Adventures as a Stay At Home Mom…

 

Now, as a rule, I generally try not to write too much about being a stay at home mom.  I figure that no one wants to hear about my struggle to keep up with the laundry, the fact that we have no garbage disposal hurts my soul, or how I can hardly ever vacuum because Ella is terrified of the noise.  However, there are some fun things that happen while Ella and I are hanging out at home and I thought I would share with you all.

Because of the fact that we are responsible parents, (and want to be able to use the restroom in peace) we have a baby gate separating our living/ dining room from the rest of the house.  Nick being the jokester he is has taught Ella to bang her sippy cup across the bars and shout “Attica, Attica!”.  This is hilarious.  Except during lunchtime when I feel as if the “prisoner” is about to riot if she doesn’t get her applesauce!

I have taken to randomly asking Ella what sounds different animals make.  She does a really good job of answering and I am so proud of her.  However, there is one animal I never ask her about in public  This animal is the duck.  She knows a duck says “quack”, but when she says it, it sounds like c*ck (part of the male anatomy) and that can be a little embarrassing.  This also goes for her ability to say the word “sit”, she tends to add an “h” to it…

My Ella is also the cutest little ham you have ever seen.  Anytime a camera is on she’s mugging in front of it.  This leads to fun pictures and even better videos. (If I can figure out how to post videos here you will see her dancing abilities.  She loves to dance and will dance to any kind of music, including California Love by Tupac and Dr. Dre. My little gangsta!. ).

 

  The cutest Minnie Mouse ever!!!

   Her future’s so bright, she has to wear shades!

 

  Arrrrrr, mateys!

Here’s to making everyday fun and interesting, even if all you are doing is hanging out at home!  It’s especially great when you have such a wonderful, funny, loving little girl around the house like my Ella!

Until next time…

Paulene

Halloween

As you may have read in my last blog post, I love autumn.  But, more than loving autumn, I love Halloween!  As some of you may know, I have been a fan of horror films, supernatural literature and spooky art work my entire life.  There is something about the gothic aesthetic that is satisfying.  Now, I am not talking about Gothic as in the angsty teens that wear black clothes, white make up and black nail polish and pretend that their cushy suburban life is sooooo harsh as they wander around Hot Topic eating corn dogs from Hot Dog on a Stick.  No, I am talking about Gothic as in tumble down castles, degenerate corrupted aristocrats, and the ever creepy Victorian English denizens. 

Here is a list of books/ authors and films that are fun this time of year.  The list is not all encompassing, so if you have any selections to add, please leave a comment.  I’m always looking for new books to read and films to watch.

Books/ Authors:

-My perennial favorite Anne Rice.  She has written the Vampire Chronicles, the Witch Chronicles and other supernatural books.  Her books are not just entertaining but extremely well written.

-Edgar Allen Poe.  His short stories like the Telltale Heart, Cask of Amontillado, and Masque of the Red Death are sufficiently creepy and fun.

-Laurell K. Hamilton’s series about Anita Blake the Vampire Hunter.  However, there is a caveat, her books are graphic both in relation to violence and sex so proceed with care.

-Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse novels.  This series inspired the HBO series True Blood and is soooo much fun.  The characters are well formed and so sassy!

-Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series about a witch who is also a bounty hunter.  This series is a “what if these creatures were real and everyone knew about them” type of world.  Rachel is brash and doesn’t take anything from anyone, not even demons.

-MaryJanice Davidson’s series about Betsy Taylor, queen of the vampires.  This series is less creepy than campy as it’s about a modern girl who finds out she’s become a vampire and not only that, she’s the queen too.  She’s quirky and funny with a major shoe fetish.  The books are a fun, quick read.

-Washington Irving’s Sleepy Hollow is a great book for this time of year, and will definitely make you think twice about walking through the woods, at night, in autumn!

Films:

-John Carpenter’s Halloween (1979).  This is a great movie.  There’s suspense, a psychological component, and even though there are many slayings there’s very little blood shown. Love it!

-Any and all of the Friday the 13th movies.  Creepy, campy fun!

-The first A Nightmare of Elm St.  Freddie Kruger is not your typical slasher movie killer, he’ll make jokes while he slices and dices.

