kiddos. Then we lazed away the afternoon with books and soup and views of the falling snow. In the late afternoon, we trekked out to the Midwest Home Show where Dave refused to talk to anyone who might try to sell him something. I figured that was the whole point, so I gave my email freely and signed up for lots of drawings. Sam met a puppy at one booth and said "Dog!" quite clearly as we walked away. Back home, we threw together a dinner of brats and fancy mac n' cheese, which, I fear, is all Sam will ever want to eat again. Once he was down for the night, Dave and I watched an episode of The Wire and I managed to stay calm about the corruption and devastation by drinking two glasses of wine.

All in all, a perfect day.

Blogging Challenge

I have exciting news. A new blogging challenge begins this Saturday and ends sometime near the start of 2012. The challenge is to write about something that happens each day, good or bad, but mostly good, and comment on the blogs of others. That last part wasn't stated in the challenge post, but I think it's implied that you should comment too. That's just good blogging. Right, Pronto?

So, here goes. 

Today I removed a live mouse from a glue trap under our stove. I really can't say more than that because I'm pretty shaken up. Tomorrow I'll be ridding our house of glue traps because I never want to go through that again. And neither does the mouse. 

Okay. That was a good warm up. Look for more exciting (or mundane) posts starting Saturday!