-If you really want to be freaked out, turn out the lights and watch Paranormal Activity.  I will say this was the first time in years I was scared by a movie.  I watched it when I was 7 months pregnant, and I am surprised I didn’t go into labor early I was so tensed up!

-The original Dracula, as well as the Francis Ford Coppola remake.  The original had Bela Lugosi’s stellar portrayal…and the remake had the incomparable Gary Oldman.

-The original House on Haunted Hill specifically for Vincent Price.  In fact, any Vincent Price movie.  The Masque of the Red Death, The Pit and the Pendulum, the original Thirteen Ghosts etc.  Just look him up on IMDB.com and pick any of them and they are all good.

-American Werewolf in London.  John Landis' direction in the film, and the effects are awesome!

-For Nick I recommend any of George A. Romero’s zombie movies…he loves them!

-Shaun of the Dead is a great zombie comedy and a rollicking good time.  Sit back, raise a pint and enjoy!

-The Exorcist…need I say more?

-Exorcism of Emily Rose.  Any movie that can make a lapsed Catholic get back to church has done it’s job.

-Evil Dead with Bruce Campbell is a wonderful low budget, gleefully bloody movie from the Raimi brothers.  A must watch!

-Sleepy Hollow with Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci.  A great, layered movie. 

-The Leprechaun…for your cheesy viewing pleasure.

-Wes Craven’s Scream. This movie broke the fourth wall and let the audience in on the “rules” of horror movies while rebooting the genre for a new generation.

-Stephen King movies…Cujo, Christine, Carrie, The Shining…

-Underworld where we finally get to see what a fight between vampires and werewolves would look like, and it looks awesome!

-Fright Night both the original and the remake.  Tons of fun…finally a vampire who is not brooding or sparkling in the sunlight.  A good old fashioned blood sucker!

-The Thing with Kurt Russell, the first remake.

-For the kids: It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, Earnest Scared Stupid, Halloweentown, Hocus Pocus, and the Garfield Halloween Special are fun.

These are some fun books and movies to check out and enhance your Halloween experience.  Trick or Treat!

Until next time…

Paulene

Paulene's Page: Why I Love Autumn

Paulene's Page: Why I Love Autumn: ***Author’s note: Sorry I have been away from my blog for so long, but life with a toddler and a hurricane kind of derailed any plans I had...

Why I Love Autumn

***Author’s note:  Sorry I have been away from my blog for so long, but life with a toddler and a hurricane kind of derailed any plans I had this summer to write.***

Although each season holds its own charms, I have always particularly loved autumn.  This is a bit ironic since I am from San Diego where, as my husband would say, we only have two seasons, summer and almost summer.  However, autumn has always made me feel happy, like there are good times to come.

-Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m a nerd.  The first reason I have always loved autumn is the start of the school year.  I loved school, and the promise of a new year, with new subjects and new experiences.  I still feel an excitement when I go to Target and see the bins and shelves stocked with crisp white paper, organizing binders, and new pens, pencils and markers. 

-I am not a shorts, tank top, bathing suit girl.  When autumn comes I feel more comfortable in jeans, sweaters, coats.  My favorite moment is when I step outside, feel the coolness in the air and have to go back in for a sweater! 

-Now that I live in an area with “real” seasons, another reason to love autumn is the change in weather and the colors of the leaves before they fall off of the trees.  There’s a crispness to the air that makes it fun to be outside without the humidity and bugs of summer or the freezing conditions of winter.  And, bonus, you can have hot chocolate or hot apple cider when you come back inside!

-Halloween.  It is a great holiday!  I have loved scary movies from the time I was a little kid and my aunt would make me watch A Nightmare on Elm Street when she babysat me, to now when I got freaked out by Paranormal Activity.  There is something about autumn that makes you want to curl up with a good scary movie.  And I am not talking about the uber violent, ultra realistic movies like Hostel.  I am talking about old classics like Dracula, the original House of Wax with Vincent Price, or Frankenstein.  Even newer movies like my favorite Halloween, the first Scream, or a suspenseful, fun Sleepy Hollow.  Scary, or supernatural books are also a good read this time of year.  This is when I pull my Anne Rice, Charlaine Harris and Laurell K. Hamilton books off of the shelves for a re- read.   And, now that I am a mom, I get to find cute costumes for Ella, and this year she might be old enough to walk around the neighborhood.  Last year she was the cutest Ladybug I ever saw!

-Football season starts in autumn, and although I never thought I would be, I am a fan.  As I am writing this I am watching the Broncos/ Raiders game; as a die hard San Diego Chargers fan I am rooting AGAINST the Raiders.  There’s a sordid history relating to my extreme dislike of the Raiders, but that’s a story for another time.

-Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  I could say it’s because of the turkey, or the Pumpkin Pie Cake, or the cranberry sauce…but really it’s the memories.  Thanksgiving was always my grandma’s favorite holiday and she made it so special for the whole family and we had some of the best times.  In recent years the family has gotten bigger and we still had some great times around the Thanksgiving table.  Now that I am living away from my extended family with my own small family, we are starting some of our own traditions and making some great memories together.

All in all, autumn is a fun time of year that I truly appreciate.  We are planning to enjoy lots of activities like taking Ella to a pumpkin patch this year, and maybe going to New England to see the colorful leaves.  I hope you all take just a moment to stand outside and take a deep breath of crisp, autumn air and reflect on the beauty around you.  Oh, and GO CHARGERS!!!!!

Until next time…

Paulene

The End of an Era…

This week, on July 15, 2011, is the end of an era.  I am talking about the eighth and final Harry Potter film.  I know that I am only one of millions who has enjoyed the books and the films, but I just feel the need to explain why I am more than a little wistful about the release of the final film.

The first Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, was released in 2001.  This is the also the year I got married, and we moved out on our own.  When we saw the film, neither of us had read the books but we were so entertained and enthralled by the film that I ran out to Barnes and Noble the very next day and bought all four books that were out at the time.  We devoured the books and waited anxiously for the next movie.  The movie and the books, were a bonding experience for my husband and I.  While my husband loooooves movies, he had never really been much of a reader.  Now, I am a bookworm from way back.  I always wanted to discuss books with him and when we started reading the Harry Potter books, we had a series of books we both loved.  Every year we waited for the next movie to come out and made sure we saw it on opening day together. 

The first time we did not see a Harry Potter movie together was in 2009.  It was Harry Potter and the Half- Blood Prince.  My husband, who is in the Coast Guard, was away at school for five months.  At the time he had been gone three weeks and I missed him terribly, especially since the day before going to the movie I had found out I was pregnant!  I remember sitting in the dark theater and thinking that I couldn’t wait to share the books and movies with my child someday…and regretting the large soda I had sucked down! 

The only HP movie I didn’t see in the theater was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, and that is because I was busy being a new mom.  However, I will be sitting in the theater on Friday, watching the final film, in a vastly different place than I was in while watching the first film both geographically and in my life. 

These movies will always have a special place in my heart because they will remind me of our journey through our first ten years of marriage and starting our family.  Of course, they are also just really good movies!

        

Until next time…

Paulene

Just Some Helpful Hints for Cyber Space Happiness

In my last blog post, I mentioned something I had been taught regarding whether or not you should write something down.  To recap…if you don’t want anyone to know something, don’t write it down.  Then, I started thinking about how that pertains to our ever increasing cyber space lives.  With the abundance of social networks like Facebook, I realized that there are a few basic common sense guidelines that can make us all a little happier in cyber space.  So, just because I am a helpful person I will share a few with you.

1.   If you don’t want comments, positive or negative, regarding your Facebook posts from friends and family, don’t post.  If you post something on your public wall be prepared for others to put their two- cents in. 

2.   Be aware of the photos and videos you post on the internet.  If you wouldn’t show the picture to your parents or grandparents, you probably shouldn’t post it.  And, remember, employers are increasingly checking out Facebook and MySpace to determine if they want to hire certain candidates.  I don’t think a school district would want to hire a teacher who has pictures of herself in a wet t-shirt contest posted on Facebook…I’m just saying.  And, taking the pictures off of a profile, doesn’t mean they are gone.  Once a picture is posted to the internet it will never go away.  These things can ruin a career, reputation, and life.  Our perfect examples are Rep. Christopher Lee (R-NY), and Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY).

3.   Forums like the “wall” on Facebook are not the place to make personal or overly emotional comments, statements, or requests.  If you have something of a sensitive nature to say to someone, use the message function.  No one wants a “wall” post from a “friend” about their significant other being seen with someone else.  Keep it private and direct.

4.   Cryptic posts will invariably illicit requests of “what do you mean?” and “what happened?”.  Be prepared to answer those questions.

I am sure there are more that I haven’t thought of, so please feel free to add your own.

Until next time….

Paulene

What a Weiner!!!

Okay, this is a familiar situation.  A “’happily married” politician is sexually irresponsible.  Anthony Weiner, a democratic Congressman from New York allegedly sent pictures over Twitter of his naked body to a woman, not his wife.  Then, when he was caught, he lied and said his account had been hacked and that the pictures weren’t even of him.  Now, I am going to admit something that is very hard for me…I actually believed that the hacking excuse was plausible.  Now, let me explain.  I am not generally what I would call a gullible or naive person.  However, I actually did not want to believe that anyone, especially a politician with a reputation to protect, would do such a thing thinking that they wouldn’t get caught.  Especially after another Congressman from New York, Christopher Lee was forced to resign after posting is topless photo on Craigslist looking for dates.  I think what almost bothers me more than his atrocious behavior is the fact that he doesn’t seem to know how Twitter, or the internet works.  When I was young, I had a teacher say to our class, after a hurtful note was read aloud, “Never put into writing what you don’t want others to read”.  That was great advice for a classroom of thirty kids, but it is more apropos for the internet!  When are people going to learn that whatever you post can be read by millions of people?

And, has anyone else noticed how out of his league his wife is?  She’s gorgeous, smart, and successful. He looks like his name, a Weiner. It’s a good thing he went to treatment, because he needs it if she isn’t enough for him.  The saddest part is that she is pregnant with their first child.  During what should be a wonderful time in her life, she’s dealing with such a ridiculously embarrassing situation. 

 

                

Here’s some friendly advice to politicians, actors, actresses and anyone else in the public eye: Don’t do anything that you don’t want all over T.V. or the internet!!!

Until Next time…

Paulene

A Little Fun With Facial Hair

For most of us, we have an ambivalent relationship with facial hair. If we are men, we are trying to tame it, shave it, and groom it. If we are women, we are trying like hell to make sure no one knows we have it. Not that many people have fun with and celebrate their facial hair. However, there are those special aficionados who trek to the World Beard and Mustache Championships, and in their honor I am going to post some of my favorite “styles”.

 

It takes commitment, patience, and a lot of mustache wax to create these works of art! So, for all of those men out there who are inspired by these looks… you have a whole year until the next competition, so throw those razors away and invest in a big tin of wax! Can’t wait to see the pictures!

Until next time…

Paulene

Reasons Why I Hate Living in New Jersey

Crazy Laws- For some reason, New Jersey is a no- fault state for auto accidents. This means that a car can pull out of a parking space right into your car (when you have the right of way), and they are not automatically at fault. What!!!

Terrible Drivers- People do not stop at stop signs. That's a fact, they just roll right through. They think that if they go slow enough, that they appear to have stopped; that is until they slam into the side of your car. Of course it's a no- fault state so you still have to prove they are at fault!

Grocery Shoppers- No one moves their cart to one side or the other when they are stopped in the aisle. They not only leave it in the middle, they angle it diagonally so you can't get by even if you don't have a cart. And they aren't just stopped for a second to get something off of the shelf. No. They are standing there talking to someone they know from the neighborhood/ church/ work etc. And it's not just hi, how are you. It's a full-blown conversation. Then they look at you like YOU'RE the jerk when say excuse me.

Everything is a federal law- Apparently everything is a federal law. When we moved to New Jersey from California, we were told by the landlord that we couldn't have a gas grill, it's a federal law; that we have to recycle, it's a federal law; that we can't pick our noses on a Sunday, it's a federal law (that last one's a joke…it's really Monday that you can't pick). We had to explain what a federal law was versus, state/ city laws and landlord rules. Never knew I would have to give a Civics class when trying to rent a house. I almost started to explain how a bill becomes a law…but I figured she could watch the after school special on her own time.

It's always the end of the world- This is New Jersey. It snows here. Yet, no one is ever prepared for it. Every time there is a storm predicted, the stores are jammed, someone bought up all of the toilet paper and the plows are never out until the roads are already impassable. This is for every storm, not just the first of the season. I am from sunny San Diego and I had never lived in a snowy climate before in my life. After my first storm, I figured it out. These people have been here all of their lives…they need to get it together.

Bugs- There are too many bugs here. There, I said it. I am a smorgasbord for any biting insect within a five mile radius. I can't go outside without starting to feel anemic from all of the blood I lose. It's ridiculous!

Humidity- As a girl with curly hair, I do not like humidity and humidity does not like me. On humid days, my hair resembles a giant cloud of cotton candy and there's nothing I can do about it.

TO BE FAIR, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS ABOUT NEW JERSEY THAT ARE COOL

Seasons- There are actual seasons here. When you live in San Diego with that perfect 70 degree average, you don't realize that the leaves are supposed to change color before they fall off of the trees. It's actually really pretty.

Water (Italian) Ice and Frozen Custard- Two treats that I discovered out here. They are soooooo good! Of course, being New Jersey, you can only get them in the spring and fall because everything shuts down in the winter.

History- It is cool being near so many historical sites. There are houses here that are over 200 years old. In San Diego, most of the buildings are from the '70's, and any older than that are considered relics of the past.

As a transplanted Californian, it has been a difficult adjustment living in "the Garden State", but I am trying to cope using a little humor…although everything I wrote is the absolute truth. So wish me luck and…

Until next time…

Paulene

Schwarzenegger…Are We Really Surprised???

    So, after years of hints, and sometimes outright allegations, of sexual peccadilloes on the part of the "Governator" we finally find out that not only was he unfaithful to his wife of 25 years, but he fathered a child with his long-time housekeeper. And I have to ask the question, is anyone really surprised? He has always been over-muscled with more than his share of testosterone. And anyone who has ever known an actor, or politician, for more than five minutes knows that for the most part they are self- absorbed and are mostly concerned with their own wants and needs. Why wouldn't this extend to seeking out a little extra-curricular fun? The only part of the story I am surprised about is that he was stupid enough to allegedly father a child outside of his marriage. I guess being a Republican politician he takes the "no sexual education" to heart.

    A really strange part of this scandal is that there are people in California who want to investigate whether any state funds were used to facilitate his affair. There are two reasons why an investigation is silly. One is that this is a man worth more than $200 million, why would he tap into state funds to help is alleged mistress with a down payment on a house or living expenses---Puhleeese! The second reason is the futility of the whole idea. He is out of office and an investigation will just cost the state money it can't afford right now. I say let that part go and just watch what else is happening to him and know that punishment is coming.

    Speaking of punishment, it was only a matter of time that the Defender of Hollywood Mistresses became involved. Apparently Gloria Allred is representing another woman claiming some sort of sexual interaction with Arnold. Why is it that these women, like Tiger's mistresses, sleep with married men and then all of a sudden think they need a lawyer and try to cash in? It's not as if everyone in the world didn't know he was married…he was married to a KENNEDY for crying out loud! For the mistresses I just have to say, you knew he was married and he was wrong in what he did…but so were you. SO WERE YOU!!!

    This whole situation makes me wonder…will Arnold take personal responsibility? Or should we be watching for him to check into a "facility" for sexual addiction? Just asking!

Until next time…

Paulene

My First Blog Post!!!

Hi there!  This is my first blog post and I am excited to have a forum to put down all of my thoughts no matter how insignificant and trivial they may be!  (Even if no one reads them!)  Just be forewarned, oh potential readers of mine, this blog will have no theme.  I repeat, no theme.  One day I may post my opinion regarding the war(s), the next post might be about the guy who cut me off in the parking lot at the grocery store!  Either way, I will try to be funny, witty and insightful; and for those of you who know me already, you know I won't have to try too hard!  All I know is that if everyone one else in the world can publish their thoughts and opinions, I can too!  At least I can spell...and structure a sentence!  Until next time...

Paulene